Diego and Lucas arrive at Rutsonwoods after a long journey. "Why did that take so long? This was the first time I ever slept during a horse ride." Lucas says as he rubs his eyes.
"Well it's because we are in a different district territory. We are here now Lucas, these are my friends who can help me care for you. Don't worry as I'll take notes, and if things work out we can live together alone." Diego says as he pats Lucas's head.
"Well I don't want to as I saw you kill an animal, I never saw my parents kill one." Lucas says and Diego sighs as he just doesn't understand this kid at all.
"Listen Lucas, I'm a hunter and I just explained to you the difference much earlier. That deer was meant to be sold as food for others, I need to make money as well." Diego wants Lucas to stop acting like this.
"I don't find pleasure in killing animals, listen I bought you a book that you might find interesting." Diego then hands Lucas a book called 'Ceborati the Ingenious' "Lucas, this man is very honorable, and I want you to learn from his work."
Lucas grabs the book and he looks at it, "I'll read the book later because I'm still tired, I want to sleep again. So how did you get used to just killing animals like that, without hesitation?" Lucas asks as he turns to Diego.
"Well you get used to things when you constantly do them. Sometimes it's a good thing while other times it's not, it depends on what you're getting used to." Diego says.
"One thing you should never get used to is murder. Listen Lucas? I know you're acting weird around me after that, but there really is a differences. That deer that I killed wasn't murder as I wanted it to be turned into food to sell, it's a bit annoying repeating this to you." Diego says as he tries to look into Lucas eyes.
"Fine I'll try to remember these words, but It'll be difficult to forget what happened." Lucas says as he puts the book into a bag Diego bought him.
"Lucas, it's annoying that you are treating me like this, but there is one good thing. At least you care about the life of others which to me is good enough." Diego says with a smile.
"What do you mean by that? I thought everyone saw it like I did, is it different for others?" Lucas asked, "Do all people value life just like you said I did?"
Diego stays silent as he doesn't know how to break this to Lucas. What if it just makes his situation much worse than before. He can't possibly take care of a kid that doesn't like him, and makes things more difficult.
They enter Rutsonwoonds, and Diego gets off his horse, "Alright I'm already back everyone, I brought someone with me." Diego annouces.
A man waves at Diego, "Oh it's nice to see you again Norman, it's been a while." Diego says as he walks up to Norman.
"It's great to see you to, you can't just leave us like that. You must at least give us a heads up beforehand as we were confused for a while." Norman says and he looks at Lucas, "Hey, may I ask about that boy over there? Did you fool around or something?"
Diego looks at Norman with an expression of disappointment, "Alright I was just joking with you, I doubt you had the chance to create a boy of his age." Norman says, and he approaches Lucas, "Nice to meet you kid my name is Norman, and I'm a friend of Diego." He extends his hand.
"Lucas shakes his hand, "My name is Lucas, and Diego just killed a deer in front of me." He says as he lets go of Norman's hand.
Norman turns to Diego ,"You shouldn't kill animals in front of a boy of his age. Don't you know the amount of emotional damages that could cause?" He berates Diego a bit.
"Yeah I'm sorry, I didn't think that through, and it's my fault. I just don't know much about kids which is why I came here to ask for your help." Diego says.
"Listen Diego, I always thought of you as a responsible adult. I even thought of that when we were kids, but now you're making me have second thoughts." Norman says as he starts to look at Diego in a different light.
Diego begins to explain the whole situation to Norman, and why he brought Lucas with him. Although he can seee the reasons Norman couldn't help, but think about how foolish Diego sounds.
"Listen, I'll go inside, and I'll get something for Lucas to eat. I'll be back, and please look over him for me." Diego says as leaves them alone for a while.
Norman looks at Lucas who is still on the horse, "Do you not like Diego as much?" Norman asked and Lucas nods, "Listen, I'll get you off that horse, and I'll tell you something about him." He says and he gets Lucas off the horse.
