The Pick Pocket

Ada walked through the streets of Rome her hands tucked into the pockets of her Jacket as she shivered a bit feeling a gust of wind hit her face. Ada looked up at the sky and her eyes widened a bit. The sky was filled with clouds enough that the sun was no longer visible. As she stared up into space she blinked as a drop of water landed on her forehead. "Merda..." Ada muttered shifting her gaze the street where people were rushing to find shelter from the rain either to their homes or other places. 

Ada however had nowhere to go not until night where she'd meet Sean, Sofia and the others and hopefully they'd have enough money to pay for a place to stay. At this rate though she highly doubted it the Italian Metro Police had been out in force lately already having arrested 6 of her friends. She'd only narrowly escaped arrest herself recently. Mainly due to her silver tongue she'd been accused of stealing a man's wallet which she did but playing the part of the innocent little catholic schoolgirl she'd managed to turn the tables on the man turning him into the villain. 

Sighing she continued down the street ignoring the now pouring rain to the best of her abilities. She could feel the water soaking through her jacket and soaking her hat to the point where it was falling off the brim in small streams. "I hate the fucking rain..." Ada murmured slipping her hat off her head and wringing it out. She moved into a small alleyway standing beneath the fire escape trying to find some semblance of shelter. It did little more than delay the rain before it dropped down onto her. 

In this weather she doubted anyone would be out on the street meaning that her pick for targets was slim today. Recently people had been wising up as well keeping their valuables in their front pockets and carrying closed purses and such. To Ada this meant that she and her friends wouldn't eat and that could easily mean death if it went on too long. She'd seen so many she knew die in her 17 years of life that she knew what it took to die in this world now. And starvation seemed to be the leading cause among people like her.

Ada placed her hat back on for some minuscule protection against the rain it didn't really mean much however as the rain had wet her hair long ago causing it to fall around her head in wet clumps. Sometimes she thought maybe it was better to be arrested at least then then she'd be fed and clothed she'd even have a roof over her head. Ada scowled however as she imagined the judgmental looks many had given her before. Ada clenched her fist inside of her Jacket she'd never allow them to look down at her she'd never go to someone like that and beg to be fed like the child she was never allowed to be. "I'll fucking starve before I let them judge me..." Ada hissed before walking back out into the street now ignoring the rain. She needed to find a target and she'd get what she wanted one way or another.

Enter -- > The Front Steps
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Ada walked towards the mouth of the alley her hair and clothes were soaked and she was dripping wet. If she had any other options she would have said forget it and went to find some cafe or something to stay warm and dry. But at this point she had no money and she hadn't had anything to eat in days. Ada reached beneath her jacket and grabbed the hilt of her knife pulling it slowly from it's sheath. She peeked around the corner of the Alley's mouth and saw a woman carrying an umbrella walking down the street. Upon closer observation she could see the woman's clothing resembled that of a Catholic Nun. Ada leaned back around her corner placing the back of her head against the wall taking a deep breath. Ada hadn't robbed someone like this in a long time and truthfully she didn't feel as comfortable as she did before doing this.

She closed her eyes and took one more breath before turning the corner and walking down the street keeping her knife hidden in her jacket pocket keeping her head tilted downward. She couldn't let this mark escape. As she came closer Ada kept the knife gripped tightly in her grasp. She could feel her heart pounding within her chest like a drum. She could feel guilt gnawing at the edges of her mind like a parasite. She shook her head biting her lip trying to rid herself of and doubts in her mind. She needed to do this she couldn't let a conscience deny her the means to her survival. As she approached she noticed how the Nun's face held a grimace upon it. Her guilt began it's assault upon her mind with vigor it seemed this woman infront of her wasn't having such a great day either. And here she was about to make things worse than they already were. 

