14 Life lessons

Cinder felt uncomfortable, insecure, and if she had the opportunity, she would definitely prefer to turn around and simply walk away. She would then return to Jonathan and away from the unknown ahead of her. But she can't disappoint Jonathan.

Circumstances prevent Cinder from taking the action she preferred though. With her hands clenched into fists, she took a deep breath as she walked through the door. And so, when the door seemed to slowly closed behind her like the gates of hell, she followed that path of her future classmates, as if nothing was wrong, as if she had repeated this procedure dozens of times before. As if she had gone to school before.

After a few turns inside the winding corridors of her new school, Cinder found herself in front of a large - for her - wooden door, a sign of 'Class 2-A' on top of the door. With her destination in front of her, after taking a deep breath once more, abruptly threw the door open.

As the door was thrown open a moment later, Cinder was greeted by the eerie sight of synchronized heads of the other students immediately zeroing in on her. It was something like two dozen little shits - and the teacher, who, upon seeing Cinder, immediately broke into a smile, as sweet as it was fake. Cinder knew those smiles intimately — a saccharine sweet smile plastered on her face like plastic. Meaningless and fake, like Miss Sunny's smile. It disgusts her.

"Children!" She shouted towards the little shits that were staring at her like an exotic animal. "Meet the new student in our class - Cinder, sweetie, come in!"

'Don't call me Cinder' Cinder barely resisted spitting towards... whatever her name was. 'Only Jonathan can call me that, you dimwit.'

"Dear, maybe you can introduce yourself?" The teacher cooed sweetly, almost causing Cinder to projectile vomit… Cinder wondered what that might have said about herself. She let the silence hang for a few moments before sighing, realizing that the bitch would probably badger her endlessly if she doesn't introduce herself.

After taking a couple of steps into the room, she stopped in front of the little shits. She could barely stop herself from growling threateningly at the two dozen young assholes who do not even know what is happening behind the school fence. At the failed abortions looking at her, waiting for a show, like she's a clown here to entertain them. She could feel her hands warming up.

"My name is Cinder Fall," Cinder looked at the blank faces of snot-eaters, as she scoffed and continued her 'introduction' "Don't bother me, and I'll make sure that I won't bother any of you, got it?"

With her 'introduction' over, although Cinder herself was only a little girl - perhaps from the surprise of her words, the children began looking at each other, as if asking each other if they heard it correctly. One of the little shits even unexpectedly nodded, agreeing with such an ultimatum.

"Hmmm, Cinder, darling, don't say that," The woman began chirping disapprovingly right there and then. "I'm sure you'll find that school is enjoyable!"

Cinder grimaced. She did not say anything about school. Maybe she'll even like it here, but other people were definitely too low on her importance list to care about, especially drooling little shits and chirpy old bast whose expression is so plastic, that she squeaks whenever her face moves.

Except for Jonathan, of course, but he would always be an exception in her life.

"Anyway, Cinder, dear there is a free seat in the third row, close to the window, you can sit there!" The teacher immediately added, seeing Cinder grimacing, as she pointed to an empty table.

Cinder just nodded silently and began walking toward her seat, as she looked around at the classroom, catching the attention of everybody in her class all the while.

Little stupid shits, every single one. So what if one of these brats looked at her with a scowl? What difference does it make to her? Cinder has clearly defined her boundaries, and as long as they don't step over it, there wouldn't be any trouble.

One of the stupid little shits is looking at her with apprehension or maybe interest - Cinder cared about them way too little to think about it more. They should just do their own thing, without bothering Cinder. Anything else and Cinder cared little about it.

Not giving a damn about all the other children, Cinder stared at the teacher talking about something or other while writing at the board in front of the class. After which, seeing that they were studying the simplest mathematics that Cinder had already mastered, Cinder decided to spend her time on more productive things. And so, she reached for a heavy book that she was planning to read during free time in her knapsack.

'Accounting for beginners' she was planning to read it later during lunch break or recess, but with the unexpected free time, that's what she will be doing until her next period. Who knows maybe she'll be lucky and her time in this institution won't be all miserable… She doubts it though.