Lucas agreed to wanting to learn more about Diego immediately even if he didn't like him that much. "I'm only listening because I just want to know something about him and, nothing else." Lucas says.
"Well I understand, and I won't ask you for anymore reasons." They both sit down near a stable. Lucas can't help, but look at the horses, "So you like horses don't you?" Lucas nods.
"Well Diego also likes horses probably more than you do." Norman says, but then Lucas looks away puffing his face, Norman sighs, "You're just as dramatic as Diego used to be when he was a little kid." Lucas then looks at Notman with intrigue, "Sorry kid I just lied to you, but I do want to talk about him." He says trying not to smile to much.
"Listen, Diego is a kind and caring man, sure he did kill that deer, but he is a good man. Diego likes to act upon his emotions first than anything else." This makes Lucas look a bit sad, "It's not bad for a man to feel emotional, and it should be accepted. The thing is that an emotional man must understand when to not let their emotions take control, and instead use logic."
"A kind man is a great man, but an overly emotional one is a fool waiting for trouble to arise." Norman says.
"I'm sorry that I made Diego feel bad as I actually like him a lot. I didn't mean to say that I didn't like him as I was just shocked, and I didn't want him to kill again." Lucas then looks down, "I understand it's his job, and I feel stupid and selfish for trying tos top him. I just don't know what to say to him." Lucas says.
"Lucas, just have a simple talk with him, in the end of the day Diego is a good man. Even with his faults he will listen, and he did go out of his way to adopt you." Norman says.
Lucas smiles, "Thanks Mr. Norman I'll talk with him, and I'll tell him I don't hate him." He says.
"Well I think you'll be a wonderful child for Diego to learn from. I hope he appreciates you, and all the time you will spend together." Norman says.
"Well I sure do hope so as I don't want to be abandoned again." Lucas says with a smile which makes Norman lose his for a second.
"You shouldn't say things like that so casually, I understand that you're hurt, but still don't say that." He says and Lucas apologizes, and lowers his head. Lucas is a cute kid, and he hopes he and Diego can make each other happy.
Diego finally returns, "I forgot to buy food, and I don't think I have money right now." He says as he is embarrassed.
"That's strange even for you to not have any money, what did you do? Don't tell em you wasted it all already." Norman says.
"I'm sorry but you remember that I gave my money to someone, and well…you do know who it was, and I hope you understand, so please lend me some." Diego says as he lowers his head.
"Oh yeah I forgot about that." Norman then gives him some money, "I do think it's for the best to just not get it back for a while." He says.
"Lucas listen, you better never forget anything important as you'll be unprepared. I know I don't look that responsible, but I am it's just that today I kinda messed up that's all." Diego says as he holds the coins in his hand.
"I'm sorry for calling you a bed person, you aren't, and I was just shocked at the moment. I just never saw someone kill an animal in front of me, and it made me feels things. I should of been better, and never made you feel sorry in the first place." Lucas says embarrassed as he looks at Diego.
"It's alright Lucas, I shouldn't have killed that deer near you. It's fine to feel sad, but it's great to apologize when your wrong and being honest." Diego says.
"I hope you understand that I'm here to help you whenever you ask. I also want you to not be embarrassed when you ask as it's natural to ask for help." Norman says as he pats Diego's back.
"Well thanks, but I want to know where is Erica because I need her help as well. She has a son, and I think she might give me the best advise." Diego says and Norman can see that he looks a bit scared.
"What are you crazy? Did you forget what you just said earlier? Right now is not the best time to see her, she is still mad at you." Norman really is fearing for Diego's life, "I doubt she will give you your money back anyways. It's been a year since you last came, and she waited for hours for you like an idiot. She would of waited longer, but I told her that you left." Norman says with a bit of worry.
"Don't worry now Norman I'll just talk to her, she is a reasonable person. I'll show her Lucas, and she will fully understand." Diego says.
