Submission (#1688) Approved

The cool wind.

The scent of flowers.

The shade of her favorite tree.

There were many things that she appreciated about a quiet day at home, but those were some of her favorites. Though she loved to see the kittoms scampering about and tumbling through the grass, it felt nice for the fields to be still. There was plenty of room around her home for flowers and fruits, love and warmth, but it took patience to make it to moments like these.

With a slow sigh, Sibella turned her head, quietly grooming an ear with her paw as she contemplated what she would prepare for dinner. The kittoms would come home hungry, that was for sure. They were not her own children, but it didn’t matter--as long as they were within sight they had a home and someone to confide in. 

But as time passed, she found they usually opted to go out on adventures, no doubt gathering the memories and bonds that she too used to further herself once upon a time. She couldn’t rightly ask them not to go (to experience such things were important for Elnin, she knew), but it still filled her with some worry watching Taiki or Veilia or any of the others go trotting off down the path and out of sight.

That being the case, perhaps they had a home even when they weren’t in sight. Sibella still worried for them, and prepared with longing for their return.

Even with them gone though, she could still appreciate the serenity that they left. No questions to entertain, or cleaning up half-eaten fruit (and subsequent lectures). 

With a deep sigh she lifted her head. He’d only been here a day ago, but already she found herself missing Taiki…

“Have you been to Azha before, Sibella? It’s so dry there!” She remembered him rambling, “And it’s so hard to walk! My paws kept slipping on the sand--I almost slid right off a cliff!--But I didn’t! Don’t worry!”

Just remembering her own dread at his story made her frown. He was headed back there again, and she could only hope  that he’d learn his lesson about his footing. 

“Make sure you take your time on the sands, dear.” She’d told him, but she wondered if that was enough. Granted, she had been bathing him at the time, and she had her hands full with that… Advice wasn’t exactly her priority at the time. 

Far be it from her to really lecture any of them.. There were so many things they had to find out for themselves. Just like she had so long ago. They had to have their own adventures, and their own lessons. See things that filled them with awe and fear and even joy. Joy like she felt sitting underneath this tree.

The shady pink tree she’d come to sit under so often and gave her respite even now.

She closed her eyes and gave a silent wish that they would all find a spot like hers one day. One that would make them feel not only at peace but safe and comfortable enough to reflect. If she had only one piece of advice to give to them all that she hope stuck it was that…

That a place to reflect was in itself a key to most problems. Or at least the first step to making a key, anyway.

“Sibella! Sibella!” 

Sibella slowly opened her eyes, watching as a pink and beige kittom came bounding up the hill. With a smile she lifted her head, white coat gleaming in the sunlight despite the shade. “Briar, how good to see you, dear.”

With a playful pounce, Briar-Bella landed in front of her, a kind smile on her face but a bit of worry in her eyes. “I’m sorry, were you busy?”

Always so polite, she was. 

With a small smirk Sibella tilted her head, looking up at her tree, “Why no, not at all. Are you hungry? How about you tell me about your trip while we head to the village?”

Of course, she knew the answer would be yes to both questions, so Sibella got to her feet and started that way, beckoning with her tail for Bella to follow. As she heard the tiny pitter patter of paws behind her, mostly drowned out by the beginnings of Briar’s story, Sibella felt at ease once more, a smile on her lips. Quiet was one type of peace. Helping the young ones was another.