Steven gave no timeframe in which to send Dustin on his way, and so their days together stretched on until Sunday morning came pouring across the tree tops. They had laughed, danced, even sung together. While Steven didn't have the range Dustin had been given, he could hold a tune well enough. It had been fun, but it was time to rest from the frivolities.
Dustin seemed surprised that Steven was already awake and dressed, and an outer knee length outer coat that draped over him in a deep blue. It wasn't gaudy or boastful, it wasn't something Steven would wear to evening parties, but it was one of his finest pieces none the less. Their wealth had been given to them by God, and while Steve was no braggart, it seemed wrong to not reflect the gifts given to him.
Dustin looked him over, up and down, lips curling up into a pleased smile. "My, aren't you a gentleman?"
"Of course," Steven answered him happily, hand on his hip. "It is the Lord's day. I couldn't bear to face the towns people without dressing in a way fitting of the respect the church requires."
Dustin's smile faded some at that. Was he worried? "Is it Sunday, so soon?"
"My congregation will welcome you, I promise you that. I know that is not the case in all towns and villages, but you are my friend, and my family is very well respected. We've donated to the church, to repairs needed within the meetinghall." Steven told him, to waylay some of his concerns. He imagined Dustin had been without his own home congregation for some time now, but all men needed to keep the Lord's day. "You'll accompany me, I hope?"
"... Of course," Dustin answered him, tilting his head. Steven smiled at him, knowing he'd find a fine home there. It seemed unlikely that Dustin would stay in his home for good, but the thought of him leaving town entirely was more distressing than he'd thought it ought be. He wished that Dustin would see that their small community here was somewhere he would settle down, find land, build his own home.
As they left the house, and made for the stables, Steven's eyes caught on the large red mushrooms that had begun to spread across the ground, the first of which had opened wide, speckled with white. They were oddly beautiful, but Steven knew better than to eat and of them. Men had died giving into such temptation.
Steven set Dustin up on his mother's horse, a beautiful red mare that was delicate and less hearty than Beatrice, and a hand shorter at the shoulders, so Dustin would have an easier time lifting himself up onto her. His leg had seemingly healed, Steven saw no evidence of lameness or limping from his friend, but there was no need to stress the healing injury worse.
"Has it been long since you've been able to find a congregation?" Steven asked him as they rode out and away from the house, down the long and winding pathway towards the village. Dustin let out a small puff of a laugh, looking at him a bit sideways.
"It has been a long time since I've found company I've wanted to keep." Dustin answered him, and Steven understood. If it wasn't for the promises he made to the church, to God, there were days he'd wish to stay in.
Though, speaking of good company, that did remind Steven. While he believed their congregation to be good, not all of the company could be said to be the same. No doubt, Thomas would take notice of Steven's new friend when they arrived. They'd spoken very little since Nancy left, and Steven had hoped to keep it that way, but he didn't doubt for a moment in Thomas' ability to be aggravating.
"Anything wrong, Steve?" Dustin asked, eyes focused on him.
"I certainly hope nothing will be," Steven answered him with a sigh, looking down the road. His eye caught on the place he'd first found Dustin, but it took him aback for just a moment. It'd only been a few days, but the brush looked far more overgrown, and instead of the small ring of mushrooms he'd seen before, the ground where they'd been now seemed scorched black.
"How very strange," Steven remarked as they passed by, until Dustin eclipsed his view. "It is well and good that you didn't work up enough of a hunger while you were stuck; I don't believe you'd want to eat any of the mushrooms out here."
Dustin glanced over towards the spot, humming as he took it in. "My hunger is found in other places."
