RIPTIDE - Neteyam fanfic

one

"the blue people"

Luna liked to scavenge the depths of the reef in search of small trinkets and shells. When something shiny caught her eye she would bring it back and craft something out of it or gift it to a friend or family member. it was a hobby of hers, a habit she'd adapted from a very young age.

she liked crafting things, making use of what eywa provided them with. Intricately carved seashells and beads clung to her braids, adorning them and glistening in the sunlight.

She rode her Ilu to the more secluded part of the reef, nearly at the border where she would usually find more things. she loved the feeling of the water rippling at her face as her ilu maneuvered rapidly through the water. She loved the feeling of her hair trailing behind her as she moved speedily fast. She loved water.

It hadn't taken her long to gather a series of shiny crystals and minerals native to pandora. She collected them and placed them in a tiny fabric pouch shed attached to her Ilu who lingered by a swarm of fish. After she felt satisfied with what she'd found she made her way back home.

But something else had caught her eyes. The sight of mysterious creatures that seemed to resemble Ilu but had very different features. And blue people seemed to ride them. She was intrigued.

She made a clicking noise in the back of her throat to alert her Ilu and she was off, following the trajectory of the flying animals in the sky.

She assumed they were headed to her home as it would be the nearest area with any sign of life. The water rippled again. The flying creatures had been faster however having already landed minutes before her arrival. Her Ilu slowed and her gaze wandered to the newcomers. She effortlessly dove into the water, using her arms to propel herself forward.

Just as she neared the shore she got to her feet and began to ascend above water, moving stray strands of hair that had stuck to her face out of the way and making her way to where her family stood. She had drawn the attention of a few people. Neteyam's eyes widened as he caught sight of her, unable to take his eyes off of her. Lo'ak noticed, nudging him in the shoulder playfully. Neteyam's cheeks grew red.

She caught sight of tsireya and announg first then as she swiveled through the crowd of people came to stand by her father, tonowari as he spoke to the new arrivals. "What brings you to our home, toruk makto?"

"We come seeking refuge. A safe place for my family to stay away from war.", spoke a man. He stood in the front.

stelle' took her turns eyeing each and every one of them. There were two girls, one much younger than the other. She waved at her and she smiled, waving back. Then her gaze fell on the two brothers. One of them exchanged a look with tsireya, the younger one and as her eyes fell on the other she realized he had been looking at her first.

She looked him in his strikingly yellow eyes, trying to read him but as soon as they'd made eye contact his gaze fell to the floor, a warm tint tainting his cheeks. Stelle' smiled, knowing the affect she'd had on the boy.

She was drawn back to the conversation her father was having with Toruk Makto. "We do not want you bringing a war to us."

"We are done with war. We only wish to live in peace among you. We can learn your ways.", he continued.

Tonowari consulted with Ronal quietly to themselves. Stelle' looked at tsiereya and she looked at her. Stelle' could tell by her face she had already grown fond of the young boy. She smiled at her knowingly.

Stelle' too had grown curious about a boy. She let her gaze wander back to him. It was as if he felt her eyes on him for he looked at her too, this time with a smile on his lips.

Stelle' had been too busy eyeing the boy to pay attention to the important conversation happening beside her. She only focused back on it at the mention of her name.

"My son, Announg and two daughters tsireya and stelle' will teach you everything you need to know so you do not have to suffer the shame of not fitting in."

Announg was quick to rebuke. "But-"

"It is decided.", Toniwari cut him off.

Tsireya smiled wildly. She was clearly excited to spend more time with the young boy. Stelle' was happy for her. Happy she might potentially be able to find the person that's good for her. She deserved it.

Stelle' wasn't so quick to get excited about it though, questions and doubts about these blue people still lingering in her mind.

"Come, my sister and I will show you the village.", tsireya spoke, gesturing for the family to follow them.

Stelle' trailed behind her and the family with a reluctant announg. "What do you think of them, ung?"

"They're actual freaks, they're not going to fit in."

She slapped him on the back of his head. "Don't be rude." She hoped none of them had heard, especially not the little one.

Tsieraya succcesfully led them to their new home where they'd be staying. They entered and started settling in. Announg took a trail that went in another direction and tsireya left the family to get accommodated, starting to walk alongside Stelle'.

she was smiling from ear to ear. "The little one is tukitrey but they call her tuk, the older girl is kirri, the older boy is neyetam, and the younger brother is Lo'ak. They introduced themselves to me on the way."

"So you and Lo'ak?" Stelle' nudged her with her elbow,chuckling softly as she watched her face redden furiously so much so one could seriously question whether it was blue to begin with.

"It is nothing."

"Yeah we will see about that."

She shrugged "You and Neteyam?"

"uh-"

first chapter, hope u like lol there is exciting things to come!! I will be updating regularly as I have a lot of the chapters written already and just need some editing :))