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♯┆blue world .ᐟ ━━━━━━━━━━
Ilu are kind and gentle creatures. Something the Metkayina ride to get further into the ocean beyond Awa'atlu. Maleia swiped her hand against the rough blue and orange skin of the animal, soothing them beneath the surface. "These are Ilu... If you want to leave here, you have to ride," Announced Ao'nung to the Sully children. She crowded them all in a circle. Choosing who should team up with who.
Choosing Lo'ak to be with her. Maleia caressed the Ilu, not wanting it to be afraid. "You have to be calm... Ilu's are sometimes easy to scare," Maleia told Lo'ak. Although curious and feisty, the could be sensitive.
Especially when someone foreign was attempting to ride them. Knowing Lo'ak's approach would resemble one of bonding with an Ikran.
Lo'ak reached for the braid behind his back, pulling it forwards and connecting the tendrils with the Ilu's. The ilu squirmed under the connection, Maleia placing her hands on the ilu to calm it. "Tam tam. Hold on here..." Maleia showed Lo'ak.
Lo'ak moved his hand to where Maleia had pointed, his fingertips accidentally brushing against the tips of hers. And before she could tell him how to sit properly, the ilu and Lo'ak shot off without another second.
Lo'ak flapped against the pressure of the water, pulling him backwards. Loud laughter fell from Ao'nung and his friends earning multiple glances from Maleia, "I will not warn you all again. He is learning."
Lo'ak revealed from beneath the surface, the ilu turning around to splash him. Her first instinct was the swim towards him. Maleia's hand reached for his shoulder, "I should not have to apologise for my brother. He and his friends do not have... manners."
Lo'ak turned his head to look at them, embarrassment making his ears fall. Even Tsireya couldn't help her laughter.
Maleia stroked her thumb on his shoulder, Lo'ak turned and offered her a smile. There was nothing he could be proud of. Nothing that she should be smiling about.
"I will tie your tails to a fare reef and let the akula eat you all alive!" Maleia used her fingers to sign to her siblings and their friends. Their laughter soon died down knowing not to mess with the future Tsahìk.
"It is okay, Lo'ak! You will get it next time," Tuk exclaimed as she sat on Neteyam's back, the two treading towards them. Maleia nodded her head in agreement. Lo'ak shouldn't be too hard on himself. This was his first time learning— there was nothing to be ashamed about.
"I can give you extra practice..." Maleia offered before looking at Lo'ak, "That is if you want to do that with me."
Lo'ak turned his head and found her ocean coloured eyes already staring at him, "You would?" He was in disbelief. Surprised that she was willing on giving up the only spare time she had... for him.
"Of course, Lo'ak..." Maleia enthusiastically nodded her head at him with a smile. He couldn't believe the kindness and generosity within Maleia— after receiving the treatment Ao'nung had been giving up.
His shoulders released the tension, his whole body relaxed. Moving from their home was hard enough for him and Awa'atlu hadn't made it easy for him to feel welcomed. But, Maleia viewed them as one of her people already— a part of her clan. All it would take is a little encouragement and the Sully's would grasp their learning more quicker.
