Now all grown up and living peacefully (with no more wars to chase after them), the Sully family returns to the reefs of Awa'atlu to visit their Metkayina fellows after three years.
The water clan is delighted to have them back and are determined t...
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—Lurking—
THE ISLAND WAS GATHERED in their communal area, excited, chittering away. The dusk sky hovered above them, with stars glinting bright as lanterns. Olo'eyktan Tonowari and Tsahìk Ronal stood at the front, peering over the crowd proudly with their smug son Ao'nung beside them.
Upon such sight, Neteyam sneered, his arms crossed. He lurked amongst the crowd, from the darkest back, his lime eyes set on Ao'nung.
"My reign has come to an end," Tonowari declared, voice loud and assertive, his arms grasping a cape just like his, with autumn-like hues, soon to be Ao'nung's. The crowd was silent, patiently awaiting, their ears perked.
"My son Ao'nung of Awa'atlu—brave and able has completed every rite there is. Truly splendid!" Tonowari continued. Ronal cupped her mouth, unable to contain her soaring happiness. Her eyes glossed as she held Ao'nung's song cord tight in her grasp; three new beads added to the charm.
"...He is to be respected and lead our water clan as he desires, all with great intentions—"
Ao'nung's eyes were fixed ahead, his body stilled. His father draped the cape over his shoulders and gave him a tender grin.
"It is I, Tonowari that pronounce he, my dearest son, Ao'nung, the new Olo'eyktan!" He said.
The Na'vi jumped, cheering as loud, yelling their hoorays. Tsireya held a hand over her heart, smiling warmly as she stared at her brother standing tall and mighty. Lo'ak squeezed her arms, his eyes happy too, and somewhat with disbelief. Never had he thought he'd seen this day. It felt surreal to him just as it felt to all.
...
As Ao'nung sat on a rock, dining on the special and rare dish his clan had prepared; some species of oysters and a unique colorful savory fish, chewy and juicy—it had struck him how weird being in command felt. The feeling was certainly foreign.
He turned to his side, at Neteyam out of curiosity, and watched the blue boy struggle to open the Oyster, his teeth biting as the beaded braid dangled over his face.
"You can't even do that? How useless can you forest people be?" Ao'nung jeered.
Neteyam paused and shot him a look, mumbling; "Aren't you Olo'eyktan now? You shouldn't be saying things like that to your people."
"Who said it included you?" Ao'nung huffed, a small chortle pushing past his lips. He tucked Neteyam's braid behind the ear, his cold fingers caressing against the other's warm skin. Neteyam's ears twitched.
"It was going to get in your food," He said.
"Thanks," Neteyam idly replied, his eyes downcast as he still chewed on the hard shell of the oyster.
"Here, take this," Tanätx's gentle voice chimed, passing the blue boy a wooden handled knife, which he took gratefully.
"Thank you, Tanätx," He said.
The girl smiled, her head hovering over Ao'nung's broad shoulder, wanting to lay and rest there as her heart pounded with butterflies, and a honey-dripping sweetness engulfed her body.
"Something wrong?" Ao'nung turned to her, asking. Tanätx shook her head.
"I simply wanted to lay on your shoulder," She said shamelessly. Ao'nung's lips formed an 'oh', later lending his shoulder to the girl as a courtesy.
Third wheeler? Neteyam wasn't fazed. He pretended to not know or see anything as his knife circled the rim of his oyster, his eyes unwavering and lips pursed tight with focus.
"It's starting!" Rotxo merrily screamed. Neteyam hastily looked up, catching sight of the scurrying Na'vi that took themselves to the center, a cheerfully mellow song booming through the island. The Metkayina's traditional dance of triumph.
Lo'ak swayed with Tsireya, his arms around her frame, holding her gently, his chin nestled on the top of her head, and their tails swaying to the beat of the soulful song. The rest cheered and laughed, their feet moving fast against the sand as they circled and twirled. It was a joyous sight.
"Let's dance," Tanätx said, grasping Ao'nung's arms, a pleading look in her eyes. Ao'nung gazed at the girl, his blue eyes piercing through hers, his mind pondering.
"A gentleman making the girl wait," Neteyam remarked in a jest, grinning. "Not so Olo'eyktan-like of him."
"Neteyam, shut up," Ao'nung said impassively, his face inscrutable. He grabbed Tanätx's wrist and dragged her away, almost hurriedly merging into the crowd.
Neteyam was alone—his parents far off, perhaps enjoying a dance, as his sisters Kiri and Tuktirey were sure with Spider or Rotxo or even Rawao, babysitting. He placed his food aside and gazed at the sky, his eyes softening. He wasn't bothered. He was almost relieved. He was alone to guard and peer over his now people if anything were to occur.
He exhaled sharply and scratched his head, realizing a re-braiding was due.
"Excuse me?" A meek voice called. Neteyam's eyes widened, confused. A girl stood before him, her hair short and fluffy; her curls well-defined.
"May I get a dance?" She asked.
Neteyam lightly smiled and nodded his head. He took the girl's hands gently and danced with her until she was satisfied—until both of their feet ached. It was fun, and almost relieving to the blue boy.
"I've watched you for a while," The girl, by the name of Sewl'o, had told him, upon taking seat on a rock by his side. "You're an admiring figure, a miracle."
"Thank you for your kind words," Neteyam replied, nodding his head politely towards her as if to insinuate he had acknowledged her and were on the same status.
"You're handsome too. Truly an admiring warrior. The whole village is betrothed by you, wanting to be like you and wanting to be with you," She continued, timidly. Neteyam's ears perked. He was far from oblivious and took the sly hint, but preferred to shield behind his seemingly innocent smile, playing the fool.
"That's great, I like making friends," He said.
Sewl'o cocked her head with a slight frown. "...that's not what I meant..." She said, almost in a whisper.
"I must take my leave," Neteyam shot up, his braids swaying elegantly, a bare rattle sound echoing from his beads and into the wind. "It was nice meeting you, Sewl'o." He said with a smile. It was a genuine one but somehow lacked emotion.
Sewl'o though disappointed, wishing the moment could've lasted longer, pursed a smile and nodded.
