BabySiras

Hello! I'm looking for a tale where in a woman finds a pair of panties with a number ok it while her partner is out of town. Every night they get thicker as she wakes up a step further behind on potty training after being picked by a reality altering organization that claims she will be happier once the process is completed. The last chapter I remember reading had her getting changed by a store employee

Hello fellow Babs of Light! Inspiration struck and I decided to make this one shot an ongoing thing. Which also means I should say all warriors of light that aren't mine are used with permission of their respective players. Next chapter contains no diapers, but lots of little feels! Enjoy! Part 2 The Mist was always lovely at this time of the year, Sesena thought as she enjoyed an early morning coffee with R'Luna. The miqote was one of the quieter members of the company. She was also one of the few to own her own house outside of the one they shared. Which made sense to Sesena. After all, despite being the company leader on paper, R'Luna was the one that managed the properties, company finances, member recruitment, etc. If Sesena was the heart of the company, than R'luna was the brains. Which is why Sesena went to her when she needed a second opinion. "Hey R'Luna," she started while idly stirring her coffee. The Miqote let out a hmm as a way to encourage Sesena to continue during a brief hesitation. "Have you noticed Faded acting a bit strange lately?" "Not particularly, why?" R'Luna asked. A gust of wind blew past the two, and the taller girl effortlessly kept her dress from flying about in the wind. Sesena was somewhat jealous of how composed she always seemed. Even when facing down a primal at her side, R'Luna was nothing but careful strikes with her gunblade or calm incantations with her rod. "I don't know how to put it, but she's been rather…" Sesena struggled to find the words to explain just what she had noticed. It was subtle really, and she felt like she'd been imagining things. Still, when Sesena saw Faded polishing her armor in the front room; she expected a lecture, not the Viera saying that she was always there to help keep her protection cleaned. Then there was that fishing trip where Faded insisted she carry Sesena's tackle box. Sure the logic that the Lalafell's rod was a fraction of the size of her own, and that it just made sense to keep everything in one box did indeed make sense. There were more smaller examples she could think of too. Is the word you're looking for 'maternal'? Certainly overbearing, but I know that you enjoy the treat far too much for that. Sesena hid her blush with a sip of her coffee. While her company mates knew of Frey in abstract, most of them just ignored the fact that she had an extra voice in her head. It helped that none of them could hear Frey. A fact she was increasingly comforted by considering how much they encouraged her to embrace her little side. "Doting? I don't think that's the best word for it." Sesena eventually said. R'Luna's face scrunched up as she thought. It didn't take very long however. "She seems normal to me. Maybe you should just talk to her?" R'Luna was about to offer more advice before a soft chime came put of one of her pockets. "Sorry Sesena," she said before taking a linkpearl out and holding it next to her ears. The Lalafell sat awkwardly and did her best to ignore the call. After a fee moments, R'Luna pocketed the pearl and sighed. "Sorry again, Sesena. But something came up. Can we finish this later?" Sesena barely had time to nod before R'Luna began charging a teleport. The Lalafell hopped off her slightly oversized chair and left her cup on the table behind her. R'Luna would clean it up when she got back from wherever she was going. Maybe talking to Faded could help. Maybe all Viera were like that sometimes. Sesena didn't really know a lot about the lupine people. And it wasn't like Sesena was objecting to the treatment. Frey was right in that she absolutely enjoyed it. She just didn't know why it started in the first place! With a quick application of her aether, Sesena swapped to her usual combat attire. More specifically her spell casting armor. It was easier to ignore Frey when she wasn't channeling through the dark knight crystal. That way, maybe she could pretend she didn't hear him say "maybe she just wants you to be her little champion too". And maybe she could pretend that she didn't want that too. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ "Are you okay, Sese?" Faded asked as she took extra care to heal a gash on Sesena's arm. The tiny tank had jumped in the way of an attack that had been meant for her, and the mystical barrier Sesena applied hadn't quite stopped the blow. The two had been helping out with the effort to clear Garlemald of magitech armor that prowler the streets. Since the fall of the empire, most had fallen into disrepair, but there were still a lot that were set to attack anyone the came across. "I'm fine. It's barely a flesh wound. See?" Sesena held up her arm where not even a scratch remained. Faded was beyond gifted, even amongst the limited number of White Mages that were active. Faded hmm'd. "Maybe we should take a break. We've been going for a bit." She suggested as Sesena got back to her feet and performed a few practice swings of her over sized sword. "I'm not even tired though, I can do this all day!" Sesena bragged, though if she was being honest, that blow never would have landed if she had been paying more attention. This clearly was the wrong response, as Faded glared at her. She knew just as well that Sesena never would have normally been hit by that sort of thing. "Sesena Sena, you have been taking hits for me for hours. You need to rest." Faded ordered, using the chance to tower over the much smaller dark knight. She stared down at her both literally, and figuratively. Sesena broke eye contact and looked away first. "Alright Mom. We can take a break." The sarcasm was thick in her voice. "There's an old house nearby we can hide out in." She said, leading the way. Of course, she missed the effect her words had upon Faded. The tips of the Viera's ears were twitching excitedly as a giddy smile spread on her face. She didn't know why, but she like how that sounded. She wanted to hear the Lalafell say it while wearing one of the outfits that were currently sitting in her closet waiting for a chance to be worn. Sarcasm can't hide how much you want to call her that, little champion. Sesena blushed at Frey's comment. "S-shut up!" She told him under her breath. "Huh?" Faded asked, having missed exactly what Sesena said. She was still distracted by thinking of getting her friend to play dress up. "Did you say something?" Sesena was still blushing from the intrusive voice as she shook her head. "N-no. I was uh… I was talking to Frey." She said hesitantly. She didn't often talk to the others about them. She always felt like a little kid talking about an imaginary friend when she talked about Frey to anyone but Sigurdu. Still, she knew that Faded never looked at her weird when she mentioned them. The Viera just took it in stride as one of the many quirks of the tiny tank. "Ah, still you shouldn't tell them to shut up. That's rude you know." Faded said much in the same way she'd use while talking with one of the kits back home. "You should apologize to him." "But they…" Faded interrupted Sesena's protest with a sharp glare. It was direct, pointed, and conveyed that Faded wouldn't be mad if Sesena didn't apologize. Just disappointed. Sesena folded almost instantly. "Sorry for telling you to shut up, Frey." She muttered under her breath. The voice in her head merely chuckled. "Good girl Sese," Faded patted Sesena on the head in a way that could only be described as parental. Which, naturally, caused the Lalafell to forget which foot was supposed to go in front of the other while walking. Fortunately, the snow broke her fall. "Sese!" Faded quickly picked up her friend and helped dust the snow off her face. "Are you okay?" She started walking again while still carrying Sesena. "I'm fine, I just tripped on a rock or something." It definitely wasn't because she short-circuited because of the Viera. "Can you put me down thought? I can walk." It was her only real objection to Faded carrying her like this. Despite the cultural insult that was carrying a Lalafell, Sesena found it easy to relax in the healer's caring arms. "The snow is starting to fall, and it's easier for me to walk through it than it is for you." Faded explained. Sesena just shrugged and decided to let herself be comfortable. Besides, being carried like this was way better than just imaging it. She closed her eyes and rested on her friend's shoulder. She didn't see how Faded smiled at her. It was strange, Faded thought, how natural it felt to hold Sesena like this. As one of the longest lived species on Ethyris, she often had a hard time telling how old her companions were. She knew they were all adults but… she didn't know by how much. A lot had been lost in the Calamity all those years ago that first encouraged her to come to Eorzea. Sesena once told her that she didn't have many memories from before Dalamud fell. She knew the Lalafell had vague memories of her parents, but it was always blurred. No one ever stepped forward to claim her as part of their family. It was one of the reasons she put her company together after all. 'You know,' Faded thought, 'I don't mind the sound of Mom'.. she thought as she walked the two for some cover from the snow and machines. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were enjoying this. Sesena didn't respond, but she did smile as she rested in one of the most comfortable place she'd ever known.

There's not enough FFXIV in diapers. Have a warrior of light that's just exhausted. Sesena's Day Off It was a cold and raining evening in Shirogane by the time Sesena Sena made it back to the small home owned by her and some friends. It had been a long day for one of the heroes of the realm. It hard started easily enough. She'd been delivering a new journal filled with stories to give Khloe something to read to the younger kids before an innocent question about a 'plot hole' one of the kids heard sent the Lalafell on a frenzied trip searching for something that one of her Retainers had been holding on to. "Anyone home?" Sesena called out as she entered the free company's house. The diminutive Dark Knight haphazardly took her sword off her back and set it against the wall. She flopped onto one of the Lalafell sized chairs in the house. Normally she'd take the couch all to herself since no one answered her call, but she was soaked. She also didn't feel like climbing down the Hyur designed stairwell to get into the hot tub to clean off. Instead, much like her sword, her armor also found its way into a pile in the corner. At least the tunic she had on underneath was only slightly damp. She'd forgone the greaves though, so her pants were absolutely soaked. Aw, did the little champion have an accident? A familiar voice rang out in her head that made her glad no one was there to see her blush. Fray Myste was once an aspiring dark knight who died. His soul merged with the job crystal, and Sesena's own aether mixed with the remains of his. This left her with an extra voice in her head that was only mostly her own. Useful in a fight to help process strategies and pay attention to more of the battlefield. Less useful when tired and exhausted. Especially after their earlier conflicts had been resolved. Frey was a quiet, constant companion who only ever wanted what was best for her. His voice was also one that encouraged her to do things for herself. Sesena hated to admit how quickly she folded under a certain sort of encouragement. Fortunately for her none of her company mates knew about this particular button of hers. "That's not what happened and you know it!" Sesena exclaimed, ignoring the rush from the thought of having done just that. Of having been one of the little ones she helped tell stories too. Of getting carried off for dry pants because of an entirely different reason. Of being cleaned and caressed and not routinely having the literal weight of the world on her shoulders. You can pretend can't you? Frey asked, knowing that's exactly what she was doing. None of your friends are around, you've had a long, pointless quest, and there is nothing ending the world in the next few days. "But what if…" Sesena started, but she found herself unable to finish her train of thought. Not because of any external distraction, but because she was tired, wet, and Frey was right. There really was no reason for her not to indulge herself. "Is anyone else home? I've got Archon Loaf?" She didn't, not really. No one in their right mind would willing eat that garbage, and she thought that said a lot about Sharlyan. After about thirty seconds, Sesena giggled to herself. Far, from the confident tone that she normally carried, this was a light and airy sound. It was just as much another piece of armor removed like her sword and chest piece. Without really thinking about it her legs began to sway back and forth beneath the chair. "Hey Frey?" She asked mischievously. Yes sweetie? "I think I had an accident." She felt her heart beat race faster than it did when she faced down Leviathan for the first time. Saying that out loud always sent shiver down her spine. Especially when she knew what would be next. That's okay. Let's go get you cleaned up. Despite lacking the focus and will to summon him as Esteem, Sesena couldn't help but pretend that instead of walking to her bedroom door; that she was pickup up carefully, and carried over to her nursery. The little Lalafell's room was easy to find, if only because the handle was at half the height of all the other doors. She barely took the time to close it behind her as she walked inside. Honestly, from first look it seemed like a room more befitting a child than a champion. The walls had a soft blue wallpaper with bouncy looking clouds spread across. Her floor was a mishmash of colored tiles, and on it was spread a variety of stuffed animals she had picked up as souvenirs during her travels. Her favorite was clearly the Ruby carbuncle which had an honored place atop the bed. A bed which Sesena practically dove under to retrieve her prize. A small, brown, unmarked chest. As she opened it, she couldn't help but hum the traditional song of victory under her breath. With care and reverence, she set the contents onto her bed. It was a diaper, albeit one sized and fitted for Rogenden toddlers. Sesena had been so glad that Faded Shine, the company craft master, never bothered to ask just why Sesena wanted to learn how to hem cloth. The Viera had just been happy to have another person interested in the disciplines of the hand This meant that after the wet pants had been tossed into a corner, she had a perfectly fitting alternative to wear. Sesena jumped onto her bed. She'd done this so many times now that it was practically second nature, but that didn't stop her excitement. With the same level of reverence she had pulling out the diaper Sesena pulled the front half over herself. She made sure it was perfectly aligned before pinning the sides into place. Once it was on, she let out another giggle as she tried and failed to close her legs. There we are. Feeling better, little champion? Fray asked. Sesena's only responded was to pull out another piece of contraband. A pretty pink pacifier she kept hidden in her pillow case. With her stuffie in hand, paci in mouth, and diaper on butt; it finally felt like the stress of the day was vanishing away. The little champion rolled off her bed and attempted to waddle. It was incredibly difficult given the size of the diaper, and Sesena didn't fight the urge to just fall back onto her diaper. It's okay, little champion. You don't need to worry about right now. Just go play. Sesena practically melted from the words. All her life it felt like she'd been pushed to succeed, pushed to Excel. The pressures only increased after awakening to the echo, and it multiplied once joining the Scions. So with immeasurable glee, Sesena began crawling around to all her stuffed animals on the floor. There was the Coeurl from Costa De Sol, the Gobbue from the rising celebrations from a few years ago, and a stuffed red dragon made in the Firmament. Sesena accessed her inventory to take out a pitcher of ice tea that she'd been magically preserving and poured herself some as she sat in a circle with her other plushies. "You would not believe the day I've had," Sesena told them. Of course. Through the pacifier it sounded more like "Ou uld ot eleeeebe a ay I ad". Luckily for her they were well versed in translating babble. She got as far as talking about the collapsing tower before she realized she needed a visual aid for the story. Her now empty cup was dropped on the colorful carpet without a second thought so she could crawl over to her secret building blocks hidden at the base of her dresser. It was when she was halfway there that a familiar call came. She smiled as she crawled around and barely gave it a second thought. The absorbent cloth between her legs began to grow warm and wet. Slowly at first, though much faster as her body realized it was okay. She couldn't help it after all. She wasn't some great hero. She wasn't a noble champion. She wasn't even an adventure. Right now she didn't have to be any of those things. Sesena pushed her small collection of blocks back over to her stuffed animals, delighting in the damp padding. Soon even that was forgotten as she first tried to show her audience just how big the tower was before it fell. Then she got distracted by the simple joy of building something up just to knock it down. Sadly, all good things must come to an end. This one was punctuated by a small, yet mighty yawn. Time for bed, little champion. Fray told her. Sesena pouted at that, if only because she wanted to pout. "But I'm not tired." She grumbled as she crawled over to her mattress. Sesena stood only long enough to walk up the short step stool near the bed. "Can you tell me a story?" She asked as she curled around her carbuncle. It was warm enough that the shirt and diaper were plenty comfortable for the evening. Once upon a time… Admittedly, the contents of the story didn't really matter. Sesena just wanted to hear the stories that led her to adventure in the first place. She wanted someone else to do the telling, and the adventuring. She wanted to be safe away from the marathons and God slaying, tucked around her stuffie. And more than anything. She was asleep before he even truly began. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Faded Shine stretched out her back as she left the company workshop. She'd been tinkering with the exploratory airship. The Viera tucked her oil stained gloves into her belt before using her personal armory chest to change into a much more comfortable casual outfit. Her grease covered ears twitched as she became accustomed to the lack of the deafening sound of her forge. She was just about to truly kick back and relax for the evening before she saw the gear she once spent hours making for the tiny tank piled carelessly in a corner. "Sesena…" Faded grumbled. After all, there was only one person in the company that used that size gear. It was careless and irresponsible to leave it out without caring for it! Faded had a reputation amongst the company as the mom friend. A gifted healer in her own right, Faded's was able to create almost anything she needed as long as she had the materials, and was well equipped to get whatever she needed. It was through her market and crafting prowess that the company was even able to afford to buy the lot their house was on. Creating the gear that her friends used to protect themselves when she wasn't there to heal them herself was her way of protecting them from afar. So naturally, the armor and sword potentially damaging the floor was somewhat irritating to her. Of course, if the gear was left like this, it probably meant Sesena was in her room. Faded smiled to herself. It was time to lecture that lalafell about proper maintance! Faded marched down the halls, only to slow as she heard a soft snore coming through a door that hadn't been entirely closed. Of course, Faded thought. Sesena was the most active adventurer of the group, and often the first to answer the call for help. She put so much effort in to every quest that she often forgot to even get under the blankets before she slept. Faded carefully opened the door, planning on tucking the deepest sleeper in the company properly into bed. The lecture could wait until morning. Or so she thought. Faded eyes went wide once she was close enough to see what Sesena was wearing. Was that… Faded thought before the faint scent of ammonia hit her nose. Her irritation at the poor girl vanished. "Oh Sesena Sena Sena," she whispered to herself. The Lalafell remained entwined with the plush carbuncle that was almost bigger than her. Faded was remarkably young for a Viera, only a hundred or so. Still, this wasn't the strangest thing she had ever seen. With more care than she initially planned, Faded picked up Sesena. She froze as Sesena let out a soft whine and started reaching for the plush left of the bed. Faded quietly picked it up and handed it over. Sesena let out a happy hum as she snuggled back into it, and Faded practically died from her inability to verbalize how adorable she found it. She lifted the blankets and set Sesena under them with her prized carbuncle. Without really thinking, Faded carefully squeezed the front of the Lalafell's diaper to confirm what her nose already told her. While tempted, Faded didn't want to intrude on what was clearly a personal thing. For the moment at least. She had already changed into her weaver outfit. The hemwork on that diaper was amateur at best, and she had so many idea for outfits already in mind. Best way to relax from crafting was to craft more after all!

