One Chosen by Fate (Kira Wolf Cub)

[Dionysian]

OOC: Forgive me, I would have posted earlier today, but my internet died out for some reason, leaving me frozen here. Also, titles are not my strong suit.

The world was divided into multiple kingdoms, each with it's own ruler, citizens, and features. As anyone could predict, each of these kingdoms differed greatly in their governments, customs, climate, and geographical settings. There weren't exactly eight nations-there were, in fact, a large number of smaller countries within, some with their own rulers who answered to higher authorities-but if you spread out a map and looked it over, you almost had an Asian trigram. Simply put, it all added up nicely, even if some had not formed allegiances yet.

One could talk about the nations in all their various glories, but the one that we're going to focus on for now is a western nation called Armanius. This nation was characterized by country-like atmosphere and beautiful, spring time weather. People who visited sometimes wondered when winter would come, but anybody who did their research would know that Armanius was always like this. The grass stayed green, the flowers never wilted, and the temperature remained a pleasant warm. Was there a breeze to compliment that balmy weather? You can bet money there was. Needless to say, crops were easy to grow and harvest the whole year round, and rain was plentiful.

Life for the people of Armanius was something akin to country life. There were small towns at various junctions connected by roads and traintracks. Sure, there were a few cities (every nation has to have a city, it's virtually a law), but most of the landscape consisted of small towns. The buildings were constructed of concrete and wood, making them a little difficult to heat during the winter, but during warmer seasons, they were pleasantly cool (even a warm place like Armanius went through temperature change, subtle as it was).

Transportation was fairly simple. Horses and coaches were always available. Air travel was done by airship, something that could be rather pricey, but was always enjoyable, not to mention eye candy. Even the men got a thrill out of seeing their homeland from high above, and if the adults enjoyed it so much, think of how much children enjoyed it.

Like most of the nations, Armanius was a monarchy. It had had various rulers through it's time period, some as wise as sages, others who had nearly brought it to ruination, but at the moment, it seemed to be doing fine. Some of the cynics might regard the king's councilors as the true rulers of the kingdom, but every so often, you got a king who could think just as much as rule, and this era was one of those times. That could be good... or bad.

But enough about the land itself. There was one specific figure that must be discussed. He wasn't from Armanius. He wasn't even here for pleasure reasons. He was here on orders from his country of Malakuju.

Present Time. Armanius:

It's been mentioned that Armanius had few cities. Well, he was in one right now, specifically the downtown district. It had been a long trip to get here, but he had made it, and now he was here, the city's orphanage. It was surprisingly quiet for an orphanage, as one would expect to hear the sound of children yelling to and at each other, playing their games and doing whatever it was that they did. No, it was surprisingly quiet here. Maybe that was because he was in the entrance room. Who knew?

Mark Triggs was a tall man of thirty two years, standing at five feet, nine inches, weighing a tight and compact one hundred seventy five pounds. He had long, sinewy legs, and shoulders which were on the broad side. His clean shaven face was heart shaped, with a small nose, lips which were slightly fleshier than he would have liked, and deep brown eyes which were close to black. His hair, which was tied back with a small hank of hide, was jet black with bangs that came down over his forehead in a widow's peak. He wore a pair of dove gray slacks and a white polo shirt, although the shirt was obscured by the olive olive colored duster he wore over his body. On his feet were a pair of casual leather shoes.

Perched on Mark's shoulder was a great cormorant by the name of Naomi. She wasn't just any ordinary bird, mind you. You see, Mark had been born with some rare characteristics, and so he had been born with a familiar. Naomi had been with him ever since birth, and accompanied him virtually everywhere.

Mark had been assigned to Armanius some several weeks ago by King Cyrus II, the ruler of Malakuju. His mission was simple: go to Armanius, find the selected child, and bring her back to their kingdom. Why? Because very soon, something incredible was going to happen, and incredible did not necessarily mean good. The child was going to be trained as the one who would save the kingdoms from destruction, but as to what that destruction was, they could only turn to the old legends and prophecies for help. The word 'Ragnarok' was going around in some places, but that was all.

Mark, being a spy for the kingdom, had been assigned to undertake the ordeal. There was no sense making this operation public, so it was best to keep it tongue in cheek.

Now he was here, waiting at the counter for the matron. He had to admit, this was a bit awkward, being disguised as an adoption.

At last, the matron came, and Mark gave a sigh of relief. He was a patient man-in this business you had to be patient-but sometimes...

"Can I help you?"

"Yes, I'm here to make an adoption." Mark replied, getting right to the point. "I'm interested in adopting a girl. Could you show me who you have?"

"Certainly, we-" The matron was cut off as she saw Naomi. "Sir, we don't allow pets in-"

"I'm not a pet, ma'am." Naomi interrupted. She didn't need to say anymore.

