family outing

[Emily Aldridge]

Although her nose was often stuffed in a book, Emily was quite happy to get out of the library today. It was a perfect, beautiful spring day, but most importantly, it was Ostara. People gathered around the infirmary for the celebrations and Em had a firm hold on her brother's hand to drag him along. Certainly she wasn't going to go alone, that would be too dull! And, all she had to do was pout, and Jonah most likely wouldn't say no. It would do both of them good to get some fresh air.

The closer they got, the heavier the scent of food was in the air. Everything smelled delicious and she wasn't sure what she wanted to try first. There were also games and other little stands set up with lovely wreaths and more- she was completely distracted. Normally the library assistant's vision wasn't so easily assalted with many things at once, so she was rather giddy. Maybe unbearably so.

"Where to first?" she asked, bouncing on her toes beside her brother as she took everything in. "Do I beat you in a game first, or are you hungry? Oooor..." Green eyes finally fell upon the table with the eggs. "Oh!" she exclaimed in excitement, grabbing him by the wrist to continue dragging him again unless he really protested.

Yes, she was going to make her brother paint an egg with bright colors.

[ Jonah Aldridge ]

[Jonah Aldridge]

If any of his brothers had asked him to go with them to the Ostara celebration, he would have laughed in their faces and told them no. But Emily--that was a different story. How could you say no to that pout and her pleading eyes? Although he’d never admit to it, his sister had him wrapped around her little finger and he’d do just about anything for her, even though he never let on to that.

He had argued with her at first, telling her it was lame and he could find a lot of other things to do with his time than to wander around and play games and activities. But it was her persistence and the mention of food that he allowed her to drag him along with her.

Jonah held some resistance against Emily, sighing loudly as she pulled him along with her, making it seem as though he were still reluctant about all of this. He didn’t want to make her think that she had completely won, after all. He would remind her any chance he could that this was so lame and he couldn’t believe that she was dragging him to this.

But the smell of the food… His stomach growled instantly and his brown eyes were suddenly widened as they darted around in search of whatever that delightful smell was coming from.

He smirked at his sister’s question and gave her a doubting look. “Beat me in a game? I’d like to see you try!” He laughed and playfully nudged her in her ribs with his elbow. “I’m star--” He was suddenly cut off as he was trying to suggest that they eat first. Emily was dragging him again… To a table with a bunch of eggs on it.

Jonah moved along with her, groaning in his feigned annoyance. “Really, Em?” He raised a brow, giving her a look. “I suck at painting. Paint one for me?” He sat down on one of the wooden stools at the table and let out an exaggerated sigh. “I am hungry, you know...Whatever that smell is… I need it. You have no idea...I might die of starvation...Because my baby sister wants to paint eggs for some strange reason.” He grinned widely, the sarcasm in his tone making it obvious that he was only teasing her and he’d paint a damn egg if that’s what she wanted him to do...Because, of course, he’d do anything for her. He just needed to bitch about it the whole time.

[Emily Aldridge]

"I can do it!" she announced about beating him at one of the games. It was true that Jonah was far better at them and was much more atheletic, but there was this horrible competitive streak within her that she simply couldn't let go of. She would try something at least once if only to see if she was good at it...and if she was, oh boy, you weren't going to hear the end of it!

Emily was rather hungry herself, of course, but now she was completely distracted. Jonah would just simply have to wait until she satiated her curiosity. Then they could eat, and she wouldn't have to worry about being terribly lady-like. She could eat as much as she liked!

She nodded excitely. "Really, Nah-nah!" she replied, using that silly nickname she had given him as a child. 'Nuh uh, Nah-nah!' had been a frequent saying in the house, whenever she caught him in the middle of causing mischief, being the tattle that she was. Jo would probably be the preferred the nickname, but she pulled the other one out when she wanted to tease him a bit more. "I'm not painting one for you because I have to paint my own. Plus!" She gestured towards the sign. "You need to write your intentions or wishes on it."

Happily flopping down onto the seat beside him, she reached for one of the eggs and placed it into his hand. She thought about slamming it into his palm, but then she'd get yolk all over hers as well. "You'll live," she grinned, speaking so matter of fact. "The sooner you paint, the sooner I'll let you go eat. How about that?" As though she were the boss. Thus far, though, he was indulging her, so she would continue to pretend that she was in charge. "So, come on- what're your wishes for the year?"

[Jonah Aldridge]

“Can not!” He playfully countered. He knew how competitive Emily got and knew that she hated being told she couldn’t do something. Whether she knew that or not, Jonah used it as a tactic to urge her to do things she might not want to, or never had done before. She had succeeded in some things thanks to him, of course. He would most certainly take credit for some of her successes!

Nah-nah. No matter how old they got, it would seem his childhood nickname would follow along with him. But it still always managed to make him laugh. He shook his head at her and let out another exaggerated sigh. “Nah-nah don't waaaaaaant to,” he playfully whined, but she kept insisting, pointing out the sign that said, "You need to write your intentions or wishes on it." Jonah rolled his eyes so hard you could almost hear them.

“This is sooo lame, Em.” He said as she placed the egg in his hand and told him he’d live. She wasn’t going to let him get out of this one, he could see. “Will I? Tell my stomach that!” He laughed and sighed again, glancing around the table at all the various paints available.

“My wishes for the year? I don’t know… To get a woman or two...Or three. To drink lots of alcohol… And for my baby sister to realize that she has the best damn brother in all of Elysium.” He grinned widely without looking at her, and grabbed one of the paintbrushes, dipping it into a cup of red paint. He looked as if he were about to start painting the egg, but instead, leaned closer to her and dabbed the brush on the tip of her nose. He laughed out loudly and quickly turned away, stopping himself short and pretended to overly focus on painting his egg. She deserved that.

[Emily Aldridge]

"Can, too!" she argued back immediately. For a moment, Emily was about to forget all about the silly eggs and hunt down a game for them to play so that she could prove she was capable of beating him. Challenging her truly was the best way to get her to do anything, and to try her hardest. Em knew this, and yet, she allowed her brothers to wield it against her regardless. She simply couldn't help it.

Jonah continued to whine, and she struggled to keep a straight face. "Could you stop being a big baby for five minutes? I never ask you for anything. Plus, this might be good for you." That was when she finally grinned again; maybe it was a little cheeky. "Get your life on track, so to speak."

Then, he was explaining what he would wish for, and it was her turn to roll her eyes so hard. Maybe it was just a family trait. "I might agree with that last bit if you would just paint the stupid-" Her words were cut off when Jonah dabbed the paint onto her nose, silencing her immediately. Emily actually went cross-eyed as if she was trying to get a good look at the red dot.

Ooooh, that jerkface!

Of course, she wanted to laugh, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction just yet. So, despite looking like she had a cold, she reached for a brush and dipped it into some blue paint...and proceeded to stick the bristles into his ear!