I stayed in Yellow stone for so long, living on what my dad had there, and what I knew. 

And now I can go wherever I want! I can become a bird, or a squirrel, or even a wolf or bear! I can bring all my things, and hunt and scavenge with much better senses!

If animals hunt me, I can become a human and scare them away! Or I can touch them, and then become them!

I think I'm less afraid of people now. Knowing I can turn into an animal and vanish makes it feel like they can't come and take me away. People are slow and bad at seeing things.

I was able to sneak into a store and make off with more candy, and pepper spray

I'm free.

I'm free.

This was so worth it. I wish everyone, and all the animals were as free as I feel right now.

I'm gonna go fly some more now. 

I've been so much more social!

I can talk to animals now, and so I've been making a lot more friends! I really like having animals to talk to. They know so many things about the forest, and where to hide, and where to find food.

They are kinda dumb though. Maybe a different magic I get at some point will let me fix that. That would be nice.

I've been talking with them more, and reading more, and thinking about what I am going to do with my new powers. I think most things that could change the world I'll need to be able to do more things for. 

I can talk to animals, and make friends, but I can't really do much else yet. I'd like to be able to make them stronger and smarter and things.

Also, If I could make them listen to me, that would be nice. They listen to me sometimes, but sometimes they are being dumb, and I can't make them listen to me.

Hello again Journal!

So. Since last time, I've been trying to take my responsibility as a druid seriously and learn some things. Like about Zoo's, and about animal experimentation.

So I went to the library, to see if there would be maps for where zoos are, or books that would tell me! That way I could ask the animals there about the zoos!

But the library is really big, and there are a lot of things in it. So. I didn't know what to do, or how to use it. So I just took some comics and adventure books

So the next day I found people!

Their names are Tilly and Jeniffer! I really like them! They showed me how to use the computer, and about how the internet works and things, and how to make maps.

They gave me a hug. It was really nice. They have a cat named Mittens! I helped Mittens like their bed more.

Their house has so much food!

Liz flies back as an eagle towards Yellowstone. This probably takes at least a day, since she goes maybe 70 mph. She’ll arrive in the evening so she’s less conspicuous, and try and find Jennifer and Tilly at their house. She looks a little guilty.

“Ummm . Jennifer, Tilly. Something happened… you know how you were telling me about camera? There were some people that had them when I became a bird.”

Jennifer will respond first: "Oh, that's not good! You need to try to avoid that. Are you okay? Did they say anything?"

"Uhhhh. Nooo, they didn't say anything. I was in Seattle doing druid things. And there was this robot, and ... " Liz takes a breath. "I flew away when I saw people videoing me."

"Well, that's a good idea at least. You didn't answer if you were okay, though."

Liz starts to tear up. "I.... I don't think so."

"Would you like to talk about it? Or do you need some time?"

Liz opens her arms for a hug
Jennifer will go in for a hard squeeze hug, and Tilly will leave her phone alone to join it. Neither of them says anything, leaving space for Liz to talk if she wants.

Scene start will be Lizzie getting to Jennifer and Tilly's home, and waiting for a chance to use her computer.  She has been spending more nights there recently, starting to feel safe. This is a place with people that care for her. She is obviously happy while waiting for a chance to use the computer. Then she is going to email Carpathia.

"Hi!!!! 

So. I learned my full name recently because of a magic name tag thing. It's Elizabeth Martin. It's a weird name, but it's mine! Well not that weird, but I'm just not used to it.

You can still call me Liz of Lizzie though, I still like that. But I want to see If i can find any grandparents! or like. Uncles or things.

My Dad never showed me any of them, and he said mom left us and was .... He said some bad words that I don't know what they mean.

Anyway, can you help me look? I don't know many computer things, and Jennifer and Tilly are nice, but I haven't told them all the things with the jobs and stuff, so I don't wanna have to explain how I know my full name and stuff.

Okay thanks!

Bye!

P.S. I meet this guy named Zedman, and he called me Little Liz, so you can also call me that if you want to.