"I see." the matron continued. "Come this way, then." She began to walk lead Mark down one of the hallways. He followed suite.

[Kira_Wolf_Cub]

Applegates Orphanage wasn't what one could call new by any means. It had in fact once been a nunnery which clearly had seen it's fair share of good times and bad, judging but the add ones made over the years and the still visible scars of wars long since passed, hidden beneath years of white washing. Still it had a proper and oddly well fit feel to it now that the sound of children seen to ring through the halls and behind it's protective fences.

Inside though, it looked much nicer, the walls and furniture well kept while the children's work decorated the walls from art to quilts to even some carpentry as well. True there were spots here and there were there was evidence and some little scamp had been left unwatched long enough with some coloring crayons or like wise, but that was expected when small children were involved. As the matron lead Mark down the halls, they passed the main nursery where several staff members and a few of the older teens were helping the toddlers ready for their daily nap.

The matron was know to the children as Mother Margret or Mother Maggie for the ones too little to say it right. She was an old woman of the spiced age of 53 and she was as round as she was short. Despite this, it was clear that Maggie had learned how to handle a large number of kids from the no nonsense expression fixed on her face that demanded obedience without questioning. The fact that she could keep her wirery silver hair wrapped tightly in a bun only seemed to add to her fierce appearance.

"I'm afraid if you wish to look at the toddlers, it will have to wait," She told him. "They need to rest at this hour or else they become impossible to handle. As you can see, we keep the boys and girls separate at all times unless it's outside play, lessons, or when we dine. In the moment the little ones are outside playing. As you'll see, we raise our girls to be proper little ladies."

*** At the same moment though a little earlier ***

They had been down by the small creek since the Sisters had let them outside to play, just the three of them. For as long as Alan could remember he had always been friends with Sebastian Wick and little Kat Wake. Alan was only a week younger then Sebastian who was 11 years old and was the boy's opposite. Where Sebastian was black haired and pale skinned, Alan had nearly white blond hair and heavily tanned skin that contrasted it. It made them both interesting little boys to look at.

As for little Kat, or rather Kathrine Wake. Well, she was special all on her own. For starters, she was the bravest of the girls in all of Applegates Orphanage. She wasn't afraid of mice or spiders or snakes. She loved to tumble and climb trees and run races against the boys to see whom was fastest. And she was never afraid of getting dirty like she was now. But what truly made Kat special, was her eyes. For some reason that no one knew, Kat had two different colored eyes. Instead of two blue eyes or two green eyes, she had one of each and they deep contradicted one another. It was the main reason most people didn't want to adopt her because they were unnerved by the icy blue left eye and forest green right eye looked at them. It just struck them as weird.

But that was fine with Kat. She knew what she wanted to do. She wanted to stay at Applegates Orphanage and grow up and then marry Alan Miller. As far as she was concerned, she never wanted to be adopted.

"You know, Mother Margret is gonna yell at you when we get back," Sebastian told Kat as she wiggled her bare toes in the silk at the bottom of the lake. She liked the soft yet slimy feel as she bent down and picked up the turtle she had been chasing in the water. "You're all messy again."

"Am not," Kat argued. "I'm just... a little wet is all."

It was a poor placed lie. Even now, her once well combed flaming red hair that had been brushed to a shim with it's natural waving locks, now clung in messy chunks to her skin, and her white under shirt and bloomers where muddy and algae stained. On a rock not too far away lay her cloths, a brown cotton dress with a white apron, as well as white stockings and matching white and black bottom shoes. She had taken them off to spare them, but somewhere along the tackling her friends and fishing for turtles, the dress and apron had gotten smeared with dirt and grass stains as well as her one stocking had ripped at the knee. and her shoes had gotten terribly scuffed. Still , she didn't see it as being a big problem.

"Come on," Alan told her picking up her clothes and trading her them for the turtle. "We'd better get back. Mother's gonna be so mad at you."

Kat just pulled on her dress and grinned as he handed her the turtle back. She always had a love for catching things.

"Come on!"

*** Back at Applegates ***

The children were all gathering round the man, allowing him to get a good look at them. Suzi Molts seemed to be doing her hardest to charm the man, but it seemed none of the girls were catching his interest. Shame really, she was such a wonderful girl of ten.

"As you can see, perfect little angels in every-" She was about to say way when she spotted none other then the troublesome trio running up to the main door. Honestly, she was starting to wonder why she ever let Kathrine out without someone responsible watching her. There wasn't a single day where that girl didn't do something that was either wrong or messy. "I'm sorry, Si. Just one moment, Katrine Wake! What do you think you are doing?!"

The children, including little five year old Katrine Wake, stopping their tracks and looked nervously at Maggie. Before Kat could say anything the woman took a firm hold of her wrist and forced her to stand on her tippy toes as she signed towards all of her clothing.

