They entered the home on the mountain and sat in the same room as before, now covered with tracing parchment, marking ink, and other sundry things.
While walking about, Salīa noticed a particular painting of Mami Mamba with Camille, Lizaenhle, Nomusa, and Queen Saoa. Except they were all teenagers there, surrounded by children around the same age or younger.
But upon reading the signing in tribal tongue, she froze. It was signed by members of the Lahle gang.
"I know," Mami Mamba said, patting for her to sit on a chair near the window, letting them overlook the celebration. "It might seem strange that we keep memories of them and made by them, after everything."
"You were friends with them?"
"Some of them. We all were. You see, the first generation of them were about my age at the time, long before they got that name," she placed down a cleaned marking stick. "The Lahle gang wasn't always bad, you know.
Most of them had honorable bloodlines linking to the Desarali tribe.
As you know, that descended from the ancient land, Sari. They were this special tribe of ethereal and spirit magic, said to possess a 'god' power that made them the most formidable of the tribes despite their peaceful nature.
You know of Dronokusuwa?"
Salīa nodded. It's a name she'd never forget.
"I was there on the day of his execution.
Rainorufaro has always been like a brother to me, so that means his younger brother was like one too. He'd cultivate his magic, even though there were heavy restrictions before the official ban.
Now he mastered a lot quite young, but this tribe followed principles of Sari, which were holistic and devoted to virtue."
She sucked in her teeth.
"He started with drugs as a child, convinced it could take his powers to the next level without needing cultivation. One day, he couldn't use his powers. He thought the Desarali tribe cut him off somehow, but it was he who did it by corrupting himself.
To not feel powerless, he constantly tried to transcend, wanting to know if he'd be more of a lion or hyena. Since he didn't know how to transcend through spiritual way, he and the rest of his gang tried forcing it with demonic cultivation.
Of course, it made them go somewhat berserk."
She dwelled on it for a bit, tracing back to memories of that time.
"They were turned such a blind eye to reach for their wants, that they didn't even know they were leading themselves to be blinded, even when they wanted to see.
Those kids were so young. Children have the most seamless link to their spiritual ability, but this also makes them prime vessels for corruption."
A mixture was made of hoodjah oil, earth fruit juice, waking water, and blacktree ash. Then ground into it was the pulp of the baobab tree.
"The five gifts Khī gave to Ama," Mami Mamba said.
"Our realm gifted its creator? Isn't it the creator who gifted our realm?"
Mami Mamba gazed as if she were waiting for Salīa to realize something. Feeling insecure about not catching on, she spoke as if she did.
"I guess, the creator Ama planted the seeds of creation in her offering, but the realm of Khī grew them as its offering."
That pending look still stayed on Mami Mamba's face, having Salīa nibble at her nails. Mami Mamba tapped Salīa's hand to stop, then held her nails up.
"What kind of tiger declaws itself?" she tsked, waving her own long and painted green nails. "You should let yours grow."
I've been trying, she wanted to say in defense of a habit that's snuck back to her since childhood.
Seeing her drift in overwhelm, Mami Mamba poured half the mixture into a gourd and nodded for her to drink it. Salīa couldn't help but feel irritable when she realized she hadn't chewed a single thing throughout the day but was given all sorts of things to swallow.
"It's needed to purify the body and welcome the markings. We don't have the actual fifth gift, which is why we draw from the baobab tree, otherwise known as the Tree of Life. It's as close to the gift as possible."
"And what would that gift be?"
Mami Mamba nodded for her to drink, and so she did. Noticing Salīa's pendant, she leaned in and rubbed it gently, and whispered, "It's as pretty as you."
"Bazil thinks it's an eyesore."
"Yet you still wear it."
"Well…"
She couldn't think of a response, but then fussily thought that she didn't need to. Mami Mamba chuckled and poured the rest of the mixture into the dark marking ink.
"What's that for?"
"I didn't just add these things because I was sentimental about our history. It's also to help with the pain."
"Oh, I'm not too worried about a little poke."
"That's the least of your worries," she said, lifting a vial.
Her mouth opened, and she shifted it until it was that of a snake's, and to the vial, she spilled her venom until it was full. Salīa felt her heart clench.
"Uh…what's that for?"
"After a marking is made, I'll wash it with a drop or two of this to lock it in."
Huh? A drop or two? Of black mamba venom?
