pathway., neteyam x reader

chapter three

  "These are new," Ao'nung began, "if you want to live here, you have to ride." He spoke to the group, holding his hand in a presenting way. You, Tsireya, and him made callings and clicks in order to attract the creature. Ilus. They were like the Omaticaya clan's version of direhorses. They were agile swimmers of the reef.

Neteyam held Tuk, who would occasionally smile at you while you were doing your calling. You'd smile back, continuing your calls while Neteyam and Lo'ak curiously looked around. No sight of Kiri, but you had seen her take another dive underwater. She must really enjoy it. You also had wondered how their parents were doing right now. If they were also enjoying their training or the water in general.

—

"Make the bond gently," Tsireya spoke, holding the Ilus queue while Lo'ak pulled his braid to his front, his queue connecting with the creatures.

You worked with Neteyam, gently running your hands along the ilus side, taking hold of the queue. "Feel his breath..Feel his strength," You spoke as Neteyam and the Ilu made a bond. You observed his face, your hand slipping off the ilu's queue. Your eyes trailed down to your hands, you hesitantly placed it over his knee, patting it. Neteyam seemed a bit taken back, watching your movements as his eyes fluttered at you and the creature, taking in the bond. "Breathe," You spoke, "Hold here," You led his hand to the handle of the saddle for the ilu.

"It will dive into the water. Be cautious," You then added, he smiled at you. His smile sharp then dying down to a gentle one, followed by a hum. Your ears burned up, even though your back went cold. They fluttered at his kind smile. You nodded your head, letting go, and back away.

'I must be getting sick.'

—

Neteyam did good. It was better than whatever Lo'ak did. He had been thrown off the Ilu in a matter of seconds.

The group had laughed at him as he resurfaced. Tsireya covered her mouth, attempting to hide her laughter and smiles— which wasn't very hidden.
But she didn't want to make him feel any less than he probably already did.

His attempt to impress her didn't go as he planned, but in the end, he still made her smile didn't he?

"How'd I do?" Neteyam circles around you with the Ilu, "Good. Better than your brother." You replied as you looked at Lo'ak again. Neteyam patted the Ilu, his laugh brought your attention back. It was nice to hear, very soothing.

"He is reckless," Neteyam spoke, you shook your head slightly, your smile was now much more visible. "He'll get it. Tsireya will help, she is a good teacher."

"I think he will. He wants to pay close attention to your sister," He teased, you scrunched your nose at this. Soon you were the one letting out small laughs and avoiding his face. Your ears seemed to burn up more and more as each second passed. It soon began to lead to your cheeks, but you're probably getting sick. Like you thought so before.

"Why do you hide?" He questioned, a bit out of the conversation and teasing he had given you earlier. "Hide. I do not hide." You responded, he circled you a bit, and you soon followed along. Your hot ears and face were not dying down.

"You are hiding, why?" He repeated, "You laugh, you smile but you look away from me, why don't you want me to see?"

You turn to face him and slowly smiled, shaking your head and returning to your teaching mindset.

"Breathing exercises next."

The time came when you, Tsireya, and Rotxo sat with the eldest children. Neteyam, Lo'ak, and Kiri.

"Breathe in," Tsireya began, her eyes closing, hands resting on her lap. "And breathe out,"

Everyone followed these motions, she spoke soothingly, and Rotxo moved his hands to the rhythm, for visuals. You took deep breaths in and out, just as Tsireya did.