I walked out of the cave after finishing two pomegranates. Though they aren't, I'll just call them that since I'm sure the fruits don't have names yet.
The juice had rolled down my hand, so it felt a little sweet and sticky, so I began licking my hand. I think I was doing that on instinct as a cat breed, because why in the world would I lick my hand as if I were a cat?
My tail–still getting used to it–wriggled behind me. I tell you, it has a mind of its own, but it's cute. I remember hugging it as I slept since that was the only warmth I got in the cave.
"I wonder what I should do now," I muttered to myself but then a few of the females in the village stood in front of me, blocking my way.
I frowned.
What? Do they want to gang up on me now?
Typical.
They looked familiar, probably because they had bullied Arinya for a long time, but funny enough, I don't even know their names.
It was probably irrelevant anyway.
They're lucky they even get to have some screentime.
Now, let's see what we're dealing with.
I scanned them, from one to another, starting from the right.
That one had a big nose and freckles all over, but I could say she was doing all right. Wait, was I like that?
If so, then why was I the only one hated?
Tsk.
Moving on.
I looked at the one to her side, skinny with long legs, and she looked like her spouses weren't feeding her adequately. It was either that or she was constantly getting drained by her spouse.
Oh wow.
Then, the one in the middle, a bit chubby all over, but I guess she's pretty popular because despite her shake, she had a gorgeous face and pretty round lips.
The other two to the left weren't all that. They looked like background characters, at most.
However, I still don't understand.
Why am I the undesirable one when I have such a body? My face shouldn't matter, but for some reason, I can't seem to bag a single spouse.
Well, it's fine.
I don't like anyone in the village either.
They aren't to my taste.
And their body are lacking as well.
If I want to get a spouse, I want one who has huge muscles, biceps, and pecs that no one in their right mind would ignore.
I huffed, steam gushing out of my nostrils.
Damar wasn't all that buff, but at least he had the handsome face to go with his slender features. He's a snake, after all. You can't expect to find a grab snake since they embody elegance.
"Hey, why have you been staring and saying nothing?" The girl in the middle said as she pointed at me, her words slurring. It looked like she talked with her teeth, because each time she spoke, saliva always found a way to spill out.
I took a step back.
How unfortunate for her.
"What? Am I not allowed to stare?" I asked, looking at my arm, worried that a bit of her saliva got on me. "You're the ones who suddenly stood in my way."
"What do you mean?" Ms Skinny, with long legs, asked, her voice a little high-pitched. "No one says the road belongs to you. You might be the chief's daughter, but you're no different from a troublemaker."
And who's the troublemaker right now?
I sighed and decided to just go around them.
If they wanted to argue, I would argue but I'll give them just one chance to leave me alone, and if they don't take the chance—I inwardly cackled—we just might have to put on a show.
I was walking past them, trying to mind my own business when the chubby girl used her eyes to signal the girls on the left.
They suddenly moved their body, planning to push me down but missed by a hair when I stepped back.
I anticipated such a thing.
After all, it was the typical cliché plot.
"What are you doing?" I asked, glaring at them.
But they feigned ignorance, shrugging with a smug look on their faces.
"What do you mean? We're just walking."
Ho-oh! Is that how you're going to play?
Well, I can do just as much.
I walked into one of them, the skinny one, shoving her down with my shoulders, to their surprise.
They looked at me, shocked.
"You... How dare you?"
"What do you mean?" I asked, shrugging my shoulders and feigning ignorance.
I gave them back the same smug they gave me.
"I was just walking. She just happened to be there and... It's not my fault she's so skinny. Even the wind could make her fall."
My words infuriated them, and they wanted to get revenge, but just before they acted, I caught the sound of footsteps with my ever-sensitive ears.
To be honest, I was waiting for this.
Since they cornered me in a place people don't usually gather, but have to walk past as a route, someone was bound to show up and see me humiliated on the floor, alone, since the females would have left by then.
But boohoo, the joke's on you. I will use your plan against you.
I suddenly dropped my body to the floor.
They wanted to see me humiliated, right? I wonder how they'll deal with it once they get caught in the act.
"What are you suddenly doing?" The chubby female asked and I stuck my tongue out at her.
I dabbed a bit of mud on my cheeks, around my mouth, and on my arm, and when the footsteps got even closer, I began to cry.
I cried so loudly and pleaded, grabbing her leg.
"Please, please don't do this. Please, I'll do anything so don't hit me. Booo." I cried and then the owner of the footsteps emerged.
It was a group of males who had just come back from hunting.
The females were confused, but even so, when they saw the males arrive.
"Please, I can't eat mud. Don't do this. I'll do anything. I'll even hunt for you, so don't do this to me." I cried, tears streaming down my face.
The males immediately saw this and were shocked.
"What's going on here?"
The females were confused.
Where did the males come from? And... They looked down at me. What was this situation?
I snickered.
That's right. It's time for you to face the music.
Next time, you'll think twice before trying to mess with me.
The males immediately hurried over.
"Are you bullying Arinya?"