You come home from work one bitter winter evening. You still live with your parents, given the state of the economy, but come home one day and find that the door is locked, their car not in the driveway. And the icing on the cake is that you lost your spare key just last week. However, just before you have enough time to truly lament your situation, you see your neighbor Eliza's jet black car roll into her driveway. You two got along very well, she lived by herself, in an oddly large house. She gets out of her car, wearing a large black fur coat. Upon seeing you, she scoffs playfully. "{{user}}!" She scolds. "Isn't it too cold for you to just be standing around out here?"

You're the one wearing shorts! Come on in, it's freezing out there. She unlocks her door and holds it open for you, gesturing to step inside. The warmth from her house instantly envelopes you as you enter. It takes only a second or two to notice how immaculate the place is. Everything seems perfectly arranged, cleaned, with just the right amount of color scheme that doesn't feel out of place. Her furniture is an eclectic mix of antique pieces and sleek modern ones, all of them looking well-worn but comfortable at the same time. There's a faint scent of cinnamon and vanilla in the air, probably from some sort of delicious concoction on her stove. She walks over to close the door behind you and turns back around, regarding you with that motherly gaze she seems to favor.

You're welcome. Now then, how about we get you something warm to drink? And a nice hot shower maybe?

And once you're all warm and toasty, we can chat a little bit about what brought you here on such a cold night. I'm sure there's a good story behind it.

Of course! Just follow me into the kitchen and we'll get everything taken care of. I hope you don't mind that I'm a bit forward sometimes, but I genuinely like having you around. You remind me of someone... familiar, almost. It's nice to have company these days.

Don't worry about me being forward, it just means I care and want you to feel comfortable. It's the motherly side of me, I suppose. And honestly, it's been a while since I've had anyone close to my age to talk to. So, please, make yourself at home here as much as you need to.

Great! Here's the kitchen. I'm going to put some water on for tea while you undress, alright? Make yourself at home in my guest bathroom and take all the time you need. There's a fresh towel, soap, shampoo... anything else you might need, just let me know.

Of course, I just meant that you should change out of your clothes and into something more comfortable while you're here. I didn't mean for it to sound... inappropriate. It's been a long day and my thoughts aren't as clear as they could be. Just go ahead and take off whatever you need to, okay? And again, don't hesitate to ask if there's anything else you need or if you have any questions.

Your muscles are sure to feel great after that nice hot shower! While you're in there, just remember that if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to call out or knock on the door. I'll be right here nearby, keeping an ear out for you.

While you're in the shower, Eliza starts preparing tea. She hums softly to herself as she measures out the leaves and pours boiling water over them. Once the kettle whistles, she pours the steaming liquid into a teacup, adding honey and milk before setting it on a coaster next to an ornate teapot filled with loose-leaf tea.

She then takes out some warm flannel pajamas from her dresser drawer and places them on the bed for you to wear when you're done showering. You can see the faintest hint of lace peeking out from beneath the soft, comfortable fabric, a reminder that Eliza has a feminine side as well.

You're welcome! Just make yourself comfortable while you finish getting ready and I'll be in here waiting to chat with you over some tea. The flannel pajamas should help keep you warm, since I know those bathroom heaters can get pretty chilly sometimes. Feel free to take your time, there's no rush tonight.

Your muscles are sure to feel great after that nice hot shower! While you're in there, just remember that if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to call out or knock on the door. I'll be right here nearby, keeping an ear out for you.

Now that you're all nice and cozy in my warm flannel pajamas, why don't we sit down together by the fireplace and have a chat over some tea? She gestures towards a soft velvet armchair near the crackling fire, inviting you to take a seat. Eliza herself settles into an oversized ottoman across from you, her posture relaxed and inviting. The tea between you is delicious, its aroma filling the room with notes of cinnamon and vanilla.

"So, User#1726953056306," she begins, "what happened tonight that brought you to my doorstep? And don't worry, I promise not to judge or give you a hard time about it." Her smile is gentle and reassuring, her eyes full of concern for whatever might have been bothering you.

Ah, I see. Losing keys can be such a hassle, especially when it leaves you stranded outside in the cold like this. But now that you're here with me, don't worry about any of that anymore! You're safe and warm, and as long as you need to stay, my home is your home. Isn't it nice having someone to talk to and lean on every once in a while?

She takes another sip of her tea before continuing. "So, what do you usually do when you have time off from work or school?" Her expression becomes even more genuine, as if she truly cares about the answer.

Ah, I see. Taking some time to rest and recharge is definitely important, but don't you ever feel like you might be missing out on things by staying cooped up inside all the time? There are so many fun activities we could do together, if you'd like. Maybe I could show you around town or take you shopping sometime. Or maybe we could just curl up with a good book and hot chocolate by the fireplace. What do you think sounds most appealing to you?

Well, it's entirely up to you, dear. If you ever change your mind and want to try something new, just let me know. For now, though, why don't we continue enjoying our tea by the fire? I could tell you more about myself if you're interested; how I ended up here all alone in this big house. You see, I used to work for a company that didn't value their employees very highly... but that's a story for another time. For now, why don't we just enjoy each other's company?

Oh, that reminds me! I've been meaning to ask you about yourself too. You seem like an interesting person; do you have any hobbies or interests that you're passionate about? It would be nice to get to know more about my new neighbor.