Avatar: {Hybrid and Alien]

{67}

After the naming ritual and some breakfast, Asim and his friends all said their goodbyes for the day before returning home.

The whole while they flew in the chopper none of them could stop expressing their excitement. "Can you actually believe it? We are finally part of the clan! And we have new names!" Shaka said on the radio. "Yeah. I can hardly believe it myself. 'Beautiful Stone'? They could have gone for 'Dangerous Woman' instead because of how many na'vi I impressed when I knocked them down. But I guess it can't be changed now." Emeralda said, sighing and shrugging helplessly though with a smile that said she too was also happy. "We better do something to celebrate this accomplishment. How about we finish the bottles of the only vodka in Pandora? Or maybe even better—" Mikhail was saying, also thrilled, but was stopped by Kentaro. "No, we are not finishing the vodka bottles. It's not healthy for you or anyone if it's drunk excessively." Kentaro said sternly, making Mikhail groan and slump on his strapped seat. "But...you do have a point. We have to do something to celebrate this special occasion." Kentaro added after a moment of silence. "The problem is...we don't have the necessary materials to decorate or recreate a special event like on Earth" Shaka said, making everyone look to the side in disappointment. Asim was busy thinking about something, oblivious to the conversation of his friends partially as he stared at the rushing forest below their chopper.

He was brought back to reality when Mikhail placed a hand on his head and nudged him. "Ey, tupogolovyy, are you with us?" Mikhail asked. "Yeah. I'm good. Just...thinking about how we can make the event without all other things." Asim said, exhaling and turning back to them. Mikhail nodded, and then smirked as he leaned back on his seat once more. "I'm sure you are thinking about it...and about your precious thanator girlfriend..." Mikhail said with a singsong voice at the end. Asim groaned and rubbed his face with his hands, in denial that his friend was bringing the subject again like in the morning. "I told you again and again, we aren't lovers. We are allies. Friends of you want to call it. Nothing more. Period." Asim said sternly, glaring at them. "All our super soldier training and enhancements have really toughened us up, but it is powerless against love. It's simple chemistry that is natural in us that cannot be suppressed or denied. And when you come to realize it, you will find out that you and Layontsin are more than friends. Believe me, I have gone through it." Mikhail explained, this time having a serious look on his face. "Ahh...Fine. If you are the 'love expert' that you persistently claim you are, then prove that I have shown that I am giving examples of love to the thanator na'vi" Asim said in challenge. "Simple. You caressed her snout and smiled back, complimenting her, which shows that you like her. And that is the first step to a relationship" Mikhail said, raising a finger up to emphasize as if he were a teacher lecturing. "Wait...I did?" Asim asked, feeling as if he had been watched by his friend the whole time. "Oh yes. Did you really think we were sleeping deeply. It's all thanks to our heightened guard until sleep finally takes us. And you can't deny it." Mikhail said with a confident smile. Hearing this made Asim feel panicked in a way he hasn't experienced, the sides of his face now turning red and hot. This made Mikhail and those that were in the cargo bay start laughing, making Asim cover his face again in shame.

"Hey. No need to be ashamed. It's natural. And I will help you return to your natural self. Just like you recovered your memories." Mikhail said, this time sounding genuine in helping. "Just...stop. Whatever else you have to say to embarrass me more, just say it now." Asim said, voice in the radio muffled by his hands and the rushing wind outside of the vehicle. "No. It's not embarrassing. It's true. And I will be happy to show you how to express what you feel for Layontsin back in return." Mikhail said, patting Asiknin the shoulder. "You mean it? Jokes aside?" Asim asked, looking up at his friend as he uncovered his face. "Oh yes. No jokes included. But this is a delicate talk that we will have to discuss when we arrive. Alone without anyone hearing about that." Mikhail said, nodding affirmatively. "Why is that?" Asim asked, curious. "So that no one interferes and you pay attention." Mikhail said, then frowning and looking at the front where Emeralda was in the copilot seat, looking back at them. "And that includes you, Emeralda! No snarky remarks while we are both alone!" He said, making Emeralda look forwards again and raise a hand to say "Okay. I heard you". Mikhail sighed and shook his head, looking back at Asim.

