Chapter 2: Shopping A Feast And A Plan

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I woke with a sudden and scary jump! I looked around quickly, my eyes still blurry from the deep sleep. I breathed heavily and couldn't contain myself from trashing. My breathing slowed and I sighed. Simply a bad dream, I thought. I had been getting a lot of these lately, so I didn't dwell on it for too long. I pushed the dream aside and continued my morning.
I hopped down from my tree, and landed on the soft ground, the smooth grass tickling my rough feet, I smiled and drew my hair away from my face. I pulled on my soft, yet tough moccasins and slid on my deerskin shirt, along with my white-elk skin skirt that reached down to my knees. I pulled my bow and my quiver over my head and cracked my knuckles.
The sun was just barely coming up the sides of the Humbi Mountains, a mountain range owned by the Humbi. I slid into the woods and breathed in the fresh pine air. It was like a blast of freshness and purity. I breathed out slowly and saw my breath float gently up and disappear. The First Snow would arrive soon. Along with the Dancing Colors. My favorite part of the last days of The First Fall.
I had only gone a few hundred feet in the forest, when I was met with Lukas. He didn't notice me, he was too busy examining a small brown leaf. I rolled my eyes. I began to walk forward, but was stopped. There was a person beside him examining a different yellow leaf. I walked up to them.
"Hey, Lukas." I said quietly, yet fast. Lukas jumped and immediately faced me. His expression was priceless.
"Siyra! Don't scare me like that!" He said holding his hand to his heart. I laughed softly.
"Who's this?" I asked, pointing to the person sitting next to Lukas. He was a very young boy, probably near his twelfth year of life. He wore everyday scholar robes that were dyed a light brown. He had small sheath, that held what looked like a tiny shovel. I didn't question it, though it was weird.
Lukas turned around and looked at him. "Oh!" He said turning back to face me. "This is Ticon. A Beginning Scholar. I was assigned to be his mentor for the next two years." He said proudly.
Ticon held his hand up and waved slowly. "What does he specialize in?" I asked.
Each scholar specializes in something. They take a test when they want to become scholars, if they pass then they can become a Beginning Scholar. The test also tells them what they should really focus in, because that's what they had a talent and liking for. Lukas being talented at physics, chemistry, and languages. It was extremely rare for a scholar to be talented at more than one or two things, so Lukas was practically a prodigy.
"His exam said he was gifted in Geology, the study of Rocks." He said. That explained the shovel.
"Wow." I said. "We haven't had another scholar in our village, besides Lukas, since the Tri-Clan Army attacked." Lukas nodded, excited about someone finally taking an interest in his weird life. "What are you two up to anyway?" I asked.
"Oh." Lukas said holding up a extremely large book. His manuscript. "Just adding a few new pages to the Botany section of my Manuscript." He said, so excited. He had been writing a manuscript about everything and anything near the vicinity of Wanmei. He was appropriately calling it The Wanmei Manuscript of Natural and Educational Knowledge. I had added quite a few pages in his book, mainly about naturally-occurring trails and new animal species. I didn't share my secret trails with him, those were just for me to know.
Lukas closed his manuscript and dropped the leaf on the ground. "Let me hypothesize." He said smartly. "You're going hunting again aren't you?" He asked rolling his eyes. We both knew the answer to that question. "Well, unfortunately. You can't." He said.
"Wait. Why not?" I asked angrily. I was not going to miss hunting this morning.
"Because, I got urgent orders from Argent, telling me to bring you to the village if I saw you this morning. She says you have to get ready for the Annual Village-Youth Feast tonight." He stated.
My eyes shot open. No! No! No!, I thought.
The Annual Village-Youth Feast was a large dinner and a dance where youth, ages 11-19, were supposed to meet people, dance, and begin dating. It was part of our village's culture and essential to the preparation for marriage. I had been avoiding the dance for a practical forever, practically because the near thought of socializing made me close to vomiting. Argent had gone every year with a new boyfriend every since she was 12. And, now, she would go engaged to Juno.
Lukas saw the fear in my eyes, and laughed loudly. Ticon stayed still and non-responsive, he was really creepy, I thought.
"You have every reason to be afraid. This is about your last Annual Village-Youth Feast and you haven't gone to one once, and you don't even have a single guy to go with you!" He said smiling and holding in his laughter. I gave him the death glare and he stopped and rolled his eyes, smiling.
Scholars never had to worry about getting married. It wasn't required of them, but it was insisted. Most scholars never did, because not many village-woman were too eager about learning, and that's all scholars do.
