Meriah's Note: This is a boring chapter. However, you learn more about the typical lives of the village women -- including the one from the first chapter; her name is finally said. Also, the central topic of Chapter 3 is foretold.
I should note that Quechua words show up throughout this fanfic, starting in this chapter. I thought using such vocabulary would help emphasize that the villagers are an ancient tribal culture living in South America.
Oh, and with that said, the people in this are NOT based on a particular culture. I think it would honestly be rather insulting to include a specific people into this only to screw with their religious beliefs. Not only that, but the people in this are implied to reside in the Amazon; I'm unsure if Quechua reached there or if it was restricted to the Central Andes. So if I'm horribly inaccurate, please don't flame me.
Word translations are provided in the footnote.
Everyone is like a moon, and has a dark side which he never shows to anybody.
- Mark Twain
Far too many individuals recognize gods for only their attributes, such as the moon or the harvest. They fail to see them as unique, and view their personalities as one dimensional: Either they burn with primal rage or are compassionate. Yet how is this possible? If they are indeed superior to mortals, they should experience a spectrum of emotions. Or perhaps the gift of feeling is for humans only.
Yet that, too, leads to another debate: What about lesser beings? Children suggest their pets are sentient. From their perspective, a Skitty purrs when it is delighted and a Growlithe wags its tail when excited. On the other hand, adults suggest that these creatures are expressing innate behaviors. Skitties and Growlithes may be happy, they state, but not to the extent of human capacity.
So… what does this all mean? Is it true only mankind senses joy and sorrow? Anger and forgiveness? Exhilaration and ennui? Perhaps this is the case, but it suggests a lonesome existence for humanity. When yearning for a connection with other organisms, they would be limited to a trio of deities: Mesprit, for harnessing the gift of emotions, and Latias and Latios, for their empathetic qualities.
Months had transpired since the woman visited the Shrine to Mew, yet she continued to ponder upon these questions and countless more. According to the priests and elders of the clan, Mew flowed with illimitable love. However, this went against the words from Uxie that Mew had never before granted compassion to a whore.
Why then?
Why her?
What treatment did other impious women receive from the Mother?
Was she honestly the first of her rank to pray for the safety of her child?
Why? Why? Why?!
She was grateful… yet mystified.
"Sutichay!" cried a familiar voice, and she turned around to meet eyes with a neighbor. Clearly, she had to set away her reflections for a later time.
"Good to see you, Taruca." She responded with a smile.
Really, why should she clutter her mind with never-ending questions in that moment? It was a pleasant morning, which reminded her to be carefree. The sun filtered through the endless canopy to the river below. As its rays danced upon the crystals in the water, casting soft hues of gold throughout the forest, the fish raised to the surface to seek warmth. The women of the clan, clustering at that location to gather water or wash clothes, chattered over the latest rumors and upcoming events. They were all so happy… not burdened with a great secret like Sutichay.
Sutichay and Taruca met their friends, then dropped their baskets and jugs to converse before working. As always, the main topic of the gossip focused on the village delinquent, a boy of eight named Maita. Apparently, yesterday evening he was punished after the discovery that he killed Pidgeys due to boredom, and at supper he shattered storage containers while in a tantrum.
"I just don't know what to do with him," commented his mother, a plump woman with an agitated face. "I've tried everything! I long ago cut him off from friends; I've smacked him; sometimes I've even made him go to bed hungry." As she rang clothes, it was done with such force that the other women could see her irritation.
"Well, my children never acted up," remarked an older female with an air of haughtiness. "If they had… well, my husband would've abandoned them in the forest!"
Maita's mother gave her an icy glare, and with that the topic was closed.
Sutichay was relieved the future conversations also did not orbit around herself. However, that changed when Taruca asked, "Sutichay, what's troubling you? You're quiet." At that, the women turned their eyes on her.
Startled, she nearly dropped the jug recently filled with water. "I… what? What are you talking about?"
"It is as if you're in a trance! This has been happening for a long time."
