We All Fall Down~

Arden giggled as she watched her two-year-old cousin run around the lawn in front of the Inn. "Careful, Sydney," she called as the brunette little girl nearly smacked into a pillar supporting the roof. Sydney grinned at Arden, and then continued chasing a multi-colored butterfly.

"She's so cute..." Arden murmured to herself. She loved little kids; she had always had a kind spirit, which little kids picked up on. She walked over to her cousin and scooped her up in her arms. Sydney immediately settled her face into the crook of Arden's neck and locked her small arms around her older cousin's shoulders. Arden smiled softly.

*is watching from the gate when tears start to stram making her audibly sob* "Stupid memories go away, he died years ago but you're gonna be fine ciera."

Sydney pointed at Ciera and wiggled out of Arden's arms. "Hi!" the little girl called, dashing over to Ciera.

*smiles seeing the girl* "hi there i'm ciera."

Sydney giggled and held her arms out to Ciera, motioning for her to pick her up.

*picks sydney up* "you're sydney right?"

Sydney nodded. Arden walked up to the pair. "Hi, Ciera. This is Sydney. She's going to be staying with me for a while; her parents are on a really long trip."

"i see." *thinks to self* "i guess i'll refrain from visiting her just until sydney leaves."

Sydney reached her arms out to Arden, who picked her up again. "How big are you, Syddie?"

"Thiiiiiiiiis big!" Sydney exclaimed, spreading her arms wide. Arden laughed. She turned to Ciera, and noticed her obvious discomfort. "Uh, Sydney, why don't you go find me a pretty flower, okay? I'll be there in one second."

"OK!" the little girl said, toddling off to a nearby field. Arden turned to Ciera. "I'm sorry, is something wrong? Is Sydney making you uncomfortable?"

"it's not sydney, it's just memories of my...family i miss them."

"Yeah...I know how that is..." Arden was silent for a moment. "She reminds me a lot of my baby sister."

At that moment, Sydney toddled back over to Arden, holding a bouquet of wild flowers in her hand. She offered them up to Arden, who smiled.

"she's so sweet, you're lucky arden."

"Yeah, she's a sweetie," Arden grinned. Sydney smiled up at Ciera, and then sat down on the grass, singing to herself quietly and pulling petals off of a flower.

"hey sydney have you ever met the harvest goddess?"

"Hoo's da Harbest Goddess?" Sydney asked, eyes wide.

"my mother, wanna come meet here?"

Sydney looked up at Arden, who considered it quickly. "Can I come?" Arden asked.

"sure, come on!" *smiles*

Sydney smiled, a little confused, and stood up. She grabbed for Arden's hand, and then whined for her cousin to pick her up and hold her. Arden obliged, and lifted the little girl into her arms. "Oof. You're heavy," Arden complained teasingly. Sydney ignored her and focused on Ciera.

"I wanna go see da Harbest Goddess!" Sydney demanded. "Pwease?"

"let's go." *walks to the spring*

Sydney squealed happily as Arden followed after Ciera, the little girl in tow.


(check Arden's character profile to see a picture of Sydney. ^^)