She held out her hands. “Need me to carry something?” She wanted to be helpful since he was sharing his food with her. She shifted a little so her backpack was a little more centered on her back. She smiled up at him, shaking some strands of dark hair out of her face.
Axel booped her nose. “Nope! I can carry this. You lead the way.”
Ember giggled at the nose boop. The last person who had done that was her older brother. Her eyes grew sad, but she skipped on ahead to her favorite spot.
Axel noticed her grow sad but shook it off and trotted after her. He hummed happily as he followed, his scarf and the thick blanket fluttering after him.
(Hey Emi, everyone's asking about you on the Family Dinner RP.)
Ember led Axel to a spot surrounded by trees. She twirled around and then fell onto her back, staring up at the colorful, falling leaves. Her expression changed to one of awe as she waited for Axel to catch up. She lifted an arm up, trying to catch one of the orange maple leaves. It landed on her face. She let her arm drop and she closed her eyes underneath the foliage. She had completely forgot anyone was there with her.
(Ugjrkkwwkoc)
Axel chuckled and stood over her. “Come on, Nature-Girl. We’ve got a picnic to attend.” He nudged her with his foot gently.
Ember popped up, startled, and then scrambled to help him. She took the blanket and shook it out, smoothing it over the grass. Her mind wandered.
Axel laughed and set the cooler down. “Alright. Let’s sit…” He plopped down.
Ember sat as well, a good distance from him, not sure how comfortable he was with her. She fiddled with her leaf, unsure of what to door say. She was starting to stiffen up again.
Axel smiled over at her. “You can sit closer, if you’d like. I promise I don’t bite.” He pulled over his cooler and started to sit out their lunch.
Ember slowly shifted herself closer. She was intrigued by this guy. Not many people treated her nicely like this outside her brother. She missed her brother… She tried not to get sad on account of Axel being there, but she couldn't help it. She curled her knees up to her chest and rested her head on them, looking at the people going by on the sidewalks a ways away. She smiled at a mother with a young child and a newborn baby. Both children were fascinated by the many warm colors and the chilly air. 'Why couldn't her childhood been that happy? Could she ever be part of a family again?'
Axel poked her leg a little with his finger. “Here’s your food.” His gaze identified her staring at the family and he looked back at her.
“Something wrong?” Was he not doing something right?
Ember jumped, then quickly looked back at Axel. "Oh. Sorry." She took the food and started eating, keeping her eyes on her food. "Didn't mean to drift off like that. I'm fine." But when she said "I'm fine" it was more like she was trying to convince herself.
Axel frowned a little but didn’t push her. The way she spoke was different from what she was earlier. It worried him but he didn’t make her confess. He just grabbed himself a sandwich and a soda, then started to eat.
Ember thought of something. "Hey Axel? What's your home state?"
Axel looked up from his sandwich and smiled. “Alabama. It’s nice out there.”
Ember smiled back. "I'm from Amish country. Pennsylvania!" She grinned. "Lots of good views and hills, but the roads can be confusing."
“Ooh. Nice and rural. Must be a fun place to live in.” He smiled and bit into his sandwich happily.
Ember's smile slipped a bit before coming back. "Y-yeah, I guess." She turned back to her sandwich, hungry.
Axel was too focused on his sandwich to answer. He glanced up occasionally, grinning at Ember.
Ember finished her sandwich and laid back, closing her eyes. She hummed a little tune, tapping her boot toes together to the beat. She enjoyed Axel's company. A lot. It really surprised her. She opened her eyes, catching him glancing and grinning at her. She grinned back. "I've asked you a question. Your turn to ask me."
Axel looked at her when she talked and smiled. “Okay… hmm… what’s your favorite book to read?” He laid down a bit. “My favorite is The Grimm’s Tales.”
Ember thought. "Other than the secret garden? Hmmmm… "Love and Gelato". That's one of my top favorites. Grimm's Tales are always good. As long as they're the traditional stories without the editing of the darker parts. You lose a lot when you edit parts out of a story."
Axel nodded thoughtfully. “Especially with the classics. Their Cinderella was edited so much through Disney.”
Ember laughed. "That's an understatement. Cinderella was barely the same story anymore." She sat up and attempted to brush the dead leaves and grass from her hair. "There's a story from there I particularly enjoyed. It was called "Mother Hulda" I think."
(Clovis?)
(What??)
(oof shit wrong RP! My computers messed up sorry. I'll fix it. XD)
(…… okakaooakakaayayya)
(Finished. Sorry about that.)