As she came closer she stopped standing in the woman's path before pulling her knife out of her jacket pocket. She looked up from beneath the brim of her hat just enough so that her face was hidden and pointed the knife toward her. "Give me your money and I won't kill you!" Ada called through the sound of the rainfall. Her voice was shaky mainly due to the chill that penetrated her bones and from her own doubts upon her actions. "Just please...I don't want to kill you..." Ada whispered quietly. She was desperate so many people these days were desperate everyone in her gang looked to her to keep them fed and alive yet she couldn't even feed herself properly. What kind of leader was she if she couldn't even set an example for the people under her. Ada's grip of the knife tightened as she closed her eyes for a moment blinking out the water that had dripped into her eyes before looking at the nun. She blinked her eyes a few more times trying to refocus her vision only to have the rain blur her vision.

Ada's eyes shot wide open as she saw the nun slowly reach into her satchel. The prospect of being able to feed herself and the others for the night made her heart race. Every moment seemed to slow down for her but in an instant she found herself face first in the rain. A splitting pain was ripping through her skull as she dropped her knife letting it clatter to the floor as she dropped to her knees. She felt burning hot tears welling up in her eyes and running down her cheeks. The pain was throbbing throughout her skull causing her head to pound like a drum. 

She finally braced herself with one hand pushing herself up to her hands and knees as she glared at the nun through tear filled eyes. "W-What the hell is your problem lady!!?" Ada yelled. She was glad that it was raining it would hide her tears. She'd be damned before she let anyone see her cry over something as trivial as pain. Ada's hand searched across the ground for her knife intent on getting what she wanted from this woman. But she yelped and gripped her palm as she felt a sharp pain. She stared at her hand seeing a large cut on her hand she bit her lip trying to bite back the sobs that wanted to escape from her throat. 

Ada closed her eyes cupping her hand as blood poured from the cut. All the physical and emotional pain was breaking her barriers down like wrecking ball to a rotting building and she hated every moment of it. She hated feeling vulnerable she hated this woman for making her feel all these things. She hated the guilt and the pity she could see in the woman's eyes as she glared at her. Her eyes fell upon the bible in the woman's hand. "Am I out of my mind!? Normal people don't go bitch slapping people with bibles!!!" Ada yelled trying to stem the bleeding from her hand gasping as the wound stung as she placed her palm over it. Ada tried to get to her feet but the combination of physical and mental trauma added with her already less than satisfactory health kept her down.

Veronica huffed in annoyance as she stood up, witnessing the child drop to her knees and grasp her head in pain. If she wanted to act like a delinquent then she'd be treated like one without sympathy. This isn't to say she didn't feel bad for the child, but punishment was the only way to get through to unruly children; especially one that used such foul language in response to their elders. The nuns wrist found its place at her hip, the other hand lifting the umbrella to obstruct the rain from her now drenched habit as she looked down at the child.

"Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from them. Honestly, I've never seen such disrespect from someone so young, let alone with such foul language."

The child fumbling around on the wet sidewalk for her knife was only met with her cutting herself. Not surprising considering her condition and likely lack of training in the use of such a weapon, but it still placed a bit of guilt on the nuns shoulders considering she was technically the cause of the wound, despite the fact the child was reaching for something she shouldn't have in the first place. Veronica let out a sigh, kneeling down before the injured girl.

"That's what you get for carrying something you're not supposed to have in the first place." The nun held out her hand after placing the bible in her lap. "Let me see..."

Ada felt a scolded child which technically she was. But the feeling was something that she hated. She was 17 years old she wasn't a little child that needed to be disciplined. If someone had wanted to lecture her the time for it had long passed. She should have been lectured when she was 10 around that time she'd be listening to this Nun's preaching but at this age she simply didn't care. Nobody cared about her then why should she have any care about what anyone told her now. 

If someone had preached this godly bullshit to her when she was young who knows she might of been one of those innocent Catholic schoolgirls so many of her male friends drooled over. She shuddered a bit at the thought of such a fate before her eyes fell upon the bible placed upon the nun's lap. She scowled at it for a moment she had no doubts that was what she'd been struck by. She looked a bit closer and could see how decorative the bible seemed to be it looked like it had a golden cross embroidered on the front and the spine. 

