𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐎𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍 𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐃𝐒. empires smp (in progress)

𝐗𝐗𝐈𝐈𝐈. KINDNESS

The Codfather seemed delighted at the idea of kindness he didn't have to earn, which made Atticus' stomach turn. He wished the man understood that he didn't have to earn the right to be treated humanly.

They passed a bakery on the way to the castle, the scent of freshly made goods filling the air around them. The Codfather inhaled deeply as they passed; the baker in the delivery window lit up at the sight of Atticus, then smiled at the Codfather. "You must be the Codfather," he noted.

"Hi, Gary," Atticus greeted.

"Foxling," Gary said with a smile. He looked back at the Codfather. "Would you like some bread? It's made fresh and is what you're smelling!" he exclaimed, holding out a loaf of warm bread to the Codfather.

The Codfather happily accepted it. "How much?" he asked.

Gary shook his head. "For a friend of the Foxling? The first one is free." Gary beamed at them. The Codfather frowned in confusion.

Atticus began to lead the Codfather away. "Thank you, Gary! I'll stop by soon," he promised. The man waved at them as they left. Atticus looked up at the Codfather. "It's a gift. In Vulpesterra, to turn a gift down would have you seen as rude or make people worry about you," he explained, keeping his voice low as they moved away from the bakery. The Codfather's confusion lingered, but he nodded as though he understood anyway.

"Do all of your friends get this treatment?" the man asked, looking at Atticus curiously.

Atticus chuckled, shaking his head. "You act like they've had the opportunity to see me with friends," he teased.

"We're friends?" the Codfather asked brightly.

Atticus rolled his eyes, a smile pulling his lips upward. "Yeah. I'd say we're friends," he decided.

The Codfather beamed. He looked down at the loaf of bread in his hands for a moment, walking in silence, before murmuring a small, "Thank you."

Atticus hesitated, glancing at the Codfather before he shook his head. "You have no reason to thank me. Being my friend isn't a privilege." The Codfather looked ready to argue before he sighed and nodded, though not looking convinced.

Atticus shook his head and motioned to a nearby florist. "This is where we get most of the seeds for the castle's garden," he explained. "There are certain flowers we can't get, of course, which is why I set up a trade deal with Lady Katherine years ago for them. And now you, for blue orchids."

The Codfather smiled. "I would love to see the garden," he said. Atticus brightened. The Codfather suddenly stopped. "Oh! I have a gift!" he remembered, taking off his backpack. He kneeled on the ground with it and dug around for a few moments before producing a bundle of blue orchids, already wilting after being in the bag for so long. The Codfather stood and held them out to Atticus, looking sheepish. "Sorry. I picked them this morning."

Atticus smiled, taking them from the Codfather carefully. "Don't be. They won't live for very long, but they'll be good soil when it's time for them to die," he said, hoping the Codfather wouldn't take offense to his gift being turned into dirt.

The Codfather nodded, shouldering his backpack once more. "They were wilting when I picked them," he admitted. "I figured you'd still like them for one reason or another."

Atticus smiled, gently putting the flowers into his bag. "Every flower has a use," he agreed. "Blue orchids just happen to be my favorite."

As they continued their walk, Atticus pointing out different buildings, the Codfather seemed in thought. When Atticus paused to catch his breath, he spoke, "Why are they your favorite?" He seemed genuinely curious, looking over at Atticus after making sure his next few steps wouldn't have him run into anyone or fall.