Sorry for the delays; work and work-related stresses kept the creative juices away from this one for a bit. Hope everyone enjoys it.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Tales copyright or the characters; I am merely a fan who enjoys writing about them. All rights belong to Namco; character designs (c) Kosuke Fujishima.
Serendipity
-Chapter 4: The Guild-
Yeager was to visit the little orphanage many times over the next three months (always making sure he brought an umbrella, and that he left by ten o' clock at the very latest). The children adored him, and he had gotten to know several of them very well, including the little Misses Left and Right.
Yeager had continued to make donations to the orphanage; he and Mills had worked out a better system for the groceries, which involved the governess herself just placing the orders, and then charging it to Yeager's account (after much encouraging and insistences on Yeager's part, of course. She'd finally adjusted, but it had taken quite some time for her to warm up to the idea). For everything else, the guildsleader gave her a generous allowance.
(He had finally gotten the rent amount out of her. Or, more accurately, out of Gauche and Droite, who were more than happy to do anything he asked them to do.) In fact, his initial guesstimate had been more than enough to cover it, but as he'd also suspected, the rickety place was a bit of a rip-off as far as rental properties went. He might have gone and haggled the owner a bit, but he did not want to cause undue trouble for the governess or children, so he settled for making some small and relatively inexpensive repairs where they were needed (sans the roof, of course. The roof was neither small nor inexpensive, but was definitely necessary).
(In truth, Yeager was keeping an eye out for any deals on a more suitable building for the institution, so he was reluctant to make any huge improvements to a house that was sub-par to begin with. Let the dasterdly owner who rented it in that condition see to those!)
Several other changes had also been instituted since Yeager had begun sponsoring the home, mostly in its daily routines. For one thing, the governess no longer had to go out and peddle flowers or homemade goods...instead, she was to stay and hone the childrens' skills and see to their basic education. This was what the orphanages in Zaphias did (in fact, many of the noblewomen came in to tutor the children, feeling a sort of smug pride at helping those less fortunate). There were regular schools in Zaphias, but the institutions there focused more on teaching orphans skills that would enable them to get jobs; providing in-house tutors allowed them to more seamlessly blend learning those skills with a basic education.
(In Dahngrest, there was no such issue; combining a more pragmatic education with that of books had always been a way of life, and all children, orphan and non, attended one of two schools on the eastern or western sides of town.)
All-in-all, the relationship between guildleader and orphanage was proving to be a beneficial one, and not just on the orphanage's part (although privately, Ms. Ferris felt that they were getting the lion's share of the deal). But Yeager frequently visited when he was in the area, for he enjoyed talking and playing with the children, hearing of the things that they were learning and doing.
"You make a good father-figure for the children," Ms. Ferris commented to him one day, flooring him completely (he really should be getting used to that). "It's good for them to have a positive male influence in their lives."
"Father-figure?" he repeated, flabbergasted.
"Yes," the governess said pleasantly. "What else would you be? You do far more for us than any noble ever has; your scope of care goes far beyond that of just "sponsor". Material concerns aside, you listen to them when they talk, and offer help where you can. Isn't that what fathers do?"
"...I simply did not sink of it zhat vay," Yeager finally responded. He'd always wanted children of his own, someday - if only fate had not stepped in and taken away his darling Casey - but since that desire was likely to be left unfulfilled, he would settle for being an acting father instead. He did truly enjoy the children's company, after all.
"Gauche and Droite have become especially fond of you," Ms. Ferris said then. "They light up whenever you visit."
Yeager smiled. "I'm quite fond of zhem, as well," he chuckled. "Zhey're rather entertaining, always keeping me on my toes."
.v:V:v.v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v.
Yeager had arrived in Torim that week from Dahngrest. He would be staying for two weeks, taking care of things in that town and visiting with some new potential clients in its sister city Nor. He'd disembarked a day prior, had a good long night's sleep at the Inn, and was off to the orphanage by ten-thirty in the morning. Along the way, he stopped at the bakery and purchased five-dozen pastries; heaven knew the children - and their governess! - could use a special treat now and again.
He navigated through the now-familiar side-streets, and soon the home came into view. By eleven-thirty, Ms. Ferris usually had the children play in the house or yard while she prepared lunch, and that was where they were, now. The children all knew Yeager by now, and a crowd of them cheerfully ran to greet him as he approached, laughing and calling out to him.