"Look," I said. "Just tell Argent that I'll see her later this afternoon and then we can talk about it." Lukas grabbed my arm and started pulling me towards the village. I simply stood there and looked at him with a "you really can't push me, that's pathetic" expression. He slumped over and started walking back to the village, I smiled.
"Fine." I said. I shrugged. I really did want to go hunting, but Argent has always been there for me, when I needed her, so I have to be there for her. I began walking back to the village with Lukas, Ticon trailing behind us, flipping his small shovel and catching it again. On the way back to the village, we talked about mapping out the Northern part of the Eastern Woods, which we don't think has ever been tread by humans before. The thought intrigued us, but was cut away quickly.
"Siyra Uruay!" Argent yelled angrily at me. Lukas, Ticon, and me had just reached the Shopping District, and she was there sitting on a small wooden bench behind a large totem pole. She had her pink wool purse around her animal-skin skirt. I braced myself. This was serious shopping.
She ran towards me and grabbed my arm, dragging me towards the bench she was sitting on. Lukas and Ticon followed. Argent looked up quickly and pointed to Ticon shaking her head wanting to know who this boy was.
"Ticon. He's my new apprentice scholar. He's part of our friend circle now." Lukas said. Argent didn't argue, I could tell she had better things to care about.
"Okay then." Argent said cracking her neck. "We have exactly three hours to find you a completely new outfit, jewelry, scent-spray, and hairstyle." She said. We all, then, went through a five minute speech about the ultimate plan of shopping. Me and Argent were to go to the stand that sells the most expensive wool clothing. Ticon was to go to the scent-spray shop and get the most "First Snowy" scent smell they had out there, and Lukas was to go and find a beautiful blue-sapphire jewel necklace. Oh great, I thought. This was going to turn into the most difficult shopping mission ever. Argent clapped her hands and we quickly separated along the intersecting paths towards the shops.
Argent and me spotted the shop and stepped inside. A cocky-looking man stood at the front desk turning pages in a manuscript. When we walked in his head shot up and stared at us, one eyebrow raised. He looked at Argent normally, but me in a completely rude fashion. Argent walked up to the front desk.
"Hello!" She said happily, but also loud. I palm-slapped my face, the only one louder than her was Lukas. "Me and my friend were looking to see if you had any black-white, tainted, whitewashed animal-skin long skirt." The shopkeeper was about to speak but was cut off. "And also a midnight blue, whitewashed animal-skin fold-over tunic shirt, with a beautiful stitched pattern of...flowers." The shopkeeper tried to speak again, but was cut. "And finally some pure black wool moccasin high-boots." Argent said smiling.
I sighed. This was going to cost a lot. But, not for me. I was too poor to afford anything, so I already knew that my friends were going to pay for all of this. I always felt like a pentills-wasting friend.
The shopkeeper sighed and went into a large back room, that was lit with a large amount of candles, from where I saw it. He came back out with the clothing. "We have everything you're looking for. However, the flower-stitching on the midnight blue fold-over tunic shirt won't be done for about one more hour. Can you wait till then?" He asked in a sassy tone.
"Yep, sounds wonderful. Thanks a lot!" Argent said. She picked her pink purse off the counter at the store and continued walking and went through the open door out of the shop, with me following.
"Honestly Argent?" I said. I was extremely annoyed that she had just spent, probably, 20,000 pentills.
"What? Have I done something wrong?" She said with a smug look on her face. I rolled my eyes, she knew I didn't like her buying me things, but yet, she continues to insist that we go shopping. I would rather hunt.
We walked through the Shopping District while we waited for the clothes to finish. I despised it. To think that I was going to look at prissy shops, instead of letting my arrow fly and hear the sounds of successful shots. I sighed, Argent must have heard, because the next thing I knew we were sitting on the bench and she handed me some pork.
"Thanks, Argent." I said wiping the hair out of my face. She sat down next to me with a basket of fresh blueberries, they looked good, but I was more interested in the meat.
"Yea, sure." She said nicely.
We ate for a while, not really saying anything. A few people came up to Argent asking her if she was going to the Annual Village-Youth Feast. Of course she answered 'Yes! Why wouldn't I?' Nobody asked me, I never went so I wasn't expected to go. The Elder wanted me to every year, so I simply went near the end and kind of scavenged for any leftovers. It's usually the best meals I ever have.
