"Good evening, Eryk," Marrianne greets Eryk with a curtsy. Even I can see how sloppy it is, the way her back isn't really straight and she's a little off balance. She definitely hasn't practiced it much. It's a normal, middle-class curtsy, but she doesn't lower her head to him. Is that her mistake, or is there some reason not to...? Even as her etiquette is sending weirdly mixed messages, she has a tight, stressed look in her face she's failing to completely hide.

Eryk clearly catches all of this like I do, because he steps forward and greets her with a clean salute, not lowering his head either. "Marrianne," he responds, letting a clear note of wariness enter his tone for her to hear.

Marrianne looks worried, but in a completely different way than when she was worried about me. She visibly gulps before speaking. "I should start with an explanation..." She releases a shaky breath, and my heart thumps loudly, something I can't place about all of this putting me on edge. "Yesterday, there was a call for new caretakers to help at the orphanage, and I needed a job, so I took up the offer."

"..." I open and close my mouth, like I should respond to that somehow, but I can't find any words. Marrianne is going to work at the orphanage?

She finally cracks a nervous grin. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't see it as an opportunity to take care of Aria. But I really did need a job too. Anyway," she waves a hand and cuts back to what she was saying before. "That's not quite why I'm here." With her expression faltering, she says, "Karl Liffan sent me."

We both flinch at the name. "He's... well, I guess he's basically my boss now," she sighs, one hand coming up to rub her temple. "He made a visit to the orphanage to get the new caretakers settled, and one of the things he wanted to check on was... you. He wanted to make sure you stay where he can see you and, well... you haven't been there. Staying at Eryk's house?" I nod to confirm, and she goes on. "Yes, I thought so."

Her eyes move up to Eryk. "I didn't tell him anything about the connections between any of us. He had Aria's work contract, so he knew she worked here. He said he just thinks it's a cover so you can take care of her, of course. I told him I knew of the place, so he sent me to pick her up."

I turn back to Eryk, his expression dark. Even so, he nods deeply. "Thanks a lot, Marrianne. I know you're in a difficult position now, but please, if you could run interference and keep Karl Liffan in the dark as much as possible, that would a huge help. The less he knows of anything going on with Aria, the better."

Marrianne returns a similarly serious nod. "Yes, I figured as much. Now, I need to get Aria back home before Liffan gets impatient."

"Yes, of course," Eryk sighs. "That would be very bad." Then he kneels down and puts a hand on my shoulder. "Be careful, Aria. I'll see you tomorrow, alright?"

"Yeah, see you tomorrow, Eryk." We share a short, somewhat nervous smile, then I get packed up to go. However, I stop short when I realize there's a problem. "Umm, what about m- What about this dress?"

Looking down at me, Eryk frowns. "You don't have anything else to change into, do you?"

My gaze falls to the floor, and I blush a little when I admit, "I only have one set of clothing, and it's back at home."

"Wh- Seriously?" Eryk balks, and I cringe a little. "My only other clothes were destroyed when Karl Liffan brought me to the noble district."

Eryk covers his face with a hand and groans. "It's fine, Aria. I'll send you with John. Change out of that dress and send him back with it, it'll be waiting at my house for you, alright?" I return a small nod, and he pats me on the head gently, then urges me on, and I finish grabbing my homework, but leave the blackboard since I have my own at home still.

I double check everything as I'm about to leave, eyes moving from the papers in my hands, over to the coil and magnet-

I cut short when I realize the durite rod isn't actually a magnet yet. When I realize that, I take a few moments to magnetize it for him so he can work with it if he wants. I just do it by hand for now, since I don't have any ingots to work with, but it should be enough to start, so I nod, recollect my papers, then leave with Marrianne. Once we're out the door, John picks me up, and we quickly begin to cut through the northeast district on our way back to the orphanage.

By the time we're approaching home, I've related a shortened version of recent events to Marrianne and John so we're all on the same page with everything going on with the nobles and why they're interested in me. Marrianne got really scary and quiet when I said that Varish wants to buy me as a concubine though. Claire was right, I really do need to be careful mentioning that, everyone has really intense reactions to it...

