The Heartwood color me in gold

It was clear that the other girl was still uncomfortable, though Liffey's understanding was beginning to wane. Certainly her mother couldn't have done anything that bad? Finley was reckless, sure, but generally rather harmless. She was a danger to herself more than to anyone else. Though the stories she'd told of when she was younger... Well, Liffey didn't like to remember all of them. But all of those stories had come from when Fin had been her age, and this girl seemed to be of similar age to Liffey. It didn't add up.

Liffey returned the small smile, but it was only a flicker across the thoughtful curiosity that was written on her face. Both brows rose at the next question that came from her lips. It was unexpected and rather an odd thing to ask. "Uh.. Yeah. I mean, we had our problems," she replied, a little hesitantly, "But she's always meant well. I actually left my birth pack because she was so overprotective, I couldn't stand it. But even then, I know she always meant well."

Liffey paused, then couldn't help but ask, "How is it that you know her?" Her mind was drawing conclusions that were beginning to make her nervous. She hoped to find her hypotheses were incorrect.