Little Quiet One

The joy that lit up Fiametta's dark eyes nearly made the moody Saracyn roll his eyes, but dammit, even he had to admit that the enthusiasm was adorable on her tiny face. It wasn't really that he disliked her, after all; Saracyn just didn't see a point to her—kind of like how he didn't see a point to himself either. They were excess Mendaciums, spares in case something happened to their sister. Maybe he would understand one day, or maybe he never would. But in either case, he couldn't hold Fia at fault for something so beyond her control. Sara watched as Fia virtually fell forward into the water with a splash, drawing a snicker from the taller lad when he had stepped easily into the cool water beside her. She was a wily and brave one, he had to give her that. Nothing seemed to faze her, and it reminded him of himself and their father, a trait he held in high regard for the three of them. The cringe in her expression to the cold temperature was ultimately ignored by the older brother, who was more entertained by her trying to be tough than anything. He didn't tease her or even acknowledge it, instead leading her into the deeper parts of the lake as far as her little legs would take her.

Fiametta showed no fear or hesitation when he lowered his body and told her to climb on. The weight of the pup on his back felt, Saracyn rose up just enough to be able to walk forward once more, and gradually he began to submerge both of them into the water. Fia's trust in him was apparent and unconditional; Sara wondered what he had done to earn it. Thoughts of dumping Fia into the deeper end of her water, whether maliciously or as a prank, never even crossed his mind. Saracyn was a vicious cur, sure, but he never considered harming his family in any way. They were the most and only important thing in his world. The water rose up to Saracyn's chest, and when it reached the bottom of his shoulders with the surface just barely lapping over his back to lick at Fia's paws, he ceased going any further. This would do nicely.

"I'm going to sink down a little until you're in the water," he explained to his tiny sister from over his shoulder. "When you feel the water lift you up, start paddling your paws, all four of them at the same time. I'll be floating right beneath you the whole time, so don't be afraid okay? If you need a rest, let me know and I'll put you on my back again." This was how Alastor had taught him and Avacyn to swim, allowing their instincts to show them the way to paddle in the water and learn how their bodies buoyancy worked naturally, but he had always been floating with them, so if they got tired or for some reason went under, he just needed to stand up to aid them. Now he would do the same for his little sister. "Ready?" And then Saracyn lowered his body again until his body sank beneath the surface, going down until just his head was above the water and Fia had been lifted up by the water. He kept glancing over his shoulder to watch her, making sure to move in sync with her so his larger form was only every a few inches below hers in the water in case she needed help.

"Saracyn Mendacium"