Just gonna jump straight in with the chapter this week.
"Time to get up, Adam," Erik advised, as if the blaring alarm hadn't been obvious enough. Erik silenced it before straightening his mattress. "It's breakfast time."
As much as Adam would've preferred to stay in bed, skipping dinner last night meant his stomach wouldn't allow it. He shook the last traces of slumber from him as he rose. Even without the subtle hint from Erik, Adam made sure to pull his bedsheets up and tuck them neatly into place, just as he did every morning at home.
Home. The simple word brought an unwelcome tightness to his chest. The photo from home lay beside his pillow. Smiling faces greeted him, unaware of how quickly such joy could be torn away. With a sigh, Adam tucked it under his pillow and went to pick out some clothes for the day.
He rummaged through the small drawer, pulling out a simple, red shirt and tan shorts. He glanced around the room before closing the drawer, making sure no one was watching. Erik had his back turned, while the rest of their roommates had already left for the morning. Quietly, Adam reached deeper until his hand rested on a familiar handle.
He knew he shouldn't have, but Adam had made sure to stash his father's knife before class yesterday, hiding it inside a thicker shirt he wouldn't need until the weather turned colder. Keeping a weapon in his room was beyond foolish. Madam de Thom would have a fit. But it was the only possession of his father that he had. He hated the thought of it being lost in some dark storage room. Instead, he'd decided to keep it nearby - a simple reminder of the life that had been torn away from him.
With a tight squeeze of the handle, Adam promised himself that he wouldn't forget his promises to Father Bernard. Just as his father had once stood up against an Alpha for him, he'd stand up for others in their time of need. Once he got out of here, he'd train harder than ever and become a Huntsman. It was more than a dream now. It was how he'd honor his father's memory.
With a content sigh, Adam tucked the knife back into the folded shirt, making sure to keep it at the bottom of the drawer. He'd have to find a better hiding place for it later, but for now, this would be good enough.
Or so he thought.
"What's that?" Erik asked as he closed the drawer.
"Nothing," Adam lied. He'd only just met Erik, so trusting him with a secret like this seemed unwise. "Just…rearranging my clothes before we go."
"Madam de Thom doesn't like us hiding things," Erik pointed out. "And I'm pretty sure that includes weapons."
So, he'd seen after all. Adam sighed, realizing his ploy had failed. That left him with two choices, and he didn't like the idea of turning it in. "It's my dad's," Adam explained, hoping he could win Erik over. "He saved me with it once, then gave it to me as a gift. It's…it's one of the only things I have of his." Father Bernard didn't keep many possessions, so there hadn't been much to take from home. "Please don't tell anyone."
Erik paused, silently debating what to do. If he squealed to Madam de Thom, there was nothing Adam could do. They'd take his knife from him and he'd be in trouble on his first full day at the orphanage. Not exactly a great way to start.
"I forgot I even had it," Adam hurried to explain. "If I turn it in now, they'll never trust me again. Please, Erik. Trust me on this one."
Erik scrunched his eyes shut before releasing a defeated sigh. "Fine. I won't say anything." Adam tried to thank him, but Erik cut him off. "But if you get caught, I'm not involved."
"You never saw anything," Adam assured him. Adam wouldn't rat him out for keeping his secret.
"Good. Now let's go get some breakfast. I'm starving."
By the time they arrived, the cafeteria was already buzzing with activity. It didn't take long for them to collect their sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit from the serving line. Adam added an apple alongside his juice, then joined Erik and a few others near the corner of the room. The rabbit girl from yesterday - Nila, as Erik introduced her - nodded at their arrival with a shy smile.
"After breakfast, we get some time outside, then most of us have chores," Erik explained once he'd finished eating. "We'll have to talk to Madam de Thom or Alyssa to see what chore you'll be assigned."
"Alyssa," Adam insisted. Madam de Thom seemed far less friendly than her daughter. Dealing with Alyssa sounded a lot more pleasant.
Erik didn't seem overly surprised. "I'm not sure what chore they'll give you. I usually get stuck helping clean the cafeteria. Nila cleans the girls' bathrooms." Nila nodded in confirmation, though the look on her face made it clear that wouldn't have been her first choice. "Maybe I can ask to have you join my team."
