Yotto – Summer – Rite – Nite (4^th Month 32^nd Day) Year 827 GE


    Dameen entered the town of Lurren with a group of travelers, most were there for the festivities that would start that afternoon and go well into the night. The colors decorating the town made it a festive sight with all the yellows and greens drawn between the building on what would be the parade route that afternoon.


    He entered a small store just outside the parade route and the city center. “Welcome…” the store owner started, when he found himself looking at Dameen he called out instead, “Dameen, Old Friend.” Coming out from behind the counter and heading over toward Dameen for a quick one-armed embrace and pat on the back, “What brings you here today?”


    Luto was a longtime friend of Dameen’s and the owner of the Missing Things a one stop shopping point for basic things. Dameen guided his friend away from the entrance and back toward the counter, “I’m here to watch the fireworks, you mind if I watch them from the roof tonight?”


    “The fireworks huh,” he had a skeptical note in his tone, “You always did like the view from the roof.” With a quick look around, leaning toward Dameen he said, “Don’t damage anything.”


    Dameen laughed out, “It''s not that kind of visit,” he lied, “I’m just here enjoying the festival.”


    “You can use the roof, but you know the drill.” Luto looked around the store, “So are you here to buy anything?”


    “What you got for breakfast? I could use something light.”


    “Now, that I have,” Luto wandered from the counter, pulling a burrito from the fridge. A chime from the front door rang out, “Welcome!” Luto called out as he placed the burrito on the hot plate, “Watch it, flip it once this timer goes off, and start it again.” And with that he set a timer behind the hot plate and wandered toward the person who had entered the store behind Dameen. “What can I help you with?” Luto asked the new customer, sounding as if he had gone down one of the aisles.


    When the timer went off, Dameen did as he was instructed. “I can also order some if I don’t have it here…” he heard Luto explaining to the new customer. When the timer went off a second time Dameen wrapped the burrito so he could lift it without burning himself.


    Luto popped out of the aisle, ringing up the burrito, “You want anything else?” He asked Dameen.


    “Not at the moment, I’ll be back later.” With that Dameen scanned his chip and waved to his friend, heading out the door.


    When his burrito was gone, Dameen wandered into a cafe down the street, he didn’t know any of the workers on duty that day. Not wanting to cause trouble he kept to himself instead of asking for Mattie, the owner of the Energy Cafe. Drink in hand, he headed for the door, “Just going to leave without saying hi.” An older woman’s voice rang out, “I thought I taught you better than that.”


    Dameen turned around and smiled, heading over to the older woman who had just stepped out of the back room, “I figured you were busy enough Mattie, without having to come greet me too.”


    “Well, you thought wrong.” She smiled and clapped Dameen on the back, “Now what brings you here to Lurren? Don’t tell me you’re here to watch the fireworks alone.”


    “And if I tell you that is exactly what I plan, what then.” Dameen smiled at his longtime friend, allowing her to draw him toward one of the tables. “It''s been a while since I enjoyed the Rite Nite Festival.”


    “I know a lovely girl.”


    Dameen laughed out loud then, “You’re always trying to set me up.”


    “Well can you blame me; a handsome young man like you should have a pretty lady on your arm.” Mattie gave him a coy smile. She had wanted to be that pretty lady when she was younger, but Dameen had been careful not to give her hope of that development happening. As she aged, she had taken it as her personal mission to set Dameen up with any young lady she felt would fit him. “So would you like to meet her, Mina is a beautiful Zutu woman with bright blue hair, you would fancy her smile for sure, she has the most beautiful teeth.”


    Dameen laughed out loud again, “I appreciate your concern, but I’ll have to pass,” with a smile he looked at her out the corner of his eye as he pushed up from the table. “Besides, I’m here to meet someone.” With that, he headed toward the door.


    “What…” Mattie had popped up to her feet behind him, she was moving as fast as her elderly body would let her follow the spry young Jariven. “Who is this person?” She asked as Dameen reached the door, he turned, looking over his shoulder at his longtime friend and simply smiled before exiting the store, “Rascal…” he heard Mattie call out as the door closed.


    The noise on the street had escalated, more people than Dameen had expected were lining the parade route. He looked around, his target was not in sight where he was in front of the cafe. With a curse for wasting so much time he started toward the city center, the people would thin out in that area, preferring to follow the parade route. When he caught sight of a young pink haired Hisanni woman he had to remind himself to keep moving. She had just entered the city center from the other side of the parade route. Heading in that direction Dameen did his best to blend into the crowd around him, not wanting to draw the Kander’s attention.


