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Pandora, Thursday, December 25th 2155.
“I don’t get why sky people put so much importance in this Christmas,” Neytiri said as the group walked through the jungle. Tsu’tey looked up at the sun shining through the canopy, it certainly didn’t feel like a special day. Yet Norm had suggested they have a private dinner together to celebrate the occasion. Tsu’tey had been somewhat lukewarm to the idea. While he was fine with his mate’s human eccentricities, meals should be eaten communally with the entire clan gathered together, not a private ceremony between mates. He was therefore surprised when Jake was enthusiastic about the idea and had added himself and Neytiri in the event .
Now they were walking to what the clan was calling the embassy where Norm and any visiting avatar and humans were based. Even if Norm’s avatar slept beside him at Hometree most of the time. It was becoming a pretty well worn path now, especially with the way humans disturbed the ground. Tsu’tey idly readjusted one of the lanterns they’d set up along the path that had been knocked by a passing animal. “It's not a celebration of a physical event like when Naranawm is closest to us. It's more a celebration of a physical event. The birth of this guy called Jesus Christ thousands of years ago,” Jake tried to explain again, scratching the side of his head.
“Yes I understand now, ancestor worship. This Jesus Christ was a great ancestor of many sky people?”
“Not really.” Jake seemed almost embarrassed at the possibility. “No, for a lot of people he was the son of god, the creator of the universe. Who then died for man’s sins, was resurrected and returned to heaven.”
“That seems unlikely. How can a god have a son?” Tsu’tey pointed out. He had never understood the concept of heaven when Norm had explained it to him. A place after death outside of Eywa and the world seemed an undesirable fate.
“It all gets a bit philosophical. Jesus is actually part of the same god being as the Father and then there is the holy ghost,” Jake admitted.
“It seems like sky people have overly complicated beliefs,” Neytiri observed.
“Yeah I suppose we do.” Jake paused as he referred to himself as a sky person, human, Tsu’tey caught himself making the same mistake. “Eywa is a lot simpler when you think about it.”
Finally they crested the top of a rise and were in visual sight of the embassy. The base had certainly mellowed into the jungle a bit since the early days. The sentry turrets that they had barely needed to use with the repellants had been turned off and partly stripped for spares and the chain link fence was becoming overgrown with plant life. It was also festooned with na’vi markings and decoration. It was all about creating a safe and relaxing space for na’vi human interaction. Inside was the metal shack, a storage area and a second building that was a mix of workshop, school and meeting place. It was a mix of na’vi and human techniques and materials. The first na’vi home with plugs, Norm had joked, though Tsu’tey hadn’t gotten it.
In front of the new building a large table and chairs had been set up with na’vi sized plates, eating implements and large folded squares of paper called napkins. Humans used them to keep food off their body, Tsu’tey could never see the point in wasting so much material effort on such a minor issue but that summed up so much of what humans did. Hopefully one day the people would be able to make them see the error of their ways. He’d done so much with Norm in so little time. “Ah there you are,” a familiar voice said.
Tsu’tey turned to see Norm, his mate, stepping out of the new building. He’d changed a lot in the last year, barefoot now comfortable with the jungle floor, his hair was now braided in a long fine na’vi styled ponytail, his body adorned with traditional decoration and symbols of status and wearing a short loincloth he was the very model of a na’vi. “Going for a hybrid look?” Jake asked, pointing to the human tank top, the only thing that was out of place on Norm.
“Let’s just say bare flesh and hot oil don’t go together well,” Norm explained.
“I suppose I can overlook such a logical relapse,” Tsu’tey said, coming over and hugging Norm for a second. It was a private joke between them whenever Norm used human clothing or technology.
Jake turned to look at the table “Must say you’ve really gone all out on this,” he observed. “It really feels like a Christmas dinner back home.”
“Well that was the idea. Afraid there are no crackers, no way of scaling them up to our size. Don’t tell me you’re getting a little homesick?” Norm replied.