That didn't sound too bad to Adam. With enough time, he'd probably meet more of the children and start making friends, but he had no intention of staying here for long. For now, he'd stick close to Erik and his friends. That was all he'd need until Mazarin came for him.
"Well, well, well." Erik froze at the new voice behind them. "So this must be the new kid from yesterday."
"What do you want, Pika?" Nila aimed her frustrated question over Adam's head to the new arrival.
Adam turned to find a taller boy standing behind them. He looked a couple years older than Adam. Something about the boy made him stand out from the other kids. Whether it was the obvious confidence he carried himself with or the striking streak of black through his nearly yellow hair, Adam couldn't blame those nearby for staring. His smile felt a little too friendly as he looked away from Adam to address Nila. "Just here to introduce myself. That's all." His pleasant answer did little to ease the tension in Adam's new friends. "Name's Pika."
"Adam," Adam offered when it was clear Pika was waiting for a response. "Adam Taurus."
"You came in last night, right?" Adam nodded along. "Got you staying in room two with little Erik here?"
"For now." Adam wasn't sure when Mazarin would return, but he knew it couldn't be too far away. He just had to hold on until then.
Pika appeared surprised at the answer. "Already planning on checking out? You only just got here."
"Mazarin will come get me when she gets back. She's a fr-" Adam paused, realizing she was far more than just a friend now. With Father Bernard gone, no one was more important to him. "She's family. I'm just here until then."
"Just visiting, then?" Erik abandoned his seat, forced from it as Pika sat down without waiting. "Must be nice. While you're here though, I'm sort of in charge of most of the guys our age. If you need anything, feel free to come talk to me, okay?"
Pika held out his hand. Despite the friendly tone and gesture, something about the boy had Adam on edge. Still, Father Bernard had drilled manners into Adam, so he shook Pika's hand without a word. Pika's grip felt firmer than necessary, but Adam took it without flinching. The handshake dragged on until, after several seconds, Pika finally let go. Through it all, he never broke eye contact and kept a self-satisfied grin plastered on his face.
"Anyways, just popped by to say hi. I'll see you all around. Erik. Nila." Pika winked at the girl as he stood. "We should hang out sometime, Adam. Get to know each other a little better."
"I'll keep that in mind," Adam returned. With a short laugh, Pika sauntered away. A few people moved out of his way, letting him pass uninterrupted. Erik glared after Pika as he reclaimed his seat. "What's up with him?"
"Pika is…" Erik trailed off, searching for the right word to describe their recent visitor. "He's a little forceful."
"He's a bully." Nila didn't share his hesitation. "And trying to suck up to him won't help, Erik." Erik quailed under her accusation before she turned to Adam. "My advice? Avoid him when you can, ignore him when you can't."
Pika hadn't seemed that bad to Adam, but they had far more experience with the boy than he did. Aren't there rules against it? Madam de Thom had made it sound like there were rules for everything, so surely bullying would be on the list. If Pika picked on them, why didn't they go tell someone?
Memories of Dorian came flooding back all too quickly. He'd tattled on Dorian when he was younger, but nothing really happened. He'd get a lecture on turning the other cheek, but he only had so many cheeks to turn. The only thing that seemed to stop Dorian was when Adam pushed back.
Or, more accurately, when Eve kicked back.
Still, worrying about bullies could wait. The three of them took their dishes to the return, then followed the loose crowd of children outside. The morning was already warm and sunny, with not a cloud in the sky. Some of the younger children started up a game of tag, while a handful of teens gathered against the wall of the building, away from the excitement of their peers. Nila ran off to join another girl on a swing set while Erik retrieved a ball for them to kick around further away from the main cluster of children.
When chore time came, Adam and Erik tracked down Alyssa to get his assignment. "I was just about to come find you, Adam, but looks like you two saved me the trip." Her soft giggle was contagious. "We're actually still working out the new assignments, so why don't I have you help out in the cafeteria until we get you placed?"
"Great!" Erik cheered. Adam felt relieved as well, knowing he'd be sticking close to his friend for the time being. "It's really not that bad. We just wipe down the tables, push them to the sides, clean the floors, and set back up again. Besides, there's several of us in there, so it goes pretty quick."
"And when you're done, make sure to show him what we've been working on in math, Erik. There might just be a pop quiz today." Erik readily agreed. Adam wasn't thrilled at the idea of a quiz, but Alyssa assured him, "I won't count it against you, but this way we can see where you are in the class."