"What's that in the boxes?"
"Was your trip long?"
"Nanny didn't tell us you were coming!"
"One moment, one moment," he laughed, "how about ve let me get inside, first, ja?"
"What's in the boxes?" Droite asked him again, hugging his leg.
"Impatient as ever, I see," Yeager chuckled. "It's a bit of a surprise for everyone. But you must vait until after lunch, ja?"
"It's an eat-treat!"
"Perhaps-"
"Yeager, what a pleasant surprise!" Ms. Ferris came out of the house, Gauche at her heels, both having heard the commotion from inside. "We were just starting lunch."
"Vell zhen, I von't keep you from zhat."
"Oh, my, what's in those boxes?"
"A bit of a surprise for everyone," he replied elusively, walking inside the house to the kitchen. "Vhat vere you making for lunch?"
"Cheese sandwiches and tomato soup," Ms. Ferris replied, sniffing at the boxes. "Pastries? Really, Yeager, you don't need to do this for us!"
"Vhy, Ms. Ferris - zhat's vhat makes it such fun!" Ms. Ferris sighed and shook her head with a smile. Honestly, the man was downright impossible sometimes!
.v:V:v.v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v.
After lunch, Ms. Ferris had to go and run some other errands, namely purchasing sewing needles, fabric, and buttons, for some of the younger childrens' clothes were needing repairs. Most of them had done well in their studies over the past few weeks, and since Yeager was there, she permitted them to take the rest of the day off.
"I shouldn't be more than two hours," she said cheerfully. "You all know the rules...Yeager, will you be staying for supper as well?"
"Most likely."
"In that case, I'll leave you in charge," she smiled. "I'll see you all later. Behave nicely." The governess left, and Yeager turned to the children with a wink.
"Vell zhen, I believe a good game of Freeze Tag is in order, ja? Better start running!" The children screamed delightedly, taking off in all directions as he gave chase. Franz and Esmerelda had re-introduced Yeager to the game a month and a half ago (he had played it when he was young, as well), and since then it had become somewhat of a tradition, him usually starting out as "It". He didn't mind though; the game was thoroughly entertaining, especially with thirty-or-so children, most of whom under age ten.
Yes, he'd certainly get his exercise today.
.v:V:v.v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v.
An hour later, he and most of the children had moved into the main room. Yeager was tired after that long game, and had settled down on the couch with a book.
"Um...Yeager?" Gauche approached him shyly. "May we speak with you?"
"Hmm?" Yeager looked up from his book. "Of course, Liebchen. Vhat did you need?"
"We, ahm..."
"Well..."
"We want to join your guild!" both girls exclaimed.
Huh?
"Join ze...join Leviasan's Claw?"
"Yes."
"Uh-huh."
Leviathan's Claw had almost fifty members, nearly all of whom were men. The youngest was seventeen, and the oldest was fifty-two. While they were very professional outside their compound, sailor talk and drunken idiocy were not exactly uncommon sights at the Manor of the Wicked (though Yeager only tolerated so much before he put his foot down). The compound itself was filled with knifes, guns, sickles, swords, bows, maces, axes, everything in between, hybrids of any given weapon and sometimes combinations of three or four of them (Yeager's own sciflebow was a crossbow, rifle, scythe, and scimitar), not to mention copious amounts of hoplon blastia. And for all their professionality and straight-cut image in the business world (in and outside of the Empire), they were also involved with a number of things that were under the table, and that meant they were involved with a number of dangerous people.
In short, they were not good company for little girls.
The problem was conveying this to two little girls without them taking it personally. Yeager sighed.
"Gauche, Droite - I'm flattered," he finally said, looking at them. "Truly. However, I'm afraid I must decline you at zhis point. Ve do some dangerous sings and deal wis' some very dangerous people. Leviasan's Claw is not a place for children." There. It was true that he was more uneasy about little girls joining as opposed to little boys - he was uneasy about the "little" part, period - but at least this way, hopefully, the girls would take it less personally than they otherwise might. He watched the two carefully.
"What about an apprenticeship or something?" Droite barreled on. "We know we would need some learning and training first. We wouldn't expect to do everything right away."
"Vhy is it so imperative?" Yeager asked then. "Zhere are many good guilds in Dahngrest, guilds zhat deal in less...complicated trades."
"But we want to join your guild," Droite protested.
"You're the one that's done all this for us," Gauche added. "We want to give something back...please?"
