Chapter Text
Sitting crossed legged Alue’k giggled as she played with Tonôwa who was rolling around on his back.
He was playfully snapping and chirping as he enjoyed every moment that a smile stayed on her face. She giggled again and brought Tonôwa close to her chest cuddling him into him. He basked in her warmth and hoped they could stay like that forever but he knew it would never happen.
Now Tonôwa may only be a viper wolf but he was a dam smart one (… and extremely lazy). He noticed as soon as they reached the Metkayinas village Awa'atlu that Alue’k held him a little tighter, she would startle easier and she would ever so slowly inch away from the sea whenever she came to close to the shore for her liking.
Tonôwa couldn’t blame her, who could? Almost drowning at the age of six was traumatic … there’s not better way to put it.
Alue’k remembers it vividly.
She’ll forever remember the feeling of her lungs burning as she desperately tried to claw her way to the surface, how she flailed her arms around hoping someone, anyone would notice her in the water.
Alue’k will never be able to forget the way black spots started to blur into her vision as she slowly started to lose the strength to fight and just wanted to let go. She was so tired.
Jake will never forget the way he yanked her out of the water, laying her on the ground and how he shook as he desperately tried to resuscitate his daughter. His baby girl.
Neytiri will never be able to forget how she froze and couldn’t do anything but cry and beg Awa not to take her sweet daughter away from her. Begged Awa not to let her suffer another loss as she hopelessly tried to grasp at her daughters small hand, looking for any sights of life.
Neteyam will never forget watching Alue’k slip and fall a seven ft drop into the water and the sound her body made when it crashed into the river below them. Then comforting Kiri and Lo’ak as they all cried while watching their father try to revive their sister.
Lo’ak and Kiri will never be able to forget their mothers cries to Awa for help and mercy.
Lo’ak will never shake the image of his little sisters body being slightly pail and completely still as Jake tried to get her to breathe.
Kiri try’s to forget and for the most part she has but the memory lingers, like a word someone has spoke but immediately regretted.
Tuk? She was only one, only a baby. She had stayed with her grandmother while her parent ran to help their child, she didn’t know what was going on.
All she can remember is when her parents came home, her mother eyes full of tears as her father carried a very weak Alue’k back into their hut.
That was seven years ago and it still had an affect on the second youngest of the Sully family.
Ever since the … ever since, Alue’k has had a terrible fear of being submerged in water. Any time it would happen she would quickly be sent into a panic, clawing at her arms and throat as it felt like she was drowning all over again.
For now Alue’k was just enjoying her time with Tonôwa. She didn’t hate the water she was just … scared, so as she played with the surprisingly energetic viper wolf she watched as the sun glistened on the waters surface reflecting itself making it appear as if it was shining or glowing light.
Alue’k laid back in the sand laying her head on her crossed arms, closing her eyes and just enjoying being able sit with her best friend. Tonôwa soon joined in laying down, the extra exertion truly tuckering him out as he panted while sitting beside her.
She closed her eyes and smiled while basking in the light of the setting sun. Alue’k dismissed the thought of having to be back at the pod as it was nearly eclipse. It would be ok if she was a little late.
However her peace was soon interrupted by a group of older rowdy Metkayina boys. Out-Fucking-Standing she thought, she just wanted some dam peace.
The group soon circled her as she sighed, groaning as she sat up. Alue’k turned to who seemed like the leader and rolled her eyes at him.
Alue’k - You want somthing?
You could practically taste annoyance that laced her tone as she picked up Tonôwa, his chest started to rumble in small low growls. In an attempt to ease his worry she dragged one of her hands along his back in a comforting motion as she dead-stared the leader of the group.
The boys laughed among themselves as they started to mock her.
Rakle - We we’re just wondering what a tree hugger is doing in our home.
Alue’k raised her brow “tree hugger” really is that the best they’ve got?
Leweop - Yeah! Who do you think you are? You demon half blood, you .. you insult to Awa! Go back to the jungle, where you and your freak family belong.
Ah there’s the half liniage insults, she was wondering when the dipshits would mention that.
