Isirith awoke.

Some alternate source of fuel was out on the fire. It burned with great intensity. The flame rippled throughout the hall, shadows casting off every surface. The dance seemed hypnotic, in a sense. The warm stone under her was greatly appreciated.

Her bones popped into place as she stretched and yawned. She was content again. What a wonderful start to the morning!

Isirith cooed in delight.

Though one might feel that it is quite unpleasant to have a master, Isirith felt this wasn’t the case. Tomoee watched and protected her, provided her company, and was an interesting feel-male. Even now, the feel-male was cloaked in tough red garb, pointed stick leaned against her shoulder. Her arm dressed the 'spear' if she recalled correctly, leaning against the thick pole. Tomoee was in a sitting position, the knee opposite of the object raised to her chest while the other laid against the floor. Even through the dark crevices of her helm, she could feel her gaze.

In fact, it seemed like she stayed vigil her entire rest.

Coo-coo-coo! She used a smart word! That meant she was smart! The thought drove her to delight!

“...Awake?”

Isirith gasped in shock, taken off her usual mental rant.

Though broken, it was definitely man-speak. Common tongue.

Isirith could almost feel the cold sweat down her back. She’s only been sleeping, which means she learned the word from before, when Isirith was talking constantly. She didn’t even try to tell her what it meant when they spoke, meaning she learned it through voice fluctuations and body language.

Reliable, yet quite terrifying.

And yet, that edge seemed to be taken off.

Isirith was confused. “Feel-male, your voice is tired.”

“Slept...long.”

Isirith cocked her head at the response. It was true that her race, when uninterrupted, slept for almost three times the amount a strange folk did, but even so…

Tomoee, using her left hand, pointed at the strange holding device next to her, “Drink.”

OH! THAT’S WHAT IT’S FOR! Revelation descended, the pouch of animal skin held water! A brilliant invention, she would surely share this with her sisters! Wait, if it carried water...!

Isirith giggled like a little child, her lips smacking in delight. The liquid ran down her throat with a burble, the leather spout releasing the torrent into her mouth. The small tingle felt funny, and she enjoyed is.

A delicious waft lifted to her nose.

Ahh~

It was nothing like the excellent smell of cooked meat. The scent of the unknown bitters and puckers humans used, but more. The yuck powder is yucky and dry and grindy and bad. It made meat better after putting it on. This was more, this is foreign. She didn’t even congratulate herself on her smart-word. It was soooooo goooood. A feast! It must be!

The lump of tantalizing flesh flipped over and over and over and over and on. The hard rock with a pointy bit at the end lifted it into the air. She thinks it was called a duck, because man-males and feel-males always shouted it out when it came towards them. It was fired from a ‘bow’ as they called it. The duck laid on the straight-up Orochi and Watatsumi. She never heard of those types of pointy hard sticks, the names were much longer than the spears and swords and those small things that they sometimes poked each other in the back with. She recalled those strange tiny pokers.

After poked the other would fall down and they spilled their red drinks all over the floor, while the person with the pointy tiny hard stick took their bags. Thankfully, Isirith is smart and she knew what was happening, but even she’s weirded out by the strange, strange game.

Oh, Isirith got sidetracked again. She does that alot. Thankfully, the scrumptious popping whipped her head back, farther than a normal short-man or tall-man or medium-man or a short-normal-man or other other-man could. With eager reply to the sound, her fingers reached out.

She stopped.

She never felt like this before.

She looked at the red giant Tomoee. Isirith’s eyes unconsciously softened.

“Are you… okay?” Though hard to see, that strange red juice the humans played the games with slightly leaked from the cracks on her left side. Isirith’s left side, not the feel-male’s. Maybe that was why she was tired. For some reason, Isirith felt a warped companionship with her.

“Feed.”

Her voice was stern, reproaching. With a nod, she drank and ate. The flavors blended with the aroma into a mouth-watering appetizer. Her slightly elongated ears wiggled in unbridled ecstasy. The wild hunt slipped down her esophagus with vigor. The amount she ate could not compare to what she usually fed on, and yet the burst of spice seemed to relieve the hunger of her stomach. Isirith felt full much faster than normal, content.

Licking her lips, she eyed the last piece.

She looked back at the sharp stick user. Tomoee’s eyes were now unfocused, unclear. They lingered on Isirith no longer.

The drift of fragrance tickled her nose.

Isirith bit her lip, indecisive like a child.

She almost felt like crying. The newly drank water reached her lower eyelids, body bouncing up and down like a kid.

Oh, she ached with regret. It hurt her brain and her tummy. Gripping her palms tightly. She tore her gaze away from the beloved provision. Gughhhh. She really, really, really, reaaaaaaally wanted it, but…

She winced. She would give it to Tomoee.