    The Hisanni Kander suddenly froze, from Dameen’s position he could swear there had been a small impact, but from his distance he could not be sure. When finally he could see the Kander’s face close enough to make out her expression it painted a gruesome picture. She stared forward blankly, in horror and disgust. Dameen couldn’t help but wonder what could have caused such emotions in a Kander. When he heard the wail cut through the noise on the street, and the occasional glimpses of small hands gripping the Kander’s leg from the back he started to put it together.


    The Hisanni tried to dislodge the child from her leg, pulling it as gently as she could out of the child’s grip. When she failed to free herself from the child and one determined moment caused her to stumble and nearly fall, Dameen had to stifle a laugh. He walked passed the two, close enough he could hear the Kander muttering, "Geez, that is one tough grip."


    As Dameen had passed, he looked back, getting a good look at the small child holding onto the Kander. She was Hisanni and still in her toddler years. Dameen figured she had likely seen the pink haired Hisanni and assumed she was part of her family. The child’s lavender hair was a clear indication she was not the Kander’s child, knowing how Hisanni genetics worked made that clear to any passerby. Of course, that did not mean she couldn’t be a cousin or a friend.


    Dameen circled around, trying to get a clear view of the Kander and the small child. Part of him wanted her not to figure out how to get free of the child, what if she were to leave the small one there to find her own way around.


    When finally, he had the Kander in view she was making a face of disgust, Dameen could see the wet stain on her pant leg, the child now looking up at the kneeling Kander. He had to turn away to keep from laughing, she had not noticed his presence, which suited his purpose, but if he were to show he was watching her situation there was a good chance she would notice his attention. The child’s face was tear stained and fluids were running down from her nose. The child swiped a soggy arm across her face, only succeeding in moving the fluids around.


    Too far away to hear what she was saying to the child, Dameen could see she had composed her face and assumed she was asking the child something as calmly as she could. The toddlers thumb went into her mouth, the slight wind and heat of the summer day was drying the child’s tears and snot. Dameen could see the Kander turn away from the child and swallow hard. It took great restraint not to laugh, he could see that the child’s state had upset the tough Kander’s stomach.


    Dameen looked around the square, trying to see if there was anyone else watching the Kander and the small child. He caught sight of Baku another supporter of the Rebellion, Dameen nodded in his direction when Baku noticed his attention on him. It was a silent acknowledgment the this Kander was Dameen’s target. Dameen was of a much higher rank than Baku, him being just eyes for the Rebellion, Baku scampered out of the square, leaving Dameen to his target.


    When he turned back to the Kander, he found her on her feet scanning the crowd, Dameen adverted his eyes, leaning against a building, appearing to be taking an afternoon nap. He returned his gaze back to the Hisanni woman just in time to see the child tracing one of the Zitta on the Kander’s leg. She had gone rigid with the shock, Dameen had put his hand in his pouch, gripping the handle of a knife he kept there just in case. Instead of the violence he expected this Kander to perform to get the child off her, she simply brushed the child’s hand from her leg, speaking something softly that he couldn’t hear from his vantage point. He had to get closer, he thought as he pondered what the woman could be saying to the child.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    His target suddenly started to walk toward him, or so he thought until he realized she was headed toward an older woman sitting on the edge of the fountain near him. The small toddler was following closely after the Kander, at first, he had thought she might be leaving the child, but found she kept glancing over her shoulder, checking on the child.


    “Hey lady,” he could just barely hear her talking to the woman, she had stiffened as the Kander approached, quickly she started to gather the small items she had placed around herself and started to rush away from the fountain. “No, wait, I need...” When the child returned her already damp thumb back into her mouth the Kander swallowed hard. “Must you do that? You''re going to turn my stomach,” he heard her telling the child, he was fighting not to laugh out loud, as the child turned and let out a peal of giggles toward the Kander. “It''s not funny,” the Kander grumbled, and the child giggled again.


    The Hisanni looked around the square again, looking for the child’s family most likely. Dameen lost the battle to keep his laughs in check when the child pulled her wet hand from her mouth and grabbed two of the Kander’s fingers, causing her face to twist into the most disgusted, lost expression Dameen had ever seen. “Oh no,” was all she said before Dameen lost the battle and laughed out loud.


