Page 6 of Dealing With Drak
The hu-nim B’rook needs help often. As the youngest of the females, she is also very free-spirited. She has many projects that she wishes to do during the day, and it is nice. Helping females is a simple joy for Aprixian males. Plus, Urth days get boring since there is not much to do away from the so-roar-itee dwelling besides hunting.
“Not this time,” she replies, laughing lightly. “I was just wondering if you’ve seen Anna?” The hu-nim pronunciation of An-nana’s name is so silly.
“She is on the roof,” I reveal, knowing exactly where she is.
I can smell my mean little creature. But even if I couldn’t, I would keep my eyes on her to know that she is safe. Sometimes knowing that An-nana is safe is the only thing that fuels me to continue my day. She has her small hu-nim fist around my soul seed, even if it will not glow for her.
B’rook bites her bottom lip, a nervous hu-nim habit I have noticed many of the females doing from time to time.
“Is something wrong?” I ask, trying to scan her face for information.
“This might be a silly question,” she warns. “But have you noticed that Anna seems sad lately?”
“Sad?” The idea of it makes my gut churn with discomfort and despair. “You think that she is sad? Has she said this?”
“No, no,” B’rook denies, shaking her head. “It’s just—” she hesitates.
“Tell me,” I demand, trying very hard to keep my voice soft so as not to scare her.
“She’s been different,” she confesses, a concerned look in her dark green eyes. “She isn’t as snarky lately, and she’s been going to bed a lot earlier. I think she’s avoiding us more, so we don’t pick up on it. But… I think she’s depressed.”
This is a horrifying word if my translation is correct.
With my spine straightening, I ask, “You do?”
“She’s been… Anna is complicated, and I don’t know how to help. But?—”
“But?”
I will do whatever this ‘but’ is if B’rook believes it will help An-nana be happy. I wish her to be depressed as much as I wish for a blaster ray straight to the balls.
“I think you help,” she admits, and an overwhelming feeling of warmth swells in my chest. My soul seed does not flicker with light, but B’rooks words certainly just touched it. “I think you ‘annoying’ her gives her something to look forward to. When she’s frustrated with you, she’s not thinking about… I don’t know, sad stuff.”
Her fingers make a weird dancing gesture when she mutters the word annoying. I do not know what it means, but it does not matter. She has just delivered fantastic news. If An-nana is truly sad, it is horrible, but if I can help, it is less disturbing.
“You believe I help?” I wish for her to repeat it so that I know I have not begun hallucinating.
She nods, her head dipping with the gesture. “I know you like her, and I guess I’m just asking you not to give up on her. She likes having you around too, whether she’s willing to admit it or not.”
It is like The Mother has come down from the skies to personally give me such a gift. I cannot think of any being powerful enough to leave me with such hope.
“I will never give up on An-nana,” I report, proudly puffing out my chest.
B’rook looks relieved, releasing a sigh that removes the guarded part of her expression. “You promise?”
It makes me feel very grateful, knowing how much An-nana’s hu-nim friends care for her. They are sisters, so-roar-itee or not.
“I vow this,” I agree. “An-nana’s angry nature will never frighten me away from her. She is my favorite.”
A soft smile paints B’rook’s face. “Good.”
“I will go see her now,” I declare, standing up from the small tree stump I have claimed as mine. “I must show her the blade I have made for her.”
“You made her a knife?”
“Yes,” I reveal, grinning. “She will like it.”
B’rook just giggles. “I bet she will.”