The Breath of Water | Neteyam

68 • Taronsäwem: Day Two

Once again, the playing arena was being used as day two had now arrived. The two remaining teams were getting ready in their rooms, repainting themselves since the paint from the first round was long gone.

Liyanin had fallen asleep in Neteyam's tent (accidentally), and when they woke up, she went out to fetch his black paint. She again, was the one who painted his stripes and patterns on him, right on the floor.

"Are you sure my hair will not get in the way?" Neteyam asked, his lips tight so as to not mess up the paint. Liyanin had given him a practical hairstyle—she took two strands from the sides of his head, connecting them in a braid she had placed his hair beads on. She also made a few Omatikayan braids in his head, using the rest of his beads and feather on them.

"Yes, this will help in your hair not getting in your face as often." She mentioned, gesturing towards the center braid. "Do not doubt my hairstyling skills."

"Of course, of course."

"Woah, man. You look like a free diver today!" Rotxo exclaimed upon seeing Neteyam's hair. He made a 360 around the elder, taking in his new look. "If you had fins, you'd be just like us."

"Haha, I am trying to assimilate." Neteyam chuckled, fist bumping the boy. "Where are the others?"

"Woah! Is this our Eyktan?" a voice shouted. When Neteyam turned around, he saw the rest of his team. Lo'ak was the most shocked and Masanai felt her heart skip a beat.

"Bro! Mom is going to be so mad~" Lo'ak teased, poking his brother in the chest. Neteyam swatted his hands, sticking his tongue out.

"Mom is the one who told me to redo it~" he rebutted. "...Alright, alright, I know my hair is jaw-dropping, but let's focus now. Team 1's strategy—they are most likely going to try and make Lo'ak the Zeykoyu again." he said, pointing at his brother.

"Aw man." he groaned.

"Yeah, so suspect it. Masanai, Tsyätrril." Neteyam called for their attentions, snapping. He looked them both in the eyes. "I need both of my Srungsiyu for this to work, so please, do your best to stay in the game. Masanai, you did a wonderful job, but don't let that go to your head."

"Yes, sir." They both said.

"Femtrì, Rotxo, Lo'ak, if anyone of you have to become the sacrifice in order to protect Masanai or Tsyätrril, so be it. For this to work I need them."

They nodded in understanding.

"Aonung, when Eri becomes lonu, you need to go. Zone in on her and her only."

"I understand." he stated, eyes still.

Neteyam looked around his group, taking in the sights. "...I cannot express the joy I had playing with you all. I could not have asked for a better team."

They all began to laugh, some of them booing him for his cheesiness, but they secretly enjoyed it. "Don't go getting all soft on us now boss, I don't wanna cry!" Tsyätrril exclaimed, dramatically holding onto Rotxo. His antics kept the snickers echoing in the air, the seven of them now huddling.

"We got this, Team 2."

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"Woo! Get some!"

It had been an hour of fighting and chasing, Lo'ak (as expected) was made Zeykoyu again, and Duräley tried to attack Femtrì again, but she was expecting it. Tsyätrril had managed to make Kaysitxi the Zeykoyu again, and now he was able to rid Team 1 of their other Srungsiyu, which is why he was cheering. He swam over to his team, chanting a cheer.