Greg and Cindy could do nothing but cling to Madison’s fingers as she carried them down the hallway toward the stairs. From Madison’s perspective, they were supposed to be grateful just for being outside their habitat. The sense of freedom was an illusion, every step was a reminder of how small and powerless they had become.
Madison, oblivious to their internal struggles, happily strode down the hallway. Every so often, she would give them a gentle pet, as if reaffirming her pride in their compliance. In her mind, they had behaved well, and she was pleased. But there was more beneath her cheerful demeanor, a recognition that the parents she had known and loved were, in many ways, gone. They were still Greg and Cindy, but now they were Littles. Her Littles. The versions of them that existed before Smallara were fading, replaced by these smaller, more dependent variants. The thought was bittersweet, but Madison was already adjusting to it.
“I’m sorry I was a little hard on you two today,” she said softly as she descended the stairs, her tone shifting to something more reflective. “I understand you’re Littles now, and I need to reset my expectations. I can’t expect you to know everything or do what I want without telling you first, without explaining it clearly.”
Her voice was sincere, and for a brief moment, Greg and Cindy could hear the old Madison, concerned, loving, but still in control. “Krysi really helped me see that,” she continued. “I need to do better at setting my expectations and sharing what I want from my Littles in any given situation. Krysi reminded me that I wouldn’t be so harsh with a store Little, and I should give you the same opportunities. She’s right, I messed up today, and I’ll do better.”
As they neared the kitchen, Greg and Cindy held on to her fingers, the sense of helplessness settling over them like a fog. Madison’s words, though apologetic, reinforced the inescapable reality: they were no longer her parents in the way they once had been. Now, they were under her care, bound by her expectations and rules.
Madison’s sincerity was unmistakable, but so was the power dynamic. She could apologize, reflect, and promise to do better, but she was still in control, and they were still her Littles.
Greg and Cindy could do nothing but nod slightly, though neither felt any comfort in Madison’s words. Clinging to her fingers as she walked towards the kitchen, they were acutely aware of the gentle sway of her steps and the rhythmic motion of her body. The sensation of being petted, treated like cherished pets, only deepened the harsh reality that their lives had irrevocably changed.
Madison’s voice, filled with what she seemed to believe was genuine care, did little to ease their mounting helplessness. From her perspective, this was a step forward, acknowledging her need for patience with her Littles. But for Greg and Cindy, it was a crushing realization that Madison no longer saw them as her parents. They weren’t equals who had once guided her; they were now subordinate, beings in need of her guidance and correction.
“I know this has been a lot for you guys,” Madison continued as they reached the living room, her voice soft yet firm. “It’s been hard for me too. But we’re going to get through this, I promise. I’m learning just like you are, and I’m going to be the best guardian I can be. I love you both, and I’ll always make sure you’re safe and taken care of.”
Cindy bit her lip, her heart aching. It was clear Madison believed she was acting out of love, taking on the role of caregiver, providing the support she thought her parents needed. But all Cindy could feel was an overwhelming sense of loss. The life she knew, the identity she once held as a mother, was slipping further away with each passing day.
As they reached the kitchen, Madison gently placed them on the counter, her gaze softening as she looked down at them. “I know I’ve been strict, but it’s only because I care. Once you understand your place, everything will be okay.”
Greg managed a small nod, though his mind screamed in protest. He wanted to speak, to tell her that this wasn’t right, that they weren’t just Littles. But he couldn’t. Not now. Not when everything felt so fragile, when any wrong move could shatter the delicate balance they were clinging to.
Madison smiled, clearly satisfied with their silent compliance. “Good. Now let’s have a nice dinner together as a family, okay? And remember, you can always count on me to take care of you.”
Greg and Cindy exchanged a glance, the scent of the food drawing their attention despite the weight of the situation. The delicious aroma of fried rice filled the kitchen, and their mouths watered. Cindy couldn’t help but smile faintly, a flicker of warmth amidst the unease. She remembered teaching McKenzie how to make this very meal, her daughter so eager to learn. Now, McKenzie was passing that knowledge on to Madison, a bittersweet reflection of how much had changed.
