Poppy smirked at him. "Hey Em?" Emma's head popped up from the water a little ways away, water dripping from her curls. "Prepare for battle," Poppy instructed, and narrowed her eyes at Francis with a devious smile.
His eyebrows furrowed in dismay. "How could you? I thought we were friends," he said teasingly. "Maybe even more. Trust me. You don't want to do this."
"Oh, but I think we do," she said slyly, looking over at Bee. "Right?" The girl cackled with joy and clapped her hands, and Poppy looked back at Francis with a pointed stare.
"How is this fair, though? It's three against one. I don't see any equality there," he said finally, sinking lower into the water.
"You don't think you could take us?" she asked, raising her eyebrow coyly. "A 26 year old who has to hold a toddler, and a 15 year old?"
"I have no doubt in the 15 year old, and a toddler is totally reckless, especially when she can use a 26 year old to get around," he stated, raising his finger to object. "So, no, probably not."
"How would you like the teams to be arranged, then?" Poppy inquired, swimming backwards while holding Bee, the water up to their necks.
"Well, a 15 year old and a toddler are the most dangerous, but we're older, so I'll have you on my team. That way it is evened out," he decided. "Any objections? No? Good."
Emma took Bee from Poppy's arms while Poppy frowned at him. "What's your angle here?" she asked. "I feel like this is a trap or something."
"This is no trap. You wanted a fight, and I'm making it equal." He looked at her from the corner of his eye. "You have to finish what you've started, now."
"Then that wouldn't be nice, and I would probably disown you. Do you want that? Do you want me to disown you?" he asked teasingly, his voice purposefully had an edge.
"Well, not in that sense. You belong to yourself, obviously, but I meant I will leave forever. And never come back. Ever."
"Don't use that against me," she frowned. "That is a bargaining tool that I am not willing to discuss."
"It was just a joke. I wouldn't do that. Promise," he said. "But don't turn against me. I will never trust you again."
She squinted at him before turning to her sister and her niece. "Alright. Are you ready for your ignominious defeat?" Emma swam backward, holding the toddler in her arms. "I was born ready."
( I have no idea how to battle in a lake) He readied his hands to splash, glancing at Poppy. "Don't fail me."
"Never," she said sweetly. "3...2...1...go!" Poppy kicked her legs in water at the two of them, creating a large splash that engulfed the two girls.
