ℐ 𝓈𝑒𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 • 𝙻𝚘'𝚊𝚔 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚃𝚜𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚢𝚊

1.5

"You're a Tulkun. You saved my life." I breathlessly thank the Tulkun quickly.

I communicated with the Tulkun by striking my chest with my fist.

My mother always said that even if we couldn't communicate verbally, sign language is a dance with words.

I chuckle as the ethereal creature's pupils begin to dilate with a sigh of joy. "I'm not sure what you just said, Buddy."

The creature emitted nasally whistles, his eyes darting between me and the weapon that went through the Tulkun's enormous fins.

"They hurt you, didn't they?"

My heart was somewhat prickled with remorse. I push off the Tulkun's lumpy fins, stroking it and studying the spear that pierced through the fin.

I twist the rusted handle of the spear, spinning it in one direction as swiftly as I can so the creature doesn't suffer much more agony.

I swam back up, cranking the end of the spear and released it into the water.

"Friends?"

My eyes search the Tulkun, but a small smoky golden pupil that stared back at me attracted my attention.

Tulkun was a lot like me.

We were... one-of-a-kind.

The Tulkun's velvety whistle responded in glee.

"Yes, we're friends. Friends."

~

"I don't want to hear it."

My father comes to a halt, and I try to retaliate,

"Dad,"

The words flow like butter. With a froth of despair, like toxin salt on the tip of his tongue.

"You have brought shame to this family."

I try to avoid looking at him.

He meant every word he said.

As my mother softly sighed, his gaze never wavered.

I leave the scene in what appears to be a recurring attempt at redemption for my father to finally see me through.

"Why did you speak for me?" Ao'nung's approaching footsteps catch up with mine, and he glances at me in bewilderment.

The chief's son deserved to be humbled. But his stature was recognized because of how cleverly he handled himself for his family.

"Because I know what it's like to be one big disappointment."

Truthfully, I accept the blame in order to feed my brokenness.

~

"A young bull who went rogue. He's an outcast. Alone. He also lacks a fin."

The Metkayina spoke as if the Tulkun were a beast.

Tsireya softly stroked my arm to reassure me.

"They claim he's a killer."

"He killed Na'vi and other Tulkun," Ao'nung jumps in. I sigh, shaking my head.

"No, he is not a killer. Payakan. He saved my life."

"You're lucky to be alive, Lo'ak."

"Listen to me," I said, wrapping my fingers around her wrist.

Her head cocked to the side as her gaze softened.

"He saved my life. He's one of my friends."

.