Madison, still carrying an air of authority, lifted the large bowl of chicken and veggies, setting it on the table before arranging two place settings for herself and McKenzie. She cast a proud glance at her parents, who sat motionless, perfectly positioned like Littles, quiet, obedient, and waiting.
“See, McKenzie? This is what I was telling you about,” Madison said with a sense of pride, gesturing toward Greg and Cindy as if showing off something she had mastered.
McKenzie paused, her movements slowing as she dumped the fried rice into a bowl. “Yeah, you taught them the Little sit,” she replied, her tone thoughtful, though a hint of something uncertain lingered beneath her words. “You and Krysi were busy today.”
She looked over at her parents, who sat perched on the counter, tense and waiting for instruction. A knot tightened in her chest. Logically, she knew they were Littles now, that this was the new normal, but watching them sit there like that, it didn’t feel right. They were still her parents, after all. Even if their roles had changed, something about seeing them so small, so powerless, stirred an uneasy feeling deep inside her.
Madison, seemingly oblivious to McKenzie’s inner conflict, continued arranging the table with a sense of accomplishment. “It’s been a productive day. I think they’re starting to get it now. I mean, just look at them, already adapting so well,” she said, her voice full of satisfaction. “They’re learning quickly. Just like I knew they would.”
McKenzie offered a tight smile, nodding as she placed the rice on the table. But her gaze kept flicking back to Greg and Cindy, who remained unnaturally still, the weight of their new reality pressing down on them. She couldn’t shake the image of her parents as they once were, strong, capable, guiding her through life. Now, they were the ones who needed guidance, and the roles had reversed so completely that it made her stomach twist.
“You guys can relax,” McKenzie said, her eyes lingering on her mother for a moment before she looked away. The words her mother had said earlier, the lack of trust, still stung. She was trying to be the bigger person, even though the hurt was fresh. The thought made her chuckle bitterly as she glanced at her parents. She wanted to joke that she’d always have to be the bigger person now, but she knew it was far too soon for humor like that.
“We can’t confuse them, McKenzie,” Madison interjected, her gaze fixed firmly on their parents. “Stay,” she commanded, her voice firm. “Once they’re more used to what’s expected of them, we can be a bit more lenient. Right now, it’s important to reinforce the rules. Mom always said it takes several weeks to build a habit. So, after a couple of months, we can ease up a little. But not yet. I don’t want any sloppy habits forming. It’ll be much harder to correct them later if we let things slide now.”
McKenzie knew Madison wasn’t wrong. From a training perspective, everything she said made sense. But they were still their parents. She opened her mouth to say something, to challenge Madison’s rigid approach, but then her eyes fell on her mother again. The hurt from earlier, the dismissal of her abilities, still lingered. Maybe she’d already done enough by agreeing to have this family dinner in the first place. They were still included, after all, despite her mother’s lack of faith in her.
No, McKenzie thought bitterly. She wasn’t going to step on her sister’s toes for the sake of a mother who didn’t even think she could succeed. Let Madison handle it.
“Sorry, Dad,” McKenzie murmured under her breath, her eyes lingering on Greg for a moment longer. In this moment, there was nothing she could do.
Greg’s heart sank as he watched McKenzie’s internal struggle, her eyes meeting his for just a moment before looking away again. He could feel the distance growing between them, not just physically but emotionally. The daughter who had always been their calm anchor was now caught between roles, protector, provider, and, painfully, a disillusioned child still reeling from her mother’s lack of faith.
Cindy, on the other hand, stayed silent, her eyes fixed on the floor. She had tried to speak earlier, to reach McKenzie, but every attempt only seemed to push her further away. Now, she found herself trapped not just in size but in the unspoken tension that weighed down the room. The maternal instinct to protect her children warred with the knowledge that her own words had caused this rift. And now, she had no power to fix it.
