Submission (#3535) Approved

Thistle paced as they pondered what their scheme this year would be.
This was the constant problem with holidays for them - each year, they wanted to do something big and extravagant, but whenever the holiday passed, they immediately forgot to do any actual planning for the next year - leading them to rush it last minute every single time.
They really wished they weren’t like this. Alas, there wasn’t much they could do about it now besides rush for the latest holiday…
“What do you think?” They said out loud, vaguely to the little caterpillar in their visor. The caterpillar just tilted its little head to the side in confusion. Unlike Mesmer, Sienna’s companion, their own little bug didn’t seem to be as intelligent - but that was okay.
“Maybe I could hang a bucket of water up on the doorframe? No, that isn’t really a trick… that’s just mean,” They grumbled, continuing. “I could pretend to be sick? But that would just make her worried… um…”
Despite trying hard to come up with anything that would both not be upsetting, and also be considered a prank, Thistle was stumped. The one thing they could think of that would actually work - talking backwards for the entire day - would take an extreme amount of effort, and also get annoying to everyone else fast…
They pulled at their hair in frustration, which caused the caterpillar in their visor to frown. Ugh, why did this have to be so hard?
It was too much - they had to resort to their last idea. It wasn’t the best one they had, but it would have to work…
—
“…Why do you have an easel.”
Sienna had her arms crossed. She didn’t say what she did as a question - more like a statement. Flatter. Thistle didn’t mind. That didn’t change their plan or scheme in any way.
“I’m going to paint you!” They said, waving their paintbrush around in the air as they did. “Sit down over there, and I’ll get to work!”
Sienna turned to face the small log, a perfect sitting size, that was behind her. She paused for a second. “…Okay.”
Sienna did what she was asked to do, sitting gingerly on the stump.
“Should I pose, or…?”
“Just hold still!” Thistle called, shooting her a quick thumbs up, then working quick to paint on the canvas.
Sienna tried her best not to sigh or show any other sign of disinterest. Thistle wasn’t known for painting, or other artistic pursuits, so she wasn’t invested in anything they were about to create.
Thistle seemed to work fast, though, which she was grateful for. If she had to sit still for longer than twenty minutes, she would probably snap.
Thistle just couldn’t stop snickering as they painted layer upon layer on their canvas.
“And… there! Ta-dah! April Fools!”
Sienna just tilted her head to the side as Thistle whirled the painting around, to showcase it. “…I don’t understand.”
“Well, I painted you, but I also painted me in the picture, too, when I didn’t say that I would!” Thistle said, brimming with energy. “Fooled you!”
“…But you didn’t fool me in any way at all,” Sienna said, deadpan. “That isn’t even a prank, that is just… a kind gesture.”
Thistle froze up a little. “O…oh. Well, um—“ They waved one set of arms around frantically. “M—maybe I fooled you into thinking I was going to fool or prank you, but really, I didn’t! Take that! April Fools!”
Sienna just shook her head slowly. “…Sure, Thistle. Sure.”