Later the same day Daniel returned to the foster home, carrying a few new sets of clothes for Riv and a handful of standard groceries. I realized too late that I had forgotten to give him the carrying bag, but fortunately he had one of his own.

We both took Riv upstairs to try on the new clothes. The small boy was exhilarated to finally have more than just two sets of clothes and a single set of pajamas. He had no complaints about anything I purchased, happy enough to just have some things of his own. The clothing was simple enough-- a couple tanktops and short-sleeved shirts with a pair of jeans and a pair of cargo shorts. Daniel managed to find a sweatshirt for him, too, which I was personally very happy to see.

The small boy ran up to hug both of us for the new clothes. Daniel and I knelt down to hug him together. I don't think I'd seen him quite this happy before, especially over something so mundane. Once I could I would see about getting a few more pairs of pants for him, and maybe another set of pajamas.

After Riv put together a set of clothes he liked we both gave Daniel a tour of the upper floor. We pointed out which rooms were which and let him decide which staff room to occupy while the infirmary was being built. He took the one between Riv's room and mine which worked well enough for me.

As we left the empty staff room I was again met with distant, hesitant eyes from a staffmember as Riv followed me closely. From the edge of my periphery I could see those eyes twist from caution to alarm when I reached up to softly scratch Riv's cheek. The little boy leaning into it was enough to make them recoil back to work.

I was glad he hadn't noticed.

We returned to the lower floor so I could continue my work for the day. I wrote up a report for Morissey about the new hire and when it would go into effect. Daniel signed his name to finalize the offer and it relieved me a bit to have staff around that wasn't Morissey's. I had nothing against him, or against his staff, but I could tell they didn't trust me and I knew Riv was involved in their judgment...just not to what extent.

Daniel was kind enough to help Riv with some schoolwork while I put my hours into my assignments. So far it wasn't terribly unlike what I had been doing up until a few days ago. If anything I liked this a bit more, if only because the work was steady and reliable without my needing to seek out new opportunities all the time. From what I understood the wage wasn't too bad, either, even with the deduction incurred for housing Riv. It was about as much as I was making before everything started going south-- I wouldn't have much for disposable income until we took more residents, but I could afford the necessities well enough. If need be, as Morissey said, I could always work more.

That Daniel had been the one to answer my call...I really could not have been more fortunate. Riv seemed to be warming up to him well even after only a short time. I suppose he just had that kind of personality. All the while both of our parties worked I noticed Daniel would occasionally look back toward me, as though to check on me. I didn't really know why, but appreciated it nonetheless.

Evening soon fell and it was getting to be dinnertime. Tamani and Ulimi showed up, meeting Daniel as he was preparing to leave. The three of them seemed to get along well from where I sat and fidgeted with my pen. Daniel waved, saying he'd be here again tomorrow to set up a temporary station in the staff room come morning.

Tamani and Ulimi both took Riv to the lounge to make dinner, Riv skipping happily down the hall in his new clothes. They passed a group of day workers, the lot of them looking back onward to the child accompanied by ramiotrans. They looked to each other in confusion, some of their eyes moving toward me all the same, and whispered amongst themselves. I couldn't tell what they were saying from here. Given their worried expressions I doubt it was kind, but I tried to keep my head in my papers and not let it get to me.

When the last one was about to leave I stopped them.

"Uh, hello, um...will you by chance be reporting to Morissey before the day is over?" I asked, form in hand.

"Y-Yes?" she replied. "We all meet with him at the end of our shifts when we punch out."

"Could I ask a favor of you, then?" I inquired.

She looked unsure, her ears sinking back a bit.

"...Nevermind, sorry," I said, stepping away. "I'll deal with it tomorrow."

"Wait, I'll help you," she quickly said before I got too far. "...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

"It's alright," I said, running my fingers through my messy hair. "I would just like to ask if you could deliver this form to him regarding the hiring of a nurse. I guess I got lucky."

"Oh, that's great news," she said with a small, shy smile. "Sure, I can do that."

