Heather peered out the window. It had rained last night-she had heard the pitter patter of the raindrops which gave way to what she assumed was the first autumn storm. Yes, the outside world looked a bit drab and grey, but Heather's heart practically soared at the prospects of all the games of Starseek she and Picket could play. Sticky summers didn't mix well the strenuous sport the two played. Now that the weather was chillier, she felt much more energetic.

She didn't stay up in her room long, but scurried down the stairs. "I'm going out!" she said. She turned to Picket. "Want to play? First match of autumn."

Picket was about halfway through eating a raisin cake, but upon hearing Heather's proposal, he wolfed the rest of it down. Mother laughed from the kitchen.

"Don't get a cold," she said, as Heather and Picket bundled themselves in their winter coats. Father must've taken them out of storage last night, or before he left for the main village in Nick Hollow earlier that morning. "And come in for lunch, okay? I'll make you all some soup to warm you up."

Heather nodded. She snatched the star from where it was placed reverently on a shelf-far out of Jacks' reach, who was now just learning how to crawl-and the two siblings burst out the door.

The first inhale of the fresh autumn air felt absolutely beautiful. Heather and Picket raced a few feet away from the house, into the sprawling field, and Heather tossed the star up and down.

"Ready?" she said, grinning. There was a slight wind today too, beautifully crisp, and it promised a good game of Starseek.

"As always," Picket nodded.