The Water Is Fine - Neteyam

Chapter 7: Small Talk

Miio may be young and only know a few words, but when he wants something, he will get it, his little heart is too determined to fail. He is good at one thing for his young age, and that is getting what he wants and the best way to do that is by either crying or giving those around him pleading eyes and grabby hands.

He saw Neteyam and he has decided in his little heart that that is now his father. He looks about the same age as his last dad, from what little he can remember, and he is kind, his voice soothing.

He saw Neteyam as his father, and he misses him like crazy, even if it's only been less than a day the last time he saw him.

And so when Tiayli'a picked him up in the morning and she talked about Neteyam coming over, his little heart couldn't help but beat in join. To be fair, he didn't know much of what the girl said, but the word Neteyam stuck in his brain.

He can't help but make a fuss when he is waiting and waiting and waiting and no Neteyam is in sight.

"Teteyan." Miio cries, looking around towards the kids beside him, wanting to find the boy. But he isn't here.

Tiayli'a sighs, picking the boy up and kisses each of the boys cheeks to help soothe the boys concern.

"He isn't here yet, Miio."

Those words seem to just agitate the boy more, because he is beginning to cry, his ears pinning to his head.

And then he sees him. The teenage boy walking towards them, and his eyes instantly go wide, his hiccups easing up.

"Sorry, Lo'ak is being a skxawng." Neteyam apologizes for being late, getting a glare from Tiayli'a for using such a word in front of children. "I mean... Uh... He was being... Stupid?"

Before Tiayli'a can give the teenage boy a look that says shush, Miio is desperately trying to get out of the girls hold to reach Neteyam.

"Teteyan!" Miio cries.

It seems all the kids are excited to see the boy again, some even running up to give his legs a hug.

"Uh, hey guys." Neteyam says shyly, not expecting the kind response from children he has only met once.

Tiayli'a smiles, giving a look towards Neteyam that he can't read, his head tilts up in confusion, almost wanting the girl to speak her thoughts.

Miio continues to struggle in Tiayli'as hold, desperately trying to reach the older boy. In his mind, the boy is the same age of his father, so therefore he must be his father.

"Teteyan!" Miio cries again, and this time Neteyam moves to the crying boy who is wanting out of the girls hold.

Neteyam sends the baby a small smile, moving towards Tiayli'a and placing his hand on the boys head, making the boy quiet down.

"Hey buddy."

"Sorry about him. He has been asking for you all morning." Tiayli'a says, moving the boy towards her hip, letting Miio have the chance to grab onto one of Neteyams fingers.

"Why?" Neteyam asks.

He can't imagine a child that has held such lose at his young age would be willing to open up so quickly, especially to him who is seen as different.

"Guess you made a good impression." Tiayli'a shrugs, shushing the boy who continues to whine.

Miio keeps thrashing in the girls hold, almost to the point he breaks free. Tiayli'a gets nervous, knowing the fall would obviously hurt the boy.

"Teteyan!!!"

"Okay, buddy. I'm here." Neteyam says, looking towards Tiayli'a to see if it's okay he takes the boy.