Earth Date: 2030-08-05

After everyone woke up and dressed for the day, they walked to the central area for the morning meal. Upon sitting down, Sarah heard a familiar voice behind her.

"Sarah? I heard you were back," Shalene said.

Sarah turned around and smiled upon seeing her cousin. She quickly stood up and said, "I've missed you so much!" as they hugged.

"So have I. I hear a lot has happened since then. Is this your sister?" Shalene asked in reply.

"Yeah, this is Emilina. Emi, this is your cousin."

Emilina smiled and gave a small wave before her mother fed her a couple of berries.

"She's so big."

"She's two years old now."

"The time sure flies. So much has happened since I saw you."

Sarah looked at her cousin carefully. Suddenly, she noticed something different.

"You, you made a kill?" Sarah asked.

Shalene smiled, answering, "Yes, about a standard year ago."

"That's great! I thought it'd happen before then, but I'm glad you finally did it. Say, what's your warrior name now?"

"Swift Striker."

"That's cool. Oh, before I forget, that's my father sitting across from me. And this is my friend Molly, she wanted to come, too."

Shalene bowed respectfully.

"Do you remember me?" Another voice asked Sarah.

"Of course I do, even if you definitely look more grown up, and more like your own father, Amarti."

"I hope now that I'm older, dad will let me start training as a warrior so I can be just like you and my sister."

"Your time will come, be patient."

A short time later, once every finished eating, everyone left to start their day.

"Father where are you going?" Sarah asked.

"Da'Meon promised Molly and me more of a tour. And I'm sure we'll probably talk shop a little," Tim replied.

"I have my lessons, so I have to get going. I don't want to be late," Amarti said.

"If it's OK with you, I'd like to take Emilina with me to join Raenna. She's good at teaching our younger younglings. It will give your sister a chance to interact with others around her age," Shalene stated.

"I don't see why not. I was going to check to see what I could do as well," Ahsoka replied.

"I'd like to go see what's going on with the warriors. I feel like I should join them today for some reason," Sarah told the group.

After a brief walk, Sarah found Zinubra, the hunt master. His group largely consisted of adult males, but Sarah noticed one or two females in the group.

"Mighty Princess, how good it is to see you again," Zinubra greeted her.

"I'd like to sit on what you're learning today, if you don't mind."

"Please do, we were just about to review different ways to track prey—thimiars on up to akul. You may find it useful during your stay here."

Please don't make me hunt thimiars again, Sarah thought. Still, she remained open to learning about how to locate them.

"Sure," Sarah replied as she sat down on the ground with her legs folded.

⁂

After the mid-day meal, Raenna and an assistant gathered her young students.

"Today, we're going to take a short walk just outside our settlement so you can see what plants are flowers grow. Whatever you do, don't touch any of them. We'll teach you which ones are and aren't safe later," she said.

Raenna and her assistant helped the younglings observe the native flora. Once they were older, the would learn which plants were helpful and which should be avoided.

Suddenly, Raenna felt a strong rippling in her montrals. A low growl confirmed her suspicions.

"Akul!" she called out. This isn't good, we have to get back inside the settlement, she thought,

"Akul!" her colleague repeated. Instinctively, she did her best to gather the younglings together so they could get to safety as soon as possible.

Once back inside the settlement, the adults breathed a sigh of relief. However, a count of their charges was one short.

"Who are we missing?" Raenna asked.

"I'm not sure. We need to go back and check," her assistant replied.

"No, it's too dangerous, the warriors will find them, let's hope."

Outside the settlement, Emilina did her best to run away from the threat. Although she was too young to have montrals or the sense of echolocation they provided, she heard another growl behind her. It scared her so much, she didn't notice a large tree root in front of her. She tripped and fell into the adjoining river. Although it wasn't very deep, Emilina frantically tried to regain her bearings.

Elsewhere, warriors answered the call for assistance. Sarah grabbed a couple of spears on her way to the scrub lands just to be sure there would be enough weapons available.

Coming from a different direction, Shalene and a colleague answered the call to action when she heard a splash come from the river. She couldn't see who it was, but she knew someone had to take action.

«We must rescue the youngling,» she told her colleague.

He nodded, ran over to the river, and extended his hand towards Emilina.

«Stretch out your hand, young one,» he said.

Emilina stretched her right arm as far as she could. She felt an odd sensation just before she felt the male lift her out of the water and hold her protectively in his arms.

«Who are you, young one?» he asked, noticing the small patch of fine hair on Emilina's forehead.

Joining her colleague, Shalene said, «Hey, that's Emilina!»

«You know her?»

«Of course, she's my blood cousin. Her sister is the Mighty Princess.»

«We better take her to see Narina.»

