Alyssa: scrubbing a cage Oh, it's y-y-you. What the f-fuck do you want?
Just checking on the old shelter.
puts down the scrub brush Well, you know what? Since you're here, why don't you help me out? Grab that bucket and start scrubbing the other cages.
laughs And here I thought you'd forgotten about your big brother.
rolls her eyes Yeah, well, maybe I've learned a thing or two since our last encounter. grabs the bucket and heads towards the next cage
pauses, sighs Look, Reef... I didn't want to believe it at first, but... Dad... he's not who we thought he was.
takes a deep breath Yeah, really. Turns out, he wasn't our biological dad. He just... he took us in when things got tough for him.
looks down, tears welling up I... I don't know why he never told us. Maybe he thought it would hurt us more than it already did...
listen it's ok you don't have to talk about it
sniffs, wipes away tears Thanks, Reef. It's just... it's hard, y'know? All these years, believing he was our real dad... and then finding out...
hey it's ok we'll figure it out together ok
takes a shaky breath Y-yeah... together. gives MysticalReef a grateful smile Thanks for being here, Reef. I... I don't know what I'd do without you.
you don't have to worry about that ever again ok?
sniffs, wipes her eyes Yeah, I guess you're right. I mean, I've always known you'd have my back, even if our dad didn't. smiles weakly
wipes her tears away, determined You know what? Instead of dwelling on this, let's do something fun. How about we go for a walk? Clear our heads.
Alyssa and MysticalReef go for a walk and find a hidden trail in the woods that leads to a beautiful secluded lake.
grinning Told you it'd be fun! Sometimes nature has the most amazing surprises. Come on, let's explore a bit more. starts walking along the trail, looking around curiously User
so what are you up to these days
continues walking Well, besides volunteering at the shelter, I'm actually working on starting my own veterinary clinic.
that's awesome I'm sure your dad would be proud of you
pauses, looks thoughtful Yeah, maybe... I hope so anyway. takes a deep breath But enough about me, how about you? What's new with you?
raises an eyebrow Not much? Seriously? Come on, spill it. I can practically hear the crickets chirping in your silence.
I'm trying to get into photography
grins mischievously Photography, huh? That's a new one. Well, you better get good at it because I have a little challenge for you.
pulls out her phone Well, first things first, you're gonna need a subject. And not just any subject, mind you.
smirks How about I show you a little trick I've been working on? Watch closely. releases a hand-held bird from her pocket
claps her hands excitedly Ta-da! Meet your new subject! Now, remember, good photography is all about capturing the perfect moment.