Lovely Heart

The Dream

He dreams of the forest, misted and letting out an earthly sound. It calls to him the most primal of ways, as he swings his body in and out of the trees and vines. He recalls his natural steps and movements, the muscles knowing exactly what to do. He dreamt of flying and the cool air rushing over him, the strength and breath of his Ikran.
Suddenly he's tossing and turning in slumber, unable to get the breeze to stop, not in the good way where his Ikran soars through the wind taking a sharp turn and hitting the hallelujah mountains waterfalls but in the way he was going to get so cold from the breeze that his peaceful dream of the forest and his memories were about to be wiped out. He turns once more and curls into a ball, shivering. Without warning the sky turned dark, as black as night and the image of them started to fade. He no longer could feel his Ikran and their companionship, and he couldn't see where he was going. He only felt cold.

Lightning struck and he woke to the noise of a storm, the air swirled and froze him. This had happened before, the Omaticaya were built for the tropics of the forest, not the cooler temperatures and occasional storms. He saw the trees sway, and beckon him- but he lay still and with his family. He looked over at Loak who was sleeping soundly with Tuk, the only ones who stirred were Kiri and his mum, but that was more typical of them. Thunder rolled in the distance and he struggled to sleep but eventually passed out to the sound of the rolling ocean.

Neteyam missed the forest on a subconscious level, he dreamt of it almost every night. He knew the war was bad over there due to the mining, and he was safe here- yet he longed. The Metkayina were used to them now, and their differences seemed to slowly fade with each coming day. He awoke feeling nice and warm, as he opened his eyes to the sun in his face. Village life starts early, he wanted to get a start to the day when he saw his dad and mum eating, and he suddenly felt the grumble of his stomach. "Good morning Neteyam" his mum said, "Did you sleep well son?" Dad says, referring to the storm that must have woken him at one point "the usual'' they frowned for him but he was fine, he didn't need them to feel bad that changed nothing. He still felt how he felt. He was a strong warrior, a little bit of sleep deprivation couldn't ruin his whole life, he had to keep pushing on. He crouched and grabbed something wrapped in a banana leaf "Wow, mum, you've never made this before" she smiled "Its a recipe Ronal taught me, used with the spices of the Metkayina" He felt proud of how she was finally adjusting and getting along with others, it had taken a long time for this progress to be made. He shoved it in his mouth in one big swoop and chewed as he walked to the beach. Neteyam looked forward to the banter and the fun of his newfound friends. It wasn't always this way once upon a time, but he learned to tolerate and understand them on a deeper level as they became more tolerant of his own flaws. He especially looked forward to seeing Aonung, they had the best banter and the most fun, while also being an extremely productive duo- always doing the best they could at their tasks and chores.

"Forest boy! Over here" Aonung called, he saw them and jogged over reading to hear what they had been assigned. Aonung looked at him, acknowledged him and started to talk about their daily plan "Today we are going to be hunting and preparing fish, as well as some diving" as he talked Neteyam couldn't help but feel enamoured by his leadership and powerful presence. He hung onto every word when it was directed at him. He didn't take notice of his brother making a face at him "It's about time you learned a spear, not that bow and arrow you always use" The truth was he put it off, he didn't know why but he suspected it had something to do with his love for the bow and arrow; he was good at it, great even. Why would he need a spear? "You're right, i've put it off long enough now" "I'll teach you" said Loak "you skxawng, i'll teach him you're still a beginner" He didn't know how to feel getting all that separate attention while training but he didn't have a choice.

Rotxo and Loak were laughing, threatening to spear each other and making dirty jokes in the background but his ears went down, this was his fifth attempt and he wasn't spearing any fish, usually he would get one straight away with his bow. He knew all its curves, drawbacks and its sharpness, this spear was completely foreign. Neteyam was embarrassed his little brother was better than him, he wanted Loak to look up to him as a warrior. "Just relax and try again" he aimed the spear, squinting one eye slightly "remember to breathe and look to the fishes next movement" Following the fish swimming he slowly crept an inch closer. Aonung moved right behind Neteyam and adjusted his aim "go, now" Aonung said, voice firm. And just as he said, the fish was caught and flopping on its side. Loak and Rotxo cheered slightly, watching on the sidelines. As neteyam reached down to grab the fish he felt Aonung touch his shoulder gently "see? It's not as hard as you're making it seem" He stood up, and Aonung dropped his hand. "Good job" he said. Neteyam searched in his light blue eyes and vacant expression. Was he just imagining it? The tension in the touches. Aonung smiled at the boy, and the boys laughed in the back "ok smartasses we need 20 more" they let out an exasperated sound. He scratched his head thinking it would be so much easier just to use a bow. Without complaining he lined up for the next fish, trying to hide his embarrassment.

They had just finished some diving, to get some different species of fish, and returned with a big woven net full. They sat on a marui pod, built from the roots of the mangrove tree and gutted the fish. Aonung laughed and talked all while effortlessly gutting the fish, Neteyam luckily had this skill from the forest so he was able to properly contribute. "Loak focus you skxawng, your getting the guts on me" "oh sorry princess, i didn't know i was flicking them in your direction" he teased, flicking them all over the pod. "Gross dude" Neteyam chimed in. The afternoon was setting in now and the faint distance of chatter could be heard in the other pods. "We should finish up here" Aonung announced, he chucked the pot with the guts in it at Loak "take them to the ilu princess" he scoffed but got up regardless. Neteyam didn't even realise he was zoning out and accidently cut his finger with the gutting blade. He winced but quietly, not letting anyone see his foolish mistake. And just like that another day had ended.

He couldn't get his mind off the simple things he did, like adjusting his arm or touching his shoulder, praising him. His approval meant the world, especially since he would be the next Olo'ekytan. Eclipse took over the night sky, and the moons shifted. The stars were beautiful but he felt jittery about going to sleep. He didn't want any more nightmares, he knew it was inevitable so he lay beside his brother and sisters and looked to the night. Tonight was warm and the air was still, he was lulled to sleep by the rolling oceans once more.

Neteyam slept all through the night for the first time in weeks. And what was even more peculiar was the subject of his dream. He dreamt in hypercolour, Aonung adjusts his arm and touches his shoulder. Then he grabs his hand. "Neteyam" he called out "Neteyam, you did so well" he smiled a smile filled with love and care. They stood so close, taking in the moment. Neteyam knew it was just a dream, but it didn't stop the shock he felt when he awoke the next morning. He held his head in his hands and pulled his face down in an ugly manner, something Loak would do. "What is it?" Kiri asked, "another bad dream?" she said, Neteyam paused with a puzzled face "no. i dare say it wasn't a bad dream at all"