Surface| Neteyam

2.

I made myself busy but cutting up the most recent fish harvest my father had done, I liked to let my mind drift, deep thoughts often lead me to work scrappy. I angled the knife carefully after each fish, they all had different skins and scales, some rougher than others. After years of working with them I was able to figure out the best methods for assembling each one.

Reef fish were tangy and chewy, the ones further off had more soft flesh. I balanced a piece on the end of my knife, gently tossing it up and landing it in my mouth.

"Mmm '' I sounded out after swallowing it. I felt the elastic floor bounce a bit as someone was approaching my home, assuming it was only my father I continued with my work. As someone's head popped through the doorway I looked and saw it was Riuwe; she was a year older than me and although we weren't friends, she was kind to me and my mother so I stayed respectful.

"Seytira did you see the newcomers, they call themselves forest na'vi" She chimed, seemingly happy. I stood up, she only came to me because she wanted something from me.

"Yes, hard to miss, I can smell them from here" I scowled, turning my knife through my slim hands.

"What do you want Riuwe."

She looked up at me with a sheepish smile, "You're the best jeweler in the reef, do you think you could make me something I can give to the forest people? As a welcoming gift to our home of course"

"We should be anything but welcoming to them" I began to walking away until she caught my arm,

"I'll watch your shift for you, an entire week!" I pulled my hand away from her but kept my ears perked up to show her I was interested in her deal.

"A month" I responded coldly, hesitantly she agreed and I watched her leave, happily swaying her tail side to side. It was unlike Riuwe to try and impress anyone, normally boys would kiss the floor she walked on. I wondered which one it was for.

I looked back at the pile of cut up fish, 'I guess I have nothing better to do'
I strolled down the shore, staying clear of any of these forest Na'vi. I decided on weaving an anklet, made from the purest of jewels and shells from the reef. Riuwe was right about one thing, I was the best when it came to jewelry, I just wish there were some tattoos that came with a skill like that.

I walked down the beach, waves splashing against my legs as I made my way further and further down into the ocean until I could submerge my head all the way. As the fluorescent plants danced in the water I swam down, collecting as many breaths as I could before diving in.
The ambient light guided me down to the bottom of the sea where I pressed my hand down into the silky sand. As I trailed my fingers through the ocean floor I came across a pearly shell, it was tinted with pink and was smooth on the outside. I studied it closely, the pink color symbolized love, I certainly didn't love the outsiders.

I tossed the shell back onto the ground and kept looking. After what felt like hours I had a small handful of an array of blues and turquoise along with some cloudy white clam shells. It was still missing something but I would find it later, I had to get home and make the shells into beads.

As I rose to the surface holding tightly to my find I saw Aonung and a few others gathered by a tall palm tree which we called our "meeting grounds". I swam to the shore and put the shells in a small pile on the sand before hurrying over to the group.

Rotxo, Aonung, Tsireya, and Riuwe gathered around a small fire while roasting dried fruits and fish. I took a seat by the tree and leaned my head against it,

"They are terrible divers, I can't imagine they will ever learn our ways" Aonung shook his head as he fiddled with a skewer. I watched as he struggled to impale the slippery fish, tapping on his shoulder lightly I took it from him and easily assembled it.