{Night 06: After A Year}

"Uriel! You bitch, bring that skin back here right now!"

The snow-sabre just pranced further away.

It'd been a year since I'd found him. Zaria and I were fourteen now, and Chaya and Hassan were sixteen. We were estimating that Uriel was about a year and a half old, coming up to my hip by now. After an accident a few months ago, we'd had to cut my hair to ear-length, but I'd let it grow out so it was neck-length now. My dad's ring almost fit me at this point. We found that Hassan is far-sighted, so his dad left the Rotter-turf around the time we cut my hair to find him glasses. He actually looks really good with the rectangular lenses perched on his nose. In addition, Hassan and Chaya did it, so neither is a virgin any longer, and they've become an item. Zaria's wand— that big old stick— actually sprouted a few leaves thanks to her constantly channeling magoi through it and using it for life-magic.

Other than that, not much had changed.

I stopped running after my friend. When Mom had sent me to fill up the skin with water, Uriel had snatched it out of my hand and run off.

But I was done with this game. We would play on my terms now.

I huffed, crossing my arms over my chest and spinning on my heel. A small dust-cloud rose up as I plopped myself down on the ground. I stayed like that, eyes closed in a grumpy scowl, and waited.

At length, I heard Uriel come back.

He rumbled, poking my back with a paw.

"Shut up. I'm mad at you." I snapped.

The tiger nuzzled my shoulders, and I scooted away.

Now Uriel circled around in front of me, mewing pitifully. The skin audibly fell from his mouth to the dirt.

"Yaaah!" I roared, pouncing on him. Attempting to, anyway. He skittered away from me, squawking in surprise. But I had the skin now, so I grabbed it and ran off, hooting with laughter. Uriel made a noise that was his attempt at a roar, and started chasing me now.

That was how it was.

The world beyond the Rotter-turf didn't affect us. Not the dungeon last year in Partevia, the rumors of a young sailor befriending the mysterious warrior-tribe up north, the wars waged by other countries... As long as we were allowed to live out our lives the way we wanted to, we didn't give jack about any of that.

... That's what everyone said.

But Uriel himself was a testament against that.

The people beyond our borders would continually thrust daggers of hurt into us because we were looked down upon. The trash they threw in here, the way our people were on occasion kidnapped by slavers or killed by bandits and pirates, even the fact that we had only a few scraggly trees. That was all the fault of the outside world.

I stopped, turning to look at Uriel. He skidded to a stop about a foot away from me.

"I hate this." I said softly.

He tilted his head, blue eyes wide, looking innocently up at me.

"I never even knew my father because of them... I've never actually seen a proper plant or a clean body of water... And it's all because of them... I'll never submit to any of them... Those... those Not-Rots! I'll show them just who we are!"

Uriel came closer, rearing up to put his paws on my shoulders, and licked my cheek. I hadn't even realized that I was crying. Sniffling a bit, I hugged my friend.

"... I think too much... life'd be easier if I was shallow an' stupid, not so fuckin' philosophical..." I mumbled into his neck-ruff. He rumbled, licking my ear. The action sent a shiver coursing down my spine. "Y-you friggin' weirdo! What the hell?!" I yelled, recoiling away from him, brandishing the water-skin.

Uriel fell to all fours, sticking his rump in the air and stretching his forepaws out ahead of him. A shaking, shuddering noise was coming from him, his shoulders shaking, and I became concerned that he was sick or hurt. But then I saw his happily wagging tail, as if he were a dog.

It shouldn't have been possible, but the snow-sabre before me was laughing!

It was contagious, spreading quickly to me. I picked one leg up as I clutched my stomach, doubling over with laughter. I don't know why, but I was. It was just way too fucking funny for some reason!

Once we'd finished laughing and were gasping for breath, I stood up straight.

"Yo, Ur?"

He looked up, tail still wagging.

"Thanks, buddy." I smiled, lightly thwapping his shoulder with the back of my hand. He wasn't any different from Zaria, Hassan, or Chaya. He was my friend.

Uriel was an animal, not able to speak or understand the words I said, but there was an added spring to his step as we continued towards the well. He understood well enough, even if we couldn't converse. It was scary, in a way, but I felt that it made him a Rotter, just like us.

"Y'know, we could burn it all." I commented. Uriel made a noise I liked to define as interested. "The trash that no one wants. Just go outta village limits and start a bonfire. We could burn all this shit to the ground, and th' ashes would be good for the dirt once we mix 'em in. Then plants an' animals would start comin' back. Right?"

It had sounded better in my head, and actually was pretty half-baked, but Uriel rumbled happily. I smiled.

We were actually pretty close to the well when both of us froze, staring.