An apple a day

"I need every single one of you brats...TO GET OFF ME?!!!"

The worst babysitter in the world has just thrown us innocent snoozing children out into the cold!? How cruel. How evil...

...What evil minion manager potential!

Of course, I can only say this because I am safely and comfortably still snuggled up under a downy sheet layered with furs. Still so warm.

See, the trick with Yuna, is to locate his favorite. The untouchable mochi. A very unfair bias of babysitting duties, but I'll work with it. Then roll and hide under that particular cinnamon spice child.

You can't touch me oddly winter air!

The igloo building site must be somewhere very far north, or very very very polar south given this weather. The nights come early, and though winter has only barely crept up according to the date, this place feels to be in the middle of it. Partly due to all this snow.

Ok, I say that but it's still pretty decent weather. It's not storming or anything. In fact, the night sky is beautifully crisp and clear, even more so than back home.

Even though this is already a world with practically no light pollution, the stars look stronger. Filled up to the brim in this place, like starry bits of candy on a dark night jar of a sky, spilled out across the surface of space.

It's pretty. Only it's a beauty wasted on me. I knew a boy that would like it a lot more.

"You too princess." Yuna flicks at his blanket to me, disrupting me from my peaceful ruminating.

"Noooooo it's cold outside," I complain, burrowing myself deeper down. I cry perhaps even louder than the children that were thrown off his 'bed'.

"You have your own much nicer sleeping quarter!" the blankets flap again. Rather violently might I add? How chilly!

No matter for I am small and shall cling on, missing his deadly aim.

"mmm...cold...." a sleepy little warm child rolls away, trying to escape the commotion.

Noooo my shield and cover! Get back here Amar! I need your dead mass to block Yuna!?

"Gotcha." Yuna triumphantly nudges me partially out into the cold.

How evil! How cruel!? How can anyone treat a girl as small and cute as I so terribly?!

"You all have your own quarters, why are you crawling into my shitty little marble?!" Yuna shouts as I cling on for dear life. Desperate to avoid falling out of the range of warm first to generated body heat.

"Save me!" I cry, wiggling my shivering legs uselessly.

The icy floor is right there. One touch, a final fall.....and I'll be cold.

"....zzzz" a little lump snuggles away further, turning his butt towards me.

Yuna presses my head.

"Nooooooooo." I fight as I cry.

Tension in the air. A dramatic scene of life and death! Yuna looking very very unimpressed.

"Cooooold meanie homewrecker!" my sister cries, rolling over from the shock of being pushed out.

"Yeah! That's not cool" Lukas points, already bending over.

He lifts, he aims, and he throws!

A cannonball the exact shape and size of Lilyanne goes hurling back to the sole 'bed' in those structures. Straight for Yuna's head!!!.

"You brats stop that." Yuna catches her with the precision of a goalie to a sports ball. Unwilling to be hit by that or to have her go crashing into the igloo walls.

A Lilyanne shaped hole through the walls would be a sign of improper babysitting indeed. You surely would not pay for such services.

Not that he's even getting paid in the first place. Not in money at least, haha.

The distraction of the other two fallen kids is enough for me to get under Yuna's abuses. Lily nuzzles herself roughly and Lukas starts clamoring himself back up in the snow bed of down and furs.

I crawl not only back under the covers safely, but wiggle my way over with surprising speed, even for myself. Filled with fear and chillfully resentful tears.

"You good for nothing betrayer." I bite out.

Amar sleepily wiggles himself smaller but yelps the moment I stick my colder limbs into his circle of warmth.

Under the shirt! Back is nice and warm and all, but I must go for the belly!

"What did I do?" the unfairly spoiled child tries tiredly rolling out of attack range.

However, Amar cannot escape. For he meets a wall.

Not an ice wall, unless you count Lukas as one. But all the deadlier!

"Why do you guys get to stay! Not cool" Lukas dives in, covering Amar's escape on one side while I grab the other. Diving into the warmest most soft underbelly!

An almost pitiful cry escapes out of Amar's throat. His body stiffening from the double attack of us stealing his body heat. As if he were being eaten alive, with nowhere to go. Previously sleepy eyes fearfully blinking open, teary green as they silently beg for mercy. Beg to be released

But what do I care?

Surrender the body heat, make up for what I lost!

"Ok now! Good night!" Lukas declares, clinging on from one side while I make myself comfortable on the other.

"You literally have your own quarters!?" Yuna points somewhere vaguely outside.

Perhaps to the big igloo where Grampa and Gable fitted in segments of their own rooms. As well as a campy nursery for us kids. Laid out on a platform raised floor and even more furs and quilts than a daycare.

It was very nice and all, but somehow we found ourselves back out here.

Blame Yuna, we followed him back out to the marble. Sneaky of us, isn't it?

"Homewrecker too loud, beddy-bye time now." my own baby sister says quite maturely. As if Yuna were the misbehaving child.

Which in this case, he absolutely was. There we were, snuggled nice and warm on top of him, well on our way to a peaceful early night from our tiring making of camp and play. Then, wham! He attacks and flings us all off.

Or well most of us.

"What time is it? Yuna why are we up?" Amar still struggles slightly. Maneuvering around the best he can from the clinging backpack that is Lukas.

"Late for you kiddies and... because Yuna is a stinking grumpy cat." I yawn, resisting any and all movements.