"Just look at you, you're absolutely filthy. And you're stockings are ripped again. Honestly, child. Can't you just behave for one day? What do you have to say for yourself?"

Kat looked down at her clothes, clearly not seeing the problem that woman was hinting to. Instead she held out her other hand where she held onto her captured prey.

"I caught a turtle." That just earned her a firm swat on the rear. "Ow!"

"None of that cheek little Missy. And on the day we get a visitor of all things." Maggie sighed and looked at Mark. "I'm so sorry sir. They are all normally so well behaved."

[Dionysian]

"So that's how it's done around here." Mark thought to himself. "I wish I could say I'm surprised, but how can I? I've never been in an orphanage before."

From his shoulder, Naomi craned her neck down at one of the children who was ogling up at her. It was evident that he had never seen a bird quite of her caliber before. The fact that the bird seemed to actually be aware of his presence only entranced the small boy further.

"Can I help you?" Naomi asked, her beady eyes fixed upon him. "It's kind of rude to stare, you know."

This only entranced the child further. A bird that could talk? This was like something out of the Grimm Brother's books, or one of the stories the teenagers sometimes told the younger ones before bed! They couldn't be real, could they? Maybe the bird was magic or something.

"Naomi, please." Mark whispered out of the corners of his mouth. "He's just a kid."

Mark listened to Mother Margaret tell him about the children's wards and how they kept the boys and girls separate. It came as no surprise to him. It was... safer that way, the same way it would be in a college dorm, or on a military base. He also listened to how the girls were raised to be 'proper little laidies'. Through it all, he nodded his head and smiled at the appropriate moments. His mind, however, did not lose sight of his goal.

"If only she would show her face." Mark thought. "Sure, I don't have a deadline, but every moment counts here. She's essential for-"

As if to drive his point home, several girls, the eldest of which seemed to be ten years of age, rounded the corner and began to swarm him like flies on a fresh mound of honey. Mark, well used to surprises, was not taken back in the least. He had, in fact, been expecting this somewhat.

"Hi, mister!" the eldest piped. "My name is Suzi Molts. If you adopt me, I promise to do all your housework. I'm really good at it."

...and he had been expecting that too.

"That's nice of you, but-"

"No, you should take me!" said another, this one about two years younger. "Suzi's really good at housework, but I'm a really good cook. You look like the kind who enjoys a decent meal, mister."

"Look, as much as I appreciate the-"

One that was equal in age of the second speaker interrupted. "No, you should adopt me! I'm good at both of those things!"

"As you can see, perfect little angels in every-"

And that was when what could only be described as trouble came knocking on the door. Two boys came in, followed by a little girl who was so dirty that you might have mistook her for a sandworm that had sprouted arms and legs. She wore a traditional girl's dress and apron, along with shoes, and her fiery red hair was matted and muddy. Even her stockings were torn and stained with grass and dirt. All in all, the girl looked like something that had come out of a gladiator ring.

And then Mark saw it; or them, if you will.

It was her eyes, just beneath that veil of dirt. It was what his King had told him to watch out for. The eyes would be two different colors, one ice blue, the other forest green. Many people would find such a contradiction eerie, even frightening, but Mark didn't seem to mind. He had seen things in his life which would turn people's hair white, and this was child's play compared to such matters. Besides, this child had a purpose.

"I'm sorry, Si. Just one moment, Katrine Wake! What do you think you are doing?!"

So that was her name: Kathrine Wake. Good, now he had a name to work with.

As the matron scolded Kathrine for dirtying herself (and gave her a well needed swat), Naomi whispered to Mark, "I still find it hard to believe that this scrap of a girl is going to be the savior. I know what's written, but even so..."

"I know, I know." Mark whispered back. "But even so, what is, is. Besides, it's a direct order."

"I'm so sorry sir. They are all normally so well behaved." Mother Margaret apologized.

"That's quite alright." Mark smiled. "I think I've already made my decision. If you can just get me the papers, I think I'd like to adopt that girl right there, Kathrine Wake."

Time seemed to stand still all of a sudden...

[Kira_Wolf_Cub]

At first Kat had paid the stranger no attention. Why should she have, she didn't want to get adopted by anyone so what was the importance of looking all nice and pretty or trying to talk with the strangers and couples that came to see what pickings they could chose from of all the children. Margret looked utterly shocked, having not seen this coming at all, since she too was use to hearing that Kat's unique appearance positively demonic, Kat just seemed on of those un-adoptable children.

"Sir?" She blinked and then gave him a firm look. She needed to be sure that this wasn't his idea of some cruel joke. After all to the children didn't call her Mother for nothing, she put the care of her wards first and foremost at all times. "Can I speak with you a moment in my office?"

