Rough Elegance [Neteyam x Aonung]

Brotherhood : Part 10

Outside the reef, Tonowari and Jake have been on a hunt for just the two of them. Two fathers that needed a break from responsibilities. Ever since the public punishment act, Tonowari has been rekindling the good relationship he has with Jake. After his mate straight up slapped him in the face, he was truly aware of his wrongdoing.

Jake knows Tonowari merely made a mistake. After all, he was only reacting in such a way because of his own love for his son, so Jake holds nothing against him. Because Tonowari understands fatherhood, he also didn't give Jake any backlash for beating one of his warriors' faces in.

The two men understand each other well. They also hunt well together, sporting large fish they each caught, hanging on the saddles of their Skimwings.

The skies are darkening with the evening, but before returning home for the day, they delve into some child fun. Racing through the water, trying to see who's best. The obvious answer is Tonowari, naturally, since he's more experienced. But to his surprise, Jake wins their race.

As they slow to a stop near the tall rock they used as the marker, Tonowari chuckles at Jake's smug face.

Jake- Who did you say was better? Tell me again, I can't remember.

Tonowari- You are skilled, I'll admit, but that isn't why you won.

Jake- Oh? Well if it wasn't my skill, what was it? And don't even try saying luck.

Tonowari wears his own smug smile.

Tonowari- Your size.

Jake's expression drops. He hates being called, or referred to, as small in any way. A trait that, unknowingly, is hereditary, and has been passed on to his younger son.

Tonowari laughs at his obvious dislike for his statement.

Jake- I still think it was my skill.

Tonowari- It isn't a bad thing to be smaller.

Jake- Ever think you're just too damn big? I'm not little, at all.

Tonowari's bassful laugh fills their surrounding silence, until the faint sound of distant splashes are heard. He immediately stops his laughter, noticing Jake's alert position. Brows furrowed, tail standing on point, and his ears twitching a bit, listening to something.

In silence, he rides closer towards the sound, Tonowari following behind him without a word. They soon see something splashing erratically in the distance, seemingly heading towards one of the lower nearby rocks that cover this area.

Once Jake is close enough to hear coughs and gasps, he races towards the rock, going to help the person in need. Tonowari races right after him, hopping off his Skimwing and climbing onto the rock with Jake. He rushes to the edge, seeing him help someone up, but halts once he sees the strange being Jake just pulled out of the water.

Skin so pale and white, with blue and teal stripes.

Jake lies the person down as they cough up water they inhaled. Tonowari takes a cautious step closer. It's a young boy, looking around his own son's age, or perhaps his daughter's.

His hair is long and wavy, lying out wildly as he attempts to level his breathing. His body is thin, like an Omatikaya, but his arms have small fins, and his tail has no tuft of fur at the end, yet it also isn't thick and strong like a Metkayina.

Jake tries to calm the boy, showing him how to breathe, but he can't seem to calm down. His two different colored eyes dart between the men in front of him. One gold and one green. The Olo'eyktan isn't sure what it is he's looking at.

When the boy's breathing finally levels, it's because he passed out. Jake quickly checks for a pulse, sighing in relief when he feels one. He pauses for a moment, taking in the boy's features, and knowing exactly what he is. He looks up at the chief, seeing confusion written all over his face.

Tonowari- What is he?

Jake- An experiment.

Tonowari- Experiment?

Jake- The sky people wanted to get creative with their Na'vi, so they started mixing genes.

Jake points to a spot just above the waist of the boy's plain grey loincloth. A burn right above his hip that reads "2G999".

Jake- See this?

Tonowari- What does it mean?

Jake- That's his experiment number. His identity to the sky people.

Jake lifts the boy's limp body onto his shoulders as he stands.

Jake- I don't know how the hell he found his way out here, but we gotta help him. He's Na'vi.

Tonowari nods, and the two climb off the rock and back onto their Skimwings, racing home with urgency.