Layer was waiting for Jacob to denied what Faith just said, looking up at him with an expression she couldn't describe herself -surprise, fear ?-. She wasn't the ginger's daughter - but oh God she wish she could be -, and he couldn't think of her that way, after all he only find her two monthd ago right ? If in the seven years of her existence her parengs didn't accepted her as their child, that wasn't enough to think of her as such. Maybe he liked her, but not that much... he didn't said anything about that, just looking at his adoptive sister with narrowed eyes.

_And now that you saw her, you're gonna leave ? Don't play dumb with me, what else did you come for ?

He looked so suspicious that even the little girl could see it, and he was supposed to be super good at hiding what he was feeling or thinking about people.

_Just warning you dear brother, said Faith once again, the dear being said stronger than needed. Jospeh may not be pleased, knowing you took her with you when he asked you to send her to him.
_He didn't. He ordered me to go pick up the thing they wanted to get out of my area, and I didn't find a thing, just that little girl able to take down one of my best men easily. I had to brought her back with me, and I got no "thing" to give to Jospeh.

Jacob seemed proud of his little explanation, would it be just a little. Faith though, was looking at bit worried.

_He will not like you playing with the words
_Then, he had to choose his words more wisely, and she's not ready to leave this place anyway.

The little girl was looking at them, her eyes following who was talking, without understanding any of the words they were speaking, or more likely, their meaning. She was ready to leave the center, she wasn't a baby anymore, and now she even had some training thanks to Jacob. Why was he so eager to keep her locked away from the rest of the world, from the rest of his family ? It made no sense to her, the point of the conversation was too difficult for her to clearly understand it, it could mean a thing and twenty others and she didn't had the necessary background to know. Was it about her, her safety ? About Jospeh who seemed so mean and eager to see her, to have her for any reason ? About something else she didn't catch ? The adults were still talking, not noticing - and maybe not caring -that the child was totally lost in their words.

_Why don't you take her to Jospeh, just once, and just for a little while, so that she can see how great the Project is and how it work ? He would be pleased and surely it'll calm him down to know it's just a harmless little girl.
_As long as I am concerned and think she's not ready, she'll stay here with me.
_She can't stay here forever Jacob, it's not good for a child to stay in that kind of place ! Why don't you let me take her to the Henbane River for just a week or two and-
_And seeing you handing her back, the head full of Bliss to the point she's nearly one of your angels, just because she walked into a filed of your dam flowers without noticing ? Bite me. I said no Faith, and I'm not changing my mind.

Faith frown and clutched her dress into her tight fist. She seemed not to like when she's denied something.

_And you little angel, what do you think ? said the young woman, turning herself to face her, looking away from Jacob, a bright, fake smile on her face.

Layer looked at her with eyes wide open : she was asking that to her, when she had no idea what was going on ? It was pretty easy for the little girl to understand that Faith was hoping she would join her side in her innocent state of mind, maybe becaude she'd want to see more than just that old building. But she wasn't going to. Not knowing what she was supposed to say, she looked at the ginger man for some hints, but he was trying not to make eye contact with her. And his face was as empty of feeling as a god damn rock so she gave up soon enough. She looked down at the ground for some seconds, as she was still sitting on the wooden floor, before deciding she would be loyal to the one that saved her. After all it was Jacob she had to thanks for sleeping under a roof and having food everyday, not Faith.

-He say no, so it's no for me as well...

She stroke her arm shyly, hoping she had done the right thing by saying that. Jacob was showing one of his rare smile while the woman gently groan, obviously upset because of her answer.

- Not fair...
- Nothing is dear sister. Anyway, as long as you're here let's get to my office to talk. We need to make some things clear about your area and how you're running it...
- Sure thing Jacob...

She silently stood up and got out of the room. The ginger waited a bit for her to be away before going toward Layer, kneeling before her and gently kissing her forehead, earning a surprised look from the girl, as much as a big smile. He gently ruffle though her hair while saying

- I'm proud of you little one, you can go and play outside if you want to. Just be there for dinner.
-Thank you !

She gently smile, earring that he was proud of her make her heart swell with pride and joy. He left to join his adoptive sister, and for a moment she stay stil, wondering what she could do. She had around two hours before twilight and dinner, not enough for where she would have liked to go, a little abandoned cabin she found some weeks ago and where she could play at her heart content. A better use of her time would be to finish her drawings and maybe read again the books Jacob gave her when she was bored. They were either fantastic novels, or theory about weapons or the human mind. They were supposed to be too complicated for her, but if she took her time to understand every sentences and difficult words, she was getting to it. The more she would be good, the more he would be proud and the best it will be, she was sure of that.

Dinner time was here sooner then she thought it would : a guard gently knocked on her door to warn her, as every evening. She was sitting on her bed, trying to understand what some words mean, when it happened. She joyfully jumped off the bed, smiling brightly, and run into the corridor, because she knew who was here. It was the same guard, as usual, a tall guy with messy short brown hairs, almost no beard and green joyful eyes. He was named Gabriel, and he kinda was her best friend in the veteran center, since he was the one taking care of her when Jacob was busy, a lot so. He sometimes was making school to her, teaching the girl about the most important subject such as maths or history. He smiled at her when she barged into the hallway, and walked with her until they get to the cafeteria. A lot of people were already here, as always, and as always she left Gabriel behind after thanking him and go through the room to find her usual spot, in a corner of the gigantic room, from where she was able to spy on everyone. Except that this time, Jacob was also here.