***

Jonathan whistled some of his favorite tunes, all while under his breath of course, as he strolled through the streets of Mount Glenn.

Maybe he should just call this place Glenn? What's the point of saying that stupid word 'mountain' every time? He did not say that he was a citizen of the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland' so why should he do it here? Usually 'Great Britain', 'Britain' - or even 'England' was enough.

Of course that's what he would say he's from only if the other person is from outside Britain or is a proper Brit like him. Never to the Welsh, Scots and, and of course, God forbid the Irish...

Yeah, what was he thinking about again?

Walking the streets of Glenn, Jonathan felt great. Perhaps even more excellently than he had the right to be while Cinder was suffering mandatory education. Jonathan had to admit with a heavy heart that Cinder did not at all look ecstatic by the prospects of going to school. And here he is chilling and messing around... In the truest sense of the word.

Jonathan had no delivery that he needed to do today, no documents that need him sitting in the office all day to read. Or, as Jonathan himself called his office, in a useless concrete box.

Let's just say that staying in his office wasn't Jonathan's preferred pastime.

And there were very few orders that needed to be delivered today, as one would expect from a national holiday. Day of Education, as it is called here. Not the biggest holiday, but still a holiday, so Jonathan could afford to relax.

And didn't he deserve a rest?

The last few weeks of his life were way too hectic for his liking. The Jonathan of the past probably couldn't even imagine that he one day would be a single father, bank robber, businessman and… and murderer, all at the same time.

Jonathan shivered, as he slowly sucked in a shuddering breath, then kissed the bottle he was carrying with him.

Jonathan didn't like beer, and he didn't want to drink whiskey, so he settled on some decent ale. A bottle of which he had been drinking from for the last ten minutes, as he walked slowly through the streets of Glenn.

Yes, Jonathan has done things that will take a long time to settle in his psyche, but for the first time in the last... Three weeks? Add in a few days, but less than a month… well, it doesn't matter.

For the first time in a long time, Jonathan was able to relax.

He had money, legal and clean ones. Documentation, not so clean but definitely legal. A Home to call his own that hopefully he won't have to burn down. Cinder was sent to school, hoping that she hopefully won't burn down as one of the children there annoys her. And he had a decent business...

Jonathan blinked and kissed the already warm bottle of ale yet again as he took another gulp only to hear his stomach began grumbling.

Yeah, now he needs some food… Though he doubts his ability to cook while being quite plastered. Not that he was a good cook even if he was not inebriated really.

Jonathan was a little ashamed to admit it, but he was already accustomed to the fact that Cinder cooked food for him. And cooked excellently at that.

But, with Cinder at school, cooking duty now rests on his shoulders. If, of course, he didn't want to drive the poor elementary school girl to death. He would prefer having intimate moments with a particularly prickly cactus than doing something as egregious as that.

Jonathan sighed...

And he exhaled, breaking into a smile, an idea popping up in his head.

After all, today is a holiday! Precisely, yes, a holiday! So why not go somewhere to eat and take part in the holiday cheer? He would probably settle for any restaurant where the food is delicious... and ready-made. He has heard of those fancy spancy 'self-cook' restaurants that're all the rage in London and would steer clear of any place silly enough to do such a thing.

And he would do it for that reason alone, and not because he didn't want to cook - not at all!

Stocked on by his brilliant idea, Jonathan grinned as he walked down the street, periodically glancing around at the building on the side of the road for a restaurant.

As he was looking around, an ad banner caught his eye. 'Merlot Industries recruiting young and ambitious workers!' with a picture of a smiling guy with glasses. But, since it was not advertising anything he could eat, Jonathan did not look at it too closely, letting the ad pass out of his mind.

What a rarity, free time! Jonathan even thought about what he should after a delicious lunch with his free time.

After all of his pending issues resolved, Jonathan suddenly discovered that his current position was... Not bad, even good if he could say so.

Of course, being in an unknown place without contact with his old world was a dubious plus. But his ease of access to literal boatloads of tass, financial independence and independent profitable business gave Jonathan a good base to do anything he wants.

