horizons | jake sully

F O U R

"Mission log one. So, I'm not exactly sure what I should be saying on here. I'm with the Na'vi now. They're teaching me their ways and keeping me under a close eye. I won't be able to advance anytime soon. I've met L'aiola. She's giving me so much already. The braids make bonds with animals. That's how they fly and ride. It's a difficult task to master. I think by the time I have their trust, I'll have enough information for us all. L'aiola and another woman by the name of Neytiri are teaching me. I'll soon have their trust and the mission will get that much easier. I'm about to link again, so here's hoping they give me something valuable."

...........................................

Days have gone by. Jake is learning fast. We've begun teaching him the language, which means Neytiri can't shit talk him right in front of him anymore. He's loosening up and he actually seems pretty sweet.

Today is the day we teach him to shoot.

He walked between Neytiri and I as we made our way to a clearing.

"So you're going to teach me how to shoot a bow?" he said. I nodded sharply and pulled my bow off my back.

"This is important. It's a defense mechanism as well as hunting. You need to know how to properly get it done," I said.

Neytiri stood next to me and loaded her bow. I loaded mine and raised it. I zoned in on the tree in the center and took a breath, releasing the arrow. It went flying and landing right in the center. Neytiri then sent hers flying and it landed just below mine.

"The form is the most important," she said. I looked at her and she nodded. I stepped to the side and smiled. Jake looked at his bow and mimicked Neytiri and I.

Well, he tried.

He held the bow up and Neytiri groaned. I looked between the two of them and tried to figure out what she was so bent out of shape about.

"L'ai, fix his form," she said. I stared at him and then it clicked. I stood in front of him and pulled his arm down slightly. I fixed his posture and made him stand up straight.

My hand was on his chest when he looked at me. I paused, staring at him for a second. He was looking down at me with soft eyes. I forgot what I was doing and just looked at him. At the sound of a branch snapping, I cleared my throat and stepped back. He shifted uncomfortably and looked at his bow instead of me.

Thank you.

"Better. Let it fly," Neytiri said from behind him. He released it and the arrow landed higher up on the tree than both of ours. I gave her a look and then glanced back at the tree.

"He is horrible," she said. I shook my head.

"Do not be so quick to judge. He will learn," I said. Jake watched us with his eyes narrowed, as if he was trying to understand what we were saying. I looked at him and hoped he couldn't get what we were saying yet.

"Oh please, he does not know what we are saying, L'ai."

I snapped my eyes to Neytiri and she gave me a look.

"You're letting him get to you."

"I am not," I said quickly. She laughed.