Climbed A Mountain [Yvarro Girls][Vitalis]

[Fiolette Fortan]

From Summer to Autumn, changes in the season had started and as the leaves began to turn so did the pages in the book of life. Lucinyia was still away at the Academy, although she had sent her best wishes to Natasi and Talbot. Ryssa and Ariel were due to arrive at Breakriver at any moment now, and as the two girls looked each other they wondered together. "So this is our new normal then, is it?" Ryssa asked aloud, Ariel only nodded and as young as she was that year she knew it to be true. Their mother, the Grand Admiral Fiolette Yvarro was now gone from their lives, her words of comfort would mean little to them on the cold nights when children needed their mothers. It was an act that neither Lucinyia nor Natasi could quite forgive her for, it went against the very fibre of their being.

And yet, here they were.

"Cousin Natasi is still very nice, I think," Ariel said with her small voice, her little eyes peered out of the carriage and took in the sights of the changing leaves.

"Nice is fine and all but it isn't the same, though I suspect you're just a touch too young to quite understand it all," Ryssa explained with a pained expression as she looked down at her manicured hands. The change had not gone as she had pictured it, for while the legality of it all was smooth. Internally, how could she process it all, left with only her sister and an elder cousin to guide her? Ryssa sighed and her shoulders slumped, her back leant against the fabric of the seat.

They were getting older and as the carriage came up the drive, the two sisters looked at each other once more.

This was their new normal.

These were the changes of their lives.

Fear was irrelevant now, "suppose we make the best of it all then." Ryssa said if only to cheer herself up, but noted that Ariel nodded in agreement and then held out her hand to her sister. For which, the middle Yvarro sister was grateful. "Alright, here we go."


[member="Natasi Fortan"] | [member="Talbot Vitalis"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

"What does one do with little girls?" asked Talbot fretfully as Mr. Hendersmith stood by, watching him fiddle with his necktie. "Honestly, what do they like? I feel like it's rather sexist to say dollies but I'm not sure what I have to go off. Natasi says the middle one is rather partial to office supplies, which is lucky since we've got plenty, but what about the small one? How old is she again? Oh, what difference does it make?" He frowned and untied his tie, then set about re-tying it again.

If only Natasi wasn't being held up in the city. She was supposed to be here by now, but apparently someone in the general services had stepped in it and Natasi was there, cleaning up the mess, instead of here, meeting with her cousins. So, for the time being, it would be just Talbot and the girls.

"I'm afraid I don't know, m'lord," said the butler, looking as if he was pained, watching the man tie his tie. "I believe the young mistress has a fondness for Her Ladyship's clothing and accessories. Perhaps you might borrow a few of the -- ah, shabbier items -- from Her Ladyship's closet for her to dress up with?"

Talbot shot Hendersmith a pitiable glance and then completed his tie. "I'm going to need a drink," he said, heading for the door. "Make it a double." He pulled the doors open, emerging into the declining sunlight to greet his cousins-in-law. "Hello, girls," he called. "Welcome, do come in. Oh, leave the bags, someone will get them for you. Come along." He held the door open for them, giving each an awkward pat on the shoulder as they came in. "Now, your cousin is slightly delayed, but she'll be here for dinner -- I hope -- so what would you like to do until then?"

[member="Fiolette Yvarro"]