Don't Bug Me!
Slightly conceived from reading Isara Gunther's profile in a restarted game. If you don't understand this, you probably haven't finished the game yet. Stop reading this and go do so now!
Warning: Spoilers for those who haven't finished the game and/or those who are hopelessly dense to Welkin and Alicia's interactions/endings. (Are there any such people?) XD
All hail the game!
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"Mommy! Mommy!"
Alicia turned around at the sound of her daughter's squeals. Welkin had taken his daughter with him on one of his numerous treks into the surrounding area. Apparently they'd come back; Isara sounded excited.
"Mommy!" The tiny girl was running towards her as fast as her toddling legs could go, her hands firmly grasped in front of her. When she reached her mother, she stopped and held her hands up as far as they would reach. "I got you something, mommy!"
Alicia bent over so that she was closer to her child's height. "What did you find, Isara?"
When the tiny hands unclasped suddenly and the insect held inside hopped towards her face, Alicia gave a startled jerk and lost her balance. She toppled over backwards, sitting down hard on the floor. Isara, oblivious to her mother's discomfort, ran in circles chasing the present that was now scurrying around the kitchen.
That was how Welkin found them when he entered a few moments later.
"Welkin?" Alicia's voice was faint.
Taking in the situation quickly, Welkin hurried over to where his wife was seated on the tile. "Yes, Alicia?"
"Do you think you could find a small jar for my present? One with a lid?"
"Of course, dear." Helping her gently to her feet, he lead her into the living room and got her safely situated on the couch. "I'll be right back."
As he hustled into the kitchen to help his daughter chase down the rare bug, he made a mental note. 'Take small jars to hold any interesting specimens that we find on our next bug hunt.'
When they finally recaptured the insect and it was safely ensconced inside of a glass prison, Welkin picked up Isara and headed back into the living room. Alicia still looked a bit pale, but accepted the gift from her daughter with all the gentle gratitude of a loving parent. Welkin smiled as he sat down beside her.
"I'm sorry, Alicia. I'll make sure that we find something less unsettling for a present next time." His voice was low, whispered into her ear. "Something like flowers, okay?"
As she nodded her head absently to Isara's description of their day, Alicia turned a wan smile back to her husband. "Thanks, Welkin."
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AN: I believe that Isara gives her mother a 'rare grass centipede', is how the biographical snippet went. Centipedes don't jump... I know that. However, they sometimes move fast enough that they seem to jump - combining that with the fact that it's finally free to run off the tiny hands - you might get a situation where the bug seems to be jumping at you.
I hope you all enjoyed reading this. Fluff is good for the soul.