Nights come earlier now, especially in this place. To a child, in a world without electricity or many artificial lights, sleep comes far too soon. It has to.

I can't complain. I'm far too young to. My bedtimes are too strict and this little body of mine is too needy.

"...grumpy kitten." a child not much older giggles softly.

"Yeah, that." I yawn, ignoring whatever else bumps into me.

Whether that be the rustling of the bedding, my sister rolling around, or a very bad babysitter finally giving up.

A child's life is nothing much more than to eat, sleep, grow, sleep, and sleep some more. It's very boring at times, but not bad or unpleasant at all. That's the short time magic of the very young, and very dumb.

________________

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"Achoooo!"

We are all bad children.

Together we forcibly line up like a row of convicts despite the early morning hour. Half of us were in tears.

What a way to start a morning.

"Homewrecker don't die!" Lily swallows her own sobs, nasty snot and all.

"I didn't know you were so unawesome and weak and I'm sorry we kicked you out. Yuna don't die!" Lukas admits, crying as if the older boy really was on the brink of death.

Congested and showing the early telltale signs of a cold, the babysitter has turned into the baby. Our grumpy cat is useless like this.

"What did you say, princess?" Yuna glared from his spot in bed. In a whole new room from the igloo we were staying in the night before. Somewhere in the nicely furnished and converted big igloo.

For one, this one has a fire stove?! How?! There's a platform that keeps it in place and any of the surrounding from melting. Any still exposed ice under all this woven cloth and pelts. But this fire stove is made out of dark metal and has a style someone in the modern world would call 'vintage chic'.

It must be one of Grampa's doohickeys. Nothing else like it exists in this world!

"Who cares, it's warm." Yuna croaks.

Even while complaining, he holds back a sniff. Voice deep in a not very clear or attractive kind of way.

"There there," Amar pats at his blankets, handing him a wooden cup of hot water from a log-shaped thermos.

"No, I'm fin-ah ah choo!" Yuna turned away, muffling his sneeze.

It's actually our fault he's like this. Kinda. Sorta. Absolutely.

Somehow in the middle of the night, every child rolled off with their own blanket or three. Leaving the tallest individual cold and vulnerable to the night air of the igloo. An unfortunate chain of coincidences further weakening an individual perhaps not entirely suited to this climate.

Also, we stuffed snow down his belly right when he woke up.

It felt like a fun and fair idea at the time?!

"Alright, children. Have we reflected and said what we needed to?" Gable walked into the room from the covered doorway. Separated with some well-placed canopy and thick cream furs.

"No die!?!" Lily screeched, clinging onto the foot of the proper bed. Or maybe that's actually just Yuna's foot down there.

"...No that's not quite it. I suppose you need a bit for...reflection. " Gable pulls the stubborn little girl off. Saving anyone else the effort that is peacefully getting rid of Lilyanne.

"We're very sorry. We were more than naughty and now Yuna suffers for it." I give the correct and expected answer.

"I'm fine-Achoo!" the teenager makes a not so convincing case for himself.

"Umm...no? No, you're not." Amar lightly pushes, tucking the blankets back over the older boy again. As if he were the babysitter instead.

It's a very reverse role given their obvious age and size difference.

Silently, Yuna gives Amar a look that wasn't quite a glare. A smile that wasn't a smile.

It's hard to assume, let alone explain, but there seems to be a sort of communication between them through that little space. Even without any more words spoken.

Maybe that's why Amar is his unfair favorite? Some understanding beyond language, of place most others let alone little kids don't quite reach.

"Sorry. It's because I wanted you to come to play with us too." Amar says a bit guiltily. As if it were his fault Yuna was here and in this situation.

"Go play like a normal brat. I'm the useless one who got sick in two days here." Yuna flicked him in the forehead, waving him off.

"Yeah! Weak and useless. I was wrong because you're nice and mean and lots stronger when next to Vincent but you're not fluffy at all. You need to eat more and more and more to get super strong. I see the problem now! Gable, we need bacon. " Lukas said with all the confidence of a prestigious doctor.

Thank goodness then, that no one, especially Gable, takes him seriously.

"I think we're going to need a tad more than bacon but yes. It isn't good to rely on one's youth to get by. These years are your growing stages. So please, don't be embarrassed and rest easy. You've had it hard with these little ones. We here are at fault." Gable apologizes gracefully.

Perhaps it's due to the slight fever he's developed, but Yuna really does flush down with some reluctant embarrassment.

It's not the kind you make out of shyness. Or at any pretty person.

There's a painful pride being held back and swallowed down. A still-young boy that wanted to make a good impression, or at least not mess up. A troop's member. As a babysitter. Just as himself.

Grumpy cat is not as hard to read as he seems. At least not to me. Not when too many pieces and parts of him reflect back a little too close to someone I knew. Someone I was.

"It really is the fault of the employer. Sheesh. Stay in bed and be lazy like me today. Doing nothing really is the best. " I state out, flipping my still too short hair.

It's an odd shade of borderline red and almost hilariously curly. Unlike my old fabulous black silky locks. Healthy black, I say. It was black....so long as I kept it trimmed and short... Anyway my current short do isn't a very villainess-worthy hair flip, but the haughty impression works well enough.

Today, we're not doing anything!

The other children can. Like they had previously discussed or begged my grandfather for. Ice fishing or hunting some poor innocent fat meaty thing.

