(all the bbies 0^0)
Fale was touched when Rei tried to smile back, patting her back again. It felt good, to see that she was feeling good enough to at least not be frowning anymore.
"It's a very old song," The goddess said softly. She wouldn't mention Mother- she didn't want to upset Rei again.
"It makes me sleepy, too." The goddess chuckled softly, gently hugging Rei. This had been a success, then. Hopefully, she'd be able to bring Rei home with her.
Rei gave a soft hum before eventually her eyelids grew heavier. She gave a yawn, snuggling closer to Fale. “You… said you still wanted to help me… is… is…” she started, her mind starting to feel fuzzy. Despite wanting to keep awake, the little girl found herself passed out cuddled with Fale. And for once, she was smiling in her sleep again. Nobody would have any idea how that was possible, Rei having known the woman for under an hour in total. It was extremely odd for any child to be that relaxed around someone new.
Fale waited for Rei to finish her question for a few seconds before she had realized the girl had fallen asleeo. She looked peaceful, which was good! It was encouraging. Fale help her arms tucked around Rei, standing up. She didn't set the girl down, rubbing her back as she stepped to the door.
"She fell asleep," she said, looking out. "I must admit, I'm hesitant to put her down…"
Rei continued to sleep peacefully. No one was outside the door as of the moment, but someone was probably right around the corner as to be sure no one would kidnap a child or something of the sort. As Fale continued to pet her gently, the small girl gave a small noise in her sleep, shifting a bit closer.
No one was around…
Fale could take Rei. She could do it, right now, just walk back through that door and go to her home with Rei in her arms. No one would know. They'd never be able to track them down, take Rei away from Fale…
No.
She wouldn't do that. She couldn't scare Rei like that. She looked down at the girl, smiling some at her.
"Sweet thing…" She hummed, patting Rei's back as she turned to the bedroom to lay Rei down. She tucked the small girl in, lightly patting her head.
"I'll be back soon…" She needed to talk to the woman from the front desk, see what paperwork she had to sign.
She was taking Rei home.
Rei seemed to not enjoy her warm comfort being replaced with regular sheets and blankets, but she settled quickly enough. Were she awake, she might have leaned into the gentle pat.
Seeing Fale come out of the room, one of the employees noticed the woman didn't seem upset. That meant things went well, right? "Everything go okay?" they asked politely.
The only reason Fale had left Rei in the room was that she didn't want the temptation to just steal the girl away. She smiled as Rei settled down, glad she didn't wake up.
"Yes, very," Fale said when the employee came up to ask their question. "She's taking a nap now, and she seems to have opened up a lot." Fale herself had a small smile on her lips as she thought of what had happened. Sweet Rei, it was good she'd been so calm once she'd been allowed to cry things out.
The employee blinked a moment in surprise a moment before nodding. "That's good to hear. Are you… considering taking her ma'am? If that's the case, I can get the paperwork ready for you on the case that Rei is willing to come with you?" they asked politely. They wouldn't start anything unless both parties were willing. While they didn't want to have to wake up Rei for confirmation, the orphanage probably would in the case they were unsure of the word of the adult.
"I am," Fale confirmed. She wouldn't try to say anything for Rei and would be willing to wait until she woke up or someone woke her up. The woman folded her hands in front of her, patient. She relaxed some as she thought of how things had gone so far. She was also thinking about how she was going to word asking Rei to come home with her…
With a nod, the employee went to go grab the woman from the front desk to alert her to the possible adoption. Said woman came back quickly, smiling widely. "I'm so relieved to hear you two had positive reactions to one another. I understand that you would like to adopt today. Please keep in mind raising a child is a big responsibility, and that your home is a safe environment for her," the woman reminded. She didn't want Fale to back out after a few days and suddenly decide motherhood wasn't for her. Before Fale could decide, the secretary smiled again. "Now, how about those papers while someone helps Rei up and out of bed?" she asked, leading Serna into a side room. It was an office, complete with a few toys in the corner for kids, chairs and computer for the adults. "We'll be ready to start when she gives the okay."
