here for the sapling siblingsssss!!!!!! Jade and Lantana shall be their names! (can also serve as a sort of mother's day piece so happy mother's day to all!!)
Lillia poked her head around the corner, spotting her mom's tail tip coming out from under a door a few feet away. Snickering to herself in victory, she darted forward. Right as she was about to land on it, it vanished into the room.
She scrambled back to her feet, crossing her arms over her small chest and pouting at the wood. She had been so close! An idea suddenly popped into her head and she straightened excitedly. Maybe when her mom left the room she could get her tail then! Oh, she won't what hit her then!
As if on cue, the door creaked and Lillia had to hurry to get behind it. Her parents' voices drifted out.
"--hday gift?" Star was asking.
Ryū hummed. "She's here now isn't she?"
"I don't believe she is," Star replied.
Lillia felt her tail tightly curl around her leg. She forgot it was her birthday! How could she have forgotten such an important day?!
"Well, then we might as well wa--"
"I'm here!" Lillia ran out from her hiding spot.
Star and Ryū laughed teasingly.
"There you are, daughter!" the latter leaned down and lifted Lillia into his arms. "And we thought we would have to go after you!"
"Where's the gift?!" Lillia exclaimed.
"Patience now, darling," Star whispered. "I will go get them."
Lillia perked up, catching on the words. Ryū carried her into the room to wait, sitting on the bed. Within the time it took for Lillia to get a little bored, Star returned, holding a small cage and flowers.
Star carefully set the carrier by her daughter before handing over the flowers. Lillia stared at them, confused.
"Trust your mother," Ryū instructed.
Lillia accepted the delicate plants. Star kneeled, reaching up to open the cage. A yellow paw appeared, followed by a head. Lillia gasped. Star gently hooked two fingers under its arms and pulled it out, holding it near Lillia. Ryū guided the little dragon's hands up and cupped them, flowers slipping out and to the floor. Star rested the little creature inside before diving her arms back into the carrier to return with a teal creature, settling that one next to its yellow friend.
Lillia's eyes were wide with wonder as she watched them curl close to each other. Then the first tears made their appearance. Ryū gathered the two into his hands before Lillia could drop them in her rush to hug Star.
"I-I love y-you, mommy," Lillia sniffled.
Star happily returned the hug. "I love you too, my dear. Happy birthday."
Lillia pushed away, offering her father a quick hug of his own then returning to her two new pets. Star picked the flowers back up.
"Don't forget to give them these."
Lillia took one at a time to give to the two, smile getting bigger when they fought to get one before the other. (So that was what having siblings was like--)
She shook herself from the memory quickly, snapping her head to meet Donnie's eyes. She looked away to rub her tired eyes.
"Yeah, sorry, did I fall asleep?"
He turned back to the flashing projector screen, unknowingly giving her a view of the small dips in his shoulder. She knew what they were from, not that he would say anything.
"Something like that," he mumbled.
Congrats Lemon!! Lantana is all yours! Enjoy your new sapling :)