My thoughts were interrupted by Lukas and Ticon returning. Ticon held a small basket that had a glass container full of some blue liquid. Didn't look to nice to me. Lukas had a small basket that held a sapphire necklace. It was truly beautiful, but I couldn't admit it.
"Well? Does this work?" Lukas asked. Argent looked at the necklace and contemplated it in her mind and finally nodded her head. Lukas let out a sigh of relief.
Ticon lifted the smell scent out of the basket and squirted some in Argent's face. She gave a deep breath through her nostrils, absorbing the scent. I got a small whiff of the scent as well. It smelled like fresh air and newly picked berries being smashed into jam. It was a wonderful smell. It reminded me of hunting at night. Argent nodded her head. Lukas and Ticon had succeeded on their mission.
"Okay, great." Argent said smiling. "You two are excused to go and get ready for the Annual Youth-Village Feast." Lukas and Ticon waved 'bye' and went on their way towards the Cultural Hall near the south of the village.
Argent clapped her hands together softly, it barely made a sound. She smiled. "I'm guessing that your beautiful dress should be about done by now." She said slowly getting up. She brushed off the dirt and dust that had accumulated on her light pink wool-skirt. I stood up as well and sighed. How much longer is this day going to last?, I thought.
We walked back over to the clothes store and walked through the wide door entrance again. The storeowner was leaning on his hand with his eyes closed.
Argent cleared her throat loudly to try and get his attention. His eyes opened slowly and he stretched, yawning. "Oh. It's you two?" He said.
He ran back to the backroom and returned with my skirt, tunic, and shoes. He placed them on the wooden table. "Will these work?" He asked waving his hand over them. Argent nodded and placed the pentills on the table. I cringed at the amount she had placed down. I had just wasted her nearly 18,000 pentills.
The shopkeeper quickly counted the pentills and nodded his head, and wished us a wonderful rest of our day. We walked out of the door and back onto the bustling dirt path.
As we walked out the door, Argent noticed two of her friends and ran over to them. The perfect opportunity. I slipped through the door again and to my luck, the shopkeeper was sitting quietly at his desk reading a manuscript. I slipped across the window and behind the wooden counter. I drew closer to him and reached my hand forward, aiming for the pouch that held the pentills. I slipped my hand down the pouch and felt the hard, cold coins. I withdrew my hand and quickly grabbed my hunting knife. I briskly cut the strings and grabbed the pentills bag, before it hit the ground. I smiled and quickly hurried out the door. I had "earned" the pentills back.
Argent noticed me again and ran back towards me, waving her friends "goodbye". People were carrying baskets full of berries, meats, clothes, and lots of other goods. Children were running around, most likely playing games.
Argent and I walked down the dirt path dodging incoming shoppers and kids. On the way back to my tree, she mostly talked about her new engagement and her plans for the wedding. She was so excited, I couldn't ruin her spirit with my usual negativity, so I just smiled and pretended to be actively involved with the conversation.
The sun was just beginning to descend from the top of the sky. The feast would soon begin. Argent most have noticed that it was getting late too, because she immediately ordered that we run back to the tree.
We ran quickly, our feet practically gliding over the ground. Despite Argent's look she was actually quite athletic and could run quite fast and throw pretty far. I could run faster, but I decided to just stay at her pace.
We finally reached my tree and stopped to pant. She pulled the clothes out of the large basket and ordered me to quickly put them on. "We still have to do your hair, so hurry!" Argent snapped. I grunted, I really hated getting my hair all fancy. I went behind my large pine tree and began to change my clothes.
I emerged from the back of the tree moments later wearing my flower-stitched midnight blue tunic and my pearly white moccasins, with my midnight blue skirt. The clothes were soft and nice to the touch, but I still preferred my ragged, hunting clothes. Those clothes made me feel safe.
Argent clapped her hands together again and smiled. She was obviously very pleased with her work. I smiled, I was glad she was happy.
"You look absolutely amazing!" She said as she ran over to me. She almost immediately grabbed my hair piece out, dropping my hair out of my ponytail and began working on it.
"Ow! Hey- Watch it!-Ugh!" I grunted as she was working with my hair. She had a small container of water and was slowly dripping some on my hair and then would rub it all over.
"My goodness, Siyra!" She grunted, her face showing that she was obviously having some difficulties. "How long has it been since you took the knots out of your hair?" She asked combing my hair with a wooden comb she had made herself. I rolled my eyes.
"You honestly think I wash and comb my hair?" I asked. She nodded, she knew I never did.
