Intangible

9: Ftxozä

Tsu'tey took me hunting for the first time in a long time. He had concern in his eyes and something like fear. But he reassured me that everything was fine. I know that what he's doing is against what he believes. Especially since he blames me for Sylwanin's death. I blame myself. I could have saved more. I could have gotten more.

I felt a solemn sorrow while tracking the yerik[hexapede]. It was already injured from nantangs[viperwolves]. But Tsu'tey wanted it's suffering to end so we pursued it. We saw it trying to nurse it's shredded legs but to no avail. He let me draw the bow. 

I pulled it back to my cheek, deep breath, both eyes open, and I let it fly. 

"I see you, brother, and thank you." I said quickly. I stabbed it in the operculum and it died immediately. 

"Your spirit goes with Eywa..." I was trembling, "your body... will stay behind and become part of the people..." I had just killed something. I sheathed my knife before anything else. I reached for the arrow-

"No, I will take care of the rest. You have done well." He caught my trembling hand and let it go. I sighed relief and grief.

"Do not be sad, or angry. You did this to end the pain it felt. It would have died slowly." He reassured. I didn't feel too reassured. 

----------Tsu'tey's POV----------

I had taken the yerik to the 'emyu[cookers] and let them do the rest. Ean hasn't been the same since. I close my eyes and I see her fearful eyes mixed with grief. I've seen it before. More intense. She mourned her brother. She still mourns inside. She never seems to think about Kip Bailey, but I know she's hurting. 

She's ready, but she will not be hunting again. She will not be fishing. Not until after Iknimaya.

----------Our POV----------

'Tsu'tey has said I am ready for Iknimaya! I'm so excited I could sing! We'll leave in the morning and I'll bond with an Ikran."

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We took our Pa'li most of the way. It was exhausting. Tsa'ki's hooves where so tired. Soon we stopped and Tsu'tey gave us a brief explanation for how this will go.

"The Ikran is a life bond-" At this I heard Tsa'kinam chuff- "They will challenge you and try to kill you once they have chosen you. Do not die." Well that was reassuring. He looked to me as if he heard my thoughts. 

"Eyohi, I must speak with you alone." He brought me aside near the vines which hold this rock in place, "If an Ikran doesn't challenge you, do not be upset. It may take some time for an ikran to show itself. And if it catches you off guard, I can not help you. You are strong, you'll make me proud." He commanded. I felt touched and scared. If I die, I will die happy. 

We began up the vines and rocks, the wind blew through my braided hair, I felt at ease. 

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I had witnessed Jake make the bond so I know it's possible. I watched Saeyla do the same, Ka'ani did not fail either. 

I stepped out into the rookery and found myself surrounded by Ikrans. One hissed and darted away. A screech and a cry of submission. Finally a rich colored ikran screamed at me. A challenge. It's wingtips were blue and each finger's beginning from the knuckle was the same purple as the panopyra of the forest's canopy. The same purple began at it's crest, moved down it's faded turquoise back and ended at the tail tip. Not all in a line. It had similar black markings to Fayna'rì and Seze but had cream markings along it's pelt, at the very tip of each digit, around it's eyes, and near the hooked thumb-like appendages. Her eyes were a brilliant red like the sunset or like a sunrise.

She hissed at me at lunged at my legs. She missed narrowly. I jumped and threw myself onto her back, she bucked and wailed, screeching at me. I hissed and reached for her queue. She threw me off and over the cliff. 

I was falling. Eywa, am I going to die? I screamed and clawed at the air, hopelessly tearing through the wind to try and grab something. 

I saw those same red. She's going to kill me!

I landed on her back and she still put up a fight. She wants me to win but is trying to make it look like she doesn't. We both want something. She want's a rider, and I want an Ikran. We struggle through the air and I'm clinging to her neck. All the while, she's tossing and turning. 

I grabbed her queue and tugged myself upright. I wrapped my legs around her neck, and brought both my hands together. It was calm. I was exhausted but we were flying. 

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A hunt had taken place with the Talioang[sturmbeests] and the warriors. Since Jake had been successful, there was a party. I sat besides Tsu'tey until Neytiri pulled me away to dress me for the festival. 

"Come, you will look beautiful!" 

"Yes, come." Mo'at joined.

"What- why are you doing this for me?" I asked them. They exchanged a look of knowing. Mo'at stared down Neytiri. 

"We want you to have fun?" Neytiri said unsure, "We don't really need a reason to want you to have fun and look well while dancing." I laughed and shrugged it off. 

They undid my braids with the exception of the Queue. It fell down, wavy and thick and much longer than I remember. They loosely braided all of it into my queue and dressed me in a necklace which was as wide as my shoulders. It draped down my shoulders and over my breasts and met at my navel. It's top began at my sternum and it was the length from my thumb to my pinky finger all the way down. It was made of string and beads. and it was red like Mo'at's top. 

"Tsahik, isn't it informal for me to be wearing this when I am not one of the people?" 

"Child, a truth must be told. You look much like my own mother. If I had not known you, I would have thought you are. But I know you not to be." She reinstated, "...One day I will reveal to you why all these things are happening to you. But right now, even I do not know." She placed a hand on my shoulder and smiled. 

"Thank you Tsahik." 

My loincloth was replaced with one made from Ta'txur. Pa'li scales which they shed every other month. 

I thanked them again and they invited me to dance. Which of course, I danced the best I could. I am not very talented. 

Ka'ani invited me over to drink with Tsu'tey, Jake, Norm, Grace and other warriors. I obliged and sipped on something too strong to shoot. It ended up with Tsu'tey and Jake both hammered. 

"I thought... enough drink... you would not be so ugly!" Tsu'tey and Jake laughed.

"I'm sorry." Jake replied.

"Oissssh... your warriors... they hide inside machines, and fight from far away... I did not think a sky person could be brave." Tsu'tey and Jake held a silence. An understanding in their rivalry. like they were equal. 

Neytiri ruined their silence and pulled Jake away for a dance. Jake then grabbed grace and pulled her in to join the dance. Norm soon joined in and we were left alone. 

Tsu'tey watched them for a time. But instead of staring too long, he looked to me. 

"I think... she liked Jake more than she may ever like me." Tsu'tey said solemnly, "She would be unhappy with me." 

"Tsu'tey, I think you have everything to offer her. You two were or are close friends."

"But only friends. She does not love me the way I or the clan want her to."

"Is it you or the clan that want's her to." He was silent for a long time. 

"It is the clan who needs her to love me and for I to love her. I think, I may never find love if she doesn't choose me." He set down his cup and shook his head.