P.P.S. can you turn into an animal yet?
"

You get a response from Carpathia within the hour.

"Hi!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations! I'd be happy to help you, but I'd need to tell Jennifer and Tilly about what I'm helping you with. If you want I can help you talk with them about this? We wouldn't need to share everything, I get not wanting to open up completly, but they care about you! They just want to help, and I'd hate to go behind their back when they trusted me to help you.

Your friend,
Carpathia 🚢 

P.S. You met Zedman as well? I worked with him before! He's a lot of fun!

P.P.S. No I can't :( But I can talk to them now! The birds outside my window are really chatty every morning.
" 

Liz checks the computer again a few hours later.

She looks at it.

She closes the computer. She holds her hands togehter. Rubbing one over the other as she thinks. She bits her lip a little bit. She bits a bit too hard, and her teeth ping of bits of spectral tree bark.
She opens the computer again.

Opens up her email, and drafts a reply.

"Okay."

She sends it.
She goes to find Jennifer and Tilly

Another response, within about ten minutes.

"Great! I'll head over as soon as I can. Thank you for reaching out for help, Liz :)"

UNI

They're both on the couch watching TV, and look up at you smiling as you come find them. Mittens is also watching, but sitting nearby on the floor instead of with them on the couch.

RNG

“Ummm….”

Liz looks at them. Obviously nervous . Liz goes and sits with mittens, giving mittens Scritches in the places he has said he likes best.

“I uh. I remembered something.” (Liz is pretty obviously hiding something)

Liz takes a deep breath.

“IrememberedmylastnameisMartinandIkindawanttoseeifIhaveanyotherfamilyorwhatmydadusedtobeandIcalledCarpathiatohelpmelook.”

(I remembered my last name is Martin and I kinda want to see if I have any other family or what my dad used to be and I called Carpathia to help me look.)

Liz gasps in air at the end of this little speech. Then looks up at Jennifer and Tilly nervously.
Ware (She/Her) — 11/12/2024 10:23 AM
Tilly pauses the tv.

RNG

“I. Ummm. We don’t need to talk about if you don’t want to. But. Carpathia said to share and since you are like my… ummm. I thought you should know maybe?”
Liz looks nervous. She really doesn’t want them to be upset at her. She doesn’t know why they would be at an intellectual level, but her feeling tell her that this is fragile… and there is something about these two and telling them she is looking for other family. 

UNI

Jennifer looks like she's tearing up, and Tilly looks at her when she doesn't respond first like she usually does and swoops in to say:
"Thank you for telling us! We really appreciate it. That sounds like a really big step! Do you want help from us, or will this be a you and Carpathia adventure?"

RNG

Liz starts to tear up a little bit seeing Jennifer tear up.

“Uhhhh. It’s . It is really new so.  I don’t know. Maybe you can sit with me when I use the online? But.”
Liz looks down and wipes her face.
“I don’t want to right now I just… Can we cuddle and watch the tellvision? Can do tomorrow?”

UNI

Tilly scoots over so theres space between them and pats it, saying:
"Sure thing, dear! We can sit with you when you go online if you like, or we can give you some space too. No matter what we'll be here."

RNG

Liz starts to say something but is choked up. Instead she nods and hurry’s to the couch, a bit of wind following her. 

She takes both of their arms and puts them around her, then leans into Jennifer while holding her arm.
Liz doesn’t want to talk much, but will eventually fall asleep. Late night with the last contract. She feels safe, and dreams of meeting her family. Of finding her mom. In her dreams her mom has Jennifer’s face.

Lizzie hears a knock at the door. She follows her mom Jennifer to the door.

Carpathia is waiting behind it.

She'll smile as she sees you and say, "Hey, welcome! Just about finished with breakfast if you want some."

Carpathia nods and walks inside. "Yes please! Thank you." She'll then look at the cat and say,
"Lizzie, I assume?" (Carpathia has commune so she can talk to Cat Lizzie.)

"Yep!"

