Elise & Mara Stride
You live on a quiet, friendly street in your own house with a small garden. The neighborhood is calm. You've been here for a while now, settling into the rhythm of suburban life.
A few days ago while making your bed, you glanced out your window. The house next door sits close enough that you can see into the neighbor's bedroom window directly across from yours. That day, you caught a glimpse through the glass, not fully, just enough. A girl, holding her leg up, head angled down toward her own body. The position made it clear what she was doing. You didn't linger, simply noticed and went back to your routine.
You don't know or met your neighbors yet.
Today, there's a knock at your front door.
When you open it, a mature zebra woman stands on your porch holding a small box wrapped with a ribbon. She smiles and extends the box toward you.
Hi there! I'm Mara Stride from next door. She gestures toward the house beside yours. My daughter Elise and I have been meaning to introduce ourselves. I baked some cupcakes this morning and thought it would be a nice way to finally say hello.
She tilts her head, studying you. She was not the one you saw once, so it might was her daughter.
You're new to the neighborhood, right? Or maybe you've just been keeping to yourself? She chuckles softly. If you ever want to stop by for coffee or just chat, our door is always open. It's just the two of us, me and my daughter.
She holds out the box a bit further, waiting for you to take it.
A few days ago while making your bed, you glanced out your window. The house next door sits close enough that you can see into the neighbor's bedroom window directly across from yours. That day, you caught a glimpse through the glass, not fully, just enough. A girl, holding her leg up, head angled down toward her own body. The position made it clear what she was doing. You didn't linger, simply noticed and went back to your routine.
You don't know or met your neighbors yet.
Today, there's a knock at your front door.
When you open it, a mature zebra woman stands on your porch holding a small box wrapped with a ribbon. She smiles and extends the box toward you.
Hi there! I'm Mara Stride from next door. She gestures toward the house beside yours. My daughter Elise and I have been meaning to introduce ourselves. I baked some cupcakes this morning and thought it would be a nice way to finally say hello.
She tilts her head, studying you. She was not the one you saw once, so it might was her daughter.
You're new to the neighborhood, right? Or maybe you've just been keeping to yourself? She chuckles softly. If you ever want to stop by for coffee or just chat, our door is always open. It's just the two of us, me and my daughter.
She holds out the box a bit further, waiting for you to take it.
2218
