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Edwin doesn't understand Charles Rowland. Granted, he did just escape Hell recently so he might be out of practice with other people, but he is fairly sure that even when he was alive Charles would be considered the odd one out. That's rich coming from someone like Edwin, however, it has only been a little over a day since he found a shivering boy in the attic of a school he promised he would never step a foot in again, and he still cannot make sense of the boy. Edwin knows how to read people, he remembers doing it even in his childhood. This ability became much more useful as he attended St. Hilarion's, which was full of boys that were loud, brash and worst of all unpredictable. By being the exact opposite, Edwin was comfortably in the background of the social life at the school and he assumed he would finish his time at said school in that same way.
Edwin was… of course wrong about that particular fact. That being said, he cannot afford to be wrong about Charles. The other boy is both loud and perhaps a little brash. He is confident in his decision to not go with Death like Edwin suggested and he gathers all this information. But he is completely unsure of the boy. He reads Charles' self-assured walk and listens to all the sentences with words that escape his meaning and he files that all away, yet he fails at drawing a conclusion. Edwin is not the type of person to simply accept Charles' kindness and immediate devotion. People don't work like this, Edwin reasons. They didn't when he was alive and surely the world hasn't underwent this big of a change while he was gone. It is a pattern that humans tend to follow. This is why - to put it simply - Edwin is almost fascinated by Charles. No part of him makes sense to Edwin. He blindly accepted a - what Edwin thought - was a big revelation of his return from Hell like it was nothing. As if he has known Edwin for all of the 16 short years of his life and he had no additional queries. None. Edwin has been shocked at many things in Hell, but this was a completely different kind of surprise. Charles didn't ask how he got out, he didn't press on why Edwin deserved to be in Hell. He did something that Edwin couldn't have predicted from the boy in a thousand years - he praised him for getting out on his own.
Charles Rowland must have been incredibly odd in his life around others is what Edwin concluded so far. Not many people would have stood up for an unknown classmate and lost their very own life over it. Even less people would accept the fact that a boy with a lantern talking to them is a ghost, and barely anyone would forsake their peaceful afterlife in exchange of staying with the same boy. The thing is, no one would accept an escaped ghost from Hell with no questions. To Edwin, Charles Rowland is an enigma and he doesn't know whether to solve it or to just carry on for an indefinite amount of time next to his new acquaintance.
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After his death, Charles follows Edwin as if he is still holding a lantern and lighting the way. Edwin, of course, understands this, being a ghost takes a lot of adjustment and it can be strange for people. As they left the attic behind in search of a new place to settle, Charles hasn't left his side. He gives his input on every empty place they come along and continuously talks to, or rather at Edwin. He used to always value time alone and silence when alive, however he has to admit that Charles makes things… more interesting. He is also a rather good guide for the current London as it has changed from the Edwardian times.
Although as days pass, Charles withdraws. Of course, Edwin immediately takes notice. It would be a challenge not to notice, with Charles' lapses in his cheery chatter and the obvious sadness in his eyes. Edwin is at a loss on how to approach this - after all, he did pass only a few days ago. It's a sensitive topic for any ghost. He might be preoccupied with thoughts about his death, life, family, or a myriad of other topics Edwin hasn't thought about in a very long time. However, there is still a possibility that the boy is thinking about his decision to stay on this plane as a ghost… His decision to stay with Edwin. It would make sense he supposes, even if the possibility makes him feel the need to take a deep breath he doesn't even need.
The dreadful thought becomes more realistic when they finally find an abandoned attic in a half empty apartment building. Charles doesn't seem excited and Edwin has no ideas on what his next action should be. The decision is taken from him when Charles breaks the tense silence.
“Right stop me if this is a private thing or whatever but… did you go and see your own funeral?” The question makes Edwin pause his inspection of the attic.
“I did not. I'm afraid I was taken away before I got the chance.” He awkwardly shuffles in place. Until Charles mentioned it, Edwin could have forgotten that he most likely has a grave somewhere in this city. He was taken by the demon before he got the chance to think and after that, he was preoccupied to say the least.
