"Father, won't this be a little awkward considering I've already greeted them a few hours ago?" I asked shifting the weight of the basket full of gutting knifes and blades on my arms as we made our way through the bouncy pathway.
"Not at all! If anything this will make you stand out to Toruk Maktou's family. You'll make an amazing first impression." Father cheerfully exclaimed at he gripped his walking cane.
"Besides, I wasn't able to come out of the house to greet them when they landed, what with all the crowds. I must be hospitable." He affirmed.
"Now where is it? Are we nearly there?" I asked.
"The next one, father. Watch your step" I cautioned. It was clear he was pushing himself a little too hard, his ankles wobbled and his calves shaking.
Eventually, we made our way back to the familiar mauri. From the outside, I peered inside and noticed that the home was much more furnished this time with different clashing kinds of objects, all from their own clan. They seemed to be more rustic and taken immediately from the trees.
"Kaia, look at me." Father petitioned. In response, I turned my face towards him.
"Ugh, sea slug you've got morpa guts on your cheeks!" Father sneered and licked his finger. He the proceeded to wipe the supposed gunk off my face.
I bit my cheek and furrowed my brows "Father..." I groaned and pivoted my face away. Father frowned and forcefully cupped my cheeks again.
"Come on now, we're in respectful public. And people want to see your glowing face!" He ordered.
"I for one do." A voice hummed. My eyes shifted from my fathers annoyed face to Neteyam' s toned figure leaning against the mauri opening, a smirk plastered on his face.
For what felt like the thirtieth time that day, I rolled my eyes.
"Why, hello there!" Father exclaimed loudly as he wobbled toward the cerulean teen.
His knees began to buckle down with his sudden movement. I gasped slightly and began to let go of the basket but Neteyam swiftly stood up and took hold of his arms, aiding him in catching his balance.
"Careful sir, the pathways don't seem to be ready for your valiant spirit." Neteyam laughed.
Father contently patted the teens forearms "I like you, boy." He chuckled and turned back at me with a wide smile "I like this one a lot."
Neteyam gently lifted him upright and picked up father's walking cane. Father seemed like we could swoon at any moment from the interaction.
"I am Temloa te'Maitla. And I'm sure you've met my daughter, Kaia." Father gushed as he gestured to me "She is currently very very single and she cleans up nicely when her hair is done."
"My hair is done, Father." I grumbled.
"Yeah sure,sure, sea slug." He dismissed.
Neteyam smiled at the ground, patting the slightly taller but hunched man's shoulder. Both varied in sizes significantly but due to fathers crippling condition, Neteyam seemed to tower over him.
"So what brings a mighty warrior and his beautiful daughter to our home?" He smoothly said fixating his eyes back on me. I clutched my basket and walked toward the smiling idiot.
"Father, made you morpa gutting knives, you'll find them useful for your cooking." I dryly responded and stuck my arms out rigidly as I clutched the basket.
Neteyam cocked his head and peered into the basket. He took note of the many blades Father had made and plucked one of the painstakingly made tusks out. Clasping it, he gazed at it profoundly.
"Wow, these look beautiful" Neteyam praised, shifting the blades angle every few seconds and taking another view.
"Thank you, my son." Father bowed with a bright smile.
"Although..." Neteyam began as he sneaked a peak at my annoyed face "My family won't know how to use these. Our kills are usually much larger and requiere bigger utensils, smaller blades will be tricky to handle." He stated.
"Oh that's right!" Father face palming.
I knew where this was going. Dumb logic, but convincing tone. I clenched my jaw and prepared to stand my ground, this was war.
"I'm sure you could figure it out." I bluntly objected.
"Oh, I'm sure I could." Neteyam replied with a click of his teeth as he crossed his arms "But I think it'd be much more efficient with say, a personal tutorial on how the Metkayina prepare their food would be most helpful by say a...Metkayina member."
With every painstaking word, Neteyam strutted forward closer to me.
"Wouldn't you agree, Kaia?" He teased.
I pretended to ponder for a moment "Mmm...You know you may be right...Tsireya will come and teach you."
Neteyam mimicked my pondering motion "Mmm...I was thinking someone more angry-looking."
I glared and began to open my mouth for my next response.
"Nonsense! Kaia would be happy to teach you." Father bellowed as he stepped between us. My heart dropped.
I turned back with clenched teeth "But Father, I have to prac-"
Father waved his hands "Practice practice I know, it's only mid-eclipse. Just show them how to do it and you'll be on your way."
Father leaned into my ears "Be nice!" He eagerly whispered "He looks friendly." He turned back to Neteyam and smiled widely to which Neteyam smiled back.
I bit my lip and breathed out exasperatingly.
"My daughter will teach you!" Father exclaimed "She's very good with her blade handling."
"I'm looking forward to it, sir." Neteyam gleamed.
What a sadist.
"Alright, I'll meet you back at the mauri, Kaia." Father bellowed as he began to take his leave
"Have fun!"
"Bye Father..." I grumbled with flat ears as I watched happily trot away, almost as if he met Eywa herself. I could feel Neteyam's taunting gaze on my dejected pose.
"After you, kid." Neteyam seem to sing as he expanded his arm to the entrance.
I let out a long sigh which turned into a growl. It was my turn to strike "You know? Y-You...should know something." I hissed and suddenly halted.
Neteyam tilted his head curiously at the silence "Well?"
"I..." I grumbled.
"You..." he hummed.
"I...really...don't like you." I managed to squeak out.
Neteyam nodded his head and pouted his lips almost like he was contemplating a new fact.
Sarcasm, my dreaded enemy.
His frame then became closer as he leaned down to my level in front of my face but still at a safe distance.
"I know, kid" he admitted
"That's what makes this fun."
AUTHORS NOTE
Guys this is the most chapters I've ever put out for a Fanfiction! I'm very proud of my resolve!! I've already pre written many chapters that are in the editing phase! I can't wait to share them!
I started my drawing of Kaia and her father, hopefully that will be done in the next two chapters.
Also also, I've been tweaking the last few chapters with a few new details or to fix spelling mistakes!!!
And thank you for thirty reads!!! I'm so excited!!!
Oeal Ngati Kameia💙💙💙💙
YOU ARE READING
The River Tree (Neteyam x Metkayina OC)
Fanfiction(Formally known as @momochromeray) "The sea gives and the sea takes" that's all orphaned teen Kaia allowed herself to accept. As a young socially awkward girl trying to find her place within her clan she has given up all hope trying to connect with...
