Absence

Idea 19

Warning: long chapter ahead, death of an animal

"Saiya! How've you been?" Kiri asked running across to her from the village. She hadn't seen her best friend in 3 days.

Saiyas voice was practically lost and raspy from her prior activities, which played a good part in passing off her sickeness. However she wasn't in Tsahìks good books for refusing to leave her hut for "proper healing".

Neytiri too and Jake were deeply worried, Saiya had been left in their care by her parents and they had to make sure she was well.
"I'm okay now." She smiled her voice grainy and tough
"I've made many teas for you come you must drink some!" She said as she pulled Saiyas hand towards her family Mauri.

As she pulled back the flap everyone's eyes turned to see the two.
"Saiya! Great mother you're alive!" Neytiri gasped jokingly as she went to hug the girl.
"How are you feeling hm?" She asked pushing her hair behind her ears.
"I'm better now, thank you Neytiri." She smiled.
"Ooh your voice kid, sound like my old man." Jake chuckled to himself before standing up and rubbing Saiyas head.

They had all seen Neteyam previously before he took Tuk to play and collect materials for her new jewellery collection.

"Saiya!" Lo'ak smiled as he walked in behind them from outside.

He has just returned from his morning swim with Tsireya, it was like a mini morning date.
"Hey Lo, you okay?" She asked, her voice making his eyes widen.

"Shit are you okay?" He asked forgetting where he was.
"Language." Jake corrected as he helped Kiri assemble the teas she had made.

"Sorry. Where's Tuk? I got her the shells she wanted." He hummed laying out a sack of pearl pink shells.

"She's not far, out with Neteyam." Neytiri responded as she returned back to where she had previously sat.

"Here you go!" Kiri squeaked as she put the wooden cup up to Saiyas lips. The girl took a small sip before immediately shutting her lips.

"Kiri, kehe." (no) Her face dropped, tasting the bitter liquid. Kiris eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"You showed me to make this! You said three clove leaves and spirulina!" She protested not sure why hers didn't taste the same.

"And sea moss Ki." She added on. Kiris face grimaced realising she should've tasted it before she offered it.
"See i said the same thing when i tried it but Kiri said it was-" Jake interrupted before his daughter turned to look at him in disbelief.
"Sorry." He mouthed before walking over to sit with his wife.

The family relaxed inside of the mauri waiting for Neteyam and Tuk to return. Saiya waited with the Sullys not wanting to get caught in the harsh rain that was now pouring outside. It wasn't unusual for the weather to get like this, however hunting and fishing would have to be postponed. The grey sky meant rain would continue on for some time and Neytiri worried about her two children who had yet to return.

Saiya had drunken one of Kiris better teas and fallen asleep whilst talking to her and Lo'ak. She was awoken by the sound of everyone greeting Neteyam and Tuk as they returned to the mauri soaking wet.

"How long did that have to take Neteyam, you both could've gotten sick!" Neytiri scolded noticing in her children's shivering. Tuks teeth clattered together as the cold rain water sat on her skin and soaked her hair.

"We tried to hide away from the rain under some trees but it wasn't enough. We practically ran here." Neteyam explained, accepting the warm blanket his mother was wrapping over him.