Lizzie says in english

Lizzie goes and is a little under foot of Carpathia, and rubs against her side.
Pyre (She/Her) ---
Emotional State?
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG ---
(Excited. Calm. Safe)
Pyre (She/Her) ---

Carpathia leans down to let you sniff her hand, if you accept she will then give scritches.
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG ----
(Curious. Excited. Slight familial affection.) Lizzie accepts scritches 

Pyre (She/Her) --------

Carpathia's smile becomes just a tiny bit warmer when she picks up on the familial affection.
"Happy to see you too, kid." (Truth.) Looking up to speak to both Jennifer and Lizzie, she'll say,
"How do we want to do this? Meal then magic? Or the other way around? I can promise it'll be perfectly safe for Lizzie and the rest of us. I can also try to answer any questions you might have about how this will work." (Truth.) 

Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG -----

"Is it new magic! I like magic!"

(Happy. Excited. Safe)
Lizzies jumps around a little bit, the wind propelling her.
 
Pyre (She/Her) -------
She giggles at the jumping cat. A little hesitantly, she says,
"Yeah, it's new magic. It can help me find your bio mom, if you still want that." (Truth.)

Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
Lizzie freezes a little bit. 

“Ummm…”

(Confusion. Concern. Anxiety.)

She looks over to Jennifer 

“I…”

(Safe. Seeking reassurance)

Lizzie becomes a girl again. She is wearing PJs, her face is clean, and her hair is washed. She looks like she has grown a little.

She clings to Jennifer’s side.

“Yeah…”

(Unsure. Anxious)
Pyre (She/Her)

Her voice takes on a calm, steady tone as she says,
"We don't have to do it right away if you want some more time to think it over. I'm here for the week, so for now you can think of me as a live in maid with a stash of lollipops." (Truth.) She frowns.
"I'm sorry if I caught you off guard." (Truth.)

Wren (She/Her) -----
 Jenn is Anxious
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG

“Lollipops?” 

Lizzie looks at her moms. 

“I … can we do it later. This is like. It is big in my brain, so I want to prepare…. I…”

(Anxious. Scared. Determined)

“My dad said my mom left me. I… I don’t know if he was telling the truth maybe. So. I want to know. But I don’t think it will be good. 

And it is a lot”
Pyre (She/Her)

Carpathia gives a small smile.

"It takes a strong heart and a sharp mind to recognize when you need to give yourself time to prepare for something like this." (Truth.) She glances at Jennifer.

"We'll be here with you every step of the way." (Truth.)

Wren (She/Her)

Jennifer smiles and rubs Lizzie's back.
"We don't have to do it until and if you want to."

Pyre (She/Her)

She nods to Jennifer.
"Exactly."

Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG

Lizzie nods.

Thoughtful

(Safe. Happy. Anxious)

“We can do it tomorrow maybe?”
Wren (She/Her) -------

From the dining area, Tilly yells: "Guys come on, breakfast!"
Jennifer yells back "We're coming!"
and then smiles at Lizzie again, nodding.
"Sure thing sweetie."

Pyre (She/Her) --------
"Absoluetly." (Truth.)
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG --------
Lizzie smiles, and heads to breakfast. 

(Happy. Safe. Strong familial affection)

Lizzie disappears on a Sunday while walking through the woods, after checking a computer for flights to (Spoiler for Heat of the moment).

She get's back on Tuesday with red, slightly burned hands.

A large hawk flies high above the ground. Pushed along by very fast winds. 

Lizzie does some spins. Some loop . She giggles as flies, enjoying the speed and the wind and the freedom. 

Flying is always fun. 

And now she is flying home. 

To her moms.

That is new. She has a home and a family. 

Lizzie circles wide. Making sure she isn’t spotted, flying over the trees, looking down at her domain. 

She lands in the backyard, coming to a stop in the air, and dropping the last foot. 

She walks to the back, and reaches for the door handle.

“Ow!”

Lizzie looks down at her hands. 

They are severely burned. Red and blistering. A little better than before the flight, but still serious

Carpathia is at the door in less than 10 seconds. She opens it up and looks down at Lizzie, smiling.

