The lone statue

[Marta]

Marta wished the stranger a Merry Christmas as well and then Matias showed up. Marta knew Ricky well enough to know that his mind was probably going fast. She noticed the tension in his body and was fairly surprised his hand hadn't gone towards the gun she knew he had at his waist. She approach and put a hand on Ricky's shoulder to calm him down.

Marta nodded. "I do. Ricky, this is Matias. He's cool." she said, hoping that should Matias give his full name, Ricky would understand. "Matias, this is Ricky. My guardian." That should hopefully alleviate Matias anxiety, which she could smell as much as Ricky's tension.

Marta looked between the men - all of them likely protective people. It amazed her how many good people she was finding - especially now that she was opening up more. Splash came and sat down beside her, and Marta realized that since she had spoken to the stranger, her hand was no longer on Splash's handle.

Marta turned back to Ricky. "Matias and I met when I had religious Ed at St. Basil's. We talked a bit about faith," Marta said, giving more to alleviate Ricky. Granted, Ricky generally trusted her judgment. She turned to Matias, a light smile on her face. "So you see, I'm quite safe, and as you know, Christmas is a Holy Day of Obligation. Where else would I be but at Mass?"

[Jensen James]

Jensen had almost reached the street when he heard a man call out in Spanish. He paused, turning just enough to see Marta being approached by a dark-haired stranger. The man’s stride was steady and deliberate that it was almost intense in his approach. The guardian beside her stiffened, and Jensen’s instinct sharpened in response.

He lingered near the gate, half-turned as if admiring the angel statue, but his eyes stayed them. Marta’s hand rested calmly on her guardian’s shoulder, her posture easy. Whatever tension had sparked seemed to settle under her steady voice. Still, Jensen couldn’t quite bring himself to leave.

Matias, she’d called him. Jensen felt a strange pull, a resonance he couldn’t explain. Not danger, exactly. Just… recognition.