Next 2 chapters typed and beta-ed
"-bratty, stanky, stiff, rotten, old hag…" Tessa growled angrily as she scrubbed the floor angrily, suds bubbling up under the stiff brush as she took out her anger on the stained floor of the bedroom. "Keeping us here and treating us like slaves. Dirty, wrinkled, freckled bat…" Peter looked as his sister a mop taller than he was in his hands, mopping up the extra suds. The blonde glanced at him, seeing the look of 'I told you so'.
"Ok, ok so it was a bad plan, we'll be prepared next time. Then we won't be scrubbing floors no more." She dropped the brush back in the bucket and it splashed slightly. She sighed and stretched her stiff muscles. "This sucks…" She heard a bunch of the other orphans run outside he hall, and out of curiosity, she got up and went over to the doorframe. "Hey," she said, stopping one of the older boys, they knew more than the little ones, "Where's the fire?"
"There are some grown ups here looking for kids," The boy said excitedly, "Everyone's getting cleaned up to try to get picked." Then the boy ran off again towards the bathroom. Tessa looked to Peter, and there was a questioning gaze in his brown eyes. The blonde girl smiled.
"I have another plan," she said and it only took Peter a moment to figure it out, his eyes widening and he shook his head rapidly. "Oh come on! It'll be easier if we escape from a bunch of stupid grown ups than Mrs. Bat-Brain." Peter shook his head harder; he knew what she was planning. But his sister wouldn't listen; she grabbed his wrist and dragged him to the bathrooms, causing her brother to drop the mop, the handle clanging on the now clean wood floor.
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"Well then, all the legal work is in order," Mrs. Dosh said, tapping the small stack of papers on her desk to make them neater. She set the papers down and looked at the two men. Joey was smiling freely and Seto sat rigid in his chair, "You may have any pick of child here, and can stay as long as you want to make your decision. The children should be groomed by now."
Groomed; Seto mused, remembering how every kid use to rush to prepare for a chance to be adopted, it was competition over soap and clothes, he never wished to go through it again.
Joey glanced at the window and saw the large eyes of children from little kids to preteens peeking in. He grinned and waved, and as soon as he did, they scurried away with giggles and sheiks of surprise. Discouraged for the first time he glanced at Seto, who sat nearly silent for the whole time except for answering a couple questions and signing a couple papers.
Mrs. Dosh ushered them out and they only caught the glimpse of a couple kids disappearing out the front door. They also followed outside and Joey's eyes widened at all the kids gathered. Some played on the old play sets, others were grouped together. Least to say he was a bit overwhelmed. How in the world was someone to pick between all these kids? He leaned closer to Seto, eyes still on the kids, he mumbled.
"I hope you have an idea of what you want." Joey said
"Intelligence, focus, and determination." Seto listed the qualities he was looking for. Joey let out a low whistle.
"Good luck." Was all Joey said and Seto sighed, talking a step forward, exploring the grounds that he hadn't seen for years.