You will fall (Neteyam x Oc)

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 20
GIZE OF NIGHT

Soon, the time had come for Sao'Nae to get her tattoo. She'd been dancing when her mother stood and raised her hand, silencing everything with a simple movement. The drummers stopped playing, the flute women ceased, the dancers stood like stone. Even Neteyam and Sao'Nae. Well...especially Sao'Nae, just stopped.

Ronal scanned the many faces, " Tis time!" She proclaimed, " Time for my beloved daughter to get her first tattoo! A token of her great hunt! My daughter has hunted Tsawl'kxa! My daughter has provided our nights feast!"

The village cheered for their dear Sao'Nae, some men even patting the girl on the back if they were close enough. Ronal nodded and waved her hand, " Sao'Nae, come forward." She ordered, and like the golden obedient daughter Sao'Nae was, she let go of Neteyam's hand and approached her mother. 

The ta'leng 'ongopyu stood with his tapping hammer in hand, sitting across from another log where Sao'Nae would soon sit. Ronal nodded, eyes leading the girl to where she was meant to be.

Once she sat down the village broke into cheers, Neteyam walking over to his family and sitting beside them, eager to see what would happen next. When Sao'Nae was comfortable and the rest of the leading family was present---meaning Tsireya and Ao'nung we're seated next to their parents---the inking process began.

With excitement the people watched, wondering what she'd get, wondering what Sao'Nae had chosen as her very first tattoo. This was a pivotal moment in her life, a moment that was being added to her song-cord at that very moment. Ronal sat in the middle behind the two, her fingers carefully adding a white bead to the cord, smiling as she felt the memories between her fingers.

Tonowari watched with pride, his chest puffed out and eyes glassy...

Sao'Nae felt her heart racing in her chest, her stomach flipping like a newborn Tulkun. She could feel her hand shaking with anxiety and for a moment she believed herself scared.

What if I picked the wrong tattoo? What if it looks bad? What if I move and it messes him up? What if mother hates it? What if Ao'nung makes fun of me? What if----

Sao'Nae looked over the crowd and her eyes stopped on Neteyam. The boy sat beside Neytiri, and as if reading her thoughts like an open book, he used his hands to tell her take a deep breath. Sao'Nae nodded and smiled, inhaling deeply and closing her eyes, squeezing her hand while imagining it was him holding it.

With one look Neteyam had silenced he thoughts, a task not easily completed.

With anticipation the clan watched, none looking bored or uninterested. They'd been waiting for the day one of the Chiefs children passed their Inkimaya, and now it was finally happening. Sao'Nae was getting her tìnawri tattoo.

For hours everyone watched the skin designer work, his hammer steady and true, tapping away at the young Tsahìk's arm. When it was finished Tonowari stepped forward with a piece of silk-satin-like cloth, handing it to the man and allowing him to wrap it around the image---not letting anyone get a fleeting glance.

Tonowari grinned, " It is done!"

The people raised their fists and cheered, none louder than the hunters and huntresses.

Ronal tied the final bead in place, finishing the event of the song-cord. When Sao'Nae stood up, she grinned, overjoyed by becoming a young huntress, laughing innocently. She brushed a piece of hair behind her ear and nodded her head to the people of the village, " Please---" She started, " This is a celebration, is it not? Go have fun. Enjoy yourselves!"