Mune Olo'eyktan [Neteyam x Aonung]

Part 8

Around noon, Aonung follows his sister to have lunch with the others. It's the only way he's getting any of her cooking.

Lo'ak, Kiri, Rotxo, and Tuk are all waiting at a spot just off the beach. As they walk up, Aonung can't help but notice who's missing.

Aonung- Where's Neteyam?

Lo'ak- Somewhere minding his business.

Tsireya sits next to Lo'ak and looks at him, shaking her head.

Lo'ak- Fine. He had one extra task to do.

Kiri- Tell the truth, you skxawng.

Lo'ak- That is the truth.

Tuktirey- No, Neteyam took over your task so you could come see Tsireya.

Kiri and Rotxo laugh at Tuktirey's teasing, while Tsireya smiles shyly.

Lo'ak- Shut up.

Tuktirey blows raspberries at Lo'ak, while Aonung merely rolls his eyes.

Aonung- So where is he?

Lo'ak- At the location of his task.

Tsireya- Lo'ak.

Lo'ak- What? Why does he even care?

Aonung- I'll just go find him myself.

Aonung storms off, and the others exchange confused glances. Tsireya gives Lo'ak a disappointed look.

Lo'ak- What?

Tsireya- You didn't have to treat him that way.

Lo'ak- Yeah? Well he didn't have to treat us the way he did either.

Rotxo- He's right, Aonung is getting what he deserves.

Tsireya looks at Rotxo in disbelief.

Tsireya- How could you say that?

Rotxo- It's true. He was mean to them, they have a right to give him a hard time.

Tuktirey- Rotxo.

He looks at Tuktirey's sorrowful face.

Tuktirey- You were mean to us too.

Lo'ak- Rotxo is different.

The small girl is a little shocked by her brother's sudden stern tone. Tsireya notices how Lo'ak has tensed up a bit, so she places a hand on his shoulder. He looks at her and relaxes again.

Lo'ak- Sorry, Tuk. But Aonung was way worse than Rotxo.

Tsireya- I think her point is, you all gave Rotxo a chance. Aonung deserves that too.

Tuktirey- That's exactly what I'm saying.

Kiri smiles at her little sister's excitement, but she's still worried.

Kiri- Lo'ak isn't completely wrong, though. Aonung hates us more than Rotxo ever did.

Tuktirey- In the cave, Rotxo came to us when he was ready, maybe Aonung is different.

Tsireya nods in approval at the hunch Tuktirey is getting to.

Tuktirey- Maybe he needs a little help.

Kiri- You're so kind, Tuk.

Lo'ak- Too kind.

Tuktirey- Better than being a jerk.

Everyone laughs at Tuktirey's remark. Even Lo'ak can't control the smirk that comes onto his face.

Lo'ak- You've been hanging around us too much.

Kiri- No, she's been hanging around you too much.

The next moment is filled with laughter, then Tuktirey stands from her spot with determination.

Kiri- Tuk, what are you doing?

Tuktirey- I'm gonna go find Aonung.

Tuktirey hops off while the others watch her, smiles on their faces appreciating her pure kindness.

Meanwhile, Aonung has been roaming the village, still looking for Neteyam. He's borderline ready to give up, until he finds the dark blue Na'vi standing in front of a den with a large branch on top of it.

He approaches him, observing how Neteyam is dealing with this situation on his own. The boy senses someone approaching him from behind and turns around. Seeing who it is, he ignores him and proceeds with his task.

Aonung- No need to be so rude.

Neteyam- Did I not tell you to stay away from me? I'm pretty sure I did.

Aonung- You did. But when do I ever listen to you?

Neteyam half chuckles at Aonung, while attempting to reach the branch with ropes around his arm. He tries to climb but the material he steps on moves, and he falls back onto the ground.

Aonung stifles a laugh and Neteyam looks back at him with a glare while standing up.

Aonung- What are you even doing?

Neteyam- This branch was flung onto their roof by the storm. I have to get it down before it falls on someone.

Neteyam begins to collect the rope he dropped, and wrap it back into a loop.

Aonung- You mean Lo'ak has to get it down.

The golden eyed boy ignores his words.

Aonung- I'm sure there's a reason it was his task and not yours.

Neteyam- Is there a point to this?

Aonung- Lo'ak is better at being Metkayina. Your strength is in the forest.

Neteyam- You don't know what my strengths are.

Aonung- You're right.

Neteyam pauses and looks at Aonung.

Aonung- I haven't seen your strengths since you got here. So you're right, I don't know what they are.

His tail flicks in irritation but he looks away from Aonung and attempts to ignore him and keep his cool. The marine colored boy walks closer to him.

Aonung- Let me help.

Neteyam- No! I don't need your help.

Neteyam shoves Aonung away from him and continues trying to remove the branch. Aonung simply scoffs and rolls his eyes, not sure why he tried to help him at all.

He starts walking off, until he hears a snap. He looks back and the large branch is sliding off the roof towards Neteyam who's still adjusting his rope.

Aonung bolts towards the den, yelling at him.

Aonung- Neteyam, move!