Chapter Text
It had been 3 days since they moved into their new house, however, they had been stuck inside for 2. It had rained heavily and Korvo discouraged anyone from going out. Something about shitty drivers and muddy carpets. Jesse was too busy drawing new posters for her room to fully pay attention.
Finally, the rain had stopped on day 3, leaving behind wet muddy grounds and a slight fog. Jesse thought it was a good time to check out the backyard so she slipped on her yellow rain boots and coat before going outside.
The backyard was vacant and pretty big. Much bigger than her old house’s backyard. Actually, she doesn't think an apartment building's community grass bed really counts as a backyard.
She walked across the wet yard, absentmindedly humming to herself. She saw that the yard next to them had a pink and white swing set. Maybe if she got to know the neighbors well enough they’d let her have a try.
She liked the concept of befriending new faces. She didn't have that many friends back in her hometown. She hoped the people here were nicer.
The yard could definitely use some changes. Maybe some play sets or a pool orrrrrr.
She spots some bushes at the end of the fence.
Or they could make a garden!
She could totally see her and her dad as gardeners.
She walks over to the bushes and pulls out a branch sticking out. It was shaped like a rod and had a couple of leaves and berries stuck to it. She tried deciphering what type of berries they were when the bush suddenly started to shake.
Jesse looked over and the shaking stopped. She held the branch up defensibly as she slowly backed away.
The shaking started up again and she held the branch up ready to swing.
It shook for what seemed like forever until-
“What are you doing?”
“Ah!!” The unexpected voice startled Jesse and she instinctively swung.
When she didn’t hit anything she opened her eyes to see the voice came from her new step-brother, Yumyulack.
“Jeez, what's your problem?” He questioned, sounding annoyed already.
“Ugh! Don't do that! You scared me half to death.”
He rolled his eyes. “Korvo says not to be out here for too long.”
Jesse frowned, “I just wanted to see the backyard.”
“What’s there to see? It’s just grass and trees.”
“Meow.” The both of them turned to see a stray cat jumping out from the small hedge. It was a short little cat that was a bit chunky. Its hairs were short and yellow. It had no collar and went up to rub its body against Jesse’s leg.
Yumyulack looked mildly surprised and unimpressed. “And stray pests.”
Jesse smiled and leaned down to scratch the top of the cat's head.
“Hi there!” The little cat purred and leaned into the scratches. It rolled over and showed its belly which Jesse gladly started to rub.
But without warning, a loud thunderous crash echoed throughout the sky. It scared the little cat who promptly ran away back into the bushes.
“Nooo, come back!” The girl called after it.
“Right, Korvo also says it’s going to rain again and he doesn’t want any more mud being tracked into the carpets.”
Jesse was disappointed hearing that and she frowned even more. She groaned and started following Yumyulack back inside.
It started to drizzle and she could feel every drop hit her curly head.
“By the way,” Yumyulack paused as he opened the screen door. “That branch you're holding. It’s poison ivy.”
Jesse gasped and dropped the branch like it was on fire. She looked up to see that Yumyulack had already gone inside without her.
She grumbled frustratingly and walked in after him, leaving her boots on the patio.
She’ll ask her dad for the itch cream once she gets the chance.