Why did being such an amazing person hurt so much! She asked herself this.

She looked back at Tomoee, for some reason, she felt hurt. She felt hurt that she couldn’t tell if her protector felt hurt or tired or sick or, or, or, ughhhh.

Isirith stood up, plucking her fingers into her mouth one by one and licked her hands, the sauce retreating onto her tongue. She stepped closer to Tomoee, water in hand. Maybe she was thirsty? Did she need to be watered like a plant?

She tipped a bit of water onto her, getting an irritated grumble in response. “Her...e.”

Her posture readjusted a bit, making the spear stick more available. “Attacked me… Win.”

Isirith’s face became disgruntled. What?

Looking upward slightly she grunted again, “Heal-edd quuiackck.”

She could sort of understood that at least. She’s so smart, she can learn gibberish too! Another language under her belt. She delayed her smug satisfaction for now though, and touched her nose.

It didn’t heal particularly fast. Usually after a nice nap all the pain and the ouch would suddenly be gone, as long as it was not a big ouch. Those took a bit longer. Maybe the sort-of smart and sort-of dumb feel-male didn’t know this? Maybe there was a lot she didn’t know. Of course her nose ouch went away, that is normal.

And also, what did she mean? She was giving the pokey ‘spear’ to her, though it is quite different than normal other-males had. It is an extra pointy stick. Maybe this had a special long name too, like- wait, she was getting off topic again.

She said attacked. That means she’s been attacked? She looked at the only object she hadn’t inspected in the room. It was the corpse of one of the animals she warned her about, one she just barely spotted before crawling to the other side of the cave. She called them hunters, because that’s what they probably did. Now that she looked at it though, she was disappointed it didn’t have invisibility like she thought. Some humans could do that, but they left footstep noises, it was easy to find them.

It looked marred. Another smart victory for Isirith, though maybe saying she’s smart without saying it out loud wouldn’t make it clear. She would do it next time. A little over half of it is completely gone. Fur was stripped, and the insides that she thought were supposed to be there weren’t.

She turned back to the campfire, whatever burning still going strong. Perhaps that was where they went?

For some reason next to tired nice-but-not-nice person is fur that has been put together to fit a foot. She didn’t get WHY someone would want to cover their feet when they can just let them out, but it might be another silly thing other-males do.

So, Tomoee wanted to give her the spear, and she wanted to play the red juice game? Maybe? She is supposed to poke her? And that would make her win? For Isirith it was all coming together.

Of course she was right! She is super smart, as shown by her big, no, humongous words. All she had to do was poke her, and she would win!

With a chuckle full of self-esteem, she grabbed the pole with hard rock at the end.

Tomoee let her take it. She was right!

Putting both her hands on the bottom of the rod, she rai-

Clink

“Gwoaaaah!”

Smack

“Owwwwww, owowowowowo."

It was all the spear’s fault! She TRIED to use it, and it went ahead and hit the ceiling! It even went so far as to knock her over and make her hit the ground! She even got a little ouch on her knee! The ceiling and the spear are in cahoots!

Stupid stick, stupid ceiling.

She looked at the person she tried to poke. Though she could only see a bit of the ambient lighting bouncing off her eyes within her helmet, she could tell she was giving her one of those weird human looks. Hmm, maybe it is to tell her not to give up? Yes, that is what is means! She has suuuuuch a big brain.

“Coo-coo-coo!” She trilled in joy and acknowledgment. She would not give up in the face of such a menace!

The look in Tomoee’s eyes further deepened, and she even put a hand up to her face!... Isirith didn’t really know what that meant, but she could easily assume she was cheering her on!

Oh, she almost forgot to do what she said she was going to do. “I’m smart!” There, she did it. She talked about her brilliance out loud.

Hmm, but if she used big words all the time, it would be tiring. She should only use them sometimes, and talk about her smarts even less. She didn’t want to make the feel-male feel bad.

With a much more careful stance, she lifted the sharp stone end. Smiling at being the first of her sisters to learn how to play one of their games, and how much she could brag, she thrust forward with great intensity!

“Coo-co- WHOAAAA-” Clunk

She got another ouch, on her head this time! Tomoee simply grabbed the pole at the last minute, yanked it, and she hit her head on her helmet! Rubbing her ouch, she could only think This game is much more complicated than I thought. Indeed, she presumed that maybe this is why the man-males and feel-males don’t play it all the time. It is because they are playing it, they just hadn’t finished it yet. She is slowly learning more and more about their culture! It is all very interesting.

Still, she couldn’t bear the thought of losing. She is amazing, how can she lose at a simple stick poking game? Her feathers ruffled in irritation. She still kept her calm though, that was how she was told to act when she got mad. She breathed out, it always helped. She has this!

Confident in herself, she poked again.

…

Isirith is panting on the floor.