Sure. Go for it. I however will not be leaving. For I am too lazy and it is too cold outside.

I'm not feeling guilty or anything about possibly giving my grumpy baby sitter and future model prospect a deadly case of cold ridden pneumonia. Even if I was, I still don't want to move out of here. Nope nope nope.

"Rosa no want to go fishy wit Lily?" Lilyanne asks, hanging from midair in Gable's arm.

Another very unfair place to be. I wish to be crooned and carried by Gable, albeit in a more comfortable and less humiliating position my sister is currently in,

"Wait! Why don't we save Yuna with Rosa and Stinky's tree bam bam whoosh thing." Lukas exclaims.

Lukas has such a wonderful vocabulary sometimes. I sincerely struggle to make sense of it. Especially since I feel like I have a significant grasp, but not quite. Causing only more confusion.

"Translation," I demand over to Amar.

"Um, he means zap zap. The sparkle healing thing. I know you want to keep it a secret but everyone here knows so it should be ok? Oh, and you guys went to see a cool tree without me." the poor child works his underdeveloped brain to accommodate the attempted explanation.

"Ah, acceptable translation." I praise.

"Ok." Amar accepts happily. Ah children, so cute and simple sometimes.

The thing is ....Lily's healing powers are not very overpowered.

What I mean to put into words is, there's a lot of things she's limited by. Even as a grown and famous adult, or well, teenager. She was after all only 17 when I had left her side.

In that time, there was plenty of observation and notes made about her condition. Her every move. Not just in regards to her powers but as the young miss of this family. Of course, it was only natural to record everything in detail.

It was far more detailed than whatever the church circulated.

It's easy to just go with the idea that a holy maiden with rare healing powers can just....wave her fingers and wham bam you are healed. But it really wasn't that simple.

I hate to say it but my previous research, as the original Rosalia, found her sister's healing ability to be most effective in battlefield situations.

Front lines in a raid, hunt, or even something resembling war in our peaceful times. The most dangerous locations and the very worst kind of place for a frail and delicate lady to be.

It's what would have worked best though.

When Lilyanne started learning how to release and control her magic in a way that healed, it did just that. Heal fresh wounds.

A broken bone could be reset. A gaping hole in your guts could be grown in and filled out. Even a missing limb or four could be magically zapped right back if you or your friends had managed to find them.

Such an ability is beyond a miracle.

But that's only if those injuries were recent or fresh enough.

This magic could do nothing for a man who had lost an arm 10 years ago. Nor a woman with burns that had long scarred over. Other than giving them a reported new sense of energy, less fatigue, and aches. There was nothing left to heal.

The scars had already done over with that.

Likewise healing someone with a disease is an even trickier subject. Even if it was just the common cold.

How does one 'heal' a disease?

You don't?

You beat it. Or at least, you endure it long enough to weaken. You take care of your health, your body, to last against it. Fight it off. Either from your own immune system or whatever medical technology, your world is blessed with.

What happened this summer at the leper colony was not possible for the original Lilyanne. The holy blessing, and sister, that I had known. Not without Grampa's and Gable's mysterious help.

She couldn't have worked on so many people at once. It's impossible. Her strength and stamina would have failed her before even getting to a quarter of that population.

Even then, no one in the colony was 'cured' from their disease. Their bodies only strengthened. Their conditions greatly improved. Some were even relieved from previous ailments and symptoms that weighed on them. The pain reduced. But it didn't make anyone's illness go away. The root, the source, is still there.

Likewise...I think it will be the same case here. As it was in the past.

For her time, efforts, and meager strength, you too could regain a bit of yours.

"Come here Lilyanne, it can't hurt to try a bit. Gable, may I have my sister?" I ask, making hand gestures as if Lilyanne were a toy to be returned to my side.

"Hmm, well as you say it can't hurt to try. I sense however it may be....directionless. " Gable informs me straightforwardly, setting Lilyanne back on the ground on her own two feet.

"I guessed that much. Come on Lily, take big sister's hand and let's try that special zap zap." I motion and ease the child I call my twin.

"We cans save homewrecker?" Lilyanne still sniffles.

"I'm not dying?!" Yuna complains, slouching front and center very melodramatically.

"First off, are you ok with being our guinea pig test? This won't hurt, in fact, I don't even think it will do anything. My sister's magic is limited. It can heal but it can't cure...if that makes sense."

Unlike all the previous times, this isn't an emergency or anything.

It's the first time we're asking anyone if they even want to be healed. Rather than just get straight to it.

How preposterous right? Who would say no to such a thing?

I don't assume such stupid prejudgment.

It's one thing if it was the old Lilyanne and the tides of her devoted followers. Every single one of them lining out for days for a chance to be seen and 'fixed' by the unspeakable magic trick. But right now? Who would trust two untested little girls from a crazy family? A rich and powerful family yes but what does it matter?

Yuna looks at me with a strange sort of look. Shock, I would say. Before he shakes himself out of it. Cognitive thought and reflex a bit slower but no less sharp and careful despite his grumpy outward appearance.

"Of course, I'm not 'ok' with that. But, since you asked if it helps....and I don't grow an extra head or pass out right here. Ah, and you should pay me extra...or actually pay me in the first place?" Yuna waves my concern off, warmth still buzzing in his face.

Excuses. Well, can't say I don't understand where he comes from.

