Placeholder Rub-A-Dub-Dub

[Ebrashi]

Spring 45, 523 AV
Morning at the Sawmill

“Bathe her?”

“Oh yes, my friend!” Lars smiled his easy grin. “Ashta are good at cleaning themselves but only to a point. Their legs and bellies can get quite mucky and the humidity can give way to all kinds of crud and bugs that might make them sick.” The millwright used his strong arm to motion at the crevices between the powerful legs of his herd and their large underbodies. Ebrashi could see the darkened areas and how all kinds of material had built up along these lines. “That’s where you come in!” Lars clapped him on the back with a heavy thud which gave the young man pause.

The golden eyes of the Benshira studied the animals from a distance. It felt a little intimidating to voluntarily put himself beneath the massive creatures. “But why Meena?” The question was rather casual in tone. “Several of the others are much more in need of a bath.” Ebrashi could see clumps hanging from under Tuka, the big bull. He appeared to have moss building up on his body like the trees in the jungle.

Lars chuckled. “Meena seems to like you.” The wisdom coming from the more experienced man was plain but not condescending. “Ashta are very sensitive creatures. They’re emotions are as complex as mine and yours. Take the time to get to know them and for them to get to know you.” He waved a hand towards the heifer who stood somewhat aloof from the herd. “Focus on Meena for now.”

Ebrashi turned to the well-built man and regarded him for a moment. His gaze was not on the lad at all but the herd. He was clearly proud of his animals and there was a love hidden in his dark eyes that was not hard to find. It reminded the young man of his father in a way. “I shall do it, maskam.”

Lars lifted his chin at Ebrashi. “What does that mean? Maskam.”

The Benshira bowed his head slightly. “It is a sign of respect for someone with knowledge and experience.”

Lars smiled and even blushed a little. “Well then…I shall have to try and be worthy of such a title.” He winked and moved on to deal with some business involving his mill and left Ebrashi standing next to a pail of sea sponges. The young man looked down and lifted the pail then turned back towards the herd.

Ebrashi bent down and yanked some of the grass free from a clump near his booted feet. He moved confidently but slowly across the clearing towards Meena who lifted her big head at the sight of the approaching human. Once he saw the recognition, the young man lifted the grass up where she could see it plainly against the white of his attire. Seeing the foliage, the heifer began to move calmly towards the tan young man even while he closed the distance. In a moment, man and beast were together and still. As before, Meena coiled her trunk around the grass and pulled it towards her mouth for a snack. Ebrashi smiled and let her take the offering then stroked his hand down the rough hide.

“Falim, Meena.” He said softly. “Care to go for a little swim?”

Word Count :

542

[Ebrashi]

Meena stood near Ebrashi without any signs of anxiety or nervousness. This lent some courage to the young man in his newness with the species. The Benshiran man kept one hand on the trunk of his charge and knelt down. He let his fingers snake around another tuft of the tall grass which the ashta seemed to favor then tore it free from the ground with a quick yank of his arm. He kept his golden eyes upon the black globes of the much larger creature as he stood back up. She happily continued to munch on the initial snack but soon swallowed it down.

The big female swung her trunk out to try and take the second offering of vegetation but Ebrashi twisted his body and extended his arm quickly to avoid being robbed of his motivational tool. The young man of tanned skin took a few steps back just as quickly but was careful to make them small. This delicate foray took a while to develop but eventually, the dance was underway in good time. Ebrashi smiled at the playful way in which Meena swatted at the snack he clutched tightly in his hand. Twice, he even switched it to the other hand to help him lithely meander his way down towards the water.

After several chimes, Meena blew a sharp trumpet of protest and stomped her front foot. Ebrashi hopped back several steps then stood on the balls of his feet. He was poised for some kind of outburst or further complaint but one came. He balanced by using his calves and thighs to hold a slight bend in his knees for a couple breaths then he relaxed back down on the heels of his boots. The golden eyes strayed down to the leather covers over his toes and Ebrashi realized he wore them in the jungle but not on the beach and he certainly didn’t want to get them wet.

The young man held an outstretched arm of the emerald stalks towards his charge. He spoke to her in his native tongue as he used his other hand to peel off his boots one at a time and toss them off to the side by Lars’ mill.

“Sister, please. Let me help you.” Shiber danced like a lazy drunkard sometimes but it was a comfort that Ebrashi afforded whenever he had the chance. Once free of his boots, he singled out one blade of grass and extended it to where Meena could grab it with her trunk. “I’m not going to trick you. See?”

The big beast slowly raised her trunk and took the isolated treat. She stuffed it into her mouth and flapped her ears in annoyance at how quickly it was devoured. Ebrashi smiled and began to slowly walk towards the beach dropping one blade of foliage every few steps while he continued to prattle on with the ashta as if she could understand him.

“Do you trust me yet? Even a little?” Ebrashi laughed and paused. He had gone well onto the sands and turned to find the large animal slowly moving in his trail to pick up each morsel that he had so carefully discarded. The light in his eyes twinkled for a moment or two with true joy. It was such a rush of emotion that Ebrashi’s breath caught in his lungs. It had been a long time since he had felt something so pure and wholesome. “Perhaps you do, javeya Meena.”

“I’m so very glad you do.”

Word Count :

542 + 587 = 1129