"Vata was and still is my choice to supersede me, as the clan leader."

A gathering's been called, to address my taking a yautjanoid as my mate.

"We won't have an ooman, governing our people." States, an elder.

The males may be elected as clan leaders, but the wife, or head wife influences the majority his decisions.

"An arrangement has been proposed., that will be beneficial for all parties."

"We're listening..."

Take Naidka, my mother's choice, or another as my wife. Amara will be my... just there, not second third or fourth.

Standing before my father, mother, and brother, I give them my response to the proposition.

I can't go back on my word, I won't... I titled her as my mate, and that's who she is.

I don't want to disappoint my mother, but she can't dictate, who I should love.

"I dont't understand you, or your brother! You can't continue your line with her, she's unable to make me an elder mother."

"I stand by her, she's my mate."

"Vata, you're selfish, ungrateful for what your father, his father and his father worked hard to achieve!"

Toppling a shrine in her rage, I let her vent, as my decision has been made, no one can sway me from it.

"You cared for Naidka before, give her a child."

"You know what that would mean, no... if I cannot be accepted as the clan leader, with Amara by my side, then I relinquish my claim to it."

Aduih supports my decision, at least he understands. He met Giselle, and took her to wife at a young age.

He follows the ooman way, of keeping one wife, and so far, I've accepted this way also.

The yautjanoid that I thought was her mate, isn't. And so, this makes for a peculiar situation, as he no longer has rights to her, but she cares for him.

If I'm to keep one mate, then she must also.

"She struggles with our language as Giselle did, perhaps you can learn their language. You already have a broad understanding of their words, but if you're to remain with her, you must make a connection with her, other than the obvious."

My brother's words ring true, we made a physical and spiritual connection, but it was carnal. "What do you do with your ooman?"

"The same thing that I would do with our females, except that we don't have little ones to keep us entertained, and I have to prepare my own food."

I have to catch the food, and prepare it... What's her purpose, if she can't give me children or prepare food? "The females have no other duties outside of the home, and if she's unable to do that, then why would I want her?"

"That's something that you'll have to figure out, I know why I keep Giselle, I love her."

My brother has a wealth of information about the yautjanoids, he loves them. Everything about them fascinates him, their way of life, customary beliefs, social forms... it was easy for him to accept his wife, he was already in love with her people, before he loved her.

I've taken her with me, on the hunt for food, showing her the roots and plants that we eat. Her face registers disgust, when I skin a pig, and consume it. I find humor in it, as the act of them putting fire to their food repulses me.

One thing that I've learned about them, is that they love water. The sight of it, compels them to remove their garments and rush into it.

Watching her she goes under, and resurfaces a few paces away. Going under again, I'm waiting for her to come back up, alarmed when she doesn't, I come to my feet, expectantly.

Quickly going into the water, I search for her, going under I'm unable to locate her. Panicked, I search again, and coming back up, there's added weight on my back, as arms go around my neck.

In attack mode, I sling the assailant over my head, and my blades protracting, stops her laughter cold. My hand around her throat, I could have hurt her.

Retracting my blades, she offers a uncomfortable smile. "I was just trying to get you, to come into the water with me."

A mocking laugh follows, and my hands on her shoulders, I push her under the water. She fights me, but I'm stronger, keeping her held down until her struggles lessen.

Allowing her to come up, she's breathing deeply, trying to catch her breath. Shaking, and in a state of shock, I imitate her laugh.

An open handed strike to the face, silences me, before she angrily leaves the water, and me.