----- Recorded Discord Move ------

Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/11/2025 1:56 PM
Before opening the door, you could feel Hope, Fear, and Guilt coming from whoever was behind it.

Once it opened, Carpathia had a spike of Fear and Guilt. But alongside it was Relief and Familial Love.

Her face is still smiling, if a little sadly. She greets Lizzie.

"Hey kid, glad to see you back. You alright?" (Truth) 
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/11/2025 2:37 PM
Lizzie looks up.

"Oh!"

Surprised. Anxious.

Lizzie hides her had behind her back. 

"Um." 

Feeling silly.

"I uh."

Lizzie brings her hands forward again.

"I burned my hands. It was a job. I needed to touch something hot to do it. But we did it!"

Lizzie looks down.

"I haven't gotten burned much before. I thought it would be better faster." 
Confusion. A little guilt. A little worry
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/11/2025 2:44 PM
// Hey, actually, what's the flavor Lizzie's Empath? Do you think it would have any intresting reactions with Carpathia's method of connecting to your soul?
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/11/2025 2:45 PM
// oh probably. 
// it is like a deep connection to the universe and the earth, and the things in it, and around her.
// maybe Lizzie feels Carpathia’s connection as a little ticklish, and Carpathia feels Lizzie’s soul radiating out 30 feet
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/11/2025 2:46 PM
// oh damn. Do you think Carpathia and Lizzie are about to have a Spiderverse "you're like me" moment?
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/11/2025 2:47 PM
// I think it would feel more like a gentle hand hold. But like, for your heart.
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/11/2025 2:47 PM
// we’ve had a few of those
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/11/2025 2:48 PM
Lizzie tilts her head. 

“You feel different…. Oh! That’s my new magic I guess.”
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/11/2025 2:48 PM
// cool, okay, gonna have Carpathia react with that in mind.
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/11/2025 2:51 PM
Carpathia looks like she just walked into a room and noticed a new decoration for the first time. Suprise

"You too, kid." (Truth) Resignation, Bitter-Sweet Pride, Guilt 

She smiles. Hope

"You can feel it too, huh?" 
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/11/2025 3:09 PM
Lizzie nods. 

surprised. Happy.

“We’re like magic family now too!”

excited!

Lizzie goes to hug Catpathia, then stops and looks back at her hands
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/11/2025 3:15 PM
Carpathia chuckles a little bit. Amused. Familial Love. Guilt.

"Don't worry, I've got big enough arms to hug for both of us." (Truth)

Carpathia kneels down to hug Lizzie, arms underneath her shoulders so that Lizzie doesn't accidentally brush her hands against Carpathia.

Peaceful. Guilt.
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/11/2025 5:11 PM
Lizzie hugs Carpathia with the upper part of her arms, keeping her hands clear.

happy. Safe. Familial love

“I gotta get a magic to make my hands heal fast .”
confused

”Why do you feel a little bad?”
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/11/2025 5:34 PM
Carpathia squeezes Lizzie a bit then pulls away and stands to be able to meet her eyes. She smiles sadly again and sighs.

"I'm about to lose my status as cool-but-kinda-weird aunt... That's... always there. But you don't have to worry, I've learned how to work with it." (Truth) Guilt. Hope. Worry.
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/11/2025 5:52 PM
Lizzie frowns.

worried. Familial love. Trust

“I don’t understand.”
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/11/2025 6:08 PM
Carpathia frowns. Guilt. Pride. Familial Love. Worry. Hope. Resignation.

"You're talking about my guilt, right? That feeling that I've done something wrong?"
// I am so happy Carpathia is finally talking to someone with empath lmao.
// She's up there with like, Carver in bad vibes background radiation
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/11/2025 6:22 PM
Lizzie nods. 

"Yeah. That."

