𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 | 𝐭𝐬𝐮'𝐭𝐞𝐲

_____________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐ 𝟏

I strode confidently down the dimly lit corridors of Hell's Gate, my combat boots thudding against the metallic floor with each step. My eyes were alert, scanning the faces of the people I passed by, searching for any sign of my mother.
  
I knew she could be anywhere - tinkering away in the lab, plugged into her avatar body, or chatting with my father and his colleagues in the cafeteria. But I was determined to find her, no matter where she was.
  
As I turned a corner, a familiar voice called out to me from behind. "Hey Nyxeira, wait up!" I recognised it immediately - my close friend, Briar.
  
But I had a mission to complete. Without breaking my stride, I called back over my shoulder, "Sorry, Briar, I'll catch up with you later."
  
I could hear her whining as I continued on my way. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. Briar was always a little too clingy for my liking.
  
As I approached the lab, I saw Max standing outside, surrounded by two new faces. I strode over confidently, nodding at them in greeting.
  
"Hey Max," I greeted him with a smile. "Newbies, huh?" I glanced at the two men beside him.
  
The one in the wheelchair nodded at me, and the taller one gave me a friendly smile. "Hi Nyx," Max said, introducing them. "This is Jake Sully and Norm Spellman."
 
I nodded in acknowledgement, sizing them up with a quick glance. I could tell that they were green, fresh out of the gate, but I didn't let that show on my face.
  
"Nice to meet you both," I said, extending a hand to each of them in turn. "Welcome to Hell's Gate."
  
As I introduced myself to the newbies, I couldn't help but notice the excitement in Norm's eyes as he asked if I was Grace's daughter. I smiled and nodded, feeling a sense of pride at being associated with my brilliant mother.
 
Norm bombarded me with questions, but I didn't mind. I understood his curiosity - after all, he was meeting someone who was born on Pandora, unlike most of the humans on the base.
  
"Sorry if I'm asked to much." He apologises.
  
"It's Ok, Norm," I reassured him, flashing a warm smile. "Ask away. If you ever want to know more about anything, just come find me."
  
I turned my attention to Jake, sensing his nervousness. "Your first time?" I asked him, trying to put him at ease.
  
"Sure thing," he replied, sounding a little uncertain.
  
I raised an eyebrow. "Any training before you came here?"
  
"Nope," he admitted.
  
I sighed inwardly. It was always frustrating to work with newbies who had no idea what they were doing. But I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.
  
"Just a heads up," I said, my tone serious. "My mother can be a bit... prickly at times. Don't take it personally."
  
Jake nodded, looking grateful for the warning. I turned to Max, hoping he could provide some information on my father's whereabouts.
  
"Hey Max," I began. "Have you seen my dad around?"
  
He shook his head apologetically. "Sorry, Nyxeira. Haven't seen him today."
 
I sighed, feeling a pang of disappointment. Finding my parents was always a bit of a scavenger hunt, but I was determined to track them down.
  
Max's response wasn't what I was hoping for, but I tried not to let it get me down. Finding my dad on this base was always a challenge - he tended to disappear into his work for days on end.
  
"No worries, Max," I said with a shrug. "I'll just have to ask around and track him down."
  
With a wave goodbye to the newbies, I made my way out of the room and back into the hallway. I scanned the crowd, looking for anyone who might have seen my dad recently.
  
As I walked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity in the maze-like corridors of Hell's Gate. This base had been my home for most of my life, and I knew every nook and cranny like the back of my hand.
  
Eventually, I spotted someone who might have information. It was one of my dad's colleagues, Jean Springer. I quickened my pace, calling out to her as I approached.
  
Aye Springer, have you seen my dad around?" I asked, hoping she could help me out.
  
He looked up from his tablet, a small frown on his face. "No, I'm sorry, Nyxeira. I haven't seen him today."
  
I felt a twinge of frustration. It seemed like nobody knew where my dad was. But I wasn't about to give up just yet.
  