Mentally she wondered how much such a book would fetch her to the right buyer. Religious literature wasn't high on her contacts buy lists but even they'd need to admit that the cover itself must cost a fine price. The book was just within her grasp the question was would she be able to seize it and run before the Sister could land another crippling blow to her skull. Ada sighed and reached out her hand as if to show her wound to the sister but in an instant her hand seized the decorated bible instead her other hand snatching up her knife properly this time just before she got to her feet and bolted down the street. 

She felt a grin spread across her face that Nun had caught her off guard last time but there was no way she'd be able to keep up. Ada may have been malnourished and weak at the time but she was still quite quick on her feet. As she rushed down the street her prize held tightly against her chest she could feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins. The pain in her hand was just a dull ache to her now. The only thing left to do was make enough distance between her and her target and then she could go to Lydia to have her wound looked at. 

Lydia wasn't the best at medical nonsense but she often knew enough to keep her and the other's alive. Ada grinned and stop as she reached the fork at the end of the street. Something inside her felt confident while something inside her was telling her she shouldn't be. This didn't stop Ada from taking off her hat and giving the Nun down the street a low bow "Ciao Signora Grazie Mille for your kind donation!" Ada said grinning

That. Little. Brat.

That bible was the one Anderson had given her long ago, and it was just taken from under her nose by a child; all because of her letting her guard down and showing a bit of sympathy. Her day was turning out fantastic! Obviously this child was lost in her ways, and now she was going to take it upon herself to fix that little problem as soon as possible, it was nothing the orphanage couldn't fix; not to mention she was going get her bible back one way or another. Luckily for the child, the heavy rainfall made it difficult for her pages to be put into use and from the looks of it, Ada wasn't much faster than anyone would expect a malnourished orphan to be, so chances of the Nun being out ran were slim.

Rising to her feet, the nun collapsed the umbrella back into its slenderer form so as to not hamper the chase that was about to take place across the streets before suddenly bolting after her; the straps on the side of her habit breaking loose to allow better leg movement with her long strides, easily comparable to an Olympic track-runner on its best day as she quickly traversed the distance, another one of her bibles in her free hand. "I'm going to teach you the meaning of courtesy!!"

Oh.Dear.God

These were the words echoing in Ada's mind as she heard the woman's voice close behind. 
"What the fuck!! What the Fuck!! What the Fuck!!" Ada chanted as she pumped her arms trying to gain distance on her pursuer. Each time she looked back it seemed as if the nun was getting closer and closer. Ada tilted her body forward she could feel every muscle in her body throbbing in protest at the effort she was exerting to escape this crazed woman. "What the hell does she want the damn bible so badly for!?" Ada screamed in her mind. Ada saw a small cafe on the right on her path and quickly made her way inside pushing her way through the crowd shoving and ducking through the crowd roughly. A few people yelled in protest while a few tried to grab the child only to receive a fist to the nose. 

Ada may have been malnourished but she wasn't completely weak, Not yet at least she quickly rushed into the back alley pushing through the kitchen. She could feel her lungs burning as she gasped for breath. She looked down both ends of the alley the left was blocked by a fence and the right lead out to the street. Ada quickly rushed down the right path finding herself out in a street where a good amount of cars were milling about. 

Ada took a brief moment to breath her lungs felt like they wanted to burst, And her legs felt like they'd been stomped on repeatedly. "F-Fuck! that lady is crazy!" Ada panted. Ada looked at the bible in her arms and sure enough it looked quite valuable. A bit old perhaps but she could still sell it to the right buyer she knew a old man who ran a Antique shop who'd love this. Ada froze however as she felt a hand on her shoulder.

