Chapter Text
Monday at the village of Uzazi meant the same as any other day - most people were up before dawn, fetching water and tending to their animals and crops. Monday meant the start of another school week, where the children and teenagers (and some of the adults, if they were inclined) attended class in the pretty white house by the enormous mangrove tree at the entrance to the village. They learned sums, English, geography, history, and economics - an important asset for a village that relied on trade. Monday meant basket-weaving for the mothers, hunting for the fathers, and every conceivable task for all the children. Monday meant being a few lessons ahead of the children she taught.
But this Monday meant something very special for Alice Kingsley. She rose and washed before dawn, dressed and had a light breakfast, as usual. But instead of getting ready for another morning of teaching, today she shouldered a rucksack, pulled on her shoes and closed the front door behind her firmly before heading into the village proper. A man and a woman stood in what would pass as a town square - where all the traffic of the village would pass through. She grinned and ran towards them, waving a hand.
"Morning Namu, Ekua!" she beamed, sky-blue eyes bright with mischief. "Did you sleep well?"
Ekua, a girl only a year or so older than Alice, rubbed a hand over her swollen belly and frowned playfully at the girl.
"With the devil kicking me all night? I think not!" She huffed. "I will not even start on the baby."
"Your poor husband," Alice snickered as Namunyak chuckled beside her. Namunyak was a respected elder of the village. He had once been a proud, strong warrior, but age had slowed his limbs, and he preferred the challenge of running the village, rather than the challenge of hunting for the village. That task, he left to the younger generations. Now he presided over all matter of issues in the village - from dealing with feuding neighbours to preaching on all spiritual matters. Alice half-wondered if there was anything he couldn't do.
"Remember to be careful," Namu lectured her, as he did every time she poked a toe out of the confines of the village. "Tse will meet you as usual in seven days."
"I know, I'll be there intact," Alice reeled off dutifully. "And anyway, I'm always careful." At the look in the other girl's eye, "That was one time, Ekua! I was a child!"
"You still are!" the pregnant woman cackled before her face creased with worry. "You should stay in the village where it is safe. I worry for you, mhibu."
"You know I can't do that, Ekua. I've got friends waiting on me," Alice replied firmly. "Besides, I'm never safer when I'm with them."
"We have noticed," Namu said drily, leaning heavily on his walking stick as he guided the girls through the village to the borders. "You have everything you need?"
"I double-checked - I have everything," Alice said with confidence.
"Must you go?"
"I promised I'd be there," she said simply. "You know what I'm like."
"All too well," the elder grunted, as she hugged him.
"I'll see you in a week, okay?" She moved to Ekua. "And you'd better not have that baby until I arrive, you hear?"
"The sooner it is out, the happier I will be!" the girl chortled as she awkwardly hugged the pale girl, mindful of her baby. "Do not let them be bad to you."
"I'll do my best," Alice grinned, hugging her back before pulling away. "I'd best be off." She waved at the two and then hopped over the fence and dove into the long grass that surrounded the west of the village.
"That girl worries me," Ekua tsked, rubbing her stomach before waddling back in the direction of her home. Namu stayed for a few moments, watching the sun climb ever higher into the sky before sighing and turning towards the village.
As usual, she wasn't more then minutes away from the village when Etta showed up.
"Morning Alice," she greeted with a smile.
"Etta, I swear you're just looking to scare me to death," Alice complained good-naturedly.
"I can neither confirm nor deny such rumours," her friend countered with a deadpan-expression, falling into step beside her. "Did you do something with your hair?"
Reaching up, Alice ran a hand through the auburn locks self-consciously. "I just straightened it," she said lightly, nibbling her lip. "Does it look bad?"
Etta sighed and nudged her. "Don't be silly. It looks nice. Neater, too!"
"Oi!" She couldn't disagree, however. Her hair was usually a messy mix between curls and waves, tumbling down to just beneath her shoulder-blades and framing her face unless she pinned it back. As straight as it was currently, she could almost sit on it.
"Want to race?" Etta said mischievously as Alice groaned.
"Oh come on, you'll just win again!"
"I can't help it if I'm a faster runner!" she laughed, darting ahead.
"Yeah yeah, laugh it up!" the redhead grumbled, picking up the pace. Even if she was racing against a cheetah, her pride wouldn't let her give up without even trying.