The Woods and the River

It was a particularly picturesque fall day, the forest was quite safe for the two young Changelings giggling as they excitedly ran through the forest. A hazy wind pushed the duo forward. The youngster redhead practically dragged the elder bluenette through the fallen leaves, resulting in an orchestra of crisp crunchings.
 
"Cmon Aerith! I found a new spot!" Their voice carries the lightest of giggles, not unlike the softest breezes on the wind. ”It’s deeper in the woods than we usually go!”
 
Edin’s laughter carries through the wind excitedly, barely offering their sibling a chance to respond. “C’mon! C’mon! Hurry!”
 
"I'm right behind you Edin! Do not worry–!" The taller one barely managed out while they almost tumbled over the roots of long standing trees "Okay! Okay-! Woah- slow down!" The elder's voice carries glee as they follow along with their younger sibling's antics.
 
The siblings' voices are light, easily matching their wide strides over dips and ditches, hills and valleys alike. Old paths leading to places well explored, and familiar branches holding hiding places regularly huddled in. Eventually the shortie slowed down to a skittering halt, coming to a small clearing with a young babbling brook. "tada!" The redhead exclaims already kicking off their shoes and socks to frolic in the cold stream "c’moooon Aerith! Jump in!"
 
Aerith glee sinks into furrowed brows as they watch their sibling splash in the water
 
The water looks lovely..
 
But
 
No! They can't get messy.
 
They must always be prim and proper, it is the way of the Mystralaths. Of course, always better and above the rest.
 
Perfection is the expectation. Aerith knows this simple truth. Playing in frigid pond water is not.
 
But... But..
 
Oh it really does look like fun…
 
What about their dress though? Aerith scrunches their eyes shut for a moment as images of raised hands and voices to match echo in their mind. They shudder, shaking their head, pushing the memories from their mind.
 
"Oh! This looks like fun!" Their response is carefully crafted, careful of Edin’s feelings. "I am happy to watch, I think I am exhausted after our run…” Aerith settles against a rock a ways away from the bank.
 
Edin's splashes and giggles come to a frightening halt. They're more than unamused by the excuse, seeing straight through it all “oh…" their shoulders slump as the realization hits the Changeling. ”right…”
 
Aerith sighs “I… did not dress for today.. I am sorry Edin–” Their gaze shifts down to their long skirt and matching shiny shoes, a reminder of how they cannot get destroyed by river water.
 
Edin across the way, kicks at free floating pebbles in the river, disturbed dirt clouding in the clear water. "Why do they care so much anyways! It's just a dress! You have *so* many!"
 
"Says the one who just got in trouble for stealing some of mom's curtains to make a new pair of shorts!" Aerith promptly retorts, barely trying to hide the laughter in their voice.
 
Edin huffs in a slight feign of offense "rude! They were absolutely hideous as curtains! The silk made fantastic shorts. I made it all worlds better, thank YOU-!"
 
Aerith covers their mouth as a small snort of laughter escapes them. “I cannot argue with that-”
 
Edin of course, beams proudly “thank you! Someone finally acknowledges my talents!”
 
The pair’s laughter turns into a symphony of glee as the waning sun peaks through the leaves of the Mystralath’s woods. Aerith's laughter slowly fades, their tail beginning to curl anxiously. "It is getting late... We should head back.. I don't want you in trouble agai-"
 
"Oh pish posh! They can wait!" Edin mocks the idea of their parents with an eye roll. They completely cut off their sibling as an idea forms in their head, the redhead closes crossing the gap slowly over to their brother.
 
"You need to cool off-!"
 
As the words leave their mouth, the mischievous little imp splashes their sibling with the freezing creek water.
 
"Gotta catch me if we're going back!" Their words barely heard over gleefully giggling.
 
Aerith yelps in return as Edin’s joyful shrieks fill the air. The redhead darts down the length of the creek, splashing wildly, laughing the entire time.
 
"Oh you… little-" Aerith yelps from surprise, quickly forgetting about their dress and running into the creek to catch their sibling.
 
The pair dip and dart up and down the stream for what feels like ages, splashing and shrieking. Little droplets of water misting the air as Edin eventually slips on a smooth shiny rock, dragging the elder one down with a cry of surprise.
 
ohno…
 
“Edin! My clothes!” Aerith snaps, their frustration clearly visible “... We are in so much trouble!-”
 
“I-I.. I'm sorry-!” Edin shrinks in on themself, clearly realizing their mistake “I just wanted to play… I.. I'll take the blame! Mother was already mad at me..”
 
Aerith face sinks, the consequences of their yelling like a slap to the face. Reaching out with the slightest hesitation, they place a hand on the younger one's shoulder
 
“No- You do not-”
 
“No-! I do.” Edin snaps in return, their back now facing Aerith “don't worry about not being perfect, it's my fault… I'll take the fall..”
 
Aerith goes quiet, their shoulders sinking “we… we should get back. I promise it will all be okay… I will tell father I fell… I slipped trying to save my book–” the elder changeling stands, dusting off the damp cotton of their dress “Edin I am..”
 
“It’s alright…" Edin quickly cuts off their sibling again, their face shifting into something vaguely unreadable.
 
“I probably won't show up to dinner… even if they haven't taken it from me.. I'm not very hungry tonight-” Edin murmurs, their gaze falling to the creek.
 
“Do not be silly, you need to eat. I will bring you dinner if I need to-” Aerith offers a quiet hand, a lifeline, to Edin
 
“You don't gotta do that-” Edin shrugs, taking the helping hand up.
 
“No, but I want to.” Aerith smirks playfully “I gotta take care of my little sibling now-”
 
“I'm not that littl- AH-!” Edin protests, quickly being pulled into a half hug half hair ruffle by Aerith. “Heyyy! Aeriiiith! I liked my hair today-!” Edin's whine is far from truly upset, the smile in their voice is small but clear as day.
 
“Fine, fiiiine!” Aerith protests softly, the elder smirk never leaving their voice. “We should get back though, seriously.”
 
Edin nods, quickly stealing a hug from their sibling first “love you, absolute bookworm that you are-”
 
Aerith returns the hug, squeezing tight “love you too, little troublemaker”
 
Eventually the hug is released and the pair return to the house quietly… or.. well.. as quiet as Edin’s regular ramblings may offer.
 
And the pair enjoyed their dinner together, as a happy family!
 
 
 
Totally!
 
 
 
 
 
…Right-?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Edin wishes.