Thouno

Chapter One

Growing up as a hyenid, kloume male, there was a lot of pressure to be physical. Nonetheless, with a certain paternal prescience, my parents named me Taman – believing that such a calm and gentle baby would likely grow up to embody spiritual goodness and peacefulness one day. Like many young zhamim, I was told the tale of creation many times – first by my mother and father, and again by the other adults who volunteered their time to help maintain to Vorno Temple. Though my parents are klomoi, the story that parents from other zhamim species are told is much the same. 

As the story goes, after creating a beautiful world for plants and animals, the Shonmoi desired folk to praise them and live in the land they created. With material the Shonmoi gathered, they created all of the zhamim on Kaemazh. Fishy kaemi were formed from shells and froggish nonoim were moulded from glass. Snaky zarmi were forged from metal. Crowish skulmoi were woven from cloth and rattish marmi were formed from hide. Goatish fonoim were formed from horn and deerish slanim were carved from bone. Hyenid kloumoi were carved from wood and foxy hinkmi were formed from amber. Cattish tholmoi were fashioned from jewels. Glabrous, homine lunmoi were formed from clay and bearish pokmoi were sculpted from stone. 

Though we now understand that zhamim evolved from the common ancestors of our wild vertebrate cousins, much of the rich spiritual symbolism in this creation story persists in Kaemazh society and is reflected in the Charna language. Though other languages exist, this is the primary language spoken in the eremic, southern city of Fronozh I’ve lived in my whole life. Though I was always fascinated by the traditions of Shonoim divinities, I never expected that I would one day run a bookstore in the vibrant, idyllic temenos of the Vorno Temple. 

Years after finishing my schooling, an opportunity arose that I couldn’t pass up. Close friends of mine – a zarme named Zhomon and his girlfriend Lukno – became head priests at the Vorno Temple and thought that my rich knowledge of Zuno religion would make me a perfect fit for the Krounon bookstore. Before I took over the Krounon bookstore, the old priest that ran it had passed away. The store had been closed for some time and it needed a lot of care before it was ready to be opened to the public again. 

In the time since the Krounon store first opened, technology has become quite advanced. In addition to sophisticated nuclear power running the majority of the electrical grid, the shanan data network has allowed for very advanced synthetic intelligences called plommi. They adapt to each individual – curating data and assisting in various aspects of daily life. In contrast to the unwieldy, clunky devices of previous generations, shanek devices are worn as simple jewelry like pendants or bracelets – allowing for instant, invisible access to the shanan network by every adult zhame person.

Unsurprisingly, much of the old business equipment in the Krounon bookstore is no longer needed, so after donating much of it to museums or recycling what had no other purpose, the rest of the restoration work mostly just involved cleaning, painting and stocking merchandise in the Krounon bookstore. In no time at all, the Krounon bookstore was ready for me to give it a fresh direction. In addition to creating a reading and meditation room, I stocked the store with a rich collection of books and unique curios. Me and my boyfriend Bakna – when he’s not busy with work of course – started offering consultation services and we’ve begun to offer classes as well. Because of the work I’ve put into it, the Krounon bookstore has fast become a popular destination.

Above the verdant communal courtyard, I make my way down the steps beyond the door to my apartment, with my messenger bag slung over my shoulder, and walk briskly to my car – parked safely in my assigned spot, before making the drive to Krounon. 

Among the tree lined streets in midtown along my route are pleasant stores, appealing restaurants and cozy suburban neighborhoods. Every home and shop is made with care and ornate details - using an eclectic mix of traditional materials like stone, brick, terracotta and wood in various cultural styles. 

The streets and avenues are broken up with car and pedestrian traffic from time to time - as well as sapient zhamim riding beautiful, equine shumoi, avian stukmi, reptilian thramim and newtish kroumoi in an array of sizes and colors. 

