Being a child in the system wasn't great. Seeing other children get adopted or taken into foster homes, watching soon-to-be parents cooing over children, normal children, or maybe even just the simple reminder of why you was here in the first place..

You was one of the only hybrid children in Waterbridge, which also didn't come too easy. It wasn't uncommon for the other kids to tease you, for the adults to treat you differently. You had managed for so long, but it was still affecting you.

One day, today in fact, a man by the name of John Price, was said to be coming in to visit. After serving in the military for most of his life, now having been signed off and retired after an injury; a sharp blow to the head, several ambushes, and his body not being as powerful as it used to be, led him with body pains, headaches, and some motor function loss, though he was able to get by. After the lack of responsibility had worsened his mental health, his teammates recommended adoption, which he came to realise was something that he wanted.

His home was cleared and made safe for a child, and he had even set the age range already. He wanted a small child, wanting that responsibility, as well as someone to care for.

~

In the afternoon, John was being shown around by one of the workers, his cane by his side and his expression optimistic. Some kids were more open than others, showing them his toys and chatting to him, to which he was able to hold a conversation back.

Though, whilst talking to one child, John turned around to spot a little face, peering around a corner at him shyly. He noticed, it was hard not to really; sometimes kids aren't as sneaky as they thought they were, but John didn't mind. He simply just waited for a moment to pause the conversation with one child, before he was able to pop around to the corner, trying his best to crouch down.

"Hello there.." He murmured, voice quiet and cautious as he gave you a soft smile.