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“Stop,” he shouted “Stop pulling at it!” Lo’ak said as he yanked his tail back. Holding it close to his body.
Rotxo actually looks ashamed. Good, he thinks. Ao’nung and his little group had approached while he was sitting on the shore, he had stood when he saw them coming toward him. As soon as they got to him they started poking fun at him and then a boy in the group he did not know the name of grabbed his tail and he hissed at him.
“Oh does the forest boy not like having his tail touched?” Ao’nung said in a mocking tone.
Then they had all started up on it; poking, prodding, and pulling while teasing him. The last straw was when Rotxo had grabbed the end of his tail and pulled. He had snapped pulling all of himself closer to make it all stop. He was used to getting his tail pulled in fights, why this was bothering him so much he had no idea. He swallowed his discomfort and stalked up to Ao’nung and shoved his finger into his chest.
“Just because you think I am a freak does not mean you get to be a jackass.” Lo’ak said, pushing past him.
“Come on forest bo-” Ao’nung began
“I am done Ao’nung,” Lo’ak spat, “take your little followers with you and go find something better to do.”
He hated that he had actually started to like Ao’nung or any of his little group. But as he looked back some of them looked genuinely ashamed of their behavior. Not that he cared, they followed Ao'nung, that is all he needed to know about them. He stoked away hoping to forget about this whole thing. He decided to go for a swim with luck that would clear his head. He headed to the docks and started clicking to an ilu while grabbing a saddle. After the head of the ilu had popped up he slid the saddle over its head and joined it in the water. He once more made a clicking sound as they headed out. He did not know where he wanted to go but he did know he just needed to get away from there for a while. He eventually ended up at an island not too far from the village. He removed the saddle from the ilu before letting it go. He knew he could either swim back if necessary or call the ilu once more. He walked around the island for a bit picking up random things. Eventually he returned to where he first started and sat down. He really wasn’t thinking about anything as he sat fiddling with his findings. He had found a few good things like a shell he just knew Tuk would love. It was the colors of her favorite ilu with white spots dotting its surface. The other stuff he had found was mostly just stuff he could fiddle with dead leaves or little rocks. He knew he would have to head back soon or everyone would start wondering where he was. Before heading back, he thought he could practice his diving for a bit. He had been getting a lot better recently but he could always improve.
As he arrived back to shore he was relatively proud of himself today. He didn’t fight with Ao’nung when he really wanted to, he found a shell for Tuk and worked on his diving. As he dismounted his ilu and returned his saddle he heard a voice call out to him.
“Lo’ak where have you been? You missed the lesson today and no one knew where you were.” Tsireya said worriedly
He had totally forgotten about today’s lesson. He felt guilt and anger war in his chest. Guilt for not showing up for the lesson and anger for Ao’nung for not telling them that he had seen him earlier that day. Tsireya didn’t deserve that anger. It was not her fault that her brother was a complete jerk.
“Sorry I just got distracted today. But I did work on my diving.” Lo’ak answered
Tsireya’s eyes lit up at that, “How did it go? Did you make any progress?” she asked excitedly
“I think I did, I guess we will have to see at tomorrow's lesson.” he said
“We shall, I am glad you got to practice today. I will see you tomorrow.” she said, giving him a little wave.
He started on his way back to his family’s marui. He knew he would get an earful about missing today’s lessons if anyone mentioned it to his parents. He really hoped that they hadn't. He was already on thin ice with his parents. He hoped his siblings knew that and decided not to spill about him not being there today. That is the last thing he needed but as he walked in the marui no one said a thing beyond greeting him and asking about his day. He jumped right in to help prepare dinner, sitting to chop food next to Neteyam.
“Where were you today little brother?” he said as soon as he had sat down
“No where important, just on an island just a little ways from the village,” came his reply
“It must have been pretty important for you to miss lessons. No one knew where you were or had seen you beyond us,” he motioned to himself and their sisters, “since this morning."
That pulled a laugh from him. “So he really didn’t say anything.” He didn’t know if he was really shocked but he would have thought he would say something if he had been missing all day.