Fronozh is a bustling, eremic community in southern deserts along the coast. Along with the Vorno, Fronozh is full of temples and fellowships of all kinds – their devotees honoring the intrinsic sanctity of sacred Shonoim in many different ways. The Vorno Temple is particularly popular in Fronozh, and I’m proud to say that the Krounon bookstore is a highlight of its temenos.

The grounds of Vorno Temple are even more lush than the rest of Fronozh – something that Zhomon, his wife Lukno and temple volunteers have made sure of. Tall, elegant juniper trees line the cobblestone pathway leading to the main temple. The whole area where the temple sits is just as much an arboretum as it is a temenos – possessing well-maintained shrubs as well as various fruits, herbs and flowers of many types and colors. Some of them end up being used as offerings in regular rituals.

The main temple and the bookstore next to it are made in a modest, traditional style evocative of Ancient Louzho – with bright pillars, simple doors, small windows and terracotta shingles on the roofs of each building. There is also extensive woodwork, cobblestone and array of sacred Shonoim statues around the temenos. As I approach the entrance to the bookstore, I take a moment to admire the work his community has put into the temple – before readjusting the bag on my shoulder and opening up the store for the beginning of the day.

Like many middle-aged kloumu, my hyenid, bristly brown fur has a tough of gray. In Fronozh – like most of contemporary Kaemazh – clothing is simple and relaxed. It reflects a preservation of traditional aesthetics but with the simplicity of contemporary society. I most prefer to wear a short sleeved, v-necked tunic, loose, comfortable trousers and sturdy boots in muted, dark colors. My clothes are made of quality textiles and tanned hide. They reflect the dominant informal style of both men and women in most occasions. Like most days, I made sure to put on my accessories before I left the house – particularly the gauged piercings in my ears as well as my shanan pendant so I can access the data network when I need to.

After taking some time to settle in and tidy up shelves, I notice that the bell above the front door of the Vorno Temple bookstore chimes brightly. I look up from the counter and notice a new customer arrives into the space – a familiar face. Unlike me,  Pinan is a foxy, hinkme male.  He’s short and slender – with vulpine features, large ears and fur that’s a mix of white and red. He has the more reserved and hesitant attitude of an uncertain, fresh-faced college student exploring the world on their own for the first time. He’s wearing thick framed glasses and is carrying a satchel over his shoulder.

He recently started spending time with Tana in the study room in the back of the store. In contrast to Pinan’s more diminutive, passive nature, Tana is taller and has a bolder attitude – not unlike my boyfriend Bakna. They’re both younger college students, but are on summer break leading up to the summer solstice festival Zhomon and Lukno are hosting at Vorkno soon.

“Good morning Taman” says Pinan with a smile.

“Good morning Pinan” I reply. “Have you been enjoying your summer thus far?”

“Absolutely!” Pinan says enthusiastically. “Tana invited me to a music concert. Apparently you and your boyfriend Bakna are going. Is that right?”

“Definitely. I’ll be driving this time” I reply plainly. I look at Pinan with curiosity. “Have you ever been to a zhrakna concert before?”

“No, I haven’t” Pinan says a bit bashfully. “I was really sheltered as a teen, so I didn’t have a lot of exposure to music and culture growing up. What is zhrakna?”

“As the name implies, zhrakna music is all about passion, enthusiasm and even anger” I reply. “Zhrakna music includes driving percussion, deep bass, distorted, electrified strings and synthetic sounds but also incorporates acoustic instrumentation. It can even include the unique, bestial calls that certain zhamim can make naturally. “

“What is the culture like?” Pinan inquires. “It seems pretty wild to me.”

“Zhrakna is very individualistic and meritocratic” I reply plainly. “The culture of zhrakna positions itself as a bullwark against the kind of collectivism we left behind when the Louzho Empire fell centuries ago. The chaotic reputation that zhrakna has is not unwarranted. Many fans of zhrakna engage in zhrakki – frenetic dancing that follows the rhythm of the music. It’s also not uncommon to see bold accessories, band logos and even special tattoos among zhrakna fans.”

