Calm Before The Storm, Jake Sully

003, Unwanted Greetings.

♯┆calm before the storm .ᐟ
━━━━━━━━━━

     Inviting Jake to sleep on their hammock was not the brightest of ideas. Mukata's grudge against demons was strong. Especially ones clad in army uniform and pretended their body was Na'vi. Demons had ruined Mukata's family— why should he have to welcome them with open arms?

"Does he have to sleep with us? Can he not have his own hammock?" Mukata asked his sister. Denahi paced around the hammock, finding a couple of loincloths Mukata wasn't going to wear again. "He is staying with us. Leave it at that, Mukata. Now, go get ready for the feast..." Denahi spoke to him, straightening her stance to make her point.

"He killed our parents, Denahi!" Mukata exclaimed. Denahi turned to him and shook her head. Jake watched the conversation, not understanding a single world but knew from the tone of their voices, it was not positive. He also watched the way Denahi's shoulders slouched and her ears pinned down. His ears dropped when he noticed the sadness appearing on her delicate features, "Please, Kata. We are late enough."

Denahi turned around to Jake who offered her a soft smile when she handed him the loincloth, "And what do I do with this?" He asked, bouncing the thin clothing.

"Change. I will turn around..." Denahi said like it was nothing to her. Mukata scoffed and hissed at Jake before running off to join his other teenager friends towards the feast. "So, that your brother?" Jake questioned.

"Is it not obvious?" Denahi asked, turning around to give him some privacy as he changed into the thin loincloth. Mukata was a stubborn teenager— when his head was stuck on something, it was hard to resist. And Denahi tried her best to stop that.

"Are you changed?" Denahi asked Jake, Jake only growled in frustration as he couldn't tie the loincloth against his hips, "Wouldn't mind lending me a hand, eh?"

Denahi didn't understand what he had said, too much English for her to remember. But, when she noticed Jake fiddling with the tie, she stepped forwards to help him. Her fingertips fell down to his hip, tying that knot so the loincloth would not fall. And Jake felt his cheeks get warm, and actually flush.

Her fingers were soft compared to him. Yes, she had some blisters and roughness due to crafting arrows and baskets, but he couldn't help but notice how soft she is compared to his rugged and harshness. Denahi definitely didn't notice Jake's eyes getting heavier the more he watched her tie his knot.

"There..." Denahi whispered before finishing. Jake nodded in acknowledgment, knowing the loincloth was tight because it didn't budge whenever he tried to walk.

"Now. Come, come," Denahi held onto his wrist so she wouldn't lose him in the commotion of the feast. His head kept down to the ground, attempting not to stand on anybody's hands or tails.

Denahi couldn't help but roll her eyes and pull him down to sit next to her. Mukata handed them their meals he had saved before joining back with his friends.

But, before Jake could eat, he noticed a little Na'vi girl staring at him in fascination.

But, she was only pulled back and warned by her father which caused Jake to laugh, "Hi. I'm Jake Sully." His introduction did not warrant a welcome from her father, he tugged the little girl back with a hiss. Jake turned back around to Denahi, "Your name is quite... strange."

The Na'vi language did not include the letter 'J' making it hard for them to pronounce. Jake furrowed his brows, "Really? What's... um, what's your full name?"

"Denahi Te Tsaro Nokae'Ite..." The words fell simply from Denahi's mouth, like it wouldn't be a handful for him to say— or remember. "Oh..." Was all Jake could respond to her.