@Frolic 

Frolic's announcement that she wanted to head off in to the wilds did not come as a surprise to Dwin and she took the decision calmly. She did not like to see her father worry, which was just as a natural thing for him to do as it was for her not to. She had spent enough time in her sister's company to know that this Blackthorn not only had a knack of getting into trouble, but almost a god-like ability ot get out of it as well. So - no matter, what would come her sister's way, she would fine. One way or another. 

Since she did not know, when would her younger sibling set off (and very likely the family would find this out only after the fact), Dwin decided to have that one last fruitless older-sister talk now. So she sought out Frolic, whose scent today - surprise, surprise - still hung around the caldera. Quite fresh too. 

"If you need some avalanche training, I can help you out with that," Dwin told Frolic, making her presence known, though she had watched her younger sibling work for a while unannounced.

Some time had passed since their last adventure together and it seemed as if the girl had grown up so much more in that brief timespan. It was odd to think that this youngster, who had annoyed her to no end during the summer, was almost an adult now. Not only in looks, but the demeanor as well. 

"What are you working on?" she asked, sitting down nearby and peering down at shallow dugout in the snow.

"Figurative balls are not prone to get frostbites," Dwin grinned, never the one to let a good "down below" joke pass. She did not tell her sister that despite the best of preparations cold and hunger were going to be her loyal companions all throughout the remaining winter months. Spring may ease the burden of the two, but you could never rely on the warmer weather to solve all of your problems. Her reasons for holding back this information was that one learned best by experience. Words could never conjure the proper image.

"Break a leg and bugger off?" Dwin arched an eyebrow in a quizzical manner. "Have you made your will? Just in case - so that the family does not have to fight over your property?"

"Speak like a true Blackthorn - there is no fun in having things settled, is there?" Dwin remarked with a chuckle and then let out a sigh. Could it be - was she really sorry to see Frolic go? She was going to miss her. Not 100% of her - with some percentages gone her life would be a lot easier and smooter. Even boring a little. But some boredom, before spring came along and everything started again seemed almost welcome. 

"Well, I cannot give you any such advice that you won't learn on your own there. Except don't trust strangers and don't eat yellow snow," she grinned at her. Though the first part of the advice had been meant seriously. She had a feeling that Frolic was more trusting than her, but looking back she had been the same way. Distrust had sprouted and set its roots later. Maybe because of the new responsibilities and the fact that after losing Bronco, caldera no longer felt as safe as it had been. 

"Kid, you have been my personal hell this year. You have made me ponder murder more often than any other person and that invitation to drown you a little in the lake with the big fish still stands," she told her with a smile. "But it was never boring with you around and I think that Brecheliant will be a lonelier place without you," she said.

"So, as the wisest and the most mature in our family - big ol' sister Dee said - even if you are gone, the piece of Brecheliant will always be there with you. To remind you, where your home is and always will be and who you are," she told her in a sincere tone. "No matter, how far you go or how long you are gone, come back to tell the story. Your old and boring Dwin promises to keep the place going just to hear that tale," she said. "One last hug, before you set off in the big adult life?" she asked. 

Throwing you off a cliff is still an option... Dwin thought to herself, but did not voice it out loud. Some jokes - though funny and fitting - crossed a line and therefore you had to keep them to yourself. "Well, if everything had gone according to my initial plans last year, I would be a warrior-queen leading an amazonian pack or something of equal awesomeness. I never intended to come back, until I had achieved my imagined greatness," she said. "Here I am now, living a dream of a house-maid," she grinned. 

Then went over to inspect Frolic's progress with the dugout. "So, sweetheart, what are your dreams that you want to fulfill out there? So that I can add them to the diary of aspirations and compare the text to the facts, of what had actually happened?" she asked. 

"A story, huh?" Dwin arched an eyebrow, lowering herself slowly to lie down so that she was on the same eye-level with Frolic. She liked to see the unbridled excitement in her sister's eyes and remembered the days, when she too had felt the same way. The whole world at her feet, ready to take it over in a sweep.

Now the flames had gone and the embers had stopped glowing. Life had got boring and predictable all too soon and at this point in time the future seemed bleak to her. No dreams. No ambitions. No hopes. She wanted nothing and at times it felt as if she could die today and not feel sorry for herself at all. 

But this was Frolic's farewell party, not her therapy session, therefore she shook her head to snap out of the sad thoughts, looked up and came up with a solution: "What about a tasty and warm story, you will need those during your travels?"