Rei found herself being gently woken up, a soft touch at her shoulder. She blinked, hoping it was the nice lady from before. When it wasn't, she frowned lightly. "Where…?" she started before the adult in the room assured her Fale was still around. "She needs you to come and answer a very important question, Rei. This could be a very exciting day if you like her a lot." And she did. The little girl seemed happy knowing Fale wanted to help again. She still didn't know how, but maybe that was what the question was. To ask her to let her help again. Rei slowly stood from the bed before coming into a small room she hadn't been in before. And sitting there was Fale and the woman from the front room she wasn't allowed in anymore. Rei walked over to Fale easily, staring up at her eagerly. She hadn't left her behind again…
Fale was quiet as the secretary came, nodding some as she spoke. She still didn't speak as she was led to the side room to wait for Rei, hands folded in front of her. At that moment, she was working on what all she would give as information. She wasn't exactly… human, after all, and didn't have anything as of yet. She'd make what she had to when the time came.
She looked up from her thoughts when she saw Rei come in, smiling some.
"Hey," Fale said, kneeling down some as she spoke with Rei, "How do you feel about coming to stay with me? I know you don't really like this place, and I still want to help you." She smiled at the girl once more, hopeful.
Rei seemed a little surprised at first, before looking between Fale and the woman behind the desk. It seemed they were waiting solely on what her reply would be. "I-if that's okay with you, miss," she replied timidly, stepping a bit closer. It seemed she wanted to be held again, but felt unsure as to how to ask at the moment. The small girl assumed being close was good enough for now. Rei's reply seemed to make everyone's mood improve, including her own. Rei attempted another smile again, fiddling with the hem of her shirt. The employee who had escorted her in then offered to take her back to collect her things. Rei really didn't have much that was hers and didn't feel like leaving Fale. "Can I… stay in here…?" she asked, eyes pleading. And no one could say no to such an innocent face. The employee nodded, assuring Rei she didn't have to come. The small child seemed satisfied with that, looking back up at the two women in the room.
"Yes, of course," Fale said, voice soft. She picked up on how Rei stepped closer to be held, unfolding her hands and gently wrapping her arms around the small girl. She stood, Rei held to her chest. She offered a smile when she saw how Rei tried to give one. She was so… relieved. The amount of worry she had felt was immeasurable to even a goddess. She gave a small hum of content, holding Rei close.
"I'm not going to leave you behind ever again," she said, voice soft. It was only for Rei to here. "I promise."
Rei leaned into the touch, happy to be held. Truthfully, she was far too trusting, as all children were. Though, if she knew what was truly going on, she probably would have acted about the same. If her mommy and daddy wanted her to go someplace else to be happy, she would try and do her best.
As Fale whispered into her ear, she froze for a moment. Never was a long time. Or was forever the one that meant a long time…? Either way, she knew what the woman said was good. And she promised too. Promises were seen as extremely important for someone her age. She never would have guessed her parents would ever need to promise to stay. She wished she would have made them. But either way… Rei was determined to make sure it was easy for the nice lady to keep her promise. She seemed to like it when she smiled at her…
Rei had eventually crawled down off of Fale’s lap after the two adults began talking about “legal documentation” or whatever that was. She finally brought herself to go and play with toys again until they finished.
Fale signed where she needed to, provided fake documentation that would almost magically check out when looked into. She was smiling the entire time, looking to Rei on occasion.
"I am glad she seems to be doing better," she noted to the secretary. "I hope I'll always be able to help her through things." She knew better than to assume she'd always be able to keep Rei happy- but she could always help her back to it.
The woman nodded, internally confused as to how Rei seemed to be so composed in such a short amount of time with a stranger she hadn't seen in two days. Then again, she wasn't the one to choose the parents, the kids did. And the woman in front of her clearly cared about the child finally playing in the corner. "As do I. I'm sure you'll be a great mother. Well, mothers, by the looks of things," the secretary hummed, offering a small smile. Rei's small bag of things were packed up by now, sitting beside Fale's feet. "And that's it. It's official now. From this day forth, you're an official guardian for Rei," she proclaimed, standing.
Rei noticed the two adults getting up, so she gently put the toys she had away. The child looked up at Fale, awaiting for her to say something. She didn't understand the significance of adoption, only that she'd be living somewhere else now.
Fale smiled softly, nodding. Mothers indeed, even if Serna didn't get to be around all the time. She bent over to pick up the bag before standing, offering her free hand to Rei as the woman made her announcement.
