Like Water || Neteyam

Prologue: An Unexpected Birth

Your dad is Norm Spellman, the scientist, or anthropologist to be exact, who arrived at Pandora with Jake Sully, the man born from the Sky people who is now not only Na'vi, but also known as Toruk Makto (rider of the last shadow) and the Olo'eyktan (clan leader) of the Omaticaya. As for your mother, not many might remember her, for she is no longer here with us, but neither Jake nor Norm will ever forget about the sacrifices she made for the Na'vi. Her name was Trudy Chacón, she was a transport pilot serving the RDA. She worked under the security force, but she developed closer relationships with the scientists, and one of them just so happens had captured her heart.

Fearless was the one word that described Trudy perfectly, she faced up against the larger and more powerful Dragon Gunship during the final battle between the sky people and the Na'vi without hesitation. Many believed her bravery costed her her life, but that was not the complete truth.

After the battle, Trudy was found by Norm and Max on the bottom of the Hallelujah Mountains with her parachute, unconscious and severely injured from her crash. They thought she wouldn't make it. She remained under a vegetative state since they brought her back to Hell's Gate where most humans were sent back to earth, but a small portion who were in peaceful relations with the Omaticaya stayed behind. It seemed as though Trudy was holding onto something, and that something gave her the strength to fight, even when she was at her most vulnerable condition.

Only after three months did everyone notice something odd; despite her becoming weaker through the days, Trudy's belly grew a small bump. At first, everyone refused to believe that this was possible. Of course, they came to find out that she was in fact, pregnant. Norm and Trudy never gave any promises to each other even when they shared mutual affections, but when the news of her pregnancy came to Norm, he teared up like a child, no one could tell if they were tears of shock, sadness or happiness.

The hardest part of this unexpected pregnancy was of course, the part of giving birth. Trudy remained unconscious and unresponsive up until her contractions began, which meant she was unable to push. No matter how much oxytocin was given to strengthen her contractions, the baby remained stuck. The medical team had all but one choice if they wanted to save the baby, and that was an emergency c-section.

Norm as the father of the child was looked upon to make the final decision. He turned to Jake and Max for help, but the two of them could only look at each other helplessly then back at Norm in utter silence. Norm could have sworn he felt Trudy squeeze his hand when he held onto her, as though she were trying to tell him something, this led him to agree to the c-section, even though it was a riskier decision. But if nothing were to be done, he would risk both the baby and mother, therefore this was the only option.

At last, you came into this world, the world of Pandora which became your home, not Earth where your parents and the sky people came from. You were wailing with such an abundance of energy upon birth, unlike your mom who was quiet from the beginning until the end. Jake was the first to hold you in his arms, as Norm was too concerned with Trudy's conditions despite his excitement about your birth. Perhaps this is why Jake will forever be special to you, for he was there when you first arrived at this world, and he will continue to be there to watch over you because deep down, he feels that he owes Trudy his life.

When the news of your birth came to Neytiri, she sighed in relief, placing a hand on her own baby bump. She was 6 months pregnant at that time, and though she loathed the sky people with all her heart, she held gratitude for those like Norm and Trudy who took her people's side against their own kind. Neytiri did not know what the future holds for Trudy and her daughter, but she was determined to protect this child, just as much as she would sacrifice anything for the son she carried within her. Little did she know, those two children's fate will come to be intertwined in the future, and they will change each other forever.

The first month of your life was the toughest. Trudy became even weaker after the c-section, therefore she was unable to nurse you. Pandora is no earth, there were no readily usable baby formulas. Unlike Spider who was at least with his mother for the first few months, you did not have such a privilege. Your crying intensified as you grew hungrier. Norm had to venture out with Jake to collect milk from the pa'li (direhorse), hoping that it could at least ease your hunger, while neither one of them knew if this was at all safe. Luckily, they came to find out from one of the zoologists that mare's milk has a composition similar to human milk, and will be well digested by an infant. Thus, you who could finally feed in peace began to thrive.

Only after a week, did Norm realize that because he was so concerned with Trudy's health and how to feed their daughter, he did not even take the time to give you a name. After giving it some thought, he settled for the name Moira, or more specifically, Mo'ira. Moira translates to destiny, share, and fate, referring to the Greek incarnations of destiny who are known as the Fates. And why Mo'ira? It was simply because he thought it sounded more Na'vi that way. In the past few months after Norm's avatar had been healed, whenever he was not by Trudy's bedside, he would be at the temporary village of the Omaticaya right outside of Hell's Gate, helping them with the wounded and taking care of their orphans. The people saw him as one of them even though he was the driver of an avatar and not a Na'vi, they made him feel at home. From then on, Norm had no intentions to fly back to the dying earth, Pandora became his new home, so his daughter who was born here might as well have a Na'vi sounding name.

After a month of happiness, the worst came at last. Trudy's health quickly deteriorated, they say giving birth must have consumed the last of her strength. They all knew it was coming, and there was nothing that could be done.

On a clear night while Norm laid in bed next Trudy, she passed away peacefully with you in between their arm. Norm could have sworn he saw a faint smile between her lips before the ECG showed a flatline. After many efforts trying to revive her, they came to accept the fact that she was gone.

Within two months of Trudy's passing, the Omaticaya welcomed the birth of Neteyam, Jake and Neytiri's first son. Norm was there with you in his arms during the celebration, for he and the humans left at Hell's Gate have become allies, friends, even brothers and sisters to the Omaticaya people, and he was sure to be there to congratulate Jake who has become his best friend through the years.

"Neteyam, son of Jake Sully!" He called out as Jake lifted his infant son high up for the entire clan to see. Meanwhile, Neytiri stood by his side with the brightest of smiles, immersed in joy.

Everyone  surrounding them and repeated the name Neteyam, even you within Norm's arms gave a loud cry, which brought laughter amongst those near you. Of course, you remember nothing of it, you were barely 3 months old. It's a funny story, as this was actually the first time Norm found a reason to bring you out into the forest. Previously, they did not have any masks that fitted an infant. But two days before Neytiri gave birth, Max had successfully customized one that surprisingly fitted your tiny cheeks perfectly. It was as though fate wanted Norm to bring you to the Omaticaya, and fate wanted you to witness Neteyam coming into this world.

It is almost as if destiny knew, that your fates would be intertwined in the future.