Maybe hmm… Continue researching Ars? Not a bad option. With an excess of tass in his possession, no restrictions from paradox, his own living space to experiment privately and even the right, if something happens, to rent a commercial space for his needs.

Jonathan nodded to himself, kissed the bottle of ale, and then smiled… His life, for the first time in a long time, was good.

***

Jacques Schnee slammed his fist down on the table in front of him before reaching for a glass of brandy that had miraculously not spilled its content and, without bothering to taste anything, swallowed the content of the glass.

Ironwood had refused him!

That idiot! He was also against the decision of the Council! But when Jacques himself came to him for support, he immediately started this shit! 'I do not agree with the decision of the Council, but it was accepted by the majority and I will respect the decision' my ass! What a fucking farce!

Jacques slammed the table once more before noticing the door to his office was open slightly. Somebody was behind the open door.

"Mr. Schnee?" - Klein, that mustachioed fat-ass, stuck his ugly fat face from behind the crack, looking at Jacques, seemingly attracted by the noise he's making in the office. "Did something happen?"

"Get out!" Jacques shouted angrily, forcing Klein to nod in response, but before he could close the door, Jacques called him back. He's got a plan. "Stop! Call me... Who's in charge of security now... Rien! Right now!"

"Of course, Master Schnee." Klein replied after a second of pause, closing the door behind him, leaving Jacques to pour himself another glass of brandy in peace.

All these people... Do they not understand that this Jonathan is a threat?! Threat to the entirety of Remnant… No! To hell with Remnant, to the entirety of Schnee Dust Company! Do those idiots on the Council not understand that this single fucking robbery, a weakness shown, and his whole company will go to hell?! Tens, no, hundreds of millions of losses!

Jacques did not build this company to the height that is now, just to let some politicians destroy his legacy!

Or, perhaps, did they forget that it was not Jacques who was at their mercy - it was the whole Atlas that was at Jacques' mercy! With one order, and a swipe of his pen, he could make a ten percent increase in the cost of the dust a reality! A strike of fancy, and the entire world economy will go to hell! Jacques was holding the whole world by the balls - and these idiots, it seems, have forgotten about this fact!

As Jacques says - so it will be! No one has yet been able to resist the Schnee's will - and no one's going to start!

Jacques fell back on his chair in satisfaction, as he felt a sinister grin spread across his face.

Did the Council want Jacques to play by the rules? Okay, so be it! But only to let them remember that the rules are written by Jacques himself!

***

The school lessons were completely uninteresting, unlike the book she was reading.

No, in all fairness, the book was also not exactly 'interesting' per se, pretty dry in fact. But, it contained much more useful knowledge than the school lessons. Therefore, of all the classes, only history was the subject that made Cinder put down the book, and actually pay attention to the class.

Still, even with attention elsewhere most of the time, Cinder could say that she understood much more information than the rest of the students.

However, it was difficult not to notice that in the classroom, Cinder was paying attention to anything else rather than the lessons. Especially considering the fact that Cinder did not even bother to hide the large book on her desk that she was reading very attentively. And therefore, when the final bell announced the end of her studies rang, Cinder didn't notice that a group of boys was following her out of the classroom, distracted by a particular passage in her book.

Older than Cinder, these boys towered over her at least a head, and it was not difficult to guess the reason for their movement towards Cinder. And of the two of the possible options - it was clearly not childish love.

As much as a child could emit hostile intent, Cinder noticed the two boys moving behind her immediately. One of them was the child that had an averse reaction to Cinder's earlier introduction, the other one… don't really matter. And so, as she slowly walked to the exit of the class, she pondered on how to deal with the situation.

Still, Jonathan was waiting for her at the exit from school, of which Cinder had absolutely no doubt, so she needed to do this quickly and seriously.

She had no doubt that pain is the only thing to make her warning stick in their empty heads. In the same manner, she also had no doubt that if she was in the field of view of Jonathan, or any adult for that matter, these couple of wastes of spaces would chicken out. Of course, they wouldn't be completely cowed and continue to waste her time with their foolishness. Time she could better spend reading her books or being with Jonathan.