I continued to groan and she continued to comb my hair for probably twenty-five minutes. Finally Argent had gotten all the knots out of my hair. My hair was actually pretty long. I hadn't seen how long it truly was in a while, it was always up in a ponytail. I reached down near the middle of my back.
My hair was silky and soft, a feeling I hadn't felt in a long time.
"Wow." Was all Argent said, she must have been amazed at looking at me like this. I smiled, this made me feel amazing. Like I was worth something more.
Argent walked over to and picked a small basket off the ground and picked up the blue sapphire amulet. She put it around my head and let it slip down and rest on my neck.
Argent picked the smell scent up and sprayed about four squirts on me. I breathed in the smell again and breathed back out. Such a foreign smell, it was beautiful.
Argent took a few steps back and admired me for a moment. I admit, I feel quite like a chieftain's daughter right now.
"Well, Siyra? What do you think?" She asked.
I smiled. Though it wasn't as good as hunting or being one with nature, I didn't want to hurt her feelings. "It feels great." I said, spinning, the skirt raising up just past my knees.
"Oh yay!!!" She exclaimed happily. "Okay then." She said. "I am going to go and get myself ready and get Juno." She said and ran off. She quickly stopped and turned around. "Don't forget to be at the Cultural Hall at sundown!" She yelled back to me. I raised my hand and gave a thumbs up. She nodded and ran back down the dirt path towards her home.
The sun was only just peeking over the Humbi mountains. It created a beautiful sunset every night. I always enjoyed them, but now the sun was going down quicker and quicker with each passing day, which meant the First Snow is not long ahead.
I was walking down the dirt path towards the cultural hall, my skirt flowing promptly. I was staring at the ground, the butterflies invading my stomach. I was extremely nervous. The only time I had ever been to one of these was just to scavenge off the free meals. Now, I would be expected to dance with somebody? Absolutely not.
I continued down the path stopping every once in a while to pick up a small rock and toss it into the nearby fields. I raised my head and simply looked at the scarlet sky, the clouds were a red-pink, mixed with a sunset orange, a truly magnificent scene. I refocused my attention to the upcoming feast. I was nearing the Cultural Hall. The Cultural Hall was a very large building made of reinforced wood, that was dyed a beautiful pearly white. It had long rectangular pillars supporting the roof, long steps leading to the entrance, the doorway was always open until the nighttime. But in this case, since it was the night of the Annual Village-Youth Feast the doors would remain open all night, with guards on both sides of the entrance. The building was used for annual meetings, and also held a lot of history and cultural remembrances from our tribe. I could often find Lukas lurking around in the room where the history and culture was recorded.
I had finally reached the hall and began to climb the long white stairs. A multitude of people were already climbing the steps along with me. There were groups just sitting and standing on the stairs talking, some were climbing really slowly and others were running and laughing with a group of their friends. I reached the top of the stairs and started to walk to the entrance of the Cultural Hall. I turned my eyes to the left and groaned. Ugo.
"Well, well, well. Look who finally decided to show up?" Ugo asked with a smug look on his face.
"Save it Ugo." I said angrily. I did not want to deal with him when I was already this nervous.
"Well at least you don't look like you were dragged out of a river this time." He said motioning to my clothes. He was probably right. I probably did look like I had been dragged from a river every day. It must have been a surprise for him to see me in such expensive and beautiful clothes. I'll admit, I would be too.
"Anyway," He said. "The entrance fee is seventeen pentills." He held his hand up, expecting the small bronze coins to fall into his palm.
"Wait. What?" I said confused. "There was no entrance fee last time. Or ever."
"Just fork over the pentills and don't question it, okay?" He said angrily. I could always get on his nerves, even when I wasn't trying.
I was just about to demand an explanation when another person suddenly put the perfect amount into his palm. "I got her." Said a voice behind me.
I turned and was met with Ticon and Lukas.
"Ticon. You don't have to do that." I said.
Lukas but in. "We, scholars, get in free. So we might as well just pay for another. He smiled. I didn't smile, because yet again I had wasted another's pentills because I couldn't provide for myself.
We all walked in the entrance together. The long hallway was practically just the pearly white wood with a long red rug spread across the floor. A few tables were positioned in the hallway with flower pots and small totem items. The feast was in the first room to the left of the hallway, or at least that's what Ugo told us. We walked down the hallway and turned left into a massive room. It astounded me every time, with it having a new, unique decorates every year. This year, in the back of the room, it had three long tables with a red cloth spread over them. Tons of plates sat on the table, along with smooth wooden utensils and small glass cups filled with a drink that I didn't recognize. The tables had a multitude of candles that were spread evenly along the tables. The seats were uniquely carved and had snaking designs on the backs. In the front of the room there was a large area that would be the area where all the youth would dance after the feast. There was large platform in front of the dance floor that held all of our Wanmei instruments. A blug-horn, juju shakers, krikits, and my favorite, a woodrawer. These instruments would provide us the music for us to dance to.
