RIPTIDE - Neteyam fanfic

three

"Ilus and trinkets"

"Place your hand here." Stelle' placed Neteyam's hand on the holder attached to the Ilu. "Hold tightly."

He looked at her with a cocky smirk. "I got this."

She laughed. "Prove it then. Race me." 

He looked her in the eyes and she could tell he'd accepted her challenge, but knew he would fail. Riding Ilus was nothing like riding Ikrans.

She called for her Ilu, Mae and mounted her with ease. "Ready?"

"Always."

"Go!" They rode their Ilu's, gliding throughthe water. He was going pretty good up until the ilu's dove underwater, the strong current flinging him right of his Ilu.

Stelle' chuckled, halting Mae. As he resurfaced she could tell his ego had been very damaged. Not wanting him to feel too bad about it she helped him up onto hers seeing as his had rode off somewhere in the distance. "Let's try that again shall we?"

It had taken a few tries but he was slowly getting better and better. Soon enough they were able to ride alongside each other at a rather fast speed. He had learned fairly quickly.

"You did good.", she spoke as they walked from the shore to the large rock where they had practiced their breathing. Tuk and Lo'ak were still practicing with tsireya, kirri lost as per usual. They had stopped looking for her when they realized she had a habit of wandering off and returning unharmed hours later. It was best to let her explore and satisfy her curiosity. That girl had a connection with the water and it's beautiful creatures, that much was undeniable.

"Could have done better." Neteyam looked at the ground. Stelle' could tell he was his biggest critique, always trying to live up to everyone's expectations for him. Being the eldest son and all.

she related to that and placed a comforting hand around his upper arm. She lightly squeezed it hoping it would give him the hint that he did fine.  "Don't beat yourself up over it. You're a fast learner." He smiled at her and she smiled back. His arm brushed against hers, sending a trail of goosebumps up it. She wasn't sure whether it was intentional or if it had the same effect on him but she tried her best to keep her cool. "Hungry?"

"Very."

"Let's get something to eat."

-

Stelle' was surprised to find kirri on the more outer parts of the reef. She swam around admiring the fish and underwater foliage. She had a glow in her eyes, like she felt right at home under the sea. They had that in common.

She swam to her with a smile, lightly tapping her on the shoulder. She turned sharply, startled.

'sorry' Stelle' mouthed to her, unsure if she'd learned any sign language yet.

She only smiled gesturing for her to get closer with her hand. She did and was able to catch a glimpse at what she was looking at. It was an interesting looking flower that glowed a bright neon orange. In the middle tiny bugs rested, they glowed too. It was a beautiful sight.

They both came up to catch air after a while.

"Interesting find", said Stelle' "Of all my years roaming this area I'd never stopped to pay attention to that species. It's truly a beauty."

"I know. I couldn't help but let it catch my interest as I swam. This reef is totally amazing."

Stelle' was glad she liked her home. "It really is."

"I hope you can show me around more in the future. I'd love to familiarize myself with more areas of the sea and you seem like the perfect person to help me do so." Stelle' could tell in the way she spoke she felt passionate about her sea exploration.

"Of course, kirri. I would love to."

"But don't bring Neteyam please. It's my turn with you.", she said playfully.

I laughed, splashing water in her face. "It's not like that."

"Whatever you say." The look on her face gave away she didn't believe her.

"Here why don't i take you back to my hut and show you my collection of things I've found underwater? Just you and tuk. Some girl time. Without Neteyam."

"Really? That would be great!", she exclaimed.

"Let's go."

-

Seeing as she was daughter of the metkayina leader, Stelle' got her own small hut by announg and tsireya's. She slept on a comfortable hammock. The rest of the place was littered with trinkets, crafts, and personally woven furniture.

Kirri and her had gone to find Tuk who had been sitting with Neytiri at their family's hut and had recruited her to come with them.

They enters stelle's hut wide eyed.

"It's so pretty.", said Tuk.

Kirri swatted away Tuks's wandering hands. "Don't touch what's not yours, Tuk.", she scolded though she had the same urge.

"Oh that's okay.", stelle' quipped, pulling out a wooden box. "In here I have my favorite finds. The valuables."

Tuk and kirri gathered around her and the box, intrigued as to what lay inside. Upon opening it shiny crystals and ancient fossil finds were revealed.

Kirri audibly gasped. "They're beautiful."

"I want to collect things like you, stelle'!", said Tuk.

Stelle' took a blue clunk of crystallized salt she'd found in the depths of another reef far from there and gave it to tuk. "Here. To help start your collection."

She beamed, her smile contagious and wholehearted. "Thank you!"

"I also hope to have such a brilliant collection as well.", said kirri. "I think we'll be great friends, stelle' '"

She gave her a warm smile. "I think so too."

Mission to not get attached to sully's: miserably failed. But she was not mad about it. Not a single bit.

almost at an exciting part!! I have lots of time on my hands so expect uodates!!