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Tlantli is by me!
The honey-furred coyote gave a razor-toothed smile and nod of agreement, finding the old adage appropriate. Cliche as it was, there were truth to these words. Tlantli's body might have suffered somewhat with the months of darkness, but already her muscles were returning to their former strength, and her mind -- well, she had renewed her purpose on this earth. Its song heated her blood, evoking memories of the desert sand and her too-short time in Eterne.
When the woman spoke again, her words included a phrase Tlantli did not understand. The strange tongue did not sound entirely unfamiliar, though; perhaps it shared some ancient ancestor with her own mother tongue. This brought another grin to Tlantli's face, for though she had not understood the woman's words, her translation sufficed perfectly, and the Family member could only smile in agreement. She remained quiet so the mottled woman might expound fully upon her thoughts, and was not disappointed with the mention of snakes.
Both the coral snake and the kingsnake were known to her, and she nodded enthusiastically with the woman's analogy. Such good words, she declared. Only those who know the pattern of the snake's scales will be able to walk without fear of us, she said, laughing animatedly with the thought. The rest -- they will wonder. It felt good to engage in camaraderie again, and the flaxen-haired coyote was surprised by the ease with which she'd fallen back into it.
I do not see why any should hate us, though, the woman said, grimacing now. What harm did we commit in taking this unwanted corner of the bay? We want nothing to do with them, so when we are... what is the word? Aloof? she said, brows furrowing as she wondered whether this was the thing she'd meant to say. When we are this thing, they hate us for it. Jealous, maybe. It would not have surprised Tlantli to find all the world jealous of what Salsola had crafted here. Though she no longer viewed the current Colotl ranks in a positive light, Salsola itself would strong -- perhaps it would survive the folly of its leadership, after all.
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