I WANNA BE SAVED, neteyam

Ch 33: Farewell

When Ayatney arrived back at the village, morning had come to grace the people with its presence.

Early risen villagers already began to tend to what needed to be done first, some sparing a glance to the girl that made her way towards the familiar direction of the Olo'eyktan and Tsahík's marui pod.

Ayatney was hoping they were awake as she had a very important discussion that needed to be had.

Thankfully they were and it saved her the trouble of embarrassing herself upon arrival. Tsireya and Ao'nung were there as well, both giving their morning greetings to their parents before heading off to do what ever chores they had assigned for the day.

The Metkayina siblings made way for the Omatikayan, standing a bit off to the side as she too greeted the high ranking people.

"Oel ngati kamie Olo'eyktan, Tsahík."

Ayatney motioned her greeting, getting the same in return. The girl didn't hide the fact that she was still in mourning, as were many others. There were still streaks of white paint on her skin, faintly washed away by the water.

"I wish to speak to you both..." her eyes trailed over to where their children stood, the both of them not being bashful with their stares. "...in private."

They seem to have gotten the hint, quick on their feet to leave the premises.

The rising sun hit her back, warming Ayatney's skin as she mentally prepared the words she wished to express to the leaders of this prestigious clan. She was a bit anxious for their answer to a question she had not even asked them. The worse thing that could only happen is that they would say no and turn her away to leave with the Sully family.

"Speak child, there is no need to be worried." Tonowari expressed, sensing the girls distress.

Ayatney gulped down the anxious build up of saliva that sat in her mouth, wetting her vocal cords. "You said that we are part of the people since Neteyam lies with your ancestors." she stated, working up the courage the ask the question.

Tonowari nodded at this, it was true and he was not going to deny the words he said himself.

"Yes, you and your family are part of the Metkayina people until you learn or choose to become another." He rephrased, not getting a hint at what Ayatney was trying to say.

Your family.

Those two words made her heart clench with an unknown feeling. Whether it was with adoration or pain, she found herself smiling at the man's words. They were a family, yes, but they weren't hers.

Her family had died and been buried along with the ancestors back in the forest. Her mother, father, and her unborn sibling has been laid to rest with Eywa.

The love of her life was buried here with the Metkayina people.

She had already left home once and abandoned what she loved most. Coming here had made her selfish in most ways, but she was glad it did. It made Ayatney realize that even without the family, that she had grown with, by her side she could live and survive on her own.

"They aren't my family." Ayatney bluntly revealed. "I'm not their child by blood but by bond. Though I would rather say I wasn't really considered a child of theirs..."

Though she mumbled the last bit of it to herself, the news of this had shocked the two.

From the moment they had stepped on the sand, Tonowari and Ronal had assumed they all were family. It seems they were wrong.