Chapter Text
You would think that with Kiri being a forest Na'vi, and Rotxo being a water Na'vi, the two would just clash together.
But as water meets land, who's to say they can't co-exist together?
As Kiri stopped at the edge where sand met water and began to wade in the ocean. Taking in the reef's marine life that swam near her feet, curious of her nature. She giggled when a small fish decided to swim around her leg and brush past her foot.
"Hello." She whispered, in awe of such a wonderful creature.
The ocean flourished with aquatic animals of all kinds, like the Ilu that she had gained as a great companion. Or the tulkun that Lo'ak had bonded with. Dare she say that she had a soft spot for these creatures? Maybe.
She took a deep breath and felt the brisk ocean air fill her lungs. Padded footsteps were heard and she turned to glance at them, laying eyes on a familiar Metkayina boy who had accompanied Aonung when they had first arrived here,
He didn't speak and just stood by her side, watching the shoreline like she was. Kiri liked the silence but, wanted to speak up about why he was there and what he wanted.
Almost reading her mind he spoke instead. "You seem content here." He uttered, and Kiri could almost sense his hesitance.
"I was. Until you arrived." The words left her mouth faster than she could say 'Eywa'.
"You don't like company?"
Silence.
"What's your name?" He asked, and she couldn't deny him the decency of being a good person.
"Kiri te Suli Kireysi'ite."
Her gaze was still locked on the horizon. Rotxo smiled, repeating her name to ensure it sounded right. “Kiri. It's nice.” He hummed, fingers lightly tapping his thighs.
Kiri could sense how awkward they both were and motioned for him to sit down before speaking up. “You don't have much friends, do you?”, She asked and he pondered on it before replying.
“When your only friend is the Chief's son, then no.” He admitted. She laughed and splashed the water. “So why me?.”
She was a little defeated when he shrugged and didn't give an answer but, she realized they were different. She was different. So, it was only fair that he was talking to her out of pity.
“You seem.. like a decent person. Someone I could talk to outside of Aonung.” Her ears perked up and he chuckled. “Don't get used to it, forest girl.”
Like she would give him the satisfaction.
She shifted against the sand, her bangs falling forward. “So, why are you friends with him?”
Silence hung heavy on his end. He didn't seem offended by the question but, it still made her feel uneasy. She wondered if she had crossed a line asking him that.
He sighed, finally finding the words to say, “Tonowari says I'm a good influence on him, that's why he's always with me, or I'm always with him. Aonung means good. It's his other friends that cloud his judgement.” Kiri agreed.
As those words rolled off the tip of his tongue, a group of voices were heard behind her and she sighed, frustrated that she knew exactly who it was and that she had to deal with them once again. Rotxo had whipped his head around, heat rushing to his face having been caught with her.
"Rotxo. Funny seeing you here with... this freak." A deep laughter sounded from Aonung and the facially challenged rats that accompanied him. "You shouldn't be around this thing, Rotxo, it's going to infest you." His little friends snickered, and Kiri so badly wanted to punch him across the face.
"Aw, it's getting mad, look at it." Aonung shoved her shoulder back, again Kiri remained leveled headed. For now.
What Rotxo didn't want to do is force himself between the two and have to pick sides. What he also didn't want to do is stand there and do nothing, because as it look to him, Kiri was about to hit him.
"Do you not speak, freak?" This time Rion, the boy who had slapped Lo'ak with his tail had come forward, pushing her back.
Due to the momentum of the push, Kiri had time to wind up before closing her hand into a fist before swinging and socking him right in the nose. He staggered back, groaning into his hands as his friends sat him down.
Aonung hissed, baring his not so fully formed fangs in an attempt to sway her. Kiri did nothing but laugh at his feeble display of dominance.
“Watch yourself, freak.” The Metkayina boy stalked forward so, they were face to face.
“Yeah? Or what? You gonna hit me?.”
He hissed, threateningly as a way to show he was in control. Kiri didn't think so and huffed because, at this point he was just being annoying.
“Aonung, that's enough. Go home and clear your head.” Rotxo encouraged him. Aonung growled low in his throat, only listening to what Rotxo had to say and sauntering off towards his marui.
Rotxo sighed. Always the one to make peace with everyone when it came to Aonung.
“Glad to see you had my back.” Kiri spoke, sarcasm dripping like venom from her tongue.
“Wait- no, I-I didn't mean to let it go that far. I'm sorry..” The girl rolled her eyes and was already walking back to the village.
Leaving a very sorry Rotxo by himself. He grunted kicking up the sand, for once he was finally making a name for himself, outside of just being 'Aonung's friend.' The one time he finally gets to make friends with someone who isn't a Metkayina, of course he messes it up.
Now, he's back to square one.
Maybe he'll have another go tomorrow. He walked back to his pod, dodging small children and trying to avoid having to talk to anyone. Right now he just wanted to sleep. He made it back to his marui.
No one lived here but him. He guessed it was better that way. Usually he'd sleep over at Aonung's, but tonight wasn't the night for that.
As he rolled out his mat, and let his eyes wander over the stars, he wonders why he can't have simple things, but Rotxo guessed simple things don't come to those who wait. He rolled over and let his eyes close.
Tomorrow will be better. He's sure of it.
He drifts to sleep with a certain forest girl on his mind.