>>5249623“This might be a bit hard to hear, so let's all take a seat first.” you say, grabbing one of the waiting chairs from the wall and offering it to her. She looks nervous but accepts it, sitting down and facing you nervously. You take a seat across from her, with her father sleeping peacefully in the pod to your left, as Meloka sits in another chair beside you. You resolve to tell her everything, no matter how hard it is to hear. So you start talking, telling her what everything her dad had told you. You watch as her expression turns to shock, then horror as you explain how you found him, and what he'd told you before you brought him here.
“No way.” she says as you finish telling her what happened. The girl looks absolutely shaken, holding herself as she looks over at her dad worriedly. “But...Why? Why would she do this? Why would she try and kill Daddy? I know Mother likes to fight, but I never thought...”
“I have no idea, kiddo.” you say, reaching out and putting your hand on her shoulder consolingly. “I have no idea why she would have done it. But if you want, you're more than welcome to spend the night here with us.”
“Are you sure?” she asks, looking up to you nervously. “You mean it?”
“Of course.” Meloka answers, laying a hand on the half-Tamaranean girl's knee. “We won't turn you-”
“There you are!” Caulifla shouts as the door slides open, revealing your daughter. She's accompanied by your youngest twins, Maz and Kayle, who rush forward excitedly. “Told you I'd find them.”
“Momma! Daddy!” Maz and Kayle shout, rushing into the room directly at both of you. But Caulifla's looking over at Ticho as you catch the twins, walking over with concern.
“Is everything okay?” Caulifla asks her gingerly, not noticing Turles sleeping in the pod nearby. “Were your parents fighting again?”
“Y-Yeah.” Ticho says, trying to recover her composure in front of her friend as you set the twins down. But then Caulifla notices Turles, her eyes widening in surprise. Before she can say anything you lay a hand on both of their shoulders and speak up.
“Ticho's going to be staying with us tonight.” you say, addressing them both. “So how about you take her to the washroom, to wash up before supper?”
“Yeah! C'mon, let's go!” Caulifla says, her smile seeming wide and genuine to you. You don't think it's a mask, like the good doctor was saying, but how sure can you be? Grabbing her friend by the wrist Caulifla almost drags her out of the room, and for just a split-second you can see the other girl smiling almost reluctantly. Yes, being here for the night will no doubt do her some good. As long as nothing else dramatic happens.
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