My New Life in TBATE

2 Years Later...

My life these past 2 years have been interesting to say the least. As a baby, people tend to forget you're there even when they are having important conversations. Though I guess I can't blame them as who would think that the baby could actually understand the importance of what was being talked about.

"Ah, Meredith, here is the monthly fund for the orphanage. Everything is going well I hope?" A younger man with short brown hair and an equally brown goatee walked into the orphanage.

"Mr. Helstea?! You didn't have to come all the way down here, I could have sent Maeve to pick it up." The head mother, who I've now figured out is named Meredith, rushed over to him with me in her arms.

There was something else very important beside learning her name though, it was the name of the man standing in front of us. 'Mr. Helstea? Would that be the same Helstea that Arthur's parents lived with?' I had only read the books, and even then that was quite a long time back when they described how Vincent looked. However he does kind of fit how I always imagined him.

"Oh it's no trouble. Me and Tabitha were taking little Lilia around the city and decided to stop by and see the place. They are currently in the backyard looking at the garden." He pauses and glances at me before coming closer.

"Ah this must be the newest member of the orphanage. His name was uh..." he brought his hand to his chin in thought, but Meredith answered for him.

"His name is Jaron, but we also call him Jay. Say hi, Jay" I lift my hand in a wave and smile at Mr. Helstea.

"Hello, Mr. Helstea."

"Quite well spoken for a young lad isn't he?" He says with a bright smile in return.

"Yes, little Jay here has learned many things quickly. Caused no end of trouble when he learned to crawl and even more when he learned to walk." Meredith said with a shake of her head. And I bashfully lowered my head, which earned a laugh from both of them. I pulled on the fabric of her dress before whispering into her ear.

"Play."

"Oh alright, why don't you look for Lilia while you're out there. You'll be the only one her age, so she may feel lonely." I nod as she lowers me to the ground, and take off to the backyard.

Once outside I take a moment to soak in the fresh air, and look at the trees and flowers that are planted back here. It was in the middle of spring currently, so the flowers were in bloom. With a rainbow variety of flowers sprinkled around the edges of the back yard. At the far corner of the fenced in yard was my usual spot that had a giant shady tree.

It's body looked much like an oak tree from my past life, but the branches hung low and didn't grow taller than maybe 15 foot. Making it the perfect respite for when I just want to relax and read or even meditate to further my mana core progression. However that's not what I came out here for this time, I was asked to keep Lilia company and I planned to do that.

While I was very much a loner in my past life, and still have a lot of the same tendencies. I find it a lot easier to approach others now, whether it's my childish body effecting my brain in some strange way or maybe my new life here in the orphanage is changing me more than I thought. Sticking that to the back of my mind I see Lilia and Tabitha standing across the yard looking at the flowers.

I dash across the yard but slowdown as I get closer as not to spook them. I've been told that I'm abnormally silent and seem to appear out of nowhere sometimes, so as a heads up I specifically let my feet fall a little harder to alert them to my presence. They both turn at the same time at my approach.

"My you must be Jaron, the other kids said there was someone Lilia's age around here."

I give a childish nod, "Hello." With a small smile to go along with it. Though Lilia hides behind her mother's leg and grips the hem of her dress, while slightly peeking out the side. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, they are nobles I'm pretty sure so she probably doesn't get to interact with other kids very much. I can sort of understand, though not in the same.