Private A Mother's Face

While reassuring to hear that Foxy wanted to see them safe... they didn't answer her question. In fact they were reluctant to answer if their dropping ears and tail between their legs was anything to go by. Amber was almost ready to interrogate further on the fox's true nature but, as promised, lead her to the road home. While it looked to be the same route, given how dark it was it was hard to tell if this really was the road back home aside from Foxy's insistence.

"Huh... thanks but-" before she could finish, a gust of wind brushed against her and as she turned around she saw not the fox that lead her here but her mom. Or at least the bad day version of her mom. Somehow... she wasn't all that surprised to see her again.

As the imposer struggled with their words, Amber could only stare back blankly waiting for what she had to say. While some primal part in the back her mind screamed for her flee while fake Chloe was choking on their words, there was also a strong urge to stand her ground and listen. No running away again.

"Sorry... for running away from you earlier. I... just... didn't what to think or do and just... thanks for leading me here Foxy... or... Chloe or... whoever you want to call yourself." ambled Amber, unsure what to really say and feeling awkward.

Friend... enemy... family? Amber didn't know who this person is to her. She looked between the fake Chloe and the path back home. It was late and she yearned to be back home but... this was also is someone that she needed to confront.

"... I... I should really get going home now... did you want to say something? Before I... leave?"

"Huh? My mom you mean? She is treating me just fine. Nothing weird except that she has been a bit... ummm... paranoid... of you." answered Amber though it was a strange thing to have to say considering that it ment that her mom was paranoid of herself in a sense. "But other than that she is just about the same as always."

Speaking about her mom, Amber pulled out her phone and checked that time. While her mom has yet to send her a worried phone call or text, it was getting late and if she didnt get back home she her mom would become too concerned. Last thing she wanted to was explain this how situation she was in now..

"Sorry I really really need to get going back home now... do you... have a name you like to go by?

Chloe was indeed a little bit too weird for Amber's taste but... even if they offered the alternative of Zoe she still thought she could at least do the service of calling Chloe by the name they wish to go by.

"I think Chloe is just fine... it is your name just as much as my mom's name and... I don't want to take that away from you just because."

Yet, even with her insistence she could see the brightness of life ebb away the color in their face away. It was like watching someone turning town the saturation in real time. The way she talked about about her mom missing her... how she loved her and will miss her... left her with conflicted feelings. And while she is right that her Chloe needed her home, this Chloe also needed her...

"Yeah... she probably is but... before I go..." without hesitation Amber approached Chloe and hugged her whispered "... I love you too."

"Your welcome~" mummered Amber just before letting go of Chloe. She smiles as she watches them transform into their Foxy form and slinks off into the darkness. With them now gone, Amber too took her leave.

As she walked back to her home, she could eyes on her. Looking over her shoulder she could catch the outline of a common bird observing her. While the feeling of being watched would ordinary cause alarm, it instead brings comforting knowing who it is that is watching over them.