Description
A Greater Society - Chapter 20: The Last Thing I Expected
by Ratte
Story
"Uh...g-good morning," I said. "Is there something I can do for you?"
"Mm, yanno," he said, leaning against the doorframe by his arm, "there just might be!"
"...Um," I gulped.
He was quite a bit larger than me in every dimension-- at least several inches taller, at least twice my weight. Easily more on both counts. He loomed over me with a warm but disarming smile, wearing tan slacks and an off-white button-down shirt, topped with an opened leather vest. The imposing nature of his size juxtaposed with mine put me a bit on guard.
"Geez, man, I ain't gonna hurt ya," he laughed, raising an eyebrow. "Saw some posters around town. Something something, looking for a nurse; something something, Huot Foster Home. That still the case?"
"Uh...y-yes?" I replied. "I only just put those up last night."
"Well, I'll be!" he exclaimed. "I may know just the hire for you."
"I don't--"
He offered his large hand. I looked down at it, my ears falling back in nervousness. While I was used to the ramiotrans being this much bigger than me, I was...not used to pure types in the same regard. I didn't want to be impolite so I carefully placed my hand in his. He gave it a firm, sure shake, looking directly at me.
"Name's Daniel," he said with a small grin. "I recently moved here from a bit farther north after hearing some things about this place. Something about fights and riots and other childish garbage. You wouldn't happen to, uh, know 'bout any of that, would ya?"
I nervously looked away, unsure how to respond. From the sound of his chuckle that was response enough.
"Had a feeling," he said. "Mind if I come inside?"
I quickly moved out of the way to let in this new person. Riv looked up and over to us to the sudden imposing figure in the lobby, his ears slowly falling back. From where I stood I saw him trying to hide behind one of his books and stay as still as possible.
"Nice place you got here," Daniel said, scanning the lobby. "Definitely nicer than most places I've been to by now."
"Uh, thank you," I said, tugging my hair. "You...said you know of a person who might be interested in the advertised position?"
"Uh, yeah, that'd be me," he said, shaking his head. "I didn't ask to come in just to tour the place for funsies."
"...Y-You're a--"
"Do I not look like one to ya?" he asked, crossing his arms. "Well I, for one, am deeply offended."
"Ah, I-I'm sorry, I didn't--"
"I'll remember to wear my white skirt and red-crossed hat next time if it's a little bit closer to your expectations," he said, amused. "Relax, I get that all the time."
I put my hand on my chest to soothe the pounding. That was a...very weird strike of anxiety just now and I hadn't been this confused in a while.
"Hey, who's that over there?" he asked, looking over to Riv still trying to hide behind his book.
"...That is my foster child," I said quietly. "He's currently the only resident, but--"
Before I could finish Daniel was already advancing toward the small boy. I speedwalked to catch up with him before he could reach.
"--but he is basically a son to me," I finished. "Please...be kind to him."
"I'm not sure what you're so worried about..." he trailed off, looking for a name.
"Please just...call me Reverend."
"Reverend," he confirmed. "Really, I don't know what's got you so up in arms."
He continued walking until he reached the end of the small table, kneeling down to better meet Riv's height.
"Hey there," he said softly. "What'cha hidin' for?"
Slowly Riv poked his head out from behind the book to see up close just who this new person could be. His ears remained low, his expression one of caution. He could only seem to hold eye contact for a few seconds.
"Aw, kid," Daniel said, reaching into one of his vest pockets and pulling out a small wrapper, "y'ain't gotta be scared of me."
He twisted open the wrapper and gave it to the boy.
"I haven't been here long but I heard things about the two of ya here and there," he said as Riv carefully peeled back the wrapper to find a piece of hard candy. "Word catches on quick in little towns like these. So, kid, what's your name?"
"...Riv," he said quietly, curiously picking up the candy.
"Certainly an interesting name," he smiled. "I'm Daniel. From the looks of it I'll be the nurse here in the home. Dunno if you like root beer but I got a bunch of those little barrel candies back at home. I can bring them with me next time if you like 'em."
Riv sniffed it a couple times before popping the small candy in his mouth. From what I could tell he seemed to enjoy it. I kept my bit of distance to watch their interactions-- it was both sad and endearing to see after so many horrible experiences with pures.
"You alright now?" Daniel asked Riv, taking back the paper wrapper.
Riv paused for a moment before slowly nodding his head. He was still cautious, but this was progress.
Daniel reached out to pet the boy's head as he looked away, his toenails digging into the top of his other foot nervously. After a little while Riv relaxed a bit, ears slowly coming forward and back regaining flexibility.
"There we go," Daniel said in a hushed voice. "I'm here to help take care of all o'ya, and that includes you, okay?"
"...Okay," Riv said, a little louder this time.
Daniel extended a hand. Riv slowly extended his own, placing it within the much larger one. Carefully Daniel shook Riv's little hand all while wearing a warm smile.
"You got some very pretty eyes, by the way," he told the little boy. "Don't think I've seen anything quite like 'em."
My ears perked from my distance. This man was certainly full of surprises.
Riv allowed himself a small grin, his tiny fangs peeking out just past his lips as Daniel stood back up. With a few pats on Riv's head he turned and headed back toward me. He caught my expression and cocked his head.