Lukas and Ticon had taken their seats near the end of the far-left table. I decided that if I had to suffer through this night, then I might as well do it with my friends. I walked over and sat down in front of them. Other people were piling in and filling up all the other seats of the other tables. Argent and Juno suddenly poured in, as well. I guess she didn't see us, because she went and sat at the front of the center table.
I decided to tune into Lukas and Ticon's conversation out of boredom.
"-then we should move across the west side of the mountain towards the Humbi mountains, it's our best chance." Lukas said. I couldn't figure out what they were talking about because of my late rejoin of the conversation.
"Wait. What are you two talking about?" I asked, somewhat politely.
"Oh? Are you interested in accompanying us?" Lukas asked me. I had no idea what they were talking about.
"Guys, I don't even know what you're talking about." I told them, less patient now.
"Oh!" Lukas exclaimed. "Well..." He continued as he scrambled for his bag and pulled out his manuscript. He flipped through a few pages and stopped on a page and turned the book around so I could see as well. "Ticon and I have decided to go and explore the Northern area of the Eastern Woods," He said dragging his finger along the map of the area. "Remember? We were talking about this, this morning." He said.
I did remember us talking about it and it intrigued me. That was a brand new area for me as well, as would probably make a good hunting ground.
"Yeah, of course I'll come. You'll need my mapping skills." I said. I was an even better navigator than Lukas, which he constantly argued with me over. "Wait," I stopped. "I heard rumors of a large group of the Dandi being camped up there. I heard they were thinking of adding it to their territory..." I said. I had heard the rumors from none other than Kristiff. My ultimate source of the latest gossip and rumors of the village. He knew just about everyone and anything in the village and outside the village.
"Yea, I did hear about that." Lukas said contemplating it. "But, they are just rumors. I'm sure we'll be fine." He reassured.
I couldn't argue with that. "Ok then." I said.
"Okay, great." He said putting his manuscript back into his large bag. "Also, make sure to bring your bow, we might need to fend off some animals. I'm not even sure what's over there." He stated.
I wasn't sure either. Who knew what would wait for us in that region. Maybe a new tribe? Maybe new animals and plants? Maybe even... My thought was pushed away.
"Attention!" Ugo shouted over the room. During our talking, it seemed the entire room had been filled up, there wasn't a single chair open. Girls were dressed in elegant, regal wool that showed off their personality. Boys wore robes and some even warrior garments and carried some spears. Obviously they were showing off their warrior skills. I wasn't impressed.
The Elder, holding her signature rod, slowly made her way up to the platform and climbed the stairs softly. Once she reached the center front of the platform she banged her long rod on the pearly white wood. The sound echoed around the room and quieted all remaining conversations. I had heard stories of just how powerful The Elder truly was. Wanmei legend stated that The Elder was almost stronger than an army. I always wondered if it was true.
"Welcome, future of the Wanmei Tribe, to the 101st Annual Village-Youth Feast." She said happily. "You all are the shining example of our village's survival and thriving spirit. We pray you enjoy the night. Enjoy the feast, enjoy the dancing, and enjoy being youth. One day the village's responsibilities will befall onto all of you, so prepare." She ended and banged her long rod two times again, to signify the beginning of the feast. From the entrance doors to the room, women carrying large platters appeared. They poured into the room, flowing to all the tables and placing shining silver platters full of rich, flavorful foods. Two women appeared near us and placed down four plates. A steaming pig, fresh from the cooking pot, a light brown stew, steam appearing quickly from the top, I guessed potato soup. A platter of vegetables and fruits, and finally a loaf of new bread that's crust hypnotized me. Never before had I been met with such rich food. I didn't know where to start.
Lukas, being a vegetarian, immediately grabbed apple slices, oranges, and bananas. He took a bowl of soup and a piece of bread as well and laid them on his plate. Ticon grabbed some pork, a couple carrots and a slice of bread and placed them on his plate as well. I tried to be polite and civilized and did the same, just with 3x more pork and only grabbed a bowl of soup with it, along with a bread slice. I tried to eat slowly too, but I ended up nearly finishing my plate by the time Lukas and Ticon had taken their second bite. I grabbed my glass cup and took a sip of the mysterious liquid. It was sweet and fruity, It danced on my tongue and made me want more and more. I quickly chugged the entire thing down.
