⌦ .｡.:* ✮ @Alchemist Kitsune
Calico fur comes into view and his heart stills, it sits heavy in his throat; a rock refusing to let air escape from his lungs. Even within dreamscapes, her face is recognized as a stranger to him. Something unknown (unfamiliar; undefined; hidden) as if he had not known her since she was barely the size of his two front paws — taught her every lick of knowledge he could offer. He tries to swallow his wordlessness, because he does know her. Known her soul, once, but that is all he needs. A small feather on her hip, the one familiar feature his brain couldn't steal from memory.
Cowtuft could see a glimmer of recognition in her own irises, eyes glistening with tears (something he can feel his own mirroring) and oh, how his selfish heart soars at the simple truth that she remembers once more. He hadn't - been sure. Quick to start to wonder when and his questions are quick to start bubbling up in his head. Oh goodness, she was here. She was truly here. R, right? This was not all within his head? By some grace she was able to find him.
All he wants to do is move forward and speak and yet — and yet. His inability to act arises once more, the guilt crashes over his shoulders like rushing waves crashing against rocks. Ugly sins keep him planted firmly to the ground. The need to repent burning through him, eyebrows furrowing together.
Thankfully, his former apprentice puts a halt to his spiraling when she rushes forwards to grab onto him. The touch is sudden, a miracle Cowtuft is not flinching away. (It had been so long since the presence of another did not mean pain.) He is a statue for a beat, before his own tears begin to stream furiously down his face and he crumbles. He swiftly finds himself melting into Lightningstorm, frontpaws numbly reaching up to attempt to wrap around her.
"O, oh d, dear, it has been .. far, far t-too.. long... How I have m-missed you so,,,, " He speaks softly, a whisper even. His mouth feels dry, voice hoarse from lack of use. (He supposed he had always had a dislike for how high-pitched it was.)
The martyr doesn't pull back completely, only enough to gaze at her face. As if he's trying to memorize it. She's taller, older and exhaustion cannot be missed on her bones. Time was at a loss for him, but he wonders briefly if she is almost at the age he had been. Before it all crumbled. Gee, how many of the other medicine cats had gone away? Had the cycle went on as he had once known it? ... (It had to end differently this time.)
Cowtuft's thoughts snap back to what she had said, blinking slowly now that the initial surprise simmered for a moment. "..Barrier?" He repeats, cocking his head to the side to where his ears flopped further. Blimey! He hadn't even thought about that!
"Golly,,, how ever did ...you accomplish... that..? It k..knocked me sideways .. and upways..!!" And then a soft chuckle, eyes crinkling up at the flicker of smile that crossed his face. Lightningstorm had always excelled in anything she had put her mind to.
"Oh shucks,.. I ought to know ...not to be ,,surprised!" He corrects himself. It feels like normalcy. If he stared looking at only her, for a moment he could believe they were home again and his chest did not bleed out from his sins. From all the ways he had failed her.
It does not last.
His expression softens into something serious, studying her. He had only crossed the barrier once and even then the only way he had done so was within the freezing cold of water; all he had was his desperate need. He feels it in his gut. "
..Lightningstorm..." Cowtuft mews softly, tail going to gently brush against her. It's a quiet prompt, a silent question.