    She looked at him with a glare, getting her disgust in check as quickly as it took Dameen to push off the building he was leaning against, and started to head toward the Kander and the small child. He couldn’t help it, in that one moment he had admitted that he had been watching her, “Can''t say I ever thought to see a Kander panicking.”


    “Yeah, well,” she started, but Dameen’s attention had focused on the child, he knew that face well. His younger siblings had taught him well, the look of a child dealing with their “business.” The Kander noticed where he was looking and glanced down at the child in confusion.


    “You''re about to have another thing to take care of,” Dameen smiled, picturing the entertainment of seeing this Kander’s attempt to deal with a child’s nappy.


    He watched her face as she registered what he was referring to, “Oh no... no no...” she looked down at the child, “hold it in, oh no.” He could see panic starting to set in, when she looked at Dameen with a pleading look he couldn’t help it, the laugh burst forth again.


    Once he got it under control he knelt down next to the small child, patting her on the head. “Now now, little one, I think you have your big sister in a panic.” He smiled at her knowing the tone of his words mattered more than what was said. “How about we get you something to clean you up.” He pushed back up to his feet and looked toward the Kander and spoke with the same calming tone he used on the child. “Can you stay with her while I get some necessities for the little one?”


    “No, wait, can’t you…” he heard her calling out behind him as he headed down a side street. He would head back to Luto’s place, he knew they had nappies on hand. When he entered the store Luto called out “Welcome.” But did not acknowledge him beyond that. The store was packed with festival goers. Dameen headed down one of the aisles, the image of the Kander with her panic running through his mind, causing him to smile as he found what he was looking for and headed toward the counter.


    “When did you have children?” Luto asked when Dameen placed the nappies and the wipes on the counter.


    Dameen smiled and winked at his friend, “I have my ways.” And with that he scanned his chip and headed out of the store, a bag in hand with the needed goods. Dameen could just see the Kander as she knelt down next to the child. She had started to cry, “Wait... Don''t cry. The nice Jariven man went to get something to help,” he could see her looking around in a panic “Where is that darn Jariven? I thought he was going to help,” he was close enough now when she grumbled under her breath, he heard her with no trouble.


    “Well, that’s no way to thank someone for their help, and the name is Dameen, sounds better than calling me by my race.” Dameen was one to talk he knew his target’s name was 12 Zitta Zira Kander. But he had refused to acknowledge it knowing once he accepted her identity it would be harder to do what he had to. He pushed his thoughts back and focused on the toddler. “Come on, let''s get her changed. How would you feel sitting in your own mess?”


    Dameen tried to get the Kander to change the child''s nappy, when it was apparent it was too much for her, Dameen stepped forward and made quick work out of the task. He could see her watching him out of the corner of his eye, she was impressed by his skills with changing the nappy. He smiled at her when she asked, “Where did you learn childcare?”


    “Not that it concerns you, but I have three younger siblings.” Dameen buttoned up the child''s clothes and pushed her toward Zira, the Kander, not knowing what to do she stared bewildered. The child curled into his target''s neck, as he arranged her arms to hold the child comfortably “You hold her here.” Once her arms were in position he added, “Just like that.” He frowned slightly as he looked at the child, her thumb was back in her mouth. He tugged gently, popping her thumb out of her mouth, “You know little one sucking on your thumb is not good for your incoming teeth.” He smiled at her and pressed lightly on her nose, getting a giggle instead of a scream.


    "What now?" She asked as she looked up and down the street.


    “Let''s go this way, I thought I saw a group of Hisanni.” And with that they threaded their way through the people gathered for the festival.


    They hadn''t taken more than fifteen steps when Zira let out a cry. Dameen turned to look, surprised at first, then let out a small chuckle, when he found the child with her hand gripped tight in the Kander’s hair. “Let go,” she grumbled, trying to loosen the child’s grip with no success. Dameen saw her swallow hard, when he caught sight of the sticky hand that was threaded into her hair, he understood. “How can such a small thing have such a tight grip,” she grumbled as she failed again to loosen the child''s fingers.


    Dameen had shoved one of his fists into his mouth when he found the sticky had in her hair, he was trying his best not to laugh, the irony of the child using her the slobbered on fingers in the Kander’s hair triggered his humor. When she turned toward him, her face aghast at finding him in a state of controlling his laughter said simply said, “Stop laughing and come and help,” she cried out and some of Dameen''s laughter escaped. “Is there a release button somewhere to get her to open her fist.”


