Juniper slowly lowered the boy to her side without taking her eyes off the two guards. She took a single step closer and looked down upon the two"I claimed him. Hes mine. But if you're interested in taking him..." Her voice trailed off as she rested her hand on the pommel of her sword, clearly trying to intimidate them.

Oscar hid behind the tall woman and looked for a place to run. His eyes fell on banana and he jumped on it like a cat on a mouse. He might wind up with broken hands or in jail but at least he got to eat something today. He stuffed the entire banana in his mouth so his cheeks bulged out.

"Give him to us or... or we'll take you in too as an accessory to the brat's crimes." Joshy bluffed.

The panting guard finally walked over. "What do you want him for anyway? Streetkids aren't worth anything to anyone."

"Im not anyone am I?" Juniper stared down the guard, unblinking. She knew that the boy would be tossed into a cell if she let them get him." Leave now before you regret it' Juniper gripped her sword in its scabbard and waited.

The guards were prepared to beat up and imprison a skinny boy, not some tall, armed woman who looked like she could take care of herself. They would need backup.

"You'll regret claiming him." Joshy said. "Streetkids are spawned from the filth of sailors, gamblers and tavern wenches."

The guards retreated.

Oscar swallowed the banana with a large gulp. He began sneaking away, still clutching his potato and now holding the tall woman's bag.

Juniper watched the fearful guards retreats for a moment before turning to Oscar."Hands off!" She shot him a look and leaned over to snatch the bag up, letting the boy keep the potato.

"I were just 'oldin' it for yer! Struth! I weren't 'urtin' nuffink." Oscar innocently held his hands and potato in the air for a moment then took a hungry bite of potato. "Weren't 'urtin' nuffink." He repeated sulkily.

Juniper sighed to herself and sat down next to the young boy and rummaged through the bag before producing an orange and handed it to Oscar" This might taste better"

Oscar stuffed the potato in his pocket and bit into the orange like an apple and proceeded to eat it- skin, seeds and all. It did taste better than a raw potato.

"What's your name little one?" Juniper eyed the starving boy and began to crack open a dragon fruit. It seemed she was stuck with him for the time being.

"I'm not wee, I'm bloody well big! Right!" Oscar insisted as he stared hungrily at the dragon fruit. "I'm Oscar."

Juniper chuckled at his comment"Well Oscar my name is Juniper" She followed his eyes and handed him half of the fruit." how long have you been living on the streets like this?"

"Don't know... Five winters maybe." Oscar said between mouthfuls of dragon fruit.

"Wow." Juniper thought hard about that. She hadn't even been on her own that long. She turned and began to rummage through her things before producing a bag of gold coins."Take this" She gave him a small handfull of coins before stowing the bag."Try not to get into trouble anymore. Use these sparingly." She patted him on the back

Oscar had never had more than two coins to rub together before, he nearly burst with excitement. He would be able to eat well on this for weeks! He squeezed the coins in his hand.

"But if i ever see you being chased by guards again!" She pounded her fist into her open palm and gave him a look."There's a friend of mine who lives here that i'm supposed to meet. If you behave i might be able to get you room and board." She stood and gathered her things

"Wot, sleep indoors wiv a roof and evryfink?" Oscar scoffed.

"Only if youre willing to work for him" Juniper responded as she continued, looking through the different shops for her contact here.

"Work?! Wot'd 'e want ter doin'?" Oscar asked suspiciously.

"Ever skinned a deer?" She looked down towards him, grinning and laughing. Juniper rounded a corner and found the place she was looking for. The shop smelt of dried meat and leather and had several signs that showed prices of the selection. She entered the building and had a look around."NO stealing. This is a good friend of mine and I haven't seen him in a long time."

"Skin a deer, then? A deer never did anyfink ter me." Oscar's was already instinctively looking for anything he could lift and run off with.

"That may be true, however they are delicious. And most importantly expensive!" Juniper leaned on the front counter and looked through the back, keeping an eye on Oscar as he roamed the store. Gabriel, her new employer, was usually stuffing himself with some of the product that Juniper brought to him. However she did not mind as he paid well and often had assignments she could take care of.

Why did the tall woman watch him so closely? It was like she didn't trust him or something! Every time Oscar saw something he wanted to lift he'd glance over to the tall woman and see her watching him. The third time he crossed his eyes and stuck his tongue out at her.

Juniper roller her eyes at the kid as someone entered the main room from the back. A hefty man with a thick eyebrows and an even thicker accent smiled widly when he saw the small giant"Juniper! How was your trip overseas?" His voice bellowed loudly through the shop.

"I think id rather walk next time!" Juniper threw her arms around the man and embraced him in a strong bearhug"

Oscar took the opportunity to slip a couple pieces of jerky into his pocket. This was turning into a very good day.

Juniper released the shop keep and began to tell him about her travels. After a few minutes of chatting about how they were fairing Juniper mentioned work." Youknow i didnt come here to gab about the weather. What have you got for me to do around here?"