While it may have sounded harsh to the children's ears, Mark could tell that the firm tone was directed at him as she made to ensure herself that he was being truthful with his words. In her grasp, Kat was still twisting to pull away so that she could stand normally as her eyes fixed on to Mark and Naomi.

Even if she was just five years old, turning six in the winter, Kat studied the pair of strangers with a small scowl on her face which did nothing to help with all the grim that covered her. She didn't know this man but he was clearly not from around her, that she was sure of. That and he looked like he was wearing travelers cloths for long journeys, but before she could ask him anything, Margret passed her hand over to one of the younger staff members with an order to get her washed up and her cloth changed so that she could look presentable just as Margret took the turtle and ordered Alan to return it out into the stream where it belonged.

"This way, Sir." Margret told him as the four of them entered and then split into pairs at the hall. Even the quiet yet well furnished halls, they could all hear the clicking of their shoes on the wooden floors as Kat was lead over the the wash rooms. Along the way they could hear the little girl's voice whine slightly to her current keeper 'But why do I have too? I'll just get dirty again later?' when they reached Margret office door.

"Please, have a seat," Margret told him politely before she sat down behind her desk. The office wasn't too different from that of a head master's in a private school, and while it was surprising to see that the small orphanage actually had a computer, it was clearly an old model since some of the typewriter keys had long ago lost their letter marker. "I hope you don't mistaken my question for being rude, but I need to ask. Are you sure you want to adopt our little Kathrine? I'm sure you've noticed she has a few... special traits about her."

She watched him as he answered and sighed when she saw that he wasn't trying to mock them.

"You have to understand, Sir," She explained, pulling out a form for him to sign as well as a pen for him to write with as she started to type away on the computer so that they had the adoption on archive. "These children are my responsibility, and their welfare is my first priority and well... we've had people whom find it amusing to get the children's hopes up for nothing. I must warn you though, our Kathrine, she can be... well you saw. She's a very sweet girl but she has a tendency to go off on her own and explore things."

In the wash room, Sarah the young aid had just pulled off Kathrine's cloths and sighed deeply when she saw the soiled underwear the child had own.

"You really don't do things half way do you?" She scolded as she tossed the dress and stocking into a basket for wash. "Just look at you. And we don't have time to give you a proper bath neither. Goodness, that man must think we don't take proper care of our children because of you. Step up."

She pulled a stool over the the sinks and without waiting too long, Kat stepped up to the sink where Sarah started to roughly wash her off with a wet cloth. Kat whined loudly when her face was scrubbed free of dirt but she didn't fight it. It wouldn't help and it would only annoy Sarah more. Once all her visible body parts were clean, Sarah pulled her quickly to the dorm room Kat shared with all the others her age and quickly pulled out another dress ensemble for her to wear.

"Arms up," Sarah ordered and pushed another brown dress over the little red head and then turned her around to fix her apron for her. It was a much fancier one then the one she had worn before. That one had been just a plane white one with simple pockets. This one had lace and frills and even a small apple blossom embroiled on the right breast. It was in a sort of Alice in wonderland style, the shoulders frilly and it tied into an elaborate bow behind her. "Now hold still. I need to brush your hair a little and then we'll button your shoes."

"Why?" Kat pouted and she felt Sarah roughly brush her hair to tame it a little. "I'm just gonna go play outside again."

"Didn't you hear that man, you silly girl?" Sarah tsked her. "He wants to adopt you."

"But I don't wanna be adopted!" Kat protested. "I wanna stay here. I don't wanna go with that weird ma-OW!"

"Mind your manners," Sarah warned her as Kat rubbed her back thigh that Sarah had swatted.

***

Margret looked over the papers and nodded her head before looking at him again.

"Now as I said, she is a sweet girl, but she does have her stubborn moments. Normally we would ask the child if they want to be adopted by adoptees like yourself but Kathrine... well, as I said, some people seem to think it's amusing to mock the children with the idea and Kathrine has been one of them," She explained. "She'll probably complain a lot in the beginning about going with you but don't mind her. Once she gets to know you I'm sure you both will get along just fine. Now if you'll just sign under these as well, then I can give you her birth certificate and any other papers you'll need for her. She'll only seven so her schooling isn't very extensive but she can read and write."

The papers were just the basic terms of agreement, stating that now when he had sign the papers, Kathrine would be his daughter and it was his responciblity to raise her and see to her needs whatever they maybe. Just the normal basic information. He had just signed the papers when Sarah came knocking on the door and a now cleaner and more human looking Kathrine Wake was pushed gently into the room. She didn't look happy, the pout fixed on her face with her bottom lip pushed out at them. Considering she hadn't gotten a bath, she had cleaned up rather nicely, her waist long hair now groomed and her long bangs pulled back and clipped behind her head. She wasn't wearing brown loafers any more but neatly polished white and black button shoes that were clearly only worn for special occasions like this. Behind her, Sarah placed a small suitcase which held all of Kat's belongs, both toys and clothes along with a a heavy brown felt coat for her to wear when they left.