“No Norm, this is my home now. Though this is bringing back some good memories.” Jake ran his hand across the table cloth clearly lost in thought.
“If you needed crackers we could have bought some from Hometree,” Neytiri said.
“I’m afraid this is one of those homonym situations again,” Norm explained to her with a smile.
“Yeah in this case crackers are cardboard tubes with an explosive snap in them containing trinkets,” Jake finished for him.
“But what for?” Tsu’tey asked, already expecting the answer.
“It's a human thing,” Norm said after a moment's thought. His usual response when the reason would take too long to explain.
He turned to check something in the building where it appeared that he’d set up a small kitchen. “We’ve got a little time before the meal is ready. Do we want to do the present swapping now or after?” he asked.
“Before,” Jake replied before anyone else could answer. Norm looked around for any objections and found none.
They moved to the meeting spot, a mix of na’vi mats and human cushions where they could sit easily. “We did bring the gifts, right?” Jake jokely asked, pausing for a second.
“Of course we did,” Neytiri said, pulling a wrapped object from her waist. Tsu’tey did the same, holding up a small package. It had been agreed that they would only give gifts to their own mates.
“This is a strange experience for me. To give a gift not in recognition of an achievement or status but purely for gratification is an odd concept to me,” Neytiri commented, saying out loud what Tsu’tey also felt.
“Oh come. I seem to remember the justification for you giving me this was kind of flimsy,” Jake interjected, pulling on an armband.
“Perhaps. But I still do not get why gift giving is so important to humans. And how does Santa Claus tie into your Jesus Christ.”
“Oh god you told her about Santa?” Norm asked incredulously.
“Well yeah, I thought it was a good way to explain the idea to her,” Jake explained.
“Well there's another bit of cultural contamination you’ve caused. Not that it really matters anymore.”
“So what is the connection?” Tsu’tey asked.
“There isn’t one really. Back on Earth giving presents is one of the main ways people can show affection to those they love. With Christmas being the big event at the end of the year Santa Claus allows them to channel that desire in a ceremonial way, especially for the kids,” Norm explained.
“Oh. Why didn’t you just explain it like that,” Neytiri said. Jake and Norm looked at each other for a moment and shrugged.
Just as they were about to begin, their presents in front of them Jake paused. “There should really be a tree,” he said.
“Oh will you stop it,” Norm protested.
“There are many trees around here,” Tsu’tey pointed out.
“I don’t mean like that,” Jake tried to explain as Norm burst out laughing. “You know what sod it let's just do it,” he continued, deciding it wasn’t worth explaining. “I’ll go first, show you how this is done.”
“You are olo'eyktan,” Tsu’tey said in acceptance.
“Alright, here is mine to you,” Jake said, pushing his present to Neytiri.
She took the package and examined the wrapping, feeling the object inside. “Go on, open it” Jake said.
“Such wrapping is a waste,” she observed and started tearing away the leaf wrap.
“Yeah but it's part of the tradition,” Jake explained as Neytiri revealed her gift. It was a collection of green and gold chips of some kind. As Neytiri unfurled the object Tsu’tey leaned forward to get a better look and realised that it was a necklace made of fragments of human electronic devices and computers with long strands flowing off the central cord. “I tried to replicate that purple one you had. There are so many wrecks around the tree of souls it wasn’t too hard to find the parts,” Jake explained.
“An intriguing idea. You must have worked hard on this,” Neytiri commented, brining it up close to her eye to examine Jake’s handiwork.
“It was quite a learning experience though I did get some help from a couple of the weavers.”
“I thought so, I see Ayiay'’s technique in it.”
Neytiri casually reached down and pulled off her current necklace to try on the new necklace. Norm coughed and turned his head slightly to avoid looking at her bare breasts. Tsu’tey never got why humans had so many hang ups about stuff like that. Even Jake’s eyes flicked away for a second as Tsu’tey simply watched Neytiri finish adjusting the necklace. “What do you think?” she asked the group.
