#babbies...

“Why - wha? It's still dark.”

The huntress beamed down at her. “I know, there's not much time left before the sunrise! Better get up quick so we can catch it.”

“Hhhhgh.”

The huntress laughed, bright and alert, and that did help wake her up a little more. “Come on, sleepyhead! I'll help you into the tree if you need it.”

She did need it. The huntress had to give her a boost to reach the first handhold - they were climbing one of the oldest trees in this orchard, with magnificent spreading branches and plenty of knobs to use as leverage - but in due time they were both securely on the branch, huddled shoulder to shoulder in the morning chill. Peach blossoms drifted around them, shaken loose by the clumsy ascent.

The huntress’s voice hushed. “Look! It's starting.”

The apprentice had seen her share of sunrises, but she was usually already busy or training by then and so rarely had the chance to just sit and… witness.

The soft bleeding of color, suffusing like ink over the dark canvas of the sky. The distant hills, limned in vibrant reds and oranges, intensifying and spreading with every passing heartbeat. And the sudden, blazing brilliance of the sun itself when it finally crested the horizon, chasing the stars away with its searing glimpses of radiance.

At some point she'd grabbed the huntress's hand, though the other girl didn't seem to mind.

“It makes me want to paint,” she finally said, still enraptured.

“I knew you'd like it.” The huntress sounded very pleased with herself.

The apprentice squeezed her hand. “Thank you so very much.”