Chapter Text
Twins were a rare thing on Pandora.
So when Neytiri and Jake learned their firstborn were actually two, they were overjoyed. However the happiness was cut short not too long after the babies (a son and daughter) were born. The boy cried at the top of his longs, squirming around energetically for a newborn and clinging to his parents' fingers and palms. But despite the noise, all of the attention was on the other baby girl. She was quiet, not making any sound. Not even the sound of a small breath of air.
"What is wrong?! Give me my daughter!" Neytiri cried as she held the boy. Watching Jake hover over their daughter in a frenzied panic.
"S-She— she isn't-" Jake's eyes widened in horror, as he saw the little girl just- laying there limply.
"Give her to me!" Mo'at commanded, the Tsahik quickly took her. The older woman stood up, leaving the marui to tend to the newborn baby girl.
"What's wrong with her?!" "I don't know baby-"
Their son's cries slowly subsided it seemed like even the baby boy could sense something was wrong. After what seemed like eternity, Mo'at finally returned with the baby girl, she was finally moving. But nowhere near the vigor of her twin brother. Her chest rose and fell weakly, as she let out weak cries. Mo'at handed her over to Neytiri and Jake.
"Her soul is strong, but her body is weak. This one will need some looking after." Mo'at said seriously, as Jake cradled the baby girl in his arms, small and pale. Perhaps this situation was genetic. Growing up Jake was always stronger than Tommy. But then again, this situation seemed different.
"I'll make sure to." Jake said firmly, like a promise.
Mo'at nodded, as she stared at her daughter and grandson, and then at her son-in-law and granddaughter. "Do you know what to name them?" She asked.
"The boy will be Neteyam." Neytiri said firmly, they didn't really discuss names, but happy wife happy life. She looked at Jake, it seemed fair to her if she could name the boy Jake could name their girl.
Jake paused, staring at the little girl in his arms, each breath she took felt like a small burden lifting off his shoulders. Oel Ngati Kameie, I see you. And right now all Jake could see was his daughter, so why not a name similar to that? Jake paused for a moment, before finally speaking again.
"Ymeie."
Growing up sickly on Pandora was horrible.
Ymeie watched enviously from the family tent. The sound of artificial air coming from the breathing tube she wore in her nose attached to a sky people machine her mother seemed to have personal beef with. The seven year old peeked as she watched her siblings and Spider run around playing. She watched in awe as Neteyam was already able to swing from branch to branch. Just as elegantly and quickly as their mama. It made Ymeie upset, they were twins, yet Neteyam was so much luckier than her. Their dad always took him on hunting and exploring. But all Jake ever did with her was fill her hands and mouth with medicine and make sure the dumb machine was working properly. It was even worse at night when she had to wear a mask that completely covered her mouth AND nose. It was heavy and uncomfortable too.
Not fair.
"What is wrong?" Neytiri asked from the other side of the tent. Looking at her little daughter worriedly.
"It's not fair…" Ymeie mumbled, "Mama I want to play with them!"
Neytiri's brows furrowed, what child would not want to play with her siblings? But it was very unsafe, last time Ymeie managed to sneak out with Kiri and Lo'ak she was coughing and wheezing on the forest floor and was bedridden for days.
"You know you cannot my girl." Neytiri said placatingly, "Come here, mama will show you something."
Ymeie was very focused on sulking, but at the promise of something possibly interesting, she grabbed the little breathing box and walked over. Sitting down with her mother and tilting her head. Her mother had a small leather pouch in her hands. And poured the contents into a wooden bowl. Inside were pretty polished beads, some wood and some crystal or rocks. Ymeie's ears twitched at the sight of them, tilting her head.
"You can play with these, mama will teach you how to make pretty things. You can have fun inside too." Neytiri said in a way reserved for her children, as she tucked a few strands of hair behind Ymeie's ears.
"Like bracelets? Or necklaces?" Ymeie asked wondrously as Neytiri nodded.
Neytiri grabbed some thread and then a small needle, before starting to explain, "First you thread it like this…"
Life went by slowly, Ymeie slowly got better as she aged. She no longer had the air knocked out her lungs at some running and only required the manual breathing machine when sleeping. But despite being older her tsakarem rights were given to Kiri after an accident during a ceremony (she was bedridden for quite a while after that). The role of Tsahik was not a role for the weak after all. But despite all of that Ymeie wasn't upset. She spent her times making things for her and her siblings. Which were mostly accessories but occasionally small trinkets like toys (but those mostly went to Tuktirey). She was very proud of them, her grandmother praised her and spoke of how she would be the best in the clan one day.
