Fate's Game | Lo'ak Sully

Part 32 - Tease

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(POV: Narrator)

"You and Lo'ak are promised to each other?"

Fay'tari fought the look of panic, ending up being defeated by her own inability to compress it. She shut her mouth tightly, squeezing her lips together as if she was trying to physically stop more words from leaving them. Her arms were un-crossed and were hidden behind her, hiding the fact she was intensely picking at her own nails due to stress.

He knows. He knows, he knows. Is all the girl could think to herself, her mind falling into a deep spiral which only revolved around the knowledge that Aonung knew and could jeopardise her and Lo'ak's game completely.

Fay'tari had to say something, the boy would come up with his own version of things if she didn't.

"It's a long story, I-"

"No. No it isn't - it's a yes-no answer. Well?" He interrupted her straight away, forcing an answer out of her before she got the chance to better explain herself. He looked rich with the need to pry her, angling his head downwards so that his eyes would look all the more intimidating.

"...Yes. But-"

"Ha! So that's why!" Aonung's once stern and probing features morphed into delighted and enthusiastic ones, showing a rather large smile and a gesture of victory. He'd commented as if he were talking on the inside of his own head, as Fay'tari didn't have a clue as to what he meant by "so that's why".

"That's why what?"

"Nothing. — So... How was the experience, huh?" He pushed his statement aside as if it was nothing, continuing to ask the girl with the same tone Kiri and Tuk would have if they were asking such questions.

Fay'tari didn't know what to say, as she hadn't had a second to think about what exactly she did think about the experience. She was also rather confused as to why Aonung wasn't more mad, as he'd made it more than clear that he despised Lo'ak and had also made it clear that he didn't despise Fay'tari. It would make the most sense for him to at least be a tad irritated, no? Or so Fay'tari thought, anyway.

Nonetheless, she replied in the most obvious and unthought-out way possible. "Rubbish. Truly terrible; I've never experienced anything worse. In fact, I was glad the storm managed to drown out his insufferable nonsense as well as existence, so, if you were to ask me how my night's sleep was; I'd say that it was just fine because all I could hear was thunder and lightning, nothing more. Other than that, I'd rank the entire day as a solid minus sixteen." She rambled on for far too long, making the boy only stare in disbelief that she expected him to buy any of it.

"Not recommended then, no?" He lifted his chin up, a faint smirk wavering. He could easily tell she was lying, anyone could've.

"Nope!" Fay'tari acted as casual as she could, which ended up only resembling a cautious expression.

"You're sure?" He steps forward once, making it so that he was then looking down on her as he spoke as well as examined.

"Affirmatively. Yep, — Why would I not be?" She tried to make eye contact but failed, knowing her eyes would reveal too much.

"Oh, I don't know. You seem... off." He teased her, already knowing what was to come however finding enjoyment in making her so careful.

"Pffft— What?! Me? Off?" She began by laughing, swaying her head back and giving him a disbelieving look. Shortly after that, she straightened her complexion entirely, letting a strict and serious look shine through instead. "I'm not off at all, don't you worry."

"And why would I be worried? Are you insinuating that I should be worried about what happened on the island?" He pushed the boundaries, knowing there was more to what she was hiding.

Fay'tari looked mortified, her breathing pattern taking a turn for the worst as well as her eyes struggling to make contact with anything at all. If he looked close enough, he could've probably picked up on the tiny beads of sweat that were forming on her forehead, a clear sign of complete stress.

She didn't want him to think anything had happened. If he found out, she thought, he'd definitely puncture the game, causing her to lose it, which couldn't happen.

"Nothing. Happened." Fay'tari managed, straightening her posture and trying to stop her eyes from darting every which way.

Aonung looked almost impressed at how well she was holding up, even though it was arguable that she wasn't exactly nailing it. He sighed a deep sigh, pretending to think for a moment.

"Hmn. Shame, really." He breathed, not looking at the girl who's expression would've been easy too predict anyway. Before she could protest against his statement, he cut across her. "Anyway, I think someone's here to speak to you." He announced, looking to the side of him towards the newcomer.

Fay'tari instantly turned, expecting to see someone specific but finding his brother there in his place, looking anxious.

"Hey, Neteyam." Aonung greeted him, giving the girl one last suspicious look before walking to pass Neteyam on his way. As he did so, he whispered something to the boy so that Fay'tari wouldn't be able to hear it, making Neteyam check if he was being serious or not. When they conversed for a few seconds, Neteyam finally nodded at the boy and allowed him to depart, meanwhile Fay'tari was still struggling to breathe properly.

She knew what the boy was there for, it was evident to her. He was there to do exactly as Aonung had done; Ask about the island. Knowing Neteyam, he'd probably begin by apologising ten times over, however Fay'tari knew it would eventually lead to more questioning.

It was apparent to her that he knew more than he let on, as he'd given her
a few clues that would hazard her to believe that. For example, that day on the rocks when he'd asked if anything was "going on" with Lo'ak. But even then, he already knew that they were promised to each other, which was more than enough.

Neteyam paced towards the girl, placing himself in front of her and gearing himself up to speak, a loud intake of breath being heard.

"Sorry." He said as though rehearsed, as his tone was pitched perfectly. Not too strong and not too quiet.

She did her best to look direct and unbothered, though in fairness she was still rather panicked about the Aonung situation.

She was definitely not in the correct space of mind to be conversing with someone she found it very difficult to lie to, deeming it appropriate to at least try to get away.

Fay'tari crossed her arms together once more, raising her head to assert some form of dominance before not even so much as batting an eyelash at him before turning to leave; leaving him with a simple, "Yeah, figured."

When she did leave, he followed closely behind her. Neteyam did mean his apology, though he was only sorry about how Fay'tari was probably feeling; That being supposed anger. He wasn't at all remorseful about his actions, as he knew that the both of them needed it.

Plus, he'd just been given some information that he couldn't put to rest.

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