Apologies
Aysap'alute
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"Ronal, I see you." Hia stood in the entryway of the marui, a distressed and upset look on her face.
Ronal looked up from her medicinal kit, eyes wide, quickly adjusting to the sight of her friend.
"I know what you're here for." She frowned with a sigh and she motioned for the fellow mother to have a seat. She did, automatically, but respectfully.
"I'm sorry to be here to talk about it." Hia offered. A small smile on her face.
"I know. You know what boys are like. I assume alien boys are the same." Ronal said, a grin on her face.
"I can hardly remember now. But I was bullied, like my daughter and Jake's daughter. And your son is the bully." She stated with a breathe held in her stomach, tense and wavering. Trying to stay calm.
"He called the girls freaks. Made fun of them based on appearance. He even insulted Tuktirey who is only seven years old." Hia said slowly, calmly. Her tone caught Ronal's attention.
"And then your daughter attacked him." She said quickly.
"Only because he insulted a child she sees as a sister. The only reason Jake's children were involved were because he insulted Tuk. I know she shouldn't have attacked him at all, and she will be taught better. Aonung should be held accountable. At least have him apologize to Yorä and Kiri. I will have Yorä apologize back." Hia compromised.
Ronal thought for a moment before nodding.
"This will do." She said.
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In the morning, Yorä, Kiri, and Aonung were brought together by Neytiri, Hia, and Ronal.
"Yorä, I want you to apologize to Aonung for hitting him. It is not what we do." Hia said calmly and softly. Yorä nodded hesitantly and mustered the words with reluctance.
Her eyes pierced through him instead of averting.
"I'm sorry I hit you, Aonung. I was angry that you insulted Tuk." She said, staring blankly at him.
The words made Neytiri suck in a deep breath before she let it out and her tail flicked with annoyance. Ronal exchanged a glance with her, an apologetic look.
"Maitan, I want you to apologize to Kiri and Yorä for calling them freaks and making fun of their appearance." Ronal hissed through her teeth at him with great frustration and shame.
Aonung looked down at his feet while he spoke.
"I'm sorry, Kiri, Yorä. I shouldn't have called you freaks or made fun of you." He said above a whisper in a small voice.
"I accept your apology." Kiri said before turning to her mother, "can I go and hang out with Tuk?"
"Of course, be careful." Neytiri said, letting her go.
Each parent let their children go before exchanging looks.
"I can't believe your son insulted my youngest." Neytiri grumbled.
"I am sorry for it. It must've been what I said when I first saw you all. I was skeptical because the last time we interacted with a forest na'vi, it didn't go right. That is my prejudice, you are all undeserving of that treatment." She apologized.
It was late in the night when the families realized Lo'ak was missing. He didn't show up for dinner. It was Neteyam who got a confession out of Aonung who brought it to Jake. Aonung stranded Lo'ak at three brothers island formation. He wasn't without scratches and he was missing his knife.
The Tsu'tey was rightfully upset with the whole situation. Aonung had just apologized this morning for bullying his daughter.
"My son knows better than to take him outside the reef." He made his boy kneel, "the blame is his." He said.
"No." Lo'ak started, "this is not Aonung's fault. This was my idea. Aonung tried to talk me out of it. Really." His parent turned on him. Quick to put the blame back on his shoulders.
"Jakesully, don't tell me you really believe that?" Tsu'tey interjected, "when I first met you, I did similar things. You ended up taking the blame. And this is not the first instance of Aonung's mischief." He said, frustration in his voice.
"Aonung, what were you thinking?!" Ronal hissed.
The boys dispersed and Hia tended to her youngest, healing the fresh burns from her rough riding in the ocean with Tuk and Kiri. Naraya had grown a bit since arriving too. Only a little, but it was noticeable.
Each child had grown a bit actually. Like a growth spurt.
