χαίρετε!

“Not that young.” they protested, huffing a bit and wrinkling up their nose. But they were smiling none the less, grinning in amusement at the other. They sighed a bit at the comment, nodding a tiny bit.

 “I usually not stay in one place for a long time,” they admitted, frowning a little bit. “I’m not used to staying anywhere. Makes me nervous to stay…”

“So young! A little baby! Only quarter through, yes?” Effie gave them a playful grin and a nudge. Humans were living longer and longer these days! Twenty was barely the beginning for them! Although... with Malik’s lifestyle, maybe they would not be one of these humans who lived well into their next century. 

That was true, they were young. “20.” they signed to them. They never viewed it as that young, though. They knew lots of people were older than them, but still, twenty years was an awfully long time to be on this earth, especially compared to some, and they thought that they had managed to see quite a lot in that time.

 “I am safe,” they assured, smiling and dipping their head. “But people here, very nice. Treat me kindly usually. I like it here. Small. Quiet.” they explained, sighing. “I don’t want to leave it.”

“Ah, 20! So young, no? I remember when I was so young.” Effie could not be lying more - she barely remembered being 200, never mind 20! “As they say, world is oyster, yes?” It was a saying that... did not make sense, but she had heard many people say it! She could think of many things that were better than oysters.

Malik laughed very softly, nodding eagerly. A board seemed like it would make life so much easier! They quietly couldn’t wait, wriggling a tiny bit with excitement at the thought. They couldn’t remember a time when communication had been easy and safe and enjoyable for them.

 “Thanks.” they signed, beaming. “Island very beautiful. I feel safe,” they confessed, smiling a little and sighing, giving her a grateful look. “Thank you. I appreciate it. You are a very very very nice person!” they enthused, feeling terribly lucky that they had ended up bumping into her.

“I am glad! You are young, no? Should not feel danger when you are so young. Be safe always now!” To be so young and to be living alone on the island - without a home, no less - had to mean something had not been right in their life, no? Perhaps it was linked to the farm they had mentioned. Effie knew when to dig for gossip and when things were more personal, and decided she shouldn’t push it. 

      (Add ‘ * ’ to reverse the roles where possible)

“They are nice if you do not bother them!” they insisted, laughing softly. “But I will be very happy to have board! More easy for everyone to talk to me. Hard when people not know ASL.” they said, sighing softly. They really liked making new friends, but it was difficult and frustrating when there was no reliable way to communicate with them.

 They laughed softly, poking her back lightly. “I am happy here, too. Lots of space. Beautiful plants and animals. Big woods for me to explore and nice people.” they told them, sighing softly. They lit up at the offer of sharing food, looking delighted. “You share with me? You are so nice! I can give you seeds back in return if you want.”

She was too small to be unafraid of large animals, really, but if Malik wanted to be friends with bears... “Yes! My board is so helpful! Better to talk to people easily. Will be easier for you to ask for help, no?” The return poke made her squirm and giggle, wiggling her toes. Effie was so glad she had a board - it’d been a few months into her venture into civilisation when a human had given her a wax tablet, and she’d been carrying writing implements ever since. 

Genesse smiled at the question of her parents. She was proud of them, of course, and loved talking about them when she got the chance.

“It is rare to hear of them! However, only my mother was a Nymph like me. Even though I had a human Father, my Mother passed all of her abilities to me.” She smiled, hands signing along with her words as she spoke. “ Him and my mother were such a lovely pair. Obviously she was much older than him, and you’d think a relationship between an immortal and a human wouldn’t be a good idea, but they got on so well.” She stopped, not wanting to rant too much. “They were fantastic. I was very lucky”

Genesse giggled, not surprised. She knew she was young, and Effie’s lack of knowledge of her true age did not shock her. She wondered if one day she’d reach a point where she just stopped counting. “Well, I can only hope I look as good as you at your age!” She joked, knocking Effie’s arm playfully. “I’ve read stories about Artemis, she seems wonderful.” Genesse hoped to meet her one day, but she had no idea how to even go about that, or if the legendary woman was even still around.

