Memories of water

[Estelle]

It wasn't often that the white queen left the nursery. Her days, most often, were filled with the playing of kits and making sure they didn't escape with their curious minds. But on this particular day, as the weather grew colder and days shorter, Nightshiver found herself aimlessly having wandered towards the trickle of a small stream in ShadowClan territory.

There, as she observed the water, she couldn't help the urge. The strong urge to just... Step into the water, maybe even swim. So she did. Quiet steps led her to the water's edge, hesitating only a moment before walking into the quiet stream, the cold freshness of the water soaking her paws. And she closed her eyes. A sense of calm overcame her.

She couldn't swim. No, she couldn't. She would almost have learned, but her lesson had been caught short that time. Even so, standing here, water surrounding her paws - it reminded her of the good times. The older days, of those brief moments that weren't filled with fear and worry.

A slow breath escaped the forever queen, for the first time in a long while letting her mind run rampant with memories of her family, of her friends, of those long lost to the abyss. Anyone who saw her may think her mad, standing in the cold stream at this time of year. But for once in her life she was unconcerned, lost in thought, focused only on the memories in her mind and the calm water surrounding her paws.


[ @Orchid - the swimming lesson starter ]

[Rose]

Larkfire
She/Her | The Wraith
Shadow Fiend & Beefed Up (T1) Purrk

Amber hues tracked the Forever Queen's movements with quiet curiosity. Larkfire loitered in the shadows, blinking slowly every now and then as she stood there silently. Larkfire wasn't used to seeing Nightshiver out here. No, not really. Usually, the ghost of a Queen remained in the Nursery -- and when she did venture out, Nightshiver was usually so silent no one ever took note of her.

A frown pulled the corners of Larkfire's maw downward. That was... quite the lonely existence. It reminded her of.. ah, yes, Fallenpaw had also been a silent specter. And... - here, Larkfire grimaced to herself - Fallenpaw had also died that way. Maybe Larkfire ought to talk to her denmate more often. Nightshiver took care of Sleepykit more often than not, after all. Hesitating only a beat, the young enforcer stepped out of the shadows nearby and approached Nightshiver on silent paws, canting her head to the side in question. "What are you doing?" Blunt, yes, but a start to conversation hopefully.

[ @Estelle - Nightshiver ]

[Estelle]

It felt like she stood there for an eternity, all alone, all peaceful, all quiet. Her eyes were closed and nose raised to take in the familiar, cold smell of the winter air - the one that reminded her so of her childhood, her mother. The cold days when, way back then, the nursery was nearly empty save for her siblings, mother and herself, and Ebonyfang, of course, and the former medicine cats' mother and siblings. She could still remember it like it was yesterday, those days in the old camp, when she'd snuggle close to her mother, when Olwfeather came to bring them all mice, when she met Bluebellkit and Jaykit. Her kithood. It felt like so long ago now. A lifetime had passed since then, surely, and yet she was still living the same one. The same one in which she met Talonstone, the same one in which she lost her family over and over again, the same one in which she believed she'd finally found a friend - a true one - she could trust without worry of fear, one who would be there for her, the very same one meant to teach her how to swim, one who wouldn't abandon her. But here she was. All alone, as she always ended up being. She could not find it within herself to blame them. No, they were not at fault. But she missed them so. The forever queen, ever so grateful for the quiet position she had gotten in the clan, told herself she was content with life. But sometimes, she felt selfish and wished her family and friends were here with her. Even were it just for a fleeting moment, just to see their faces again, to know if they are alright, if they are safe. That is all she wished for. Their safety, their happiness, their well-being.

As she pondered these thoughts, staring idly at the still water at her paws, the forever queen hardly noticed Larkfire approach. Nightshiver had been so caught in her memories and thoughts, the new queen caught her by surprise at the bluntly spoken words. Startling like the water at her paws when she turned around, she gasped a breath, forcing her fur to stay down. It was no predator sneaking up on her no, but merely an enforcer... Asking what she was doing. A shy though friendly smile tucked at her maw, swiftly moving out of the water, suddenly self-conscious on what she'd just been doing. Stars above, hopefully, the enforcer-queen wouldn't think her irresponsible for standing in the water at this time of year. Ah, but she ought not make her wait for an answer.
"A-ah.., I had... just. been... thinking."

Blue and yellow eyes glanced back to once again still water, nerves silently slipping away at the calming sight, mind beginning to wander. She couldn't help but think how strange it must feel to have all that water seep into your fur, to swim, but all the same... Liberating? Weightless? RiverClan treaded the water like a second home, she could not have anyone think she wanted to join them - Nightshiver could never leave ShadowClan, it was her home - but somewhere she wished knew how to tread the water and not drown. Perhaps... It was because, in some way, it could make her feel closer to her missing friend? She didn't quite understand, not just yet. She had always been an emotional feline who put sentiment in the silliest of things, but it felt important to have ways to remember your friends. The good times, at least.

Eyes returning to Larkfire, she offered the younger feline a gentle smile.
"How..."
A simple question began, halting before it left her maw. Quite thoughtless of her, not finishing, but she was torn between asking how Sleepykit was - a little one she babysat often enough in her younger days - and how Larkfire was as a new mother. And yet, mid-thought, another vague memory hit her as she observed the grey feline. Larkfire, of all cats that could have found her, did she not know how to swim? How the thought came to mind she did not know, perhaps the enforcer had hosted an event while she'd still been unwell, or simply another bit of gossip she caught in the ever gossiping nursery. But it left the white lady momentarily speechless, uncertain of what to say, her heart beginning to pound at an utterly daring thought.

"I'm... sorry. How.. have... you been?"
Another moment of silence from the queen, mismatched eyes flitting to the ground. She wouldn't dare, and yet, the yearning to know was strong. The thought pounded in her head like a headache and frankly, she'd rather run hide than ask, but she couldn't quite do that now, could she? Averting her gaze, the she-cat's eyes sought nearly everywhere but where Larkfire stood, mouth nearly agape as the dreaded question nearly dropped from her maw.
"If... If.. I may. Ah, you... know h-how.. to... s..swim.., correct?"
At that last word, admittedly feeling nervous, she raised her eyes to look at the enforcer. There was no going back now.
"If.. so, I... was... won..wondering..., hoping. That.. perhaps, if.. you have... time..., could you... teach... me? E-even... if just... a.. little."


[ @Rose - Sorry this took a while! I know you were wanting to wrap up pre-blindness rps, so I was thinking this could perhaps be wrapped up within just one or two more posts? Or, we could always delay it to another time or cancel completely if you prefer! ]