Pressure removed, Adam thanked her and hurried off to the cafeteria with Erik. Several children their age were already hard at work, with one of the older teens giving orders and helping move tables. This clearly wasn't the first time they'd run through the process, as everyone hurried about like a tiny colony of ants. In no time at all, the room was finished and put back in order for lunch.
They swung by the room afterwards. Adam paled when Erik showed him the subject they were on in math. Apparently, he was a little behind. He endured the crash course, frequently asking questions, but as the minutes ticked on, he continued to flounder. Good thing this quiz won't count. I think I'm gonna bomb it.
Shortly after lunch, he did just that.
"Adam, can I see you for a moment?" Alyssa asked once class had ended. Adam gulped, keenly aware this likely had to do with his quiz. He'd skipped a few questions after giving up in despair, hoping the others would be easier.
They weren't.
"Yes, Miss de Thom?"
"Call me Alyssa," she instructed, stepping to the side of her desk to face him directly. "You'll make me feel old otherwise." As Adam expected, the quiz paper she held looked like it had been in front of a firing line with all those bright red marks on it. "Today was a little rough, huh?"
She had him there. He did fine with the basics, but around the time they'd introduced fractions, he and math had become mortal enemies. With each new concept introduced, he'd struggled more, still trying to grasp the previous idea better. Slowing down had helped him get the time he needed, but now he realized it came at a hefty price.
"Did Erik show you the chapter before class?"
"He did his best to teach me," Adam assured her. The last thing he wanted was for his failure to be blamed on his new friend. "I just…I struggle with math. It's my least favorite subject."
"Really? It's actually my favorite." Alyssa's declaration surprised Adam. How can anyone like math? "But I'm guessing you haven't seen this material before, have you?"
"No, ma'am," Adam admitted, eyes fixed on his feet in embarrassment. "I'm sorry."
Alyssa knelt in front of him, reassuring him with a gentle squeeze of his shoulder. "No need to apologize, Adam. Like I said yesterday, everyone comes here at different levels. You're not the first to struggle starting out."
That encouraged Adam far more than he cared to admit. Being told you can do it or it just takes practice did little for him, but knowing others had gone through the same struggles meant there was hope for improvement. Unless they'd made a habit of just continuously failing kids. No one in the class looked too much older than him, so he assumed that wasn't the case.
"Looks to me like you could use some help catching up, though." Alyssa looked to the clock with a small frown. "I've got another class starting soon, but maybe we can meet once a week for some tutoring. That sound okay?"
That sounded nice, actually. He wasn't dumb. Like she said, he was just a little behind was all. With some help, maybe he could catch up. Adam hurriedly agreed.
"Great. Maybe we can do Friday afternoons? I've got a class after you guys, but we can meet after that, okay?" Brother Wilde's attempts at teaching him rarely worked, but he was willing to give Alyssa a chance. She seemed genuinely interested in helping him.
Though he felt he needed to be upfront about his situation. "I'll only be here a couple weeks or so. Is it really worth it if I'm gonna leave so soon?"
"Of course it's worth it," she promised. "Meet me here on Friday an hour after your class and we'll get started. I'll see you then!"
/- - - - - - - - - -/
Surprisingly, the next few days seemed to fly by. It didn't take long to find a routine. Every morning, during their outdoor time, Adam ran along the edge of the property. Erik tried to join every now and then but usually bowed out after a lap or two. Classes weren't too bad, even if he always dreaded math. His first tutoring session went well, though. Alyssa really knew her stuff, and he'd done his best to follow along. By the end of an hour, he felt a little more confident, but it was clear he'd need more help if he was ever going to catch up to the others.
Meals had proven far less grand as the days went on. According to Erik, Madam de Thom always had the cooks prepare extra food during visits to impress any who came by. Lunch on his first day had basically been a way to impress Brother Wilde. Erik liked to think it helped new kids integrate better, since everyone would be in a better mood after a special meal.
Instead, a lot of the kids kept to themselves, already settled into their own cliques and habits by this point. Adam was an outsider to most of them, and he was fine with that. After all, he didn't need to be included. Soon, he wouldn't even be there at all.