How did she get here? Why is she so tired? Hmm. Ah, she remembered. That feel-male must be a master at her game, because Isirith couldn’t hit her at all, even though Tomoee is tired. She didn’t frown though. That game was so exciting, even if she lost. She could win later.

Rolling on her belly, she leaned on her hands, which were propped up by her elbows, as she looked at Tomoee in a new light. Even though she isn’t the smartest, she still is amazing too. It’s like they’re made for each other, both being amazing and all. She kicked her feet in the air while her stick laid to the side.

One time she tried attacking while her foe was sleeping, but that didn’t work out good. With a slight jostle she simply deflected it. She must be a good sleeper, Isirith couldn’t do that. She gets spooked all the time when her friends played pranks on her as she slept.

With all the feeling of niceness towards her, she still felt something else. She believed they called it envy.

She looked around, as if someone could hear her thoughts.

...

To be honest, Isirith didn’t think she was smart.

People called her childish. She isn’t childish, she just likes to have fun! And yet, when she doesn’t act this way, people ignored her. Like she doesn’t exist.

But she DOES exist. She’s still there! But when she’s happy and tricky and smart and loud everyone looks and says ‘There’s Isirith. She’s being a child again.’ Then they go to her and nag her and be tricky with her, but it’s fun.

People act like she doesn’t know anything because of this, but she does. She knows a lot. Maybe… Maybe too much.

It started when she began noticing her friend’s faces once every eight rotations. They held a smile that curled up to the eyes. The biggest smiles.

She only thought one thing, Fake. Her mind was a question-maker.

Why did they come home that way, and why only the older ones?

One day, she decided to follow.

And one of the worst things happened.

She found out.

…

Even now, she doesn’t think on it.

She looked at Tomoee, seeing the lights of her eyes off. Likely sleeping or shut. Normally she would attack, but now… Not right now. Later she can play the game.

She looked at the strong person. She looked at all her shinies and baubles and trinkets, and her sharp sticks and buff figure. She looked at how much of a master she is, how tricky she is. Isirith knows she herself isn’t the best, that she isn’t the smartest, she isn’t an idiot.

But maybe, with her, with her she might be able to do it.

Isirith might pretend to be a child, but she is aware. She is an adult.

Isirith usually calls them her sisters or friends, but they aren’t really. Tomoee is actually her first real one, even though she is shy. She heard friends do things for friends, so maybe she could help her?

It is just so noisy in her brain sometimes. It argues up there a lot.

She looked at the fire, partially preserved, embers flaring. She felt warm because of it, she was glad. She looked at the meat on top of it. It was still uneaten.

She looked back at her friend. She didn’t know what to do again. She thought maybe the game would make her hurt go better, but it didn’t. Maybe she had the sicks? Getting the sicks were bad, and they made everyone tired.

Approaching slowly, she grabbed the meat on the duck and gently sat down next to the samurai with her animal-skin-water-holder. The red scale person looked a bit miffed, but continued resting.

She tried to lift the faceplate, but Tomoee looked away. Isirith’s cheeks puffed up, and she yelled at her with multiple not nice words. It was a vicious game of touch/yank-of-war, but her friend didn’t have her heart put into it. Isirith was only worried more, her friend is so good at games, so why is she bad?

Moving her back into her leaning position, she lifted the faceplate.

Her cute features showed again. It set even Isirith’s heart aflutter, but she didn’t feel that right now. The red game juice left a dried trail from her mouth, and her eyes were foggy. But, Isirith didn’t use her powder to make them foggy? She didn’t do this.

Looking further down and into the armor she saw more red juice on her clothing. Placing her hand on her chest, she heard Tomoee wheeze. Tomoee’s body felt wrong, not like it was supposed to. Maybe it was an inside ouch? Those hurt, but she could get better. If she learned one thing, it’s that her friend is tough.

Friend. She loved using the word now. It meant a lot to her.

Back to her face, her lips are cracked. That meant she hasn’t had water. That also meant she probably hasn’t had food. Good thing she grabbed the leftovers. She didn’t feel smart though, she felt worried. Everyone eats and drinks, even her sisters. She has to be thirsty, but she doesn’t drink.

Well, it doesn’t matter. If this was the problem, then it is easy to solve!

She popped the weird thing of the top that kept the water in, and started shoving it towards her mouth. Tomoee snarled, and grabbed it away from her.

Then she just held it. What?

She tapped her shoulder. No response.

She tapped it again. And again. And again. Of course, this worked eventually, and she got another snarl with a paying attention face. Good!

Isirith took both hands and tipped them back while tipping her head back. Then she made a sucking face with her mouth.

Tomoee looked at her, then at the bottle. Then to her, then rolled her eyes, saying something she didn’t understand, and taking a swig from it.

