Zach: This is probably the weirdest thang a parent has ever said in terms o' havin' their pup not doin' a chore...but honestly, I'm burstin' up with pride here. *Chuckles*
Dawn: You should be! That's a major step for Marcus!
Yuri: Pretty soon the Pup 'ill be leavin' dirty clothes on his floor and fergettin' to put the seat up before takin' a leak like a normal teenage boy...
Ada: *Scoffs* Teenaga huh? Cause youse still forget ta put da toilet seat up all da time. Seriously, youse tryin' ta use da toilet or mark it? *Cackles*
Yuri: *Rolls his eyes* Ain't like I do it on purpose alright!
Vanna: We're both very proud of how far Marcus has come. He was just...so happy to tell us he decided not to do the laundry...*Vanna chuffs softly* It melts my heart to see him so happy...to know he's really starting to get comfortable with us, that he's..really starting to heal.
Zach: I mean, I know from yer book and the lamb hood y'all went through Dawn that those sort wounds never really leave y'all...the scars will always be there...but at least...'yknow...*Zach is seemingly struggling to find his words.*
Dawn: They aren't forgotten, but they can fade. You can heal, and in time start to feel normal.
Zach: Right!
Dawn: Of course, being surrounded by mammals that unconditionally love you, and support you certainly helps mend those emotional wounds much faster. They can help you break that chain. The heavy manacles of abuse that keep your spirit shackled and allow you to find your own true happiness, and prevent the cycle from continuing...not that I think that was ever going to be an issue with Marcus.
Zach: Now iffin' we can get past the food hoardin' I'll feel even more relieved.
Dawn: When I was a little lamb, I did the exact same thing...
Zach: *Ears perk* Oh yeah...I actually fergot about that part! I remember readin' y'all used to hide whatever dry non-perishable stuff ya could get yer hooves on from outside yer house growin' up...cause...um...*Scratches chin thoughtfully*
Vanna: Because 'withholding food' is a common tactic used by abusive parents to control or punish their kittens.
Dawn: My father often withheld food from me for failing to meet his 'expectations' such as 'being a letter grade lower on a test than I was expected to be', or 'questioning his authority' which went as far as merely asking why he wanted me to do something. *Sighs* My mom would sneak me up dinner when she could...and sometimes she'd get caught and...we'd both get a beating for it...but most times I stashed away turf tarts or Sam Hain candy and numerous other things as a form of...'insurance'...
Vernon: *Scoops Dawn into his arms and nuzzles into her head poof.* Honey Lamb...I'm so sorry...
Dawn: *Kisses Vernon under his chin while stroking his cheek reassuringly.* It's okay Puppy...that was a long time ago now...
Wade: Jeeze...
Dawn: It's another reason why I'm so...small for my species...years of malnutrition thanks to not being allowed to eat properly... coupled with the frequent broken bones and wrenched muscles of course...
Zach: *Whines softly, his ears drooping.* D-Does that mean....does Marcus think we ain't gonna feed him? Does he think we-we'd do that? *Zach sniffles sharply*
Vanna: *Places a reassuring paw on Zach's shoulder.* I'm sure that's not why...
Dawn: It's more than likely habitual Zach. He was used to having to do it under his...original family, and like the situation with his incessant need to do chores, it's just something that will take time for him to work through...
*Zach whines again, and Vanna places a gentle kiss on his head.*
Dorian: I'm familiar with this stuff to some degree...but I ain't sure...is there anything they can do to sorta...help him with the fear over his food security Dawn?
Dawn: Well, I'm not exactly a Lamb Psychologist. But between writing my book and adopting lambs with Vernon I've done a lot of reading on the mental health and development of lambs. If I had to...try and offer some kind of advice, I guess I would sit Marcus down and make him aware that you know-and not in an accusing manner mind you, but that you know he's stashing aside food in his room and let him know that it's okay.
Vanna: *Quirks a brow in mild confusion* So are we...do you mean we should encourage it?
Dawn: I'm not necessarily saying to go out and buy him a mini-fridge or anything. *Chuckles* I'm just saying that you should let him know that as long as it makes him feel comfortable to have that cache of food, as long as it reassures him, then he should keep doing it.
Vernon: But y'all should also reassure him that y'all will never hold food from him as a form of punishment. And that he can take whatever he wants from the fridge whenever he wants...that the food in there is as much fer him as fer everyone...
Vanna: Even Zach's secret stash of sour candies he thinks he's hidden well behind the vegetable drawer.
Zach: *Ears stand up sharply* YOU FOUND 'EM!?
Vanna: Yes...for one, did you forget I'm a cop as well? I may not have a wolf's sense of smell, but I'm still quite good at sniffing things out. And two...I was craving something sour to top my ice cream with while I was pregnant with Rose and I've been skimming off the top of your hoard ever since...I can't believe you hadn't noticed. *Giggles*
Zach: *Scratches head, blushing slightly.* I er...I mean...I ain't exactly keepin' tabs...and sometimes...well...I just grab it without lookin' and don't even remember I did the next day...
Dawn: You're still eating sour candies?
Vanna: *Blushes slightly* It...stuck with me after pregnancy...I always used to hate it before...
Dawn: *Giggles* I'm the same way with raw fish now...I still love sushi despite loathing it before I was pregnant.
Vernon: Shame y'all didn't keep that taste fer hot wings while you were at it...Not even a week after Paige was born y'all was back to getting nauseous from the smell alone. Makes me miss when I could bring back a box of 'em and split 'em with ya...
Yuri: 'Split 'em?' Iffin' I recall y'all did complain a few times to us that ya'd buy the wings to split and Dawn would eat all of 'em...*Chuckles*
*Vernon's tail sags, the wolf standing stock still as Dawn looks at him in faux surprise and amusement.*
Dawn: You miss that huh? *Laughs*
Vernon: *Rubs the back of his head in clear discomfort* Well...I mean....at least I could bring wings in the house...and I could be close to ya without you gettin' revolted by me smellin' like hot wings...it was the better alternative. *Chuckles*
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