⁂

Narina, the tribe's healer, took Emilina from Shalene and the warrior that rescued her. As Narina examined the toddler, she recalled helping her mother give birth over two years ago. Aside from a few scratches, Emilina didn't appear too injured, but she would need dry clothing at the very least.

"If you wanted to see me again, you should have just asked, little one," Narina said playfully.

"Lene!" [Little one] Emilina replied.

"That's right, you are a little one. Aside from some scratches, you appear to be fine. We just need to keep you warm for the rest of the day."

Narina beckoned to her assistant and said, «Get me a long blanket. Then, go see if anyone has located her family.»

After handing Narina the blanket she requested, she left the healer's hut. Narina reasoned it wouldn't be too difficult to locate one of Emilina's parents because one of them was the only human male presently with the tribe. Until they came, she still had work to do.

«Let me get you out of those wet clothes,» she said as removed Emilina's wet clothing and wrapped her up in the blanket.

«There you are, nice and warm like the day I welcomed you to the tribe.»

Narina's assistant looked around, but she couldn't find Emilina's father. Locating her mother or sister would pose more of a challenge. However, she decided to ask Zinubra if he could help point her in the right direction.

«Excuse me, I'm trying to find Emilina's parents, do you know where they might be?» she asked him.

Sarah couldn't translate everything that she heard, but hearing her sister's name got her attention.

"I'm Emilina's sister. What's wrong?" she asked.

"She had a small mishap and she's with Narina. She asked me locate her family."

"Can I help you?"

"I suppose so, come with me."

Back at her hut, Narina took a small measure of dried medicinal herbs and added just enough water to form a paste. She then took the paste and gently rubbed it into the scratches she noticed on Emilina's small, thin lekku.

As Emilina squirmed a bit, Narina said, «There, there. It's OK. It won't hurt much longer.»

Just as she finished wrapping a cloth bandage around the paste, Sarah entered the hut.

"Is she OK? What happened?" Sarah asked Narina.

"Mighty Princess, she just took a spill into the river and got scratched up. But she's fine. All she needs now is dry clothes and rest," Narina replied.

"I can get those."

Sarah turned to look at her sister, her own blue eyes making direct contact with her sister's emerald green ones.

"Emi, you need to be more careful."

Turning to Narina again, Sarah said, "I better let everyone know she's safe and well."

"And don't forget the fresh clothes," Narina reminded her.

Sarah nodded and kissed the white diamond marking Emilina's left cheek.

"Go ahead and take a nap, little sis. I'll see you later," Sarah said.

"Bye-bye," Emilina replied softly.

⁂

Later that afternoon, Molly had followed Shalene to her room at the latter's request.

"Are you sure you want to try it on?" Shalene asked.

"Of course. I always like to look good. I may as well look like anyone else here, aside from the fact I'm human," Molly replied.

Shalene giggled before she handed Molly a tan top.

"OK, go ahead and try it on," she said.

Molly looked at her curiously. "Right now? You want me to change in front of you?"

"Of course."

"Umm, that's a bit weird—if not creepy."

Shalene blinked her eyes and then replied, "I guess it's not just Sarah."

"What do you mean," Molly asked?

"When Sarah first visited here, I had offered her one of my tops, but she wouldn't change in front of me. I thought maybe she was embarrassed. I guess it's not just her, but how you live back home."

"People change clothes in front of others here?"

"Well, only in the same company. Mother sometimes helps me with trying on a new outfit, but never in mixed company."

"Oh, OK. If I had to let my mom see me like that, I'd die from embarrassment."

"We can't have that!" Shalene exclaimed.

"It's only a figure of speech. I wouldn't die, but it would be very embarrassing for me."

"Oh. I see we have a lot to learn about each other. Anyways, I only wanted you to change because this type of top can be tricky to wear at first. If you don't put it on the right way, it won't fit right and it might fall down."

Molly thought for a moment and said, "How about this: I can turn my back to you and change. And if I need help, you can help me."

"That seems like a fair compromise."

"No fair looking over my shoulder," Molly said with a playful smile.

Shalene nodded, not understanding the comment, while Molly grabbed the top and turned her back as she began to change. Seeing Molly remove what looked like two tops surprised Shalene.

"When you put it on, make sure the strap on your right shoulder stays there to help keep it in place," Shalene told Molly.

"Like this?" Molly asked.

"Yeah. I guess you didn't need my help after all."

Molly looked at herself. The top seemed to be a bit like a tube top aside from the strap on her right shoulder. Although she didn't normally dress this way, it was a lot more comfortable for the humid afternoon than her tank top was.

As she turned around, she said, "I like how it fits and looks on me. I'll have to get a picture to show mom."

Shalene smiled and said, "Can I ask you something else?"

