The Breath of Water | Neteyam

73 • The Start of It All

"What is wrong with him?" Kiri asked, holding her laughter in.

"He just got a tsang (piercing)." Liyanin answered, rubbing Neteyam's back. He was curled into a ball, attempting to tough through the post-process pain; all he could do was grit his teeth and scrunch his eyes, though, his fists balled close to his chest.

"Ooh, what kind?"

"Miktsang (earring)."

"I've always wanted a tsang...but our mom won't let me get one until I turn 16..." complained Kiri.

"Gah!" Neteyam abruptly winced. Liyanin tried her best to bite back a smile, but nevertheless failed. However, she managed to keep the laugh that was going to erupt, inside.

"It will get better, Ma Nete," Liyanin then turned her head towards her friend. "...I heard you got stuck with the Marui decorations with your mother?"

Kiri threw her hands up in relief, as if she had been waiting for someone to ask her about it. "Yes! Oh my gosh...all I did was take too long to get up, and she said 'you're helping me'...! She knows how long it takes for me to get out of bed, it was practically a setup..."

"You just need to learn to get up when asked the first time..." Neteyam spat through gritted teeth. Kiri's eyebrows furrowed as she smacked his arm, earning a yelp of pain from the boy.

"How long will he be this pathetic?" she asked Liyanin.

"Just a few more hours—"

"—Liya! Liya...!" an eager voice shouted from outside the pod. As the source of said voice got closer, they peeked their head around the corner, revealing themselves to be none other than her sister.

"Reya? What is wrong? Why do you sound like something bad has happened—"

"—oh, no. Nothing bad. I just..." she took a glance at the room, seeing Neteyam curled into a ball. She noticed him holding his ear, so she figured out what his dilemma was. "...I had a great idea...!"

"Do tell." Liyanin encouraged.

"Well, the Sully kids have never been to our Ranteng Utralti (Spirit Tree)...well, besides Neteyam...but anyway I was thinking that with all of this festive energy going around in the air and the Sully boys' victory, now would be the perfect time to show it to them!"

Liyanin listened to her sister's idea, instantly agreeing once she finished explaining. A smile sprouted as she nodded her head at Tsireya, showing her approval. "...that really is a great idea!"

"Ooh, I've always wanted to see you guys' Vitrautral (Tree of Souls)...!" Kiri mentioned excitedly, her tail swaying in glee. She then let her eyes fall to her brother. "...but what about him? He is not feeling well right now."

"Hmm...we can go after his ear does not hurt as much. It is usually crowded around this time anyways." Tsireya added.

"Go where?!"

When everyone turned to see who it was, they saw a little girl—Tuk. And Jake. But he was slightly behind her.

"O-oh, hello." Tsireya, caught off-guard by Jake's sudden presence behind her, nervously gestured the greeting.

"You're good. Didn't mean to intrude on you guys' get together. Just came by to pick up something." He explained reassuringly.

"Go where, you guys??" Tuk reiterated, upset that nobody answered her question the first time.

"To our Spirit Tree, Tuktirey." Liyanin laughed out, now rubbing Neteyam's shoulder. "We were actually planning to take you. Perfect timing."

"Oooh! Daddy can I go? Pleaseeeeee?"