tw: mild bullying, coping with aftermath of a traumatic event
After Eileen manifests the Hounds she is determined to treat her new companions right! She goes to the library everyday after school (like a little Matilda). Eileen stacks as many books as her little arms can handle, hobbles over to a study table, and pores over them for hours.
Eileen likes the picture books especially, because she's not a particularly strong reader (she's eight). Sure, her dogs are pink, blue and green, but eventually she identifies them as "Weimaraners".
When her mom gets curious about the borrowed books laying around, Eileen says she wants to be a veterinarian! At this point, she knows it would make her mom look at her funny if she brought up her Hounds, and she is actually considering it!
Eileen knows the Hounds aren't exactly...real dogs, but she wants to keep them healthy. They eat the treats she gives them, they like petting and belly rubs, they even give her kisses! Eileen has also figured out how to summon the Hounds, so when she thinks she's alone, they come out!
Nobuko gets worried that Eileen's new interest in dogs is leading up to a "can I have a doggy?" so she's pleasantly surprised when Eileen is satisfied 'playing pretend'. As a treat she gets Eileen a dog plushie for her birthday.
The Hounds serve as a primary support system for Eileen, especially in the aftermath of the break-in. She doesn't know it, but it's her soul trying to heal itself. By taking care of the Hounds she is also taking care of herself.
***
Eileen is bullied for not having a dad and not looking like everybody else, it started as aggressive but it's developed into an undercurrent of shunning in general. Sure, it used to make her cry, but she's grown accustomed to it. She 'stays in her lane' so to speak.
When the Hounds start preoccupying her thoughts, Eileen looks like an 'airhead'. So, she's made fun of for being dumb. Thankfully Eileen's interest in pets helped her find a couple of friends! At first the girls are weary, what if they get made fun of for hanging out with her? But Eileen's enthusiasm and expertise about dogs and animals shines through, so they take her in. She gives them cool facts, more details to make their play more accurate/immersive and is happy to be on the sidelines.
