𝐎𝐞𝐥 𝐍𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢 𝐊𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐢𝐞 || 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐲𝐚𝐦 𝐗 𝐎𝐂

𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈

𝟾
-𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚝 𝚂𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙲𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚋𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗-

The celebration was simple but bueatiful. Under the darkness of the eclipse, a fire lights on the beach, illuminating the dancing Metkayina. I see the Sully clan sitting of the side conversing with one another, keeping to themselves. I smile and slip through the crowd.

"Come, dance." I offer my hand to Kiri and Tuk.

"We don't know this dance." Tuk says sadly.

"Just dance what you feel." I say, grabbing the girls' hands. "Come."

Kiri sighs and rolls her eyes before standing beside a jumping Tuk. I pull them into the group of Navi dancing happily and begin dancing together. I grab their hands and we dance together, spinning one another, jumping, swaying. We do it all as the people create their own music, singing anceint songs to the Tulcun.

We dance for what feels like hours before I slip away from the girls. Suddenly my back presses against something hard. I turn to see Neteyam standing there with a smile. He offers me his hand and I smile up at him.

"Are you asking me to dance, forest boy?"

"Yes, would you?" He says, his confident grin faltering. "Like to, I mean. Dance, with me."

I giggle as he stumbles over himself. I grab his hand and pull him towords the center of the crowd. He pulls me to him before spinning me around till I'm dizzy. I laugh endlessly as out bodies press against one another in an endless dance.

Suddenly, the voices around us seem to fade, our moves slowing as we look at one another. For a moment I think it's just us as his hand and forearm connect with mine as we walk in a small circle. My breath picks up, my heart hammering in my chest as our hands fall and he pulls me close to him, his fingers burning hot against my back as he ghosts the skin there.

Our eyes find one another's again, the gold color shining in the fire light. He presses our sides together as his hand grips my waist. He lifts me up, spinning in a slow circle as he watches me closely. Under his gaze, my skin burns as though inches from the sun.

As he sets me on the sand and our bodies separate, my skin feels cold. There is inches between us as we continue dancing, the tension stretching between our skin. My body wants to give in, close the gap press myself against him, press our lips together.

Then my mind stops me, remembering my conversation with Asa'Vaya only this morning. More specifically, I remember why I can not allow myself to love him.

I press my lips together as I step away from him, interrupting other's dances as I push through the crowd. I hear Neteyam call out for me, I don't stop until I reach Asa'Vaya.

"Asa'Vaya.. ." I sign rapidly.

"I know sister." She says, flipping her fin up, sliding me closer to her. I press my forehead into her shell, wrapping my arms around my torso.

After a while, the sun sets once again and Asa'Vaya must leave. She wails sadly as I press myself to her, saying our goodbyes. She pulls away, leaving me with tear stained cheeks. I watch as the Tulcun leave, flapping their fins in goodbyes. I know they will be back next season, but I can't help the ache that resides in my heads as my soul sister leaves me. Tiseryi finds me in the water and pulls me close, sharing my sadness.