Purity woke early to the smell of fresh bread wafting through the house. The sun was just beginning to glint through the window, and the first birds could be heard chirping outside. Purity's eyes closed for a moment as the bliss of a quiet morning filled the room.
It took a small yawn for Purity to realize that the bed was more crowded than it had been at night- the youngest boy (Purity couldn't remember his name- the male counterpart to Riza) had crawled in under the blanket and cuddled up next to Purity. He was snoring lightly, and Purity could tell by what his heart was showing that he was having a very good dream.
With careful, delicate movements, Purity slid out of bed. The stuffed bear from yesterday wasn't there, someone has grabbed it and was probably hugging it tightly. Purity stretched and let out a much bigger yawn.
Outside the window on the grass a dog was sniffing around, Purity hadn't seen it before and was slightly curious. It had the scent of something that interested it, it stopped every few feet to paw at the ground. It glanced up at something it heard, some quiet noise that Purity couldn't hear.
Up on the wall, there was a bit of movement- a birdfeeder was slung outside of one of the windows in the wall, and at this time of day it was popular. Purity didn't know the names of any of the types of birds (there seemed to be three different types), but they were all pretty, at least from this distance.
Purity turned and stepped gingerly through the room. The other boys were sleeping on the floor on cushions, and Purity had to step over an arm and a leg that had drifted off their bedding.
The floor creaked a few times as Purity walked through the upper hall, and the stairs seemed to be much noisier than they had been the previous day. Purity forgot about the last step and nearly fell again, making what sounded like a tremendous crash. Purity paused, waiting for all the children to come running at the sound, but there was nothing.
There was a sizzling and a delicious smell coming from the kitchen. Purity rounded the corner and walked in.
Sister Melitia was setting the table, plates, forks, knives, and cups. She gave a smile as she noticed Purity. Purity tried to return it as best as possible.
Momma Elsie was standing at the stove cooking. The smell of fresh bread was coming from the oven, and the sizzle and occasional snap of cooking bacon came from the stove. A pile of eggs was on the counter, waiting for their trip to the pan.
"Don't worry, dearie," Momma Elsie said without turning around, "you'll get accustomed to the step soon enough. There's only one thing that will rouse those children in the morning."
"I'm sorry, Momma Elsie. I'll try to remember." Purity put a hand up on the doorframe and looked around.
"Didn't I tell you not to worry?" Momma Elsie said, "you need to listen to me. I'll let it go for now, but in the future, I expect you to listen to what I say. Even for small things like this."
Sister Melitia laughed. "Don't let her scare you. She runs a tight ship, but she loves each and every child who lives here."
Purity nodded. "I know. Her heart is filled with bits from each of the children. Even from me."
"Oh?" Sister Melitia laughed again. "And what about my heart, little one? Elsie has been talking with me about your gift. I must say I'm quite curious."
Purity squirmed a little bit. "I don't… want to talk about it right now."
"Of course, dear," Melitia said softly, "but be aware that you can talk any time. Remember, I'm always here. Having a gift and being special is something you need to learn to control."
Another hiss from the stove interrupted what Purity was going to say. Momma Elsie cracked eggs into the pan one at a time, then, without missing a beat, opened the stove and pulled out the bread.
"Breakfast will be ready in a moment," she said, "wake the children."
Sister Melitia walked over to the door, and Purity edged over towards Momma Elsie. Melitia grabbed a bell that was hanging beside the front door and clanged it loudly three times.
It was as if the bell was the start of a stampede. The thump of feet up above started instantly, and all the children came crashing down the stairs. The older ones were still rubbing their eyes a bit, but the younger ones all seemed as though they had been awake for hours.
Each child took their place at the table, and a few picked up their forks and started thumping them down on the table. There was one spot left for Purity, who (after some encouragement from Tonn) went and sat down as well.
The table was abuzz with chatter, from descriptions of dreams to plans for the day, not a child was silent. More than one child tried to engage Purity in conversation, but Purity was too overwhelmed to respond.
The sound of a wooden spoon tapping on a pan could barely be heard over the din, but it brought instant silence. Riza was still humming quietly and moving back and forth to some unknown rhythm, but everyone else was waiting on Momma Elsie.
She brought the food over, and one by one dished out an egg. Sister Melitia was slicing the bread, and she brought it over as well. When the egg and bread were out, two pieces of well-cooked bacon were placed on each plate.
Purity was about to pick up the fork to eat when Momma Elsie spoke up.
"Let us each say grace," she said.
Purity glanced around, the children each had their eyes closed and were mouthing words quietly. Dewie was finished first, and he dug into his food right away. Everyone else finished whatever prayer they were saying silently and joined in as well.
Purity glanced around again, more than a little confused. Momma Elsie managed to catch Purity's eye.
"Eat," she said.
