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“Do you believe in God?”
“Eh..?” Mizi blinked in surprise, “God?”
Sua nodded, staring off into the same direction Till and Ivan usually headed off to at times like these. Behind the tree farthest from Anakt, tucked into a corner and hidden away. Separated from everyone else. “I…” Mizi hesitantly began, softly knocking her fist against the side of her skull in an attempt to conjure up any memories in relation to the ‘God’ Sua was referring to, but nothing came up. Frowning, Mizi slowly shook her head.
“I don’t know about any God.”
“Ah.” Sua’s monotone exclamation spilled from her mouth as if she didn’t mean for it to. Mizi watched in silent admiration as her slack face bloomed into a subtle smile. Sua’s purple eyes gleamed with a mischievous energy as they met Mizi’s green. “Sorry. I forget that not every human knows about past religions.”
“Religion?” Mizi gasped out, turning her head to scan her surroundings. At this point, everyone at Anakt had already formed their own individual groups that they rarely strayed from, but that didn’t mean Mizi didn’t interact with her fellow contestants at all! After making sure no one else was secretly listening in to their conversation, Mizi shifted closer to Sua and whispered with cupped palms at Sua’s side.
“My guardian mentioned something similar before..!”
And by something similar, Mizi meant she happened to overhear her guardian speak about religion with friends, but nothing more. Once Mizi’s presence was spotted, talks about past human cultures were quickly subverted. Although curious, Mizi always refrained from asking about it, too. Her guardian was sweet and caring, but always seemed to clam up whenever that ancient civilization was brought into question. So the reality was, Mizi had virtually no understanding about human teachings and was only vaguely following along with the topic… But that was seriously way too embarrassing to admit to Sua!
Stay strong, Mizi! Mizi inwardly chanted to herself, Sua will surely explain what she means!
And like the absolute sweetheart she is, Sua only grinned at Mizi’s response and continued on. “Gods are… Humans in the past used to believe in them—worship them—and pray to them. To them, the god they prayed to was their savior.. and the reason they existed in the first place.” Sua’s eyes drooped at her last words and her gaze returned to that same tree. Mizi followed suit and traced the outline of Ivan’s shoulder peeking out from behind the tree as she waited for Sua to gather herself. Sure enough, Mizi didn’t have to wait long.
“Do you think those Gods are still watching us? That they’re really taking care of us from afar?”
“Even if they aren’t… the thought of it sounds nice, doesn’t it? Someone that watches and protects you…” Mizi turned her head then, and felt the start of the cheekiest grin start to form on her face. “I think I’ve already met my God, then.”
Sua visibly startled, her skin began to flush in her fluster. “What?”
“My God,” Mizi leaned in, a single finger landing gently against Sua’s gown, right above where her collar bone should be. Mizi felt her finger heating up in phantom warmth. “I’ve already met her.”
“M-Mizi!” Sua choked out, “That isn’t… That isn’t how it works! A God is—”
“You!” Mizi laughed as she tackled Sua into a hug. They both gasped as they rolled around the grass beneath them. They’d surely get scolded for the dirt and grime covering their gowns once it was time to head inside, but all Mizi could think about were the soft giggles starting to fill the air as Mizi nuzzled deeper into Sua’s stomach. “Only I get to decide who my God is! I at least know that much!”
They spent the last of their break laying against the grass and soon the topic of Gods were forgotten. Secretly, Mizi felt relieved. The idea of it all was undoubtedly fascinating, it really was! She was dying to know more—more about all the things she wouldn’t dare ask about at home…But those answers won’t be worth it if the cost was Sua’s smile.
Mizi didn’t know why Sua always looked so sad, so far away, when she spoke about humans. But Mizi was confident that Sua would tell her when she was ready, and Mizi was fine to wait. They had all the time in the world, to get to know each other now!
With this thought, Mizi squeezed Sua’s hand that laid plaint in hers, and once that familiar shade of purple turned her way once more, Mizi spoke in a hushed tone. “I meant what I said, by the way.”
“You…” Sua started, but seemed to trail off. Her cheeks filled with color. “It’s the same for me.” She whispered.
And that was enough.