The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'
Chapter 48 - Mother, Daughter, And Other Orphans With Names

Chapter 48: Chapter 48 - Mother, Daughter, And Other Orphans With Names

The dormitory was a lot like the one she had been assigned to during her Guild training - which made sense as most official buildings on the continent were built or designed by the Earthen Fellowship. The mother and daughter stood outside the carriage waiting on their driver to inform the staff of their arrival.

For the most part, Yatrel had been quiet after they left the merchant company. The silence grew heavier when she stood to the side watching Elua conduct business at the bank, setting up a recurring monthly payment out of a private account. One different from that which the Goltbred parents had set up in her name.

"Putting aside the secrecy, what made you start to give any of your earnings to... here?"

One would think that the spiritual disturbance of the woman should be there because of the suspicious and unknown movements of her eldest. In a way that was the case, but it was specifically because the place they were at and that she had been sending money to was an orphanage.

"That’s something that’s easy to know the answer to even without asking, isn’t it?"

It was the brunette’s turn to level a ’look’ at the woman.

"There might have been a lot I could have done differently, but when I came into money I didn’t need, giving it to someone that *did* seemed like what Qat would like. Then when someone you trust and care for has told you about their past so frequently, of course it can affect your decisions."

She ’sighed’ and ’smiled softly’. While she said frequently, it really wasn’t so often. It was just that the woman’s feelings over the matter were always quite clear to the spiritualist... so they stuck out. Especially when Elua had her own past life in a similar - but much ’rougher’ - situation.

"There are other reasons, I won’t lie. But at the time... it was because a place like this once helped you. That help led you to being here for me. It wasn’t a direct gift or thank you, since I know you don’t like them. How did I do?"

Yatrel er Goltbred shut her eyes, but it didn’t help enough. When she opened them they glistened with the few tears that managed to escape.

"You did well, dear. Now stop trying to make me cry. This is not a new game for you to play."

The *known* pranking tease puffed out her cheek, to show her ’displeasure’.

"I wouldn’t do that to you, mom."

The thoughts inside were a *little* different. The small mint-eyed girl had not even thought of that - but now she couldn’t unthink it! Trying it even when she knows the target *knows*...

’Why would she tempt me like that?’

Luckily, the headmaster of the orphanage came practically running out of the door to change the atmosphere that was formerly touching - and now growing awkward.

"Yes, yes, welcome, welcome! I understand the two of you lovely ladies have something you wanted to discuss? Please, if you would join me in my office, we can handle anything as quickly as you would like."

His manner of obsequious address reminded her that she should probably come up with yet another product... for the former member of the Wing & Talon Enclave. Something good for the black market he dealt through and that would actually make more money to offset incoming costs - even though for now, the amount she was making off of the still popular but waning jewelry was significant.

As she made her way through the halls, she could see some of the younger children moving about. Many were playing, but some were engaged in chores that lowered the burden for the others. Especially those that were older.

Mint eyes caught onto a ’close’ pairing who seemed to be older than most. She estimated they were a year or two more than herself and should probably be too busy in some Guild to spend time here anymore. The reborn cultivator observed the two orphans closer - especially taking note of her estimation of their cultivation levels.

Despite their circumstances, with their needs being met but lacking the affluence and extra training or mentoring that might be given by belonging to a real Family, they were progressing far better than she had at their age in her past life. Where she had grown up, they didn’t care or check for your ability to cultivate. It didn’t matter, because you were going to be a burden on resources either way.

’At least here, they have more of a chance to not die hopelessly than many others did.’

A look of ’satisfaction’ played on the girl’s facade at the sight, belying the *old* pain coloring her inner reflection. A mother whose gaze had also been scanning the hallway caught at least one part of that emotion.

"Your facility seems well-maintained. The children appear to be engaged in productive activities."

The headmaster beamed, his chest puffing out. He would *so* be bragging about this to his compatriots!

"Thank you, Dame Goltbred. We strive to create a nurturing environment that also prepares our charges for their future in society."

As they walked, Elua’s gaze returned to the two that she had lingered on before. The taller boy with sandy hair was showing a younger child how to properly mop the floor. His somewhat obvious companion, a young girl with a long dark braid, stood nearby. She kept her arms crossed and brow furrowed as if deep in thought.

