[Estelle]

Innocence, what a gift. She had the determination to be, but was too young to understand the gravity of the situation, the heaviness that hung in the air as bloodied warriors entered camp in the darkness of night. Poppykit had been kept up coughing and squirming all night, unable to sleep as a mysterious something tugged at her lungs. The kitten paid it no mind, only trying to sleep through it, but to no avail.

So when battered warriors came filling back into camp, their heads raised with pride, the kitten too was alerted by the loud call that sounded. She grew tense at first, head rising with a light tremor as she remained mostly frozen in place, unable to move, hazel eyes locked on the nursery's exit. It was dark, dark like she'd never seen before, and much colder than she was used to.

But the little one thought to see a familiar flash of dark brown, a familiar gait in the pair. Pap! Little eyes grew wide, and trembling paws tentatively crept over the nest's edge. A last look was sent of mother and sibling's way, all deep asleep beside her as they kept her warm, huddled close. But she wanted to see pap.

Tumbling out with a huff, her thin frame rolling over the mossy ground, she shook her head and unsteadily got back up, legs forming a strange V shape as she stood. But the kitten pressed on, tumbling and fumbling out of the nursery until she stood of the threshold of the amazing outside.

She looked around with wide eyes. Unable to remain standing, the kitten stumbled to the ground. But her eyes remained as wide as ever, as she spotted a cat high above the rest. And above her, something magical. The night sky.

Transfixed, the kitten kept staring for a while. One minute passed by. Then two. Then three. It felt like eternity as she stared up at the magic above her head. That is, until she spotted something illuminated by its light. Her eyes went wide as she saw a figure snuggle close to another -- it was comfortable looking.

Curiously, cautiously, carefully. The kitten got up on unstable paws, edging closer with a crab-walk, eyes glued on the comfortable-looking pile of fluff. Oof, oops, gah -- it was difficult to reach. Between the crowds and crowds of cats that the little one was unaccustomed to, frail as she was, she found herself pushed around and about. Poppy fumbled and stumbled, struggling to keep straight as the pushed through the thick crowd of cats forming.

It was scary. It was struggling. It was uncomfortable. Momentarily and unwillingly her eyes grew hot as she struggled through the crowd, falling over nearly every step. Teary-eyed she looked to the sky, pressing through the think crowd of cats. And when her eyes finally saw the light, the pretty little light up high in the vast sky, she stumbled. She fell forth, to the ground, chin hitting the soft soil.

With a huff she got up, finally free and eyes drying up instantly. She saw it again. The comfortable looking pile of fluff. A happy giggle escaped the kitten. With wobbly steps, leaning far too much to the right, the kitten hobbled closer, falling over only twice and getting right back up with a bright smile.

Without hesitation, the kitten fell right up against the pile of fluff, rubbing her face all up against it. She giggled and she laughed, tiny paws reaching up to give it a big hug. Hmmm. She hummed. Eyes opening back up and looking up to the wall of fluff, determination filled her features. Stumbling, she wiggled her little tail, paws kneading the ground, before trying to take a mighty leap up!

Naturally, she didn't get far. But still just far enough for kitten claws to dig into the fluff's fur and shakily pull herself up with loud huffs. And once up, it was like she stood atop of the world. Her eyes lifted to the brightly lit sky with amazement, before slipping over the unsteady ground and falling into the fluff with a laugh. Amused, the kitten began rolling around, hugging the fluff and playing about.

It was so much fun! The fluff was amazing. Completely unaware of the head that lay on it, Poppykit kept on rolling around with laughs of joy and mirth, eyes locked on the sky above as she explored the rumbly and hilly terrain of fluff. It felt like this could last for ever.


[ @Rani @poppy. ]