LIARA(2)

"You always seem to pick a fight, Sarah, even for the smallest of things," chided Ulanni through their mind link.

Sarah bristled at Ulanni's words, feeling defensive.

"That's not true," she replied defensively. "I just don't like being pushed around."

"Sarah, it seems like you're the one causing the conflicts and pushing people around," Ulanni pointed out, expressing her frustration with Sarah's constant fighting with the other children.

"Are you taking the big nosed girl's side?" Sarah asked with a hint of disappointment in her voice, pausing to speak slowly.

"I'm not taking sides, Sarah. I just don't like you always getting into fights" Ulanni replied slowly, sensing the disappointment in Sarah's voice.

"I didn't even touch her during the fight...but she had the audacity to push you and cause your injury. I don't regret my actions, and I'm not sorry in the slightest," Sarah stated firmly, defending her behavior.

"But I was the one hurt not you!" Ulanni argued, trying to make Sarah see reasons to stop fighting unnecessarily.

"And?" Sarah asked in a laid back manner as she stomped on a termite infested wood and kept walking forward.

""Please promise me that you won't get into another fight," Ulanni said firmly, bringing Sarah to a halt with a stern gaze and thin lips.

As they walked further, the sound of flowing water grew louder and more soothing to their ears. The leaves rustled in the gentle breeze as the stream came into view

"Okay, I wouldn't fight again." Sarah answered, with her face in a wide smile that looked very fake even to a new born baby.

"Sarah…" Ulanni drawed out.

"What?! I already promised." Sarah exclaimed in frustration. "Now let's get closer to that stream!" Sarah screamed out before bounding towards the stream with eagerness. She left Ulanni behind, watching her run away with a mix of concern and frustration.

Ulanni was jolted out of her thoughts by the sound of stomping feet on the ground. She turned around to see some girls who were walking behind them now rushing forward to get to the stream. Ulanni stepped aside to let them pass, watching as they hurried past her towards the water. She couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement at their eagerness to reach the stream.

Like the other girls, Ulanni too couldn't resist the allure of the stream and rushed forward towards it, forgetting all about their previous discussion with Sarah. She felt the cool breeze on her face and the sound of the water flowing, soothing her senses and putting her at ease.

Ulanni rushed straight into the stream. The stream was unlike any other Ulanni had ever seen back at the compound. It flowed effortlessly through the lush green forest, its water a shimmering blue that was almost otherworldly.

The trees around it stretched their branches towards the sky, creating a natural archway that seemed to welcome visitors into its ethereal realm. As she stepped closer, she noticed that the trees themselves were alive, their leaves rustling in the gentle breeze as they watched over the stream and all who approached it.

The water was crystal clear, allowing her to see the pebbles and rocks that lined the bottom of the stream, and small fish darted playfully in and out of view. The sound of the water was a melody that calmed her senses, and the air around her was fragrant with the scent of wildflowers and fresh earth.

Just like the other girls who were aplasing in the water admist giggles Ulanni too dipped her legs in the water.

She felt the cool water rush over her toes, she couldn't help but smile. She had been feeling stressed and tired, but being here, surrounded by the carefree laughter of the other girls, made her forget all her worries.

She closed her eyes and let out a contented sigh, feeling the sun's warmth on her skin. The air was filled with the scent of nature and the sound of birds chirping in the nearby trees.

The water was shallow enough that she could see the bottom, and she watched as tiny fish darted back and forth, brushing against her feet. She wiggled her toes, feeling the sand slipping between them.

As she dipped her toes into the water, she felt a tingle of magic ripple through her body, as though the stream was enchanted and had infused her with its mystic energy.

She closed her eyes and bend down to soak her hands in too, to let the water wash over her, feeling a sense of renewal and rejuvenation flow through her veins. It was as if the stream had its own life force, and it was willing to share it with her.

As her skin began to shimmer with pink sparkles and the water around her started to take on a rosy hue, Ulanni was abruptly shaken out of her reverie by Sarah's hold on her.

"Come on, remember we still have to wash the food items. Let's go before you sleep off here.!" Sarah said out realizing that they still had unfinished work.

Sarah's voice jolted Ulanni out of her trance, and she looked up at Sarah, a little disoriented.

To avoid any spray if water on them, Sarah picked up Ulanni's dropped bowl and led them a few feet away from the cluster of girls, so they could both get on with getting their items washed.

Some were playing with the water, while others had already begun washing the items.

"What happy people!" Lira exclaimed joyfully, her eyes holding an evil glint as she examined the children from a distance with Greta.

""They were all there and did nothing but laugh as you were being humiliated by the blue-headed girl…" Lira taunted Greta, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"And what did you do?" Greta asked trowing the question back at Lira, and not waiting for an answer she moved on with her bowl in hand to get to the stream and begin her washing.

"Well, this should be fun!" Lira giggled as she rubbed her slender, pale fingers across her mouth coyishly, as shadows followed her every move.