I gave her the form and she went on her way, the day staff soon exchanging with the night staff. As they came inside they, too, looked at me with a weird sense of mild disdain. I just scratched my head and looked away, out through the window to the darkening world. I hoped this would pass and they would come around.

No longer than a few minutes later the usual group came out with plates of food and invited me to come eat in one of the common areas with them. Kuri would also be home soon so we kept an extra plate for him-- corn flatbreads cut into triangles and topped with that sour green sauce, topped further with some kind of cream, a crumbled cheese, shredded chicken, and an egg per plate.

"This is usually a breakfast food but it's pretty good regardless of the time of day," Ulimi said, taking another bite. "Should start writing these down for ya so you know how to make them yourself. Most of what we make is pretty easy and takes less than an hour."

"Ah, I would like that very much if you wouldn't mind," I said. "I'm sure Riv would too, right?"

The small boy gave a big smile.

Kuri showed up before too long and ate his helping. With him was also a small bag of groceries he picked up earlier that day, mostly fruit and bread. After we were finished Kuri and Riv went to wash up the dishes while Tamani wrote down some recipes for me to stow behind my desk.

"After I get paid I'll be seeing about getting that chair replaced," I said, putting the recipes in a drawer. "I'm currently tapped out; spent everything I had on Riv's new clothes and a few simple groceries."

"It's fine, seems he doesn't much mind the stools from elsewhere in the house," Tamani shrugged. "Wouldn't say you need to be in a big hurry about it. I think he's happy enough just being off the floor."

"Happy enough, sure, but I'd like him to have some nice things again," I said. "A small table and folding chair isn't anything above and beyond most people, but until I get paid I'm in a bit of a pinch. Thankfully my first payment should be in just a couple days and I'll be able to do things again."

"Well, that's good, I suppose," Ulimi said. "How you feel about that Daniel guy?"

"Well, so far I quite like him," I said. "He intimidated me when he first got here but that eased up quickly."

"...How's he feel about Riv?" Tamani asked.

"Actually he...really likes him," I said with a small smile. "Riv, too, was very nervous at first, but Daniel went out of his way to reach out to him and managed to chip that wall remarkably easily."

"Really...?" Ulimi asked, doubtful.

"Yes, it's true," I affirmed. "Riv is so anxious around pure types and I really don't blame him, but Daniel seemed to know just what to do and say. I guess he's from a place with more new types? Regardless, it's a great comfort knowing that likely the most important staffmember here is willing to do more than just humor the little boy."

"That's a relief," Ulimi said. "I didn't get a bad vibe or anything from him but wanted to know your thoughts. Seems like a decent enough guy."

"Well, I'd love to stay a little longer but with all the orders and moving lately I'm pretty beat," Tamani said through a yawn, heading toward the door. "Not sure how often I'll be around with these orders coming and going lately, I'll have to see. If nothing else just harass Kuri and I'm sure I'll hear all about it the next day."

I chuckled and waved as he departed for home.

"...It's funny," I said quietly.

"Hm?"

"Daniel was out here helping Riv with schoolwork and reading," I recalled. "I couldn't help but notice that, every once in a while, he would look back to me. It was only for a few seconds, but it was often enough that I don't think it was accidental."

"That's pretty weird, yeah," Ulimi said with a laugh.

"It was like he was checking up on me," I said. "I can't really describe how he looked. Do...I seem unwell, somehow?"

"You seem pretty nervous, but you've been that way since I met ya," he observed. "Maybe he's not used to that, but maybe he's picking up on more than I can. He's a nurse, right? He might have better eye and ear for those things."

"Hm, that is certainly possible," I said, my hand on my chin. "I'll try not to worry too much about it."

I stacked up my finished assignments and set them aside to turn in tomorrow. It was strange having free time-- I had no idea what to do with it. Maybe once I got some payments I could invest in some books or board games. Riv might like those. Maybe...if things started to get better outside, we could go on walks out back around the countryside. He'd always looked out his window so longingly it felt downright cruel keeping him inside. I know I, too, would like to once again feel the grass beneath my feet.

...Maybe this weekend.

