Keith pondered her choices. Even if she did return to civilisation, the question of proving her identity and nationality would become a major concern. The Feds hand has been getting stronger on those things. It was possible she could claim she was born in America illegitimately with no papers to provide... such things did occur occasionally.
But if she did leave, she would also forfeit any chance of a cure. These natives, at least seemed to understand something of what happened to her.
"I..." Keith swallowed. "I would... like to stay." She said softly.
"If you stay, you not be guest," explained the old man, Dyami.
"Then what?"
"You become accepted into tribe. You become one of us."
Keith bulked at that. Why? Why the hell would they put that condition on her? She didn't want to stay here forever....
The old man looked at the shock of the girl and gestured for her to look at the tribe. "Everyone must eat. All tribe work as one. Resources small. You help us in this."
Keith sighed. "I don't want to... stay here for'ver," She said softly.
The old man softened a bit in his features. "I make... this condition then. You may only leave after the winter. Return only a year later. Time you are here, you work and aid us. Time you gone, you not take from tribe."
Keith realised the man was just trying to protect the resources of the tribe... he realised, in actuality, the man was being very reasonable. Was it because she was a girl now that he was acting like that? Still, it did mean at least a year to be with them, if she agreed... but they certainly were not 'keeping' her.
Of course she could still run away, but she doubt they would welcome her back if she did so... and right now, they were the only ones that could help her. "I... I accept," She said.
"Good. Then you need new tribe name... you are girl with secret... call you Kimi."
"What?!" Kimi said indignantly.
"You become sister to Lomasi. Will work on land with her. She teach you our ways."
Kimi was taken out of the tent, to see Lomasi working. It was strange to see the natives plant anything... she had always thought they roamed from place to place, taking what grew... why would they bother with farming?
"Welcome sister Kimi," Said Lomasi.
Kimi bit her lip. "I'm... supposed to help you. What do I do?"
"I plant seeds... you water." Lomasi explained gently. "You... not going to hurt self again?"
Kimi shook her head. "I... wasn't really going to." She would never give up...never. She glanced down at herself, wondering if her change really was complete... was she going to be a girl now forever? She thought of Kei the fairy... the part of her that at least understood her own distress. It was a very strange way to be, given both were the other although clearly different not the least of which was their new ages. Still it didn't feel bad to 'dream' of a possible future... did it?
It was almost like arguing with one's own self, who had lead a slightly different life- yet they could never lie to each other, given they had access to each other's way of thinking. A way of thinking that was becoming horribly alien to the other.
She felt her long black hair cringing a little at it. "Lomasi? Do you... think you can cut my hair?" She asked hopefully.
Lomasi looked strangely. "But it very pretty," She said.
"I'll cut it myself later... but you took my knife," She said.
Lomasi weighed the options then reluctantly agreed. "Okay sister." She gently took a few swipes to cut the locks down. She didn't cut it nearly as much as Kimi would have wanted, but it was now just above her shoulder.
Suddenly, and without warning, Kimi's hair just... exploded. Lomasi stepped back alarmed, as her sister's hair rain down as a dark waterfall, touching all the way to the small of her lower back.
"What the hell!?" Kimi said pulling the hair.
"Seems, spirits want you to have long hair," said Lomasi a little enviously. "You very lucky."
Kimi sighed. All this hair... "Well... could you at least tie it up?" This was unbelievable... did that mean she wasn't even done changing? Could more really still be in store for her?
Lomasi agreed and started to tie up her hair into braids. She admired the dark hair she had.
As she did so, Kimi realised one thing... and she thought it plainly, hoping Kei would hear it.
Kei? Can we... call a truce... please She asked it softly inside her head. I don't want to fight you... I know you're as confused as I am... please... I'm scared She was almost crying to herself as she said that. admitting it to herself was harder then anything she had ever done. I don't want to die... don't want to be a girl... I know we're happy over there but...
Was it really we? Or were they now separate entities? Regardless Kimi made her plea. You exist in a world of magic... if there's any solution to this, it must be over there. Please... look for it. Help me... try to see if I can become myself. I'll never bother you again.
She really hoped Kei would hear her...
"You speaking to spirits?" Asked Lomasi seeing her sister staring but clearly thinking something.
"... yes," Said Kimi.
"Do they hear?" Lomasi asked intrigued.
"I will know... later."
Lomasi then took out the coin of the eagle. She had pierced the coin with twine, making it into a curious necklace. "This... yours, sister." She said softly. "Bird powerful symbol.. it will aid you." She placed it around her sisters neck.
Kei looked down on it... strangely comforted.
Billy tried her best to concentrate in school...
but she couldn't. She had made a horrific discovery, and was still trying to process it. She had realised yesterday, she had... extra nipples underneath her fur. A total of four.
This scared the squirrel girl.
She tried not to think about it too much. After all, they probably wouldn't grow into anything right? It's possible they were just there because squirrels had them. But she was still quite human...
"Did you see the poster?" Asked Jenny to Billy distracting her.
"Huh?" asked Billy. "um.. no..."
"Miss Violet has a niece that's missing," She said softly and sadly. "I asked my mom. she said they are lookin'" the white haird girl said sadly. "I'd... like to go look too. You wanna come?"
Billy thought about that. There was little she wouldn't do for Jenny... of course she would help. "I'll help you look," she said. "After school?"
"Yes" Jenny smiled.