Salīa shivered.
"Look, if I did something to offend you—I mean, can't we talk about this—I promise I'll apologize if I—"
A gentle giggle came from Mami Mamba.
"You're very funny, you know that? Your mother acted the same with hers. This is just to activate the effects of your markings.
You've already drunk what you need to, and the ink is blended too, so that at most it might be a slight sting. If you don't want to, say so now."
Salīa was dubious but still went through with it.
An x was put on both of her middle fingers. Then SXVAGES in old vagarī at the back of her neck. And to seal this compass, she pulled her skirt down and under her garments slightly so that the fourth marking could be on the center of her thighs.
The venom did having numbing sting in each spot, making her particularly nervous about the last place it was going. She tilted the vial just as Bazil ran in panicked and yelled, "Līa!"
"Oops," Mami Mamba said.
Oops?
Mami Mamba smiled nervously, the first time Salīa had ever seen her look shy. So, she knew that was definitely not a good sign.
She tried to look down, but found her neck stuck, as a numbing pain took over her.
"Līa?" Bazil called, looking at her.
Then saw where Mami Mamba was looking and quickly averted his gaze.
"I'm sorry, I'll leave!"
"You look like such a lost puppy," Mami Mamba threw him a pillow to sit by a window facing a chair. "I know how anxious you get if you're not guarding her; it's always been like that even since then. Besides, I think she'd rather have you around for this part."
"What do you mean by this part?" Salīa tried saying, feeling her gums go numb, and lost feeling in her lips. "What did you do?"
"Oh? Yes. Right."
Mami Mamba guiltily lifted the empty vial. Salīa felt her heart spike.
"I got such a shock when he charged in that…well, anyway, it'll be fine. You'll just be temporarily paralyzed for a bit."
"Wha…?!" Salīa was struggling to finish the words.
What does she mean - temporarily paralyzed?
She melted into her chair, cursing herself for agreeing to let that snake mark her.
In drunken panic, Bazil accidentally turned back to her protectively, only to realize yet again that she was partially exposed. He turned his head ashamedly.
"Ha!" Mami Mamba snickered. "What's got you so shy? You've seen many markings and piercings before, even mine."
Although the rest of Salīa's body was frozen stiff, she felt a prick of stirring within her.
He's seen her markings and piercings? As in the ones on her breasts?
Many thoughts ruminated in her head, eddying about ceaselessly. She suddenly recounted all the times she had ever known for the two of them to be alone together. And could recall a month where they were in the same living quarters while he sought her out to help him improve his martial ability.
Salīa couldn't help but wonder if there were other abilities she was helping him improve on.
While she could barely crane her head, she forced it anyway to see Bazil's face. He didn't even deny it or seem even slightly bothered to, letting her internal flame spurn into a wildfire.
Mami Mamba had been watching this and thought to tease Salīa a bit more.
Seeing Bazil's bare chest, she said, "You got another marking over there. Let me see."
As she leaned in, Salīa snapped forth, a snarl escaping her as she growled, blocking Mami Mamba. There was a pointed prickling from her teeth as it hung over her lips.
Her eyes stayed firm on Mami Mamba as if she were ready to attack, and she didn't blink for even a moment.
Bazil was stunned. While Mami Mamba just stared in fascination, then looked at her hands on her, then back up.
"Tau should also make you some mouth jewelry," she pointed to the mirror.
Salīa got a fright at the sight of herself. She was bearing tiger teeth, and her eyes glowed in a blue-gold.
Her hands had claws, although short and stunted as per her nail-biting. Even then, it could easily slash open a face like a hot knife to ice.
"There are two blessings and one curse I should share. The first blessing is that you've got strong transcendental abilities. The curse is that you've got strong transcendental abilities. Meaning that you can either rise or fall with it."
"Like The Fool," she muttered. "What's the second blessing?"
"Oh! You're no longer paralyzed."
She shot Salīa a wide-smile and shared a jittery laugh. Unknowingly, coming to her rescue was the tiny Camille, who the tall, titan woman quickly hid behind.
"Tsk," Camille shooed her away. "Don't be so bothersome."
"Yes," Mami Mamba bowed and took a respectful step away. "What's that?"
Salīa got up instantly. Camille gave her a nod, passing a parcel to her.
"Bazilani," Salīa said.
"Hmm."
His gaze softened on her.
