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“Stay down, Alma. You must rest.” A large hand pressed down onto her chest, keeping her back on the makeshift bed. She heard the soft hiss of his mask before he dropped it around his neck once more, So'lek's eyes never leaving her face.
“So'lek, I'm fine.” She didn't try to struggle against his palm, though, instead groaning. The pounding in her head was still there. That loud, thudding ache that worsened with every bit of light.
“You are not. Stay down.” So'lek huffed again, tail flicking slightly. He didn't let his hand move off her until Alma finally gave in, and he felt her fully relax. “That thing, it has done enough damage. You must not worsen it.”
He shifted off the blanket nest he'd made, propelling himself on his palms to the other side of the portable habitat. So'lek double checked that all the windows were fully covered up, before fetching a damp flannnel and moving back over. His bioluminescent spots glittered as he moved, the only thing Alma could properly see to fully know where he was.
“This will help.” His low voice rumbled from his chest, a soothing sound before he placed the flannel over Alma's eyes. She let out a surprised yelp, not expecting the sudden cold, but once again didn't fight him too much.
“I can't see, So'lek.” She complained, one weak hand moving up to try and adjust it.
“You do not need to. You just need to rest. I'll handle everything else from here.”
After a short moment, Alma held her hand out for him, rustling the blankets as she shifted slightly. He leant down, pressing the side of his face into her palm.
“I wish I still had my avatar.” She said softly.
“We have managed without. We can continue to do so.” His voice was uncharacteristically soft, and he leant in closer. “I prefer you without it.”
“..you do?” Her other hand came up to rest on his face as well. Alma's thumbs softly rubbed the slightly rough skin, causing what almost sounded like a purr to come from the large na'vi.
“That false skin, you kept trying to pretend to be na'vi. Now there is no deception, I can see you for what you are. I like what you are.”
A heightened ability to see in the dark always came in handy, especially in times like now. His gaze glanced over her head and shoulders. The dark, textured hair that'd been peppering with grey, decorated with delicate beads he'd made himself. So’lek was quite proud of those, and even more so that he'd found the right ones to compliment her gorgeous earthy skin, every time he looked at her, all he thought about was home. Pandora. His own, walking, talking, silly little piece of the great mother, here, in his arms. And currently clearly needing a proper cuddle.
-
The cool air of sunset greeted his lungs when he finally got out of the habitat. Unfolding from the air lock and instantly stretching, muscles rippling under his skin. Alma was finally asleep, comfortably tucked up safe in his carefully made blanket pile.
So'lek could feel the claustrophobia leaving his body, his eyes scanning out of the shallow cave and to the camp below. The shattered remains of a valkerie left an ugly, dark scar in the lush field, which was now being surrounded by re-built tents. Small figures milling around down between the bright reds and oranges of the new tents told So'lek that celebrations were still ongoing. But since when did the zeswa stop to rest.
He stepped forwards some more, the soft grass beneath his feet putting an end to the uncomfortable itch the metal had provided. So'lek's large eyes flicked up, fixing on the darkening sky. An array of reds, pinks and oranges fading into a dark purple and blue. A clear night tonight, he could even see the other planets more clearly. What was it that Alma said? A gas giant. Well, it certainly was giant.
He chuckled to himself, before glancing around. The evening was quiet. Tonight, the skypeople had been allowed to go down into the camp, and many had respectfully taken that offer. It wasn't the games happening now, a united victory being hollared instead.
“So'lek.” The voice caused him to restrain a jump, and his head flicked around to look at Rinela. “What are you doing up here?”
So'lek let out a soft sigh, glancing back to the bright camp before turning to face Rinela. “I am watching.”
“Surely you'd have more fun taking part? The dance fighters miss you.” Rinela responded. Her head tilted slightly to the habitat that Alma sat in, the beads and feathers in her hair jingling before she looked back. “Ah.”
“She must rest. I will ensure that.”
“At the cost of your fun?”
“There is no cost, Rinela. I'm not as young as you.” So'lek's small smile eased what little tension there was. “I have fought today, I would like to spend some time in the quiet now. Do not let me stop you.”
Rinela let out a soft sigh, the unease on her face. He could see her question before she summoned the will to say it, the words practically echoing through her eyes.
“We do not see the same Alma.” So'lek said softly.
Rinela swallowed, opening her mouth to speak. “I.. I wish I could see who you do.”
“She does not deserve that from you, Rinela. Do not try to see her how I do, you'll merely betray yourself.”
“Did she ever.. tell you. About the moot?”
The question took him aback for a moment, So'lek had to take a second of consideration.
“I saw glimpses. A few times. But I didn't pry. It seemed to.. distress her.”
“..saw?”
So'lek's face flushed, and he coughed slightly. Rinela chose not to ask further.
He took a moment to calm himself, before speaking again. “She should not have hidden it from me, let alone you. You deserved your truth.”
“We have it now. And she has her's back.”
So'lek nodded, before patting Rinela's shoulder. “Come on now. No more dwelling on the past tonight. You must celebrate, I'm sure there are many children who'd love to listen to your new tales.”
She looked away, a slight smile finally gracing her face. “Oh they are not that interesting.”
“Don't be so humble, Rinela. Go on, enjoy yourself.” He gave her shoulder a slight squeeze and a pat, before letting go and standing back to watch the sky.
-
As the dark enveloped him fully, a nearby airlock hissed. His ears swivelled to the sound, and his shoulders slumped a little.
“Alma.. I told you to rest.” He said, turning to face her.
“I couldn't sleep.” She admitted, walking over to him. Alma wrapped her arms tightly over her chest, letting out a soft huff. “How do you never get cold?”
“I am a warrior. It is nothing but a slight chill.” So'lek chuckled, his tail wrapping tightly around her side to hold her to him.
“Oh you're warm..” Her head leant against his hip, a short huff leaving her nose and fogging up part of her mask for just a second.
“Stay as close as you like, Ma Alma.”
“Not like you'll let me go.”
“No, never. Not again. It was a mistake, allowing them the opportunity to capture you. And to know what they almost did..” His voice trailed off, a slight anger shaking it before he calmed himself again. “I couldn't right now.”
“I see you, So'lek.” Alma responded quietly. Her gaze locked onto his face, looking up at the na'vi. Pupils expanding ever so slightly as she watched him glance down.
“I see you, Alma.”
“Yeah, but I saw you first.” She pressed the glass of her mask to his leg, in some mock form of a kiss. His laugh bounced off the rock walls, his hands grabbing her and holding her in a close hug.
“No, I saw you first.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes really.” He finally leant in, pressing a strong but quick kiss to the glass. “I saw you all.”
So'lek eased himself to sit down, making sure that Alma was comfortably in his lap. He took off his large chest armour, just to ensure that she had a better place to rest her weary head than the countless dogtags.
Alma sat back with a sigh, the low pounding returning to her head once more.
“Yknow, I think that one is Earth. Home.” She said, pointing at one of the stars.
“Really? And what about that one?”