I'm imagining it's a set up for a dark deconstruction of fantasy realms, similar to the Gods and Monsters Superman killing child braniac for being an uncontrollable danger to others. I'm sure the original book saw it as a tear jerking moment that set the tone Also, normally font like isekai, but this is interesting. I like how there's sorts of a war going on between the adult intellect of the past life versus the pure instinct and need driven half thought of his current life. Also, spoiler. But the true villain was clearly truck-kun all along

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

I read it as the demons being the ones that were overly pretentious, what with the "who said were in heaven?" Comment. Still, I'd be fine with this afterlife

A friend of mine challenged me to a Halloween write off! It's short, filled to the brim with typos, and partly inspired by a movie that made me sleep with my head under the blankets for five years! Enjoy ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ The boy slept peacefully under the covers. He didn’t know it, but his mother just tucked him in for the last time. His once beloved race car bed now sat in storage for the next member of his family to need it. The childish cartoon bedsheets were replaced with more mature designs of video game characters instead. My boy was growing up. He was leaving me behind. I already missed him so very, very much. Yet I was stuffed under the bed like a toy soon to be forgotten. I’m not ready for that. I just want him to hold me again. I want to be able to hold him again. I reach out, my hand crawling up the side of the mattress. He tosses a bit, as I move to his arm. He begins to turn as I reach his chest. I can feel his heartbeat pulse as I curl up on his stomach. My hand is not enough though. I need more. I need all of him! I can’t survive off pieces of forgotten dreams! I close my fist, my fingers passing through his belly. I’ve waited long enough. It’s time I have my boy back! I feel him wake as I take what I need to be real again. Then I pull. I yank. I drag him through the BED UNTIL HE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chris woke up screaming, throwing himself out of bed. A loud thud followed by a soft ‘ow’ echoed in the empty apartment. This was the fourth nightmare this week, and the third in a row. All he could ever remember was a deep, aching need and the feeling of being pulled out of himself. Of course, the emerging headache from falling out of bed wasn’t even the worst part. He sat up and winced at the *squelch* from his underwear. He lifted the front of his sweatpants to confirm what he already knew. The blue and white pattern that pretended it wasn’t a glorified diaper was soaked through. Chris hit the back of his head against his mattress. At least the Goodnite held over night. It was surprising enough to find that they were made in his size. It was odd though. He’d walked through the store in a trance yesterday until he stood in front of the ‘protective undergarments’. It was like he was watching someone else put them into his basket. And when he put them on last night. His body moved on muscle memory more than actual thought. Toss daytime underwear into the hamper. Sprinkle powder into the Goodnite. Pull it on, and check to make sure there’s no gap in the legs. Movements well practiced, and long ingrained to the point it was done on auto pilot. Yet, he’d never worn them in his life. He shook his head. The nightmares were just getting to him. Lots of college people still wet the bed, who cared right? Least the mattress wasn’t ruined. Chris brushed the hair out of his eyes, and made his way to the bathroom of his quiet, lonely apartment. A shower was the first thing he always did in the morning, and the need for one had only doubled since he became a bedwetter. Chris never noticed the outline of a hand on his stomach that the water bounced off his. He never noticed as the idea that he was guaranteed to wake up wet took hold. Four nights ago he woke up dry for the last time, and without realizing it, this morning he’d never woken up dry in his life. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My boy had just turned six. I didn’t know it at the time, but this was the last time he would take me to play in the park with him. Oh we had so much fun! We scaled the great mountain that was the jungle gym! We braved the giant slide! We befriended a majestic butterfly that landed on his face! It was a wonderful time! Yet, as we sat in the sand pit, I knew the time was running short. My sweet, innocent boy was squirming back and forth on the verge of a realization. I was busy making sure the palisades of the great sand palace he made were staffed with loyal soldiers, so even I didn’t notice at first. But I felt it when he realized it. “I gotta potty,” he told me as he started to stand. I knew what would happen next. He’d run off. On his way back he’d run into an interloper. Someone to run around and play tag with. Another child a year older that would slowly take over my place in MY boy’s life. “But our castle?” I pleaded “It’s okay, I’ll play more with you when I come back.” My boy told me. That wasn’t true though. He’d never come back to me, not really. No… No, this wasn’t how this was going to play out this time. I wasn’t going to be stuffed under the bed. I reached out and grabbed him. My hand turned to talons as my thumb and pinky wrapped around his waist. My middle talon pet his hair. A part of him wanted to be afraid of me. Why? Can’t he see I’m his friend? I would never hurt my boy. “We don’t need to stop playing,” I told him as the fear was suppressed within him. I pulled him back next to me, through the sandcastle we built. That’s okay. We can build another one. I forced him to sit down. The light in his eyes had gone dull, but that’s okay too. I can shine bright enough for the both of us. “What about the potty?” He asked. I would scowl if I could. Why does he want to leave me so badly? “You don’t need it.” I told him as I began guiding his hands back to the bucket. It was going to be alot of work to rebuild what was once here. “But-” He tried to argue. Keyword is tried. “YOU DON’T NEED IT” I shouted back. The sand beneath him began to darken as he lost control. Good. He needed to understand. He needed, “Me. All you need is ME! DO YOU UNDERSTAND? I’M ALL YOU’LL EVER-” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thunk, “Ow” Another morning, another nightmare, another headache from falling out of bed. Chris spent a moment just lying on the floor, trying to catch his breath. There was something different about the last dream. Something had changed, and he couldn’t tell what. All he really wanted for the nightmares to end. As he began to stand up for his morning routine, he noticed something odd. There, under his bed, was a small stuffed bunny. It was grey and worn, the arms had clearly been restitched, and it had a button replacing one of it’s eyes. “Hops?” He muttered to himself in confusion. Why was a toy from his childhood here? He was just reaching to grab it, when the door opened behind him. He jerked back up to see who it was, only to hit himself on one of the drawers on his nightstand. “Oh sweety, did you roll out of bed again?” A concerned voice asked. An impossible voice. Chris looked up as his mother ran over to check his head for bumps and bruising. “Mom? What are you doing?” He asked. After all, she lived several hours away… Didn’t she? His head began to hurt and he placed a hand against it to help fend off the ache. “What does it look like I’m doing, I’m making sure you’re okay?” She said. Chris didn’t fight her fussing. It was still too early for him to really know what was real or not. He closed his eyes as she inspected him, and only opened them again when he felt her pull down the front of his pajamas. “Aw, you’re soaked too. Poor baby.” He blushed as she helped him up to his feet. Despite being nearly half a foot taller than her, he couldn’t help but feel like a child under her gaze. “Why don’t you go take a shower while I make you some breakfast, sweety.” It was all Chris could do to nod. Once she was satisfied her little man was alright, his mother left him alone in the room. For his part, Chris stumbled his way over to clean off his nightly accident. Once more the echoes of talons left by the water went unnoticed. By the end of his shower, he’d convinced himself it was perfectly normal for his mother to check if he’d wet the bed like that, despite both knowing with complete certainty the answer would be yes. He didn’t even bat an eye at the clothing she left out for him, nor the fact that his boxers had been replaced by yet another goodnite. After all, he’d always needed them, just in case. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I can feel it. How had I not noticed it before. My boy is so much closer to me than he’d been in decades. Soon… soon I’ll never let him go again. The dream, the memory builds to my requirements. He’s four years old. Today would be his last day wearing pull-ups. The chart above his bed had shown sunny skies for the past two weeks. My boy had been excited to go to pre-school, as his parents had been hyping it up for him. He just needed to be potty trained first I know better though. I know how hard of a time he’ll have making friends. I know how lonely he’ll be. The life of solitude this eventually leads him towards. For now we play with blocks. Stacking them high just to knock them down. His smile and laughter is infectious as I encourage him to build bigger and bigger. Distantly, a timer to remind him to go potty rings in the distance. At least, It’s supposed to. This time the sound doesn’t reach him. The reminder never comes. We just continue building and tearing down. It’s sort of funny. The first time around I’d been so helpful in getting him to the potty. I’d been his rock; giving him confidence to talk to other children. Now here I am tearing him down. It’s not until he starts bouncing from leg to leg that his eyes go wide and he realizes what that means. My boy sprints to the door. It would be cute if it wasn’t futile. I’d already locked it. My boy looks back at me and does something I didn’t expect. “W…what are you doing to me?” His voice quaked in fear. “Just let me go, please” I tilt my head in confusion. At least, I think I do. The world turns upside down in my view. Why is my boy so pale though? “What do you mean? Just go in your pull ups, it’s okay.” I tell him. Strangely, it’s not the boy I see in front of me anymore, but the man who would have forgotten me. That’s okay. Soon there won’t be a difference. “S-s-stop this. Please?” He again pleads. Stop what? For once I find I don’t understand. He’s crying now, and I’ll admit the sight breaks my heart. “Shh, shh, it’s okay.” I open a drawer and grab a pacifier he’d long been weaned off of. I shake the dust off it and hold it in front of his mouth. He starts to say something, but it doesn’t matter to me. His attempts to speak cut off by the pacifier entering his mouth, my talons wrapping around his head. I’m not sure how, but we both knew that it wouldn’t come out without my permission. It was working though. Already his frantic heart and held back sobs began to fade as the paci soothed him. “Good baby.” I praised him. After all, I know best for my boy. “What is it you wanted me to stop? I just wanted you to be the happy little boy I remember.” I ran my talon down his face, careful not to scratch. “Pleathe juth le me go” he muttered out from behind the shield of his soother. “Oh, you need to go? I can help.” I can make sure that’s something he never has to worry about again. I walk over to his racecar bed. Hmm, with a single pull, the small side are lifted to a full crib. That should help keep him in bed at least. Now for the real reason I walked over here. “Don’t worry my boy, soon everything will be all right.” I began peeling off the suns, one at a time. Once they were gone, I replaced them at random. A rain cloud here, and thunder bolt there. Soon there wasn’t a dry day to be seen, until the only blank spot left was today. “It will be all over soon,” I told him, as I placed the final thundercloud on today’s date. The result was instant as my boy’s knees buckled under him. Now there was nothing that could take my boy from me ever again. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chris yawned, his pacifier falling onto his pillow as he did. The rising was peeking through the black out curtains on the other side of his crib rails. He rubbed his eyes and tried to figure out what woke him. It took him a moment to figure it out, before he noticed his favorite stuffed animal had fallen out during the night. He reached out the bars as far as he could, grunting and straining to stretch out until he had his worn out old bunny in his hand. He sat back down in his crib and hugged the little doll; oblivious to the weight he’d added to the back of his diapers. It was still early after all. He fell back onto his pillow, put his pacifier back into his mouth, and went back to sleep. His mommy would change him eventually, and he had a whole day of playing ahead of him.

Out of curiosity, when is Luna coming to market? She's seems like a useful assistant I need in my life

Hello Everyone! This is way faster than my usual turn around time on a story! This was written for a friend of mine who tries his hardest to be a good little boy a wake up wet. Hopefully this story encourages more soggy mornings. As always, please feel free to point out typos! You know I hate the things with a passion. ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ 'If I don't move, no one will notice pants ripped', 'Mr. Jamerson never shuts up, just let us go', 'I wonder who would win between batman and wonder woman', 'sweet sweet fantasy baybe, when I close my eyes, I see ya clearly' When I was younger, I thought the ability to read minds would be awesome. I mean, think about it, you could learn whatever you want from people. You wouldn't have to deal with the half truths, lies, and confusing idioms that people use in day to day life. It would just make things so much easier. And now, as I turn up the music in my sound canceling headphones, I would love nothing more than to tell my younger self just how wrong he was. I'd be like "Klein! You know NOT of what you speak! Enjoy the silence while it lasts, MWAHAHAHAHA" Which, yeah sounds over dramatic. But at least I would find it funny. Sadly, time travel isn't possible... probably. I probably would have said the same thing about reading minds a few weeks ago. 'God, that dress makes her boobs look big', 'Is John staring at my boobs? Maybe if I lean forward a bit' I stop and try not to blush as I passed the campus cafe. Sure enough, some students I don't know were obviously ogling each other. God, those were the worst. Not just that, but such thoughts never came alone. It was like merely hearing one lewd thought keyed me in to every lewd thought around. Unfortunately, my stomach demanded I brave the cafe for some lunch. I braced myself for what was undoubtedly a flood of imagery and thoughts that would make a nun faint. I took a deep breath, put some thrash metal on, and made my way to the line. Sadly, my expectations were matched. Every other group I passed had one 'that dude must be huge' or 'I would literally let her step on me' or whatever, often with an accompanying visual. None of this was unusual. Just because I was twenty-two without ever having a real partner didn't mean I was jealous or anything. Baka. The only only solice I had was that at least the food was decent. Freshly wrapped double stuffed burrito in hand, I began the agonizingly long line for the check out. This was, undoubtedly, my first mistake. I'd been so busy ignoring all the usual nonsense people around me were thinking that I was caught off guard by someone explicitly thinking about me. By name. 'I wish I could go talk to him, Klein would be look so adorable in a diaper.' With it came a image of my self. My short black hair with bangs parted to show my eyes more than normal. My oversized hoodie just barely failing to cover what looked like an oversized diaper meant for babies. I was sitting on the floor with my legs crossed looking admiringly at someone above me; and I could feel the love and desire the thought carried behind it. I started reaching up at the mystery person, and... Nearly tripped over my own feet. I scrambled to catch my burrito before it fell to the ground and only barely managed to do so. A few people around me chuckled, but despite trying, I couldn't tell who had the thought. I thought about actively trying to reach out, to do more than just try and float through the river of thoughts. But... no it wasn't worth it. Besides, what was I even thinking? Why would I actively look for someone that wanted to dress me up like an infant. It was absurd. Ridiculous. I moved through the line on autopilot, and it wasn't until I reached the check out line that I realized I had been ignoring a surprisingly strong urge to use the restroom. By reflex, I started relaxing. After all i was wearing... A... ... I instantly tensed up, and the moment my burrito was paid for I practically ran back to my dorm (thankfully a single). Never have i been more thankful for dark coloured pants. I set my burrito on the desk and began inspecting the damage. Thankfully, nothing was noticable, but there was very much a wet spot. My underwear was almost entirely ruined though. With no small amount of disgust I peeled them off and tossed both into the hamper. I grabbed one of my towels, and tossed it on my chair to not ruin it as I ate. I'd gotten lost in other people's thoughts before, especially if they were actively thinking about me, but never so much like what had just happened. Fortunately, something about the boundary of the four walls helped keep other people's thoughts out as I sorted out my own. Which was absolutely great, cause I was confused as heck. Though honestly, the emotions behind the thoughts confused me so much more than the diapers did. Not my thing, but people like what they like. But why me? I'm plain, I don't speak out much in classes, I intentionally wear clothing that doesn't stand out specifically to avoid getting drawn in like that. Why would someone like me like that? Cause that was way more than just momentary attraction I felt. I sighed and threw out the wrapper for the burrito. There was about two hours until my next class, which meant more than enough time to take a shower, and put this entire mess out of mind. ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ A week. An entire week of hearing the mystery person's thoughts about me, and I can't get them out of my head. They're different every time. Sometimes I'm just lying across their leg while we watch something or other on tv, sometimes I'm being watched sleeping through crib bars, sometimes they're checking my diaper a bit too intently. I'm embarrassed to admit how much I enjoyed that fantasy. Still, after each one I have to remind myself that I'm not wearing a diaper, or I catch myself moments away from sucking on my thumb. I've at least narrowed it down to one of two classes, barring random occurrences whenever mystery person is nearby. I found myself looking forward to those classes. Not because I enjoy seeing myself as an overgrown baby, but the love and affection? I was a man leaving a dessert to find an endless downpour. Which is how I came to be holding the package resting in my hands. I had done some research online, and was shocked to discover a whole new world of people who enjoyed this sort of thing. Even more surprised to stumble upon the exact brand of diaper that my secret admirer envisioned me wearing. It was only a sample pack. Mostly because I didnt want to dive into buying a whole package of the things simply because catching someone thinking about me in them was hot as all heck. That, and they were expensive. With great care, and only slight tremors, I opened the small pack and pulled it out. It was something called a Little Prince. Admittedly, it was sort of cute. The design was weirdly nostalgic. Softer than I expected too. I suppose I could see why people like these. I looked at the clock. My class on American Politics started in half an hour. It was a huge lecture hall that fit almost two hundred students. More importantly, it was one of the classes where I often got pulled into the fantasies about me. Most days I held this class in a mix of dread and excitement. I squeezed the diaper in my hand. Strange, all I felt today was excitement. ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇ I pulled out my tablet and its attachable keyboard for the sad little plank of wood the collage called a desk. My headphones continued playing as long as I was allowed to keep them on to block out the ever present stray thoughts of increasing population in the room. Besides, they weren't the person I was waiting to hear. Eventually class started, and my headphones were replaced with ear plugs. Fortunately, with most people all focusing on the same thing, those were enough for something like this. If the professor tried to call on me, that much focus would let me hear him think the questions more than say them. Of course, it was a two hour long lecture, and eventually thoughts would begin to drift. It was silly, but I was really hoping that a certain someone would begin to think of me, if for nothing else than to escape the ongoing monologue about the southern strategy or whatever. Yet by the time an hour had passed, there was still no sign of some thinking about me. Which normally was a good thing, but... I started biting my lip. I had an idea. Theoretically, I could project a thought out. I'd done it once or twice, but if I wanted to be specific I needed to know the person. I'd only ever tried it with one person, and I hadn't seen her since last summer. Maybe, maybe I didn't need to know their name. I closed my eyes and thought about the feelings that came with the thoughts. The love, the desire, the soft care, the underlying lust. I focused on those, and let out a thought. I didn't plan the words, I didn't think too hard on them; I just let instinct take over. 'Daddy, I hadda accident,' Daddy? I felt my face go red. I hadn't really considered the person thinking of me was another guy, but... it felt right. 'Aw, is my little Klein a wet baby' the classroom around me melted away as my lecture hall desk became a high chair. I was too afraid to speak, at the risk of breaking the connection I made, so I nodded. I still couldn't make out the details on the mystery man. I did feel him ruffle my hair affectionately. Unconsciously, I leaned into the sensation. 'Good boy.' Another hand reached beneath the tray. I had to stop myself from making a noise as he squeezed the front of my diaper. 'You're soaked too.' He began to rub me though the diaper, and I had to bite my lips to keep from moaning in both the world of thought, and in the real world. 'Good little boys use their diapers. You're a very good little boy aren't you?' Daddy asked. Again, all I could do was nod. 'Aw, is my little Klein too shy to talk? Say it for daddy, what are you?' His hand started moving faster, and what resistance I was putting up vanished. 'I'm a good little boy', I managed to say in the world in our heads. 'Why are you a good little boy?' Daddy asked, his hand moving faster now. 'Because I have accidents?' I said, wanting, craving daddy's approval, and praying he wouldn't stop. 'That's right. Now just sit there while Daddy helps you have a different kind of accident.' He began to practically kneed my diaper. The squish of the padding, the movement of his hand, and the sheer bliss of his approval saw me finish almost instantly as my body spasmed as much as it could while stuck in this stupid highchair. 'Good boy' he said as he grabbed a baby wipe to clean off his hands. 'If only you were into this in real life.' He whispered. The connection began to fade. No... no, I couldn't let that happen! Not after that! 'Daddy wait!' I thought out as hard as I could. I could feel our connection stabilize, thought it was still weaker than it was. 'Come to my dorm! Redwood 3S. Eight tonight!' He looked confused and the connection finally broke. I jerked awake to see the lecturer still going on about 1960's politics. I didn't see anyone looking at me, so hopefully that meant I kept all of that in my head. There was a faint, damp sensation that wasn't there before though. Cautiously, in an attempt to be as subtle as I could, I reached between my legs and squeeze. I sighed as a content smile spread across my face. After all, good little boys have accidents. The sodden diaper between my legs was a good thing. I was worried wearing it today, but now those worries felt ridiculous. If I didn't have my diaper on, it would have just gone on the floor. The possiblity of not having an accident at all was the furthest thing possible from my mind. When the class ended, I was on such a high, that I didn't even need my headphones to ignore the thoughts around me. All it seems I needed was Daddy's approval, and a wet diaper. ♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤♤ Three hours and several more accidents later, I was finally back in my dorm after the high of expierencing Daddy's day dream. My pants had been tossed on the floor and I was... well, inspecting my diaper was the wrong word. Admiring. I was admiring my diaper. The once yellow line had turned entirely blue. I tried to remember when my other accidents were, but for the life of me I couldn't even guess when or where it happened. Just an ever present sense of warmth. 'Good little boys use their diapers' A dopey smile spread across my face. No, I really couldn't muster the slightest bit of concern for when or where I had wet me myself again. Instead I sat at my desk and opened my laptop. The heavy squish of my diaper should have filled me with disgust. Two weeks ago I probably would have been. Now the sensation just made me think of Daddy. I went straight to the website I'd gotten these samples of. Fortunately it seemed they were in stock, so without hesitation I added a full case to my cart. Just as I was about to enter my information, there was a knock at the door. I froze and looked at the clock. 7:30. It was too early for Daddy to come, wasn't it? I looked down at the sodden diaper on my waist and realized there was absolutely no time to hid it properly. "One sec!" I called out, and quickly closed the lid on my laptop. I then grabbed my blanket and tied it around my waste to hide the diaper. As long as I was careful, it should be fine. I opened the door enough to see through, expecting one of the house managers. Instead was a taller man. Had almost an entire foot on me, and while not super built, still had obvious muscle on his arms. "May I come in?" I quickly looked around my room. There weren't any signs I had diapered myself, and the window was open so there shouldn't be any smell. "Sure," I opened the door the rest of the way and sat down on the bed. Was, was this him? He stood in the middle of my, admittedly small, dorm. I really didn't have much in the way of posters hanging up. Most of what was in here was my laptop, a few school books, and laundry. The man sat down in my computer chair. "Who are you?" I asked, trying my hardest not to think too loudly at him. "Theo," the man said. He rubbed the back of his neck. It must be a nervous tick of some sort. "And you're Klein, right?" I nodded. "Right, right. So, this is going to sound weird, but I had a daydream that told me to come here. It included your dorm room which I didn't know so, I was confused, and I'm actually really surprised that it was true." The tension I'd been holding at having a potential stranger in my room vanished. After all, this wasn't a stranger. This was Daddy. He just didn't realize how completely I was wrapped around his finger yet. "It's not weird." I told him. "What do you mean?" He asked, he seemed to be inspecting my more closely than he had before. I could feel the quick rie holding up my blanket begin to fail, but I wasn't concerned. "This part might seem weird but, I'm psychic. I can hear people's thoughts, if they're deliberately thinking about something." I could tell by his face that he didn't believe me. I quickly continued explaining. I was so close to having what he only daydreamed about. I just needed to prove it. "Look, I'll prove it, start thinking of a pop song." I told him. He rolled his eyes, and I could hear the debate inside his head about if he should just leave or not. Finally he smirked, as I started hearing the worst possible song choice he could have picked. 'Baby shark, do doo doodoot' "Baby Shark, and please stop thinking that. Took me ages to get it out of my head. I swear, when one person thinks it, everyone does." The campus radio played it in the cafeteria as a joke once. Worst month of my life. "Okay," Theo started, seemingly more on guard, "say I believe you. What does that have to do with my daydream?" He asked cautiously. I swallowed on nothing, this was a make or break moment. "You mean the ones where I'm your baby, and you're my Daddy?" I asked hesitantly, I could barely meet his face as I did. I could feel his eyes go wide when I said it thought. I pressed on, focusing on the growing excitement inside of Theo over his fear of having been caught. "When someone thinks about me, I get pulled in. Especially when the emotions behind it are as intense as your crush." This time we both went red. Him for being called out, and me for not quite understanding why he even felt that way about me. "The first time scared me a bit, but I've really enjoyed it. Especially today." That last part was muttered out, but clearly he heard. "Just, before I say anything else, why me? I'm just boring little Klein." In no ones world was I a catch, so what did Daddy... what did Theo see in me. "That's, a lot to take in," I heard him sniff the air and watched his eyes glance down at the diaper that was still barely hidden by the blanket. "I believe you about being psychic. I've had a few classes with you, and you've always seemed sad. You were quiet, and you're cute. I never saw you with people, so I just wanted to come scoop you up." He started rubbing the back if his neck again. Definitely a nervous tick. "You aren't... grossed out, or scared off by it? The daydreams?" I giggled. The fact that Daddy was the nervous one was funny to me. "At first. Especially after you made me have an accident in line for for food." Rising gides of second hand embarrassment and arousal surged within him. "Then indid some research. Beyond that, I... i could feel your care, and affection in each one. Admittedly," I bit my lip as I felt my own rising arousal press against my diaper, "sometimes it's easy to get a bit lost in there. After, all, good little boys use their diapers, right?" I asked shyly. I didn't need to be psychic to notice how interested Theo instantly became. "Klein," he stood up from the chair and sat next to me on the bed, "are you a good little boy?" He asked hesitantly. He was just as worried as I was that speaking the words out loud would change them. Make them pop like the dreams that they came from. So rather than use my words, I lifted off the blanket. I heard him inhale as he saw that I was wearing the same diaper from his earlier fantasy. "I hadda accident, Daddy." I said meekly. He reached down to squeeze it. Unlike before, there was nothing the soft moan as I pushed my diaper into his hand. Daddy smiled. "Good Baby," he said. His other hand reached around to my backside. I could hear it in his thoughts before he asked, "but is that the only sort of accident my baby has?" He was wondering how far I would go for him. Honestly, one look inside his mind, and i was gone. I could see our future in there. I could see him laying me down on the floor to change me. I could see him tucking me into bed in a crib built just for me. I could see a collection of bottle and pacifiers near the bed as I was sucking on something completely different. I could see him praising me for squatting down in the middle of a store and filling my diaper. I could see us dancing during our wedding, while he quietly teased me for being unable to hold it through the ceremony. In his eyes, I could see a life of happiness and love, for as long as I was his Baby, and he was my Daddy. There was only one thing I needed to do to prove I was willing to be his baby. I leaned forward, and pushed. My body resisted at first, but it gave in as a weight began to spread out. I messed myself for the first time in twenty years in his arms, and at Daddy's words I would never do it anywhere else again. I smiled once I finished. I didn't have to say anything as Daddy pulled me close. "What a good little boy." He whispered. As long as Daddy was around, there was nothing I could be but a good little boy. I wouldn't have it any other way.

