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 comes back from their migration; however, this sound is different.

Forest people, the Omaticaya, rode into our land 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 Omaticayas leader, Toruk Makto. How he was human, and led Omaticaya through wars. If I were in their clan at that time, having to experience that, would be hard. How could a human man lead them to any victory?

The sunlight shines bright upon the strange people, their eyes squint shut at the brightness. Ive never seen anyone in such a dark shade 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 them. 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.

Sighing, I turn towards Aonung. Rotxo and him make fun of the forest's tails.

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

They do look funny. They are thin, and have hairs at the end of their tails. A darker blue covers their skin, and 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 rides over us on his skimwing, and then getting off, greeting the family. They all look amazed.

Theyve never seen our creatures just as weve never seen theirs.

Moving my gaze to the sand, I space out. Im only curious about what they want. Weve never been visited by the forest people in the last fifteen years Ive been alive. The weirdest part is that we didnt expect them.

My mother is as unimpressed as I am. My father gave polite greetings, but my mother walks up to them, immediately asking what they need.

They seek shelter. Something about the family upsets me. They seem entitled. I do not have the same problem as my mother, but they do not deserve to come here and practically demand for us to keep them safe.

The reef is my home and I do not want the balance to be disrupted.

Looking up quickly, falling out of my stare. A breath escapes me and I begin to walk back into the water."They are not even true Na'vi!" She says about their kids as I leave them.

"Nia!" My father calls, trying not to bring too much attention.

Ignoring him, I jump into the water.

~

"Ni'awtu!" Looking up from my spot at the edge of the barrier, I see Tsireya riding her Ilu through the water.

I roll my eyes when I see the newcomers hanging onto her and Aonungs Ilu.

I stand up and begin to turn around. "Nia! Wait!" Aonung calls.

"What?" I turn back around, only looking at my siblings.

They all climb off of the Ilus. Tsireya is the first to get to me.

"You are in deep trouble with father." I knew I would be.

"Why?" I ask.

"Well, you went off and we have been helping teach these pathetic children all day." Aonung practically yells in his cocky voice.

Tsireya hits him in the stomach and he bends over a little. She displays another smile and gestures towards the teenagers.

"Lo'ak, Neteyam, Kiri, and Tuk, this is Ni'awtu or Nia." They all greet me with polite 'hellos'. "Nia, this is Lo'ak, Neteyam, Kiri, and Tuk."

For a short moment, I glance at them, giving the kids a little smile. "Hi." I whisper.

Lo'ak is the one my sister was staring at when they first arrived. Their energy is still the same, I notice as the two of them steal glances, checking each other out, or paying too much attention to each other.

I hate the way he looks at her. She doesn't need any of that right now. Especially not with war following them. They claim they won't bring danger, but I don't believe it. He was their leader. And suddenly they disappear? I would be looking for them.

Tuk is the youngest, and Kiri is the other girl, she does not share the same features as the rest of them. Her face is longer, and eyes built completely different. Her wiseness, and knowledge level seems higher than the rest. But all I have to compare her to is two boys, and a little girl.

Neteyam is the last boy. I am also guessing the eldest. He is quiet, standing towards the back, watching over all of them.

His eyes fall from Tsireya to me. He has a big clothing piece around his stomach. I wonder what it is.

I hate the way he looks at me too.

"What have you taught them?" I ask, shifting my eyes back to my sister.

"We began swimming, and the Ilus. We need work on breath work. You need to help." I groan and instantly plop down in my place, once again.

They all follow, and the Tsireya begins the talking, showing them where to breathe from.

During this, Tsireya does most of the talking. Looks like she didnt need me. Also looks like I am going to be tied into teaching them from now on.

Shit.

Admitting it to myself is a struggle, but I know the kids have nothing to do with what their parents just decide to do. They seem pleasant.

Tuk and Kiri are my favorites. Tuk is adorable, and funny. And Kiri is just very genuine.

"Lo'ak, your heart is beating fast." Tsireya says, bringing me out of the meditative state.

I open my eyes to see her holding onto Lo'aks chest. It takes everything from within me not to slap her hand away.

The boys open their eyes shortly after me, and then Kiri follows.

Tuk is the only one with her eyes still closed.

Neteyam and Roxto exchange looks. Kiri roles her eyes. I am on Kiri's boat.

Neteyam peers over at me, instantly, I freeze. Squinting my eyes back shut, I hear another breathy laugh escape him.

My mind runs for a moment, and then I decide what I must do.

"I must leave." I stand up quickly. Sitting there in silence after not being able to focus, isn't my idea of meditative state.

"Ni'awtu, do not leave." Tsireya calls after me.

"I have to talk to father!" I call back, getting ready to dive with my Ilu.