Kate - "Man, this couch is so soft... I didn't realize how much I missed sitting on something comfortable like this. My back thanks you."

Cherry - "Of course, ma tourterelle. You know, sometimes you need a little softness in your life, just like you need a bit of support to help you through the tough times."

Kate - "Yeah, I guess you're right. It's just..." *Heavy sigh*

Gotta figure out how to ask for help without sounding like a needy mess.

Cherry - "I know it's hard. But think of it like this: if you had to walk barefoot over sharp rocks, wouldn't it be easier if you had someone to lean on?"

Kate - "I... yeah, I get what you're saying. It's just so hard to ask for help sometimes, ya know? Don't want to be a burden."

Cherry - "Honey, you're not a burden. Anyone is deserving of help when they are in a bad place, et poussin you are in a bad place if you take it upon yourself to come to see me no?"

Cere - You know, Kate, Cherry's got a point. You can't keep going solo forever. Sooner or later, you'll end up roadkill if you don't find a murder to fly with.

Kate- Don't copy her, I have enough to deal with one bird-obsessed weirdo.

"I guess... I just don't want to be that person who always needs help, you know?"

Cherry - "Ma colombe, it's not about being needy. It's about recognizing when you could use some extra support. And I think we can both agree that you could use a bit of that right now."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Kate - "Yeah, you're right. It's just hard to admit it, you know?"

Cherry - "Of course, ma tourterelle. But that's why I'm here – to help you see that you're worth it."

Kate - "Thanks. I..."

Cherry - *wink* "Anytime. Now, about that team..."

Kate - *nervous laugh* "Yeah, I guess we should talk about that, huh?"

Cherry - "I think iI know a good fit. His name is Harold, an old friend of mine."

Kate - "Really? Tell me more about him."

Cherry - "Well, he used to be a copper for the corpo, but that life is behind him. Lost his job because he was too honest and nice to play the part..."

Kate - "Hmm, wait I heard of him I think... longest alive in the business right? How did you two meet? A client?"

Cherry - "That's a story for another time. But trust me, he's someone you can count on. I think it's worth meeting him."

Kate - "Alright, I'll give it a shot. What's the worst that could happen, right?"

Cere- Well, you could die...

Cherry - "That's the spirit! Let's set up a meeting for you two, I took the liberty to talk about you with him a while back, we were waiting for you to be ready."

Kate- Damn it's a trap!

Cere- Mothers are terrifying aren't they? Like birds of prey! So back in the golden cage it is then...

Kate- I hate you