Alue’k sighed, she was to tired for this shit. She drew her free hand down her face and shut her eyes wishing to Awa that they would just leave her alone.
Another boy, a slightly smaller one (still taller than her) spoke up trying to join in on the insults. He points a her hand, the one she drew across her face not a moment ago and now is instantly regretting it.
Mek - See! See! Five finders she is a demon, she should go back to her home with her demon father and freak sister!
… Alue’ks patience was warring thin but she tried to remember the promise she made to her father about staying out of trouble. Alue’k glared a the boy but turned to walk away hoping if she left it would deescalate the situation and she could just go home and rest.
Alue’k was roughly pushed back into the centre of the circle by one of the boys, she stumbled out of surprise catching herself last minute.
She didn’t expect this to get physical.
Alue’k sighed for what felt like the millionth time as she tried to leave but once again was forcefully pushed back, this time she wasn’t as lucky and landed on her ass.
She let go of Tonôwa who stood protectively at her feet once he was let on the ground. Alue’k stood and faced Rakel giving him an unimpressed look as she dusted the sand off her legs.
Rakel smirked.
Rakel - Got somthing to say, demon?
Alue’k snarled, she didn’t mean to. She didn’t want to start something but it slipped from her throat. Her face contorted from one of annoyance to anger as she stomped towards him.
Alue’k - You know what, yeah fish-face, I do have something to say. Gather you merry band of assholes and leave me the fuck alone!
All the boys did was snigger as Rakel only took a moment to wipe the shocked look of his face. He didn’t think she would fight back, but now. It was gunna be so much more fun.
Rakel - You want us to leave you alone?
Alue’k nodded but she knew it wouldn’t be as easy as that, she wasn’t that naive.
Rakel - You haven’t even swam yet! So how can we accept you into our home when you won’t even touch the water. What, do you think your to good to swim in the sea?
Alue’k backed up at the mention of swimming … of water. She didn’t want to go in the sea. She curled her arms into herself as she tried to shrink away from the enclosing group.
The boys laughed at her pathetic display, one of them tugged on her braid whilst another pulled at her arms. Rakel watched in amusement as Alue’k continued to enclose on herself, she wanted to fight back so much … she just didn’t want to disappoint her dad.
Tonôwa, threatened by the enclosing boys had started to snarl and hiss in warning.
Rakel smiled, enjoying the show. That was until he grew bored and then he wanted the real fun to start.
Rakel - Grab her!
At the command several of the boys lunged forward trying to grab at Alue’k as she thrashed around. Tonôwa growled and bit at the boys feet only to be harshly kicked away by Mek.Tonôwa whimpered as he tried to get up but collapsed under himself.
Alue’k eyes welled with tears of anger as she flailed and clawed at the boys trying to get to her friend. However her struggling came to a stop when Leweop punched her as she was franticly trying to escape.
She hit the ground, hard.
After a few moment she was in somebody’s arms and she was being carried closer to the water. Rakel called his ilu and took the drifting girl in his arms as the rode further out into the reef.
Alue’k was more or less unconscious for the most part of the ride but she could feel the change in temperature and the felling of her legs being dragged through the water. She could hear what was going on around her as the boys laughed and she could feel the stabbing pain on the side of her face she just couldn’t react to it.
Alue’k had started to gain consciousness and this was made known to the boys who had been waiting by her groans of pain as the right side of her face had already started to swell and bruise. That’ll be fun to explain to her parents later … if there is even a later.
Panics quickly set in as she realised how far out into the reef they were, there is no way she’d be able to get back to shore on her own from here. She stars to toss and turn but Rakel held her still and leans close to her ear.
Rakel - You want to be one of us, you’ll never make it as an Omaticaya.
He moved away from her and grabbed her shoulder, tossing her into the dark waters of the reef.
Rakel shared a laugh with his friends thinking the girl would just swim back to shore on her own … how wrong he was. The group of boys rode away on their ilus returning home not long after eclipse had started.
They said goodbye and headed their separate ways, not knowing the damage they have just done.