Chapter Text
In the human year 2154, a miracle happened. The preserved body of Grace’s avatar started showing signs of early pregnancy- and after a few quick tests, this theory was confirmed.
The scientists were dumbfounded at first- debating and accusing of who the father could be.
Nobody ever saw Grace be interested in any romantic prospect, many had assumed she simply had no such interest, that she preferred to be alone. That she was happy devoting her life to research and science and that a partner would only stand in her way.
But now there her Avatar floats- a pregnancy bump slowly forming on her stomach.
After the initial shock, Norm quickly informed Jake Sully and Neytiri. Both he and Jake saw Grace as a friend and a mentor- they were both still grieving her death.
Jake also did not know who the father could be, the conception of this baby would be and stay a total mystery. Norm and Jake talked about it together often, theorizing who Grace could have had time to see. If their calculations were correct this baby was created around the time the worst of the Pandorian war happened- when hometree was already destroyed. It was just not possible that Grace would have had the time to form a bond with any of the Na’vi.
So they stopped talking about how it happened and more about what is going to happen now. Jake felt strongly about adopting the baby into his own family, they would be Na’vi they had to grow up around the other Na’vi. Not in the abandoned human city along with the scientist.
He could tell Norm was reluctant about this idea, the baby would be Grace’s child he felt it right that they would grow up in the environment their mother belonged in.
They fought about this for a while until Neytiri put her foot down- strongly. She threatened that forcing a na’vi child to grow up alongside the humans would isolate them from their culture and people, no matter how often they would visit. The relationship between the omatikaya clan and the remaining skypeople would worsen.
This scared the remaining scientists and humans- so Norm was forced to agree with Jake’s proposal. The child would be adopted into their family visiting the labs of her mother every so often.
In her 6th month of pregnancy, it was discovered Grace was bearing twin girls. However, no further discussion about the home of the babies started- Neytiri had properly scared everyone away from questioning the standing decision.
This all changed when the babies were born.
Kiri came first, a healthy na’vi girl immediately crying as only a newborn child could. Liyanin did not cry when she was born, she made no sound at all. After a few basic tests it was discovered she was alive and healthy- but simply asleep. Days passed and she did not wake up.
“She can’t go with you.”
“She deserves to be among her people.” Neytiri hissed.
“I’m- I’m not trying to disagree with you here- but she can’t stay alive without the machines, maybe a week at most.”
Neytiri hissed, clearly displeased by the idea of na’vi owing their life to human-made machines. Jake placed a hand on her shoulder, half to comfort her and half to encourage her to stay back. He turned around her his back now facing Norm and the group of scientists surrounding Liyanin’s bed.
He looked at her eyebrows raised, “He has a point Neytiri.” Jake said resigned.
Neytiri’s ears flattened back her eyes full of distress.
“Let Tsahìk see her.” She pleaded.
Jake turned around eyes seeking Norm’s asking with just a look if Liyanin would be healthy enough to be moved. Mo’at proved herself a wonderful grandmother but her distaste for humans prevented her from ever stepping foot into the abandoned human city. It would be bad luck for her to be around the settlement of skypeople she said. Neytiri always silently agreed with her.
Norm shook his head. “We don’t know what is wrong with her, moving her in this state is too great a risk.” He said looking anywhere but at Neytiri.
She hissed again and Jake tightened his hold on her shoulder. Frowning at her he spoke to Norm without looking away. “Give us a sec, we need to talk- alone.” He gently pulled his mate outside with him, Neytiri allowed this glaring at Norm and the other scientist the whole way out.
“Dear, we don’t have another choice.”
Neytiri stopped glaring at the door they just exited, deciding to scowl at Jake instead.
“You do not separate twins ma’Jake, it is not the na’vi way.” She hissed at him pointing an accusing finger at his chest. “To separate those born together is against the will of the Great Mother.”