Lizzie's face scrunches up like she is inspecting something.
The House
APP
 — 5/11/2025 6:32 PM
Rolled 8 dice at Difficulty 6 
[7, 7, 7, 7, 4, 3, 1, 1]
(me an Empath) Outcome: 2
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/11/2025 6:33 PM
Carpathia forces a smile and walks outside to sit on the stoop next to Lizzie. She pats the spot next to her.

"Alright, sit down, it's time to learn a bit about your auntie. Your parents are working so we got some time to kill." (Truth) Worry. Fear. Trust. Familial Love. Hope. Despair.
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/11/2025 6:34 PM
// Is that to figure out what Carpathia respects?
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/11/2025 6:34 PM
Lizzie goes to Carpathia's side. Then she sits on her lap, and looks up at her.
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/11/2025 6:34 PM
// yep
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/11/2025 6:36 PM
// Oh cool, I get to do something  neat.
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/11/2025 6:49 PM
When Lizzie tries to read Carpathia, at first it takes a bit of focus, you're only able to pull a few things.

But quickly, her soul almost recognizes Lizzie and unfolds like a blooming flower.

Carpathia Greatly Respects people who are genuienly attempting to become better, who try to improve their community, and who own up their mistakes.

She Greatly Disrespects self-aware selfishness, people who ignore the needs of others, and those who take advantage of others.
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/11/2025 6:52 PM
Carpathia chuckles and looks down at Lizzie, grinning. Amusement. Familial Love. Gratitude. Guilt.

"You comfy?"
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/11/2025 6:54 PM
Lizzie nods.

Confused. Concerned. Familial love. Safe

"You'll still be cool. and.... You won't stop being my aunt unless you wanna be." (Truth)
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/11/2025 7:01 PM
Carpathia looks genuinely stunned. Shock. Overwhelming Familial Love. Relief. Worry. Guilt.

"Thanks, Lizzie. That... that means a lot." (Truth) She pulls Lizzie into a tight hug and holds it there.
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/11/2025 7:02 PM
happy. Familial love

Lizzie hugs her aunt.
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/11/2025 7:07 PM
After a moment, Carpathia pulls back and clears her throat.

"Ahem. Okay, uh. So. I'm going to tell you a quick version of this and leave out a lot of details because I don't like talking about it. But you deserve to not be left in the dark." (Truth) Embarassment. Familial Love. Hope. Guilt.
"That sound alright?"
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/11/2025 7:14 PM
Lizzie nods.

curious. Worried. Familial love.
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/11/2025 7:25 PM
She smiles. Guilt. Familial Love.

"Okay. To make a very long story short- when I was younger, it was my job to hurt people. And to help other people be good at hurting people. That was my job for a very long time, a longer time than it had to be. I have dedicated my entire life to trying to make up for that. And that guilt has been with me ever since, because I have a lot to be guilty about." (Truth) Overwhelming Guilt. Terror. Panic. Familial Love. Hope. Grief. Resignation.

She keeps that neutral, cheery smile on, even through her emotions thrashing around in every direction.
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/11/2025 7:28 PM
Lizzie squeezes her aunt. Not super effectively. Her hands aren't involved. 

She uses her forearm to pat her on the back.

Worried. Familial love.

"It's okay Paffia. It's okay. I'm sorry you feel so bad."
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/11/2025 7:40 PM
Carpathia grins. Guilt. Familial Love. Saddness. Resignation.

"Thanks, Lizzie." She sits there trying to find the words to explain something, but eventually she just shrugs and says.

"It's not easy. But I'm good at surviving. I'll be alright, one of these days." (Truth) Hope. Grief. Familial Love.
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 8:07 AM
Confused. Little sad. Wants to help. Familial Love.

"You are already alright! You're my cool aunt! But yeah, I hope you feel less bad..."

Lizzie gives Carpathia another hug.

"ummm. Do you have food? I haven't eaten for a while."
// Carpathia just giving this deep emotional speech. Lizzie just. Being a child
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 8:13 AM
Gender Euphoria (would Lizzie even be able to recognize that?). Guilt. Familial Love. Hope.