Var’ro was alright, he was loud but alright at first. Her mother (and reluctant father) arranged the betrothal when she was ten. Var’ro was the younger brother of one of her father’s best warriors, naturally strong yet unrestrained from a young age unlike her weak countenance and lack of temper. Their families thought it would be a good balance. Mostly their mothers actually. But at least Var’ro treated her well, he did his best to be gentle (but mostly failed).
Soon during her day to day life she relied on a special plant her grandmother discovered. They were small pink flower bulbs filled with air. According to her father it was "just like an inhaler" (whatever that was-). But Ymeie liked them very much, as they were easy to carry and allowed her to spend lots of time with her siblings. Though most the time Neteyam would coddle her and prevent her from any roughhousing. In fact most people did that. Not just most people everyone did. She was a sickly flower. Nothing she could do about it.
Of course her life changed drastically when she was fifteen.
——
Ymeie was woken up from her nap by her youngest sister's loud voice. She groaned softly, a small headache already coming from the loud noise. As her sister yelled and yelled:
"They're coming! They're coming! Ymeie! Kiri! Spider! The war party's coming back! Come on, come on!"
That woke up Ymeie, her chest filling with worry. Hopefully they weren't too hurt (but knowing Lo'ak he would probably come back with a wounds).
"Come on, lets go-" Kiri said, helping Ymeie get up. As the human boy followed after Tuk. Eventually they reached the entrance, Ymeie felt relieved when she saw her parents and brothers. Her parents looked fine but Neteyam was bleeding quite a bit from a few deep scratches. Lo'ak looked guilty like always, she could hear her father already scolding them both. A tone he never used with her, but she feared just as much. However she loved her brother very much and rushed over with Kiri.
"I let you two geniuses fly a mission and you disobey direct orders!" Jake scowled at the two boys. Ymeie glanced at Lo'ak worriedly, he was always more sensitive then he let on.
"Girls go help your grandmother with the wounded- please-" Jake said with thinly veiled annoyance.
"But-" Ymeie tried to reason.
"My brother is wounded!" Kiri replied sharply, as Neteyam tried to brush it off with a quick: "It's fine…"
"Girls please!" Jake said a bit more firmly, causing the two girls to finally listen with some annoyance, letting go of the older boy. "Tuk, go with her! Go!"
"Dad- sir. I take full responsibility." Neteyam said, audible sighs could be heard from the three girls even as they left.
"I hope dad doesn't scold them too much…" Ymeie mumbled as she looked back, holding Tuk's hand. Though once she saw Var’ro familiar figure she wondered if she should go check on him, but she hesitated. Her attention was directed back to Tuk when she heard the small girl whine.
"They'll be fine, mom is there." Kiri huffed as they made their way to their grandmother's tent.
"Ow. Ow!" Neteyam hissed in pain from the inside of the tent. Their grandmother hovered over him as they patched up his wounds. Ymeie held his hand for support, though his grip was tight and Ymeie could see bruises already starting to form. It wasn't his fault though, she always bruised rather easily. She would just hide it from their parents with a few bracelets.
"Aw, want a kiss on the boo-boo?" Spider teased lightheartedly, causing Neteyam to glare at him.
Tuk came over with a small bowl of medicine as Kiri spoke, "I would use yalna bark." She said matter of factly.
"And who is Tsahik?" Mo'at retorted.
"You are grand- move!" Kiri nudged Lo'ak out of the way, "You are, grandmother. But yalna bark is better, it stings less."
"Ow!" Neteyam grumbled again.
"Mighty warrior." Lo'ak rolled his eyes, Ymeie glared at him.
"Be nice!" Ymeie chastised her younger brother causing him to roll his eyes again.
There was peaceful silence, as Ymeie got up to grab some gauze from a container when Lo'ak spoke, "Var’ro asked about you before we landed."
Ymeie froze, cringing slightly, as she replied with a forced smile, "Did he? I saw him there but couldn't say hi."
Kiri raised a brow but didn't say anything.
"I haven't seen him since the last time you and Neteyam went hunting with the other boys." Ymeie said as she handed the gauze to her grandmother.
"You mean that rambunctious betrothed of yours?" Mo'at inquired, obviously unimpressed. Ymeie flushed a bit out of embarrassment.
