In the Stars

Chapter 22

Inspired song: (Summer by Calvin Harris)

Feeling good about a new week, I woke up to the joyful sounds of villagers cheering. A horn echoed from above the village, and I shielded my eyes from the sun's burst of light. Blinking, I noticed Neteyam chopping up ingredients. Unfazed by the yipping of the villages, he glanced at me and greeted me with a warm smile. I mustered a sleepy grin as I sat up.

"Good morning, beautiful"

He said sweetly.

Getting up, I approached him, and he set aside his knife to draw me into his arms. Sitting down on his lap, he moves his hand to my cheek and pulls me into a kiss. His lips were soft and warm, and I couldn't help but smile as we parted. Gazing into his captivating eyes. I wake up to this every morning and it never gets old.

Shifting my attention, I noticed Tuk and Kiri rushing excitedly towards the pod.

"Come and see!"

Tuk exclaimed.

Standing up to join them, I paused to see enormous whale-like creatures in the distance. They surfaced, splashing and spouting water. I felt a surge of excitement run through me. Suppressing my urge to jump joyfully, I encourage Kiri and Tuk to continue.

"Let's go!"

I exclaimed.

I reached for Neteyam's hand and helped him up. Pulling him along, we sprinted down the netted pathway until we reached the beach's soft sand.

Approaching the water's edge, I called for my Illu and she appeared. Stepping into the pleasantly tepid water, I mounted my Illu. Neteyam followed closely, positioning himself behind me.

Swiftly moving through the water, we approached the gathering of villagers and their majestic Tulkun companies, surrounded by hundreds of them. Tsireya noticed us and made her way over.

Tsireya sees us and makes her way over towards us.

"Come, follow me."

She said after dismounting her Illu and diving beneath the water's surface.

"You coming?"

I asked Neteyam.

"No, you go on."

He reassured me with a kiss on the cheek.

Dismounting from my Illu, I dove underwater, gliding gracefully until I found Tsireya with her soul sister. The whale made a soothing noise as they communicated in sign language. Tsireya waved for me to join them, and I greeted her soul sister with a sign.

"It's nice to meet you! I'm y/n."

I signed.

The Tulkun made a guttural noise beneath the surface, translating to,

"I'm Jeluh, Tyrsira's soul sister. It's nice to meet you too. I hope you're enjoying your stay with the Metkayina clan

I made a sweeping gesture and signed,

"It's a beautiful place with so many beautiful people."

"I'm glad to hear."

Jeluh replied with another guttural noise.

Glancing up towards the surface, I saw Neteyam watching me. I excused myself with a nod and farewell sign to Tsireya and Jeluh, swimming back to the surface. Neteyam took my hand as he pulled me the rest of the way up. The fresh air filled my lungs, and my heart swelled with joy as I caught sight of his radiant smile. Water droplets fell from his face as he rubbed his thumb gently against my cheek before kissing me tenderly.

Our kiss was interrupted when Ao'nung chimed in with an enthusiastic "oooooing." \We just rolled our eyes at him and concluded it was time to return to the shore. I called for my Illu once more, and she reappeared to take us back to land.

As we glided back to the shore on the back of my Illu, Neteyam and I couldn't help but laugh at Ao'nung's playful interruption. He was finally coming around.

The wind ruffled our hair, and the sun's warmth embraced us as we approached the beach. We both dismounted from my Illu and gradually went from the water to the soft, warm sand beneath us. Taking his hand into mine, we walk until we find a gorgeous spot just above the water's edge. Dangling our legs over the edge of the netted pathway. We sat and watched as the villagers interacted with their soul sisters and brothers.

"They're beautiful creatures."

I remarked, mesmerised by their beauty, my legs idly kicking the water.

Neteyam wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close. I rested my head on his shoulder, closed my eyes, and took in a deep breath.