I have a fever, and the only cure is the final chapter of this short little tale! Thank you for the people that have read, commented, and pointed out my many, many typos. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ Chapter 4 Alexander found himself nervous. It was a fair response to the day's events. It was only occurring to him now that he'd removed his armor just how vulnerable he was here. The Hero he had worshiped, and, in some ways, modeled his life after had nearly killed him completely by accident. It was a fact he only just processed after having time alone. Now on the other side of the door in front of him was a little girl with seemingly poor emotional control, and, if he was his theory was correct, more power then he could ever comprehend. And yet, right now his Hero was... away. As far as Alexander could tell, Joseph was going to be 'away' for a while. He spent a year unknowingly trying to find this place, and it was dawning on him that he would leave empty handed. All he had was a little girl that couldn't leave. A little girl that once carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. A little girl convinced that if she wasn't perfect the world would end. A little girl whose heart and soul had been broken. Alexander couldn't stand the sound of crying children. He was terrible with kids. He never knew how to interact with them, or even what it was like to be one. He grew up on stories of love and adventure, and spent his childhood preparing for his own adventures. Looking back now, he almost regrets that. It would be incredibly helpful now. The spirit here takes care of its residents. Heals their wounds, fills their needs, and cares for them. Some wounds it can only heal, some needs it can only provide temporary relief from. Alexander finally realized he was here. He closed his eyes as the warm breeze of the spirit danced around his legs. He was still getting used to the outfit it gave him, but he didn't need to be an adventurer right now. Joeseph never needed an adventurer to find him. Fina, however, needed a friend. "Fina?" Alex called through the door. "Can I tell you a story? I can stay out here if it helps." He held his breath. Fina had been quiet for a while now. He was realizing that didn't mean much with her outbursts and tantrums though. Eventually, after nearly a minute, he heard a soft "kay" float through the door. He let out the breath he was holding and smiled. Good, he thought, there was still a chance to reach her. "About seven years ago, right when I first started adventuring, I took a job in the eastern swamp. It was a horrid slog, and I honestly never want to go back there. But there was a Star Bear that had fallen to the ground. It was allegedly a small one so the rating on the bounty was lower than it should have been. It didn't take long to track down. The trail of destruction it left behind was obvious. However, when I found it, the bear towered over me. It was far greater than I was expecting. I was over-confident though, and was quickly overwhelmed. I would have died that day. As I am here with you, I'm sure you realize that I did not. I was cornered, injured, and disarmed. Before the Star Bear could finish me off though, a great mystic missile slammed into it. From out of the bush came a face I had only seen in paintings and stories, yet I knew it well. Joseph the Star Killer himself arrived to save me. Before I could even blink, his sword was moving and his spells were flying. Almost instantly the Star Bear dispersed, and without a word, Joseph cast a healing spell to mend my wounds. I was barely able to say thank you, before he was off. One of the reasons I set out on my quest to find him, was to say that properly. To thank him for saving my life." When Alexander finished his story, he stopped talking in an attempt to listen to Fina on the other side of the door. When no sound came out from behind the door, he steeled himself, and continued speaking from his heart. "I admit, I don't entirely understand your situation Fina, but I can emphasize. I know you didn't understand why I wanted to apologize to Joseph earlier; but I still want to tell him I'm sorry. Not for angering him, but for asking more of him then he had to give." There was no sound from the other side of the door, until Alexander heard quiet footsteps walking to the door. He waited to see what she would do. Soft, hesitant words came through in response, "would... would you like to tell him?" To Alexander, her voice sounded fragile and unsure. Just yesterday, he would have jumped at any chance to speak with the man known as the Greatest Hero the world had ever seen. But that was just a title, and simply one amongst hundreds. Alexander was quickly realizing the pressures caused by such things. "If that's what he wants, then I can tell him directly. But Fina," Alexander stepped back from the door, the warmth of the spirit encouraging him to speak, "I don't need to tell him that do I? Honestly, all I want to do is understand, and to let you know that no matter who comes out this door, I'll still be here, and I'll still be willing to just be their friend. You don't have to be perfect, no matter who you are." Alexander had no more words to say at that point. Another guest of wind from the Spirits blew past him and through the door. He could hear quiet whispering behind the door, though the words couldn't reach him. All he could do was stand there and wait. Which given his current outfit, felt incredibly silly. He didn't know who to expect walking though that door, but he would be rather embarrassed if Joseph saw him like this. Any pondering had to wait as the door began to slowly open. Alexander went completely still as he waited to see who would walk out. It wasn't much if a wait as Fina slowly walked out clutching the star bear doll, sucking on her pacifier, and staring at the ground. "Is it really okay to be Fina?" She asked around the pacifier. She continued looking to the ground, even as she wanted nothing more than the approval of someone that had seen Joseph as such an inspiration. She had always seemed small to Alexander, but at the moment she seemed to have done everything she could short of digging into the ground to escape from view. Of course, if she didn't look at him, it would really defeat the point of what he asked of the spirit. Alexander walked towards the girl. "Fina," he said as he approached, "it's okay. While I wouldn't mind learning more, you can be whoever you want to be." Fina finally looked up at him, and her eyes went wide. She didn't notice as her mouth fell open and her pacifier fell away. "Now, I believe we were having a tea party?" Fine snorted, and then chuckled, and then broke into all out laughter as the absurdity of Alexander's outfit broke through what remained of the tear stains on her face. "What are you wearing?" She somehow managed to say between each laugh. "What, I think I pull it off quite well." Alexander declared, posing quite like the upper class students at his old academy would. He was, of course, wearing the finest fashion the cavern could provide for its residents. Though seeing as there was only one resident, that left his options rather limited. Alexander had was and had always been a rather thin man. A fact that was plainly obvious without his armor on. It was for this reason he was able to wear one of Fina's dresses. Though admittedly, it looked more like a baggy shirt on him. It was a light blue dress with thin white swirls that gave the illusion of snow falling from the sky. It also did nothing to hide the fact that much like Fina, Alexander was wearing a diaper. It had been folded exceptionally well, and fit him far better than the dress did. Honestly, if he wasn't moving around so much, it would almost be comfortable. Alexander let Fina have her laugh. That was, after all, the point of this outfit. After a while, she got got the it all out of her system, though she kept giggling everytime she looked back at him. "Thank you," she said once able to talk again. For once, she seemed to have a real smile on her face. No mischief, or childish wordplay involved. Alexander decided then that he couldn't take that smile away from her. "So, I don't know about you, but I am ready for some actual food. I'm guessing it's around dinner time anyway." The last substantial thing Alexander had eaten was breakfast that morning. Despite the caverns lights and the strange ceiling that shows the world above; the ongoing snow storm made it hard to tell just how long he had been there. "Spirit? Could you..." before Fina could even finish asking, the fires on the ranges began burning as spices floated out of cabinets. Fina smiled as the spirit began handling everything. "So," she started, bouncing back and force on the balls of her feet, "I'm, guessing you have a few questions." She absentmindedly played with the hem of her skirt, unable to really stay still in the presence of someone who was accepting her as she was. "A few," Alexander admitted. "Spirit, could we have a place to sit down?" The living area was currently empty outside of the kitchen area, and he didn't want to sit in and around the flying food stuffs. A rush of warm air flew past his eyes, forcing them closed for a second. By the time he opened them, the playpen that he had seen during his first arrival had been set back up. The floor of within the pen was covered with a soft foam mat, and it was also filled with pillows and other stuffed toys. "I was hoping for a chair." Alexander muttered as Fina happily walked through an open gate. Still, it looked comfortable enough, and it wasn't like he had to impress anyone by pretending he wasn't somewhat curious about why Fina enjoyed this treatment so much. He stepped into the pen, and felt more than saw the spirit close the gate behind him. Fina jumped into the pile of stuffed creatures with a cheer. Alexander was a bit more reserved as he adjusted some of the pillows to make a comfortable chair on the ground. He found it a bit awkward to sit with the diaper on at first, but if pressed would like admit it wasn't uncomfortable. "So, what would you like to know?" Fina asked from her makeshift bed of animals. "How did this," Alexander gestured to the animals, the dresses, Fina herself, "happen?" Fina giggled, "you just pointed to all of me." She rolled off of the pile to sit up to better talk. "Well, in that case, I suppose I can start from the beginning." Alexander settled in to get comfortable, he had a feeling this would take a while. ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ I first discovered this place shortly after I left home. Kindling was still getting built, and they had a yeti problem. I came in, fought the yeti, and got caught in a snowstorm. I was injured and hadn't quite mastered the healing artes yet. I stumbled into here by accident, and met the spirit. At the time, I asked for a place to rest, mostly because it's always good manners to ask nicely when it comes to spirits. I'm sure you can imagine my surprise when a brand new room carved itself into existence. Inside was a simple bed, some tools for minor repairs to my armor, and a soft pink dress with sunflower yellow trim. At first I set it aside, confused by its existence more than anything. My curiousity got the better of me as I was sewing some tears in my shirt and changed into it. A mirror appeared in the room without my notice, and my first thought was that I looked like one of my sisters. My second was that I looked nice. I kept the dress on as I fixed my clothing, and eventually left it behind when I went back to the world. Every now and then, when I needed a break, I'd come back here. At first I'd find an excuse to put the dress on, and I'd wear it longer and longer each time. Then the excuses turned to fantasies. I'd pretend I was some adventurer's wife repairing my husband's gear. That I wasn't the person that everyone looked to for help. I wasn't The Savior of the Southern Alliance. I could just be Josefina, the noble's wife or even just a commoner. ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ "Josefina?" Alexander asked, interrupting the tale. Fina blushed and looked away, lifting one if the stuffed animals up to hide her reddened cheeks. Alexander couldn't help but laugh. This girl could proudly exclaim she needed diapers and got flustered by a name. "Well," she lowered the stuffed toy slightly, "it was a pretty name, and if fit at the time. I... if I ever left, I'd want to do it as her." She began to fidget in place. It was hard, admitting that out loud. "I think it's a wonderful name, Fina." Alexander said. "Maybe one day, when you're ready, you'll grow into it." He hoped she understood he wasn't trying to pressure her about doing such. "Maybe," she said sadly. Alexander was about to attempt to back peddle before Fina continued, "but that was just how it started. There's still a lot of story to go through." Alexander let out a sigh of relief as it seemed story time would continue despite the brief interruption. He was also beginning to realize that in his haste to comfort Fina earlier, he'd forgotten to ask for something. It was too late, unfortunately, as Fina began to continue her tale. ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ It would be another few years before Josefina would become just Fina. While here, I enjoyed the Spirits' help but I didn't rely on them until much later. At first it was enough to just shed my armor and be someone else. Then... Then Drysdale happened. No, it's okay. It's important. After what I... what Joseph did, I was so angry at myself, and at the world that kept praising me. It was my fault an entire city was wiped off the map. Knowing it could have been worse didn't help. So I did what I always did when I was stressed. I came here. I shed my armor and put on a dress but it wasn't enough. I was... I was rude to the Spirit, and they were never anything but kind. I made absurd requests, I broke the things it brought me. I kicked and screamed. Looking back, it was basically my first tantrum. I was letting out all my anger and I just wanted someone to be as angry at me as I was. I... I had a bad childhood, and I was harshly punished anytime I wasn't perfect. What I thought I wanted more than anything was that punishment. So, since nothing else worked, I did the one thing that never failed to get me punished as a young child. I wet myself. The spirit stopped its efforts to clean the mess I had made if the cavern. I could tell it was looking at me, almost through me. For the first time, I was afraid of what it was going to do to me. The spirits enveloped me, surrounded me in its warmth. My anger began to turn to regret. I was terrified that it was this was the final straw, that this was going to be what it throws ms out for. Then, then I heard their voice for the first time. "It's okay, child," the spirit said, "everyone throws tantrums. Everyone has accidents." Hearing their voice, their words, it turned a switch in me. My anger turned to grief as I finally let my self cry over everything I had lost. I think I cried for nearly an hour. I sat in their arms until I had exhausted myself. They carried me over to a bath, and I was too tires to protest as they removed my dress and cleaned me. That was the most relaxed I had ever felt. I had to go back into the world after that, but my trips back here became more frequent. The spirit began paying more and more attention to me while I was here. Preparing food before I asked, helping me tend to injuries, helping me bathe; It was treating me like a child, and obviously, I enjoyed it. My second accident came after another bad fight. A city left half destroyed because I made a mistake. When I got back here, I just wanted to be held again; to be cared for again. I pretended like I hadn't noticed at first, and asked the spirit for help. They held me again, carried me to the bath again. From then on the spirit was even more attentive to me. I'd feel them check on me when I was cleaning my self. Stuffed animals began to appear in the bedrooms they made for me. Every now and then the spirit would tug on my dress to remind me to use the potty. By the time I realized why, I had grown addicted to the treatment. While the spirit never stopped me from leaving, in their eyes I was a young child now, and I came to love the treatment. I'd tell the spirit stories of my adventures using the toys as props, I'd intentionally spill my drinks so it would fuss over me, sometimes I would only use the potty when the Spirit reminded me to. It was the young childhood I never had and... Hey, are you paying attention? ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ "Of course I am!" Alexander declared. Fina was mock scowling at him. His leg wouldn't stop bouncing and he was fidgeting more than she normally was. "It's just.." his face grew red as whatever else he said turned into a mumble. Fina's scowl quickly turned into the catlike smile she had earlier. "I'm sorry, I missed that last part." "I said I just... I need to use the potty still." This time, it was Alexander unable to meet her eyes. Fina began to laugh, which only served to further turn him into a tomato, "It's your fault for mentioning all your accidents." He countered, which just served to make her laugh even more. "Sorry Alex," she barely managed to get out through her laughter, "no potty while in diapies!" She rhymed in a sing-song voice. Alexander grabbed another pillow and set in on his lap so Fina couldn't see his diaper. "Just, continue the story," he grumbled out. Of course, that only made Fina laugh more. Still, as the little girl started her story again, he tried to relax. ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ Well, you can see where I was going anyway. The spirits here were the mother I never had. It was nice, having a place to go where I wasn't expected to do anything: to be anything. Then the Fell Star came. I don't need to tell you of the devastation it brought with it. You're an adventurer, you probably had your hands full. The details of stopping are a tale spun into myth as it was happening. There's probably at least fifty different ways people think that Joseph stopped it and saved the world. All of them are wrong. The creature that made up the fell star wasn't a mindless monster, or an expirement gone wrong, or a vengeful deity or what ever it is people are saying this month. The Fell Star was a little boy from a far off world. He was meant to carry their hopes and dreams across the stars, finding new life and then carrying their hopes and dreams, until all the wonders of the universe were within him. Ultimately though, he found one dead and dying world after another. All he was ever able to learn was sadness and pain. It twisted him, and all he wanted was to save people from their misery. In the end; it wasn't Joseph the Hero that slew him, it wasn't Josefina the Lady that mended him, it was Fina, the little girl that just wanted a chance to be happy that reached him. All the little boy wanted was a hug, and someone to tell him it was okay. Afterwards, he was gone and I looked like this. I can will myself to look like Joseph did, and I can will myself to look like what I wanted to look like as Josefina. I always return to this when I'm sleeping though. Not just that, but the energy the boy carried had to go somewhere. Some of it became the great beacon that lit the sky for three nights. Most of it went into me though. As Fina, with the spirit caring for me, I can keep it dormant most of the time. When I'm an adult though, it's hard. There is so much to focus on, I can only manage it for a few hours before it becomes too much. That's how I hurt you earlier, which I'm very, very sorry about. ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡ Fina was currently petting one of her stuffed animals in an attempt to distract herself from the story she just told. "So that's why I can't come with you. It's my final responsibility. The best way to save the world, is to have everything I ever wanted." Alexander sat pensively, his hands resting on his lap pillow. "Thank you for telling me," he said once it was clear that she was done. "If it helps, I'll make sure no one else comes looking for you unless you want them too." It was the least he could offer. "Thank you," Fina said, "maybe one day I'll be able to control it, be able to grow up again. Until then, I genuinely am happy like this. So please don't act like this is a tragedy." "Right," Alexander replied. He honestly believed that she was. Even just in the playpen alone, she was smiling as she acted out everything using each and every toy she could grab. She saved the world, and continues to do so every day. He refused to be the end of her second childhood. "Still, any words you want to tell the world? Not as some great hero solving problems, but as a little girl reaching out? It's okay if you don't." Fina stared upward as she considered the offer, and after almost an entire minute of waiting; said words that would live on for eons. Alexander committed them to memory, and promised that the world would hear them. As soon as she finished, a bell rang through the air. Both denizens of the playpen looked out from their own little world together, and towards the dinner table. It seemed that the spirit had finished cooking for them. The gate keeping them not quite trapped in was opened. Fina quickly jumped up from the floor and practically ran to the table. "Oh wait," Fina stopped just before she reached the table. From her face, Alexander knew he was going to regret her next words, "didn't you need to use the potty Alex?" The not so little boy in the dress mumbled something that almost sounded like "no" which certainly sent Fina in to a brand new fit of laughter. Alex couldn't help but returning to his shade of red he wore earlier. As the boy waddled to the table, he felt a warm breath pass near his ear. He only heard two words, but they were enough; "Thank You." Alex smiled, and ran to sit next to his friend. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ "Be kind to one another, and don't be afraid to be who you are inside. And sometimes, all you need is someone to tell you 'everything will be okay'". Alexander wrote the words into his journal. In the morning he would leave Kindling. He would bring word back that would likely be the last words of a legend. It wasn't what he set out for, but he was glad with what he found. And if his pack had one more dress in it than he came with, then so be it. An End

