Surface| Neteyam

6.

I strolled out into the village center, taking my time as I returned home. I decided it would be a good time to begin working on the anklet for Riuwe.

I had gotten about halfway, weaving the strands in a symmetrical pattern, I left hidden messages throughout the design that I thought described Neteyam.

As I lost myself in the moment, concentrating hard but unconsciously making the moves, a shadow popped through the entranceway.

"Tuk!" I tossed the anklet as subtly as possible, brushing the bits of string and shells off my lap.

"We are going swimming, I want you to come with us!" She beamed, leaning side to side.

'I suppose it wouldn't do any harm to stay close to Kiri for check ups..' I nodded enthusiastically and took her hand as we walked to the beach.

It was strange to meet someone so.. Naive, she acted like I was one of her older sisters all because I told her I would make a sparkly necklace for her? She would learn one day; as I glanced at her happily skipping along the shore, curing her toes in the sand. I guess today wasn't that day.

"Hey Sira!" Rotxo waved at me with a bright smile.

I waved back as I dipped my head under the water. The ocean life had been cleared out from the sand dunes since we used that area to train Ilu.

Tuk jumped into the water after me, blowing her cheeks up with air.

'Swim with me' I signed; to my dismay she looked at me as if I had spoken sky people's words to her. All though, they say the forest na'vi have been around them long enough to pick up the language.

I motioned 'come here' with my hand after I realized she couldn't understand me.

Luckily Tuk caught onto this and swam down beside me, I took her hand and guided her deeper down, the water grew colder and I felt her shiver at the sudden change.

In time I was sure she would get used to the temperature but for now I guessed it would be best to stay at her level.

I pointed to the surface and she quickly swam up, I watched her closely. Her lean tail proved useless as it cut through the water, her arms as well, they were too slender and thin to push the water.

I glanced at mine in comparison, they acted more as fins, cupping the water and pushing us faster, our tails worked as a tool as well.

I realized no matter what, they would always be seen as omatikaya, maybe it would be best if they had never come here.

As we reached the others I noticed Aonung brought his whole squad, I rolled my eyes a little as they fawned over how strange the newcomers were. At this point I wasn't surprised he let them tag along, they practically praised the ground he walked on. The only friend of his I liked was Rotxo, even Tonowari thought of him as a good influence unlike his other friends.

Tuk clambered onto her brother's shoulders, wrapping her hands over his face so he couldn't see.

I couldn't help but let out a small laugh at the sight of him flaring his arms out to try and keep himself balanced.

"As you know all water is connected, but that doesn't mean it is all safe. We show you the boundaries of our land and how to find your way back to the beach." Tsireya said in a more serious tone.

Lo'ak gave her a quick salute which neither of us understood.

"Psst, Seytira, where's Riuwe?" One of Aonung's fanboys asked.

"How should I know?" I replied nonchalantly. I did know, she was back at the reef doing a double shift.

"Everyone partner up, we will cover more ground this way, and Aonung get your friends out of here" I giggled a bit at Tsireya's comment.