"Sure?"

"What are all those little dark spots you have all over you?"

"Those are freckles. I get them when I'm out in the sun a lot."

"Does Sarah's father get them?"

"Some, but not every human gets them," Molly replied.

"Oh, OK. Since you like our clothing, maybe you'd like to go see how we make it now?"

"Sure!" Molly told Shalene.

⁂

Elsewhere, Tim had found his way to Narina's hut. He didn't see anything to knock against, and he wasn't sure if would be seen as rude to enter unannounced.

"Excuse me, is anyone here?" he asked.

Narina walked to the doorway to greet him.

"You must be Sarah's father," she replied.

"I guess it's pretty obvious who I am here, huh?"

"What can I do for you? Are you not well?"

"Actually, I wanted to thank you for taking care of Emilina—both times. I also have something for you that you lent us two years ago."

Narina didn't expect to receive the blanket in which she bundled Emilina on the day she was born.

"You didn't have to do this. You could have kept it," she told Tim.

"Still, we have no need for it anymore. I figured you may want it back. Besides, it helped keep Emilina warm when she needed it. Perhaps the next newborn bundled up in it will be just as fortunate."

Narina smiled and replied, "That's a kind thought. Thank you."

"Thanks again for everything," Tim said as he bowed respectfully and left.

⁂

That night, after dark, the majority of the tribe gathered for a story about their relationship with a neighboring tribe. Ahsoka felt unnerved to be reminded that this was a story about the Ti—the same tribe from where Ahsoka's former colleague hailed. However, the consensus was that hearing the story would be a good way for everyone to learn more about tribal life and the upcoming Ullumbana festival.

The five of them took seats in the front row close to the fire. Mindful of Narina's comments to keep Emilina warm, Tim sat her in his lap with his Jedi robe keeping Emilina protected from the cooler evening air; only her head peeked out from his robe.

A short time later, the various conversations and din abruptly stopped. Now, only the crackle of the fire remained audible as the Old Storyteller walked up to the front of the assembly and sat on top of a table. From there, she began to speak.

"Many years ago, long before your grandparents were even born, a new tribe relocated across the river. Our own leader was eager to learn more about our new neighbors, and of their intentions. So, he gathered an elder and two sentinels and begun the trek to their new settlement.

"Meanwhile, the new tribe realized there was another tribe across the river. Its own leader did not wish to encroach on potentially sacred land. Thus, he brought his own elder and sentinels for a meeting with his counterpart.

"In the scrub lands, each leader was surprised to see the other walking out to greet him. While they had enough time for introductions and to declare their peaceful intentions, the meeting was interrupted by an akul attack.

"When both beasts were slain, the leaders realized their sentinels worked together as if they were of the same tribe. Seeing it as a favorable blessing from their departed warriors, they saw this as a sign their tribes were to exist in harmony.

"However, both leaders rebuffed the idea of a formal treaty. The will of the spirits transcended mere mortal writings, they reasoned. Instead, plans were made to introduce each tribe's leader and elders to each other. That marked the first day of the long-standing rapport between the Tano and the Ti.

"As time passed and leaders changed, each new leader would travel to the other tribe and reaffirm the tribe's intent to remain in peace with the other. Today, five generations later, the Tano and the Ti still share each others joys and they support each other in times of grief. And in times in of need, the tribes continue to assist each other as needed."

The storyteller stood down from the table and slowly walked to a spot on the other side of the fire, opposite of those assembled. The light from Shili's six moons slowly trickled through the trees, casting ominous shadows. As she gestured, everyone began to sing a song in Togruti. The voices were soft and low enough that Ahsoka and company could not translate the words with their datapads. Instead, each chose to reflect on the story they just heard. Emilina, on the other hand, struggled to stay awake, briefly yawning and fluttering her eyes. After the song completed, everyone slowly departed in silence.

Back at the guest hut, Sarah asked her mother, "That was some story, mom. What did you think?"

Ahsoka took a deep breath and did her best to fight off tears.

"I never knew Master Ti likely grew up as a neighbor, so to speak. I wonder if she ever knew our tribes were adjacent to each other," she replied.

"Your tribes seem a lot like Native American tribes, Sarah," Molly stated.

"It seems like it," Sarah answered.

"It was a most interesting legend," Tim added, "But maybe the storyteller would tell us another legend I've been curious about."

"Which one is that, honey?" Ahsoka asked.

"Sarah told me she helped you pick Emilina's name from a legend she heard during your first trip to Shili. I'd love to hear that story for myself at some point during our trip."

⁂

With Emilina put to bed for the night while Sarah and Molly shared about their experiences with each other, Tim and Ahsoka walked together in the turu-grass just outside the settlement. That way, they were close enough to safety if they encountered any akuls.