"He's just spirited- like any young hunter." Ymeie reasoned as she sat back down.
"Why are you defending him?" Kiri groaned, as Ymeie quickly scolded her.
"He's not even that bad-" "Can we not talk about this while I'm being healed?" Neteyam grumbled, crossing his arms.
"Sorry sorry-" Ymeie quickly apologized patting his uninjured arm.
Var’ro was a talented warrior. Ymeie would say that without hesitation, one of the only who could keep up with Neteyam. But he often spoke and acted without thinking, and his personality sometimes scared Ymeie. He tried to be nice with her? She guesses… He was her betrothed and it was improper of her to speak badly of him. Plus it made her mother happy whenever she saw Ymeie and Var’ro strolling around together. He would probably mature- eventually!
She glanced outside, she wanted to go back to their own tent. But it seemed like her parents were having a serious discussion and she didn't want to interrupt. So she stayed inside, at least it was warm.
After a little while longer the usual trio (Kiri, Spider, and Lo'ak) went off to go visit the lab. She wanted to go but wasn't allowed, sky people air was bad for her. And their parents went off to do war council or something with the elders.
She was peacefully talking with Neteyam, thread and needle in hand as she did some beading on a new medicine pouch for Kiri. The two were mid conversation when she heard footsteps and a knock on the wood pillars of the tent. She looked up, did Lo'ak forget something? However, she froze when she saw Var’ro standing there. He had a few stitches, presumably from earlier. But seemed fine.
"Hey." He greeted simply as he remained outside, that meant he wanted to talk to her alone.
"…Hello." Ymeie greeted with a smile. She set down her supplies, casting a quick glance at a quiet Neteyam before stepping out with Va'tep and saying, "Its a bit late? Is everything alright?"
"I just wanted to check on you, I was out all day so I was thought you were bored." Var’ro said as he looked her up and down. Internally Ymeie wondered if he thought she just laid around all day doing nothing besides the times they went on "dates" (which were mostly just Var’ro showing off as Ymeie clapped and said "Wow that's so cool Var’ro!").
But instead she said, "Oh, thank you. That's sweet, I wasn't bored though. I had my sisters and Spider with me."
His face scrunched a bit at the last name, "You mean that human boy? Should you even be hanging around him?"
"Don't worry about him." Ymeie said reassuringly.
"Are you sure?" Var’ro said suspiciously, as Ymeie sighed.
There was an awkward silence.
"Tomorrow during training we are all going to spar. I need a cutman, do you want to join me?" Var’ro asked, crossing his arms.
Ymeie paused for a moment, thinking about it, "I'm not sure… Plus my father-"
"Its always "your father" that "your father" this, grow a backbone Ymeie." Var’ro scoffed, clearly judging her. Ymeie's shoulders slumped a little, feeling suddenly more uncomfortable than usual. Var’ro noticed, a small hint of guilt appearing on his face before quickly disappearing.
"Its not that- I just might be busy!" Ymeie said, not wanting Var’ro to start yelling.
He replied irritatedly, "Busy doing what? You do nothing of importance besides playing with string and beads all day-" "Hey!"
Neteyam appeared suddenly, cutting off the boy and moving aside the tent's door flap, "Don't talk to my sister like that. Just because you are "betrothed" doesn't mean you can be rude." He said sharply, glaring at Var’ro as he stepped forward.
"It's fine- it's fine! You know he doesn't mean it like that brother-" Ymeie said, quickly grabbing onto Neteyam's arm to hold him back, not wanting anymore conflict between the two.
"You have a lot of talk for a boy who is limping around." Var’ro sneered.
Neteyam's eyes widened, "You-!!" Ymeie wanted to crawl into a hole and die.
"It's late we need to go back to our own tent anyways- Var’ro I'll try and talk to my father…"
Var’ro glanced at her, eyes narrowing, before just huffing and mumbling under his breath as he walked away. Ymeie sighed softly in exasperation.
"You know you don't have to go along with what everyone says." Neteyam said to her gently yet firmly.
"The same goes for you 'Teyam." Ymeie retorted. The two twins stood there in silence, before walking home back to their actual family tent. Hopefully everyone cooled down by then.
"Are you actually going to talk to dad about it?"
"No, definitely not." What was the appeal about watching a bunch of teenage boys beat eachother up?
When they got home Ymeie was very relieved to finally get some sleep. She laid down on her soft pink sleeping mat. As she placed the familiar breathing mask over her face and turned on the machine. By now everyone was used to it. And it didn't bother her as much anymore. She closed her eyes, and was luckily able to fall asleep rather quickly.
