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Isadora and their younger sister tighten their cloaks and adjust their packs as they make their way out the fence gate. Elysia adjusts her chestnut colored hair tighter in her ponytail before turning to wave back at the front door where her parents are watching.
E: I'll be sure to bring Isa back alive!
Isadora makes a face at their younger sibling and rests their hand on their sword hilt.
I: I'm the veteran adventurer here. I'll be protecting you!
Eylsia waves at the front door once more.
E: Unless I kill them first then ya know...I'll be back without them!
Isadora gives a small hit to Elysias ribs. Elysia kicks at Isadoras shin in return before they start down the path to town with some laughter.
At the door Jecka waves back with a smile and Nicole with her arms crossed gives a little wiggle of her fingers as a goodbye.
N: Watch eachothers backs please...
J: Drink plenty of water on your rest stops!
At the same time the siblings shout
Both: we will!
Nicole uncrosses her arms and stretches a bit before walking out the front door and towards the fence with the animals. Jecka finally stops waving when her kids are fully out of site.
J: I always worry when Isadora asks Elysia to go along on their adventure...
N: I wouldn't. This bounty is barely 2 days away and her spell control has gotten even better.
Jecka watches Nicole seem to count the same 4 goats out and about over and over. Clearly trying to show an air of nonchalant coolness instead of nervous energy at her kids off without the two of them watching. Jecka warmly smiles watching Nicole lean over the fence to shoo a goat away from the latch. Her wife was the cutest when trying to act all tough.
J: Says the parent who shook me awake in the middle of the night suggesting we double check the kids bags to make sure they had everything they needed.
Nicoles back instantly straightens. Her tail that was once hanging loosely now wrapping around her waist anxiously seeming embarrassed at being called out.
N: I just wanted to make sure they had everything! You know how forgetful Isadora can be!
Jecka cant help but giggle. The tips of Nicoles ears have become pink and turning a shade darker red the more she laughs.
Jecka: You even laid awake looking at the ceiling asking how well Elysia had gotten at her healing spells.
The blush had spread to Nicoles face now. Much more noticeable then just on her ears. Her tail unravels from her waist as the tiefling makes her way over to her laughing wife. Tail swishing behind her with every step. Stopping in front of Jecka Nicole gazes up into her golden eyes still sparkling with humor. Nicole leans up slightly to kiss her wife's lips before leaning her forhead on the tallers shoulder.
N: I can't help it...I know they are capable but...its still hard.
Jecka sighs and pets Nicoles back affectionately. Occasionally rubbing up to the hair to run her hands through it.
J: Weren't you the one comforting me?
Nicole grumbles as her tail swishes turn less erratic and angry and into a slow wag at the comfort of her wifes warmth.
Thuds on the stairs inside their home have them removing themselves from eachother slightly and looking through the open front door to the stairs in the back. A small child no more then 6 tumbles down the stairs in a rush. Hopping as she puts on a boot that seems not to go on correctly. The youngest of their children Sylphie.
J: Good morning Sylphie. Breakfast is on the table.
The child ignores her mother's words and tries to comb her fingers through her bright blonde hair to get the tangles out. Her small tail swishing behind her much like Nicoles was a moment ago. Anxious and a little embarrassed.
N: Sylphie slow down a second.
Before Nicole can say more the small child bolts for the front door. The girl squeezes between her parents without a word and sprints off in the direction of the path to town...not before Nicole grabs hold of the little ones tail. Stopped in her tracks Sylphie still makes a point to struggle against her other moms hold kicking up dust as she runs in place.
S: Let me go! They are leaving without me!
Jecka only then notices a small backpack on her daughter's back.
N: They are long gone by now...
Sylphie still struggles against Nicoles hold before Nicole gently pulls her back. Nicole wraps her arms under her daughter's to lift her in the air to stop the growing dust cloud she was kicking up. Sylphie continues to wiggle.
S: I-I can run fast. I'm the fastest! I can catch them.
Jecka tries to calm the squirming child in Nicoles hold but Sylphie shakes her head to avoid her mother's touch. Small sniffles start to come from the little girl and soon some tears fall and land on Nicoles arms. Sylphie goes still.
S: I wanna goooo. I wanna go with them. They need me! I can...I can help.
Jeckas heart breaks at her little ones sniffles.
J: Aw Sylphie. I'm sorry sweetheart but where they are going can be trouble. You're not old enough.
That makes Sylphie start squirming again. Clearly angry at being told no.
Nicole tightens her hold and moves her own head to avoid Sylphies ever growing horns as she continues to throw a fit.
Nicole and Jecka share a look. Their daughter was stubborn...an unfortunate combination that both her parents had passed on.
J: Sylphie...Its dangerous. They are clearing out a cave of monsters for a merchant.