She didn't have to say it twice. Purity grabbed both the bread and the bacon, not waiting for one mouthful to be eaten before starting on the next. Tonn noticed how fast Purity was eating and chuckled, but didn't say anything.
The children finished their food one at a time, and each sat quietly after they had finished. Riza played around with her fork, but most of the others just kicked their feet and looked around the room. Purity finished quickly and began to look around as well.
Once everyone was done, Momma Elsie clapped her hands once and each child sprang into action. They all grabbed their dishes (Den noticed his cup still had some milk and gulped it down) and brought them up to the counter.
Once the dishes were all set up on the counter Den dashed outside and brought in a bucket. He quickly began to scrub the dishes. The rest of the children left, some to go outside and some to go upstairs to clean up their rooms.
Purity stayed in the kitchen after putting the dishes away, not quite sure of what to do. This was rather regular for Purity, and generally waiting around would get instructions.
Momma Elsie and sister Melitia were talking by the stove. The chores were set up and obeyed such that there was no need for either of them to get involved. Purity inched over to stand behind Momma Elsie.
"I think I shall take a trip to the market," Melitia said, "with an unexpected new child we might need some extra supplies sooner than normal."
"I see your point," Momma Elsie sighed, "but will they allow it? We are given a certain amount of charity every week. Going early, or asking for more, we don't know how they will react."
Melitia glanced at Purity and smiled. "Don't worry about us, dear," she said, "we're dealing with grown-up things." She turned back to Elsie. "I'll ask Torbund, she's the kindest of our benefactors. If there's no luck there, I can always go to Dret. He's a kind man, and he brought Purity to us. I'm sure he would help."
"I'd sooner go hungry than ask that man for help," Elsie said, "he does so much for us already. But I will agree to let you go. Just ask lightly! If the answer is no, don't press it."
"Of course!" Melitia nodded with a chuckle. She winked at Purity and was on her way.
Momma Elsie turned to Purity. "As she said, don't worry about our discussion. Now, we don't have a chore set up for you in the morning, do we?"
Purity gave a quick shake of the head.
"Well, I'm not sure what else needs to be done urgently. Why don't you go clean up the rooms upstairs? But stay out of the ladies' rooms, as I said."
Purity nodded and headed upstairs. Halfway up Purity was forced to stop as a tremendous yawn forced its way in, then stood there blinking away a small bit of sleep-sand that had been left in the right eye.
A few yells from children outside and the sound of dishes clinking mixed with the warbling of the birds outside. Purity's first morning in Tul's House, and it was rather a good one.
It took a small yawn for Purity to realize that the bed was more crowded than it had been at night- the youngest boy (Purity couldn't remember his name- the male counterpart to Riza) had crawled in under the blanket and cuddled up next to Purity. He was snoring lightly, and Purity could tell by what his heart was showing that he was having a very good dream.
With careful, delicate movements, Purity slid out of bed. The stuffed bear from yesterday wasn't there, someone has grabbed it and was probably hugging it tightly. Purity stretched and let out a much bigger yawn.
Outside the window on the grass a dog was sniffing around, Purity hadn't seen it before and was slightly curious. It had the scent of something that interested it, it stopped every few feet to paw at the ground. It glanced up at something it heard, some quiet noise that Purity couldn't hear.
Up on the wall, there was a bit of movement- a birdfeeder was slung outside of one of the windows in the wall, and at this time of day it was popular. Purity didn't know the names of any of the types of birds (there seemed to be three different types), but they were all pretty, at least from this distance.
Purity turned and stepped gingerly through the room. The other boys were sleeping on the floor on cushions, and Purity had to step over an arm and a leg that had drifted off their bedding.
The floor creaked a few times as Purity walked through the upper hall, and the stairs seemed to be much noisier than they had been the previous day. Purity forgot about the last step and nearly fell again, making what sounded like a tremendous crash. Purity paused, waiting for all the children to come running at the sound, but there was nothing.
There was a sizzling and a delicious smell coming from the kitchen. Purity rounded the corner and walked in.
Sister Melitia was setting the table, plates, forks, knives, and cups. She gave a smile as she noticed Purity. Purity tried to return it as best as possible.
Momma Elsie was standing at the stove cooking. The smell of fresh bread was coming from the oven, and the sizzle and occasional snap of cooking bacon came from the stove. A pile of eggs was on the counter, waiting for their trip to the pan.
"Don't worry, dearie," Momma Elsie said without turning around, "you'll get accustomed to the step soon enough. There's only one thing that will rouse those children in the morning."
"I'm sorry, Momma Elsie. I'll try to remember." Purity put a hand up on the doorframe and looked around.
"Didn't I tell you not to worry?" Momma Elsie said, "you need to listen to me. I'll let it go for now, but in the future, I expect you to listen to what I say. Even for small things like this."
