Author's Note: I love you all! Thank you so much! When I got home this afternoon, I found FOUR reviews. One of them was even a threat if I didn't update soon! I love those, particularly when they're graphic...okay, so I'm a little weird. Anyway, I promised you a new chapter today, so here it is. Mini-dictionary: kilrah (KILL-rah) an Andalite unit of measure. 1kilrah=2 yards (or 6 ft)
Age: 4 (5 or 6)
Koari's Age: 5 (6 or 7)
8-At the Scoop
What should we do today?
We have been almost everywhere
Koari said dejectedly
pawing at the grass
We could go to my scoop
Mirian suggested
You have never been there and
you should see it
There is a stream nearby
and an old Garibah tree
and Mother still has some
illspar root left over from my birthday
You can have some with me
Koari agreed, surprised
by her sudden passion
as she talked of her home
Mirian, he had noticed,
used just a few words
to get her point across
Follow me
I will take you there
both children
set off into a canter
but the closer Mirian got
to her home,
the faster she ran
until Koari struggled to keep up
they arrived at a stream
surrounded by lush vegetation
a few moments later
This is my home
Mirian said simply
Koari looked to an ancient
Garibah tree, gnarled with time
nestled in the banks
of the swiftly running stream
he looked beyond it
a few kilrahs away
and saw a scoop there
shallowly cut into
rich, mahoghany soil
an Andalitewoman labored
diligently over an oval-shaped
garden built into the side
of a sloping hill
It is beautiful
Koari murmured
and admired the beauty
and tranquility of the scene
before asking
Is that your mother?
Mirian didn't answer, rather
saying in a loud, open
thought-speak
Mother!
Mirian
Mother looked up
from her garden
and saw Koari
and a smile came into her eyes
You have found a friend
Yes, Mother
This is Koari
Hello
she called
Mirian jogged up to her Mother,
leading Koari by the hand
I am Mirian's mother
the woman said
Hello
he replied
he liked Mirian's mother
her eyes were expressive
and her clear face showed an honest soul
Mirian says you have illspar root left
Koari said
Yes, Mother, may we have some?
Of course
it is by the fountain
Mirian went to get it
and Koari follwed
the Corintianas had
a small fountain
burbling up in a continuous,
peaceful motion
echoing the way
Koari was feeling
Mirian offered him the illspar root
and took some for herself
as Koari tasted his
Well
Mirian asked impatiently
How do you like it?
as he ate it, a sudden warmth
spread through his whole body
It is the best thing I have ever had
he said honestly
the comforting feel of the root
felt sweet in his stomach
they ate and talked
and Koari felt happier than
he had been in a long time
the simplicity of the day
washed away the worries
of the morning
he had spent studying
Mirian, however, had a question
in her mind
After this, may
we go to see your scoop?
the root turned sour
in Koari's stomach
at the question
No
was his first reply
Why not?
Mirian asked, startled by his response
Well
I suppose we could go
Koari amended uncomfortably
I would love to meet your parents
Mirian said in anticipation
meanwhile, Koari pushed
his root away
suddenly he wasn't hungry anymore
