Tsawke|Tsu'tey/Oc

21-Tipe'un ngolop

With their vacation behind them, Tsu'tey had a decision to make. The trio had changed him, from the anxious warrior to a gentle leader. And he was ready to tell the people his decision.
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While Tsu'tey is being redressed in his ceremonial wear, I needed to see my new friend. I hadn't seen her in a long time.

As soon as I gave the call, a slightly plumper, palulukan came around the corner of the fence. I realized, she got pregnant while I was away.

"Hi, you've been busy." I linked

'Obviously.'

"So, is he nice?"

'He's nice enough, I wish he were a bit more supportive. Hunting is starting to get harder for me.'

"I can always do it if he doesn't, I'm here for you..."

'Wiveykx.'

"Wiveykx. But make sure to ask me if he isn't being supportive. We're friends." I let her get back to building a clearing based nest near the hut Tsu'tey had helped build for us. He got right to work with the rest of the clan. And Jake made the whole place look like barracks rather than a home.

Granted, it is temporary until Tsu'tey or Jake makes the change.

Tsu'tey looked regal, his hair was done up into three buns, the rest hung loosely, his neckpiece had been given a longer neck part, his loincloth had been replaced with a beaded one, he wore several feathers and beads in his hair, the corset-like hunter's wear was more ornate than the last one. I was still dressed in the beaded clothes that the Syu'tsani had given me. And I felt less than regal but very comfortable. The light beads where wooden and bone, it didn't weigh me down at all.

Tsu'tey stood from an elevated place so that the clan could see him. I couldn't hear him over the white noise of voices and joyous cries. Many people didn't like the way Jake was leading. Too militaristic in the middle of a new peaceful time.

The noise quieted as Tsu'tey began to speak.

"Ma Na'vi oeya, oe pole'un. Oe tìmätxaw ne aynga na Olo'eyktan."(my people, I decided. I returned recently to you all as Olo'eyktan.) he spoke carefully and loudly. Decisively. Each word weighed heavy on us all. Many had expected him to give up the title out of respect for Jake, but it seems like he won't.

Cheers had erupted from many and we began a formal celebration of our new(kinda) Olo'eyktan. But for me, it complicates things. The rule of the clan is that an Olo'eyktan must be with the Tsahik and the one best trained for that is Neytiri. And she is mated to Jake. And I don't think I count as Tsahik material.

"Ah, Kxohane, child. Your face is a welcome sight, but why is it clouded with troubles?" Mo'at asked. Her way of speaking is rather descriptive and somewhat archaic to other Na'vi. She was wearing her iconic beaded piece with her headpiece discarded away.

"Matriarch, Tsu'tey and I, we..."

"Are in love, I see it, child. I don't think there is a person in this clan who does not. What is your concern?" She placed a hand on my shoulder.

"The clan's rule is that a Tsahik must be paired with the Olo'eyktan. I'm not a Tsahik." I said defeatedly.

"When Neytiri chose Jake over her duties to the clan, she revoked her title as Tsahik. I have been looking for a successor." She paused, "Every time I think it is someone else, Eywa is silent." She brought me along to her hit with the other surviving elders.

"Friends, Eywa brings this child." She offers me to the Elders.

They all make eye contact with me, their silent wisdom is shown in their gaze. The strong gaze of a spiritual channel. They all look at each other and they begin to converse in a Na'vi dialect I can't understand. One speaks up.

"She will need training, Mo'at. But she is the only one in the clan besides Neytiri whose eyes are open in such a way." Mo'at nods.

Taking in what they said, I feel afraid and apprehensive. This was not the path I had chosen. In fact, Eywa is choosing this for me, it seems.

I can hear her now. I had never heard her before. I wasn't listening like I am now. And she is lamenting on all that she allowed us to loose.

The whistling of the wind through the trees, the bustling of the daily life of our settled clan, the arguing in the tent behind me. I take it all in. I'm supposed to be the conduit of spirituality in this clan? There's no way!