“Who Ao’nung? Rotxo?” Neteyam questioned
“Either of them, they were both there.” he said a hint of irritation
“What did they do?” Neteyam said, now sounding irritated himself.
“What they always do. Calling me a freak and trying to get me to fight back. I can’t tell if they are trying to get me in trouble or just think it is fun. It doesn’t matter.” he said shrugging
“Those jerks said nothing and acted like they knew nothing. Maybe that is why Rotxo was looking for you earlier today,” at Lo’ak’s questioning look he elaborates, “Rotxo was looking for you earlier he came to ask me and looked really nervous when he asked. I told him I didn’t know where you were but told him we had a lesson today, which in hindsight he should have known because he helps with it, and that he could talk to you then but you never showed.”
“Huh, I did not expect that,” he said in surprise, not that it mattered he reminded himself he had still joined in on what Ao’nung was doing.
“Maybe you should see what he needs tomorrow.” Neteyam said
Lo’ak turned to him in shock, “You want me to go talk to him? I thought you were supposed to be the sensible one out of us.”
“I am just saying maybe what he needed you for had nothing to do with what happened earlier today. If you don’t check to just be sure and dad finds out you know he will be on your ass about it.” Neteyam pointed out.
He hated that it did make sense. “I hate when you are right, you know?” he huffed out
“What do you mean I am always right,” Neteyam said, giving him a grin.
Lo’ak’s only acknowledgment was shoving him with his shoulder. Which caused him to start laughing.
____________________________________________________________________________
He could not believe he was doing this but Neteyam did have a point. But still what is he doing?
Apparently he was going to look for Rotxo. He had no idea where to start; he never saw where his marui was. He figured Tsireya would probably know, he was going to wait for their lesson but Neteyam had told him to just get it over with so he had set out to find him. Tsireya had said if they had any questions they could probably find her at her marui. So that is where he decided to start. When he peaked in she was indeed in there.
“Tsireay,” he said, standing a bit more in view. She turned toward him.
“Oh, Hi Lo'ak, is there something you need?”
“Um, Neteyam said Rotxo was looking for me yesterday and I had no idea where to find him so I thought I would ask you.” He said playing with his fingers.
“He is usually with Ao’nung at the beach around now probably.” she replied easily
Great, he thought I have to see Ao'nung too, just fantastic. He didn’t let his displeasure show on his face but instead smiled, “Thank you so much Tsireya, see you at today’s lesson.” He said while starting to walk away.
“Yes, see you later Lo’ak,” she said waving.
So now he knew where to look but now he wanted to go even less than he wanted to go before he had gone to see Tsireya. But it is best just to get it over with. He starts his walk to the beach, as he reaches it he hears whoops and shouts. So there is definitely a group of them. He sighs but continues on, as he reaches the beach he sees the group of teen rough housing on the shores and of course Rotxo is right in the middle of them. He approaches the group hoping Ao’nung would not notice him but of course he had to turn around just then. It seems the world is really against him today. It is just one thing after another.
“Forest boy came to join the fun,” Ao’nung said, smirking. The nerve he had was truly incredible.
“Nope, just came to get Rotxo.” Lo’ak said simply.
Rotxo looked at him with a rather shocked face as if he was not that one that had come looking for him the day before.
“Rotxo what did you do to get him looking for you?” Ao’nung said a grin settling on his face
“Lay off it Ao’nung I was just told to come get him. Don’t get your tail in a twist.” Lo’ak said, turning away well, motioning for Rotxo to follow.
He heard some muttering behind him before Rotxo ran to catch up.
“So what am I needed for?” Rotxo asked as he twisted the ends of his fingers in nerves.
“Nothing, but you were looking for me yesterday. What did you need?” he asked, he was going to get this over with.
“O-Oh,” was all Rotxo said, “Um.” He took a deep breath. “I am sorry for following Ao’nung example and h-hurting you yesterday. That is why I was looking for you.” he said speaking quickly, he looked like he wanted to run away from the conversation, twisting his finger tips. It was his nerves tell. Lo’ak hated that he noticed that.
