Submission (#8041) Approved

“Caspian…. CAS-PIAN…” Fleur paced  up and down the sandy beach with her Pomu following closly, her small paws leaving a trail of shallow impressions behind her. The two of themlooked behind large rocks, under short bushy palm trees and around logs of driftwood for brightly tropical colored friend. Though louder than usual for the quiet, book-loving kittom, it was barely audible over the waves crashing upon the shore or the sound sound of Amii and Aurelia screams and giggles as the two ran from the seafoam that chased them up the beach threatening to get their paws wet. 

“Where are you…” she murmured to herself, her voice carrying a note of frustration and fear.  Her Pomu placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, patting her soft fur gently.

“Dear Fleur, whatever is the matter?” came Eden’s gentle voice. She stood with calm grace, watching the young kittom with a mixture of concern and affection.

Pale purple eyes, so full of defeat, looked up at her mother-like mentor. “Caspian said he was going to go get something and would be back soon but that was a while ago. Now it’s getting dark and the storm…” Fleur looked up at the looming clouds overhead. “Bellmoril always felt safe. This place… it feels too big sometimes.” She glanced around at the stretch of sand, the endless waters. “I- I just don’t want him to get hurt.”

“Oh sweet Fleur,” Eden stepped closer and nuzzled the side of Fleur’s face. “You are very brave, Fleur. have such a kind heart. It gladdens me to know how much you worry about your friends. I’m certain Caspian is alright.” 

Fleur’s paws shifted until her paws became buried beneath the warm sand, “How can you be sure?”

Eden smiled knowingly, “I saw him with Quinn not long ago. They came by the hut with some fresh fruit for later.” 

Her flopped ears perked slightly as a light pink blush swept across her face, “Oh… I- I guess I must have just missed him.”

“Quite possibly,” Eden chuckled. “He may have thought you were out playing with Aurelia and Amii or resting with Ulyssia considering it’s been such a warm day.” Although Felur wasn’t quite as outgoing as some of the kittoms in her charge, she was certainly beginning to open up. 

“Come,” Eden motioned with her head for her charge to follow. “Lets go back to the hut, we might be able to see from the dock if they decided to go swimming. With any luck you might be able to catch him showing off his terrible diving form.” 

The thought pulled a quiet giggle from Fleur as she fell in step beside her mentor as her Pomu disappeared into her shadow. Their walk back was quiet as she stayed close to Eden’s side. Her paws brushed through the sand, now cooler than before as the warmth of the day began to fade with the setting sun. 

Above them the sky shifted from brilliant sky blue to soft violet to a dusty pink and yellow gradient that settled upon the horizon. The vibrant green palm treesnow stood tall in black silhouette, they were painted with ink against the bright sunset dappled with pastel-colored clouds as the backdrop. 

As they came over the small hill, and the dock came into view, the sound of splashing water greeted them followed by an unmistakable squeal of laughter. 

Fleur perked up instantly, her eyes lit with joy as her whole body seemed to sigh in relief. 

“Just as I said.” Eden chuckled softly. “The light shower will likely start soon. Why don’t you go get Caspian and his two friends while Quinn and I round up the others. We’ll gather inside the hut and share some fruit sorbet.” 

“Ok,” Fleur looked up at the sky wairly but understood her assignment. She bound down the hill, paws kicking up sand as she rushed to the end of the dock where Caspian, with fur soaked and clinging to him, was perched on the edge beside Zakai, both kittoms mid-countdown. 

With a shout of excitement, they jumped together. Amii, however, remained where she sat off to the side. Flinching when a spray of water got close but was quick to shout “Zakai wins this round.” 

The moment Caspian surfaced, Fleur was there looking down at him with a pinched expression. 

“Fleur! Did you see that jump? Zakai and I are trying to make the biggest splash-” His excitement was abruptly cut off. 

“Caspian, I’ve been looking for you!” The worry she felt came flooding back but calmed some when Amii came to sit beside her.

Caspian’s ears dropped a little and his smile softened. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you.” He swam back towards the shore and climbed back onto the dock with dripping fur. He offered her a lopsided grin. “Want to dive with us?”

Fleur hesitated, looking over her shoulder to where Eden now stood beside Quinn under a palm tree, a safe distance away from the splashing and waves. “Not today,” she replied with a slow shake of her head just as a few ribbons of light fell slowly from the sky and settled atop the waters surface. “I was asked to come get the three of you so we can join everyone for some desert.”

“Oh? Did Ulyssia finish making the sorbet?” Zakai asked excitedly knowing his sister made some of the best sweets.

“I don’t know,” Fleur shrugged. “Maybe.”

“Come on, we’ll race you. Last one back has to eat theirs with pickles!” Amii announced and without even counting, she took off towards the hut. 

It took a moment for Fleur to register the challenge but she was next to scurry after the teal kittom. 

Both boys, however, took a moment to look at each other with disgust. “Bleh… where does she come up with these ideas.” Zakai looked truly nauseous at the thought of having to eat something sweet and something sour.

“I dunno, but it won’t be me who has to eat it.” Caspian laughed as he scrambled down the dock. Behind him more streams of light began to fall as the clouds moved closer to the island. 

A truly remarkable spectacle only truly enjoyed by the two adults who relaxed beside each other, watching as those in their charge frolicked and played with one another. Laughters echoed across the beach and they looked at each other fondly. “I’ll be sad when the kittoms grow and find places of their own.”

Quinn brushed his cheek against Eden’s comfortingly. “Although their adventures may take them to other regions, this will always be a home they can come back to.” He leaned his shoulder against hers and watched the lights until they reached the sand and fell around them like gently falling streamers.