by me (Forever United./Master of Nothing)
Click on the picture to look at the full-size version.
Why Krieg?
Krieg has always wanted a child! He's very open to the concept of adoption, being an orphan himself. True, he's low on income and resource, but he's grown up that way, and knows how to get by with ease and comfort. He'd also have the space for them - in his house, there's about five extra rooms he doesn't use that would be perfect for a child! Plus, he get along well with kids. Krieg can be childish and playful, but mature enough that he knows what to do in situations that command him to be responsible. I think one of the reasons I value most why Krieg is a good parent is that he'll love the child no matter who they are. Bratty or selfless, flawless or flawed, completely opposed to him or his very best friend- he honestly doesn't care. No one ever wanted Krieg after he was orphaned, so he knows how important acceptance is. If a child does not feel accepted by their parents, they can hardly feel content with their home life. Also, Krieg is more than ready for a child. He doesn't have a lot going on with my life at the moment, living simple. That means that he has plenty of time to invest in bonding. Krieg believes that especially in the younger years of life, it is not only desirable but necessary to spend time entertaining children and allowing them to discover themselves and everyone they know. It is only of the youth mind to believe that the world revolves around them, and so if Krieg had the chance to take care of Beavis, he'd be prepared to spoil the crud out of them. Of course, all in moderation! Overall though, Krieg would just be ecstatic for the opportunity to be a parent to this child!

First Encounter
Krieg found his way back to the abandoned train station. Used to protect people from bombings in World War II, it was old and rusty. The train tracks were broken and weak, and the white walls were lined with posters of all kinds. It was a great place to stay for his duration in Britain. It was free, spacious, and not otherwise occupied by people that could rat him out for being somewhere he shouldn't be or doing something he shouldn't be doing. He set down his bookbag, which carried pretty much everything except for books. Today it held a water bottle filled with iced tea and a large roast beef sandwich. He took out his food and sat down in his usual spot, about to take a bite of his sandwich when something from the corner of his eye caught his attention.
It was a cardboard box. He didn't recall it being there earlier... No, he was certain it was new- he'd explored the whole place and already looted what was to be found. But who knew how to get here besides him? The station was underground, and since it was long unused, no soul besides Krieg, and occasionally historians, knew its halls. Curiously, Krieg packed his food back up and headed towards the box. It was big enough to fit a microwave, but he found something very different inside. Peering in, he found a child, about the age of three. The child was sleeping wrapped in a baby blue blanket, an envelope by their feet. They looked quite drowsy and comfortable. Gently, Krieg shook the child awake.
The child moaned as if to beg for more slumber, but their eyes were open, if only half way. "Oh, hello." they said boredly.
"Hello..." replied Krieg. "Did you... did you come here with others? How long have you been here?"
The child shrugged. "I don't know... I do have a mommy, but I don't know where she is. Last I saw her she was helping me get to sleep." So they had already studied their surroundings enough to know that much... "Where am I?" Krieg was shocked at the child's passive nature. If he were in the child's position, he'd be panicked and jittery.
"You're in Aldwych Station, in who-knows-where Britain. You're not supposed to be here, but neither am I. Why are you here? Usually children your age that've been orphaned are out about on the streets, not wrapped up in a blanket like a baby..."
Now the child was panicked. "Orphan? No no, I'm not an orphan! I'm not! And I'm not a baby either, mister!" The once sleepy child was suddenly wide awake and more than willing to leap out of the box.
Krieg bit his lip, touching the child's shoulder softly with one hand and helping them out of the box with the other. "Sorry, kid. Such things are bound to happen every so often, I'm saddened it happened to you. I'm an orphan, too, and I was just like you when it happened."
Tears began to flow down the child's eyes, and because the stranger was his only companion, he hugged Krieg quite tightly. "I refuse to believe it... My momma still cares, she has to! She's probably looking for me now!"
Still holding the child in a friendly hug, Krieg reached for the envelope. As the child cried out his worries, he read the letter inside.
Dear Beavis,
I'm sorry this happened so quickly. It was unexpected for me as well, but it had to happen. Please don't bother looking for me, I'll probably be dead by the time I'm found. Please don't think I don't care about you at all, but I hope you find sanctuary in someone more capable to raise you than me.
- Mom
Krieg cursed to himself. It sounded mighty like what Krieg's family told him when they left him in the dust. It was vague, apologetic, and full of excuses. Classic. He suddenly felt a very intense hatred for whoever Beavis's mother was, but at the same time he felt a remarkable need to help the child in any way he could.
"You're Beavis, then?" Krieg asked.
"Yes, that's my name." Beavis replied, wiping tears out of his eyes.
"Is there any way I can help you, Beavis?" He had an urge to invite Beavis to Austria, but he knew the child didn't trust him nearly enough to do that yet. "I have a sandwich and some tea I was going to have for lunch, but the portions are too big for only me to eat." That was a lie. Krieg's appetite was huge and he'd gladly eat the entire meal, but there was no way he could eat anything knowing the kid could have an empty stomach.
Beavis eyed the bag. "I am a bit hungry..."
Together they sat down and ate. Most of the time, the two were silent, too busy munching on their half of the sandwich and taking turns drinking tea. "Thank you, sir. I feel much better now. Who are you?"
Krieg smiled, eyes locked on his sandwich. "No problem. My name is Krieg H. Aaldenburg. I was born in Czechoslovakia but I live in Austria. I came to Britain to take a break from my normal life. To be truthful to you, I am a theif, though I only steal what's necessary. However, if you want to know what I really do to make a few extra bucks, I spend my time finding lost pets. I live alone, but now and then I get a few visitors. My home is actually pretty big, if you're looking to stay with an adult. It might serve you well to..."
Beavis shrugged. "I don't know... England is my home..." They moved a few inches away from Krieg, being extra cautious.
"Okay, okay..." Krieg said. "I haven't heard much from you, what are you like?"
"Oh, my story isn't too interesting... I'm not old like you." they blushed.
"Ah, come on," Krieg encouraged. "There must be something awesome about you! Besides, you can trust me, right? I know you've only known me for an hour, but if I wanted to be your enemy, I would've made that clear from the start. I know this is a really hard situation, and I take it you're a shy kid anyway, but things aren't gonna get better unless you get some help."
Beavis sighed, nodding. "I'm not supposed to talk to strangers."
Krieg grinned. "Good, let's not be strangers then."
Beavis returned the smirk. "Fine. I'm, I like fishing..." he mumbled.
"What's that?"
"I like... I like fishing. And, I'm pretty smart I guess, but I don't like to admit it. I sleep a lot, but I also love being outdoors and playing in the park. I don't like preschool because other kids my age smell like cereal and they aren't very open to sharing board games. What, uh, what's your house like?"
"It's big, with lots of rooms I don't use. If you'll let me take you there, you won't even have to see me unless you'd happen to want something you couldn't find. You could also leave any time you wanted to. I'd pay for a plane to take you back here."
"You're really just going to offer me that? No strings attached?"
"I swear. It's what no one would offer to me when I needed help, but perhaps I know your situation more than those people knew mine. You in?" Krieg lifted a fist for a fist bump.
Beavis chuckled and returned Krieg's gesture. "Okay, but only if you're sure."
"Any time, kid. Any time."