She glanced back finding herself face to face with one of Rome's finest. "Going somewhere Koch?" The man said. Ada gave the man a brief smile "O-Officer Verdi Ciao." Ada said uneasily. Officer Verdi was an officer she'd been caught by before. Officer Verdi glanced down at the bible in Ada's grip "Really Koch? A bible?" Verdi said. Ada smiled "Signore Verdi this is a mistake I was just on my way to Bible Study!!" Ada said brushing the rain out of her face. Verdi crossed his arms "Bible Study?" He said. Ada smiled nodding "I've decided stealing is below me I'm a godly child now." Ada said. 

Officer Verdi raised an eyebrow "Really? Recite a bible verse then..." Verdi ordered. Ada was quiet for a moment before she remembered what she'd heard earlier. "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from them." Ada said quickly she wasn't even sure if that was from the bible but if it got this nosy cop off her case she'd try it. Officer Verdi seemed a bit hesitant but also seemed to buy it a bit "Alright Koch...get going..." He said. Ada nodded and bowed "Grazie Signore Verdi may god smile upon you." Ada said turning away. She grimaced the word god left a sour taste in her mouth. "Stupid Fucker" Ada Muttered

The child had officially sealed her fate by this point, there was no way the Nun was going to let her off easy after this. Threatening her at knife point, betraying the kindness and sympathy she had shown, and to top it all off, stealing her prized bible? This was something the orphans at the orphanage would call Corvis-sentence; which roughly translated into weeks of choirs being crammed into the time scale of only a few days due to them doing things they weren't supposed to, and God stop her if she wasn't going to put that ungrateful child back on the right path of life.

She wasn't going to be outran by someone in Ada's condition, that much was obvious; though storming through a cafe of people wasn't high on her list of things to do but luckily she knew this area rather well, it was were she did her shopping after all. Bolting passed the cafe and down the sidewalk a bit further, she rounded the corner like a slingshot to where the alley came out, catching a glimpse of Ada just as she seemed to finish talking to a police officer. A group of people separated her, the child, and her bible. Those who thought that was a good barrier were about to be amazed as the nun didn't slow down in the slightest, instead jumping, planting her foot on the top of a newspapers dispenser and leapt over the now ducking individuals to continue her chase, one of her other bibles and umbrella still in hand.

And odd sight to be sure; not many would expect to see a nun do such a thing, then again stranger things had happened in the streets of Rome that many of them still remembered.

You're late for bible class!

Veronica yelled as she cocked her arm back, spear tossing her umbrella toward the childs back like a padded missile. Luckily the tip of said umbrella wasn't made of metal or anything of the like, instead having a soft, fuzzy ball making up the top instead. It would still hurt, of course, but it wouldn't leave any real damage or wounds on the child.

Ada stopped as she heard the insane woman's voice. "Oh god this can't be happening..." Ada muttered turning around. Officer Verdi had turned at the same time along with many other people on the street. Ada then saw a sight that made her blood run cold the woman had jumped over an entire crowd of people. "S-She can't be human!!" Ada said stumbling back she then saw the woman cock her arm back, She just barely caught the sight of the water glistening off the object in her hand before she grabbed Officer Verdi by his uniform and dragged the poor man infront of her with some effort.

The two of them flew back as the Umbrella struck the man in full force sending them both to the ground. Ada groaned rolling onto her stomach before looking down at the man next to her. The man's eyes had rolled up into his head and his face was contorted into a look of horror. Ada stared blinking for a moment and then saw the Tip of the Umbrella firmly implanted in the man's stomach. It wasn't penetrating him but more like embedded in him. "W-What the hell!?" Ada said turning back and seeing the woman still running towards them. Ada quickly scrambled to her feet issuing a short apology to her human shield and continuing her sprint.

She could feel her energy fading as she ran. That last hit with the Umbrella had knocked alot out of her and she wasn't sure how much fuel she had left in the tank. "F-Fuck lady just give it up!!" Ada called she now had no idea where she was going. Her train of thought had been taken and ripped to shreds by this crazed nun chasing her. She had no idea why but this bible she was holding seemed to be so important and now she didn't want to know what would happen to her if she was caught with it.