Yeager smiled, "Liebchen, I did not do zhis to "get somesing back"."
"But that makes it even nicer!" Droite burst out.
"Yes, and this way we could give back to Nanny, too," Gauche said then.
"Liebchen-"
"Oh, please let us join! I'm nine and Gauche is eight...that's when most Dahngrest kids join a guild, anyway, isn't it?"
"Liebchen-"
"Please - we'll work hard, Yeager! We won't let you down..."
"Liebchen-"
"We can-mmmph!"
Yeager had reached out and with either hand (gently) pinched both their lips shut. He'd been interrupted three times now, and it was his turn to talk. The girls looked on him with surprise, and he raised at them a non-existant eyebrow.
"Are you two going to allow me to zpeak?" His voice carried the slightest undercurrents of sternness, and it was enough of a warning for them. They nodded. "Gut. I am going to let go of your lips, and vhen I do, I vant you to listen, ja?" They nodded again, and he let go.
"In ze first place, no, I do not do apprenticeships for anyone under ze age of fifteen. As I said, ve are dealing in veapons. Zhis can be a dangerous trade, not just merchandise-wise, but wis' ze people ve are dealing wis', also. And I have dealt wis' some very dangerous people," he enunciated, thinking of Alexei. Heaven help him, Yeager idly thought, if Alexei ever found out about the orphanage.
"Secondly," Yeager continued, casting that thought out of his mind, "yes, eight and nine are typically when orphaned Guild children find a guild to join. However, every guild is different and has different critertia, creeds and regulations zhat zhey adhere to for different reasons. Leviasan's Claw rarely, rarely, accepts anyone under ze age of fifteen. Even before my tenure as director, zhis vas ze policy. Ve can't very well have children playing around veapons zhat could easily, irrepairably hurt, or even kill zhem, could ve? And I could never live wis' myself if somesing like zhat happened.
"Lastly," Yeager began, expression softening into a smile, "you two, are - as ve have established - children. Myself and Ms. Ferris have done zhese sings because ve vanted to, for you. Ve require no repayment vhatsoever, ja? If you really vant to give back, do not waste vhat ve are working to give you, and be as helpful around zhis home as you always have been. Concentrate on your learning for now, and put it to good use later. Living well...zhat is ze best way you can "repay" us."
"Mmm...that's not a way at all..."
"It is to me. And I am sure it is to Ms. Ferris, as well," he said gently.
"We still want to-"
"Gauche, Droite," Yeager stopped them. He was not actually angry, but there was a certain firmness to his tone that allowed no room for argument. "Girls, I am sorry - truly, I am. But I cannot allow you entry into ze guild until you are at least fifteen years of age. Zhose are ze requirements and I cannot let zhat one slide."
"But..."
"Ze subject is closed," he said shortly, unwilling to discuss the matter any further. There wasn't anything left to discuss, anyway. He intended to go back to his reading, but the girls looked so disappointed...heartbroken, really, and that was a stab to his own not-heart. He sighed, and pulling either girl's chin up with a knuckle, so that he could look at their faces.
"Understand," he said then, very gently, a kind smile in place, "Understand, girls - zhis is not a reflection or rejection of either of you. On the contrary - both of you have many fine qualities zhat vould surely be useful in Leviasan's Claw...but your age is a factor zhat I cannot overlook. I would not approve for anyone your age to join, ja?"
"...Mmm."
"Cheer up, girls," he smiled. "Vhy don't you sit down?"
"Um...no, that's okay," Gauche spoke. "Droite and I have...have things to do."
"...Very well, zhen," Yeager said, smile firmly in place, "I von't keep you. But if you need anysing else, don't hesitate to ask." The girls nodded politely and hurried from the room. Yeager sighed massively; they were clearly very upset, and now he was, too. Still, what was he supposed to do? They were way, way too young to join a guild like Leviathan's Claw.
When Ms. Ferris came back she was surprised to see that the girls were nowhere to be seen. Dinner came and went, and both Gauche and even the normally bubbly Droite were very withdrawn. Not only that, but the girls - usually glued to Yeager's sides at mealtimes - actually seemed to be avoiding him.
"Yeager?" she asked later, after the children were in bed. "Did something happen with Gauche and Droite?"
The guildsleader sighed. So she had noticed. "Vell...you see..." He explained the scene from earlier in the day.