“Stunning,” Jake responded. Norm gave it a thumbs up while Tsu’tey just smiled.
“It is a good gift,” Neytiri leaned over and kissed Jake on the mouth. Tsu’tey slid his hand towards Norm’s hand and held it.
Jake broke the kiss and pulled back for a bit. “Good, you enjoy it so much,” he said, taking a fresh breath. “So what about mine?” he cheekily. Neytiri looked at him disapprovingly.
“Still acting like a child, it's always about yourself,” she scolded and then smiled. “He is your present.” she handed up a tightly wrapped bundle of fibers and cloth. Jake took the bundle and unwrapped it revealing a layer of hardened leather, the kind that bounces arrows and spears unless you aim right. Further exploration revealed a woven pouch behind the leather with one end forming a flap over it. “It’s a bag for that tablet thing you like to use,” she explained.
“That's actually a pretty useful gift,” Jake noted, pulling out the tablet computer he had started carrying around recently. “Always been worried about dropping and damaging it. Now I’ll have no fear about flying with it,” he added as he slid the device snuggly into the bag and attached it to the band of his loincloth, clearly Neytiri had been subtly taking measurements.
“Great! Looks like my present is going to be the odd one out,” Norm complained as he watched Jake give Neytiri a hug. He reached behind a bag and pulled out a cardboard box. “Here is my present to you Tsu’tey,” he said, offering the box. Tsu’tey took the box and opened it by tearing off the top. Inside was a small yellow and black plastic object.
“What is it?” he asked, pulling the object from the box. While it was clearly of human manufacturing it felt like it fitted into a na’vi or avatar hand.
“It's a comms unit. You’ve always been complaining about not being able to reach me, well now you can.” Tsu’tey looked a bit reticent about the idea.
“I know you’re a bit hesitant about using human tech,” Jake reassured him, pulling out his similar device. “I tried to totally stop using them when I was permanently in this body but they are just so useful.” Tsu’tey was
“I will have to experience it,” Tsu’tey said, showing gratitude for Norm’s sake but still not convinced. While they might have advantages the na’vi could not become dependent on human technology, that was still unacceptable. But then again it would be nice to be able to talk to Norm when he was back at the main human base without having to travel there himself.
Jake looked at everyone examining their presents. “Just Norm to go. What have you got for your mate Tsu’tey?” he asked. Neytiri and Norm turned to stare at Tsu'tey expectantly. Tsu’tey grimaced, he had spent a lot longer than he’d like to admit trying to decide what to give Norm. He’d struggled before with giving gifts to Norm, being both a human and na’vi meant some of the most common gifts mattered little to him. Then it had come to him in a flash of inspiration.
“I have it here, ” he said and handed over the small bundle of cloth to Norm. Norm gingerly started unwrapping the cloth until he realised the cloth was the gift itself. He unfurled it, revealing it to be a na’vi loincloth in miniature. Norm was puzzled for a second before he realised what was so special about it. It was human sized. “I felt it was time that you brought a little of your na’vi side into your human one,” Tsu’tey explained. Norm looked at the loincloth again as if he wasn’t quite sure what to think while Jake was clearly repressing a laugh. “It isn’t unacceptable?” Tsu’tey added with growing concern.
“No, its fine. Normally giving your husband underwear for Christmas is considered a pretty lame gift,” Norm explained, trying not to laugh himself. “But I think I can forgive you on this occasion.” He grinned and leaned over to kiss Tsu’tey on the cheek, slowly pushing him back into the ground.
There was a harsh electronic beeping from the kitchen. “Shit just as we were getting started,” Norm muttered as he bounced up, checking the time. “Alright people, dinner is ready. Can everyone please sit at the table,” he said as he raced back to tend to the food. Tsu’tey sighed and got up. What was the point of spending time with your mate and friends if things got in the way. Jake, Neytiri and him walked over to the table and sat down. Tsu’tey fidgetted a bit as they waited. Sitting on a chair was still a strange experience to him and while he understood the concept of eating food off a solid surface it never sat well with him. It felt unnatural, still he’d gotten used to so many new concepts because of Norm so he’d tolerate this one.
