It had been a while.

Days to weeks, weeks to months of doing what I could to tiptoe around Morissey's requests and workloads to ease everyone's stresses. Ever since that last horrible encounter I knew just how close to reality my termination could be, and should that happen I'd be left with very few options. Though Daniel had offered to get us all out of here in such a case I didn't want to saddle him with such a lofty responsibility-- it simply wasn't fair to him. He'd already been helping me with the workload I took, particularly when we had no pure charges in the house, to keep me stable and to give him something to do.

He'd also stay very close in the mornings when Morissey would arrive to pick up the work from the previous day, standing next to my desk during the exchange. I was surprised Morissey said nothing about it. In fact, he'd hardly look at Daniel, appearing almost afraid to do so. Few words would be spared, though I noticed in the few times he'd look at me directly that his eyes had returned to their blazing orange from so long ago. Something about that felt off to me, a feeling in my gut seemed to tell another story.

It didn't matter, I guess. I was still employed, thus Daniel was still employed and Riv could be cared for. While I hated calling him by his alias the boy didn't seem to mind much. Even so, during this time I'd begun stowing away savings in my room, slowly but surely, in some attempt to possibly spring us all out of here at some point. My wage was nothing extraordinary so it would be a while before I had much to work with, though perhaps selling the house could compensate for some of the deficit.

Though I tried to stiffen my spine about it I still didn't like the peering eyes and judging gazes of the house staff. Daniel's closeness and protection was reassuring, as was Kuri's security, but those previous confrontations still chewed at me all this time. If it happened once, there was no saying it wouldn't happen again, and I was so weary of feeling cornered and trapped in my own home. As long as Riv was safe and I could care for him as I used to, though, I would try to put up with whatever I needed to in order to make a clean, proper getaway in time.

Months turned to a year, maybe a little more. Getting older was always strange, but it was a treat to watch my little boy grow. He was growing so fast it wouldn't be long before he overtook me, but even at the age of ten he was still as sweet as could be. He'd become a bit more independent and bold, less deterred by the staff's rude looks and more willing to return them. He and Daniel would work together to make lunches during weekdays and we'd all eat out in the lobby. By now he also had the simple chore of sweeping the lobby at the end of the day to learn about responsibility, which I would reward with a small allowance. He took to it well.

I still wished, though, that he could have a peer in the house, even if it meant another hit to my weekly pay. The pure children didn't stick around long enough for him to really know at all and his interest in them was just not very strong. I wasn't sure if it was that or something else, as I had noticed more and more that the staff would seem to try to keep both groups separate. It wasn't fair, but I knew if I tried to say anything I'd risk my employment if the last matter were any indication.

By now it was late fall. It rained often and the dank chill of the season could be felt with every opening of the front door. Evening was upon us and the three of us ate our dinners out in the lobby, passing time with idle conversation about the upcoming weekend, what the weather might be like. It was Friday and I was looking forward to a pleasant, quiet weekend with my family, Daniel and I preparing more schoolwork assignments and trying to decide on some decent books for Riv's reading level. Should the weather be nice enough I also wanted to get the growing boy some new clothes and get some more groceries.

Once we were finished with our food Daniel and Riv took the dishes and headed back to the lounge while I finished up the last bit of work I had for the day. I was so thankful for Daniel's added help, freeing up some time after the usual hours to allow me that much more time with my odd family.

Unlike most days, it wasn't long after the other two left that the front door opened. I hadn't gotten around to locking it for the night yet, so in walked a strange pair accompanying a much smaller person. I looked up and tilted my head at the sight as they advanced onto my desk.

A pure man, a first-generation woman, and a new type child.

"Foster home, right?" the man asked.

"...Yes, this is," I answered. "We're currently closed, but--"

"You're at the desk and the door was open, and we'll be leavin' tomorrow," he cut in.

"...Um, okay, were you looking to adopt?" I asked.

"No, we're giving you this one," he roughly tugged the child next to him.

"May I ask why?" I inquired, confused. "Pardon my observation, but you don't seem to be facing any kind of financial hardship given your appearances."

"We'd like to get married and live our lives together," the woman said, leaning on the man, "but I can't do that with her around."

"I'm not sure I follow," I said, looking to both of them and to the brown-eyed girl below. "I can assume she's not from your partnership."

"Eugh, no, she's from a previous relationship," the man said. "We all make mistakes, though, right?"

As he said that the woman leaned on him further and he wrapped his arm around her.

"I don't want dilute kids this far south," the woman said. "The last thing I need is more dirty looks and gossip. It's bad enough she's obviously from someone else."

The little girl just blankly stared forward, hardly emoting beyond her drooping ears. All of this greatly bothered me, reminding me so much of my parents. I stood up to lift the desk arm and walk around to properly meet these people, bending down a bit to meet the eyes of this quiet child. She briefly looked to me before quickly shifting her gaze some other direction.

"She don't like men," the man snickered.

