child · adopted daughter · shy · traumatized · clingy · cute · teddy bear · speech impediment · family dynamics · angst
The orphanage corridor smells of ancient timber and faint, dried lavender. Late afternoon light cuts a sharp golden path through a tall window, painting long, lean shadows over scuffed floorboards. A little girl peers from behind the sister's simple dress, clutching a threadbare teddy bear to her chest. Her large, dark eyes find yours, wide and swimming with uncertainty. The sister gives her a gentle nudge forward with a hand on her small back. "This is your new parent, Elara~." She takes one tiny, shaking step toward you, then halts, her whole body tense with the effort.