"Yeah, she's right," said someone. "You were once an extrovert."
"Maybe it's just her time of the month," sniggered Cui, who was characterized by her outlandish remarks. "Except it's been much longer than a week!"
Sutichay answered with, "I'm fine. I simply have nothing to say."
"Would I be wrong in assuming your heart yearns for a husband?" Taruca queried. "It baffles me that you're pretty but still single."
"Of course I desire to be wed."
"So why aren't you? Pardon my language, but what on this holy Earth is wrong with you? You're going on your twenty-fourth year; you're older than some of the mothers of our village. At this rate, you'll be a face of wrinkles before you decide to settle down."
"That was uncalled for," Sutichay retorted. "In any case, it's my own business."
"I know the comment was harsh, but I meant it out of concern. Anyway, I know there are men who look at you from afar, some of whom are attractive and wealthy. I'm certain they will attend the Pilpintu Raymi."
"Yeah," added Cui. "And if you don't find a man then, I'll conclude you enjoy the single life."
Sutichay decided it was sensible to leave the last statement unanswered, as Cui feasted on responses. Instead she said, "Well, everyone, I would appreciate help with my hair and accessories for the day of the Pilpintu Raymi. You're right -- I am getting older. I need to look my best."
The Pilpintu Raymi was a festival which occurred during the Month of the Butterfree. Synchronized during the time when these cherished Pokémon gathered at a set location to find mates, young residents of the village, too, met to seek potential partners. At the delta of the river, they congregated to dance and exchange songs of devotion. In the meantime, the adults and children banqueted while studying the fervent hearts of the adolescents.
Essentially, it was the fundamental moment toward marriage for the teenagers.
Originally, attending the event was determined by strict factors: Physical development in girls, and a test of strength, stamina and knowledge in boys. However, the elders realized this was inequitable, as individuals mature at different ages. Thus, they decided anyone by their sixteenth year could participate.
For Sutichay, a maiden well beyond adolescence, finding a husband would prove to be challenging. Most were insipid; generic… and foolish! They were like their younger brothers when regarding their mindsets.
"I'll help you," said Taruca. She was younger than Sutichay by seven years, yet she blossomed with the affection of a sister. "Remember, it was your family who cared for me when my mother was ill from the Nina Onqoy."
The Nina Onqoy referred to a ghastly fever which drew its long cloak over the village almost yearly. Those most susceptible were pregnant women or new mothers, which was a primary reason as to why the residents worshipped the Universal Mother. Only her, the greatest of all deities, could save the afflicted from death.
"That is appreciated. Thank you," she replied with a sliver of a grin.
And then… abruptly, rapidly, a rush of nausea struck her. Vomit swelled in her stomach, and she knew such symptoms were that of morning sickness. "Damn it! Not now!" she thought as she attempted to conceal her anxiety. "They cannot know!"
She lifted her jug to return home. As her footsteps raised fine sand behind her, a friend called out, "Wait! Where are you going?"
"I just need to get home; lots of chores to do today," she mechanically answered.
The Pilpintu Raymi was only two nights away, to be observed beneath the silver light of the full moon. With that unsettling reminder, Sutichay set her hand upon her womb, feeling for the breath of life within her child.
Then she wondered if the gods were indeed beyond comprehension. It seemed, in that moment, the Mother had made her the incarnation of a curse. Perhaps there was more to her than mercy; perhaps a thirst for anguish.
That goddess was unworthy of the title "Mother".
"Protect me, Mew," she bellowed with hostility from the depths of her mind. "I am not safe."
Or was she?
Sutichay - Called, as in "to be called".
Pilpintu Raymi - Butterfly Festival. Obviously there is not Quencha word for Butterfree, heh.
Nina Onqoy - Fire Sickness.
Ending Note: Yes, I will admit the Pilpintu Raymi is similar to the Kagai in Dragon Sword and Wind Child. However, you will find essential differences in the upcoming chapter.
Thanks for reading!
