Way of Life

T H R E E

♪ Magic of the land
by James Horner ♪
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Chapter Three:
The Beginning

Ma'vona’s hands moved with delicate precision as she traced the lines of my collarbones, her touch both gentle and deliberate. The coolness of her fingers sent an unexpected shiver down my spine, but it was the warmth beneath that coolness—the sensation of her skin against mine—that stirred something deeper, something that made my stomach flutter and my face warm. She carefully placed the intricately woven leafy necklace around my neck, her fingers lingering just long enough to secure the fastening behind me. The combination of the necklace’s texture, rough yet comforting, and her touch left my skin tingling, and I could feel my stomach reddening, an involuntary reaction to the nearness of her.

I wore a new garment, carefully wrapped around my waist, its fabric light, but strong, oddly familiar, and comforting. Around my arms, she had placed new bracelets—delicate yet durable, made of interwoven fibres that coiled around my biceps. Another pair of similar bracelets encircled my ankles, each extending all the way to the base of my big toe, intricate and seamless. Ma'vona moved with purpose, stepping around me with the grace of someone entirely in tune with her surroundings. She knelt in front of me, her eyes focused, scanning the necklace and adjusting it slightly, her expression satisfied as she inspected her handiwork.

I watched her in silent awe, my gaze drawn to the soft fall of her hair, a few strands spilling over her shoulders and framing her face. In the dim light of the shadow of the hut, she looked breathtaking—radiant, almost otherworldly. Her movements were fluid, her presence commanding yet soothing all at once. I pressed my lips into a thin line, unsure of what to say, or if I even should say anything at all. But my body betrayed me, and I felt a purple blush creep across my cheeks, the blue of my skin warming as she leaned closer, her proximity enough to send my senses reeling. She hovered just above me, so close that I could feel her breath on my face as she tightened the necklace around the back of my neck, her fingers working swiftly yet with care.

It was only then that I noticed something beyond her touch. She smelled of fresh, calming flowers—like the subtle, fragrant blooms that opened in the cool of the evening. The scent was delicate, earthy, and sweet, enveloping me in a sense of peace. I breathed it in, the aroma grounding me even as my mind raced from the closeness of her.

“These pieces,” she began, her voice soft but resonant, “are made from the stems of plants with fibres as strong as jute.” Her hands lingered on the arm bracelet, her fingers gently running along the woven material, adjusting it with an almost reverent touch. “They last longer than a year, sometimes more, before they show any signs of wear.” She looked up, her eyes glowing faintly in the low light as she spoke, clearly proud of the craftsmanship. “The purpose of wearing plant-based accessories and garments like these is to bring us closer to the natural world—to remind us of the connection we share with the land, to honor the gifts nature provides, in beautification, and both spiritually and medicinally.”