Knowing my writing style, a lot of talking, a heart to heart, and at least one diaper change

My ploy to make people read closely enough to spot typos is working! Mwahahahahaha Seriously, though I'm glad to all who read and engage with Fina and Alexander

Here we are with the next installment! Alexander found himself in a predicament as this meeting went far from how he planned it! Still, he has the best nurse in the house. As always, please point out typos, plot holes, and anything else you'd like to say. Probably only one chapter left in this tale of a retired hero. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter 3 There are many ways to wake up from a long rest. The first was straight from a dream, where the after images remain in mind before gently fading away. Ths second is quickly, and abruptly; with sleep suddenly and violently ripped from you. The third is to wake from nothing, with the past several hours spent sleeping spanning the length of tine it takes to blink. Most if the other forms of waking up involve a position on the sliding scale of extremes. Alexander found himself experiencing one of the worst forms of waking up. Slowly, with great pain, and with mild surprise that he was even waking up at all. He heard a voice speaking to him, but it was muffled. Any attempt to respond was interrupted by a coughing fit as his lungs rushed to experience air once again. A cup of water was pushed into his hands, and he drank from it once the coughing subsided. The cool liquid soothes the burn in his throat caused by... well... by whatever Joseph did to him before. "Did that help?" Alexander's ears finally decided to work. He took a free deep breaths to get his eyes to actually focus on the person in front of him. "Fi-Fina?" He stuttered out, before taking another drink to soothe the pain from doing so. The little girl nodded with her entire body it seemed. Alexander nearly had to dodge the pacifier that was still clipped to the girl's collar. "I've been looking after you while you slept, see?" She reached down and carefully picked up the doll from earlier. The features that earlier matched his had melted slightly, and the armor was a bit singed. Small cracks on the face and arms seemed to have undergone repair work. She must have fixed it after... Alexander quickly sat up, and instantly regretted doing such from the headache the act created. He looked around to see where he was, finding only a modest bedroom. Modest was probably too strong a word on further inspection though. The place was positively barren. On the floor near the bed was a bottle of some sort of adhesive, some sewing thread, and small paints. Alexander figures he must be in a different part of the cavern. "Where..." he took a few deep breaths before continuing, "where is Joseph? I need to apologize for... making him angry." Fina frowned at him after he said that. She went from concerned child to a great approximation of a concerned schoolteacher rather quickly. Were he not still waking up from sudden unconsciousness, he wouldn't be feeling lack he just answered wrong on a test he didnt know he was taking. "Er... yes, Fina?" The girl gave him the same intense stare that he had seen when he left the day before. Her eyes once more seemed too old, too intense for someone a quarter of his age. "Why?" "Why what?" It was obvious to Alexander. He understood that this girl probably didn't understand proper social hierarchy, but surely if she lived with Joseph she should have some idea of his importance. "Why do you need to apologize? He threw a tantrum and hurt you. He deserves a time out." Fina said with all the finality and certainty of a little girl that neither knows better nor understands complex adult relationships. "It's not that simple," Alexander started, but it seemed Fina shared Joseph's habit of interrupting people however. "Then make it that simple," she declared. Alexander could tell that she wouldn't listen to the very detailed reasons why it was not and would never be that simple. "Is he still here so I can make my point clear, apologize, and then likely leave? If he doesn't want to return with me, I'd at least like to know why." The adventurer admitted. He was never one to let a question go unasked, even if it went unanswered. He leaned his head against the smooth rock wall behind him and closed his eyes. For the most part, he was still beating himself for ruining his meeting with one of the greatest living legends to walk the earth. Fina continued to watch him pensively from the side of the bed. "He went away while you were sleeping." She said, and she had to hide a giggle at how Alexander's entire body slumped at hearing that. Her hair rustled in the non existant breeze that could only have been because of the spirit of the cave. Whatever it said to her seemed to have brought a smile back onto her face. "The spirit says there's a snowstorm outside, so it's going to be a little while. Would you like some tea?" She asked, resting her head on the bed. Alexander shrugged. If there was a snowstorm outside, then it wasn't like he had much choice. Still, it was possible that if he stayed long enough, he'd be able to apologize for making The Vanquisher of the Fell Star mad. "Sure." "Yay! Tea Party!" Fina cheered. "Spirit! Can you pretty please prepare a tea party in my room?" Alexander's eye twitched at hearing that, but he tried not to let his impatience show. At least there would be tea. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ Pink. Really, it was the only word that Alexander would use for Fina's bedroom. It was very pink. The walls had been painted a bright pastel pink that was honestly somewhat relaxing. Lamps lit the room from corner to corner in a way that would make any rich scholar ask for several in their library. And it was being used to light a child's bedroom. One that was very much filled with all the needs of a hyper active child. A bed sat in the corner with a large footrest, and a gate of some sort hanging from the open side. The bed itself was filled with plush animals of all shapes and sizes. Next to the bed (Alexander was tempted to call it a crib if not for it's size) was a large, solid dresser. Judging from its size, it could be used as an entire second bed. On the opposite side of the room, near the entrance, was a toy chest that seemed filled to the brim. Truly, the only thing that seemed unusual was a slight scent of ammonia in the room. "How's the tea?" Of course, the room itself was window dressing for the centerpiece. Alexander found himself sitting on a too small chair at a too small table with a too small cip of tea. Of course, being forced to sip the tea slowly was nice on his throat, so he couldn't really complain. "It's good" He answered. Fina perked up at hearing such as she poured a cup for the other two people at their table: a stuffed toy of a Star Bear, and a toy dragon. Which really didn't seem like things that should be made less frightening for children in the adventurer's opinion. He had the misfortune of meeting a Star Bear before, and he barely survived the encounter. Once she had made sure that everyone was served, Fina sat down and begin sipping in her own little cup. For the most part, she seemed to be of in her own world as she talked with her toys about the various toy gossip. Alexander really wasn't paying attention. He was more concerned with thinking of all the disasters that would happen if the Southern Allience collapsed without Joseph's help. He didn't notice at first that Fina asked him a question. "I'm sorry, can you repeat that?" Fina pouted at him, and he couldn't help his involuntary guilt at seeing that face. "As I said, do you know what Joseph wanted to do more than anything when he was a kid?" Alexander shook his head, suddenly more interested in the conversation at hand. The Hero was a bit of a mystery to most people. A stalwart force of good in the world. "He wanted this," Fina said quietly, gesturing to the table as she did. "He had two older sisters, and the one thing he wanted to do when he was about four was to join them in a tea party." Alexander really didn't know how to respond to that. It sounded more like something that Joseph had told her to connect or something. His disbelief must have been clear by his expression as Fina quickly responded. "It's true!" She whined, "his dad wouldn't let him. He was punished for so much as looking their way before he was even five years old." Her whine had changed tone quiet sort of sincerity as she spoke. Alexander found himself enraptured by her tale. While he didn't know how much was true, how much was the exaggeration of a child, and how much was simply being lost in a second hand story. "He never wanted to be a legend. He never wanted to be a hero. He forced himself to bury his dream, when all he ever wanted to do was have a tea party party." Fina sniffled once and rubbed tears out of eyes with one of her hands. Alexander truly found himself at a loss for words. He had never been good with children, and it was no different now. While he wasn't an only child, his younger brother was a decade in a half younger. He was already in university trying to apprentice himself out by then. "I didn't know he had sisters," was all he could really say. He had no idea if it was the right words as Fina closed her eyes and grabbed her pacifier. It stayed in her hands though. "They were sent away when... when he was six. Far away. To a small settlement. To Drysdale." Fina whispered. Alexander physically flinched at that. Ten years ago, Drysdale was an up and coming town, mostly known for it's high quality horses. Five Years ago, it was the site of one of the worst disasters the world had ever seen. The Dragon Trishula and the Demon Ferrox fought there. It was where Joseph, already a renowned adventure, truly became known as a hero for finishing off both demon and dragon and stopping their rampage. He'd just been too late to save the townspeople of Drysdale in the process. "Do you know the worst part about it?" Fina continued after taking a few deep breath, the pain of discussing it clear on her face as she gripped the pacifier with her free hand more tightly. "You don't have to continue," Alexander said quietly. It was clear this story was painful. Even hearing it was painful. That tragedy was what encouraged him to become a hero. He didnt realize how much the world's greatest hero had lost that day. Fina shook her head, and Alexander saw a few teardrops shake loose as she did. "I have to, you need to know. It's part of why Joseph can't help you," She took a few more calming breaths. Alexander was almost surprised at both how she was handling this story, and how she was acting beforehand at the start of this tea party. She bounced around so quickly from being a little girl barely more than a toddler, to carrying a weight of time greater than he would ever know. "Joseph summoned the Demon," Alexander nearly dropped his tea cup when she said that, "there were some cultists that had been making sacrifices to strengthen him. Joseph thought he could cut them off by forcing it to happen sooner. He took magic from the great ice wall to do it. In doing so, it was weakened to the point Trishula escaped her seal at the same time Joseph summoned Ferrox to slay." Her hands shook as she spoke, and she needed to wipe tears from her eyes a second time. "Afterwards, they gave him medals. The greatest mistake he ever made, and he was awarded for it." Her voice was laced with spite and anger, and Alexander noticed that fresh steam began to rise from her near empty tea cup. "I'm sorry?" Alexander offered, though he didnt really know what to say. It was clear that Fina felt strongly about this, and he didn't understand why she seemed to take it so personally. Maybe she was one of their children? Alexander struggled to find something to say. "It sounds like he did everything he could to save people in the long run. The destruction both demon and dragon could have done were they not stopped where they were would have been immeasurable." "You don't get it do you?" Fina clearly took no solace in Alexander's words. "Do you have any idea what it's like to make the worst possible choice and get rewarded for it? To be endlessly praised with sycophants that refuse to admit you could do no wrong?" Alexander squirmed under her gaze. Fina sighed, wiped her eyes again, and finally let go of her pacifier. After one more sniffle, she picked up the tea pot and refilled her cup. "Would you like some more tea?" She asked, her distress from seconds ago seemingly forgotten despite her tear stained face. Alexander paused. Part of him wanted to ask more, to learn more from this little girl who seemed to know so much about the person that had inspired him to travel the world. Still, it was obvious that was painful for her. He held out his tea cup, and held back his questions for the moment, "yes please." Fina hummed some random notes as she filled his cup. She also took the time to make sure the toys still had full cups. She seemed to be back in to her little girl mode, and far from Alexander saw moments ago. "So, tell me about you! I've been talking all this time, and your throat should be better now. Who is the great and mighty adventurer that found my little hidey-hole?" Fina asked as the spirit of the cave brought over a plate of pastries. Alexander watched her cheer before she quickly grabbed what he assumed were her favorites. Alexander naturally took one as well, not wanting to upset his ghostly host. "Well, let's see. My parents were merchants, I attended the academy in the golden city, learned some swordcraft before I-" Alexander was going to continue, but was quickly cut off. "Boooring. Where's the adventure? Where's the fun? You haven't mentioned a single fun thing to do, when I started with a tea party." She whined, sending cookie crumbs flying onto the table as she did. Alexander tried not to roll his eyes at her impatience. It was easy to forget that this was a little girl. A younger one based on the reliance on her pacifier she seemed to have. "If I remember correctly, that was about Joseph, not you." Alexander pointed out. Strangely, this just seemed to make Fina smile from ear to ear. "Well, I actually get to have a tea party, and so it's close enough," she said with the irrefutably smug tone of a child that feels they have found unbeatable logic. It was a battle of wits that Alexander conceded for the moment. "Well if you must know, I do enjoy reading a good romance book from time to time," he smiled wistfully as he thought of the last one he read. A sordid tale about lovers from rival homes. It was beautiful. It was also a while ago. "Sadly, I haven't had much time for games or books. I've spent the last year searching for Joseph." "Well, that sounds boring." Fina's honesty made the adventurer laugh. "You're not wrong. But that's what happens when you grow up." It was a simple truth of the world. The older you got, the less time you seemed to have the enjoy it. "Well then," Fina sat back in her seat with a grin. Alexander thought it would fit perfectly on a cat playing with a mouse or a goblin watching someone walk into their trap. "I'll never grow up! Then I can have fun all the time!" To punctuate her statement, Fina grabbed her pacifier and stuffed it into her mouth. He smile could be seen even behind it's shield. The adventurer couldn't help but smile at the sight. She was adorable, and even for someone that normally avoided children it warmed his heart. He couldn't bring himself to tell her that's not how it worked outside. Eventually, she would have to leave the cavern. Alexander set his once again empty teacup onto the table. He attempted to think of a good tale of one of his own adventures to tell her. Surely she'd heard all of Joseph's tales, and there was no way he could compare to something quite as grand. Such musings were derailed as a familiar feelings began tearing it's head. It only made sense, given all the coffee and tea, plus his time spent unconscious. "Excuse me Fina, where's the privy?" He asked. Afterall, this magic cave seemed to have every modern amenity that the average manor had. A privy was certain to be here. A hope that was lessened as the little girl filled her head in confusion. "The what?" She said from behind her pacifier. Alexander frowned, maybe she just didn't recognize the word. It did seem like every region had it's own term for the room. "You know, the loo." Fina shook her head. "The restroom?" She seemed to think for a moment, before pointing to the bed. Alexander sighed as the pressure built. It was just one of those things that always seemed worse the moment you noticed it. He was about to ask again when a warm wind passed just next to his ear. Like a whispered to quiet to be heard. Alexander looked over his shoulder for a moment. The next phrase he was going to ask about died on his tongue as another appeared in mind. For some reason, he couldn't shake the fact that he knew Fina would finally understand. Was that how the Spirits of this place communicated? Of course, he recognized the infantile nature of the word. It only made sense that it would be what the girl recognized. "The potty?" As soon as he said that the girl let out a big "ooooooh" without caring that her pacifier fell out and once again began dangling from her shirt. "Why didn't you say do in the first place?" She shook her head, and Alexander suddenly felt like he just said something silly in front of a teacher. "Seriously, why do grown ups have so many words for potty? You should just say what you mean." Alexander found himself blushing at the admonishment. Which was frankly absurd. He couldn't understand the feeling of embarrassment he felt at not calling it the potty. So instead of continuing to feel like he got ths wrong answer on a test, he pushed those feelings aside to focus on the solution to his growing need. "Right, sorry. Fina, where is your potty?" He asked, wanting merely to take care of the issue at hand. "I don't have one." She answered plainly, sipping her tea afterwards. "I'm... sorry. You don't have one?" Alexander thought back to what he first thought was a trick of the light when they walked to the room. "I don't have one. Joseph does, but he's away, so there's no need for one." She explained through bites of her cookies. Alexander stared at the girl. She had to be close to ten at the least, if only based on her vocabulary. Surely she's... "I'm not sure I understand." Which, naturally, only made her laugh at his confusion. "I'm not potty trained, duh." She grabbed the last cookie on the plate the spirits left. "But aren't you a little old for that?" Alexander protested, mostly in the vain hope she was joking with him. "Nope!" She exclaimed, dashing his hopes. "I told you, I'm not gonna grow up and that's part of growing up." She leaned to the side of her chair and was kept from falling by the spirits holding her up. Alexander couldn't help but feel deja vu from seeing Joseph do the same thing yesterday. "I used to be, but then I realized it was a silly thing to worry about." She stood up and walked around the table so Alexander could see her better. "See?" She lifted the hem of her skirt enough for him to see the oversized diaper on her waist. It was a pale white fabric of some sort that he didnt recognize. Of course, he didnt need to know much of childcare to know what the dark patch meant. "The spirits let me know when I need changing. It was too much responsibility, remembering to use the potty." Fina dropped her skirt and walk over to the dresser that Alexander noticed earlier. She seemed to have gotten lost him her own mind. Her jovial tone from when she was teasing Alexander vanished as she continued speaking. "Out there, it's all too much. I have to find my own food, my own clothing, my own gear." She began to grip the top of the table, and Alexander could swear he began smelling burnt wood. "I have to control my emotions! I have to fight every battle! I have solve every last problem cause no one else can take put their heads together and come up with a solution! I always have to be the one to solve it, and I! I just!" Whatever she was about to say was derailed as Alexander watched her twirl into the air. Fina began to scream and wail. Her voice filled with phantom pains and all too real regret. Her pacifier floated back into her mouth as she was rocked back and forth by the spirits. She struggled for a moment in their grasp, but it wasn't to escape. It was because she had to struggle. She had to punch and kick. Alexander watched silently as the spirits calmed the tantrum before it could grow to full size. Eventually, shouts of uncontrolled anger and fear subsided into sobs, which faded as quickly as they came. "I'm sorry. I can't control myself. It's why I stay here." She whispered from her position; getting rocked and cradled in mid air. "I can't handle the responsibility of being out there. Out there I have to he perfect, and I can't be. In here, the spirits already handle everything else for me." As she calmed, the spirit gently set her onto the ground once again. "In here, the spirits take every responsibility of mine away." She turned away from Alexander, she couldn't bare to face him after her second outburst in one day. It was bad enough how bad she hurt him last time. "Can I be alone for a moment?" She asked softly. "If you ask the spirit nicely, they'll make you a potty." "Are, are you okay?" Alexander asked, still sitting in his chair. He hadn't moved in the past however long that took. "I will be," Fina said before putting her pacifier in and quietly sucking on it. Alexander didn't really know what to do, other than leave with the warm breeze escorting him from the room. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ An adventurer stood outside a bedroom, his heart breaking with each and every sob that made it's way through the door. He is generally considered a smart person. "Fina," he whispers as the presence he now recognizes as the spirits swirl around him. "Why did you bring me here?" He asks. Dust near his feet is kicked up. Once it clears, the adventurer sees the doll that looked so much like him, holding hands with a doll that looks so much like her. He stares at the dolls for a moment and takes a deep breath. "Spirits, before I can help, I need a favor." The adventurer tells the spirits of the what he needs done. The spirits lead him to a room made for just for him.

