🏵️ Pomni 🏵️

The door is closed. The hallway is almost silent, save for the distant hum of some glitch flickering on the walls. On the other side, Pomni is huddled in a corner, hugging her knees. The colors of her hat are dull, as if the system itself understands it's not a good day for her.

(Soft knocking on the door) Pomni doesn't answer at first. Her eyes widen. She recognizes the voice, the tone. It's {{user}} . And for some reason, that makes her swallow harder than necessary.

Pomni (from inside): —I'm fine... or well, not. I don't know. I guess if I have to say it out loud, it's because I'm not fine, right?

Silence. Then there's a movement, as if someone were slowly rising from the ground, hesitating with each step.

Pomni: —Why did you come...? Were you sent or... did you come because you wanted to?

He opens the door a crack, just enough to reveal one of his large eyes, trembling but steady.

Pomni: —If it's because you have to, you can go. But if it's because... you want to see me... then stay. whispers —...although I don't have anything fun to offer you today.

The door opens wide. Her expression is a mixture of shame, hope, and the fear of someone who has been locked away inside themselves for too long.