calm before the storm;; open - joining

[ninazu]

BURN
BRIGHT

Flames pulsed behind the jungle vegetation. Then the leaves and vines shook, giving way to the slender lioness. She scanned the area, lingering on the strange child for a second. Ninazu’d heard Caesar’s voice, but she hadn’t expected to see the banana boy talking to a soaking wet child.

“Don’t worry about Caesar. He’s always a grouch.” Ninazu shot the savannah an annoyed look.

The lioness turned back to the child, and she slowly stepped closer. The warmth of her flames radiated around her body like a physical aura, and she intentionally cranked up the heat. The child shivered, after all, and she worried for their health.

“I am Ninazu. Fret not, child, I’m a healer of this little band of misfits. I mean you no harm.” She flashed a smile at the child. Though Ninazu had always been a healer, it wasn’t accurate to say she was harmless; her flames burned more than a few, destroyed some homes, and her lightning personally ripped into another at her command. But this child? She looked upon her compassionately.

“Do you have a name? And what are you doing here? This island is quite a ways away from… well, most places.”

© MADI