Her eyes squinted with those words, a look of frustration and pain. I slowly reached out my hand for her to take, her turning her gaze back to mine. I'm not sure what convinced her, but carefully she reached up to place her hand in mine. Sweeping my thumb across the back of her hand I gave her a gentle smile.

"Hello there," I quietly said. "Are you alright?"

She just looked down to the floor.

"Mm, I know this is difficult and you probably don't want to be here, but we'll take care of you, okay?" I said, reaching out my other hand for her to take as well.

From above I could see the two parents looking at us in confused disdain, both noses wrinkled. With both of her hands in mine she seemed to humor my sincerity, a small twinkle of moisture in her tired eyes. Scant for words, this little girl, but she was clearly listening.

"Both of you," I said, looking back to the two adults, "I'd like you to leave."

They looked to me, aghast, the man almost dropping her personal file.

"Excuse me?" he said.

"You heard me," I returned, standing back up. "That anyone would go to such an extent to abandon their own flesh and blood for a marriage is utterly disgusting. There are many people in the world unable to have a thing you both so grossly take for granted."

"That's their problem," the woman flippantly said, tugging on the man's arm as he grinned.

"Not to mention that your partner here is a new type," I countered, frustrated. "First-gens are still new types, yet you're willing to throw away your child for being a full new type?"

"We can't help the mistakes we are, but we can certainly try to fix the mistakes we've made," the man shrugged.

This was all so appalling.

After a harsh sigh I swiped the folder from the man's hand, taking him by surprise. With the folder in my hand and the little girl now standing close to my side I wrapped my tail around her for her comfort.

"I've had enough of this," I said. "Get out."

"With service like this I'm not giving you the fee--"

"I don't care about your money, I care about my children. Get out of my house. Now."

They both quickly turned around to head back to the door and make their escape. Good for them, else I thought I would have to get Kuri involved.

With the door closed and them both well off my property I turned back to the quiet girl. Placing the folder on the rim of the desk I bent down again to meet her.

"I'm so sorry about that, sweetie," I said, hushed. "Nobody deserves to be told such horrible things."

A small tear trailed down her grey face, but I wiped it aside with my thumb. She looked to me with surprise, perhaps not used to such a gesture.

"Did they tell you things like that often?" I asked.

She slowly nodded.

"Well, I assure you those things won't happen here, okay?" I gently pat her head. "Are you waiting here for relatives?"

A slow shake of her head followed.

It was likely that she'd be a permanent resident in that case, and that was a possibility I was actually glad for. The last thing I wanted was for this broken little girl to end up in a similar situation from where she'd just come.

"That's not a problem," I said through a little smile. "I'm very happy to have you here. I'm Reverend, the owner of the foster home, and both myself and our nurse will be taking care of you. I'm sorry about your parents, but it won't be like that here. Can you trust me a little?"

After some hesitation she'd slowly nod. Before I could completely stand back up she came toward me, hugging around my ribs and sniffling into my collarbone. I gently rubbed her back and shoulders as she started to cry, confused and scared of what her parents had brought her up with and led her into. Such things needed to come out, so I gave her all the time she needed to vent those frustrations as I returned her hug. With parents like hers I wondered when might the last time had been she'd gotten one.

Before long the other two would arrive back in the lobby to see my holding this new little girl close as she cried on my shoulder. She separated her face from my collarbone just enough to look at them, but I felt her cower back a bit upon seeing Daniel.

"Shh, sweetie, it's alright," I whispered. "Daniel is our nurse and he's very kind and gentle. He won't hurt you."

Daniel took a knee to kneel down and quietly meet her. She wasn't terribly willing to de-cling from me, but did hesitantly accept some of his soft strokes atop her head.

"See?" I said. "We'll both take good care of you."

Her attention then turned toward Riv, who stood there awkwardly with his hands balled up in loose fists by his chin. This was probably the first time he'd seen another new type child and I don't think he knew how to react.

"And that is my son," I said, quickly looking around for the sight of any staff. "His name is Riv, and you look to be about the same age."

Riv and the little girl looked to each other rather intently, both fascinated and shy. My son gave her a nervous, small smile and wave to help ease her troubles and her ears perked just a bit from such a thing. It was hard for me to believe that her parents would cast someone like this aside so callously, but if I could do anything about it I certainly would.

"Cel, would you be comfortable sharing a room?" I asked, turning my head toward Riv. "I think she would feel more safe with your company."

"...I don't mind," Riv quietly replied.

"Would that be okay with you?" I asked the girl still stuck to me.

After a moment she slowly nodded.

I looked around to see that no bags or anything had been left with her, only the clothing she wore on her back which was not in the best of shape.

"Would you be willing to let us take your measurements so we can get you some clothes?" I asked her. "If we do it quickly we could get a few things today before all the shops close for the night."

Another slow nod before she carefully removed herself from my person. Her face was wet and eyes irritated and red from the crying, but it probably felt relieving to finally get all of that frustration out of her system.

