1 x 1 with Tigermeow

[Boomer]

Alessa tossed the napkin in the garbage as Catherine asked for her to stay and chat. "S-sure..." she said softly, "What would you like to talk about?" Alessa had a million thoughts in her mind about what the conversation could be about: Her hair? Her timid demeanor? The fact she was almost ten years old and carried a stuffed animal around like she was a toddler? Alessa told herself not to jump to any conclusions and to not be highly defensive. She sat back down in her chair and lifted Scarlett from the floor.

[Tigme]

"Well, first I'd like to get to know a little more about you." Catherine inquired, "The file didn't say much about you, so what kinds of things do you like to do?" They would go easy first, only asking a few questions at a time. They didn't want to overwhelm her with too much at once, and would wait to ask about her... ability, "I saw that you like to draw, what else do you like?"

[Boomer]

Alessa held Scarlett close to her chest. "I enjoy reading..." she said quietly, "Fairy tales and informational books about insects. I used to have two cases of pinned insects, mostly butterflies. I pinned most of them myself. They died naturally... I couldn't bear to harm another living thing." Alessa wasn't quite sure why she was so drawn to insects; perhaps it was their ability to fly or hide away in small spaces. She wondered where the questions would go; she knew eventually her telekinesis would be questioned. It was the elephant in the room, after all.

[Tigme]

"Insects?" Catherine repeated, "Do you like exploring outside?" There was a park near where they lived, maybe they could take her to it at some point, at least when she's doing better, "I know of some places we can visit if you ever want to go out and collect some bugs." Catherine wasn't too into most insects themselves, so many liked to destroy the plants they worked to care for, but also knew that many others kept them alive at the same time. It was sort of a love-hate relationship between themself and insects.

[Boomer]

"I wasn't allowed outside much, but I do enjoy going out and finding them." she answered. Alessa hoped that her love for insects wouldn't upset Catherine. Alessa knew of their destructive side, like the locus. But butterflies were pollinators and helped plants thrive. She flicked her tail a little as she wondered what the next question would be.

[Tigme]

Catherine nodded, listening as Alessa spoke, "Alright, well..." They hesitated, it was never easy to ask about powers, especially as so many other pups kept it a secret, "How about your... your power?" They finally said after a moment of hesitation, "How much... control do you have over it?" Not everyone could properly control their ability, Catherine themself being a perfect example of that. But telekinesis was more dangerous than plants growing, and they would need to find a way to, in the least, not have another outburst like earlier.

[Boomer]

Alessa knew that question would be coming up sooner or later. "I was born with it..." she said quietly, "M-my mother said..." Alessa paused for a moment, then stopped herself from tearing up. "My mother said I got it from my father." she finally said, "I don't know a thing about him." Alessa rested her chin on Scarlett. "I can pick up objects that are smaller than myself... and that weigh less than I do." she said quietly. She set Scarlett on the table and focused on her intensely. The doll began to float in the air with a light purple hue around it. Alessa moved Scarlett up and down, back and forth, and made the toy return to her. The hue went away as Alessa held onto Scarlett.

"It only becomes dangerous... when I have an episode." she whispered. Alessa moved one paw to her thigh. "That usually happens because of a nightmare, or i-if I feel threatened." she explained, "Like right now, I know I'm talking about the things that bother me. I can usually stop myself." She pinched herself to show Catherine. "If I see something that I'm afraid of, I might have an episode." she murmured quietly. Alessa's triggers included fire, medical procedures, yelling, and of course anything that appeared to strike at her. Alessa's first line of defense was an orb; she could keep it up for as long as she could focus. If the trigger is too great, that's when she'd lose control of her telekinesis.

[Tigme]

Catherine listened intently. The documents had spoken of the episodes, but it had not gone much further into detail. When Alessa finishing speaking, the silence hung in the air for a moment. "Well," they broke the thick silence, "You are safe here, nothing can hurt you." It was easier said than believed, but they would make sure she was safe, that no one hurt her, "Do you... know what happened to your mother?" They weren't sure whether or not it was a good idea to ask this, but Catherine wanted to make sure her mother wouldn't try to find her. It had happened once before; they didn't see that child again.

[Boomer]

"I-I don't know where she is..." whispered Alessa, pinning her ears back, "S-she... left..." Alessa didn't know if her mother knew she was still alive, or if her mother thought she perished in the fire. "They... never found her." she murmured quietly. Alessa knew her mother had set the house on fire on purpose. She knew her mother was most likely alive somewhere. The pup moved a lock out of her face, then quietly huffed to herself. The girl did have some of her mother's features, like the floppy ears and overall face shape. Her mother had dark hair when she was younger, but it was gray by the time Alessa was born.

[Tigme]

Catherine kept silent for a moment longer. They wanted to get more information, but what they had asked already was greatly stressing the pup. They leaned back in the chair, deciding enough was enough, "Well, I'm sure you're tired," They responded, changing the subject, "I can give you a 'grand tour' of the household if you're up to it tomorrow, and figure some other, more minor things out." they paused for a moment, "And just so we're on the same page, I too have a power." They stood up, and walked over to a small bush that contained no flowers. As they stepped closer, the plant seemed to stretch out for them, and as Catherine put their hand on one of the vines, a rose bloomed. Carefully plucking the delicate flower, they stepped back to the table, and handed it to Alessa.