#lani devane-riggs

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‘It’s not fair, she can’t go,’ Essa thought sullenly as she ran into the barn and startled a flock of peepers into flight. Artie -  her akk dog pup - followed closely at her heels, even as she dove into a pile of straw. He snuffled at her and she hugged him tightly, nestling deeper into the heap. “Sorry Artie,” she apologized to her pup. “I know you were havin’ fun, but I just couldn’t stand around smilin’ when stars know when we’ll see Tilly again.”

The Cathar kit still remembered the look on her Mama’s face when Tilly started showing off her abilities, lifting toys and spinning them playfully. Mama’d pat Tilly’s head, saying how proud she was, how special such skills are. There was pride in their Mama’s eyes - that was for sure - but sadness too, like she was losing something. Essa didn’t recognize it at first, not until it hit her that her twin sister would be going away to hone skills she had no hope of understanding.

The last straw was at the farewell party, watching Auntie Shawnni and Papa try to cheer up Mama. “First Kirrin, now our daughter?” she’d said, sounding close to tears.

Papa had instantly wrapped his arms around her. “It’s okay Hotshot. She’s in good hands. Kirrin will take care of her.”

Essa had never seen her mother look so sad, even Auntie Shawnni couldn’t coax a smile from her.  It was too much and Essa had to go find someplace quiet. The barn on the Devane-Riggs homestead seemed perfect.

The pile of straw was scratchy but the smell comforted Essa. She could hear the shuffling of a nerf in the nearby stall and watched dust motes twist in the beam of sunlight peeking through a window. Closing her eyes, her mind drifted until it felt like she’d left her body and was floating above herself. She could see a pale green nimbus around the slowly moving nerf, and brighter orange around Artie that snapped with frenetic energy.

“Oop, think I spotted her.”

And just like that her peace was shattered by Lani’s boisterous voice and she sank back into her body. She briefly wondered if she could burrow further into the bedding but it was too late. Lani’s face popped in her line of sight, her smile only slightly tempered by the gleam of concern in her eyes.

“Now whatcha doin’ hidin’ in here?” The dark-tanned girl plopped in the straw next to her, making Artie scramble to Essa’s other side. “Don'tcha wanna see Tilly off?”

“No,” said Essa flatly and she hugged Artie again. “Don’t see why you throw a party when someone’s leaving. Almos’ like you’re happy they’re going away.”

“Ain’t like that at all.”

Jayce’s soothing voice only preceded him by a few seconds before he flopped on her other side. His hand found hers right away and out of habit she leaned into him with Artie snuggling into the groove between their bodies.

“It’s for the best Ess. This way she can learn control.” Lani sounded downright practical, but that wasn’t too surprising. The older girl was the self-proclaimed ringleader when they all got together, but her normally bossy nature was currently subdued as she gently stroked back Essa’s short auburn mane.

“And she’ll be with your uncle,” Jayce reminded her, leaning his head against her shoulder.

“It’s the only way Mama would let her go,” Essa chuckled bitterly. “Don’t mean she’s happy ‘bout it.”

At least Mama had lectured Uncle Kirrin thoroughly, using threats that Essa didn’t quite understand, but made her giggle nonetheless. But thinking about her Uncle and Mama just reminded her of why she was hiding in the first place.

A sob clogged her throat and she tried smothering it, but her observant friends still heard and a flurry of arms surrounded her. They hugged in the near-silence of the barn and she stopped trying to hide the soft sounds of her crying. She didn’t how long they stayed there, just that eventually she started feeling less miserable. Lani backed off a little but Jayce remained close, his arms even tightening a bit.

“We’ll all miss Tilly, but you still got us,” stated Lani as she reached over and patted Artie. “We’re almos’ like sibs.”

“Pretty darn close,” admitted Essa and she giggled weakly, thinking about some of the adventures - or trouble as her Papa had called it - she’d gotten into with Lani and Jayce.

“So buck up! There’s a table of goodies out there, waitin’ to be demolished.”

At the word ‘goodie’ Artie jumped from the pile of straw and scampered in excited circles. Lani joined him, hopping up and egging on the green and yellow reptomammal. Jayce stood more slowly, as if reluctant to get up, then reached out a hand to help her.

“It’ll be okay Ess.” He smiled as he plucked pieces of straw from her mane. “Jus’ remember we’re here for ya.”

“Better believe that,” exclaimed Lani. “Now lets get some grub before Kit eats it all. Heard Mama say we might go swimmin’ later.”

“That sounds great,” said Essa. “Brought my new suit.”

“Bet Jayce can’t wait to see that, right Jayce?” teased Lani, and under his dark tan Essa could see the boy’s cheeks turning red.

“Who me? Dunno what you mean,” he said, then raised his head. “Oh! Think I hear Mama callin’.”

He strode off quickly with Artie trotting behind him, and Lani threw her arm over Essa’s shoulders to lead her back. “You really doin’ better then?” she asked and Essa gave her a small nod. “Good. Like Jayce said, we’re here for ya, always.”