Contemplative Sensitivity

Pride and Prejudice

After that, Levi hardly ever left their side--much to Mike's disdain. To him Levi still smelled of sadness and trauma. Eventually, he began to avoid Erwin and Levi in order to avoid the stench. Cecily on the other hand happily told Levi all of her tall tales. For three weeks, the staff members did all they could to fatten Levi and get him to talk, but he still wouldn't speak.  

"Levi, people are going to think you're one of the stupid ones," Cecily said one morning. They were eating breakfast and her outburst was so uncalled for that even Mike was shocked.

"That wasn't nice," Mike glowered. "He might stink really bad but he isn't dumb. He can write and do math better than you, Cecily."

"Like what you said was any nicer, butt face," Cecily hissed. She turned her attention once more to Levi. "I'm being serious. People will think you're and imbecile. You won't get adopted!"

"That's a big word Cecily. Teacher Blouse would be so happy to hear you use it." Mike said sarcastically as he gobbled down his cereal.

"You're just jealous because you don't know what it means," Cecily said smugly.

"And so what? Not everything is a competition," Mike groaned. 

"Stop that you two," Erwin pinched both of their arms. "Cecily, just because he can't talk doesn't mean he doesn't know your being contrite. Levi isn't stupid, he's taking time to get to know everyone."

Cecily glared at Mike and apologized to Levi. Mike returned her glare and then wrinkled his nose at Levi.

"I just remembered something. We never asked how old you are. How old are you, Levi?" Mike asked suddenly. 

Cecily picked at her food while Erwin explained that Levi was five years old and that he had taught himself how to read and write.

"That's pretty cool," Mike said loud enough for Cecily to hear. "What else did you teach yourself?"

"That's enough yammering, Mike," Cecily commanded. "Let the kid eat will you?"

Mike was about to protest but Cecily crushed his foot. Mike yelped and shot Erwin an incredulous look. Erwin smiled apologetically. Levi wasn't bothered. He spooned some oatmeal into his mouth, and started scribbling on some paper. He handed the paper to Cecily and she immediately snatched it to read it.

"You know how to camp?" Cecily asked incredulously. "Did you live in a tent before you got here?"

Levi nodded, but then scowled. 

"That's pretty cool, Levi. You lived a wild life." Mike said. 

Levi suddenly jumped and ran from the table. A staff member had to chase after him.

"What? Did I say something wrong?" Mike asked incredulously. 

"I don't think he thinks living a wild life was cool, Mike." Erwin said quietly.  

Indra Rahl had tried to hide her pregnancy from her mother as long as possible. But eventually Mistress Rahl found out. She dragged her daughter to the Headmaster and forced her to confess her sin.

"Is it true?" The Headmaster asked. Little Hanji was playing by herself behind in a playpen. Hanji had just turned two. "Is this child a bastard?"

"No!" Indra whimpered. "A man by the name of Peter is the father, Headmaster. We will be wed shortly."

"Six years?" Headmaster Zoë tried to hide her smile from Kai Rahl. "You've been seeing this boy for six years without anyone's knowledge? My goodness. Where did you meet him?"