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Sylvirah 1

Seasonal changes were swiftly overcoming the frigid North. The little dusting of snow that clung to most of the trees in Zena during the warmer months was starting to build, and ice had started forming in the early morning hours. Getting out for her morning routine was becoming harder and harder, as was the task of waking her family to do their routines. At the very least the village seemed to be thriving and every year they grew that much more stable with their resources. Where once there had been gaunt, emaciated faces glaring at her like haunted spirits there were now chubby cheeked seniors happily sharing stories with the newer generations.

Everything was as it should be, and she could finally enjoy it.
So, when Iriyana had mentioned looking for little ones to teach archery too Sylvirah had jumped on it. As thrilling as it would have been to teach them herself, she knew they would thrive under their aunt’s care as well.

Plus, she not so subtley hoped they might want to spend a little more time with their Aunt and Uncle so she could have some alone time with their father before he fled south for the winter.

"Are you excited?" They were close to the property now and with a smile Sylvirah looked down at the kids.

While Ziya would much prefer to play or sneak a nap somewhere around the village, the boy was admittedly interested to see how today would go. He had expected their mother to teach them all about archery and it was surprising to hear that they were actually going to visit their aunt instead! Unlike his sister, Ziya did not know when the stop talking sometimes. "Sure! Are we learning a lot today or are we staying longer to really train? Will there be a competition?" He asked with interest as he bounced after his mother. "Are you staying long or are we going to be watched by our Aunt and Uncle for a bit?" He was used to visiting and staying a few days with or without his mother, sometimes his father on the rare occasions that his uncle didn't try to chase him away, but this would be the first time that they stayed for actual lessons! Ziya didn't know whether he should be super excited or wary since it would mean less playing around and more well...learning.

Yngvara 2

Yngvara secretly hoped they would be staying a few days, even if she didn't vocalize it. She liked getting to spend time with her Aunt and...her Uncle...sometimes...not really.

Taking in the area around her, the little one's posture took on a slightly more excited air when she spotted Riya. Instead of calling out to her the halfling scuttled past her mother and brother, pausing only once to look back with a happy smile, before getting closer to her Aunt. She heard her mother call out from behind her, but all she could focus on was holding her bow out to show Riya.

Oooh he could see targets! Ziya's eyes lit up like stars when he recognized the work that his aunt had down to prepare an area for their archery lessons. This was so much more fun than having to chase down moving targets for training! Maybe he could do some style points too? His father always showed off with some sort of flare whenever he was doing things around the village, especially with cooking or when he was competing against their mother for something.

And like usual his sister was off without a word. Not that Ziya minded so much considering he had grown accustomed to her actions and could feel the excitement just in the way she rushed towards their aunt, the realization bringing another smile to his lips. "Duly noted, mama." Replied Ziya with a firm nod. "I guess I'll see how today goes and then I'll let ya know." Though he did enjoy the city sometimes his uncle could be a bit rough around the edges, not that Ziya minded since he could figure his way around the older iceling. His father had given him some very good tips for dealing with his uncle after all!

After he was kissed by his mother, Ziya bounced up to give her a loving nudge before darting towards Riya. "Hey!" He called out with a wave as he watched his sister holding out her own bow towards their aunt. A chuckle escaped Ziya as he waited surprisingly patient so that his sibling could show off her bow.

Sylvirah 3

They were a handful, weren't they? Sylvirah couldn't help the smile that consumed her the moment her son showed her the least little bit of affection. He wouldn't be like this for long so she was trying to soak up as much as she could. If she had it her way she'd have a house full of little ones just like them, but having another little boy wouldn't be the same as watching Ziya run about.

She rolled her eyes at Iriyana's theatrics and tried her best not to snort. Instead, she 'sighed', "He must have gotten lost along the way and this brave bueskytter showed up to escort us." Between her sister-in-law and her lover Sylvirah didn't have a choice but to pick up a slight flare for dramatics.

Ziya blinked and then blinked again at his aunt's teasing. He looked towards his mother as if to ask her 'really' before she too joined in on the joke. It hadn't been that long! Still, he puffed his chest up playfully before turning around. "Ja." He agreed with a proud nod before his sister's question brought an even wider grin to his face. Was even Yngvara questioning things now? Surely she at least knew he was her brother! After a moment of thinking the boy straightened his shoulders, gave a slight wave to the older ladies and then reached over to pat his sister on her shoulder. "I've done my duty by escorting you so I should leave now. Best of luck finding this Ziya." Yngvara just seemed so innocent and confused that he couldn't resist teasing her.

Ziya only took a few steps away before coming back and wrapping an arm around Yngvara's shoulders. "Teasing!" He chirped before grinning towards his aunt, a chuckle escaping his lips. "You gotta know its me, Auntie Riya!"

Sylvirah 4

It was amusing - and a little concerning - to see how easily her youngest became wrapped up in the 'charade'. She was young enough that if it the trick went on for too long that she might actually believe it, but then again she had full faith in Ziya. He would never do anything to cause her actual distress and sure enough he was calming her; after doing his own fair share of teasing, that is.

"They grow like weeds. It seems that everyday I have to let out their coats a little more and find some way to keep boots on their feet." One moment they had been nursing on her chest and the next they were learning to walk only to shoot a bow the next day! How was her heart supposed to take it all?

Ziya made certain to return the hug since he felt a little bit guilty about tricking Yngvara. Part of that was why he adored her so much, it was easy to get away with his pranks with his younger sister around. Still, even though the ruse was up the boy could only give his sibling one final squeeze before looking towards his aunt. "Aww." Ziya pouted playfully before moving over to give his aunt a hug. "Good! We love visiting you." He replied with a grin of his own before bouncing back to stand next to his sibling.

Usually Ziya was all about going first and receiving attention but the boy knew this was where Yngvara really shined and he wanted to give her that. "Yngvara will probably show you best." He admitted with a small smile towards his sister, a bit apologetic at scaring her earlier with their teasing. "That okay with you?"