Tsawke|Tsu'tey/Oc

10-Alaksi srak?

I woke up that morning, excited to link. Grace made sure to remind me to eat, which I did, she won't let me link if I don't. So, I linked up and woke up in their world.

I made sure to change into something for climbing, Iknimaya, after all, isn't a literal stairway. I decided on a loose feathery top with a tight, for fitting loincloth that didn't go below my knees. My armbands and bowstring guard. We had to set out early. But before that, Tsu'tey painted a symbol on my forehead.

"It is the mark of growth. Once you have chosen your ikran and they have chosen you, this mark will fade away with the wind during your first flight. It symbolizes your entering into adulthood." He paused, "it's a symbolic thing, not literal. I'm sure you're much older than you seem."

"I am not that old! I'm only nineteen." She bit her lip, "do you think I can do it?"

Tsu'tey's eyes flickered with concern because of my question. He turned to make eye contact with me.

"Kohane, you are the quickest learner I have ever had the honor of teaching. And with my guidance, you have come to flourish here in the clan. I may not be as spiritually attuned as Neytiri, but I know that someone who shines as bright as you, Eywa has a plan for them." He placed a large hand on my shoulder.

"Is that a yes?"

He sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Yes, I know you will find your path." He gave a rare reassuring smile.
——————————
I ended up bonding with a pa'li I was familiar with through training and following behind everyone up until we went in single file up the mountain. My pa'li raced ahead excitedly to catch up with Tsu'tey and his pa'li since they both know each other well.

It was embarrassing because all the while, Saeyla, the girl with a crush on Tsu'tey, kept shooting daggers at me with her eyes. If looks could kill...
But regardless, we made it to the foot of Iknimaya and my heart was pounding in my chest.

Tsu'tey, Saeyla, Ka'ani, and Jake hopped off of their pa'li first. And so did I, with great hesitation.

"Za'u."(come) Tsu'tey got our attention. He looked at us each in the eyes like he was proud of us. Like a proud friend seeing us off to college far away. Even though, it was not college.

"You have all learned well so far. This is your final test before you can face the dream hunt." He hesitated to see us off, but I know he had more to say. "You must choose your ikran an they will choose you. They will challenge you and you must make the bond with them. The first flight will seal the bond." He looked between us three, but his eyes lingered on me for a moment longer.

"Now we climb." He started up first and Saeyla was close behind him. Jake managed to keep up with Tsu'tey while I was fearing for my life. We all eventually made it up to a cliff face which had vines dangling down. Definitely a hazard.

"Oehu"(with me) Tsu'tey motioned for us to follow what he does.

"Now what." Jake asked.

"Latsi."(keep up) Tsu'tey said.

"We're gonna have to jump." I told Jake.

"Kivä ko!"(let's go!) Tsu'tey jumped for the nearest vine. I followed his example after I saw Saeyla do it just as easily, but I slid when my grip wasn't sufficient. But, I did climb up anyway, despite the aching fingers. We left the cliff to walk out on these large vines to get to the Ikran rookery.

We climbed up the naturally formed stairs and came to a waterfall. I took my bow off and looked out at the floating mountains and then up at Tsu'tey. I heard the greeting call of Neytiri and her Ikran. So I backed up so she could land.

"Mengati kame."(I see you two) She greeted Jake and Tsu'tey. Tsu'tey reciprocated the greeting to his friend and betrothed and walked out to see how we were holding up. He saw the exhaustion on Jake's and my own face and decided to make Jake go first.

"Jakesully will go first." He smirked. He took the bow from Jake and Neytiri shot him a disappointed look. Is that normal? I mean, Tsu'tey is the same way with me. Maybe Na'vi treat students like family in some regards.

"Your necklace." Tsu'tey stated.

"What about it?"

"Give it to me. I will keep it safe." Tsu'tey offered.

"I can't, this is the only family I have left."

"I promise their safety, you can loose it or damage it during the bond." I hated to say it, but he had a good point. I took it off and hesitantly handed him the two capsules. He kept a stern grip on them and then we crossed the waterfall. The moss on the ground was slippery, but not enough to make me slip.
Tsu'tey began clearing out the Ikran by spooking them off. Tsu'tey mock cheered and warned Jake when he came across his Ikran.

"Don't do what he's doing." He meant, don't face your Ikran head on, "That moron's going to die." He laughed.

I furrowed my brows and watched the fight ensue. He was on the back of the Ikran for a while before being thrown off. He was hanging on by a root, I wanted to help him, but Tsu'tey held his arm out.

"Too dangerous."

He hoisted himself up and got back onto his ikran and managed to make the bond after grappling with him for a minute or so. They, Neytiri and Jake rushed out excitedly to fly.

"Kohane, you will go now." He didn't even look at me to say it. But he gave me a cautious look before taking my bow and urging me to go out there.

A few minutes into my cautious walk out there, Saeyla shouted at me.

"Faster moron."

That stung, but she's salty because I don't fight for Tsu'tey and have a better relationship with him despite how hard she tries to get his attention.

That prompted me to turn around and face the Ikran who was waiting to strike me from behind.

I threw myself out of harms way and remembered that head to head combat isn't preferable. I remembered that I was here to make a friend, not kill a foe.

I tried to stay out of her sight. She was blue, purple, and a silvery blue. I threw myself on her back and pulled myself into a secure position to make Tsaheylu.

But she's much bigger than the average Ikran, I couldn't lock my legs, I was thrashed about and I was forced to hold on with my arms.

"The bond!" Tsu'tey reminded. I tried to nod, and I kept a firm grip on her with one hand while I grabbed her queue. I used my other hand to grab hers, but she bucked and threw me forward. I was vulnerable and flat on my back. I rolled out of the way when I felt the heat from her skin nearly touch me. I rolled into a position. I saw my opportunity to grab her queue and mine. So I did.

And in the heat of the moment I was filled with a silent awe at her. She's familiar and foreign. I instantly felt a warmth of kinship between us. But the bond hadn't been sealed.

"Go! Fly!"

At the word he spoke, I thought of it. I climbed onto her back with little effort and she took off quickly. She thrashed about and flew aimlessly. I held on for dear life. Aren't I supposed to be in control?

She settled when I thought of a path. We would circle around the rookery for another hour until sunset, before I heard Tìkawl's greeting cry.

"You did well," he turned to his other students, "I will guide us home, you will land your ikran at the rookery at Hometree." We all replied with nods and yes's and flew behind him in the night sky.