[ Closed ]

[gentilitea]

Who: Add & Jakob
Where: An orphanage in the Near Shore
When: July 2
What: Prayer #30
Warnings: Violence, hallucinations, abandonment issues, Add…

Though their latest mission seems a grim one—especially in light of Jakob’s more recently recovered memories—he nevertheless steels himself for the task ahead, this time confident that nothing can go wrong. Ever since he and Add had established some sort of rapport together he’d felt much more relaxed, as if he’d become that much more in tune with his master’s intentions.

And it is freeing to know that, if you’re not expecting the worst of your master at every single moment, then even jobs like this become that much more…pleasant.

“The orphanage should be close by,” he remarks, taking note of their more peaceful, suburban surroundings. Soon, a nondescript building looms ahead, and though there are no signs declaring that it is, in fact, an orphanage, it matches the description Jakob had found online. Despite its best efforts to look like anything but what it is—a shameful aberration of society nestled within the upright middle-class suburbs—the orphanage still looks a good deal more cheerful than the doorstep of that great, imposing castle from his memories.

It’s hard not to wonder at what any child must have felt at coming to this place, knowing they’ll never see their parents again.

He pauses before they reach the threshold, fighting back that horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach at the memory, before pressing a hand to his temples and taking a deep breath.

“My apologies. Please follow me.”

Comments

[subtract]

If the last prayer reminded Add of his past, this one was already hitting way too close to home. Of course, Add never had the luxury of going to an orphanage or anything like that when his parents died. As depressing as the nature of this place may be, it's still nothing compared to the horrors of slavery. At least these kids still have a chance of finding a place to belong...

Add almost bumps into Jakob when he stops, lost in his own thoughts. He gives his shinki a confused look before recalling his behaviour from the last prayer they answered. He wouldn't expect Jakob to be nervous about facing an ayakashi, so... could this have something to do with what he remembered as well?

He stares for a moment longer before sighing, pushing ahead of Jakob to open the doors to the building before them. Whatever it is, he'll have to remember to ask about it later. Right now, they have a job to do.

"There's supposedly an ayakashi around here somewhere, so don't let your guard down," he says, recalling what little information they received about this prayer beforehand. "Borderlines will be more useful than ordinary weapons. We'll need to find out what we're dealing with before we can dispose of it, so say something if you notice anything unusual at all. It could look like anything."