Part of her just wanted to throw the damned thing away but another part of her screamed that this could probably feed her for weeks. "Damn it all! I'll think about it later!!" Ada yelled at herself as she clenched her eyes shut and ran as fast as her legs could take her tilting her body forward to gain some momentum.

Rushing down the sidewalk and past the dumbstruck people she jumped over, the snatched the umbrella that was sticking out of the unconscious man as the continued her chase. It wasn't the strangest thing the people of Rome had seen, but it got a little attention to say the least. It wasn't everyday you saw a nun use a newspaper dispenser to jump over a crowd of people, spear toss an umbrella at someone, or chase an orphan down the street. The number of misconceptions about that last one might've been open to more unwanted suggestions if she'd been a Father, but luckily that wasn't the case. Veronica was slightly impressed, for a starving child Ada had a rather surprising amount of energy in her, but from the looks of it she was running on fumes. It wouldn't last much longer, now it was up to Ada to decide if she wanted to stop of her own will and just give up, or continue exhausting herself until her body gave out, either way the nun wasn't going to let that prized bible be stolen from her.

"I can go on to the ends of the earth, child! How this ends is all on you!"

Ada heard the nun's voice calling out to her as she ran. Ada quickly turned a corner and rushed into a nearby alley ducking behind a dumpster to catch her breath. "Surely she can't be serious...." Ada gasped. She closed her eyes trying to steady her breathing. She could feel the pain rushing back to the cut on her hand as her adrenaline rush began to fade into obscurity. She stuck a finger into her mouth and bit down lightly to prevent herself from making any unnecessary noise. She looked down at the bible and frowned the cover was stained with blood. To any buyer she brought it to it was damaged merchandise now. Ada let her finger fall from her teeth leaning her head back against the dumpster as she stared up into the stormy grey sky. "All this effort wasted...because of a bit of blood..." Ada muttered.

Ada could honestly care less if she was found now. Ada placed the bible on the floor next to her and leaned her head against the wall next to her. She was exhausted all her energy had been wasted in this entire chase. She then buried her face into her arms breathing shallowly. Everything was taking it's toll on her now. Her hunger, Her fatigue, Her pain and blood loss all of these things were bearing down upon her. She felt like she couldn't move a muscle even if she wanted to. "Dammnit...move..." Ada muttered trying to will herself to keep moving. She'd gone this far worthless or not she couldn't just give up now.

A blonde girl danced her way down the street, with a little amused smile on her face as if she was in on a big joke that no one else knew about. Lydia had earned a good amount of coin today and now she was going to go and see how Ada was doing, then soup.

"I’m singing in the rain, jus’ singing in the rain, what a glorious feeling I’m happeee again.”

A few people laughed in a sort of amused way as they saw the young girl, though most were entertained by the antics of the orphan. People were generous on good days, but the smiles and the coins had been few and far between due to a lack of people to see her and people not being in a charitable mood.

She rounded a corner to see one of her friends, Ada, sitting down with her back to a wall with a bible next to her. With a small frown Lydia stopped singing and approached her friend, standing next to her Lydia gave her a small consoling smile and a hand on her shoulder. “You ok Ada? It seems like you’ve had a rough day eh,” with an offered hand to help the pickpocket up Lydia decided it would be best to get her somewhere to rest. The changing rooms at certain shops were pretty good to hide in if you knew how, as well as the fact that sympathetic shop keepers didn’t mind it on some days for you to sleep around the back, as long as you didn’t steal anything.

Well, this was turning out to be more like a sight seeing trip than anything else. The chase had to of dragged them at least a mile or so across the city; which was surprising given the child's condition. Then again, such an effort on a weakened soul could be dangerous, and it made her feel slightly at fault for cause the child so much trouble. The bible was important to her, that is true, but was it really worth depriving a child of a potential way to eat? Even more so the fact she was bleeding to top it all off. This, however, didn't change the fact that the brat stole from her and she had to suffer the consequences; something she would make sure of.

