Starting a new tradition all our own

Awe shimmers in Clove’s eyes, a hint of mischief dancing in her contrasting gaze as she looks at her sister. There was no denying that Ember was trying to sneak the wine- but why? Her teenage brain was conjuring up all sorts of answers, ranging from a wild night with some of the other teenagers, to a solo date with Erik in the castle. And judging by the shock and panic on her sister’s face, maybe the wine had something to do with Erik. Internal gasp! Now Clove was fantasizing about drinking wine with Akito, trying not to blush at the thought.

Her gaze followed Ember as she set the bottle down, asking her not to tell their mother and father. With a quick nod, Clove reassures her sister that she will keep her lips sealed. “Oh, of course! I’ll never tell.” She swears, raising her paw to her chest for dramatic effect. She loved her sister dearly, she’d stand by her side no matter what. Whether it be sneaking some wine, or committing some war crime. Dramatic sure! But Clove would back her littermate up until her very last breath.

OH. At the mention of drinking the wine with Erik, Clove gasped. Even she started blushing- the thought of drinking some wine alone with a boy - in her instance it would be Akito - was exhilarating and foreign.

But Ember quickly made a different decision, offering some of the wine to Clove if she kept this a secret. Clove’s jaw dropped for dramatic effect, but the corners of her lips were curled into a tight, sly smile. “I’ve never thought about drinking the wine before.” She sheepishly admits. Sure, she’d seen packmates drink it and was curious about it. But the impulse to actually drink it never occurred. But maybe it was time she started doing more grown-up stuff. She wanted a boyfriend after all! How could she want a boyfriend if she’s never tried wine before? A drink her family meticulously crafted and traded?

Taking a breath, Clove nods her head in agreement, stepping down from the stairs to stand before her sister. “Alright, let’s do it!” She exclaims, trying to keep a whispering tone but she is a little too loud. Ember motions for her to follow, and Clove does without hesitation, steeling her resolve and shaking some of the jitters out of her legs. Breaking the rules felt so wrong, but was also exciting?

Entering the lounge, the sisters look around to make sure the coast is clear. A fire is lit in the center of the room, illuminating it in soft firelight. Following her sister, she takes a seat on one of the couches next to the coffee table, watching as Ember opens the wine with her claw. The sweet smell of berry wine wafted into the air, and Clove found herself sniffing in the bottle's direction. It smelled nice.

Ember offered her the first drink, and Clove hesitated at first. She eyed the bottle, glanced back at her sister, and eyed it again. “Hopefully Erik won’t be too upset about me drinking his share of the wine?” She says with a giggle, pulling the bottle towards her. Taking a breath, she glances at Ember one last time before taking a drink. Oh… Oh! It was a little tangy, a bit mouth-puckering but it was sweet and fruity. Her mouth felt a little dry once she got it down, and the aftertaste was even sweeter than the swig itself. “That’s… pretty good!” She says, her eyes widening as she licked the last bit off her lips. “Okay, your turn!” She pushed the bottle towards Ember, wanting her to take the next drink.

"Sisters"