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HOW DO YOU GRIEVE the loss of someone who is still alive? Is there a manual or even instructions on how to go about it, or is it just meant to be felt? The constant feeling of being on edge, not knowing if they're still here or if you're just supposed to let go. If he's still alive, she wonders what's going through his head. Is he hurt? Is he angry? Is he scared? Nadia closes her eyes in hopes it will calm her mind, even if for only a second, so she can breathe. Grief, being the nasty bitch that she is, forces Nadia to think about all the times she took him for granted. All of those times she would simply get annoyed just at the sight of him. She knew it wasn't the same, but she couldn't help but pity herself. Her only family, her twin brother, is gone.
He's the one who's guided her through all of this. The one who kept her grounded despite wanting to kill each other more times than the hand can count. She's never felt more out of place among the Na'vi than without her brother there to make her feel like less of a nuisance. Her 'I-could-care-less" attitude is all his doing, a mere reflection of his bravery, and now she's not sure where to step next.
"Whoa, watch your step." Lo'ak lowly chuckles, catching her just before she falls through one of the wider gaps.
Surely her face starts to flush, either from his hands that are wrapped protectively around her waist or from the sheer embarrassment of almost falling, but she'll never know.
"I'm sorry. I'm a bit...distracted." Nadia winces, knowing that's a lighter way of putting it.
"Happens to the best of us. I can carry you if you want?"
He won't ever admit it, even if she points it out, but she can't help noticing the subtle flex he does in his arms as he asks. Neteyam looks over his shoulder and begins to emit fake gagging sounds that cause Lo'ak's ears to fall back in vex.
"Shut up, bro. I wasn't talking to you."
"Clearly." Neteyam smirks, shaking his head before spotting his sisters leaning against their tent up ahead.
"What're they doing?" Nadia wonders aloud, asking what the other two are thinking.
Once they start making their way towards them, they notice how stealth the two are acting. The voices coming from inside of the tent sound like Jake and Neytiri having some sort of argument. Kiri brings her hand up, silencing them if they decide to come any closer. Nadia leans down onto her knees and adjusts herself so she can listen along with everyone else.
Tuk gets even more curious and sticks her head against the floor to get a better view. Her braids lather themselves with dirt, but she's far from worried about it.
"I cannot. You cannot ask this. I will not leave my people. I will not." Neytiri's voice is firm, like she's not letting herself fall for whatever it is Jake's asked of her.
