Friends of The Baobab

_{generated with meta.ai.}

A slow and soft howling wind came moving with a charismatic energy. It came with gentle whispers and twinkles that engulfed the magnificent baobab tree. The tree stood in a glory that was unmatched for any sprouting plant in the Sahel of Tsuba. Its branches that had been gnarled from the long periods of dryness were now soaking in the moist and fresh air that caressed its trunk.

The gloomy season was gone with its pale withering leaves. Young blooms sat pretty on each branch blossoming. The ants were moving twigs and seeds in a single file. They were already building an anthill for the season. The hornbill tended to her young ones who were trying to adjust their sight to the luminous daylight. A tribe of Lityrs emerged from the trunk yawning, stretching, and relishing the sun rays that stroked their pale lush skin. Just then, another gust of wind swept all over them making them jump and hover.

“Zafirrrr!” Libby screamed from behind her sister, Nettie as she held her little yellow dress in place. The wind stopped before projecting upwards on the baobab.

“Not today Zafir.” The hornbill shielded her babies with her wings.

“It is the first day of the shine and you are already at your mischief!” Libby yelled. Nettie blushed, turning away from the tribe. Her wings turned pink. She ruffled them and the rest of the tribe scowled at Zafir.

The shimmering gust of wind with a formed figure that flickered like a mirage grinned back at the angry group of Lityrs. It was never the first day of the new season on the baobab if Zafir didn't go around making trouble. He was everywhere at the same time and it didn't help that he came with an annoying buzz and a sinister smile that made everyone's skin crawl.

“Shh! Everyone. Be quiet. An Arcane is one the way.” Pulpy the Chameleon instantly changed his colors to resemble the tree’s root where he sat.

The creatures of the tree went silent. The Lityrs quickly returned to the trunk just when a man in a brown hat approached the tree. Nettie didn't make it back in time so she played dead on the ground. As long as she was quiet, she would not be seen.

The Arcanes were a group of skilled humans that tracked and captured magical creatures. They often hunted baobab trees every first day of shine- when the creatures would come out after long months of hibernation. They would sell these creatures to the highest bidders in a secret magic black market.

The hunter stopped at the foot of the tree. He placed one foot on the root and pulpy almost passed out. From his backpack, he brought out a yellow orb with a hole in the middle. Through the hole, he examined the tree for a minute. That moment seemed like the longest minute in Nettie’s life as she lay there holding her breath. The tree was now as silent as a graveyard.

He shook his head and put the orb in his pocket. As he turned to leave, Nettie almost sighed a relief when Zafir materialized. “Oh no no no!” she heaved.

Zafir moved in slow motion and kicked the hunter’s hat off his head.

The hunter froze. He went to where his hat landed and picked it up. “This is no ordinary wind,” he muttered. He brought out his orb again. This time, he sprinkled some liquid from his backpack in the air. Behold, Zafir appeared like a mass of glass with big round eyes. He couldn't move an inch and his eyes only darted from side to side.

“Zafirrr!” Nettie yelled. Without thinking twice, she flew into the liquid trap the hunter had made and immediately regretted it. Like Zafir, she could no longer move.

“Aha! A wind and a little flying creature. If today isn't my luckiest day. I can't wait to wow these crazy buyers at the market.” The hunter brought out a black vessel and shoved them both inside. He then wore his hat and ran off.

“Poor Nettie. She is such a sweet soul.” The chameleon changed his color back to the teal he loved so much. He arched his back as he groaned in pain.

“That foolish Zafir. It's his fault that they have been captured.” Libby cried out as the rest of the Lityrs emerged from the tree trunk again.

The tree was now even more quiet and the silence reeked of mourning rather than fear. None of their captured friends ever made it back to the baobab. It was an unsaid goodbye forever.

“Quit moving around and just sit.” Nettie
Snapped at Zafir who was moving from place to place. The vessels bounced up and down as the hunter ran. Nettie’s wings slowly turned red illuminating the walls of the vessel.

Zafir finally stopped moving. He sat beside Nettie who was crouched in a corner of the vessel. “ I didn't mean to make you mad. I was only trying to find a way out of this thing.”

Nettie didn't always have to say much. Her wings changed colors according to her mood and at that moment, she was very pissed.

“You think this is a joke?” Nettie charged at Zafir. “We have been captured by a hunter and we are headed for the black market. Heavens know what awaits us there. We will never return to the baobab and we will never see our friends and family again.” She sobbed. “Stay away from me.” She tried to shove Zafir who had come closer but her hands passed through him.

“With you, it's a domino effect. It is because of your foolishness that we are here. If you had never kicked his hat off, he wouldn't have captured you and I would have never tried to save you.” Nettie bit her tiny red lips as soon as she heard herself.

“And I would never have known that you like me. Why did you try to save me? Do you really like me?” Zaphir hovered around Nettie, occasionally flickering between visible and invisible.

The red in Nettie’s wings began fading into a light pink. Once again, her wings were betraying her tongue. “No, I don't. Bold of you to think I do,” she whispered and turned away.

“Yes, you do. Admit it. It is only the two of us here. Isn't pink the Lytir’s color for love?” Zaphir teased gently ruffling her wings.

“Stop it already.” Nettie was now smiling shyly.

“I've always liked you, Nettie. I just never knew how to show it and I always ended up acting a fool around you. Although sometimes, I like to ruffle a few feathers too. Zafir’s round eyes shimmered.

“I am going to get us out of here I promise. We will return to the baobab and our friends and family will be there waiting for us.” Zafir looked into Nettie's eyes and she nodded.

“I have something very enchanting for you.” They heard the hunter say amidst loud voices and chaos. They had reached the black market.

Just then, they heard the vessel drop. As soon as it opened, Zafir swirled around Nettie with a force he never knew he had. Like a rocket, they went shooting through the sky leaving heaps of pink vacuums in their path.