“Is there anything I should expect from the concert?” Pinan asks. “I don’t want to step on any toes.”

“Not really” I retort. “Zhrakna is a very welcoming culture. Just be yourself.”

“Okay” Pinan replies timidly.

On the day of the concert, I drive the four of us to the concert venue. As we arrive, we can all see crowds of people with band shirts and jackets pouring into the building from the parking lot. Seeing Pinan’s nervous yet excited expression makes the rest of us even more excited to listen to the bands here. There’s a part of me that thinks I need to offer consolation, I instead defer to Tana – who I suspect is more than just a friend to Pinan and this concert will likely show that even more.

The four of us take in the frenetic, powerful, anticipatory energy of the venue as the chaotic noise of the space begins to build within the space. With an unyielding intensity and enthusiasm, the zhrakna bands begin to play. The roar of the crowds and the rhythm of arms and feet join the chorus of sound on the stage. We all witness the power of live drums, synthetic sounds, folk textures, deep bass and fearsome, distorted, electrified strings. The virtuosity of their instruments and the penetrating, evocative sounds of passionate vocals of many types and styles are on full display.

Pinan and I watch as Bakna and Tana are drawn to the zhrakki at the front of the venue. Seeing the chaos and aggression of the crowd seems a bit shocking to him, but also entrancing to Pinan. Wanting Pinan to have a more full experience, and seeing a look of curiosity on his face, I gently nudge him towards the crowd and he makes his way over to the zhrakki near the bands playing.

Clearly feeling the power of the music and following the flow of the frenetic dancers, Pinan joins in – being welcomed like a young man on his first hunt. Tana seems a little nervous at the prospect, so he stays close behind Pinan. The two of them share big smiles as the primality of zhrakki sweeps over the venue – joined by a cacophony of extreme sound.

In the midst of the crowd emerges a particularly unruly dancer – more than a little drunk and quite disagreeable among an already chaotic group of people. This imposing, drunken male zarme pushes people nearby. The snaky jerk looks visibly irritated by the joy around him – particularly Pinan, who is smiling brighter than anyone. The olive scaled reptilian quietly yet firmly shoves Pinan – which draws the attention of those around him.

With a fiery look in his eyes, Tana draws nearer to Pinan. But just before he’s able to step in, to the surprise of everyone, Pinan jumps high and head-butts the zarme right in his short snout. As he stands there quite dazed, an amused, gargantuan, bearish male pokme male chucks the drunken zarme out of the zhrak pit and gives Pinan a high five as everyone gets back enjoying the zhrakna concert.

During a brief intermission, I notice that the drunken zarme is swiftly removed from the venue by security. Pinan, by contrast, is a picture of youthful joy and enthusiasm. He’s socializing with people at the venue and even exchanging data with other venue attendees.

Pinan and Tana approach Bakna and I. Pinan says, “Thanks for bringing me here. This has been a lot of fun. I’ll definitely have to do this again with you guys.”

“Not a problem” I reply joyfully. 

Tana says, “It was pretty zhrakte to take on that zarme like that. For someone who’s never been into zhrakna, you fit in here quite well, Pinan. ” Tana shows Pinan a bright and playful smirk. It definitely seems like Pinan’s enjoying all the attention.

“You really think so?” Pinan replies.

“Absolutely!” Tana says brightly. “You should definitely come with us again.”

“I think I will” Pinan says with a smile.

Bakna says, “The bands are about to start up again. Let’s all enjoy the rest of the concert, shall we?”

As the four of us watch the remaining bands, the frenzied energy maintains its strength and continues late into the night – exceeding our expectations and forming a lasting impression. After the concert is over, we reflect on the zhrakna music in my car on the ride home – with the same delight and excitement as Pinan’s first encounter with the scene – and I make sure that everyone makes it back to their homes safely before turning in myself for the night.