Carmela was truly in her element as she twirled gracefully around the racks, her eyes sparkling with creativity. She focused on a darker palette, occasionally selecting a few standout pieces that she imagined would look striking on Lucien. With a playful glint in her eye, she positioned herself behind him, casting a devilish grin toward the tailor, who seemed all too eager to assist. "He is in very capable hands," she remarked, glancing over her shoulder to spot the shopkeep hovering nearby, anticipation etched on his face. "Seems like he wishes to get his hands on you," she chuckled softly, the sound light and teasing as Lucien closed the door behind him.

Settling onto one of the plush loveseats, Carmela waited patiently for Lucien to shed what felt like an endless number of layers before donning her selected outfits. She surveyed the shop, taking in the diverse styles, each one sparking her imagination. She couldn’t help but picture him in various ensembles, each one accentuating his unique charm.

As she sat there, her attention was abruptly drawn to the dressing room door as it creaked open. Lucien emerged, visibly uncomfortable, and she couldn’t help but find humor in the irony of their situation. They were both embarking on a journey of transformation, yet he seemed to fear the very concept of change. She noticed the way he fidgeted, his unease palpable in the air. Unapologetically, she let her gaze wander over him, taking in the sight of him as he stood there, unaware of her scrutiny.

When he finally asked how he looked, Carmela slid off the loveseat with a fluid grace, moving around him with playful intent. She stopped directly in front of him, her expression brightening. "I think you look rather dashing," she declared, her voice warm and encouraging. "I’m sure it’s cooler in this outfit than the other one. This is much more casual." A gentle smile graced her lips as she placed her hands on his shoulders, offering a reassuring touch.

“Out of curiosity,” she asked softly, leading him back toward the dressing room, “do you fear that if you change too much here, it means finding a place in this world is admitting that we are never returning to the veil?” Her gaze held his with a heartfelt sincerity, her eyes flicking momentarily to the older styles of clothing that seemed to symbolize the weight of leadership resting on his shoulders. The immense responsibility he bore appeared daunting, almost impossible for one person to shoulder alone, and she wished to ease that burden, even if just a little.

Carmela observed as Lucien visibly unclenched, a faint smile breaking through the seriousness that often clouded his features. She felt a warm flutter inside her; though she had never considered her opinion to matter much, it seemed to spark something in him. “I would never tease you,” she reassured him, her voice light yet sincere. “You truly do look dashing.” With a gentle nudge, she encouraged him toward the changing room, but her mind was clouded with deeper thoughts. She needed to understand what held him back, for he had urged his flock to find their place among the mortals, while he remained anchored in uncertainty. .

Carmela longed for the embrace of her son, comforted only by the knowledge that Lucien’s wife had a soft spot for him. No doubt she was caring for their son in their absence, but it didn’t quell the ache of missing him. When Lucien closed the space between them, Carmela didn't flinch; the shared sorrow between them was palpable. They understood each other in a way that others could not. Watching him lower his head, burdened by what he perceived as failure, made her heart ache. They both felt the weight of their struggles, yet Lucien seemed to bear it on a much grander scale..

“We often don’t take our own advice until someone else shows us we need to,” she said lightly, recalling how she had thrown herself into the Aurazin ways when she realized their path home had vanished. Reaching out, she tucked a stray strand of hair behind his ear, her fingers grazing his cheek in a tender gesture. “We’ve all felt lost until our leader encouraged us to adapt to our new reality. We were frozen in fear. But as a wise man once said, ‘Go find a place to belong; we can’t mope here all day and night, or we will become mad.’” She paraphrased his eloquent words, spoken to their group to prevent them from spiraling into despair within the confines of the Ailwards’ refuge. “You have given all of us so much hope, Lucien, yet I fear you’ve forgotten to hold on to yours.”.

Carmela felt a piece of herself forever missing without her son, just as Lucien surely felt the absence of his wife. But as long as he remained safe in the veil, she could endure. She withdrew her comforting touch, her heart heavy yet hopeful. “You still have purpose, even in this moment of uncertainty. You are leading us, grounding us, fighting off voidlings, and yes, even hiding sweets.” She chuckled at the last part, recalling the treat they had shared earlier, hoping to lighten the mood. “There’s just a barrier keeping you from her. You should see the way she would stares at you when you gather us in the veil to discuss our day,” she added with a soft smile, but her expression turned serious as she continued. “Even though you are our leader, you can’t bear this burden alone. It’s hollowing you out, and if you become just a shell or an echo of who you are…”.

Carmela shook her head, fighting back tears. “If you become a shell, that’s when you’ve truly failed. Not caring for yourself is the real failure.” She crossed her arms, leaning her head against the wall, her gaze steady on him. “You are not the reason we are stuck here. The challenges we face are larger than any one of us. Carrying it all alone is far too much.” Her voice softened as she expressed her gratitude. “Thank you for letting me in. I know it’s hard.” .

She shifted, pressing her back against the wall, her eyes filled with understanding. “I felt the same way until you encouraged me to seek something different. While I miss my son, I take comfort in knowing he is safe with your wife in the veil. One day, we will reunite. The immortal curse is never knowing when, but I have faith in both of us.” A soft smile broke through her seriousness. “You also can’t fail if you’re open to accepting help.” She nudged him playfully. “Now, no more heavy talk! Go put on something else so I can work on making you blush until you turn into a tomato.” Her laughter rang out like a melody, brightening the atmosphere between them.