“I don’t want them to separate either but I want her to die even less.” He boomed, raising his voice without meaning to.
Neytiri faltered, yes she and Jake fought sometimes but never like this- never about something so fundamental.
Jake watched her flinch and he sighed. “Neytiri,” He said softly, “when she wakes up I promise we will take her in- into our family where she belongs.”
Neytiri’s gaze was flickering never settling for a second as she let out a sigh through her nose. This was hard for her- every instinct in her body told her that this was wrong, that something was wrong. But she could not argue with Jake. If Liyanin could not sustain life without human machines there is nothing to be done.
Resigned she looked down, ears flattened in sadness this time instead of anger.
“Promise- Promise me you will visit her, check up on her.” Neytiri swallowed. “I don’t trust myself to come here and not take her where she belongs.”
Jake tilted his head his expression mirroring the one of his mate. “I promise,” he moved his arms around Neytiri embracing her repeating these two words as much for himself as for her.
“I promise.”
—
A few weeks passed and Liyanin did not wake up. But as time passed and tests were done more information about her condition came to light.
A DNA test was done but they could not find any matching pair, supporting the theory that it wasn't any of the avatars or humans. The father had to be a pure na’vi since they had no DNA information in their system of them. This theory still didn’t feel likely, Grace at the time she got pregnant did not of the time nor means to mate with another na’vi. Everyone simply accepted it as a mystery that could not be solved.
Norm knew when he promised the Sullys that Liyanin could not be moved that it was a guess at most. He also understood that Pandora almost had a supernatural quality about her and ever since uttering those words he could not help but test his promise.
So he tested in what capacity Liyanin really needed the human machines to survive. Were she a normal human baby he would not have done this, but not as much is known about na’vi biology. So he tested and tested, scratching that scientific itch in his brain.
He made sure to never endanger her life though, and he told the scientists as such. She was the child of Grace who was his friend and his mentor, he cared about her.
But the more he tested the more questions arose. She did not seem to need any of the machines to stay alive, she did not need substance or water.
It was like her body was in stasis like she wasn’t alive. But her heart was beating and she was breathing. They even did a brain scan on her and her brain was active too, showing the signs of REM sleep.
He wondered what she was dreaming about when she had not seen anything of the world yet. Did she dream of her mother's womb? Was she even awake for that?
With this information, Norm had to make an impossible decision.
Jake told them he would visit in a week, Norm had to think quickly. So he gathered his most trusted colleagues together and devised a meeting.
“We need to find out what this sleep is, the way she was born together is all too mysterious- we need answers.” One scientist started, having broken the dam of silence as multiple voices picked up speaking their own opinions.
“They will take her away- they don’t care what we have to say.”
“They don’t see her as one of us, even though Grace is her mother.”
“What do you think Grace would have wanted? She loved the Na’vi she would want her children to grow up with them.” A contrasting voice said, not fully convinced keeping this information for themself was right.
“She can’t grow up with them anyway when she is still asleep.” Another one said.
“We could at least have the Tsahìk have a look at her.” Someone thoughtfully added.
“And then what? They would never give her back we need answers first then she can join them. She can’t enjoy living with them anyway in this state.” Norm answered.
The scientists murmured silently agreeing with him.
“We have to keep this from Jake for now, knowing the bright minds among us it won’t take us long to reach answers.” One scientist with a booming voice decided, ending the discussion.
Max looked at Norm with a frown on his face, he wasn’t happy with these turns of event. If word ever came out that the humans lied to Jake and Neytiri about who is supposed to be their child… Let’s just say the consequences won’t be good.
Slowly a rift was forming between the scientists that stayed loyal to the Na’vi and the Omatikaya clan. Fueled by the fact that they were fundamentally different. The scientists wanting answers and not accepting mystery. Contrasting to the Na’vi accepting of all Eywa’s decisions even when they did not understand them.
And Liyanin was sleeping stuck between the two peacefully unaware of it all.