𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓, neteyam sully

VII

‧˙· 𓆝.° ｡˚𓆛˚｡ °.𓆞 ·˙‧

the days had been drawing closer to the metkayina festival. ionia hadn't had any free time, not even being able to go join the sully lessons.

her mother had made sure to keep ionia busy; to keep her away from the distraction, known as neteyam.

ronal had even begun speaking about ionia's future mate, a conversation she hated. ionia wanted her own freedom. freedom to choose who she would love and raise a family with.

her father had been taking her beyond the reef, taking her on his journeys with the other warriors. something she did when she was younger, but then slowly stopped.

to be honest, ionia did find this quite fun. she loved being in the water, and when she and her father were out in the ocean, they seemed to get along. like how a father and daughter should do.

not arguing because she can't live up to his high expectations. or worrying about what he will think if she fails at her tasks, responsibilities or jobs.

ionia had been sneaking out at night. not to go visit anyone, or to run away. but she just wanted that time to think, to process how things may end up for her.

she thought about if she would ever get the chance to explain to neteyam. if she'd be able to make things go back to normal, where she and neteyam could hang out and be childish with one another, not having to live up to the expectations they faced.

tsireya had offered to help cover ionia and let her sneak out, and if her parents asked, tsireya would make up a lie. but as soon as she offered, ionia freaked out and worried about how he'd react to the girl's sudden change of attitude.

neteyam had been thinking a lot too. he'd also wondered if he'd speak to the girl he so dearly missed again. and neteyam still wondered if he had done something wrong, that had caused ionia to act like this.

neteyam missed the time he spent with her. when he could just let loose and be himself; be a teenager, just like he should be. not worrying about his father's approval. he missed when he could let out his emotions and de-stress from his family struggles. the responsibilities he faced when he stepped into his family's mauri pod.

‧˙· 𓆝.° ｡˚𓆛˚｡ °.𓆞 ·˙‧

ionia sat in front of her mother, who stood behind her, playing around with her hair. making sure her daughter looked good for the celebration.

"this needs to be perfect. it's your fifth year of leading the dance and song, no messing up," ronal spoke, adjusting the few braids that lay amongst ionia's brown hair which was left loose, swaying in the gentle breeze, which passed through the mauri.

"i know mother. i will make you and father happy, i promise," she answered, turning around to face her mother, as her hands dropped from ionia's hair.

as ionia sat on her knees facing her mother, ronal brought her hands up to her daughter's face, "my beautiful girl, sent from eywa," ronal whispered.

ionia smiled, she wished her mother was always like this. not getting extremely angry when the tiniest mistake was made. but ionia cherished these moments with her mother (or her father when they happened) as ionia got older, these types of moments seemed to slowly decrease in the number of times they occurred. ronal stood up from her place, offering a hand to ionia, helping her up.

ionia's celebration outfit was something widely known across the clan. she had worn it ever since she could walk and first dance. it was something that represented her as a person, as the clan's most cherished prize. what also made it stand out was the bottom piece, which was skirt-like.