The Breath of Water | Neteyam

14 • Etrìpa Swaw

A/N: Chapter title translation: Favorable (auspicious) moment

A few days had passed since Neteyam had started learning how to properly breathe underwater from Liyanin, and the two only grew evermore closer, without them realizing. Things that had them flustered before, like holding each other's hand when going into the deep water, they would now do naturally, for they have gotten somewhat comfortable with one another. Neteyam's threshold was expanding nicely, as per Liyanin's expectations. She knew that he would probably get the gist of it quickly. He still had a lot more work to do, but she felt like that he was getting closer to the threshold he should have for the second phase of the Hunt.

The two were sitting on a boulder, since Liyanin wanted to go over the sign language and see what he had known. Unfortunately, Neteyam said that those were some of the lessons he had skipped coincidentally, so his knowledge of the language was rusty.

After a grueling hour of cramming various different hand signs into his head, Neteyam begged for a break, and so Liyanin obliged, but so as long as he stayed on the rock. She didn't want him sneaking away from learning more hand signs. He agreed to the terms, just happy that his brain could finally rest.

He had sat leaning on his arms, feeling the ocean breeze blow on his face. It felt nice, he thought. It was the perfect combination of warm and cool wind. He then turned his attention to Liyanin. She had her knees up to her chest, looking downwards at the rock they were on. She seemed to be in deep thought about something, but he couldn't figure out what.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked her. She sighed before answering.

"As I am sure you have heard, I am the one who will performing the opening dance for Ftxozä Aytulkun Atätxaw." she said. He nodded, showing that he knew what she was talking about. "...the thing is...I have no idea what to come up with."

"What do you mean?"

"The dancer is supposed to create a unique dance, one that is special to the dancer and to the clan. But...I have never been much of a dancer. So I'm pretty stumped."

Neteyam turned his body to lay down, facing Liyanin, but using his arms as support to help him stay up. "You need help with dancing?" he asked, grinning.

"Yes...I guess that is what I am saying...?"

He suddenly got up and hit his chest, seemingly to prepare to declare something. "You have come to the right place!"

Liyanin's head tilted in confusion, a smile forming on her mouth. "What are you doing?" she asked, laughing in between her words.

"I am from Omatikaya. Things like dancing is in my blood." He explained, grabbing her hands to get her to stand up. "I could help you."

"And how would you be able to help me? I need to make a dance that has meaning to—"

"To you and your clan, I know. You could tell me about the things on your songcord, and I could help you...interpret it through a specific dance move."

Liyanin thought about the idea, then figured that she really needed the help, so she didn't see a problem in saying yes. "...That does not seem like a bad idea..." she said to herself.

"So we're doing it?"

"...Sure. But this means that my student is now my teacher. How bizarre." she said, smiling.

"Guess you can say that we're doing each other a favor." He replied, staring into her eyes. The longer his eyes remained looking into hers, Liyanin began to see how his yellow eyes sparkled in the sunlight. Shoot, she just keeps finding more reasons to like him.