She remembered how they felt. The velvet petals, slipping between her fingers. The rivers of grass twining between her toes. The catch of sun upon sapphire feathers and the glint of silver fins beneath that still pool. The billowing clouds, lonesome and noble.
Her hometown. Her beloved.
Sheeta clutched the empty space by her neck. The stone was gone now, plunged deep into the depths of the sea. Where it should be.
Where… it. Should. Be.
Her fingers still itched for the cool stone.
Sheeta sat down and aimlessly passed her hand through the tall grass of Gondoa. The sun was falling behind the summer fjords, shedding its final crimson upon the river like blood from the ice. Soft crunches of dry grass, and a wet nose prodded her neck.
"I don't have any grains for you, yak," Sheeta mumbled and pushed it away. A raspy tongue licked her cheek, and a small smile managed to creep up on her face. "You won't get anywhere with that."
"I can't have any of your food today? Aww, really?"
Sheeta peered back. Pazu was standing with his hands on his hips and a grin from ear to ear. Sheeta felt her own smile grow wider.
"Fine, maybe for you," she teased, and stood, brushing off her checkered dress.
"Wooh, Sheeta's food's the best!" Pazu whooped. He grabbed her by the arm, and they sprinted up to the hut, laughing until their stomachs ached.
This is my family. My hometown, where I was born and raised. My home is here. Sheeta glanced up at the twilight sky as Pazu stampeded ahead. Already, blue-white speckles were spilling into the indigo hued sky. I am fine where I am.