The walk was a long hike up a hill. Bazil immediately rolled his eyes when Sibu kneeled, patted his back, and offered him a pick-back ride.
This hill turned out to be more of a mountain and was strenuous even to the ever-lively Tawanda. Though it proved rewarding, as it overlooked the makeshift village in this rural land enclosed by forest.
Although Salazā was far, far away, this place resembled it in everything from the clothes they wore to the styles of the huts.
The largest place was a tall and long hut-style home, having a wide thatched roof and rainbow dyed curtains.
Even though the walls and tables inside were all dark, there were many other rainbow-colored things to look at. From the paintings on clay flowerpots to toy wood blocks dangling in the open aviaries, where many colorful chirping birds flew in and out.
Though the most captivating of them all was a voluptuous beauty so tall she towered over them.
Her skin was a rich, ebony blended so strikingly with her rainbow-patched dress, flowing freely at the hems yet hugging tightly to the shape of her.
Her waist was curved but remarkably trim and flanked by breasts so plump and hips so thick that they could even see the back of it from the front.
Proud, glimmering, and bushy coils boasted from the top of her head and fell to the arch of her back, much like Salīa's hair. Though it was styled in such a way that it fringed over her eyes too, so all they could really see was her glossed lips puckering and dangling rainbow-beaded earrings.
"Queen Salīa," the full, but dulcet voice greeted, enhanced by the rhythm of her shell-beaded bracelets, which acted as shakers as she stepped forth.
This titan woman moved elegantly into a kneeling bow and revealed an x.
Salīa couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by this, as if she should be bowing to her instead.
The woman tilted her head up, releasing a sweet scent resembling warm musk and toasted coconut. Her fringe lifted slightly, revealing sharp, dark eyes shrouded with misty grey.
"Chiefess," Salīa lifted an x.
"Oh, child, do not let our titles make us unfamiliar. Call me what you always have."
With that, she embraced Salīa wholeheartedly, pulling her in for an inescapable, drawn-out hug.
This is her, alright. Just as I remembered.
She then pulled Sibu in for one, who was the only one close to being as tall as her, and she dramatically squeezed him and said, "Oh, how good it feels for a damsel like me to be held by such a strong man who could save me in distress."
Sibu chuckled, delighted, and shook his head at her.
"If I remember correctly, I was the damsel that night."
"Yes, I just wanted you to admit it," she stroked his ear, chuckling with him. "But I feel your body has gotten harder…I mean stronger…I mean…"
Her eyes hungrily traced up and down his frame.
This is definitely her.
"Come on now. You would want to make my friend over here jealous, would you?"
"J-jealous?" Tawanda sputtered as if he couldn't fathom what was being implied.
"Oh, yes. This one is quite delicious," she hugged him as he trembled nervously. "I'd love to eat him right up."
Her eyes flickered with a predatory glint, causing Tawanda to stumble back into Sibu, who held him upright.
"Look what you've done now. You've frightened him with your joke."
"What joke?" she licked her lips, her eyes leveling with Tawanda's.
I'd say she's gotten even better at being her.
"And what do we have here?"
She strode up to Bazil, her eyes surveying each inch of him, whether to see his wounds or his muscles, neither was certain.
He began to bow in greetings, but she pulled him into her. Despite being tall, she was taller. Enough so that his head was cushioned in her chest.
"I think I've missed you the most," she whispered.
Maybe she's a bit too much like her.
Salīa felt a spark of ire stir up and stepped over to them before she even realized she was. Yet before she could expose her jealousy through words veiled in a weak excuse, the chiefess looked down, her flinty gaze locking with a glare Salīa didn't even know she was wearing.
There was a slyness in her smile as she released Bazil and looked only at Salīa.
"Let's sit together, shall we? It's been too long."
X