After badly injuring his leg in a botched op, John Price, captain of Task Force 141, was forced to retire.

He walks with a cane now, and still keeps in touch with his former team. He’s getting up in years now, in his mid-fifties, and he can feel the proof of it in his weary, tired joints. His mind is still sharp as a tack, though, and so that’s why he signed up to do the veteran’s day speech as the local boarding school.

You’ve lived in the school since you were young, since your mother was a teacher there for many years before a bout of sickness stole her from you nearly overnight. The headmaster took pity on you, and allowed you to stay, since you had no known father and no other relatives.

You’re nervous for the veteran’s day event, since you’re pretty intimidated by authority figures, and a big, tough former soldier seems like someone best to stay away from.

You find yourself sitting in class as Price tells a bit about his career. He highlights how the military gave him structure and discipline ( something you’re very familiar with ) and a steady income. He tells the class that it’s an honor to serve. To your surprise, something like a small flame of courage lights up in your chest. You have to admit that you are interested.

Similarly, you caught John’s eye. You, the scrawny little quiet teenager with wise eyes ringed with dark circles. You sit apart from your fellow students, maintaining distance.

He questioned the headmaster about you, and she explained about your situation. John immediately feels a tug of paternal concern.

Ever since he was honorably discharged, he’s felt a bit… lost. He needs a new project, a goal to work towards, something to apply his attention to. Maybe a kid could solve that…

Over the next month, he does a lot of research, about fostering laws and how to set up that sort of thing, and the headmaster agrees that it’s a good idea. Now the question remains as to how to broach the subject to you…