Glass House (for Terra)

[Spank Life]

Disclaimer: All characters, locations, and events are fictional. Any similarities to existing people, places, events, or organizations are completely coincidental.

"Aaah, today's the day."

In a modest vehicle, Jean O'Connor pulled into St. Mary Orphanage's parking lot. The parking lot was surprisingly barren, only the employees' reserved slots filled. One or two couples could be seen walking away on foot, embroiled in discussion; no doubt about whether it was the right time to adopt.

But for Jean, there was no question about it! He's always wanted a child to spoil rotten.

Jean stepped out of the car and walked into the orphanage.

Jean attracted little attention, being a very average looking person. He had brown hair, green eyes, glasses, and was dressed in blacks and whites. Very boring at first impression, over all.

Jean walked up to the receptionist desk. Funnily enough, the lady's name tag read 'Mary'. Jean didn't comment on it, though.

"Hi! I'm back! I'm here to adopt Akari..." Jean said, placing a large stack of papers on the desk. Jean had been here a couple times before and met some of the younger children. One of them, Akari, was adorable, and Jean's been going through the process to adopt her. But finally it was here: Jean was about to have a daughter!!!

[Terra]

Akari was nearby, her brown hair a bit messy and her brown eyes were glazed over. The little 7-year old had a very rare illness known as Ephemeral Flux Syndrome or EFS. The usual symptoms of weakness, fatigue and a weak immune system were typically prevalent, but the main intricacies of EFS were also neurological problems such as blindness, muteness and other such issues. The weirdest part was one day she could be completely healthy, but suddenly be affected by her illness. Despite all the issues that came with it, Akari was the epitome of cheerfulness. The receptionist informed Jean that Akari was dealing with blindness that day, but was otherwise fine.


Sounds of a struggle and whimpering were heard nearby as a girl was led to a corner. The 15yo, Flora, was crying and was missing her left arm, which was usually a prosthetic. The left side of her face, usually coveted by a mask was covered in burns and scars. As she stood in the corner, it was clear she had just received a dose of the cane and it was evident by a paddle hanging nearby that her punishment wasn’t quite over yet.

[Spank Life]

“Is it full blindness?” ‘Blindness’ had a very large scale, after all. It could be impaired vision, completely black, even just affect the perception of color. Regardless, that was one of Akari’s illness’ affects that scared Jean the most. He couldn’t imagine waking up one day, unable to see. Akari would definitely be staying home those days. If Jean could afford it, he’d teach Akari himself--

Jean’s thoughts were interrupted when two employees and a bare-bottomed, heavily scarred teenager walked into the room. One employee was corralling the child into a corner. The other was hanging a paddle on the wall and setting down what looked like…an arm? How odd. As the girl was forced to face the corner, Jean’s eyes widened at the deep dark red lines painted across her bottom and upper thighs. Clearly she’d been punished quite harshly.

“Excuse me, what’s going on over there?” Surely, there were better places to punish the child than in the front lobby, where parents-to-be couldn’t see? Like her room, their common room, the bathroom. But what’s more, Jean noticed a staff member hang a paddle next to the girl. They couldn’t be planning on punishing her more, could they?

The smile on the receptionist’s face withered a little. “Ah. That’s Flora. Please don’t mind her. She’s a bit of a delinquent and problem child. Spanking and corner time is what the caretakers have found work best for her. Now, would you like me to call up Akari? We’ve been preparing for Akari’s adoption, so she should be ready to go.” The receptionist said, changing the topic back to Jean’s adoption. Almost too eagerly, at that.

Reminded that he was here to adopt, Jean tried to push the presence of the sniffling, caned girl out of his mind.

“Ah, yes, please.”

[Terra]

As Akari was called, she lightly tilted her head as if trying to process who was talking to her. She shuddered, having heard the sounds of Flora’s punishment, but pushed it out of her mind. As she was led to the front desk and to Jean, she gripped her walking stick closely. Said stick was specially designed for her and her illness. It could be adjusted for when she was blind and needed it to help walk around and it could be adjusted to be used to maintain balance if she was having trouble keeping steady. As she arrived, another staff brought along her wheelchair and her other various items that aided with her illness. Thankfully, all her health care and such was automatically paid for and that benefit would still remain when she was put into Jean’s care.

