I learned about the customs of the Sand Lizard Tribe while helping with chores.
After all that work, the only food they had was like crushed rice dissolved in hot water. They also had a little bit of meat scraps. I gave it all to Stella. Still, I felt sorry for her. I gave her some of the snacks I had.
I took out cookies, potato chips, and chocolate and handed them to her. She took them, sniffed them, and bit into the wrapper.
“Ah, no, you can’t eat them if you don’t open them. Here.”
When I opened the bag, she put a potato chip in her mouth.
“Oh, I’m sorry, thank you. You have to say thank you.”
“…Thank you.”
After taking a bite, Stella’s eyes widened in surprise. It must have been delicious because her body trembled slightly, and her short tail wagged back and forth. I guess I was able to show a little gratitude myself. I fell asleep with the child’s mouth full of snacks beside me.
Their mornings are early. They probably try to finish their work before the sun fully rises. I helped out again today, just like yesterday. I drew water, ground grains, went outside to tan hides, and maintained weapons. Young members of the Sand Lizard Tribe continuously went out hunting. The large individuals, however, were already drunk and snoring in the plaza. I didn’t quite understand it, but I supposed this was their society.
The sun rose quickly, and the temperature shot up. Then, everyone went into their rooms to tie ropes or take naps. I was thirsty, so I quietly slipped out of Rose’s room. Speaking of which, I wondered about the sandstorm. I peeked outside cautiously from the entrance leading outside. Hmm, there was so much dust that my vision was poor; I needed goggles and a mask. Then, near the entrance, I saw a large individual sneakily doing something.
I slowly approached and peeked at his hands. He was holding a dried flower. As I wondered what he was doing, he noticed me. He stretched his hunched shoulders and looked down at me. Oh, oh no, I’m going to be killed!
“Ah, ex-excuse me, I’m sorry for intruding.”
I stumbled backward, trembling pathetically.
“Hey, you’re the one from outside, aren’t you?”
“Wh-yes.”
The deep voice emanating from his huge body made my heart sink. I had to be careful not to anger him.
“…You were with Rose…”
He said that and then fell silent. But I somehow understood; he still had something he wanted to say. Speaking of which, why was he holding a dried flower? He asked about Rose. Hmm? Could he be the guy who followed Rose that time? If so…
“Um, are you trying to give her a flower? As a gift for Rose?”
Then, his eyes widened noticeably, and he looked up.
“Wh-why?”
“Well, I could tell from watching you yesterday. You like Rose, don’t you, but it’s dry here, so flowers rarely bloom.”
The large Sand Lizard Tribe member awkwardly averted his gaze. Seeing him fidgeting despite his huge size was somewhat endearing.
“L-like… what do you mean by ‘like’?”
“Exactly what it means. Lover, or rather, not quite, like the feeling of wanting someone all to yourself and not wanting to give them to anyone else. Or the feeling of wanting to be with them forever, or wanting to touch them.”
I remembered that they didn’t have the concept of a lover and changed my wording. He seemed to be right on the mark, as he became unusually flustered.
“Wh-why do you know? Do people from outside use magic?”
“It’s not magic; it’s the feeling of love. At least, I think Rose knows about it. If you don’t have flowers, why not try carving something out of wood?”
He seemed to consider it. He shrunk back into himself and went somewhere. Or so I thought, but he stopped and looked back at me.
“Do you know how to make it?”
And so, we spent the hot day diligently trying to make flowers. Since there were no trees in this place, the materials were dirt or rock. We experimented by crushing rocks with chisels and shaping clay. After all, I had never done anything like it before, and I hadn’t done any crafting since elementary school art class.
Finally, when the sun began to set, we finished. Despite my clumsiness, I managed to carve a rose-like shape out of the rock.
“Phew, it’s done. Is this okay?”
“Hey, would you be happy if you received this?”
I bit back the urge to say, “You’re the one who said you’d do it, though!”
“If you put your feelings into it, it’ll be fine. Now, go give it to her.”
“…You too.”
“Why? Honestly.”
This time, I couldn’t hold it back and it slipped out of my mouth.