"No, I understand completely," she nodded, after he had finished. "Those regulations are in place for a reason. I don't blame you for turning them down. They'll understand someday."
"I hope so. Anyvay, it grows late; I'd best be leaving, if you vill excuse me."
Ms. Ferris smiled at him. "Don't fret so much. The girls will come around soon enough."
"It's not zhat I don't vant zhem around - on the contrary, I find zhem both highly intelligent and in possession of a good many qualities zhat vould benefit ze guild, but..."
"It's alright," Ms. Ferris repeated gently. "I understand. And they probably do, too. They'll come around."
"I hope so. Vell, I'll be going now. Guten Nacht."
.v:V:v.v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v.
Yeager did not come the next two days (he had business the first day, and the second day was Remday), but he did return for supper the day after that. Gauche and Droite had gotten over their disappointments with him, and greeted the guildsleader with their usual smiles and hugs (which he cheerfully returned). Things went smoothly until about eight-o'-clock, when the girls once again approached him.
"May we talk to you?"
"Of course, Droite," Yeager smiled. "Vhat about?"
"...Well, we were thinking about what you said last time. About the guild."
Oh, great. Yeager kept the smile pasted on his face.
"We were thinking about what you said," Droite told him. "About the weapons. Gauche and I are both old enough to know better."
"We wouldn't shoot or slice ourselves."
Yeager did not know how to respond. On one hand, he was annoyed; hadn't he made this clear last time? On the other hand, he had to admire their determination, especially coming from ones so young.
"...I'm sure you vouldn't, Liebchen," he finally said, gently, "but ze rules stand firm. No one under fifteen."
"Yes, but you said that that was because of the weapons," Gauche replied.
"I also said zhat vas because of some of ze people," Yeager reminded her. Sighing, he stood up, putting a hand on each of the girls' shoulders.
"Darlings," Yeager began, "your determination is admirable, and I am truly flattered that of all ze guilds, you wish to join mine. But my decision from before stands, and I would appreciate it if you vould just let it be, ja? I don't like saying no all ze time and seeing your sad faces."
"If you would just say "yes" then you wouldn't have to say "no"?" Droite chirped. Yeager smiled, but raised a nonexistant eyebrow.
"If you vould just not ask I vould not have to say anysing at all," he chirped right back. "Please, leave it be. I know zhat it is not easy, and that it is difficult to understand, but zhis is for your safety. I could never forgive myself if somesing happened to you two, especially if it vas fully preventable."
The girls frowned again, but this time Yeager made them sit down on either side of him, placing an arm around each one and hugging them.
"I promise," he said, "zhat once you turn fifteen, if you are still interested, you vill be inducted right away, ja?"
The girls sighed, "Alright."
.v:V:v.v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v.
Yeager did not return for the next four days because of things to do in Capua Nor. He returned to Torim for the weekend, however, one that would prove to be the most memorable weekend in a long, long time.
When Yeager came to visit that Loreleiday - laden with pastries again - the children had swarmed around him at once, but Gauche and Droite were nowhere in sight, much to Yeager's disappointment. For the last two months, they'd usually been the first to greet and hug him, and he had come to look forward to it.
"Vhere are Gauche and Droite?" Yeager asked, after he'd finished greeting and hugging the other children. "Zhey're usually out here, ja?"
"They're inside the house," Phillipe chirped. "They said they were going to start lunch."
"Gauche and Droite are?" Yeager tilted his head. "Is Ms. Ferris in zhere wis' zhem?"
"Uh-uh," Franz answered this time, shaking his head. "Nanny's been in her room all day; Droite said she wasn't feeling good."
"Oh, dear," Yeager frowned. "Vell, I'll go put zhese inside and see if I can't help. Franz, you continue to hold ze fort down out here, ja?"
"Aye aye, sir!" Franz smiled and mock-saluted, eliciting a chuckle from the guildsleader.
"At ease, cadet," Yeager replied easily, turning and striding inside.
.v:V:v.v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v.
Gauche and Droite were in the kitchen, busily making up plates of sandwiches. They stopped when they saw Yeager, though, and ran to hug him.
"We're so happy to see you!" Droite said, glomping him. Yeager got the impression that it was less to do with him and more to do with there being an adult around who was not more-or-less incapacitated (though it was true the girls were always delighted when he came to visit).
"I am happy to see you, too," Yeager replied nonetheless, returning the hug. "Now, vhat's zhis about Ms. Ferris being ill?"
