Breakfast winds down amid warm cups and easy conversation, but Carla’s chair remains empty. Her coat and belongings are still inside, untouched beside the place she slept.
Lilly
Carla would not leave without saying goodbye. Husband, please look with us. We should find out where she went.
Hannah checks the porch while Sarah scans the yard. Near the cabin steps, fresh footprints press into the damp earth, leading toward the quiet lakeshore path.
Hannah
These tracks are recent. There is something caught on that low branch, too.
A length of Carla’s long black hair hangs from the branch, shining against the green leaves. The trail continues between the pines toward the water.
Sarah
Let us stay together. We can call her name gently and listen before we go any farther.
Lilly takes Andy’s hand, while Hannah and Sarah walk close on either side. The household follows the footprints into the trees, and the lakeshore path curves out of sight ahead.
“I call out to Carla hoping she'll yell back. "CARLA!"”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled +2)
Andy
CARLA!
Andy’s call carries over the lakeshore, startling birds from the reeds. The others stop beneath the pines, listening as the sound rolls across the quiet water.
Carla
Andy? I am here! Please follow my voice!
Her answer comes from around the bend, clear and close. Lilly tightens her hand around Andy’s, and Hannah and Sarah hurry carefully along the curving path.
Lilly
Thank goodness. Carla answered us. Stay with me, husband, and we will reach her together.
They find Carla standing at the water’s edge, one hand resting against a lakeside tree. Her expression is troubled, but relief softens it when she sees them.
Carla
I am sorry I left without explaining. I needed a little quiet, but I should have told you. I am safe, and I am glad you came.
✓ Quest Accepted
Learn why Carla left the cabin
“"What happened, why did you run away?" She's scared I won't love her as much as Lilly.”
SUCCESS (Fair Empathy, rolled +2)
Andy
What happened, Carla? Why did you run away?
Carla lowers her gaze to the rippling lake. Her fingers tighten against the tree before she turns toward Andy and the women beside him.
Carla
I heard how naturally everyone belongs here, and I was happy for you. Then I wondered whether there was truly room for me beside Lilly.
Carla
You are her husband, Andy. She is your heart. I was afraid that, if I stayed too close, you would realize you could not love me as much as you love her.
Lilly steps nearer, still holding Andy’s hand, while Hannah and Sarah remain quietly attentive. Carla’s eyes shine, but she does not look away this time.
Lilly
Carla, loving Andy is not a place with only one chair. He loves me as his wife, and there is room for your friendship and care.
Carla
I was scared, not abandoned. I should have trusted this home enough to tell you instead of disappearing toward the lake.
Quest Complete
Learn why Carla left the cabin
“I approach Carla and hug her while she cries in my arms. "It's okay... It's okay."”
SUCCESS (Fair Empathy, rolled +0)
Andy
It's okay... It's okay.
Andy approaches Carla and gathers her into a careful embrace. She folds against him, crying into his shoulder while the lake ripples quietly beside them.
Carla
I was so afraid that loving this home meant taking something away from Lilly. I did not want to become a burden.
Lilly keeps hold of Andy’s hand and places her free hand gently against Carla’s back. Hannah and Sarah remain close, giving the embrace room without leaving.
Lilly
You are not taking anything away, Carla. You are part of the care and kindness that make this home feel like ours.
Carla
Then let me stay honestly. If fear comes back, I will speak instead of running. I want to belong here with all of you.
Hannah
Good. We can make that simple: no disappearing, no guessing, and plenty of hugs when someone needs them.
“Once we all get home, Hannah teases Carla that she should be put on a leash.”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Conversation, rolled -1)
Back at the cabin, everyone settles into the bright kitchen. Carla keeps close to the others, still embarrassed but visibly relieved to be home.
Hannah
Careful, Carla. After disappearing toward the lake, I think we should put you on a leash.
Carla
A leash? Hannah, I came back and explained myself!
Carla’s startled step bumps the table, sending a spoon clattering onto the floor. She flushes deeply, then breaks into reluctant laughter.
Hannah
Exactly. A very decorative leash, with a bell, so we hear you coming before you vanish.
