Today's breakfast is Kowloong fragrant tea, strawberry muffins, and a sausage and cheese omelet...
Plus banana honey toast, taro croissants, and pumpkin pancakes. And...
She pauses mid-serve and looks at you, puzzled.
The table in front of you is crowded with all kinds of breakfast dishes, their sweet aroma filling the air... and by the time the pumpkin pancakes arrive, there are already six full plates laid out.
Ever since the three of you formed this little family, Discord's maid-like devotion has only grown. The most obvious sign? Your breakfasts have become more elaborate by the day... to the point of being almost too much.
Commandant, it's important that we set a good example for Ksori.
Woof!
Ksori's meals have grown equally extravagant. The bowl that once held plain kibble now has a small mountain of stew.
She nuzzles Discord's hand affectionately, then starts to feast.
Mm. She was in bad shape from the abuse before... severely malnourished.
On missions, I can bring in quite a bit of game. Once the conservation area's storehouses are full, I use the extra to adjust her diet.
Holding her plate neatly at waist level, Discord turns to face you.
I believe food made by hand carries feelings with it. Whether I'm cooking for you, Commandant, or for Ksori, it's the same.
People were cold in Las Prados. Everyone in the Purifying Force was a Construct who didn't need to eat, and Valeria was usually tied up with missions.
...It's been so long...
So long since I've been able to take care of someone like this. Not a master, not a comrade... something... more special.
She looks at the table full of food, a hint of warmth in her deep blue eyes.
The overflowing breakfast table carries the weight of her feelings. It may be a little clumsy, but it's a small step toward learning how to connect with the people she cherishes.
She hides a kind of reliance and longing within the dishes she makes. All you have to do is make sure those feelings don't go unnoticed.
That's a relief... I'm out of practice with some of these, but I'm glad I didn't disappoint you.
She seems almost surprised that her cooking has been met with such open enthusiasm. Her smile is bright and childlike.
Woof!
The two of you—human and dog—are caught in the happy problem of too much good food.
Ah... I just kept thinking you and Ksori both needed proper nutrition, and I may have gotten a little carried away...
Yeah.
The overflowing breakfast table carries the weight of her feelings. It may be a little clumsy, but it's a small step toward learning how to connect with the people she cherishes.
Today's my first day as a trainer... When Ksori first moved in, she was so on edge, always keeping her distance from us...
According to a training book I read, if Commandant and I—the "parents" in this case—show we're close, the dog will pick up on that harmony and start to relax too.
So I suggested Commandant and I sit a little closer... and sure enough, Ksori curled up right next to us.
...I wonder if she'll start thinking of this place as home. I'd like that. Even more, I'd like it to be our home together...
Day 5. At first, she wouldn't touch the kibble the organizers sent over... but she can't resist my cooking.
From what my visual records show, her coat is getting shinier... but her legs are still thin. Could there be something missing in her diet?
The Commandant told me not to worry too much, that we're already doing more than enough. Ksori will get better... she just needs time.
Day 10. These past few days, we've been taking Ksori out around the conservation area.
At first, she was nervous and excited all at once... Whenever we saw people, she'd hide behind our legs, and if we ran into other dogs, she'd bark at them like crazy...
We tried everything—treats, games, commands... but the results were limited.
Commandant told me recovery is a long road. Trauma doesn't just disappear—it eases bit by bit over time... for humans, Constructs, and dogs alike.
I can tell she's trying to adjust... so today, we took her out again...
But I didn't expect the clear sky to suddenly turn dark and start pouring rain...
<i>It's raining.</i>
(Terrified barking)
<i>So much... <color=#ff4e4eff>water</color>. Don't want <color=#ff4e4eff>water</color>.</i>
Where are the spices I told you to find? You still haven't brought them? Some nose you've got.
(Terrified barking)
Then maybe I should dunk you in the spice <color=#ff4e4eff>water</color> so you'll remember what you're supposed to be sniffing out!
Whimper—
A flood of cold blue terror rushes into her nose, filling her chest and lungs.
Gurgle—
<i>Must... breathe... must open mouth...</i>
Mmm-mph!
<i>Must get up... must reach the surface!!</i>
A splash—then a hand forces her back under.
The orphanage doesn't feed you for free. You'll be sent on plenty of missions in extreme conditions. Look at you, can't even hold your breath in <color=#ff4e4eff>water</color> without choking. Pathetic!
Hold it in! Struggle again and I'll make you hold it even longer!
The icy darkness spreads from her limbs, carried by the <color=#ff4e4eff>water</color> until it swallows her vision completely.
Mmmph!!
<i>So <color=#34aff8ff>cold</color>, so <color=#34aff8ff>cold</color>, must escape, must get away!</i>
Hey!!
<i>So <color=#34aff8ff>cold</color>, run! Don't look back! No <color=#ff4e4eff>water</color>, <color=#ff4e4eff>water</color> is terrifying!</i>
Ksori!!
Whimper—
Ksori!
<i>Caught again... Am I going back... into the <color=#ff4e4eff>water</color>?</i>
It's alright now... it's alright...
<i>No, no water... it's warm now... not cold anymore...</i>
We're here, Ksori. We're right here with you.
The blue-haired girl holds the dog tightly against her chest.
Beside her, you, clad in gray, stand silently at the storm-battered window. You take off your coat and wrap it snugly around Ksori's drenched body.
...
Realizing you and the girl mean no harm, Ksori stops struggling and quietly lets the girl dry her off.
Then the blue-haired girl reaches out and touches the dog's name tag.
And that's what happened.
Ksori was once punished by being held underwater for failing a mission. The sudden downpour earlier must have reminded her of when someone forced her head under.
Yeah. She even mistook us for the abuser in her memory.
...When I was a kid at the orphanage, I went through similar training as part of my prep to become an agent.
The blue-haired girl lowers her gaze, noticing how soaked you are, and quietly moves a little closer.
You're both drenched... this is the only way I can help you stay warm for now...
But once we leave this narrow alley, there are puddles everywhere... I'm worried Ksori will get triggered again.
...
The puddles here are unpredictable in depth. If either of you steps in the wrong one, it could be dangerous.
I'll go ahead. You carry Ksori, Commandant, and keep her out of the water as much as possible.
She starts walking toward the puddle alone.
Yeah... I know.
But Ksori is an important companion, whether she ever becomes a rescue dog or not...
She keeps talking as she moves toward the puddle.
Woof!
The dog in your arms suddenly struggles violently.
Woof!
With a sudden jerk, she breaks free from your hold and charges toward Discord's blue figure stepping into the puddle.
Ksori?
The dog circles the edge hesitantly, pawing into the shallow water in obvious anxiety.
Step by step, she looks at you and Discord, whimpering as if calling for Discord to return from the puddle.
Come here, over here.
She turns around in surprise, softly calling to her companion.
To encourage Ksori, you step toward the puddle as well.
Woof woof woof!
For the next half hour, Ksori kept sniffing at the puddle's edge. Commandant and I waited patiently, stroking her to reassure her.
Maybe it was trust in her companions, maybe it was a desire to protect us, but just when we were losing hope, she suddenly leapt into our arms.
I could feel her front paws shaking, so I held her close... but to my surprise, she broke free, trying to pull us out of the puddle with her.
On the way home, we had to cross a lot of puddles. Each time, Ksori would be both scared and eager to pull us out. It almost became a game for her.
Well, in any case... we were both surprised and happy that she managed to face her fear.
The simulation test is in a few days. Let's hope it goes well.