"I thought we were going to bed, too," Tim said.

"I just said that so the girls wouldn't want to join us. Before we go to bed, I wanted to go on a walk with you alone tonight," Ahsoka replied.

"Oh, OK. Any particular reason?"

"We don't get much alone time like this anymore. And I wanted to show you how the sky looks with multiple moons showing at night."

Tim looked up and saw two—maybe three—of Shili's six moons illuminating the sky.

"It's definitely different. But it's also lovely in an unusual sort of way," he said.

Ahsoka nodded and asked, "Do you think I'm as lovely as sprig of turu-grass?"

"Uhh, That's a rather unexpected question. Why do you ask?"

"Earlier, I heard someone tell his own wife she was that lovely. I'm curious if you feel the same way about me."

Tim looked at the thin long blades of red and white grass fluttering easily in the soft breeze.

"Actually, I don't."

"What?!" Ahsoka asked, shocked by his answer.

"Look at the grass. The breeze is slight, but the grass bends easily from it. You're far more steadfast."

"I never thought of it that way."

"So, to answer your question: you're not as lovely as the turu-grass. You're lovelier."

Ahsoka leaned in to kiss Tim.

"It's been a long time since I heard anything so sweet," she said.

"Life has been crazy these past few years. But don't ever doubt how much I love you."

Ahsoka cracked a smile as he kissed her in return.

"What has you in such a romantic mood tonight?" Tim asked.

"I think it's the fresh air. That, and Cayanna told me that people tend to be more romantic in the days leading up to the festival. Apparently, rumor has it that many couples conceive this time of year."

"Is that so? Forgive me, but I'd rather not see Emilina be a big sister," Tim answered dryly.

Ahsoka pushed her husband's shoulder playfully.

"Please don't ruin my mood. I wasn't asking you to do that. I was only telling you what legends say."

"Fair enough. I'm just surprised—and impressed—to see this side of you, my little fireball."

"Fireball? Do explain," Ahsoka stated.

"You may not be a sprig of turu-grass, but you can be as passionate and intense as a ball of fire."

"I guess I can't disagree with you there," she replied as they held hands.

"We should get back before it gets too late and we have any uninvited company."

⁂

Back at the guest hut, Tim laid in bed waiting for Ahsoka. She joined him shortly and snuggled up close to him. As he caressed her rear lek, his eyes widened.

"Are you sure you want to sleep like this."

"Why not?"

"We do have two teens and a toddler with us. The last thing we need is them seeing you like this."

"That's why we're under the covers, silly."

"Just tell me: why tonight?"

"Well, I'm still in a romantic mood, and it's still so warm here I feel I'll be more comfortable this way."

Tim nodded, but he yelped when Ahsoka bit him on the neck for no apparent reason.

"What was that for?" he asked.

"You don't know?"

"If I didn't, I wouldn't ask. You've never done this before, either."

"You didn't notice the women looking you over today?"

"No."

"Well, I did, and I wasn't too happy about it. So, I talked to Cayanna and she suggested I leave my mark on you so everyone knows you already have a mate—me," Ahsoka said.

Tim rubbed his neck some.

"I just hope you didn't draw blood. And I also hope Sarah and Molly don't see it. The last thing I need is them seeing I have a hickey on my neck."

To make up for the injury, Ahsoka gently kissed the bite mark.

"I wasn't trying to hurt you," she said. She kissed him on the lips to emphasize the point.

"I believe you. I just hope everyone gets the message so you don't have to do it again any time soon. You really are in a romantic mood, aren't you?"

Ahsoka nodded as she replied, "Is that a bad thing?"

"Not at all."

Ahsoka snuggled closer as Tim caressed her bare back before they both closed their eyes.

⁂

"Master?" Molly called out.

Ahsoka, hearing Molly's voice in her montrals, woke with a start. Realizing the covers had slid down to her waist overnight, she quickly pulled them back up to her neck as she kissed Tim.

"Honey, Molly's asking for you."

Tim opened his eyes and rubbed them.

"What's up, Molly?" he called to her through the curtain separating them.

"It's Sarah. She's not here. She's not around either. I don't know where she is."

"Let me get up and check things out. I'll be there in a minute."

As Molly left from the other side of the turu-grass curtain, Ahsoka whispered, "That was close."

"I told you it might be a bad idea," Tim replied.

"But I enjoyed it—and I know you did, too. Besides, I haven't slept that soundly in a long time."

After kissing one of Ahsoka's cheek markings, Tim said, "That's good. I'll go see if I can find out what's happened to Sarah while you change into something appropriate."

"I'm sure she's around somewhere. She wouldn't just disappear." Ahsoka replied.