Mune Olo'eyktan [Neteyam x Aonung]

Part 14

While his siblings teach the other two their parts, Neteyam strolls over to Aonung and places himself next to the boy, mimicking his position.

Neteyam- Why so standoffish?

Aonung- I'm fine over here.

Neteyam- You don't want to learn the song?

Aonung- I don't want to intrude on their fun.

Aonung observes Tsireya and Rotxo having fun as they learn the vocals from the Sully siblings.

Neteyam thinks for a moment, then stands from his spot, and holds a hand out. Aonung looks up at him.

Aonung- Did you not hear what I said?

Neteyam- Did you not hear what I said last night? I don't care how they feel about you, they don't know you.

Aonung sits, still hesitant to join the others. He doesn't want to come in between Neteyam and his siblings.

Neteyam- Come on.

After another moment of thinking, he finally decides to take Neteyam's hand, letting the boy pull him to the others.

Tsireya and Tuktirey smile when Neteyam rejoins them with Aonung. But Lo'ak and Kiri glance at each other, displeased.

Rotxo gives Aonung an awkward greeting, and Aonung simply nods in response.

Neteyam sits on his knees and motions for Aonung to do the same in front of him. The boy sits awkwardly in front of Neteyam, noticing the others' eyes on him.

Neteyam- Sit up straight, and focus.

Aonung does as he's told, occasionally glancing at the others who have stopped practicing, to watch him.

Neteyam- Relax, and let your voice flow. Take a breath, and follow me.

The forest boy begins to vocalize, letting his voice flow smoothly. He looks at Aonung, waiting for him to join in. Aonung takes a shaky breath, but pauses, once again looking at the others watching him.

He only looks back at Neteyam once the boy's voice cuts off.

Neteyam- Hey, relax.

Lo'ak smirks, thinking Aonung's nervous behavior is amusing. The marine boy feels his face suddenly warming abnormally. He holds his head down, staring at the ground.

Neteyam- Aonung.

He looks up at Neteyam's very focused face.

Neteyam- Are you shy?

When Aonung averts his eyes, that confirms it.

Lo'ak suddenly starts laughing, and both Neteyam and Aonung look at him a bit annoyed.

Lo'ak- The tough future chief is afraid of a little audience? How the hell are you supposed to lead like that?

Tsireya- Lo'ak.

Aonung- I'm working on it.

Neteyam looks at Aonung, shocked the boy even bothered to answer. He notes the angered expression, and chalks Aonung's shyness up as a touchy subject.

Lo'ak- Oh you're working on it? Here let me help you.

Lo'ak covers his own eyes, unable to contain his laughter, and Kiri can't help but giggle at the gesture. Their baby sister frowns at them.

Tuktirey- That's mean, Lo.

Tsireya- Lo'ak, stop this.

The young Sully boy holds his hands down with a giggle and sees Aonung's enraged glare, which makes his smile grow wider.

Lo'ak- Uh oh! Look, he's mad!

Kiri- (laughs)

Lo'ak- Wait, let me turn around so you can hit me without getting nervous, oh great shy one.

The two Sullys laugh hysterically, until Aonung tackles Lo'ak and drags him up from his spot, flinging him into a large rock. The sudden action makes Tuktirey flinch, and Tsireya holds the small girl close.