There were no raids today, much to the family's relief.
Breakfast was peaceful, but Lo'ak and Kiri left first to go find Spider with Tuk following not far behind. Leaving the twins with just Jake and Neytiri.
Ymeie was chewing on a piece of salted meat. When Jake spoke up, in a seemingly better mood than before.
"Since we have a free day why don't you two go with your mother I scouting around the mountains? Nothing bad should happen, and its nice weather."
"Am I allowed to?" Ymeie asked hopefully, eyes widened slightly. Most of the time Jake refused to let her do anything "mission" related. She didn't even have her own ikran yet. As Jake and Neytiri both agreed it was far too dangerous for her considering how fragile her health always seemed to be.
"We will just be flying around on ikran, it should be fine if you ride with Neteyam." Neytiri said, Ymeie was practically vibrating with excitement. Neteyam smiled at his twin sister's clear happiness.
"But if anything happens you are going straight back-" Jake said firmly.
"Yes sir!" Ymeie replied quickly. Jake just chuckled and patted her head.
Ymeie had to hold back from stuffing food into her mouth so she could quickly get ready. She couldn't afford to get nauseous with such a rare opportunity presented before her.
Eventually they finished up with breakfast, Neteyam and Ymeie scurried off to get ready.
"You're riding with Apollo and I, but you still need to be careful. Here. To protect your legs." Neteyam handed her some of his old leggings, plain and brown but too small for him now after he hit a growth spurt last year. Though they should fit her. Internally she reminded herself to start working on her own, surely her father couldn't baby her forever.
Eventually the four did head out. The mission was simple and safe. Simply flying around the floating mountains for any danger, and they didn't find much. It was peaceful, Ymeie held onto Neteyam as Apollo flew them through the skies. She rarely got to see everything from so high up. She loved riding on the pali but the ikrans were just different. Once when she was younger and upset over her missed ikinimaya Jake tried to take her on his own ikran. However she ended up wheezing and coughing when they flew a few feet too high which only made Jake's overprotectiveness skyrocket. Neteyam laughed at the look of childish wonder on her face. Which made her embarrassed and quickly try and look more serious to no avail.
Though the moment was cut short when the two heard their father speaking to someone on the two way radio. Silence filled the air as they flew.
"Eagle Eye. Send your traffic." Jake said to the com. Ymeie's eyes widened, a feeling of dread filling her stomach, that was Lo'ak's call sign!
A pause, presumably Lo'ak speaking to their father.
"What's your pos? Over." There was a pause. "Whose we?" Jake's voice dropped, low and serious.
"Son you listen to me very carefully. Do not make a sound. You get the hell out of there! Move! You copy?!"
So much for a peaceful day.
The group began to fly faster, Ymeie felt a bit dizzy at the sudden change of speed but said nothing.
"Dad! I know a quick way!" Neteyam called out, moving to a new direction.
It was eclipse by the time they arrived, dark and deep in the forest, as if to set the scene it was even raining a bit. Where their father once fought the demon colonel.
When they landed Ymeie stumbled a bit, instinctively clutching her head with a soft groan. Neteyam quickly reached out to steady his twin. Jake's eyebrows furrowed, "Neteyam take your sister back-"
"No I'm fine!" Ymeie insisted, Jake sighed softly at her stubbornness. Of all the times to take after him why now?
"Sweetheart-"
"No I'm staying!" Ymeie said quickly.
"Both of you stay here with the ikran then." Jake said firmly.
"But, dad- I'm a warrior like you. I'm supposed to fight!" Neteyam pleaded to no avail.
"Neteyam-" Neytiri tried to reason but was cut off by Jake.
"I'm not gonna say it again. Look after your sister."
Neteyam inhaled and exhaled quickly before replying, "Yes sir."
"…Sorry. This is my fault." Ymeie mumbled, if she wasn't here maybe Neteyam could do what he wanted.
"No, dad would have done it anyways." Neteyam reassured with a pat on her shoulder.
The two were snapped out of the moment by the sound of their mother's yipping. She must have been at the location. The two went quiet, listening attentively.
They heard yelling and the sound of gunshots. Neteyam's eyes widened, as he turned to Ymeie, grabbing his bow.
"Stay here!" He commanded as he began to run off.
