A grasp at humanity

A dream is something all your own to keep within your heart
To build on when you're glad or when your world's been torn apart
A dream is something all your own that no one else can steal
A dream is something you can make come real

Now you can share a laugh with any stranger on the street
And you can share your money with a beggar on the street
But you can only share your dream when love has set it free
So please, won't you share yours with me?

May all your dreams bloom like daisies in the sun
May you always have stars in your eyes
May you not stop running on until your race is won
May you always have blue skies

Tarra was leaving just as I arrived at the fires. I felt a tinge of regret that she would not be someone I could speak with this night. The taut jawed departure of Fonce with the artisan was another disappointment. The want to talk with someone of the earlier ahns faded to a quiet throughout the rest of the eve. Noya's twins captivated the fires. Cana spoke with Chabi about the gift of a kaiila. It is a memory that lasts us forever ... that first feeling of freedom .. feeling of prominence within the Tribe.

Hisself took up a stance of expectancy waiting for the sweet he knew I kept stashed somewhere. He helped me fish through the my pockets .. simply knowing he would find his reward in one of them. I liked that ... that belief that good things came to those that were willing to take them. It is what Tuchuks are made of.

Ongel was explaining to Noya that Natalia had developed an aversion to baths. Noya and I were both quick to offer intervention and plans were made to douse all of the children in soap suds the next day. We would make it fun and put the little Miss "I am in charge" in charge then wait and watch while the other children were having a raucous good time for her to want to join in. Perfect scheme. It would work and we knew it.

Cana asked if any had seen the sleen man. The affectionate term made me smile thinking of him. When I told her I hadn't seen Oggie in quite some time, she questioned the nickname I had for him. The explanation made her grow quiet but it left a reminiscence of him dancing in my thoughts.

It was easy to appease myself by soaking up a coating of the vitality of youth and all the exuberance of the boy sitting in my lap. His braid pulling, dried fruit sugar coated kisses and being precociously demanding of my time and attention until he wore himself out and fell asleep right there in my arms was welcome.

Rising from the brace of furs with the boy cradled in my arms, I asked Noya if it was alright if I stayed with her and the children that night. Mother's wagon was brimming beyond capacity and Natalia and Niyati were wriggle worms when they slept. I had enough bruises on my shins to prove it. Ongel insisted on checking those out and we laughed that all he could see of my ankles was the leather chap of my boots. I teased him that he needed to have his eyes checked if he couldn't see the black and blue marks his girls had left. He said maybe some things just blind him. I beckoned him closer inspecting them with what healer training I had, then told him quietly there was nothing wrong with his eyes ... they just needed rest.

When I lay Hisself down on his pallet beneath the stars, I curled up next to him. That peach fuzz softness of his skin brought the former part of the day back to mind. He stirred and lifted his lashes long enough to make sure I was there then smiled as he snuggled in closer. I watched him sleep for a long time before I could find my own. I wondered what dreams fluttered behind those tiny eyelids.