The child was still, but met her eyes. She couldn't keep it up, looking at any other part of the room besides those piercing eyes. She fell against her, panting gently. "This body, it's so weak."

"So young," corrected Daisy gently. "You will get stronger with every passing day. I made you, I am ready to take care of you. But who are you, my curious child? I expected a nearly blank slate, but this one comes pre-filled. Who am I talking to?"

"I was." The child frowned. "I was playing a game."

Daisy tensed at that, her tail slapping the ground. "Oh. Oh shoot. I can guess which one you were trying. But where do you come from, what's your name, and what was your situation. I'm new to this world myself. Please, I won't be upset, I just need information."

The baby sniffed softly as she lay in Daisy's arms, looking up at her. "I was..." She paused to take a deep breath. "I was bored and lonely. I played all kinds of games. I just saw this furry one, looked fun. I gave it a try."

Daisy rocked the child slowly. "And you became this little infant, and thrown into this new place." She kissed the top of their head. "Been there. What was your name?"

"I was a boy." The baby shook their head. "No. I mean... my name is, was, Michael." The child began crying again. "I got sucked into my game."

Elina laughed at this, clapping gently. "You have found another otherworlder. Fascinating. And she's a mouse. I wonder if she'll grow to be a mouse or a brood mouse."

Saresan shook her head. "First time I saw a mother have a little chat with her newborn that wasn't one-sided. Creepy, but loving. Daisy, do you need anything?"

"Maybe?" Daisy held her child carefully. "This is my first child, after all."

"I don't want to be a mouse." The baby squirmed again. "I don't want to be..."

Daisy nuzzled her child. "Finish growing first, then I will gladly help you become what you want to be, of any gender you have in mind. But grow first, become strong and understand the world a little."

"I don't wanna be a baby," Michael whimpered.

"None of us do, at first." Daisy kissed their head. "You'll be fine. We all survive being children. I did." She climbed to her feet, holding the child. "I don't dare flood a child with mutagens, it could tax your system to the point that you stop being a child, by dying. Not ideal."

"I'm not sure what we can do with her," Elina said, looking at the child thoughtfully.

"Care, first." Daisy reached for her armor and clothes with one hand, slinging them over a shoulder. "I'm headed back for my place, to wash up, and have some more chats with our newcomer." She carried the child from the room, laughing tensely. "I just gave birth, and I'm already walking around like nothing happened. Dang, not normal."

"It's pretty normal for monsters," Saresan said, following after Daisy.

Elina was right behind her. "We'll keep you company. It's been a long day for you."

Daisy paused, turning to regard the two. "It has, but I'm not going to get—" She felt the world spin as she started to tilt.

Elina took one side of her, and Saresan the other, supporting Daisy back to full standing.

"Thank you." Daisy laughed gently at her own expense. "I feel like I should have been in bed this whole time, not out being productive."

"You should've been in a bed all along," Elina agreed. "But you are a tough lady. But tough doesn't mean invincible. You're tired, as anyone in your place would be. Let's get you home."

Daisy sighed and nodded. "It's the only way I'll get there."

***

She was led down to her home by the pair, and they didn't leave until Daisy had washed and changed. None of her roomies were there, all scattered to various classes.

Alone with her child, Daisy flopped back on her own bed. "Good to be in a safe place. Now, Michael was it? Not a very good name for you right now. I took a new name when I got here, feel like doing the same?"

"I just want out." Michael struggled to sit up, her eyes squeezed tight against the world. "I don't know."

Daisy poked the child's nose. "I'm sorry you're upset, but this isn't that bad." She touched their noses together. "This world is pretty neat, and I don't know any way back to where we came from. We just have to adjust." She held them carefully. "I'll take care of you." She tapped their noses together again. "But you're my child, I'm not gonna abandon you."

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The child relaxed slightly, looking at Daisy. "Okay."

Daisy held up the child so that they were both on the same level, eye-to-eye. "Let's get you named, hm? I chose Daisy because I thought it was cute. I'm not going to say I didn't put a lot of thought into it, but I went with what I like. You can do the same, but think about it. You could be Michelle? Lady Michael, Michelle. You can change it later, when you settle on what you want to be."

"I don't know." Michael sniffed, then let out an angry squeak. "I hate being a baby."