The entire time I ate Lukas only stared at me, his mouth gaping open. He was astonished at the way I ate like an animal. If only he knew, I thought. I looked around at the other people. Everyone was eating politely and slowly, like this food came to them every other day. It probably did. They were all laughing and talking loudly, the room was filled with noise that I couldn't make out at all. The Elder was sitting on a chair on the platform watching everyone and smiling, Ugo standing beside her giving me the evil eye. I simply ignored him. I spotted Argent again. She was talking with Juno and two other girls, Seble and Jil, her other two friends. They were nice and polite and they actually somewhat knew me and I sort of considered them as acquaintances, not really friends.
I had about three more full plates and drank at least seven more cups of the sweet drink. Lukas had only one and Ticon had two. I had obviously eaten the most, because the four plates in front of us were utterly empty, everyone else's was still relatively full. I had finally had my fill and stretched out and flipped my hair back. Lukas and Ticon were talking more about the plans for the expedition, so I decided I might as well participate.
"So, when are we going to leave on this thing?" I interrupted. They both turned and looked at me. Lukas shook his head and rolled his eyes.
"We were thinking about two days from tonight." He said. I nodded. That sounded good, I wanted at least a day to hunt us some food for the expedition. Or, at least hunt me some food.
Another few minutes of speaking of the expedition and we were finally interrupted, "The Wanmei Youth Dance will now commence. Please take your partners, or find a partner and begin immediately." Ugo said loudly so that the entire room could hear the piercing and horrid sound of his voice.
The instruments started playing and filled the room with Wanmeian music. The Wanmei Youth Dance was a fast paced dance that had the partners light-footed and jumping every minute. Then, towards the end it would get progressively slower and that was when slow dancing would commence. All the youth were practically forced to learn it when they turned ten, it was like a mandatory dance. Who am I kidding? That's exactly what it is.
I saw Argent and Juno as one of the first couples to run to the front of the room and stand hand-in-hand and begin dancing. I couldn't just sit at the back of the room awkwardly, so I walked up to the front of the room and leaned against the right-side wall, watching the couples swing and dance. Lukas and Ticon got up and left the party. I assumed they had better business to take care of. Plus, they weren't required to stay, and if I wasn't required to stay, then I definitely wouldn't either. A few other lonely people were leaning against the walls in the room, but they had other people with them, making me the loneliest one.
"It's about time." said a voice behind me. I knew that voice. I spun around slowly and sighed. "Hi, Thoren." I said back to him. Thoren, a boy that is somehow obsessed with me. I looked him over, and nothing was new. Of course he was wearing no shirt and was only wearing his warrior's skirt. He was tan and muscular. His face was perfect and his hair the same way. He was only beginning to grow stubble around his mouth. He wasn't even wearing any shoes. Any girl would think and definitely go for a guy like him, he was practically one of our best spearmen. But I can see deeper than just a guy's looks. He was nothing but a self-centered idiot, that had no regard in my feelings, or anyone else's.
"It's about time you showed up to one of these." He exclaimed, giving a cocky looking smile. "You look really beautiful, you know?" He said raising his eyebrow a little. I raised my eyebrow, but not in the same way. My eyebrow was saying 'You've got to be kidding me.', but obviously, Thoren didn't take the hint.
"How about you and me...," He paused. "Dance?" He asked in a manly, deep tone. I knew I had to make-up something. The last thing I want is a dance with Thoren.
"Oh," I said briskly. "I'm really sorry but I'm just waiting for Argent and then we have to go..." I said, lying to my best ability.
"Oh, well that's fine." He said slightly nodding his head. "Let's say we do this some other time, then? Say... You, me at the Budding Fields tomorrow?" He said. Dang it, I thought. He got me. I couldn't make up a lie to get out of this one, he would come searching for me in the forest or in the village, so I can't lie. Then I won't tell a lie, I thought. I'll simply tell a soon-to-be truth.
"Sorry, again. Argent, Lukas, Ticon, and me will all be gone on an expedition north..." I said slowly, trying to make it sound sincere. I think it was working. "We won't be back for a few days."
"Well, then. I guess it just won't work out. I have warrior training for the rest of the month in three days." He said shrugging. "Maybe next month?" He asked. I nodded.
That would give me time to prepare another excuse for myself.
