"Do you have any questions Lyor?" Teebu asked.
He had tons of questions.
"So, a family would select me? And then I start working?"
Teebu smiled. "You don't have to worry about the second question. Here, work is done to spend time and be productive, to help the village grow. I work too. You need to be stronger, and then you can pick whatever you want to do."
Whatever I wanted to do? Not what I must do?
"Okay."
He paused for a moment.
"Um... Hunter-" He thought Sol's face changed hearing that name and even Mira covered her mouth.
"Does he belong to someone?"
"No. No. He just shows up at anytime he wants and disappears." Mira responded, looking at Sol.
"Who is Hunter?" Elowen asked.
"None of your concern!" Sol snapped.
"So, can I keep him? Isn't he all alone out there?" He asked, not wanting Hunter to stay hungry or cold.
"You surely can try. But I can assure you, he won't stay. We have tried to..." Mira chuckled, "...raise him indoors. Not really fond of it. Don't worry, he knows how to stay safe. And to feed himself."
"Okay then."
"Stop sulking. If you need a pet, that idiot," he pointed at Elowen, "or Idlen can get you one." Sol said, and Lyor thought his ear tips had turned red when he spoke.
"No. It's okay. Just Hunter. He might be the strongest hunter, but even the strongest ones need care." Slightly disappointed, he made up his mind to try to keep Hunter with him next time he sees him. Remembering the kitten he had secretly tried to raise outside the apartment building, failed, his heart clenched.
He simply couldn't stomach the thought of anyone staying alone, especially if it were an animal that could not speak like humans.
Sol's POV
Even the strongest ones need care. What a load of bullshit!!
"Give me those!" Sol snatched the bowls from everyone, the clay clattering against his palms. He turned away before anyone could see his blurring eyes.
Something started hurting, and he knew it wasn't an effect of Lyor's emotions.
That dumbass was always sad or scared at that point, a constant background noise Sol had learned to filter.
This was different.
This was his own, rising from somewhere he didn't visit often, somewhere he kept locked behind competence and strength and the ability to hunt anything that threatened the village.
Even the strongest ones need care.
He walked toward the washing basin, empty bowls cold against his skin. Water from the opened tap, warm from the emberstones inside the tank outside. Cleansalt to remove residue.
Automated hands moving.
The words repeated, unwelcome.
"Tsk."
It annoyed him. Being the strongest was the only way he could finally put out the fire of the unnamed anger and helplessness he had felt since his arrival.
One sentence bought it all back.
He scrubbed the bowl harder, trying to get rid of the uneasiness under his skin, and watched the water swirl with remnants of Chamomile tea.
"Sol?" Ceera's voice, shy, from the doorway.
He didn't turn. "What?"
"You're being loud."
He hadn't realized.
"He needs time," Ceera said.
"I know." Yes, he knew that; he also knew he should not be this agitated. Lyor was just talking about an animal, it even could have been a Wolfhare or a Cula, not him as a person, and yet, it felt so personal.
"You're not angry at him," she said, and it wasn't a question this time.
Sol set the bowl down. Picked up another. Watched the water cloud again.
"No."
"Then what?"
He didn't answer. Couldn't. Sol, the strongest hunter of Nemeteia didn't know the answer.
The bowl slipped, caught, set aside.
"Sol," Ceera said again, and this time her voice held something like recognition. "Come back when you're ready. He's asking for you."
"He's not looking for me; he is looking for the cat." Sol started, automatic denial.
"No. He asked if you were angry with him. If he did something wrong to make you leave."
Sol closed his eyes. He wanted to stay here, hidden, until the feeling passed. Until Elowen fixed that damn curse.