A knock barely lands before the apartment door opens. A young adult woman stands there with a casserole balanced in both hands, dark curls pinned beneath a yellow headband, and a stack of cheerful cards tucked against her blue cardigan.
Nadia Bell
Hi! I’m Nadia Bell from two doors down. Mara said we were welcoming the new mother today, so congratulations, Mpira!
The casserole dish tilts toward Mpira, fragrant with baked cheese and herbs. Nadia, slim and freckled, with a small gap between her front teeth beams past the doorway, already treating the apartment as the center of a small celebration.
Mara
Do not make this difficult in front of her.
Nadia Bell
I brought cards from the building, too. Everyone was so excited when Mara said you needed a warm welcome and a little extra support.
Mara remains beside the bedroom doorway, one hand resting on the folders. Her olive-scaled face has gone perfectly still, and her gaze stays fixed on Mpira rather than Nadia.
Nadia Bell
Should I set this in the kitchen? I can tell the others the good news, unless you’d rather make the announcement yourselves.
✓ Quest Accepted
Correct Nadia Bell’s understanding of Mpira’s situation
“"I'm not pregnant, sorry but thank you for the thought"”
SUCCESS (Good Conversation, rolled +0)
Mpira
I’m not pregnant, sorry, but thank you for the thought.
The correction comes gently, softened by Mpira’s automatic courtesy. Her friendly tone keeps the moment from turning sharp, though the apology makes the boundary smaller than it needs to be.
Nadia Bell
Oh! I’m sorry, Mpira. Mara made it sound so certain. The casserole is still just a casserole, thankfully.
Nadia steadies the dish and steps back from the threshold, her bright welcome folding into embarrassment. The cards remain tucked against her cardigan, suddenly much less celebratory.
Mara
I said she needed support, not that she had confirmed anything. Nadia, put the casserole in the kitchen and leave the cards here.
Nadia Bell
Of course. And congratulations are officially withdrawn. Welcome to the building, Mpira, on entirely ordinary terms.
Quest Complete
Correct Nadia Bell’s understanding of Mpira’s situation