Family Jewels

It's really beautiful around here

And the view doesn't exactly hurt either. Though I'd have to agree, the snow is kind of refreshing at times. And of course, snowball fights.

Are you implying I am too extravagant to fit in? I’m appalled, distraught, utterly destroyed. To me? Never. I’ll have to find some pretty girl for you.

Maybe yes, maybe no. The question here is, will you ever know? And suddenly I feel wise for making a rhyme. A pretty girl wrangling me into obedience? Sounds like a nightmare. Any future girlfriend of mine will just have to learn to love me and my ways. 

Well, there is a ski slope which I’m sure you are aware of - we could go there if you’re up for snow outdoors instead of indoors. Not exactly sure the floorboards would exactly appreciate that. 

That there is. Oh, but what's the fun in that? Things in places where they don't belong is what makes it all the more entertaining, Ysabelle Alarik. And on the contrary, I don't believe that the floorboards have ever made enough contact with snow to form a proper judgement. 

Damn I’m really off my game, I’ll have to try harder next time then.

Surprising actually, because you're usually better at this. But what can I say, years of practice builds up an immunity to old tricks. 

On the contrary, I was just hoping you'd have gotten better at this over the years. And to answer your question: cabin fever, possibly. 

My name is Ysabelle Alarik, though I suppose you may call me Belle if you desire. 

Pleasure to meet you; Ysabelle Alarik. That's quite fun to say, actually. 

I would hope not, but in my experience not all believe that a person can live in this world for seventeen years and remain optimistic. That’s just too bad for them as far as I’m concerned.

I'll have to admit that sometimes your optimism can be a little overwhelming at times. Especially when my preferred team loses the game. But it's a part of who you are, and in some ways a quality that a lot of people lose early on. Just don't let it get used against you. Otherwise Teddy and I may have to kick some serious Rydell butt. And besides, if you weren't happy-go-lucky all of a sudden I'd be seriously concerned that something died. Okay that's enough sentimental conversation from me for today, wouldn't want to get a reputation for being a softie now, would I? 

Only from you and my mother about a handful of times, of course. Though I'll admit that I myself am not one eager to apologize over petty things, so I suppose we have that in common. But I'd rather live without regrets, so there isn't very much to apologize about there. Oh, but I never ruin things. I just make them more.. interesting, on occasion. Doubting my wingman abilities already, cousin? 

I’m denying nothing, but I do believe that if that were to happen, not all of us would take it in stride as you or I might. It may not be as enjoyable as you think. A few, though not all seem totally convinced of me.

And that's exactly what would make it quite the sight. Of course, unless things were to turn particularly ugly and we'd have to step in. Maybe not, but there are always ways to make things more enjoyable. Of you? You're hardly the suspicious character. 

I’m very sorry. It won’t happen again, Zach.

No worries, really. 

Every time I complain, she says it’s for the family. Probably to guilt me. But I don’t see my dear brother picking ugly floral center pieces. I’m glad to have your faith, then. It seems that this wedding is going to consist of both families being drunk, which is more than fine with me. Ah, yes, well, your bias seems to be proving true. I haven’t found anything worth hating. As of now, at least.

Being the first born has it's disadvantages, I'm certainly glad to be the middle child myself. If anything, both of our drunken families would make for an interesting reception party. And I'm sure if you have even remotely good taste in that matter, it'll be hard to find anything worth hating.