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 Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 9:59 pm
Hanae's hand shook, as she stared at the letter. The Kumiho's mouth was open, her lips trying to purse every now and then. She looked a fish out of water. In truth, she'd been so busy she'd forgotten the desperate sounding letter she'd penned during Winter Solstice, imploring the orphanage to grace her home with a child. It was been a seemingly wild wish. After all, what panel of adults would entrust a small child into the care of a Daydream only recently come to below, who was still completing her degree?
Apparently the answer was the board of the orphanage. She was to be a mother.
"Miss Hanae,
We have reviewed your letter and application, and have found you to be of good standing in the community and in a position to support a child. After further review, we believe that we have matched you with a suitable youngster. We believe that you will find that your personalities and interests are quite compatible.
At our earliest convenience we will visit your dwelling with a child and a caretaker to make introductions. Should all go as planned, we will then consign the child to your custody. Please find attached a photo of the child, as well as a brief description."
Hanae drew her finger over the letter, stopped at the picture that was clipped on. A small, slender child's picture was attached. They appear to be a hybrid of some sort, almost certainly with Litch involved. From what she knew of Litches, they could be quite academic. If this little one took after that heritage, perhaps it would be a good fit ...
The doorbell rang, causing Hanae to jump. Her eyed widened, and whipped to the letter. Yes, the only person who could be ringing that doorbell was the caretaker!
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 10:06 pm
Matilda fidgeted as she stood outside the house. It seemed small compared to the orphanage. That was good. That meant not as many children could be inside. The orphanage was always so loud. It made it very hard to read. Given the chance, she'd rather be reading right now. Reflecting on what she would read, given the chance, the slender hybrid didn't notice how the caretaker was adjusting her hair, brushing imaginary dust off of her and generally carrying on. Such things were generally beyond Matilda's notice.
A scrabbling sound came from behind the door, and it whipped inward. At the door stood a Kumiho, dressed in a very traditional fashion. Clearly this was a Kumiho who had not been raised in general society. This was a fascinating turn of events. This could be an avenue of study. Matilda reflected on this as she was ushered inside, not noticing the caretaker introducing her. Such things were generally beyond Matilda's notice.
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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2017 10:21 pm
Hanae nervously showed the caregiver and the child into her kitchen, frantically gesturing for them to be seated at the table. She felt like she was going to faint. Here, in her house, was an Elder from Below, with a child, that was going to be put into her care. Provided she didn't ruin this meeting, and the child didn't hate her.
"As I said, this is Matilda. She's a quite one. Likes reading." The caretaker was scribbling into a book, not looking at either Hanae or her charge.
"I-I like books, too!" Hanae put on what she hoped would pass for a friendly smile. "I even have lots of books. Uh... Um... I mean, many are for grown ups, but I'm sure we could go and find a variety of books suitable to your age group. From the library. Or a store? Either really..." Realizing she was babbling, Hanae blushed.
"Very kind of you Miss -uh- Hanae." The caretaker had to pause to locate her name in her book. "This seems like a good match. If anything goes awry, just give us a call. You have our number." The caretaker stood, and bustled out the way she had come, leaving Hanae sitting with an open mouth once more.
That was it? The child - Matilda - hadn't even spoken! Hanae was bewildered.
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Posted: Sun Mar 12, 2017 9:59 pm
The door banging behind the caretaker finally caught Matilda's attention. She's been busy looking at the book shelf. Lots of books about science, astronomy in particular. Interesting. Perhaps this new caretaker was interested in such things. Matilda liked science just fine. Investigation and discovery. Very good. Matilda didn't consider herself to have a favourite area of study. Study in general was simply her favourite.
Matilda glanced up at her new caretaker once more. Clearly a traditional Kumiho. And yet, here she was in Below. And luckily for Matilda, it seemed that she would be getting a chance to study it! She could hardly believe her luck.
Now, if only she'd caught this new caretaker's name. According to the orphanage, this wasn't simply a general caretaker, this was her new adoptive parent. Quite a major difference. She really should have tried harder to catch her name ...
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