The Weight of Water
"Yes, it is escalating, but it doesn't mean there will be action," Agile said. "If we can solve the issue without there being a war, then we must do so."
"But…"
I really thought I was given another chance to prove myself.
She placed a hand on my shoulder.
"C'mon. There is more to GOU than just fighting."
"I know, but…"
"You will get your chance, Tig."
The moon began to set. It was a rather blue moon, nothing like the one on Earth or Aurelion, Hornet's home planet. I didn't even spend long there to call it my home. Within a week, they had given me an assigned spot, working under Agile Eye. Working along with Aureolo.
They didn't seem that bad. They were weird, especially Aureolo, but often he made me forget about Ma and… Aourine.
Coven was nice as well. He was funny.
Red Coope and I didn't talk much—he was reserved. He was close with Toxic Doxie though.
Toxic and I never talked. She always brushed me off.
How she got into GOU was questionable.
Hornet was strict. He expected so much out of me. I was afraid to fail him like I did with Ougine and Aourine.
Never again.
Never again.
Never.
"What are you doing here?"
Agile asked, sitting down beside me on the cold rock.
I lowered my head, staring down my orange and black suit which was tougher than the tettara clothes Ma used to make.
"Nothing. Just thinking."
"Thinking about what?"
"Nothing…"
I fiddled with my claw covered with synthetic coating. It had accidentally pierced Aureolo when I first joined the GOU.
Hornet didn't want more accidents to occur so he told me to wear a cover for my claws.
I felt humiliated. I hated looking at them.
"Come, join me for the meeting."
Agile said, holding out her hand.
My head lifted, staring up at her as the blue moon reflected against her red suit, creating a ray of purple.
The natives of the land were gathered around a campfire. The children sang songs in words I wasn't familiar with, but once I got the universal translator to work, they were about water.
Water.
Water could be so potent. Ma and Motalla had been writing me digital letters on how beautiful Aurelion is. The streams of water that ran right outside their hut, the vibrant trees from which they get food.
Giseine had been settling in well and Suvgine has taken a job alongside Motalla and Koralla at stream maintenance.
Koralla wants to go to the main city and become a Minister. I didn't know what that meant. Neither did I understand the system at Aurelion. Everything was moving so fast. I couldn't catch up.
Hornet's expectation, Agile's training, Aureolo jokes. Everything was too much.
For once, I was slower than the world.
Whooshhh…
"Before time existed, Alula, the Ever-Flowing Will dived into a dying star and gave up her life to spray water and give life a quick start."
A child said as I walked by the bonfire, catching my attention. My head followed, watching the way his hand moved. Swaying.
Alula.
Dying stars.
Life.
Were any of these stories true?
The elders never told such stories about Ma-Oktava.
Wham!
My steps came to a halt when my body bumped into something sturdy. A hand wrapped around my waist, holding me straight up.
"Beï?"
I lifted my gaze to meet with a very large, muscular woman. They were called Beorno*. My translator tried to translate it but the bump must have tampered with its function.
"Et tehm."
I answered. I stood up straight, her hand leaving my waist. I noticed Agile watching the interaction from the corner of my eye. A faint blush appeared on my cheek but luckily was hidden behind the mask.
The Beorno woman stared down at me, unsure of what I said. Clearly the translator wasn't working. Must have damaged it when I collided against her sturdy body.
I raised a hand, smacking the translator to get it to jump back to work.
"Sorry about that."
"No problem. Just keep your head straight when walking."
I nodded. Agile gave me a look of impatience. I quickly followed behind her into the fabric hut.
There were a few dozen Beornos inside. All huddled around the fire.
"Baďnu Agile."
A man greeted as Agile sat down with them—one leg crossed over the other. She was always so poised. She commanded the room with her presence.
Recently, the tribes had been attacking… and were unable to make peace which has resulted in the death of the innocent. Agile was sent here to make peace and I was sent along to shadow her.
How long until Hornet trusts me to lead my own mission?
It had been four months of missions after mission, Beornos yet not once did I receive Hornet's appreciation like he did with others.
