even after all these years | bright

[Lilacstem]

Now that Brightshine was once again free from the nursery, Lilacstem was eager for some quality time with her sister. Brightshine's apprentice was left in camp, given a small task to keep themselves busy, whilst Lilacstem escorted her onto the moors. "Do you want to run?" Lilacstem asked, keen to stretch her legs. She would wait for her sister's agreement before taking off at full speed, running and jumping across the moors with her sister close behind. In many ways, this was when Lilacstem was her truest self, happy and carefree with the wind at her back. After their fun, Lilacsteam rested close to a heather bush, her breathing heavy from all the exertion. "I see all that time in the nursery hasn't made you too slow!" Lilacsteam said, shooting her sister a teasing look. She flicked her tail out beside her and gestured for her to sit. "How's it feel knowing your kits are now apprentices? Do you like their choice in mentors?"

@BRIGHTSHINE! ​

 

[BRIGHTSHINE!]

Brightshine skips along with her sister, tail held high with a content smile on her maw. She loves being a mentor, it's an experience she has always wanted to have but was never quite honored to receive until now. But even then, it's nice to get out without the pressure of teaching, to just be herself with her kin that knows her so well. Lilacstem's question gets a flicked ear and quirked brow in response, an eager gleam entering her eye. "Don't gotta ask me twice!" She trills, already breaking off into a dead sprint.

Over the hills they bound, laughing and jesting just like when they were younger. And when they finally do slow to a stop, she collapses at her littermate's side to catch her breath, a light laugh leaving her. "Never! I've just got even more pent up energy, that's all!" She rolls onto her back, staring up at the sky as her pants begin to slow, her lungs filling with refreshing air. Lilacstem asks about her kits and she purses her lips thoughtfully. "I'm so excited for them, I am!" She starts, but there is something betraying her worry in her voice. Finally, she admits slowly, "It's just...this isn't the same world we raised Echo and Mallow in. A part of me is scared. I'm sure their mentors will teach them how to fight and hunt just fine...but what else will they teach them here?"​

 

[Lilacstem]

At her question, Brightshine laughs and says she's got even more pent up energy if anything, to which Lilacstem grins. "Oh, well in that case I should get you out more often!" Lilacstem teased. Although meant in jest, she thought it would be a good thing to get out more with her sister. With how wild WindClan seemed to be getting in recent moons, Lilacstem thought it would be a wise idea to spend more time like this on the moors where they were perhaps the most happiest.

Her follow up question to the kits sounds happy at first, but slowly the bitterness creeps in and she admits her concerns, Lilacstem nods in understanding. She can't help but think of Sparkspirit as Brightshine mentions her concerns. She loves that boy with all her heart, but its hard to ignore the shadows that cling to him in a way that doesn't with Echolight's other kits. "It troubles me sometimes too," Lilacstem confesses. "The only thing we can do is shower them with love and support, I suppose. And if they ever doubt or question something their mentor says we can be there to put those concerns to rest."​

 

[BRIGHTSHINE!]

Brightshine nods slowly, green eyes shifting about from one blade of grass to another as she processes her littermate's words. "We have to be careful," She mews, something she's never had to be before. The old Brightshine - back when she was Sunshine, back before all of this - was never careful. She was mouse-brained and reckless and unthinking, too naive to worry about a thing. The world she lives in now has forced her to gain wisdom. As a mother, as a grandmother, as a sister...she has to be smarter. "We can't...we can't put them in a position where they'll be hurt, or exiled. I, ugh....I don't know what to do." Her feathery tail lashes in frustration as she looks back up at Lilacstem, worry plain on her features.​