Skipping the Chores

[Ethelinda || Seth]

Seth grunted as he shifted through the bushes. His shirt was caught on numerous branches, and his hair was messy with leaves he had accidentally plucked while climbing into the bushes. His eyes darted around, in search of a small object he had lost only a few seconds ago. He was, sadly, looking for his favorite rubber ball. He had lost it under his bed while speaking to Grandpa before, and being forced to clean underneath it had caused him to stumble upon the ball. He had grabbed it the moment he saw it and had ran outside to play with it. Seth was sure Kendra wouldn't mind cleaning up after him. He usually skipped out on his chores just to frustrate her enough that she'd do it for him. It was bound to work this time, he was sure of it.

"Where did you go?" He said in a low tone, his hands patting the ground in case the ball was in a place he couldn't see. He moved forward a little, his chin tickled by a leave. He twitched and moved away, then spotted his ball not far from where his hand was. He reached for it with a triumphant grin on his face, but something got to it before he did. A flash of color streaked by, and the ball was gone. Seth growled and wiggled himself out of the bushes.

Once he was out, he spotted the fairy that had taken his ball. Her hair was short and colored like autumn leaves, and her butterfly wings were laces with orange, black and white. Seth had to admit that she was a pretty fairy, but he was impatient to get his ball back. He held his hand out, "Can I have it back?" He knew she couldn't understand him because he wasn't fairy struck like his sister, but the gesture should have been obvious enough.

The fairy moved closer at a slow pace, extending her arms out with the ball in her small hands. She had no trouble holding the heavier-than-expected ball, but she seemed hesitant. Seth wondered how long fairies could hold grudged for. He thought they ought to be grateful for all that he had done to help stop the destruction of the world, but they still acted rather hatefully towards him. The fairy stopped just short of his hands. Seth bit his lower lip, tempted to grab the ball. He would have to be careful, or else he'd hurt her in the process. Hovering there, the fairy stared him in the eyes. A small smirk touched her face, and she darted towards the pool.

"No!" Seth ran towards her, but she was fast. Most fairies were. She stopped above the pool and lingered above it, her feet behind her as she positioned herself parallel with the surface of the water. She hand her arms below her, making it look as if she were going to drop the ball. Seth stopped at the edge of the pool, "Come on, can I have the ball?" He pleaded. The fairy stuck her tongue out, then dropped the ball.

It fell in with a puh-lunk, and vanished towards the bottom. Seth was never able to see that well towards the bottom of the pool, and he was sure he would never see his ball again. He had just found it only a few minutes ago, and he had lost it already. Maybe it was because he had skipped his chores, and karma was getting back at him? Or maybe Kendra had ordered the fairies to discourage his playing. He pouted and sat near the pool, glaring at the water.