Adam pulled the photo from under his pillow, thankful for the almost completely empty room. One of his roommates sat at a small desk, working on homework. Most of the other children were still finishing dinner, but Adam preferred to eat quickly and return for some peace and quiet. It was also a good time to work on homework, since there were far less distractions. He'd get to that in time, of course.
Soon. Adam smiled down at the picture. I know you're coming for me. I've just got to hold out until then.
Small doubts had started creeping in only three days after he arrived in Katai. What if Mazarin didn't come? What if she didn't want him? At the time, those questions terrified him. Looking back, they were flat out ridiculous. Mazarin would never abandon him like that. He just needed to wait a little longer.
Any day now, she'll come find me and take me away. And then, we'll be a family. Not the family they'd planned, though. It would be just him and Mazarin, but they'd be there for each other at least. Neither deserved to be alone.
"Whatcha got there?"
Adam instinctively shoved the picture under his pillow, even if there was nothing to hide. He was allowed to have personal items, after all. It was more the sudden and unexpected intrusion that had him so jumpy.
Across the room, Pika leaned against the doorway, watching him with a grin. Adam hadn't so much as spoken to the taller boy since their initial introduction. Taking Nila's advice, he'd kept his distance, but it looked like the game was up. There was no easy escape today. He'd have to face the alleged bully directly.
There's good in everyone. Sometimes, it's just a little buried. Father Bernard's words filtered in, drawing a sigh from Adam. He really didn't want to look for the good in Pika. Nor did he want to see the bad side. He was content to see nothing.
Pika strolled over to the corner of the bunk, removing that option.
"It's a picture," Adam finally decided to answer, keeping a close eye on Pika.
"Of what?"
"M-my family." Or what it was meant to look like.
Adam expected a snide comment. Maybe some cruel joke asking where they were. Dorian would've jumped at the opportunity. Instead, Pika asked, "Can I see it?"
No! The last thing Adam wanted was to hand over his prized possession, especially to someone like Pika. Lacking any real reason to, though, Adam carefully pulled it out once more, holding it out where Pika could see but close enough that he could pull it back before Pika could try anything.
Pika studied the picture for a moment, nodding as he asked, "That your dad there?"
Adam slowly pulled the photo back, waiting for whatever scheme the other boy would inevitably pull. "Him and Mazarin."
"The one who's coming back for you, right?"
"Yeah. She works as security for trade caravans. She was on a trip when…" Adam didn't like saying it out loud, despite the fact that it wouldn't change anything. "When she gets back, my village will tell her and she'll come get me."
"Must be nice having someone on the outside," Piak shrugged. "Most of us don't have any family. Both of my parents died when I was young. Been here ever since."
As much as Adam still felt uneasy around Pika, he'd have to be a monster to not feel at least a little pity for the boy. "I'm sorry."
"Ancient history," Pika assured him. "I wasn't even old enough to remember them. This place has been home almost my entire life. So when's your rescue coming?"
"I…I'm not sure," Adam admitted. "She should be back soon, though. Probably within the next week or so."
Pika pushed off the corner of the bunk. "Well, good luck then, I guess. I'm gonna go work out with a few of the guys." Pika turned to leave, only to pause as a thought hit him. "Seen you runnin' in the mornings. Maybe you should join us sometime."
"Maybe." Honestly, Adam wouldn't mind a workout partner, but the entire conversation with Pika left him confused. This is the bully? Pika seemed almost friendly, especially compared to Dorian. No mean comments. No vicious pranks. If this is the worst this place has to offer, maybe it's not that bad after all. "Guess I'll…see you around?"
"Absolutely," Pika assured him with a disarming smile. "Catch ya later, Adam."
That was…odd. Erik and Nila clearly disliked the boy, but he seemed almost pleasant to chat with. The offer to join for some workouts proved a tempting one. His morning routine was nice and all, but it was mostly cardio. He needed to mix in some strength training, too. But that could wait until after he left. No reason to start something now. He'd only have to quit when Mazarin came.
Still, he felt a little relieved that he hadn't made an enemy in Pika, despite all of Erik's warnings about the boy. No matter how short his stay might be, he'd prefer it be a pleasant one. Or as pleasant as it could be. With a few new friends, help from Alyssa in lessons, and Pika somewhere between indifferent and cordial, everything was looking up.