"Kathrine, can you say hello to Mr. Triggs?" Margret asked the girl who clearly didn't want to be there. Kat seemed more interested in her shoes and he floor, scuffing at her feet against the floor. "Kathrine, don't be rude. And stand up straight."

"...'ello," Kathrine muttered, looking away from them both, still weaving on her feet until Margret cleared her throat. She then straightened a little and looked at Mark though she was still very unhappy about it. "Hello Mr. Triggs."

"Good girl," Margret told her, knowing that she couldn't stop the girl from moping. "Katrine I have some wonderful news for you. Mr Triggs here came today because he wanted to adopt a little girl to be his daughter and guess what. He chose to adopt you. Isn't that wonderful?"

"No," Kathrine answered with a deep scowl, as if they had just asked her if she wanted to have both her legs broken for the fun of things. "I don't wanna go with him. I wanna stay here."

"Kathrine..." Margret sighed, looking a little put out at the child and gave Mark an apologetic look. "You're being rude again."

"I don't care," Kat protested firmly. "He can pick someone else. I want to stay here. I don't want to go with him. I won't."

As if to make a point, Kathrine stomped her foot and folded her arms in front of her chest with a firm pout. This was her home after all, always had been and as far as she was concerned nothing would change this. Ever

[Dionysian]

Mark nodded his head, following Mother Margaret to her private office, although he did find it a little strange that she was making such a fuss over one girl out of so many. Orphans were a handful, it was true, and you couldn't really blame them, but the way she was acting, you were expecting this girl, this Kathrine Wake to be feral or something. You didn't get that sort of thing unless the orphanage was crooked or something, and this one was clearly a good one.

As he settled down in a seat opposite the matron, Naomi still perched on his shoulder, he observed the office. It had the usual refinements one could expect from an office, but what struck him as amazing was that the desk had a computer. It was clearly an older model, but still, there it was. It had probably been there before the matron had been here, probably used to store records and such. How it had come to be here in the first place, however, he did not know.

Mother Margaret gave him a stern glance and said, "I hope you don't mistaken my question for being rude, but I need to ask. Are you sure you want to adopt our little Kathrine? I'm sure you've noticed she has a few... special traits about her."

Mark looked at her, his expression neutral. He said in a conversational tone, "Well, it's simple. I want to have a child, and I've made a decision. I think that's fair."

"You have to understand, Sir," She explained, pulling out a form for him to sign as well as a pen for him to write with as she started to type away on the computer so that they had the adoption on archive. "These children are my responsibility, and their welfare is my first priority and well... we've had people whom find it amusing to get the children's hopes up for nothing. I must warn you though, our Kathrine, she can be... well you saw. She's a very sweet girl but she has a tendency to go off on her own and explore things."

"I understand that. I'm not somebody who aims to play some trick on your wards, ma'am." Mark responded. "I just want to adopt this child for parental reasons. If she is difficult to handle, I assure you, I am prepared to put up with it. Believe me, I've learned to be patient."

"Same way you're father learned to be patient with you?" Naomi chuckled to herself.

Mark looked over the forms, pretending to read them, when in reality he had memorized the form long ago. I, the undersigned, attest that I shall provide room and board for so and so, I shall provide an education for so and so, I shall be held accountable for so and so, the nitty gritty. He went through the forms, again nodding in the appropriate places. After a few minutes of lengthy reading and analyzing (or pretending to) he signed the forms.

"Now as I said, she is a sweet girl, but she does have her stubborn moments. Normally we would ask the child if they want to be adopted by adoptees like yourself but Kathrine... well, as I said, some people seem to think it's amusing to mock the children with the idea and Kathrine has been one of them," She explained. "She'll probably complain a lot in the beginning about going with you but don't mind her. Once she gets to know you I'm sure you both will get along just fine. Now if you'll just sign under these as well, then I can give you her birth certificate and any other papers you'll need for her. She'll only seven so her schooling isn't very extensive but she can read and write."

"Oh, don't worry about that. Her education will be taken care of, and as I said, I'm a patient man when it comes to behavior problems. I mean, it's only natural that somebody would be distrustful of somebody they've just met, right?" Mark said, signing the last few forms.

As if to answer this challenge, there was the sound of footsteps and Mark looked up. Standing in the doorway was Kathrine Wake again, only now she had been thoroughly cleaned up. Her hair was washed and brushed away from her forehead, and she was wearing a prim looking white dress and apron like out of the Lewis Carroll books. The main difference between Alice and Kathrine was that Alice probably would have had an expression of curiosity on her face while Kathrine had a scowl on her face that might have eaten a hole in the wall had it been any harder.