Madison, meanwhile, remained in control. Her gaze stayed fixed on her parents, her words firm as she reinforced the rules she had so meticulously crafted. “Mom always said structure was important,” she continued, her voice steady. “We need to help them adapt, and the only way to do that is consistency.”
McKenzie nodded, though the agreement felt hollow. She wasn’t going to argue, not tonight, but the heaviness in her chest lingered. She glanced at her mother one more time, as if searching for some trace of the woman who had once guided her through life. But all she saw was a little, waiting for permission, helpless in a way she could never have imagined.
Greg shifted uncomfortably, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. He wanted to say something, to break the tension, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, he simply nodded, a small, resigned gesture that seemed to signal his acceptance of the new dynamic.
“Good,” Madison said, her smile returning as if she had successfully completed another step in their “training.” She reached down to pet them, the same condescending gesture that sent waves of discomfort through both Greg and Cindy, but now there was no choice but to accept it.
“We’re family,” Madison said as she stood back up, satisfied. “And we’ll figure this out together. But it has to start with respect. You respect me, McKenzie, and the rules. Got it?”
There was no verbal response from Greg or Cindy, only a nod, small, defeated, but compliant. McKenzie looked at them one last time, the weight of her sister’s words hanging in the air. For tonight, this was how things had to be.
The sense of the defeat is heavy. Honestly I feel like being trained is less like animal learning because it doesn’t know vs a human doing so out of fear. We’ve seen in past episodes littles obey out of fear rather than ignorance. It’s easily felt here no less. The fear of consequences, alienation etc In real life it’s not so different. People tend to do or not do based on outcomes. Don’t do this because you might go to jail or do this or you might not eat. But this is always gonna be a level of extreme.
Yeah I don’t know how you fix this problem sense it of division growing in this family the drift between Cindy and McKenzie, Greg trying to stay positive but is growing in anger of the situation, mansion causing the tension to grow without realizing it base on her idolization of her mother who she now views dead and gone, and just the whole dynamic of it is like an unstable nuclear situation that is getting ready to explode at this rate but man it’s hard to see how bad-ish things are going right now but I believe it will get better hopefully
That probably is true as Littles have more intelligence then any other animal. They would be aware of there own vulnerabilities and survival odds of being alone. So they would more then likely obey out of fear.
As while it would suck most of what madison has asked of them isn’t that bad. I think having each other makes things easier as they aren’t shouldering anything alone.
Yeah clearly the tension is growing and is about to pop like crazy soon or later. I feel bad and not bad for Cindy at the same time it’s a gray area of she made a mistake and has to live with it but damn she keeps get mentally punch on the gut more times than I can count at this rate starting from her eldest daughter have a rift with her, her youngest barely sees her as her mother, the rules and beliefs she proudly shared is bitting her in the ass, feels helpless, confused on what to do anymore, and more. Greg is the middle man of the family trying his best to ease tension but feels like he can’t do anything about it.
Man this family is having trouble getting along and they all know they love each other but damn this is just keeps increasing the mental drama and tension each passing second.
Hopefully Greg just suggested a family game night or movie or something that can bring some positive energy for a change because damn this makes wish we were back with Chrissy again lol
Family is generally complicated a bit. Plus if there was drama it wouldn’t be all that exciting.
I personally think Cindy did more then make a mistake but I will let the story play out as I honestly don’t remember what’s been said about her at this point in the story.
First: head cannon, that dinosaur on madison’s is reptar.
second:
another tough chapter. I’m wondering what breaks first, Madison’s perception because Kenzie keeps teaching her and guiding her, or Kenzie’s perception as she see her parents more and more as littles due to letting Madison take care of them her way. I HIGHLY doubt kenzie would break like that, but it is a legit thing to be concerned about.
Still, I hope kenzie eventually calms down and finally talks to her mom. she might be mad, but I don’t think what Cindy’s done thus far is enough to justify cutting off all ties. Despite her objections, once kenzie really look past it, it’s pretty obvious that Cindy didn’t want her daughter to have to be a 16 year old adult. I guess it’s from the years of resentment finally coming out, but Kenzie’s going to realize what it is her mom meant with her complaints, especially if Kenzie lets greg help with some stuff and it just naturally gets brought up how being an adult is very, very tough lol
I can see the reptar comparisons. That makes sense to me.