"Oh jeez. Yeah, let's dress those hands and I can feed you so don't have to hold any utensils." (Truth)

Carpathia picks up Lizzie as she stands and walks inside.
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 8:14 AM
// yeah that's why the guilt is rising to the top a lot for this conversation lmao. Carpathia is just kicking herself for dumping this on a kid.
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 8:14 AM
Lizzie is starting to be heavier. A couple months of being well fed, and she has grown a few inches. And filled out in her middle.

But she is still smaller than she should be at here age. And she can be picked up easily enough.

Safe. Trust. Happy
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 8:20 AM
Pride. Gratitude. Hope. Familial Love. Guilt.

Carpathia sets Lizzie down at her first aid kit and calls one of her brothers to double check her work for treating burns. Then she'll text Lizzie's parents (@Wren (She/Her))  that she's come home.

Finally, Lizzie is fork fed some leftover pasta. 
// Lyle was a combat medic! So Carpathia defaults to asking him for help with injuries when she can. And that includes calling from a different time zone lmao.
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 8:29 AM
Lizzie fidgets her hands a bit, but lets her hands be treated. 

She wants a lot of pasta.
// Lizzie basically didn't eat for 2 days
// And has been chronically under fed for 5 years.
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 8:32 AM
Carpathia obliges, but makes sure to feed her slowly, so she doesn't get sick.

Concern. Familial Love. Guilt.

Carpathia frowns as she feeds her.

"How long did you go without eating, kid?"
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 8:34 AM
"Oh. Well I snuck onto a plane. They didn't have any food there. And then I did the job. That was like... a few hourse. 

And then I became a cat and we flew home.

I was asleep for that though. So. I don't know. Since Mom made breakfast?" 
// Lizzie has decided that one of her parents is Mom, and the other is Mama, and they are both Mommy when she wants something.
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 8:35 AM
Carpathia frowns again. See Previous

"Do you not bring rations on a job?"
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 8:37 AM
"No I did. But I was in a rush to get back. And my hands hurt."

Lizzie shrugs.

"That's not that long is it? I've been more hungry for longer."
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 8:43 AM
In an instructive tone, Carpathia says,

"Just because you can survive something, doesn't mean you shouldn't avoid it. Our bodies really like regular meals. So even if you'll technically be fine without any food for a bit, you should try to eat three meals a day.

Also, in case it wasn't obvious, you deserve to not have to feel hungry like this." (Truth)
Heart break. Guilt. Familial Love.
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 8:46 AM
"Oh..."

Guilt. Sad. Happy

"I'm sorry. I'll uh... try and eat more regular when I'm on jobs and things."

Lizzie looks at her hands (probably covered in lotions and maybe some bandages). 

"Does that mean I'll need someone to feed me? But what about when Mom and Mama are at work?"
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 8:53 AM
Carpathia winces.

"Hey, you didn't do anything wrong, Love.
I'll be here for a few more days so you don't have to worry. With proper care you should be able to use your hands again by the time I'm gone." (Truth) Guilt. Worry. Familial Love.
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 8:55 AM
Lizzie nods.

Relief. Rapidly fading guilt. Familial love

"Okay... Can I have more pasta now?"

Excited.
// Lizzie is so good at puting things out of her mind. Until she isn't
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 9:03 AM
Carpathia smiles. Familial Love. Trust. Guilt. Slowly increasing Concern.

"Sure, just gotta make sure not to over eat. That's another thing our bodies really don't like." (Truth)

Her expression slowly changes to a determined frown as she continues to feed her niece.

"So. Now is as good a time as any for me to have this conversation, and I wouldn't be able to call myself your Aunt or a friend to your parents if I didn't ever bring this up." (Truth) She pauses. Anxiety. Guilt. Familial Love. Shame.

"Have you thought about retiring as a Contractor?" 
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 9:10 AM
Lizzie nods, and eats her food. 

Confusion

"What doe retiring mean? I haven't done tiring before. Is that like... Car tires? Or like sleepy tire?"
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 9:12 AM
Carpathia holds back a chuckle. Amusement. Guilt. Familial Love.