"...She's in bed," Gauche said, frowning deeply, "she's been in bed all day..."
"I see." He paused a moment, thinking, noting the worry in their faces. Was the governess really that sick, or was it merely youth's inexperience exaggerating things?
"Vell, vhat do you say I go check on her, and you keep sings going out here, ja?" He smiled, and they nodded. "Don't vorry, ve'll set sings right. I'll be back in just a moment." He walked down the short hall to the governess' room, listening at the door for a moment before knocking.
"Ms. Ferris?" Yeager called, rapping on the door. "Madam, are you decent? May I come in?" There was a muffled reply that he didn't really understand, but he did need to ascertain the situation. Slowly, carefully, he inched open the door to peek inside; under the covers was a lump with a mop of red hair sticking out.
"Ms. Ferris?" Yeager called again, softly, approaching the bed. "How are you feeling?" he asked, kneeling down at her head. "Ze girls said you veren't vell."
"Gauche and Droite?" she coughed, then turned over to face him. The poor lady's cheeks were flushed red, and her eyes were tired and bloodshot. He put a hand to her forehead; she was definitely sick, but nothing that a good bed rest shouldn't cure.
"Dear, dear..." the governess coughed again. "Those poor things, they've been doing everything today...I-I need to get up...get lunch ready..."
"Not with a fever like zhat, you're not." In spite of himself, Yeager chuckled. Stubborn woman. "Besides, ze girls have a plate of sandviches zhey are setting out. And I can help, too."
"You do too much already..." the governess protested, but she was in no condition to put up a real argument (as if she would have won it, anyway).
"Nein - you are not to do a single thing today," the guildsleader ordered. "Gauche and Droite and I can handle it for one day. Ve'll hold down ze fort. You just rest."
.v:V:v.v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v.
"How are things going on zhis end?" Yeager asked as he came back into the kitchen. "Vell, you two look like you're doing just fine wis' ze sandviches."
"We're almost done."
"Gut. I'm going to get your nanny some soup; zhat ought to help her feel better."
"Okay..." Even the normally boisterous Droite was more quiet.
"Vhat's wrong, Liebchen?" Yeager asked gently. "Vhat's bothering you?"
"Is...is Nanny going to be okay?" Droite asked anxiously.
"Of course!" Yeager couldn't help but chuckle a little bit. "It's nothing more zhan a bad cold, zhat's all. She'll be up and about in no time - vell, as long as she gets ze proper rest."
"You're sure?"
"Positive," Yeager insisted. "Now, vhy don't you two finish making zhose sandviches for everyone, ja? Zhen after zhat you can all eat your pastries and ve'll think about vhat to do."
.v:V:v.v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v.
The day proved to be one of Yeager's busier ones. Though he supported the orphanage financially, he hadn't realized exactly what went into Ms. Ferris' days and nights. Dinner still needed to be planned, there was some laundry to do (with thirty children underfoot, Ms. Ferris usually had to do at least some laundry everyday), and due to the governess' illness, not a stitch of schooling had been done.
"Some schooling for everyone," Yeager insisted. "Just a review. Pair or triple-up and quiz each other, ja? Franz, Effie, and Joshua, you be in charge of zhat."
Gauche, Droite, Marcus, and some of the other children helped get the laundry started, then he and the three older children decided on what to have for dinner. Then there were the fights to break up and the arguments to settle. The children were usually on their best behavior when he was there, but he was inside so much, they kept forgetting. And when he did visit, he usually kept them occupied with Freeze Tag and Hide-'n-Seek and whatever else the children came up with. When the last big argument broke out over someone "cheating" on Baloney Sandwich for the millionth time (a game which was intended for cheating, anyway), Yeager had had enough and silenced them all with his patented Shark Glare, then banished the game for the rest of the day.
"I regret ever teaching them zhat stupid card game..." Yeager muttered to himself. That'd teach him, for sure.
For dinner, they decided on breakfast: pancakes, bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns. Overall, it was rather simple, and it was easy to make a lot of everything. Dishes came after that (the older children kindly pitching in), as well as folding the laundry that had been drying in the sun earlier. Yeager was sore pleased when bedtime came and the children were made to go to sleep. He was exhausted.
"Hmm?" The pitter-patter of feet on the floor roused him, and a good thing, too. He hadn't realized it, but he'd been drifting off on the couch.