"Hello there." Mark greeted, offering a mock bow. "My name is Mark Triggs. It's very nice to meet you. I'm the one who will be adopting you."

"Kathrine, can you say hello to Mr. Triggs?" The little girl did not respond, merely studying the floor with that sour expression on her face. "Kathrine, don't be rude. And stand up straight."

Kathrine only partially rightened herself, and even then she didn't completely meet their eyes. She seemed preoccupied with ignoring them both, particularly Mark. She muttered a brief greeting, but it was only when Mother Margaret cleared her throat in a method which would most assuredly not have cleared the liquid inside did she completely righten herself and speak.

"Hello Mr. Triggs." The words seemed almost forced.

Mark smiled pleasantly, ignoring the tiny hissy fit. "Again, it's very nice to meet you."

The girl did not seem impressed, and when the matron mentioned that Mark intended to adopt her, she only became more agitated. Mark opened his mouth to say something to calm the girl, but before he could, the girl spoke.

"He can pick someone else. I want to stay here. I don't want to go with him. I won't." Kathrine stamped her foot and crossed her arms to emphasize this point.

Mark sighed, but his expression did not change. He had seen this coming, actually. He couldn't blame Kathrine for not wanting to leave. She probably had friends here, and said friends were the only family she had ever known. Even more, she probably enjoyed getting into all kinds of mischief with them, as indicated by her earlier dirty appearance. He knew what it was like. He had gotten into plenty of scrapes as a boy himself.

It probably wasn't his place, but he should try to defuse this situation a little bit. The last thing he wanted was to drag the girl kicking and screaming out of here. Even more, if she didn't learn to trust him, nothing could be set in motion.

"I understand it's difficult." Mark said. "I know you don't want to leave, but look at everyone else. Even when they get adopted, a good part of them doesn't want to leave either because they depend on each other. I understand you'll miss this place and your friends, but everyone here must inevitably leave, and they miss what they leave behind. You're all in the same boat."

Mark was attempting to use logic to persuade the girl to see his point. The last thing he wanted was a confrontation.

[Kira_Wolf_Cub]

(The dress is brown, not white. Only the apron and her stockings are white)

Kat didn't seemed to agree with this strangers point of view. As far as she was concerned she had made her point and she would be damned if this man or his bird were going to change it. Beside, it was her choice as to whether or not she was gonna get adopted and she was choosing not to be.

Of course she didn't know the papers had already been signed and approved by Margret so as of this moment she was completely and legally under Mark's care.

"I'm not going with you!" Kat grounded up her small hands fisted by her sides as she glared hotly at both him and Naomi. "I'm staying here. You can't make me go with you."

"Kathrine, that's enough," Margret scolded her and the little girl folded her hands neatly behind her back as she continued to look moodily at them both. "What have I told you about being a proper lady?"

She huffed for a small moment as she thought back to the lectures that the Sisters always gave the children when someone acted up. It was a sort of basic standard lesson that they drilled into the boys and girls.

"A lady always stand straight an proud and looks her speak in the eyes. She doesn't mood, or gloat or pout, and speaks politely and no orders does she defy," She recited the small lesson that way any school child would before a class and it was evident that she only understood some of the words. But that was no surpirse, she was just a little girl. "But Mother Maggie-"

"And are you being polite right now?" Margret continued firmly. Kathrine shook her head. "No, you are not. Now I want you to apologies to Mr. Triggs and I don't want to hear you argue any more. Mr Triggs has already signed the papers and you will go with him and show him what a wonderful sweet little lady that we all know you are, yes?"

"But I don't want to go with him!" Kat cried out, looking both sad and angry all mixed together. She simply didn't want to leave. "I don't want to be adopted. I don't!"

'The only orphan I know that would say that,' Margret sighed heavily. "Kathrine, you will stop this tantrum right now. It's been decided already and you should be very happy and grateful that Mr. Triggs has adopted you-"

"He can adopt someone else! I'm not going!" Kathrine yelled as loud as her young lungs would allow. She looked about three seconds away from making a full out run for it and even Mark could tell that a child her size was more then capable of finding a hiding hole that only she could fit into. "I won't go! I won't!"

[Dionysian]

OOC: Ah, my mistake.

Mark felt torn in two directions as he watched Kat carry on. She really, really did not want to go. On one hand, he could not help but feel a little bit amused, terrible as it was, although it wasn't because he lacked empathy. To him, a child should be glad to leave an orphanage, even if it was a good one. The prospect of a parent should be something to look forward to, something that offered a new beginning, and yet Kat looked at it as though it were a left handed gift from the Gods.

