Description
A Greater Society - Chapter 76: Catch-Up by Ratte
Story
While Daniel was away in town I took the time to gather everyone's dirty laundry and toss it all in the washtub. Saffron seemed uneasy about my leaving again, but I reassured her that I would be just downstairs in the kitchen and not far away. Her old clothes were horribly dirty and smelled awful, and maybe this would help her feel a little more at home.
Hoisting the tub into the sink I added a spoonful of dry soap and ran hot water over it all, letting the soap lather into a nice bubbly sheet. The smell of laundry soap always brought me back to my younger years working at the inn with Esmé, our working together to sort through bunches of laundry and making beds. Funny how something so mundane could be so nostalgic, but I'd be the last to complain.
I looked out the kitchen window while the water filled the tub. It was a nice day, one I wish I could spend outside with my odd little family. I wondered how Morissey would take the news of this new child given his more recent turn of behavior-- though he'd opened up and softened a bit, something about this nagged at me. A strange feeling in my head and gut, that sort of instinct when you know something is amiss before the news makes its way to you.
After all, I'd never heard of a compound of any kind in this area. Huot had a small jail, as did most towns, but that wasn't the same. Further, Saffron was a child. Even with how residents felt about new types I don't think they'd put children in jail.
...Would they?
I had so many questions but to ask them now would be salting a wound. There were more important things on the table that needed to be prioritized, such as this laundry. I turned off the tap and clumsily took the filled tub from the sink to the floor, the whole thing probably weighing half as much as I. Taking a seat on one of the benches I got to work with the clothes against my scrubbing board, the water turning yellow and foggy from all of the dirt and sweat.
A strange kind of familiar, that.
I was left to my thoughts as I scrubbed each article, setting them aside in another compartment of the tub before moving on to the next. Perhaps it was my own history at play, but I couldn't help but feel...rather taken by Saffron's case.
With everything scrubbed I dumped the side bucket into the sink, a pile of wet clothes in front of me. Turning on the tap once more I rinsed everything free of the soapy suds and tangy sweat odor. I wrung everything out before returning it to the bucket to take outside. Looking back to the filled tub I hoped Daniel wouldn't mind emptying it for me as it was rather heavy for someone my size, shameful as that might be.
Maybe someday I'd be less useless.
I took only a few minutes to quickly head outside and pin up the wet laundry to the line, not wanting to waste any time. After coming back inside I thought I'd check on the children, slowly making my way up the stairs and to their bedroom. Upon opening the door I was greeted with the sight of both Riv and Sura sitting with Saffron on her bed with a few scattered papers and small old books. They'd all sound out letters and form words, passing pencils back and forth to write things on the papers or make small pictures. Just like when Sura first arrived Saffron was, herself, illiterate. Given how she hadn't known how to use a fork I wasn't surprised by this and actually expected it given her story and typing, so it was nice to see the other two trying to help in their own ways.
They were growing so fast it was surreal to look back on the previous years. So much time had flown by in what felt like an instant and the realization was rather bittersweet.
"Helping Saffron read, I see?" I softly asked through an amused little smile.
The three of them looked back up at me, Saffron's ears perking a bit once her eyes met mine.
"I did say I'd be back shortly," I quietly laughed. "I'm never too far, but I wanted to get the chores sorted out before long. Laundry is done and set out to dry, so at least until lunch everything is tended to."
I stepped carefully toward them and took a seat against the wall, still allowing them some space to continue their work. Saffron kept looking back to me as they flipped through more primers and I couldn't help but notice, so I opened my arm to invite her closer. At first she hesitated, but with a gentle wave of my hand she seemed reassured enough to come closer and huddle up into my side. To accommodate, the other two turned around to face us directly, all three of them working together as the new resident stayed close against my person.
We all took turns sounding out letters, words, and short sentences or writing them down on sheets of paper. Saffron was getting the hang of reading and writing pretty quickly despite her background and condition. She also seemed more comfortable when either I or Daniel was present, maybe finding the security of adults reassuring in some way. I felt a slight buzz or hum in my chest as she cuddled against me, a strange phenomenon experienced when around the corrupted. It was rather soft and almost a bit warm, and while it might usually be strange or disconcerting to most it was a way to tell Saffron's current state of mind. As far as I could tell she seemed to be relaxed and comfortable around us, even after such a short time. She was a textbook case of a loneliness corrupted, but that also meant she was non-hostile and simply looking for comfort. That in itself was a relief.
After about a half hour Daniel arrived carrying a couple bags, setting them on the bedroom floor.
"Already put groceries away so don't worry 'bout those," he said, picking through some things in one bag. "Got a nice thing for each of ya, though."
From the bag he pulled out three pastries, one for each child. Riv and Sura took theirs eagerly, but Saffron seemed unsure about the offer.
"It's alright, we got this for you," I said, stroking her hair. "The shopkeeper is very generous and likes to send those home with Daniel when he gets groceries every weekend."
"I told him about ya and he was more than happy to send me back with one for you, too," Daniel added, taking a knee. "Didn't go into any details or anything, so don't worry 'bout that since I already see your eyes gettin' big, okay? He's a ramiotran like Kuri and Tamani, the two that live right across the hall from ya."
The knowledge that they weren't other faradens seemed to provide her a little comfort, not that I could blame her. This was a strange, delicate situation after all.
"Now then, we also got ya a couple sets of clothes," he continued, grabbing the other bag. "Since ya got a pair of shorts already I grabbed another pair of those along with a couple pairs of slacks so there's some variety. For shirts, uh, prob'ly a little weird but we thought it'd be best to get some traditional southern tops. Seen those before?"
