𝐎𝐞𝐥 𝐍𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢 𝐊𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐢𝐞 || 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐲𝐚𝐦 𝐗 𝐎𝐂

𝐕𝐈𝐈

𝟽
-𝚃𝚞𝚕𝚔𝚞𝚗-

My Ilu slowly swims through the reef atop the water. I lay my back to hers and hook my legs on her fins, dragging my fingers through the wake. I sigh in contentment befor a large splash sounds and I bolt upright, hand grabbing the dagger at my hip.

My body relaxes then erupts with joy as the Tulcan's cries fill my ears. I grab the small conch at my neck and blow. I ride my Ilu as fast as it can carry me through the water as I begin circling the village.

"The Tulcun are home!" I yell over and over again. "Our brothers and sisters have returned."

As I hear the large conch echo I reach the Sully's home and see them all standing confused.

"Come." I say, grabbing Neteyam's hand. "The Tulcun are home. Come." I urge them all.

Neteyam quickly calls his Ilu and pulls me along. As he binds with his Ilu I excitedly climb on beside him. Me dive beneath the water and Neteyam grabs onto my thigh to hold me close as my hands grip his chest.

We search for my Tulcun, Asa'Vaya. When I see her, my heart fills in my chest. I point to her and Neteyam guides his Ilu towords her. When Asa'Vaya sees me, she calls. The sound fills my soul as she spins in the water. I quickly swim to her and mimic her before pressing my forehead against her rough skin. Her eyes follow me as she echoes happily.

"A'Kili, how have you been?" Asa'Vaya asks me.

I tell her everything she's missed. I tell her how my mother is with child, how the Sullies came. I tell her about what Neteyam told me about the forest. I tell her every detail, including the hardships and pain but mostly the happy parts.

In return she tells me what she has seen as she traveled the great waters. I smile as she tells me. I almost forget about Neteyam as he watches us from his Ilu. I turn as Asa'Vaya finishes a story and wave for him. He smiles and swims slowly.

"He looks different." Asa'Vaya notes.

"He was of tree people, the Sullies." I sign to her with a smile. "This is Neteyam."

Neteyam doesn't understand Asa'Vayas wails but he understands my signs. He waves to the creature and roughly signs a hello. I smile as we continue to share stores.

"He stares." Asa'Vaya echoes.

I turn my head to Neteyam who watches me with a bright smile. I hold back a laugh as he looks between me and Asa'Vaya. I sign to him what she said and he bites his lip before shaking his head.

"I do not." Neteyam signs causing Asa'Vaya to wail in laughter and roll backwards.

I mirror her actions, pushing myself through the water and bringing my feet to the back of my skull with a smile. I return to normal and urge Neteyam to do it as well he roughly does it, water going into his nose. I pull him up for air and Asa'Vaya joins us.

I climb onto Asa'Vaya's back, running along her rough shell and jumping as she blows air from her blowholes. I slip and laugh as Asa'Vaya wails in laughter alongside me. Neteyam climbs on with help from Asa'Vayas fins. Asa'Vaya groans as she gives me instructions.

"Jump when I say." I yell Neteyam.

Suddenly, Asa'Vaya goes down into the water as I pull Neteyam to her tail. I hold his hand firmly as I watch him with a smile.

"What are we doing?" Neteyam asks, nerves creeping onto his features.

"Don't worry, Neteyam." I laugh. "It'll be fun, you'll see."

I could down as I watch the water splash towords us. Suddenly her tail flicks up and Neteyam and I are vaulted into the air. I hold his hand as his arms slap at the air and he yells. I release a war cry and laugh as we slam into the water. His hand crushes mine as I pull him up for us to rest on Asa'Vayas fin.

We continue to tell stories till the sun dips low below the horizon. The stars light up the sky and the water glows as we easily swim throughout the cove. Neteyam went with Kiri and Tuk after they tugged and pulled at him to go.

"What is going on with that boy, Neteyam?" Asa'Vaya asks carefully as I grip her fun with my legs.

"Nothing, he is a new friend." I say, slightly confused.

"Your different with him."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No, he seems like a good mate."

"Woah, mate? That's a little far. Neteyam is of the trees and I am of the water." I convince. "We are too different."

"I am smarter than you and I say he is a good boy. And one of the first you have talked about that makes you smile." Asa'Vaya Moans into the air. "I am your soul sister, A'Kili. You like him."

"Even if I did, I couldn't be with him. Mother would never approve."

"Why not?"

"She thinks them too different to even be among us, let alone have one be their chief." I sigh. "If you haven't forgotten, I am the oldest. I have duties to my people that outweigh the desires of my heart."

"You should be with someone who makes you happy, the the tree boy."

"I can't."

"You have always complicated things, Kamari."

"We are soul sisters, if I make things complicated, so do you." I giggle.

"That's how I know."

I smile and gently punch her fin. She lowers her fin, dunking me under the waves. As she lifts me back up, I think hard over her words as she guides me around the reef until sunrise.

We spend the morning together playing and conversing, planning for tonight's celebration. At some point in the night I fell asleep on top of Asa'Vaya, earning her shell's imprints on my face and side for part of the morning.

Eclipse grows nearer, meaning the time for the party nears but as does the Tulcans' departure. I push the thought from my mind as I see Tiseryi playing with her Tulcun. I direct Asa'Vaya to them.

"Sister!" Tiseryi says as she dances on her Tulcun back.

"Hello Tiseryi, you are happy today."

"Why wouldn't I be, the Tulcun have returned and we hate celebrating tonight." I smile at my sisters constant optimism.

"Your right." I smile and focus on the happiness to be shared today.