Fur and Soap

Lutfi was a very friendly elf-- Nūh decided to call him that for the time being. He gushed over the cute pups and petted them. Nūh found it embarrassing to be touched by someone else like he was a kid.

But he had to admit that being scratched behind the ears where he couldn't reach felt good.

Lutfi brought out a comb from one of his many sewn round pockets and brushed through their fuzzy fur. Nūh appreciated it very much. He considered coming to meet him often just to have his fuzz brushed out.

Wolves had a lot of fur. It became a small pile by the side that could completely cover Saffana.

He sadly reminisced about the days when he had complete hands with the very important thumb and swatted a pebble away, moping his inability to clean and groom himself. Oh, what would he give just to have a shower!

Once he was done the elf tied some fruits together with twine and hung them around Jo's neck for him to take back to the den. Then, he split some fruits into small pieces with his enviably thick fingers- and thumb- and let the puppies have a taste.

They were sweet and tart with a smooth smelling odour of grainy apples or dragonfruit. All of them wagged their tails in delight as they tried to eat off his hand all at once.

Nūh wondered why they were so easily taken by him. From what he remembered from videogames, elves and humans usually hunted the wolves or it was otherwise the other way round. Unless they were kept as pets. Or had some kind of contract.

He cringed a little remembering the wolf phase some of his friends were into a long time ago. They would wear fake fang necklaces and howl randomly doing their best impression.

Well, they were thirteen so it was forgiven. Except for that one girl who called herself Luna Snow The Iceblade and had a long feud with the horse girl from the next class that lasted for the entire middleschool years. They had a very memorable showdown in the end and his body curled up like a boiled octopus remembering it.

Well, look. He became an actual wolf now. Would that Luna envy him till her gums bled?

The sun had turned yellow so it was soon to set. They parted ways with the 'elven' man wishing he came along too and brushed against his ankles asking him not to go.

Nūh also wanted to spend more time with the elf thingy. It wasn't everyday you get to see such a fantastical creature. Oh, well. He would have more chances in the future.

At least he confirmed that it was a very different world. Since there were elves, there should very well be many other creatures too. Dragons, perhaps? Forgive his limited deduction skills.

They reached home yawning tiredly. Their first trip was far too exciting and long for their tiny bodies. Umma Yusra ushered them back to the den and fed them till they were drowsy and satisfied.

The next day was a surprise for the puppies. The big brother/uncle/grandpa? elf had come to visit them! He also brought along his little sister.

She was small in stature with thinly braided locks and carved wooden jewellery. That crossed out the grandpa option. Nūh didn't know if they had long lifespans.

Her small nose and ears far too long for her face made her look adorable. The long lobes were pierced and widened with a small wooden ring with threads forming a splendid woven design in the centre suspended like a spiderweb. She had silver belled anklets that tinkled with every step.

The siblings had brought along two cane baskets. Lutfi handed his over to Father Ad and Mother Ad came over to calm down the cubs.

As Lutfi discussed something's with Father Ad, the young elfin, Hana, opened her basket and took out an assortment of tools. They were strange, metallic and of various sizes.

She lay them on a large, flat stone rock and began arranging them.

As Nūh curiously watched her, she smiled at him and stroked his nose.

A while later, another older looking elf came. He joined the senior pack member's discussion.

They spoke in whispers while the wolves sometimes used their echoes and other times, small grunts and barks.

The discussion concluded. Lutfi picked up two of the cubs. Mother Yusra had Halima in her mouth. Jo, Father Ad and another female wolf also held the rest of them.

There was a small stream of water nearby where the wolves frequently drank from. Softly running and tumbling over pebbles; it's sides were bordered by reeds and moss covered stones that concealed tiny, wee critters and the guppies swam merrily and content with larvae in their bellies.

The little spring emerged from a mound of broken stone and ran far making the forest plains fertile and abundant with its many tributaries. It could be called a river but Nūh was a city boy once and decided that it was a spring or creek since it was so narrow.

The elderly elf brought out a large stone basin from a tree hollow and filled it with the spring water. They were solemn and quiet. None of the wolves made a sound.

Lutfi unwrapped a piece of coarse paper and emptied the contents into the water. He stirred it and it changed colour.

Nūh felt like they were going to perform some sort of ceremony. He waited for them to start some mumbo-jumbo. He waited and waited as the elves busied themselves.

There was no mumbo-jumbo.

There were no spells or rituals.

It was a bath.

Bin, Sarah, Yahya, Ana, Halima and Nūh were forcefully bathed.

They all, except Nūh, created a din as they were washed and scrubbed. Biting and scratching, they fought for their lives.

"What new torture was this?" Was the only thought that ran through the minds of the five.

All the goodwill they felt towards the elves disappeared and they begged their parents to rescue them.

Nūh just had one thought, "Where was the promised abracadabra?"

Bath time turned to playtime. They began to splash about, wetting the poor elves and made a mess. Once they were properly washed, they were wrapped in towels brought by the little elf.

They were taken back to the wolf nest and dried on a ledge where the sun shone the brightest. Their fur was brushed and cut shorter. Nails were cleaned and lice were taken care of with multiple fine toothed combs that snapped multiple times.

The old elf checked their teeth and made them chew some bitter leaves and charcoal paste. All of them wanted to spit it out but one look from their Mother made them tearfully put them back in their mouths full of revulsion.

"Well, at least we have dental care," thought a well-groomed, shiny nosed Nūh. Dental care was important. The bills from the dentist brought pain to his heart.

• Pronunciation Guide •

• Lutfi (Loot- fee) Male.

• Hana (Hannah)( Hunna) Female.

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