And so, her course of action was obvious. If Cinder would be afraid, then what she said to the dullards would be a lie.

And Cinder was not afraid, because she was not weak. If someone wanted Cinder to show weakness, the best of luck to them. They will definitely need it.

And so Cinder, instead of going straight to the exit as she previously planned, turned into one of the corridors leading deeper into the school. The corridor was empty, other students who already left the school - or, perhaps, still studying in additional classes. Perfect.

And, so, after walking a few steps into the empty corridor, she stopped, turning to her pursuers instead. Lo and behold the two idiots walked immediately into her trap. The two soon to be punished idiots turned the corner and finding Cinder alone, snorted indignantly. Although Cinder herself believed that it must have been some kind of threat, really they need to exercise more if they want to look anything at all threatening.

Really! She had seen dead fishes in the market more threatening than them!

And so with Cinder alone, the two idiots strutted confidently towards Cinder, the leader of this farce approaching Cinder while the lackey was one step behind him.

"So, you are that new upstart?" The boy who approached Cinder seems to be suffering from extremely early-term dementia. A sad sight to see for sure. But with his height and older appearance, he's supposed to be at least in grade four, which means he was ten years old. Him being in the same class as Cinder only reinforced her previous findings that he's mentally retarded.

A moment later, the guy, now face to face with Cinder, holds out his finger, then poked at Cinder in a disrespectful rather than threatening gesture. Bad decision.

Cinder was not sure, even with the help of Aura, that she could beat an adult… Hunter training or not. But, a couple of snotty elementary school students? It was not even a contest.

Grabbing the offending finger, Cinder began pulling, forcing the guy to take a step forward with a cry of pain, almost sprawling on the ground. The brat then began crying as he held the bruised finger gingerly.

The other kid did not even have time to be surprised, as he froze in shock as he watched the other boy taken down so brutally. For the first time in his life, someone not only was not afraid of them, but also fought back. Very successfully at that. Especially considering that Cinder was a cut shorter than both of them - and a girl - if the kid knew the word, he would call the picture 'surreal'. A mistake.

Cinder, however, did not stop there. Having taken one guy off of his feet, she instantly turned her attention to the still standing kid. He was barely able to move his head before a small fist, punched him straight in the face.

As he gasped in pain, the pain enough to shake his stupor, his instinct to retreat and cover his face saved him from another head blow from Cinder. As a bruise slowly swelled his cheek, an adrenaline dulled his pain enough to start attacking Cinder. Of course, being an elementary school kid, his 'attack' was more like a very shoddy grapple, trying to leverage his larger size against Cinder.

As he rushed forward with his hands raised, he unexpectedly discovered Cinder's incredible dexterity. Cinder easily dodged the heavily telegraphed attack, before delivering a heavy blow straight to the boy's stomach. Barely able to keep his lunch down, the boy folded in half and slumped down to the floor.

As Cinder got closer to deliver the coup de grâce, with a roar of defiance, the previously believed to be sufficiently cowed idiot delivered yet another awkward attempt to attack from a boy who always relied on his height and intimidation. Cinder replied in a sufficiently brutal manner.

A blow to the cheekbone, even with a child's hand and strength, can still be very unpleasant, not to mention a child's hand with the strength of an adult. If you think about it - it was even worse. Because, due to the small size of the Cinder's fist and her disproportionate strength, much more force was concentrated on a smaller area of ​​impact. It made quite the grizzly sight. And so the sound of broken bones was soon joined by a gut-wrenching scream of pain.

"AAAAA!" The young boy's first serious injury in his life, caused quite a significant response from the boy.

The other boy, frozen with horror, could only look at the friend who fell to the floor. He paid for his lack of attention dearly. With unmatched brutality, Cinder delivered a punch straight into the boy's spine, and soon another scream joined the choir.

