Dan clearly wasn’t enjoying herself. She was acting like she didn’t even know how to play with dolls! Clearly, she needed some help. The girl sat down next to Dan.
“Here, let me show you,” the girl said patiently. She picked up a doll and began to play act. Dan forced a smile. She played along, waiting for the girl to finally have her fill of messing with her. Dan just wanted to get back to normal!
“Oh, there you are, Lacey,” a voice said. Dan and the girl, apparently named Lacey, looked up. A middle-aged woman with a shopping cart stood before them. She looked a lot like Lacey. Presumably, this was Lacey’s mother. “Aw, you’re so sweet, playing with this little girl, keeping her occupied. I’m assuming her mom is busy shopping like I am?”
“Yep!” Lacey chirped. Lacey’s mom smiled.
“I hate to interrupt such a fun playdate, but I’m now going to be looking for some clothes for you, Lacey, so you have to come with me. You’ll have to drop this little girl off with her mom again.”
“Let me text her, actually,” Lacey said, pulling out her phone. Dan looked at her in horror. “She gave me her number, just in case, and she might be fine with her daughter coming with us.” Dan watched Lacey pull up the “Behavior Modifications” option on the app and adjust everything down to the level suitable for someone her current biological age.
“Well?” Lacey’s mom asked.
“Her mom is fine with it!” Lacey said. She put her phone away. “I’ll put her in the cart.” Lacey picked Dan up and put her in the seat of the shopping cart, discretely pocketing Dan’s badge as she did so. “I’ll give it back to you after we’re done and my mom tells me to take you back to your mom,” Lacey whispered.
Dan let out a soft whimper, but she didn’t have any other choice. As she felt a sudden warmth spread through her diaper, courtesy of her modified behavior, she was thoroughly reminded of her situation. All she could do was go along with it and hope Lacey stuck to what she said.