Luminous Nights [Neteyam x Aonung]

First Nights : Part 17

They exit the large home and head to the water. While Aonung calls for his skimwing, Neteyam looks up at the drizzling skies. He isn't wearing one of his tops today, only a necklace, so he's glad the temperature is on the warmer side.

As the creature rides up to the edge, Aonung makes the bond and climbs on. He holds a hand out to help Neteyam on, then they set off, heading down the quiet stream of the private property.

Neteyam takes a moment to observe the large creature Aonung is so good at steering.

Neteyam- How did you get one of these?

Aonung- Gen 3 has the option of getting one when choosing a permanent ride, but it isn't required like the Ilu.

Neteyam- Should I get one?

Aonung- That depends on you. They're harder to ride, but if you can already handle an Ilu well, it's easier. Me, I had an Ilu first, then decided I wanted one of these.

Neteyam- You can switch?

Aonung- Not without having to pay money. The first permanent ride is free, but since I wanted a second one I had to pay for it.

Neteyam- Where's your Ilu?

Aonung- Somewhere in our property's waters, I'm gonna gift him to my sister when she graduates.

Neteyam- Won't she have one already?

Aonung- Yeah, but mine knows a ton of tricks.

Neteyam smiles slightly at the thought of seeing an Ilu do tricks. They continue riding out onto the public stream, then onto the highway.

The way they're going is faintly familiar to Neteyam, since it's the way they came when they first arrived and rode to their current abode.

People still tend to stare at him, or his siblings, because they stand out. But having someone to hold their attention makes them hardly notice anymore.

Neteyam still notices the looks, because he's naturally alert and it's hard not to, but he doesn't pay them any mind. He's learned to ignore it very well, thanks to how hard he made himself overlook the way Tsireya would stare at him.