Lament

“So how is it, mon?” Nezzi asked.
“Delicious.” Windhorn said. “Spicy, but delicious.”
“Glad ya be likin’ it.” Nezzi said proudly.
“Marri, ya be needin’ new cloths.” Slenga said.
“What be wrong wit’ de clodes I ‘ave?” Marri asked.
“Dey be worn out.” Slenga said. “I make ya new ones,”
“Don’ trouble yaself.” Marri said.
“No trouble.” Slenga said. “I be needin’ de practice anyway.”
“But...” Marri protested.
“No buts, sista. Ya be gettin’ new armor.” Slenga said and went over to a chest in the corner. She got out some leather, thread, needles, and some other materials and sat back down. “Besides, I be able ta be makin’ ya some armor betta den de armor ya be wearing.”
Marri sighed and didn’t protest further.
“I’m really interested in your culture. Can you tell me a bit about it?” Windhorn asked.
“Marri didn tell ya about us?” Slenga asked as she got started on the armor.
“We’ve not been traveling together long, and I didn’t ask.
“Well... whacha be wantin’ ta know?” Nezzi asked.
“Well, anything. Your religion, your customs, your rituals, your hierarchy.”
“Our religion be spirit worship. Shamanistic.” Slenga said.
“Hierarchy has changed since de clans all went deir separate ways. Before, de fadda be de head of de family. Even when his children grow and have demselves children, he still be in charge. Entire family stay togeda, mon. All in de same house. Boys bring deir wives, girls leave to go wit’ deir husbans family. Den he die, his oldest son become de head of de family.” Nezzi said. “It not be like dat now. When a boy get married, dey move out on dier own. Many move out before dey get married. I live on me own for some time now, mon. Me parents ‘ave not even met Slenga.”
“Do your people still practice voodoo?” Windhorn asked.
The three trolls glanced at each other, hesitant as to if they should answer. They all knew the stigmas associated with voodoo. “Yeah, mon.” Marri said. “Some do. Not everyone. Most Shamanistic. Like your people. But dere be some.”
“We can introduce ya to a witch doctor if ya like?” Nezzi offered. “He be a good man.”
“That would be great.” Windhorn said. “What about cannibalism? Do your people still do that?”
“No, mon.” Slenga said. “We gave dat up, long ago.”
“Some tribes still do. It become more and more rare dough.”
“Me tribe still practice it.” Marri sad.
“De do?” Slenga said, surprised.
“Why?” Windhorn asked.
“Tradition.” Marri said. “It be part of de funeral rituals of me tribe. When de die, we eat dem. Everyone have a piece. Den, dey live on in us forever. When we die, we get eaten and we live on in dem as do everyone we have eaten.”
“Some tribes won’t eat troll, but do eat deir enemies. People still call dat canablism, even dough dey not be eatin’ our own.” Nezzi said.
“Fascinating.” Windhorn said, genuinely interested.
“Marri?” Came a call from outside.
Marri jumped to her feet. “Dat be Erot’.” She said and rushed out. She waved cheerfully. “Erot’! Ova ‘ere!”
Eroth walked over and followed Marri into the house.
Slenga, Nezzi and Windhorn stood. Eroth smiled at them.
“Slenga, Nezzi, dis be Erot’.” Marri said.
“Eroth.” He corrected.
“Dat be what I said.” Marri protested. “Erot’ dis be me sista Slenga. I tell ya ‘bout ‘er before. An’ dis be ‘er future ‘usband, Nezzi.”
“A pleasure to meet you both.” Eroth said.
“Nice ta finally meet you, Eroth.” Slenga said.
“An honor.” Nezzi said. “Please. Eat. We ‘ave lots.”
“Thank you.” Eroth said and they sat down. “When is the wedding?”
“Tomorrow.” Slenga said.
“I didn’ know it be so soon.” Marri said.
Slenga nodded. “Please say ya be stayin’”
“We wouldn’t miss it.” Eroth said. “Tell me miss Slenga. Do troll wedding ceremonies have any stipulations against double weddings?”
“No, not dat I know of, mon.” She said. “Why?”
“I thought it might be a good time for Marri and me to get married as well.” Eroth said casually taking a bite of the gumbo.
Marri gasped and stared at him. Slenga broke into a large grin. “Ya didn’t tell me ‘e proposed, Marri.”
“’e ‘adn’t.” Marri said breathlessly.
“Unless you don’t want to.” Eroth said, hesitantly. “I thought a traditional Troll wedding would please you, my love.”
Marri calmly took the gumbo away from him and set it beside her. Moments later she had tackled Eroth in a tight hug. “YES!” She cried as they fell to the ground.
He smiled. “Good.” He said and ran his hand over her braids. “Now... what do we have to do?”
Slenga smiled again. “Nezzi will ‘elp ya get ready.” She said. “I ‘elp Marri.”
“Alright.” Eroth said. Windhorn just smiled silently as he watched them.