Twinkle Star's daughters

“Can you do it again? Please?”
Ruki sighed. Would they ever grow bored of this? Yet once again, she closed her eyes and focussed on the two yellow flowers in front of her, bathing in the summer sun. It didn't take long before the prana became visible, the purple glow twinkling in the rays of sunlight.

“It's so beautiful...” Meran sighed while she gazed at the flowers with a dreamy look in her eyes.
The little girl was lying down on the warm grass, her head on her legs. Câlin sat on her other side, gazing at the flower more seriously. Like Meran, Câlin was engrossed by the prana, having never seen such a thing before. But Câlin was more serious. She wanted to understand this earthly power which she just couldn't seem to grasp completely.

Ruki wondered when the others would be back. Taira had joined Twinkle Star and Kiyoi in their round through the forest, helping them look for herbs and plants they could use and sell. Taira said it was the least they could do to help. Ruki was here next to the river, watching the two little girls. Of course they could all come along, but as Câlin was amazed by about every flower they encountered, it was faster like this. And the children were entertained enough by this little show of prana.

She was getting a headache now, though, from summoning the prana so often. It came easier to her now, but the prana still faded away so quickly, she had to re summon it again and again. Even now she could see the recent prana fade away already. Ruki knew it just returned to the earth, scattering once again into teeny pieces too small for the eye to see.

“Can we go play in the river? Please?” Câlin asked.
“Yes, river! Splash!” Meran jumped up instantly, almost trotting off towards the river.
“Wait up, Meran!” Ruki yelled, making the girl freeze. “Yes, we can go play in the river. But we'll go together, okay?”
Twinkle Star had told her the girls knew how to swim, but Meran was too small to be alone in the water, and Câlin might not be strong enough to pull her out should something happen.

It was yet another warm summer day, without any wind, and the river was calm, sparkling in the sun. Ruki took off her bag on the river bank and slowly stepped into the water. It was so cool compared to the hot air, Ruki almost sighed with relief. The river was not very deep here, so she could just walk instead of swim.

Gazing down, Ruki noticed the water was indeed very clear. She saw fish swimming away from her and water plants move due to the movements she made.
“You can come in now.” She said to the girls as she turned. Câlin flew into the sky, so she had probably summoned her wings. Unlike Twinkle Star, Câlin's wings did not change when she summoned them. They looked the same when they were invisible, so Ruki could never tell if her wings were out or not.

Câlin flew higher and higher and then dived into the river. Ruki gasped when she saw the girl approach the water at such high speed, but Câlin slowed down in time to land rather gently. She dove under water for a little bit and then flew out again, the water splashing in all directions.
“I love the river!” She exclaimed when she fell down for another dive.

“Will you help me?” Meran said, making Ruki turn. “I can't get in the water on my own yet very well.” The girl admitted.
“Of course I will help you. Here, hold on to me.” Ruki extended her legs and held the girl, who slowly walked into the river. Of course Meran was still to small to stand, so she could only swim, forcing Ruki to stay close at all times.

Meran splashed around, giggling, while Câlin continued her combination of swimming and diving and flying. “Swimming is so much fun!” Meran exclaimed when Ruki let her swim on her own for a little bit.
“Do you think flying is as much fun?” the girl asked, eyeing her sister.
“Oh, I wouldn't know. I can't fly.” Ruki admitted, suddenly wondering how it would be to soar the skies uncontrolled and unchecked with nothing but the horizon ahead of you.

“Neither can I.” Meran said.
Of course, she was aware that her sister and mother could.
“But that's okay. One day, I'll be as strong as dad!” Meran smiled.
Ruki wondered if the girl really wasn't jealous of her mother and sister. Wouldn't she feel left out, being the one who can't fly? Meran splashed around, no longer interested in her sister's stunts.

Taira had never known so many valuable herbs and plants grew in a forest. And they were all so different, even though she had trouble remembering which was which. Her sister knew them all, though, and kept pointing out plants for her to get. Twinkle Star had explained that the herbs were not only nice for spicing, but could also be used for medicine or to make tea from. These herbs were an important source of income for their family, so it was important that they gathered enough.

Her bag was almost full now, though, and she could see so were those of Twinkle Star and Kiyoi. They should head back soon- evening was coming, after all.
“I think we're almost done.” Kiyoi said, almost reading her mind. “My bag is almost full.”
Twinkle Star nodded. “Good. We should go check on the children. I wonder how Ruki is doing- they sure can be a handful.” Twinkle Star winked. Taira wasn't too worried- Ruki knew how to keep the girls entertained.

They had been here two weeks now, and Taira began to wonder if they would ever depart. The second night, Ruki and her had explained everything to Twinkle Star, about the stones, and the stars, and the fact that both of them could see her wings. And, of course, the ritual and the mentioning of the last winged one. Twinkle Star had listened quietly while Taira had explained everything with as much detail as she possibly could.

While Twinkle Star agreed that the last winged one probably referred to her, she was not altogether sure if she wanted to come with them. She'd have to go back to the lands that had banished her daughter, after all, and she wasn't sure if that was something she wanted to do. Besides, she had her life here now. Her daughters, her husband, the forest... and Taira could understand why Twinkle Star would not give any of that up lightly, not even for a few months. Twinkle Star had asked them to stay for a while, to help around while she would decide whether she would come with them or not.

Truth be told, Taira had enjoyed her time here so far, and more and more understood why Twinkle Star wouldn't want to come with them. Seeing the children play, Taira was reminded of the time she had missed with Ruki. She wouldn't make that mistake with Frika, she swore to herself one night after seeing Meran fall asleep at a camp fire.

