His eternal sun|Neteyam Sully1

Fight with the coral

A few weeks later, after more training and learning some of the Metkayina sign language, Tsireya, Mä'zu, Neteyam and Lo'ak ride their Ilus around together under water, swimming around the coral structures while also following each other.

Neteyam urges his Ilu around a coral structure and Lo'ak follows Neteyam, reaching for his feet but just missing him.

Mä'zu follows Tsireya, their Ilus circling around each other and Mä'zu gets Oältso to flip onto her stomach, swimming upside down, beneath Tsireya's Ilu.

Tsireya's eyes widen as she looks down, and Mä'zu grins up at Tsireya, and Mä'zu takes a hand off the hand bar of the Ilus saddle as wiggling her fingers at Tsireya in a playful greeting.

A warm smile tugs at the corners of Tsireya's lips, her eyes sparkling with amusement and she takes her hands off the hand bar of her Ilu's saddle.

'Show off.' Tsireya signs playfully.

Mä'zu grins, tilting her head as she holds her hand to her chest in a gesture of mock offence.

Mä'zu allows Oältso to move to the side and flip over to the right way and Mä'zu puts both hands on her Ilu's saddle once more.

Mä'zu urges Oältso over to Neteyam's Ilu as Lo'ak urges his Ilu over to Tsireya's.

Tsireya and Lo'ak greet each other in sign language and Neteyam turns his head to Mä'zu as she gets to his side.

'Hey there.' Neteyam signs.

Mä'zu smiles and gives Neteyam a simple wave in response.

Neteyam quirks an eyebrow playfully at Mä'zu's simple wave.

'That's all I get?' Neteyam signs jokingly, a grin on his face.

Mä'zu smiles and she brings a hand to her face, tapping her chin as she pretends to think about it before she nods.

Neteyam tries to hold a stern expression, but the corners of his lips twitch, giving away his true feelings.

'Rude.' Neteyam signs, his expression mock offended.

Mä'zu watches in amusement as Neteyam feigns offence, and she rolls her eyes playfully, a small smile on her face.

'Oh, please.' Mä'zu signs, her expression still light and teasing.

'If I give you any more enthusiasm, your ego will grow bigger than the sea itself.' Mä'zu signs, smiling playfully.

Neteyam puts on an exaggerated look of confusion, his lips forming a mock pout.

'My ego is the perfect size, thank you very much.' Neteyam signs back, pouting slightly.

Mä'zu rolls her eyes playfully.

'Oh really?' Mä'zu  signs back playfully.

'I think you underestimate the size of your ego.' Mä'zu signs before he can respond.

'Maybe I should keep giving you simple waves, just to keep your ego in check.' Mä'zu signs again before he can respond.

Neteyam acts offended, his eyes widening and his ears pinning back.

'How dare you!' Neteyam signs back, pretending to be hurt.

'If you keep giving me those simple waves, my ego may shrivel up and disappear entirely.' Neteyam signs again.

Mä'zu doesn't respond to Neteyam, instead she looks over as Tsireya and Lo'ak playfully urge their Ilus circle each other as they go to the surface and Mä'zu looks back at Neteyam, tapping his side and pointing to the surface.