Joyeux and Éclat

“Now remember Câlin, don’t make much noise, and don’t make any unpredicted movements. And if Stelline tells you there is something you’re not allowed to do, obey her.”
 Twinkle Star silently wondered if she wasn’t being too strict with the little girl, but she didn’t want to take any risks, either. The twins were still very young and vulnerable, after all… They were only a few days old.

Twinkle Star opened the door and led Câlin into the white room. Stelline was sitting in bed, already looking better than she had in months. Her coat was becoming a nice white color again, and her horn was already reflecting the light of the sun that was shining through the window. The babies were lying in their little beds; Éclat was lying in Fleur’s old one, as they had only prepared a baby bed for one baby.

Both twins were doing just fine; Joyeux was obviously the stronger one, and not only because she had royal powers or anything. She was simply larger, looking better and growing and a much greater speed, but that didn’t mean Éclat was doing bad at all. He was growing, too, and completely healthy.

“Hello there, Stelline. How are you feeling?” Twinkle Star greeted her sister as she entered the room.
“Very well, thank you, Twinkle Star. Hello, Câlin.” Stelline greeted the little girl. “Hello, Stelline…” Câlin greeted Stelline.
“We’re here to admire the twins, aren’t we, Câlin?” Twinkle Star winked at Stelline. Of course she knew why they were here; Twinkle Star had been there only a few hours before to ask. Câlin nodded and stared expectantly at Stelline.
“That’s really nice of you. You can come closer and see them better of you want. On the left is my daughter Joyeux, and on the right is my son, Éclat.”

Câlin carefully approached the bed of little Joyeux, and peeked inside. Twinkle Star joined her, and neither of them could suppress an “aaaahhhh…” when they saw the little girl sleep.
 “She’s so little…”  Câlin whispered. “
Isn’t she?” Stelline said proudly. Twinkle Star could see the love for her child in Stelline’s eyes getting even stronger all the time. Joyeux moved a bit in her sleep, which painted a smile on Câlin’s face.
“She’s really sweet, Stelline…” Câlin turned around and walked around the bed to see little Éclat.

Twinkle Star followed her, and when she saw the little boy she realised once again how much he looked like their father.
“Mother loves him. She can’t stop looking at him, you know.” Stelline said, as if reading her mind.
“I can see why.”
“He’s special, isn’t he?”  Câlin asked while she watched the young guy sleeping. “Yes… He really is.” Stelline replied, but Twinkle Star got the idea that Câlin was talking on a completely different level than Stelline.

“Didn’t you have a little gift for Stelline?” Twinkle Star asked Câlin after a while. “Oh. Yes.”
 Câlin seemed to have completely forgotten it for a while, adoring the twins. She opened the little bag she was carrying and took out a little blanket.
“I made it… together with Fleur. It’s a little blanket…” Câlin handed the blanket to Stelline, who smiled gratefully while adoring the little yellow and pink blanket.
“Why, thank you so much Câlin! It’s so beautiful. I’m sure the children will appreciate it.” When hearing this, Câlin beamed with pride and smiled at Twinkle Star, who felt actually proud of the little girl.

After they had looked at the twins for a little while longer, Twinkle Star told Câlin they had to leave soon, as Stelline and the twins had to rest. Câlin understood, and after saying their goodbyes, they left Stelline’s room.
“Well, weren’t they the cutest?” Twinkle Star asked when they were back in the corridor.
“Yes… Really sweet.”  
“So… what do you want to do now? It’s only noon… and we got the whole day to ourselves.” Twinkle Star told Câlin.
“So I can decide…?”  
Twinkle Star nodded. “Sure. Let’s have some fun today. What do you want to do?”

Câlin pondered over this for a few moments, apparently lost in her thoughts.
“I want to go to the river.” She decided in the end.
“That sounds like a good idea. Why don’t we go to the kitchen first, to get us some food? We can have another picnic, you like that, right?” Twinkle Star asked, and Câlin confirmed her guess.
“Good, let’s go.” They walked through the dark corridors towards the kitchen, which wasn’t too far from Stelline’s room. When the kitchen came into view, they saw Regina leaving it.

“Good morning, mother.” Twinkle Star greeted her.
“Good morning, Twinkle Star, Câlin.”
“Good morning.”
“We just got back from visiting Stelline.” Twinkle Star told her mother, and Regina smiled.
“What did you think of the twins, Câlin?” Regina asked kindly, and Câlin blushed. “They were… really sweet.”  
“Câlin made them a little blanket, didn’t you Câlin?” Twinkle Star said, and Câlin nodded.
“That’s really nice of you, Câlin. I’m sure Stelline will appreciate it. Now, Twinkle Star… I was actually looking for you. Do you have a moment?” Regina asked her daughter.

“Yes, sure… Câlin, why don’t you go get us a basket with some food? Just take whatever you like.” Câlin smiled and dashed off towards the kitchen.
“How are you feeling now?” Her mother asked when Câlin was safely in the kitchen.
“Much better. I don’t feel tired or anything anymore. I guess I’m completely recovered now.”
After Twinkle Star had saved Stelline from certain death in a way she didn’t even understand herself, she had been very tired. She had rested for two days straight, and had been forced to take things slowly in the days after. They hadn’t told Câlin what had happened, but instead had told her Twinkle Star was down with a little fever. She just didn’t want Câlin to start asking questions now, even though she was sure Câlin knew more than she was telling her.

