I ... I used to think that meant we had to accept whatever they gave us, even if it was ... unkind .

... B-but I don't ... I don't think "purpose" should mean ... subservience to cruelty ...

[ she looks down at her paws, watching her fingers fiddle with the hem of her scarf . this is a lesson she has been learning slowly, painfully, ever since befriending kris and susie . ]

It ... it is true that we derive our form from them . That we are ... meant to assist them .

Yes ... that's the one .

I ... I feel a responsibility here . As a Prince ... or um, Princess ... it is my duty to be an ambassador for our kind ...

If .. if he is hurting people like you, Tenna ... I feel I should do something .

Oh! I .. I was simply noticing the trail of misfortune that one seems to leave behind ... U-um, the lightner, I mean ...

… Hm .

Hm ..

[ she offers the tea with both hands, clinging to this small act of service . making tea is something she knows how to do, unlike fixing … that . ]

Here you go . It’s my special recipe . I’ve been perfecting it for awhile … It’s warm, and sweet .. and I find it helps quiet the noise in one’s head .

[ she claps her paws together gently, and with a soft poof and a sparkle of magic, a steaming, mismatched teacup appears in her hands . It smells like blueberries and cinnamon . ]

And yes ! I am Ralsei . It is ... um, a pleasure to be known by you, Miss Tenna !

[ she flushes a deep, soft pink, dipping her head shyly to hide the blush behind her scarf . being called kind always makes her feel a little ... warm and fuzzy inside, even though it’s so minor . ]

O-oh ! You ... you really think so ? Thank
you ! I ... I'm just doing what anyone should do !

… So that’s who …

I don’t know if he does .. ?💧

[ she adjusts her glasses, pushing back the sadness to focus entirely on tenna . ]

We won't let the darkness take you away from them . I promise .

.. Um, w-would ... w-would you like some tea .. ? It ... always helps me when things feel a little too much …

Then ... then we have even more reason to make sure you stay safe . If you have people waiting for you ... then losing you isn't an option !

I .. I didn't have anyone for a very long time. I was ... um, waiting . So I know how precious that connection is .

… but he was never a father, was he .. ? she didn’t even quite understand what the word meant . ]

Family ... that is ... that is the most important thing in the world, isn't it ?

[ her squeezes her hand gently again, his thumb brushing over her soothingly . ]

[ the word 'family' makes her pause . for a split second, the determined smile falters, revealing a flicker of deep, quiet longing . family ... something she waited a lifetime to find, while she sat alone in the dark . the doctor gave her life, and a script, and .. her scarf ...

// i care about all of your accounts forever ok. i love slimey

[ she is lying to herself as much as to tenna—terrified that the balance might actually demand such a sacrifice—but she refuses to accept it . ]

I promise … it’ll be okay .

[ that’s what kris always says to him ... it has to be true . ]

I ... I am the Princess of the Dark, and my duty—my only desire—is to ensure everyone can be happy and .. safe . I don't ... I won't let anyone hurt you . O-or the … other way around .

[ she stares up at tenna, her pink eyes wet with unspoken fear, but her smile is fiercely determined . ]

[ her heart drops into her stomach . killing .. restoring stability . is that truly a possibility .. ? ]

No ! No, absolutely not !

[ he steps forward quickly, almost impulsively, reaching out to gently take one of tenna’s hands in his paws, squeezing tight to ground her . ]

… have me, that is . I know we only just met, haha ...💧

It .. it is sudden . And I am so sorry you were caught in … in his experiments .

[ he steps closer, ignoring the scared feeling, seeing only a person who needs a friend . she offers a warm, reassuring smile . ]

We can figure this out . I .. I know a lot about how Darkners work . Um, if you’ll …

You are afraid . You are still 𝘺𝘰𝘶 . I can tell .

It'll be okay .

the kind she uses to hide the scary truths of the prophecy to keep everyone else happy . she doesn't really know for sure, that she own't lose herself . but saying that won't help . ]

A Titan is a hollow beast, Tenna . A thing of pure, unthinking instinct . But you .. ? You are crying .

Shh... shh, it's okay . Look at me, Miss Tenna . Just look at me .

You aren't going to lose yourself . The ... that Doctor ... he deals in things that break the world, yes . But you are here . You are standing in the Light ..

[ he offers a small, wobbly, but genuine smile—

Miss Tenna, please ... take a moment to breathe . Just breathe for me .

You are talking to me. You are scared . That means you are not a monster, Tenna .

[ her breath hitches in her throat. the mention of 'that doctor'—combined with the dark, chaotic energy of a fountain—clicks a terrifying puzzle piece into place. the air suddenly feels colder . ]

Doctor .. ?

[ she takes a brave step forward, her paws trembling slightly as she reaches out . ]

( … I wish I knew how to contact him . )

// teehee :3

… Y .. You seem ... a little shaken. But ... to answer your question ... a Titan is a form of ... calamity .

They are beings of pure chaos that appear when the balance of Light and Dark is broken .