flower gleam and glow [c]

Her round, fluffy, grey face turned to meet Thymepaw’s with a sweet smile. Beside the plush apprentice was a squirrel she had spent the entire afternoon trying to catch. Her soft blue eyes looked tired and maybe ever so slightly sad. But with her denmate’s presence, she quickly began to glow.

“Hello, Thymepaw. I’m never too busy for you.” Her gaze drifted down to the eye-catching ring of bright lilacs and gentle white flowers with sunny centers. “Oh!” she gasped lightly. Ploverpaw couldn’t contain her pleasure. “Of course I like it! I love it. How did you make this? It’s so pretty, Thyme.” Ploverpaw leaned in to embrace her unofficial sister, pressing her forehead against hers with a warm purr.

After the hug, she gently nodded in agreement, “Yes, everyone definitely needs a bit of sweetness. Thank you for bringing this to me. Could you help me put it on?” She lowered her brow to cooperate, now gazing down at her and the other apprentice’s paws. Graceful, fawn paws and clean, cloud-white paws. She hoped to see both of them stay happy and healthy during these darker times.

A petite squeak of joy escaped her as Thymepaw fitted the crown. It made her heart soar, even though it was just an accessory. It felt like a gift of itself to have Thymepaw as her dear friend. Ploverpaw listened with a gleam in her eye as the detailed crafter explained her choice of flora. How thoughtful! And accurate in their meaning, too. The grey and white apprentice couldn’t remember a time when these kinds of flowers hadn’t made her feel calm and at peace. A lilac’s ever-so-pleasant smell accompanied by chamomile’s uplifting looks were the perfect thing to be on her mind, now more than ever. Ploverpaw would appreciate this gift for as many moons as it lasted.

She took in Thymepaw’s considerate query carefully. “I worry for them. I know Bearpaw isn’t thinking about his own health as much as he is caring for ours. He works very hard to make sure his sisters won’t go hungry.” Ploverpaw’s gaze subconsciously drifted to the afternoon catch at her side. She drew a pewter paw over the matching grey squirrel and pushed it closer to Thymepaw. “Have you eaten enough today? Please, take this if you haven't.”

She didn't feel as though her scrawny fresh-kill was anything as great as that lovely flower crown. She imagined spending her time gently threading delicate flowers and vines instead of messying her fur and getting cuts from the forest. Yes, that’s what I’d rather do. But not if that meant someone wouldn’t eat tonight... Thankfully Thymepaw had that joy-bringing job covered, and she carried it out wonderfully. Ploverpaw said in response to the previous offer, “I’d love to learn how to make one of these, but... maybe once everything settles down and we’re all comfortable again.” The apprentice gazed at the clanmates around her. “I hope that day is soon.”