𝗂𝗇𝗏𝗂𝗌𝗂𝖻𝗅𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀, 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙮𝙖𝙢 𝙎𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙮

𝗑𝗏𝗂.

𝘚𝘐𝘟𝘛𝘌𝘌𝘕

        IN HER TEENAGE YEARS, SEYLU had been with boys, never getting past a few kisses here or there. She hadn't found the right person. Seylu was never one for huge romantic gestures, or confessions of love. She just wanted someone who cared for her and wanted to be there for her, while being able to accept the same in return. She had not found that yet.

Neteyam was a nice boy, and he listened to Seylu's stories, always giving her his support. He was a great friend. But he was maybe something more? Seylu wasn't sure, especially after her conversation with Ronal two days prior.

Seylu collected Neteyam early in the morning, sneaking into his mauri and quietly waking him. He had forgotten he asked to go with her, clearly, considering his forgetfulness in rising on time. Neteyam was so surprised to see Seylu, blasts of embarrassment flooding Seylu's body. Seylu grasped his forearm, tugging him out of the pod and into the clear morning air.

"You forgot. I do not like reminding people of things." Seylu spoke, twisting her spears in her hands as the pair began to walk towards the ilu pens to join the other hunters.

"I know, and I'm sorry. Thank you for taking me." Neteyam said, watching her intently. Seylu had her dark, curly hair done in two braids that landed in a bun just above her neck. She wore her two necklaces as always, pearl resting on her forehead.

Seylu looked over at the boy, meeting his yellow eyes. And she saw him. Him entirely. Not with her eyes, of course, but she saw his soul, feeling his emotions . And Seylu found herself struggling to look away. "You do not have to ask to join us on the hunts. I always enjoy it more when you come." Seylu spoke, forcing herself to face forwards, focusing on walking towards the beach.

Neteyam smiled to himself at the way she looked at him, as if she was truly fighting her impairment to look at him. "You enjoy the hunts more when I'm there? I'm flattered, Seysey." he said, nudging her gently, using her nickname that he so desperately had been wishing to call her.

Seylu rolled her eyes, hoping that whatever connection they held had broken, and that he could not feel the emotions she was feeling. But Neteyam could feel the funny feeling she felt in her stomach when he spoke, and he smiled again. Seylu felt how good Neteyam felt, and his attraction she guessed was towards her. Seylu made a note to ask her mother about the link they held when she arrived at home.

They continued walking, mounting their ilus when they arrived in the water. Seylu led the hunting party out to the edge of the reef, the group dispersing to collect what they needed. Neteyam nudged Seylu, using his crossbow to point her in the direction of a large school of pincer fish, about to shoot one.

Seylu shook her head, pushing his bow down. 'The school is too large. We use nets.' she signed to him, unfolding a net she had stashed in her waist bag. Neteyam nodded, putting his bow away.

'How do we kill them in the nets?' Neteyam responded in the language she had taught him.

Seylu threw the net, catching a large haul of the pincer fish. They broke the surface, Seylu and Neteyam both holding the net closed. "These fish die as soon as they are removed from the water. It is quick and painless." she pointed to the fish that had stopped moving immediately.

Neteyam helped her lift the net onto her ilu, ignoring how she tried to do it herself without his help. He grabbed hold of his ilu, following her back to the communal pod. They climbed out of the water, Neteyam carrying the net.