Chapter Text
He tossed and turned, unable to sleep. A low grunt left his lips as he sat up in frustration. He looked around and his family was in deep slumber, perhaps due to exhaustion from all of the water training they’ve done all day. He wished he could be the same, then at least he’d silence the sadness he felt from leaving his home.
Neteyam didn’t want to voice it out too much. He knew it was harder for his parents, especially for his mother whose whole life was the forest. He refused to burden the family with his emotions, so he suppressed them, like the responsible eldest son he always was.
He sighed, making his way out of their family pod. He didn’t know where he was going at this time of the night, but he just allowed his feet to keep going. Wherever he’d end up, he’d just make sure to find his way back again before the sun rises. Because tomorrow was another day to learn the ways of the Metkayina, to be one of them.
Neteyam uttered not a single word, and nothing but the sound of waves surrounded him. The breeze accompanied him as he walked, his hair flowing with the wind that the beads braided with them collided every now and then. He found the air relaxing, that every time he inhaled he felt like his lungs were being cleansed from how fresh it was.
Awa’atlu was indeed a very beautiful place, but Neteyam adored his clan’s forest more.
Neteyam found himself by the edge of the shore. Beside him stood the palm trees that formed the forest he has yet to explore. Thinking he had gone too far away from the village, Neteyam was about to turn and walk back, until he heard low humming come from his left, the parallel of the village’s front.
Curious, he carefully approached and followed the sound. The humming got louder as he got closer. And soon, a figure came into view in front of him. It was a silhouette of a Metkayina na’vi, waist deep within the water, staring into the vast ocean in front of her.
Neteyam hadn’t felt his eyes gape at the sight of her. She was undressed, nothing but her long hair covering parts no one but only her future mate should see. Her skin was wet and the freckles all around her body made her glow. This kind of scene should not be new to him, after all, he too had freckles that glowed in the dark. But for some reason, Neteyam seemed to be so mesmerized by her that he found it hard to look away. Only when her whispers of singing reached his ears once more did he realize that he was staring at this naked na’vi woman. He immediately turned away and hid behind a palm tree.
Neteyam’s cheek burned from embarrassment. Just what was he doing? But actually, what was she doing? At this time of the night while the rest of the clan was asleep, she was here apparently bathing at the opposite side of the village’s island. For someone who spends so much time in the water, this Metkayina woman had the thought of washing herself in the middle of the night - Neteyam found it a bit odd.
However, he stood still from his spot. He didn’t want to walk away; he was curious as to what she might be up to. This wasn’t weird, right? It’s not like he was watching her. He was simply… waiting.
A couple of minutes passed but nothing else happened. She continued doing whatever it was she was doing by the water, creating small splashing sounds here and there while humming another song different from the previous one. This whole time, Neteyam was leaning on the tree, staring at the sand and doing nothing. But he had to admit, instead of being bored out of his mind, he enjoyed his time listening to her voice.
Soon enough another gentle splash came from behind him, it sounded different from the ones before, indicating that she might be leaving the water. Neteyam felt a sudden wave of nervousness, worried she might find him. So without looking back, he quickly ran to the direction of the village, moving carefully to not alert her of his presence.
It had been long since then. Hours had passed and the sun had risen. Neteyam and his siblings were once again under the care of the olo’eyktan’s children to learn about Metkayina customs. Today, they were polishing their riding skills with ilus.
Tsireya and her brother were watching the Sullys from near the shore, both mounted on their ilu companions. Ao’nung spent most of the time snickering as he watched Lo’ak fail over and over, and Tsireya would smack him to make him stop. She flashes a gentle smile to Lo’ak when he peeks to look in her direction, and he nods at her trying to appear cool before getting thrown off once more for losing focus. She giggled, Lo’ak appeared very cute to her.
Tsireya shifted her eyes to the others. Kiri and Tuk, who were accompanied by Ao’nung’s friend, Rotxo, seemed to be doing better than their brother. Tsireya noticed how Kiri appeared to be a natural at everything they have taught them so far, and she thinks it may be because of the special kind of connection Kiri had with nature. But Tsireya didn’t comment on it any further, she had only met them yesterday.
