Promises

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"Yeeehaaaw!" Marie shouted a top the Pali. The Oloytekan was ambushed by the little sully during his morning chores, Tarsem tagging along.

Over the past week Tarsem had been a strict teacher, Marie became a diligent student and she learned a couple words which she would repeat proudly.

She put them to good use that morning when she spotted her favorite old man, "ride Pali now please!"

Tarsem was in front of of Marie, while the Oloytekan was sat behind her. The older man guiding the Pali around the camp.

"What is yeehaaw Marie?" Tarsem asked looking back at his friend with a confused face.

"Cowboys would say it all the time in the old movies," Marie answered.

"What are cowboys?" The boy was getting more lost.

"They're like warriors, but they carry small guns. And wear hats and chew tabaco."

"Tabaco?"

"I don't know what that is either but daddy says it's bad."

Eytukan looked down at the children in front of him. He was glad that Marie had made one good friend in the tribe. She was charming like her father.

The large animal trotted along the camp, eventually stumbling along the training grounds. There Marie was able to spot her dad and Neytiri. A bow in her fathers arms. To Marie Jake looked like total warrior, but both the Oleytekan and Tarsem grimaced at the mans posture. The little boy giggled as Neytiri swatted at Jake scolding him for his stance.

"Neytiris funny," Marie whispered, a soft smile on her face as she looked at the tall Navi. Neytiri embodied what the small girl admired. Despite how standoffish she was at first with them, Marie had grown to like Neytiri.

She was a strong woman, but never shied from femininity. Many women were like Neytiri as well, unlike back home. Where the harsh environments made women tough, often had them playing roles of men for survival and protection.

Even now, as she shot a bow and arrow, fought against both the men and women she seemed elegant and strong.

Jake spotted the three from a far. Marie's long blue limbs waving in the air catching his attention. He lifted his own hand waving.

Neytiri followed his line of sight, shooting the three her own smile, "your daughter is learning Navi better than you."

Jake chuckled smiley proudly, though his eyes held a sadness, "yeah, gets that from her uncle."

"It would be good for her to learn how to use a bow you know."

Jake hummed on the suggestion, "I think I should learn properly before teaching her no?"

"Not by you JakeSuli, I could teach her alongside my father." Neytiri shook her head, "you might teach her to accidentally shoot a rock instead of a fish."

Jake scoffed at her comment but didn't deny it. He still had a ways to go before being an expert on anything Navi.

*****

Just like Neytiri had said, she was teaching Marie how to shoot. For the past two days after teaching Jake she picked up little Marie and the Oleytekan.

They practiced by a stream near by. Neytiri insisted it was to show Marie, which it was, but Eytukan knew his daughter enjoyed the young girls company. Marie was much like Neytiris late sister.

A curious child that seemed to fear very little.

"Arms a little higher, and let go," Neytiri instructed behind Marie, whooping cheerfully when the arrow hit a fish in the stream, "good job Marie!"

"It seems like we will be eating a good dinner tonight after Marie's catch today," Eytukan boasted from his seat on the grass. Four other fish, gutted and cleaned lay bedside the older man in a basket.

Marie puffed at the praise from the adults. Warmth spread from her chest and throughout her body.

The trio walked back to their area. Eytukan pulled out different spices and herbs, laying them beside the fish and the two girls. He left soon after, duties needing his attention.

"Now you will learn how to cook them," Neytiri said grabbing a fish and placing it in a bowl in front of Marie. Doing the same for herself.

The next half hour consisted of Neytiri teaching Marie how to season a fish and start a fire for cooking.

"Now, we will pierce the fish with sticks and let them cook over the fire. Like so," Expert hands speared the fish. Marie following as best as she could. Her small hands could only hold so much weight. In the end, Marie's work stood out from its messy work. But you couldn't ask more from a 5 year old.

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This is really short sorry :/ been caught up with school and work kms