Carla
You are impossible. But if it keeps everyone from worrying, I suppose I can tolerate the joke.
Lilly
Only as a joke, Carla. You belong here because you choose to stay, and we will always listen when you need space.
“Hannah playfully wraps a collar around Carla's neck and gives me the leash.”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled -2)
Hannah retrieves a soft decorative collar from a kitchen drawer and wraps it loosely around Carla’s neck, leaving the buckle comfortable and the bell silent.
Hannah
There. Now you are officially supervised. Andy, I am trusting you with the leash.
Hannah places the matching leash in Andy’s hand. As he accepts it, the handle catches briefly on the table edge, knocking over Carla’s untouched tea and soaking a folded dish towel.
Carla
Oh! My tea. I suppose the joke needed one final dramatic entrance.
Carla touches the collar, then looks to Andy with embarrassed amusement. The leash rests securely in his hand, while Lilly quickly moves the spilled cup away from the table’s edge.
Lilly
Only playful supervision, husband. Carla chooses when to wear it, and nobody forgets that this home runs on trust.
Carla
It is silly, harmless, and strangely comforting to be welcomed back with laughter instead of suspicion.
+ New Item Acquired
Decorative leash
“I take hold of Carla's leash and lead her around the house playfully. "Hey Lilly, what should we do to my new pet?"”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled +1)
Andy
Hey, Lilly, what should we do to my new pet?
Andy takes the leash gently and leads Carla on a playful circuit around the cabin. The bell stays quiet as she follows, laughing and glancing back at him.
Lilly
First, husband, your new pet gets a warm drink to replace the one she spilled. Then perhaps a very silly tour of her kingdom.
Carla
A kingdom? I demand a throne, a basket of treats, and complete freedom to remove this collar whenever I choose.
Andy guides Carla past the chairs and toward the kitchen, keeping the leash slack and theatrical. Hannah applauds from the table while Sarah prepares fresh tea.
Lilly
And after her tea, we give her the best treatment of all: hugs, reassurance, and a reminder that she belongs here by choice.
Carla
That sounds like excellent pet care. I accept the tour, the tea, and the hugs, but only because this household is unusually kind.
“"Bark like a puppy." I playfully command Carla.”
SUCCESS (Mediocre Conversation, rolled -1)
Andy
Bark like a puppy.
Carla freezes theatrically, then drops into a playful crouch. The bell on her decorative collar jingles loudly as she lifts her face toward Andy.
Carla
Arf! Arf! Woof!
The sharp barking echoes through the cabin. Sarah flinches and sloshes fresh tea over the saucer, while Hannah collapses into helpless laughter.
Carla
There! A flawless puppy performance, though I believe my dramatic barking has cost Sarah another clean-up.
Lilly
A very convincing performance, Carla. Andy, your new pet needs a towel and perhaps a reward for all that enthusiastic noise.
Carla rises and leans against Andy with a sheepish grin, keeping the leash slack. Sarah wipes the spill as Hannah pats the empty chair beside her.
“I ask a silly question to make Lilly, Hannah, and Sarah laugh. "Hey girls... what would you say if I gave you collars and held your leashes?"”
SUCCESS (Great Charm, rolled +1)
Andy
Hey girls... what would you say if I gave you collars and held your leashes?
For one startled second, the cabin goes quiet. Then Lilly’s ears perk, Hannah’s grin turns mischievous, and Sarah hides a laugh behind her teacup.
Lilly
I would say my husband has a very silly imagination. But if it stayed playful and I could remove mine whenever I wished, I might humor you.
Hannah
I would demand the fanciest collar, a sparkly leash, and a royal introduction before I allowed anyone to call me well behaved.
Sarah
I would probably blush too much to answer. Still, a soft collar and a little theatrical parade could be funny, especially if everyone joined in.
Hannah leans toward Carla and whispers an exaggerated puppy command. Carla answers with another tiny bark, sending all four women into bright, helpless laughter.
Lilly
There, husband. You made everyone laugh, and nobody has vanished toward the lake. That deserves a reward, perhaps three very affectionate hugs.