Eirig

Zenstone was taking a leisurely walk around the apiary with Trophonius one morning when a female Guardian suddenly swept in and seized him in a bone-crushing hug.

"I finally caught up with you, bro!" she exclaimed, squeezing tight. "You left in the middle of the night and didn't leave a forwarding address!"

Zenstone barely managed a strangled squeak. She dropped him to the ground in an unceremonious heap. "I've been combing the Starfall Isles all month. It's almost like you didn't want to be followed!"

Trophonius looked from one Wind dragon to the other. "You never told me you had a sister."

"Is it that obvious?" Zenstone asked, brushing dirt off his scales and retrieving his pearl, which was beginning to roll downhill.

"You don't have to be a detective to notice a certain resemblance. Enchanted to meet you, ma'am." Trophonius bowed to the Guardian, carefully staying out of hugging range.

"Same here! I'm not surprised that Zenny didn't tell you about me!" she cried. Ydren, Skep, and the entire orchard crew were now gathering around to see what the fuss was about. "He's so shy."

Trophonius shot his friend a look. Zenny?

Don't say a word, or I'll make you pay for it slowly and painfully later, Zenstone silently replied. Amazing how much you cram into a twitch of the whiskers.

Trophonius ducked his head, shaking with silent laughter that he failed to disguise as coughing. The Guardian gave him a few earnest swats on the back, which cheered Zenstone up somewhat.

Until his sister began announcing to everyone in earshot that her name was Eirig, and Zenstone was her "li'l bro."

"Well, what are you waiting for?" she demanded. "Show me the sights! I want to see everything about our new home!"

"Our?!"

But she was already peering over his shoulder.

He decided to start with the alchemy lab. Maybe he could shove her into one of the vats. Nothing lethal, of course, but something that would transform her into a sparrowmouse for a few hours and grant him a few hours of blessed silence. And some time to start packing. He'd heard good things about Shadow territory...

The only one currently inside the alchemy lab was Cogito, who was reading Lalo's latest paperback while the pot he was supposed to be watching threatened to boil over. (To be fair, Cogito was usually a very diligent worker. Lalo's work just had that effect on people.)

He almost knocked over a cauldron in his haste to hide the book's cover when he heard them enter. Then his eyes fell on Eirig.

Zenstone didn't believe in love at first sight, but the young alchemist was certainly smitten. There truly was no accounting for taste. Or maybe it was the fumes. Regardless, he'd just slip out while...

.....

Zenstone gets a bit of a break while his sister, the clan's newest apprentice alchemist, learns the ropes. She spends more and more of her free time with Cogito, and goes hours without checking up on her brother. Maybe he won't have to flee after all.

Even better, Eirig appears to actually have a gift for alchemy. She particularly enjoys working with electricity. (Gladiolus appreciates their new apprentice's enthusiasm, but could really do without the yelling "IT'S ALIIIIIIVE!!!!")