Team Fortress 2 OC

Memory 7

~age 28~
Ebony was sprinting away from the authorities, as she usually does on Tuesdays, when she caught the attention of Pauling. Miss Pauling continued to follow her even after she'd manage to lose to cops. Ebony returned to the orphanage with her usual grin and greeting, pulling down her hood and mouth guard. She had gone into the kitchen to help the kids put the food away when there was a knock at the door. Sister Josephine answered. "May I help you?" She asked. "Is Ebony Mather here?" Pauling asked. Ebony froze the mention of her name. "If I'm not intruding, why would you like to see her?" Sister Josephine asked politely with an underlaying bit of stress. "To recruit her. I saw her in that Russian military base 10 years ago. I had intended to recruit her brother but the bombing happened before I could finish the paperwork. I recently was told that Peter Mather's sister survived the bomb and was on a government watch list. I remembered her beating Peter back then, but she wasn't a legal adult, meaning I couldn't take her. I have come to make her an offer," Miss Pauling explained. "What's the offer?" Ebony asked as she emerged from the kitchen while the orphans peeked around the corner. "I would like to you become a mercenary for me. The pay is good and you'll get to fight just like your brother did," Miss Pauling said. "And what about them?" Ebony gestured to the orphans, "they depend on me for food and I happen to be quite attached. What will this mean for them?" She said. "Well I can promise that we'll provide food for them and you'll occasionally be able to visit," Miss Pauling said. "Give me three days then meet me back here. If the answer is yes then I'll be ready to leave by then, if it's no then I'll simply tell you that. Deal?" Ebony said. Miss Pauling nodded and took her leave. Ebony leaned against the wall and massaged her temples. "I think you should do it," Sister Josephine said quietly. "What makes you say that?" Ebony asked. "Well you said being a fighter was your lifelong dream. And if Peter wanted this, and so do you, then it's perfect," Sister Josephine responded. "But what about you guys? What about Grams? Everything I love is in this town...even if what I'm looking for is out there," Ebony said. "That lady said that she'd feed us and you'll be able to visit. Listen Ebony, I want you to be happy. This is your choice but just know that we'll support you no matter what," Sister Josephine said. Ebony had made her decision. She started packing that evening.
~3 days later~
Ebony waited by the door. She'd packed a few changes of clothes (some hers, some Peter's), Alpha, toiletries, her bow and quiver (which Tommy has designed with a slightly magnetic bottom to prevent the arrows from falling out), and dozens of pictures (some of Peter, some of Grams, some of Sister Josephine and the orphans). She clutched the dog tags around her neck, awaiting Pauling's arrival. A few minutes passed, then Miss Pauling arrived. "Decision made?" She asked. "Decision made," Ebony confirmed, picking up her stuff. She said one final goodbye to the orphans (and already said goodbye to her grandmother the previous day) then followed Pauling out the door. On the trip to the base, Pauling told her about the nine mercs. This wouldn't be an easy adjustment but she was excited to finally fulfill hers and Peter's dream. She would prove herself to be the best warrior there, and she promised herself she wouldn't get attached to anyone else. As the plane landed, she stepped out and breathed in the desert air. Here goes nothing.