Saffron slowly shook her head, so he reached into the bag to pull out one of the shirts. Traditional southern tops were worn mostly by pure types and featured both a front opening and a rigid high-rise collar. While some tops could be found highly decorated or with patterns, most of the time they were very simple and two-toned with buttons, snaps, or metal pins in the front and side to keep them secure.
"History and use aside, we thought it would be a good idea because of the collar," Daniel said, bending it slightly. "The collars are tall and rigid so they're not easily moved or warped. With that in mind it'd be useful to cover up that brand scar on your neck while it heals without it seeming too out-of-place. Tops like these are worn all the time so it ain't likely anyone would bat an eye if you wore one, too."
Saffron seemed unsure how to respond, Daniel reaching out his hand and placing it gently on her head.
"We all want ya to feel as safe and comfortable as possible here, Saffron, and that's even down to clothing," he said with a little smile. "I put in the order for concealers first thing so they should be finished in a few days. Just hang tight in the meantime and we'll do our best to take care o'ya, alright?"
"...Alright," she quietly responded.
"I even got a set of sleepwear for ya so y'ain't gotta sleep in your normal clothes," he said, standing back up and heading over to the wardrobe. "We'll get ya some more clothes as we can, prob'ly come next weekend. After the concealers come in we'll also be putting work together for your education, similar to what you're doing now. Sound good?"
"...Mhm."
"Y'alright there?"
"...It's...a lot," she said, just barely audible.
The bigger man quickly put away the new clothes and came back toward us, wedging her between he and myself in a warm hug.
"You're right, it is a lot," he said, "but these things are all very normal. Please remember, Saffron, that what you went through to get here wasn't normal. We want to do all we can to provide you a happy, comfortable, and safe life-- something you -- all of you -- deserved from the start."
Both Riv and Sura looked to Daniel. Even my interest was piqued and I found myself doing the same, my head tilted slightly.
"I just...want y'all to know that," he responded, seemingly feeling a bit awkward from our gazes. "It's something I think about a lot, how everyone ended up here and the lives they led up to then. The circumstances that brought you here weren't normal and I really do want you to remember that, that you're all worth far more than those back then told you."
It was unusual to see him so serious, but the sentiment behind his words was not at all surprising.
"...And I also want y'all to know that while I'm sorry for what brought you here, I couldn't be happier to have you in my life--"
He opened his arms further to hug Riv and Sura close, along with Saffron and I.
"--and I hope I've done a good job, that I've brought a little light to your life like you all have for mine."
The side of his face was pressed up against the side of mine, my fur moistening as a tear fell from his eye. I nuzzled my snout into his cheek fur as all three children hugged him tightly. Normally such a jovial man it was a little jarring to see such a moment of seriousness and clarity-- not because he was incapable of it, but because he didn't like bothering others with his insecurities. That much resonated with me.
I'd guess that given his desire -- daresay need -- to take care of us, there'd always be that wonder if you're doing the right thing and making those in your life feel as safe and loved as you're aiming for. Moreover, not getting the chance to do that in the past likely made him cling that much tighter to what he had, even if this family of ours was far from typical.
...It was funny. Twenty years ago I admit this isn't where I thought I'd end up and I'm sure Daniel felt the same way. Even so, there had never been so much as the slightest indication of disappointment, of even complacency with what we had. I hoped they felt the same about my part, not having good examples of parenting in my life to refer back to and just...hoping I'm doing the right thing.
"Sorry 'bout that," he said as he started to pull away. "It's somethin' I think about a lot."
He looked at me for a split second before his gaze nervously shifted aside, his ears sitting rather low.
"...And before I forget, I saw the washtub in the kitchen and dumped it for ya," Daniel quietly laughed. "Thanks for tending to laundry while I was out."
Before he could completely separate from us I bumped his nose with mine, eliciting a quick perk of the ears from the large, bashful nurse. He seemed unsure what to say in response and settled for a shy little smile. That was all I wanted.
"And thank you for going to town and dumping the water for me after you returned," I replied, heavy-lidded and amused.
We spent much of the day together in the children's bedroom, our trading shifts between cooking and cleaning duties to ensure one of us was always upstairs. I was glad this would only take a few days so that Saffron could feel more like a resident, like an actual member of our family, and less like some kind of secret or problem we had to hide. Children shouldn't be cooped up in a room like this, but for now it was a matter of everyone's safety.
That being said, she seemed to mind it very little as long as she was accompanied. Saffron seemed most at-ease while everyone was present and accounted for but would seem to worry when anyone left for any reason, even if just a trip to the bathroom or to do some kind of chore. It took a lot of reassurance to let her understand that nobody was leaving her, that we were always here in the house and never too far. I felt rather fortunate that even during a typical workweek we were, for the most part, still all found in the same room. Surely that should help a case like hers, right?
Only a few more days...
---
As the weekend carried onward it nagged at me further what Morissey might say. I anticipated at least some hit to my income and even welcomed it if it meant Saffron was safe in my home. Perhaps I could talk him down from the projected cut seeing as they all stayed in the same room just like I had when Sura moved in. Same room, same space occupied.
He could be reasoned with, demonstrably so.
...Yet I couldn't help but notice the uneasy stares from his staff when I'd enter or leave their room.
---
If you enjoy my content, please consider supporting it through Patreon or Ko-fi so I can continue making it and keep the bills paid. Supporters get early access to chapters/illustrations as well as exclusive access to WIPs.
https://www.patreon.com/ratte
https://ko-fi.com/ratte
https://paypal.me/silasagnostos
Discord server
Tarov
MemberDaniel pouring out like that was nice to see. He probably needed it for his own sake, but it also might have been important for saffron to feel more welcome.
Login to respond »