When we get back to the orphanage, John waits outside, and Marrianne carries me upstairs, so I don't need to drag Eryk's nice dress through our house before changing out of it. It's not that long after the tenth bell, so the house is quickly filling up with kids, which could be an issue, being seen in these clothes...

For now, I just try not to think about it as a few pairs of eyes follow me, resting in Marrianne's arms, through the halls and up to the third floor.

On the way, I see a number of unfamiliar adults moving about as well. Are those the new caretakers? Marrianne mentioned them on the walk over, getting me up to speed on what's happened today, but it's still weird seeing them where there were only ever kids before.

Strangely, they're all women.

When we make it upstairs, I point out my room, and it's still empty, so I stand on top of my bed where it's thankfully still clean, and pull out my clothes from underneath, then change. I also make sure to set down all of my homework in a nice, safe, and clean spot on my bed.

After we head back downstairs to hand off the clothes to John, he says he'll be back with my dinner later, and waves as he heads back down the road. I'm still drawing a lot of eyes, but it's nowhere near as bad as before...

Then, standing in the doorway, Marrianne takes a deep breath, and looks down at me. "Alright, little one. Time to meet with Karl Liffan." I nod seriously, and we head back up to the second floor. Marrianne supports me on the way up the stairs, since my leg is still bothering me, and we soon approach the door to... I guess it isn't Mister Fredricson's office anymore, is it? I gulp, then watch her step forward and knock.

"Come in," responds the now-familiar noble's voice from the other side, and she takes us through the door. "It's about time, woman," Karl Liffan complains from behind the big wooden desk. He runs a hand through his blond hair, as he rolls his eyes at her. Marrianne opens her mouth slightly, but apparently decides not to try to explain why it took so long, and instead fumbles through the vulgant's gesture for respect, with her hands clasped and her head lowered to the point she's staring at the floor.

I wince a little when I realize she's forgetting to bow at the waist as well, but Karl doesn't seem to notice, because his attention has already fallen on me. "Out," he commands her without even looking, and she quickly leaves the room. The entire time, he keeps staring down at me, only speaking when we are alone.

"So..." he begins slowly. "My little investment. According to the documents left over, you have a work contract at the... Ebock Refinery," he reads off of a paper. "At seven years old, no less."

I suppress my reactions, keeping up my expression neutral as he presses me. "I guess you have some supporters left after all. I'd be interested to know what allegiances such a prominent commoner family owes to foreign nobility, but no matter," he suddenly waves it off. I'm barely starting to work through that, trying to figure out what he means, before I have to drop it as he barrels right on.

"The important thing is: you are a valuable asset to me. As such, you will follow a few rules, to ensure my investment doesn't go to waste." Leaning his elbows on the desk, he stares down at me, chin perched behind his interlocked hands. "First, you will not leave town like the other orphans. The forest is far too dangerous and I will not allow you to die to some woodland beast. The guard will inform me if you are seen leaving the city."

That... well, I haven't been going into the forest anyway, so that's actually no big deal. But just leaving the city...? "Next, you will return here at night, every night, so you can be accounted for. I won't have you running away or disappearing on me. I will be leaving guards overnight to keep an eye out, they will let me know if you do not return. Needless to say, you will be punished severely."

I have to keep myself from grimacing. So I'm going to be beaten or something every time I return from battle? At least he didn't set a strict curfew like Mister Fredricson did, so that's not quite so bad. One less thing to worry about the rest of the time...

I think the bigger issue is that I definitely need to come back every day now. So I can't stay at Eryk's house after all. Quickly shaking away those thoughts, I tell myself that I shouldn't be surprised. With all the money he stands to make, of course he would keep a close eye on me. I'll have to be careful that he doesn't try to have people watch my movements too...

As I think through that for a few moments, Karl continues to watch me from over his desk, before speaking again. "To make you a more attractive purchase, you will be keeping yourself well fed and healthy." I open my mouth a little on reflex, wondering about the meals I've been receiving from Eryk. He wouldn't know about that, would he? He catches the movement, a small twitch in his eyebrow giving him away, but ignores me and goes straight on.