The small tiefling looks up with shining eyes still dripping with tears.
S: I can stab just as good as Isadora.
Jecka sighs. Sylphie will always have some sort of answer to combat her own.
Nicole turns her daughter around in her arms so she can latch onto her moms shoulders to cry on them. Nicoles neck feels wet within seconds. Sylphie really is upset at not being able to got with her siblings. This isn't just one of the kids normal fits.
Nicole starts to rub the little girls back trying to calm down her sobs. What should she say? Sylphies tail continues to swish showing she wasn't calming down. What would I have wanted as a kid? Nicole thinks to herself. What would she have wanted if she was left behind...
N: Sylphie...
The blonde girl sniffles again but makes a noise saying she heard her name.
N: I know you wanted to help them but...I need your help more.
Jecka raises a brow in question. What could Nicole possibly need Sylphie for?
Sylphie leans back while rubbing her small fists against her eyes. She wipes her tears away angrily but makes eye contact with her mom.
S: W-with *sniffle* with what?
Nicole adjusts the girl in her arms so she can help wipe away the stray tears still falling.
N: Its very important and to be honest...I'm a little embarrassed.
Sylphies eyes widen. Tears no longer falling. Her thoughts on the fact her mom couldn't do something. Her mom was strong! Stronger then anyone! Why would she need help?
Nicole sets her daughter on the ground and kneels next to her. The small tieflings tail grabs hold of her parents tail seeming to not want to lose some sort of contact.
Nicole points to the fence that holds their various animals. Chickens, a couple cows and their small herd of goats.
Sylphies wipes her eyes once more and stares in the direction of the animals.
N: You see the goats? They have been causing trouble...
S: Trouble?
N: Mhm. Big trouble. You see...
Nicole takes a hold of Sylphies shoulder and turns her away from the fence. Making a show to cup her hand to whisper into her ear. Like the goats could make out what her lips would say even in a whisper.
N: I think old man Fig is trying to get the other goats to rebel.
Sylphie raises her hands up to her mouth in a shocked expression.
S: Oh no!
Nicole nods very seriously. It wasn't technically a lie. Old man Fig is the families oldest goat.
A mean old man that was bought at a ridiculous low price because of his very bad attitude. He was trouble for sure and the one that gave Nicole the most headaches. She would have gotten rid of him a long time ago if her kids didnt make a fuss about it.
N: The goats seems to go silent when I walk by. And they all crowd around old Fig when I turn away.
Sylphie turns back to the fence and narrows her eyes as she gazes at the goats. More coming out of the small barn to start their own morning.
S: Uprising....
Jecka looks on at her wife and child in a very serious meeting of the minds. Uprising??? Where did a young kid even hear that word.
N: Yeah yeah! They are clearly planning something. But you see they dont trust me! So I need a spy...
Sylphie drops her backpack clearly no longer thinking of her adventuring siblings.
S: A spy!
The girl seems to be wiggling again not in a struggle but in excitement.
N: Sylphie you can understand animals better then anyone I have ever met!
The compliment from her mom clearly makes Sylphie more into this very serious mission. She is caught on Nicoles every word and nods along with everything she says.
If her strong and cool mom is saying she needs her then it must be true.
N: Will you help me wrangle them in? I need someone to listen and make sure they arent doing anything suspicious.
S: Yeah! I can! I can!
Her tail lets go of Nicole's and she runs to the fence to start staring at all the goats finally out of the barn. Shes eyeing them up. Looking for one that may be easy to spill the beans.
Nicole stands up with a sigh. She got her kid to go all in on this mission. No more tears.
Jecka watched in awe for a second before kissing Nicoles cheek.
J: Aren't you just clever. How did you know that would work?
Nicoles tail wraps around Jeckas leg.
N: I think...shes lonely...
Jecka turns her gaze to her daughter who is know glaring at one of younger goats and making an "I'm watching you" gesture.
N: Isadora is away from home for longer periods of time. Elysia is often hanging out with her friend or visiting Karen for spell lessons. She has us of course but when she has had her siblings right next to her all the time only to have them gone a lot...it must suck. Even though we both know Isadora and Elysia would do anything for Sylphie, they are growing up. Can't expect them to stay at home for the rest of their lives.
Nicole retracts her tail to wrap around her own waist.
N: She needs something to do. She wants to feel important. She wants to help in some way.
Jecka feels a swell of pride in her wife and drags her into a big hug.
J: I love you.
Nicole stiffens for a moment before leaning into Jeckas warmth.
Their legs are suddenly hit by small horns. Sylphie hugs them in an apology before running back to the house.
S: IM GONNA EAT FOOD BEFORE I SPY, MUM!
Jecka grabs Nicoles hand as they walk back to the house to eat with their youngest.