Akari felt around with her hand when brought to the front desk, delicately taking Jean’s hand. She blushed faintly, but it wasn’t from embarrassment. She just wasn’t sure how to feel at the moment.

[Spank Life]

Jean stood at the receptionist desk, waiting for an employee to bring out Akari. While exchanging small chat with the receptionist, Jean couldn't help but sneak glances of pity and worry about the child in the corner. Those cane lines looked really harsh and paddling on top of that seemed abusive to Jean.

But Jean thought the orphanage staff would know better than him. He forcibly pushed it out of his mind again, as a door opened, and a little angel was brought out to the front room.

"Hi there, Akari," Jean greeted, voice warm and eager. He moved his hand in her direction, seeing that she was looking for it. Akari's was so much tinier than his own, Jean thought, giving it a little squeeze.

"Here are Akari's belongings." said the staff person. There was a large box, a medium sized box, a school bag, and a medium sized rubber-maid lined with medications. "Would you like helping bringing it out to your car?"

"Yes, please."

Jean took the school bag and rubber maid under one arm and led Akari out of the building to his car. The staff person and receptionist both brought out a box. Jean popped the trunk for them, dumping the school bag and medication box there. Likewise, the staff put the boxes in there, too. Then, Jean strapped Akari into the back carseat. The carseat turned out to be a perfect fit.

"Is it comfy?" Jean asked, fiddling with all the straps to make sure it wasn't too tight or too loose anywhere.

[Terra]

Akari gave a weak greeting in response to Jean’s, still feeling a bit shy and antsy. Her hand being lightly squeezed did help to relax her some, and she walked along carefully with her cane in her other hand. As she was loaded into the car, she lightly fidgeted, mostly out of reflex. Once settled in the car seat, she nestled into it and turned her head at Jean’s question. “Very comfy.” She said with a nod and grin.

[Spank Life]

"Good..." Jean said, smiling back.

Jean's smile dipped into a frown as he watched the staff members excuse themselves and return to the orphanage. He was still worried about that other kid. But it was a lengthy, multi-month process just to adopt Akari; Jean couldn't just go in there and add another child. They weren't pets, after all. What's more, Jean didn't know if he had the means to suddenly provide for two children.

Maybe if he worked hard, got a better job...

Jean shook his head. He couldn't get ahead of himself. He should focus on the child he just adopted.

"Well, Akari Baker, let's get going!" He said, emphasizing her new last name.

Jean hopped into the driver's seat and began driving toward his apartment.

[Terra]

Akari blushed as she heard her new full name, but silently nodded. The small girl wasn’t fully sure what to say in response to that, but it did make her feel warm and fuzzy inside. She rubbed her eyes lightly and rested against the car seat, listening to the sound of the car move.

[Spank Life]

Jean began to drive home.

St. Mary's Orphanage was a solid 30 minutes away from Jean's apartment. This meant there was plenty of time to talk to his new daughter. The word, even though it was spoken only in his own head, made Jean giddy. He had a daughter. A very cute one at that! Jean glanced at her in the rear view mirror.

Soft, fluffy brown hair that frame a pink-cheeked face, chocolate brown eyes, an oversized red scarf... gosh, she was A for Adorable.

"Sooo," Jean began, a little nervous. Jean had already met and talked with Akari a couple times. But there had always been other people nearby, supervising. "Are you excited to start your new school? There's an elementary school in walking distance, so I can walk you there, everyday, before work."

[Terra]

Akari tilted her head she heard Jean speak, taking in what he was saying. “I would like that. But do they…” she asked, but then her voiced trailed off. She hesitated for a few moments, blushing lightly. “…paddle at that school?” She asked with a hint of nervousness in her voice.