“As for your friend- I would love to meet him, maybe! You’ll have to introduce me.” She said, winking. She was excited for Effie to see her home. It wasn’t the flashiest of places, but she took pride in it. She had built her with her own two hands, and she loved it for what it was, and knew Effie would know hard work had gone into it. It would be hard to leave it behind when she found a home, but she knew bigger and better things were coming. She swatted playfully as Effie poked her side.

“Ah, that is so sweet! I’d love to see your home! I promise I won’t take advantage of your kind offer” She laughed, winking again.

Effie listened along, rapt, as Genesse explained her family. So unusual! She’d never met any dryads that she hadn’t grown up alongside, and it amazed her to know that there were other groups, with different heritages! Of course, she wasn’t foolish enough to believe that every forest spirit had lived alongside her in Greece, but still. The use of past tense hadn’t escaped the dryad, though, and she asked carefully, “You have outlived your parents?”

The compliment, though joking, made her grin, pleased, and she gave a huff of amusement as she lilted sideways into Genesse. “You must eat your greens and be nice to the forest, no? A good life means good skin!” When she was younger, some of the older dryads had said that Artemis punished naughty dryads by making them grow old and wrinkled like humans. Effie was secretly quite glad she’d avoided that. “She was kind to us, to let us all live under her protection. Very powerful, no? I am sure she is still walking the earth somewhere.” Last time she’d returned to Greece, the goddess had not been present - but the forest was as lush and vibrant as it had ever been, which meant that Artemis could not have abandoned it.

Malik just shrugged a little. Oh, was that all? They already knew it was cold and rainy and they had dealt with plenty of it before, so they were sure they would be fine. “I have met a bear before.” they signed, smiling a tiny bit. Just a small black bear and they only saw it in passing. It had still been cool.

 “I have not met many people yet. I am not good at talking to people always,” they admitted, giving a tiny, sheepish smile. Plus, the fact that they were always skulking about and, well, homeless, probably discouraged a fair amount of people from trying to say hi… They were sure.

 “We did not do spraying. Everything natural,” they explained. “But I did not like it very much. I left a long time ago.” they told them. “But need pick food for eating sometimes.” 

Effie looked dubious. A place like Mamono was not good to sleep outside, no? So wet and cold... Just thinking about it made her shiver. Poor Malik would be shuffling into the Clinic in no time. And to think they were not afraid of bears! Very much sounding like an old woman, she tutted, and signed, “Bears... bad. And wolves too. You are brave!”

The dryad paddled her feet, her toes getting a little chilly now they weren’t curled in the soft grass, and hummed thoughtfully. “We will get you board, no? Then it will be easy! Everyone can read!” She paused, then changed her mind, “Well. Most everyone can read.” Giving them an encouraging smile, she gave them a gentle poke in the side.

Effie blinked and rubbed her forehead, looking up. She had just been out for a walk, froggy umbrella in hand, on the lookout for some new plants for her house and then… wham! Being diminutive, she was used to people not seeing her, but that did not make the bruises hurt any less, no? But… ah, the woman looked so worried! The dryad was quick to smile up at her, nodding vigorously, hands already patting the floor for her board and pouch of chalks.

Esmé sheepishly smiled at her new friend. Effie was right, of course. She really needed her sleep. But alas - someone in need! The call for help always over-rid Esmé’s self-care plans. Especially when the help needed was through no fault but her own.

The comment about the oak tree threw Esmé off balance. It wasn’t the first time she’d heard someone refer to themselves as like a tree. She whispered to her companion; “You’re not….human, are you?” A sudden look of panic flitted across Effie’s face, only to be replaced quickly with the same effervescent smile Esmé had first been introduced to. “It’s okay. You’re not alone here. But I’m going to need to know what you are so I know how best to treat you. A bump on the head could be very serious for some….people.”

