The wind blew gently across the surface of the lake, creating ripples wherever it went. Fish splashed about, and the birds were tweeting happily in the trees that surrounded the entire place. Upon the edge of a newly-constructed dock stood a lone girl, looking out at the land before her with a thoughtful expression upon her face. It was not long however before she was joined by another, though she did not need to turn to see who it was.
"Did they get home alright?"
The newcomer, a boy, smiled to her and nodded as he stood beside her.
"Yep. Just got the call from the Principal. No traffic on the way back, so it was smooth sailing all the way."
Gloriosa nodded.
"Good. At least something did."
Timber turned to her, frowning slightly.
"You can't blame yourself, sis."
Looking to her brother, Gloriosa took on a dismayed look.
"It was all my fault, Timber! If I hadn't taken that...if I had just listened to you, none of this would have happened!"
Once more, she turned to the lake.
"You warned me. You warned me right from the start that those...things were dangerous. But I didn't listen. I was just so focused on..."
She shut her eyes tightly.
"We were so close to losing it, Timber. Losing everything our family has worked on and cared for. I just...I couldn't let that happen."
Slowly, she risked a glance back up to him.
"I...I nearly tore apart everything I cared about. The camp, the people we were supposed to look after...even you."
The boy sighed.
"Maybe...but what matters is that everything turned out okay. The magic is gone and the camp is saved. What more could you want?"
A dry chuckle escaped the girl.
"Ever since Mom and Dad passed on...I've always felt like I was the one who had to do everything. I was the eldest, so the camp was my responsibility."
She narrowed her eyes.
"And just look where that obsession got me."
Sighing, Timber placed his hand upon her shoulder.
"You had good reasons for doing what you did. The real fault here lies with that magic. Whatever those crystal things were, they...I don't know what they were, but they did something to you. Pushed you further, made you more...more..."
Looking to him, Gloriosa gained a small smirk and raised her eyebrow.
"More evil, you mean?"
Scratching the back of his head, Timber laughed nervously.
"Well...I wouldn't have said it like that, but..."
In spite of how she'd felt before, Gloriosa gave her brother a slight punch on the arm, creating much-needed levity between the siblings. As a rare moment of calm passed between them, Timber took on a thoughtful look before glancing back to her.
"You know...I did some counting. The money we raised at that dance is far more that we expected. With that...well...let's just say we'll be able to keep Filthy off our backs for a very long time."
A smile touched Gloriosa's lips.
"Then I guess...all's well that ends well?"
Timber smiled, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he gave her a nod.
"Certainly seems that way. If nothing else, it'll be pretty sweet not having that guy breathing down our necks every other week."
He looked over his shoulder, to the nearby buildings of the camp, and briefly grimaced.
"There's still a few things we need to sort out. Some damage to the walls, and I think that kitchen still needs clearing up after what that Pinkie girl did in there."
Looking back to his sister, the boy forced a smile.
"But it's hardly worse than what we've had to deal with before, right?"
Gloriosa turned to him, her face a somewhat saddened one.
"I know this kind of job isn't what you would have wanted, Timber. And I guess...I may have pushed you more than I should have done. It's just...this camp..."
She turned away, seeming more than a little ashamed over whatever it was she would have said. But Timber seemed to already know, giving a small smile and speaking in a soft tone towards her.
"Hey, it's no problem. Our family has put a lot of work into this place, Mom and Dad especially. And you? You've always loved it. I can't blame you for wanting what's best for it."
The girl turned back to face him, her expression one of appreciation.
"You know...I really should thank you for everything you do, Timber. I guess, knowing this wasn't where you wanted to be, I've been kind of...hard on you. But when push came to shove, you were always there to lend a hand. So..."
Slowly, she gave him a genuine smile.
"...thanks."
Timber returned the smile and nodded, looking out over the lake.
"Hey, it's hasn't been all bad here. There's always been something to do. New people to meet. That kind of thing."
Here, Gloriosa took on a more mischievous expression.
"New people indeed. What's this I hear about you and some young camper-girl?"
A bluish crept upon the boy's cheeks.
"Oh! You mean Twilight? Well...I...er..."
A giggle escaped the girl as she continued.
"Oh my, Timber! Putting the moves on some sweet and impressionable camper under your charge? Whatever would Mom and Dad have said?"
Her tone had been playful without crossing over into outright mockery, but even so, Timber couldn't help but give her a raised eyebrow.
"Ha ha, very funny."
Giggling, Gloriosa placed a hand upon his shoulder.
"I'm just kidding. In truth, she's probably good for you. A few...interesting friends, but still..."
Timber chuckled.
"I'll say. From what I've heard, all this magic and superpower stuff happens to them all the time."
A shiver went down his sister's spine after hearing that.
"Sheesh! Guess recent events weren't too strange after all then. For them anyway."
Her brother nodded.
"Although, strange or not, we do kinda owe them a lot. And not just for saving us."
Sighing, Gloriosa regained her earlier smile, looking down at the dock they stood upon, tapping it gently with her shoe.
"You're right. This dock has never looked better."
A brief laugh escaped her.
"Even if it did take them a few times to get it right."
The two shared a laugh together, and when it eventually died down, Timber sighed, placing his arm around his sister and holding her close. Gloriosa smiled to this and, along with her brother, looked out over the lake.
"Mom and Dad would be proud. Their camp...our camp...it hasn't seen this much popularity in...in years."
Timber nodded, glancing down to her.
"And we'll make sure it stays that way."
Gloriosa gave her brother a raised eyebrow.
"Careful, little brother. You don't want to go down the same road I did."
Timber gave a brief chortle to this.
"Don't worry, I won't. Besides..."
Looking back down to her, the boy gave her a smirk of his own.
"...I don't think I could pull off the vine and leaf corset look all that much."
