Page 6 of Citiali: Teach
I’m not one that usually worries over stupid shit, but years of being seen as a savage, dirty and worth-less human has taught me that I have power in showing who and what I am. That is a proud warrior for my people and Badass. I do that by always being presentable with my Native heritage never hidden behind that Badass.
My grandfather told me how Wall Thunderhawk was shunned by his people and never showed his Native side. I will not hide and put effort into presenting myself with care. We weren’t a rich family and I’m grateful for what we had. Working from young, I learned that I don’t need more than I have, but should always respect what I do have so I never lose those Native traits and fall victim to avarice, sloth and entitlement.
With breeches and one of my new Protector Training shirts on, I throw a thanks to Mucimi for getting me outfitted for this Club. My uncle will pass along the old I left behind in Virginia.
I feel calm from him before I see him. “Thank you, Brother,” I say choosing the black, white and blue feathers for my arm and ear.
Mucimi shows in my mirror. “For battle or cardinal directions?”
I smile. “No north, but they’re all crazy and I don’t need to point that out today.”
“Good plan. They’re getting better but the crazy is in deep up there. I don’t think the elders know what normal is anywhere, but up there it’s worse.”
I’ve seen it and nod. “Do you have words for me?” I’m headed to the new Club for a walkthrough with Pres, who ordered me to call him Ari, so I need him to be quick here.
“I brought you shampoo. Aylen talked to Cuyler at training today. She won’t be here unless she’s training.”
I feel those words. “They’ll be training with our trainees here. Is there a message I’m meant to bring them?”
“A perspective. They’ll move on a circuit to different Clubs but this one is once a week and you’re close for random interactions.” His voice is tinny and I know he isn’t right here.
“Trainees need their perspective,” I reply, seeing it now that he said it. Placing a messenger in a Protector training Club has benefits I didn’t put together.
He freezes, then smiles. “Yeah.” He’s gone.
I laugh. “Thanks for the shampoo, Brother.”
Walking out, I throw chin to Axe. “Brother, I’m glad you’re close.”
He takes my forearm in a Brother’s hold. “Me too. I can’t believe you’re here. Teller said Andrew is open to Atohi.”
I nod and walk with him toward the Club. “Yeah.”
“What’s our new path?”
“Zeke, Luke Rayne or Mucimi should get that question, Brother.”
He leans so our shoulders bump. “Don’t be a dick. You see it.”
I shake my head. “You tell everything you see?” No one does, at least no one I know.
He gives up quickly and asks, “Where we going?”
“The Club, I have a walkthrough.”
“I’m out.” He stops. I don’t turn but feel him suspend away about ten steps later. I guess it’s acceptable since he didn’t just disappear.
Pres is waiting on the stairs with a one-legged Alpha-Bit in a wheelchair. “This is Gregor, he’s my second. Cai will be here tomorrow. Gregor says you know Cai.”
I nod. “He was on the circuit after Oscar but was needed at the big Club. They didn’t have security for them to be split so he stayed up there.”
He’s confused so I explain. “Pres Hemy built a house for them and Cai was with that first group to live in it. He liked our Club.” I shrug, not needing to say more.
“Cai like Pres Hemy, Boss Yona and you, VP Citiali.” The accented voice surprises me but I nod.
“He loved cooking with my uncle Yona and learned how to make our traditional flat breads. I watched out for him when I wasn’t working. He’d ride while I ran and I’d catch my breath while he swam.” At least that’s how I’d word it for the little Brothers. It gave them activity time and I had nothing better to do until the weekends I was on outreach with Little Brothers or late night Brother time with the Indians.
The little guy’s eyes light up. “He say I ride trike you run.”