Let's get it over with. He seems to be overheating in pain and embarrassment enough.

"Alright then. Hear that Lilyanne? One extra head coming right up." I start, steadying our positions.

"Yaaaaay, more homewreckers!" Lily follows.

"Wait no, that's exactly the opposite of what I said you brats." Yuna coughed in reaction.

"Gable, can I have two heads one day?" Lukas asked, already on the wrong subject.

Hearing nothing else as I work, I assume that to be a no. Especially as Amar looks up and runs off, probably at a quiet come hither order from Gable.

My focus is a lot better without the distractions.

There's no guide for this. Just slow experience after practiced experienced with my protagonist of a little sister.

A gaping wound feels like a hole. Sometimes it's still breaking, bleeding. Otherwise, it's just there. Stable, but missing space where it shouldn't. With enough control and Lilyanne's stupidly unfair magic, the edges can come back together again.

A disease, especially the common cold, has no hole to fill. A bit of muscle ache here. Some inflamed nostrils and throats there. Rubbing a bit of magic here and there to clear up some of those symptoms may bring temporary relief. Perhaps so you could get the rest needed to recover? But it doesn't 'heal' a thing.

I pull away when it feels more certain there's nothing Lily and I can do as we are now. Still so small and weak.

"I still feel like sh---er, not great. But my neck aches a bit less and it's easier to breathe. " Yuna hides his thanks in the evaluation.

When his eyes look up, they're restrained. Still behaving himself in someone else's magic winter house....igloo...whatever this is. But if he didn't fear or respect the owner, that wouldn't be the case.

"Interesting," Gable notes, watching the whole affair analytically.

"Homewrecker play now?" Lilyanne asks once I release her hand.

"I think not little one. It's going to need some old fashioned rest and recuperation, not everything is as easy as magic." Gable answers easily. As if he expected as much, repeating himself patiently to the children.

"Awwwww," Lily goes.

"Alright, all of you. Stop crowding, and let him rest. No more messing around. Everyone say your apologies and clean up for your morning meal that I'm somehow still feeding you..." Gable says with all the fatigue of parents everywhere.

From somewhere outside this room there is the sound of a minor explosion. Hardly a second later, my own Grampa's yelling "I'm ok!" can be heard.

The row of children apologizes again if they haven't already.

It's not that I'm one of those children or anything. I just need to be a good example for Lilyanne, and thus must chorus in. Then it's off to wash and brush in the prepared warm water while Gable treats the patient the old fashioned way.

For Lilyanne, I dress her myself. My younger sister is still too young and uncoordinated to do it on her own.

Nevermind, we're the same age.

She'll be playing outside with Grampa today so it's important to layer her appropriately. From her stockings to her funny baby snow pants. I pack her up nice and warm in a mix of our overnight supplies and Gable's little furs. To the point, it's hilarious how stuffed she looks. The less she's able to freely move, the better.

"Rosaaaaaaa, no fair," she complains through it all.

Ah, how nostalgic.

Though she's much cuter like this and not as a teenaged menace. Waltzing around forgetting cloaks and layers. Gathering shocked stares, hungry looks, and even drooling at how little she wore.

"Rosa no get dressed too?" Lilyanne asks as I tie a big bow on her scarf. One that's as easy to see as it is to grab.

"I already said, I'll stay back today. You go play and learn lots. But you have to stay warm and healthy, and not get sick like Yuna. Alright?" I instruct slowly and carefully.

Kids are such simple creatures. They require so much patience, and even then there's no guarantee they'll remember or learn anything.

But the bar is low with this one. Very very dug below the ground low.

Whatever happens to Lilyanne's growth and development this time around, at least it will be better than what we had before. Sheesh, I'm going to need to stock up on tea and headache powders if I don't make it out of this family before puberty hits full course.

But first, let's survive Lukas's birthday. Or even the rest of this year!

Wow, time stretches on when you're a brat.

Once again breakfast is a simple affair in this world.

A dark earthy bread, dense as a thick cake, sliced up and warmed over the fire. A small selection of cheeses, a tart jam, cold cuts, and smoked fish to top with our thick toasts. Warm milk for us kids and an herbal tea for Gable.

Sheesh, they really don't believe breakfast is the most important meal of the day here.

I mentally complain but it's not so bad. Especially for a camping meal. I know to most anyone else, this is a feast many families can't even afford. Not at any time of the day.

Once in a while, Gable pops in from his preparations and works to remind Lukas not to eat too much. Or at least slow down so he doesn't choke. Something we leave Amar to resolve when he does, Lukas yelling back.

"I won't!-*hack*" before inhaling his food down the wrong airway in his throat.

It's fine. Just pat him on the back a bit. Feed him some milk. Threaten to eat all the rest of the meat. Then he's back to normal!

"Remember to take smaller bites and chew well. Choking is bad. You will die if not just look stupid and be in pain. Don't end up like that one either." I teach Lilyanne, tearing her cheese into little bites while she chews her bread.

"Okay dokey! Hee hee, stoooopid. " she takes the offered food, learning well as she stuffs her face heartily.

"You eat too, Rosalia." Amar reminds me, crudely shoving a jam and ham toast in my mouth.

I would sigh at the sad offerings but my mouth is now working hard at chewing and not choking. At least it tastes good. Mmmm. Savory but with a hint of sweetness the more I chew.