“That’s good to hear. I’m glad this doesn’t seem to have any lasting effects.” Regina said with relief.
“Yes… me too.” Twinkle Star agreed. She hadn’t saved Stelline consciously. It had been something her soul had decided to do on it’s own. Twinkle Star found it hard to explain even to herself. The only thing she remembered was that she had wanted to save her sister, that she had thought it was so unfair if Stelline would lose her life… But exactly how she had done it, she could not remember. She hadn’t talked about it with anyone, though. Everyone seemed to avoid the subject when they were talking with her, except from showing their gratitude.

“Listen, Twinkle Star… what I wanted to ask you. You told me before the twins were born you had decided to travel to Madash as my representative, but naturally we haven’t been able to talk about it since. Have you not changed your mind?” Regina asked.
“No, mother, I have not… though I still haven’t solved the Câlin problem.”
 “You two have not talked about it yet?” Regina asked.
“No… I was planning on doing it today, on our picnic.”
“Good, well… let me know. I would like to know when you’re departing.” Twinkle Star agreed with her mother.
“I’ll let you know as soon as possible, mother. I promise.”

Câlin emerged from the kitchen, carrying a basket that was way too large for her. Twinkle Star rushed to her to help, and she was just in time to prevent Câlin from accidentally dropping it. 
“You really didn’t have to carry this, Câlin. You should have called me.” Twinkle Star told her.
“I’m sorry. I thought I could handle it.”
“Well, next time, ask for some help, okay? We don’t want any accidents to happen.” Regina was smiling, Twinkle Star noticed, and she suddenly realised she was beginning to sound like her mother, when she had been little…
“We’ll be going out now, mother, if that’s okay with you.” She quickly said to Regina.
“That’s fine, dear. Go and have some fun. I’ll see you two this evening.”

Twinkle Star and Câlin left the castle and were greeted by the sunlight, which was feeling quite warm already. The garden was blooming quite nicely now, and Twinkle Star knew the field would be just as pretty. Before leaving she spotted Fleur on the other side of the garden, but she was too far away to say anything and Fleur didn’t notice them, anyway. So they quietly left the castle ground and made their way to the river without saying a word. Câlin seemed lost in thoughts like usual, and Twinkle Star was wondering how she was going to bring up the topic of her leaving for a few months. Câlin would be heartbroken, she knew that for sure. And she didn’t even know for sure if she felt comfortable about leaving Câlin alone for such a long time. But bringing her along was not an option, as she wanted to fly there, and not lose any time travelling.

When they arrived at the riverbank, Twinkle Star was surprised to see two ponies already moving there. When they got closer Twinkle Star recognised the ponies and only a second later Câlin confirmed her thoughts.
“It’s lady Aline and Junai.”  
They were sitting next to the river, Twinkle Star noticed, and she realised she wasn’t happy with this at all. They would join them if they saw them, and Twinkle Star wasn’t sure whether that was what she wanted. She had planned to talk to Câlin after all, and she couldn’t use the presence of others. Besides, Junai would probably remind her of Kiyoi again, and she didn’t want to think of that right now.

She noticed Aline had dyed her hair again, but to her surprise it was dyed all pink this time.

She hardly recognised her old friend at first; Aline looked different, and she knew it wasn’t just because of the color of her hair. Ever since she and Junai had returned from the new areas, Twinkle Star had the idea Aline was becoming too mature too fast. Or was it just her imagination, because she had hoped everything would remain the same… for a while longer? Whatever the reason was, Twinkle Star felt a resentment for meeting Aline right now growing inside with every step she took.

Unfortunately for Twinkle Star, Câlin was more excited about meeting lady Aline and her husband.
“Are we going to sit with them?” She asked excited, and Twinkle Star couldn’t find any good reason to refuse.
“Sure we will. Let’s go and see what they’re doing.” Câlin happily began to trot towards them, but Twinkle Star didn’t feel too excited. When she got closer to  Junai, she could feel her heart ache again.

“Hello, Lady Aline, Junai.” Câlin greeted them, in such an assertive way that was unusual to her.
“Oh hello there Câlin! Hi, Twinkle Star. What are you two doing out here?” Aline asked when she noticed Câlin and Twinkle Star.
“We’re going on a picnic!”
“Yes, at the riverside… to look for some special weeds and flowers.” Twinkle Star added.
“Will you two join us?” Câlin asked hopefully. Twinkle Star was ashamed to admit she felt relieved the moment Aline shook her head.
“I’m sorry Câlin. We were just about to leave… right dear?” Twinkle Star recognised the smile in Junai’s face only too well. A smile his brother had given her, once…

“Oh, that’s too bad…” Câlin’s honest disappointment brought Twinkle Star back to the recent world.
“Yes… Too bad, Aline. I… hope we’ll talk again soon.” Twinkle Star said, and Aline smiled.
“I’m sure we will, Twinkle Star. I’ll talk to you soon, okay? Goodbye, Twinkle Star, Câlin.” Câlin bowed politely as Aline and Junai left.
“A shame.” Câlin stated as they watched Aline and Junai leave over the small path. “It would have been good…”

Câlin didn’t finish her sentence, but Twinkle Star knew what she was going to say. It would have been good for you…Maybe it would have… but Twinkle Star could not suppress the relieved feeling inside her soul. Yet because of this, she knew now was not the time to talk to Câlin about her leaving. As she put down her basket in the grass, she realised she would have to find yet another day to talk to Câlin… and she knew the day of her departure was coming closer every day.