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I sighed slightly as I entered the room Challa was harboring. "Challa," I said he looked up at me "I am going to head down to the river, would you like to join me?" He nodded I smiled at him and left him to get ready to leave. I grabbed the baskets of clothing and the soaps for the wash. Challa came out. We walked, I looked around my village smiling at the children and other people.
"Ayana, heading down to the river?" my 15-year-old sister, Kya asked catching up to us
"Always," I said causing her to laugh
"You know the water is my domain," Kya said causing me to snort
"Would you like to do the wash?" she scrunched up her nose in distaste, "thought so," I said slightly laughing she smiled at me then looked at Challa and gave him a greeting. Challa smiled and nodded a hello. I said a swift goodbye to my sister and she smiled walking off. When we got to the river, I placed the basket down on the ground. I sighed softly picking up the first article of clothing. I started washing in silence while Challa walked around looking at the trees and rocks.
"You do this every week?" he asked I furrowed my eyebrows and looked at him "Washing by the river?" I nodded
"I find that the river clears my head, I enjoy feeling of the soil beneath my feet and the cold water running between my fingers," I explained "Plus it is great to get away from my siblings every week for an hour or two," I said jokingly causing him to laugh with me. I smiled looking up at the man. I continued to wash the clothing out and have a conversation with Challa when I heard the leaves shift. I looked off at the direction to see a leopard coming to the river probably for water. I smiled but Challa seemed to be scared. "Don't be scared," I told him "She is just here for water, won't hurt you," I told him turning back to the cat that stalked forth for the water. She took a step toward me her eyes contacted with mine. I put my hand out.
"What are you doing?" Challa asked I ignored his question the leopard put her snout into my palm causing me to giggle when she licked my hand.
"She is friendly, here," I said grabbing his hand and pulling it out the leopard laid her head into his hand
"How is she so calm?"
"We are animals at our core. I am the animal, you are the animal. Animals feel fear as well, when you fear them they get apprehensive. But when you show them you aren't scared they respond positively, amazing isn't it?" I asked Challa nodded and I smiled when her cubs came out of the shadows and purred "this is another reason why I love the river," I said causing him to laugh.
