The storm that befell us that evening was hectic. Perhaps it was the difference in latitudes, but I hadn't seen anything quite like it in Falun or Hagali. Wind and rain, sure, but not like that. It carried on for hours, unrelenting even well into the night. I was thankful the building was sturdy enough to withstand these elements and shelter my volunteers.

Somehow I managed to fall asleep through the pelting of torrential rainfall against the roof just above me, though woke up barely rested. It wasn't just the noise, though. Something nagged at me in the back of my head, some kind of strange and uneasy feeling about today. Regardless, I sat up and stretched, blinking my bleary eyes open and pushing the covers off of me. I was caught offguard by the mirror atop my dresser, as usual-- somehow I never could get used to my reflection, all the ugliness it contained. I quickly turned away.

Sliding to the side and hopping off I began my mundane morning routine. Before long I was dressed and, well, tidy enough. My hair was always a mess so I didn't bother much to do more than comb it. At least while in my work clothes I could stomach looking at myself in the mirror, much of the worst hidden away past the cotton. Always wondered if I should wear a tie, but...never did like things around my neck. I rubbed my throat and winced at the thought.

Walking by my desk I scooped up my pen and a couple empty documents in a folder to busy myself with this morning. I reached for the handle and pushed the door open, revealing the empty hall. The pale morning light filtered in through the resident rooms, yet to be filled, and hardly a sound could be heard throughout the floor. Mornings had a talent for reminding me of how alone I really was.

I made my way down the settling stairs and into the lower hallway. I turned right to go to the lobby but something didn't feel right. Normally there were at least one or two others here, but not this morning. I turned back around to look in the common areas and kitchens, but not a one was here. Puzzled, I turned around again to reach the front desk-- maybe something came up, maybe they left a note. Once I got there I only saw what I had left the night before.

I tried not to worry about it, but every slight movement outside had me turning my head as fast as my spine could manage to see if they had returned. Every time it was unanswered optimism. I was getting nervous and increasingly restless, tapping my feet on the floor if only for the sake of noise, some kind of distraction.

Finally, after what felt like hours, they arrived-- but not by themselves. Behind them trailed a small following of children the likes of which I'd never before seen. In a sloppy line they followed one of the volunteers up to my desk as I just looked in awe, a swarm of orange eyes looking back up at mine.

"Stipa was destroyed in those storms from last night," the volunteer said. "The wind between the cliffs got real nasty. From the looks of it a tornado even blew through there and I don't think a single building was spared."

"Ah, um, Stipa?" I tried to recall. "I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with the layout of this area."

"That's fine," he reassured. "Town a bit north of here, kinda scrubby-looking. Well, especially now, I suppose."

"I'm assuming that's where you both were this morning?" I asked, taking headcounts.

"Yeah, sorry about that. It was pretty urgent so I spaced on writing a note."

"It's fine, it's fine. I just wanted to be sure everyone was alright."

"We're fine, though it was a lot of documentation to deal with," he laughed. "Not all of them will be staying for too long-- some just need to get picked up by other relatives and just need a place to stay for a bit until then. I'll be taking them upstairs and assigning them rooms."

"Before you do, do you have the documentation?" I asked.

"I don't, but she does," he tilted his head to the volunteer standing by the door yet. "I'll probably have my hands full for a bit but I'll be around when I can."

"Thank you very much," I nodded. "Please let me know if you need anything."

After that the volunteer and swath of children disappeared down the hallway. I turned to face my other volunteer who'd not come far inside. Behind her was a smaller person, but much too shielded for me to see from here.

"Is something the matter?" I asked.

The sudden spike in volume made the smaller of the two jump as the volunteer looked at me with great uncertainty. I returned with my own confused expression. She seemed to take them by the hand and slowly brought themselves up to my desk. Even from here the smaller one hid away behind her.

"There was one more," she said. "I'm not sure if you're willing to take him."

"Willing? We should still have plenty of space--"

"That's...not what I mean."

"...I'm sorry?"

She reached behind her to push this smaller one out to her side. Before me stood a small...new type? His hair was a mess and his clothes were ill-fitting, but above all his eyes were an unusual...unnerving pale green. He seemed terrified, face drenched from tears and arms wrapped around himself tightly. Every time he tried to look up at me his eyes quickly darted in some other direction.

Something about this was familiar but I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

"...No relatives or anyone else to take him?" I asked.

"The only relative we know of was his mother and she...didn't make it through the storm," she answered.

The small child looked to the floor, his ears raked flat. Though a child, I was wary of him, and I felt...awful about that.

"Had you prepared a file?"

"N-No, I wasn't sure if I should."

I looked to her, and then back down to him.

"I would like you to, if you would be so kind," I requested. "If you would rather I do it, that is also acceptable."

"Are you...sure?" she inquired incredulously.

"Yes, I am sure," I assured.

"I will get right on it, then," she said. "I apologize for not--"

"Please, no apologies," I said, gently waving my hands. "Thank you for all your hard work, both of you."

With apprehension I dismounted my chair and left the desk. The small boy immediately hid behind the volunteer as I advanced, poking his head out from around her after I stood still. I very slowly reached my hand out over to him and he shrunk back away.

"I'm not going to hurt you," I whispered.

His ears perked up slightly and he didn't shrink back any further. After some hesitation I landed my palm on his head, carefully patting and combing my fingers through his unkempt hair. Though he still wouldn't look at me, it was nice enough he was willing to humor my gesture. It was...difficult for me, too, still.

"Would you please come with me upstairs?" I asked softly. "I would like to show you your room. You look exhausted."

I moved my hand from his head to just in front of him, palm open. He fidgeted with his fingers for a moment, unsure of how to react, but eventually took my offer. My small hand closed around his tiny one. I felt a little smile crease my lips though I couldn't fathom why.

"...I will be back momentarily," I told the volunteer.

She nodded and stepped aside to fill out a couple pages of paperwork.

I walked slowly, this strange child in tow, down the hall and up the stairs. I meant to turn left toward the other children but he wouldn't budge, just staring wide-eyed and flat-eared to the others.

"Hey, it's alright, you're okay," I said quietly. "We'll take you to the other side instead."

The other side had so far been empty. I took him to a room just two doors from mine. It didn't contain much, at least not yet, but still had a furnished bed and dresser.

"This room is very close to mine should I be needed for anything," I said. "Would you like it?"

He looked over the room, eyes still wide but seemingly not out of fear this time. His hand slowly left mine and he gingerly walked over to the futon on the floor. He stopped just before it and turned to look back at me.

"That is yours if you would like it."

He turned back to face the bed, bending down to pat it a couple times. He then knelt upon it and tipped over, utterly spent, and fell asleep. I let out a small chuckle before grabbing the handle and pulling the door closed, signifying that this room had been claimed.

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