And yes, this is terribly overdue. I was on restricted computer access at the time, and then when I got off, one thing led to another and I forgot to update my journal. I really do need to get better about that... -.-'
Edit: Now that the kits have emerged, I changed the names and genders to the real ones so it makes more sense.
dragonfire_kaen
Aimee and Jennan. As different in appearance as night and day, yet somehow so alike that most strangers could not tell them apart. Where did one end and the other begin? To Fran and Balthier, who knew them almost as well as they knew themselves, the subtle differences were easy to spot. Aimee, who loved the bounding rhythm of the chase, always the leader in their fantastical games of hide-and-seek or stalk-the-bird. Jennan, more quiet than his outgoing sister, who sometimes stared off into the distance as though straining to make out words that no one else could hear. Sometimes Aimee would join him, and they would absently groom each other's fur, eyes fixed on that far-off horizon. Then abruptly the tenuous connection would snap, and they'd be giggling and tumbling and pouncing on each other with overlarge kits' paws, or racing off to beg Balthier to tell them another of his wild stories. Each night they fell asleep dreaming of their marvelous parents, soaring across the sky on another of their adventures. Of course, even two as brave and clever as Fran and Balthier could find a use for two small assistants.
Aimee and Jennan, Jennan and Aimee...
"Today. We'll do it today." Jennan's gaze was steady, reflecting nothing like the roil of emotions battling in Aimee. Nervousness. Fear. Excitement. "Today," she agreed, her voice only squeaking a little bit. Her brother Jennan was usually content to follow Aimee, rarely taking the lead, but he was the more adamant of the two on this issue. Ever since they were little they had dreamed of going out into the world and making their parents proud. And as they approached adulthood the urge to leave grew with them. To see the world, maybe even meet some of the people in their parents' stories... But could they really do it? They had grown up in this house, slowly puzzling out all of its secrets one by one until they knew each shadowy corner, each creaky board. Aimee would miss it almost as much as she would miss Mother and Father. Fran and Balthier, now. We aren't little kits anymore. She could feel her regret mirrored in Jennan through their bond. Sudden doubt flickered through them both. What if we're wrong? Why can't we just stay here a little longer? Just a little longer. Who knows what's waiting out there? Their father would certainly be agreeable; sometimes he teased them that they were nothing more than free labor around the house. "We've always known we would do this," said Jennan slowly. "And we can't wait much longer. It's time." Aimee nodded. "It won't be forever," she said, regaining some of her composure. "And think of all the things we'll be able to tell them about when we get back. We're going to have lots of adventures, just like Fran and Balthier."
But telling their parents was another matter entirely. The no-longer-kits shuffled their paws awkwardly as Fran and Balthier looked on.
"You see, we..."
"We've been planning this for a while, but we couldn't speak up..."
"Don't take this the wrong way, but..."
"We think it's time that... um..."
"You want to leave, right?" Both jumped guiltily at Balthier's mild question. He laughed at the consternation on their faces. "What, you think we would've missed the way you two've been on edge the past few days? Aimee running from room to room whispering goodbyes to all the furniture. Jennan staring at his soup bowl at dinner last night like it was the last meal before his execution." They had to laugh at that.
"Where will you go?" asked Fran.
"We don't know," they said in a rush. "We'll know when we find it," Aimee added, and her brother nodded. Their mother looked disapproving, until Balthier leaned over to whisper something in her ear. All Aimee could hear was something like, "...young once..." Fran softened, and he continued, "You two have adventuring in your very bones, you know. Runs in the family. We knew it wouldn't be long before it called to you."
"It won't be forever, of course," Aimee said again, as much for herself as for their parents. "Just a few months. We'll be back before you know it." Their father nodded gravely. "You have my blessing."
"And mine," said Fran. "No matter how far you go, remember there will always be a place for you here. Always." Her voice was unexpectedly vehement, and she seemed taken aback by it. Jennan moved forward to nuzzle her, then Balthier. "We will." They were all silent for a moment, thinking of how quiet the house would seem with the two of them gone.
Then, giggling like they were about to pull off the most wonderful trick, Aimee and Jennan scrambled upstairs to finish getting ready for their journey.
Aimee and Jennan, Jennan and Aimee...
"Today. We'll do it today." Jennan's gaze was steady, reflecting nothing like the roil of emotions battling in Aimee. Nervousness. Fear. Excitement. "Today," she agreed, her voice only squeaking a little bit. Her brother Jennan was usually content to follow Aimee, rarely taking the lead, but he was the more adamant of the two on this issue. Ever since they were little they had dreamed of going out into the world and making their parents proud. And as they approached adulthood the urge to leave grew with them. To see the world, maybe even meet some of the people in their parents' stories... But could they really do it? They had grown up in this house, slowly puzzling out all of its secrets one by one until they knew each shadowy corner, each creaky board. Aimee would miss it almost as much as she would miss Mother and Father. Fran and Balthier, now. We aren't little kits anymore. She could feel her regret mirrored in Jennan through their bond. Sudden doubt flickered through them both. What if we're wrong? Why can't we just stay here a little longer? Just a little longer. Who knows what's waiting out there? Their father would certainly be agreeable; sometimes he teased them that they were nothing more than free labor around the house. "We've always known we would do this," said Jennan slowly. "And we can't wait much longer. It's time." Aimee nodded. "It won't be forever," she said, regaining some of her composure. "And think of all the things we'll be able to tell them about when we get back. We're going to have lots of adventures, just like Fran and Balthier."
But telling their parents was another matter entirely. The no-longer-kits shuffled their paws awkwardly as Fran and Balthier looked on.
"You see, we..."
"We've been planning this for a while, but we couldn't speak up..."
"Don't take this the wrong way, but..."
"We think it's time that... um..."
"You want to leave, right?" Both jumped guiltily at Balthier's mild question. He laughed at the consternation on their faces. "What, you think we would've missed the way you two've been on edge the past few days? Aimee running from room to room whispering goodbyes to all the furniture. Jennan staring at his soup bowl at dinner last night like it was the last meal before his execution." They had to laugh at that.
"Where will you go?" asked Fran.
"We don't know," they said in a rush. "We'll know when we find it," Aimee added, and her brother nodded. Their mother looked disapproving, until Balthier leaned over to whisper something in her ear. All Aimee could hear was something like, "...young once..." Fran softened, and he continued, "You two have adventuring in your very bones, you know. Runs in the family. We knew it wouldn't be long before it called to you."
"It won't be forever, of course," Aimee said again, as much for herself as for their parents. "Just a few months. We'll be back before you know it." Their father nodded gravely. "You have my blessing."
"And mine," said Fran. "No matter how far you go, remember there will always be a place for you here. Always." Her voice was unexpectedly vehement, and she seemed taken aback by it. Jennan moved forward to nuzzle her, then Balthier. "We will." They were all silent for a moment, thinking of how quiet the house would seem with the two of them gone.
Then, giggling like they were about to pull off the most wonderful trick, Aimee and Jennan scrambled upstairs to finish getting ready for their journey.
