One day after rejoining the tribe, Nina awoke annoyed. Her brother Nebo had left first chance he got, saying he had more tribes he wanted to visit before circling back home, and that he’d try to visit on his next delivery—gods knew when.
Not that it mattered. Even loving, he was too distant for her…
No. Now she was preparing to sit with the Elder in her tent with the kids seeking daily lessons.
She did not delay, but it still took her longer than she wished, with everyone trying to offer her a meal or asking if she needed anything. They were more subtle about it than yesterday since the Elder made sure to let them know if she were to stay, she was an equal to be respected and listened to—not smothered with needless queries about her day.
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There were droves of kids surrounding the tent and playing nearby—no way for room for all, even if she stayed all day repeating the same thing to each new set of kids.
When she was a youngling, she remembered times of only her and her brother. Nobody really cared to visit the Elder often; even they skipped days… so why so many now?
Aha. Duh, stupid… It’s you they seek. All want to be there the first day to say they got to meet the hero.
The kids finally stopped playing to cheer and tried to dance around her best they could, but there were too many in the swarm. They surrounded her feet, and the sea of voices was more a scream of “look at me!” than coherent speech.
A few adults tried to calm them but were having little luck, with each new set of kids egging the next to a higher scream beat.
“Children, you said you would behave.” The loud whisper of the Elder cut through all like a knife, and the sea of excited faces morphed to one of fear.
From there, like a wave that spread to all of the children, they bowed with an echo of “Sorry.”
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She saw the Elder standing now clearly in front of the tent, beckoning her inside to face the lucky few that had behaved and waited to greet her. Slowly entering, she recognized only one of the kids as Rex from the other day—mostly because even now he was waving with a smile that was more annoying than soothing.
The inside was how she remembered it: mostly sparse, with pillows to sit on, since even now the tribe liked to move around.
She sat near the front next to where the Elder would be, unsure what these talks would be. The Elder tended to let the children speak and voice their fears and desires, to help shape who they would be.
The real question: would they ask the Elder, or me?
As the Elder sat next to her with a smile, both facing the kids, it seemed the faces wanted to burst waiting to ask their questions but, knowing what happened outside, they waited, fearing a similar fate.
She wasn’t sure who was supposed to speak and refused to undermine the Elder, even if she was a tribe hero and blessed. Luckily, the Elder took the choice from her and spoke.
“You may speak freely to me or the hero, but if you get rowdy, you will be asked to leave.”
Such simple words, but it sobered them all, fearing losing this chance. She felt bad. Everyone was just happy, and this kept feeling like they were being punished for being happy—like she used to be.
“It’s fine, kids. You won’t upset me. Just remember I’ve got sensitive ears, so please, no yelling.” she twitch her ears a few times to encuarge them and got wagging tails from a few in response.
Almost all of them were beastkin, so they knew how loud noise could hurt, but that still didn’t stop them when excited… It was the same for her when she was around her brother Wolf, so she understood a little.
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“Are you really a hero?” a small wolfkin asked, face full of wonder, even as all the others glared at the poor girl.
Nina could not help but laugh, drawing all eyes to her. To finally have someone question it made her feel better—a little more normal.
“Yes, I’m the hero from the stories. But I’m also just like all of you.”
A sea of gasps followed, as if it was the most amazing thing—that she could be like them meant they too could be heroes. She nodded to their awe to confirm they could be.
Even as she did not want to be a symbol. she would not crush thier dream of chasing her tail to fill that role.
“Is it true you fought a giant boulder monster that nobody else could defeat?”
Well, it was partly true.
“Yes. I even rode it back to my village. But my sister and friend helped me defeat it. I couldn’t do it alone.”
The excitement from learning she not only defeated it but rode it started to get a bit much before the Elder settled them down.
Rex, finally emboldened enough to speak and tired of waiting, asked his question: “Can I be like you? I’ve got air mana, level three?”
She wasn’t sure how to answer that. She wanted to be a nobody back home with her family, and she debated saying that even though nobdoy forced her here....So she nodded instead, to his delight. And things went from there.
The Elder made the kids promise to share what they knew with other kids and let other kids come tomorrow so all got a chance to speak and ask different questions—so the hero would have time to rest.
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Even as the kids left, it wasn’t much peace. As many adults suddenly needed reminders of what they could do or had extra time, wanting to help, seeking ways to be near the hero.
It was an exhausting day, but manageable. The day passed into night—never a moment alone, and all trying to find a way to make her stay more accommodating. She kept trying to assure them when she did not smile, it was just recovering from the trip.
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Three days passed with that tiring routine before she was finally able to keep a fake smile and formal speech that kept most at bay. The kids never lost their wonder of her, but the novelty of a new hero wore off for the majority—though Rex tried to stay glued to her. If she wasn’t careful, she’d trip on him.
Lucky for her—or unlucky—he was blessed with wind and was quick to move before she stumbled into him when lost in thought. He was also always quick to say if she needed a message delivered, he’d be there and back before she could finish speaking where to deliver it.