Not enough to make him want to stay, though. As soon as Mazarin arrived, he was out of there. Whether off to adventures or settling down in another village, anywhere with Mazarin would be better than here without her. All he had to do was wait for her.
/- - - - - - - - - -/
Waiting, as it turned out, was hard to do.
While the first several days had rushed by with the constant distractions of settling in, as he got closer to when he expected Mazarin to return, the days began to crawl. Lessons dragged on long past his interest. He ran more each morning, even adding some laps in the evening to distract himself. Each day that passed was both exciting and nerve-wracking as he found himself always glancing at every door, expecting a familiar face at any moment.
As his countdown dropped to zero and the theoretical day of Mazarin's arrival passed, Adam's doubts began to come back in force. She'll come, he kept reminding himself. He still believed those words, but the frequency he thought them was a bad sign. Erik tried to cheer him up on occasion, but Adam could see the pity in his eyes each time. As if Mazarin's absence had been expected all along.
Delays weren't unheard of. A broken wagon. Merchants staying an extra day for business. Bad weather. There were a thousand reasons a trip might take longer than intended. But as her delay neared a week, Adam's explanation began to sound more like excuses.
"I thought she'd be back by now," Adam muttered to himself as he sat in the grass that morning, not really in the mood to do anything.
Ever-faithful Erik sprawled out nearby, enjoying the warm sun. "Anyone you can contact to find out where she is?"
"I don't know." It wasn't like there was a tracker for every caravan that he could just access and find a Mazarin symbol on. Even if he could look up the caravans, he had no idea which one she was on.
"What's she like?" Adam knew the question was just a distraction, but he was more than happy to indulge.
"She's awesome. She's really strong. Fought off an entire pack of Beowolves one time. Even chased off an Alpha in the end." As much as that night still haunted him, her victory was something to be proud of. That was Huntsman level stuff. "She and Dad were in love, too. Probably would've gotten married if he hadn't…"
The unsaid truth hung in the air, quickly robbing Adam of his excitement. Erik barely even heard it, as another detail captured his attention. Sitting up, he asked, "An Alpha? Really?"
"Yep. Smashed its face and set it on fire. It was pretty amazing to watch." He left off the part where it nearly killed Mazarin, of course. Better to focus on the victory than the near defeat.
"You saw it?"
"Up close." Too close. "Mazarin saved us from it. Dad helped, though. Managed to stab it in the throat at one point."
"Wait, was your dad a Huntsman or something?" After all, only Huntsmen could hope to face something that dangerous and live to tell about it.
"Nope. But someday, I'll be one."
"What?" Erik practically yelled the question. No one really paid them much attention other than a few curious glances, but it was enough to make Erik redden as he loudly whispered, "You?"
"Mazarin's been training me. And as soon as I'm old enough, I'm enrolling in a Combat School." Then, he'd go to Haven, graduate as the leader of his team, and become the greatest Huntsman in Mistral. Along the way, maybe he'd even meet someone special and start a family. And he'd be a far better man than the one who'd abandoned him as a baby.
"So does that mean you have aura already?" Erik pinched Adam's arm, eliciting a sharp yipe from him. "Sorry."
Adam rubbed the reddened skin, but his glare held little heat. Talking about becoming a Huntsman always put him in a good mood. "Not yet. Mazarin said I have to wait until I'm a little older and better trained."
Fighting first. Aura second. She'd always complained how a lot of Huntsmen relied too heavily on their aura and Semblance for fighting. But by training without it first, he'd learn to use them properly later.
"That's so cool," Erik said, sharing in Adam's dream. "Never thought I'd get to meet a Huntsman."
He still hadn't, but Adam understood the awe. He could still remember meeting his first. Jai and Team SPVC had seemed otherworldly in person. And they basically were from another world. Sona's letters had described going into the forest to hunt Grimm for fun. Huge feasts at every meal. Incredible fights just for training. A completely different culture where all that really mattered was how well you could vanquish monsters.
A world he intended to join.
He hadn't written to Sona since before Father Bernard's death. He wasn't sure he could handle that letter yet. Plus, he wanted to wait until Mazarin took him away and he could leave out his time at the orphanage.
"Someday, I'll come back and drive the Grimm from Katai and Shizukana forever," Adam promised, as much to Erik as himself. He'd come back here, too, if only to encourage kids like him. Thank Alyssa for her kindness. Maybe even find Erik afterwards and prove he'd kept his word. It would be a triumphant return to a place of such loss.
