"Hey," a voice said, "Wake up, already." Siquioce rubbed his head and peeked out from his sheets. Standing in front of him was another one of his brothers, Tauã, his arms crossed in impatience. "Finally," he said, "I was about to smack you myself. Come on, Siquioce, it's time to watch Makun leave."
As his brother made his exit, Siquioce looked to the left of him to find his bulky math notebook. He rubbed his head some more, thinking, *Did you have to do that, Tauã? Just shaking me would've been enough…* Sighing, the Samanian dragged himself out of bed and smoothened his garments before looking at Mr. Blubs, who was laying on the floor. "Well," said Siquioce, "I'm going to see Makun set off on his Expedition. Do you want to come?" He looked at his plush for a few seconds before shaking his head, "I thought so. I'll just leave you here, then…" So, the boy begrudgingly exited his room, traveling through the back door of the palace before taking the path to the decks.
Once he reached his destination, Siquioce looked around to see the rest of his close family sitting on round, evenly spaced, grey rocks. Some of his extended family, including his uncles, cousins, and grandparents, were also present along with various members from the settlement, but most of them opted to float nearby instead of sitting down. Siquioce looked over to the right side of the crowd, where Tauã was talking with his two fraternal twins, Dayra and Zameyalli. Unlike everyone else, who showed at least a hint of remorse and seriousness, the twins seemed as playful and cheerful as ever, laughing and joking amongst themselves. Disgusted by this behavior, Siquioce sought out a spot on the far left side of the audience, finding an empty rock near one of his sisters, Ayüma.
Chief Kaqiss stood under the silver arch with his wife and Makun, the latter of which was dressed in a dark orange ceremonial robe. "Welcome, all my gathered," the leader declared, "It is time for the ceremony to begin!"
Chieftess Pilitina added, "Indeed. We are very glad that all of you were able to join on such short notice." She turned away from the crowd and towards her son, her serene dress flowing gracefully through the water as she did so, "Do you have anything to say to your family before you depart, Makun?"
Makun looked back and forth across the audience, "I am aware that many of you were not expecting me to embark on my journey today, but I want you to know that my adventure will be no less significant than Ulaka's." He held his blue-purple hand over his chest, "For her sake, I will make sure that my trip is a fruitful one. Mark my words, I will return with valuable information about the state of the surface."
Chief Kaqiss nodded, "Well said, my son." He looked the crowd, "Would anyone here like to provide any parting words?"
Whispers and murmurs filled the school; no one seemed particularly inclined to speak out. Eventually, one family member, Kenojuak, spoke up, "I wish you good luck, brother."
Another sibling, Qumome, added, "Me too, big brother! Stay safe!"
Seeing that everyone was being quiet, Siquioce began to remember what he was told in his dream. He covered his face with his hand; he did not like what he was about to do next, but he had a promise to keep. Raising his free hand, he announced, "I have something to say."
Chief Kaqiss peered over to Siquioce's position in the middle row, "Hm? What is it?"
Looking down at his feet, Siquioce silently replied, "It's…it's about something I was told…"
Kaqiss frowned, "Speak up, Siquioce! We can barely hear you!"
Hearing this, Siquioce took a deep breath and stood up, still refusing to make eye contact with Makun, "Last night, someone came to me in a dream. It was…it was Ulaka." His face scrunched up, "She...she told me to wish you good tidings." His voice started to break, "So... have a good Expedition, Makun. Don't get eaten by a megafin." Unable to go on any further, Siquioce got back on his rock and covered his face with his hands.
A hush fell over the area. Even with his vision obstructed, Siquioce could feel many eyes focused on him. Eventually, Chief Kaqiss spoke, "Oh, is that so?" He looked at his wife before clearing his throat, putting his hands behind his back, and glancing at Makun, "Well, Makun, do you have anything to say about this?"
Makun, too, stayed silent for a bit. After a brief period of pondering, he nonchalantly replied, "That's nice, Siquioce."
Siquioce put his face in his arms and leaned into his light-blue thighs, I knew it. He doesn't believe me. Who would?
Kaqiss looked across the crowd, "Would anyone else like to say anything?" Everyone whispered amongst themselves, exchanging glances as they sat quietly. After some waiting, the chief stated, "Very well, then." He turned towards Makun and bowed, "We all hope that you have a successful Expedition, Makun."
Chieftess Pilitina also bowed, "Be sure to stay cautious out there, my son."
Makun returned the gesture, "I will be sure to do so, mother and father." He turned to the audience and nodded, "Farewell for now, all of you. Expect to see me again in the near future." Giving a quick two-fingered salute, Makun turned around and jetted away, shedding his ceremonial robe in the process.
Kaqiss and Pilitina faced the school, with the former saying, "Thank you all for coming to this ceremony. Your attendance is greatly appreciated." He pushed his purple hand outwards, "You are all dismissed."
As Siquioce left with the others, he heard the resonating clicks of a golden bellfish fill the water around him; it was time for school. He grumbled and kicked the ground beneath him; his incident from yesterday would certainly land him in trouble with his math teacher. Sighing, Siquioce reluctantly swam his way through the settlement and to the suspended rock building that was Roalitelv Elementary, dreading the events to come.
After a rough day of classes, Siquioce exited the school and travelled back to the palace, seeking a place of refuge. "I can't believe this, Mr. Blubs," he said as he entered his room, "Just because of that one assignment, I'm failing math! Mr. Bidel is so mean…" He grabbed his toy and laid down on his bed, "I'm going to need Vowahe's help, pretty soon…" He squished his plush's cheeks, "Anyway, you didn't miss much of the ceremony. It was quick." His red eyebrows furrowed, "But you know what did happen? I tried telling Makun what Ulaka told me, but he didn't care! He probably thought I was lying!" He looked at his friend for a minute, "I know, right? I can't believe him!" He set Mr. Blubs down and sighed, "But I can't be too mad at him; that would make Ulaka sad. And she did say that I was supposed to pray for him, right?" He propped himself up on his elbows and clasped his webbed hands together, "Well, I guess I'll just do that now…" So, the boy placed his forehead on his joined hands and began his request.
"Oh, great Tomanil, protector of the sea and its inhabitants, I have a prayer for you. My older brother, Makun, he just left to go on his Expedition. I ask that you protect and lead him so that he makes it safely to the surface. And I ask that you allow him to survive on land, however it is now. And I know that Ulaka is with you now, in the Magnificent Blue. I hope that you are letting her have a good afterlife, because she really, really deserves it. And if she's watching me right now, let her know that I will do my best to become a strong Samanian like she wanted me to. I ask that you help me with this goal, great Tomanil. And again, I hope that Makun's journey goes well." He took a breath, "If it is in your will, then please fulfill my request. In your name, Kachum."
After his prayer session, Siquioce continued to rest on his bed, thinking about what to do next. After some contemplation, he decided to take his mind off the recent events and meet up with his friend, Iqak. The two had agreed to play pufferball together, and Siquioce was not planning on missing out. So, the Samanian swam out of his room and through the palace's exit, a somewhat resolved look on his face.