𝙋𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙍𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨, 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘺𝘢𝘮 𝘚𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘸𝘰

        

𝙏𝙒𝙊, 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗇𝖾𝗐 𝗇𝖺'𝗏𝗂

—— ఌ︎ ——

        THE TWO COUSINS dove off of their ilus, resurfacing in shallower water. Tsireya tossed her hair over her shoulder, locking eyes with one of the teenage Forest Na’vi as they walked up onto the sandy beach.

        Zahala scanned the crowd for her brother and cousin, instead finding another Forest Na’vi, presumably the first one’s brother, looking at her. He greeted her, his fingers descending from between his eyes to before him respectfully. She sent him a friendly smile, returning the action and continued her search for Ov’il and Ao’nung. 

      She found Ao’nung behind the family of Forest Na’vi, making fun of their tails. “It’s too small. How are they supposed to swim?” Rotxo, Ao’nung’s best friend teased, pointing alongside Ao’nung, her older cousin. Ov’il was nowhere to be found.

      Zahala walked in front of Tsireya as they made their way to them. “Do not tease. You are rude.” she said to Rotxo, pushing him away with his poofy hair, while Tsireya hit Rotxo’s hand down.

      “Enough. Rotxo, Ao’nung.” Tsireya scolded her brother and friend.

      The two girls sighed, turning to the two boys. “Hey.” the first one said, and Tsireya chuckled shyly.

      The second one nodded to Zahala in seeming thanks, and she smiled awkwardly, turning her head down. She found Na’ana in one of Mayan’s friend’s arms, who handed the baby to Zahala. She held her happily, as Tonowari and Tanilu flew towards the beach on swimwings, accompanied by warriors, Ov’il among them. Tanilu shouted a war cry, spear in hand as he, his son and his brother soared over the crowd, landing in the water.

        The Forest People greeted Zahala’s uncle and father in Na’vi language respectfully, their children too. Ao’nung walked over near his father and uncle. Zahala’s aunt, Ronal, the Tsahik made herself known, her sister-in-law and closest, most trusted companion walking by her side. Ov’il stood beside his mother, towering over her in height.

        “I see you, Ronal. Tsahik of the Metkayina.” the paternal figure, Zahala assumed, spoke, greeting Ronal. His mate, Zahala guessed again, said the same.

       “Why do you come to us, Jakesully?” Tonowari questioned, and it seemed by the look on Ov’il’s face that he knew who this was. Zahala most likely did too, she just wasn’t an avid listener in her father’s war stories.

        Jakesully glanced at his family briefly. “We seek uturu.” he said, and Zahala watched as her mother and aunt looked to each other before Ronal spoke.

        “Uturu?” Ronal clarified, looking at her husband briefly.

        “Yes, sanctuary for my family.” Jakesully said, stepping closer to the clan leader and Tsahik.

        Ronal walked over to the Forest People, while Tanilu stepped forward. “We are Reef People, and you are Forest People. Your skills will mean nothing to us here. You do not know how to hunt our animals, fish our waters.” Tanilu said, his spear held tightly in his hand, tattoos on his face and torso.

        “Well, we will learn your ways, Great Tanilu. Am I right?” Jakesully questioned his family, who nodded in agreement.

        Ronal walked past her nieces and daughter as she inspected Jakesully’s family. She grabbed the mother’s tail as she passed by, and then approached the youngest daughter. “Their arms are thin.” she held up her arm, and the young girl backed away in fear.