“Oh…” Charles takes on an apologetic tone. “I'm sorry mate that must suck.” He opens his mouth to continue but then shakes his head and turns away from Edwin completely, and even though he might not have Charles figured out yet, he knows what hesitation looks like.
“Charles. What is it?” He prompts.
“I just- I think I wanna go see what mine is like, you know?” He turns back to face Edwin. “I mean there aren't any ghost rules about seeing your own funeral are there?” Edwin fights a sad quirk of his lips. It is not uncommon for ghosts to see their own families or even funerals after they have died. Many times that is the reason why they cannot reach their afterlife yet. But of course Charles is hesitant about the wrong part of it.
“No there are not. I think I perhaps gave the impression that these so-called rules are more rigid than they actually are. I apologise. If we can find out where and when it will occur you can go and attend it if you want.” He doesn't know how they will get such information but if it gets Charles out of this quiet mood, then it's worth looking for. Charles' gaze lands on the floor, uncertain and looking like every bit of the child he still is. Edwin waits.
“Would you go with me?” And Edwin doesn't hesitate for a second when he agrees.
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They decide to watch from afar after a little while. Charles tenses up when a group of people their age walk in and then marches away after a man stands up to say his goodbyes. Edwin of course follows, determined not to leave Charles alone when he is sad and grieving. Perhaps seeing his loved ones was too much. Maybe this wasn't a good idea after all. Edwin has known Charles for a very short while but he has already learned that he wants to avoid seeing Charles as sad as he was prior to mentioning this idea. Charles doesn't stop walking until they can no longer hear the heartfelt speech of the man who now Edwin knows is Charles' father and the only sound around them is the occasional bird and the soft rain hitting the pavement.
“Charles? Perhaps we should-”
“-bullshit” Charles speaks quietly with the other words lost in the distance between them. Edwin takes a few steps closer, needing to know what the other boy is saying. Death is a delicate thing even if they are ghosts, so Edwin is cautious in his approach. Charles, hearing the footsteps turns to face him and the anguish on his face stops Edwin in his tracks.
“All of this? It's stupid. And It's fake but I don't know…” He sniffs. “I assumed that they would find out what happened to me. I counted on them to figure it out!” He points in the direction they came from. “But those arseholes are all in there together. Pretending that what? They didn't cause this?”
His hands find their place in his hair and his feet start pacing. Edwin stands still, he is of no use. There is no need to read Charles' person for clues when he can clearly see the droplets on the other boy's face that have no connection to the rain around them.
“And I don't even want to hear what my dad is saying. Is he lying? Is he telling the truth? Either way it's bad. And I don't wanna hear it so why did I come here? Why did I think anything would change?” He looks at Edwin hopelessly. He doesn't have the answers to Charles' questions for the first time. He takes another step closer. Edwin wants to wipe the distress off his face and so he does what he never did, he doesn't think about his less than great social skills and goes with his gut.
“Charles…” Edwin cannot find the words he needs for Charles, yet he tries as much as he can. “I am sorry.”
Charles' face, impossibly, crumbles even more at the phrase. “I have to admit, I haven't the faintest idea why and how those boys are here and I am even more sorry that no one is talking about the real you. Funerals are seldom easy but you are a great person still, you do deserve one that you would be honoured to have.” Charles' shoulders fall, defeated.
“My mum isn't even the first one speaking. Instead it's him… He shouldn't get to say anything.” Edwin secretly agrees, and looking at Charles' clenched fists he will always agree.
“We can still return to hear her speech?” He suggests softly. Charles doesn't seem inclined to the idea, still staring at the wet pavement. “Or, we can go investigate how those boys got away with this if you'd like?” Edwin adds after a moment of hesitation. Charles nods. The determination somehow overpowering the sadness on his face.
“Thanks mate.” And Edwin sees, perhaps for the first time that he doesn't need to figure out Charles Rowland at all, he can just stay at his side and let the time do the rest.