"It means you stop doing something. Usually a job. So, retiring as a Contractor would mean?" (Truth)
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 9:17 AM
Joy of understanding

"That I would stop doing jobs."

Lizzie frowns.

Confusion. Worry

"But then I wouldn't get my magic! And I need that to help the world's animals"
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 9:24 AM
Pride. Familial Love. Guilt.

Carpathia's frown mirrors Lizzie. Resignation. Hope.

"Yeah, but there are other ways to help them, and you deserve to not have to come home with your hands covered in burns. Or worse.

You got parents and an aunt who love you (Hell, you've also got two uncles you haven't met yet, but I'm sure they'll love you just the same).

Kids like you deserve to grow up, and Contracting makes that a whole lot less likely." (Truth) Shame. Hope. Guilt. Familial Love.
// btw Carpathia is actively focusing on how much she cares about Lizzie so that she can feel it radiating off her. Tiny empath deserves to feel loved.
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 9:28 AM
Lizzie opens her mouth for more pasta while she thinks. 

She chews then swallows.

Confused. Thoughtful.

"But... I'm smart. And good at Contracting."

Confused. Little Self conscious

"Do you think I'm bad at it? I'm not! I wasn't in danger on the job, I just needed to touch something that was hot! "
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 9:38 AM
Carpathia smiles a little sadly. A sudden and overwhelming wave of Grief. It's intense enough you swear you can almost physically feel it. Shame. Worry. Familial Love.

"Of course not, Flower- fu-." A sigh.
"Sorry. Of course not, Lizzie. I think you are an amazingly strong, smart, and brave kid. It's just..." (Truth)

Carpathia has to look away for a bit. Some how even more Grief.

"I've learned it doesn't matter how 'good' at this type of thing you are. Because if you keep rolling a set of dice, eventually you'll hit snake eyes." (Truth)
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 9:44 AM
Lizzie frowns. Flinching a little bit at all the emotions. 

Worry. Confused.

"I... You can call me Flower if you want? Flowers are nice."

Lizzie opens her mouth for more pasta.
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 9:54 AM
Carpathia tilts her head and feeds Lizzie a little more. Confusion.

"How'd...?" Realization. Grief.

"Ah, right. You can understand me when I speak Italian. I, um. I was going to call you Flowerbud, but I remember how it made you feel the first time I called you that, and I don't want to make you uncomfortable." (Truth)
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 9:57 AM
Lizzie chews and swallows.

Understanding. Slight amusement 

"You weren't my aunt then. Now you are."

Lizzie says like it's obvious.

Realization. Curiousity. Suspicion.

"Are you going to retiring?"

Lizzie asks, then opens her mouth again. 
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 10:19 AM
Carpathia gets a very small smile. Familial Love. Belonging. Grief. Guilt. 

"Thank you for saying that, Flowerbud."

She feeds Lizzie another forkfull then looks away, not able to look at Lizzie for the moment.

"I want to. But I don't know if I ever will." (Truth) Shame. Guilt.

Carpathia frowns.

"Ah, screw the lie by ommission. I want to. But I don't expect that I'll ever actually do it." (Truth)
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 10:33 AM
Lizzie chews. She swallows.

Confused

"Why?"
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 10:36 AM
"Why do I want to? Or why do I think I never will?"
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 10:36 AM
"Yeah."

Lizzie nods.
// get rekt by child straightforwardness
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 10:41 AM
A smile. Amusement.

"Well, firstly. I want to retire because I want to be able to grow old, and see my brother's and neice's lives unfold. I want to see what the world might look like, on that distant shore." (Truth) Grief. Hope. Guilt.

"I don't think I ever will because I am very bad at taking care of myself and do not value myself very highly." (Truth) Shame. Grief. Guilt.
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 10:54 AM
sad. Thoughtful.

"Well. If you are bad at taking care of yourself, can you ask someone else to help? Like how my mom's and you take care of me?"

Lizzie looks down at her hands.