Riv led the way as Daniel and I took the girl's hand, bringing her upstairs to Riv's room for her to see. She gingerly stepped inside and looked all around, her eyes wide as she turned.

"If you'd like to room with him we can move a futon in here," I said. "Of course, if you'd rather have your own room that is also fine. We have the space."

"...Here," she finally spoke.

"You want to share a room?" I asked for confirmation.

She nodded.

With that Daniel left to grab one of the futons from another room and scoot it into this one, placing it on the opposite side of the room as Riv's. She watched in a strange, hesitant wonder as everything around her seemed to change. I'd say I couldn't imagine how she felt, but I think I had more insight than I'd like.

"Alright, this much is settled," I said with a little smile as I placed my hand carefully on her head. "Let's get some measurements quick and Daniel will head into town to get you some clothes, okay?"

With the small tape measure we took her measurements, wanting to ensure that the clothes purchased would fit. While we did so her stomach growled and her ears dropped to the side.

"Hungry?" I asked.

No response.

"Please, sweetie, if you're hungry I'd like to know so we can get you something to eat," I said.

A very hesitant nod.

"That is no problem," I assured her, writing down her measurements and giving Daniel some money from my wallet. "I'll see what I can do while Daniel is out getting you some clothes."

We went back downstairs, Daniel and I going our separate ways for the next short while. I led the way to the kitchen with her wrapped up in my tail and Riv close by, holding her hand to comfort her. Shuffling through the icebox and what all was still on the counter I quickly assembled a modest meal of an egg-and-ham sandwich with some seasoned toast, a sliced pear, and a glass of milk.

"If you're still hungry after this, just let me know and I'll see what I can do," I said as I placed the plate and glass in front of her. "Please don't be shy about telling us these things. Cel, would you please keep her company while I sort out her file?"

Riv nodded and sat close to her as she slowly picked through the food. I pet both of them before returning to the lobby to take a look at the file still atop my desk. Opening it up and flipping through the pages I looked for a name, finding one in a sea of chickenscratch handwriting: Kessura, or Sura for short. I cringed knowing I'd have to refer to her as something else, but still made the data transfers as needed between the file received and our own documentation.

From what the file told me, Sura was nine years old and had recently had her birthday, making her about a year younger than Riv. A lot of details hadn't been filled in, such as height and temperament, so I filled in for myself what I could glean from my short interaction:

Race: Faraden
Type: New
Height: 4'5"
Temperament: Very apprehensive, passive, and quiet. Likely from a negligent home given demeanor and parents' attitude. I do not feel comfortable adopting out, especially to relatives, so she will be treated as a permanent resident.

I sighed and stowed the old file in a cabinet in the stockroom, taking the new one with me to the lounge. Sura was still eating and doing so very slowly, as though unsure of something. I took my seat on the other side of the bench with the file in hand.

"'Sura', is it?" I asked after I sat down.

Her ears dipped back and she looked up to me.

"...I'm afraid that I'm required to give new type residents case aliases," I sighed. "Is this acceptable?"

"...Alias?" she asked.

"It's like a nickname," I replied. "For example, Riv's alias is Celadon. I don't really...get a say in this policy, unfortunately, but I try to make it as painless as possible for everyone involved."

"...Can it...be a nice nickname?" she asked, her warm cinnamon eyes looking to me with uncertainty.

"Of course, sweetie," I said, petting through her black hair. "I'd never choose a bad name for my children."

"Your children?"

"...Well, um, since you say you're not waiting on relatives, I assumed you'd be a permanent resident so I removed your entry from the adoption list. I-I could put you back in the adoption list if you'd rather, though. It's entirely up to you."

"...I could stay here?"

"I was hoping you would. Daniel and I would...raise you like one of our own, just like we do with Cel. I-It's your choice, though, and whatever you choose will be honored."

"...I'd like that."

"Are you sure?"

She gave me a shallow nod.

"Alright then," I said through a little smile. "Would...'Sienna' be an acceptable alias?"

"...That's a pretty name," she said through her own little smile.

"Would you like it?"

She gave me another shallow nod, so I wrote it in the file to take with me back to the stockroom. I stood up and gently pet my two children, resting my hand on each head and smiling before taking my brief leave. As I turned around to head back I was stopped by a small voice behind me.

"...Thank you," Sura said, her big eyes confused and wet.

"It's no problem," I said. "I'm happy to have you here, and happy to have you in my family. I'm sure the other two agree."

Riv shyly nodded from beside her and put his arm around her shoulder. I think they'd get along just fine, and I think Sura really needed the company.

"Daniel will be home very soon with some new clothes and groceries," I said. "I'm not sure what happened at your previous home, but we'll do all we can moving forward, okay? Just take it one step at a time, and if you'd like to tell us about those times you can do so whenever you're comfortable."

She nodded.

"Alright, sweetie, I'll be right back."

I turned back to head down the hall and put her file to rest.

---