Submission (#3411) Approved

It was finally the long-awaited date that marked her calendar with a bright red circle and a dozen tiny hearts besides it. The day where her younger sister was planned to visit both Jelany and Eos in Strynhalde, under the care of the golden kittom's father -- Basil. He was a remarkable man, always so deeply involved in his daily duties, but never too far absorbed to neglect his daughter. The two of them shared a tight bond, something that Jelany took comfort in... It reminded her of her own family, and helped whenever she was feeling rather homesick. Seafoam orbs stared up at the ceiling of her temporary room, mulling over the decision if she should simply remain in her place, or get up for the day and get busy until word of Yuzu's arrival. Siding with the former, legs swing over the side of the bed and grabbing hold of a scarf and beanie, the girl properly dresses herself up to brace for the cold air outside. Her companion was caring for the livestock in their farm, while Basil sat down for the morning to finally eat his fill of breakfast. He raises another plate to her, grinning cheekily. She accepts his invitation, little pink body trotting along the single carpet in the middle of the wooden floor. Their fireplace was burning, gentle flames fanning in place to warm the home. Plopping down besides the adult, Jelany takes a fork to bashfully dig into a fluffy tower of pancakes with Mana berries sitting atop whipped cream mounds. Once the food hit her tongue, she couldn't help but scrunch her nose in pure bliss. Basil was a wonderful cook, just as much as he was a father or hard-worker. She's thankful for all that he does for her as a temporary presence, and the two eat in moderate silence.

He taps a paw to the top of her head, palming playfully.

"So, have you prepared at all what you were going to show your sister when she gets here? Anything in specific that stuck out to you?"

Paw to her chin in thought, Jelany rubs from side-to-side as if she were trying to stimulate her brain. Everything in Strynhalde was so nice, it made it difficult to decide. It's not too long that her sister would stay anyways, so she wants to find the best that she could possibly show Yuzu for now. The man quirks a brow in entertainment, lightly bumping his hip into her own as a means of teasing before he makes his way up the stairs and into his personal quarters.

"Just make sure to have something in mind, Jel, it doesn't have to be excruciatingly complex... Just something you enjoy about our little place out here!"

With that, his head tucks back into his room and rummages through his layers of fabric that he can layer to form a comfortable and warm shawl over his body. He even nabs a smaller portion just for Jelany too. Can't have one of his fosters getting sick on him now. Shuffling down the wooden steps as they creaked quietly beneath his pressure, Basil fashions her makeshift shawl over her body and she laughs, corners of her eyes crinkling in mirth.

"Thanks, Basil. I was thinking of maybe taking her out to that one shop... I forgot the name, but they serve the best hot cocoa! Eos showed me when I first got here, I thought it was incredible. Plus no matter how much of a sourpuss my sister is, she really loves chocolate, so it's a good first choice!"

"Oh, I know just what you're talking about. Here, I'll accompany you."

Holding the front door open for the youngling, Basil's green eyes hover her person as it passes by him, making sure that he didn't close the door too early before she could get out. Locking and tucking the single key into his pouch, the duo walk along the cobblestone ground. Little bits of flurried snowfall brush past them, and the closer they drew to the shop the more Jelany would bounce on her feet in excitement. A chime of a general clocktower that sat in the center of their little town drew their attention, noting that Yuzu's boat had just arrived and docked. Jelany broke out into a sprint, immediately beelining for the shop. The sooner they went inside and placed orders, the sooner she could present her little sister with a delectable cup of liquid love. Basil's speed picks up as well, wanting to match pace so that Jelany didn't lose herself. She happens to get him first, though, holding the door open for the elder and he nods his head once in acknowledgement and gratitude. Not many were residing inside, which was rather shocking considering how chilly the atmosphere was outside. Granted, not every day was cold. Some days were better than others, more tolerable... But to someone like Jelany, or Yuzu... It was absolutely unbearable! They lived in climate that was comfortable against their skin, where the sun shone and the fresh sea breeze kept everything cool. But Strynhalde with the near-constant chill, frost caking the windows of many local shops in their vicinity... The powdered snow collecting on the many pine trees until it became to heavy and gave under the pressure, sometimes assaulting an unsuspecting person on their morning walk. Mountain as far as the eye could see, a lovely backdrop to an otherwise winter-wonderland.

What was nice, though, was the ice that froze over some ponds scattered about. Children took to it almost immediately, excited with new ways to busy themselves and enjoy what was special about this region.

Jelany stops her thoughts short when the adult pays for four drinks in total, corners of his lips curving upwards at the sight of roasted marshmallows sitting atop a lovely scoop of whipped cream and chocolate shavings scattered over it all. Once more does the girl hold the door open so he doesn't have to struggle, Jelany throws her chin in the direction of the great boats to retrieve their special visitor for the evening. Snowfall trickles down, two or three dots at most falling on the kittom's unprotected nose, causing her to scrunch her face and rub quickly to brush it off.

The orange and pink kittom shuffles awkwardly, face nearly obscured by a thick winter coat in which the coat's excess fur muffled. A glance is all that was needed to tell that the two young girls were related. Plucking her first taste of Strynhalde, Jelany holds the hot cocoa to the other girl who gingerly takes it. Yuzu struggles to take the hood down, and Basil assists. She speaks to tell him thank you, and raises the warm beverage to her lips, slurping quietly. The three make their way back home, with Jelany stopping every now and then to point out her favorite aspects of the region to their visitor.