The young man gripped a nearby lamppost, pausing to catch his breath and take weight off of his leg. Had this district always been so far a walk from the palace? A few short years ago he could have made the trip with ease, but now...he glanced down to the metal prosthetic with a grimace. Some things couldn't be helped. 
"You lost, mister?" A small voice from behind Io caught his attention. The little girl skipped into view, her questioning smile full of gaps and teeth not fully grown in. 
"No," Io assured, straightening out with an exhale. He patted the bag on his back, "No, not lost. I'm just making a delivery to Baronet Pasqualin."
The girl's brow furrowed for a second. "The orphanage? Sir, you don't mean you've got a kid in that bag do you?"
"No!" Io laughed with a grin. "No, definitely not. Just supplies."
"Ooookay," the girl relaxed. "That's good because we don't need any more kids in there. It's hard enough to keep all the younger ones in line...but not me!" the child proudly pointed two thumbs at herself. "I'm one of the responsible ones! I'm Nora, by the way."
"Clearly," Io ruffled her hair with a chuckle. "Well Miss Nora, if you would be so kind as to lead me the last few blocks to the orphanage, I would be more than happy to tip a coin or two."
Nora perked up at that, quickly grabbing one of Io's hands to drag him down the street. She spoke on about the politics of the orphanage children, the hierarchy of age, along with complaints of the recent shortage of sweet treats. Io found himself bemused by the little senator in the making, once again hit with a pang of loneliness and a desire for a family of his own. 
"And here we are mister!" Nora announced, knocking loudly on the door, then holding an expectant hand out. 
Io complied, pulling out two coins and placing them firmly in the girl's palm. "Thank you, Nora." 
The tailor turned back towards the door, rolling his shoulders and trying to quickly smooth out his vest before the audience with the Baronet. 
@jasiel