#anufi

so, just spoke to anufi and she's wound up at the hollows before i even go to find okul.

i know this is heavily due to her being bent at the knees a few degrees and a slightly lower floor (on one foot tho) but she looks tiny! in comparison to the Sarentu.

English is not my native language, so please excuse any mistakes.

⟾ Be Like You

Synopsis 𓄼 Much more than just kneading things.

Words 𓄼 812

Warning 𓄼 free, cute, mentor/apprentice relationship (almost a mother/daughter?), quick sadness.

Dictionary 𓄼 hiyìk - little one》tsahìk - spiritual leader》pskalintsyìp - small sweet berry》 tsakarem - tsahìk apprentice

You were left alone in this world far too soon.

Your mother was an expert hunter among the few hunters the Kame'tire clan possessed, and your father was a great craftsman, one of the makers of the most beautiful totems scattered throughout their territory.

You were only three years old when your mother died, during a hunt that went terribly wrong. Even the best hunters were not exempt from the savagery of the "planet."

Then your father passed away when you turned five.

He and a small group of craftsmen had traveled a little beyond the Kame'tire territory; something went wrong, something about people from the sky, but no one wanted to tell you what.

You remember not reacting at first when the clan leader gently placed her hand on your small head. The touch, somehow, brought a certain comfort amidst the feeling of emptiness that your young consciousness carried.

– Come, hiyìk.

And you followed her.

You didn't argue.

Because even at a young age you were aware that you had no one else.

You quickly got used to Anufi's residence and her presence, but it took a while to feel comfortable speaking again. When you were around six and a half years old, you belatedly began your curious phase, wanting to know about everything around you.

– What's that?

You asked the older woman once, when you saw her crouching near several funny objects and strange plants. She turned her head to look at you, a gentle smile appearing on her lips.

– Crushing some pods.

Your head tilted to the side.

– What's it for?

– It's to make people strong and healthy again, to heal them, over time. To help them recover.

You watched her reach out to pick up a strange plant and throw it into the mixture she was making, and you didn't ask anything else. You just sat there nearby and watched.

Anufi admired the company inwardly.

Once, when Anufi was away dealing with matters with Mokasa, she left you in Okul's care.

You liked him and had seen him a few times, visiting Anufi or walking with Siul and, occasionally, a young woman named Sa'ney.

– What are you doing?

The young herbalist jumped slightly from his seat, unprepared for a high-pitched voice coming from behind him, almost dropping the wooden bowl in his hands, before looking at you and relaxing.

– Crushing strong roots to make a good medicine.

A small pout formed on his lips, his head turning slightly to the side, curious.

– Anufi also crushes things like that.

Okul smiled, his gentle manner expressed in his movements.

– She does it because she is Tsahìk. And she is very good at it.

Tsahìk. Your mind repeated that term considerably. You remember having seen some clan members refer to Anufi that way.

– Are you also Tsahìk?

The young man’s movements paused for a moment, before his sister stepped back and a laugh burst between you.

You didn’t understand what was so funny.

When he seemed to recover, between giggles here and there, he replied:

– No, no, child. I learn from Anufi. I am an apprentice.

Apprentice. Your curiosity piqued. That was a new word.

– What is an apprentice?

– It’s someone who is learning something, either out of desire or to become the best at what they do.

Then you fell into a comfortable silence.

Okul continued to knead those strange roots, while you remained standing, looking at him, introspective. Your mind was already beginning to formulate thoughts.

Twilight had barely begun when Anufi caught you sitting near the entrance of the residence, surrounded by small, makeshift vessels made from tree bark and large seeds, with moss and plants scattered everywhere. Your legs and hands were covered in dirt, and there was some on your face as well.

– What are you doing, child?

– Crushing things.

She could tell this well, seeing you pick up an old root and begin to break it up inside one of the vessels.

– Why?

– To learn. I am an apprentice.

– And what are you apprentices for?

– To heal people. To be Tsahìk, like you.

Then she shook her head amusedly when she saw you mix a moss of dubious appearance, still full of dirt, into the same container and begin to crush it. She was almost certain you didn't even know what those things were.

– You don't learn to be Tsahìk just by kneading things, paskalintsyìp, it's much more than that.

Anufi approached.

– Come.

The woman crouched down and took you by the armpits.

– If you want to be Tsahìk, you'll have to learn from Tsahìk herself.

She lifted you, supporting your weight on her hips as you laughed. The earth now soiling you both made her sigh with amusement.

– But first, a bath.

And then that day you learned a new word. Tsakarem. And it seemed to sound very good to you.

A short story for those who asked for Anufi! Until the next one on the list - Tonowari - ☆