The news of her mother’s illness has sent ripples through the families and Andy is at a loss about why everyone is so teary. Being sick isn’t the end of the world but she knows first-hand, that it can feel like it. That is why the purple pup had decided to go rummaging around in the castle stores for something to help make her mom feel better. It took a lot of shifting and many dust bunnies before the purple pup finds a prize worthy of her mom. With a special lantern clutched firmly in her jaws, the girl trots out the stores with a happy bounce in her steps.

Moving to the room where the family is staying, Andy stops in the great hall to grab a long candle that will fit perfectly inside her prize before pausing to set her lantern down. Taking a moment, the pup shakes out her coat and smooths out some tufts that stick out as she tries to look presentable so that her mom won’t worry about her. It’s better that she rests and focuses on healing right now and Andy is going to do whatever she can to help. Picking up the lantern, she moves to their room and pushes inside, making sure to add an extra bounce in her step just for Zee.

Moving to the side of the bed where her mother rests, Andy sets down the metal object a little way off before happily chirping, “Hi mom! I brought you something to help you feel better!” She allows Zee a small peek of the lantern before she blocks it from view with her purple form. Carefully, she lights the candle and sets it inside the cut out, metal shade. The moment she closes the shade, stars burst to life across the room, flickering with the dancing flame of the candle. Turning to beam a grin, she says, “Now you can see the stars without having to go outside!” Small chest puffs out in pride as she looks to her mom.



"Andromeda Fatalis"

Of all her recent emotional conversations and heavy interactions, the hardest was always with her youngest of children. She and Sirius had agreed not to divulge too much too fast and perhaps it was the one selfish thing she would admit to, trying to avoid those conversations with the puppies who were still too young to fully understand. Andy's youthful joy was infectious, Zee's weary form lifting from the bed to watch as she pranced in with a lively skip in her step and a gift in her tiny maw. "Oh? What do you have there?" She entertained the pup's excitement with a smile, watching as Andy set up her found treasure and turned her back to hide it, building drama. When the room lit up and her daughter's explanation reached her ears, Zee could hardly contain it any longer. She pulled her eyes to the ceiling, feeling the strain behind them and preferring that to the tears threatening to spill out. Thankfully she had years of experience being someone's mother and with that strength pulled herself together long enough to redirect her gaze and widen her smile. She infused her words with every bit of positivity and pride that she could so that Andy would not think her gift was anything less than perfect. "You are the most thoughtful puppy I have ever had the pleasure to raise, dear Andy." She praised, her voice soft as to keep the emotion from spilling into it too heavily. "I love them, thank you." Opening her arms she invited the pup to climb the bed and join her in a hug, where she could squeeze her eyes shut and risk a tear without alarming the child. Once she had recovered from the attack on her emotions, Zee cleared her throat and addressed her pup once more. "You know, I have a gift for you too." She began. "Your father will give it to you later on, perhaps before it's time to go home." Zee navigated her words carefully, avoiding mentions of herself in her promises. "It's a telescope, an invention made to look at the stars far closer than our own eyes can see. I'm told it was very hard to acquire. Once it's in your possession, I want you to remember it as a symbol of how much your father and I love you, and how proud I am of you." "Speech"

As Andy happily bounces into the room, she notices how tired her mother looks. She hopes that this will help her sleep better. Mom plays along as she sets up the special lantern and, when she slips the shade into place, the pup jubilantly turns to see her mother’s reaction while she beams and explains the gift. Pale blue eyes watch as her mother looks to the flickering heavenly bodies and, when she turns her gaze back to the pup, Andy cannot help but feel pride. The words that Zee offers has her smile growing and she giggles when she offers her thanks.

When Zee opens her arms, Andy lets out a happy little squeal and zooms into her arms, burying her face into the fur of her mother’s neck. She holds onto the older wolf with all her might, short legs squeezing her gently while her tail wags fiercely. The pup doesn’t let ago, staying buried in her mother’s fur as long as she can, while listening to her heartbeat. The reassure sound lulls the girl into a sense of safety and she only stops hugging when mom clears her throat. Disconnecting, she scoots back slightly so she can look into her mother’s beautiful eyes.

News of a gift for the pup takes up Andy’s whole attention and she does not notice the lack of her mother in the future conversation. As Zee explains about the telescope, the pup’s eyes round, in wonder and joy, and she hangs on every word. Once mom finishes, the purple girl joyfully says, “Thank you momma! I promise to take great care of it and I will never forget how much you guys love me!” The joy softens into the look of child filled with love and see searches her mother’s face, feeling like she is seeing her mother for the first time.

A small paw reaches out toward Zee’s face and Andy aims to run it along her mother’s forehead. Softly, the girl coos, “Mommy you are so pretty. I don’t know if I tell you that enough. I hope that, when I grow up, I can be just as pretty as you!” Eyes sparkle with youthful innocence as she adds, “I love you mommy. And, I’m proud of you too!” A joyful giggle bubbles out as she scoots back in toward her mother, seeking more hugs and kisses as the stars dance around them.



"Andromeda Fatalis"