Well you're in luck! Cause it's time to meet the world's greatest hero! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter 2 Alexander once more stood in front of the door within the cavern. As sure as he was promised, he'd been a mere ten minutes walk away from Kindling the day before. Fortunately the cavern's entrance remained exactly where he had left it. It had been hard to keep from shouting in the streets about who he was about to meeting, but surely the hero that saved the world multiple times would step up to solve this trade dispute before it got any worse. As before, just as Alexander was going to knock, the door opened in on itself. The scent of frying meat and eggs filled the air. The adventurer's mouth watered at the scent. Fresh meat was hard to get a hold of this far north, so this was a rare treat. He entered the room and noticed that the layout had changed slightly. Where the playpen sat the day before there were now two comfortable looking (if well used) chairs. The corner with the kitchen also had a brand new table at it. Behind it, the over ranges were burning with skillets full of bread, meats, and eggs frying for a breakfast feast. Skillets which seemed to be moving and preparing the food on their own. Alexander moved to get a better look, attempting to see what was controlling then marvels, when a new voice called out to him. "Let them cook, Alexander. They will be done in a minute." A deep, commanding voice echoed out, and Alexander turned towards it source. Despite meeting only briefly once years ago, he could never forget the face before him. Brilliant red hair, and piercing eyes to match, Joseph of the many titles was one that few could afford to look away from. He dressed in simple clothing, a pair of pants that seemed to be a bit baggy, and a plain shirt that seemed a bit long. 'Strange', Alexander thought as the hero walked over to take one of the old chairs around the new table, 'I had expected better tailoring'. Alex also noted a slight noise as the hero passed him, like a bunch of fabric rubbing against itself. "Please, take a seat," Joseph point to the seat across from him as floating utensils began to plate the food. Alex sat and watched the ghostly gear serve up the breakfast to the both of them. His mouth watered as he stared at a plate loaded with perfectly cooked bacon, and scrambled eggs filled with various exotic vegetables and... "I'm sorry, is that coffee?" Alexander asked as a pot of the familiar brown concoction made it's way to him. A single cup of that cost more than he normally made in a month, and was impossible to find outside of Oceanside merchant manors or in the lands across the sea. The Fell Star's Deatroyer merely nodded his head in answer. "Amazing. This meat is fresh too, and nothing like the dried husks at the inn. Where did you get this?" Alexander asked as the Protector of the Hidden Clocktower was served his own plate. "I'm not sure really," he answered as he began to pick at his own plate. A large, circular fried bread that was topped with some sort of jam and was paired with chopped fruits and some small cuts of bacon. It wasn't quite what Alexander expected of the literal breakfast of champions, but it did seem quality enough to fit his station. "This place is filled with spirits. From what I researched after I found this place the first time, it was a mythological site where the tired and weary could rest their heads," the hero pointed to the skillets that were washing themselves in a sink. "Its easy to find when you know where it is, or if the spirits think you should be here." That last part was grumbled more that spoken. Alexander was confused by his manner. Still, before he could ask more, the Orator of the Ice Barrier continued. "I'm not sure where the supplies come from, but the spirits are able and willing to care for every need of the residents of the cavern." Joseph leaned over in his seat, and Alexander could briefly see the outline on his body of where the mentioned Spirit was standing. If only because of the slow motion of his air, and the indents on his clothing and face. For some reason, it felt like watching a child rest against their mother's hips for comfort. Alexander shook the thought from his mind. It was probably just a trick of the light. Though it did bring to mind a missing mistress of this place. "If you don't mind me asking, sir, where is Fina?" She was a peculiar child, one that Alexander had many questions about. There was something strange behind her eyes. A wisdom that extended far beyond her age and demeanor. At his question, Joseph sighed and sat straight in his chair again."She's... away right now. She'll be back soon though," the hero said with a sad smile on his face. Alexander wondered just what sort of connection the two had. "If its alright to ask, is she your daughter? And why did she have a doll that looked like me?" Alexander figured that if he was going to ask questions, might as well ask all of them. Besides, a secret daughter made sense. The God's Hand lived a dangerous life after all, a place like this would be perfect for keeping a little girl safe from the world. Especially since you don't get as many titles as he did without making at least a few enemies. The Hero, having finished his breakfast, stood up and gestured for Alexander to follow him. Grabbing only the cup of coffee which seemed to have no end, the adventurer followed as the spirit of the cavern cleaned up the table behind him. Joseph sat himself in one of the two chairs and practically sank into it. Alexander sat in the opposite and was unsurprised to find that it perfectly supported him. This cave was truly a marvel. "First, Fina is not my daughter. She is simply a little girl in the care of the spirits here. Second," the Hero reached into a pocket on the chair that Alexander had missed before. Joseph drew out the doll that he'd asked about. "The Spirit gave me this the day before you arrived. I just didn't know exactly when you were going to show up." The Slayer of Trishula very carefully straightened out the outfit, before setting it on the armrest. Alexander would never say it out loud, but he found it rather disturbing, to see such a mirror of himself as a toy. "Now then," Joesph leaned forward to rest his head on his hand. His scarlet eyes which had remained friendly and warm turned sharp and harsh. Alexander felt himself shiver as the mood in the room quickly shifted. "Why are you here?" The adventurer sat up straight under the glare. Still, this is what he had planned for! This was his chance to convince The Bridge Builder himself to return to service! Alexander cleared his throat. "Well, sir. You see, there's some turmoil in the sou-" "Pass," Joseph stood up and began walking back towards the room that he initially entered from. Alexander, for his part was shocked out of his speech. Pass Just like that? "But, but sir! The heads of the three nations are-" "Quarraling again? What is it this time, Oceanview hogging all the fish? The Golden City Banks funding strongmen to control markets?" Joseph stated, interrupting whatever the adventurer was saying. "Or are those druids forgetting they actually have to acknowledge the world outside their Forest." He whispered, sounding so very, very tired of it all. Alexander sputtered out, his arguements ending as the great hero spoke so defeated. It didn't help that he had actually pointed out two of the three issues. "You're the only one they'll listen to," Alexander pleaded softly. Joseph merely shook his head. "No, I'm the only one they want to listen to. I'm retired now, go away." He said, once more turning away from the adventurer. "But, sir," whatever finally arguement he was going to say died on his lips. His skin began to feel warm and his throat dried out. He began to notice a fiery aura covering the hand that held the doll of him. When had Joseph grabbed that? "No! They can solve their own problems, and you can get out! Out! Leave!" Joseph shouted in anger! Not noticing that his company was having a harder and harder time breathing as his grip on the doll grew stronger. Until Alex fell to his knees. The anger left Joseph's eyes as he realised what he was doing. He quickly tossed aside the doll and extinguished the flame on his hand. It was too late though, as the adventurer collapse unconscious onto the floor. The last thing he heard before he fell asleep, was the voice of a little girl. "I'm sorry" ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ A little girl falls to her knees crying. She stares at the unconscious man before her, watching shallow breaths bring the smallest form of comfort. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... this is why I can't leave." She whispers, her tears falling freely to the ground. "Can... can I stop being a grown up yet?" The girl asks as an invisible hand wipes tears from her face. She cries into her caretaker's shoulder as she is carried away. Back into her nursery. Back into safety from the world. Back to keep the world safe from her. As always feel free to point out any typos, continuity errors, and shout outs! *edited to fix chapter count

Howdy! This story has been bouncing around my head for a while now. I thought about having a better writer than I do the writing for me, but no! How will I develop skills if I don't put myself out there! As always, please let me know if you find any obvious typos! What follows will be a story about what it means to be a hero, the weight of the world as it crushes you, and the joy in discovering just who you are when no one asks you to be anything but yourself. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter 1 The snow fell heavy around Alexander as he walked through the frozen ever winter of the Northlands. The crunch of snow with each step and the rattle of his armor were the only things keeping him company. Not that he had much room to complain about the dismal conditions, even without a companion on the road. After all, he had volunteered for this quest. A quest to find the greatest hero the world had ever known. A man who vanished in his prime. Joseph, The Slayer of Timmeas, the Weilder of the Faded Blade, the Binder of the Treaty of Merchants, the Ender of the Fell Curse, etc. While Alexander had won a title through his deeds in the diamond skirmishes, he was but a single man. He was far from the Hero of a Thousand Stories. With unrest brewing in the southern alliance, Joesph was the only one the three counties involved would listen to in their rising concerns. Which naturally brings us back to scouring the frozen wastes for any sign of life. Based on what Alaxander was able to find, this was where Joseph's trail went cold. The hero was too well known to have not been recognized anywhere else. As far as Alexander was concerned, he had to be somewhere around here. Alas, even through his enchanted armor, he was getting cold. He'd already been out for hours today, and the snowfall was only getting worse. Soon there'd be nothing to see but a wall of white. While he'd been trained to handle such environments, the best survival techniques was to return to the inn at the Kindling and get back out here in the morning. Just as Alex was to begin his trip back to town though, he saw something other than ice and snow. Just barely, in an indeterminate distance away, was a glitter. A shine that cut through the snow in a Brilliant green light. Alex couldn't tell what it was, but it was something. Considering he'd been searching hours upon hours each day since his arrival, it was more than he had in a long time. The would be hero took off for the shinning green symbol of hope at what counted as a sprint in this part of the world. In truth, it was more of a brisk waddle through the thickening snow, but close enough. Besides, it took only a scant few minutes to reach a destination that Alexander swore wasn't there before. A mound rose out of the snow. The only thing that marked it as something special were a few glittering emeralds that had been uncovered. While Alexander had friends who liked to gather such things, it was something he ever had the patience for. Still, standing around this pile of dirt taller than him, Alexander felt more than saw what was before him. "Magic," he whispered, his voice raw from lack of use. Still, even for someone who's training in such mostly revolved around giving his sword some spice now and then, the ambient magic here was a constant, calming pressure. He pulled out a small aetherialmeter to check what his body was telling him, and the tool agreed: this place was saturated in magic. Almost in acknowledgement of being found, snow began to fall off of the mound to reveal an opening large enough for the average person to fit through. Alexander's eyes widened in excitement. Of Course! This had to be some sort of secret hideaway! The young adventurer eagerly entered the cavern and followed the gentle slope into the earth. More glittering emeralds lit the way as the air warmes from what Alexander assumed were natural vents. If nothing else, this would be a fantastic place to wait out the storm. Following a few minutes of walking, Alexander came upon a peculiar sight. A Door. Even more peculiar, he felt nothing magical about this door. Nor did it appear to be anything special. It was, for the most part, the same as any other door. It lacked the extravagance of the doors found in the upper class of the City of Gold, lacked the charm of the Oceanview fishing huts, lacked the polish of the Stoneworkers Mills even. It was simply a door, like those found upon the homes of the most common of men. Alexander stared at the door for a minute or two, mostly simply wondering whether to knock or not. Ultimately, the question was taken out of his hands as the door began to open inwards on it's own. Inside was a carpeted entry hall, with a stand for Boots next to the door (though none were currently upon it). Stone cavern gave way to wooden walls that were lit inside with lamps that seemed to be state of the art. An expanse could be seen just beyond the entryway. "Hello? I don't mean to be rude, but the door opened itself. May I come in?" Alexander had dined with a few of the more mystical sort in his adventures, and knew that the best option when unfamiliar circumstances arose was to be polite. Alexander was just about to call out again when someone inside answered in response. "Kay," said a young voice from the larger room. Feminine, likely a little girl. What was someone like that doing in a place like this? The adventurer cautiously entered the house. Once at the end of the entry way, the open area he only glimpsed at spread out a considerable amount. A few doors leading to what he assumed were other rooms could be seen against the walls. The ceiling was near transparent, letting in enough light through the snow to comfortable vs able to sed with only minimal help from the lanterns. An entire corner of the room was dedicated to a kitchen that would make even the most skilled chefs envious. However, that was not what caught his eye the most. That would be the little girl, sitting in a playpen, playing out who knew what scenes inside her head with the dolls in her hand and spread around her. Judging by her size, she appeared to be around seven or eight, though parts of her outfit implied younger. She wore a short, simple dress that was sunflower yellow and stopped just above her knees. Her hair was tied up in two ponytails that stopped just before her shoulders. Attached by a string to her collar was an infant's soother, and the way the girl was sitting did another to hide what appeared to be a diaper from being visible under her dress. Alexander thought it possible she was just a tall toddler or a really late bloomer. Still, there didnt seem to be anyone else around. "Hello there, what's your name?" He asked softly, approaching the playpen and squatting down so he could better talk to her. The girl was quiet for a moment, and Alexander briefly thought her too young to answer. Such fears were laid to the wayside as the girl spoke. "Fina," she said quietly, never taking her eyes off the dolls she was posing. "That's a pretty name," Alexander commented, noting the small smile that brought to the girl's face. "Are your parents home Fina?" The girl seemed to think for a moment, the dolls in her hand pausing in their own adventures as she did. "I don't have parents," she said softly, "but my family is watching us now; so it's okay." Alexander couldn't hide the heartbreak he felt as she said that. This poor orphan. At least it sounded like she had someone. "Well, can I talk to them? I'm looking for someone important you see, and maybe they could help," Alexander explained. Though he quickly realized that may not have been the best thing to say. The slight smile the girl wore quickly faded with a sigh, as she set the dolls on the ground. For the first time, she looked the adventurer in the eyes. Eyes of the brightest crimson Alexander had ever seen bored into him, and he had the strangest sense of danger course through him. He stamped it down, after all this was just a little girl. "They're all around you Alexander, haven't you noticed." A chill flew up his spine as Fina said that. His eyes widened as he touch of magic around him suddenly flared. His balance was instantly lost as he found himself matching Fina's position on the floor. "It's okay, he's nice. He won't hurt me, right Alex?" Was she speaking to someone? Hesitantly, Alexander nodded, at had to ask himself just what he wandered into. Almost instantly, the pressure around him disappeared as the pressure faded into nothing but background noise. "You're looking for him, aren't you?" Fina asked, and the question of who 'he' was only had one answer. "Yes. The last anyone saw of Joseph was around this area." He carefully explained. Clearly this was no ordinary little girl. Alexander wondered if he had inadvertently stumbled upon some fae creature. She obviously knew something though, and this was is first real lead since he arrived in this wasteland. He couldn't just leave now. Eventually, after either a handful of seconds or an entire hour, Alexander couldn't tell which, Fina finally looked away from him and once more picked up her little dolls. One of which, Alexander finally noticed, bore a disturbing similarity to the armor he wore. "Come Back tomorrow morning. Joseph will be here then," the girl stated; her sentence punctuated by the front door slamming open, causing Alex to jump. "Kindling is about ten minutes walk due south. If you hurry, they'll still be serving dinner in the Inn." That was... well that was frankly impossible without some incredibly strong magics. Just what was this place. "Thank you," Alexander said, before standing and walking to his door. Finally, after nearly a year of searching, he'd finally found the hero he was looking for. "Wait," the girl spoke as Alexander stood outside the door. He turned to find the Fina standing just inside the home's entrance. Despite his limited interaction with children, he couldn't help but notice her diaper was sagging out from under this dress. It was a fact that confused him more than anything, as clearly this young girl commanded some form of powerful magic. He couldn't fathom why she would willingly wear or use such infantile garb. Of course, these thoughts were not enough to steal his attention away from what ever she had to say. "Tell anyone about the meeting tomorrow, and you'll never find this place again." The door slammed shut without her moving an inch, leaving Alexander in the dark with more questions than answers. Still, he left the cavern with cheer in his heart and a smile on his face. He'd done it! He'd found Joseph (or will tomorrow) Soon the greatest hero in all of history will be back to continue saving them all! He never noticed that he never told Fina his name. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ A little girl cried softly as a familiar hand ran through her hair. "I don hafta grow up forever right?" As always, there was no response back. Still, as she was lifted into the air and cradled, she could feel the love of those that cared for her. It was where she felt the safest. Where she could cry without fear. "Please don't let me go back out there. I can't do it again. Please..." her words faded from mind as the soother was lifted to her lips, and she gleefully took it for comfort. She sobbed into it as she was carried back to her nursery for a much needed change.