    Dameen failed to hold it in, bursting into laughter, he finally stepped forward to help. The little child was grinning with him as she jerked Zira’s hair around, the Kander grumbling with each tug. Her eyes showed more irritation toward him, than the child. “Now now, little one, you should let go of her hair,” It took all his effort not to laugh at the situation they found themselves in. Her glare had been his motivation to keep the laughs in check and was also making it hard for him to concentrate. Kanders were not known for being the most social people, most of them choosing to travel alone. And yet, here she was staring at him, a look in her eyes that said she blamed him for this situation she was in, and yet not, at the same time. Was she pouting? He thought before saying aloud, “Come here little one,” the child gave an impressive tug as he extended his hands toward her. Instead of her reaching out toward him she jerked her head back, banging the Kander on the cheek, before she hid in her neck again.


    “Ouch,” Zira complained, the child''s hand still threaded through her hair, but her other one now gripping partially around her neck.


    “No need to be shy,” Dameen coaxed as he rubbed circles on the child''s back. “You can see more if I''m carrying you.” he added in a last effort to get her to come to him instead.


    “Muna!” A woman’s voice rang out over the crowd, the child sat back quickly, looking around, her grip still firm in the Kanders hair. Without thinking Zira had stepped back, placing another hand around the child’s back in a protective manner, and Dameen shifted in-between the woman who had cried out and Zira.


    A young Hisanni woman pushed through the crowd, her hair was the same lavender as the child’s, at her side was a Hisanni with pale green hair. Dameen could see recognition on the Kander’s face, had they passed this green haired Hisanni along their route. The lavender haired Hisanni woman looked around panicked before she caught sight of the child cradled in Zira''s arms. She rushed forward, when she grabbed for the child, Dameen made his presence clear, stopping her from grabbing at the child. Muna had responded at the woman’s approach, and her hair was the right color. “You''re the child’s mother?”


    The Mother glared at him, then looked back at her child, “You don''t think this Kander is, do you.” She glared at Zira, Dameen didn’t like her tone, this woman didn’t know what her lack of attention for her own child had put this “Kander” through. “I should have you detained, kidnapping a child is frowned on.”


    “You don''t think...” Dameen started, but Zira put a hand on his arm to stop him. When he looked at her, she shook her head slightly.


    “You should keep a better eye on your offspring,” was all she said, the child was wiggling and reaching toward the woman, having finally released her hair Zira extended the child out for her mother to take.


    When the toddler was safely in the mother''s arms, she shot another glare at Zira before she could flee from her, Dameen added, “Your child wandered off. You should be thanking the “Kander” not sneering at her. She could have left the child unattended for anyone to pick up,” he took a moment then continued. “Or do you really think there isn''t child stealers out there. You owe her your gratitude, not your scorn.”


    The pale green haired Hisanni nodded his agreement before the mother turned to Zira and mumbled, “Thanks.” And with that she and the green haired Hisanni fled. Ungrateful, Dameen thought to himself and shifted to follow, he looked down as a small hand grabbed his forearm. He looked at the Kander in the face, she was sad, but resigned.


    “It''s a normal reaction.” Dameen looked at her with pity a moment.


    “I suppose so.”


    Dameen watched Zira, she was watching the retreating Mother and child, when they were across the street the Kander asked, still staring after them, “You were here to attack me, weren''t you?”


    Dameen stared at her before he let out a chuckle, “Yep.”


    “Then why didn''t you?” The Kander asked as she continued to watch the child retreating. Dameen was more curious to see her still looking after the child.


    “If you had abandoned the child, I would have continued to stalk you quietly. Until you were somewhere safe for me to attack,” he pointed out, realizing it was true.


    “Is that so,” Neither of them spoke for a time. The child and her family had retreated from view and now Zira was just scanning the crowd instead to distract herself. When he thought, she wasn’t going to say anything else she added, “Do we need to go somewhere quiet?”


    Dameen laughed out loud again, not expecting the question again, “Come on,” Dameen placed a hand on her shoulder, directing her back toward the square, she stiffened slightly, but let him direct her through the crowd. Dameen was surprised, she was so small under his hand. He knew that Kander relied more on their casting than their fighting abilities, but she was small even for them. He couldn’t help it, he smiled to himself picturing this small Kander trying to challenge him in hand-to-hand combat.


    “You know I could just open a portal,” She grumbled as he guided her through the crowd.


    He was surprised enough, he looked down at her, “What for? I thought you wanted to watch the fireworks, and I know the best place.”


    END