My Eywa || AVATAR

24 ✨ Finding Balance ✨

NETEYAM

I returned to my home after spending the entire day in Della's company. Over the past two months, our relationship has grown deeper. Something has shifted in the air – a fire, a connection that envelops us. We have dangerously drawn closer, surrendering to a whirlwind of caresses and subtle brushes. I must even admit that at times, containing the frenzy of emotions her proximity stirs within me, proves to be a challenge.

Della has expressed her desire to see each other more frequently, displaying an interest in delving even further into our clan's lifestyle and values.

I suspect something has occurred in that restless crazy little head of hers, prompting her to hasten her decision to choose her path – whether as an Omatikaya or as a scientist.

Her progress is remarkable: she can now ride a pa'li almost as well as I can, exhibits great precision with the bow, and has learned stories and songs of immense importance to our people. In fact, her singing voice is utterly intoxicating. Kiri has invited her to take part in some recent ceremonies, and she has even joined the choirs that accompany them.

The first time I heard her sing, I was utterly enchanted and captivated by her voice, leaving me bewildered.

However, she still needs to tame her own ikran. Although the idea terrifies her immensely. Honestly, I believe it's more likely for her to learn to fly on her own before she attempts the iknimaya ritual.

Nonetheless, not all members of our clan possess an ikran. Only those who aspire to become hunters or warriors need one. Thus, having one isn't essential for her to become a full-fledged Omatikaya.

Today, however, we decided to set aside learning, culture, and practice. Della (in her na'vi form) and Spider had come to HomeTree, where we all gathered between the supporting columns, to spend some carefree time.

Della was seated on the ground, adopting her unique and elegant human way of sitting. One of her legs was bent on the ground, with her foot pointing back, and her arm resting gracefully upon it. Her other leg was flexed, the sole of her foot resting on the floor, elevating her knee. With grace and elegance, she held her head in her hand, resting her elbow on the bent knee. Beside her was Kiri, crafting a feather necklace as a gift for Della.

As I reclined against one of the columns, I debated with my brother and Spider about whether we would attend a mutual friend's party to celebrate their iknimaya.

From the corner of my eye, I watched as Della observed with curiosity and attention as Kiri skillfully wove and crafted the necklace. She looked adorably focused, always displaying her shy, yet radiant smile.

The way she smiles, how she tucks her hair behind her ears, the gentle movements of her hands when she speaks – each of her gestures revealed to me why I was so infatuated with her, regardless of whether she was in her Avatar or not. Della is beautiful in every form, because her true beauty resides within her soul. As stunning as her appearance might be, the beauty of her soul transcends her physicality.

I recalled a line from the book we once read together, the book she gifted me: "What is essential is invisible to the eye."

In that moment, I understood it fully: I had fallen in love with her, with her soul, with who she is as a person.

My affection for her is rooted in her essence, her authenticity, the profound connection we share. It's not just her physicality that captivates me, but the way she radiates kindness, intelligence, and playfulness towards others.

She will always be herself, no matter the form her being takes.

As night fell, Della and Spider bid us farewell and departed.

After sharing a meal with the clan, I climbed into my hammock to rest.

Just as I was about to drift off to sleep, my father surprised me with his presence.

"Hey, son!" he greeted, taking a seat beside me.

"What's up, Dad?" I asked, sitting up curiously next to him.

"Have you seen... Della... lately?" he asked, struggling to find the right words. I furrowed my brow, not understanding what he meant. "In her human self ... I mean," he added.

"Not really," I replied, trying to grasp his concern. "I've been guiding her on the way of our clan, teaching her our customs," I explained calmly.

I watched as his sigh carried a hint of unease. "I know, I know," he whispered. "But ... son, you know," he looked at me intensely, searching for the precise words, "she needs rest too."

I didn't fully comprehend what he meant. "We're not always in the forest practicing, riding pa'li, or honing our archery skills," I told him. "Sometimes, we just talk."

"It's hard to understand," he sighed again. "But... she must be truly exhausted," he added, his voice heavy with understanding and melancholy. "I know what I'm talking about," he chuckled softly. "You should go see her at the laboratory tomorrow," he concluded, giving me a symbolic embrace by placing his hand on my shoulder before he departed to rest.

"Goodnight," he affectionately uttered as he walked away.

My father's warning had planted a seed of concern within me, and when I woke up the next day, I didn't hesitate to take it to heart. After all, he had traversed experiences similar to Della's and understood things that I obviously couldn't.

The next morning, as I saw her having breakfast with Spider, I was taken aback by her deteriorated appearance.

Her delicate figure had lost weight, and her once radiant eyes were now sunken in the shadows of fatigue. Her hair, once so vibrant, looked unkempt, a silent witness to the neglected days she had lived through. The state she was in pierced me with deep alarm, like a dissonant note in the melody of our existence.

Silently, I thanked my father for giving me an explanation beforehand about what she had been facing. I knew Della was someone who wouldn't easily complain, even when things weren't going well.

It was painful to see how much she had forgotten about herself and her own well-being while spending so much time with me out there in her Avatar, jumping and having fun as if nothing was wrong.

Seeing her in that condition made me aware of the burden she had been carrying, trying to navigate life with two bodies. And how it had taken a toll on her physically. I felt a knot in my stomach realizing that I had been so absorbed in our happiness, running together like free spirits in the forest, that I hadn't noticed the silent suffering of her human body.

From that day onward, I made an effort to be by her side both in the laboratory and in the depths of the forest. Gradually, Della began to regain the sparkle in her eyes, that glimmer of joy and hope that I adored. Simultaneously, her skin regained a rosy and illuminated hue, reflecting her well-being and revitalization.

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surprise surprise

another chapter haha

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