𝕱𝖔𝖗𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗 - 𝕷𝖔'𝖆𝖐

𝕿𝖍𝖗𝖊𝖊

The following day, Naya'il and her companions helped the Sullys build up on the learning they did the previous day.

All eight of them sat in a circle, Naya'il leading the circle with breathing exercises to help hold their breath longer.

"Breathe in, breathe out." Naya instructs, all of them following. She was sat in between Neteyam and Lo'ak. She focused on hearing both boys' breath. Neteyam seemed to get the hang of it quite well while Lo'ak's breathing sounded quick.

Naya'il leans over to Lo'ak and places a hand on his heart and one on his abdomen.

"Your heart is beating fast. You must slow it down." She tells him, feeling his heart beat beneath her hand.

"Okay. Sorry." Lo'ak apologizes and tries breathing slower.

"No need to apologize. Instead of trying to control your breath, just notice it. Don't force yourself to breath longer or deeper breaths. Think of how your lungs expand when you inhale and contract when you exhale. Watch your breath from the start of the inhale to it's end, at the exhale." Naya tells him. A few moments later, Lo'ak was breathing softer, deeper and longer.

"Very good." She compliments and a smile plays at Lo'ak's lips.

Neteyam and Ao'nug give each other a knowing look about their siblings.

After some more practise and training, the day was almost over, and closer to eclipse.

Naya'il was walking around the village when she stumbles upon Lo'ak, who seemed to be doing something.

"Oh, uh, hey." He says, trying to be nonchalant.

"Hey," Naya smiles at him and looks behind him. "What are you doing?"

"Oh, nothing." He lies, making a pfft sound.

Naya chuckles before walking right past him to where she found an Ikran.

"Oh my, he's beautiful." Naya admires. "Is he yours?"

"Yup. He's mine," Lo'ak says, placing his hand on the Ikran.

"I wonder what it would be like to ride one of these. I bet it's terrifying." Naya admits.

"What? No! Riding an Ilu is scary!" Lo'ak admits. "These guys, are a lot of fun."

"But it must be horrifying being up at such a height." Naya inquires.

"Nah, once you get used to it, the view is the only thing you can think about. It's a lot of fun, trust me." Lo'ak persuades. "Do you wanna try it?"

"Try what?" Naya asks and then looks to the Ikran. "Oh, no way."

"Why not? Come on, I promise. It'll be fun." Lo'ak persuades. "Please?"

Watching Lo'ak ask her like this made Naya give in. There was something about this boy.

"Alright, fine. But if I die from falling off of it, you better make up a better story of how I died."

So now, Lo'ak was already on the Ikran, teaching Naya'il to get on.

"Okay, just give me your hand and place your foot over there." Lo'ak instructs and Naya'il does so. "Push yourself up and swing your foot around the Ikran."

While she did this, Naya lost her balance. She was about to fall off when Lo'ak grabbed her waist.

"Oh thank god you caught me, Lo'ak." She gasps, holding onto the arms that held her.

"Don't sweat it." He sends her a pearly white smile before turning around to face forward. "Now, hold on to me."

"Where?" She asks. Lo'ak's face turns into a blush as he stammers.

"Oh um uh,"

"I was joking. I'm not that stupid."

"Yes," He clears his throat. "Sorry."

Naya'il chuckles as she wraps her arms around his mid torso, scooching herself closer to Lo'ak's body.

Lo'ak shivers at Naya's touch. He had never been touched like this before.

"Okay, I'm ready." Naya speaks up after a moment.

"Okay let's go." Lo'ak says after clearing his throat. He pats the side of his Ikran and it spreads it's wings. As Naya was caught marveling at the creature's wings, it suddenly took flight.

"Oh my god." She squeaks as she grabs Lo'ak even tighter and holds onto him for dear life. They flew upwards for a few moments and Naya hadn't spoken a word.

Lo'ak decides to check in on the silent girl, "Hey, you alright?"

He felt her head move up and down, slightly from where it was touching his back. Lo'ak chuckles at the girl.

"We can go back if you want." He shouts over the wind.

"No," Naya gulps. "I just need a second."

"You sure?" He asks worried. "I can take this guy back down as soon as you want."

"No." Naya stops him. "I'm okay." Her grip loosened on him a touch as she moved her head up and away from Lo'ak's back.

She looks around and the view was astonishing. It was eclipse so she could see the stars and the sun from up above. The ocean glistened from below the two. There was an everlasting silence between the two but it was not awkward, just perfect.

"The view." She admires. "It's lovely."

"I'm too busy looking at this view behind me." Lo'ak thinks to himself.

"Look, it's beautiful, Lo'ak!" She exclaims.

"It really is." He sighs.

"Can we go faster?" Naya suddenly says.

"Faster?"

"As fast as you can."

"Are you sure. We can just stay at this speed. I don't want to scare you."

"Faster, Lo'ak."

"Okay." Lo'ak speeds up the Ikran and Naya lets out a whoop. She felt the wind in her face as the Ikran flew around tall rocks. Naya moves back a bit and outstretches her arms in the air.

"This is amazing!" She shouts in glee.

Lo'ak laughs along with the girl as he makes the Ikran dive downwards before bringing them back up.

"Told ya, it'll be fun." He teases the girl who lightly slaps his shoulder.

"Oh hush," she smiles as she rests her head on his back, her arms around his waist.

The two flew through the night sky. But alas, everything must end sometime.

Lo'ak slowed down his Ikran as they finally landed.

"Naya'il, we're back." He speaks up. The only sounds he could hear was the ocean and her soft breathing.

"Is she asleep?" The young boy thinks. He slowly takes her hands off of his waist and picks her up. The poor girl had fallen asleep.

Soft breathing could be heard from her as Lo'ak began carrying her back to her hut. He laid her on her bed and placed a cover on her.

Before leaving, he took a long look at her. She was a beautiful and tall Na'vi. Yet Lo'ak still wondered about her past and how she had five fingers, like him.

They were similar, the both of them.

He smiles down at her and leaves.

"Sweet dreams."