The three of them finished gathering the herbs they had found and then walked back to the path. Taira would never have found the way back, but Kiyoi and Twinkle Star had no trouble finding their way. It all looked the same to her. As they walked down the path, Taira wondered if she should ask again. Had Twinkle Star made her decision yet? She didn't dare to ask, though. She did not want to pressure Twinkle Star.

“I think we should eat outside again tonight. It's sure to be a wonderful evening once again, and the children will love it.” Kiyoi said.
“Sure, no problem. We'll eat by the river.”
 Twinkle Star smiled. Looking up, Taira could see the sun was setting slowly. Evening was coming soon. She couldn't help but wonder what would be for dinner tonight- the food Twinkle Star made had been delicious without exception so far. Twinkle Star said it was because of the rich vegetables from the forest, but Taira couldn't help but think Twinkle Star was simply an excellent cook.

It took them longer than Taira would have thought to reach the children. She hadn't noticed they had gone so far away, but Twinkle Star and Kiyoi had never seemed worried. When they reached the children, they were still at the same spot they had left them on the river bank. Ruki lay on the grass, enjoying the evening sun on her coat, while Twinkle Star's daughters were playing with a ball they had brought with them.

“Mom! We have been swimming!” Meran exclaimed once she noticed her mother.
“Have you now? Was the water nice?” “Yes, it was really cool. Ruki and I played with the ball in the water!” Meran jumped.
“That's nice, my love. I'm so happy you had fun. What about you, Câlin?” Twinkle Star asked her eldest daughter, but she only nodded in return.

As they walked back to the house, Ruki walked next to her while Meran was on Ruki's other side.
“Ruki, will you read to me tonight again? From the book with the giant carrot and the lost bunny?” Meran asked.
 “Of course! I can't wait to see how it continues!” Ruki winked at the child.
“Neither can I. I hope the bunny finds his home again. It'd be sad if he didn't.”

“That it would be.” Ruki smiled.
Taira was glad to see her daughter smile. Ever since they had been here, Ruki had been more relaxed. Her worries had slipped away from her as if carried away by the river they always heard flowing softly when they went to bed in the evening. Well, at least until Twinkle Star made up her mind, there was one less thing Taira had to worry about.

“So after the eruption, the river was redirected here with such a force that the entire forest was flooded for a while.” Kiyoi concluded. Twinkle Star smiled at her husband.
“Wow. This isn't even close to the old lands.” Taira gasped.
“No, it's not. I don't think the flood came from the old lands now. I used to think that once, but... I think a natural hill just collapsed right outside the forest from the pressure of the water.”

Twinkle Star stared at the fading flames of the camp-fire they had build next to the river. In these dark nights without a moon or the stars, a fire was needed if you wanted to see anything. The children had gone to bed two hours ago, but they were still out here talking. Kiyoi enjoyed talking to Taira and her daughter. Twinkle Star herself had to admit she enjoyed getting to know her family a bit more. It made her realize she had spend a lot of time trying to get away from them. Taira and Ruki, her mother... they were all her family too.

“I guess I never realized how much the eruption influenced other countries... I think all of the east has changed because of it.” Taira admitted.
“It really did. I travelled a lot, and I don't think I ever visited a country that has not been affected by it somehow.” Twinkle Star added, remembering the dry Fiume river on the other side of the old lands.
 The fire crackled as a new branch got absorbed in the flames. On such a dark summer evening, the warmth of the fire was oddly comforting. The dark sky above her... was it really up to her to save it?

“Maybe we should visit those countries. See if they are still suffering from the effects. Not like we could help it, but... it might be nice to help them, right?” Ruki said. Twinkle Star smiled. Her niece might make a good queen one day.
“That's very considerate of you, Ruki. I'm sure they will appreciate it...”

“Mom!” Twinkle Star jumped up, momentarily forgetting the others could not hear Câlin's voice inside their heads.
“Câlin, is everything...”
“Mom!” Câlin exclaimed again, and Twinkle Star sensed her daughter was getting closer. She was rushing towards them, so Twinkle Star turned and started galloping towards the house.

“Twinkle Star!” She heard Kiyoi yell, but her daughter was more important now.
“Câlin!” She yelled when she saw her daughter speeding towards her in the darkness. In the faint light of the fire, Twinkle Star could see the tears on her daughter's cheeks and the fear in her eyes. What on earth had happened to her little girl?

“Are you okay?” She asked when she pulled Câlin close to her. The girl was shivering, she realized.
“What is wrong? Is she all right?” Ruki asked as the others trotted towards them. “Hush, Câlin. It's okay. You're safe. I'm here for you.” Twinkle Star gently patted her daughter's mane as the girl cried.

“Oh mom... I saw it...”

“What is it? What did you see? It's okay baby, you can tell me.” Câlin didn't answer straight away- she was just too frightened.
“She was wrong...” She said at last, but that didn't make any sense to her.
“Who was wrong?” Twinkle Star asked.
“The stone...” Twinkle Star hadn't doubted Câlin had heard all their conversations and thus knew about the stones and everything else Taira and Ruki had told her. She had closed off her mind, but Câlin had more ways of listening in.

“The stone? What about it?” Taira asked, sitting down, obviously confused as to why this girl knew about it.
“There is... no more time...” Câlin sobbed, making Twinkle Star hold her even tighter.
“Time for what?” She asked.
“The day of the daylight star... there is no more time. It is coming.”