A strange gift indeed. Pounamu stared at the small box that had somehow slipped past the estate’s guards and fallen into her room. Out of all things, it was definitely not something that she had expected to see sitting just beneath the cover of her bed. How had anyone managed to place such a thing here? It made her fearful, the Kahi hybrid slowly reaching for the box before pulling her hands back and walking around the room again as if checking for any traps. Was it something to trick her from her employer or a gift from Arunika? No, the young mistress much preferred giving Pounamu her gifts directly especially since they were typically outfits or accessories that she enjoyed dressing the Kahi in. She was much more openly affectionate with her desires, the girl making Pounamu nervous even though at first she had approached her for a break from everything else. She had thought there was something innocent there, someone that she could relate to but she worried that…well, either way. Pounamu shook her head as she focused on the box again. Even the lady of the estate would rather have servants marching in here to dress her up if there were events going on. Nothing quite as…secretive or shady as this. This was definitely new and unexpected. “Do I dare?” Pounamu questioned herself again as she looked back to the box, carefully poking at it before pulling her hand back as if the thing would bite her. Truly what did she do with this? If she reported it then it might cause even more problems within the estate and honestly she didn’t want higher security in the hallways,not when she was finally feeling more encouraged again with her newfound freedom serving Arunika as her companion. Eventually she would find a way to break that cursed contract and leave Sulburi, but for now it was a nice respite to simply serve the young mistress until her marriage later this year. After that…well, Pounamu didn’t want to think about what came next because she would be breaking out of this place before anyone had a chance to tie her down again.

“Alright, whatever.” Pounamu braced herself as she forced her hands forward, the typically fearful Kahi hybrid pushing through her apprehension to check out the gift. Someone had broken in and risked their life to leave this for her so she should be bold enough to open it, right? Right! Pounamu nodded as she moved the latch, keeping the box at arms’ length just in case it held something unsavory. What if it was from a jealous servant who didn’t want Pounamu to enjoy the perks of being the young lady’s companion? Or from someone who wanted to actually kidnap her as bold as the action would be in this situation? Instead what was inside had her gasping. “Home.” Tears filled the hybrid’s eyes as she pulled out a seashell from Kahi, the familiar colors swirling together obviously from the vibrant coral reefs of the Hapuna. Who would have left such a thing for her? Her fingers trembled as she slowly traced the edges of the shell. It was beautiful. Everything for the past year here had been swallowed by Oban culture, Oban attire decorating her from head to toe, Oban food for every meal and the like taking away anything she had from Kahi and so seeing such a small piece may have seemed as silly to others but for her it was heartbreaking. A reminder of her beloved home that she so dearly missed. And then to make her even more bewildered was an etching on the bottom of the shell in her home language, the symbols representing home and soon. A sign that someone knew where she was from and was looking out for her. Could this really be true? The very realization made Pounamu plop down on the bed, her legs feeling weak with so many emotions. Was someone actually going to come and help her? Was this a sign or simply an elaborate trick to make her lower her guard? But who would have known how to spell those symbols like that? It was the language of the hapuna…Pounamu’s gaze flashed with the realization, her tear stained cheeks shimmering in the moonlight as she glanced towards the locked window of her room. There was nothing outside save for the outline of the estate’s fence, the only hints of life were the slowly moving clouds as they crossed the sliver of moon in the sky. Whoever you are…thank you. She would be vigilant and keep an eye out for whatever came her way next. Once more hope had ignited her spirit and she would do her best to break free from this place.

[799]