The Breath of Water | Neteyam

78 • No More Running

"Running can only get you so far."

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Some violence ahead.

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The way that fear could travel so easily throughout a crowd and cause chaos in the span of a second—it was impressive.

That is what Ronal and Tonowari had worried for, paranoia.

"We must tell the village sooner rather than later, my love. If the news makes its way on its own through outside sources, it might be worse than us doing it ourselves."

"I know, I know..." Ronal sighed, rubbing her temples. Tonowari noticed her stress and worriedly placed a hand on her swollen tummy. She smiled softly in response.

"Perhaps it would be best if I were to do it on my own." He said in a gentle tone. Ronal proceeded to shake her head. "...but do you not feel overwhelmed? I will be fine doing it by myself."

"I am alright, love." She insisted. Her mind drifted elsewhere for a moment.

"...another thing we have to talk about is—"

"—Liya." she finished.

Tonowari's eyes widened a little. "Yes...specifically her body marking."

Ronal's face turned in surprise, expecting the topic to be her move. "Ah, yes."

"We were supposed to have her receive it after the Tulkun returned, but with this sudden dire news of the demons burning the Ta'unui hutches...I'm afraid it is going to have to be postponed yet again." Tonowari explained. Ronal's features fell, upset at everything in the moment. She knew how excited and happy her daughter was to hear about her new and first tattoo.

"It is the right decision. I am sure she will understand."

"She will. She has a great head on her shoulders." He said, smiling brightly.

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"This one is too low, no?"

"...uh-huh......"

Peya put the necklace in her hands down on the stand she was using. Her and Aonung sat on a mat in her home, helping him try on necklaces. She fingered around the other hanging accessories, wondering which one to choose. Her eyes settled on a shorter one, pulling it off its stand. She held it up to Aonung's neck, checking to see how it looked on him.

"This one's a bit...stiff, wouldn't you say?" she asked him, looking at the side of his face.

"...yeah..." he replied, absent-mindedly. Peya soon noticed this absent-mindedness, her hand holding the necklace falling.

"This one makes you look like an akula." She said. He nodded, humming a yes. She sighed, then snapped once in his face, causing him to come back to reality. He blinked multiple times, finally looking her in the face. "You were not listening, were you?"

"I'm sorry, Peya. I was just thinking..." he sighed as he took hold of her hand, rubbing her thumb.

"About...?" she asked, her soft voice caressing his ears.

He didn't say anything right away, instead only shaking his head. "It is...it is nothing." He kissed her hand then squeezed her bun, causing her to laugh. He laughed with her, leaning his forehead on hers, both of them closing their eyes.

"Are you sure...?" she asked, a small smirk on her face.

"Yes," he kissed her forehead, rubbing the back of her head. He then got up to go somewhere, her eyes following him. "...didn't you say you needed more shorestones? I can go get them for you."