Effie scribbled over her chalkboard, and once Esmé realised that really, no harm could happen to this girl, not unless her tree was damaged, she sat down and sighed. 

“I’m sorry. I needn’t have rushed you over here if there wasn’t really anything wrong! Maybe you’re right. Maybe I should go have a rest. Would you like to come with me? I have some pets you might like to meet. My dog is very friendly! My cat…not so much. Please, it’s the least I can do after all this fussing over nothing!”

Enjoying herself immensely, Effie swung her legs back and forth, her toes dangling far above the floor below as she perched on the edge of the bed. She took the opportunity to look around, taking in the stark lighting and tiled flooring - so interesting! It looked a little like the hospital rooms she’d seen on some of the human television shows she indulged in when there was nothing else to do. Oh, what a day!

As realisation dawned on the woman’s face, the dryad felt a slight pang of worry before she realised - of course! This woman was not human either. A human would never make such an uncanny guess. Cheerily, Effie nodded brightly and started to write, “I am a dryad! I do not get sick often. Also, you did not hit me very hard :P”

They frowned a tiny bit, tilting their head to the side in quiet confusion. “Why have to sleep inside now?” they questioned, seeming kind of nervous by that. They slept outside in the forest, the park, or the beach pretty much every night. Was there something wrong with that? They hadn’t run into any trouble before, besides it being freezing and wet at times.

 They were distracted slightly by the next statement, however, nodding slightly. “Yes! Friends.” they agreed, nodding firmly. Effie was nice, and signed with them, and liked bugs and plants like they did, and offered to buy them a nice board to talk with. They were their friends now, they decided. They had no issue with them coming closer, drawing their legs up in front of them and laying their head down on their knees as they sighed thoughtfully. They did like the way the vegetation always seemed to be springing up anew. It was good. There was enough food for them to find growing that they could get along well enough. And besides that, they absolutely adored seeing all the flowers and trees and bushes always growing bigger and stronger. It made their heart happy.

 “I love the plants. I used to farm once. I like wild plants better though. Lots of pretty flowers here.” 

Effie’s freckled nose wrinkled up. She’d asked the same question of Aspen, several years ago, but she was not sure that she could give his answer (werewolves would eat her) to Malik. The dryad thought for a second, before mustering up her most matter-of-fact human face, “Is cold outside, and too much rain makes you sick. And. There are bears.” Perfect.

Oh, they were friends! Yes! Her little toes wiggled delightedly, and she thought about all the fun they could have together, Effie and her new friend, Malik. “Friends! Yes! This island is a good place to make friends. Everyone here is a friend.” Well... most people. Effie did not think that the bigger, scarier supers on the island were her friends. They would, probably, eat her. Suddenly plagued by thoughts of being eaten, the dryad scooted a little closer to Malik and mirrored their posture, curling her bare toes over the edge of the bench and hugging her knees for a moment. 

Malik couldn’t help but smile. “That would be very nice.” they signed back. There had been a time when Malik had been embarrassed to accept gifts and wanted to be humble, to say no. But they had long since gotten over that. They wouldn’t have been able to survive on many occasions without the handouts of others, and they could really use a board to write on! It would make life easier.

 “I like it here. It is weird. Feels safe and good for me.” they admitted. They had no idea why they had felt so drawn to this place originally, or why leaving sounded so horrible in their mind, but… “Maybe because island. Water all around. I like the ocean.” they reasoned. They knew that wasn’t quite it, but it was all they could think so so far. “But it is very wet and very cold. Especially at night.” 

 They smiled a bit when the hand was offered again, taking hold and following after them. They moved to curl up in the bench again, sitting criss cross applesauce and scootching a bit to make sure there was room for Effie, too. They smiled up at the trees sheltering them, sighing softly. “I have never been to a place where it rains so much before.”

“Of course! This island is small, no? We will see each other again, and I will take you to Kino’s.” Effie didn’t feel the need to add that she had literally no money to her name, and that she’d have to ask Aspen for a loan that they both knew she’d never pay back. It wasn’t her fault! She had no pockets to carry money, and she rarely needed it. It was fine - she would explain that her new friend, Malik, needed a board like hers. He would understand!