Ymeie gasped, "Neteyam! No-" she tried to reach out and grab him to no avail. Leaving her standing there like an idiot. She looked around in a panic, before running into the action herself. Hands moving to the usually decorative hunting knife on her hip.
"What are you doing?!" Neteyam snarled.
"I'm going with you! I'm not going to just sit here!" Ymeie insisted as the two ran while staying out of sight. She could hear voices in the distance.
"Why don't you come on out Mrs. Sully? You and I- we got some unfinished business!"
"Demon! I will kill you as many times as I have to!"
The two phased the conversation out. As they focused on looking around for any possible threats. Neteyam instinctively pushed Ymeie behind himself as they moved silently. Ymeie's eyes twitched at the sound of a small click. She could see one of the demons pointing a gun in the direction of- "Neteyam!" She whispered quickly. Neteyam's head snapped to what she noticed. He aimed his bow- Ymeie flinched when she saw the body drop to the ground as it was struck in the head.
Neteyam was in the middle of reloading his bow. However the move was noticed, as the main demon yelled:
"NA'VI!"
Before the two could react, they were shoved to the ground as bullets came from almost every direction. Ymeie shrieked as Neteyam grunted, the two hitting the floor. They expected it to be an enemy. But instead they were met with the furious face of their father as he yelled, "MOVE! GO, GO, GO!" The two quickly got up and began to run. Before taking cover behind a tree.
"You okay?! You two okay?!" Jake asked hurriedly.
"…Yeah-" Neteyam replied in a daze as Ymeie panted softly.
Jake loaded his gun as he gave commands, "Okay- with me! Ready? Ready?"
"Yes, sir!" Neteyam replied quickly.
"YMEIE DUCK!" Jake yelled, Ymeie listened and quickly lowered and shielded her head with her arms. She could hear Jake and Neteyam begin to shoot at the others. Before Jake yelled at the two to follow him. They began to move through the thick foliage while dodging bullets. Ymeie's head began to spin as all her senses were overwhelmed, but she forced herself to power through. Eventually the gunshots stopped, and they were reunited with Lo'ak and Tuk, Ymeie felt relieved at the sight of them safe.
"Are you hurt?!" Jake asked hurriedly, Lo'ak said he was fine but Tuk was crying quite a bit in their father's arms.
Ymeie panted softly, finally letting her guard down. The spinning in her head eventually mellowed down to a dull throbbing pain, nothing she hasn't felt before. The rain however didn't help, she would be sick by tomorrow no doubt. Maybe she could hide it… At least everyone was reunited (almost everyone).
They watched as the demon airship took off into the sky. Before Jake began to check on everyone. Neytiri loudly thanked Eywa as she held her children close. Though Kiri was distraught as she cried, "They took him- they took him!" Ymeie's heart sank. But Jake tried to comfort Kiri, saying he was a tough kid. While Ymeie did agree Spider was tough, he was still just a kid. But Ymeie did not want to worry Kiri anymore than she already was.
Ymeie was in fact sick after the whole ordeal.
She was in their grandmother's tent with a high fever, it had no signs of breaking any time soon. Her younger siblings checked on her but left to listen in on whatever conversation Jake and Neytiri were having. Neteyam lingered the longest, but Ymeie saw he was just as curious. So she pretended to sleep, which finally made him leave willingly. However, her grandmother stayed.
"This is not a surprise is it?" Mo'at said lightly as she kneeled at Ymeie's sighed. The girl laughed weakly.
"You know I'm here at least a few times a moon grandmother." Ymeie mumbled as a cold compress was placed on her head. "Do you know what mom and dad are talking about?"
Mo'at replied gently, "It is not my place to say."
Ymeie laid back against the soft pillows and blankets. She wished she could join in on eavesdropping with her siblings. She was so bored she even began to think about Var’ro.
"While I was sleeping did anyone else come to visit…?" Her voice sounded a bit hopeful. Back when they were children Ymeie did genuinely enjoy the boy's company. Perhaps it was the small bit of childishness that remained in her that yearned.
Mo'at shook her head, Ymeie tried to not feel disappointed.
——
When Ymeie did get better she got quite the bomb dropped on her.
They were leaving the Omaticaya to the reef clans, the Metkayina specifically. Tarsem was taking over her father's position. Everything happened so fast. It felt like a blur.
The day before the final going away ceremony, Ymeie was packing, when she got an unexpected visitor.
"Var’ro?" She said with surprise as she got up from the ground.
