3.3. Weird attraction and hatred

Nikki and Noel felt good in the Blessing Moon tribal village. Wenona and her tribal people were friendly and finally they didn't need to sleep outdoors suffering unbearable cold, here was always fire where it was always possible to warm up. Yes, they were different than other Amazon tribes they've ever met. Nikki wondered how many rights had in tribe living men and how they interacted freely with Wenona and young Suletu. They went to hunt together, worked together all works in the tribe although Wenona was a creator and tribal leader, however, her word was respected and no one ever opposed her will.
- Once when I was a child I promised my brothers to care of their safety in amazons world, - Wenona said Nikki. - They are all what I have, so they are my treasure and if someone will try to hurt them I'll fight for Tahatan and Kotori as they are part of me.
Nikki looked at Wenona amazed but she still had doubts in her words as she believed that men shouldn't have so many rights. She remembered that men were slaves in her tribe and tribal sons always were sacrificed after breeding when she was a kid.

But then her brother Noel enjoyed his friendship with Wenona's brothers. He was different than his sister they were twins though. Noel liked the company when Nikki neeeded solitude often, he always smiled like a sun and his sister was gloomer than dark day sometimes. Noel had such moments when he couldn't understand his sister twin, but he always felt her and her changing moods made him worried, it was so hard to be with her sometimes, but now everything was different. He had new friends and it was so good to listen to Tahatan's stories about the Blessing Moon tribe, tell him about himself and what he learned till he lived in his native tribe with his sister and mother although Nikki and Noel didn't see their mother often when they grew up to teenagers. She mostly lived in Queen's palace.

But no matter how they were different they had the same wish - they wanted and needed love and family. Nikki realized her wish very quickly, it was enough only to see Kotori... She couldn't take her eyes of him. What would happen if she would choose him for breeding... Wenona should agree as Kotori is a tribal son at least. Nikki was sure she would have a beautiful daughter with Kotori.

And there was his brother Tahatan... He was also handsome and strong man.

Nikki couldn't decide. Her heart wanted Kotori, but something what she felt was wrong. Something was so annoying in Kotori and soon she realized what is that. Kotori and Nikki reflected each other like a mirror, they both had something dark in themselves.
- He's evil... a pure evil... - Nikki muttered looking at Kotori.
Then Kotori turned to her and looked at Nikki with a cold gaze.
- Stop staring at me, Nikki, or I'll start to think you are stikini*.
Nikki blushed deeply and felt so embarrassed. She didn't know what means that weird word "stikini", but she was sure it doesn't mean anything good.

Suddenly she felt how anger caughter her, she rose to her feet and came to Kotori.
- No, I am not stikini, but you are a pure walking evil, Kotori!
- What? - Kotori stared at Nikki surprised.
- You heard what I said! You are Evil! And never dare call me some stupid names, slave! If you'll not stop doing that I'll remind you where is your place!

- Stop it immediately! - Wenona came quickly to Kotori and Nikki. - Such behaviour isn't welcomed in the Blessing Moon tribe!
- Nikki! - Noel rushed to them. He looked worried at his sister hoping that Wenona will not kick them out from the tribe when they just found home and got a chance to start a new life.
Nikki looked at her brother. It seems she just ruined the day, but she didn't feel guilty. Then she turned her face to Kotori and glanced at him short, but her gaze was full of hatred and she couldn't explain why.
- My brother isn't a slave, Nikki, - she heard calm, but strict Wenona's voice. - He is tribal son and I'm sure he knows his own place.
- He called me stikini.
- Is that true, Kotori? - Wenona raised her brow looking surprised at her brother twin.
- Yes, sister. I called Nikki stikini. You had to see her eyes when she stared at me, - Kotori smiled ironically a bit.
- Do you think it's a reason to call Nikki stikini only because she looked at you? - Wenona didn't take her eyes of her brother.
Noel stood silently watching them all. He didn't know what to say and he wasn't sure what he should say. Kotori gave a deep sigh.
- You won't believe in me only because she is a woman like you and I am just a man, no matter I am your brother or not!

- You know it's not true, Kotori! I think we should to talk, brother... Only you and me, - Wenona took her brother by his hand and led him away.
- Nikki, please... - Noel came to his sister. - They welcomed us with open arms...
- Shut up, Noel! - Nikki interrupted him. - This man just offended me calling me some stupid names! He is evil!
- He isn't, Nikki... He is a nice man, - Noel said carefully.
- I told you shut up! - Nikki glanced at Noel angrily and left him.
Noel stayed alone trying to understand what's wrong is going here...

stikini* - are evil witches in Seminole folklore, who transformed themselves into owl-beings. By day they look like people, but by night, they vomit up their souls (along with all their internal organs) and become undead owl-monsters that feed on human hearts.