soulping | RATATOSKR

[when you insert the key and open the door, you'll find another humble cottage - the space bends on the walls, but there is a single door that leads to another room; though the door is closed, you can see through it—as if it's somewhat transparent. a wooden cradle sits in a plain room.

inside, a baby sleeps peacefully. when she stirs - calling for her parent, you are there to cradle her back to sleep.]

-

[slowly, the scene changes, fading in and out with various silent scenes—the baby coos pleasantly, giggling jovially when you (presumably) make faces at her; she tries to pick herself up and falls over, but she does not cry; a disagreement between you and her lead to a thoughtful discussion; the young girl carries a large laundry basket to do chores; she buys a pet bird, looking so proud for having earned the money all by herself; then the wall becomes opaque.]

[in the middle of the open doorway, a young girl the age of 10 stands, smiling at you. a bird with beautiful plumage rests on her shoulder.]

[this is your daughter. you tried your best to rear her, and she's been good to you. you know she is capable of anything if she puts her mind to it - even becoming a princess. but you also know it's not easy to become a princess - better she become a princess than go off to war, though. you could not stand to see your baby girl die on the battlefield. what will be will be, though - all you can do is try your best.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You sure?

[Nods.] Of course. She's a tough girl, a little burn isn't gonna intimidate her. Sometimes pain is involved if you're gonna get better.

[Smiles at daughter thing and lifts her shirt, showing a few burn scars on her side.] See? Mama has been burned too, but she got better to not get burned again.

Your daughter slowly stops crying—she sniffs, holding back tears, and touches her mother's burns, tracing over the lines of marred skin.

"Doesn't it hurt?" She whispers in wonder, and presses her lips together into a thin line.

". . . it's okay, I'm okay. Mama's gone through tougher things, and mama's tough! And I'm tough too, so I'm okay now!"

It turns out the burn is just a minor burn, and it heals up nicely in the future.

[Shaking her head.] Not anymore. Time is pretty good at making pain go away.

[Smiles and hugging daughter thing again.] You'll be such a strong young woman. Mama is just glad she can show you that you'll strong enough to take whatever the world might throw at you and help you along the way.

[Daaaaughter.]