"Most babies aren't aware enough to think that way." Daisy patted the child's head. "Sorry you have to suffer through it, but I'm trying to make it as pleasant as I can." She kissed her nose. "I've been here for months, and I'm enjoying it. So, name. I really should fill out the paperwork about you, and that needs a name. You don't want me making up something random."

"Michelle," the child said after a moment. "I am Michelle."

Daisy nodded. "Welcome to the world, then. And again, sorry for how much you're thinking at the moment." She brushed over Michelle's head, tickling her young ears. "Let's look on the bright side, and work together. I'm on your side."

Michelle sniffed and reached for Daisy's face, stroking it carefully with her tiny hand. "You're my mother," she murmured.

"That is the relationship," Daisy agreed with a smile. "I am your mother, and I accept that. I hope you'll do the same back for me."

"I can try." The child sighed softly. "But..."

"Hm?" Daisy asked.

"I don't know what to think." Michelle whimpered and hid her face against Daisy's chest. "It all happened so suddenly."

Daisy moved Michelle just enough to make a nipple easily available. "If you're hungry at all, drink. As your mom, I'm an open tap, any time of day or night." She quirked an ear. "Gonna guess you didn't have free access to that back in your old life. But here, it's something I can provide for you."

Michelle gave Daisy a look before she began nursing, her tiny hand gripping the fur of Daisy's chest as she did.

Daisy smiled warmly down at the nursing babe. "Yes, grow strong and bigger. I know you're looking forward to not being a baby, and this is how we fix that."

Michelle pulled away from Daisy's breast after a few moments, panting slightly. "I feel better."

"Good." Daisy put her arm around Michelle. "Now, I am very new to being a mom. If you feel bad, tell me. Suddenly wet down below, tell me. Hungry, again, just tell me. Lucky me, my first can do that." She smooched Michelle on the forehead. "You have permission to do that, even if I look busy."

"Okay." Michelle looked around the room. "I guess this isn't so bad, if I'm with you."

Daisy kissed the top of the child's head. "We'll do our best to make it not bad." She slid to her feet. "Now let's get that pesky paperwork out of the way, so the world knows you've arrived."

She carried Michelle off to fill out the paper, to notate Michelle's birth and who the father and mother were and other such things, making it official that Michelle was a resident of Raela.

The priest took the paper and looked it over. "Very good. Do you want to have your babe soul appraised now, or wait until they reach the age of majority? Parents can have it done at any time, the first being free. A child may gain or lose abilities as they mature, especially with use, or disuse."

Daisy gave Michelle's ear a gentle touch. "Do you feel like having your soul appraised, to see what you can do?"

"I don't care." Michelle shook her head. "It won't change anything."

"Don't be like that." Daisy shook a finger at her pouting infant. "You may even be a brood mouse, like me. That's a lot of power if you are. If not, there are countless talents people may have around here."

"Okay." Michelle let out a little sigh, but then smiled up at Daisy. "If it's okay with you, mother."

The priest smiled down at Michelle. "This is quite the precocious infant you have here." He put a finger to his chin. "And very well-spoken for one so young-looking. You'll go far." He gently patted Michelle. "This way."

Daisy walked into the side room, following him with Michelle in her arms.

The priest closed the door. "The information can be sensitive. Let's keep this private." He took out a small box, which he opened. Inside was a crystal ball. He set it in front of Daisy and Michelle.

Daisy lifted an ear. "I never tried this myself, I realize, but I don't need it." She felt confident in her built-in ability to see her own sheet. "Let me guess, Michelle has to put her hands on that ball?"

"That is correct." The priest nodded. "Please place your hands on it, young one."

"Okay." Michelle touched the ball, watching it curiously.

─ Michelle

─ Species: Mouse

─ Class: Child 2 (1%)

What followed was a list of sundry statistics that Daisy casually ignored. "Huh, not a brood mouse then, probably for the best."

"What is that?" Michelle tried to twist around, but her young body refused to cooperate entirely. "Tell me, please?"

Daisy kissed her forehead. "I'll tell you all I can, when we get back home. Thank you." She nodded to the priest. "You've been a huge help to both of us."

The priest smiled as he put the crystal away and returned it to the cupboard. "It's my job." He looked at Michelle. "Is there anything else I can do for either of you?"

"This little one just needs to get home and allowed to rest and grow." She stroked down Michelle's back. "We're fine otherwise. Thank you again for taking this time."

"It was no trouble." The priest bowed his head and smiled as he opened the door and gestured for them to leave.