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“Why are we here?” Tome whined, annoyed by the fact that he didn’t actually volunteer to go out on a cold Winter morning on Yilanti’s head.
“Haven’t you heard?” Yilanti asked, while stepping briskly on, “Apparantly there was a huge scandal at the Barton Orphanage. Some lady tricked Gaians into raising them, and then she wanted to sell the well-fed orphans off to some rich folks.”
“Sounds like a good deal.” Tome started thinking.
“Stop that. You’re not going to get an orphanage, master or not. Anyway, a lot of Gaians had become very worried about the orphans and the scandal was found out in time. Now they’re helping the kids find their new parents.”
“And that’s where we’re going?” Tome asked.
“Yep.”
It took a little while for Tome to sink in what’s going on.
“You want to become… a parent?” He said in awe.
Yilanti blushed. “Well, I thought about it for a long time. I’m already an adult, and I’ve got a reasonable job for some time now. I just strongly felt a desire to reach out for a child to call my own.”
“Well, why don’t you get married first then? Plenty of men and women everywhere.” Tome stretched on her head.
“Oh come on, almost every relationship I’ve been with busted. You were there, you saw it all. I’m just not compatible with a lot of people.”
Yilanti sighed. Tome raised an eyebrow.
“So you think you can be a good mother?”
“Yes.”
“Without a partner.”
“Yes.”
“And you know this for sure how?”
“I don’t.” Yil said, exhasperated. “But I’ve got a big family and I know kids quite well.”
”It’s a huge responsibility. And not only that, your kid will have a mom who collects souls for a cat. That will go over nicely at Show and Tell.”
Yilanti rolled her eyes. “She or he doesn’t have to know. All she or he’ll know is that I work at a designing company, fashioning clothes. And you’re not going to tell my future child either.”
Yilanti shot up a glare that Tome knew automatically was dangerous. He’d never seen her glare like that. Mother’s instinct? Tome had heard of that. He crossed his paws.
“Don’t worry, I won’t jeopardize your kid’s safety.” He made a mental note, finding a way to harness a mother’s mental strength into his army.

“Well, here we are.” They had arrived at the orphanage. It was extremely crowded, filled with kids, hopeful parents and other adults who were trying to help the kids find a home. The sounds annoyed Tome.
”This is making me dizzy.” He agonized.
“Help me find my future child and we can get out of here and fill in lots of paperwork.”
“You mean, you are going to fill in paperwork.”
They walked around. Most of the kids thought Tome was cute and wanted to hold him. Tome shot them a harassing glare but it didn’t help.
Yilanti felt a bit guilty, it was as if she was picking some item in a shop. But this was so much different. She looked at the children who were flailing around them in happiness. They were so energetic, she knew they would find a home soon. She wanted someone who needed happiness.
“Hey Tome, why don’t you go play with these kids, I’m going to find my future child.” She said, lowering him into the happy masses of children.
“Wait what? You’re leaving me? Here? No! Don’t pull the tail!” Tome said, while he was amongst children who patted him or either tried to poke him.
Yilanti smiled. That would flatten his ego a bit.
She suddenly noticed a purple haired girl sitting on a plastic chair playing with puzzles. She was all alone.
Walking over to her, she noticed her clothing was ragged but still looked warm.
“Hello.” She said, trying not to startle the young girl. She looked up.
“Shouldn’t you be out there picking some happy girl or boy?” She asked. Yilanti was completely baffled by this question. She also noted the way she said her words. Should children talk more… childish?
“Eh, I was just curious on what you are doing.”
The girl shrugged. “I’m just playing. I kind of gave up trying to get adopted.”
”Why is that?”
“All the parents want someone young and happy. Me, I just want to play my puzzles and read books. But parents think I’m a bit strange. So now I’m seven and no one is interested in me anymore.” She sighed.
“You sound like a smart girl. How can parents not adopt someone smart?”
“Because most parents aren't very smart.” She said. Yilanti couldn’t stop her laughter, feeling as if she was talking to a human Tome. A little arrogant, a lot bitter.
“What’s so funny?” She questioned. Yilanti smiled.
“Well, you see, I want to be a mother for a child who’s smart, independent but still wants to receive happiness from her mom. Do you think you can be that child?”
She could see the kid’s eyes brighten up, but forcing her face to remain normal. “Maybe. How will I know I won’t get dumped the next day?”
“Because then I’d be the worst parent in the world.” Yilanti smiled. “And I have a talking cat.” She added.
“I like talking cats.” The girl smiled. Yilanti took her hand, feeling that she knew she wanted to protect this girl her whole life.
“What’s your name?”
“Melba.” She said, becoming a bit more shy.
“Well Melba, my name is Yilanti Midnight. My cat who is currently being harassed by your friends is over there. His name is Tome.” She pointed towards the group of kids who were now trying to dress up Tome in ribbons.
“So I will be Melba Midnight. Well, I guess that doesn’t sound too bad.” Melba said, looking up at Yilanti with big black eyes and a smile that said it all.

Finally they were all outside. The orphanage gave Yilanti a lot of papers, but Melba was allowed to come with her to get used to her home.
”I thought usually they don’t let kids go with their parents on the first day.” Melba said.
“It helps having some friends who work at the orphanage committee.” Yilanti smiled.
Melba laughed. “Hooray for friend politics.”
Tome huffed. He was covered in bows and lace, and his tail wasn’t alright as well. He was sincerely annoyed.
“Can we go home now! I need a bath, and very soon!” He demanded.
“A bit dominating, isn’t he?” Melba noted.
“Yes, indeed. I wanted to ask, how do you know so many words? You’ve got a huge vocabulary compared to other kids.” Yilanti asked.
“I read almost every day. I don’t really get to do anything else at the orphanage.”
Yilanti smiled. A modern day Matilda had become her daughter. She couldn’t have been more proud.
“You don’t suppose she has super powers?” Tome whispered her, “She’d be of good use then.”
Yilanti wacked Tome with the rolled up bunch of papers.
“Hey!”
Melba laughed, and the three of them headed home.