Chapter Text
If there was one word that defined Lay'ti, according to her own conception of how she saw herself, it was confusion. First, she had a huge responsibility since she was a child, but the day she would assume that responsibility, no matter how much she grew up and was older now, it seemed to never come. Growing up dealing with that idea confused her.
Second, every young Omaticaya had to become a hunter to be part of the people effectively. Though well schooled by one of the best warriors and hunters in the tribe, she had barely survived her ritual in the Hallelujah Mountains. She had scars on her arm from her ikran bites to prove it. It had been a fight she didn’t think she would survive, but here she was, alive, part of the people, truly, even if she wasn’t the most prodigious of hunters.
What made Lay'ti feel really useful was cooking and learning how to be tsahik directly from Mo'at, whom she greatly admired, the two had created a strong connection since Lay'ti was just a child, for more than a reason.
The young woman remembered seeing the confused Olo'eyktan, looking at her, and at the boy beside her, his son. A ten-year-old Neteyam, silent, as embarrassed as she was. Glancing up, she saw Jake staring at her parents.
-You must forgive me for what I’m going to say, but that seems strange, forced to me - he said with all possible caution - she’s just a child, they’re children, it seems unfair to me to take that decision out of their lives.
-Ma'Jake, it’s tradition, for them it would be an honor to be part of our family, and I feel that this is Eywa’s will - Neytiri, the leader’s wife tried to appease him, explaining as best she could - if it comforts you in some way, they can grow together, let’s make sure that at least a friendship exists between the two, so that when the moment of union comes, it will be more pleasant for both of them.
Not having much to go on, Jake just nodded, finishing making the deal with Mignah and Tupi, Lay'ti’s parents. The girl in question was confused.
She looked at Neteyam one last time lostly, not having much idea what was going on, leaving with her parents.
-What happened? Why was Olo'eyktan so angry with us? she wanted to know as she reached her own familiar space.
-He wasn’t angry with you, it’s just that since he didn’t grow up as a Na'vi it’s difficult to understand our customs - her mother explained, as gently as possible.
-I hope this doesn’t happen again - her father murmured, worried - but the deal is done, that’s what matters.
-What deal? What’s happening? - the girl wanted to know.
-My little Lay'ti, listen to me carefully - Tupi bent down to her height, stroking her hair - our family has been blessed, you will be the wife of an Olo'eyktan one day, tsahik of the Omaticaya people, when Neteyam is leader.
-You mean I’m going to marry him? But I don’t even know him well, I know who he is, but he’s not my friend - Lay'ti protested, processing as much as her 9 year old mind could understand of the whole situation.
-You have the same concerns as the Olo'eyktan, now I understand - her mother smiled, understanding - for that, my dear, you’ll have to be friends with Neteyam, it’s good that you’re together, to get to know each other better.
-I understand - Lay'ti lowered her head, still processing what all this could mean.
Her child’s mind simplified everything to one simple thing, she would be friends with Neteyam now.
It wasn’t hard to sympathize with the Sully children, for one thing, they weren’t boring at all, with their up and down games, competitions and teasing each other that was quite amusing. Neteyam made a point of including her in the group, he always called her to play, told how he was becoming a better fisherman with his father’s lessons, about the things he found interesting about the sky people. Thus, Lay'ti grew up with the Sully children being her friends, and especially, the oldest of them, as a fulfillment of the mission that had been given to her.
The biggest confusion Lay'ti had witnessed so far had started on an ordinary day.
-Hey! Good Morning! - Neteyam took her out of her chores, separating some herbs she had picked earlier.
-Good morning, I see you, how are you? - She looked at him quickly, waiting for his answer, ready to hear it.
-I’m okay, I’m going hunting, I intend to catch a huge yarik and after that, ask you a favor - he proposed in a noble way, without seeming provocative, as Lo'ak always was, it was one of the things that Lay'ti admired on the eldest.
-You can ask, if I can do it for you - she smiled, waiting for him to complete his idea.
-I’ll bring the meat straight to you, you can leave a separate part for me, I mean, for us - he explained himself, looking slightly embarrassed - you know I love your spice.
-Oh, really? All this because of that? - Lay'ti i ended up laughing and patting him on the arm - y'all say I cook well and all, but really, an Omaticaya who isn’t that good a hunter is a bit of a shame, don’t you think?
-Don’t worry - Neteyam clicked his tongue and shook his head - you’re good at other things, which are also important for our people, and don’t worry, tsahiks have occupations more similar to the ones you already do.
The mention of her future position made both of them shiver in the brief moment. It was common for him to joke about what made him nervous, to use humor to deal with difficult things, but the truth is that he found the engagement arranged between them embarrassing. He knew that one day he would have to get married, but losing the right to choose who he wanted before he could even do that was confusing, strange. When that kind of rebuttal filled his head, Neteyam made a point of recalling what had become a mantra since he had become fully aware of the situation.
“You were born to be Olo'eyktan, it is tradition that your wife is chosen from an early age, this is your duty as the future leader of the Omaticaya”. After all that seriousness, he added a thought of relief like “you could marry someone far worse than Lay'ti, at least she’s nice.”
After recapitulating all of that, he sighed, returning to the present moment.
-Yes, I think so - Lay'ti replied quietly, with her own reservations about the matter - I think you’d better go soon, I don’t want to have to cook your yerik so late, good luck on the hunt.
-Thank you-he thanked and giving his intended one last greeting, turned his back on her, ready to face what was to come in the forest that he loved so much.