He walked off, a lot less confident than before. I breathed hard, relieved to avoid him again. The dance was nearing its closing part and the couples had begun slow dancing. I spotted Argent and Juno. Argent's head was resting on Juno's muscular chest, Juno smiling and leading their slow footsteps from side-to-side, those two were so perfect for each other. I sighed again. If only I had that, I thought. I couldn't stand to watch everyone have something I only longed for. I pushed myself off the wall and walked back towards the exit. I reappeared back in the long hallway and walked back towards the exit and stepped out into the cool, night air. It bit my skin, but I liked it. I breathed out and watched my breath again, lift and disappear into the air. I took a seat on the white wood steps and rested my arms on my knees and my head on my hands.
I sat on the step for a while, pondering the expedition and what I might find. Animals, plants, more humans, I had no idea, but I wanted to know. People began pouring out of the building, laughter interrupted my curious thoughts and was forced to stand and watch out for Argent. I needed to tell her that she needed to come on the expedition with us.
People continued to appear and then disperse when they got back onto the dirt path towards their homes. Finally, Argent appeared, holding Juno's hand. She saw me and her face lit up. She quickly leaned over to Juno's ear and whispered something in it. Juno nodded his head twice and then separated from her and walked down the steps by himself. I'm not sure why, but Argent just never introduced me to Juno and I had always wanted to meet him. I never questioned it 'till now, but I simply pushed that away as well.
"Hey, Siyra! Where were you? You bailed, didn't you?!" She yelled angrily. She always jumped to conclusions. It was really annoying, but I learned to live with it once her and I became friends.
"No... I didn't bail on you. I was here the entire time. I was sitting with Lukas and Ticon at the end of the left table." I said, with an annoyed tone.
She drooped down in sadness. "Sorry." Was all she said. "I must have been so enveloped with Juno, Seble, and Jil, I must have not even been looking for you." She said. "Aside, did you have fun?" She asked.
I shrugged and gave a small nod. I didn't lie. It was entertaining, and the food was absolutely magnificent, plus I got the news of a good exploration mission to go on. It definitely wasn't terrible.
"Argent." I said softly. I began to walk down the wooden steps. Argent was following close beside me. "Lukas, Ticon and me were talking and we have decided on something we want to do tomorrow, and you have to come." I commanded.
"Oh. Well, what is it?" Argent asked me, understandingly.
"We are going to go and map, and explore the Northern area of the Eastern woods, near the Northern Humbi Mountains." I said, adding a bit of spunk and excitement to my voice to make her more eager and wanting to go.
"Map the area?" She asked. I knew she wasn't too much of an outdoors person, but we could really use her knowledge. Despite her usual attitude and talking, she knew just about everything there was to know about all the religions, especially Dandism. The rumors of the Dandi being camped up there, worried me, but she could easily communicate and know exactly what to say to them. The Dandi were extremely sensitive and if you did anything to offend Dandism, then you might as well be a dead man.
She nodded. "Sure. Sounds fun. How long will we be gone?" She asked.
"Probably around four to five days..." I said cringing. She would probably break out of the deal. She isn't someone that likes to be gone on long expeditions. Away from the Shopping District.
"Okay.. that sounds good." She said nicely. My eyes widened. Did Argent just agree to this without a single 'But' or 'What if' or 'Will there be a portable shopping cart?' She must have seen my reaction because she laughed loudly. "I just really want to get out of the village, after all the things I've been doing with everyone. I really need some time away from everybody." I smiled and shrugged. I didn't argue, as long as she agreed.
"Great. We leave at dawn tomorrow. Meet me at the tree. I have to go talk to Lukas and Ticon." I said and left Argent with a simple wave. She smiled and turned her back and followed the separate dirt path back to her home. Then I remembered the pentills I had stolen. I couldn't lie to Argent, I had to simply confess before she found out herself.
"Argent, wait." I called out. She turned and looked at me with a worried look. "Come here real quick." She complied and walked up to me.
"Yes Siyra, what is it?" She asked.
"Um..." I started awkwardly. "There's something you might want to see." I reached behind my back and grabbed the white pouch I had stolen. I opened it, revealing the 18,000 pentills she had just spent this morning.
"What is it?" She asked innocently.
I groaned and began angrily. "It's the money we spent this morning. I got it back from the shopkeeper."
Argent now wore an angry and dazzled face. "Siyra. That isn't like you to just steal something."
"I know. I know." I said depressed. "I... I just felt... like... like I only exist to make you guys waste pentills and your time." Both of us paused. "Plus. He kind of ripped us off."
