As sunlight began to gleam on the horizon, back at the orphanage every child waited anxiously for the day's proceedings. Pure and half-bloods alike feared what the day might bring, all unsettled by the events of the previous night. Liron worried someone might tattle to the matrons, but none dared, and so they remained oblivious.
Trixie had arrived a few hours ago, rousing the few children who had managed to fall asleep after Melony's death and urging them all to pack. She hadn't been very forth coming with details, but apparently someone was coming to retrieve them. Once again, even the pure-bloods, who often liked running to the matrons to get the half-bloods in trouble kept mum. Perhaps they had finally realized that they were in just as precarious a situation.
Since they made a habit of ignoring the children so steadfastly anyway, not a single matron seemed to take any notice of the unrest amongst them. Throughout the somber procession of the ritualistic morning routine, they remained entirely ignorant that anything was wrong until the instructors failed to show up at the usual time.
"I can't believe they haven't missed Matron Melony," Lorelei mumbled as they waited.
"She was getting ready to run," Liron replied with a shrug. "She probably told them she was taking some time off to see family or whatever."
"What family?" Lorelei scoffed.
"Does it matter?" Liron questioned. She shrugged and quieted down. As time passed, the Matrons became more uneasy.
Liron glanced to where Trixie and a few of the other older kids sat. She seemed both apprehensive and excited. She hadn't let them in on all of the details, but she had told them that they were officially leaving the orphanage that day. Apparently, she'd managed to get a house and enough funds to pull them all out of the system, which was pretty incredible. He was curious about how she did it, but he figured he'd learn more soon enough.
He winced as his eyes caught glimpse of Jemma, disguised as another child who was seated down the table a ways. Most didn't ever seem to notice the shape-shifting slime girl unless she made her presence known, but he could always pick our out, no matter how she disguised herself. He always attributed it to his keen eyes and his knowledge of illusions and other trickery, but even Trixie seemed to find it difficult to identify her if she was in hiding.
"You really need to stop beating yourself up," Lorelei commented, noticing him jump. "I doubt Jemma holds you responsible for what happened."
"She should," Liron grumbled. "Anyway, why are you pestering me? Don't you usually save that for Dalek?"
"He's really tense right now," Lorelei shrugged. "It's taking everything he's got to keep a handle on his beast curse, or whatever he calls it. Egging him on right now would be stupid on my part."
"Fair enough," Liron shrugged. Part of him wanted to dish out some witty comeback that implied she was stupid all the time, but it really wasn't the time or place for those sorts of shenanigans. As tense as everyone was, it could lead to more trouble than it was worth, and Liron had already learned that lesson the hard way. He had no intention of making the same mistake twice.
Just as the tension in the room was becoming unbearable, the thundering sound of numerous hoof beats caught their attention. Confused, the matrons exchanged hushed words and concerned glances, then went to the door to investigate. Curious, but cautious, the children followed at a distance. Waiting in the wings to avoid catching notice, the kids circled the entryway and watched curiously as one of the matrons opened the door to peer out. To her surprise, two gentlemen were already standing at the door, one clearly just about to knock.
"Good morning," Liron recognized the demonic bunny inspector from the previous day. Up close, Liron felt the butler-esque looking fellow was even more terrifying. Then again that may have just been the behemoth at his side who had to duck to be seen below the door frame. At a glance, he could tell both were draconic.
"Good morning?" the front most matron replied in confusion. They stepped back in surprise as the men walked into the building, clearly not caring weather they'd been invited or not. To his side, Liron noticed Trixie looked visibly more relaxed. The bunny man must've been their ride out of there.
"I am Jacoby Reimund Abbot, Mr. Abbot to you," he introduced himself. "My companion is Orval Sunstrider, captain of the Tyrant's royal knights and personal body guard to Lord Emerick. We're here to collect the children."
Before the matrons were allowed the time to protest, or even respond for that matter, a host of soldiers flooded the foyer and dragged them out the door. Most of the matrons were too shocked to fight back, and none were strong enough to fight off the well trained draconic forces, so it didn't take long until all of them were removed from the building in bindings.
"Hey kids," The one who was introduced as Orval squatted down to greet them. Naturally, Ripley, who happened to be the one closet to him, retreated into the crowd with a startled yelp. "Hey, I'm not going to hurt you! We're here to take you to a better place!"
"You're going to kill us?" One of the elven girls exclaimed in a shrill voice. Immediately, the youngest children all started wailing. The massive dragon knight looked quite distressed, so Liron couldn't help snickering to himself.
"Could you have phrased that any more poorly you big brute?" Jacoby admonished him, then gave him a good whack on the back of the head. Turning to the children his voice became much gentler. "What this big dummy meant to say was, we're going to take you all home."
"Home?" The elf girl sniffled.
"Yes," Jacoby nodded, extending a gloved hand. "Would you like to come with us?"
The little girl nodded and took his hand, letting him lead her towards the door. Curious, more and more of the children started following him out. Orval looked completely exasperated.
"How are they not scared of you?" He demanded. "You're at least a hundred times scarier than I am Jacoby!"
"Says the giant," Jacoby scoffed. The children around him giggled.
"I'm perfectly average size!" Orval exclaimed indignantly.
"Says the giant," Jacoby repeated.
The display had caused the previous tension to all but disappear. Liron couldn't have done better himself had he planned it, and he wasn't convinced it had been staged. Orval seemed too earnest and upfront to calculate such things, though Jacoby may have played his companion. He'd have to keep a close eye on the bunny man. He was definitely the more dangerous of the two.
"Are you Trixie?" Orval turned to where the older kids were waiting. Liron nearly bust a gut when he realized the knight captain was addressing Etoile. "You would have to be. Emerick said you were the prettiest girl here."
"Flatterer," Etoile giggled. "But who says I'm the girl?"
"This may be my brother," Eosphoros immediately joined the game, appearing at her side. "I may be Trixie… assuming either of us is Trixie at all."
"Uh…" At once, Orval was confused.
"I'm Trixie," the hobgoblin stepped up, clearly frustrated as she shoed the giggling twins away. "Who are you?"
"Oh!" Orval went scarlet, which earned chuckles from even Rathus. "Beg your pardon ma'am, I didn't see you behind them…" He gestured to the orc brothers.
"I was in front of them," Trixie frowned. Orval's blush got worse.
"Oh." He didn't know where to look.
"For the record," Jacoby had returned to escort the remaining children out. "Lord Emerick said no such thing, as beauty is very subjective. Besides, I had met Miss Trixie previously, so descriptions weren't a concern. You made an assumption."
"Shut up," Orval grumbled. Liron wondered idly how much redder the big fella could get. Trixie, on the other hand, looked placated.
"Perhaps I should offer you the same advice," Jacoby replied with raised brows. So saying, he resumed his work in directing the children.