Meeting Keira - GTA!Iolaea
Masen was sitting in her room, reading some crime fiction novel when she heard a noise outside of her room. This wasn’t surprising as she lived in a children’s home so there was noise all over the house all the time. However she did not get noise right outside here door all too often. Her room was on the top floor at the end of the corridor. She was the only child in the house not to have to share a bedroom but there were 2 beds in the room and Masen had noticed that the staff had made up the second bed this morning while she was out. Seems like I’m getting a roommate at last… She thought.
She was a little mift of having to share a room as she had gotten used to having the room to herself, with her own bathroom but she resigned to knowing that soon she would have to share it all with another person.
Suddenly the door to her room opened and a care worker, called Kathleen, came inside.
“Ah, Masen. We would like to introduce you to your new room mate Keira.” A girl, around Masen’s age, came into the room scowling at Kathleen. “Keira, this is the room you will share with Masen,” Kathleen pointed over at Masen, who looked up and nodded before continuing with her reading. “She will show you where to put your belongings and tell you how things go around here okay?” She looked over at Masen who nodded her head slightly, still reading. Kathleen sighed as the other care worker Connor, brought in a suitcase and a duffel bag, containing Keira’s belongings.
Keira scowled at the care workers as they left the room, then she went to go lie on her bed. The two of them sat in silence before Keira opened her mouth to talk.
“Masen is a weird name for a girl.” She said raising her head slightly and staring at Masen.
“It is the name I wish to be called.” Masen said from behind her book before lifting her head up and raising an eyebrow. “Is this a problem?” Keira thought of a snarky reply but as she looked at Masen she decided not to go through with it.
“No, not a problem.” Keira sighed as she lay down again. “What’s your surname?” Masen was quiet for a moment before replying.
“I don’t have one. It’s just Masen, nothing else. You?” Masen asked, putting her book down and facing Keira. Keira made a face.
“Keira Scordato, I mean come on.” Keira snorted. Masen gave her a half smile.
“How about I stick to calling you Keira?” She asked. Keira gave her a small smile and a nod. Masen nodded back. “So do you want to talk about why you’re here, or do you want to just skip to the ‘how you survive in this place’ talk?” Keira sat up on her bed and looked at Masen. She felt safer in her presence than she had been in her whole life.
“I don’t want to talk about it just now, maybe later?” She said. Masen smiled and nodded before pointing her head towards the door.
“Let me give you a tour of the place.” Keira smiled and the two of them got up and took a walk around the house. Masen showed Keira around the place, telling her what each room was and where to go when. Eventually they were about to head back upstairs when Kathleen called to them.
“Masen, bring Keira to the living area so she can meet the other children.” Masen nodded as she and Keira headed back there. When they got there, 10 children were spread across the room. Kathleen cleared her throat, getting their attention. “Right everyone, we have a new person coming to live with us,” She moved out of in front of Keira. “This is Keira, I would like you to introduce yourselves one by one.” Then Kathleen nodded at Masen before walking out of the room. Everyone was silent before Masen spoke up.
“Right guys, you know the drill. Go do your thing, I’ll tell Keira who you are.” And with that the other children split from the room. Masen nodded at Keira, then towards the stairs. The two girls headed back to their room.
“So what was with that Masen?” Keira asked. Masen let out a small laugh.
“The kids are all younger than you, so they find you intimidating. Also, you are not the first older person we’ve had come here.” Masen sighed. “Usually they are bullies and end up bullying the younger children before moving to either a halfway house, or a different home.” Keira snorted.
“Well, I can tell you I don’t bully people. Bullying is for people who want to try to prove that they are tough.” Keira rolled her eyes. “It’s pathetic.” Out of the corner of her eye, Keira could see Masen’s face light up.
“Good.” Was all she said. Masen then went on to tell Keira about all the different children. By the time they got back to their room, Masen was on to explaining her relationship with the kids. “Basically the care workers here may seem to care at first but in all honestly, they may as well not be here.” Masen sighed. “I do all the work they should be doing to be honest. I get the younger ones to help out where they can, with cleaning and tidying up but I do most of the shopping, cooking and household maintenance.” Masen shook her head. “All the care workers do is sit on their lazy ass’s and do nothing.” Masen cocked her head. “Except maybe play the occasional video game.” Keira chuckled and sat back down on her bed while Masen sat back at her desk.
“So basically you’re the Mum of the house?” She asked. Masen grinned.
“Well some of the kids have come to calling me ‘Momma Masen’ soooo…” Keira started laughing causing Masen to laugh. After a couple of minutes the two of them calmed down. “So yeah, welcome to this crazy place, hope you enjoy your stay.” Masen grinned. Keira grinned back.
“You know I was not looking forward to living here, but now I think I might enjoy this.” Keira grinned and got up. “Mind if I grab a shower?” Masen nodded.
“Sure, I’ll be here if you need me.” Keira nodded back and grabbed her bathroom gear and went into the en-suite. Masen smiled and picked up her book to continue reading. This is going to be interesting… She thought.