Pandora (Neteyam)

Six

A week had passed and today, the Tsahik had given Neteyam his beads to add onto his songcord. Mireya stood beside him as she looked at the new carved beads, one had the symbol of Tsurak, another a symbol of Tulkun, and the third was a symbol of warrior. Each a different shade of dark wood, and showing the story of each order of the rite of passage.

"You are mighty warrior now in Metkayina." Mireya attached the beads to his songcord as she spoke to him, carefully threading them through and attaching the final bead. He was given a special garment that warriors and hunters are given, it is placed over his shoulder and carefully tied up securely.

"Thanks to you, Mireya." Neteyam spun around once his garment was placed around him, he took he songcord from her hands once she had successfully added the beads. He connected his songcord back to the belt of his loincloth and smiled down at it.

"It is time." Tsireya came in with a smile and sighed I see you to Neteyam. "Mother is waiting for you both." Mireya smiled and her tail swished happily as she playfully pushed the new warrior out of the Marui.

Everyone was around the Tsahik and Olo' eyktan waiting for their new warrior. Mireya met Neytiri's and Jake's eyes and the parents both had proud smiles as they looked between the two. Mireya lead Neteyam down to her mother and father and stepped aside as Tsahik spoke to him, praying to Ewya for his future great successes. Neteyam had also chosen to decline his first tattoo to show his a warrior, he quite liked his form and how it still reminded him of his home if he kept it the same. But the offer of having his tattoo was still there for him, no matter what.

The ceremony was over for the most part, but there was a communal feast that was prepared by Mireya and the Tsahik and others. Mireya sat with the Sully's and her siblings as they ate, the sun was still high in the sky and beaming down on them. They laughed and told stories of their home back in the forest to the reef people, Mireya smiled at the stories of the Ikran and viperwolves that lurked in shadows and on the hallelujah mountains. But most of all, she listened to him speak and how his face lights up when he talks about his flights and what he saw. As Lo'ak spoke about his memories she listened to his too, but her eyes still remained on him. Neteyam looked away from his brother and looked ahead and met her gaze, her ears perked up when they made eye contact, his tail whacked accidentally against Ao'nung's tail. Ao'nung hissed and lightly slapped Neteyam's arm, Neteyam shifted away slightly and looked back up but the woman was gone.

Neteyam looked around and couldn't see her anymore, he excused himself and smiled at Lo'ak and softly placed his hand over his head before letting go. Metkayina Na'vi greeted him as he passed and the woman blushed and swooned over him as he searched for her. He raced down the isolated beach towards the forest, and he swore he saw something hide behind the trees.

He smiled and chased after her, their laughter heard through the forest, Neteyam climbed up the trees and swung from each one as he followed her from above. And she had no idea. He continued to follow her until she stopped at a small pool of water, he watched her from above as she sighed and closed her eyes. She spreads her arms open and inhaled the air, listening to each movement around her. Her eyes open and met his immediately, her smile widens and looked back down at the pool of water before stepping into the warm water. Her body relaxing as she laid on her back.

Neteyam jumped down and sat on the edge of the pool and kicked his feet softly in the water. "I dream and hope to one day see the forest, ride an Ikran, bathe in cool grass, swing from vines, be on the floating mountains." Mireya imagined the forest and smiled up at the canopy tree like above her. Her eyes drifted to Neteyam and he was already watching her with a curious gaze.

"What?" She frowned and watched his eyes linger on her face before looking down at the water. He sighed and raised his hands to sign.

You're very beautiful, Ma Rey.