Endless Rain
Part 51: Culture Shock
© BlondeTeraesa

“Ah…” Pyro said.
“Hmm?” Moyasu asked, trying not to draw Sasaeru’s attention.
Pyro didn’t answer. He just smiled.

Hoofbeats and heartbeats. A chirp from the falcon now resting on Sasaeru's shoulder, its head tilted slightly as if it could see the misty presence of Pyro hovering behind Moyasu. That would be interesting. Not a word had been spoken between Moyasu and Sasaeru since they'd left the Tiko village, and the silence was beginning to annoy the young girl. She hated having someone "tag along" and she definitely disliked the particular Tiko villager she'd been paired with. He's barely old enough for facial hair, she thought to herself. She'd already made her mind up about him.

Twitch. She could tell he was looking at her.

"What're you staring at, Sassy ... been awhile since you've seen someone with TWO eyes?"

She taunted, noticing his gaze move away instantly. She smiled. She found the button on her very first try. Maybe this wouldn't be as hard a trip as she thought. But Pyro's displeasure rang in her ears before she could even relish the moment of superiority.

"That was very hurtful ..."
"Who cares ... I never wanted someone tagging along. Why shouldn't I let him know it? He's just a child anyways, maybe he'll turn back if I--"
"You're a child yourself, Moyasu ... no matter how grown up you are on the inside, you're still a child ... the village elders made a wise decision."
"Oh, now you're siding with THEM?"
"Just give the guy a break ... he left everything and everyone he knows behind. He's as alone as you are now ..."

Moyasu huffed, but she knew he was right. He was always right. And in a true gesture to mend the situation, she did what she did best. She changed the subject.

"So ... what's your bird's name?" she asked.
"... Ezra ..." came the response, reminding Moyasu how mellow his voice was. Soothing.

"Is that all?" Pyro inquired after a few minutes of silence.
"I'm not a saint ..." Moyasu spoke, forgetting to think it instead. A cold chill crept up her spine as her eyes darted towards Sasaeru, hoping he hadn't heard. No such luck. Sasaeru's eyes immediately met with hers, a mild scowl on his face that put her aback.

"I don't need your pity. But we're going to be together for a very, very ... very ... long time. So I think it would go quicker for both of us if we at least tried to get along."
"He's right, you know ..." Pyro interjected.

Moyasu huffed again, determined to recover her pride. So with her feet firmly planted in her stirrups, she stood straight up on her horse as she addressed the taller boy.

"We don't HAVE to get along, Sassy ... we just have to live together. And believe me, soon you'll wish you never volunteered for this, because I'm not going to make it easy for you. Nope. I'm going to make it a living hell, so you better just get used to it! I don't WANT a partner, I don't NEED a partner, and I sure as hell am not going to condone a CHILD following me around everywhere like a lost DOG!!"

A moment of silence and a blank expression plastered on Sasaeru's face.

"What? No comeback? Didn't your mother teach you to speak!?"
"My mother is the one who convinced the council to let you leave the village ... you should be grateful to her."
"Why should--"
"I don't care if you're angry at me ... but don't you dare slander her good name ... ever."

The forcefulness of his tone took Moyasu aback, and the shock of it had her sitting in her saddle again. He had been so complacent before and now he had spoken to her with authority in his voice.

"Listen, I left my entire LIFE behind, Moyasu. My mother, my friends ... all of them. And I volunteered. I'll probably never see them again ... ever. I'll one day hear of my mother's death by telegram. Do you know how that feels? I didn't even get to say goodbye, you wanted to leave so damn quickly ..." He looked away from her again. Gazing into the forest.
"You're lucky they're alive at all! Don't talk to me about loss until every man, woman, and child in your village is murdered and left unburied for the animals to desecrate ..." Spoken in a sobering tone, Moyasu kept her facial expression blank as she saw Sassaeru turn to look at her, that same look of pity on his face that she hated so much. That look a few of the Mikomi gave her when she came around. She absolutely hated it, and her inner anger boiled.
"I'm--"
"JUST SHUT UP, SASSY!"

A few silence-filled hours later, the sun was setting and Moyasu realized they'd have to set up camp soon. Pyro had spent most of the time silent as well, and Moyasu could feel he was displeased with how she and Sasaeru were communicating. But he couldn't understand. Moyasu didn't want anyone else to worry about. She'd already let one of the Mikomi villagers into her shell ... Hana ... and it had only caused her needless worry and fear. She didn't need to worry about anyone else. It was safer for her. It was safer for everyone, in her opinion.

They dismounted and began to make camp, silently. The horses were tied to a tree and sticks were quickly gathered to make a fire. Moyasu set a small trap to catch dinner with as Sasaeru took out a small piece of paper and began to scrall on it.

"What's that for?" She soon asked, in honest curiousity.
"It's a full moon tonight ... have to send word back."