"My parents and elder brother said your family was leaving after the incident with the demons." Var’ro always cut to the chase, "I would say its cowardly to run away instead of fight but oh well."
Ymeie sighed, did he come here just to complain? Half a decade of betrothal and this was how it ended.
Var’ro paused, trying to find the right words, it surprised Ymeie when it seemed like he was actually thinking. When he finally spoke, it was not mocking like usual.
"You must be somewhat relieved… You… You never really liked me much did you?"
Ymeie's eyes widened, it was her turn to think of a response.
"No… I did… I really did like you." It was the truth. She liked the boy who did his best to include her and showed her bugs many years ago. Though the boy he was now? She liked him in the best way she could.
The two gazed at eachother in silence until Var’ro continued.
"…I didn't visit you when you were sick because I knew you would get better. You're strong. I didn't see the point."
"Strong…?"
"You're the only person I know who can survive dozens of near death experiences each year."
That statement made Ymeie laugh a bit. Though she didn't really feel good. Why was he only saying all of this now? When she was leaving and might not return? Or maybe he just realized he was out of time.
"…I'm sorry. For how I've been treating you. That night of the raid- I-" He sighed, "-I'm not going to lie and say I didn't mean it, because I did mean it at the time. But I know it was wrong of me to say."
Ymeie inhaled before speaking, "I should not have avoided you all those times… I should have just been honest. That would have saved us a lot of time."
Var’ro snorted, "It definitely would have."
Ymeie looked back at her luggage, she still had to pack her bag. She hesitated, before grabbing something from her little workshop case. It was an armband, unfinished, but it was woven with the inspiration of a sturmbeast. She put it into his hands.
"It's not done, but it was meant to be yours. Keep it."
Var’ro stared at her for a moment, his eyes softened, he clenched the hand that held the band.
"…Bye Ymeie." That was all he said before leaving the marui.
All Ymeie could think of was: "Well that was awkward."
Yet, she didn't feel as sad as she thought she would for losing him. For some reason, she felt lighter when he was gone.
Ymeie watched as her father stood in front of Tarsem before the tree of souls. His chest was cut with a shallow gash, the leader must die so the leader can be born.
They must disappear.
The people cried as they began their departure. Ymeie tried her best to hold back tears, though once she saw even her mother was crying a bit she let them out. At least she wasn't sobbing out loud.
She rode with Neteyam once again. The views were pretty, but Ymeie couldn't find it in herself to fully appreciate them in such a situation. She couldn't help but look back constantly. Hoping her father would randomly decide this was a big mistake and they would go home. The journey was long, sometimes there were hard storms or winds too strong to fly safely. And she was sure she wasn't helping with how many times she got nauseous or contracted a some new form of illness or two despite her thick cloak. Neteyam's best efforts to keep her safe were in vain when she was eventually transferred to her father's ikran. She felt helpless, she wasn't a baby anymore like Tuk yet still had to ride with her parents.
Finally, they seemed to reach their destination, Awa'atlu Village in Metkayina territory. Ymeie's eyes widened in shock at the change of scenery. The water was so much more vibrant and the sky was so clear. She could see all the underwater flora and fauna even from this high up. It made her temporarily forget about her homesicknesses. Soon they reached some sort barrier (the tide pools) and she could see a village faintly in the distance. The people down there looked just as curious at the sight of them as they were.
Ymeie stared at the marui, it seemed like this island had big trees too. But instead the homes were created among the roots, rather than high up in trees like the Omaticaya once did. Ymeie held onto the saddle tightly as her father maneuvered around. She could hear the sound of some sort of blowing? It was like a flute but deeper and more powerful?
Eventually they landed on the sand and they dismounted. Ymeie stumbled a bit so Jake had to help her down. Ymeie could feel the difference in the air alone. It wasn't as fresh like the forest- saltier- less clear. Her nose wrinkled, hopefully that wouldn't effect her. She just got off carrying around that breathing machine everywhere two years ago. Ymeie secretly stuffed some of the pink bulb medicine into her mouth, not wanting her father to notice and start to interrogate her.
Tuk was already walking over curiously with their parents, Neytiri attempted to bring her bow but was stopped by Jake. Ymeie went over to stand with Kiri, she knew of her sister’s deep connection to the forest and was concerned about her reaction to the big change. Neteyam and Lo'ak lingered together.
However when the reef na'vi approached suspiciously with a few warriors holding their spears. Ymeie was sadly reminded of the requirement of social interaction.