Mythshaper

“Now if I can get some wine,” Emi said, wiping her arms with a towel before sinking onto the couch. “I won’t even say no to some cheap ale.”

“I have a house rule against alcohol,” Ashlyn stifled a laugh. “And smoking.”

Emi snorted. “Mighty noble of you to make up some rules like that, since you do neither.”

Ashlyn smiled, and for a moment, it felt like she was back in the old days when the two of them could talk without any reservations. “I would have given you a pass, but there’s nothing unfortunate to drink in the house.”

“How you live out here alone like this, I’d never know,” her younger sister said, shaking her head.

Arilyn and Rosalyn were fast asleep after hours of playing around, and Ashlyn had finally finished tidying the house. She sank onto the couch beside Emelyn, thankful for her help with the cleaning. They had spent the afternoon together, but neither had brought up the heavier topics then.

“If you are staying for another night,” she proposed, “I might not be against the idea of brewing something nasty for now. Only have to make sure the children are not close.”

“Never imagined I’d see this day,” Emelyn said, nudging against her shoulder. “You, settling down, raising a family all by yourself. You were so wild and feisty.”

“Nor did I,” Ashlyn said. “But raising a child changes you... My little pumpkin is so sweet. He makes it all worth it.”

“I hope so,” her sister chimed, patting her lap and inviting her to lie down. Just like old times. “He’s so adorable, and so darn curious... Solas, he asks so many questions.”

Ashlyn gave in too easily, laying her leg over the head of the couch, her head nestled on Emi’s lap. Her sister brushed a clumsy finger through her locks, nuzzling slowly. “He usually finds the answer to his question on his own,” she murmured. “Only asks when he couldn’t find them... or if he’s overly excited about something, which is everything concerning a Magus.”