Fate's Game | Lo'ak Sully

Part 41 - Mighty Warrior

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(POV: Narrator)

Throughout the passing of an entire year, Fay'tari had been busier than ever. She was now fifteen years of age, coming up to sixteen shortly, as was Lo'ak.

Their relationship had grown closer, so much so that it was almost unrecognizable in some circumstances. Saying that, they still fought. Frequently. They couldn't help it in all honestly, but instead of staying annoyed at each other like they used to, it would always end up resolved almost as quickly as it had started.

Neteyam kept a close eye on them when he was around, making sure they weren't doing things they weren't supposed to be doing in broad daylight. Lo'ak hated it, though Fay'tari found it extremely funny to behold.

However, due to Fay'tari's tight schedule, it meant that she couldn't hang around with Lo'ak so often, though he didn't mind it; He knew it'd be worth it for her eventually.

What Fay'tari was spending her time doing was completing various tasks that must be accomplished in order to complete her iknimaya* and become a true member of the Metkayina clan, as well as a warrior.

(*iknimaya: a series of coming-of-age rituals)

By the end of the year, she'd successfully completely all except one of them; That was, bonding with a Tsurak. She had her doubts, however she deemed the creatures to be just as difficult to master as an ikran was, and that wasn't so bad for her.

Then, the day finally came.

Tonowari had gathered a few of the Metkayina clan's warriors out to the ocean, along with Fay'tari, to aid her in bonding with the creature. Two of those warriors being Aonung and Neteyam, who'd already completed their iknimaya a few months back. The rest of the Sully's came out to watch too, as well as Tsireya and her Mother, Ronal.

Despite the dense crowd of people, Fay'tari wasn't as nervous as she thought she'd be. Mainly, she thought, because Neteyam kept making jokes the entire time.

After a small-ish struggle, Fay'tari had done it. She dove under the crashing waves atop her tsurak, successfully resurfacing without having fallen off. When she did resurface, a loud sound of cheering could be heard. She turned to face the shore, seeing everyone clap and cheer for her to congratulate her on her achievement, her eyes only looking for one individual in particular.

When she couldn't spot him on the shores, she searched the waters; And long behold, there he was. Lo'ak was cheering atop his ilu, wanting to get a better view away from everyone else. She grinned at him, causing him to show her two thumbs up as he cheered again. She laughed, looking again towards the Sully's, spotting Jake and Neytiri's genuine excitement, making her feel incredibly warmed and rather emotional.

She dropped down, heading back towards Tonowari, his son and Neteyam, who congratulated her verbally once she'd reached them.

Next, the celebrations.

Once a clan member is considered of-age, which she now was, they shall receive a tattoo on a part of their body. Jake had suggested that she only cover one half of her shoulder, not allowing her to cover her face just yet, despite her wanting to. She didn't protest, though. She felt almost honoured to have Jake show such compassion towards her.

She chose to have a tattoo come down a side of her body, the same side as her scar, beginning from her neck and ending halfway down her arm. Once she confirmed she liked it, correction, loved it, she then had to move on to receive a few gifts from Ronal and Tonowari as well as other members of the clan.

As it was tradition, she was bestowed with a special garment to wear, as well as three beads for her own songcord. She treasured them immediately, feeling an overwhelming sense of belonging build up inside her.

That night, a bonfire was lit on the beach, the entire clan performing around it in song, Fay'tari joining in where she could. When she saw that Lo'ak refused to dance, she forced him to join in, by pulling him up onto his feet and guiding him into the circle herself.

There was only one more thing that needed to take place; The mating ritual. However, it had to be modified (upon Jakes request yet again) due to her age.

Tonowari and Ronal showed themselves once again, bringing Fay'tari up onto the raised piece of land they were stood on, torches lit around them to provide light. Ronal began the ritual by praying and communicating to Eywa, the whole clan joining in with her. Then, once she was done, Tonowari took over.

"Fay'tari, a mighty Metkayina warrior. You may choose a mate." He commanded, allowing her to turn and face the crowd.

She looked around at the faces in front of her. She saw Kiri and Tuk looking as excited as she'd expected them to be, as well as Tsireya who was practically holding Tuk back as she was attempting to run right up to Fay'tari. Aonung stood beside them, too, shooting Fay'tari a smug look for some reason. She shrugged it off, finding Neteyam next. His face read as proud more than anything else as he gave her a reassuring nod, filled with endearment but also approval.

Finally, Lo'ak. The first thing Fay'tari noticed was his hand that was tapping away on his arm that was crossed over his body, indicating that he was nervous. Surely if anyone should be nervous, it should've been Fay'tari. Nevertheless, she could tell me looked extremely uncomfortable and impatient.

Because of that discovery, she decided to play with him, of course.

She placed a finger to her chin as she mimicked a thinking pose, pretending that the decision was a difficult one. Jake caught on almost immediately, rolling his eyes at the girl's trickery whilst also feeling a hint of pride.

Fay'tari hummed and hummed, finally raising her index finger to the sky to show she was about to speak.

Lo'ak's eyes never left her as she did.

"Hmn... I might need some time to think..." She taunted, watching Lo'ak's troubled expression only worsen. His mouth fell open, and a few individuals turned to look at him as well.

When she couldn't hold it in any longer, she burst out into a laughing fit, wiping her eyes as if she had tears forming in them. A few crowd members joined in, making Fay'tari realise she had to end the joke sometime.

"...Kidding! I choose you, Lo'ak Sully." She pointed at him, still laughing a little at his complexion, an empty shell of what it once was.

She saw him breath out even though he was a good distance away, watching as he reluctantly got closer to her as he was supposed to do. When he did, she held his arm, her mouth forced shut in case she laughed again.

Lo'ak openly kissed her forehead as he reached her, his face not so impressed. He whispered into her ear once he'd done so.

"That wasn't funny, Fay." He tried to seem annoyed, though it was difficult to once he saw her smile at him. He rolled his eyes, facing the crowd in front of them and watching Neteyam go over the top with his applause as if to taunt him further.

"They are mated before Eywa." Ronal announced thereafter, making the two of them turn to look at each other for a moment. When Fay'tari turned away, Lo'ak didn't. He kept his stare, leaning in to whisper another comment in her ear, making it twitch.

"Guess we both lost huh, mighty warrior?"

The remark only made her giggle even more as she held him tighter, moving in to hug him side-on whilst still facing the crowd.

He smiled, watching her embrace him before whispering back.

"Oh, shut up."

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