A good combo, almost like a rustic monte cristo. Just needs cheese.

That was not an invitation to slam another toast, with all the previous fixings plus cheese, into my face. But yet it happens again.

Someone teach these rude children. Me? Oh poop, that's so much work.

"Have we all filled up on POWER AND ENERGY!?" my grampa flaps his way in. Dropping a fat backpack and sack of supplies much like a jolly Santa.

"YEAH!" the loudest children cheer.

"Well finish up cleaning those cups and plates! Those fishies aren't actually frozen in place for us under the lake. Let's goooooo!" Grampa continues to hype them up.

Whoopee. Ice fishing. How exciting.....not.

I stay leisurely seated as everyone else gulps down their milk and meals. Lilyanne following the boys out as they grab last-minute supplies, coats, and mittens.

Gable gracefully dodges and steps over them as they scamper through to the other room. Upon looking at the supplies that Grampa is already starting to open and unpack, he gives his earnest thanks to my crazy old man.

"Grójeckie apples? At this time? '' Gable inspects the red fruit that Grampa pulls a case out. His voice laced with the faintest of sweet pleasure and refrained surprise.

I recognize that brand. From one of the largest and most prided orchards in our known world. The types vary a bit but they're a few blushes bigger and redder than most of my local types. More importantly, renowned for its intense fragrance. Suitable for enjoying raw and crisp as a snack, as well as making delicious jams.

Saying that a single imported jar of that preserve isn't cheap is underselling it!

"Might be packed in the snow in another whole continent but you and the kiddos could use some fresh fruits. Picked these up too from a buddy, didn't take too long to swing by. " Grampa brushes off easily.

Maybe for the unbelievably powerful him?! Those are from a few country borders to the east!

"Money- I mean, those yummy apples! What else did you bring Grampa?" I finally found something worth moving for, climbing down the wooden bench chair.

"Why don't you take a look and help me organize them out kiddo. " Grampa grins widely, shaking the packs of groceries like they contain treasures.

Knowing Grampa, they very well could be. Even if they aren't, more food is always necessary. Especially out in who knows where. Let me at them!!!

"Ooompf, getting stronger and heavier with your charge there! Very good Rosalia!" Grampa cheers unnecessarily, holding the mouth of the bag low and open for me to practically jump in.

Ok, I basically did.

Righting up the back, Grampa allows me to look and identify as I please. Leaving the mouth thankfully open for light and air.

Let's see.

Some fresh fruit and cellar veggies. A few colorful pumpkin gourds that will last quite a while even without much storage prep. Basic if albeit countryside pantry fillers. Unlabeled jars and wax packages, but my senses can somewhat tell the contents. From almond flour to salt, vinegar to wine. Even jars of honeycomb!

Yes, yes, yes, all good things to fill a brand new igloo. I don't know how long we'll be here but we need it.

I may not starve with the emergency rations in my purse but a girl gotta eat. Fresh food is preferable!

I may not eat so well some day in the unknown future. So that's all the more reason to stock up and enjoy now.

It takes a bit of time with my short limbs and all these supplies but eventually I tip over the bag to climb out. Organizing the grocery loot bit by bit as I drag them out.

"Ah ha!" I cry a bit, clutching the precious sweet honey first and foremost as I pop out.

There's a small clamor as Grampa stumbles backward over nothing. Gable's arms pushed out as if hitting him away directly. His beautiful perfect face flushed an angry apple pink, the line of his alluring mouth uneven as Gable chews down on his bottom lip. Perhaps trying to hold in a scolding or scream he would have shouted if I wasn't here as a young and impressionable witness.

Oh how annoying. Grampa can't stop bothering Gable even just a little bit.

How does Gable even put up with him?

"Like it honey? That kind tastes really sweet. " Grampa licks his lips and smiles stupidly down at me.

"It's alright. " I clutch my treasured honeycomb closer to my chest. It's instinctive, especially in the face of this unpredictable man.

"Well don't forget to share later! I trust you know best how to help Gable and put it away. Or do you need help, honey pie?" Grampa inches towards me, his smile honestly menacing in how bright and sparkly wide it is.

Ew ew eeeewwww get away from me you crazy old man. Don't get me involved in any crazy new plots!?

"I can do it on my own!" I scamper out of harm's way. Before his grabby hands can grab me in a hug of death, one that rival's my own mother's.

After all, she must get it from somewhere.

"What a good big girl! Holler if you need me. Don't forget the other pack~ Ow, Gaaaable. Aww, come on." Grampa grossly sings songs from behind my run.

I can reach or organize it all in Gable's makeshift kitchen. With its pretty stone tiles and wooden planks, strange fireplaces to account for the unique terrain. But I can do my best to make it easier for my precious Gable.

The poor man. On one hand, he's stuck trying to raise Lukas and all the troubles that minion in training comes with. On the other hand is an even more unbelievable headache, my grampa. What did Gable do to deserve such a punishment in his life?

But I shrug it off, since if Gable really wanted to, he could run off and disappear mysteriously.

Isn't that what he did in the last life?

So I should just thank my lucky stars he's even around this time. Life is a lot easier with Gable around, and not just as a Grampa and minion control. For my mother, my sister, the entire family, and the estate. It's just been easier, with him, even humming invisibly in the background.

