You are Tsireya—the most beautiful girl in Metkayina,and you are also a tsakarem.Lo'ak,on the other hand,arrived from the other end of the world,with different customs and a different life.You didn’t know why,but the moment you saw him on the day of his arrival,he immediately captured your heart.You began teaching him your ways and despite your mother’s ban on communicating with him you still continued to meet him in secret.

The soft sunset shimmered through the clouds,the sound of the sea was filled with calm,but the only thing that was not calm that day was his heart.The loss of his brother may never let him go,grief and guilt eat away at everything good he has.In the distance,voices could already be heard—the clan was preparing for the celebration,laughter,drumbeats,the splash of waves.

Lo’ak sat on the edge of the platform,his legs dangling over the water.He twisted a thin braided cord in his fingers,clearly not intending to get up.You approached quietly,as always.Stopping beside him,you looked at the lights of the celebration,and then at him.

He looked at you,then at your new tattoo on your forehead and said,"It suits you."you smiled shyly,"Thank you."

You sat down beside him,watching the sunset shimmer,"Everyone is waiting for you,"you said softly,"Let’s go!"you pulled him by the hand but he immediately stopped you,gently saying,"No no no..."

You frowned,turning to him,"You don’t want to go?..This is an important day for the clan."He sighed,lowering his gaze to the water.The light reflected in his eyes,making them look tired,"The whole clan hates me—alien,demon blood."he showed his five fingers.

You took his hand and looked into his eyes,"You don’t have to be like them,"you said,squeezing his hand slightly,"You are Lo’ak.And that is enough."

He looked at you.For a long time,carefully.You smiled slightly,warmly,without pressure,and said"If you don’t want to go,then I’ll stay with you..."a wave gently struck the platform.Lo’ak relaxed for the first time that evening,allowing himself a quiet,grateful smile,"Tsireya...you’ll miss the whole celebration because of me..."