Beast Tamer (Ongoing)

Prologue | Beast Tamer

~Mwezi 7 years old~

"Mwezi hunny come back inside supper's ready." The woman called out the back door of the old plantation style home. "Comin' mama!" the little girl squealed as she clutched her latest finding to her chest and ran back inside. "Aht aht!" her mom reprimanded. Mwezi wiped her feet before coming in and removed her shoes by the back door. She slid her prize in the front pouch of her overall dress and ran over to the sink to wash her hands. "Thanks mama." She said with a smile as her mother slid the little plastic stool over for her so she could reach the faucet of the farmhouse style sink.

As the family ate dinner they spoke about many things Mwezi was too young to understand or care for. She took the time to appreciate the love radiating from her mother. She was plump and curvaceous in all the right places. She has natural copper orange and red hair that she inherited and was often teased for at school. Her 'coffee with light cream' colored skin that glistened in the sun and held no cracks or blemishes, unless you count the dark chocolate freckles that skirted across her skin. Her mother had her hair pulled back by a bandana so that her hair wouldn't get into the meal they were currently partaking in but it fought against the restraints of the fabric. Her mother noticed Mwezi staring and shifted her chocolate eyes to Mwezi. "What's the matta baby? Got sumin' on muh face?" her mother asked with a smile and Mwezi blushed and looked down at her food. "No mama, just thinkin' how pretty you was is all." Mwezi replied quietly and her father let out a warm and hearty laughter. "I second that notion. Most beautiful gals in the world, I consider myself quite the lucky man if I do say so myself." He joked and everyone burst out laughing and went back to their food.

Mwezi's father used to joke that he'd look like his wife with the way she'd 'put her foot in it' when she cooked. He then laughed at Mwezi's confused face and it took them a few hours to convince her that her mother didn't actually put her foot into the food. His dark chocolate skin held years of wear and tear with his sun spots from being out on the land to his calloused hands from working with them all the time. Yet to Mwezi, he still seemed so young and full of life. "Yeah well you're a pretty handsome fella yourself papa." She said with a giggle and everyone laughed again as her mom nodded in agreement.

After dinner Mwezi went upstairs and washed her stone in the skink, clearing it of germs and dirt before adding it to the ever growing collection she has on her bookshelf. "Oh thasa pretty one baby. Which one is that?" her mom asked as she came in to help Mwezi get ready for bed. "Mmm dis looks like lye-lack jas-per." Mwezi said focusing on pronouncing the name correctly. "Well les check!" her mom said, grabbing a book about precious and semi-precious stones that Mwezi's grandmother had gotten her. "Looks like you know ya stuff baby!" she said proudly showing Mwezi the book entry and how the stones matched. Mwezi giggled and clapped excitedly as her mom finally managed to get her undressed and in the bath. "Now no playin wit ya stones tonight Mwezi, we gots church in the mornin' hea?" her mom instructed and Mwezi nodded. "Yes mama." She replied.

Her parents let Mwezi do almost anything she desired and her only requirement is to give herself to the Lord. So Mwezi kept her promise to her mother and father. Even after the accident.

~Mwezi 11 years old~

"Memaw when is mama n' papa coming back?" the young girl asked concerned and worried was plastered over her innocent face. "I dunno my lil' firecracka' but maybe we should get you to bed since it's gettin' late." Her grandmother replied and Mwezi did as she was told against her true heart's desire. Her grandma smiled at her white teeth, a stark contrast to her dark chocolate skin. She had some signs of wear and tear only because of her age but Mwezi always loved how her salt and pepper hair always seemed strong and vibrant. She scooted Mwezi into her guest room and tucked her into bed almost forgetting to sing Mwezi her good night song.