"Are you ready to go home, Rei?" She asked. She was so, so glad this had gone smoothly…
Now it was just a matter of being honest with the girl when they got home.
Rei took her hand without question, seeming pleased with the idea of leaving. "Yes, ma'am," she answered politely. She would be good and well behaved. That's what got her this far. Plus, this lady was nice. She hadn't a clue that whoever Dianna Sommar was, didn't really exist. She also didn't understand why the lady who was giving all the papers was trying to call her Rei Sommar. That wasn't her name. Oh well. She was getting to go someplace nice, so what did it matter?
Fale led Rei with one hand and held the small girl's bag in the other, moving to walk out of the orphanage. She was smiling, pausing as they left the door to look around. She needed another door, figuring it would be best to not use the one they just came through. It was how she traveled, after all- more limited than some of the other gods, but will efficient.
"Here, Rei, we've got a long walk ahead of us. Do you want me to carry you?" Fale looked down at Rei as they walked past the picket fence, for the last time. Rei was never coming back here.
Rei cast a glance over at the orphanage. Taking a deep breath, she let a small smile form. It was hard not to think about, but she really wanted to have someone tell her things would be okay. And that meant abandoning her search for her parents. Despite wanting to see them again, she couldn't bare to be alone anymore.
The tiny girl snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of a question being asked. She considered what the woman would want most, eventually deciding to say yes. She wouldn't have offered if she wasn't willing. "If that's okay," she replied sweetly.
Fale bent down then, picking Rei up and holding her to the goddess's chest. She hummed some, gently patting Rei's back. She was such a sweet girl… She continued with their walk then, Rei and her bag held securely in her arms. She wasn't giving Rei up, not ever again.
She continued for a short bit, finding an old doorway for her to use to a building that looked like it hadn't been open in quite some time. She took the door handle in her hand, opening it with ease. She stepped through, breathing in the familiar smell of Serna's baking. It seemed she had made cookies for the newest addition to the family, then. Hopefully, Rei wouldn't be too scared of her…
Serna looked up as the front door opened, smiling. She stepped out of the kitchen, apron on and spatula in one hand.
"Welcome back-!" She paused when she saw the human form Fale had taken, raising an eyebrow. Fale chuckled weakly, giving a small smile that promised she'd explain soon.
(It relates to something Swim and I have planned. It’s not supposed to be spot on to the beginning content. I made it this way on purpose. I don’t wanna be that person, but it’s kind of upsetting to see someone critiquing something Swim and I have talked about together without it being asked for, and so early on. It’s just a title. Let it be.)
Rei seemed a bit worried as they walked towards the front door to a building that seemed very worn down. She looked up at the woman holding her, seeming unsure. When they walked though the door however, she was pleasantly surprised. Everything looked quite nice and cozy. It was then that the child’s eyes landed on the tall form in the kitchen. Despite the tantalizing smell in the air, Rei buried her face into Fale’s shoulder. Or should she say Diana’s shoulder? The person in the kitchen seemed a little scary. But after a moment, she considered how the woman holding her didn’t seem afraid in the slightest. That the woman with horns and wings had smiled sweetly and had given a normal greeting…
Rei tried to calm down some, managing another quick peek at the strange looking woman. Without staring all the other features, she noticed she was actually kind of pretty…
(I understand wanting to give input, but if there’s something you don’t enjoy, then don’t read it. Usually it’s polite to wait until the story gets going past a good handful of pages to comment rather than trying to suggest something change. Again, Swim and I have planned this for awhile, so nothing’s getting changed right now.)
(I’m honestly too moody right now to be fully polite about this, but it makes me frustrated this is over a title. Just enjoy the content, and if you don’t get it, just ask @can-I-cease-to-exist-now-please.)
Fale gently patted Rei's back when the girl hid in her shoulder.
"It's okay. Rei, this is Serna, she's my girlfriend." Fale hummed to help Rei calm down, still rubbing her back.
"Hello there, dear," Serna said. She took a small step forward, having to bend some to look at Rei and Fale. She still smiled sweetly, her wings relaxed at her sides. "Are you hungry? I was making dinner while Fale was bringing you." Fale didn't have time to say that no, Rei didn't know she was Fale yet, letting out a small breath.