poppies grow best in the spring [p]

**iliri** · #1 Yesterday, 10:14 PM

As Springlight settled into the nest within the cold, metallic confines of the twoleg monster, she couldn't help but feel the stark contrast between this place and the warmth of her former life in ThunderClan. The steel walls around her reflected the dim light from the outside, casting eerie shadows that danced across the floor. The scent of old oil and rust clung to the air, a far cry from the familiar, earthy smells of the forest and the comforting aroma of herbs she had once known so well. This place, though a refuge of sorts, was foreign and unsettling, a reminder of how much her life had changed in such a short span of time. As she lay down, trying to find some measure of comfort, the cold of the metal seeped into her bones, making her shiver despite the nest's thin padding. She closed her eyes, hoping for sleep to take her quickly, to offer her an escape from the relentless thoughts that plagued her. But even as she tried to relax, she could feel the tension in her muscles, the weariness that went far beyond the physical. Sleep was elusive, teasing the edges of her consciousness before slipping away, leaving her wide awake in the oppressive silence of the twoleg monster. Despite the unease that hung in the air, Springlight eventually felt the pull of exhaustion begin to overpower her restless mind. Her breathing slowed, her body sinking deeper into the nest as sleep finally claimed her. The transition was almost imperceptible, a gentle shift from the cold reality of the twoleg monster to a world that was at once familiar and strange.

She found herself standing in a vast, open meadow, the tall grass swaying gently in a breeze that carried with it the scent of wildflowers and something else—something she hadn't smelled in what felt like a lifetime. The sky above was a deep twilight, the last traces of sunlight casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape. The air was warm, far warmer than the cold metal walls she had just left behind, and it carried a sense of peace that she had not felt in so long. Springlight took a deep breath, letting the air fill her lungs, and for the first time in moons, she felt a small measure of calm. As she walked further into the meadow, the landscape began to shift around her. The tall grass gave way to a path that wound through a dense forest, the trees towering above her like ancient sentinels. The path almost felt familiar, though she couldn't quite place it, as if it belonged to a memory long buried beneath layers of pain and loss. She followed the path without hesitation, her paws moving of their own accord, driven by an instinctual need to reach whatever lay at its end. The shadows of the forest closed in around her, but they didn't feel oppressive or frightening. Instead, they were comforting, like an old friend wrapping her in a familiar embrace. The air here was cooler, tinged with the scent of pine and earth, reminding her of the days she spent training under the watchful eyes of her first mentor, Rabbitchatter. The memory of him, of his calm guidance and quiet strength, was bittersweet, and she could almost hear his voice, a soft whisper in the rustling leaves above.

As she moved deeper into the forest, the trees began to thin out, revealing a small, sun-dappled clearing. The light here was softer, more ethereal, casting everything in a gentle, golden glow. The clearing was familiar, and with each step she took, a sense of recognition grew stronger. It was a place she had visited often in her dreams, a sanctuary that had offered her solace during her darkest moments. But this time, there was something different, something that made her heart skip a beat. In the center of the clearing, a figure stood waiting. The brown tabby fur was unmistakable, even from a distance. Springlight’s breath caught in her throat as she realized who it was. "Poppypaw?" The name left her lips in a breathless whisper, filled with a mixture of disbelief and yearning. How long had it been since she last saw her sister, her little, dearest sister? How many days had passed since they had been separated by the cruel twists of fate?

@Estelle [ sorry, wanted this to be longer but my brain ain't bringing ]