Sister Melitia laughed. "Don't let her scare you. She runs a tight ship, but she loves each and every child who lives here."
Purity nodded. "I know. Her heart is filled with bits from each of the children. Even from me."
"Oh?" Sister Melitia laughed again. "And what about my heart, little one? Elsie has been talking with me about your gift. I must say I'm quite curious."
Purity squirmed a little bit. "I don't… want to talk about it right now."
"Of course, dear," Melitia said softly, "but be aware that you can talk any time. Remember, I'm always here. Having a gift and being special is something you need to learn to control."
Another hiss from the stove interrupted what Purity was going to say. Momma Elsie cracked eggs into the pan one at a time, then, without missing a beat, opened the stove and pulled out the bread.
"Breakfast will be ready in a moment," she said, "wake the children."
Sister Melitia walked over to the door, and Purity edged over towards Momma Elsie. Melitia grabbed a bell that was hanging beside the front door and clanged it loudly three times.
It was as if the bell was the start of a stampede. The thump of feet up above started instantly, and all the children came crashing down the stairs. The older ones were still rubbing their eyes a bit, but the younger ones all seemed as though they had been awake for hours.
Each child took their place at the table, and a few picked up their forks and started thumping them down on the table. There was one spot left for Purity, who (after some encouragement from Tonn) went and sat down as well.
The table was abuzz with chatter, from descriptions of dreams to plans for the day, not a child was silent. More than one child tried to engage Purity in conversation, but Purity was too overwhelmed to respond.
The sound of a wooden spoon tapping on a pan could barely be heard over the din, but it brought instant silence. Riza was still humming quietly and moving back and forth to some unknown rhythm, but everyone else was waiting on Momma Elsie.
She brought the food over, and one by one dished out an egg. Sister Melitia was slicing the bread, and she brought it over as well. When the egg and bread were out, two pieces of well-cooked bacon were placed on each plate.
Purity was about to pick up the fork to eat when Momma Elsie spoke up.
"Let us each say grace," she said.
Purity glanced around, the children each had their eyes closed and were mouthing words quietly. Dewie was finished first, and he dug into his food right away. Everyone else finished whatever prayer they were saying silently and joined in as well.
Purity glanced around again, more than a little confused. Momma Elsie managed to catch Purity's eye.
"Eat," she said.
She didn't have to say it twice. Purity grabbed both the bread and the bacon, not waiting for one mouthful to be eaten before starting on the next. Tonn noticed how fast Purity was eating and chuckled, but didn't say anything.
The children finished their food one at a time, and each sat quietly after they had finished. Riza played around with her fork, but most of the others just kicked their feet and looked around the room. Purity finished quickly and began to look around as well.
Once everyone was done, Momma Elsie clapped her hands once and each child sprang into action. They all grabbed their dishes (Den noticed his cup still had some milk and gulped it down) and brought them up to the counter.
Once the dishes were all set up on the counter Den dashed outside and brought in a bucket. He quickly began to scrub the dishes. The rest of the children left, some to go outside and some to go upstairs to clean up their rooms.
Purity stayed in the kitchen after putting the dishes away, not quite sure of what to do. This was rather regular for Purity, and generally waiting around would get instructions.
Momma Elsie and sister Melitia were talking by the stove. The chores were set up and obeyed such that there was no need for either of them to get involved. Purity inched over to stand behind Momma Elsie.
"I think I shall take a trip to the market," Melitia said, "with an unexpected new child we might need some extra supplies sooner than normal."
"I see your point," Momma Elsie sighed, "but will they allow it? We are given a certain amount of charity every week. Going early, or asking for more, we don't know how they will react."
Melitia glanced at Purity and smiled. "Don't worry about us, dear," she said, "we're dealing with grown-up things." She turned back to Elsie. "I'll ask Torbund, she's the kindest of our benefactors. If there's no luck there, I can always go to Dret. He's a kind man, and he brought Purity to us. I'm sure he would help."
"I'd sooner go hungry than ask that man for help," Elsie said, "he does so much for us already. But I will agree to let you go. Just ask lightly! If the answer is no, don't press it."
"Of course!" Melitia nodded with a chuckle. She winked at Purity and was on her way.
Momma Elsie turned to Purity. "As she said, don't worry about our discussion. Now, we don't have a chore set up for you in the morning, do we?"
Purity gave a quick shake of the head.
"Well, I'm not sure what else needs to be done urgently. Why don't you go clean up the rooms upstairs? But stay out of the ladies' rooms, as I said."
Purity nodded and headed upstairs. Halfway up Purity was forced to stop as a tremendous yawn forced its way in, then stood there blinking away a small bit of sleep-sand that had been left in the right eye.
A few yells from children outside and the sound of dishes clinking mixed with the warbling of the birds outside. Purity's first morning in Tul's House, and it was rather a good one.