After several minutes of activity Norm hurried out carrying several bowls of what Tsu’tey assumed were cooked vegetables. He barely had time to examine them before Norm returned carrying a large tray of things that smelt like meat. “And here it is. Grade A moulded artificial turkey meat with executive level skin texturing,” he explained, serving out one of the objects to each of them.
“What is it?” Neytiri asked, staring at the one in front of her. Tsu’tey resisted the urge to poke at his one. It kind of looked like a two armed fkio but a lot smaller.
“Its lab grown meat but turkey is a flightless bird back on earth. It's heavily associated with Christmas due to complicated reasons,” Norm explained.
“No way RDA was serving this for everyone. Even when we were kids these things came as a blob,” Jake commented.
“Nah, we found them in a box in the freezer reserved for the senior staff.”
Tsu’tey picked up his knife and sliced into his turkey to examine its strange white flesh that split easily. “It’s a little... small,” he commented. The animal must have been easy to hunt and kill.
“Well it is human sized. For my other body one of these would go between four of us. Please take some roast potatoes,” Norm explained, picking up a bowl of round golden things and offering them to Tsu’tey.
“Speaking of which, are these safe for all of us to eat?” Jake asked, pausing from scooping veg onto his plate.
“We did a check, it should be safe to eat, though there might be some indigestion,” Norm admitted.
“So what are these roast potatoes?” Tsu’tey asked, scooping up several of the golden round things with a spoon. He curiously cut through the hardened surface to reveal a soft fluffy white interior.
“They’re an earth root vegetable with the skin peeled off and roasted in oil. These are carrots and parsnips, both also root vegetables and the green things are called brussel sprouts, ” Norm explained, pointing to the various bowls of veg.
“A real feast,” Jake commented, taking some for his own plate.
“I’ve even made gravy. Think of it as a sauce,” Norm added, tapping a flute that was gently steaming. Tsu’tey gingery reached for it and poured a dark brown starchy sauce over a section of the meat and potatoes. Unsure that he would actually like it, Tsu'tey left it as that.
Everyone waited until everyone else’s plate was filled before starting to eat. Tsu’tey cut off a piece of the turkey and put it into his mouth. “Well what do you think?” Norm asked, his own fork paused half way to his mouth. Tsu’tey crewed the meat slowly, getting a grip on the strange alien taste and texture he was experiencing.
“Interesting,” he replied eventually, swallowing his food. “Doesn’t taste like fkio, in truth it doesn’t taste much like anything at all really. But the texture is a novelty.”
“Yep, that's what turkey tastes like.” Norm grinned as if this was something to be proud of. Why like something that has no taste? “How is it for you Jake?” he added as Jake took a bite.
“It's just not the same,” Jake replied, sounding rather disappointed. “It doesn’t feel any different yet at the same time something just off about it in a way I can’t describe.”
“Remember you are using an entirely different set of taste buds,” Norm pointed out, finally taking his own bite. “Though I see what you mean,” he added after a moment’s consideration, also looking a bit crestfallen.
“Well we at least tried to replicate christmas, pity we couldn’t get it quite right” Jake said, taking another bite.
“True I think we did our best. And if you don’t want any more I can always eat it in my human body.”
“No need to rub it in. What do you think, Neytiri?” Jake asked.
“I like these potato things,” she replied, popping another into her mouth. Tsu’tey followed her lead, they had a nice crunch to their skin followed by the soft crumbly interior. They definitely had more impact than the meat.
“At least you are enjoying it and that’s what matters,” Jake said.
