Scarabsanctuary rested alone, perched in the sturdy boughs of a bristlecone pine, the thick, twisting roots outstretched off the sharp cliffs towards the horizon, as if reaching for the clouds above. They rested alone, as the sun beamed down upon them, until they could gaze down upon the sun, and a soft, cold mist settled upon the newly-promoted deputy's resting spot. They rested alone, gazing at the foggy horizon, as the outlines of Everlasting and the island's landmarks that they found so familiar faded into dark skies and shining stars. Would they be proud? All who had left her behind, who she had missed for so long; would they be proud of where she now stood, of how far she had come? Or would they rake claws of guilt through her heart, whispering those little thoughts that she tried to keep away, speaking in her ears too loudly to be hidden by the hope, no longer hidden by the glow of the sun that once grew ever brighter as Khepri's beetle pushed it across the sky? Do the stars look upon the sun with pride, yielding their spotlight speckled across the sky to make way for its rays? Or do they resent its shine, looking upon it with betrayal in their hearts, angered to see it glow without them beside it? Tansy. Loving, and giving. Trusting, and selfless. She would be happy for them. Sharktooth. Blunt, and loyal, and stubborn. Bold, and righteous. She would be proud. Every star in the sky, each its own cat. Each its own story, and motivations, and each kind, and caring, and loyal, in their own way. Each deserving of their place in the eternal glow of the universe. Whether the stars it so sorely misses choose to see it with bitterness, sorrow, or love and joy, the sun shines on. The stars will have their glow, under the light of the moon, and the sun will have hers. And Scarabsanctuary rested alone, surrounding themself with the memories of those who they hoped to see again someday. Those who they never could. And the warmth of the stars and those cats who still roamed beneath them felt as if it kept the chill from Scarabsanctuary's bones, their feathers ruffled to warm them through their self-appointed vigil, similar to that which they had done on the night of their warriorhood. It simply seemed right- and besides, the 'silent' part wouldn't be a problem much anymore. They barely stifled a chuckle, immediately proving themself wrong. And so they rested alone, and yet surrounded by memories, until the rosy hints of sunrise peeked over the cliffs, mist dissipating as they soaked in the warmth of the sun's light. Another sunrise, a new day. The scarab would push the sun across the sky, and the sun would grow ever brighter to warm the hearts in its light.