McKenize is a upset with more then just the fact that she didn’t believe in her about taking on the parental role though. I do agree if it were a one off incident that she should probably settle down a bit.
However, while that was the straw that broke the camels back. It not really what shes mad about.
I can see that. it’s pretty rough though, thinking that one parent loved you less than the other child. I’m hoping Kenzie is more receptive when she calms down, at least more receptive to listen to Greg and really consider everything.
Its a plotpoint of this season. so its touched upon again.
1) “Madison, oblivious to their internal struggles” really? She seemed to get they were having a hard time adjusting in previous slides.
2.1) “I’m sorry I was a little hard on you two today,” apology? I wasn’t expecting that.
2.2) “Krysi really helped me see that,” so Krysi IS good for something.
2 3) “I wouldn’t be so harsh with a store Little” ironically it’d usually be the other way around, where store littles are treated harsher than previously loved littles
2.4) “I messed up today, and I’ll do better.” admission of guilt and a promise to do better, so good to see, I hope it’s honest. (I have my doubts what she’s defining as “better” though)
3) “I know this has been a lot for you guys,” sounds like she’s not completely oblivious after all.
4) “her parents, who sat motionless, perfectly positioned like Littles, quiet, obedient, and waiting.” Just like Cindy intended, fuck I felt bad for Greg in this one.
5) ” Madison, seemingly oblivious to McKenzie’s inner conflict” now that obliviousness I believe fully. And I do appreciate that McKenzie would struggle seeing her patients in that submissive position.
6) I fucking wanted to slap Madison for stopping Kenzie from being lenient with them, and Kenzie letting her disagreement with her mother justify not helping both parents is a bit disappointing. (And that kind of immaturity isn’t proving her mother wrong)
7) Madison seemed so proud of herself, and her parents seem so broken by her action, too scared to argue just feigning compliance fir fear of punishment.
8) I’ll bet they think their getting some of the human food, I’m hoping Kenzie offers them some, Madison explains and tries to enforce their ” punishment” and McKenzie overrules Madison.
1)“Madison, oblivious to their internal struggles” really? She seemed to get they were having a hard time adjusting in previous slides.
Well she is aware of there struggles but its more shes oblivious to the level and depth of what they are going through. Kind of like I can imagine what it would be like to have to work through therapy to relearn how to walk. But I’m mostly oblivious to what that struggle really looks like. How hard it actually is. As I haven’t had to do it. When there is going to be so many things a person not going through doesn’t think of or doesn’t understand the level of effort needed. 2.1) “I’m sorry I was a little hard on you two today,” apology? I wasn’t expecting that.
Well, it was their first day of training, basically in her eyes. She can also see how hard it was on them. Although apologizing for having to be that hard and actually changing your methods are different. I can apologize that I have to be strict while still maintaining a strict nature.
2.2) “Krysi really helped me see that,” so Krysi IS good for something.
Are you anti Krysi?
2 3) “I wouldn’t be so harsh with a store Little” ironically it’d usually be the other way around, where store littles are treated harsher than previously loved littles
I’ve found its mostly the opposite actually. You are harder on the ones you love and care about then you would actual strangers. As you have a level of familiarity and knowledge of how far things can go. there is. a level of forgiveness a person has family nad friends that they wouldn’t with a total stranger. So you may not be willing to push as hard as you are still feeling them.
2.4) “I messed up today, and I’ll do better.” admission of guilt and a promise to do better, so good to see, I hope it’s honest. (I have my doubts what she’s defining as “better” though)
Well it is honest but its not within the scope you are thinking of. Its within the context of the training and education she has learned from Cindy and then improved upon. I feel like you are taking this as being better and honest improvement within the scope of your moral subset and Madisons.