I try not to wonder then, too hard about it. Where he was and what he was doing in the lifetime of the original Rosalia. It does no good when there are no answers to find. No way of finding out.

Instead, I stack pantries and groceries. Yes, much more efficient! Hey is that brown sugar? Whoopee, Grampa isn't entirely useless after all!

By the time I come back for the second pack, my size and strength sorely lacking to carry it all, I'm met with another strange scrambling mess.

"Grampa, stop bothering Gable so much!" I yell at how he childishly pulled my beloved idol down to the ground with him.

How old does Grampa think he is? How ridiculous?

Though I must admit, Gable looks wonderful with his silvery blond locks splayed out across the floor like that. A real modeling shoot scene. It's even, dare I say it, sexy! Amazing, Gable looks good in every situation!

Wait, wasn't it braided up this morning?

"Heeeeeey no fair! Why are we wrestling again without me! " Lukas charges in. Cloak, boots, and mittens all carefully on, ready for a day adventuring outside.

The fatly dressed little boy rams his way in between the two adults. Crushing Gable back on the ground further as he clings my terribly childish grandfather back down with him.

"Lily too!" my sister tries to follow pace right after, Amar letting go of her hand like releasing a toy spinning top.

She goes crashing on top of everyone.

There's a human crash on the ground. Our babysitter is dead sick in the other room. And the day has hardly started.

But at least I got groceries?

Right, let's get to making lunch and a sick day meal. I've got a patient to cook for. Up, up, up, and off you go, everyone! This is not the spot of the cuddle pile!

It's difficult being the only other mature reasonable person around.

Gable spoils the mess that is my grampa, oddly letting him get away with all these laughing shenanigans.

This I realize now. Since he still scolds Lukas and Lily, or even calls Amar to count and check supplies. But Grampa, the worst offender of them all, at most gets a click of the tongue and a light slap on the wrist.

"Behave for the children now, you hear me. " Gable warns, huffing them away.

"You gonna be alright here by your lonesome~" my grampa teases, getting far too close for comfort.

"Back, back away from bothering Gable!" I brush and push, even if it's only reaching as far as his knee.

"Oh! Of course, you have this strong big hero to defend you! Oh never mind me." Grampa changes direction, picking me up to smush and smash into his floof.

"Release me and begone!" I fight him off, rather futilely.

As if a curse, a mark of great punishment, I am pelted. With disgusting kisses! Ew ew ew!!! Stop that! I'm not Lilyanne?! You know who I am?!!! Ewww, release me at once!

My only saving grace is that recently Grampa has shaved, so I don't have to put up with sandpaper or a nasty beard hyper nuzzling into me.

Above, blessed Gable lets out a holy sound. A bit of a laugh.

For that, and solely that, I only scream and not bite. I very much could bite.

When that nasty crazy grandfather of mine finally does leave, the other kiddies following him like obedient ducklings, he steals the apple that Gable had already started eating. Thanks him for the sweet and runs off.

Rightfully, it gets Gable red again in anger and indignation. But Gable spoils that man, letting him go with nothing more than a long breath and restrained sigh. Really, I don't get it at all.

"It's ok, we can play and eat the whole case while Grampa's gone. " I comfort, presenting another pristinely perfect apple from the case.

Ah yes, these imported giant rubies. Jewels? Can you eat them? What are they in the wild nothing compared to these juicy delicious beauties!

Sometimes, Grampa is good for something.

"Gable, can we make baked apples from these? I know a very good recipe that I can show you. Oh and maybe something for Yuna, gonna need some honey for that cough. " I ponder, already considering what needs to be done around here.

"Sure, it will be my pleasure, Rosalia. " Gable smiles down gently.

So soft and gentle, heart-meltingly warm. Even more so than usual. It strikes my heart with the force of a violent club to innocent meat.

Gable whisks and magics the groceries away. The dishes clean. And slices my presented apple with a bit of honey for a fresh snack at light speed.

It's very tasty despite how simple it is, and his good mood only makes it better.

Staying in for a cozy lazy day really was the right choice after all. Of course, it was.

We prepped my cored and baked apple recipes first thing after.

Then fed Yuna, the sick patient with both good and bad medicines and meals, from black turnip honey to blacker bloody soup? Something Gable assured us would work wonders at recovering strength.

Though the only wonder I think is how Yuna swallowed it down without dying.

Where that was boiling away while the others and I had our breakfast. But it's better not to take the blessing of not eating it for granted.

After the entertaining meal, at least entertaining to me, Gable gave him an absurd pile of varied books. As if popped out from a magic hiding place, in case being ordered to do nothing but sleep, eat and rest was too boring. Something Yuna took gratefully.

I even stuck around to read one of them out loud for the sick patient while Gable tended to all his mysterious things. The very worst one out of the bunch.

A romantic tale.

Of a knight.

And a princess.

And a prince. And another prince. And a secret prince hiding as a monkey trainer.

Oh god, it's a bad reverse harem story?! Who will the princess pick for her happily ever after?!

Ohohoho! Some things never change, bad entertainment is everywhere! Where did Gable even get something so bad!? Ahahahahaha!

"Rosalia. Please...I swear I won't call you princess for the rest of the year...I'm sick." Yuna sniffs, looking weak as he begs for mercy.

"But I'm rooting for the monkey trainer secret prince? The knight is obviously a cover distraction from the real male lead! What do you think? " I discussed it with him.