Seemingly content that everyone was happy with the meal there were several minutes of silence as they ate. Tsu’tey enjoyed the chunks of orange carrot while disliking the soft limp texture of the brussel sprouts. He found that the gravy went well with the potatoes. “So how are things back at Hell’s Gate? Are our visitors keeping the peace?” Jake asked, breaking the unofficial silence.
“Yeah things are getting pretty friendly actually. They’re having their own Christmas party about now I believe.”
“Not thinking of joining them?”
“I’ve made my excuses.”
“How is Hale doing?”
“Hale is Hale. She’s busy these days just keeping the place going. The only spot of bother is Metzer. He’s still certain that those survey flights are reconnaissance for a future base if RDA returns in force,” Norm replied, putting down his fork.
“What do you think?”
“I mean they could be. But I still can’t imagine they would be that blatant about it,”
“We can’t exactly blame them. They probably don’t even know about it themselves and are just following orders from Earth. Still it’s inevitable that they will attempt to return.”
“Yeah we’re logging where they go but there are so many possibilities.”
“Good, though we shouldn’t talk business at a time like this,” Jake pointed out, turning to look at Neytiri. “This is family time.”
Eventually people had finished their food and even Tsu’tey after several extra helping were beginning to tire. “So, what's for afters?” Jake asked as Tsu’tey finally lowered his fork.
“Christmas pudding,” Norm replied. There is more Tsu’tey realised internally? No wonder humans are so out of shape if they eat like this all the time.
“For real? We’re not talking synth-pud here?” Jake asked in amazement.
“Again senior staff stores but this ones a big one. Should just be enough for all of us,” Norm replied, getting up from his chair to collect the plates.
“More food? Do humans always eat like this?” Neytiri asked.
“Not all the time but be thankful that we didn’t have a starter as well,” Jake replied.
“How are they not spherical?” Tsu’tey asked.
“Back home some were, those that could afford to eat of course,” Jake replied.
“Afford to eat? Surely they could have simply foraged food for themselves?” Neytiri pointed out. Jake looked down at the table as if remembering bad thoughts.
“If you don’t count the dumpster there is no way to get food in the cities without spending money and it’s not much better outside either. You would probably never understand,” he replied. Neytiri put his hand in hers, clearly sorry for dredging up sad memories of his past. Tsu’tey shuddered, Norm’s stories and VR simulations were bad enough.
“Alright! Here comes the pudding!” Norm said, breaking the melancholy moment, coming out of the kitchen with a large dark mound on a plate. Tsu’tey looked at it as Norm set it down. While the mound was gently steaming it didn't exactly look appetising. “It's a kind of cake,” Norm added seeing Tsu’tey’s expression.
“Like Grace gave us at school,” Neytiri added.
“I remember,” Tsu’tey replied. He also remembered them being small and crunchy, unlike this one that looked soft and squelchy. Norm picked up a bottle of alcohol and doused the pudding before preparing a match.
“You haven’t seen the best part yet,” he said and lowered the match onto the pudding.
A small flame appeared, very slowly starting to spread out across the pudding. “Are we supposed to be waiting for something?” Tsu’tey asked as Norm stared at the pudding in confusion.
“I think someone forgot that the air is different here,” Jake pointed out, laughing at the situation.
“Dammit your right. First time having one of these things and really wanted to do it how they did it in the olden days,” Norm said, looking crestfallen.
“You shouldn't try to make it perfect. You’re already making it special,” Tsu’tey observed. Norm always tried to be perfect to his own detriment.
“I suppose so. Ok everyone, a new tradition. Blow on the giant candle to celebrate,” Norm said. Everyone leaned forward and, on Norm's signal, blew out of the flame.
Norm used a knife to slice into the pudding and place portions into bowls. “This isn’t finger food so use a spoon,” he warned Tsu’tey as he gave his bowl to him. Tsu’tey scowled for a second, Norm was always insistent that they eat food like this in a certain way. What was wrong with using your hands sometimes. Still he did as he was asked, finding the unfamiliar soft nature of the pudding difficult to manipulate. Neytiri did the same and popped her spoonful of pudding into her mouth. Almost instantly her face contorted like she was about to gag.
