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Cold and distant, stoic and serious.
That's how the survivors described Jane Doe. Well, they weren't exactly wrong, it's how she acted, especially to those who've wronged her in the past. In her defense, Jane is just keeping herself safe, not letting her guard down again.
Though, there was one survivor she could truly rely on, the one she could just let go and be vulnerable with, BrightEyes. Girls supporting girls, right? Well, it's no secret that the Forsaken realm is male dominated anyway.
Jane could always count on her for all sorts of things such as helping to relieve period cramps or if she has any spare pads, makeup tips for whenever they wanna feel pretty, or the times they have sleepovers together and tell secrets with each other.
"Hehehe! Okay- okay, your turn!" BrightEyes giggled, eager to hear what Jane has to say.
"Well...you promise not to laugh? And you won't tell anyone?"
"My lips are sealed~" She playfully made a zipping motion over her mouth.
Jane fiddles with her sleeve pajamas. "I... sometimes age regress." She glances away from her. "Have you heard of that?"
"Oh?" The admin shakes her head, curiously she asks, "what's it like to uhh... age regress?"
"Basically, it's when you slip into a younger mental state, whether it's involuntary or not. Nonetheless, it's a healthy coping mechanism."
Bright tilts her head, taking in the new information. "Ahh, gotcha, so it happens when you're super stressed or something?"
"That's correct," the former tester sighs. "Though, I'd love to have a caregiver sometime, being little isn't easy to do alone."
"Ohh, I could be your mama if you'd like!" BrightEyes held her hands, pulling them closer to their faces. Jane's breath hitched, her gaze hopeful. "You'd... do that?"
"Of course! I've took babysitting jobs in college before, and I was pretty good at it with reoccurring customers, good review and such. So I'd say I'm a pro at it!"
Jane smiles, her eyes lighting up. "Thanks, Bright. I really owe you one..."
She hugs BrightEyes and tucks her head in her shoulder.
"Let's get some rest for tomorrow's round."
...
Today's round didn't go so well at all.
First, the killer was John Doe, another bittersweet "reunion," if she could call it that, is John still even in there? He's already corrupted beyond recognition. Second, the team wasn't on their A-game, causing more harm than good, which pissed her off even more. Third, her crystal pitch and hatchet swings missed and slipped from her hands multiple times, why was she so clumsy all of a sudden??
Point is, they all weren't locking in so the killer won.
But before Builderman could gather everyone around for a debriefing, Jane was already storming off to her room. Builderman was already feeling awkward, so BrightEyes had to step in.
"I'll go after her, just fill me in later, kay?" BrightEyes quickly told him, and she was excused from the main cabin room.
The admin stood in front of her door, and knocked. "Jane? It's me, BrightEyes, can I come in?"
"M-mama-? C-come in..." Bright furrows her eyebrows, getting caught off guard by the nickname. "Huh? Oh, are you feeling little, Jane?"
"Mhm..."
She pushes the door, and pauses at the sight of a disheveled looking Jane sitting on the floor. "Oh... sweetie..." The regressoe seems to be looking for something.
"Whatcha doing on the floor? Here, let's get you to bed." She carries Jane with ease, must've been all those sword fight training, but then the little flails and sobs, searching around frantically. "Mah- paci wh-where!?" Bright comforts her, gently stroking her back. "I know you're frustrated sweetie, so I'm here to help, maybe your pacifier fell down somewhere?"
With the help of her "bright" eyes, she was able to spot them under the bed, quite hard to reach for a little regressor like Jane. "Ah, there you are you sneaky, sneaky paci!"
Jane watches as Bright successfully reaches her paci, except it was covered in dust from under the bed. So Bright quickly cleaned it up with some wet wipes.
"Ta-da! Here you are, my little sunshine." Jane happily grabbed her special pink paci, sticking it in her mouth, feeling calmer already, "I wuv yu, mama!"
The caregiver wiped her tears, until her cries died down. "I love you too. You're such a good girl, arentcha?"
Jane frowns, tears welling up in her eyes. "B-but... mama not mad? We... we lost the round! An' I was no good!"
The caregiver's gaze softens. "Jane, we all mess up sometimes, even mama." Bright tucks her hair behind her ear. "What's important is that we get back up again and learn from our mistakes."
"Ion wanna get back up yet..."
"And that's completely okay, I'll be right here when you're ready." BrightEyes kisses the top of her head as reassurance, gently rubbing her shoulders in soothing motions.
Soon, Jane's eyelids were fighting to stay open, yawning as she leans onto Bright. "Feeling sleepy, Janey?"
"Yeah.."
"Alright, let's get you into something more comfy!"
The caretaker grabs her pajamas from the wardrobe and helps her put it on. It had cute little cat designs all over it, matching with Bright's white cat scarf.
"Isn't that neat? We have the same kitty cats!"
"Hehehe..."
As they both settle for bed, Jane reaches for Bright and tugs on her sleeve. "Stay with me, mama..."
"Of course, my little girl. I won't go anywhere, I promise."
BrightEyes then starts to hum the lyrics of "Silent Night" as she gently run her fingers through her hair. She just looks so cute with her paci!
"Sleep in heavenly peace... ♪"