Avatar: {Hybrid and Alien]

{31}

Things were going well, though it also became very stressful.

It's not something that anyone would complain. As Asim checked, everyone was alright with this new life. Going out to visit the natives while the group worked on tasks in the outpost so that they all could live. Retelling experiences that they had outside or inside their home regardless of the subject. Studying hard to understand the na'vi culture and customs. And even making some changes to their uniform to better identify themselves instead of having a hard time doing so. One change that they made was the application of light paint on their battle suits, each with a different color to let everyone know who was who while not sacrificing the camouflage scheme that their suits had. Even their full-face helmets used for specialized missions were given a slight painting. With all those changes and things they did, the group felt like they were accomplishing many things.

At least, that's what Asim felt.

Most of the time he would be outside the outpost, enjoying the fresh air that Pandora offered as he gazed upon the forest below the mountain slope. It gave him a sense of calm, greater than he would have ever experienced in his life. Yet, despite this, he felt a sort of pressure in his chest, as if he needed to do something or find out something. It was possibly because the question of how he was alive and breathing the deadly atmosphere of the moon still lingering inside his head. Asim knew that it would be something that he would ask the na'vi, especially the tsahik as she is the spiritual leader, yet he felt like now it wasn't the time. The group were still new to the na'vi despite the various visits that they gave the natives, and asking about such matter didn't seem like a prudent thing to do in such an early stage of bonding with the na'vi tribe. Which, of course, still had some members that still didn't trust them. And Asim didn't blame them, as Rai'uk has explained to them on one occasion the history of the Anurai clan.

Now it didn't feel like the time Asim would simply waltz into the camp, go directly to the clan leaders, and ask about strange feelings and weird dreams that he was having. Speaking about weird dreams, the nightmare that he had a while ago returned, same as always, only this time happening every two to three days and not letting Asim get any sleep. It was at this point that Asim has kind of had enough of those kinds of things and decided that he would go on his own. Of course, like every day, one of his friends started to notice Asim's on-edge behavior despite his best attempts to seem calm and serene. Shaka was the main one, while in some occasions was Kentaro and Lily. "Same nightmare from before, right? And it's becoming constant now." Shaka said to Asim, identifying what was happening without the need of an explanation, while the majority of the group worked on the greenhouse biome. "You know when something isn't right. And yes. It's those nightmares. I don't know what it means. But I have a feeling that the na'vi might know. Though...I also feel that I have to do this on my own." Asim said to Shaka. Kentaro overheard the conversation as he was behind them and turned around. "Absolutely not! I still have to take medical samples and have you checked up daily before you go out. I have to know how this Pandora-atmosphere-breathing ability of yours work. Which still baffles me as there is no different results in each test." Kentaro said firmly as he went over to them. "Yeah. No different results. Because whatever happened to me, clearly we have no way of identifying due to the lack of proper equipment. The only way I can get those results is if I go and ask the na'vi about it. They are the only ones that know this world better than we or the scientist before us do." Asim said, a bit frustrated because of Kentaro's lack of reasoning.

"Please! Everyone! Calm down. There is no need to argue like this. We don't want this to escalate into another sibling fight like it happened back on Earth." Shaka said, placing himself firmly in between Kentaro and Asim. Both glared at each other before desisting, making Shaka sigh in relief. "Asim is right. He has to get this off from his chest. This is something that we cannot handle even together. Let him go, so that he may find the answers to his doubts." Shaka said to Kentaro, Mikhail and Emeralda coming over to them after hearing the slight commotion. Kentaro gave a sigh in defeat, not wanting to start again. "I just...want to make sure that nothing is out of the ordinary...and it costs the safety of one of us..." Kentaro said, placing a hand on his forehead. "Look, I understand your worry. And I will let you check me up before I leave and when I return." Asim assured his friend Kentaro. "...Very well..." Kentaro said before he turned around and went to the medical bay to set things up. Asim exhaled in relief and went to continue the gardening task with Shaka and the others. "He worries about you and us. Remember that." Shaka said a while later as they were finishing up. "Yeah. I know. I just...don't want any of you guys to see this as me pushing you guys aside. You all are my family." Asim said to him. Shaka nodded and smiled as he heard the words that his brother spoke. "We understand. The thing that motivates us to continue living is unity, and I know that you will never let that go." Shaka said to Asim as he rubbed his shoulder. "Thanks. For understanding me." Asim said with a smile as soon they both finished their work and headed out from the greenhouse biome. Asim went to the medical bay, where Kentaro was waiting.

Asim went over and sat down on the seat and leaned back while Kentaro proceeded with the checkup. "So, what is your plan of going off to the Anurai clan all by yourself?" Kentaro asked Asim. "Go straight to the tsahik and tell her all about what is going on with the constant nightmares." Asim said, plain and simple as it would be easy. "Perhaps it's the sort of trauma that one has after waking up and realizing that one is alive. I am no expert in treating trauma, but I am sure that all of this that you are experiencing is just to ensure that you are okay." Kentaro said, making Asim look at him. "Am I? You know, alive?" he asked his friend. "Of course you are. If you weren't, I wouldn't have the pleasure to pinch you so you feel pain." Kentaro said as he quickly pinched Asim's ear, making him flinch. "Ow! Okay! Okay. You made your point." Asim said as he settled down again and let Kentaro finish up with the check-up. "Anything else that you will do?" Kentaro asked. "Meet up with Layontsin, as she will be the first one to find me." Asim simply said as he sat there while Kentaro continued. "How positive are you that this weird thanator-na'vi won't stab you through the chest?" Kentaro asked. "I'm all positive. Now she knows me, and...as crazy as this may seem...I think she respects me more than before." Asim said, closing his eyes a bit as he remembered the other visits he made with his friends to the Anurai clan camp. "Respect that you won't try to instigate her into attacking, I assume." Kentaro said dryly, making Asim chuckle. Soon the medical checkup was complete, and Kentaro let Asim go. "Be carefull out there." Kentaro said to Asim, who in turn nodded before going to get his armor suit as well as his weapons and equipment.

After saying goodbye to Lily and his team, Asim exited the outpost and headed to the depths of the forest.