"I'm sorry!" Droite exclaimed quietly. "I didn't mean to wake you up!"
"Zhat's alright," Yeager sat up tiredly, cracking his neck. "If you hadn't, I'd be suffering in ze morning."
"Hmm?" Droite looked confused; she didn't get it. Yeager shrugged.
"Never mind it," he said then, yawning and rubbing his eyes. "But vhat are you doing up?"
"I can't sleep..." Droite whimpered, clutching her stuffed cat.
"Still worried about your nanny?" the guildsleader kindly asked, and the little girl nodded solemnly. Yeager lifted an arm, jerking his head in his direction. "Come sit, Liebchen." The little girl hurried over, curling up against him.
"I know it seems serious," Yeager said then, "but it really is just a bad cold. If it were truly something more threatening, I vould have sent for a doctor. It's just a cold, darling, nothing more."
"Mmm." Yeager's presence was a comforting one, and Droite snuggled closer. It was nice, sitting like this. She felt...safe, content.
"I'm really glad you came when you did," she said then. "Gauche and Franz and I were really scared about Nanny and we didn't know exactly what to do..."
"It can be a scary thing to have to take charge, and wis'out a real safety net," Yeager agreed, squeezing her shoulder, "but you did quite vell overall. Don't be too hard on yourself. And you were of great help to me; I never vould have been able to know vhat to do all day. I zimply don't have to think about such things on a regular basis." He sure had newfound respect for Ms. Ferris, though.
"I wish we could join your guild," Droite whimpered at him suddenly. "Guilds are supposed to be like family, right? Then a guild boss would be like a daddy...I wish you were our daddy."
Something pricked in his not-heart. "...Zhat's very sweet of you," he said in a half-chuckle. "Try and sleep, Liebchen. Morning vill be here before you know it."
.v:V:v.v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v.
The next day, Gnomeday, was just as chaotic, but by Remday, Ms. Ferris had completely recovered, having slept for the majority of the two days before. She thanked Yeager profusely for his timely assistance, to which he responded with his insistant "It vas not a problem.". (And it wasn't, really...it had been several problems all hitting at the same time!)
"I do have one thing I wish to ask you about, zhough," Yeager broached, sitting at the table with a cup of coffee. Most of the children were outside; it was a beautiful day.
"Hmm? Of course."
"...Zhis may sound rather strange, but...how exactly vould one go about ze adoption process?"
"...Gauche and Droite?" the governess smiled, and Yeager was both surprised and impressed.
"How did you guess?"
"I woke up one morning to find Gauche curled up on your lap. I think it was the first night you spent here, months ago. And you always light up when you see them, moreso than for the other children. But are you sure this is what you want to do?" She looked at him seriously. "It's not easy being a parent, you know. There's no greater joy in the world, but there are so many responsibilities that go with it...are you prepared to take such things on?"
"If I vasn't, I vouldn't be asking, vould I?" Yeager responded with a wink. "But I've constantly been thinking it over, since the other night," the guildsleader continued. Something had been missing in his life, too. "I have always vanted children of my own, and I might have had, were my fiancee not killed in zhat War-"
"Oh, dear, I'm so sor-"
"But yes, to answer your question...yes, zhis is somesing I really vant to do - vell, provided ze girls don't object."
"Oh, I don't think you have to worry about that," Ms. Ferris chuckled. "They always talk about you; they really admire you.
"As for the adoption process...really, all we do is provide you with a certificate and papers proclaiming you as their legal guardian, and this is mostly for the Empire's benefit. As you well know, the Guild City is far less strict when it comes to such things." It was true. If a man proclaimed another as his brother or son, they were brother (or son) and that was the end of it. Then again, Don Whitehorse had always had more common sense than that incorrigible fool Alexei.
"Vell, zhen," Yeager said, "might we ask zhem today?"
Ms. Ferris smiled. "Of course." She walked out of the kitchen, into the main room. "Gauche, Droite, come in here, please," the governess called. The girls appeared, and Ms. Ferris beckoned them over to where she and Yeager were sitting.
"What's up?" Droite wondered.
"Is something the matter?" Gauche asked.
"Yeager has something he'd like to discuss with the two of you," Ms. Ferris told them, and they looked at him curiously.
"Hmm?"
"What...is it?"