Veronica had chased the child a decent distance before seeing her duck into an alley, to which she would soon follow. The streets, from what she could tell, were empty now aside from very few stranglers, and the alley was by far the most secure place to corner the kid. However, when she reached the mouth of the alley she stopped. Two..? She didn't remember two of them. She didn't expect to see two orphans together in the street considering how close the orphanage was. We're people really so cruel as to just leave them to fend for themselves? This was even more disheartening. The nuns hand found itself on her forehead, the other on her hip as she mulled over the situation.

One was exhausted and bleeding, the other didn't look in much better shape, psychically speaking anyway. On top of the slight guilt she already felt about the situation, it really wasn't a hard choice. Lifting her hand up to stop the two, the Nun spoke.

Wait a moment, lets not drag this out anymore than it's already been.

Ada felt a hand upon her shoulder and looked up to see the smiling face of her best friend. "L-Lydia?" Ada looked down at the hand offered to her and weakly reached her hand out to her accepting her help to weakly get to her feet gripping the bible in her other hand. "W-We need to go Lydia...there's no time to explain." Ada said, Her entire body felt like one large hunk of dead weight. None of her limbs wanted to move as she rested some of her weight on Lydia. This was one of the few times she was glad Lydia was stronger and taller than she was. She turned her head as she heard footsteps echo through the empty alley. At the mouth of the Alley stood the nun. Ada sighed and released Lydia to sit back against the dumpster again. She knew she couldn't go any farther than she had already.

Ada placed the bible on the floor "J-Just take it I'm done..." Ada said. She couldn't run anymore even if she wanted to. Even it she could she already knew she wouldn't be getting far. This nun didn't even seem the least bit winded from the chase. Even if Ada had been at her best she doubted she could escape the woman.

"Wait a moment, lets not drag this out anymore than it's already been" The Nun said. Ada shook her head "Alright then it's not like I'm going anywhere fast Signora..." Ada said closing her eyes. Right now all she wanted to do was sleep every one of her limbs throbbed painfully from all the effort she'd exerted to get this far. Her lungs burned from the rapid breaths she'd been forced to take. Ada gazed at the woman wondering what would become of herself and Lydia now that they had nowhere to go. Maybe she'd just take her property and go, Or maybe she'd beat her to death first she surely seemed capable of doing so.

Lydia looked at the nun in surprise, the fact that anyone had managed to outrun and tire out Ada was surprising. Especially with how well she knew the streets, though now was no longer the time to try and keep up a pretense of strength. Without a place to run to Lydia didn't want to try and fight, it would waste time and Ada needed food and rest from the battered look of her. “Here’s your bible nun lady” Lydia said, without her normal smile. She bent over and picked it up; passing it to the Nun with an angry air to her; the actress began to move out of the alley with an angry look on her face.

Making sure as to provide support to her friend Lydia gave Ada a quick reassuring smile, and then she started humming an old tune Ada had always seemed to like. “I made enough today to get a good meal, we should be alright for today.” She stated quietly, but first they’d have to try and get her dry, the food would keep her warm. It didn’t matter what, anything would do. And a mucky towel was better than being wet, Lydia knew that from experience.

“Oh tell me why are you cryin’ oh why shed those tears, I’m afraid but I’m not dying. So there’s no reason to fear”

She couldn't say she was happy about the condition her bible was in, not even in the ballpark of the word. She'd crucified several people but not even once had her bible even been touched with the blood of another person. The pages, however, were a different story. Veronica sighed, both in annoyance and disappointment before placing it back into her satchel. She couldn't replace it as it held a sentimental value to her, but she guessed that's what she got for being so easily tricked, even by children. Her bible was back in her possession, but the children were still without a home - and one needed a doctor - also potentially her fault, but not entirely.

Sighing once more, the nun took several steps into the alley to follow the children. She had weak spot for children, and she'd be going against everything she did at the orphanage if she just left things the way they were.

