“Still convinced Alfred is just some fancy trick?” Ethel said as she offered Phil a chair. She had led him through the Gardens, giving him a brief tour before they reached the area set aside for various party functions. When not in use, it made for a nice place to sit and have a meal while watching the beauty around them.


    “No. How in the world is this possible?” Phil asked, reaching out to accept the food offered to him by a capybara.


    “I can explain it, but that would take quite some time. I’m actually a lot older than I seem these days, which is saying something,” Ethel said, laughing at the joke of her own age.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    “Let’s cut to the chase then, why me? If you have access to all of this, what possible use can you have for my teaching skills in comparison?” Phil asked, his eyes still full of the wonder of everything around them.


    “We’ve ended up with a lot of children who have had deeply traumatic lives, and as highly as I may think of my own skills, I am far better with animals than I am with people when it comes to trauma, you on the other hand,” Ethel said trailing off, expecting that he could fill in the blanks.


    “I literally wrote one of the books on it, got it. I take it these kids are special in their own ways?” He asked.


    “They are. Tonight, I have a dinner planned so all of my planned staff can meet each other, and the students,” Ethel said smiling. She knew he was on board.