On the other hand, he could see where she was coming from, even feel for her slightly. Kat probably had only a limited knowledge of the world, and the prospect of leaving her home with somebody who was clearly not even from around here was terrifying. She had probably seen plenty of friends come and go throughout her short life, and he suddenly realized that the prospect that she might have to leave eventually might have always been on her mind.

Mark watched as Mother Margaret chewed Kat into a corner and forced her to recite some rule for proper behavior. He had to suppress a chuckle, not because of the girl's situation itself, but because he was having fond memories of his own upbringing. Oh yes, his father had been one for order and rules, keeping him on a short chain. Still, it had paid off, hadn't it?

"A lady always stand straight an proud and looks her speak in the eyes. She doesn't mood, or gloat or pout, and speaks politely and no orders does she defy," The words could not be any more reluctant. Given the way she had been covered in grime earlier, Mark was guessing that she did not abide by this rule very often.

"But Mother Maggie-"

"And are you being polite right now?" Margret continued firmly. Kathrine shook her head. "No, you are not. Now I want you to apologies to Mr. Triggs and I don't want to hear you argue any more. Mr Triggs has already signed the papers and you will go with him and show him what a wonderful sweet little lady that we all know you are, yes?"

"I thought I was in an orphanage, not a finishing school." Mark mentally joked. "Then again, this girl's going to be in a position that is decidedly untraditional."

"Please, Kathrine, Kat, dear," Mark said, taking a slow step forward. He had to play it carefully here. "I know you don't want to be adopted, but I really want you as a daughter. It's not just that the paper has been signed. It's that I've just always wanted a child. I know, say what you will about adopting someone else, but you're that child. I guess you could say you've been chosen. I know this is painful, but I promise I'll be a good father to you."

Kat suddenly cried out, "But I don't want to go with him! I don't want to be adopted. I don't!" Her voice held a wrenching mixture of rage and sadness. This was really hitting her hard.

'The only orphan I know that would say that,' Margret sighed heavily. "Kathrine, you will stop this tantrum right now. It's been decided already and you should be very happy and grateful that Mr. Triggs has adopted you-"

Mark tried again. "Why don't we talk this over? Why don't you want to leave? I just want to be accomadating. If it's-"

But Kat was close to reaching her boiling point as she suddenly screamed at the top of her lungs, "He can adopt someone else! I'm not going! I won't go! I won't!"

Mark kept his body posture and expression neutral, but he was studying Kat closely, doing a quick calculation in his head. She looked like a fast type, and she clearly knew this place better than he ever could. Not to mention, she was small, meaning she could fit into virtually anywhere. If she ran, he imagined he could catch up to her, but he did not want to risk causing a scene. Even more, he was in a building filled with children, making it doubly important.

No, he'd have to reason with her.

"Look," Mark said, his voice becoming slightly more firm, "I understand you don't want to leave this place, but it's already been decided. Believe me, if I was in your position, I'd have the same feelings, but I'm sure you've seen many of your friends come and leave. If that's the reason you don't want to leave, I'll gladly let you take the time to say goodbye to them first. Either way, there's no getting around this. I do apologize that this is so difficult for you, but I only want to give you the best."

He was still in that neutral stance, but he was prepared to move if forced to. Naomi was also prepared to leap off of his shoulders and onto a different perch, should it come to it. Both of them only hoped Kat would listen to reason and not turn this into something ugly.

[Kira_Wolf_Cub]

Margret watched how Mark handled the whole dilema with an emotional five year old. The nice thing with Kathrine was that she did not swear, no matter how upset she might become. That was something to brag about as far as Margret was concerned but like any child there were still some things Kathrine needed to learn, and one of these things was that they all had her best interests at heart and wanted only for her to be happy.

But then again, that was hard to understand when you were only five years old.

Kat looked between the two adults, her eyes starting to brim with un-fallen tears. The child was frustrated and feeling trapped facing the two adults alone and neither of them seemed to respect her wishes. This was after all all about her, her future. Shouldn't she have a right to decided for herself what would dictate her life?

It didn't take long for the sniffles to start.

Margret watched the small scene unfold as Kathrine started to cry, and it wasn't the fake 'I'm not getting my way so I'm causing a scene' crying. At least not completely. It was the sound of a child that was overwhelmed and was far from ready or willing to listen to any reason. It was almost heart breaking to see her this upset, he hands fisting and rubbing her eyes as she grew more and more frustrated over the very idea of her leaving what she clearly viewed as her home.

"I don't wanna! I don't!" She sobbed loudly as she rubbed her eyes free from tears. "I don't wanna go with him. I wanna stay here!"

