Chasing The Golden Suns

4

In the following weeks, Syrine enjoyed watching Emmeline craft different gadgets. She would ask for the words of actions and the names of tools and metals. Always excited for her next lesson in communication. She loved new words. The way her mouth had to move to formulate the correct sound.

Syrine curiously watched from a distance as Emmeline stood by a fireplace, and heated metals with a long metallic tool. “Emme! Word!” Syrine pointed to a newly built device that Emmeline was finishing up on.

Emmeline was very strict on what she could or could not touch, and only let her touch objects when they were cool after crafting.

Syrine was starting to notice the pattern. Some of these strange devices she could not touch even if they were cool, all had the same type of shape.

“Gun. That is a weapon.” Emmeline stated. “It’s used to shoot someone. Like an enemy. I make these for the war. And no touching!” She explained to her.

Syrine racked her brain together for what each word meant. “Gun? Is weapon? Shoot Enemy? War?” She was unsure of the relation.

The object was called a gun that is a weapon, and she was unsure of how it shoots an enemy.

The two suddenly hear an emergence of shouts and anger outside, a riot.

Emmeline quickly went over to the door and opened it to look at the commotion erupting within the clear bright day. Syrine quickly followed and gasped in shock. A group of people dragged the bodies of two struggling men across the ground. Some beat them with sticks and sharp crow bars. Syrine froze in fear at the violence.

She thought of her tail and how she split it in two, her intention was of transformation and change. Yet these humans shed blood in a brutal way. She looked upon this violence, how it stemmed from pure cruelty and harshness. The way it was meant to hurt another living being and destroy them. It was a horrifying concept.

Her body trembled in utter terror at the sight, she nervously held onto Emmeline’s arm. “Emme…” Her voice faltered, and she gazed at Emmeline’s eyes who quickly regarded her with security. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” Emmeline comforted her.

Syrine immediately wrapped her arms around her in an embrace, to be held and given a sense of protection. Emmeline didn’t hesitate to hold her close.

The people attacked the men, their shouts loud and clear. Syrine listened closely. “Just get the gun and shoot them! Shoot them! They are with the enemy!” One of the rioters shouted. “This is for the war!”

A man held out a weapon like the ones Emmeline crafted. Syrine watched intently, her heart racing, the sight of the weapon now used in a menacing manner. It frightened her. The two bloody men screamed as the other man pulled the trigger and shot them.

Syrine stood still. She watched their lives end in mere seconds at the hands of the weapon. “Gun… shoot…enemy… war…” She whispered to herself, now understanding that those words and those weapons meant the destruction of life.

Emmeline gently pulled her inside and closed the door shut. “Shhh Syrine it’s okay. This is what happens in war. Please relax… I am here.” Emmeline reassured her, her soft fingers gently touched Syrine’s cheek. Syrine gazed into the lovely woman’s eyes, the more she stared the calmer she felt. “Emme… here…” She told herself and gently rested her head on Emmeline’s chest.

Her fearful eyes now looked at the weapons Emmeline crafted. She understood why Emmeline wouldn’t let her touch them, it was to protect her from getting hurt.

The heart within Emmeline’s chest pounded faster now against her ear and cheek. Syrene was holding her so closely out of fear.

A feeling of closeness emerged in Syrene's body, she kept her head on Emmeline, not wanting to move.

This comfort... that emerged in a time of great distress. Syrene did not let go. This new human emotion swelling inside her.