“That’s better now I can talk to you on the same level Richard,” her voice was warm and slightly husky,” Let me explain a bit or you might not be able to understand what is going on.” Richard looked at her and couldn’t form the words he needed to say so she went on not as much talking openly but inside his mind.
She explained in his head that really nothing that she did was ever going to harm him but that it was all going to be done to help him. She knew he was not ready to look after himself and that what was going to happen with the Hall would lead to harm to him in the future. That her employers were to make sure nothing happened to him and his future, she then stopped and almost seemed to be searching through his mind. Subconsciously he created a mental image of her opening doors to rooms in his mind and her peering through but not in a bad way. There was one room he wanted to keep locked from her and he concentrated on that door as his mental image of her reached it. He pictured her trying the door and getting nowhere as she fought the handle. Her images self shook her head and Richard focused on the outside world again.
“looks like I may still have a bit of work ahead of me to get you to trust me” her voice was gentle and held no rebuke.
And now after a long hiatus we pick up.......

Part 3 gaining trust and a very strange interview .

Richard felt bad that he didn't trust this gentle but strange woman, she laid her cheek against his and suddenly a mirror appeared in her hand and she held it up. Richard was surprised as her eyes and face seemed to match his, the main difference was that when a grin split her face two huge dimples framed it. He felt himself start to smile and his guarded posture relaxed further and a feeling of trust started to grow along with his smile.

“That's better little one, now we can work on introductions.” She said her voice lilted with a laugh.

“I'm sorry , I'm Richard Travis” He stuck out his right hand and noticed the tremors had started early today.

“Well master Richard, I am Jane and I work for Mr Magi as a seamstress.”

The formal address made Richard giggle and he clamped down on it still trying to hide his wrongness. Jane looked at him and raised an eyebrow and then tilted her head crossing her eyes and poking out her tongue. This time Richard couldn't help himself and the giggle burst from his lips. That made Janes smile wider and then she shook her head. She pulled an ancient fob watch from the pocket of the waistcoat she was wearing.

“This will not do young master Richard, time the ever demanding mistress marches on” She clicked her fingers and an old looking trunk appeared by the battered wardrobe in his room.

“We have to get you dressed presentably, you are to meet the Cerberus partnership today to discuss your future.”

Jane started pulling a dress shirt and pants and waistcoat and jacket from the trunk along with new underwear. The weave of the cloth was exquisite and it looked like it had come from Saville row in London. Richard's left arm was now shaking openly and he knew his left leg would not support his weight. He cursed as he hated his body when it did this especially in front of other people. It was another thing that pointed out how much of a failure he was. Jane looked and saw the tremors and her smile did not falter, she just carried on pulling clothes out of that trunk until there was everything and then with gentle words got Richard to agree to her assistance.

In short order she had Richard dressed and looking presentable but frowned when he tried to push her away when she went to help him stand. Richard shook his head after a slight hesitation and accepted the help , Jane could see the pride in the young eyes looking a t her. She through her abilities being a member of the summer court and assistant to the magi. She knew this interview and the preparation was immensely important. The queen of the summer court had plans for this young person and also the orphanage. The fae had hidden for many centuries by appearing fully human. The hall that housed the orphanage was build at the base of a leyline.

The pair with Richard not obviously leaning on Jane made their way back town to the office and the sound of laughter reached their ears. That led to Richard going through the office door with a surprised look on his face. The strange gentleman who had introduced himself as Mr Magi seemed to be entertaining Sarah with some rather long winded story. As he walked in Mr Magi stood up and with a smile that reached his eyes sketched a deep bow and out of nowhere a cane appeared in his right hand. The head of it was a brass swan and it seemed it was made of feathers not just a cast lump.

“Ah there is the young gentleman now and please as part of my mission to outfit you correctly please accept the cane also” Mr Magi thrust it forward until it was close to Richard's hand.

Jane grasped the cane and then held it by the hand on Richards affected side. She then gently made sure his hand was gripping it and guided him to a chair. All of what had been happening was creating a feeling of light headedness and Richard started to feel his good leg buckle and he flopped into a chair as though someone had cut a string that was holding him up.

“Now young mister Richard we must talk of strange and wonderful things...” Mr Magi's voice suddenly became firmer and it lost some of its joviality.

Tbc and not with such a long hiatus this time!..........