"I said wait a moment. Both of you aren't in any condition to go anywhere, and I wouldn't be a worth taking care of children if I just let you two continue living this way. I know a place where you can get hot food, a bed, and medical attention."

Ada could feel her feet dragging across the ground as Lydia tried to move her. Her entire body felt like it weighed a ton. The aching pains in her limbs and hand were becoming too much for her to take as she and Lydia slowly made their way to the end of the alley. Finally Ada released Lydia and fell to her knees "I-I can't keep going Lydia..." Ada said the pain in her lungs had faded but the blood loss was reaching a critical point. She took a deep breath to steady herself as she turned to the Nun. The entire time they'd been trying to escape she'd been talking. That look of sympathy never leaving her face. Ada listened to her speak offering her things like food and shelter.

Ada couldn't begin to comprehend why this woman was extending this kindness to them. "Why?, Why are you offering to help us...Why should you care?" Ada asked unsteadily getting to her feet to stand on her own not wanting to seem weak to this woman in front of her. She wanted to know why this woman seemed to care so much about their well being. For as long as she could remember the only person she could rely on was her friends and Lydia, and now this woman comes out of nowhere with an offer of something she'd only dreamed about before.

If she wasn't so sure she was awake she'd think this was all just another dream and that she'd be waking up any minute sleeping in some backalley curled up with all the others. But the pain in her entire body told her she wasn't dreaming at all.

Lydia grimaced as her friend sank to her knees, the situation was getting dire. Lydia panicked and turned to the nun with her friend getting pulled to her feet by the performer, the actress couldn’t let her friend go to sleep her that would mean death for sure. “Take us there now, we can’t wait!” the panic in Lydia’s voice was clear and she was willing to drag Ada there if need be, she couldn’t let her best friend fall to the harsh weather, that wouldn’t be a fitting end. She started breathing heavily as she prepared to run; getting oxygen in her blood she awaited the nun’s response. “I can’t let Ada die!” she shouted, a few passers-by’s stared for a few seconds.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD."


I've cared since the beginning of these shenanigans, child, even after you attempted to steal my belonging. If you hadn't been so eager then your hand would be wrapped in a bandage right now instead of in the shape its in, and you wouldn't be half-dead from exhaustion."

True enough the child she just chased down was in the worst condition of the two, and probably needed a place to rest more than either of them; but she was fairly certain the second one was overreacting when she mentioned Ada dying. Veronica held her hand out to beckon the two of them to come with her.

It breaks my heart to see children left in the state you're both in, and had you only asked you would've gotten the care you need. Come on, I'll take you to the orphanage. We can fix up your hand there and get you both fed and cleaned."

Ada looked down at the floor infront of her "Well I'm embarassed...All this time i've been wasting time when food and shelter was staring me right in the face..." Ada muttered shaking her head. She still found it surprising how willing this woman seemed to be to help them, She patted Lydia on the head with a small smile on her face "Let's go Lydia It's just a scratch I'm not dead yet. Plus who are we to refuse Free food and shelter hm?" Ada said. Her increased heart rate had increased the blood loss but she had just lost enough to make her head feel a bit hazy nothing fatal yet but given time it would just be a matter of time until her condition grew worse.

Ada inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. This entire situation had turned out in a different direction than she had orginally anticipated. She'd thought she'd be beaten with the very bible she'd stolen yet instead she was being offered a warm meal and a place to sleep. It seemed like something out of one of those anime's Sean liked to watch on TV all the time but in real life.

