Page 28 of Scarred

“You will when we return to my village. Gar and Roan will have a coming-of-age ceremony.”

“I look forward to it.” Amma walked to the fire and sat down near where Gar was stirring a pot. “What are you cooking?”

“It is a type of porridge that hunters eat while away from home,” Gar answered. “It is ground meal with fruits and vegetables chopped into it.”

“Like oatmeal.” Amma leaned forward to investigate the pot. “It doesn’t look like oatmeal, but it smells good.”

“The flavor depends on what fruits are used.” Suni joined her by the fire with leaves and vines in his hand. “Personally, I like it when tuluku is used. It is a yellow fruit with a sour bite that tastes good with the ground meal. Gar, what did you use?”

“Not tuluku,” Gar answered. “It is not the right time of year, and they are still too green to eat.”

“I know this,” Suni said with a lifted eyebrow. “What did you use?”

“Kini,” Gar grinned. “It is sweet, and I think Amma will enjoy it. My sisters do.”

“Can’t wait to try it.” Amma said.

“At home, we have many different types of tea and juice as well,” Suni said. “When we get back, I will show them to you.”

“I’m starting to have a list of things to look forward to.” She leaned toward him. “What are you making? Are those the same spicy leaves we used last night?” He was using the vines to shape the leaves into a bowl-like shape.

“Yes,” he answered. “I am making bowls so we can eat. After we finish the kini, we can eat the leaves.”

“Nothing wasted.” Amma loved the idea. Earth could learn a thing or two.

Suni handed Gar one of the bowls, and he filled it before handing it to Amma. She took a sip and was surprised to find the meal had the texture of grits. She had always loved grits with butter and bacon. Suni handed her a strip of dried, salted meat and she hummed in contentment. “This is better than oatmeal or grits. I could eat this every morning.”

“You would like it better with tuluku,” Suni said and smirked. “It has a more wholesome taste.”

“Suddenly you are a food critic?” Amma teased.

“I know what I like.” His eyes hooded.

Amma ducked her head so he wouldn’t see her small smile. She had never been good at flirting. It always came across as awkward and she felt stupid afterward. The second her bowl was empty, Suni tried to fill it up again. “No, Suni, I’m good.”

“You do not eat enough.” Suni frowned.

“I eat exactly what I should,” Amma said. “If I was still hungry, I’d eat more.”

Suni shrugged and filled his bowl for the second time. “At least eat the leaf.”

Amma unwrapped the vines and stuffed the leaf into her mouth. It was just as spicy as she remembered, but the juices from the porridge gave it a slightly different flavor. “I’m starting to think those leaves should be eaten with every meal.”

“They can be,” Rown said. “My dam loves them and has all kinds of ways of cooking them. I like when she rolls them in batter and fries them.” He licked his lips. “Delicious.”

“Okay, I have to try that.” Amma’s mouth watered at the idea. She loved fried foods and spicy fried leaves sounded right up her alley. “I could eat thousands of those.”

“You can eat thousands of leaves, but not two bowls of porridge?” Suni teased.

“Junk food over real food. That is a model I live by.”

“I like her,” Rown said. “Suni, when do we leave?”

“As soon as you are finished eating”

“It will take us two rotations to return home,” Gar said. “What do we say if the chief wants to send out a search party for you?”

Suni huffed through his nose. “Tell them I am a seasoned warrior and will return soon.”

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