Chapter Text
“Mary, tag! You’re it!” yelled Elise.
“Nooo! How did you find me?!” cried Mary. Elise giggled as she ran away from Mary. Mary got up from her hiding spot and ran after Elise. Mary’s two light brown deedee’s (ponytails) were bouncing up and down as she ran.
“Camilla, huff, huff, have you, huff, seen Elise?” Mary asked.
“Umm... I have dear, but I think she’d get mad if I told you.” Camilla answered, looking up from doing Esther’s hair.
“Awww.... Come on, Camilla, PLEASE!” Mary said while sticking out her bottom lip. Camilla couldn’t bear it anymore. She pointed to where Elise was hiding. Mary flashed her a smile and ran towards Elise’s hiding spot.
“WHAT?! No fair! You cheated!” Elise said as Mary tagged her. Mary giggled as she ran.
“Oh, I do hope they don’t disturb Alana’s training with Xander.” Camilla sighed as she put Esther’s long blonde hair in a side ponytail.
“I’m sure they won’t Camilla.” Esther said reassuringly.
“Hmm... well you never know. They are a bit unpredictable, dear.”
“Well, as long as they stay inside while playing everything should be fine. Speaking of training, how do you think it’s going?”
“Aww... you’re sooo cute when your concerned about your sister, but I think it will be fine.”
“TAG!” yelled Mary.
“Nooooo! Come on.” said Elise.
“Oh, dear.” said Camilla.
Meanwhile outside...
“Come on Alana you can do better than that! Now try again!” yelled Xander.
“Huff, I’m trying, huff, as best I can, huff, Xander.” panted Alana.
“Well, try harder! HAH!”said Xander. Alana brought up her practice sword and blocked his attack, but stubbled back a little. Xander paused then said
“Alright, that’s enough for today... Alana, I know you could do better.”
“He’s right you know.” Said the ever observant Leo. “Your blocking was horrible and your footwork was sloppy.”
“Much like the way you dress, Leo” Alana snapped back.
“Wait, what?”
“Your collar is inside out, Leo.”
“N-no it’s not!” Leo said getting red in the face.
“Whatever.”
Alana, Xander, and Leo turned to the sound of an opening door. Mary and Elise came out giggling. Mary not looking at Leo commented.
“Leo, your collar is inside out.”
Leo let out an angry huff and stormed inside. Mary rolled her eyes and Alana, while trying not to laugh mouthed “Grumpy pants”. Then Mary asked
“How’s, training going?”
Alana answered “It’s going good, I need to work on my form a little bit, but other than that good.”
“Ooh, Alana did you get hurt? Do you need healing?” asked Elise.
“No, Elise. I’m fine. Don’t worry so much.”
Camilla and Esther come outside and ask.
“What’s up with Leo?” asked Camilla
“What did you do to him this time?” laughed Esther.
“He’s been corrected by a child... again.” Alana answered giggling.
Mary looked innocently at Camilla, while Elise giggled.
Alana then says “What a pouty pants.”
Everyone looked up when they heard a window creaking open. They saw Leo’s blonde head stick out as he yelled “I AM NOT A POUTY PANTS!!” Then everyone cringed as Leo slammed the window shut. Alana rolled her eyes and muttered
“Eavesdropper.”
Everybody started to laugh. After they settled down Esther asked Xander “how’s training going?”
“She is doing good, but she could do better. Especially on her form.”
Camilla pulled Alana into a hug and said “Do you need any healing, Darling? I’ll personally heal any of your wounds.”
“Thank you Camilla but I’m sure Xander would never hurt me.” said Alana.
“Excuse me, but I’ve got hot cocoa and cookies for everyone, if you guys want to come inside and eat a snack.” Esther said.
Xander said “That would be lovely, Esther.”
“How sweet, you’re so cute when your thoughtful, thank you darling.” said Camilla.
“YAY!” yelled Elise.
Alana and Mary both pulled her into a big hug. Then everyone went inside and ate cookies and drank hot cocoa, and Mary convinced Leo to come down and finish her cookie and cocoa.
“Everyone, I have an announcement!” said Xander.
“What is it brother?” asked Camilla.
“I will be leaving for a couple months, Father has assigned me a new mission.”
“What!?” everyone yelled.
“But when will you be back?” asked Elise.
“I don’t know, for at least two months.”
“When are you leaving?” asked Esther.
“Tomorrow.”
“But what about my training?” asked Alana.
“Don’t worry little princess, Leo can take over while I’m gone.”
Both Leo and Alana groan.
“Well my training is not THAT important. I can wait till you get back.” said Alana hopefully.
“No, little princess. You need training and Leo will teach you while I’m gone.”
“Fine...”
“Well, I need to go prepare for tomorrow. I’ll see you in the morning.” said Xander.
The next morning Xander left for his mission. Unfortunately for him his mission took longer than he thought...