Adam's dreams of the future were put on pause by the sound of someone running toward them. Adam turned to see Nila slow to a jog. Her smile assured them it was nothing terrible. "Adam. Alyssa's looking for you."
"Me?" It wasn't quite time for chores and lessons were a ways away still. "Why?"
Nila shrugged. "Not sure. I told her I'd come find you. She's waiting on the back patio." Nila pointed past where most of the other kids were playing. Adam couldn't see through the throng of children, but he trusted Nila. With a quick promise to see Erik later, Adam quickly wove his way through the various games and conversations of the playground to find Alyssa waiting by the back door.
"Ah, there you are," Alyssa greeted as he came close. Alyssa answered Adam's question before he could even ask it. "Mom said to bring you to her office."
Being called in by Alyssa sounded a lot more enjoyable than reporting to Madam de Thom's office. He hadn't been there since arriving at the orphanage, but Erik had told him that she usually stayed in her office most of the day. Occasionally, she'd handle discipline in there, but otherwise, she mostly kept to herself and left Alyssa to handle the more direct interactions with the children.
Adam gulped as they neared the imposing door labeled Madam Gael de Thom - Matron. His mind raced to think of what he could be in trouble for. He hadn't done much in his time there. No fights. No acting up in class. He'd even kept his bed neat every day. All in all, he felt like he hadn't broken a single rule.
The knife. The reminder sent a shiver down his back. It was still safely tucked in his drawer, but what if they'd found it? How much trouble would he get in for hiding a weapon in his room? Extra chores? Detentions? Would they kick him out for being dangerous? Surely not, but what if? Where would he go?
"Enter!" Madam de Thom barked from inside when Alyssa knocked on the door. Adam hesitated for a moment, briefly considering making a run for it before realizing he didn't even know what this was about. He took a deep breath, stepping through the door Alyssa held open to face his fate.
"Hey there, kid."
"Mazarin!" Adam threw himself into the woman, clinging to her to make sure she was really there. The tight squeeze in return both assured and finally broke him. A wave of tears soaked into Mazarin's shirt as Adam silently thanked the Gods for her arrival.
"Shh. It's okay, Adam." Mazarin gently rubbed his back. "I'm here."
It took a few minutes before Adam finally extricated himself, wiping the last few tears away with a delirious smile. When Madam de Thom asked them to sit, Adam scooted his chair closer to Mazarin, who leaned against her armrest to let him stay close.
"I told them you would come," Adam boasted. "I knew you'd be back."
Mazarin's smile didn't quite match her eyes. Like Adam, the news of Father Bernard's death had hit her hard, but he'd had more time to come to terms with it. She'd only found out yesterday.
"Your…friend," Madam de Thom waited a moment to make sure she'd gotten it correct, "just arrived this morning."
"What took you so long?" Adam couldn't help but ask.
"You calling me slow now?" Mazarin laughed, though it died out a lot faster than it used to. "We got hit by a big storm. Had to stay a couple days while they cleared the trail, and even then, travel was a little slow for a bit. If I'd known what happened…" Mazarin took a deep breath. "If I'd known, I would've tried to get back sooner."
Adam didn't doubt that for a second. But none of that mattered. All that mattered was that she'd finally come for him. Which left only one question. "When do we leave?"
Mazarin's lack of an immediate answer wasn't very reassuring. "About that…"
"Mazarin?"
"Perhaps I can help," Madam de Thom cut in. "We discussed Mazarin's current situation, and while she is interested in adopting you, I advised she wait to do so."
"Wait? But why?" If Mazarin wanted him, then why not take him?
"Adam, you have to understand…"
"She currently has no place to house you," Madam de Thom explained. "Furthermore, as I understand it, she will be traveling again soon."
"I could go with her!" Adam insisted. He'd always wanted to travel, and given the alternative of staying at the orphanage, he'd never been more eager to hit the road.
"Not on this trip, Adam." Adam could hear the reluctance in Mazarin's voice. "I wish I could, but this is another long trip. We're traveling through a lot of Grimm territory. And we'll be passing through Kuchinashi."
"Kuchinashi?" Adam had never heard of the place before.
"A den of thieves, murderers, and scum," Madam de Thom explained. "What business could you have there?"