"Diego, I think giving her your money to take care of while you disappeared was plain stupidity. I'll talk to her and maybe she will calm down, but still Lucas isn't going to be your shield." Norman says as he grabbed Diego's shoulder.
"Alright but be quick, I'm still new to this taking care of children thing." Norman nods, and he lets go of Diego's shoulder, and Diego kneels down to Lucas's level, "Listen, I'm sorry for being an incompetent adult right now."
"It's alright Diego like you said, I'll be dead if you never told me straight to my face that my parents abandoned me." Lucas says and Diego can feel Norman's judgmental stare.
Diego turns to apologize, but Lucas grabs his hand, "It's alright, as back at the orphanage I learned that lying hurts more than the truth." Lucas says as if he didn't get what's happening.
"I'll speak with her now, and I hope she doesn't freak out about it. It's been a year, and I hope she let go a bit of that anger." Norman says as he leaves.
Lucas and Diego are now sitting down, "So Lucas, I didn't ask earlier, but what kind of food do you like?" He looks at Lucas, "I can cook it's just that I need to know as I don't want to make something you don't like."
"Oh well I'm not picky as I just want whatever my mom makes. I love my mom so I just like the food I guess." Lucas says.
"Well in that case act just like that when I make you food." Diego tells Lucas, and he nods, "Well I guess we can start thinking of something to buy so that we can make it."
After a few minutes Diego sees Erica approaching him with a not so friendly face. Lucas turns and sees her, and she not only looks angry but she looks much older than Diego and Norman.
Lucas stays silent, and waits for them to talk while he starves. "Erica I'm sorry for leaving without telling anyone. Listen I, had things to do, and I just had to stay there." Diego says.
Erica sighs as she spots Lucas, " Don't worry as Norman told me what you told him, I can't believe you adopted a child like that. What really pisses me is that he looks to be around the same age as my son." She points at Deiego.
"Hey, why not let them play together while you teach me how to take care of a child." Diego then rubs Lucas head, "You're the only person other than Norman who can help me with this situation."
"Fine I'll help you out as I don't want that child to be in danger. I'll teach you everything I know, and the first thing which is obviously comfort. A parent should be able to comfort their child, and make them feel safe." Erica says.
"I know that sounds basic, but it's one of the most important things as it will affect the child the most. Another thing is spending time with that child, and teaching them manners guiding them throughout life." She says.
"Alright, but how should I do it? Should I treat him just like myself?" Diego looks back at Lucas who is daydreaming, he seems to be unaware of their conversation.
"You must teach that boy valuable life lessons when he begins to grow. You need to teach him to be kind as it hurts watching a child turn out bad because of neglect." Erica looks at Lucas, and she smiles at him.
"Alright that won't be a problem, I'm a good person so I'll work out. I'll teach him to be a real man." He then pats Lucas again, and Lucas giggles.
"Diego listen, you must be firm with him, but do not go overboard. Don't be too serious with him as that really messes up children's minds." Erica says to Diego.
"I understood a bit of what you said, and I'll try my best with Lucas…" He then looks away for a second, "Sooo…can you take care of him for me for a while? I still have more things to do back at Ethneal." Diego has yet to finish hunting some deer he was told to get.
Erica is about to say something but… "It's alright, I know you will be back, and I don't want you to be distracted while raising me." Lucas says as he grabs Diego's arm.
Diego stands up, "I'll be back, and when I do I'll take some time off. I need time to raise Lucas, and I hope I have enough so I can only focus on him." He says as he hugs Lucas.
"I already have a decent amount of money from not wasting much on renting and food. I have done so much work though out the days, and I don't really eat much, and don't worry about me as I'm not that skinny if you're asking." Diego then lifts his shirt showing that he is decently feed.
"Well I sure do hope that by raising that boy you will learn to care for yourself as well. I don't want to know you died early before he turns into an adult." Erica says, but Diego laughs it off as he leaves.