The next days were much the same. My mother stayed inside with me, crouched in fright. Grandmother came several times to comfort her.
"They will not take your daughter, Little Ti," She soothed, "But you must come out, they will grow suspicious if you do not."
"Tell them I have taken ill," She protested, "I can lie here listless if they come."
"You must not," Grandmother replied, "We do not know what might become of you."
"I cannot leave Lit-An, surely you must understand," It hurt to hear the pleading in her voice.
"I will stay with Lit-An, but you must fetch us water."
I watched as my mother stood up and stretched, "I will be gone but three turns."
I waited in the dark for Grandmother to come in. She sat down beside me and gathered me into her arms.
"You are the ray of sunshine we needed," She cooed, "My Little Ti has begged and pleaded for a chance to mother one of her own."
I snuggled my head into her dress.
"It wasn't always like this," Grandmother had become serious, "When I was a child we were... free."
She picked me up and put me on her lap.
"My Little Ti would have never had to worry about losing you to the Others," She sighed wistfully, "We once lived in villages, whole communities together in peace. When I was just little they came from the skies."
I felt her shudder. I began to climb toward her hair.
"They came and they broke apart our people, they sent the gem people into hiding. They took my family to work for them, they took me away from my Mother as soon as I was of age. They took my sons," A few tiny tears ran down her cheeks, "I thought I would always be alone until I got Ti-An, she was born small and very ill."
She took me into her hands and held me at eye level, "Please, take care of my Little Ti. You will be her whole world after I am gone."
"Don't go," They were the first words I had spoken. My voice felt unnatural in its tinyness. I wanted to keep talking, to say everything I felt. Fear, love, confusion, hope.
Grandmother smiled broadly, "Not for a while yet Little Lit. Shall we go for a walk?"
"Out?" I asked my voice strange and babish.
"I have a few trusted friends, I would like you to meet them," She said quietly.
She leaned down and as if it was instinct I found myself climbing onto her hair. I tucked it all around my body so only my eyes peeked out. Her hair smelled delicious, spicy, and a hint of smoke.
She set off walking at a surprisingly brisk pace for an old woman. As she went along she sang softly.
Down the stream, my love went...
Down, they said, down the stream...
Meet me down the stream...
Down the stream he said...
As I was rocked back and forth my eyes began to close. I felt myself fall asleep.
Next time I opened my eyes we were in front of a cliff face. Grandmother tapped away at the loose rocks until one of them gave.
The entrance wasn't dark. Sunlight seemed to be inside.
"Kin-Quaza?" Grandmother called.
"Is that you?" A voice answered.
I climbed my way until I sat ontop of Grandmother's head.
"I have someone I want you to meet," She reached up to where I sat.
A creature stepped out in front of us. A green-skinned girl with brittle wings and shining legs. I realized they were covered in tiny green stones. Her face was youngish, round, and blushing.
She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Grandmother, "You came back! We've been waiting for so long. We thought," Her voice dropped, "That you might have taken ill."
"I've been busy with this little one, my granddaughter Lit-An," She gestured toward me.
Now the strange girl was right in my face.
"She is so sweet!" She squeeled.
I reached a hand out to touch her skin, immedialy she flinched away.
"I am sorry Kin, she has never seen you of your kind before," Grandmother said quietly. She carefully took me into her arms, "Little Lit, this is your secret now too."
Another figure stirred in the shadows. This one was even shorter. She cuddled up to Kin-Quaza gazing curiously at me.
Slowly she came toward us and reached out a hand. Kin took a sharp breath but the little version of her giggled as she took my hand in hers. Her skin wasn't rough like I had expected. It was soft and warm and I leaned toward the heat.
"She is brave," Kin said in undertones, "One day that will get her into trouble."
"Or it will save you both, you will not be safe here forever," Grandmother drew her away from me.
I turned back toward the small version of Kin-Quaza.
"I'm Kit-Quaza," She flashed me a huge grin.
"I am Lit-An," I replied softly.
"We will be the very best of friends!" Kit held me closer and slowly I found myself wrapping my arms around her.
"Little Lit," I heard Grandmother say, "We must be going home now."
"Please bring her again," Kit jumped up and down.
I smiled shyly.
Kin and Grandmother exchanged a long look.
"There are trouble," Kin mummered.
"Trouble indeed," Grandmother was smiling, "I think Kit just found herself a partner."
Grandmother bundled me back into her hair. Already I was begining to doze off.
"Next time, please bring food if you can spare it," Kin said.
Then we were walking away.
"Little Lit," Grandmother said softly, "This is very important. This is our secret, you can tell no one."
"Not even my mom?" I asked.
"Not even my Little Ti," Grandmother replied softly, "It is our secret. Promise?"
"I promise with all my heart," I said quietly.
"If anyone finds them we will all be in grave danger," Grandmother warned.