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Arlecchino heels clicked against polished wooden floors, following the hallway to her children's room, rasping her gloved knuckles against the door.
“I'm coming in, be prepared for the day.” Arlecchino opens the door with a creak, noting Lynette still snoozing under her weighted blankets, while Fremient yawns from his desk, his toy, Pers being repaired swiftly under a lamp light.
Lyney was swinging his foot absently, shuffling his deck with ease, before tossing them into his hat on the plush carpet, a few cards laid next to it.
Arlecchino stepped into the room, gaining her kids attention, Fremient shoved away from the desk, bolting into Father's side, peering up at her, as he clung to her coat.
She petted his head, her nails carefully scratching his scalp soothingly, Fremient nuzzled into it. Lyney jumped off his chair grinning, bowing mockingly to his Dad.
“Morning Father. Is Mother still coming along?” Asks Lyney, getting an undignified scoff from her.
“I do not recall having a partner within my home. Though, I would hardly call that blood crazed fool a proper mom to you.”
“He visits us while you're away. However, he seems disappointed everytime.” Retorts Lyney, jumping onto Lynette's bed, hearing a muffled hiss aimed at him.
Arlecchino corks a brow at her son, a question left unsaid, she shook her head, crossing her arms, picked up Fremient, heading to the desk, picked up the robotic toy, eyeing the details of it. Placing it down, she walked toward his bed, lifting the plush toy of Pers up to Fremient, settling down on the edge of the bed.
“We will leave within the hour. I want the three of you ready and in the main hall. Do not dillydally, and do not forget anything. We will not be back till sunset.” Remarks Arlecchino, setting down Fremient, ruffling his hair, she left without another word, hearing a thud, and cursing. A smile played on her lips, leaving to her own room, to get ready for the day.
Lynette's hair was in twin braid loops, her eyes droopy from sleep, nodding off slightly, where she stood, her backpack was on the floor by her feet. Lyney was grinning ear to ear, his foot tapping in excitement, peering up at the stairs for their baby brother who was seemingly absent from the group.
Arlecchino sighed, passing the twins, up the stairs, her eyes narrowed at the shuffled footsteps muffled by the carpet. Stalking the halls, they could hear Fremi panicked whispers, hurried steps reaching her. Pushing the slightly ajar door, eyeing her crumbled son's outfit, pursed her lips. Stepping into the room, Fremi whirled his head toward the noise, unshed tears welled in his eyes, sniffling.
Arlecchino knelt down, brushing away the tears with her thumb, cooing under their breath.
“Stay close to us. And, if needed, we can stop somewhere secluded for a moment, to breathe. Crowds will part for us, for upsetting a harbinger of my caliber would be their end.”
Fremi nodded, clinging to her coat sleeve, walked beside them, hugging his plush Pers to his chest, his eyes focused in front of him.
The two made their way to the front hall, Arlecchino wrinkled her nose, seeing the ginger haired harbinger grinning up at her.
“Morning comrade! I'm flattered by the invitation. I truly believed you disliked me.”
They gave Tartaglia a leveled glare, ignoring his comment, headed toward the door, her children following closely, catching a bit of a conversation between Lyney and the eleventh briefly.
The crowd swallowed up the group, keeping their distance, however still close enough to feel suffocating. Fremient hold on his father's hand grew tighter, flickering his gaze amongst the crowd.
A balloon vendor sat outside the crowd, calling to the passersby with gusto, his voice calm and friendly, he waved over to the twins, grinning.
Lynette wove through, reaching the vendor, ordered a teal colored balloon, it bobbed in the air, she tossed a few coins onto the palm of the older male, he tipped his hat, the wrinkles close to his eyes, winked up in a smile, waved to her.
“Thank you, miss. Have a wonderful day!” Chirps the balloon vendor, laughing at the dismissal goodbye he got back, her back facing him, gilded past everyone, reaching Fremient quickly.
Fremient peered up at his sister through his lashes, fidgeting, Lynette raised his unoccupied wrist, tying the balloon swiftly to it, nodding in approval at the smile given back.
“Thank you Nettie…” Murmurs Fremient, his cheeks rosy, Lynette's ears twitched, her tail wrapping around her brother's waist, creasing it, comforting, nodded. She fell back, looping her arm with her twin, ignoring the side-eye from Lyney's curious glances, as he picked up the conversation with Childe, his boisterous laughter filling the chatter.
Arlecchino hummed, leading her group to a restaurant, Lady Furina loved, the sweets on display and freshly made, as the waft of food hit their noses, soon entered the establishment with ease, seated by a window-view, a reserved waitress, padded their way to them, shaking slightly, her eyes wavering between the two harbingers.
“Hello, have you decided what drinks you want?” Asked the mousy waitress, averting her gaze. She jot down the orders that were fired rapidly at her, as Lyney produced a flower for her, tucking it above her hair, the woman flushed, before scurrying away.
“Father, there's no need to be hostile.” Lyney starts, his face contorted to a frown, however it looked like a disobedient pup, trying to look innocent.
Arlecchino hummed, using her palm as a rest, tilted her head, squinting. “Is that so..?”
Childe snickered, a pawed foot slammed into his shin, cursing fell from his lips, he glared at Lynette, who slow-blinked back at him, her face neutral.
The waitress delivered the drinks, chamomile tea with a hint of honey for Arlecchino, root beer float for Childe, Milk tea for Lynette, a coffee with six sugarcubes, chocolate syrup drizzled on top, and a peppermint stick. Fremient had a soft drink, eyeing Childe’s Float, sipped his quietly, the waitress leaned on one foot than the other, opening and closing her mouth was shooed away with a quick motion from Arlecchino.
Lynette sighs dreamily, her tail curling against the chair, as Lyney battled Childe with their spoons for the vanilla ice cream coated in root beer.
“Children.” Spoke Arlecchino, leveling a look at the two, Childe chuckled, dropping his guard, as Lyney knocked the spoon from Tartaglia's fingers, getting a medium sized scoop of it, shoving the dessert in his mouth in victory.
Arlecchino tapped her nails against the table, gaining the two attention once more, their expression now sheepish.
“Decide what you wish to eat. I'll be right back, I have business with the owner of this shop.” Without another word, Arlecchino left the four alone, her seat now empty, they scanned the menu hastily, the words becoming a blur.
Childe spoke softly with Fremient, pointing at different meals, the younger nodded along, murmuring back, tapping at a different one.
Soon the waitress came back, gathering the orders, went to the back to prepare them, Fremient squeezed his plush to his chest, fidgeting in his seat, tapping his fingers onto the napkin.
Arlecchino stepped by the table, brushing away Fremient's bangs, kissing his head, and sat down, downing the water.
“Welcome back, Arly! Didja finish your chore?” Teases Childe cheekily, leaning back on his chair.
Arlecchino ignored the taunt, as the food was placed, they dug in, so did the three, except Childe, sulking like a scolded dog, being unanswered.
Childe paid, brushing off the protest of Lyney, who was kicked by the back of his knees by Lynette, who gave a silent glare, shutting him up.