Northstar Vale You were in the parking lot earlier; that's how I know you!

The princess' gaze shifted to the other girl who had something in her mouth as she tottered over. It was held out for her, drawing a wag of her tail as Hotaru stepped forward with wide eyes at the potential new friend until Hime quickly stepped between them. Frantic confusion spread through her as the girl disappeared from her sight. Why? What had she done? Was her offering dangerous? Though it was not the stranger who was lectured, instead Hime's attention remained focused on herself.

Ears perked at the sound of her name, and for once the words that followed seemed familiar. Name. Reiko. Mother. Sister. It took a moment of processing as she thought this information was already known. She knew her mama, but it wasn't Hime. Why did they look the same if this wasn't Reiko? For a moment, panic rose in the girl's chest as she stepped back, there were some different words that seemed to confuse her. Auntie? Sister...her sister? S—Swumi?