She looked at Veronica questioningly for a moment as she explained her reasoning behind her kindness. Her eyes met the Nun's trying to find some trace of deceit or trickery. But Veronica's eyes betrayed nothing of what she was feeling inside. Ada looked away staring the nun in the eye just made her feel guilt for some reason. "Why do I feel so guilty now I never gave a damn who I stole from before..." Ada muttered under her breath. She found a small bud of annoyance rising up in her mainly from her own feelings toward the whole situation. Ada shook her head "Well are we going somewhere or shall I keep bleeding all over the street?" Ada said trying to throw away the image of weakness she'd been showing this entire time

Lydia grimaced, she was panicking yet had to try and keep her composure, she’d been in tougher scrapes before yet her friend seemed to be worse for wear. Ada felt cold and she was soaked to the skin, this was only made worse by the fact that Lydia always urged her pickpocket friend to wrap up warm when there cold days. It was unusual for Ada to comply; yet the Russo family daughter knew that nothing good came of not being prepared. Her own life was evidence enough of that, her entire life was ripped apart by men in white suits.

Hearing her friend jest was a small relief for the actress, she gave a worried smile then replied “free food and a bed; don’t get any better than that eh?” The performer rarely ever got worked up about anything, yet Ada was tough, and her jesting proved she was still awake and at least semi alert. With a fire in her eyes she faced Veronica, “If you can get Ada help in any way then take us there, I think she’s got a little more than blood loss, from the feeling of her skin she may be starting to get Hypothermia.” Now wasn’t the time to panic, yet as she spoke and the realisation hit her, the Russo felt the seeds begin to bloom in her chest as her eyes grew wider. Don't panic, please don't panic now....

Veronica opened her umbrella and held it up to block out the rain as she stepped toward the two to give them some protection, though it was much since they were already drenched. Her other hand was found reaching into her satchel, a small roll of bandages now in her grasp.

"Every man and woman shall give as they are able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee; withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it."

She knelt down infront of Ada, her umbrella resting on her shoulder before she took the girls hand and wrapped it up in the white fabric, tying the ends in a knot to keep it tight around he wound, then stood and positioned herself close enough so that both Ada and Lydia would benefit from the shelter of the umbrella.

"Alright, come on."

Veronica spoke as she stepped toward the end of the alley, where she'd begin the task of traversing the distance they crossed back to the orphanage.

-------------------------
Exit ----> The Front Yard of the Orphanage.

Ada was tempted to flinch as the woman approached remembering what had happened the last time she'd let the nun get too close. But her determination to mask her vulnerability triumphed over her fear as she simply continued staring at the Nun as she belted out another godly quote. Ada honestly had no idea what the woman was talking about but at the moment it didn't matter to her. She could ask Lydia what all this godly BS meant after she had a good night's sleep and hot meal.

Ada felt the rain stop falling upon her and Lydia and looked up once more at the nun. She flinched slightly as the nun took her hand but then noticed the roll of gauze in the woman's other hand. Part of her felt guilty for still showing fear to someone who'd been willing to show them such mercy and kindness. Ada didn't know what to feel at the moment, Part of her wanted to stay independent, But another part of her wanted to rely on this woman even just for a little while to take care of her and Lydia the way both of their parent's should have.

Ada felt a small surge of anger rise within her at the slightest thought of her Mother and Father but her train of thought was broken as she yelped slightly as the bandage tightened uncomfortably around her hand. "That hurt..." Ada muttered. She watched as the woman got to her feet and began walking towards the mouth of the alley. Ada directed her gaze toward Lydia and smiled briefly "Let's go get something to eat sis." Ada said ruffling the blonde's short hair as they followed Veronica.

-----> to the orphanarium!!!!

Lydia turned to follow the nun, she giggled slightly as Ada ruffled her hair. The first thing the street performer was going to do was eat. She was hungry and stick thin, licking her lips at the thought of a kitchen with lots of tasty grub in it she started to skip slightly. Her energy was low yet high spirits kept her going in times like this, people hadn’t been as generous as they once were and the orphans on the street were suffering because of that. Her stomach gave a growl as they grew closer and closer to a hot meal and a warm bed, “la lalalala la la laaa” she sang quietly to herself as they went. The prospect of a good night’s sleep in a comfy bed was a happy one, and not much stopped Lydia from celebrating.

--->TO THE BAT ORPHANAGE