Pandora (Neteyam)

Nineteen

The waves were calm and Ewya was steady alongside Mireya who floated above the water. The sun kissed her skin and the waves lapped over body and pushed her further away from the village. Mireya's eyes were kept closed due to beaming sun so she never saw the fast approaching body nearing her. The way the water splashed her to wake her.

Mireya squinted and stared into the water and saw a dark body coming towards the surface. Mireya dived into the water and a smile appeared on her face when she saw her Tsurak, Huntress.

She reached out her hand and Huntress softly nudged her palm and the two reached the surface. Huntress chirped happily to see her rider and Mireya made tsaheylu with her. The bonded pair sliced through the waters and flew above the surface and dived back under into the depths where the most colourful corals were, larger schools of fish, beautiful seashells. Her fingers reached down to run softly against the seabed and grabbing shells of all kinds.

The two had continued like this for the rest of day until the sun was slowly disappearing and the waves became harsher and clouds rumbled against each other. Huntress took Mireya as close she could to the village, Mireya pets her one last time and jumps up onto the woven bridge. She kept her pouch close to her as she walked through village and spotted Neteyam talking with her father, Tonowari smiled and nodded to Neteyam before walking away from the forest boy.

"Ma Rey." Neteyam sighed softly when he spotted her and held her arms and pulled her into him. She hummed softly and listened to his heart and smiled against his chest.

"I have a surprise for you. While you were out of the reef. Your father and I, and a few warriors made you something." Neteyam pulled away and Mireya frowned slightly and looked up at him, he held her hand and started walking to the quiet side of the beach.

"Why?" Mireya asked and Neteyam didn't say a word and carried on walking with her until they reached the edge and Neteyam turned to face her.

"Close your eyes." Neteyam ordered her and Mireya huffed and shook her head. "Please. Just close your eyes." He pleaded and Mireya rolled her eyes before closing them and Neteyam smiled and pulled her into the forest and moved away the leaves and stood before the surprise and he moved behind her, his hands resting on her shoulders. "Open them, Yawne." Neteyam kissed the back of her shoulder and Mireya opened her eyes and they widened at the sight. Tears immediately filled her eyes, her hands covering her mouth, her tail swished happily until it found Neteyam's leg and wrapped around his leg.

A Marui made for a family, was sat in the trees and below it was a small of water that had a small river that leads out to the ocean, a fishing net just under it to capture them, blue tints around the doorway for casting beautiful lighting. A welcome design of a Tulkun placed above the doorway and Mireya jumped up onto the bridge, the bridge was able to lead out to the each and easy access to the ocean. Canoes sat by the walkway with nets, hunting equipment, saddles for their Ikran's, and Ilu's. Above the Marui connected to the trees was multiple hammocks and one tree was crafted into a bridge to reach a larger hammock. But inside, the woven structure was decorated carefully with both forest and reef culture, dried flowers and vines fell delicately, shells threaded through with seaweed hung by the lighting and they clung together in the breeze and helped make different colours in the Marui. Mats were placed on the floor around the small fire that was burning and flickering with dried fruits and vegetables around it. Chopping boards and hard plates sat beside the fire, more hammocks further inside the Marui and one hammock made specifically for Mireya and Neteyam.

"Neteyam. This is beautiful." Mireya wiped away her tears and turned to face her mate who smiled down at her, his eyes slightly bloodshot.

"You deserve the whole of Pandora, Ma Rey. After everything you have done for your family and mine, you deserve this. You have taken care of us. Taken down the man who killed people you and I love." Neteyam pushed her hair back and caressed her face, Mireya leaned into his touch and stepped forward so her body was pressed against his.