Fly Until You See The Light

Prairie - Chapter 11

The Prairie Elder was so... Nice! Even thought the process took longer than I thought!

This time Ojtaro decided to participate with us and, with me, Symphony and Youssef, he sat on the stone closing his eyes and assuming a really serious stare.

«Why that face?» I asked him with curiosity. And he answered that he always must be polite and rigid when he meets the Elders. He didn't tell me why...

And we ended up in the void.

The so-called Ayin looked quite young and old at the same time. Certainly younger than the Elder of the Isle of Dawn. He was also very funny with his tousled hair and his kind face of stone. And he gets along very well with butterflies.

Among those who were there I think there was also Benedith, a butterfly that I met earlier!

I understood one more thing: the first thing I have to do when I meet an Elder is to give him the flame of my candle. Apparently it's some kind of ritual... I think.

«Ojtaro!» the Elder exclaimed immediately. «I see you've made some friends!».

Oj' nodded and asked:«Any news or similar, Prairie Elder?».

«Oh, you know how it feels to be less calculated than the Elder of the Forest! I'm fine anyways» the Elder joked. «Come on, the Children are all obsessed with her and the twins of the Valley! How is it possible?».

«I don't know, but I don't really care in any case. And you shouldn't too».

Ayin stared at him disapprovingly, then shook his head and called out for a yellow and shiny butterfly, which came up to him and landed on his shoulder.

He nodded and said:«Oh, I got it!».

He did that for a while, then the creature flew away and he exclaimed:«What a wonderful thing!».

I was quite... Confused. In short... A butterfly had just said something to him! Since when do butterflies talk? Maybe it's a power of the Elder? Communicate with animals? As reasoning it makes sense.

«Ojtaro, am I wrong or are you helping the two girls right here? You know, you also have to avoid making any enemies... Many can't stand you, young man. And the fifteen years old girl that stands behind you is one of them!» Ayin began.

I was really surprised. He knows everything about us... Just because a butterfly told him?!

Youssef only made one interruption in that time:«Elder... How do you know Ojtaro's name?! How do you know each other that well?!».

«Oh...».

The Elder looked surprised, while Ojtaro closed his eyes and sighed. His hands were placed behind his back.

«Long story» Ojtaro answered with a strange and empty stare.

«Tell it» Symphony invited him. «Now». She didn't believe him.

Ojtaro shook his head. He didn't want to, so I cut it short by telling Symphony:«If he doesn't want to, let him be. Everyone has secrets; me too, guess what!».

And my friend Oj' looked at me with a calm face. He wasn't smiling, but I'm sure he really wanted to.

I wonder why he has to look like this in front of the Elders. This makes me kind of worried about him and the secret he probably hides from me, but I know I just can't stress Ojtaro. He doesn't want to tell the secret, and I'm fine with it. When he'll feel comfortable enough, he'll tell me. I'll be ready to listen to him. And I hope he will be ready for me too... Because I trust him.

-----

The Children come out of the Prairie's temple after that long speech.

Youssef is a little too curious about Ojtaro's life...And he doesn't like it. He doesn't want to feel watched by a sixteen-year-old who doesn't know how to mind his business.

But then, someone catches his attention and distracts him from his thoughts.

Two boys in flight land next to them, causing everyone's surprise. And especially Ojtaro's confused stare.

The taller one has long hair, two brown earrings, a brownish and normal mask and a sort of beige uniform, while the other has messy hair, a chestnut colored coat and a rather funny raccoon tail. He too has two feathers - one yellow and one red - for each ear.

Those two. What are they doing here?!

The two look at him, and they seem to be even more surprised than him.

«You aren't gonna tell dad about this» the second one recommends, while the first seems under pressure and looks down. «I always wanted to reach the Prairie. And you know it! You won't tell this to anyone, won't you?! You will not!» he adds.

Ojtaro turns to Sentinekka, who seems more confused than him.