Watching

Author: Kayaara

“You can’t spend every day sitting watching the baby turtles, Venufii.” Akande let go of her mace, gently placing it beside the sitting pandaren while she took her seat beside her.

 The pandaren in question nodded her head, not turning to face Akande but acknowledging her anyway. It was always like this between the two of them; Akande would find Venufii at the Singing Pools, Yakkun tucked inside his shell just to her side while she admired the newly hatched turtles splashing about in the pools. Other days, she would sit atop the bridge and watch the budding young pandaren practicing on the balance poles until one by one they fall into the magical waters. Whatever it was, Venufii was always watching.

“I was at the training grounds today. I thought we said we’d meet up there.”

A shrug.

“If we want to leave this island one day, you can’t just sit here every day.”

Another shrug, this time she turned to face Akande. Her expression was a mix of wonder and amusement, if not some confusion.

“What is it?” Akande asked, knowing fully well she wouldn’t give her a verbal reply. Venufii rested a hand on top of Yakkun’s shell a silent sigh escaping her lips. She opened her mouth, as if she were about to speak, and then decided against it. She looked at Akande, frowning.

“Sorry… Are you going to do some training today?”

The mute pandaren shook her head slowly.

“Okay.”

Akande leaned her head against Venufii’s shoulder. The latter wrapped an arm around the shaman, pulling her a little closer to herself. The baby turtles were beginning to return to the land, the parents waiting patiently as they took their time to return to their homes. The sun was setting just behind the trees, beyond the vast ocean that surrounded the Isle and it glistened against the wet shells of the turtles.

It always made Akande wonder just how Venufii could spend her days sitting, watching the trees sway in the background; watch the clouds form into flowers and animals and even her favourite foods; or watch the baby turtles swim in the pools. But now, as they were together, watching together, she finally began to see the beauty Venufii had always seen. And she looked to her side, and watched the glint in Venufii’s eyes sparkle and her gentle smile and her hair falling over her shoulders.

And she decided that yes, maybe there was something about taking the time to just watch.