She understood, completely. Mamono was a close-knit community, and even with the threat of predators in the woods - not that she was sure Malik knew about those - it still felt safe, even for someone as vulnerable as herself. Effie smiled and nodded. “You are very right! On all counts! In Greece, I sleep outside, in the forest. But here, I have to stay inside.” Again, she inspected them. She was no stranger to homelessness - she’d dipped into human communities enough to understand how they treated their own kind - but it was still shocking to see, on the island. Her curious look melted into another smile, and she added, “Of course, if you are cold, it is best to get warm with a friend! We are friends now, yes?”

Malik smiled, nodding firmly in response. It was very lucky, and they felt lucky, too. What were the odds they would meet someone else mute on the island? They had traveled all across the country, and neighboring countries, even, and rarely found anyone else who could hold a conversation in ASL… 

 “I usually write in the sand or dirt,” they admitted, shrugging a bit. “Or find scraps. Whatever is closer.” If they couldn’t find either, then they were left to just mime and hope for the best. It didn’t always work out, but they just had to use what the world provided. 

 “I am Malik.” they signed out the letters, but didn’t have a name-sign to go with it, unfortunately. “I have been here for… a month or so,” they said. They didn’t have exact dates. “I have never been to Greece.” 

Sand? Dirt? Gods above, this poor soul! The dryad wanted to weep for them. She would have to get them a board! She had brought her own board with her from her previous home, near Sicily, but surely Kino’s would stock something similar, no? It would be a gift! “That is a shame... You will let me buy you one, no? It will make it easier to meet people.”

A little rusty - not many people signed with her! - Effie squinted a little as they spelled out their name. Malik! So pretty! She liked the sound of it, and made a mental note. “So new! How do you like the island? I can tell you it is a lot wetter than Greece!” An understatement! She would never get fully used to the constant drizzle on the island - she’d give anything to have a hot day, just to bake in the sun for hours.

Effie blinked and rubbed her forehead, looking up. She had just been out for a walk, froggy umbrella in hand, on the lookout for some new plants for her house and then… wham! Being diminutive, she was used to people not seeing her, but that did not make the bruises hurt any less, no? But… ah, the woman looked so worried! The dryad was quick to smile up at her, nodding vigorously, hands already patting the floor for her board and pouch of chalks.

“Oh your umbrella! It’s adorable! Where did you get it? I’d love a dog-looking one if they make them! I just have this shoddy old black one that falls apart regularly, yet I never seem to buy a new one.” Esmé looked back at her new companion and realised she was probably talking a little too fast for her to write back to every off-hand thing she said.

“The clinic is okay! It’s probably the most open area of the hospital. Lots of space and light and it’s usually pretty warm in there! You’ll be fine, don’t worry.” She sighed. The girl was right - you really did meet people on Mamono in unusual ways. Albeit most of Esmé’s encounters had been via work, but still. You couldn’t say working in a hospital wasn’t full of unusual circumstances.

Esmé’s eyes lit up at the excitement she could see in Effie’s face as she scribbled away on her chalkboard. It wasn’t that her job wasn’t ever appreciated, it was just…a nice change when someone went out of their way to sound excited about it! 

“Ah…no, no. I worked last night and finished this morning and I don’t start my next shift til tomorrow, but I spend a lot of time at work so it’s not really like anyone will be surprised to see me back. Honestly, please do not be surprised if one of my co-workers tells me to go home.”

How exciting to be visiting the Clinic! Her tree was well cared for, so Effie had never been sick - this would be her only chance to see inside the hospital, unless one of her friends fell ill! And she hoped to the gods that that would never happen, of course. As they wandered into the Clinic, the dryad looked around wide-eyed, curious to see what was going on. Mostly, it seemed to be stressed people and hungry-looking vampires. Hm. Still! An interesting opportunity.