As they walked across the savanna Jo͌za͌n got to know more about Zhe'om's friends. Jo͌za͌n felt inadequate compared to them. They were funny, smart, and kind. Traits Zhe'om told Jo͌za͌n she had, but Jo͌za͌n knew that wasn't true. Why would Zhe'om focus any of her time on her when she had them. Jo͌za͌n had an ugly short snout, was a mess, and a nobody.
"So Jo͌za͌n," Zhe'om said walking next to Jo͌za͌n, "What do you think of my friends?"
"I like them," Jo͌za͌n responded truthfully. This made Zhe'om smile. Jo͌za͌n felt like she should begin some small talk. "How did you meet them?" Jo͌za͌n asked.
"I've known them since we were kids," Zhe'om explained, "I first met them in the library and we started hanging out."
"I once had friends when I was a kid," Jo͌za͌n mentioned, "That was until me and my mom moved into Lord Mõ'yĩk's castle."
"What were they like?" Zhe'om inquired. Jo͌za͌n proceeded to tell her of one of her favorite memories when she was four that would answer her question.
"Throw the ball to me!" Zevauv had shouted. Jo͌za͌n had done just that. Zevauv would have caught it if his snout hadn't been in the way causing it to bounce off. Jo͌za͌n, Zevauv, and all their friends laughed at this. His older sister worked with Jo͌za͌n's mother so they would often let them hang out together. Zevauv had lost his parents when he was just a baby and his older sister had taken care of him ever since. He was also the only boy in Jo͌za͌n's friend group and thus the only one with toys other than dolls or stuffed animals.
"You should have moved back," remarked Ovas furrowing her brows which always made the adults laugh, "You never remember."
"Catch Ovas!" Gos, Ovas's sister, shouted before tossing the ball at Ovas's face and knocking her over.
"You didn't give me enough time!" she squealed upset. Gos just giggled in response. Honestly thinking back, it would have been adorable to any adult. Jo͌za͌n finished telling her story. She missed those days.
"That sounds like it would have been adorable," Zhe'om said, wide-eyed and smiling.
"Yeah," Jo͌za͌n responded, "What was your childhood like?" Zhe'om began to tell her story.
YOU ARE READING
Water in the Desert
Science FictionEven on other worlds they have the same problems. Zhe'om is content with her life, she lives in the Desert Coalition and has wonderful friends. All of that is about to change. Jo͌za͌n of the Dzo͌nts Empire loves books but hates herself. She then me...