Unfortunately, the cold wrecks Yuna too hard to even stay awake, and I close the book halfway through. But it's a good thing the sick patient is willing to sleep so well now.

I spend the rest of the day happily helping out Gable in domestic bliss the best we can in this environment. Sharing recipes and knitting stitches. Rolling jams and dough. Of course, while snacking.

I even blabber on about all the goodies of another world I miss and haven't gotten the chance to make or recreate. Lots of baked goods. Lots of foreign foods. Lots of things that remind me of people I can't see anymore.

Isn't that right? The reason why I know so many good tasty things….is because I had them with someone. From old fashioned cinnamon whole baked apples to...

…let's not think about sad things.

Not with Gable, not when this is another happy space and place.

Gable, the angel listens and promises we can try. And really, that's more than I expect from most anything.

He even said he'll help me on my bento attempts. Once I find some suitable rice. It would be fun, packing a lunch. We can make sandwiches like the kind I miss. Though really it's just my own cravings. Shame they change by the day, as many as snowflakes in the world outside.

For now, though, trying bit by bit and learning more about this world, really living in it and learning, is enough.

"We're back with lots of fish!" my grampa would later come back this evening to announce.

Only.....

"That's not fish!!!?!" I scream at the hulking bloody catches.

"Butt....so....coldies." my little sister sobs, half-frozen and half seal. Really.... they're rolling her in half a seal's carcass.

"It keeps warm, be the fat seal! Cap said so!" Lukas exclaims, pushing the bad mermaid along.

"Uh-huh, you have the huddle inside the blood and guts for extra warmth. I did that once." Amar nods, adding more nonsense.

Guess we're having ....seal something.... tonight. Can't say I ever had that.

So much to see, so much to learn.

At least dessert was very good. Everyone agreed, even the picky ones. Though it's hard to say no to buttery brown sugared sweet baked apples. Even Grampa, who is crazy enough to admit he's not all that fond of sweets. Much much prefers a fresh plain one, maybe crunched and stolen from Gable's hand.

Which meant extra dessert shared between the rest of us!

MMmmmmm, once in a while Grampa is good for something.

________________________

-------

Bonus: Sometimes the last night.

-------

"They've all escaped bed." the taller, far more elegant man remarked.

"Nah, what makes you say that?" Ron remarked, smacking a strange doohickey contraption to work for efficiently.

In the eyes of anyone else, it was a dark metal monstrosity. To some strange population, looking in, they might agree with Ron's crazy conclusion. A wood stove he claimed. A stand-alone, cast iron, wood stove with a very strange box shape and piping unit.

Right, crazy man, always was. Might even be crazy enough to get it to work. You know, without melting the whole ice floor thing.

"Really Ron?" Gable gave an unimpressed stare.

In the same manner, he pulled aside the heavy deerskin curtain. With a few snaps and by sticking out an unusually strong lantern, the empty landscape outside showed snow, snow, ice, and tiny little prints. Children's shoes and booties, all marching over the frozen lakeside and snow. If it wasn't for the short distance they covered to the tiny first igloo, one would be concerned about the fate of the little ones who made those prints.

"See, they're somewhere in bed. " Ron peeked out with him, seeing enough from the slightly blurry ice window.

Too many air bubbles and impurities. Had to work on that with Lukas, along with most of his control problems, but not bad for that boy's current progress.

"Why are they like this?" Gable shook his head.

"Part of the fun. The new, the novel. Tiny little igloo. What's too small, too simple, or too mundane for us is just right for them where they are right now. I kind of miss it." Ron said with a bit of a sigh, going back to being a boring adult tending the fire.

At least he had wine. That was fine.

"You miss living in a hazardous tent in the middle of a storm eating nothing but your own burn catches on a stick?" Gable raised an eyebrow, putting down the curtain.

The kids were fine as long as they stayed in the enclosure. That 'babysitter' as Rosalia called was a fiercely protective youth. More so than the kind responsible one that stayed most often by her side.

As very damaged of them tended to be.

There was a faded, nearly white, tattoo on the boy's right hand. A slaver's mark.The magical link was long cut and well dismantled. But a certain mark remained, a scar if you think about it.

The boy called Yuna took care to hide it well, with bandages. Gable still saw as he changed. Would tell even if he didn't.

Hard to pass the eyes of the experienced and the old.

"Oh gods, I'm old. " Gable bemoaned, clutching the wrap and robe around him further to fight the chill of the outside.

"Nooooo we're not," Ron yells from somewhere.

It wasn't unpleasant. Not when the inside was warm and blazing with fire, heat, mulled wine, and more. Rather, it was all the cozier and more comfortable. The contrast of the harsh barren world outside, and the inviting space within.

The space they had made.

"Insulating spell points double-checked, buuuut we could always use another rug. " Ron rolled out.

There was an almost useless amount of them. Stacked and stored away when Frederick had married in and 'renovated' the villa.

Gable had to admit, the young noble had fine and not too gaudy tastes for a born filthy rich Bicchieri. The Ventrella main villa and manors did indeed look far more stylishly grand and refined. Suitable for Maria to clamor and show off, a dollhouse furnished beyond her wildest imaginations.

It was far nicer than even those in the keep of Kings, Queens, and princesses across all the lands Gable has seen. Not as much as Ron has but who could compare to that?

Wonderful.

