The Daily Life of Edynu

Aiiiiiiiiiiya! Aiya aiya aiya ashhhhhnaa!

The call rang through the marsh, magicked to carry as far as a birdsong. Is it already such a time? So late in the day! I am close, too close, to the town, still - Nysll and Itb will be able to find me, to follow and ask and bring nothing but annoyance. I do not not-like them, but they are loud and intrusive and I am far too busy to watch the smaller children. "Oh, but we are not children!" You follow, and do not listen, and do not allow me my own work, and so you are a child. I go to move (not flee, just remove myself), but the call rings out again (Aiiiiiiiiiiya! Aiya aiya aiya ashhhhhnaa!). It is the Asking Time, and I seldom have things I need to ask for, but avoiding the children... neh. It is not a god's job to fix my mistakes, but they are there for support as we go through our struggles and to help ease the burdens of a world that is not always fair. If they find me, I will pay my due by saying my hellos, and then walk on. I do not want to interact with them, and it is my right and duty as an individual to not need to put myself in their situation.

Aya, but I do not need to stay here and wait for it to happen. I pick up my basket, thin rushes and sulfurous soil, and rocks that do not belong in a place like this. They have pictures, images, rocks within the rock that remind me of bones that sat too long in the sun. No one has told me of what it means, and so I keep them for myself. They make pretty markings when I paint, and no one asks to share them with me. No one except the children, of course. I do not like, nor want to share, not when it is something that I want, that I found. They can find their own! And, when they tire of the novelty, they can share with me.

I think I can hear them, mayhaps. The wind whistling is as loud as their laughter, sharp as their demands, and false, as. Well. I'm not sure. The thought went farther than intended, slipped sideways and left me lonely. I am not often lonely, though - no one takes what is mine or asks questions I do not want to answer if I am alone. "Who is your partner?" "Why do you paint only in yellows? Orange could be understand, for that is your color, but yellow has no sense." "What is that rock? Can it make beautiful colors?" "I am looking for a friend, and you seem the kind that I would like. Shall we be friends?"

I desire to be alone.

My people came here to be safe. They allowed others because safety is beneficial to all, and beneficial to the one. I enjoy my people, my home, my world, but I do not enjoy spending time with them when I can be spending time by myself. I am enough. I have my interests, and I enjoy spending time focusing on them. Others may have similar interests, but I cannot give all of myself if I am being asked to split it between consciousnesses. I can be distracted by the grasses, the shrubs, the dirt. I do not want to get distracted by yet something more, something that will end up meaningless and generally inconvenient. I am already aware of everyone here - I do not need more of an introduction.

"---nuuuu" They are calling - it sounds like Itb, though Nysll's has been trying to change her voice recently - and getting closer. I have no desire to respond, so I don't. I do not owe it to them. If they find me, I am found, but I have no will to make it easy. I would walk further away (I wouldn't want to be seen as "fleeing" when I am in no danger), but the stones here... they are special. I walked until I could not help but stop in wonder. Perhaps the stones betrayed me? Or perhaps they will bore the children that they may leave again.

I see Itb's face first. It is almost a day for their fourth rite, and then I will call them no longer a child (if they stop acting as one). They have not found something that they enjoy, but the pigments they're able to create make the reeds weep in joy. Perhaps they will continue with it, perhaps not. Nysll is younger, her third rite last week. They are siblings, and paint their family hand to match each other. Nysll loves to paint, and spends much of the time Itb is not wandering to learn from the masters. I do not understand why she does not just allowed Itb to wander alone - she is younger, and they will soon not be a child. She should be allowed to stay in town and leave me alone.

It is Nysll's smile that pauses my steps away. I do not want her to see her, but she brings warmth and joy to every meeting we have that I almost feel bad for offering none of myself on the alter of communion. Almost. There is no escaping the storm force of Nysll. "Ednyu!" she calls, rocking me backwards with the force of her voice.

There's a look in Itb's eyes, one that I don't like because I do not recognize it. "We have need to talk."