And soon, the other boy fell down next to his friend, feeling as if someone had broken his spine. In fact, of course, this did not happen, Cinder was not that strong, yet, but the boy had never been involved in a serious fight before, so he had nothing to compare the pain he's feeling with.

And so the quiet hallway was now filled with the sounds of blood-curdling screams and sobs of pain. And a very irate Cinder.

"Both of you shut up!" Cinder's menacing bark would usually simply be lost against the background of the cacophony. But, unexpectedly, Cinder managed to shut both boys up as they looked at her with fear, no, with terror.

"I don't really care who both of you are and why you followed me. But I'll tell you once again since the both of you are quite hard at hearing. I have said this before, but if no one bothers me, I will not bother anyone in return. But, as you geniuses have learned, if someone does come to me and starts bothering me, I will burn out their eyes, cut their body into pieces, throw them into the sewer, and feed what remains to the dogs. So I make myself clear?"

Frozen in front of Cinder, the two boys, beaten black and blue for the first time in their lives, looked at her as if she were a Grimm who had taken on a human form. Their silence was a problem though…

"I Said 'Are We Clear?!'" Cinder said, releasing some pressure with her Aura, causing the boys to whimper in fear and nod forcefully. Seeing her business done, she sighed, then gave them a smug smile, - "Just as I thought."

Taking a step back, Cinder exhaled, tugged at her school uniform, smoothed her hair, and then, ignoring the boys who were still watching her like a hawk, hurried forward to the school's exit.

After all, Jonathan was waiting for her, some minor troubles shouldn't keep Cinder away from Jonathan.

***

Jonathan was somewhat surprised that Cinder was not among the first students who rushed out from school. Seeing that as soon as the lessons were over, he saw many kids running towards their waiting parents who picked them up either in cars or on foot, the crowd was soon dwindling. Therefore, when he was alone, and the guard standing nearby began to glance at him suspiciously, Jonathan began sweating nervously. Luckily he could breathe a sigh of relief when he saw Cinder exiting the school and hurrying towards him.

'Huh, is this what all parents feel? This overwhelming anxiety?' Jonathan wondered inwardly. 'Damn... The Old Man must have gone crazy when I left home and went to boarding school…'

Quickly overcoming the distance separating them, Cinder grabbed Jonathan in a hug, making him smile. Well, this is good as well. "So, how was your first day at school?"

"Boring", - Cinder replied instantly, not letting go of Jonathan, making her voice sound muffled. "And it's very lonely without you."

"Sorry," Jonathan apologized, then, remembering Cinder's wish, shook his head. "I can't do anything about that I'm afraid. All children have to go through mandatory schooling."

"Stupid rule," Cinder looked upward at Jonathan commiserating face, before letting go of him, as she pulled back a bit. "There's homeschooling? I'm sure that you could definitely teach me better than these… teachers."

"I doubt it," Jonathan shook his head. Never mind the fact that he barely knows anything about this Umbral World, he's sure that he would be quite the bad teacher… Ha, 'him' being a teacher!? He's pretty sure that he would become bald from the stress as he tries to wrangle unruly students!

Only after emerging from his imagination did Jonathan pay closer attention to Cinder. She was a little flushed and her hair was a little tousled… And is her hands bruised?

"Cinder… " Jonathan looked at the girl with some sadness. Cinder, without needing any clarification, understood what he meant and looked down. Well, that wouldn't do.

"Cinder, I will not be angry with you, you should know it by now." Jonathan smiled the most reassuring of his smiles, the one that always worked against Cinder. Cinder, unable to resist Jonathan's charm, blurted out what she did.

"They tried to beat me, but I beat them first!" Jonathan thought about what he should say in response silently.

Ha, he never had conflicts with children when he was Cinder's age...

In the orphanage the other kids shunned him, but they did not bully him. They were afraid, and so they kept away from the 'creepy' kid. At the school for magicians, well bullies were the least of his problems there. It's very simple you see, not every prison was under that strict control of the guards, or teachers in his case, the essence doesn't really change. Though in his case, he was pretty sure it was intentional. Mages were duplicitous people by nature, and school was a place for learning.

