Surface| Neteyam

4.

I watched as he walked off, his tail flickering sand behind him. Turning back to face the ocean I saw Tuk playing with Feui in the water, she seemed to like the outsiders well enough.

"I think she liked you," I said, petting the side of my Ilu's neck. Tuk jumped a little at my appearance and hid behind Feui.

I continued to stroke her neck, tracing my hand down her golden stripes,

"I call her Feui" I saw the girl stay quiet and nervously put her hand back onto the Ilu's back.

"She's pretty" Tuk finally replied, letting a small smile escape her lips when Feui made a clicking sound.

'Progress'

"It won't be long till you have one of your own" I glanced at Tuk as her eyes lit up, she smiled brightly so I could see all her teeth.

Her vision shifted to the shiny necklace that laid on my neck. I took this as another opportunity to make peace.

"You like it?" I crouched down by Tuk, letting her feel the polished stones and shells that intertwined together in a pattern. She let out a small squeal and nodded,

"What would you say If I made you one?" At this point I didn't even have to fake a smile, the girl's love for the reef was special.

"Just like that one?" Tuk asked, pointing at my mothers necklace.

"Even better, what's your favorite color Tuk?" She tapped her chin in a 'let me think' manner which made me laugh.

"Green, like my mommy's Ikran!"

"Good choice, did you know green shells represent happiness and freedom" I said, brushing a few braids out of her face.

Just then she jumped onto me and gave me a big hug,

"What's your name?" She asked once she finally let me go.

"Seytira, but you can call me Sira" I replied, lightly tapping on her nose which she giggled at.

"Go catch up with the others" I pointed to our meeting spot and she happily skipped in their direction.

I made my way back to the shore, clambering onto the rocks and finding a comfortable place to sit.
Kiri sat close to me and examined my wound; rubbing a few ointments she had packed.

Everyone was practicing taking deep breaths, Riuwe was practically glued to Neteyam and kept putting a hand on his back.

"Ow" I winced when Kiri scrubbed something new onto my neck.

"Stop winning" She ordered; Tuk came over to me and sat in my lap,

"I can help you" She smiled and lifted my necklace carefully so Kiri could apply the gel more easily.

I pulled my head back as everyone looked at me and the two forest na'vi clambered all over me.

As I opened my eyes again I saw Neteyam watching me closely, his gaze was soft, nothing like before, it was different, it was nice.

Ms. Perfecto also saw this.

"This reminds me of when we went hunting outside of the reef but Seytira was too scared to come along, she had to-" Riuwe was cut of by Aonung who smacked her leg lightly with the back of his hand, shaking his head.

I signed a quick thank you to him and he responded with,

'She's always been kind of a brat' I had to hold in my laugh when he said that, I guess not everyone was stuck under her spell.

"Breathe from here" Tsireya said, placing a hand onto Lo'ak's stomach.
"Your heart beat is fast"

"Sorry" Lo'ak sheepishly said as everyone glanced at each other snickering.