𝙋𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙍𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨, 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘺𝘢𝘮 𝘚𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘯𝘦

        

𝙊𝙉𝙀, 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝖽𝖺𝗋𝗅𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖼𝗈𝗎𝗌𝗂𝗇𝗌

—— ఌ︎ ——

        ZAHALA DOVE INTO the clear blue water, her cousin directly to her right, aligned with her perfectly. Zahala surfaced, taking Na’ana into her arms, kicking down to Tsireya again. She turned to her cousin, suspending in the water with her sister in her arms. ‘Are you ready?’ Tsireya signed to Zahala, her hands making the words effortlessly.

        Zahala nodded, the shell clasp at the back of her keeping her hair away from her face. Na’ana clapped, and her infant ilu swam over to her from where he was with his mother, and Na’ana held onto it. The three girls swam gracefully through the ocean, engaging with the sea life around them.

        ‘Over there.’ Zahala signed to Tsireya, pointing to a coral tunnel the girls explored so often. Tsireya smiled and swam over to it, twirling through the tunnel, followed by Na’ana and her ilu, and lastly Zahala. 

        Happy and cheerfully, Zahala spun in circles as a large fish swam with her, singing its song to her. Na’ana swam around her big sister, laughing and holding tightly to her ilu.

        The vibrant fish and sea creatures danced around Zahala, and she swam with them, twisting and turning with no cares in the world. Na’ana took a breath of air before she came back down into the water, twirling circles around her older sister and cousin, giggling.

        Tsireya smiled at Zahala, her dark hair floating in the water. ‘Where should we go?’ she signed the question, a school of fish encasing her in their group before they swam away.

        Zahala paused, trying to remember what her mother had told her. She pointed upwards, and Tsireya floated up beside her, Na’ana following them. “I have to take Na’ana home. I’ll be right back, if you don’t want to come.” Zahala explained, both girls smiling as the one-year-old and her ilu giggled.

        “No, I’ll come. We’ll come right back.” Tsireya said, eyes sparkling from the sun.

        Zahala nodded, diving down into the water again. The sisters and their cousin swam back to the shallow water, standing when they could and walking towards the sand. Zahala gently broke the bond between Na’ana and her ilu, lifting the little girl into her arms.

        Tsireya and Zahala began walking, ignoring Rotxo and Ao’nung when they walked by. Na’ana played with Zahala’s necklaces, giggling as she pulled at them. “She doesn’t seem like it’s time for her rest.” Tsireya commented, smoothing out her baby cousin’s dark hair.

        “She never does, and then she sleeps right when you lay her down.” Zahala said, her and Tsireya getting formal greetings from villagers. They were the Chief’s daughter and niece, and everyone respected them.

        The girls arrived at Mayan and Tanilu’s mauri tent, the flap open. Mayan was inside, the stern mother sitting on her mat, stringing a top for her baby. She looked up when her daughters and niece entered. “You’re late, Zahala. I’ve told you time and time again that you can only take your sister if you bring her back in time for her rest.” Mayan said, narrowing her eyes at Zahala.

        “I’m sorry, Mother. We were just swimming.” Zahala said, placing Na’ana on her small mat.

        Mayan stood, sighing. “I know, and that is the problem. You are always down there, hiding from your responsibilities, and never up here, helping your father.”

        Zahala frowned, looking down. Her father, Tanilu was Tsireya’s uncle and Chief of the clan, Tonowari’s younger brother. He was just as respected as Tonowari, being the lead warrior and hunter of the clan, as well as his brother’s advisor. “I’m sorry, Mother.” she apologized, feeling uncomfortable.

        Mayan sighed. “It is alright. Hello, Tsireya. Go, have your fun.” she shooed the two girls away, reaching for her infant daughter.

        Tsireya and Zahala left the mauri and headed back the ocean, deciding not to speak on the conversation Zahala had just been a part of. They dove into the water when they reached the beach, swimming gracefully together as one.

        The cousins had been inseparable since birth, and if you didn’t know them you’d assume they were sisters, twins. They were always together, embellishing each other’s hair, walking on the beach, or simply sitting in one of their mauri’s together. 

        Zahala and Tsireya laughed joyfully, climbing onto their ilus as they came to them. Tsireya pointed upwards, noticing many of the other villagers in the water rise above the surface. Zahala nodded, and they broke through the water, surprised at seeing a family of Forest Na’vi standing on the beach, villagers and warriors surrounding them.

        It was a strange sight to see, and both girls were curious to know more. Zahala loved changes and new, exciting events, so she could hardly keep the smile off of her face as she watched the Forest Na'vi family.

—— ఌ︎ ——