There are people in prison who can kill another person, in his academy there are people who could create much more problems. But still, nobody bothers with the younger kids, nothing to gain you see.

And so it was only much later that he learned about the culture of the certamen and tasted the essence of the undercover struggle of mages for himself. But still, he never actually came across any school bully, so he doesn't really know what advice he should give in this matter.

Ha, what should he say? Probably something corresponding to his last name? Something about dialogue, understanding, that everything can be solved peacefully with words… Probably…

Jonathan then remembered the policeman with two bullet holes lying on the floor of his room. And his advice tasted like ashes in his mouth.

Could everything actually be resolved with dialogue?

Jonathan exhaled and shook his head to sweep away the morbid thought. Still he needs to say something to the downcast Cinder. "If… if everything is as you say, then you did the right thing. But... Do try not to hit them too hard next time?"

At Jonathan's 'advice', Cinder nodded seriously, as if she was not just listening to Jonathan's thoughts, but receiving an important and wise life lesson.

Jonathan blinked suddenly as if he's seeing Cinder for the first time.

From the point of view of Jonathan, everything he said was just his opinion. For Cinder, what he said was a life lesson full of wisdom, something she should follow religiously. Moreover, for her, whatever Jonathan say, was absolutely true.

It is likely that she will live her whole life on the ideas that Jonathan will put into her head...

Jonathan shook his head, isn't that how all children work? But, still, Cinder did not give him the chance to even get another word in. "What do you mean by 'too' hard? How hard are you supposed to beat a person?"

Jonathan exhaled. The life of a single father... Ha, it's good that there are no video cameras here to record his life. If not, his life would have turned out to be a tragedy… or is it a comedy?

Still, he needs to answer this seriously before Cinder starts snapping necks or something. "There are no specific indicators really for 'too much'" Jonathan massaged his temples, he definitely didn't expect this kind of conversation when he thinks of giving advice to his kids.

"If someone pushes you down, you will be less angry than if he hit you. So, if someone did push you, it's better to just ignore it. Though, if someone did hit you, defend yourself until they back off... Don't kill anyone though…"

Jonathan closed his eyes. Two bullets, Jonathan, two bullets...

"But, only if you have a choice or opportunity… " Jonathan sighed, again not the kind of conversation he imagined having. "In self-defense sometimes... Sometimes there are certain situations that... Ha…" Jonathan sighed.

"This is a bit messed up... I told you before about the right of the strong. And now, I'm talking about how hard you can beat a person, and even about murder… Ha... I'm really not the best role model, huh?"

However, after these self-deprecating words, Jonathan felt Cinder instantly grabbing onto him, forcing him to look down, meeting Cinder's almost indignant gaze in return.

"No", - Cinder looked at him extremely seriously, with a look completely uncharacteristic for a child. "I want to hear… Hear everything from you."

Jonathan looked Cinder in the eye. Two bullets, Jonathan. Two bullets. Was it worth it?

Jonathan smiled and patted Cinder's hair softly before sighing and looking ahead. Ha, telling kids about murder, yeah... You're really not the best teacher, Jonathan.

But if we've already entered this territory anyway, Jonathan. What about telling her about something good?

Jonathan nodded to his own thoughts before glancing out at the street in front of him.

It is an ordinary street, with people walking to and fro, all in a hurry going through their businesses... Hmm?

Jonathan's eyes caught sight of a small figure darting through the crowd. The figure was moving completely chaotically, back and forth, as if completely not understanding what is happening around them...

Jonathan smiled - here's his chance to put something good in Cinder's head!

"Cinder, let's go, I'm going to show you something good." Jonathan smiled, grabbing Cinder's hand and heading forward to the rushing figure.

"I know, all these questions, how much violence is needed and what to do in self-defense... Are not the best topics for discussion, especially now…" - Jonathan sighed, approaching the panicking figure, all the while holding Cinder's hand.

"So, ha... Here's some good advice for you, and not about conflicts. You see, sometimes you can meet people who find themselves... In a difficult situation as you once did..."

