Turn the Other Cheek

Gonyaul tried his best; however, with all the commotion his attempts to contact Islana were in vain. He was like a humble ant shouting up to the radiant sun perched atop the temple balcony. He was sure the sun had grandeur things to focus on then an ant, even if his voice was able to carry up into the heavens. Gonyaul still tried though, for even an ant can express its enthusiasm for a celestial body, though it meant nothing to the rest of the big wide world. He had a pleased smile on his face, he always believed in her greatness. It was always there, he had seen it, but now the whole world could see it too. He just hoped that she saw it in herself now as well.

Gonyaul was so caught up in this train of thought that he failed to notice the disgruntled and agitated Ozaniae men gathering. <SMACK> He felt a harsh slap across the back of his head. It wasn't meant to render him feeble or unconscious, Gonyaul could tell that much from the countless contacts from training sessions growing up. It felt like a rebuking assault. This was proved to be true when Gonyaul turned around to face the taller man and received and ear full of correction.

The first thought Gonyaul had when he turned was dismissed as soon as it arrived. The idea of, ~I could literally dislocate every bone from your hand up to your shoulder before you blinked~. It was followed by a second thought, ~What am I thinking??!?!~ He made a decision to reflect on that reflexive response later; perhaps all his associations with violent situations and people had more of an effect on him than he had given time and attention to address. Instead, Gonyaul bowed and apologized in Ozaniae tongue, quickly turning the other cheek and submitting to their wishes.

For the rest of the event, he conformed to the behaviors of the rest of the people and covered his face once more. He glanced over at Voah who had done a superb job of blending in with the masses behaviors and norms for this phenomena. He considered, now that he wasn't galivanting like a loud puppy dog, that if those men hadn't stopped him Voah may have been the one to do it seconds later. With that considered, he was glad it was strangers that stepped in to save her the trouble.

The rain was a neat surprise; however, not a shocking one. Gonyaul could feel the change in the atmosphere and the smell of water in the air about to condense and precipitate from above just prior to it happening. When you live the majority of your life in a jungle, which receives more rainfall then anyplace he had yet been, your senses notice the clues. He was grateful for the free and refreshing bath; however, was not prepared for how cold his body temperature dropped afterwards. In the jungle, the high humidity would retain the heat upon getting caught in the rain. In the desert, the dry heat and the fast evaporation rate caused him to cool off faster than expected.

He was shivering slightly, teeth chattering, when things ended with the anointing ceremony and he turned to Voah. He didn't even have to say anything, his pleading eyes begged for them to return home. The crowd beginning to open up permitted their departure and the two of them took advantage of the opportunity to leave. They moved quickly, though not suspiciously, as two wet individuals just looking to get home sooner than later. He decided he would wait until they were safe at home before bringing up the topic of Islana.