What was I doing wrong?
I wanted to go home. Back to Ma.
At least with them I felt useful.
"Then it is settled, the children from both families will marry each other to settle this," Agile said.
My head snapped towards her. I was so lost in my own thoughts that I wasn't paying attention to what was going on.
When did this talk suddenly lead to marriage? And why?
How does a marriage fix a war?
Why were children always the solution to adult failures?
I felt my heart twist slightly as they continued.
Aourine.
"Fine. Let my lineage fall to these beasts," said the man with a pink robe.
"Don't you foul-mouth my family!"
The other fought back which I presumed was from the other family tribe.
I wasn't paying attention to who was who.
"JoiKOPWKDKAMO!"
My eyes winced shut. Too many voices at once started to mess with the translator. It buzzed in my ear.
"Silence!"
A voice boomed through the room. It was Agile. She stood. The room stilled before she even spoke.
The room quieted down and so did the translator.
"You cannot keep fighting for a mere resource. Territory has been divided for centuries, yet you still bicker. Your children are dying of thirst while you waste time. Unite and you may overcome this drought."
The entire hut was hushed; they kept their heads low. Agile stood with her head held up high.
"Your pride is killing your children," she added.
The others looked at each other, realizing their mistakes.
I stared at her, in shock and awe.
How does she do this? How does she show authority to everyone? How does she make everyone listen to her voice?
Aureolo once told me that she was raised by Hornet Mask and his wife.
That was all. That was all I knew about her past while she knew everything about mine. She grilled me until I told her everything.
She probably read some things off me like that day when GOU rescued the people of Ma-Oktava. Especially when Aourine…
I took a deep breath just as the marriage deal was set in place.
How did she get them to agree?
One by one, Beornos filed out of the hut, leaving Agile, me, and the leader of the tribe behind. I watched as he talked with Agile.
I only stood by, watching.
The wind outside was warm despite being nighttime, just like Ma-Oktava. Earth wasn't like this. Earth was cold. The first time I arrived there, it was during summertime. To me, it was cold. Stella told me I would get used to it. How long would that take?
"Tig?" My steps came to a halt when I heard Agile call me from behind.
I turned around, spotting her.
"Where are you going?"
"Nowhere. Just… lingering around."
"I see. Hmmm."
I watched her. There was something on her mind.
"They settled the issue with marriage."
"Yes. It is surprising how many cultures in the universe put immense significance on marriage."
"Right…"
Marriage… family… Aourine.
"They fight over water constantly. GOU gets called in more often than you'd think."
She sat down on the rock.
"Most attempts don't last. A few words calm them for a night… maybe two. Then it starts again."
She paused as if trying to read me.
"Is something lingering on your mind?"
"No… No, nothing," I answered.
"If there is something, you can tell me. I am here to listen."
"There is nothing." I turned around, facing away from her. "It is warm."
"It is. Miss your home planet?"
"No," I answered. I recalled the moment I said goodbye. I felt useful there. Like I belonged. I knew what I was. A provider. Now I was…
"Maybe. I miss… I miss my home."
My body froze as she put a hand on my shoulder.
"I understand. Change is scary. One night you are tucked in your bed and the next you are at a stranger's door."
My eyebrows narrowed. Was this a hint of her life or was she just making up stuff?
"Agile… is Hornet really your father?"
"Aren't you nosy?"
"I-I didn't mean to. I am just curious."
"Curiosity kills cats. Keep it."
I let out a sigh when she refused to answer. It was hard getting to know her.
A man approached us and said—
"Ḅeoi, Agile. Are you staying because tomorrow the marriage ceremony will be taking place."
"No, sorry, but I am needed back on Earth so we will be leaving shortly. But do give my warm Ḅeoi to your mother."
"Thank you."
I watched the interaction. How does she do this?
I was not meant to lead. I was not cut out to be a leader like Agile-Eye was.
But I didn't know how long I could keep standing behind someone else…
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Notes
Beorno:A species of large, heavily muscular humanoids with red skin. Native to planet BBB-TI 713.