"We're only passing through. Our business is beyond," Mazarin clarified.
"Can't someone else go?" Adam begged. Surely there were other guards that they could rely on.
"I already signed onto this one and there's no time for them to find a replacement," Mazarin answered. "Backing out now isn't an option. Any other trip, you know I'd take you with me, but Kuchinashi's no place for a kid. I'd be the worst parent ever if I took you there."
Adam perked up at her last statement. "Parent?"
"Well, that's the plan," Mazarin assured him. "I can't take you this time, but when I get back, what's say you and me go find ourselves a nice place to stay? Not that this place ain't great and all," she hastily added, hoping to avoid any insult to Madam de Thom. "But I thought we could get a new start somewhere else. But only if you want to."
Mazarin looked nervous as she waited for his answer, but she didn't have to wait long as Adam jumped from his seat in excitement. "Yes! Yes! Absolutely!" Mazarin's relieved chuckle ended in a small grunt as Adam crashed into her once more. "Thank you!"
The letdown of being stuck here another few months was washed away by the simple assurance that they'd be a family. Losing his father hurt, but gaining a mother helped a lot. She wants me. She actually wants me!
"I've gotta meet the caravan further west, but that's not for a couple days yet. Figured I'd stick around and check this place out first." Unsaid was that Mazarin wanted to make sure Adam was being cared for properly.
Rather than look offended, Madam de Thom merely nodded, content that there wouldn't be any issue. "That's fine, though he'll still need to tend to his chores in the morning and attend classes. Beyond that, you are welcome to visit during the day, provided he stay on the property."
"And when you get back?" Adam already knew the answer. He just wanted to hear it again.
"When I get back, you're stuck with me for the long haul," Mazarin promised.
"All we'll need is the adoption fee when you return," Madam de Thom interjected.
In response, Mazarin dropped a small pile of lien on the desk. It must've exceeded the cost by quite a bit with the way Madam de Thom smiled. "Payment in advance," Mazarin said. "Just to make sure no one else scoops up this kid before I return. Consider the rest my thanks for looking after him while I'm gone."
"Thank you for your generosity." The change from indifferent matron to gracious host was almost instantaneous. "I can give you a tour of the facility, if you like. And then, I insist you join us for lunch. I'm sure the cooks will have something special planned."
"Only if Adam gets to come along," Mazarin demanded. "I'm not letting this little stinker out of my sight any longer than I have to. He's a special kid."
"He truly is," Alyssa agreed, "but he also has chores to tend to this morning. Come along, Adam."
Adam was in no rush to leave, sending a pleading look to Mazarin. "It's okay, kid. I'll still be here when you're done."
With a final, reassuring hug, Adam finally forced himself to leave, practically running to the cafeteria. The cleanup had already begun, but he jumped right in, doing as much work as he could with a haste that the others struggled to match. Even before the last tables were cleared, Adam snatched a broom and began hurriedly sweeping up, eager to finish as soon as possible.
All of his quiet promises and hopes had finally paid off. He'd still have to endure a longer stay at the orphanage, but with the guarantee of happiness afterwards. A few months felt like forever, but it would be worth it in the end.
Because in the end, he'd have a family again.
Couldn't have Adam leaving the orphanage too soon. Need a little more time for interactions, so Mazarin's off on another journey.
We also welcome two more named characters to the story this week! One challenge of doing a story removed from canon like this is the number of characters that will have to be made up along the way. I'll apologize for the ridiculousness of Pika, though. His name is actually a reference to something, but I'll save that for a little later. He was meant to just be blonde, but I give into peer pressure too easily. Joked about it in my RWBY fanfic writers' Discord and was told I had to, so now we have a yellow and black haired Pika. Tempted to have him work with electricity at some point, but that might be too ridiculous, even for me.
I haven't actually followed the Grimm Campaign at all, but I've read enough on the wiki to know Kuchinashi serves my purposes here. Definitely need to get around to those. And the Fairytales (read the book already, but no episodes). And read Roman Holiday. And rewatch the series. That may take a while.
I'm also mildly amused at how Adam's basically living Path to Isolation. The irony of a Weiss song applying somewhat to Adam isn't lost on me. Some of those details are coming, but you'll just have to wait for them to appear.
Next chapter: Adam endures his time at the orphanage while he waits for Mazarin.