"Thanks anyways, Jean," I said with a forced smile. "I'll keep looking."
  
With a determined nod, I continued down the hallway, ready to search every nook and cranny of Hell's Gate until I found my elusive father.

After a while of trying to find my father, I gave up. So, I just went back to Max and the others. I noticed my mother walking towards us, looking irritated and frustrated. I couldn't help but feel a little apprehensive. She could be a bit unpredictable when she was in a bad mood.
  
"Who's got my god damn cigarette?" she called out, and I could sense some tension in the air. A young woman walked up to her with the cigarette and her coat, and my mother snatched them from her hands.
 
As she walked over to us, Max introduced her to Norm. At least tried to introduce Jake to her. My mother looked over to Norm and took off her glasses.
  
"Norm, I hear good things about you. How's your Na'vi?" she asked him, and I could see the surprise on his face. He responded in Na'vi, and I couldn't help but admire his bravery. My mother seemed impressed but also a little critical.
  
"Not bad. You sound a little formal," she commented, and I could sense that she was sizing him up. I knew my mother could be tough, but I also knew that she was a brilliant scientist and a respected leader among the team at Hell's Gate.
  
I watched as my mother interacted with Norm and Jake. Norm seemed to be doing well in speaking Na'vi, which impressed my mother. Then Max introduced Jake, and he reached out to shake her hand, but my mother didn't reciprocate the gesture. Instead, she dismissed him, stating that she needed his brother, who was no longer alive.
  
My heart sank at Jake's response. He seemed to be taking the news in stride, but I knew how difficult it must have been for him to come all this way and find out that his brother was no longer with us. I know how that stuff feels when it comes to losing a brother or sister.
  
I looked away for a moment, trying to process everything. When I looked back at Jake, he was explaining that he knew it was an inconvenience for everyone. I could tell he was trying to be polite, but I could sense the sadness in his voice.
  
I felt a pang of sympathy for him and wanted to say something, but I didn't know what to say. So, I just stood there silently, watching as my mother continued to talk with Norm and Jake.
  
As I watched the interaction between my mother and the new arrivals, I couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement. Mum's frustration was palpable, and it seemed like everyone in the room could feel it. Norm spoke in Na'vi to impress her, but she wasn't easily swayed.
  
When Max introduced Jake, I could tell from his demeanour that he was nervous, but he extended his hand to shake hers anyway. Unfortunately, she refused to shake it, making it clear that she had no use for him.
  
Mum's frustration continued to boil over as she ranted about the higher-ups interfering with her work. Max tried to reason with her, but she was too stubborn to listen. I shook my head in amusement, knowing that it was typical of her to let her emotions get the best of her.
  
As Max left, he gave Jake some advice on how to impress Mum, and I couldn't help but chuckle. Despite her tough exterior, I knew that deep down, Mum respected people who knew their stuff.

The next day, I wanted to talk to him about something important. So, I asked my mum if she had seen him. She hadn't seen him in a while, but she did tell me that he was last seen heading towards the AMP.
  
I thanked her and ran as fast as I could towards the AMP. But, when I got there, he was already gone. I was frustrated and disappointed. "Damn you dad," I muttered under my breath.
  
I started walking away, hands in my pockets, trying to figure out what to do next. That's when I saw Trudy walking towards me. I decided to ask her if she had seen my dad.
  
"Hey Trudy," I greeted her. "Have you seen my dad around? I need to talk to him."
  
"No, sorry Nyxeira. I haven't seen him," Trudy replied.
 
I sighed, feeling a little defeated. "Thanks anyway," I said, trying to hide my disappointment. "I guess I'll just have to keep looking."
  
Trudy gave me a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, you'll find him. And if you need any help, just let me know."
  
Feeling grateful for her support, I smiled back. "Thanks, Trudy. I appreciate it." With that, I continued my search for my dad, hoping that I would find him soon.