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Today was finally the day. You didn't know much of what there was to all this, having been raised by humans almost all your life. So'lek appeared to have no issue taking you under his wing; a mentor for you—though it seemed those feelings ran deeper than what was shown on the surface. As for the mission of today, you were set to finally acquire your first ikran.
So'lek did his due diligence in talking you through the steps prior to journeying the floating rocks that held a nest of the beasts. It seemed simple in words, but in execution? Now that, was a different story.
The adrenaline began to pump through your body, having been so high up and staring down this nest of ikrans, though So'lek remained near but not too close to you. Each step drew you closer
The ikran struggled against the bind around its maw, thrashing and attempting to break free from the headlock you managed to secure it in. There was some sense of panic, as you weren't entirely sure on what to do next while you remained straddled to the beast's neck. So'lek watched for a moment, holding out hope that you knew what to do, but your hesitation said otherwise.
"Sarentu!" He called out, making you look in the direction of where he was. "Secure the bond!"
That's when it clicked inside of your brain. With the panic dissolving and confidence securing your body, you grabbed at the braided end of your hair, bringing it immediately to where the connection point was with the ikran. Strand intertwined as though it were meant to be, thoughts and even feelings becoming one. The beast seemed to calm down, no longer struggling against the binding around its maw. You gently removed it, rubbing at the beast. So'lek looked at you with pride but admiration, too, carefully approaching you with a subtle smile; he didn't want you to grown an ego prior to your first flight.
"Good," So'lek praised as he approached you, seeing as you mounted the ikran properly. "Now go, fly. First flight seals the bond."
"I thought I already—?"
"Matters not, Sarentu. Go," So'lek ushered you, patting the ikran before stepping back.
You felt the beast jolt towards the cliff's edge—moving with your thoughts—and you took the reins, hesitating. You looked at So'lek, as if needing more confirmation and approval than he had already given; a mere beckon from him solidified that. The ikran you rode bolted off of the edge, you and beast uncoordinated in an unpracticed dance, twirling and tumbling through the air. Although you couldn't hear it, So'lek let out a soft laugh at the inexperience from you before finding Ìley, and mounting his own.
With heightened sense, you reeled yourself into a focus state, taking control on the spiraling you engaged with your newly bonded ikran. You tugged at the reins, stabilizing yourself as So'lek and Ìley zipped past you both, a flash of a smile on his face catching your gaze. Eventually, though, your ikran balanced out, finding a soothing and calm flight path. So'lek guided Ìley towards you, riding in tandem with you—that smile not wavering on his face. You didn't even know the last time you saw him in such high spirits, but not like you could complain one single bit.
This was nothing short of divine.
A cool breeze blew past you, the humidity of Pandora now faded away as the coolness of the night began to take over. Looking out to where the sun began to set, you felt So'lek presence approach from behind.
"Sarentu," he spoke softly, as though not to startle you—Ìley nuzzling your own ikran.
You turned to face him, feature softening. "So'lek."
A slight tug at one corner of his lips brought a fluttering warm feeling to your heart, causing the blood in your veins to become a gentle bastion to the cool air. So'lek raised a hand to your cheek, caressing it as those soft eyes looked into your own.
"You did good earlier," he praised in that same tone.
"Thank you," you whispered, nodding slightly before leaning into the gentle touch.
A beat passed by as you two simply looked at one another, foreheads now coming to rest against one another in the calmness. It felt as though the world slowed, the kiss that followed only made time feel as though it ceased to exist. Nothing was rushed about it, just as calm as the seas of this diverse planet. It was home. He was your home.