The months slowly rolled by. With my slight increase in pay came a much-needed feeling of relief. Even better, the survey came back positive a few weeks since that walk so we had another resident in the home. I do wish I had more opportunity to get to know the pure residents, but the staff seemed unwilling to allow such a thing after the initial move-in. In this one's case it upset me more than usual given they were here by their lonesome, and though the staff didn't like it both Riv and Sura went forward to try to befriend them.

The charge, Levi, was rather quiet and hesitant to approach others, but interestingly came from a mixed background-- like myself, he was a pure born from a first-generation new type and another pure type. Due to his background not many other homes in Morissey's network were willing to take him, his coming from rather far away after a flood destroyed his home. While not terribly close, the three of them seemed to get along and the pure charge seemed much more comfortable with their presence at least at first. But as time went on they seemed to grow progressively more distant, the staff more aggressively trying to keep both he and my children separate.

Finally, one day in the middle of summer, I couldn't help but stick my nose in this business. Daniel and I had taken our children outside during a warm, humid June afternoon while the staff had done the same with Levi. He was about the same age as my children, perhaps a bit younger, and from the interactions I had seen he did seem to enjoy Riv and Sura's company. I'd heard in passing how he'd always wanted siblings, how this was the closest he'd gotten to anything of the sort. I felt bad for that especially given his circumstances, but likewise happy that my two were still willing to humor his case.

...And I admit I was a little jealous of the little boy for being as welcomed by my new type children as he was, but in a playful sort of way. The nurse and I stayed back by the outer wall of the house to watch our children from afar, his arm around me as we leaned against the bricks. Both kids were running through the tall muhly patches and climbing on the various stones and logs the back yard had to offer.

Levi hadn't been out in the yard much, stepping carefully out onto the grass and looking all around him. The staff hung back some distance from both of us, but I could see them eyeing both my children and I. The poor child looked conflicted as he turned his gaze between the staff and I, then to the children farther out in the yard. He continued his venture outward, looking back to us before quickening his pace to catch up with the other two. Given the little grin I saw when he turned his head I could tell he was up to something.

Heather had just proceeded to laugh as Levi met up with Riv and Sura, but the other staffmember -- the same one from so long ago -- had taken a step forward.

"Please just let them be," I called from where I stood.

His eyes widened and head slowly turned to face me, his pace stopping there. I couldn't help but feel the same uneasy chill in my spine when he looked upon me as I did in the darkness of Huot when Morissey and I went on our Friday walks around town.

"There is no harm in letting them play together," I continued. "Levi could use the socialization; surely you can see they get along just fine."

He turned from me back to the children who by now had begun a game of tag through the tall grass. I smiled seeing the three of them playing around like normal children, the biases of stubborn adults unable to impede them from here. His face started to tighten in frustration, eyes growing narrow while his ears slowly dropped back, but would go no further than only a slight indication of his contempt before taking a deep breath and relaxing.

"...Might I ask what's troubling you so much?" I inquired. "Perhaps why the staff are so bothered by the pure charges playing with my children?"

His eyes just dropped to the ground, unwilling to look at me. I tilted my head and took a step toward him, Daniel releasing me from his arm's grip but watching carefully from behind.

"I know you...don't like me much, but if there is something I could do for you I would like to know," I said. "This is my house; we don't have to be at odds here."

As I stepped toward him he stepped back away from me, catching Heather's attention from his other side.

"I-Is everything alright?" she asked from her distance, his ears dropping lower.

"We're alright, please don't worry," I assured her, resuming my walk forward.

I stood just before him, his gaze flicking around from me, to the children, and to Daniel not far behind me. From this close I could see a crease of grey along the far reaches of his sclera while his attention darted from object to object.

"...Sir?" I quietly asked.

His eyes finally settled on me and I could tell he was trying his hardest to keep as straight a face as possible. This was the closest we'd ever gotten to each other and given his feelings toward me it was undoubtedly uncomfortable, but after so long of this tension I wanted to put this whole thing to rest. It was doing neither of us any favors.

I looked up at him, then down to the ground. After a moment I extended my hand, my eyes returning to his. His attention turned to my hand, his fingers fidgeting while he tried to determine his next move.

"It doesn't have to be like this," I said. "There's no reason for so much tension. I know you don't like me or my family, but maybe we could get to know each other some, put some of that behind us..."

He continued staring down at my open hand, but I didn't waver.

"...And I'd be willing to put behind me the work you vandalized if you're also willing to humor my invitation."

His eyes grew wide and snapped back up to mine, a strange mix of fear and anger in his stare. I'd had a feeling he was behind that event and surely an innocent party wouldn't react in such a fashion. Nevertheless I kept my hand extended, truly wanting to move past that in any way possible.