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The Elder finally got Nina alone after a few more passes with the tribe and gave her a list of things the Elder wished for, now that she felt Nina had settled a bit.
Help train new beastkin. Oversee their hunts. Plan new trades. Give roles to new beastkins. There were few of the major ones, and honestly, she wanted none of it.
The closest she could squeak out was that she would oversee a few trainings. Yet even that was a waste of time—mana came natural for beastkin; they didn’t need training, just to use it naturally.
The few humans in the tribe did need help, but there were plenty of others assisting. She was just a figurehead overseeing while everyone tried to show off.
She sneaked away midday and just collapsed. Too much attention all day was getting old on the first day, and it had long been past that point.
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“You ok?” a low voice asked, but she knew it was the foxkin Rex, still shadowing her. And she really wasn’t in the mood.
“Leave me alone….” She could not stop herself, but also did not care, as she covered her eyes with her forearm and lay among the pillows.
“Why? You tired? I can come back after your nap, or I can have one too!”
The kid did not take a hint lightly. So she tried to be more direct.
“I just need to be alone for the day. Come back another time.”
“Ok,” a sad voice said. When she looked to see if he would be ok, he was gone. She felt a little bad. He was nice; she just did not want to be bothered. She would just suck it up next time. If he stayed quiet, it wouldn’t bother her, and she knew beastkin by nature liked to be with their kind, so he wasn’t wrong wanting to be with her.
Whatever. That’ll be something I deal with later. It’s not like I’m going anywhere, even if I want to be anywhere but here.
Yet I belong nowhere.
She dozed into a restless sleep with those thoughts as the day went on like the others—in a series of expectations and forced platitudes as she was unsure how she’d survive.
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A little over a week passed with the same things, and it was finally pushing her to breaking. Each time she woke, the sight to greet her was always new people feeling like they finally got a chance to meet the hero, versus the sea of others that said the same thing the day before.
Her ears were flat as she tried to smile, as each was once more expecting her to perform some miracle that would change who they were versus their normal tribe life.
The only odd sight this day was a new cart—yet her brother could not return that fast. Someone was much taller above the sea of the crowd; even in the distance she wasn’t sure. It reminded her of Terra—that big girl always stood out wherever she went. Was she that far gone she wanted to see her of all people?
"HEYA, FOXY! WE CAME TO SEE U!"
The crowd parted like a sea as if to guide all to greet her, and the surprise on Terra’s face was not lost on her as she tried to focus and smile. This was not what she was expecting. Why would Terra be here?
Yet the soft glow that followed from the one she knew was her sister was more a comfort in this storm—a guiding light that even here, among those that would be strangers, she glowed and offered hope.
Even to her, who ran from home.
Maybe this would not be so bad.
That was till they all started bowing and saying how they’d brought shame to the tribe and a feast would be made for the heroes who came to honor their tribe hero.
Sigh. Guess I’ll have to keep doing the ritual till I finally get some alone time—even with my sister.
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The feast was a grand spectacle, and she was surprised they did not have it the first night she was here. Yet now that she thought a bit they did try... she just did not entertain them the first day....
It brought a smile to Nina’s face and made it hard to stay sour, watching Terra trying not to snap and bite at all the people crawling over her, trying to get her attention—the endless praise for her unique red eyes and height as proof she was meant to stand above all, with eyes that shone the truth of her power.
Terra finally seemed to be calming more as the crowd calmed getting used to her being thier, she even let one start braiding her hair as the main glut of the crowd thankfully moved on from Terra before her temper could really flare and focused on her sister Leena now.
They praised how she shone like pale moonlight day or night and swore it was also proof she was meant to be a tribe leader. And the way she just smiled through it all with a genuine warmth—Nina wasn’t sure if it wasn’t true. Even she looked up to her with hope.
Leena stared back with a knowing smile of what Nina endured. it seemed, both of them, were trying to give me a bit of peace from the crowd worship—a cruel blessing when I knew whatever brought them here would leave with them.
Maybe… with me too?
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“This party is amazing!” a little bundle of fur lumped themselves into nina side with two plates, handing her one, looking up with a smile. “Sorry, didn’t know what you like, but we can share.”
It was Rex, still trying to cling by her side. She forced a smile and brushed his head. The kid wasn’t bad, just over-eager. When the one she wanted was her sister… or really, her brother Wolf. Now that things settled a bit, she finally saw clearly he wasn’t here.
So Len and Terra were willing to run to meet her when they realized she was hurting, but not him. In fact, how did they know she was hurt now, but not then—what the hell was wrong with them?
The frown scrunching Nina’s face as she watched the bonfire caught Rex’s eye as his face morphed into concern.
“The food that bad? I thought I picked the good stuff. You want a different thing? They had a stew too.”
Nina blinked in surprise, forgetting he was there. “I’m fine, kiddo. Just a long day.”
Rex laughed at that, seeming to like being given a nickname—it just kinda slipped, the same name she used to call Wolf. He was reminding her of him, but much more clingy. Very different than her brother.
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Terra yelling drew her back. It seemed she wasn’t handling the crowds as well as she assumed, and Len calming them after the outburst, saying she was just tired, finally got them to get the hint—maybe the heroes need a little space.
