The Breath of Water | Neteyam

10 • Clarity

Tsireya and Aonung couldn't find Liyanin before she had gone to bed yesterday, so they waited until the next day to get some answers out of her. Aonung was the first to wake up since he was so anxious to hear Liyanin's reasons; he practically stayed up all night. It was now morning, and the entirety of Liyanin's family, including herself, was awake. Tonowari gave his mate a good morning kiss on her cheek, then proceeded to hug his kids.

"I hope you had a great rest, my children." said Tonowari.

"I will head to the weaving house to collect materials to weave ceremonial wear for us and whoever shall be the dancer at Ftxozä Aytulkun Atätxaw (Tulkun Returning Festival)."

"Oh, that is coming up, isn't it..." Tonowari mentioned.

"How could you forget?" Ronal questioned.

"Things have just been so busy as of late, it slipped my mind."

"Agh, you see kids, when you stress out your father, you cause him to forget things." She hissed. The children laughed, amused by their dad's forgetfulness. Ronal then had made her way out of the pod, heading to her desired destination. After she had gone, Tonowari told his kids that he would go hunting to prepare for the upcoming festival as well.

"Oh, Aonung, you will be helping us hunt, as well." he stated.

"Okay, Father, I just have something to do real quick with Liyanin."

"Alright, I better see you at the hunting grounds when you have finished."

"Yes, sir."

After he finished talking with his son, Tonowari made his way out. Now that the kids were alone, Aonung didn't waste any time demanding answers from Liyanin.

"So are you going to tell us, now?" he stated.

"Aonung!" said Tsireya.

"What? You said you wanted answers, so I'm getting them," he then turned his attention back to his older sister. "Tell us, Liyanin. Why have you befriended the outcast?"

She sighed, preparing herself to tell them why. She then sat down, prompting her siblings to take a seat as well.

"Okay. I owe you guys an explanation. So here it is...

...When I was younger, around when I was 6, I...almost died."

"...WHAT??!" both Tsireya and Aonung shouted.

"What do you mean, Liya?? You almost died???" Tsireya repeated.

"You have never told us this...!" exclaimed Aonung.

"I never told anyone...not even Father or Mother."

"Why?" asked Tsireya.

"Because...I did something Mother told me not to do, and at the time I really wanted to show her that I was worthy of being tsakarem." Liyanin explained. "I couldn't tell you guys either because you were practically babies, and you did not know how to keep your mouths shut."

"...but what does this have to do with the outcast?" Aonung stated.

"...he...was the one who saved me."

The two youngest siblings were shocked upon hearing this news, looking at each other.

"I almost drowned, for my breathing capacity was not fully developed yet."

"But you could've used your powers to get out, right?" asked Aonung.

"My powers did not come into fruition until I was 8, little brother."