Last Days Before It All Changes Jasmine brushed a stray strand of dark hair behind her ear. She should probably redo the ponytail the strands had fallen out of, but she was almost done with her chores (well, Anya's, but she had told her sister she'd cover the younger girl's share today, partly to make up for Jasmine's approaching abandonment and partly because she thought she might actually miss the chores after she left tomorrow) and she'd just have to take it out for her shower anyway. As it got closer and closer to the time when she'd go off to Sonora, she was beginning to realize how much everything was going to be different when she was gone.
Finishing with Flossie's stall, she gave the big Abraxan a hug, trying not to cry as it dawned on her that the mare wasn't going to be able to keep in touch while she was away. "Gonna miss you, girl," she said, only a bit thickly. Cleaning this particular stall, not so much, but Flossie was her favorite of all the horses on the ranch, even if she always made the worst mess.
Flossie nuzzled back, though she was always very affectionate so Jasmine wasn't sure if it was just her normal nuzzle or if the horse recognized that Jasmine needed extra nuzzling today. "I wish you could come with me," she added, but for some reason she couldn't fathom, a winged horse roughly the size of a small elephant was not on the list of approved animal companions that first years could bring to school. It stunk.
When she finished hugging (and maybe having a good cry at their impending separation), Jasmine headed back inside.
She showered quickly then dressed in one of her princess gowns that she had decided not to bring to Sonora with her. Her trunk was already packed (and had been since July, aside from some items she'd still need during the summer, and even most of those had gone in yesterday) so she didn't really have much of a wardrobe left except super formal and work clothes.
As she swished into the living room, Anya looked up from her toys and gave Jasmine a dubious look. "I don't have any normal clothes left in my drawer except what I'm wearing tomorrow," Jasmine explained.
"You have your other set of riding clothes," Anya pointed out.
Jasmine scrunched up her face this time. "Those are for riding and doing chores," she dismissed.
"And that," Anya retorted with a disgusted wave at Jasmine's gown, "Is for your wedding day."
"Pfft," Jasmine disagreed haughtily, "It'll be too small for me by then."
Anya rolled her eyes. "You wanna play?" she held up one of her Barbie dolls.
Jasmine looked between the doll, the floor Anya was sitting on, and her very floofy dress. "Um." There was no way that was going to work.
Anya snorted. "You see?"
She was saved from answering by five year old Phillippe running at her and hugging her waist. "She can read me a book! Right, Jazzy?" he asked hopefully.
"If you stop crushing my skirts," Jasmine scolded, and he let go immediately, grinning up at her. "Curious George?" he asked eagerly.
She nodded, that wasn't her favorite book series, but it wasn't the worst one Phillippe liked. "Sure." She wasn't sure she was physically capable of sitting in her current attire but she'd figure out something. Phillippe had a little stool in his room for getting onto his bed, maybe she could get that inside her dress to sit on... "Let's go up to your room."
She pretended not to see Phillippe shoot Anya a look of victory or see her sister roll her eyes. "You can play with me when you change into something more praktisical!" the seven year old yelled after them.
Jasmine decided not to correct her pronunciation of 'practical' this time because that would be admitting Anya might be right about the riding clothes.