Meanwhile, Neteyam was alone on the far right of the group. Tsireya noted how Neteyam was quick to adapt and learn, and that it wasn’t difficult to teach him. Compared to his brother, Neteyam took things slow at first and it made him grasp the idea of riding the ilus easily.
Tsireya hadn’t missed how distracted Neteyam looked today. He was paused above the water, staring at it in deep thought as he held his ilu in place. Tsireya wondered if something was wrong, so she motioned her ilu to swim to Neteyam’s direction.
“Hey, Neteyam.” She said to catch his attention.
The said man lightly jolted before turning to her. “Oh, Tsireya, hey.”
Her brows furrowed in worry. “Is everything alright, Neteyam? It seems like you are unable to concentrate today.”
Neteyam’s cheeks flushed. “I am okay, Tsireya. There is no need to worry.”
She hummed, still not convinced. “Well, alright. But if there is anything we can help you with, let us know.” She turned to swim away. But before she could get farther, Neteyam called her.
“Actually, Tsireya, there is something that’s been on my mind for hours now.” He started. “But you must not let anyone know.”
Curious, Tsireya went closer to him. “What is it?”
He let out a deep breath before shooting her eyes a serious look. “Last night as I was taking a walk by the shore, I came across a woman who was alone at the opposite side of the village.”
Tsireya pulled away in shock and interest. “Metkayina? What was she doing?”
Neteyam nodded then gestured for her to lean closer again. He whispered, “She was bathing, I think.”
“Bathing? That is strange.” She tilted her head in confusion. “Did you approach her?”
Neteyam shook his head. “No. I could not bring myself to interrupt her. She was undressed after all. How would she react if a man came to her while in such a state?”
Tsireya nodded in thought, agreeing to what he said. “You are right. Did you see what she looked like?”
Neteyam sighed. “No, but I listened to her sing.” He spoke. “She has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard. Her tone almost made me fall asleep from how relaxed I was, you see. And her skin,” He sighed once again, “Tsireya, I had only caught a glimpse of it because I had to turn away. But I could not forget how divine she looked around the glow of the bioluminescence surrounding her.”
Tsireya couldn’t hide the smirk that was growing from her lips as she listened to him talk. When she didn’t respond, Neteyam turned away in embarrassment when he realized what he was saying. Tsireya covered her lips and giggled. “So, you have developed a crush on this woman you saw last night. Is that it, Neteyam?”
“Be quiet, Tsireya! The others might hear you.” He scouted the surroundings and saw that everyone else was still busy with their training. “But… I don’t know for sure. I told you because I don’t know what she looks like, and I am hoping that you might know who she is.”
Tsireya shook her head. “I am sorry, Neteyam. I do not know who you are talking about.”
A slight frown becomes visible on his face. Neteyam’s shoulders dropped in defeat. “Oh. That’s okay.”
“But hey, do not worry.” She placed a hand on his arm as a gesture to comfort him. “I will help you look for her. There is not anyone in this village I am not familiar with. Perhaps with more details, we can figure out who she is.”
Neteyam gives her a small smile. “Thank you, Tsireya.”
She smiles back.
Loud laughter from everyone else in the group interrupted their conversation - Lo’ak had fallen off his ilu once again because Ao’nung had taunted him. Tsireya and Neteyam exchanged looks before heading to the commotion.
Tsireya enjoyed spending time with the Sullys. She thought they were a very fun bunch. When they arrived, her days became something she started to look more forward to.
Because she believed this arrangement would be permanent from now on, she thought it would be important for an acquaintance of hers to be introduced to the Sullys as well. It would happen eventually anyway since they would become fellow clan members soon.
Also, Tsireya believed this acquaintance of hers would be a great addition to the Sullys’ circle, especially from all the trouble her brother and his friends were bringing them. Tsireya was sure that a kind and open-minded na’vi would make her new friends feel more welcome. That, and she needed another capable hand to help teach the Sullys better.
“Sister, are you here?” Tsireya peeked inside the marui of her friend.
You turned your head to her direction, away from the new top you were working on. A smile appears on your face when you see your friend. “Tsireya, it is nice to see you.”