Chapter 2

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You balanced on one foot, careful not to step on a thorny plant protruding from the ground, and manoeuvred around it. Your arms were interlocked with Genevieve's despite the slight increase in difficulty with steering through the wild plants, and you found that you couldn't care less in this situation.

You kept your attention on Jake, who moved through the forest floor with practised ease. You also tuned in on the quiet footsteps of Neytiri behind you, and tightened your hold on Genevieve's arm. You don't think you'll ever look at her the same way again.

The towering greenery was slowly dimming your surroundings, the light unable to penetrate the crowded leaves. You spotted various glowing plants in particularly shady areas and patted Genevieve's arm until you both spotted the pretty glow and shared a look of wonder.

Your feet were accustomed to the rough ground, but it didn't make it any easier to balance or jump over surprisingly large tree roots.

You cocked your head towards Genevieve, lowering your voice to whisper only she can hear, and tried to look as inconspicuous as possible.

"What do you think's gonna happen to us?"

She gave you a side eye, "Neytiri's watching. So keep whispering and we're not gonna live long enough to find out."

Duly noted.

You pulled back, and kept your focus on the path that Jake took so as to not accidentally stab yourself with a poisonous plant or something. Your eyes were practically pinned to the ground, so you didn't notice the bustling movement of the Hometree until Genevieve jabbed your side.

Glancing up, you nursed your ribs and briefly stumbled back in shock. The Hometree was huge, a thick and sturdy trunk that shot up a couple hundred metres only to branch out, creating shade over the surrounding areas. There were Na'vi people walking in and out, all minding their own business. You spotted various couples tending to their children, a group of girls were weaving baskets in a corner, another group of children running back and forth, giggling and chasing each other.

It was so movie-like. And then you realised that it was actually a movie and almost snickered to yourself.

Genevieve shot you a weird look and you just shook your head, smiling to yourself.

Jake guided the rest of you inside the hometree, and while you were admiring the hollowed out interior, you missed the wide-eyed glances aimed at your fingers.

The interior of the hometree was woven delicately, vines and roots like webs criss-crossing above you and you craned your head back as far as it would go to absorb this phenomenon.

You had Genevieve guide you while you gawked at your surroundings, and you didn't notice how she started to hide her fingers after one too many glances.

"Oi, rat."

You hummed.

"Hide your damn fingers."

You finally noticed the looks you were getting, some were just surprised, others were borderline glaring.

Uncomfortable, you followed Genevieve's example and hid your fingers, suddenly hyper aware of every glance directed at you.

"Can't they stop looking? What are we, circus monkeys?"

You scoffed, "with our fingers, yeah we are."

"Racism, but with fingers. Fingerism."

You couldn't help the snort that escaped your lips, and you noticed a hint of a smile on Jake's face.

The four of you weaved through the crowd, which wasn't too hard as Jake was Olo'eyktan so the Na'vi naturally parted for him. However, that also meant more stares, and you almost shrunk into yourself from the intensity.

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