Ocean Skies - Loreya

An Awkward Encounter

"I am happy we can spend this evening together," Neytiri comments, a pleasant smile on her face. She works on cutting up a piece of cooked fish, scooping some onto Tuk's plate. She smiles at her mother in turn, eyes crinkling at the corners - it is a mere act. She's just as nervous as the rest of her siblings.

Neteyam watches his mother wearily, having been sat between Tonowari and Jake. He's sitting on his father's right, as is Ao'nung on his own father's.

"The children are always busy someplace else," Ronal hums in response. "It is rare indeed for us to find time together like this."

Lo'ak wonders if the Tsahik and Olo'eyktan visit other families like this as well, or if it truly is his final night on Pandora, breathing and well. Call him selfish, but he hopes they found out about Neteyam and Ao'nung, not him and Tsireya and their unnamed third party. That probably would not end well.

"We can hardly call them children anymore," Tonowari chuckles, patting Ao'nung's shoulder. "They almost have their own lives, do they not?"

"It feels as though time has flown away so fast," Neytiri murmurs, ruffling Tuk's hair fondly. "Yesterday, I was holding my newborn son in my arms, tomorrow, I might be holding my first grandchild. You never know."

Ronal's nose twitches. "That is a statement too true."

Lo'ak shares a look with Tsireya, but she merely offers him a tense smile, just as confused as he is.

"We came here today to discuss a very serious matter," Tonowari nods, heavy hand resting on the back of Ao'nung's neck.

Kiri sits up straighter. She's been tasked with answering the dangerous-territory questions, so neither her brothers would give themselves away. Tuk has sworn to keep silent on anything she might be aware off.
"Did something happen?"

Tonowari shakes his head, eyes soft and without a hint of anger. "No, nothing happened beyond the steady passing of time."

"What are talking about?" Tuk pipes up, almost bouncing in her seat. "Do I get to have a spirit-sister now, too?"

Neytiri chuckles, patting her head. "Not so soon, Tuk-Tuk. You've much to learn still."

"I believe our children have become old enough to complete Iknimaya." Tonowari shifts, sitting with on leg drawn up, resting one of his elbows on his knee.

Kiri perks up, grasping Lo'ak's wrist in a silent warning disguised as excitement. "All of us?"

Jake tilts his head. "Neteyam has already completed his rites in the forest. He's been as much of a man as I was when we arrived."

Tonowari nods in acknowledgement. "I hear you. It would seem unfair for Neteyam to have to go through it a second time, as you Jakesuli, did not have to either."

"Were Neteyam to partake in the trials," Ronal says. "Would mean Jakesuli would have to as well. And if one does not need to, then it is only right that other does not either."

Neteyam frowns, sucking his bottom lip into his mouth. "Are you sure? I'm younger than my father—"

Tonowari waves him off. "We are all younger than our fathers. You needn't complete these trials the same way as the others. Our warriors and I will assist you in mounting a tsurak the same way we assisted your father."

Neteyam's brows furrow. "But—"

Jake pats his shoulder lightly, a pleasant grin on his face. "Come on kid. Be happy you don't need to do it twice."

"How will he get a spirit-brother?" Lo'ak butts in, tail swishing around behind him.

"Not all of us are delinquents," Kiri bites back with a smirk. "He'll get one normally, unlike you."

Tuk giggles as Lo'ak sticks his tongue out at their older sister.

"That is almost the same as going through Iknimaya," Neteyam grumbles, looking down and shaking his head.

"You are eager to try the challenges," Ronal comments, tilting her head, eyes watching Neteyam's every gesture for any hint of why he would want to do trials he's done before.

"It is not the same," Tonowari continues, smile never fading. "One must spend three—"

"I think he should do the challenges," Ao'nung cuts in, earning a glare from both parents.

Lo'ak snorts, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, you just want to do it together. Ow— did you just pinch me?"

Kiri shrugs, glancing away. "You were being annoying."

Neytiri sighs, shaking her head. "Behave."

"Listen to your mother, kids," Jake cackles, amused by the banter. He shares a look with Tonowari, who smiles knowingly back at him.

"It is decided." Ronal sets an empty shell-plate aside. "Neteyam will not complete these trials. He is an adult already in the eyes of his own people; therefore, he is an adult in the eyes of ours."

She turns to Ao'nung, eyes sharp. "Or are you saying Toruk Makto is a mere child?"

Ao'nung swallows thickly, ears lowering. "No."

"Then, it is decided." Ronal claps once, nodding gratefully when she notices Tuk piling fruits onto her plate. "Let us discuss what all must be done."

"Holy crap, that was terrifying—" Lo'ak exclaims, throwing his arms up. He flops down onto a blanket of colourful flowers, igniting them and painting his skin purple with their gentle light.

"What is cap?" Tsireya asks, sitting down beside him.

Lo'ak flushes. "Ah. Cap is something you put on your head—"

"Be so for real right now, Lo'ak," Kiri glares, crossing her arms.

"What?" He asks, defensive. "She asked what cap is!"

Lo'ak spreads his arms, lying straight. Tsireya fiddles with his braids as Ao'nung, Neteyam, Kiri and Tuk sit down beside them, Tuk snuggling into Kiri's side.

"Has anyone seen Spider?" Kiri asks instead, ignoring her brother.

"He is with Rotxo." Neteyam smooths out his loincloth, running his hand over to pale purple fabric.

Ruk frowns. "Why didn't he get to eat with us?"

"He could have," Lo'ak hums. "He's just training with Rotxo."

"Oh."

Ao'nung grunts, crossing his arms and glaring off to the side. "This was the worst dinner of my life."

"Do not jinx it, brother, you still have a lot of years left to live," Tsireya giggles behind her hand.

"That was not comforting at all," Ao'nung grimaces.

Tsireya merely shrugs. "It was not supposed to be."

"So, what do we do now?" Lo'ak asks, fiddling with his hands. He sits up slowly and wraps an arm around Tsireya as she leans into his side, hugging him with one arm.

Neteyam shuffles closer to Ao'nung, resting his head on the Metcayina's shoulder. "You guys have to complete Iknimaya now. We can focus on everything else afterwards."

"Easy for you to say," Lo'ak scoffs.

Neteyam pulls a face. "Should have kept it in your pants."

Lo'ak gapes, mouth hanging open in shock as Kiri and Tuk cackle next to him. "Bro, that was so mean."

Neteyam looks away, pretending to be interested in the scenery. "Well."

"Okay, okay. Iknimaya first," Ao'nung pipes up hurriedly. "We must prepare. The trials will be soon."

Lo'ak heaves a sigh, shaking his head, nervous butterflies fluttering in his stomach at the thought. But he trusts Payakan, so all should go well.

He hopes so, anyway.