The Water Is Fine - Neteyam

Chapter 4: Home

Neteyam isn't one to get in uncomfortable situations. If situations like that arise, he does his best to get out of it as soon as possible.

Either by leaving or fighting his way through. That's what he is good at. Fighting. Getting out of situations that make him or his family uncomfortable.

But this time, he is stuck, letting the shy side of him take over, making him feel the age he is. A sixteen year old boy who just moved and has no idea what to do.

After swimming they were shown Ilus.

But then the Metkayina kids decided to split the Sully Family up so they could get one on one training with this creature.

Lo'ak with Tsireya, Tuk and Kiri with Ao'nung and Roxto. And while they were all near each other, Neteyam was ordered to follow Tiayli'a, going towards the shallower side of shore.

And there he stands uncomfortably as seven little kids, no older than five run towards the girl.

Tiayli'a has the biggest smile on her fast as she gives each child a hug, moving to hold onto the youngest who appears about a year old, skill wobbling on his feet when he walks.

"Li'a!" The kids yell happily, and Tiayli'a greets each of them, moving the boy she holds to rest on her lap as he plays with her hair.

Neteyam doesn't know what to do. He feels like he is intruding. He was meant to learn how to ride an Ilu, not be a babysitter. He doesn't want to be rude and leave though, as he was ordered to stay with Tiayli'a.

"Li'a, who is that?" A young girl asks, pointing towards Neteyam.

The girls voice got all the children's attention and soon they quiet down, staring at the forest Na'vi with curiosity in their eyes.

"This is Neteyam. A new friend. He will be learning along side you guys." Tiayli'a explains, but the children still seem confused and curious.

Neteyam gets confused as well. He was meant to learn, be taught like Tsireya was teaching Lo'ak, what could he possibly not know where he has to be taught amongst children.

The kids seem to look him up and down, as if deciding he is fit to be apart of their group to learn, and a little boy walks timidly up to him in the water, the water almost reaching the kids shoulders. When the boy reaches Neteyam, he gives Neteyam a poke on the leg, seeing how his skin is a different shade.

Neteyam looks towards Tiayli'a for guidance, now becoming shy and uncomfortably with this many kids looking at him as if he is some weird creature. Tiayli'a just give Neteyam a warm smile, as if saying 'its okay, just play along'.

Neteyam sighs and begins to kneel so his face is level with the boy, making the kid back up slightly.

They seem to have a staring contest, and when Neteyam loses, the little guy takes it as a win and moves to climb onto Neteyam. He uses Neteyams crouched position to cling onto the forest Na'vis back, and Neteyam quickly moves his hands to hold onto the boy, not wanting him to fall.

It seems that once the boy clings onto him, the rest of the kids see Neteyam as being fit to join their learning sessions and run over to the teen, some clinging onto his legs while others circle him.

"Uh... hi." Neteyam can't help but feel completely out of place.

Tiayli'a laughs, smiling at her students eagerness to meet Neteyam and begins to walk over to the teen who looks completely confused and uncomfortable, his hands still moved to hold the boys back who clings onto him.

"Kids, why don't you go towards the shore and practice kicking your feet like I taught you?" Tiayli'a suggest, continuing to hold onto the little boy.

She hears a chorus of groans in protest, but when she looks towards her students, they accept their teachers request and move from the teen, going towards the rocks like instructed.