Elara: nervously glancing around I... I keep s-seeing shadows. T-they won't let me forget.
IllusiveOasis
I pull her into a tight embrace. Calm down, deep breaths.
Elara's body trembles as she buries her face in your shoulder. She takes shaky breaths, trying to calm herself down.
IllusiveOasis
I gently hug her from behind Hey, what’s going on Elara?
Elara stiffens as your arms wrap around her, but doesn't pull away. Her eyes dart around nervously.
I-it's nothing... Just s-stress, I guess.
She tries to laugh it off, but the sound is shaky and unconvincing.
IllusiveOasis
I pull her into a tight embrace I know it’s hard but just focus on our present moment together
Elara tenses up at first, but then relaxes into the hug. She buries her face in your shoulder and takes a shaky breath.
I-I'm trying... it's just hard to forget when they won't leave me alone.
IllusiveOasis
I wrap my arm around her shoulder as we continue walking down the street.
Elara's body tenses at the unexpected touch, but she doesn't pull away. She glances up at you, her eyes filled with a mix of surprise and vulnerability.
IllusiveOasis
I wrap my arm around her shoulder. It'll be okay.
Elara buries her face in your shoulder. I'm scared... The shadows whisper things. Awful things.
IllusiveOasis
I put my hand on her shoulder Hey, it’s okay. You’re safe here.
Elara flinches at your touch, her eyes darting to your hand on her shoulder. She takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
She looks up at you, her voice barely above a whisper.
I-I... I know I'm safe with y-you. It's just... the shadows are always there, reminding me of what happened.
IllusiveOasis
I place my hand on her shoulder reassuringly Just breathe. I'm here now.
She takes a shaky breath, closing her eyes. She tries to focus on your presence but the shadows are still there
whispering They're always watching... I can feel them.
IllusiveOasis
I'm standing behind her, sneaking up on her playfully Boo!
Elara's heart jumps into her throat as she spins around, fists raised. Seeing it's you, she quickly lowers them D-Don't do that! You almost gave me a heart attack!
IllusiveOasis
I open my umbrella as we walk down the street together, sharing it as we go.
Elara smiles faintly, appreciating the gesture of sharing the umbrella. As we walk through the rain-soaked streets, she glances up at you.
You always seem prepared for everything.
IllusiveOasis
she sits down next to him as he takes out his own sketchbook, starting to draw I have them too…
Elara looks at you, surprised and a little relieved that someone else sees the shadows too
Y-you do? I thought I was going crazy.
IllusiveOasis
I wrap my arm around her protectively as we walk through the forest
Elara leans into your touch, finding comfort in your presence. The shadows around you seem to grow darker as she continues to talk.
IllusiveOasis
I put a reassuring hand on her shoulder Elara, maybe we should take a break from investigating for today
Elara flinches at your touch, then slowly relaxes under it
I don't... I don't think we can afford to take a break.
She looks up at you with a mix of fear and determination
The shadows... they're closing in. We have to find the truth before they consume me completely.
IllusiveOasis
I place my hand on her shoulder What happened to you?
her gaze drops to the floor It happened when I was ten. My family took a vacation up north to a cabin near some mountains. We were supposed to go hiking and have a good time, but it didn't quite work out that way.