Chapter Text
The sound of waves crashing on the roots that held up the living quarters and chattering of the Metkayina clan kept yn awake. She must get up anyways, she had things to do, but lately it was just so hard to get up. Either way, she did what she must and slowly got her way up to stand on her feet. Letting out a deep sigh before going to a small container and pulling out one of the several land flowers she had collected in the box. It was not often she went deep enough on land to get any of the flowers, but when she did she enjoyed their color and uniqueness to the plantlife under the water in the reef.
She swiped a hand through her curly hair before putting the flower securely in place in the locs and behind her ear. After giving her head a small shake to insure the flower was safely locked in its spot she then grabbed her necklace. A large mix of twined seaweed, shells, scales, and other plants that covered down to her breasts. After finding herself to be worthy of being seen by the public she grabbed a netted bag and attached it to the waist loop of her loincloth. As this was the easiest way to collect things under the water without them floating off or water getting caught on the container and slowing her down.
Once she was all settled she left her living quarters, and headed towards the end of the dock. Giving a small and awkward wave to her father she saw in the distance talking with Tonowari, the leader of the Metkayina tribe. But he paid her no mind, making her quickly look around to see if anyone noticed the embarrassing act before putting her hand down and sitting on the edge of the dock to slide into the water. All while the others around her leaped in head first, she just felt it was too early to be all jumpy. She whistled and called for nearby and unoccupied Ilu to her, carefully climbing onto its back and connecting their queues together.
Caressing the creatures head as it gave a little shake at the connection. Once all situated she pushed the creature forwards, taking a breath before they breached the waters surface and went under. She led it to a far corner of the reef that bordered the more dangerous open ocean, as this was the one spot in the reef that she was able to safely collect a good amount of Dapophet, a plant that the leaves could be used to help heal cuts and lacerations. Once close enough she disconnected her queue from the Ilu and began to pick the leaves from the plant and put them in the net bag on her waist. It only took a few minutes for the bag to fill due to the fact the leaves were a fairly large size.
Once the bag was filled she cinched the opening of the bag closed and got atop her Ilu once again, riding it to the dock before climbing on top of it and going to a basket putting a majority of the leaves inside before heading back to her living quarters she shared with her father and putting the one leaf into a basket that had several other plants in it. She likes to keep a small collection of healing and helping plants and herbs in a close proximity in case anything was to happen in an emergency where she had to treat it that moment before the Tsahik, Ronal, was able to reach them. As she was leaving she saw her tribe beginning to gather in the water and on the dock, staring at several colorful ikran flying in over the reef barriers. She could not help but join them, pushing into the front middle of the crowd. Staring in awe of the colorful flying creatures.
One of the tribes men blew a shell horn to gain everyones attention as the ikran came closer, the tribe all yipping and whooping in response to the calls of the na’vi flying on the creatures. As they all landed on the bank she couldnt help but stare at the creatures, quickly jerking her gaze away as once of them made eye contact with her. She ran with the crowd as they all headed towards the group of na’vi dismounting. Watching a grown female help off a much younger na’vi girl, while two young males and one young female dismounted, along with a grown male. She couldnt help herself but to do as the others, staring at the na’vi who were adorned in much different type of clothing patterns, and built very differently than her own clan.
Their tails looked so thin and fragile, like one wave would rip it from their bodies, while their arms didnt look very much different from their tails. Several of the tribes men came in, surrounding the group from all sides, more with an objective to watch and observe than to intimidate them all. The woman grabbed the younger girls hand as they all approached the tribe who slowed to a walk, meeting them in the middle with soem safety distance between them. These were strangers who obviously have weapons and loyal but dangerous creatures at their beck and call. The man held his arms out, showing he was no threat and had no hidden weapons on him.
The crowd cleared as Roxto and Aonung walked to the front to see, I swallowed a pit of nervousness in my throat at the sight of Aonungs expression, he didnt look to amused or happy about the strangers. Clearly, As he ignored the peaceful gesture both the young boys made towards them, instead laughing as Roxto mocked the boys tails, along with the rest of the tribe. Tsireya joined the na’vi on the bank and quickly sent a smack to both the boys stomachs for mocking the strangers, displeased with their rude greeting. One of the strange boys looked to her and greeted her, in response she giggled and looked away as Tonowari approached on a skimwing, along with two of the other tribes men, once inclduing yn’s father. Tonwari dismounted and approached the group, bowing his head and gave a polite greeting, the male na’vi doing the same.
Tonowari addressed the man as Jake Sully, while the rest of the group gave the same polite greeting. The crowd cleared once again as Ronal approached, the group quick to greet her as well, all while she nervously eyed the group in confusion. Yn’s eyed furrowed as Jake said he came for sanctuary for his family, while Tonowari also seemed puzzled, explaining that reef people and forest people can not live easily together from a lack of skills. Worried at this Jake quickly assured they could learn, they just needed somewhere safe. While Ronal began to look and circle the group, critizing their tails, and arms, eventually earning gasps from the tribe as she revealed that some of the children had 5 fingers, showing they were not full na’vi.
A few of the tribes people hissing as they showed more of the children who displayed five fingers instead of the natural 4, all while the boy whose hand she held up on display shamefully looked down to the ground. With a quickness Jake Sully held his hand, showing he also had 5 fingers, explaining he used to be one of the skypeople. My eyes narrowed, how in the hell did he manage to be na’vi now. The adult woman began to speak how her husband had saved her tribe, while Ronal disputed it, as they were using strangers for safety instead of their own tribe. The two beginning to hiss and snarl at each other before Jake interrupted by apologizing for the woman.
Tonowari looked towards his wife as to get her opinion and say in the matter of uturu, all while the tribe looked around anxiously. With a nod from Ronal, he turned to the rest of his people, announcing that the strangers shall stay with us from now on, and they much be treated as our own, but must be trained as new babies must to learn to live with us. As he says this, with a look to yn’s father who gestured her to come stand with Aonung and Tsireya, he says that they will train the stranger children. In a bit of surprise she blinked and looked to her dad with a slight agape mouth and nervous expression.
“These three will teach your children the important skills you need to be one of us. Free-diving, gathering, taming, and the such.” Tonowari said.
Tsireya, in excitement, spoke, “Come! I will show you the village.” before quickly bouncing off to the shelters and community above the water with the strangers all following.
As the tribe began to all go back to their prior duties yn stared for a moment at the sand in amazement that she would be chosen. But it did make sense as her father was one of Tonowaris most trusted brothers. She ran a frustrated hand over and face before grunting and stomping off back to her living quarters. Aonung looking to Roxto before watching her leave in frustration adn displeasement, laughing before momentarily mocking hers stomps. Before noticing during the mocking he had stomped on the flower from yn’s hair that came loose from the water and waves she was in earlier combined with the aggressive face rubbing that did.
Aonung winced before picking it up, before quicking hiding the expressions dn laughing. Showing the crumbled plant to Roxto who also laughed before beginning to head abc into the water. Aonung dropped his joyful expression and put the plant into a pocket on the inside of his loincloth and following after Roxto back into the water.