Another Love

Chapter 7

"So you choose not to sleep? At all?" Jake asks.

Him and Tay'ra were now taking a stroll, near the sea.

She shakes her head no, in response to Jake's question.

"I am able to stay awake for as long as I wish to. Which is why, I come outside. Here. Where I can interact with Eywa" Tay'ra sighs as she looks around.

Jake looks at her and smiles.

There was something about the way she spoke. It was so eloquent.

Respectful.

She was respectful to the sea.
To her home.

"If you wish to spend the night here, outside with me, then I suppose you must be prepared. To keep yourself awake" Tay'ra says.

Jake nods, "most certainly."

She smiles, "come. Come with me."

She in front, leading the way, as he follows.

They walk through the trees, past a couple of bushes, until they come to a completely different side to the sea.

Tay'ra claps her hands as she calls for an ilu, jumping on.

Jake watches as she does so, seeing the way she initiates the tsaheylu and how easy it was for her.

When she connects her tswin, the ilu continues to stay calm.

She cooes him, petting him gently from under his chin.

"Nga lu po sìltstan 'evengan" she says softly, with a smile on her face, as she continues to pet the ilu.
nga lu po sìltstan 'evengan- you are a good boy.

She looks up at Jake.

"This is Kéi" Tay'ra says.

Unlike Ikrans, ilu do not form personal bonds with a particular Na'vi. If an ilu has been familiarized with the concept of a Kuru bond, any rider can mount that ilu. As for Kéi, he was very much familiar with Tay'ra, as she has spent many nights at sea, riding with him. Therefore, when she calls, he is the first to come to her.

She had a special gift, of attracting the animals of the sea. And it was as though, they could feel her presence when she was around. They knew the difference when she called, compared to when other Na'vis' would call.

"Kéi" Jake smiles and nods, "is he yours?"

"He does not have a personal bond with me, no. No Ilu's share personal bonds, the way Ikran's do. But, he is the ilu that comes to me the most, when I chose to ride at night" Tay'ra explains.

She puts her hand out to him, "come. He will not hurt you."

Jake nods, takes Tay'ras' hand as he gets behind her, slightly terrified.

He sits uncomfortably, slightly far away from her.

"If you want us to ride, you must come closer and hold tight. Otherwise, you will fall off" Tay'ra says.

"Are you sure? I don't-"

"It is nothing to worry about. We are friends" Tay'ra looks back at him.

He smiles at her, "right. Friends."

Jake brings himself closer, his hand placing around her waist gently.

His touch was soft. Gentle.

He did not wish to hurt her.

Kèi, however, had other plans, as they began to ride, going full speed ahead.

Jake holds onto Tay'ra tightly, as he was now completely close to her, with her back against his chest.