Plans of Pageants
Banhi, of course, had no interest in Shanku and Muso's brawling, and never thought too highly of Hilael's incessant brooding. She dutifully helped her mother in whatever ways her small hands could, even if that meant only braiding her mother's hair so it wouldn't be in her way.
Sometimes she would be asked to fetch water for the spinners while they worked and Banhi would happily oblige. There were other small female cubs like her that were helping in what ways they could, and they would often play together when they couldn't find anything useful to do.
"My mother is going to hold a contest for us," said one cub. "Which is the prettiest and has the best ribbons!"
They often talked of what they would wear, what beads they would use when they would get to go to the greatly talked about festivities, and how they would show off their finest in that mother's pageant.
The more shy were nervous at the thought of it and the more roguish had greater interest in the cooking and craft displays that would be there.
The nearby mothers would chuckle and shake their heads as their daughters gossiped and planned on a level that would put some of their elderly great-grandmothers to shame.
"We'll have our work cut out making some of this happen for them," laughed one mother.
"But they're worth it," nodded another.
Notes & Commentary
December 8, 2016, Thursday
Plans of Pageants
While drawing this page, I couldn't help but finally draw Banhi as a wee Sailor Scout. I've done Shanku a couple of times. It was Banhi's turn. I think she's less likely to skin me alive for it than her sister is too! 
One of the stranger things I learned this past year is that apparently beauty pageants are rampant in the South and a bit more scaled back elsewhere. I was only vaguely aware they existed outside of Miss America. I was at least aware of the craziness that is cheerleaders and football. But, I'm a tomboy from the sticks. Frills and lace are about as appealing to me as mud to a cat, and I suspect pageants are more for suburbanites anyway (but I say some of that sh%t too [if you clicked the link], and I recommend the fried chicken shape-up video 
).
Naturally, I never spent much time looking into pageants. Or mirrors, for that matter. Shoot, I skipped my one chance of a prom during highschool so I could go to my first karate tournament and watch how they competed in the hopes I could do it some day. Had to drop out of class and thus didn't get a chance to compete in a tournament during those days, but I'll be back in it eventually and hopefully in the top five or top three if I keep competing enough. Heh, could you imagine me at a pageant back then? "And here is Miss Ashe, demonstrating the Seisan kata!" Anything to get out of shoes and especially heels, eh?
...It's been raining for about a week straight and I'm lovin' it. It's hovering around the 30's and 40's too, so it's good coffee and hot chocolate weather. A bit rough on Mischief and the pups since it limits their time outside, but warm weather will be here again before they know it.
Characters - Nari Zefana - Banhi -
Tags - Just Another Day -
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