"Vell..." Yeager paused. This really shouldn't be so difficult, but he found that it was. Was he scared? But something had definitely pricked in his not-heart the other day, and he was unwilling to ignore it. "I know zhat you vere disappointed at not being old enough to join ze guild," he finally continued, "however, I believe zhat perhaps zhere is another, even more suitable arrangement...if ze two of you vill agree to it."
"Hmm?" Gauche and Droite were watching him carefully, surprised to see the smile on his face.
"What...do you mean?" Droite asked, she and Gauche tilting their heads to either side.
"Gauche, Droite," Yeager said, watching them carefully, as well. "How vould you like to come and live at ze Manor wis' me - not as guildmembers, but as my daughters?"
Silence. They stared at him, blinking, in surprise. Finally, Gauche opened her mouth.
"...Are...you...are you...joking?"
"Hmm? Of course not."
There was a rushing of fabric and a yelp from Yeager, who was trying not to fall off the dining bench as he was being glomped by two little girls.
"Really? Really-really?" Droite was saying excitedly. "Really-really-really?" Yeager chuckled as he hugged the girls back.
"I think I can take zhat as a "yes" from both of you, ja?" he laughed, hugging them back.
"Yes!" the girls chorused.
.v:V:v.v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v..v:V:v.
Yeager had some business to finalize in Nor on Lunaday, but he returned on Undineday to take the girls back to Dahngrest with him. He had worried a bit that the other children might be a little jealous, but Ms. Ferris insisted that they leave that up to her. He arrived that morning to find the girls all packed and ready (Ms. Ferris said they'd pretty much been packed and ready since Remday). As with Antoine, there was a great deal of bittersweet feelings and tearful goodbyes. The girls hugged Ms. Ferris and their brothers and sisters, faithfully promising to visit with their new father, and bid them farewell.
"Hey, Yeager," Droite cheerfully began, looking up at him as he guided them through the city, "it looks like your prediction was right, after all!"
"Hmm?" Yeager looked puzzledly at her, and Gauche seemed confused, as well. Droite giggled.
"The next kids to leave the orphanage were us!"
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Eh, not one of my better chapters. I think it's kinda blah, near the end, anyway. (I suppose every author, though, will have chapters they don't particularly like.) Oh well, read, review, tell me what you think, and what I can do better on.
Also, send me some ideas for what you'd like to see in the future! I don't want to jump right into the game, so I plan to have seven-to-ten "episodic" chapters, before we hit the real meat of the game - however, I only have a few ideas what to really focus on for those. Here's some scenarios I already intend to do:
Training
Caress of Death
the Blastia Heart
Ruby and Emerald Swords
Puberty (haha Yeager'll like that one)
Not necessarily in that order, just scenes I'm definitely going to do. Have an idea? Send it along! I may or may not use it, but anything can set off a good brainstorm! :D Thanks!
-Some of you may have noticed the "retcon" from my fic Dad?; initially, I had really intended for them to follow him all the way to Dahngrest. Then I got to thinking, and studied some maps, and went WHOOPS! (Keep in mind, Dad? was written over two years ago). REALISTICALLY SPEAKING, if Tolbyccia is even half the length of the US, that's still 1,500 miles. Even if the road was well-marked, that's means camping out for nights on end, plus there's monsters and bandits and all other manner of things that two nine-year-olds (without the aid of Charizard, Pikachu, or Gengar ;)) could not handle. On top of all that (to state the obvious), Yeager's pretty observant. No way in heck those girls could tail him all the way to Dahngrest without him even noticing. So, that's been changed (I may or may nor be editing Dad? to reflect that, some time in the future.)
-Yeager's weapon does in fact have not three, but four transformations: rifle, scythe, crossbow, and scimitar (a scimitar is basically a curved sword). The scimitar is the least-used form Arte-wise; he only uses it in Sharp Blow and Caress of Death.
-If it weren't already obvious enough. Yeager has a very, very strong Papa Wolf instinct; anyone who hurts a child in front of him might as well kiss themselves goodbye.
-Days of the Week ripped off from Tales of the Abyss. They are, with their Earth equivalent, as follows:
Remday = Sunday
Lunaday = Monday
Ifritday = Tuesday
Undineday = Wednesday
Sylphday = Thursday
Loreleiday = Friday
Gnomeday = Saturday
After Gnomeday, a new week begins with Remday again.
Well, I hope it was moderately enjoyable, at least :P Thanks so much for reading!