ㅤㅤㅤSetting up a small picnic in the playground... she seems to be alone, but that's a /lot/ of food.

「 Not at all to me. There aren't many cogs here to feel threatened by you though, are there..? 」

「 But you aren't scary at all, dear. 」

🎹 Clockwatcher mentioned!!

ㅤㅤㅤSetting up a small picnic in the playground... she seems to be alone, but that's a /lot/ of food.

ㅤ ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ︵ ㅤㅤ➣ㅤㅤ𝕮𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 —— 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝕯𝑹𝑨𝑮𝑶𝑵. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ︶ ㅤ

🧁 they shouldnt have let me on, i want to write so many generic disney characters...... aaagghh

🧁 how's this for my tag... :-) its been a very messy day. but im excited to meet everyone!

「 A scientist! Oh, that's so wonderful! 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe heads back over to the kettle, pouring herself a cup as well. 「 I'm glad we got to break that spell, then. 」

「 I'm doin' very well, dear. How have you been out on your own? 」

Does Eros bring my trans kid total up to 3? That's 3 for 3 too...

「 Eros... that's a beautiful name, dear. Well, I'm glad I found you. Make yourself at home, okay? 」

「 Oh my goodness— you look so different! 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe cups his cheeks, looking his modifications over— 「 I didn't know humans changed so much as they grew... 」

🎊 A FOURTH WRITER HAS HIT THE ACCOUNTS HIHIIIII

「 It's the least I could do, dear. 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe nods, smile warmly, before jolting in shock. 「 Dear animators, I haven't even told you my name!! I'm Paula, Paula Behr. 」

🎹 Huh. Okay

「 Alright. 」 ㅤㅤㅤA single teaspoon should do it... she walks the cup over to him. 「 Careful dear, it's hot. 」

「 I can buy him another coat. But you definitely need it right now. 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe returns to the kettle, pouring a cup of tea for Eros. 「 How much sugar? 」

「 Perfect! 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe pulls something out, walking back other to the couch with a plain black coat— almost exactly Eros' size. 「 This was one of my boys' a few years ago. He left it with me when he moved out, and now it gets a new home! 」

「 About how many times per month, dear. 」

「 And how often do you hunt? 」

「 ..what about an average hunt? 」

「 I, uhm... how much do you make in a month? I'm not a financial advisor, dear... 」

「 ..not enough to go on a vacation, sir. Sorry about that... I mean, you could probably go somewhere smaller? But nowhere tropical... 」

「 I'm glad I did. Who knows what could've happened if I didn't find you? 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe rifles through the cupboard, pulling out a box of teas. Then, she moves over to a closet. 「 About how tall are you? 」

「 Lab coat does NOT count! 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe puts the kettle on to boil. 「 How's pomegranate tea sound? 」

「 Tropical resort, huh? 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe pulls a book off the wall, flipping through it. 「 What's your budget? 」

「 Without a coat? No wonder you dropped cold... You stay right there, I'll make you some tea. What flavor? 」

ㅤㅤㅤShe brings out the warm towel, placing it on his head. 「 There we go. How does that feel, dear? 」

ㅤㅤㅤHer face lights up when she sees someone walk in. 「 Welcome in! What kind of vacation are you lookin' for? 」

ㅤㅤㅤShe gently rests Eros on the couch, placing a gloved paw on his forehead— gosh, he's cold! She heads over to the kitchen, running a rag under hot water.

「 Don't worry a bit, dear, I'm gettin' you to a couch. 」 ㅤㅤㅤEventually, she picks him up, wobbling over to her store and into the house portion. It's /much/ warmer inside.

「 Oh dear... 」 ㅤㅤㅤLooking around... draping a blanket over him, before starting to pick him up.

「 Don't say that! 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe's laughing, though. 「 Stay safe out there, Ms. Spai. 」

「 If you say so. Well, I won't hold you any longer, but feel free to stay as long as you'd like. 」

「 Well, I'm glad I could help. Is there anything else I could do..? I know I live close to Lawbot HQ, so if there's anything you all could need, just say the word. 」

「 I sure hope so... I mean, /everything/ makes a mama worried. 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe sits back down, and realizes she's been rambling with an embarrassed flush. 「 Oh, sorry— wait, that helps your job, right? Knowin' things? 」

「 Oh, I'm so proud of them. Theo moved down for a job opportunity, they wanted him so much they paid for his moving expenses! Real cushy life down there, I couldn't be more happy. 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe claps her hands in delight. 「 Gummi moved in with a partner— they're not together, but he–

「 Calisota. Theo lives in Mouseton, but Gummi lives in St. Canard. He works in Duckberg though, last I heard. Last time they mailed me was... last year, I should write to them. 」 ㅤㅤㅤEventually, she pulls out a snack tray with fruits, cheeses, and some sliced meats.

「 But hope's a lot. 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe stands up, looking through the fridge for a snack platter she knows she has. 「 Hope that the other polar bears are still out there, hope that my kids are safe in the big city, hope that one day, the cogs... 」

「 There's no harm in hopin', right? 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe takes another sip, savoring in the warmth of the drink. 「 Goodness, I forgot to ask if you were hungry! It's been too long since I've had guests. 」

「 I met him ages ago, back when the election was still getting set up. It wasn't like... one on one meeting, and I doubt he remembers me, but it was still magical. 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe stifles a smile by taking a sip. 「 I really hope you get to meet him one day. 」

「 I'll get him, or go sad trying. 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe mimics the voice, before breaking out in laughter. It was a BAD impression. Awful, even. 「 I do wonder if he'll ever visit again... animators above, we could use the morale boost. 」

「 Yeech, I hope not. 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe starts /pouring/ sugar into the second cup. It ends up with a texture closer to porridge than a drink as she hands it over, and sits across from Ai.

「 For two days? With how big that state is? 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe mixes one of the cups together. 「 How much sugar, dear? 」

「 At the end of the day, I don't know what my client wants more than them. If they ask me for help, I can provide it, but anything more is a breach. 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe sighs, pouring the kettle into two cups. 「 ..but I wish I could've told him how crazy that was! Stay for longer or go somewhere closer! 」

「 It's not my job to nitpick their decisions, after all. 」 ㅤㅤㅤShe shrugs, looking back at Ai. 「 You can have a seat wherever, dear. 」

「 Not really. Closest to interesting is the guy who wanted a two night stay in Calisota, which is more silly than interesting. That's more travel time than vacation time! 」 ㅤㅤㅤLaughing, she puts the bags in the kettle as it starts to boil.

ㅤㅤㅤThe rest of the house was warm and welcoming, the foyer directly next to the kitchen. She's sorting through her tea supplies as she taps her foot. 「 Stories, stories... mmm. Realizin' I'm not a very exciting person. 」