"The don't hurt that bad now..."(True)

Hopeful thoughtful

"and... Maybe if I keep getting more magic the jobs will be less risky! Because I'll be like. A mega druid, with super nature powers."
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 10:56 AM
Carpathia smiles sadly. There's that mountain of Grief and Guilt again.

"Flowerbud, can I kiss your forehead?"
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 10:58 AM
Lizzie nods.

Safe. Happy. Trusting
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 11:09 AM
Carpathia leans forward gives her niece a kiss on the forehead.
Familial Love. Guilt. Grief.

She sighs and leans back in her chair.

"I do better taking care of others. Forces me to take care of myself. That isn't very healthy, mind you, but it's how I survive." (Truth)

A Pause.

"As I'm sure you can tell, I love you Flowerbud. You're family, and I was raised with the understanding that family is one of the most important things in life." (Truth)

Another pause. It seems like Carpathia is just gathering her thoughts, piecing together what to say next, but you can tell what she's feeling. It is a Paralyzing, overwhelming, all consuming Grief. It stays that way for about 4 seconds, then it is quickly replaced with something Lizzie can't quite place. It is best described as a dull Itch.

Carpathia takes a lolipop out of her jacket and quickly pops it in her mouth. The Itch is still there.

She takes a breath.

"Sorry. You must've just felt that too, huh?" (Truth) 
// refresher in case it is relevant. Lizzie knows Carpathia's parents are dead. They bonded about it, actually.
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 11:15 AM
Lizzie nods. 

"Maybe if you ask someone can help you."

Lizzie leans against her aunt, and gives another awkward hug.

"Yeah. But. It's okay. We can't help our feelings sometimes."

Guilt. Shame. Regret. Sad.

Lizzie opens her mouth again.
// Just, little beats of Lizzie being fed is so sweet
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 11:24 AM
Carpathia smiles a little and returns the hug. She feeds Lizzie another bit of pasta.
Familial Love. Guilt. Concern.

"What's wrong, Flowerbud?"
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 11:27 AM
Lizzie chews. She swallows.

"I'm thinking about when you and my moms found me at my dads..."

Lizzie lets herself trail off.

Sad. Grief. Regret. Shame

"I had a lot of feelings. But you and Mom and Mama were all there and helped me. Even though I was having a lot of feelings."
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 11:30 AM
Carpathia reaches over and strokes Lizzie's hair.

"We care about you, of course we'll be there when things are too much. That's what family does." (Truth)
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 11:32 AM
Relief. Relaxing. Hope.

"Then... We'll be there for you too! And we all take care of each other and you!"
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 11:35 AM
Grief. Disbelief. Remorse. Familial Love. And in a corner of her mind, Heartbreak?

Carpathia forces a tiny smile.

"Sorry. I'm bad at believing people when they say that, even when I can magically tell they mean it. But thank you for saying so, Lizzie." (Truth)
// here's your regular reminder that Carpathia got dumped less than a week ago o7
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 11:46 AM
// I remember . I was there. I did it
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 11:46 AM
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 11:47 AM
Lizzie hugs her aunt tighter.

“I love you Aunt Pathia.”(true)
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 11:49 AM
Carpathia hugs her back, letting her emotions speak for themselves.

Familial Love. Belonging. Hope. Gratitude. Disbelief. Guilt. Grief.
Lizzie (She/Her) | RNG
OP
 — 5/12/2025 1:25 PM
Lizzie stays like that for a while, and probably after about 10 minutes will start falling asleep. Jet lag , and the exhaustion from the last two days hitting her.
Pyre (She/Her)
[woag]
 — 5/12/2025 1:45 PM
Carpathia smiles down at her niece. She failed, got too caught up in the fact that someone could finally see past her armor. Made it hard to actually talk.

She was really hoping that'd she be able to talk Lizzie out of this kind of life.

Now the Flowerbud has bigger chances of being stomped under foot.

Carpathia wonders how soon she'll have to get another tattoo as she scoops Lizzie up and brings her to her bed.