Chereads / Near the Riverbank / Chapter 2 - Reflection

Chapter 2 - Reflection

In one peaceful morning, the little Zephaniah are staring at her own reflection at the waters of the riverbank.

The swan whose not far from her distance silently watching her.

As a curious kid who doesn't yet know the world, she slowly takes a closer look until his nose got wet that make her stand.

The swan quickly swim into the land, then transforming into a woman with white dress. She laughs quitely.

"What are you doing there?" Asked Anahita to Zephaniah whose wiping her wet nose now with her dress. Of course, she knows that Zephaniah's staring at her own reflection, but she just want to make it sure if young saw something.

"It's me!" Zephaniah said while jumping with total joy.

"Yeah yeah it's you," Said Anahita, agreeing to the kid. She then takes the hand of Zephaniah and said, "We should go back to house for now on. We've been staying for an hour here. Let's go."

They walked to the house near the riverbank. Anahita knocked and it got open, after that they entered the house.

It is not just an ordinary house, but a magical house. It may seem so small outside, but the inside is so very wide. No ordinary specie can see the house, but only those special one can.

"What took you two so long?" Asked the middle-aged woman as soon as they entered the room. The old lady are busy brushing her gray and old hair in front of the mirror.

"Just letting the kid enjoy nature more, Nishiori," Anahita answered while tying up her hair to bun. She then wipe all sweat from Zephaniah's face and neck.

Nishiori fiercely look at where Anahita was, Zephaniah's behaving while Anahita is wiping off her sweat.

"You should be more careful, you know what will happen if you're not careful enough. If they found out our secret they will haunt us d—" Anahita stopped Nishiori from bragging.

While Zephaniah are innocently listening to they talking. She didn't even understand a single word.

"I know Nishiori. You know, Zephaniah are not familliar with things since she's not a neonate and never be neonate."

Zephaniah's born from the twigs of sakura and skipped of being a neonate, or a baby. It's hard for her since she's differently advance and growing. If they only let her stay in the house without knowing a thing outside world, it would be hard for her in the future.

Nishiori didn't say anything after hearing those words. She then thought, "Anahita's right. It would be hard for Zephaniah."

It was Nishiori who was so paranoid after Zephaniah was born, not only her but the other Truvians too, because she always believe that 'There's always a payback after a gift.' That's why Truvians won't often stroll outside and just staying for their own protection. And seeing Zephaniah explore more makes her more paranoid. It's not that she don't trust Mother Nature, but she thinks it's a sign of something that she didn't want to know.

Ever since Zephaniah was born, the Truvians are more energetic and happy now, knowing that one was added to their race. Who wouldn't be happy? The more, the merrier.

When Nishiori took a glance at Zephaniah, the child was all cleaned up.

"What a pure and poor innocent child." Thought the old woman.

"Im going to the sacred hall, you coming?" Anahita asked, ready to go out with the child.

Anahita just want to cut off their topic about Zephaniah, and she don't want to talk about it. She just want to let Zephaniah know the world as what Mother Nature told so. And she guaranteed Zephaniah will be safe in her hands.

"No, I will stay here brushing my old and gray hair more." Nishiori answered then chuckled.

"Okay." Anahita turn the knob and get out the room, leaving the old woman from what she doing.

The house was in fact wide, it was like a castle made out of wooden structures, like the old fashion design houses. There's also a several room for truvians to live. Truvians we're just like humans, family was their basic unit.

While walking towards the sacred hall Anahita notices no one's passing by except for guy same age as her, rushly walking through the halls.

"Hey Marir," Marir stopped from walking as soon he sees Anahita with the little child Zephaniah walking in a distant. He then come close to Anahita's destination.

"Anahita and….. Zephaniah," Marir bowed as soon as he know it was the child, a sign of respect. He didn't expect he will saw the two now since some event will be happening just a few hours from now.

"Why rush?" She asked noticing why Marir so rush.

Marir brows creased. "You don't know? I thought you're the first one to know it."

Zephaniah, who's practically listening to their conversation, although didn't understand a single word just stood beside Anahita.

"So what are basically the happenings?" Anahita questioned again, with her brows raised.

She don't know the upcoming happenings since she's out the house for more than an hour, with Zephaniah. Nishiori didn't even tell her about it so she doesn't have any clue.

"The others are in their rooms for preparing to the Special Ritual held by The High Purist before the nightfall. It is for the special Zephaniah." He said. "See you later!" He bid goodbye then ran.

When Merir was out of Anahita's sight, she look at Zephaniah who was now looking at her too.

"Today is your day cute Zephania!" She exclaimed, pinching the cheeks of the child.