With his teeth grit he turned away, returning to the house and closing the door behind him. Heather and I turned to face the door, then each other, unsure what just took place. Looking over to Daniel the nurse could only respond with a puzzled look and a shrug.

It was probably best I leave the staffmember alone, so I stayed outside to continue watching the children while they played. Maybe my remark came off too strongly...after all, I hadn't any actual evidence linking him to the vandalism. That reaction, however, confirmed my suspicions well enough.

---

Later that day, instead of letting the house staff keep watch over Levi, Daniel and I offered to take over. The little boy seemed perplexed by the invitation, but undeterred all the same. Having finally been allowed some time to spend with my children he seemed much more relaxed and less fidgety than he had been the past couple weeks, the poor child just wanting some company. The staff looked to me nervously, an expression I never thought they'd grant me, but they did silently nod and relent.

From a distance I could see the one staffmember eyeing me, an odd look of worry and disdain like a caged animal. The moment I tried to take a step toward him he'd disappear, so I continued to leave him be. Clearly there was much on his mind and maybe he'd come around when he was ready-- after all, Heather did the very same, as shy and cautious as she was at first.

Levi seemed quite happy to have an interaction with an adult more like one might have with a parent than some kind of overseer, his taking to hugging both Daniel and I when Riv and Sura made it clear that it was alright. It was a new experience for myself as well as none of the previous pure charges had really gone so far while under the supervision of Morissey's staff. While their care was immaculate, there was a definite lack of warmth in their methods. Should I be allowed to I had little issue providing what I could, and I'm sure the larger man felt much the same way.

It was a nice enough evening that Daniel opted to use a little grill he'd purchased, our spending more time outside under the summer sun. The children were all too happy to oblige and I certainly didn't mind, our dinner consisting of grilled sausages on fluffy split buns with an ear of corn as a side. As Heather hadn't yet left for the end of her shift she was also served, all of us spending dinner together on the soft grass and cool shade. I smiled to myself as I watched all three children eat, Levi wedged between both Riv and Sura.

After the sun went down and dishes were sorted out we retreated to the upper floor, Heather taking her leave for the night. Levi sat with Riv and Sura on the floor of the staff lounge while Daniel read and I tried a new nib for my calligraphy pen. The three children played little games and drew pictures together, and it was like there had never been a barrier between them at all. From the edge of my sight I noticed a stray shadow, my looking over to see the oncoming nightstaff down the hall in search of their charge. After a minute they arrived, standing in the doorway with a strange look on their faces.

"Is something the matter?" I asked from the sofa.

They looked from me to Levi, then back to me.

"...We were wondering where he went," one said.

"Oh, he's fine," I said with a little smile. "Levi is just spending some time with...Cel and Sienna. I asked the daystaff if I might take over for some of their duties as he seemed quite lonely without any other pure charges."

"Did you ask for permission to do such a thing?" the other asked.

"Permission?" I tilted my head. "Permission for what?"

"The pure house charges are our responsibility, not yours," the first one returned. "At your rank, if you want to be involved with their care, you need Morissey's permission."

"...This is my house," I replied. "I should not need permission to interact with any particular person within my walls. I assure you that everything down here is fine, he is just playing with my children."

The three children by now had all turned their attention to the nightstaff, Levi between the other two with papers and pencils scattered about just in front of them. One of the staffmembers took a step closer but Levi had pushed himself back. I set my work aside on the small sidetable and leaned forward, extending my arm in a feeble attempt to separate both parties.

"Please, sir, there is nothing wrong with their playing together," I said quietly. "Levi is very lonely with nobody to spend time with. Surely Morissey would understand my concern."

He took another step, all three children backing up behind me as I moved forward. I wrapped my tail around their collective to keep them relaxed as I stared down the taller staff.

"...Please just let them be," I went on. "I am not trying to undermine your work, but I care about my children and want them to feel safe and comfortable. I have no issue with getting him to bed at a reasonable time if that is your concern."

"None of them are your children, and you know exactly why," quipped the other. "Your job is to sit at a desk and deal with paperwork, not act as a caretaker to a couple of dilutes and a race-traitor."

I tightened the coil of my tail around my children, my brow furrowing harshly as my ears raked back.

"...They are my children," I said with a growl, "and I will not allow you to speak about them that way."

Before the staffmember in front could take another step Daniel rose to his feet.

"I'm gonna echo the same sentiment," he bellowed, walking forward between us and crossing his arms. "Our kids are happy and well-behaved despite what you want to think of them, or think of us. Your charge is plenty comfortable around them and he needs the socialization that only other kids his age can grant them. The only people with a problem here are the both of you."