"You okay there?" Ulimi asked, concerned.

"Oh, sorry, I was just thinking," I said, keeping my voice down. "It's been so long since I had any spare time that I don't really know what to do with it, so I just end up drifting away in thought."

"What about?"

The clip-clop of hooves against the wood floor brought Kuri into the lobby, with Riv slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Of course the child thought this was hilarious and wanted to show me, giggling all the way back down the hall and to the common areas.

"I'd like to bring him outside again, where he can be a little more free," I sighed. "Every day he looks out his window to a place so near and...yet so far. It's just the back yard but it might as well be in another region."

"You think Daniel would be willing to help you with that?" he asked. "You know I would, but I'm not usually done with work until the early evenings and there's not much daylight left by then. You say he really likes Riv and if he's not got much else to do I'd guess he'd be fine with it."

"Yes, I was going to see if he might be alright with that this weekend," I said. "I hate to be selfish and make him wait, but I would...like to go with, if possible."

"Nah, that ain't selfish. You've been cooped up in here, too."

I let out a soft chuckle. I hated to think about someone this way, but I thought Daniel might be imposing enough that those looking for trouble would keep at bay. Given the looks and whispers of Morissey's staff I wasn't sure how willing they would be to provide the same.

"I guess I will ask him tomorrow after he sets up his temporary station," I exhaled. "He did say he'd be up for other things if needed and it's not like people are constantly getting hurt or sick around here. I know he'll probably need to place some supply orders so I don't want to bother him too much--"

"Reverend," Ulimi said gruffly, "I know this might sound strange to you given what little about you I know, but take a moment to hear me out on this, okay?"

"...I-I'm sorry?"

Ulimi tapped his way over to me, taking one of my small hands in his own and looking me in the eyes.

"You are not a bother," he said. "I'm sorry the town has come to this, but even here there are people who want to help you, who want to help your kid. They don't do it because they have to, they do it because they want to. Surely you'd help them in return, as you've attempted by generously tipping those who help you, or paying more than they're asking for. I do notice these things and I've heard about it from others in the community."

"...You--"

"Please, Reverend, let people help, and do the same for them when they need it," he continued. "Make this world a better place for your kid...starting with you."

I was left speechless. I could feel my eyes getting glossy so I turned away to hide my embarrassment.

"Let the guy take your kid outside this weekend," he said quietly, putting his hard-fingered hand on my shoulder, "and go with them. You could use a break from the bullshit."

After a gentle squeeze of my shoulder he walked back toward the door.

"I'm gonna head out a bit early," he sighed. "I have a bunch of shit to sort through and move in the store with the month coming to a close. If you're really so bored I wouldn't mind trading paperwork for groceries."

...Morissey never said I couldn't take work outside of his organization.

"I would be alright with that," I said. "I would just need to know when you require it by."

"Preferably the end of next week, but knowing how you work it'll be done the day I give it to you so don't worry too much about it," he laughed. "Works well enough for me; I hate dealing with inventory paperwork."

Ulimi grabbed the door, nodded his head, and closed it behind him.

---

A short while later I figured it was time to take Riv upstairs to bed. From the looks of how he draped over Kuri he seemed exhausted enough, the little boy barely able to keep his eyes open.

"Alright, Riv, let's get you upstairs to bed," I said, taking his hand.

He carefully separated himself from the ramiotran who just giggled the entire time. It had been an eventful day for him so I wasn't surprised he was so tired.

With his hand in mine we slowly ascended the stairs to the upper floor, turning right at the top. One night staffmember poked their head out from the far staff room upon hearing our noise. We continued to his room and I put him to bed, covering and tucking him in nicely as he fell fast asleep. I reached out my hand to stroke his head, brushing some of the hair from his face before taking my leave and closing his door.

From my left I now saw two staffmembers staring at me from down the hall, wearing faces of agitation. They were not so easily deterred like the day staff. I felt awkward and small from their gazes, breaking my stare to look instead to the door whose handle I still held. Tonight I pulled it completely closed, hoping to better signify to them that he, my little boy, was here to stay.

---