Event Private Finished Adoption Week: Irene and Shara

Irene paused and Asku's feathers ruffled in response to the emotions Irene was feeling.

He glanced over at the counselor, who seemed utterly shocked at this outburst, and then took in a long, slow breath. "I disagree, but I understand that it is something you have been taught. I'm not here to judge you or them or the way you lived before."

Then Irene slowly got up out of his chair and circled around to kneel down closer to Shara, mindful of giving her some space so she wouldn't get nervous or what have you. "Shara, there's more to life than just completing missions. If you just want to be a soldier then i'm not sure I can properly see to your needs. I'm not a commander. I'm a healer, a nurturer of those in great need. But if there's something else, maybe a small hint that you want something more than just following orders, I would like to try showing you what it's like to have a family that cares for you."

Irene saw in the girl all the things he'd seen in countless soldiers who got stuck pushing everything out except the war until that's all they had. And it sounded like she'd never had the chance to see things otherwise.

Irene waited patiently and calmly, still crouched down to Shara's level while she thought it over. Asku though grew bored and turned to stare at the counselor's shiny pen as they scratched out notes onto their pad of paper.

"Alright then Shara," he said quietly as he offered her his hand to shake, "that's a great start. I think I can help teach you about family dynamics." He was willing to play along with the rationalizing if that was what it was. And if it really was the only way she could see things... well, teaching her about family was as good as he could hope for.

Irene glanced over at the counselor. Clearly they were caught off guard but... well, Irene was old enough to make decisions for himself. And he'd pretty much decided to give this a solid attempt.

"You're very welcome Shara. I'm sure it'll take some time for all the checks and such to be done, but is there anything specific you would want to see in your home?" Obviously there was a whole process left to go through but Irene was fishing for ideas of what Shara would find comforting.

Irene watched carefully as the girl answered. Of course she had said she didn't require anything else. But she deserved more than just survival. Everyone deserved more than the bare minimum to support life. Of course he had no idea she only had the school uniforms and basically nothing else, but he did pay attention to how she had phrased her answers.

"Shara, I hope so too. You're a sweet child and I really hope I can help provide the uh education you are looking for. But I wasn't asking if you needed extra things. I understand though it might be hard, or even impossible, for you to consider what you want for yourself. That's ok," he explained very calmly, and with a clear sense of warmth in his voice. A way of talking to people he'd practiced over countless years tending to the frightened, scared and confused. A reassuring and authoritative voice.

But there was only so long their little meeting could last. At least for the current day, for there were no doubt other potential families waiting to be brought together. Slowly he rose to his feet and Asku flapped around to get comfortable, perched on his shoulder. "Either way if you come to live with me I will make sure you get a chance to shop for things that you might enjoy. Not just what's adequate."

Irene smiled as the girl was led out and then put his serious face back on to tackle the questions and paperwork he knew were coming his way. That was fine, expected even.

The phoenix pulled out his own notebook to write some of the things he'd noticed about Shara. "I can guess she has been struggling with this process. But i'm both familiar with and prepared for all the tasks and steps I need to take to work towards adoption," he explained casually to the counselor as things were about to be finished.