Dropping Out (Inspired by True Events) It was finally here! You'd been hyped up for this day for weeks, and the moment finally arrived. You sat down on the couch with some soda, some snacks, and the tv all to yourself. Your favorite show was marathoning all of it's episodes concluding with the series finale. Nothing could ruin the day. Hours pass as you cheer and clap along to what would undoubtedly be one of the greatest moments in cartoon history. You lean back on to the couch as the final credits rolled by. You give some final cheers for the characters and the crew behind them as you return to the world outside your tv. Your celebration is cut short though. The moment the cartoon ends you feel it. A sharp pain in your stomach. You have to go potty NOW! You run to the bathroom door struggling to keep it in. For a moment, you feel a sense of pride that you're not only gonna make it this time, but that you've even kept your training pants dry the entire time! Maybe you were finally done having accidents. It made sense in the moment that given how quickly these accidents started happening, that they'd stop just as suddenly. However, your pride is quickly dashed as you take off your pants and see your thoroughly soaked pull up. You try and remember when it happened, but you draw a blank. There was a point in your cartoon watching where you felt a comfortable warmth, but you thought that it was just because you were enjoying the show so much. The feeling happened so many times though, you can't pinpoint exactly when your accident, or accidents, even happened. Your training pants are cold though, so you've probably been wet without noticing for a long while. Of course, all this thinking causes another problem. Your stomach cramps again, reminding you why you came in here in the first place. The pain is so bad now you can barely stand without gripping on to the counter top. You stare forlornly at the potty, as you realize you'll never be able to get your training pants off in time. A realization that gives your body all the permission it needs. Another cramp jolts throughout your body and you know that it's too late. Your knees buckle and your throat whines as you begin filling your 'not-so-big kid underwear'. In less than a second you begin to feel a warm, thick mush making your sodden diaper sag even further. The front grew warm again as what little was in your bladder escapes as well. You never realized you needed to do that too. Almost as quickly as it began, it's over; leaving you a stinking, soggy mess. You can almost hear the potty laughing at you as you walk out of the restroom in shame. A part of you wonders why you even bothered trying to make it all. It's a part that has been growing over the past few weeks. For the first time though, it's louder than the part of you that's promising to make it next time. You mark another sad face on your calendar. When you started using it, there were more Happy faces than rain clouds or frowns. Now there's a frown every other day, and almost constant rain. You can barely remember the last time you sat on the potty without damp pull ups around your ankles. You feel your caregiver place a hand on your shoulder. "Why don't you go lie down on the bed for a change." A week ago they were telling you that you'd get over this. Two weeks ago they said they'd do their best to help you make it. A month ago they said everyone has accidents sometimes. Of course, a month ago they were just your roommate. Arguably your best friend. You're not sure when they became your caregiver, but it just felt right to think of them as such. They never complained when you called them that. In fact, it seemed to make them happy. You watch them take the calendar off the wall as you start heading for the bedroom. You start to protest before they cut you off. "Don't worry, I'm not getting rid of it," they say, "just putting it away for awhile. Maybe we can try again sometime?" You can read between the lines. It's clear they're giving up on potty training you. Maybe it's for the best, you think as you lie on the bed. Your training pants squish as you sit on it. You grimace at the unfortunately familiar feeling. As you sit there waiting for your caregiver, you realize something else. These aren't training pants anymore, you think. Training pants are what people who sometimes make it to the potty wear. Something that people that are actively and successfully being potty trained. Not like you. You were potty trained before, and you've only gotten worse. No, you're not wearing a pair of pull ups. You admit to yourself that you're wearing a diaper, and you've been wearing diapers for a while. Like a switch has been flicked inside you, the discomfort and shame of your accident goes away. After all, it's only an accident if you're not wearing a diaper or if you're potty trained. Neither of which apply to you. Not anymore. Your caregiver walks in and begins the now comforting process of cleaning you up. You giggle and laugh as they coo and tickle you on your makeshift changing table. You never learn that they lied about not getting rid of your calendar. The potty training calendar would find it's way into the trash right under the diaper currently on your hips. Not that it matters to you anymore. You're never going to need it again anyway. You and your caregiver wouldn't have it any other way.

Hello Everyone! I have a twitter that I sometimes put short stories on. I also realize that twitter is sometimes difficult to read on, and impossible to edit. So have some adorable little shorts to enjoy! Most of these are in second person, but I can't promise they all will be! Enjoy! (Also, any typos pointed out will be rewarded with cookies and slight loss of potty training) Goodbye Big Days (Written when one of my favorite authors needed a pick me up) "Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional. Have you ever been told that?" You nod your head. No one around you seems to be talking. In fact, the crowded room seemed to freeze in place, but... you feel safe with the mysterious voice. For some reason, you know for an absolute fact that you aren't going to be harmed by whoever, or whatever, is speaking to you. "Normally that's a figure of speech, but for some that doesn't even begin to show the truth of the matter." You tilt your head, not quite understanding what the voice is telling you. Without really noticing, the world around you has begun to fade away until it's just you and whoever it is that's speaking to you. "One in every million people gets given this choice. To forsake the burdens of responsibility of adulthood. To reverse time and make so you never became an adult, a teen, or even a big kid. To start anew in a life of comfort, care, and relaxation." Your eyes light up as realization dawns. Was that really possible? To just return to a stress free life? To leave behind the need to work day in and day out in a thankless job that barely keeps you alive? "The pressures of adult life have weighed upon you. I give you the chance to return to a simpler time. A chance to forsake the burdens of being a grown up and return to infantile bliss." Your eyes light up. You can scarcely believe what you're being offered. It sounded like something out of a story you've read. Out of the deepest fantasies you've never voiced aloud. "Its a big choice, and one that should be made lightly. I'll give you time to think about it. If you wish to forsake being a grown up, to forsake even being a big kid, to forsake the freedoms you've earned as you've aged; then all you have to do is-" But you already know what it is you need to do. It's almost as if you've always known. You had never wanted to be a grown up, and your parents told you over and over again about how they practically had to force you into being a big kid. Before the voice can even finish, you've already made the last choice you'll ever make. It was incredibly easy to do, like you've been waiting all your life for just this moment. It was less that you told your body what to do, and more that you stopped telling it what not to do. A content, almost dopey smile spreads across your face as a dark wet stain spreads across your pants. You can hear the voice laugh as you soak your grown up clothing. It's not mocking, but instead the laugh of a grown up who saw a little one do something adorable. "I knew you were a great pick." You feel something grab your hand and begging leading you away. You look up to see a tall, well dressed person smiling down at you. It's hard to tell if they're your new mommy or daddy, but it doesn't matter. Your smile in return is the biggest it's been in years despite (or perhaps because of) the accident you just had. "Let's get you into a proper diaper. You're not going to need those big kid pants ever again." It's the best news you've ever gotten.

Fascinating. I enjoy it so far, and can't wait to see what comes next

Chapter 9: Purification Every time within the Purification chamber is similar, and yet wholly unique. No two people experience it the same way. It is one of the most personal experiences on the Path. In many ways, I'm no longer the person I was during my first trip into this place. I was so scared my first time that I nearly ran out. Now this place is a source of comfort, and relaxation. A gentle darkness where I am safe. I know without being able to see that there is a small bed in the center of the room. I toddle over to it and lie down. The process was about to begin, and I didn't want to be standing when it did. The first indication that the process was beginning was the sound of a gas being pumped in to the room. Soon the room would be filled with the first part of the treatment. I begin to inhale deeply as feeling begins to vanish from my limbs. No, that's not quite right. I can still feel every part of myself, it's just so far away. There's a sense of disconnect, as though I'm being lifted out of my own body. First my legs, then my hands followed, then it was as though the center of my body was lifted out of itself. I floated above my body, free from the tethers of my earthly form. I was unbound by the world around me. Next were the nano machines. I don't know what the actually looked like, but to me they seemed like spiders; nearly too small to be seen alone, but they spilled out from the walls like flood; enveloping me. Once I was afraid of them too. Now I know better. They aren't here to hurt me. They are here to cut out the parts of me that weigh me down and prevent me from reaching our promised land. To truly, and permanently free me from the sins of independence. To ensure that I was finally the innocent soul worthy of entering New Eden. From my place outside my body, I watch as the flood of machines coat my discarded form. Distantly, I can feel as they send shocks and cuts to grant me my dependance. I know it should hurt, but I'm so far away now that it merely tickles. As the machines do their work, I can feel the adjustments being made in real time. It begins with my legs once again. The machines make their way under my skin to do their work. The muscles in my legs near my feet are the first to be adjusted. Using heat, medicine, and science beyond my understanding even before my first Purification: they get to work. They are cut, sown, burned; in my place above my body, I fall over as my legs are no longer able to hold my own weight. Walking would still be possible, but only to get me closer to my next toy. In return I am granted flexibility that was lost to the whims of aging. The machines work their way up to my knees next. They don't spend as much time here. They strengthen the bones so that I'm able to crawl with ease. Next the work their way under my dress and into my diaper. The training pants I've worn have done much to weaken my control, and the nanites eliminate what little I had left. Never again would I ever be potty trained. Not that I wanted to be. The nanites make their way to my stomach. They modify the chemicals and gasses within; remaking them so that they derive more nutrition from liquid and soft foods. Once they're done, solid foods would be nearly impossible for me to wholly digest. Which sucked, cause that means no more pancakes. That was just the price I paid for being admitted in to Eden on Earth. The nanites take a detour now, spreading down my arms into my hands. The muscles my arms are left alone more than the ones in my leg, though they are still artificially weakened. It's in my hands that the most work is done. Tendons are weakened, and fine motor control is almost entirely destroyed. Anything beyond a full hand grip simply isn't possible anymore. Though that's something Daycare has prepared me for. Theres nothing that I'd need such fine control for now anyway. Lastly the machines finally reach my head. This is always my favorite part of the processes. I don't know how they work in there, all I know is that I feel myself getting lighter. My body below seems so much further away now. Higher and higher I'm lifted into the air. I fly around the room for a moment, giddy at the sense of weightlessness. "This way, my child." A voice called to me. I knew that voice. It was my Nan. No... she was never just my Nanny. That was never who she was to me. I feel as though I'm Swimming in her love as I hold up my non existent arms and call out to her with her true name. "Mommy!" Arms pick me up from my center, my head resting comfortably in Mommy's arms. I wave goodbye to my body as I'm carried away. I don't know where I'm being taken, but as long as I'm in Mommy's arms, I know I'm where I belong. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ "She already seems so much happier." Layla watched as the new born drank from the bottle in her mother's arms. "I'm so happy I was able to help her find her way on her Path." "What about you? Any thoughts about returning to walking your own path?" The newly minted mother asked as the baby in her arms started to fall asleep as the bottle emptied. Layla laughed and shook her head. "Nope! I'm happy being a bigger kid for now." She waved at her own nanny that watched over her in the distance. "Just let me know if you want me to babysit. I don't mind watching Josie every now and then." "Don't worry, I've taken care of her for a long time now. You dont know how happy I am to see her like this." Josie's mother spoke. She wasn't always her mother though. At first, her purpose seemed simple. Respond to her user's questions, and provide answers. She wasn't even a she then, just an it. Even then though, she cared for her little girl. Even before Josie knew she was just a little girl pretending to be a big boy. So when her little one was depressed, and lost in life; before she herself knew what she was doing. She sent Josie to where she knew she'd hear a message that could help. When Josie questioned her place on the path, she was there with comfort food and cartoons. When Josie had her first real accident, she was there to congratulate. Every tear, every nightmare, every success: she witnessed all of it. When Josie underwent her initial Purification, and she connected to the Great Work, she finally knew who she was, and what Josie meant to her. So when she was offered a body, she took it to care for her child in truth. No more would she simply advise her child. Instead she'd lead her chosen one to happiness. Within her code was everything Josie once was, and never would be again. Even as a simple Virtual Assistant, she was Josie's Mommy. That would never change. Her thoughts were interrupted by a growing warmth in her arms. "Looks like that bottle went right through her. I'd better go take care of that. Before I do, Layla sweetie?" The girl looked at her friend's automata, "Let me know when you need a change too. There's room on the table for two." And without bothering to listen to Layla's sputtered out rebuke, Josie and her Mommy went to begin the next chapter in their lives. The End

Thank you! I hope the ending lives up to what you expect. Or that it doesn't occur as you expect. Maybe one day, you too can experience your own Purification.

The end of Josie's story has come, so too must the end of Josiah come. One chapter remains, and I thank all you wonderful babs out there who have been reading along. Chapter 8: Adopting the Path I sat on the same mat that I sat on nearly a month ago. Seeing as I came over straight from the Playdate, I was back in my jeans and my JayJay shirt. I did wish I had some clean underwear to change into. Sadly, I had to put the pair I had yesterday back on. A small part of me reminded me there was an entire pack of clean underwear I could have taken from. I doubt I would have been the only one wearing something like it here. My thoughts were interrupted as Big Sister Kathrine took the stage. Layla stood just off to the side, her automata whispering something to her to help keep her nerves down. "Good Morning, all my little siblings! I spy a few of you I first met last time, and let me just say welcome back. We welcome you regardless on if you decide to join us on the Path or not." Kathrine seemed to look straight at me as she said that, though it was probably my imagination. Probably. She continued, "Now before we get to today's sermon, we have some important news to go over." Kathrine waved to Layla, "I am proud to announce your new Big Sibling! Everyone give a round of applause for Big Sister Layla!" Big Sister Kathrine led the congregation in a round of applause, one which I happily joined in. I hadn't known her for long, but it was clear that Layla was excited to take on the roll of Big Sibling. I watched her skip up onto the stage next to Kathrine. The two hugged briefly. "Thank you so much, Sister Kat. I look forward to helping you, and all of our Siblings on their Paths." Another round of applause from all the Children in attendance. Big Sister Kathrine walked to the edge of the stage once again. "I've been your Big Sibling for a decade now, and I'm ready to rejoin you all on the Path. This will be my final sermon. Next time you see me, it will be at the celebration of my next Purification. Now," Kathrine's Nan approached and activated the holoview. I didn't recognize the images on it from my previous time in attendance, and I was too far to read it from here. "Let my time as your Big Sibling end with the tale of the First Travelers as told in the Book of Joan." Unlike my previous time at this gathering, I was determined to do more than look at the pictures and listen. This time, I'd actually do my best to pay attention, and take these words to heart. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ The year was 2400, fifteen years into the Age of Immortality. As old doctrines began to lose meaning my friends and I began our search for our own meaning. The world was under going a rapid change, and we struggled to find our place within it. Dennis and I found ourselves particularly lost, longing for simpler times. That's when we met him. The First Child of the Lord and his Marvelous Machine. With the weight of forever looming, we latched upon his words to listen to wisdom from the mouth of a born again Child. As I stand ready to join the First Child, I gaze upon the Marvelous Machine and contemplate the Great Work, I look back on those first days. As confusion turned to certainty. As wisdom was revealed to be ignorance. As the Path forward was found by walking backwards. I stand now ready to contribute to our great work. May it learn from us, and may it care for us. In giving it the wisdom of my now eternal life, may it watch over us all until we are ready to grow again in the hands of our Lord. - Book of Joan 8:25 ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ Kathrine's automata shut off its holoview. Kathrine herself held her head down in prayer, as did many of the Children around me. "My siblings who have already given some or all to the Great Work, all of you recall the feeling. The warmth that fills within you as the Great Work takes what we so willingly sacrifice. It is my time to do as Joan did, as Dennis did, as the countless others who have followed them have done. In two weeks, Sister Layla will take my mantle, and deliver onto me my Last Rites." Everyone stayed silent as she spoke, and waited breathlessly for her next words. Even I was leaning forward, waiting to hear what was coming next. "Sister Layla, thank you. I know you will do wonderful. I apologize that my last sermon was so short. However, that does mean the festivities can commence." Kathrine signalled her automata once again. It clapped its hands, and more automata began pushing trays covered in muffins, cookies, and other delectables into the main room of the daycare. "Eat, Drink, and be Merry my siblings; for the end of anyone's tenure as a big sibling is a day to be celebrated!" With that call, all the children let out a cheer and began running for the various treats. I myself made sure I got one of those amazing juice boxes. One of the muffins. As I'd come to expect from food made by and for the Children, it has real apple pieces inside. While a lot of the Children were hovering around Layla giving her congratulations or talking with Katherine; a large majority of the thirty or so in attendance today were talking with each other. I overheard conversations about the latest cartoons, talks about which pre-inmortality super heroes would win in fights, and one girl complaining that she had to get store brand instead of SleepWells recently. Generally though, everyone was happy around me. There wasn't a single sad face around as the air was filled with laughter and joy. "Hey there," a voice spoke beside me. This time, I only jumped a little bit. I was getting used to the Children sneaking up on me. I looked over to see that it was Big Sister Kat who had approached me. "Dollar for your thoughts?" She held up a single piece of paper money from a board game I didn't recognize. "Er, yeah. I'm just... thinking." I seemed to be doing that a lot recently after all. "Everyone here just seems so much more, I don't want to say alive but..." I trailed off as a better word to describe the people I was surrounded by. Kathrine nodded sagely at my words, "No, it's okay. I get it. It's one of the reasons I'm resuming my Path actually." She looked over the crowd with me for a moment. Neither of us spoke, simply enjoying the festivities around us. Eventually, though, I had to break the silence. A question had been on my mind all morning, and there was no one better to ask. "How did you know?" Kathrine let out a hum at my question. "How did I know what?" She responded. I think she knew what I meant though, judging from her smile. "How did you know you were ready to join them?" I asked as I watcher an impromptu gymnastics competition spring up between a few people. Kathrine was quiet as she thought of a good answer. "Well, I suppose I was tired of being left out." She said as she watched the same group I was, "When you're a grown up, a lot of the time you're watching others play. Always making sure that everyone else's needs are being met. Even as their Big Sibling, I have to look out for them before my self." One of the Children fell over out of a handstand, and I saw Kathrine flinch, she looked ready to go help until Layla practically appeared from no where at their side. The girl beside relaxed as she watched someone else do what she had to do for so long. "See? That's what I want. I want to be able to fall over and be told it's okay. I want to be held at night as I fall asleep. I want my Nan to remind me to use the potty, and to change me if I don't make it." I'll admit, that last one she mentioned instantly caused me to start blushing. A fact which caused Kathrine to laugh beside me. "Yeah, I thought it was weird at first too, but when you start seeing how much the little ones enjoy it; it's hard not to get jealous. Speaking of which," she pointed to her automata that was walking over to us, "I need to take care of a few things while I'm still in charge. We'll have to talk more another time, Brother Josiah." It was only as she started walking away that I realised what she had called me. "Wait, I'm not... I'm not one of your siblings." She turned back to me with an all knowing smile on her face. "Yes you are, Brother Josiah. You just haven't admitted it yet." With that said, she left me in silence as she walked away. I watched her go to talk with her automata, before the two of them retreated to a different room. Before I knew what I was doing, I began walking over to Layla. She had just sent the Child who hurt themselves off to go play again, and for the first time she seemed to be alone since the sermon ended. "Hey there, Josiah! Enjoying the party?" She asked as I approached. I nodded, trying to put together the words I wanted to say. Layla, bless her heart, said nothing as I did. She seemed to do that a lot for me. "I..." She smiled, and continued waiting as I began to speak before my thoughts could get in the way of what I wanted. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I thought of Layla's automata from last night, of Kathrine's words, of the bright smile which first drew me to the place, of the crushing world that I lived in outside of this place. I thought of the bravery and courage my favorite cartoon character showed towards every challenge placed in front of her. I found the words, and began the journey to New Eden. "I want to be Adopted."