He could say that it’s fine but it wasn’t. It was not like they wanted to be here. It seemed like barely anyone accepted him and his siblings. Ao’nung just made it worse by participating in the already harsh treatment of them.
“Thanks,” he said, “you can go back to the beach now and tell them whatever you want.” he said, walking away.
“I think I am done hanging out with them for now. Could I maybe,” he hesitated, gathering his nerves, “Come with you?” he said, his voice getting quieter toward the end.
He could tell him no after all this is the boy that pulled his tail yesterday, so he would be justified, but why not.
“Sure,” he said, turning around. He saw Rotxo’s face light up.
“Where were you going anyway?” Rotxo asked.
“To a little island right outside of the village that I found yesterday.” Lo’ak replied.
They made their way to the docks and saddled up two ilu and swam out to the island where they dismounted the ilu and let them go. They walked up the island to the little pile of things Lo’ak had created yesterday. Lo’ak sat behind his pile and picked up a leaf to fiddle with.
“So what do you want to do?” Lo’ak asked.
“Maybe just sit here.” he said
“Okay,” he replied, so that is what they did. Occasionally talking when something came to mind or throwing little rocks or sand at each other. It was rather peaceful.
____________________________________________________________________________
“So…” Rotxo trailed off before deciding to continue, “Why did you freak out when I pulled your tail yesterday. I have never seen you do that before.”
He was clearly nervous to ask, afraid it would bring up unsavory feelings, but he needed to know. He hated that he had been the one to set Lo’ak off, he had looked so hurt. As if Rotxo had punched him in the face rather than pulled his tail.
“I mean you don’t have to tell if you don’t want to.” he says quickly, not wanting to make him uncomfortable.
“I don’t know, it just kind of happened.” He answered calmly.
How he was so calm Rotxo didn’t know, he felt like he was going crazy.
“You should stop doing that you know,” Lo’ak said
“Huh, what?” Rotxo replied, shocked out of his chain of thought.
“The finger thing,” he said, replicating the motion on his own hands.
“o-oh,” he stuttered out in a quiet voice now he really was embarrassed.
He should change the topic then maybe the soft flush will stop consuming his ears.
“So what is your tail even used for anyway?” Rotxo said
Lo’ak was slightly taken off guard in the change of subject, “For balance, you know like a counter weight.”
“How does that even work?” he asked
“Here I will show you, follow me.” He had seen a fallen tree yesterday when exploring.
He led Rotxo to the fallen tree and ran across it with ease. Rotxo gave him a reproachful look as if to say “Really that’s it?” He motioned to the fallen tree he had just ran across, daring him to do better. Rotxo stood at the end of the fallen tree and got ready to run, focusing on the end he took off about half way across he began to lean to the left and eventually slipped off.
“What? You made it look so easy.” Rotxo said with a disappointed look on his face.
“Watch my tail this time,” Lo’ak said, heading to stand at the start of the fallen tree.
As he took off running, Rotxo really paid attention to his tail, this time every time he seemed to lean to one side his tail would flick to the other side acting as a counter balance to stop him from falling.
“That is so cool, mine doesn’t do that.” Rotxo said in excitement, “I wonder what other differences there are?”
“Do you want to test?” Lo’ak said, grinning
“Yes!” Rotxo exclaimed
They started by testing how their tails helped keep them balanced, how much they could control them among other things.
“What! Your tail is so flexible,” Rotxo practically shouted, as Lo’ak wrapped his tail around himself.
“I thought mine was flexible but it is nowhere near what you can do. Maybe that is why your tail is more sensitive.” Rotxo said
“Maybe, it also didn’t help that you pulled my hair too.” Lo’ak said, releasing his tail.
“Sorry about that,” Rotxo said, looking both sheepish and guilty.
Lo’ak smiled at him, “You know you're not so bad.”
“Thanks,” Rotxo replied, “Wait, how long have we been out here?”
“It is probably just past the time for the mid day meal. Why?”
“The lessons!” Rotxo exclaimed
“Crap,” Lo’ak said, as the both raced to the shore. They were going to be in so much trouble.