"What's that look for?" he asked. "You look like you just saw a ghost. Your eyes get any bigger and they'll fall outta your head."
"...I feel like I just did," I whispered.
"Well, 'Reverend'," he said, placing a big hand on my shoulder, "I understand your concern, what with how the idiots outside react, but I assure you I'm not like that."
"I'm...sorry, I didn't mean to assume anything," I said, looking away.
"Assuming things based on our experiences is entirely natural and understandable," he said. "I ain't gonna fault you for your caution when you've not been given much reason to consider other possibilities."
"I...I'm curious to know why you're--"
"Not like them?" he laughed.
"...Yes."
"I grew up in a different kind of place," he said, looking out the lobby window. "Bit more diversity, a lot less tension. Somehow my town managed to steer clear of the weird gangs and groups that infested others. You had a couple issues here and there but it wasn't the norm. Probably worked in my favor given my parents are new types."
"...Wait, what?"
"I was in a system similar to the one you got going here," he said. "Biological parents met a bad end before my memory so I was mostly brought up in a place like this. Adoptive parents were new types. The difference didn't seem to matter to anyone involved. Yanno, how it really should be."
"I...suppose you're right," I said, recalling Morissey's adoption type restriction.
I wonder if such a thing really mattered at the end of the day, just like how I still kept Riv despite the type difference. It just didn't matter to me, at least not anymore.
"So, you think I could get to know the two of you a bit?" he asked.
"...Um...Riv was a refugee from Stipa after a large storm destroyed it," I nervously scratched my ear. "He was originally brought here with a crowd of other children, but...he's the only one left, with no relatives we know of."
"Can't help but feel you're almost glad for that," he said, looking at me slyly.
"W-Well I...I just want him to be happy and safe, ultimately," I said, pulling on that ear. "...But he's a very sweet boy, despite his history and recent confrontations. I just wish I could provide him something better than...this."
"I think you're giving him more than you know."
I looked to the floor, the long shadow I cast. No matter how far it reached it paled in comparison to the reaches of others. I always needed everyone's help even for the simplest things-- groceries, jobs, even putting up posters to avoid getting accosted again.
...What could a weak little man like me ever provide? I couldn't even go out on my own to buy my child some clothes that actually fit!
"Y'alright?" Daniel asked.
"...Yes...sorry," I said, turning away.
"Ey, hold on there a minute," he said, grabbing my shoulder.
With a careful flick of the wrist he spun me around, grabbing me with his big arms and holding me in a hug. I froze, my ears raked back and my eyes wide open. Riv looked at me from where he sat, head tilted.
"I'm sure it's weird and whatever, but it looked to me like you needed it," Daniel said in a low voice. "I won't pretend to know your life, so if there's anything you need to talk about I implore ya to come to me. I share no secrets."
Slowly my ears went back upright and I closed my eyes. It had been...so long since I'd last been held this way. Soon he released me, offering little more than a shrug and a smile over the resulting awkwardness.
"So, yourself?" he asked.
"...Myself?" I repeated.
"You've told me about Riv, but nothing about yourself," he said, looking back to the quiet child. "I'm just curious is all."
"Um...I-I don't know if--"
I turned to see a couple of staffmembers staring at us from beyond the lobby corridor. Once spotted they quickly carried about their business, though I noticed their anxiety when looking at Riv. Fortunately he didn't notice them, too lost in his reading.
I couldn't really say why but it made me uneasy.
"Mm, I'll get a feel for ya while I'm here," he shrugged. "Tends to be more genuine anyway. So, if you'd like I can start as soon as tomorrow if you don't mind my occupying an empty room until that infirmary is built."
"Wait, I-I haven't even--"
"Please, Reverend, were you really gonna turn me away?" he asked, ears back and pouting.
...Well, he got me there. All I could do was look anxiously over to Riv who just returned my glance with a little smile.
"I would...like to hire you," I said, "if you're willing to work with everyone here. I will be hopefully receiving more residents soon and your work is invaluable. I...I don't know if I could find anyone else willing to work with new types, either."
"I'd be more than happy to," he said, patting my head. "I'll head out and round up what supplies I have laying around to bring with me tomorrow. Just give me a room to hang out until the infirmary is finished. I can also help with other things, too, if you need it."
I bit my lip.
"Looks like you could already use something," he snickered. "What do ya need?"
"Uh, if I give you money, would you...get some clothes for Riv?" I asked, reaching for my wallet. "I-I can't go into town on my own or with him, and by the time our roommate is back from work most of the shops are closed. He's down to only a couple shirts and pairs of pants--"
"Sure, I don't have much else to do today," he shrugged. "I'm guessing more like what he's wearing would be fine?"
"Yes, and maybe a jacket or overshirt, too, if you find one?" I requested, handing him what all I had. "He gets cold easily."
"Not a problem," he said, counting what I gave him. "Anything else you need while I'm out?"
"Uh...some basic groceries if there's enough?" I asked. "I won't be getting paid for a few more days so that's all I have to spare right now, I'm afraid--"
"Don't even worry about it," he smiled. "I'll be back later today."
He put the money in his pocket and went on his way.
---
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Tarov
MemberDaniel's dialogue got a genuine chuckle out of me. He's funny, and so kind--definitely the kind of person Reverend needs right now.
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