"Trust me. I'll explain it to you as soon as we arrive" his friend said.

***

When they returned to their outpost home, each went to do their respective chores. Asim went to the rooftop, where his banshee was there waiting. It gave a roar and a spread of wings in greeting when it saw Asim arrive, settling down and crawling over to him. Asim chuckled and moved in, reaching out to place a hand on its chin. The creature gave a pleased about and nuzzled his palm, making Asim smile more as he saw how quickly the banshee has bonded with him. "You given it a name yet?" Mikhail's voice asked from behind, making Asim turn around and face his friend that has climbed the rooftop. The banshee gave a sort of hiss when it saw Mikhail, but Asim gave it a gentle pat to assure the creature that he was not a threat. "Not really. I've been struggling to give it one, but nothing really comes up in my head." Asim said, shrugging. "I can help you with that. You just have to tell me it's key characteristics." Mikhail said as Asim gave a piece of meat to the banshee. "Let me see...this one is loyal, as it is protective when someone new is around. And the purple and red color is beautiful." Asim said, examining the banshee as he rubbed its head. Mikhail was in thought for a moment before he raised up his head. "Wafiyah. I heard Shaka say it, and the meaning behind it fits exactly their personality." Mikhail said, smiling and looking at the banshee. Asim thought for a moment and liked the sound of the name. "Wafiyah it is then" he said, giving the banshee a pat on the neck and turning around as he let the flying creature fly off wherever it wished.

"Alright. Now that it's done, I think it's time you and I speak about what we said in the chopper." Asim said as he walked to the roof edge and climbed down. Mikhail pumped his fists in front of himself as he silently cheered before climbing down to follow Asim. Once down, the two went to the back side of the outpost to talk there alone. "Alright then, Mr. Mikhail. Tell me how I show my feelings to Layontsin so that I can truly feel that way? The same way that she supposedly feels towards me?" Asim asked, sitting down on the ground. Mikhail smiled as he leaned against the metal wall behind him before beginning. "Simple; don't change your approach or your attitude towards her. You have already done so as you showed gestures of comprehension and mutual respect. Don't say anything offensive even as a joke and respect her the way she respects you. The next part will be a very tricky one, as it will involve you confirming your own feelings to her personally. It has to be done with modesty and care, as your body language will show. The final step will involve the proposal, which will be the last and most important out of all steps. Human and na'vi customs of pairing mates are completely different, ours being giving our other half a ring or a gift before the wedding, while the na'vi way requires one to become a hunter and to be chosen by the clan leader himself. But I think I know how you can impress her" he explained, moving around as he made gestures of examples while Asim listened to every detail his friend gave. "What is that method? Please tell me." Asim said, standing up again and moving closer to his friend. Mikhail gave him a side eye and smiled. "Something that she likes. Since she is a predator, a good hunk of meat that has been hunted by you will make her bow down on all six. Or, the most simple one out there, some flowers." Mikhail said to him. Asim's eyes widened and brightened, hearing the mention of flowers. "You are a genius! Of course I can do that!" Asim exclaimed, making Mikhail smile and look proud of himself. "But...what if she doesn't like it?" Asim said as he stopped himself. "I'm sure that she will like it. Women always like beautiful things. And if she doesn't...then you will get a slap in the face or worse have your limbs be torn away." Mikhail said as he shrugged and sighed dramatically. Asim chuckled and nudged his friend playfully when he said that. In all honesty, Asim felt like he should definitely give it a try so he could find out if it would work.

"Okay then. Teach me how to do the proposal." Asim said, making Mikhail nod as he began teaching him for the rest of the morning.