Nervous | Aonung

.XLIV

The tall trees swayed back and forth from the strong winds of the northern sea. Salt water prickled at my nose, making it scrunch up from the distaste.

My tail swayed side to side on the grass, trying to find a comfortable spot to lay. I was sitting cross legged, leaning my side on Aonungs leg as I traced the paterns on his ankle.

"I wish I were there the ocean blessed you with a gift brother," Kiri smiles brightly.

Aonung, Kiri, Roxto, Tuk, Tsireya, Lo'ak, Neteyam and I were all sitting together as Lo'ak told us about his adventure with a tulkun.

"The Tulkun have not returned yet, and anyway no Tulkun is ever alone," Aonung leans forward as he explains the 'holes' in Lo'aks story.

"Well this one was, he had a missing fin like a stump on the left side," Lo'ak pointed to his own left arm.

Payakan

"Oh, Lo'ak," Tsireya says sympathetically.

"That's payakan," Aonung explains.

"Who's Payakan?" All the Sully kids ask.

"A young bull who went rogue, he's outcast, alone. And they say he has a missing fin," Roxto explains.

"That's just what we've been told," I remind the others.

"He killed Navi and other Tulkun, not here but far to the south," Aonung says slowly.

"They say he is a killer," Tsireya tells Lo'ak

"No, he's no killer," Lo'ak tries to explain.

"Lo'ak, you are lucky to be alive," Tsireya says sympathetically.

"I'm telling you guys, he saved my life, he's my friend," Lo'ak pleads for us to believe him.

"Lo'ak," I warn, looking at him.

I believed him, only because I believe Tulkuns are gentle creatures. Payakan has probably been misjudged.
"I'm telling you guys, he saved my life, he's my friend," Lo'ak pleads for us to believe him.

"My baby bro! The might warrior who faced the killer Tulkun and lived to tell about it, huh?" Neteyam stands behind Lo'ak as he teases him.

"You guys aren't listening," Lo'ak stands up, clearly annoyed.

"Lo'ak I'm listening," Tuk smiles but he walks away.

I offer Tuk a reassuring smile before I turn to watch Lo'ak leave. I know what it's like to have no one believe you. I couldn't let him suffer the same.

"Lo'ak come back," Kiri calls out before turning to us. "You skxawngs."

"I'll be back," I tell everyone as I stand up.

"Where are you going?" Aonung asks.

I nod my head towards Lo'ak and he nods his head as he goes back to talking to his newfound friends.

I have to say I'm really impressed with Aonung. He's really trying and I think he's glad as well, it was obvious he hated his old friends.

"Lo'ak wait," I huff, catching up to him.

He may be slow in the water but on land, Eywa he's fast, impressive.

"I don't need you to ye-."

"I believe you," I interrupt him as I place a hand on his arm.

Lo'ak and I are quite similar heights, which is infuriating because he's a year younger than me and yet is still taller.

"You do?" He asks, astonished.