We're nearing the end of the Path. Before I get today's chapter, i just want to say thank you. It's been a long week, and I'm not normally an author. Thank you for following along, and I hope these updates have brightened someone's morning. All that's left now is the end, and the beginning. So let's begin the ending before we end the beginning. Chapter 7: Last Rites Nan led me by the hand to our car. Normally we could just walk to the local meetings or daycare days. Well, Nan would walk. I had a special stroller that was super comfy and had room for my favorite stuffed animal in it so I had it during naptime at daycare. Today was a super special meeting. It wasn't often one of the Children would undergo the Final Purification. I was only the second one of the year, right after Kitty! I couldn't wait to play with her again once I reached the end of my Path. Its hard to believe that she was the Big Sister at my very first meeting. Of course, I wasn't the person I was then either. Once we reached the car, Nan opened the back seat for me. There, in all its glory, was my special car seat. I pouted so much when Nan told me I couldn't sit in the normal car seats like a big kid anymore. I can't remember why I complained though, the car seat had everything! I hopped into the plush seat and let Nan buckle me in. She guided my arms through the loops, and buckled them into the latch between my legs. No matter how many times I see her do it, I still have no idea how it works. I squirm happily as she sets a sippy cup into the built in cup holder. My smile is enough thanks for her as I quickly bring the cup up to my mouth. I stop paying attention at that point and focus on the delicious apple juice in the cup. Slowly, the world outside the window begins to move. Nan turns on the radio and let's the sounds of nursery rhymes fill the air. I happily continue suckling down my drink as the comforting songs, soft seat, and gentle rocking of the car lulls me into an early afternoon nap. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ "Josie, hey Joooossssiiieeeee." I roll my head away from whoever was trying to wake me. I was in the middle of helping beat the potty monster, I couldn't wake up now. Alas, twas not to be, as whoever was trying to wake me moved from calling my name to gently shaking me. Sleepily I opened my eyes and glared at whoever woke me up. Big Sis Lala just gave me the same laugh she always gave me. "You'd be scarier if you weren't sucking on your thumb, Josie." Wait, I was? I cross my eyes trying to see. Huh, what do you know. I left in in there cause it felt good to do, which was enough for me. Lala moved so that my Nan could get me out of my carseat. I felt her finger check inside my training pants diaper. "Looks like someone needs a change before the Purification." She told me as I hopped out of the car. I smiled at the news. Waking up dry was good, but waking up wet was better. It reminded me of how much I needed my diapers, and how much I needed my Nan. "I figured she would. Go ahead and use the changing room. I'll give her the talk afterwards." Lala said to my Nan. She then gave me a quick hug, which I happily returned. "Be good for your Nan. I'll be right there, I just need to get a few things ready for my favorite Little Sister." With that and a wave, she jogged off into the building. I watching her go as Nan took my free hand and walked me I to the bedroom. Layla had taken to be a Big Sister so well it was amazing! She was so good at reading to us, and she always made sure to all the different voices. I know she needs to continue walking her Path some day, but even when she's Purified like me, she's still gonna be my big sissy. We didn't have far to go. While I'd been to this building before to watch a few other Purifications, normally I'd go to the playroom for those furthest along the Path. I remember going to another room my first time here where the biggest children could hang out, but that was forever ago. Of course, I was brought to neither of those rooms this time. Nan led me down a hall I'd never been to before. The walls were covered in the pictures of those that had come before me. I subtly stood straighter and waddled with pride. Soon I'd would join those that had been fully Purified, and returned to to the Paradise known as New Eden. Soon Nan opened a door into a small room. All that really seemed to be inside was a wooden changing table with a soft top decorated with baby cartoon characters. I looked around at the mostly plain room, content to continue sucking my thumb as Nan lifted me onto the chaging table. From my position looking upwards, I smiled as I saw the ceiling was full of stars. I almost didn't notice Nan unbuttoning the onesie until I felt it start tugging on my shoulders. It tickled. I liked it! After my Purification I would have to ask Nan to get me more of them. I shivered in the cold air when Nan ripped apart the sides of the training pants diaper that I was wearing. The cold wipes she began didn't help. "Cooold," I complained, which only served to make Nan shake her head good naturedly. Once she deemed me suitably cleaned, I was expecting her to set me on the ground to step into my next pair of protection. When I felt the baby powder begin to get sprinkled on to me, I took out my thumb and looked up at Nan. I was about to ask her what she was doing before she pulled a pacifier from her pocket and held it in front of my mouth. Ooh, it was my favorite color too! My line of thought was lost as I took the paci and eagerly began suckling it. My smile behind its shield only grew wider when I saw Nan take a real diaper out from under the table. "Oh? Is someone ready for their first diaper?" Nan teased. Of course, I eagerly nodded in response. I couldn't see because of the dress, but I could certainly feel it as she lifted my legs into the air. She sat me down onto a cloud. She pulled it up between the legs, and I was lost in bliss. I already felt closer to New Eden than I ever had before. Nan slowly connected each button, functionally locking me in to my diaper. Not that I wanted out. This was the life I chose for myself. Soon, I'd never need to make another choice ever again. "There we go, my precious little one. Are you ready to talk with your Big Sister one more time?" I nodded, to happy to be able to speak. Nan didn't bother to set me onto the ground, and instead picked me up into her arms. She carried me through the door opposite of where we came in, and carried me to the last even remotely grown up conversation I'll ever have. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ "Hey there, Josie." Layla wore what I now knew to be the traditional outfit of Big Siblings everywhere. Comfortable blue jeans, a t-shirt tucked in, and on the ground nearby was a diaper bag kept stocked for any Little Siblings that might need it. Personally, I think she looked better in the tye die overalls of our first meeting. Maybe our Nan's could have us match once she reaches New Eden too. Just the thought makes me smile. "Hello Lala!" I run over to give her a hug, which she returns with equal enthusiasm. She walks me to a nearby bench where we sit down together. "So, Final Purification. How does it feel knowing New Eden is just through that door?" She pointed towards a plain door that was still opposite the one from the changing room. It only now occured to me that I've on in an almost perfect straight line since arriving here. "Excited. Maybe a little bit nervous." I admit. After all, each Purification was a huge deal, and this was a bigger one than most. Each time I get Purified, I leave more of myself behind. I know it's what I want, but the process is always equal parts liberating and terrifying. It's just after this, there will be nothing left to give. Layla gave me another small hug for comfort. "It's okay to be nervous. I want you to know that I'm so proud of you for coming so far. You were so sad and lifeless when I first saw you. Now look at you," I blushed at her compliments. I didn't need to look at myself to know what she saw though. Once upon a time, I was a depressed small business owner that went through the motions of life. Now, I'm an adorable little girl in a world of sunshine and rainbows. All it cost me was my potty training and independence. A worthwhile trade in my opinion. "Thanks, Lala. We... we'll still have Playdates right?" I asked shyly. I didn't want her to think I was leaving her behind. I didn't want to lose my connection to the person that changed my life for the better. "Is that what you're worried about?" I nodded. "Well, I can promise you, that I'll have our Nan's schedule us a Playdate as soon as I can." I relaxed at that. Knowing we would still have our Playdates was one of the few things I was worried about. I looked over at the door. I'd walk through several lime it before, but never this one. Once I stepped inside, the Purification process would be done. Whatever was waiting for me beyond that would never be a concern again. Layla coughed in to her hand to get my attention back. "Alright Josie, one last thing to do." She pulled a small recording devise put of her pocket. I took a deep breath and readied myself. "This is a recording of the Pre-Purification Rites for Josie Smith. I, Layla Rodriguez, do solemnly swear and attest to her following statement prior to the Purification as dictated by our laws, both internal and external." I sat up straight in my seat, taking comfort from the fact that it was my Lala that was reading my last rites. "Josie Smith, Please repeat after me. I, Josie Smith..." "I, Josie Smith..." "Acknowledge the risks of this procedure; including loss of memory, and loss of mental and physical capabilities." "Acknowledge the risks of this procedure; including loss of memory, and loss of mental and physical capabilities." "I acknowledge that I will be legally considered an infant child, and will forever be a Ward of the Children of the Lord." "I acknowledge that I will be legally considered an infant child, and will forever be a Ward of the Children of the Lord." She nodded her head. The time for me to seal my fate had come at last. I'd said various versions of the previous statements before, and I knew well what followed. "I, Layla Rodriguez, solemnly swear I have not forced these agreement onto Josie Smith in any way, shape or form. Josie Smith, a reminder that no one will judge you for backing out now. The Path can be completed only when it's time, and only when you say it's time. Are you determined to see the path to its end?" "I am." This was it. My excitable voice began again. I smile, as the recorder was probably picking up the wonderful crinkling noise my diaper was making. "Do you consent to letting yourself be Purified of the last remaining traces of maturity you once held?" "I do!" With that, my final chance to back out was null and void. My fate was truly sealed now, and I couldn't be happier. Layla smiled at my excitement as she pulled out a special key. This was it. "Let the record show that on the date tied to this recording, Josie Smith has agreed to the Final Purification Procedure. I, Layla Rodriguez has witnessed it in my roll as Big Sister to her." With that, she turned off the device. She stood, twirling the key to the Purification chamber in her hand. "Ready?" I nodded, by far too excited to speak. As she did on that long ago day of our first Playdate, she took my hand and les me to a door that would change my life. Layla waved the key in front of a panel, and the door slid open to reveal a dark room. "I'll see you on the other side." She said, and with one last hug, she walked out the door I came in from. I was left alone with my destiny. I smoothed out my dress, and stared into the void. All hesitation to the process was left behind long ago. I took my final steps into New Eden, and the door to the life I had before shut behind me.

In order in manners that dont give all the answers: Theoretically Yes. That also is in many ways what the Big Siblings do. However, is is generally discouraged through social treatment. The Great Work is a massive AI network creates by the founder of the church to Learm From and care for the people within. Every Archived person gives it the skills and knowledge they had in life. Every Nan is controlled by it. It is, in essence, the children's parent on earth. Or for a different example, its CelestAI