"Kathrine sweet heart, MR. Triggs is going to give you a home of your own-"

"This is my home!" Kat screamed right back, the tears still only in her eyes though she was getting more and more upset by the minute. "I won't go! I won't leave!"

And with that, she turned as quickly as she could on her toes and ran towards the door, gripping the handle to pull open the door, her booted shoes clicking oddly softly on the floor.

[Dionysian]

To be brutally honest, Mark wasn't really trained for this kind of situation. His specialty was espionage, talking to people, getting information out of them by hook or by crook, that sort of thing. Never in his life had he expected he would have to deal with a child who he was about to send on what could best be described as an emotional roller coaster. With this sort of thing, the most logical thing to do was be friendly, let Kat know that he cared, and try to steer her away from her sadness.

He would have to work quickly, though. Kat's eyes were beginning to fill with tears, and these weren't the kind of tears a child usually cried. These were the kind you only cried under extreme duress, the kind where you gently wept into your knees while huddled up in a corner while barely making a sound. Mark had actually been hoping Kat would start crying in earnest. If she had sobbed like a child usually did, it would be a sign of reluctant submission. Instead, he was faced with more opposition, and now he'd have to work even more carefully.

"I don't wanna! I don't!" She sobbed loudly as she rubbed her eyes free from tears. "I don't wanna go with him. I wanna stay here!"

"Kat, dear..." Mark soothed, stepping forward. It was a gamble, but maybe a hug would calm her down. "I know this is difficult for you, but I want to give you a home where you'll be loved and sheltered. I know how difficult it is to lose friends and family. Maybe I've been down that road my-"

"This is my home!" Kat screamed right back, the tears still only in her eyes though she was getting more and more upset by the minute. "I won't go! I won't leave!"

"I have to admire her spirit." Mark thought as he strode across the room. He moved in long strides that carried him across the floor as smoothly as the tide across the beach. "I need to calm her down somehow. Establishing trust is key here, and if I don't, this whole operation goes down the tubes."

Naomi was already perched on a bookshelf high above, watching the action below. She wondered what Mark would do. She had seen him restrain and detain many individuals before, but she could not recall him doing so with a child. This would be very interesting to watch... not to mention very amusing (Naomi had a very cynical personality).

Just as Kat was about to open the door, Mark gently took hold of the girl's smaller wrist and did not yank it away, merely guided it away. His grip was firm, but not tight. His intention was not to hurt the child, merely to keep her in the room. The last thing he wanted was to cause a noisy incident.

Mark turned to Margaret and said, "Ma'am, I understand that you are in charge of every child here, but since Kat is now legally my child, is there a room we could talk privately in? I think I can help her calm down."

He turned his attention to Kat. "Please, stop struggling. I'm not doing this to be cruel. I want to adopt you because I love you. I don't like taking you away from your friends anymore than you want to leave them, but there isn't anyway around this. There are ways to keep contact with them, you know."

[Kira_Wolf_Cub]

Margret watched at the man quickly hindered Kathrine on her escape from the office. It had been a good thing since Kathrine was still small enough and flexable enough for her to hide in all matters of small holes that would be impossible for them to follow her into. In truth she felt the man was handling everything very well, but she almost felt it would be best for both of them, he just picked the girl up and carried her out. Of course the children here at Applegate would wave her good bye, but for the moment, prolonging the whole matter of leaving was not going to help either of them by any means.

"You may use my office for a while, Mr. Triggs," She told him, rising to leave the room and give them both space and peace to speak. "But might I suggest that you not draw it out too long. Goodbyes can like bullets in a wound. Sometimes it's best to pull them out quickly. Kathrine, my dear? Try and be a good girl and listen to Mr. Triggs. He just wants what is best for you."

Kathrine was just sniffling and whining loudly as she twisted about in his grasp. She wanted to run away from him, as far away as possible so that she could hide until he gave up and either changed his mind or picked another child to take with him. As Margret closed the door, Kat had started to try and scratch Mark's hands in order to force him to let go.

"Please, stop struggling," She paused for a moment, long enough to should she was a little willing to listen. "I'm not doing this to be cruel. I want to adopt you because I love you. I don't like taking you away from your friends anymore than you want to leave them, but there isn't anyway around this. There are ways to keep contact with them, you know."

"You don't even know me and I don't know you!" Kathrine wailed and renewed her attempts to get away from him. "I won't go! I won't! I won't! I won't! Let me go! Let me GO!"

She was tearing openly now and purely desperate to get him to release his hold on her hands so she did the only thing she could think of as a last resort.

She kicked him in the shine.

Now normally, while highly unpleasant, it wouldn't have hurt very much as she normally wore old soft worn shoes that were rounded. But she had been dressed up for him and not only were the buttoned shoes hard and stiff to the touch, they were slightly pointed, giving them that special something that made them hurt twenty times more then usual.