"You will eat three meals a day, none of the gruel they normally serve here." He practically spits the words out, his whole face twisting into disgust. The food will be prepared by the caretakers I've hired."

"Uh-" I can't help but speak up when he pauses, but that draws such a glare that my voice dies in my throat.

"That is all," he goes on. "Do you even understand that much?"

"Y-yes, but umm..." I try again after he actually asks me to speak. This time, he doesn't glare quite so much, so I push on. "I spend weekdays at the Ebock Refinery. The owner has been bringing food for me to eat. Is that food not good enough?"

"Commoner food?" he scoffs.

His look says that's a no, so I ask, "I'll be there during the day, how do I get lunch?"

He waves a hand dismissively. "The caretakers will deliver it." The way he says that makes me kind of worried. Is it really alright to make them go all the way across the city just to feed me? I guess John already does that, but he always helps me with things. I don't know about getting other people to do stuff like that...

There's not much I can say to a noble about that though, so I just bow. "Ok, thank you." I should probably talk to the caretakers about it...

"Good. Remember, you're a significant investment of mine, and I won't take kindly to you endangering that." He points a finger at me threateningly. "That also goes for talking too much. My deal with Varish is a private matter, you aren't to speak of it, do you understand?" Wait, I already told a bunch of people about it...

Keeping the worry from showing, I answer, "Yes, I understand."

Then Karl waves his hand. "Now get out of here. I have work to do."

I bow again, before turning to leave. It's only at the door that I wonder, should I be using proper etiquette with him...?

After my conversation with Karl Liffan, I know I need to talk to the caretakers about food. If he's demanding that I only eat what they make, I need to be sure they can actually get the food to me...

Thankfully, Marrianne is standing right outside the door, clearly waiting for me to come out.

"Aria, how did it go?" she asks immediately, kneeling down and patting me on the head soothingly. I start to smile, but then I catch the hall full of stares from all the kids behind her, expressions everywhere from confusion to outright jealousy. I jolt away from her after a moment, realizing how out of place something like this is at the orphanage.

That's right, everyone else here tries to avoid even getting too close to their friends. Being so affectionate with an adult that's the closest person I've ever had to a mother in front of them is... probably really bad...

"Aria?" Marrianne sounds worried and a bit hurt when she speaks up, and I quickly wave my hands.

"S-sorry, Marrianne," I speak quietly, trying not to be overheard, "I'm worried about the other kids. Can we talk somewhere else?"

She sends a glance back down the hall, but I don't think she catches many of the looks because they all quickly glance away. But she answers, "Sure," anyway, and waves for me to follow her. I have to struggle my way down the stairs to the first floor, and she waits at the bottom for me, then we walk around until we find an empty room.

"I'm sorry," I start, looking at the floor. How do I explain this to her...? "It's the other kids. They, uhh, they told me we aren't supposed to get close to people here, so I'm worried what they'll think. I attract too much attention already..."

"Oh sweetie," Marrianne sighs, sad smile touching her lips. "Don't worry, I was thinking of talking to the other caretakers. We should be able to make some changes around here so you kids don't have to... to live like this. Without anyone, practically raising yourselves..." There's a small shake of her head as she trails off. "Things will get better, I'm sure of it."

I smile a little. "Thanks a lot, Marrianne. Oh wait, that reminds me, I need to talk to the caretakers." She lifts an eyebrow momentarily, and I continue, "Karl said I need to eat the food they make, but I have work, you know? So he said he'd have it delivered, but..." I don't go any further, since Marrianne is already nodding in understanding.

"Yeah, I get it. Let's tell the others, alright?"

"Nn," I nod, and follow after her as she sweeps through the house, calling out to the other adult women as she passes each one.

Soon enough, she's gathered up all the caretakers, six in total. Apart from Marrianne, the other five all look like vulgants, pretty much like she is, based on their patchy, but well kept up clothing. Though there's a really short one with black hair, cut as short as a man's, standing on the far right end of the clustered line of women. Her clothes are a good deal more patched than the others, but they still don't... quite look like peasant clothes.

