XIV

"What do you think we should call it?" asked Shizi. She was holding the tiny creature in one arm, feeding it a small bonnotoboe with her other hand. The creature itself looked blissful, taking small munches of the fruit, which was far bigger than its mouth. Its mouth, incidentally, was stained red with juice.

Lelaka shrugged, not taking her eyes off the animal. "I dunno. Munchies?"

Shizi shook her head with a grin. "Nah, too goofy. I'm thinking sort of a… a more, what's the word… more official sounding name, y'know? Like a name that sounds like a kid's name."

"Like your name?"

"Very funny," Shizi said, rolling her eyes. When she spoke again, she put on a dramatic tone. "But just you wait until Naming Day—I shall no longer be the Shizi you have once known." She straightened her arm, pointing towards the sky and accidentally squeezing juice out of the bonnotoboe. "From then on, I shall be called… Shizima!"

The creature mewled for food.

Shizi sighed. "Y'know, that would've been a lot more dramatic if I wasn't feeding this guy."

Lelaka put on a smirk and was about to nod when she heard a knock at the door.

"I'll get it, Shizi," said the distant voice of her mother. Lelaka, her sister and even the creature stayed silent as they heard the door open.

The mother gasped. "Master Makuta? My goodness, hello!"

"Greetings," answered Makuta's voice. "This may be a bit sudden, but is this where an Okotan named Lelaka lives?"

"Well, yes, but Lelaka's not home right now. She's still at work—over south in the marketplace. Her post is the one with the rainbow tapestry."

"I see. Thank you, miss…?"

"Sumara. I'm Lelaka's mother. You look exhausted—do you want to come inside and rest?"

Makuta sighed. "I would, but I'm afraid there are more pressing matters at stake. I must go."

"Alright—as soon as Lela gets home, I'll tell her you wanted her."

There was a long pause before Makuta replied. "Very well. Tell her it has to do with her and Ekimu."

"Her and Ek…" Sumara stopped. "Did I hear that right?"

Lelaka froze.

"You don't know about it?" Makuta said, actively surprised. "They've been together for a while now. Ekimu hadn't told me, so when I found out it was a complete surprise. But of all the people, I thought you'd—"

Something in another room clanged onto the floor.

"Er… thought you'd know," Makuta finished slowly. "Is there someone else here?"

Sumara glanced behind her. "Shizi—my other daughter. Could you excuse me for a second?"

"It's your house, not mine," answered Makuta. "I hope she didn't break anything."

"It's more her than furniture I'm worried about." Sumara walked out of sight, asking if Shizi was okay.

Makuta sighed. Why was he even doing this? He was being unfair—both to Lelaka and to Ekimu. Iniquity to the latter was justified, though. Keeping secrets Makuta should rightfully know, saying he was fine when he was clearly injured… Ekimu had it coming. But Lelaka herself wasn't bad—just stupid for choosing to fall in love with his brother. None of this would have happened if she had just fallen for some other man. The question was whom.

In that moment Makuta's imagination went into overdrive, rapidly constructing a scene in which he stood next to Lelaka, holding a long list of names, showing eager young men to her and listing off their personalities.

He grimaced. That was the last way he wanted to solve it.

Almost as if in answer, his mind made another future in which he himself was with Lelaka, staring into her eyes as the sun set under a golden-red sky.

Makuta couldn't tell whether that was better or worse—what was he thinking? Of course it was worse!