Both staff took a few steps back, but Daniel just stood in place.

"I'll be reporting this incident to Morissey," one said as he backed away.

"Good," Daniel responded. "I'll be sure to tell them you were both ready to get physical with Reverend in front of three children because your charge had the audacity to play with other kids. Don't think that went unnoticed, friend."

"He is required to get permission from our employer to take charge of those under our care," the other said, slightly cowering back.

"This is Reverend's house," Daniel said curtly. "He does not need permission from some unrelated person to let a child play with his."

The staff took another step back, unsure how to respond.

"And further..." he continued, taking another step forward, "...Riv and Sura are, in fact, his children-- they are BOTH of our children. Keep your bullshit out of our family and we'll leave you alone."

Both staff finally conceded, reluctantly walking back down the hall to the west wing. He stood in the doorway to see them off, not returning to the staff room until they were comfortably distant.

"...Sorry 'bout that," he said, turning back toward us. "Didn't think that was goin' anywhere so I had to step in. Y'alright?"

"I'm fine," I said with a sigh. "...I'm glad you did that. I'm not sure what would have happened if you weren't here."

"Did I do something wrong?" Levi asked from behind me.

Daniel knelt down on the floor beside me and we both hugged all three children.

"Not at all," I said, patting the boy's head. "We're sorry that happened. It wasn't anything you did."

"Are you sure?"

"We're certain. Please don't worry, okay?"

Once everything was settled again we all returned to our usual places for the remainder of the evening. Come bedtime Levi reluctantly went back down the hall, turning to look back to us as we waved him off and the staff put him to bed.

---

"I heard there was a mishap this weekend," Morissey said upon reaching my desk Monday morning. "Might I ask what that was about?"

"Levi, the pure charge, has been very lonely since his arrival," I replied. "He had taken to spending time with my children but staff seem unwilling to let this happen. The other night two nightstaff tried to intervene while we were spending time together upstairs."

"Intervene?" he repeated.

"...It's a nicer way of putting it," I said, looking aside and tugging my sleeve. "Some unkind words were exchanged and they seemed...a little too willing to get physical over the matter. We only want Levi to feel happy and comfortable here, Morissey, and he and my children get along quite well."

"Hmm..." he mumbled, looking down in thought. "...You're sure it was going to get physical?"

"Quite," Daniel piped up from his seat at the table. "After insulting us and our kids the one kept gettin' closer until I stood up. Said somethin' about needin' permission to let Levi play with our two, then held reporting us over our heads to try swaying us. All Reverend was tryin'a do was let the kids play together."

"...Well, typically I would need to grant permission if you were a caretaker, but this is your house," Morissey said. "The matter of permission is only there so I know who is responsible for whichever charge should something happen. As this is your house I don't really feel you have to be granted such a thing. The same goes for you too, Daniel, as you both...cohabitate."

I breathed a sigh of relief. Admittedly I was pretty worried about how this might play out.

"I'm not...terribly fond of their socializing, but if Levi is comfortable then I will try to see past those things," Morissey continued. "I'm just relieved nobody was harmed, especially in front of children."

"I assure you we're all just fine," I said with a little smile. "Your concern really is appreciated."

Movement from the hallway corridor caught my eye, my tilting my head to see the one daystaff hanging out at the mouth of the hall. My ears went askew in wonder, Morissey taking notice and turning around to see what I was seeing. Once spotted he vanished back up the hall.

"...Any issues with the daystaff?" he asked.

"I'm...not sure," I answered. "So far there haven't been any major issues and my work has been untouched. I can tell staff in general are not fond of me, which I can understand, but...it's still unnerving how closely I'm watched, and how often."

"How about the one?"

"...Basically as I've said. I tried to...offer some kind of assistance or help the other afternoon but I think I just upset him. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong."

"Would you like me to speak with him?"

"I don't want him to be reprimanded. He's doing his job fine, just...I don't know. If he leaves my family and I be then that's really all I could ask for."

"Very well, I will trust your judgment," he said, placing his hand on my shoulder. "And I will trust your retelling of the issue with the nightstaff. Thank you for telling me about what goes on, as unless I know these things I cannot do anything about them."

"I understand," I replied, looking down to the folder in front of me. "Thank you for trusting me."

With a little smile he nodded and turned back toward the door. He did the same as he walked by the small table where Daniel and the children sat while tending to a few small bits of schoolwork before reaching the door. As he did I saw that staffmember's head just barely poking out of the corridor as my employer opened the door and closed it behind him.

---