Peacockkit was padding along a small trail cut through the forest, ferns just close enough to brush her fur but not get in the way. The sky was a striking blue that faded into orange-gold, not a cloud in sight. Pavo drew in a breath as a gentle breeze buffeted her fur. She inhaled the smell of fresh rain and peat, the forest’s bountiful scent rolling in. Stars still hung in the sky like little magical promises for her to keep. Peacockkit. The name rung in her head. Her own. Why was she out of camp? She was just a kitten… barely old enough to sharpen her claws or sneak up on prey… and she was walking around. Danceflyflicker. The cat in front of her. The warrior swam through her mind for a second, brown and sepia and tail flicking happily as they walked through the forest. Peacockkit trips. She lands facefirst in wet mud beneath her paws and quietly yelps, running under a bush. Dancefly turned around to check on Pavo but she had rushed off, too embarrassed to say anything. She heard calls from the warrior and Peacock curled up under the root of a tree. Pea blinked. She was warm and stuffy and stiff and safe and tired and curled up inside her soft nest in the nursery. Was she remembering her first time out of camp…? But that wasn’t right, she didn’t run off… oh, whatever. Back to sleep. ………………“ I throw wishes into the night and wait for stars to catch them… “………………….. Pea woke up. The sky was brighter, orange and light blue now. The trees blew gently. And the ground was soft. But where was Danceflyflicker? Where were her siblings? Pea blinked sleepily and stood. “ hello? “ she called out, padding through the forest with her tail flicking. After a while of walking. Her tail drooped between her legs in fear. Peacockkit’s legs collapsed from that hike. “ anyone there? “ Then she saw the most crazy thing. Something huge and wild. A giant stag. One of those animals that cats drew in the dirt. She had seen one outside of camp when she went with Dancecly. But now it danced in her vision right in front of her. Pavo breathed in. Was this real? Surely not. She didn’t remember getting lost in the dream. She didn’t remember seeing the animal so close. Pea could practically see it’s warm, sweet gaze and noticed the way it bent its neck to reach the grass below. Then it raised its head, bounding off. Peacockkit watched as everything slowly faded away again. ……………………“ my thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations… “ ………….. And there she was again, in her nest. Most of the den didn’t stir. But Peacock stood and navigated the packed space full of cats, careful not to tread on anyone’s tails or paws. She reached the edge of the den where it became noticeably cooler. Peacockkit blinked. The sun was rising rapidly. The sky was pierced with yellow and orange. Pavo darted around the giant tree for a better view and gazed at the sun rising through the trees. Peacock could do nothing but watch it, sitting with her tail tucked over her paws. She would’ve sat there the whole day if it wasn’t for a warrior giving her a friendly nudge. Her posture righted itself and her eyes widened again. Pea blinked. She stood and padded off to sit with flowers or sleep or whatever. But something like this wasn’t easily forgotten. …………...“ as I sit and watch the stars, I am struck by the beauty of the universe and the loneliness of my place within it. “ …………….
