I'll Put My Red Dress on Again

Chapter 9

As we made our way through the forest, I could hear Jake messing around with the leaves. The plants reacting to everything was truly magical. "It's beautiful isn't it?" I call back to Jake. "It is." He responds while he frolicked around. As we pass a waterfall I drag my finger against the water, a light blue color following my fingers.

"What's your name?" Jake asks. A woosh echoes in the air. Then Jake falls to the ground. Neytiri and I quickly jumped down to help him. He undoes the bolo that wrapped around his ankles. Many na'vi riders on direhorses start to surround Jake.

More hunters emerge and aim arrows and spears towards Jake. Neytiri quickly diffuses the situation. Or tries to. "Tsu'tey, what are you doing?! He is our captive." Tsu'tey in one motion jumps off his horse and walks towards Neytiri. "These demons are forbidden here. I will kill this one as a lesson to the others." Tsu'tey says while stepping closer and drawing his bow at Jake.

"Stop! There has been a sign. This is a matter for the Tsahik." Neytiri says while standing in between the two. "Is this true?" Tsu'tey asks while looking at me. I sigh, "Yes the woodsprites chose him as they chose me." Tsu'tey steps back thinking, looking between all three of us. "Bring him." He finally says.

The hunters grab Jake to his feet. Holding spears near him as they shove him along the path. The rest of us rode away.

—-

We arrived at the village. Tsu'tey ululating in a warning tone. Jake is shoved through the village until we make it to the central area. More na'vi start to circle around us. Everyone's emotions are different upon seeing this man. Eytukan walks in with anger on his features.

"Why do you bring this creature here?" He asks in an angered tone. "I was going to kill him, but there was a sign from Eywa." Neytiri says to her father. Eytukan points at Jake, "I had said no dreamwalker will come here, to offend our home! His alien smell fill my nose!" He exclaims. Damn. "Myra actually respects us and is one of us. This alien is clearly unable to learn." Eytukan says he must have sensed my emotions.

"Father, many atokirina came to this alien." Neytiri says while standing her ground. "Like they did with Myra." She adds on. "What's going on?" Jake asks. "My father is deciding whether to kill you." Neytiri says. "It seems like he's gonna kill you." I add on. Jake glares at me and I shrug. "Your father?" Jake asks Eytukan.

"Uh, good to meet you, sir." Jake says while stepping forward with his hand out. The hunters quickly pull Jake away from the clan leader and start shouting. "Don't be dumb, don't try anything like you usually would with a sky person." I say to Jake. He cringes at me calling "our" people sky people. He puts his hand up to show he is no threat.

"Step back." Mo'at announces to the village. Everyone steps back as Mo'at walks closer. "I will look at this alien." Mo'at says while walking down. Everyone goes silent. "This is mother. She is Tsahik the one who interrupts the will of Eywa." Neytiri says. "Who's Eywa?" Jake asks. I look at him with wide eyes, "Do you not learn anything before coming here?"

Mo'at comes over and I follow Neytiri's actions as she kneels down. Mo'at circles Jake, looking at his queue and tail. "What are you called?" Mo'at says after examining him. "Jake Sully." The alien answers. Mo'at pulls out a thorn from her headpiece. She pricks Jake across the chest, the thorn covers with red blood.

Mo'at examines the blood and tastes it. "Why did you come to us?" She asks the alien. "I came to learn." Jake replies, I roll my eyes. "We have tried to teach other sky people. It is hard to fill a cup that is already full." Mo'at replies simply. "My cup is empty, trust me. Just ask Doctor Augustine. I'm no scientist." Jake says.

My eyes widen at the mention of Grace's name. "He is no scientist. Not even close." I say to the village. Mo'at nods at my words. "Who are you?" Mo'at asks. "I don't know. I was a Marine... uh, a warrior. Of the Jarhead clan." Jake answers. "Jarhead clan?" I ask in response. He shakes his head slightly.

"A warrior! I could kill him easily!" Tsu'tey says. "No! This is the first warrior dreamwalker we have ever seen. We need to learn more about him." Eytukan announces. "What's going on? What are they saying?" Jake asks. "They have never seen a warrior before." I answer. "Daughter. You and Myra will teach him our ways, to speak and walk as we do." Mo'at says.

Neytiri emotions quickly range from shock to anger. "Why me? That's not fair! Myra could tea-" Neytiri starts. Mo'at cuts her off, "It is decided!" Neytiri stands down but glares at Jake. Mo'at speaks to Jake, "My daughter and her mate will teach you our ways. Learn well, JakeSully. We will see if your insanity can be cured."

Mo'at turns to Neytiri with a stern expression, "He is your responsibility." Neytiri nods and reluctantly takes her role. She grabs Jake's arm and pulls him away. "So it's all good, right? We're all-" Neytiri cuts him off, "Do not speak." She snarls.

—-