"Come here."
He did so without question.
"Now close your eyes."
As he did, she stepped on a chair to reach the crown of his head and slipped something over his neck. Despite his brows furrowing curiously, he kept them close, nuzzling into her hand as it touched his curls.
Once it lifted back up to his head, she tapped his nose playfully for him to open his eyes, right in front of the mirror. His reaction was far beyond what she could've hoped for.
"Happy Birthday."
He stared at her for a long time, revealing an expression she'd never truly seen from him before. Some state between bliss and sentiment.
Many who tried courting him had gifted him these, but he only ever politely accepted them and hung them with the rest of his collection, never to be worn.
That's because he'd only ever wear ones made by his mother.
Nomusa had always made keepsakes for her children, usually insisting it was to protect them and came with imbued healing power. But they quickly caught on that it was dote on and connected the family.
That's because, like other mothers who'd knit overcoats and socks for their children, her gifts were just as flamboyantly bright and sometimes odd-fitting. Of course, this made the children somewhat embarrassed, and they'd let the keepsakes collect dust.
But Chief Raino quickly whipped them back into shape to wear it often, as he'd never tolerate anyone making his lover unhappy.
Of course, each child began to embrace it more the older they got.
Lulu had his colorful yet chunky bracelet, and before she used it cover it with other bracelets, yet now it was her favorite.
Salīa even spotted Sibu donning his overly long, flashy belt that he'd been given after much fuss. Yet Bazil always wore the headband she made for him proudly, despite having to secretly get it tailored to fit.
The one he had lent Mkango had truly been his favorite. Yet even when they saw Mkango again, his head was bare. Salīa managed to catch a glimpse of why through his memories.
When he and Nyau were returning to Phiri and the rest, both were uncertain about their fates. This is why they left in the first place, pretending that Nyau had reached her cycle and needed to get some medicine and sea sponges from a market.
Dubious, Phiri let them know that her father would be returning and they should try to hurry back on the day to not miss him. Both seemed wary of his words but agreed.
On the way back, Nyau insisted that they ask Bazil and Salīa for help, but upon learning that Bazil was a lion and Salīa a tiger, after all that had been ingrained in him, he couldn't help but distrust them, despite his instincts.
They arrived without detection, so they had overheard Phiri talking about the zebra skin flask sleeve made from Nyau's father after killing him. And they were joking about making use of the children when they returned.
Mkango quickly acted to protect her and told her to return to this military village for safety. She was in such a rattled state that he had taken off the headband and slipped it on her head and told her to remember that she's protected and that it'll keep her safe.
He pushed her away, moments before he was discovered by Phiri. Some of the renegades left out to search for her, but Mkango's don't stress beyond that.
The last fully conscious memory he had was when Phiri made him take many drugs until he was rendered motionless and bound in one of the tents until a demon possessed him.
His very last thought, even then, was of her in the headband.
Salīa then commissioned Camille, in hopes to gift Bazil something just as meaningful. Camille agreed, but only if Salīa followed an ancient gifting ritual to imbue it with her energy.
She had to place the first threads together and pray deeply while envisioning a gesture to share with him to seal this gift with a guardian blessing bestowed from her heart's intent.
She was yet to seal the ritual, but the essence was strong and present on it. And she took just as much time in guiding the design he'd love most.
For better or worse, Bazil had never been one to hide his sense of like and dislike. So, she felt pleasantly pleased at the way his eyes twinkled, even if some of that twinkling was jolted by his drunkenness.
He spun to her and took her hands, his eyes staring like a child in awe. She wasn't sure what he was going to do as he leaned closer and closer and—
"Here, child," Nagapie called as she strode in with a bowl, then looked up at them with a disgusted expression. "Tsk!"
Salīa quickly pulled away, realizing that Nagapie wasn't the only one watching them.
"Child?" Salīa repeated, ticking her jaw as she realized it was her being addressed like that. "Who are you calling—"
"Here." Nagapie rolled her eyes while planting a bowl filled to the rim with food, stuffed with roasted and marinated tofu. "Or don't you want it anymore?"
As she pulled back, Salīa instantly gripped it and said, "This child thanks you."
"Aww, and it was just getting to the good part."
Everyone's eyes cast to Sibu, who had been standing watching in a shadowed corner with a bright grin on his face.
"Come on, Bazilani, it's time to see the monkeys."
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