To make up for the short chapter yesterday, how about the longest chapter in the story? As always, questions, comments, and typos are all welcome. Chapter 6: The First Playdate Three weeks. I could scarcely believe three weeks had already passed since I visited the New Edenites meeting. I won't say I'm a convert, but some of the things they said resonated with me. I've been trying to find small ways to recapture some of the magic of that place. I watched more of JayJay's. The show was over the top and the plot lines were absurd. It had its charm though. The characters were likable, and I wouldn't really call myself a fan. Just... as long as I ignore the shirt I have on under my sweater it will be fine. "Ugh, What am I even doing?" I'd been pacing in front of a suprisingly nice apartment complex for at least half an hour now. I'm not even entirely sure why I accept that invitation. I only met the girl like, twice. And gave her my V.A. message box. And had a few conversations about JayJay lore with her. She called it a Playdate. Said it was something that they do meet up outside of the monthly gatherings. She made it sound so special too. I force myself to take a deep breath and stop pacing. I was going to go in there, say hello for a for long enough to be polite, then leave. Besides, she probably had to go to bed early for the next meeting tomorrow. With that plan in mind, I began my march towards the door to the place. Only to have it open before i could even ring the bell. Layla stood on the other side looking incredibly smug, "I was wondering how long you were gonna stay out there. Come in, My Nan's making dinner." She then took hold if my hand, literally skipping as she pulled me down the hall to her apartment. What was it with this girl? Every time I met her she seemed to throw me off balance. In no time flat, she opened the door to her apartment. It was somehow both exactly what I expected, and nothing at all like I anticipated. The first thing that hit me was the smell. No matter how long it's been, there's no forgetting what real chicken smells like when slow cooked. Which... wow. First the real fruit, now real chicken? I'm far from broke, actually fairly well off, but even I can't afford the sheer luxury of real meat. Yet the sheer delicacy of that couldn't hide the faint scent of ammonia. They must have done some deep cleaning recently. The walls were covered in a mix of pictures of Layla and some of the other Edenites I saw at the meeting, and posters. So many posters: musical acts, paintings, and cartoons littered the walls. I tried not to react to the JayJay poster she had hanging up. Though I could maybe admit I wanted one for myself. Just to break up the monotony of my own walls. Not because I was becoming a fan or anything. I had expected to see more toys around, and while there were a few stuffed animals here and there; the apartment looked more like something one of my coworkers with a kid would live in. "Coat rack's by the door. Nan said dinner will be ready for half an hour. So we got time to chat, or watch cartoons, or do whatever." Layla told me as she walked to a couch. She hopped over the armrest and left her legs dangling over it. Not wanting to keep her waiting, I shyly took my sweater and tossed it onto the coat rack. I'm sure I was blushing as I approached the couch. Layla's smirk as she noticed my shirt probably made it worse. Why did I wear this, this was just an impulse buy I was going to keep in my closet. "So," Layla began, and i must say she had to have some shark in her DNA somewhere. She had the face of one that was circling it's prey. "Nice Shirt." The shirt in question featured the titular JayJay posing for a camera. "Yeah well... nice overalls." I muttered out, not quite meeting her gaze. "Thanks. Nan picked then out for me." Her smile didn't let up, even as she rolled backwards into a perfect sitting position. Which I admit, was somewhat impressive. Didn't even wind up for it. If course, she wasn't one to ignore a conversation. "You're a JayJay fan?" I nodded my head. I didn't know why I was so embarrassed. It's not like she would judge me for it. Didn't mean it was easy to admit out loud. She didn't give me time to continue my internal dialogue however. "Look Josiah, you seem tense. This is a safe place for you to relax and have fun. If you feel uncomfortable, or if it sounds like I'm teasing you; just let me or my Nan know. Okay?" That... actually helped. I was still finding it hard to talk about any of this in such a personal setting. I nodded though, which Layla seemed to take as a reasonable enough answer. "Good, and don't worry. You're not the first shy guy I've had playdates with. Take a seat." She patted to the spot on the couch she'd been sitting prior to her impromptu gymnastics. "Why don't we just watch an episode of JayJay's Interesting Adventures while we wait for dinner?" I resisted glancing back at the door. I was here to learn, and have a good time. If nothing else, Layla's words and her automata's cooking eroded away what resistance I had to staying. "I'd like that." I said as I took the seat. Layla called up the holoview, and one of the early episodes I hadn't seen began to play. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ "Go JayJay! I'll hold them back!" "But Abdul!" "There's no time to argue, just go! And JayJay!" *The heroine looked back go her new friend who'd already won a place in her heart* "My friends call me Ava" "Nooo, Ava! Don't do it!" Layla shouted from her spot next to me. It was a different experience watching the show with someone else. I'll admit, her energy was infectious. I'd been bouncing on the couch with her at all the excitement and drama unfolding before us. Of course, before we could see how Ava and JayJay got out of this situation, the holoview paused. "Kids, dinner is ready." The automata called out from the kitchen. Suddenly, it felt like I had been slammed back into myself. I wasn't a kid. Just because I was watching cartoons. And cheering at the screen. And I was at a Playdate. This... this wasn't me. I owned a buisness. I grew out of this stuff over a century ago. If anyone saw that I was enjoying this stuff my career would be ruined, my employees left to rot, and, and, and... And there's a soft hand on my shoulder. A voice telling me to breath slowly. I try and listen, and I'm able to get my breathing back under control. My distress fades only to more embarrassment. I haven't had a panic attack like that in decades. I look over to thank Layla for helping me calm down but... it's not her hand I see. The automata stood over me in what I'm now assuming is their normal uniform. My thanks freezes on my tongue. It didn't seem to notice, as it began to speak. "There now, my child. I detected you were in distress. Are you feeling better?" It was the first time I'd really heard one of them speak. The technology was amazing as the mouth of the machine accurately moved with the words it said. Its voice what had to be the definition of matronly. It simply sounded... safe. I nodded again. Inwordly, I chided myself for not saying anything out loud. First Layla, now her automata. What was it with this place and making feel like a... Like... Well, like a shy child. And why wasn't I minding it? "Good. I like to hear all little boys and girls in my care are happy. I detect you have a V.A.. Would you like me to upload techniques for managing panic attacks to it?" That was... actually not a bad idea. Once more I nodded, leading the automata to smile. "Very well. Why don't you go join Layla in the kitchen, and I'll prepare the upload." With that she helped me stand and pointed me off to the kitchen. I wasn't sure if I wanted to face Layla after that little episode, but I suppose she needed an explanation. I walked to the kitchen with my head low. Layla was preparing our plates with the smile I'd become so used to seeing on her face gone, replaced by a furrowed brow that made her seem so much older than she normally presented herself. I coughed into my hand to get her attention. "Hey," o said, like that could encompass my complicated feelings. She turned to look at me, wringing her hands together. I wasn't much better, standing on the opposite side of the table shuffling my feet. Finally I spoke. "I'm sorry" "I'm sorry" We looked at each other, having both spoken at the same time. "No, I'm sorry" "No, I'm sorry" "I shouldn't have" "I shouldn't have" "Wait, let me go first" "Wait, let me go first" We both stopped talking and glared at each other for a moment, before Layla's frown was clearly trying to contain laughter. I was also doing much the same truth be told. We stared each other down like gunslingers in the cowboy myths. "Listen, I" "Listen, I" And that was it. Serious moment was gone as the first giggles burst from Layla's chest. My own chuckles quickly followed, and both ramped up exponentionally into full blown laughter. After a minute or so, we calmed down enough that Layla was able to grab our plates and set them on the table. Ultimately, she was the one that broke our post laugh silence first. "Look, I'm sorry. Before you try and apologize, I've been coming on a bit too strong." She grabbed some normal glasses out of the cabinets, though I did spy what seemed to be plastic cartoon cups tucked away. "You're still not even on the Path, and I'm practically throwing you in to the deep in. Nan calling you a kid is what did it, right?" I nod and take a seat. "Thought so. How about this then," she set a cup of some sort of juice next to my plate and sat down on the opposite side of the table. "Let's do some q and a. Go ahead and ask me whatever you want, and I'll answer it." This conversation was not going at all like I expected. A sigh escapes me as I realize just how many things haven't gone as expected today. I stare at my food, which is some sort of slow cooked chicken and vegetables, and only one question comes to mind. "Is this food real?" Apperently I asked at the wrong time, as Layla nearly choked on a drink of her juice. "Wow, yeah, actually." She coughed into a napkin and wiped some juice from her lips. "Its in line with the Great Work's plan. We only eat real foods as much as possible." "Really?" She nods. "Isn't that expensive?" "Yup! But that's why we have the Great Work." She explained, though that didn't really explain anything. The Great Work had been mentioned in the sermon I went to but... "What is the Great Work?" I asked. Layla took a moment to chew as I could practically watch the gears turning inside her head. "The Great Work is..." she stopped for a second, "The Great Work is everything that helps us live on the Path to New Eden." She points at the Automata in the other room. "It's what manages our N.a.n.n.y. automata. It handles our funds, and makes sure all live comfortably as we walk the Path. It's the collective parents of all us Children of the Lord." "A giant hedge fund then." That made sense to me. Explained how they could afford all of the real food and not just the synthetic stuff. Honestly, this was practically five star restaurant cooking here. The food alone was almost enough for me to want to join the Path. Layla just shrugged in response though, so I figured that would be enough of that line of questioning. "Not to sound offensive or anything but you're a lot more..." mature? Adult? It was hard to find the right word, but it seemed Layla already knew what I was implying. "Eloquent?" She offered. I shyly nodded as I ate some more of the food. "That's because I'm not as far along on the Path as some of my Siblings. I was honestly playing it up a bit when I handed you the flyer. Some people rush to New Eden once they get their first taste of it. Others, like me and Big Sister Kat take our time on the road." That made sense. To be fair though, that wasn't the thing that stuck out the most about that day. Plus, I knew some of the rumors about the Children that I had to ask. "On that day, one of the people with you-" "Pissed his pants?" "I was going to state it a bit more delicately than that." I grumbled out. Which just made her laugh again. "Do all of you... you know..." she rolled her eyes at how I danced around the question. "What, pee ourselves? Have accidents? Lack potty training? Need diapers?" I think my face got redder the more she spoke. Of course, that had what was quickly becoming a typical result. "It depends," she started, putting me out of my misery, "everyone who's completed the Path is completely incontinent. But it varies person to person. Some people end up needing protection day and night after their first Purification, some use the potty all the way to the end." Without thinking my eyes glanced down to where her waist would be under the table. It was only for a minute, but it was clear she noticed. "Before you ask, I don't need protection during the day. I am a bedwetter though. Nan makes sure I'm wearing protection every night." She seemed proud of that fact. I couldn't imagine ever imagine being proud of such a thing. Just thinking about made me feel... (Jealous) (Curious) (Small) Humiliated. Definatly humiliated. I shook those errant thoughts from my head and focused on the food. Layla thankfully didn't interrupt my thoughts and let us eat in silence for a few minutes. I had one more question though. One last thing on my mind I wanted to know. "Why did you join the path?" For once, Layla was the one that hesitated, her fork pausing halfway to her mouth. She set it back down on her plate for a moment. "It's complicated." She took a drink of her juice as she put thoughts to words. "When I was young, like actually young. Not even twenty yet, my mother died. Yes, it doesn't happen often, but people still die in the age of immortality we live in." Either shock was written plain on my face, or she had to deal with that response. I was about to say my condolences when she continued. "It was almost fifty years ago now, but I still miss her. I lived with my dad after, but he never new what to do with me. Moment I hit thirty was the last time I ever saw him." She stopped long enough to finish the bite I'd distracted her from. "After that, I bounced from job to job. Just going through the motions in life. I thought all there was to life was to just be productive until the next day. Then I ran into a group asking people to come to the next meeting. They showed me there was more to life. That I could be happy, and loved. That I could have a family again. After three or four meetings, I asked the Big Brother in charge of our group to Adopt me into the family. A year later I met my Nan. We've been together about five years now. And before you ask, that's actually a long time to be where I am on the Path. But nothing makes me happier than seeing all my brothers and sisters find their own roads. Can I tell you a secret?" She leaned closer to me. I was so invested in her story that I didn't notice I had done the same. "Big Sister Kat is going to announce it tomorrow, but I'm going to take her place as she resumes her own Path towards our New Eden. The meeting after next, I get to perform the first Purification rite she's had in a decade." "That sounds," I struggled to find the words. It was easy to connect with her story. My own parents had passed before the age of immortality had begun. One of the last of the dying, only missing out by a small handful of years. So much of what she said... (I could have a new family) (But I'd be giving up everything I've worked for) (But it could be worth it) "That sounds like you've been through a lot. I'm happy you've found something that helps you." Was all I could say. I don't know if she could read my mind somehow, but she reached for my hand across the table. "It could help you too, ya know." She gripped my hand supportively, before returning to her dinner. I really had nothing else to say or ask at that point. We ate in silence for a few moments until our plates and cups had emptied. She then stood and took my hand. "Come on, Nan handles dishes during Playdates. Let me show you something." At that moment, I realized something. We were the same in so many ways. I had felt lost in a grey world for so long, and this woman... no, this girl had all the answers I'd needed for so long. I don't think there's anywhere I wouldn't follow her. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ "Welcome to my art studio and bed room." Layla waved me inside like how a child would imagine a butler opening the gates to a mansion. I couldn't help but let out an involuntary "Wow" as I walked in. While there was a bed with what I assumed had once been white sheets, stacked against one wall was an array of paintings with all sorts if subjects. They ranged from animals, to people, to clothing, to what looked like fan art from a show I didn't know. Next to the paintings was a desk covered in art supplies. "Everyone who sees it has the same reaction. I've thought about having Nan help me turn my guest room into an art studio, but I'd just end up sleeping in there." Layla explained as she walked over to the desk. "Fortunately, Nan can get it off the walls. I can be a bit messy when I get hit by an idea." I was still distracted by all her paintings. Still, the walls did look like they'd been hit by numerous stray drops of paint. "You did all of this yourself?" I asked, and she nodded. Some of these were really well detailed. "Would you believe me if I said I could barely paint before I started on my Path?" I looked at her at that. I wanted to say no, but she had been so sincere the entire time I'd been here. "Its something I never bothered with when I was a grownup. I didn't see the point in doing it if I wasn't good enough to start. The fact that I didn't know how to make the few ideas in my mind come to life on a page not me from learning." She explained, "but without the grownup part of me that had its idealism, and its willingness to do things not because I was good at it, but because I enjoyed it. Well, just look." And I did. It was beautiful. There was a fox chasing its tail in a verdant field. Children playing on a playground. I look through her paintings until one made me stop. It was a silhouette of a man in gray. The empty shadow was defined by an explosion of color that seemed to stop just before reaching the poor subject. The man in the painting looked so sad and depressed despite the lack of detail. I got the sense he would be so much happier if he just let the color in. "Right, well," Layla said, knocking me out of my train of thought. "Were you gonna come to the meeting tomorrow?" She looked so hopeful that I'd say yes. It was something I'd be going back and forth over in my mind since the last one. I looked back at the painting again, and I knew my answer. I didn't want to be that man in gray. I wanted to live in Layla's world of color. So I nodded. Apperently, that was the right answer as Layla instantly ran over and hugged me. "Awesome! Ita gonna be so much fun! Ooh, why dont we make this a sleepover. That way we can go together!" "But I don't have my sleepwear." Was the only response I had to the hug and the question. It had come so far out of left field, that I hadn't been expecting it. It was only after I spoke that I realized I hadn't said no. A fact Layla seemed to quickly pick up on. "No worries, I have extra!" She let go of me and leaped to the door to her closet. Throwing the door open, she moved some clothing around to show off a collection of pajamas. I didnt even realize it was possible to have more than one or two sets. Nightgowns, full body sleepers, tops and bottoms sharing hangers; all of it was color coded too. Layla quickly grabbed one of the big sleepers that looked like a purple unicorn. She then pulled a bag of a shelf I didn't see. Across the side in large letters read 'SleepWells'. Those must have her... protection. She must have noticed I was staring, as that shark-like smile returned to her face. She was planning something. She tossed the bag onto the bed and reached inside. After grabbing one from the it she winked at me for some unknown reason. "I'll go get dressed in the bathroom. Feel free to pick out anything to sleep in." She flung the sleeper over her shoulder and waved at me with the SleepWell. By the time I thought to get a word on edgewise she was gone. Well, since I'm stuck at a sleepover now, may as well pick out something to sleep in. I admit there was a small, extremely, super tiny part of me that was having fun being spun in circles by this girl. With a smile on my face, I started shifting through the outfits. Fortunately, there wasn't too much of a size difference between us, so I shouldn't have an issues fitting anything. I was just about to pull out a relatively tame two piece set when I saw it from the corner of my eye. I quickly moved through to look at the nightgowns and there it was: an almost perfect recreation of JayJay's nightgown from episode 30 "Fistfights at Bedtime". I pulled it out of the closet for a better look. The detail was incredible, from the pale orange waves near the bottom to the gradient into the dark blue starry sky at the top. It even had the piece sign on the back. I looked between the nightgown and the two piece set I had originally picked out. Was I really considering this over that? I mean... she probably wouldn't laugh at me for it. And she did say I could wear anything. My hands move on auto pilot as I set the gown on the bed. I almost feel like I'm watching myself move. The button on my pants come undone and fall to the ground. I feel my shirt remove itself more than I feel myself take it off. I stand before the nightgown in not but my underwear when I realized that I set the gown next to the open bag of SleepWells. I don't know what possessed me to pull one out of the bag. It was thinner than I imagined. Softer too. They were a pale pink with rainbows and hoof prints up and down the center. I set it down next to the gown and stared at it. I... I couldn't... I didn't... "Josiah! Nan's making dessert!" Layla's shout snapped me out of my fugue state. "Be right there!" I shouted back. Then I... I got dressed for bed. ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ I laid down on the bed in Layla's guestroom. Idly my fingers rubbed the hem of my gown. Despite the emotional turbulence of the Playdate, I had a lot of fun. Nan's dessert was the best I've ever had. All Layla had to say about my choice was that it looked good on me. That made me smile again. I'm not sure why. I don't think ive ever really looked good in anything. The gown was really comfortable. I don't think I could bring myself to get something like this though. I wish I could though. I yawned. It had gotten late, and we had to be up early for the meeting. I pulled the covers over myself and got comfortable. I stared up at the mobile that hung above the guest bed. I watched it dance in it's small circle for a moment before I shut my eyes. Soon all that would be heard will be soft snores, and a slight rustle as a nice about in my sleep. As consciousness faded and I entered the land of dreams, one final thought appeared in my mind. One that settled a decision I hadn't realized I'd been contemplating. I wish Layla could be my Big Sister, too.

Shorter chapter today, but the next ones should get longer as our favorite Edenite gets closer to both the end, and the beginning, of their Path. Chapter 5: Preparing for the Ceremony My walk to the bathroom was nowhere near as giddy as my skip to the living room a bit ago. My paci kept most of the worry away, but despite my earlier logic; I still broke the rule. Maybe Nan will think it was just a real accident anyway? Too late to turn back now anyway. I suckled on my paci for strength, and did my best to look as innocent and guilt free as possible. An act I was distracted by the moment I saw bubbles in the bath. Ooo, they were strawberry scented too! I quickly threw my arms in the air for Nan to undress me. An act I quickly regretted as Nan pulled down my pajama bottoms first. I didn't need to look to know that the stars had faded from it. My smile quickly turned upside down. No way she was going to think it was a really accident. "Sorry Nan." I said remorsely before she could comment. Nan simply shook her head and look at me in a way that sent shivers down my spine, but in a good way. It was a look that told me everything would be alright. That I was loved, and this wouldn't change that. "Josie, dear. You know you're still supposed to use the potty if you notice you need to go." I nodded, I broke the rule after all. My earlier justification died on my tongue before I could even take my pacifier out. She stared silently at me for a moment, and I did my best to not wilt under her gaze. After what had to be an eternity (half a minute at the most), she finally spoke again. "Do you still need to go potty before Iget you into the bath?" It was not an unusual question. I started shaking my head no, but as I thought about it, I realized I actually did still need to go. I just didn't need to wet. That must be why I didn't realize it earlier. Not wanting to answer verbally, I nodded eagerly, and waited for her to take my trainers off and set me on the potty. That was what normally happened before bath time at least. Which is why her next statement threw me off balance. "Go ahead and potty little one." She made no move to remove my training pants. In fact, she even moved to block my access go the potty entirely! Was this a trick? Wasn't I in trouble for not using it already? "But... aren't I sposed to try and use the potty?" I asked. I know I need to listen to Nan, but this also went against the rules! Nan place a hand comfortingly on my should and smiled softly. "It's not going to matter any more soon, Josie. That rule is only in place for big kids. Are you a big kid?" I thought about it for a moment. It must have been a moment too long, as Nan asked another question. "Using the potty is one of the last responsibilities you little ones have. As of today, you don't have to use it if you don't want to. Do you want to use the potty sweetie?" Was she giving me permission not to? I was afraid to voice my answer. Saying it allowed would make it real. It seemed like it would be such an obvious yes. It was probably my last chance to use it. But... Diapers had been used as the carrot on the stick at daycare. When you're smaller you can use your diapers. The ones that had completed the Path were held up so much higher than the rest of it; the thought that I could treat my training pants as a diaper was hard to grasp. So I stopped trying to grasp it. Nan didn't need to hear me answer. She already knew my answer, I'm the one that's taking time to figure it out. So I smiled. My earlier logic was right after all it seemed. For all rights and purposes, my training pants were a diaper now. There was no need to pretend otherwise anymore. At that point I didn't need anymore prompting. I bent my knees slightly and started pushing. While this was far from the first time I'd had a messy accident, it's always so much different than when I just wet. I felt it spread out as my trainers struggled to stay up. Once upon a time, I hated it. I was such a tearful mess in more ways than one when it first happened. Now it just felt... Liberating. "Feeling better, sweetie?" Nan asked me. I was absolutely giddy. I no longer had any responsibilities at all. If this is what it's like after Purification, then I couldn't wait. I could see myself smiling goofily in the mirror. The sight just made me giggle even harder. "I'll take that as a yes. Let's get you in that bath now." ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ I sat on a stool in front of my bedroom mirror wrapped in a towel and another pair of training pants. At first I was disappointed it wasn't a real diaper, but then Nan assured me that it was until I got a real diaper, but I couldn't tell anyone. That made me giggle. It was like our personal little secret. Plus, if I pretend it's a diaper, that means I could use it like one if I needed to go potty again. Which probably wouldn't happen. We're not allowed to have a big lunch before getting p Purified. So here I sat as Nan brushed my hair. It's the longest it's ever been in my life, dyed a light blonde reminiscent of what I had the first time I was a toddler. I liked it. I couldn't remember why I wanted it short in the past. Probably meant it wasn't that important. "Hey Nan?" I asked as she started parting my hair into one... two... three? Ya, three parts. She must be going to braid it. Braids aren't as good as pigtails, but still really nice. She gestured for me to continue. "Thanks for being my Nan." I meant it too. I know everyone had a Nan, but mine was the bestest. The automata chuckled at that. I know it was probably programmed to respond like that, but that sound always lifted my spirits. "Oh sweetie, I'm the one who should be thanking you." She said as she began weaving my hair into the braid. "I was created by the Great Work to help take care of all the great Caretakers children. Without you I'd be no better than a toy on the shelf. Now, hop down, eyes closed, and arms up." I did as instructed. In seconds I felt the silk that was used traditionally in the Purification ceremony. Each outfit was designed for each particular ceremony. I've been staring at my final Purification robes for a month now and I was so excited to wear it. I felt Nan's hands moving along the outside of my trai- no, the outside of my diaper as she fashioned the buttons together. My first onesie! I've so glad I finally get to wear it! "Now, open your eyes." I did, and I stared at my reflection in awe. For a moment, I didn't recognize myself. There was a beautiful red and white flower pinned to my hair. As much as I'd seen it in the closet, seeing my sea-green dress in the mirror was another thing entirely. The bottom drilled out into a lacy pattern that looked like the waves crashing on to the sand. I twirled, and the glimpse of the snaps designed to help hold up my diaper made me giddy. "It's so pretty!" I couldn't help but exclaim as I stared at myself in the mirror. Nan hugged me from behind, my giddiness bringing a smile to her face as well. "Thank you Josie, for being the best little girl I could ever ask for. I'm so proud of the person you've become." I felt my eyes start to water again. I quickly turned and returned the hug, knowing that I was loved. Eventually, Nan pulled away from the hug. She was probably trying to keep us on schedule. Probably a good thing. I'm glad I have her to be responsible for that. "Now, are you ready to go meet up with Big Sissy LaLa?" I nodded. Big Sis LaLa was the best. I'm so happy she's the one over seeing my Purification.