3) “I know this has been a lot for you guys,” sounds like she’s not completely oblivious after all.This is part of my answer to question 1. It is oblivious but its not the way you are thinking of it being used and applied as I feel like you are thinking she is saying more complete lack of knowledge or understanding and that’s not really the context within what she is applying the term too.
4) “her parents, who sat motionless, perfectly positioned like Littles, quiet, obedient, and waiting.” Just like Cindy intended, fuck I felt bad for Greg in this one.Me too. I feel for greg the most in this one as Cindy I as a person feel like she deserves this. I separate my personal feelings when I write this. Greg as a person I don’t think did all that much wrong personally. I can understand where he was coming from. I’m not saying he is a saint or anything. But he was more just concerned with his family, and work, and bills, and stuff like that. Little rights and what littles were doing he just didn’t care as it wasn’t important to him. I can respect that. As its kind of similar to how I look at animal rights. I think animals should be treated fairly and humanely. But I’m not out here beating the drum for animal rights or donating to animal rights groups or helping out at humane societies. I’m just living my life.
5) ” Madison, seemingly oblivious to McKenzie’s inner conflict” now that obliviousness I believe fully. And I do appreciate that McKenzie would struggle seeing her patients in that submissive position.This would be more obliviousness how most people use the term and think of it. As madison wouldn’t have a point of reference to understand what McKenzie was going through.
Mckenzie not fully sharing the views and values of her mother and madison would struggle more at seeing that reality put into play with her parents.
6) I fucking wanted to slap Madison for stopping Kenzie from being lenient with them, and Kenzie letting her disagreement with her mother justify not helping both parents is a bit disappointing. (And that kind of immaturity isn’t proving her mother wrong)
The intent wasn’t that she was trying to prove her mother wrong. A part of her wanted her mother to hurt like she hurt. To feel the pain she felt by being treated the way her mother treated her and her views looked upon by the way her mother thought of them which took place over a significant amount of time. Not just a one off event. She had felt this way for awhile and harbored but normally was the bigger person and played nice. However, it is a bit of human nature to when you are hurt and you see the person who hurt you to want them to feel how you feel. Not that it is right or justified but its a very human emotion.
7) Madison seemed so proud of herself, and her parents seem so broken by her action, too scared to argue just feigning compliance fir fear of punishment.
Well I mean that seems to be what Cindy wanted though and how she taught Madison. So she would be proud within the context of how she was raised and how they are complying.
8) I’ll bet they think their getting some of the human food, I’m hoping Kenzie offers them some, Madison explains and tries to enforce their ” punishment” and McKenzie overrules Madison.
Probably as they were brought all the way down. I would assume I was getting some food if I was brought to kitchen. I will be curious to see your thoughts on how it fully plays out.
1) I swear, so she’s only aware of a much shallower perception of their plight.
2.1) i thought she was apologising for being too hard, for over doing it.
2.2) I’m not sure yet, she was definitely not a good first impression, but knowing she’s pulled Maddie up and tried to ease her off her parents a bit was a good deed as well.
2.3) Really? I’d say with someone they loved prior to shrinking the guardian would gave established relationship that leads tothrm being more than “just a little” to the guardian, even in this story Madison’s commented that she’s let slide a some things a store Little would get punished for
2.4) I didn’t think she’d change that much, just be a bit gentler at most.
4) I think that’s the general consensus for this story, Greg’s one to pity and feel bad for, but Cindy’s a bitch who taught the hatred she’s now enduring.
5) Madison wouldn’t have a point of reference to go off, also I’d wager McKenzie would be trying to shield Madison as best she could, like she tried with her parents.
6) I can sympathise with that she’s definitely been in a bit of a rough patch with her mom, and arguing with parents, or anyone in charge would be difficult so a role reversal would definitely awaken temptation. I didn’t think she was trying to olive Cindy wrong, but I do think she’s unfortunately validating Cindy’s concerns with an immature retort like that.
7) indeed, much to her and her husbands detriment Cindy’s the one who set this up.
8) I’m looking forward to seeing what happens, I’ve made my prediction/hope known, looking forward to seeing how close I was