Argent smiled. "If I really hated buying things for you, then I really wouldn't. You know that right?" I smiled. "It's shopping, Siyra, shopping. Is there anything I love more?"
I laughed softly. "Thanks for understanding." I said.
"Sure, just don't let it happen again. If you do... I might have to report you to Ugo." She said smiling.
I gave one of my famous "seriously" looks. "Ugo? Take me down?" We stopped and then burst out laughing.
She waved goodbye and started walking back towards her home on the dirt path. I waited and then started the opposite way. I needed to find Lukas and Ticon to tell them about our new schedule.
I knew exactly where Lukas and Ticon would be. The Manuscriptorium. It was the ultimate building of knowledge, books, history, and discoveries in Wanmei. If Lukas wasn't outside studying things, which he never does during the nighttime, then he would be in the Manuscriptorium. It was the only building that held the records of our tribe's past, the other tribes and their pasts, and the most interesting, the Ancient's history. The Ancients were the very first. They lived in peace. In love. Without the fear of being killed, or overtaken, or judged because you were different. They had discovered the basic necessities for life and found the basic tools for life. Lukas spent hours upon hours studying them. In fact, Lukas was practically the only one that ever went into the building. A few curious tribesmen, and the Elder occasionally went to the Manuscriptorium, but usually only Lukas could be found there. I found the historic manuscripts interesting but never really researched them, so I had no idea about them.
I reached the Manuscriptorium. A large dome, with wooden sides and a glass top. It took our builders nearly thirty-three years to finish it, but it was all worth it. It provided light, so that no candles needed to be used. Candles had a chance of spreading devastating fire to the priceless books and manuscripts. During the night, when Lukas wanted to do a late-night study, he would have to adapt to the nighttime vision to read the many, many, many books in there.
I pushed the single, small door that led to the dome. The door was so small in comparison to the entire dome that it looked kind of strange. I was met with the strange smell of thousand year old parchment and Lukas and Ticon both leaning on a table looking through a manuscript. When the door shut, quite loudly, behind me both of them looked up quickly. Lukas' face lit up.
"Oh, Siyra!" He called. "Come on over here!" He said motioning me to come and see what they were reading. I walked over. "Come for a late night study session?" Lukas asked me. Ticon sat quietly, as usual.
"Absolutely not." I answered raising my eyebrow. How in the world could he ask me if I would waste my time with manuscripts when I could be collecting more food. "I came to talk to you two about the expedition."
They both nodded their heads, still absorbed in the manuscript. I ripped the book out of their hands. I felt Lukas hold against my pull but it was more like a child trying to fight off a grown man. I held the book up and smiled.
"Hey!" Lukas cried. "We were just getting to the part where the Ancients were explaining how they thought plants work."
I looked at the book. There was a weird, sort of blurred picture of dandelion with tons of weird symbols across the pages. "How do you two read this thing?" I asked. It looked like a child scribbled on these.
"It's simple Burkin." He responded. "Learn your languages..." He trailed off. Of course he would say that. Lukas knew every single language that had ever existed on Euroshen. Making him, not only our scholar, but our ambassador. He never had to go on trips, because the other tribes didn't even know we existed. But I guess the Elder still thought it be good we have one. "Okay, then. What is it you need?" He asked me.
"I have changed the date of our expedition." I told them, but it sounded more like a command. They both wore confused expressions that made me smile.
"Um..." Lukas said awkwardly.
"I've changed it to leaving tomorrow at dawn. Exactly. And we will not go at any other time. If we do-" I paused to think. I hadn't thought of real good forcer sentence on my way over to the Manuscriptorium. "-then you lose me and Argent on coming with you." I said, sort of like a brat.
"Okay." Lukas said immediately. Now it was my turn to be utterly confused. Did Lukas did agree with something that would change his perfect schedule and make him prepare even quicker? I was about to ask him what he had done with the real Lukas, when Lukas interrupted.
"We were actually going to change it to leaving tomorrow, but we were too wrapped up in this manuscript." He said pulling the book back out of my weakened grip.
I smiled. "Great, then we leave tomorrow at morning. Be prepared with food, water, and whatever else you two think might be useful." I said, as I went to walk out of the Manuscriptorium. They both nodded and returned to reading their manuscript.
I pushed the door again and felt the numbing air hit my face, yet again. I walked along the dirt path, kicking a nearby group of pebbles.
Time to go home, I thought. But, not my real home.

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