“What's wrong?” Jake asked in alarm as Neytiri withdrew the spoon from her mouth, and coughed.
“The taste,” she muttered, gasping for air and reaching for a glass of water. Tsu’tey stared down at his own spoon with alarm before bravely taking the contents. He had to see what had caused Neytiri to reach like that.
For a second the pudding was not unpleasant, most and enjoyable like a certain kind of fruit and then an overpowering taste of sweetness that cloying into his teeth hit him, his face puckering up as he resisted the subconscious urge to spit the mouthful.
“It's not inedible is it?” Norm asked, looking at him with concern.
“It's so sweet,” he tried to explain but found he didn’t have the words to describe it. Jake gingerly had a bite himself and hissed a bit as he did so.
“Oh that's harsh,” he muttered. Norm finally took a bit and made a similar reaction.
“Must be some kind of reaction to the high sugar and fat content. Na’vi diet never has this amount and clearly one of our taste buds doesn’t like it,” he said. Jake took another bite before dropping his spoon.
“Yeah if we’re going to make this a regular thing we are going to have to explore na’vi alternatives,” he suggested.
“We’ll have to. No way we’re making another of these,” Norm pointed out. Neytiri gingerly spooned another helping.
“You don’t have to eat it if you can’t handle it,” Jake said.
“I think I manage if I take it slowly,” she replied and took a tiny bite and moaned slightly. Jake did the same and took a small bite.
Eventually everyone was able to consume their pudding, Norm advised against another slice, and everyone returned to the seating area to sit back and digest their food, enjoying each other's company. Jake and Neytiri took their time to take in the subtle decorations around the camp, every single one with their own story. “So what are your plans for next year?” Norm asked eventually. “I know that Pandora’s actual new year is still a while away but you know what I mean.”
“Beyond running the clan?” Jake joked and put his hand on Neytiri’s knee. “We are thinking of another child,” he admitted.
“Neteyam not enough?,” Norm asked. Tsu’tey closed his eyes and tried not to remember that Neteyam could have been his child. He’d made peace with that now.
“I’ll admit that he’s been a bit of a struggle at times. Having Mo’at take him off our hands for a bit is a relief” Jake admitted, snuggling up to wrap his arm around Neytiri.
“But us na’vi like large families,” Neytiri explained, smiling and rubbing against Jake.
“Yeah you can’t argue with your lady. So what about you two?”
“Not sure really,” Norm admitted.
“Continue to develop your skills as a hunter,” Tsu’tey declared, taking hold of Norm’s hand. “Might even get you up to a hunt leader.” Norm protested the mere possibility but Tsu’tey knew he had it in him.
“Not thinking of transferring?” Jake asked. Norm froze for a second.
“Not yet. Still think I can balance these two lives,” he replied after a moment’s thought.
“Good for you,” Jake said, smiling, clearly realising that he’d struck a nerve.
There was some more idle conversation, Jake floated the idea of bringing over the humans to hometree to experience the closed na’vi version of Christmas, the start of a new yearly cycle. “Probably not advisable. Polyphemus is pretty close around that period. Radiation level might be too high. Might even have to miss it in this body,” Norm warned, pointing up at the shape of Naranawm rising in the sky.
“That would be a great disappointment,” Tsu’tey commented. Mates were an important part of the new cycle festivals.
“Believe me I know but it's better safe than sorry.” Norm patted Tsu’tey’s hand. “You wouldn’t want to lose me forever to radiation sickness now would you?” he asked.
“No, that would be a greater tragedy,” Tsu’tey admitted. He’d already lost too much.
“Speaking of Naranawm. It will start getting dark soon. We better make our way back,” Jake pointed out, rising to his feet. At this time of year Naranawm rising was a sign that evening was coming. Neytiri had told Tsu’tey it had taken months for Jake to read time from the sky, Norm was still struggling. Everyone got to their feet as Jake and Neytiri prepared to leave.