Yet it seemed Rex did not get the hint, even though she wanted to be alone with her sister and friend.
She wasn’t sure how to address it when Terra did, at least in an obtuse way, bringing focus to him. “Who’s the little fox, Foxy?” Terra asked, now that most of the crowd in the area had left them alone at the fire, as Terra got closer with her sister.
“Am Rex.”
Rex just sat proud defiantly, as if he belonged among them, and she wasn’t sure how to politely tell him otherwise. She could see Len wondering how to address it when Terra once again surprised her with her boldness.
“Well, Rax, we came to see Foxy here. Can U give us some space?”
Nina wasn’t sure if Terra said his name wrong on purpose or really could not say it correctly, and the look on Rex’s face said the same thing.
“Why? Am doing nothing wrong, and she can tell me herself.”
Aha. You little bugger, you don’t take a hint very well and want to force me to be mean? Fine. Yet before nina could be fored to join in terra spoke again.
“Well, Rax, I don’t mind, but we’re about to talk about boys and adult stuff.”
Rex looked unsure before speaking. “What adult stuff?”
Terra smiled. “Well, U know, like how babies are made. And sex.”
“TERRA!” Len admonished her as Terra laughed, and Nina felt embarrassed. Was that really the talk they traveled all this way for? Boys and sex? Her cheeks were flush with embarrassment even as Terra kept laughing. Rex finally realized maybe this was too mature for him and bowed, saying he had to go check on other kids. The whole time, Terra never stopped laughing, adding to her shame as others looked on, curious what prompted her good mood versus before.
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Finally alone—even if not how she hoped—she finally felt free enough to ask, “So what really brought you all this way? You know I can’t leave, and I doubt you came to stay, so what is there to say?”
She saw the hurt in Len’s eyes and the somber mood of Terra, and she felt that was a little too rude. “Sorry. Long week. Thank you—it’s good to see you both. I am happy for that, at least.”
“Yeah, this is not a good life,” Terra said coolly, and Nina wasn’t sure what to say to that. They were only nice to her, even if a little smothering.
“They’re just over-eager. They’re good people.” She tried defending, not liking this life but refusing to mock their kindness, even if misplaced.
“We know, sister. We’re not trying to force you back.” That stung more than she thought it would. Not even denying, not fighting for me? Even after chasing me? Then what was the point?
Len reached into a small parcel and withdrew something wrapped. “It’s from brother. He couldn’t come and leave his shop, but wanted to give this to you. Also… sorry we did not make you feel loved.”
Lost to whatever the package was, she flinched a bit, finally getting noticed for the pain she felt, and was unsure what to say or how to act.
“U know, Foxy, U left us too,” Terra said, watching people still gathering in the distance, trying to be close to the heroes while also giving them space.
Nina’s ears went flat. That was true. Hating not being loved by her brother while ignoring everyone else did not make her much better. She knew Teva tried a few times, but that hurt too much.
Everything felt wrong, even this meeting. What was the point of anything? Nothing changed, and even this reunion is just treading the same things in a different light.
“Be nice, Terra. She’s finding herself. We came to show support, not judge,” Len defended her, making her smile.
Terra nodded but did not take back her words, nor did Nina try to justify her choices. As she opened the wrapping to see what was worth them coming to bring it to her, she was awed into silence, as were all who saw it.
It looked like an oversized potion bottle, or kind of lamp? It was filled with a neon deep blue glow that, even with the light from the flame nearby, the gift seemed to outshine it with its hue. It was drawing eyes, even as awed as her.
It had flecks of what could pass as star fragments, gently shifting inside in an endless tumble, never touching the side or bottom before they would gently shift and do it again. A letter was with it. She wasn’t sure what it was till she read it, and then she cried openly.
Her sister and Terra held her, partly to shield her from prying eyes and also to comfort her. She let them read the letter, unable to finish it at first, and Len wept too—even Terra, surprising her. She thought she was made of more stone than even she could be, but it was a bit comforting they all felt the same pain. And only now did she finally feel like she wasn’t alone.
After all the running, desiring to be seen, she finally felt she had a home, a family that loved her, and a brother who understood her pain. Yet with that same truth came another clarity: she could not leave back to it. That part of what brought her tears; the other was she needed to grow up and mature.
Her brother was trying. Her sister and Terra was. Teva too.... Everyone was trying.
So now it was up to her.
“Sorry, Foxy,” Terra said, finally composed, which led to Nina shaking her head, saying they came so far just for her to treat them less than friends. They were more—her missing sisters. They retired for the night in the tent, the glow a bit overwhelming but also a comfort to know a light would always shine. She reread the letter a few more times to strengthen her resolve for what was to come, but covered the light.
The darkness was no longer something she feared, and the light was still near if she changed her mind. Len and Terra shared her tent, and they all rested, seeing what the morning light would bring.
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There were many changes that would come, but for now, it was a step to freedom—one on her terms. She just needed to slowly address them, and tomorrow would be the start.
ns216.73.216.10da2
and then Add to home screen.