Wha..? Oh...

(She shrank down slightly.)

Or a big person would have to help...

Bubba, can I get a little older? Jus' so I can reach things high without a stool, all by myself..!

(She giggles weakly.)

M'kay... I'll stay little forever...

(She just nodded.)

*☆S'gotta be possible... gotta save Bubba...*

(She tucked against him, teary eyed.)

Don' want little Bubba to go-o... s'gonna take him 'way..!

Yeah, but the stuff after..! What you said after that wasn' words..!

What'dyou say? That wasn't words..!

(Well, she certainly couldn't understand that. She looked back up to the being, tilting her head curiously.)

Huh..?

(She stared at the ground, gripping at her skirt.)

Bubba shouldn'... think like that...

Huh..? But...

...

Mmh...

... Bubba doesn' yell at me... why would he yell at you..?

Meanie? Bubba's not mean, he's super nice..!

...

... right..?

Bubba's my big brother! You meeted him a long time ago.

(She made little circles and set them over her eyes.)

He has red glasses!

Bubba says I’m the bestest little girl! Can we both be the bestest?

(She halfway hobbles with him, trying desperately to not be a burden.

She certainly feels like she's done that enough.)

No, no n-no..! I don' want you to go..! Wh-what if you don' come back?!

(Although she was gripping tightly, she could be removed with some effort.)

(She grabs onto him tightly, then squeaks at the strike.)

Noo!! No, leave Bubba alone..!! No more owies for Bubba-a!

(Her eyes well with tears.)

H-he's got enough owies..!!

Ah— Bubba..!

(She hurries over to the boy, worried.)

Why it get bigger?? Noooo, no, no, Bubba's gotta be okay..!

(It manages to strike her hand, and she yelps, pulling it away and stepping back.)

Mr. H-Hershel..?

(She glanced back at the pair, concerned and overwhelmed.)

A bad dream..?

(She turned to Hershel then and trotted over, crouching down and patting his head lightly.)

S'okay... s'just a dream..!

(She held her hands tightly, worried she'd made him sick by insisting he eat.)

Bubba..? Are you okay..?

M'sorry... I didn' know that would happen...

S'gonna be okay..! Just a little bit! Big brothers have to eat too!

An' I already eated so it's all for you!

Ooh, Doggie's all squishy now..!

(Desirée shushed her gently, explaining the Hound likely fell asleep.)

Oh, oopsie—

Mhm, at least a little..! Big brothers have to eat too.

Oh..!

(She turned to @missingbronev.bsky.social quickly.)

I got your san'wich! You gotta eat still.

(She takes the boys hand as they walk over, then grabs at Desiree's leg when they arrive. The woman pats her head gently, and she hums in response.)

They're talkin'...

(She nods, then pats Luke's shoulder.)

It'll be okay.

(She glanced over Luke's shoulder, smiling at Desmond.)

Hi, Bubba..! What's goin' on?

(He had good timing, as she had nearly glanced over.)

Oh..! S'gonna be okay. We're gonna find your mum and dad an' help Mr. Hershel feel better.

An' then... I think I... have to go home... after...

(She sniffled and smiled.)

Thank you... an' I know it's okay to not be able to do some things, even if I wanna...

It makes me sad but I just can't do it sometimes...

(A few tears fall, but she quickly wipes them away.)

*☆Not now..! Luke needs you now..!*

I wanna be s-super helpful like you when I get bigger..! You a-an' Bubba..!