“It's been wonderful having you over and doing this,” Norm replied.
“Yeah, a real nostalgia hit of being human again, sort of. Anyway, will you be coming back to hometree with us?”
“No, I will stay here tonight,” Tsu’tey said, putting his hand on Norm’s shoulder. “Though if I remember correctly we’ll be back at hometree tomorrow.”
“Then over to Hell’s Gate the night after,” Norm added.
“You like your traveling,” Jake commented.
“There are na’vi clans that spend all their lives on the move. We can manage a little travel,” Tsu’tey said.
“I believe you. Anyway, see you around you two.” Jake and Neytiri waved as they walked out beyond the wire and disappeared into the jungle.
Norm breathed out a long sigh of relief, his whole body seeming to deflate. “I'm thankful that that's over,” he commented as he started to clear up the table.
“I thought you liked it?” Tsu’tey asked as he tried to help.
“Expression of speech. I love it but not having to play host anymore is still a relief.” Norm separated the leftover food into several bowls and put them on a human sized table next to the link shack. “Mind if I log off and get this stuff in the fridge?” he asked.
“Go right ahead.” With that Norm walked over to a camp bed and mattress and lay down, closing his eyes. After a few seconds that characteristic stillness crept into his body, signifying to Tsu’tey that Norm was no longer in that body.
After a few seconds the door to the shack opened and Norm walked out, adjusting his exopack slightly. “Man, all this stuff is going to feed me for a month,” he observed as she started carrying the food into the shack.
“It is good that it does not go to waste,” Tsu’tey commented.
“Tell me about it, dining on leftovers is one of the great things about christmas.” Norm swung the hatch to the shack closed.
Tsu’tey turned away from the shack and laid down in the seating area. He stretched his back, puring slightly as he felt his muscles relax. He meditated for a while, letting himself become one with the sounds of the jungle all around him. His sensitive ears heard the sound of the shack’s door being slowly pushed open. “Well what do you think?” Norm asked suddenly.
Tsu’tey turned his head and froze in surprise. Norm was standing at the top of the steps to the link shack dressed in the loincloth he had made. The fit of the loincloth needed adjustment, Norm’s human frame was weak and slightly overweight compared to his avatar body, the consequence of spending hours lying down, and his skin was marked by different levels of exposure to the sun, the exopack strapped across his back was distracting. On anyone else it would have looked ridiculous, and yet and yet. “I see a na’vi before me,” Tsu’tey replied, never saying a truer word.
“You don’t need to flatter me,” Norm said as he walked down the stairs, shifting his bare feet on the cold metral. “I thought I’d wait until we were alone before trying it on. I’d be mortified showing things off in front of Jake and Neytiri.”
“You’re okay doing it on your other body,” Tsu’tey pointed out, pointing to where Norm’s avatar body was lying.
“Yeah but in that body everyone around me is wearing the same thing. In this body it's a little bit different, you feel out of place.”
“Sounds like we need to get everyone in the base wearing them. Perhaps we can spin it as a cultural exchange.”
“Yeah I doubt we can get them to do it.”
Norm came over and snuggled down in Tsu’tey’s lap between his legs. “So what happens now?” Tsu’tey asked, putting his hands around Norm.
“Well usually at this point everyone would spend the rest of the night relaxing slumped on the couch in front of the tv.”
“But we don’t have a tv,” Tsu’tey teased.
“True but I can set up a projector. There are a couple of movies I’d love you to see.” Norm stopped and Tsu’tey shifted his hands to Norm’s hips.
“I was thinking of another way to relax,” he said, a suggestive tone in his voice.
“Oh,” Norm replied, almost blushing as he smiled. “Well in that case we can do that.” Tsu’tey leaned down and kissed Norm’s face mask.
“After all, isn't being together what this day is supposed to be about?” he asked as he and Norm got down to a long evening of relaxation.