While making their way down, Salīa greedily scooped up her food, not missing a single bite.
At some point, she noticed Bazil watching and guiltily offered.
He chuckled, saying he had already eaten, he just liked watching her. This made her suck in her food too quickly, and seeing Sibu's wink, she ended up choking on it for a bit.
Nagapie just shook her head at her, muttering, "Insolent child."
They arrived at a wide fire centering the forest, where the festivities were continued.
Though further down, they stood and looked up to the trees, seeing the tiny, furry creatures with large ears, long tails, and wide, sweet eyes that leapt from branch to branch.
These arboreal creatures of the night invoked a very special memory for them.
Many birthdays ago, when Bazil was still a chirpy child, his mother took him to a forest just like this one with her other born children. Salīa and her mother had been there too.
Held in his mother's arms, Bazil saw them for the first time and yelled, "It's monkeys, mama!"
While Tau and Rakire didn't say enough, Sibu burst out laughing.
Salīa wasn't sure why because she had also thought it was some kind of small monkey. But it was just a galago, a bushbaby, a nagapie.
Yet Bazil didn't care about being wrong; he was too fascinated by watching them leap about and would do the same in trees with Salīa for many years forth.
But that was the first and last time he got to see them.
"We finally got to see the monkeys again," Salīa nudged him.
"Yeah," Bazilani stared up. "We finally did."
She thought she saw some tears, but didn't point them out.
The rest gave each other glances of contentment upon watching Bazil ease, ridding himself of his rigid stance and harshened expressions. In this moment, he was just a child.
It dawned on her then why Bazil allowed himself to be free tonight, despite his devotion to duty.
This happened for the first time in a long time, where he didn't have to worry because surrounding them were some of the strongest guardians the land has ever known.
While Sibu had no problem teasing him, he was truly a big brother, always having an eye on him.
"Thank you for being here for him," Salīa mouthed to Sibu. "Really."
Sibu smiled and mouthed back, "Thank you as well."
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