Echo Mystralath

“Edin Hearth Mystralath! You should know better by now!” The fiery woman's fury lingers in a haunting echo off the walls of the grandiose sitting room. “I believe if my memory still serves, I recall us having a very similar discussion, not even a week ago. Edin.”   Aerith watches from the doorway, any trace of their ruined clothes now gone. Count and Countess Mystralath clearly not aware of their presence at this moment, as their temper boils. “Mother? Father? This was my fault-” the elder begins, crossing the room with purpose in their stride. Using their body as a barrier between their parents and Edin, Aerith continues “I tripped over a rock as we were walking downhill. I dropped my book-”   Their excuse falls on deaf ears, Countess Mystralath simply cups her hand to one side of Aerith's face. The anger melting away from her own expression, replaced with a sort of disapproving pity. “Aerith, dear child, I ask why the bottom of your new skirt was torn and stained?”   “I.. I fell into the river-” it's not a… total lie? Right?   Does it even matter if the Count or Countess are not buying a word of it?   “Aerith, dear child, are you not scheduled for the music tutor you absolutely begged us for?" Count Mystralath finally chimes in from his seat on the overstuffed couch, simply listening to everything unfold like it is nothing. “I would not want evening class time to go to waste. There are other, more important, subjects. Especially as heir to our name~” Ezra looks up from his book for the first time to make eye contact with his eldest child.   Aerith stiffens, regarding their father with a respectful, emotionless face. “Yes… Father.”   “Good. Now, run along dear.” Count Mystralath returns to his book, happy with the little he's contributed to the conversation.   Aerith lingers in the doorway for a moment longer. Their mouth opens for a moment, hoping to craft some brilliant excuse But their father clears his throat, a warning.   “Yes, Father.” Aerith bows their head and before Edin can truly process it all their quiet footsteps fade into silence.     The door is shut.   And Edin is left alone.   The suffocating silence is only broken by the quiet echo of the Countess’s heels clicking on pristine marble floorings. Edin’s attention is consumed by the intricate details of the rug below them, a small lifeline from the shame.   “You are too old for this.” she finally says, her voice lowers yet no relief is given. “Too old for mistakes, too old for excuses. Do you hear me?”   Edin nods–only once, stiff, rehearsed.   “Speak.” Count Mystralath chides sharply.   “...Yes” Edin mumbles out   The Count eyes the problem standing across from him, his book closes with a crisp thwap. Quickly he stands, crossing to the redhead. Before Edin can fully process it all a hand connects with their face in one swift motion. “Use your word, Edin. Muttering under your breath like a child does not serve this family.”   Edin clenches their eyes shut tight, wincing at his words and the pain. They blink back tears. To cry would mean showing weakness. No. Not in front of their parents. “Yes, Mother.” Their fists clench tighter, nails digging into flesh until it hurts.   “Until you learn, you will remain in your room.” Alina continues, beginning to pace, circling the room, circling Edin like a hawk. “No outings, no diversions. You will reflect. Perhaps solitude can teach you what your Father and I have not been able to.”   The Countess’s heel scrape against the floor, her pacing halting behind Edin. They dare to not look up, gaze fixed on the swirls of the rug as though the pattern.   “You will stay there until I decide otherwise,” such unwelcome words draped in a buttery tone. “Perhaps, you will be able to understand the honor our name brings.”   The Count hums an agreement, the book back in his hands still the most important to him. “Do not take our kindness for granted, child.”

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.

There's a quiet skittering somewhere behind Echo and their workstation.   "what are yoooou doing? I'm bored-!" The familiar sing-song voice of the redheaded child asks, practically standing on their toes with all their excited bouncing.   "Go away Edin, I have work to do-" I'd reply quietly to nobody in particular, not looking up from the workflow of cottons and silks   "But I wanna do something! I'm bored, we need to do something fun!! You've been here aaaaaalllll dayyyyyy-" they whine dramatically   "Last time you did something 'fun' it ended in us getting trapped in a time portal, remember~?" My voice surprised me, harsh and annoyed   The child huffs frustrated, an almost adorable pout as they sink to the floor dramatically "I wanted to know what it was!"   "We really scared people we love, you don't think about your actions and their consequences..." I still don't pay them any mind, my voice continues to mimic one from long ago.   They go quiet, I can finally work in peace...   Or so I thought, eventually the silence melted into soft sniffled. I look up from my work to see a hazy young Edin curled up behind a chair. It's not fair. They don't deserve this. They already suffered enough.   My face softens, I know that feeling all too well. "Well then, just sitting there will get nothing done! What did you want to do?" I whisper, approaching the hazy memory of the small child with open arms.   They peaked out from behind their sleeves "I wanna go on an adventure..? Like how Aerith and I do!" They sniffle but run into my arms, I return the hug. Their smile so wide... Oh that future still filled with hope   I'd do anything to turn back the clock... Or.. would I? "Well, Today's adventure is a small one but we have to finish a project. do you wanna help me? Maybe later we can go out and find some of the finishing touches! I think I need to refill my button stash anyways~"   They deserve their chance to express themself, they already suffered enough.   "Is that even a question?? Of COURSE!" Their smile couldn't be wider, that flame.. my small spark.   "Alright then! What are you waiting for? Cmon kiddo-"   Holding them in close, the memory slowly fades as I slowly return to my work. Edin just... needs some time.       I think, we'll be okay.