The Breath of Water | Neteyam

71 • Out in the Open

"It is a perfect match, the mighty son of Toruk Makto, the mighty Waytaronyu, Nawm'ewana Maktoyu (Great Young Rider)—"

"—wait, wait...people actually call me that?" asked Neteyam, surprised.

"Yes, seeing you on that tsurak changed lives man, even mine." Tsyätrril replied. His eyes then fell to Liyanin, who was chatting with various people...well, being swarmed by them would be more accurate. "...so how long have you been courting our tsakarem?"

Neteyam chuckled, leaning back on his arms. "...why do you want to know that, Tsyätrril...?"

"I had my suspicions when you had your arm over her at the last banquet."

"Well then there's your answer." Neteyam popped.

"C'mon man, I know it's been longer than that." Tsyätrril insisted.

"If you know that then there's your answer."

"Quit being so nosy, Tsyätrril. You are being annoying." Femtrì said, lightly smacking the back of his head. "...but how long, Neteyam?"

"Hypocrite!" Tsyätrril spat, poking her side.

"Congratulations, Ma tsakarem!"

"Wonderful choice for your muntxatan!"

"Congrats!"

Liyanin was being bombarded by two types of different people: those who had questions and those who wanted to suck up to her. They figured that if she became the mate to Neteyam, woah, what a power couple that would be.

"Thank you, haha. Oh, thanks...u-uhm—excuse me, I have to—"

"Do you truly think this was a good idea?"

That voice. That damning voice.

Zopxìfun.

"...what?" she said. But instead of replying, he only scoffed and walked away. His mate was here too, surprisingly. She saw them heading somewhere, but they weren't walking with Masanai. Fortunately, she was with her former teammates, so her parents wouldn't be bothering her. At least not right now.

"Liyanin! Liyanin!" a little voice called out. She turned her head to look for the source and found big eyes staring back at her.

"Rali!"

"I...I made y-you this!" the boy said, his stutter present. He handed her a handmade bracelet containing various shells and shiny stones. The string it was made of was a special material that came from a specific plant his parents would usually harvest; its stem was home to the 'translucent holo thread'. "M-my mom said th...that I could use the th-thread from the hiwlltxi (type of plant)...!"

Liyanin took the jewelry into her hands, appreciating its beauty. "Wow, it's a tsyofkxile (bracelet)," she said, bringing it closer to her face. "...it looks so beautiful, Rali."

"I am glad y-you like it!" he replied, smiling brightly. She patted his head, ruffling his hair a little. She then bent down to his level, putting on the bracelet so he could see her do it.

"It fits just right. And it looks amazing on me, don't you think?" she asked him, grinning. He nodded before giving her a surprise hug. She laughed at the sudden attack, but welcomed it nonetheless.

"Ma tsakarem, you must take this, too!"

"Yes, I have this for you as well!"

"Take mine, please! Please!!!"