Power of Eywa | Lo'ak

5. Heart to Heart

- Ryonan's POV -

Kiri was still unconscious, me and Ronal went to go help since she is the Tsahik. I just helped carry some things there. When we got there, there was someone trying to scan her with weird devices.

This was a sign of disrespect towards the Tsahik, "I see I am not needed her." Ronal said and started to leave but Neytiri grabbed her, "You are Tsahik." She convinced.

"..Remove these things." Ronal said and Neytiri turned to them, "OUT. You have done NOTHING" Neytiri yelled and they all scurried out with the devices.

Ronal started her work so I went out to see Jake and the other guy talking. "She said she could.. feel Eywa. Hear her heartbeat.." I heard Jake say. I knew there was something about Kiri, now I know.

Eywa, our all mother gives gifts to help the Na'vi. She blesses us, so we treat her with respect back. Sometimes, these gifts can be human beings, and in this case.. Kiri is a gift from Eywa herself.

I walked back in to see that Ronal has finished her work, and Kiri had woken up. "Kiri..!" Neytiri gasped lightly as she took Kiri's hand and put it to her cheek. I stood at the side as I watched this interaction. "Oh kiri, my child" I blinked once or twice, then left.

- Jake Sully POV -

Tonowari's kids were definitely something, I knew it.. but the second that his oldest stepped in, I saw something in her. In my eyes, she was the perfect child.

Ryonan was wise, responsible and acted not only for herself but for everyone else. She knew how to take charge, and she stood her ground. I favored her, and from the interactions i've seen between her and my kids.. she gave me hope that this place could really be our home.

- flashback; the night of Lo'ak and Ryonan flying together

I woke up to the sound of wings flapping, and ikran calls. I got up and walked to the nets, looking in the sky to see Ryonan and Lo'ak flying together. I never knew she could fly, and she did it with skill too. I heard their laughter and I couldn't help but smile. Lo'ak had made a friend.

- now

I saw Ryonan leave the cot with a troubled expression, I decided to go talk to her.

"Ryonan, hold on kid" I called after her and she stopped to turn around, "Toruk Makto" She greeted me. I chuckled, "You can call me Jake.. wanna go for a walk?" I asked her and she hesitated, but nodded.

We walked along the edge of the beach in pure silence until I spoke up, "You take after Tonowari, your father. He leads with great responsibility" I told her.

"...Thank you?" Ryonan said with a hint of confusion which made me laugh a little, "You remind me of..... my brother" I said which surprised her, and honestly surprised myself too.

"You have a brother?" She asked me curiously, I nodded. "He's died.. a while ago. He was good to me, but also got annoying since he acted so much older than me." I said and she let out a giggle.

"I see greatess in you, Ryonan. I hope you see it in yourself too. Tonowari would be proud, I am sure you bring no shame to your family" I smiled at her and she smiled too, until I said shame. That was when her smile began to falter, "wh..what? What's wrong?" I asked.

She sat down and I sat down next to her, we watched the ocean. "I.. am not Metkayina" Ryonan spoke up. I wasn't all too surprised, she hadn't looked anything like them. She looked from another clan, but was treated as if she was one here.

Ryonan looked into the sky, and silence irrupted. Then, she started to tell me her story, "I was born with this.. birth mark" She pointed to a swirl on the side of her thigh.

"My.. birth parents first thought I was a gift from Eywa, but soon they were convinced of the opposite. I was only 4 when the first sign shown. My grandmother had taken me out to go hunting. When I killed the animal, I went to go send it off, like you always do. When I sent it off though, when I said 'you are now with Eywa' a sharp pain surged through my whole body. It was quick, but painful. Like no other pain I have felt. When I kill, now. I do not send them off, I grab my spear, or my arrow, and I leave. I do not spare it a glance at all." She explained.

"There were more signs to come, and my parents soon believed that I was tainted by devil blood... me. Their own daughter." She looked at me with anger in her eyes, then looked away to continue her story, "The biggest sign was when my grandmother had passed. I loved her dearly, when Eywa took her from me, I felt like I lost everything. I sobbed the night of my grandmother's death, and the ground shook mightily. People got hurt, and it was my fault, for I had not known how to control my emotions." She said with a sigh.

"The night I was sent away, I had gotten in trouble with my mother. Usually, my father never paid mind to me, but for that reason, I got dragged out of the place I sleep. Sooner or later, I was sent away from my home. I haven't seen anyone from the Tayrangi clan since, and I don't plan too. I will not make my life harder by interacting with them. Those.. people. Demon blood.." She chuckled at the end and sniffled.

Ryonan turned to look at me and I looked at her, she had tears in her eyes. "I...I feel Eywa but not in a good way! I feel her hurt.. it was like I was born only to bear her pain. How could I bear her pain.. when I can barely bear my own?" She whispered, the tears finally falling down her cheeks.

Ryonan hung her head low and continued to cry. I hesitantly put my hand on her head as a form of comforting her, "Uh.. crying isn't good..?" I said, more like asking.

She wiped her tears away and swat my hand, "You are not good at comforting" She told me and I chuckled, "I know"

"And you.. also aren't the best at parenting" She said honestly. I looked at her, "I know that too"

She sighed, "Neteyam and Lo'ak aren't warriors. They are your sons.. your flesh and blood. They should not have to call you sir." Ryonan scolded me which made me laugh again. Great, i'm getting a parenting 101 with a 15 year old girl.

"I am being honest, Jake Sully. Lo'ak tries to live up to your expectations.. tries a little too hard. His trying can get him hurt, sometimes. You expect Neteyam to be the good and responsible older brother, so that is what he does. He goes after Lo'ak to protect him, but he also gets hurt in the doing." She explained which I kind of understood.

She sighed, "Look, what i'm trying to say is.. when they get hurt, all they expect from you is to be there at home, with open arms and a smile on your face. They just want you to be there for them, and proud of them." She finished and that was when I fully understood.

"Well, that shitty family you had back then, they do not matter anymore. Your family is here, with Aonung and Tsireya.. and my family too. We welcome you, forever. I've seen my kids with you Ryonan, you can't fake that happiness. When you're with Neteyam, he's happy because he has someone who knows what it's like to be the older one. You and Kiri.. well it's you and Kiri! You both can feel some part of Eywa, I think you would get along. Tuk.. tuk loves you. You care for her a different way her siblings care, and she loves that. And lastly.. my Lo'ak. He is one trouble maker, but i've never seen him so happy when he's with you. His laughs are genuine" I laughed at the last part.

"Ryonan, when you're with us.... we want to be with you. And we always will. From now on, consider us your second family- or whatever you want to consider us as" I smiled at her and she did too.

A horn was sounded, and you could hear everyone scurrying to see what it is. "The Tulkun are back!" I heard someone yell.

Ryonan stood up, "The tulkun are back.. I should go greet them. Thank you for.. this, Jake" She said and quickly left, leaving me standing there.

"Huh.. I just had a long conversation with her... a heart to heart." I muttered to myself