Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 359(@200wpm)___ 287(@250wpm)___ 239(@300wpm)
She pats my arm. "I'm just always interested in the biological aspects of things more than the people aspects. Don't take it personal." Devi takes the rows of notes I've made on a framed skin and studies them. "This is good, though. I appreciate the help. What are you and Valmir doing later? You can come and sit with me and N'dek. We've got room in the cave we're sleeping in, too."
"I appreciate the offer. We haven't thought that far ahead to tonight just yet."
Devi nods absently and makes a note on the skin. It's stretched taut so it can be written on, almost like a slate. "Unless you like your meat raw. Then you might have to stay somewhere else. The smell turns my stomach right now."
"I like my meat in a can." The joke rolls off my tongue before I think about it.
Devi looks up at me. "Huh?"
"Sorry, Hawaiian joke. Spam musubi is really popular back home. I used to get it from a gas station near my house on a daily basis."
Her expression brightens. "Oh, did you remember where you're from?"
"Parts of it. Pieces are coming back to me. Not whole chunks, but tidbits here and there. Some pieces of language, some of customs. Not really people or places." I'm practically bouncing with excitement to share it. "I even remembered my own name, my real name."
She makes a distracted sound of agreement. "Great."
And then I laugh to myself at how unbothered she is, because no one else cares where I'm from other than me. I'm just grateful to have answers, unlike Natalie or Vivi, who have nothing. Or Valmir, who is intimately aware of everything he's missing.
Valmir cares, though. Valmir celebrated with me. Warmth flows through my belly. We'll continue sharing with our baby when it's born and teach them all about their ancestors.
Makana moves back to my boot and scratches at it with a grunt, a signal that he wants to be picked up. Smiling, I heft him into my arms and tuck him into his sling. As I do, Devi's analytical gaze moves on to the two-fang, and I suspect she's going to ask to study him soon enough. "You kept him?"
"More like he kept me," I joke. "We tried to release him but he's happiest with us. He wouldn't leave no matter what we did."
"Baby schema tied with learned helplessness," Devi says with a nod, her face becoming distracted. "I wonder if they adjust their nature in order to ensure survival." She thinks for a moment and writes a few more things down at the bottom of the skin. "Would you let me study him?"
"It depends. Does studying involve dissection?" I put my hands protectively around my pet's sling.
"Oh, no. I'd try seeing how he'd react to a few different stimuli. I'd love to see his reaction if you leave the room and abandon him in it." She beams at me. "All harmless, I assure you. My son would be horrified if I thought to harm your creature. I wouldn't be surprised if he asks for one of his own."
"They like roots," I offer. "And being carried like babies."
"Who doesn't?" Devi says brightly.
By the end of the day, one nautilus on the shore is successfully diverted to an alternate path. There is much rejoicing by the males who worked to dig the new trench all day, and lots of backslapping with pride. Valmir is practically beaming as he struts back to camp for dinner. "Did you see?" he asks me, his arm going around my waist. "We got it to change directions. Tomorrow we're doing another."
"You did amazing," I reassure him, pleased when Corvak walks past and gives him a friendly slap on the shoulder. It's a quiet acknowledgment that maybe Valmir is finding his place amongst the group other than "designated tribe asshole." I'm so happy for him. "You must be exhausted. Come sit with me. I saved you a seat."
Moving near the center of the group near the fire, I park Valmir on a seat in the midst of things. Part of me expects him to protest, but Bek and Elly immediately move on the other side and he relaxes. He and Bek get along well. They both have short tempers when it comes to idiots, and I like Elly. She's sweet and shy and they have the most adorable daughter.
Since Valmir has been working on digging a trench, I grab bowls of food for both of us and thank O'jek, who oversees the cooking tonight. The soup smells like it's full of herbs and makes my mouth water. I thank him and move back to Valmir's side, and he looks up at me in surprise when I hand him the food. "I should be getting that for you."
"You were holding our seats," I tell him. "It's fine."