"Mom, I looked perfectly fine! Can't I just go with what I had on?"

"Absolutely not! Would it kill you to look somewhat decent at the ceremony?"

Sabrewing shot another glare at xyr mother - or one of them - Daffodil. She had been struggling to get Sabrewing into decent attire for the upcoming Wingwatcher welcome ceremony - mainly due to the fact that xe was one of the new recruits. Shooting daggers at the red tunic xe had on (Sabrewing strongly believed "forced into" was the correct wording), xe let out a groan. Sabrewing didn't particularly like it when Daffodil had decided to do this with xem. Xe thought xe looked perfectly fine and anyone who had a problem with it could keep it to themselves.

Daffodil sighed, shaking her head. "Come on, Sabrewing. You become an official Wingwatcher apprentice today. Wouldn't it hurt to freshen up for the occasion?"

Huffing, Sabrewing fell back on xyr bed. "Yes! It does! Who cares about what colour tunic I'm wearing during the ceremony?"

"I just want you to wear something different for today, Sabre." She leaned against the wall, rolling her eyes. "You've been wearing the same old grey tunic for the past few days. I think people will notice it, and not just the familiar colour."

Sabrewing glanced at xyr old grey tunic that xe'd thrown on the floor - narrowing xyr eyes, xe shrugged. "I see nothing wrong with wearing the same grey tunic again."

Daffodil wrinkled her nose, looking at the grey tunic. "You know, it really wouldn't hurt to wear the red tunic, at least just for tonight. I can wash your...other tunic afterwards, alright?"

Frowning, Sabrewing let out another groan. "Why are you making this so difficult?"

"I'm not making this difficult, Sabrewing!"

Before Sabrewing could retort, some repressed laughter could be heard from the other room. Daffodil just scowled, rolling her eyes.

She called, "Violet, this isn't funny! Is Sabrewing ever this difficult about picking clothes with you?"

A moment of silence passed before Violet stepped inside, an amused expression on her face. Daffodil just huffed, crossing her arms. Violet nudged Daffodil's shoulder, chuckling softly.

"Xe reminds me so much of you when you were xyr age."

Daffodil raised an eyebrow, scoffing. "Sure. You're real funny, Violet."

Violet smirked at her. "No, really. Remember those yellow ribbons your mother always put in your hair? I always remember you ripping them out as soon as you could. 'Lost them at recess' was your go-to excuse whenever she asked."

A few chortles burst from Daffodil. "She was so angry with me for ripping them out, too! Mom usually ended up finding them somewhere around the lake, since that was where I dumped them. I got in so much trouble for doing that!" Her face suddenly grimaced, huffing a little. "You think she ever knew I hated the colour yellow? Or do you think she was putting in yellow on purpose?"

"Probably on purpose, knowing her." That got a few more laughs out of Daffodil, much to Sabrewing's surprise. "Might as well let xem wear the grey tunic. Xe'll probably dump the red tunic somewhere near the lake if we're not careful."

Sabrewing felt xyr cheeks flush. "I wouldn't do that!" Xe glanced at Daffodil, struggling to imagine her wearing a single speck of yellow by choice. Though I can imagine her leaving ribbons like that somewhere near the lake. That seems like something she'd do to this day.

"Hah!" Violet snorted, rolling her eyes. "Are you sure you wouldn't?"

Xe threw xyr arms in the air. "I don't know! I'd probably switch tunics before the ceremony, or something! I just wouldn't throw it around the lake, that sounds like a terrible hiding spot!"

Still laughing, Violet pointed at Sabrewing, looking Daffodil in the eye. "Xe is definitely your child."

"Xe's yours too," Daffodil snapped, though she didn't sound entirely too serious. She picked up a book laying on the ground nearby the grey tunic, grimacing. "Honestly, you two and your books..."

Violet shrugged, leaning against the entryway. "Sabrewing could use a better method for organizing xyr stuff, but I'm not arguing with that. Xe picked xyr love of reading from the best."

Daffodil huffed, but said nothing in response. Sabrewing just let out a few amused chuckles as xe sat on xyr bed a little longer. Even though they were in a rush to get to the cave on time so they wouldn't miss too much of the ceremony, Sabrewing wouldn't mind waiting a little longer if xe got to see more of this side of xyr parents. Xe always found it hilarious when they so casually mentioned stuff about their childhoods and lightly teased each other about it - it definitely wasn't something xe saw when xe went to any friends house.

"Are you going in that, then?" Violet asked, gesturing to the red tunic. "Have to say, it's definitely more effort than what I put in when I went to my welcome ceremony."

Sabrewing frowned, glancing at it once more. "I still don't see why I need to look nice for it. What's the point of getting all fancy for it?"

Shrugging, Violet cleared her throat. "Well, there might be some pretty girls joining the Wingwatchers too. Got to make a good impression on them while you have the chance. The Wingwatchers Dance does come quicker than you think."

"But you didn't do that with mom, and now you both are married!"

"I lucked out with Daffy and we were already best friends prior. You have less of an excuse."

Sabrewing sighed, gently kicking the grey tunic aside. "I...guess I'll wear this one. But I doubt it'll make any difference."

Raising an eyebrow, Violet held back a few more laughs. "How so?"

"What's the point of impressing pretty girls when I can't even talk to them?"

Daffodil walked up to xem, nudging xyr shoulder. "Hey, if a disaster like me was able to talk to both your mother and Ivy, you should be more than capable to talk to some of the Wingwatcher apprentices there. Besides, you'll be working with them most of the time. Several chances to make good impressions."

Violet smiled at Daffodil, giggling. "Aw, you still think I'm pretty?"

Turning back to her, Daffodil rolled her eyes. "Well, of course! I'm not going to forget our first Wingwatchers Dance so easily. You looked stunning in that dress."

"Maybe next time you can take me and we can dance like that again," Violet joked, or at least Sabrewing was hoped that she was. "You really are a great dancer."

"Hehe, I know. It's been too long since we last danced together," Daffodil replied, a coy smile on her face. Violet returned her smile with a similarly impish nature about it. She glanced back at Sabrewing, chuckling. "Don't worry, we'll be there for the entire ceremony."

Sabrewing blinked slowly in response. "So should I be terrified or relieved about that?"

Snorting, Daffodil's only managed to utter, "Yes."

Violet took a seat next to Sabrewing, rubbing xyr back. "But seriously, don't worry all that much - we're both behind you every step of the way. The whole ceremony part be over in a flash, so don't get all caught up in thinking about all the embarrassing things we might do while there. What's most important is that you're becoming a Wingwatcher because you want to and that you enjoy yourself, alright?"

Nodding, Sabrewing gave both Daffodil and Violet a hug before xe glanced away, awkwardly. "Just...please don't actually show up during the next Wingwatchers Dance. Please don't."

The two of them laughed for a good amount of time before settling down, Violet letting out a few snorts of laughter while Daffodil wiped away a few tears. She arched an eyebrow at Violet, still amused.

"No promises."