Talk:Book One Chapter 1: Never to late/@comment-33246279-20171007060931/@comment-25227324-20171008172729



[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEyCMCbvaTE Meanwhile in the Dera Munda common market. . .]



The marketplace streets were abuzz with chatter as Nyma padded her bare feet across the dusted sand topped roads of Dera Munda. It was so busy in the early half of the day, probably because everyone was trying to beat the impossible heat of the approaching noon sun. Good thing they had a few hours before it reached its precarious perch in the blistering blue sky overhead. Even so, she trudged forwards with a sullen tightness in her lips. Their corners sewed shut in self condemnation.

The heaviness of her locks swung low and brushed over the small of her back as she strolled through to the other end of the marketplace. Nyma's eyes locked onto the river that stretched and slithered its way through the sand dunes surrounding her town. She sighed. Her toes hung over the edge as she tentatively stood there. The molten gold pools of her eyes stared ever so blankly at the rippling unsteadiness of her reflection.



Nyma: " Stupid Channelling technique. Dumb spirits. "

The self pitying youth crouched down and hugged her knees to her chest, the tip of her chin nuzzled in between them and rested naturally in place. As she sat in the sandy riverbank, the soft green fabric of her skirt grew dusty with speckled dirt and dread. She didn't get it. For hours she sat there and concentrated as hard as she could. Every day for a week she meditated to prepare for the channeling beforehand. She read all the tomes, studied the scriptures and books--visited the Shrine of Changes just outside of town.

What was she missing?

Nyma: " Uuuuuuughhh !!!! "



She groaned in frustration before letting go over her balance and toppling backward. Nyma stared up into the skies. Feathered clouds began to whisp around in the deep blue playground above, her eyes easily caught sight of an avian flock heading north. The young desert bloom fluttered her long dark lashes closed as the winds graced her with a breeze. Nyma laid there peaceably and breathed.

''A few moments later. . .''

Unknown: " Oi. Oi!! Nimzii!! Wake up!! "

There was an unpleasant jab to her side and Nyma yelped! She tossed her eyes around frantically before they settled on the perpetrator.

Nyma: " Ow!! Shoot, Yasmin. What'd you do that for ? "

Yasmin: " Just making sure you weren't dead is all. "



Yasmin smiled and plopped down in a space next to her cousin. She'd just gotten back from sand shark hunting with her dad and brother. The spritely youth turned back and waved at her family who were a few meters away.

Yasmin: " It's okay!! You can head back without me now!! "

Yasmin's Father and Brother: " See you at home!! "

And then they disappeared into the marketplace carrying the sparings from their hunt. Yasmin leaned back on both her palms and smiled.

Yasmin: " What you doing over here by yourself ? "

Nyma: " Waiting for death. "

Yasmin: " Sounds morbid. "

Nyma: " Haha, no I'm kidding. I was just a little bummed. Kinda needed a short break from the scrolls. "

Yasmin: " Really? How come? You're, like, amazing at that Shaman stuff. "

Nyma: " Pfft, thanks. But lately, it's been kinda . . . difficult. For some reason, the stuff isn't coming to me like it usually does. I stayed up all night studying. But I got nothing! Then I look at my mom and she does it so easily. "

Nyma sighs.

Nyma: " It just made me so mad . . . I needed some fresh air. "

Yasmin furrowed her brow at how badly her cousin was beating herself up. She felt bad.

Yasmin: " Hm . . . "



The girl thought to herself before jumping up with a wide grin on her face. She leaned down and took a tight hold of her cousin's forearm before yanking her onto her feet without warning.

Nyma: " Wha-- "

Yasmin: " C'mon, we're going to the old temple. You need a field trip. "

Nyma's eyes blew up like swollen balloons.

Nyma: " What !? No! We can't, those ruins are dangerous and boobie trapped ! We could get in trouble. "

Yasmin: " Ahwwwwww c'mmmooon !! There's a whole grove of Sweet Pit Guava trees and I want some. And there's not another grove of those for miles. "

Nyma: " But Yas-- "

Yasmin: " And I'm sure if we go there it might give you some freaky spirit jitters !! This could help you with your Shaman stuff !! C'mon, Nimzii, please ?? "

Yasmin forced her face into a childish pout with her lower lip all puffed out. Nyma snorted at how ridiculous her younger cousin looked and burst out laughing. She couldn't help, but cave in. Besides, she knew Yasmin was only doing this to take her mind off things.

Nyma: " Ok fine, but only for a few moments. We can't stray from the village for too long and you know it.

Yasmin: " YES. MA'AM ! "



The goofy youngster gave her older cousin a strange salute before looping her arm in her own and dragging her off clear out of the village limits.