It was a cool misty morning on the coast of Northern Ireland. A dense fog blocked the view to the ocean and Jessi could hear the waves crashing against the sandy shoreline. She looked around and took a deep breath of the fresh morning air before going back inside to wake up her brother.
She swiftly walked to his room and burst inside. “It’s morning! That means it’s time to get up!” She yelled as she pulled off the pillows on his bed.
“Ow!” Her brother yelled when his head collided with the headboard after she pulled a cushion off. “Do you have to do this every morning?” He rubbed the back of his head, which was currently throbbing in pain.
“Duh! It’s required, as stated in the siblings handbook.”
“The what?” He asked tiredly, rubbing his eyes as if that would get rid of his sleeplessness. “There isn’t a siblings handbook.”
“If I say there is one, there is one.”
.
“Whatever. I don’t really want to argue with you.” He slowly stood up and walked to the door. “Ugh sisters,” he muttered before exiting the room.
“I heard that!” She yelled to him.
“That was the point!” He yelled back.
“Grr… I have to go make some tea now.”
“You shouldn’t argue with people! Arguing with people isn’t very nice!” chided a small voice from outside the window.
“D’aww! Since when did you get there?” she said, looking at the small boy. She picked him up and brought him inside. “Well aren’t you an adorable little kid?” She cooed, much to his annoyance.
“Stop it! I am not adorable!” He huffed, his cheeks turning a soft pink. “I-I stumbled upon this place this morning, miss…” The small boy stuttered.
“Hmm… You got a name, kid?” she inquired, sobering up quite a bit, “I’m Jessi!”
“I-I’m Arthur, miss…” he answered shyly.
“Quit callin’ me “Miss”! Makes me sound old and wrinkly~!” She exclaimed, striking a goofy pose. She then regained her composure before asking, “What country are you?”
The young chap looked flabbergasted before he asked, “How did you know?”
“Us older nations happen to know our own, kid.” she explained somberly, “Now, who are you?”
“I am… England.” He responded, looking around the large cottage. Knick knacks and swords were lying around everywhere. Hmm… Messy bunch, he thought.
“Very well then, Arthur,” She said, giving him a mock curtsy, “Pleased to make your acquaintance, my nation’s name varies from tribe to empire, though you can call me Ireland.”
Someone cleared their throat, “No, you can call us Ireland. Dia dhuit, I’m Cedric.”
Jessi scoffed, “It’s not polite to barge in uninvited, or eavesdrop on the conversations of others, for that matter, brother.”
“Not when what’s mine is being discussed, sister.” He retorted to his twin.
“What is yours? Everything you have is product of my hard work and labor, dear brother. I doubt you could carry the weight of this country on your own.” She taunted cheekily, forgetting about the presence of the young boy in the room.
“Umm... I should probably leave then?”
“Nonsense! You should stay with us, if you have no other place to stay?” Jessi asked, dropping any sense of aggravation.
“Oh well, I-I,” the young lad stuttered, not accustomed to such open kindness, “If it’s not so much trouble on your part?”
“It sure isn’t, kid,” Cedric quipped, “Not long before Allistor and Gwenolyn get here though, ‘ya might wanna make up your mind beforehand, so we can tell them about the new kin together.”
“Cedric! Don’t scare him off!” she said cautiously before turning to Arthur, “It’s no trouble at all, dear!”
“I… I guess I’ll stay.” He replied in an unsure tone, shifting his position slightly.
Jessica ruffled his hair, “Welcome home, Arthur.”
*Time Skip*
“Jessi? Cedric? Ya’ home?” a deeply accented voice called out. Arthur shivered and looked around as the voice moved towards him. A tall man appeared.
“Oi lad, What’ya doing here, eh?” He asked, “'N quit shaking, there ain’t no wind.”
“Oh uh, m-my name is Arthur Kirkland, Miss Jessi and Mister Cedric are getting firewood, sir.” Arthur responded, gazing up at the redhead. The man extended his hand to Arthur and grinned warmly. Arthur took it, his hand very much smaller than the man’s in front of him.
" My name's Allistor." He began, as a woman walked in, "Scotland, jus' so ya' know."
"My, my Alli~! Seems you've found a child. An adorable one at that." The woman fawned over Arthur, hugging him to her large bosom.”Oh yes! You are so cute!”
“Uhhh, Miss… Do you mind… not pressing me to those?” Arthur blushed profusely, pointing to her boobs.The woman blinked confused, before the thought dawned on her and she began to laugh heartily. Allistor shook his head at his younger sister and her antics, as he pat Arthur's back in a small attempt to ease the flustered young boy.
A loud bang and argument commenced in another room, as Jessi and Cedric entered the house bickering at each other, each bearing a large amount of firewood in each arm. Arthur’s eyes followed the sound of the footsteps until they revealed the two twins with differing personalities.
“Oi! I see, you met ‘Allis” and Gwen!” Jessi started, “Now we just need to get you settled in.”
“What do you mean “settled in”? Is he staying?” Gwen inquired, cocking her head to one side. Her ginger hair cascades to side as Allistor raises an eyebrow to the twins.
“Of course he is!” they both say in unison, “Why else would he be here for?”
