Rokopelli stirred, unsure why, but somehow sensing that there was something that she needed to wake up for. The growing cubs were still asleep, both cuddled up to dad, though Khaldun was lying cradled across his forepaws and Mta was cuddled up against his shoulder. The two siblings didn’t really get on all that well…
In any case, she was going to take a quick breather whilst the three of them were cuddled up like that. She needed to get out and…and…do something!
But what, exactly?
She emerged into the early morning sunshine and stretched, eagerly fluffing out her wings and extending them. It felt good to be out of the cramped den, even if it was warm and snuggly. This was a good time of day to be out and about in, too – if one was able to wake up this early. The sun was cool, the sand chilled from the cold desert nights. The air seemed somehow fresher and the sky, largely grey, was creeping steadily into cloud-less blue.
And then, she extended her mind, touching the sleepy minds of her children and her mate, warmed by the familiar colours of their thoughts. Then, slowly, she extended this wave of telepathic energy and leapt into the sky, soaring low over the sands as she sought the something that had woken her. It did not take her long to find the source of her restlessness and, with a cry of surprise; she dropped her wings and crash landed into the sand, rolling over and over on her side, wings flailing, until she finally came to a halt. She blinked, stunned at her own carelessness and followed the great score in the land from which she had carved.
“Excusssse me. Are you okay?” A friendly, but concerned voice piped up just behind from where Rokopelli was gathering her paws beneath her.
The goddess turned, remembering suddenly the reason for her sudden landing, and grinned. However, at seeing who it was and realising she had made a mistake, the grin dropped straight from her face.
“Oh…we thoughtses you were someone else.”
The other blinked her large, slit-pupiled eyes and bobbed her head in confusion and then something else crossed that sleek, scaled face. Joy and recognition.
“We don’t know you.” The goddess continued, mainly to herself.
“But I know you!” The snake replied, her sandy covered scales sleek beneath that dusty coating. “My father told me about you. The one who talksss asss two. The one with the rainbow wingsss. You’re Rokopelli.”
The goddess gawped, shocked, staring at the green serpent in disbelief. “You know us? Your…father knows us?”
“Uh huh.” The snake replied, smiling now. “I passssed by here in hopesss to find you. My sssiblingsss have gone their own way now and no doubt my parentsss are thinking of more babiesss in the not-too-dissstant future.” She bobbed her head happily.
“Your…your father is…”
“Nyoka! You remember him, right?”
Rokopelli’s eyes grew wide and watery and, without warning, she snatched up the snake and pressed her firmly to her chest in a tight embrace. “Nyoka’s baby?” She snuffled, rubbing her muzzle against those dusty scales.
“Uh huh.” The snake replied, her body wriggling like a ribbon in the wind. “Pleassse, don’t hold me ssso tight!”
Rokopelli instantly loosened her grip, holding out the snake in her forepaws so that she could see her better. “Where is he? Does he miss us?” She blinked.
“He…he never sssaid ssso, but I think he doesss, very much. Hisss face goesss sssad when you are mentioned.” She shook her head, smiling. “I’m glad I got to meet you. How did you know I wasss here?”
But Rokopelli didn’t seem to be paying much attention. Her bi-coloured eyes were distant and she was replaying the time in her youth when she had almost badly hurt Janja. The argument that had broken out. Her fleeing. Losing control of herself…That argument had led to so much. Had led to her mastering her powers – or mostly mastering, anyway. And, it had also led her to finding Silos, the love of her life. Everything happened for a reason, yes, but she greatly regretted not finding Nyoka again.
He had been so angry.
“Is he…still angry with us?” She had to ask it, not even hearing the snake’s question.
“No. Not at all.” Panna replied. “He caresss for you.”
Rokopelli hugged the squirming serpent again, overjoyed, tears of happiness running down her face. If only she could see him. If only!
“Where is he?” She asked then.
“Lassst I knew, in the jungle, but he and Mother were beginning their travelsss. Could be anywhere by now. Sssorry.”
Rokopelli shook her head, the dark braids jingling around her face. “Maybe he’ll come to visit us, too!” She blinked. “Oh, what is your name?”
“I’m Panna. Pleasssed to meet you.” The snake repeated the polite phrase, seeing as the goddess probably hadn’t heard it the first time. “How did you know I wasss here?” She didn’t like to repeat herself, but she was curious about it, since she had been all alone one minute and then in the company of her father’s old friend the next.
“Oh. We sensed you. Familiar mind to your Daddy’s. But…different. Thought you were Nyoka coming back. But, this is good, too. Nyoka has a family just like we do!” She bounced. “Do you need a place to rest, Pan-Pan?”
The snake, set gently on the sand, bobbed her head. “Ssshelter would be nice. When the sssun risssesss it would be good to bathe.” Her tail twitched. “You live near here, Rokopelli?”
“Yes. Not far. We’ll carry you.”
“Oh, okay!”
Rokopelli, more carefull this time, reached out and lifted the snake, encouraging her up onto her shoulders and then waiting for the green coils to sit about her neck. Once in place, the goddess spread her wings, gave them an experimental flap and took to the air.
Only once they were in the air did the snake remember Rokopelli’s disastrous landing. Suddenly her relaxed, awe-bound ride filled her with fear and she instinctively tightened herself around the adolescent’s neck. Rokopelli gave a small choking sound and lifted a paw to try and ease the strangling snake’s body a little.
Sadly, the action had her losing balance and for a heart-stopping moment they pitched forwards. The snake gave a cry of fright, but the drop was brought under control and a few moments later she was landing on all fours, close to her den. She lowered her chest to the ground and allowed the fright-stiffened snake down onto the sand again.
“Nyoka liked flying.” Rokopelli pointed out. “Janja didn’t. You’re like Janja.”
Panna wanted to reply that if Rokopelli was a better flyer, she would have been less afraid. But, thinking that a little rude, she kept her mouth shut and glanced towards the den that the goddess was indicating with a waving paw.
“Our family live there.” Roko continued. “Stay there, yes? Rocks there. Sunbathing place. Nyoka used to bathe there.”
“Thank you.” Panna replied, assuming Rokopelli would take her leave. She was wrong, however.
The female lioness settled herself on her belly, crossed her forepaws and beamed across at her. “Okay! Tell us everything! We want to hear about your siblings. Your adventures here. Everything!”
Panna, blinking, set a smile across her slender face and nodded. “How long have you got?”
“Long enough!”
/fin.