For some reason, the man’s words made her stick on her prior thought.

"Those two seem a bit old to still be here. Shouldn’t they be with a Guild by now?"

The headmaster’s smile faltered slightly, though he hoped they wouldn’t see as he was quite adept at being impartial. Both of the women caught it anyway - one through spirit sense and the other through her usual dealings with ’management’ people.

"Ah, yes. Nohre and Fusand. They’re... a special case."

Yatrel raised an eyebrow, prompting him to continue. He sighed sympathetically and she held back a retort. She knew these people liked doing their best to prevent you from blaming them immediately for anything - but it was also possible that he was actually invested in the kid’s lives.

"Despite their best efforts, their cultivation levels aren’t quite on par with others their age. It’s made for finding suitable Guild placements... challenging."

"I see - and what fields are they interested in?"

The young heiress voiced as she began to question the merits of what she was about to suggest.

’Right. This is why I didn’t want to come here at first. It’s easier to fool myself into personal stakes.’

"Nohre has shown an aptitude and enjoyment for support roles in combat situations, while Fusand leans more towards scholarly pursuits. But without family connections or exceptional talent... not to mention that they are inseparable."

The headmaster had tried to suggest that the girl should go her own way sooner or later for both their sakes, but it never went over well. She would always grow tense and clam up into her own thoughts.

The mother and daughter exchanged a bit of eye contact, a silent understanding passing between them. Struggling against circumstances beyond their control also reminded both too much of their own past. The last part had especially struck them both.

Competent support roles were always in demand... so the pair of possessive personalities knew *exactly* which of the two orphans they might get along with most!

"We could discuss their situation further after our meeting. I may have some ideas that could be of help."

The headmaster’s eyes widened with hope. Of course, two women would be more convincing than his own words! Moreover, those that were locally well known and respected.

"Of course, of course! Please, right this way into my office."

As they followed the man that practically rushed away, Elua caught Yatrel giving her a proud nod before she spoke.

"This kind of game has my approval, dear."

The girl allowed herself a small, genuine ’smile’. She expected she would regret opening herself up to viewing more of those around her as ’less noise’... but enjoying it for a little while was a nice distraction.

---

A certain blonde swordswoman sat on the floor of the nursery, watching a reddish-blonde haired baby crawl towards her. It was the third time she had switched sides of the room to watch her scurry determinedly, and the cultivator had used the child’s practice time to play with the color of the strands on her head. The chubby hands of the child reached out and ’pounded’ at Qat’s stomach to declare her success.

It caused a recent memory to flash in the Yecine’s mind.

El’s delicate fingers traced her abs while her mint eyes brimming with an emotion Qat hadn’t fully understood at the time. The surge in her spirit had best been described as ’hungry’ and it swirled with additional ’desire’ that felt barely contained. At the time she had gulped and felt a cold sweat, but-

"OooAH!"

The excited babble coming from Onya snapped the teenager back to the present. She smiled slightly at the baby, but her mind drifted to the note that had been on her fiancee’s door the last time she came to see her.

’Seriously, if I see you then bad things might...’

What ’bad things’ did Elua fear - was she still so mad at Anper er Yecine that she would do something to harm him? For some reason, that didn’t feel right. The unfinished sentence troubled her, still.

So much so that she returned the evening of the next day. She could also admit to herself that part of it was to see the energetic crawler... and more simply that she hadn’t seen El for three days after their talk.

The teenager had expected that the girl being home again would mean that the brunette wouldn’t feel *as far* away as before... but unless she was in very close range the feeling of ’missing’ her began to set in whenever she was idle. She figured it had something to do with her spirit not being able to reach out and touch hers, and wanted to ask the spiritualist about it.

’Is this connected... or similar to that moment? To that ’hunger’ of hers? Could I have confused it for ’longing’? She knew I was about to leave...’

The Yecine’s calloused hand absently stroked the smallest Goltbred’s head as she pondered.

"Your sister is... complicated."

The tall girl murmured to the oblivious baby, who responded by attempting to stuff the cuff of her blazer in its mouth. As she gently extracted her clothing from the teething child’s grasp, Qat resolved to be patient. Not just with the baby, or with Elua, but with herself and her attempts at understanding any of these things.