Dream || Neteyam

One

A deep breath escapes me as I lift the heavy rope above my head. It flings around my head, and I release it, letting it land into the water.

Every time I do this, I imagine letting everything go. Imagine the waves going back and forth, pushing the rope, because I know thats what will happen.

It is something that seems so simple to watch, and then when I tried to do this my first time, I failed.

Failing is not something I take any liking whatsoever in.

The satisfying splat of the rope against the water makes a smile escape across my face; it lands just like my father taught me.

The breeze takes my wet hair off of my back and the beads around my body jangle as I dive into the water. My Ilu, Roisu, swims beneath me, pulling me along wherever I decide to take her.

I jump off of Roisu after hearing our warning shell sound. We only really ever hear it when our tulkun come back from their migration; however, this sound is different than that. It meant someone was coming.

I gather near my father, and watch as forest people, the Omatikaya, ride into our land, only being spotted a couple of minutes ago, flying on their Ikrans. Ive never seen the flying banshees, nor the people before.

The ikrans are huge, standing taller than us. They have large wings, and a different color scales every part of them. They remind me of our ilu.

Ive only heard tales of the Omatikayas leader, Toruk Makto. It was spread throughout the clans, how he was human, and led Omatikaya through wars against the sky people. How they lost their home tree. If I were in their clan at that time, having to experience that, I don't believe I would trust him. How could a sky man lead them to any victory?

The sunlight shines bright upon the strange looking people, their eyes squint shut at the brightness. Ive never seen anyone with skin in such a dark blue before.

Six of them stand on a sand bar, observing our every move as we do them. They are the most peculiar Na'vi I have ever seen, despite the fact that Ive never left the reef.

The parents stand in front, wearing a cordial face. Four children stand behind the couple. Three look my age, and the other is the youngest. Very small.

Tsireya walks besides me and stops, grabbing my arm. "Who are these people?" She asks, peering to them.

"I think that's the one, Toruk Makto and his family." I whisper, giving them a glare.

Her eyes are set on one person only. Following her gaze, it lands on one of the boys.

"Hey," He greets to us. More so my sister. I roll my eyes and look towards his brother who already stares at me. His eyes are curious, large, the smile on his cheaks visible around his eyes.

Sighing, I turn towards Aonung, expecting him to be asking questions with his best friend. Instead, Rotxo and him make fun of the forest peoples tails.

"No." Tsireya whispers to the boys. Aonung stops, looking to the ground, only pretending to be ashamed.

My eyes fly to them to see for myself. They do look funny. They are thin, and have hairs at the end of their tails. As I look them up and down I notice they have no tattoos. Their clothing is made from a rougher material and feathers.

A shadow casts over us as the wind begins blowing more.

Looking up, I see my father ride over us on his warrior skimwing. He looks confused, but he still gets off with confidence, greeting the family. They all look amazed, checking out the animal that remains in the shallow water.