But what was Gable supposed to do with all the furs that Ron refused to throw away, or even donate?

Perish the thought if Gable suggested it again. His mind already flashbacking to every trouble gasp and teary flow of those warm brown eyes that anyone would have a hard time saying no to. This is precisely why you don't look at them when telling Ron "no", to anything.

"But I can't just throw them away, Gabe! Look this one was caught when we were wandering the wilderness the arctic for the first time under the stars of-"

"I got it, Ron."

"And this one was one of the first batch Maria managed to catch and skin without making too many holes, look at her learning curve!"

"Really Ron, it's fine. "

"And this one she chased, mutated, murdered, and merged to tan into one big piece when she was just 13! It was supposed to go into her dowry! She worked so hard on it then but one word from her new hubby and out the window it goes?! We can't let her just throw it away so willy nilly."

"I believe that one word was: ugly."

Sometimes, rare times, Gable agrees with Frederick B. Ventrella. It really was a freakishly ugly piece. Even more disturbing if one knew just what it was made out of.

But a weak man Gable is. An unwilling but weak man.

He kept the damn ugly.....thing and beat it down to a more unrecognizable but passable outdoor rug. As well as all the fur, pelts, and animal-based goods 'rejected' in the newlywed's renovation. More like he was forced to.

Otherwise, Ron would cry down memory lane over every piece. Damn it.

So now Gable had too much gathering dust because he sure as well wasn't able to use even a small fraction of them. Can one even comprehend how many things that father and daughter duo had hunted and pelted over the years? Even with Maria's "I'm a delicate lady now~" phases?

So together, Ron and Gable had enough furs stored to furnish many more cabins and igloos comfortably. And that's after sorting and donating another good portion of them to families in need. The only thing to get Ron, and Maria, to part with them for good.

Gable had no problem covering up every interior inch of this campsite igloo. At least the children all found it very fun and warm to roll about. Even Rosalia, who for all the wisdom and experience of another life, another world, was growing to show more and more of her father's preferences by day.

"How rural and rustic. Really like camping. How so awfully tacky it's wonderful!" he had caught her rolling about just a few hours ago, proclaiming out loud.

At least the children liked them...

"...." Gable paused, stiff and frozen in whatever he was mid organizing.

"Gabe? What's wrong" the other man, his long-time friend and unfortunately forced partner in crime and raising children noticed. Curious wide brown eyes looking over, all the more youthful after a smooth burning shave.

"Ron....what are we going to do when Lukas starts hunting well enough to skin?" Gable shouldn't have said anything. A pressing chill settling in his spine that had nothing to do with the physical cold.

"Why KEEP them all of course!" said Ron, the sentimental fool.

That was the exact answer Gable was afraid of. They already...had....so much. So many furs and pelts....oh god. Lukas's first ones were going to be so ugly, so so damaged and ugly. The exact kind Ron would never throw away to take up space.

"At least until he needs them for HIS dowry. Ahahaha, let's hope whoever he meets isn't as picky as Freddy. I like the boy and all, grown well even if he could use more muscle.... but it makes more sense to have someone simpler for Lukas. Gabe? Gabe you still with me? Gabe, what's wrong?! Why do you look even worse?!" Ron quickly took the near-fainting blond into his arms.

"....dowry?" Gable stiffly shook.

"Well, we gotta start saving. Ahahaha it's a long way off though, no worries! Though it is funny to be doing this again after Maria's gone and settled in her own." Ron up and carried Gable to the fire, warming his feet and tucking him in comfortably on the chair.

Some rest after a long day. Kids and all they came with taking out more energy admittedly than just setting up on their own. But it was far more fun that way, seeing the light and magic of learning in their eyes.

It was a little early to turn in for bed. A little early even if it was a bit more tiring. But hey, maybe they're just getting old? Not that Ron minded too much.

Spring becomes summer, fall to autumn. Getting older was an entirely different kind of experience than just reliving your harsh youth once or twice. A much more peacefully blissful one.

He wants to ride this one out, this life, to the end.

"WHAT DOWRY!? He's a seven-year-old boy!?" Gable interrupted the cozy and domestic with a scream.

"Exactly, he's seven. We're gonna be at least nearing our 60s at the earliest. Oh, what a time that will be! " Ron gives a sniff, possibly already imagining the wedding.

He just loved a good wedding.

Gable got up, on his own thank you very much, stomping away before he choked on nothing but the thought and his frustrations with the man here with him. Headed towards the makeshift kitchen, it was clear he needed either a hot or strong drink. Maybe both.

"Oh come on Gable, he's only seven right now! We've got time. It won't be so bad. I'm sure even at 60 and beyond you'll be the most beautiful-"

"Fuck! Shut up! Before I make you make your own damn ice shed and sleep outside like a dog!"

"Awwww Gabe, don't be so stingy? Gaaaaable~"

And so, they got a break from the kids. At least for one night.

Not so much a break from each other though.

"Out! You and your mouth out!" one hollered insincerely. Louder, and full of more colorful language than what he would allow with children in the house.

"But I'm waaaaarm and comfy." the other begged, presenting his good sides, sad cow eyes tried and true.

"Out and take your fantasy nightmare dowry with you! Lukas isn't getting one!" Gable continued ranting, perhaps in true fear, no one but a parent could understand.

A boy is only seven right now.

And there's a lot more story to live.