The first to speak is a woman a little older than Marrianne, with similarly brown hair falling to her shoulders. She'd actually look a lot like Marrianne if her skin wasn't a good bit darker. "So, you need something..."

"Marrianne."

"-Marrianne," the woman finishes with a faint bob of her head, then adds, "Noria," bringing a hand to her chest to introduce herself.

"Yes, something we'll need to manage while we're working here," Marrianne begins to explain immediately. "Master Liffan has... some... less than savory plans for this child." When she indicates down at me, barely up to their waists as they all stand around, the women all turn concerned expressions on me.

"Less than savory?" comes from one of the others. She's tall, with her light brown hair all rolled up into a bun, and asks with clear suspicion in her tone.

Before Marrianne can say anything else, I cut in. "He said I'm not allowed to talk about it, so it's probably supposed to be secret," I tell Marrianne. If it's secret, I don't want her accidentally revealing it to more people and getting into trouble with the nobility. That would be really bad...

Of course, she sighs and rubs her head. "Right, of course it is. That figures..." Shaking her head angrily, she addresses the other women again. "I'll just say that he has a monetary interest in her, so we have some special obligations to take care of."

"Obligations? To this orphan child?" the blond one scoffs, and I frown up at her.

"Obligations to our employer, Master Karl Liffan," Marrianne shoots back scathingly, the name making the other woman flinch when she gets the point. They work for a noble now.

"R-right..."

"Now..." She sighs, finally getting to the point. "We'll be responsible for cooking special meals for Aria," and she waves down at me since they obviously wouldn't know my name yet. "Three meals a day. She spends weekdays at the Ebock Refinery on the northeast shopping street, by the wall. So, we'll need to deliver her lunch there."

"Seriously?" Noria asks, looking truly confused this time. "We're supposed to make special meals for one child, then deliver them halfway across town? How is that part of our job?"

Marrianne's face hardens. "Our job is to take care of the children in our care. As I said, Master Liffan has a special interest in her, so she's getting special treatment. Those are our orders, so we're going to do our jobs." Her words feel like she's daring someone to speak up, but...

"U-umm..." I anxiously raise a hand to get their attention. "I, umm, I could ask John to do the delivery..." I offer weakly as they all stare down at me.

It's only when one mutters, "John?" that I realize they have no idea who I'm talking about.

"John's, uhh, he works at the refinery. He's always helping me and he already delivers most of my meals, so I was just thinking..."

"Already delivers your meals?" the blond one interrupts.

I nod quickly, bobbing my head up and down repeatedly to try and push down how nervous all these agitated adults make me. "I was getting food from Er-errr, the owner of the refinery. But Liff- uhh, I mean, Karl Liffan, he told me that wasn't good enough, so now he wants the food made here, but I could probably still ask John to help with the deliveries maybe?" I try offering. What's the respectful way to refer to Liffan?

That finally seems to do the trick, the women calming slightly, with a word or two saying that doesn't sound too bad. The only one who doesn't have any apparent reaction is the short black-haired woman on the end. She hasn't really had a reaction to any of this, just listening to it all patiently.

Then my eyes travel over the group of women again. There's the tan skinned Noria, the blond woman, the tall one with the bun, who I think looks the oldest, maybe almost thirty. The last two are the only ones who didn't speak up earlier. The youngest and by far the shortest is the black haired one with the super short chopped off hair. She only reaches up to the noses of the other women, at most. But it's the last one that really draws my eye.

She's Shona, with a kind of deep, colorful purple hair, maybe a little older than Marrianne, about twenty, I'm guessing. She hasn't spoken up, but she also looks almost... sort of distracted? Just kind of looking around during this whole conversation. These are the people who are going to be responsible for us...?

"In any case," Marrianne finally speaks up again, pulling me from my thoughts. From there, they just break down into a short discussion of when my meals need to be made so they're ready for me to eat at the right times, and I only really join the conversation when they need something cleared up.

As it turns out, the Shona woman is kind of bouncy and excitable, especially when the conversation turns to food and she practically squeals at the thought of getting to cook using noble foods. I... guess she likes to cook?