Reborn }{ Tsu-tey Story

11: One of Us

Liaka's training Was over, Her time with the people, however, was just beginning. They allowed Grace to come to the village, With her assistant whom Jake introduced as Norm. It was Jake's efforts and words that allowed them to come back to the Clan's home. It'd been a long time since she last saw Grace, When she came back to home tree, almost a year ago. But having her there for when Liaka joined the people was a big moment for the both of them, the night before the ceremony, Grace and Neytiri took Liaka out for the night. They talked of the ceremony and all that comes with being a part of the clan, Neytiri was excited for her friend, but when she came upon a term Liaka didn't know, Liaka asked "When you become one of the people, you will come to the tree of voices, and hear the ancestors with Eywa, and there is where you will Bring your mate when you choose one!" she smiled wide at Liaka, and Liaka's ears flattened "A Mate?" Neytiri and Grace Froze, especially Grace as she scanned her memories for a moment in time when the birds and bees came up, and no matter how hard she searched her memory she couldn't find one. the Overwhelming dread of explaining it filled Grace. Neytiri felt for her friend, She could only assume the only love she felt was Familial or Friendship, and Neytiri's mind went to Jake at that moment, the burning In her chest stung. 

She wanted her friend to understand that feeling, So she quickly shushed Grace and took Liaka's hand, walking a little ahead of Grace as they talked, Neytiri spoke "Mate is...the one who protects you, you protect them. You love them, they love you, Maybe have children if it's what you both want.." Liaka's eyes widened "I thought Children Were gifts Eywa Gave!" Neytiri's Face turned red at the older women's words. Good Eywa, Neytiri thought...

"Well...they are but...you have to work with your mate to get the Gift..." Neytiri was turning a brighter shade of Purple as they continued talking "How?" Liaka asked and Neytiri gasped "WHEN YOU FIND YOUR MATE ASK I DON'T KNOW!" she Quickly said...Liaka's ears folded in confusion, Well how does she choose one she thought..."How do you find one.." She mumbled Neytiri wondered "Well...I don't know...But...I've heard older women in the village say your chest feels hot, you get soft around them, and Sad without them. I guess like a friend...Maybe a.." Liaka interrupted "Best...friend?" Liaka looked at Neytiri and the younger women nodded, not really understanding the word but getting the Jist. 

They kept talking, Learning more, and Neytiri answered her Questions, Grace and Liaka had taken to a Family house for the night, with a nest big enough. Grace laid down and Liaka with her, Grace braided her hair as they laid there "You know...I always thought you and Tsu-tey were cute..." Liaka Hissed "He's betrothed and No, Not Su...Never Su..." She said the last thing softly, But Grace could hear the sadness in her voice "I don't know...I've seen Jake's logs and, I don't think Neytiri and Tsu-tey will Mate one another..." Liaka sighed softly and whispered, "no more talk of mate... don't want mate now, Only Sa'nok and the People of the clan is what I need."

Outside the Room sat Tsu-tey listened to them speak to one another, he had come to wish her a good rest for tomorrow, and to offer to paint her for the ceremony, But when he heard the words that hurt him deeply he hesitated. 

'No, Not Su...Never Su...' 

He looked to the dirt of home trees ground floor before departing from the place he was. To his hammock inside home tree, but as he lay there he couldn't stop the words from replaying hurting himself even more. before he fell into a sleep, Not so restful, not as peaceful.

the next morning Tsu-tey Avoided her til the ceremony, She had searched for him, But Neytiri ended up being the one to paint her along with Jake, She frowned at this thought as Neytiri dragged the cold paint down Liaka's neck She noticed the frown and spoke "Smile, Eywa is..." Liaka tried and failed "I wish I could it is a Good day, great day..." Liaka responded. when Neytiri finished she and Jake were led to the Spiral where they were led to kneel in front of the clan, The Tsahik spoke and Gave them a Drink of the Elder worm from Home trees soil, In her Vision, she saw Ships, Fire, Death from above...when she awoke it was from her dreaming of falling and hitting the ground. She awoke one of them. Mo'at placed her hands on her shoulders, Neytiri's father, around her neck, Neytiri smiled holding her left arm, Tsu-tey was there and looked upon her for the first time that day, and she at him, Only him. 

She was one of them, Forever. Later after the Festives of food and Drink, Liaka's first visit was going to be to the tree of voices, Alone. Neytiri told her it was Beautiful at night. So she wanted to see it. When she got there the long tendrils of the tree glowed with life, and she lifted her hand running it through them, Liaka was amazed at the beauty. Before taking her Queue for the first time knowing what to do here, She connected to the tree and gasped hearing the voices, as clear as if they were right next to her, soft melody-like voices, some louder and softer than others. She was truly in a trance at the beauty of their world.

Tsu-tey was wallowing, As he watched Neytiri dance with Jake, the one person he'd want to see didn't want to see him, and was nowhere to be found. Jake was walking towards him, a fruit drink in his hand, Tsu-tey had already had six, and he wasn't the least bit tipsy yet. Jake handed the one too him and Tsu-tey hesitantly took it from him, Jake sat next to him and spoke: "So Liaka, Huh, she's a very nice woman, Strong." Tsu-tey hissed "Yes...Strong..Kind...good Woman for a good man.." "I can see it on your face.." Tsu-tey went to wipe his face taking him literally and the Schxawng laughed "No No metaphor..." Tsu-tey was still confused "You like Liaka.." Tsu-tey was shocked "You like her, and your Torn." Tsu-tey looked away shamed, "You know, she looked for you all day..." Tsu-tey sipped his fruit drink heavily "Busy" he replied bluntly "Avoiding.." Jake spoke back "It hurt her." Tsu-tey felt his body go cold, Hurt her? Tsu-tey snapped his head "Hurt? How!" he spoke urgently "Her heart." Jake said bluntly.

Tsu-tey Hissed "Well she!" He huffed "All I'm saying Is, Would hate for you to miss out on what you call, a Good woman." With that, Jake walked off.  Tsu-tey sighed ears flattened, Schxawng was right...but where was she, When he stood his ears flickered and he heard the wind carrying the voices, and he knew exactly where she was, He left everything but the clothes he had on and took off following her scent.

When he found her at first he just watched, she was kneeling before the tree, Still connected, Tsu-tey walked over and as he got closer he saw tears falling from her eyes, her hand gripping the dirt while the other held her Queue in place, Only two words left her mouth "Su...Sorry..." she whimpered. Tsu-tey watched her with sadness. Why was she sorry....He slowly crept towards her, Her shoulders were shaking with her breaths. he wanted to hold her...He reached his hand out, and wrapped his arm around her chest pulling her into his chest, her back hitting him, she was still connected to the tree watching her Ancestors. He just held her, wiped under her eyes, and watched her face contort from a soft smile to a frown, he rubbed the frown from her cheeks as her face relaxed eyes still moving under her lids. 

He wanted to stay this way with her. Her against his chest protected, Where he could know she was okay.  When she A woke he still held her, She looked up at him from her sleepy eye, and he smiled down at her, "Su..." She said softly. "Yes Li...", she smiled at him "Eywa is beautiful.." he chuckled at her Dazed expression, lifting her up onto his back, as they walked away from the tree of Voices, He knew one thing, He wanted this woman, and he was going to make her want him too.