Isirith watched her throat go in and out as she swallowed more and more. She didn’t want her to spit it out just because she is grumpy! She felt ridiculous for even having to do that.

Her friend saw her staring at her throat and gave her a weird look. I know! It’s weird that I have to do this at all!

Now came eating.

She waved the food in front of her friend’s face. This time, she gave a frown, and she leaned back against the wall while closing the faceplate.

“Eat!”

No response, is she ignoring her?

“Eat!”

…

Ugh, stubborn. Maybe that’s why she isn’t eating.

“Eat. Eaaaaaat. Eeeeeeaaaaaaat. EAT. EAAAAAAT. Eateateat. EATEAT.” *inhale* “Eateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateateat.” Isirith had to stop because she had to cough. Stupid air, not letting her speak all the time.

Could it be?

Could feel-males NOT CHEW?!?!?!

No way! This was a mind-breaking conundrum. More brain exploding than any other thing. That’s crazy! Not being able to eat meat, that’s practically against the rules! Everyone should be able to eat meat. She could not let this slide. Not. A. Chance.

There was only one thing to do. It sometimes has to happen when her kind is young. Her race develops in strange ways, but it could be possible that her friend stayed at that stage of life and only her body got bigger.

Of course, she told her friend what she was going to do before she did it. She didn’t want to be rude. Her friend looked at her with a face showing no emotion. Well, if she isn’t against it…

She took half of the rest of the meat and ate it right in front of Tomoee.

Tomoe was unfazed. Perhaps a bit upset?

Finished with her preparations, she opened up Tomoee’s faceplate, which she barely gave resistance to this time. Isirith laid her hands on her cheeks, getting a weird face again. All at once!

Isirith shoved her lips onto Tomoee’s.

Tomoee froze completely, unable to comprehend what happened.

Isirith shoved the food in her mouth like a momma, using her tongue as a press to get it all in.

Tomoee swallowed unconsciously. Then, a mad, furious blush filled the entirety of her being. Her mouth wobbled and jibbled as if to say something, but Isirith was having none of that. She needed to eat, and she would swallow all of it!

Tomoee shoved her off too late, she succeeded! Isirith just found out she is also the best feeder in the sisters, no, in the mountain! Not even the strongest can stop her from feeding them.

Still, what was with that annoyed reaction? Isirith already told her that she was going to chew it up so she could eat it. When her kind’s babies are little, they drink milk from their mothers while they chewed up meat for them to eat. Though it might be a bit embarrassing since she isn’t a child, that didn’t mean she had to shove her off.

Her friend stood intimidatingly over her, flakes of crusted red juice flaking off her red armor. Out of the corner of her eyes, she spotted the duck left behind. The gears turned in Isirith’s head as a plan was formed.

Ever so sneakily, she grabbed the duck with a slab of meat still on it and thrusted it at her friend. Yes! If she could get her to play a game, then she would calm down.

Plus, she could win if she hit.

With a rush of speed, it flew towards her friend.

She caught it just before she poked her. Dang it.

Tomoee just looked at Isirith for a while. They stood still, Isirith on her bum and leaning back on one hand, the other holding the duck, while Tomoee was on her knees, right arm planted next to Isirith’s waist while the left hand blocked the duck with an iron grip. Her face had the plate on it again, and was less than 10 centimeters away from her own face, her face being of one that intimidated her greatly.

After forever by Isirith’s calculations, her friend backed off, letting loose a long, long breath of air. Okay, Isirith didn’t know what doing that meant. That’s just confusing, blowing air out actually meant something? Ridiculous.

After taking the duck Tomoee nibbled on what was left while leaning against the wall in a familiar position again. It looked just like before, but Isirith could tell.

Her eyes changed. Just like she could tell fake smiles, she could tell eyes as well, and they changed.

Isirith was much happier than when she just felt smart. She felt like she accomplished something good. It was great and amazing and warm.

Whatever sicks she had, Isirith cured her. It was her friend again. She gave her usual trill, but it was a bit different. A bit quieter, a bit nicer, a bit happier. Isirith leaned her chin into her hands, her elbows propping them up. She kicked her feet in the air. She would let her friend sleep while she watched. After all, though she was normal again she still seemed tired.

Isirith didn’t know her. She didn’t know Isirith. They could barely understand each other, and Tomoee apparently made her a servant, but she still felt it. That strange connection that she felt for a while now. It was, perhaps, what it felt like to actually have a friend. Yes, maybe that was it.

Isirith’s eyes, gleaming as they reflected the light of the bioluminescent moss on the ceiling, shimmered as the looked at her friend. Her lips curved into a not-fake smile.

Her thoughts, for just a moment, lost their childish edge. They lost silliness and gained calm and maturity. It was a twinkling of an instant.

Just maybe.