Surface| Neteyam

10.

After I had finished up the last batch of fruit on the trees we headed home. I tried not to think of Neteyam but it hurt how he just looked at me like I was this, this backstabber, I did nothing but protect my people.

I avoided conversation with my father and rushed to our pod, I watched out of my window. I had a good view of the Sully's home and it wasn't long before I saw the two brothers getting escorted inside along with a harsh warning by Jake Sully.

"Sira, you have a visitor"

I took a few deep breaths, whenever I would overthink too hard my eyes would cloud up and tears would start to form, embarrassing really.

I walked to the entryway, Tsierya waved and I returned a smile back. My dad stood close by, monitoring our conversation.

"We are going ilu riding today, I thought it would be a good idea to get them experienced with that before we take them out to see the Nalutsa. She grinned,

I motioned her to shush as my father was only a few feet away from us.

"Yep, that sounds great! I know how busy mothers get with all their duties and taking care of their young. They would definitely appreciate it if we looked after their kids for a while."

I didn't blink once the entire time and kept trying to give her subtle hints on my situation.

"Right, maybe you could even apologize to baby tey, you know how sad he got after you didn't play with him earlier today" She winked.

I guess she had heard about the fight.

We looked at my dad together, he seemed convinced,

"Fine, be back before it gets late"

I grabbed Tsierya's hand and dashed out of the pod. Once we got far enough we made eye contact then bursted into laughter.

"Baby tey, really?" I felt myself having to pause to catch my breath from the mix of running and laughing equally hard.

"He believed us" She hiccuped, I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to stay as silent as possible. Whenever Tsierya laughed too much she would start to hiccup.

"I mean, he isn't much different from a baby" I giggled.

Once we had calmed down, we made our way to the bay where everyone was picking out an Ilu. Lo'aks eyes brightened when he saw Tsierya approaching him.

I turned around and looked for the others, Tuk was still quite young, she had a lot more breathing exercises to still complete so for now she would have to tag along with someone else.

Neteyam was with Aonung, despite their outburst I guess they managed to make up. On the other hand, him and Lo'ak kept staring daggers at one another.
Roxto seemed to be getting along with Kiri, maybe a little too well.

I tried not to stand awkwardly as everyone had paired up, It felt like I was third wheeling everyone.
Luckily Tuk swam up to me,

"Can we ride Feui together?" She asked,

I felt tired but it was better than standing alone, also bonus points because Neteyam was looking at us.

"Of course, I'll call her now" I made a quick "awhoop"sound followed by clicks. Just like that her shiny head popped out of the water.

"Feui!" Tuk tickled her under her neck, I never even realized she liked to be pet there.

I helped her climb on, after attaching the tsaheylu I sat behind the young girl for a little extra support and showed her where to hold onto the Ilu.

"Ready?" I smiled, she happily swung her legs back and forth. I made the familiar clicking sound and Feui dove deep into the water. I put my hands onto Tuk's to help her hold on as we quickly climbed faster and faster.

I patted the side of my Ilu and she did a small flip underwater from the signal. I saw Tuk's face turn from scared to amazed, her smile was bright and loving, I knew then they belonged in the sea.

As Feui acceleration began to get more steady I subtly slipped my hands off the reins, removing the tsaheylu and then let go; I was able to catch myself before I spun in a fit of flips underwater, using my hands to balance the water under me.

I watched as Tuk continued on without me just fine. Finally once she had realized I had slipped away she tumbled off, a crowd of bubbles appearing where she had disturbed the water.
We were still a distance away so I quickly swam towards her,

"Wooohooo!" she cried out, waving her hands in the air as she rose to the surface,

"That was awesome!"

It was something I didn't get to see much anymore, this new love for the sea; my people have lived here all their lives so the ocean was all we've ever known. I guess I hadn't realized just how much they were giving up coming to this place.

"Again again!" she called out once I had reached her,

"I think you've had enough excitement for now, why don't we go check on your siblings" I tried not to make it too obvious I was only referring to Neteyam, I still needed to fix things between us since the fight, but it wasn't my fault I defended Aonung, I wish he could see that.

Feui swam in between us, splashing water as she surfaced.

"I think she likes you" I grin, remaking the bond, I could see from the corner of my eye her excitement as her ears lifted up. Once we were both securely on Feui swam more steadily back to where we had left the others.

As we passed by them Tuk jumped off, splashing everyone in the perimeter.

"Hey, Tuk!" Lo'ak grimaced as he splashed her back, Tsireya covered her mouth with hand trying to stop laughing.

"Where's Neteyam?" I tried to ask carelessly as I picked at the loose string on my top.

Lo'ak looked up at me,
"Out with Aonung probably getting ass wiped out by an Ilu"

His comment caught me off guard and I rolled my eyes at him sarcastically,

"He deserves it" I giggle,

"Yeah well, so does your bratty friend Aonung" Lo'ak seemed to lighten up a bit, I knew it would be more challenging to make up to Neteyam but this was a start.

I nodded in agreement, just then Lo'ak came up to me, looking around to make sure no one else could hear.

"Next time he gets on your nerves, call him an asshole"
I glanced over at him puzzled by the last sound he just said, I assumed it was something in the sky people language.

"What's an ass'ole?" I attempted to mimic the strange word.

"Let him figure that out"

A/N
sorry for taking so long to get this one out, it is a little more of a filler chapter but I hope you like the slight character development