After these words, Cinder again raised her hand to the place of her previous collar, making Jonathan cringe inwardly. You are a great psychologist, Jonathan, let's remind the victims of domestic violence about the worst that happened to them!

"In such cases, the main thing to do is to not ignore them." Jonathan took a deep breath, as they approached the lost child. "I did not ignore your plight, and therefore I hope... I hope that you will not ignore other people. I don't think that anyone in the world has suffered the same hardships as you do. But... A little help goes a long way."

A child, one that is even smaller than Cinder by a dress size, was completely lost and was ready to just burst into tears from panic. And as Jonathan got closer to the child, it seems that she did start crying as he could see tears running down her chocolate brown eyes.

Jonathan took a couple of wary steps, her tears literally making him look like he appeared out of nowhere for the girl, causing her to recoil in surprise. Still, even with her being surprised, she was still extremely silent, as she looked warily at Jonathan.

'Hmm?' Jonathan looked into the girl's face. 'There are tears in her eyes, and her mouth is moving, but not a single sound came out... Strange... Very strange…'

The absolutely silent girl took a wary step away from Jonathan, all the while continuing to stare at him before moving her gaze to Cinder. Okay better say something before the girl starts running.

"Hello," Jonathan greeted in the friendliest manner he could, slowly crouching down, keeping one eye on Cinder, and the other on the crying girl. She looked so young… she couldn't be older than 8. "Are you lost?"

Although Jonathan approaching her was extremely unexpected, she quickly reigned in her shock and, still silently, slowly nodded.

'Hmm, she still doesn't speak?' Jonathan blinked, looking at the girl attentively. 'Clothes... Poor and badly sewn with threads sticking out everywhere. And why does she not speak? Is she mute?'

Jonathan blinked, as he looked closer into the girl's eyes, before internally remarking with surprise. 'Heterochromia!? And even complete heterochromia at that... Rare find!'

The girl stared at him with two eyes of different colors, brown and pink to match her equally two-colored hair...

'Ha, I didn't know that natural hair can also be two-colored' Jonathan remarked with no small amount of surprise. 'Though… It's an Umbra World. So why not? People having wonky hair colors is the least bad thing an Umbral World could have.'

"If you are lost, could you… " The realization that she could not 'say' anything almost made Jonathan hit his own head at his stupidity. "... Type on this scroll what is your name and where we can find your parents?"

A moment later, Jonathan's hand ducked into his pocket to pick his scroll, and, taking it out, handed it to the girl. She, looking at Jonathan with a somewhat still surprised look, nevertheless, slowly began to calm down, and reached forward, taking Jonathan's scroll.

She then slowly began to type. First she typed her name and showed it to Jonathan, and that her parents are at home. Of course, she doesn't type their address, but perhaps that's to be expected of a small child.

"Your name's Neo, then?" Jonathan smiled, looking calmly at the slowly calming Neo. "And your parents are at 'home', hmm…" Well his luck is two on two for children in deep trouble it seems…

If the parents are at home, and the child is lost on the street without one of them present anywhere close... Ha, what a big problem... So she left home without their knowledge. But, yeah, an older guy with two young girls that looked nothing alike to the older guy is a massive red flag.

The idea that passersby really only started interfering only when you started doing a good deed made Jonathan breathe out irritatingly. He still put on a smile for Neo though.

"Then do you mind if I call someone that can take you home? We'll wait here together with you." Jonathan planned on calling the police, since she doubts that such a small girl could memorize a scroll number.

At Jonathan's idea, Neo responded with a nod and handed Jonathan's scroll back. And so, plan in mind, Jonathan got up, and started dialing the police hotline. As he did, he noticed Cinder getting closer to him.

'Ha, Jonathan, helping little girls is probably your calling in life.' Jonathan chuckled inwardly.

Covering up the sins of the past with the actions of the present?

Oh, fuck you...

Glancing at Neo, who had already calmed down and wiping away her tears with her hands, and Cinder, staring silently at the girl, Jonathan grinned.

Perhaps, indeed, everything in his life was not so bad...