Moving On
"Stay still will you! I can't make you look pretty if you don't stop fidgeting." ,said a very exasperated young avian mother to her daughter. The younger avian had finally come of age and her mother had been trying to make adjustments to her hair for the past hour. An ornate style, a braid with orange, green, and blue ribbons threaded into it and her favorite purple orchids too. The daughter rolled her mismatched eyes with a sigh. "Don't roll your eyes at me Ashlin. I know what I'm doing."
Ashlin jumped at being reprimanded and for the millionth time wondered how her mother always knew such things even when she wasn't looking. A talent that kept the daughter honest since trying to get anything past her mother was impossible.
"Because I see all and know all." ,came the sing song response to a question Ashlin hadn't even spoken. Despite herself Ashlin let out a laugh which made her relax.
"Omnipotent and a mind-reader. I hope I'm as good as you when I have kids." ,Ashlin quipped making her mother chuckle softly. It felt good hearing her laugh even a little. Which was why she hesitated to ask a question that was eating inside of her since she woke up that day. She bit her lip before opening her mouth to let the words slip out. "So...you think he's watching from wherever he is...?"
Silence, and hands had gone still. Ashlin closed her eyes and took a couple deep breaths before turning on the stool to look at her mother. The woman's wings were pulled tight around her shoulders and her gaze pointed down at her trembling hands. Ashlin reached out and touched them gently.
"Mum...I'm sorry...I didn't mean to..." ,she couldn't finish. Not when she noticed the tears sliding down her mother's cheeks. Instead the girl stood and pulled the shorter woman into an embrace that was returned firmly.
"Its ok sweetie. I just...I just thought about how proud he would be seeing you today. I miss him..." ,the words were soft and held so much heartache. Ashlin let her mother pull back from the hug and felt a pinch in her chest seeing the woman still smile so brightly.
"I miss him too mum. I promise I'll make you both proud today." ,Ashlin chirped mantling her wings and smiling at her mother.
"Haha! I know you will sweetie. Now, I think you should get going, and don't forget your scarf." ,she watched her daughter rush to the nearby table to pick up a beautiful piece of clothe dyed a rainbow of blue, green, and orange. Swirled together in a lovely pattern. As Ashlin carefully tied it around her arm her mother watched with longing in her heart. Remembering her own first Flight and smiling wistfully to herself. That had been a memorable day. Her would be mate had tried to defend her honor by attacking a chaser that had broken the rules by grabbing her against her will.
"Mum? Mom!" ,shouted words snapped her from her reverie and she smiled sheepishly at her daughter.
"Sorry dear, was lost in memory. Ready? Lets go!" ,Ashlin had given her an odd look but didn't comment. They rushed outside and took flight toward the ceremony grounds. As they approached they could hear all the excited chatter of everyone gathered. Flocks of avians had arrived for the big event. Colors from every spectrum could be seen from the sky.
Landing in a small clearing on the grounds they were immediately rushed by another avian with brown feathers and brown hair. Ashlin and her mother grinned in delight seeing her there.
"Emily! Its good to see you! How's mated life treating you?" ,Ashlin said in a teasing tone to her aunt. The older avian had taken years to finally choose a mate of her own. Being rather stubborn about the whole thing till a young eagle avian swept her off her feet.
"Hush you...its GREAT!" ,Emily went into a burst of giggles and turned to the mother. "How are you doing Lilly? Sorry I didn't come visit last week. Father isn't doing so good these days."
Lilly smiled while ruffling her still brightly colored feathers. The green standing out next to her daughter's mostly white and Emily's brown. "I'm doing fine and don't worry about it. You just take care of him as much as you can. Now...we can't stand here and chat for long you know. She needs to get in line!"
The two girls looked at each other knowingly and giggled together before rushing ahead of Lilly. The green avian sighed with a chuckle while following them. It was a big day...how she wished her mate was there to see it. It had been years since the day he disappeared without a trace. Having gone out into the forest's to hunt...and never coming back. They searched for weeks...then as months passed hope dwindled. Soon others had given up while Lilly still held onto the smallest glimmer of hope he'd return or be found lost somewhere.
But as the months turned into a year she couldn't bear to hold on anymore. Her own daughter had moved on long before she had. It had hurt, to the point she had seen no reason to go on. She had to be strong though. Ashlin needed her and she'd be damned before she'd let her mate down by leaving her alone.
Skaking of the bitter memories she found herself standing among the other proud parents watching the groups of young males and females going on their first flights. Ashlin looked dazzling in her robes and Lilly grinned seeing her glancing at a particular young male with bright red hair. The Dusk boy. Figured. Lilly's dearest friend had seen that coming a mile away. She would probably owe her a few pieces after the day was through...