forum "I'll Love You Forever, Baby Girl..." Another OXO with Swim

Started April 17, 2021 by @Painted-Iris group

tune

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.

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…

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.

Rei pulled away slowly from the woman’s shoulder to stare up at Serna. She noticed how nice the winged lady seemed, and decided she should try and be polite. Miss Serna hadn’t done anything mean after all. And she said she was making dinner too. She hadn’t eaten yet, so her stomach felt capable of eating.
Her head tilted to the side lightly at the new name. Fale. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but who’s that?” the little girl asked politely. She didn’t know anybody by that name.

(We've got a lot planned for this rp aha, don't feel too bad. There's a lot that won't make 100% sense right away)

"That's me," Fale said, speaking up. "When people learn my name they can sometimes get very scared, so I tell them my name is Diana so they don't feel like that."
"There's a little bit more about her you'll get to learn, too," Serna said, looking to Fale. "It really is time to show her." Fale let out a soft breath, holding Rei a bit closer.
Her mark was already on Rei's inner wrist, having been formed the moment Fale brought her through the door and Claimed her while they did. Fale would never give up Rei, not ever.

Rei frowned lightly. “Mommy and daddy told me it’s wrong to lie,” she stated, seeming unsure of everything. It was also a little worrying that the woman she had gotten so comfortable around… wasn’t who she said she was at all. Did Fale look like she did now, but with the wings and horns? Or was she entirely different? A stranger…
The small girl took a glance at “Fale” before trying not to get scared. She said she would help. It was also her job not to make Fale upset and take her back… Even though she was scared, she wouldn’t run. She didn’t want to be alone again.
Rei had no idea of the mark on her wrist. If she did, she would have probably been confused as nobody had drawn anything on her.

(I didn't mean for it to be taken as rude, I was just pointing it out because I wasn't sure if that was intentional or not… I'm sorry my comment got taken the wrong way… Imma just… Silently backs into awkward corner to be silent _{Sorry Iris)}

(I also want to apologize on my end. I forget text can read harshly, and I didn’t mean to come off as mean. Yesterday I didn’t really consider how rude that sounded in reply. It just sounded like you were asking for it to change to me and it made me upset. If you’re ever confused about something story wise here, don’t be afraid to ask.)

Fale moved to sit Rei on the couch, sitting next to the girl and facing her.
"It is," Fale said softly. "But sometimes the truth can be really scary. It's okay to be afraid right now, Rei, I'm sorry I had to lie. Are you… ready to see what I look like?" Fale sat her hands in her lap, patient. She didn't want Rei to try to be strong right now, it was okay for her to be herself. If she was scared, she could be scared, and if she was sad, she could be sad. The goddess didn't want Rei to think she had to do anything else, especially since she was home, now.

Rei watched Fale, trying to be calm. She hoped she didn’t show herself getting scared. Or at least that she wouldn’t let it last long. She did appreciate the fact that Fale apologized for lying though. Rei fiddled with her fingers a moment before nodding. She really hoped that the woman before her wouldn’t look all too different from the way she did now. That way, it wouldn’t have been too big of a lie.

Fale offered a small, soothing smile when Rei nodded before closing her eyes. She'd control the transformation, take it slow. There wasn't much to change, thankfully.
The first to come was the height. Slowly, up to her full eight foot. She'd gone for just under six feet before so as to not draw attention, and was glad she had chosen to do this while they were sitting down.
After the height came the horns. They curled out, tips dull and rounded. Her incisors moved to poke out from her lips then, just as rounded and benign. The last to change her her eyes, taking on a darker tone to the sclera, and the small flame that appeared over her head. She opened her eyes, looking down at Rei.
"It's still me," she assured softly, even though she still looked mostly the same.

Rei at first was a little intimidated by the height, but shrugged it off seeing as most people would be taller than her. Seeing the horns, she thought they looked a bit like a ram's, the way they curled in on themselves. Or maybe one of those snail shells, except… not really? What distracted her though, was the tiny flame then. How was it able to float like that? Was it magic? Did it actually burn? What did it use to keep going? Did it ever go out? Her head swarmed with questions until Fale opened her eyes to stare back at her. It was a little unnerving to see Fale's eyes go dark. Miss Serna's weren't like that. Most people's weren't like that. They looked… a bit scary if she was honest.
When the woman spoke again, Rei seemed to force the fear away. Her soothing words did help some too, though. She thought it was better to be with these nice people, even if they looked scary, than get returned. They were good. They didn't mean any harm…
Instead of replying, Rei gave a small nod, signaling she understood.

Fale's flame flickered above her head, swaying slightly even as she kept still. She offered her hands to Rei, looking up as Serna walked back into the room. The other goddess had figured Rei wouldn't want vegetable soup, so she had made chicken nuggets with some ketchup to the side. It was on a special plate, too, a pink one with cute animal designs on it.
"Here, are you hungry?" Serna asked, kneeling down in front of Rei and offering the plate. Both goddesses were doing their back to not appear scary, even if just how they looked could be. They wanted to make Rei feel safe.

Rei wouldn't have been all too picky. Well, she would have tried not to be. Serna's assumption was probably accurate as having a main course of only vegetables wouldn't sound appealing. Her eyes widened a bit at the offer of food. With both taller women around her, she felt almost like she was being waited on, especially since it looked like Serna had gotten a special pretty plate for her. The small girl felt a small rumble resonate from her stomach, though it wasn't very loud. She had been fed lunch earlier in the day of course.
Rei gave a small nod. She wanted to make a comment about eating at the table, but Serna had already walked in the room to give it to her. And she was hungry. The small girl took the plate carefully, not wanting Serna to have to hold it the whole time. She set it delicately in her lap, careful to avoid spilling anything on the couch. "Thank you, miss," she said politely.

"You're welcome, dear." Serna offered a small smile, moving to the side and pulling the coffee table closer to the couch for Rei to use.
"Our dinner will be done soon, dear," she said, standing and lightly kissing Fale on the cheek.
"Thank you, love," Fale said with a smile, her flame picking up in size a bit as a blush came to her face. She watched Serna go back to the kitchen, smiling softly still.
"After we eat, how does decorating your room sound?" Fale asked, looking back to Rei.

Rei seemed content, knowing she was able to use the table and not ruin the nice couch the two had. She set her plate down on it before scooting closer to the edge of the couch. She worried about not being close enough, so she decided it would be easier to sit on the floor. It was also kind of fun too. Less traditional. Not that eating in the living room was traditional.
She took a bite of her food, turning and watching the two flirt with one another. Even though she knew all couples did that, she wrinkled her nose slightly before turning back to her plate. At the question, she seemed to have her interest caught again. "My room?" she asked, shortly after finishing a mouthful.

"Mhm, your room," Fale confirmed. "You'll get to decorate it any way you want. It's really simple right now, but I'm sure it'll look amazing once you're able to change it." The goddess moved to sit on the edge of the couch, looking down at Rei with a gentle smile.
"And you can put whatever you want in it, too." She was happy with how Rei seemed to be doing much better, paying close attention to the tie. It wasn't as strong as some others, especially since Fale didn't want Rei to have to feel strong emotions from Fale with how young she was.

Rei felt really small on the floor, but was generally only concerned about the food at the moment. And the thought of making her room look all nice. The little girl was already excited about even making the color of the room her favorite color. She didn't really know a whole lot that she would really need aside from a bed and a closet. Somewhere to put toys away if they had any would be good too. Other than that, she wasn't sure what would go in there. "Really? That sounds so cool!" she chirped happily. So far, this home was really nice. She liked it here. All she needed to do now was be sure she wouldn't lose it.