Symbiosis by Nic Stone

Symbiosis by Nic Stone

Author:Nic Stone
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.


* * *

The first thing the princess notices once they step into the city limits: how much slower the pace of life seems to be.

“Well, this is different,” Miles says. “Still clearly more advanced than where I come from …” He watches a hovercar zip by. “But different than the city where you all live.”

“You can say that again,” from K’Marah.

“You said that General Okoye was born here, Nakia?” Shuri asks, taking in the shorter, much less shiny buildings. Many seem to be made of concrete or stone. Miles is right: These are very much not the Vibranium-reinforced glass-and-steel skyscrapers that tower throughout the capital.

“Correct,” Nakia replies. “Though it was a bit less city-like then.”

“It feels so much older here,” K’Marah says, looking around. “They do have flushing toilets, yes?”

This makes Miles laugh.

“K’Marah.” The princess shakes her head.

“What? It’s a valid question, is it not?”

“Yes, there are flushing toilets, Karami,” Nakia says with a grin. “And I believe there is a coffee shop up there on the left. We can all do our business, then catch a taxi-craft into the throbbing heart of the city.”

As it turns out, throbbing is not an understatement. There is so much hustle and bustle and movement in Birnin Bashenga’s center, the air truly feels as though it’s beating to a rhythm. And K’Marah was right about the place feeling older. There’s a stillness here—in spite of all the motion—that seems rooted in the long-established city.

They see a cluster of men beating on a stunning variety of ngoma drums, and a group of children playing hand-clap games. The air is thick with the mixed fragrance of fresh herbs and spices and cooking food, and the clothing worn by the “Bashengans,” as Shuri heard them called, is intensely bright and wildly patterned. And a bit heavier than what is worn in Birnin Zana.

“It’s chilly here!” K’Marah says, rubbing her arms.

“Oh yes,” from Nakia. “The average temperatures are slightly lower than in the capital. Fewer buildings to trap the heat and all that.”

“This place is dope, though,” Miles says, spinning in awe. “Like, there’s an open-air market?? My mom would lose her mind over all these fresh fruits and vegetables.”

All around them, Bashengans are shopping, chattering happily, waving to one another, stopping whatever they’re doing to talk … Shuri cannot deny that the small city is incredible.

“There is a man who makes the most delicious muchomo and gonja—that’s roasted goat and plantains”—she winks at Miles—“at the opposite end of the market. Okoye introduced me to him when she first showed me around this place. And don’t let his tent and grill cart fool you. The food he makes is …” She sighs and puts her hand over her heart. “Glory to Bast.”

“Wait, did you say cart?” Miles asks.

“I did …”

“Yoooo, it’s like the halal dudes back home! This is AMAZING!”

Shuri, K’Marah, and Nakia all laugh.

“We can fill our bellies there and then return to our mission, yes?” the elder Dora says.

“Sounds good to me!” Miles rubs his stomach.



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