Silverstream - Hinewai Parata

I tried to make her look pretty and eye-catching whilst simultaneously casual and laid-back. She has strong arms and shoulders and her hair is loose like a stream. Taller than Warun and could definitely lift him up without breaking a sweat. Between the two of them they have 1 braincell to share.

Bonus experimental doodles under cut

How’s it so far?

Let’s go!

Did I forget to mention this is not the same day that the Sully family arrived. They have been there about a week. This is around the time when the colonel comes looking for them.

*******

I run, as far and as fast as I can. I look around and realize I’m in the woods. Just surrounded by trees. I wiggle my toes in the sand below my feet.

“Hinewai!”

I turn quickly to see Neteyam jogging towards me. When he reaches me, he gasps for air.

“You sure are fast.”

I look at him, nodding.

“What happened back there?”

“I- my parents and Roxto I-“

“Okay, take a moment. Calm down. You’re okay.”

I meet his eyes, his bright amber eyes. I take a deep breath before continuing.

“My parents want me to mate with Roxto. I don’t feel that way about him and I can’t see spending the rest of my days with him.”

Neteyam grabs my hands, “You have the right to decline the invitation.”

“I did. I told him no and that’s why I ran away. My parents must be so disappointed in me. I’m supposed to become the next Tsahìk. Roxto would make a fine leader.”

I feel Neteyam’s fifth finger on my hands and sigh. He’s different. I don’t mind that he’s different, he bleeds the same as the rest of us.

“Hey look at me.”

I meet his eyes again, lifting my head from the ground.

“We’re in the trees. This is the most I’ve felt home since getting here. You know how to climb trees right?”

I laugh, “We live on the beach Neteyam. The hunters always went bringing the stuff back to make our huts.”

“So you haven’t?” He says, his eyes lighting up.

“No I have not.”

He drags me along by my hand, “Let me show you.”

“Neteyam no! I’m a lady I don’t climb trees!”

“All the women in my tribe climb trees. My mom and sisters do too.”

I huff, “Fine but I can’t make you any promises I’ll be good.”

“Don’t worry I’ll help you.”

I watch as Neteyam grabs onto a branch and swings himself up the tree. He lands on the branch and smiles at me. He puts his hand out for me to grab. I smile at him, worried.

“Come on Hinewai, I can help you. Just grab my hand.”

I grab his hand and feel myself being hauled up.

“Ahhh wait wait!”

Neteyam laughs and threads his fingers through mine, “Don’t worry I’ve got you.”

I smile at him and look around. Everything looks so small from up here. So insignificant. The ground seems so far away. I look towards Neteyam to find his eyes on me.

“Well, do you like it?”

“Everything seems so small from up here. Like all of your problems could just vanish away.”

“It does seem like that, doesn’t it?”

I look towards the sky to see the sunset. It looks so much different from up here. Watching the sunset from the top of a tree, sitting here with a boy I just met a week ago, and this is the most peace I have felt in a long time.

*******

It’s kind of short I know! But this is a major turning point in the story!

Until next time!

~ Ari 🤍