Ding Dong! The doorbells rang again to Chris and Piers’ house.
Ellis kids: “Hi Uncle Chris!” Robin Jr. and Becky, aged 10 and 7 jumped into Chris’ arms.
Chris: Look at you both! So punctual too. Uncle Piers is just getting ready for you. Mary! Come right in, help yourself to tea and the cake Piers left in the kitchen.
Mary: Thanks you both for helping out. These have been a handful all morning and they haven’t even had their sugar yet!
Ellis kids: “Uncle Piers!!” The kids ran towards Piers as he laid out his paint and got his brushes ready.
Piers: “Well, hello there! Look at that costume, Batman I take it, no contest at all. You have your dad’s jawline. You’ll pull it off no problem! What? You want Batman with Joker’s face? Unusual but OK!”
Chris: “Becky you go play with Ruff while Robbie goes first. Yes, Uncle Piers gets to warm up first so he does a better job on you!” (to Piers) “Better do you best partner, don’t want to disappoint these two!”
Piers: Hah, I’m the best face painter the BSAA’s got!
Chris: *Shakes head* Not this again! Better not get too famous or else there’ll be a line of kids out the door!”
Piers: Then we just have to put you to work too!
Chris: I ain’t face painting no kid. Last time I stared a kid in the eye with my game face she burst out in tears!”
Piers: Your game face is pretty scary Captain. Even BOWs shriek away! *mixes paint* Though I could put some war paint on and make you more fearsome even.
Chris: *grins*
Mary: That’s some nice cake Piers. Good work. Chris I’m so envious of you sometimes. Send him around once in a while will ya?
Robbie Jr.: Mom, can I have some cake too?
Mary: You’ll have to ask Uncle Piers.
Piers: Go ahead, you know where everything is.
*Ruff barking excitedly in the background*
Chris: Becky has become quite athletic hasn’t she? Keeping up with the pup!
Piers: *looks up* Oh.
Chris: *Winks at Piers* Ruff the pup.
Piers: There. Robbie, go check yourself out. You did well, hardly flinched at all!
Robbie: Am I scary Uncle Chris?
Chris: Very! Becky, come over, it’s your turn!
Becky: Uncle Piers! *hugs Piers and sits down* I wanted to be a butterfly, but I’ve done that before, and then I wanted to be a mermaid, but I wanted to be able to walk, so now I’m going to be the Queen of Hearts!
Chris: Haha, born right out from Deuce of Hearts too! I like that!
Mary: She did a lot of the costume herself. Definitely has an eye for design and colours this one.
Chris: Wish I could say the same. Good thing Piers stops me most days now before I wear something too embarrassing beyond these doors.
Mary: Haha, what, Chris Redfield with his three shirts and green wardrobe, what could go wrong!
Chris: Haha, well, it so happens Piers managed to impress me for more than three dates so the collection has grown, and well, Piers does the rest now.
Becky: I can dress you up too Uncle Chris. I can make you a nice red dress!
Chris: *scratches head* Erm… why don’t you make yourself another dress, you’ll look prettier in it than I ever will!
Piers: *chuckles* Alright you’re all good! Go have fun!
Chris: *comes back with lollies* Some treats for you both. Enjoy yourselves, see you again soon!
Mary: Thanks a bunch guys! Love you.
