à la mode

They pitch forward, as Elise's arms wrap around their waist. Petite as she may be, there's a force, an energy, the Elise possesses that no one can deny. It's magnetic, warm and it feels ever so much like home.

Forrest falls into the embrace, careful to catch himself just before they can knock her over. Elise is still small, delicate and gentle, despite her inner strength. The embrace is so very warm and affirming though. He would never voice this thought, especially not this father or aunt Camilla but..

She's definitely his favourite relative, at least on his father's side. On mother's side, there is only mother. Just as bright and kind. Between the pair of them, and father's efforts, it's easy to see why and how they are who they are today.

"Aun--" Elise has stopped them here many times before. Claims it makes her feel old. It's understandable too, after such time spent in the deep realms Elise is barely older than they are. More like a sister than an aunt, really. "Elise! What a joy it is to see you!"

"Appears rumpled collars are an affliction that runs in our blood," Leo says, amusement clear in his eyes. Hand returns to his side. "You look nice today, Forrest. Is that a new shirt?"

By the dragons, he's trying.

Forrest's face is set ablaze in an instant. How careless had they been? How rude they must appear--

Father's voice is low but the mirth dances upon every syllable. Sturdy, calm hands smooth our Forrest's collar. Leo's hands are firm but surprisingly gentle. Just enough pressure to keep the offending garment in place. No more, no less.

It runs in the blood, does it? Leo making a fashion faux pas is hardly unexpected but this thread, binding them together as family? As shameful and embarrassing as it is, Forrest decides to hold it close to their chest. A reminder that no matter the past, both walk the same path forward.

"How careless of me," Forrest's voice is steady, almost nonchalant. It is definitely a relief though, to see their short collar fall into place. Thank you Father. You look polished and pristine as ever."

Oh, the shirt. Handmade, of course, and they can't really pretend it isn't. Leo is sharp and eagle eyed about the slightest of things. Despite his apparent disdain, could probably pick out Forrest's needlework from a lineup.

It’s your turn on cooking duty, and you know exactly what you want to make: delicious pizzas! The kitchens are well stocked today; *too* well-stocked, in fact, because there are way too many choices for toppings, with everything you can imagine from meat to veggies to more unorthodox choices like chocolate or mapo tofu. Will you and your cooking partner come up with a brilliant new recipe, or spend the entire time arguing over whether or not that pineapple belongs on the pizza? [Grants Authority +1]

Forrest ties a peach apron around their waist, smiling at the kitten in a chef’s hat that adorned it. Functional and fashionable, what more could they have asked for?

A recipe, perhaps.

It’s apparently pizza night at Garreg Mach and mother had not-so subtly suggested Forrest volunteer themself for cooking duty. They had to wonder why Corrin was so eager to see them in the kitchen, especially when she wasn’t accompanying them. Forrest had never really shown any particular interest in cooking. Sure, they had loved swirling icing over freshly baked cookies as a child but that had been so long ago. Cooking savoury food, without mother by their side held no such magic and charm. Alas though, the monastery’s residents did need to eat.

Spreading flour across the counter to keep things from sticking, Forrest tries to remember the ingredients Jakob would use when making dough. Flour, oil, yeast and... sugar? Was that only for sweet things like cakes. Forrest bends down, searching for a cookbook when the door opens. Startled, they rise gracelessly, smacking their head against the counter.

“Shi--” tears prickle in their eyes but the expletive is cut abruptly short. “Father? What are you doing here?”

Oh. It appears to dawn on the pair of them at the same time. Because of course Corrin would go out of her way to introduce family bonding time. Of course.

Forrest is still rubbing their aching head as they peruse the cupboard, browsing the aprons hung up in there. One takes their notice, white with a rather playful pizza pun. They fold it over, obscuring the joke and hand it to Leo.

“You’ll need to wear this. Flour is a pain to get out of clothes.” A teasing smirk forms on their lips as they give Leo the once over. “Especially when you insist on dressing like a vampire.”

Friendship bracelets are making a resurgence, but this time, lance wielders are tying them to the shafts of their weapons to show off their popularity. Join the cool kids and decorate your lance with some sick new threads. [Grants Lance +1]

It’s in Forrest’s nature to stay on trend.

Not that either of them tend to carry lances about. A bag filled with embroidery floss sits between the pair of them - Forrest’s personal selection. Something they don’t share with just anyone. Ophelia has never, ever been ‘just anyone’ though.

“Perhaps we could use them as bookmarks?” Forrest suggests idly, pulling out a handful of strings to decide on a colour palette. No, that green was definitely too garish. They turn their attention to Ophelia without a word, weighing up shades of yellow. Wheat, like blonde hair that grows wild, proud and beautiful? A lovely colour no doubt, but Forrest finds themselves drawn to a warm, sunshine yellow in quite the same way they are drawn to Ophelia. “Everyone else seems to be adorning their weapons rather than their wrists.”

“I don’t mind what you do with yours. It is a gift, after all. Just like your time is precious to me.”

They lean their head against Ophelia’s shoulder as their breathing falls into a steady, synchronised rhythm. Forrest weaves pastel pink alongside yellow, a perfect representation of the pair of them. Casting their gaze skyward, Forrest thinks they’d like to capture this gentle moment for life. Wispy clouds drift above on an azure canvas and Forrest searches for sky blue and ivory threads.

“Hmm, Ophelia. That cloud looks like a star, shooting across the sky. Maybe we should make a wish?”

Silver head shoots upward at the sound of footsteps clicking upon stone floors, and Corrin's face breaks into a wide grin at the sight of her child.

"Forrest!" Laughter and warmth flood her tone as the dragon closes the space that separates them with arms flung open. They close around the other's shoulders and squeeze.

"I've missed you!" She does not let go any more than necessary to look at her child's face, still beaming. "How was the trip here?"

They are barely over the threshold before being swept into their mother's warm embrace. Forrest drops their bags gently to floor, laughing as the pair of them twirl slightly across the stone hallway.

This is homecoming.

For where else in the world could a child belong more than by their mother's side? Especially when she is as doting and generous as Corrin. Sweet, warm-hearted Corrin, whose heart they worry may one day burst from all the love and affection that must be held within a fragile, mortal form. Forrest's arms reach around her waist, mirroring her bright giggles with a low chuckle of their own.

"Mother! What have I done to deserve such a warm welcome?" Forrest says, lips quirked upwards in a playful smirk. They know of course, that they need only breathe to fill mother's heart with joy. Her hands still cup their face as she pulls away just enough for her carmine eyes to search powder jade. Forrest hums slightly, eyes crinkling at the corners as they return such a brilliant smile.

"I hadn't realised how lonely I was until I saw you, mother. The journey was comfortable enough though and more importantly I'm here. Exactly where I need to be."

Forrest is reluctant to let go. Could happily stay in mother's safe, strong arms for an eternity. There are things to do though - bags to unpack, reunions to be had. Forrest can already picture Ophelia's bright visage. Father's reaction would likely be more muted, as is Leo's way. Still, Forrest holds on to the hope that perhaps their appearance will earn a quiet, slight smile from their father, too.

They step away from Corrin ever so slightly, letting her hands still rest on their shoulders.

I'm open for any/all threads with Forrest but these are the skill points/prompts I'm most interested in.

sword +1; taken by jakob! reason +1; taken by edelgard! faith +1; taken by patty! authority +1; taken by leo! riding +1; taken by veronica! any +1; open

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