A New Mission: Happiness is Simple

Longing

The Marines and Zu were resting in their temporary nighttime camp. They were heading to Heaven's Ark and thought it wise to actually get some rest after a stressful day and show up at the human settlement in the daytime—for various reasons. As they were flying, Miles thought about timing. He wasn't sure that it was wise to get there in the night to give the base time to reach out to Sully and wake up to him and his people ready to apprehend him. No... he was tired and thought the best course of action was to go in the morning, contact Spider, and then use his help and any other reasonable Heaven's Ark resources to find their kids. Miles mirthlessly chuckled to himself atop his Ikran, Cupcake letting out a small growl. As if it would be that easy.

They made their camp by a wide forested river, had set a little fire, and were seated on the leafy ground roasting some Ash Na'vi spice seasoned fish on sticks that Zu caught for dinner with her spear. They were quiet in their tiredness and worry, the Marines particularly dreading their return to what was still Hell's Gate to them deep down. They additionally weren't sure if it was a wise tactical decision. A part of Miles just wondered if... they should go home. Hope to Ziye their kids were there. He remembered what Lex said when he made communion with Ziye. "Zeyz and I will be back in like a week."

But that was risky... A week has not passed yet. That means their kids were here. On the mainland. Even though they had no idea where they were, they were closer to them here than back home. They had to stay until they found them or found some sign that they were safe.

The four had finished dinner and doused their fire. Miles and Zu went to go rest in the secluded crook of a tree overlooking the glowing river, Mansk and Lyle finding their own safe spots to rest.

Mansk found a firm mushroom sticking off a wide tree trunk to sleep on, about a story off the ground, but he was restless and the night became deeper. Dammit did he miss his bed. It was only a plant fluff-stuffed linen cushion atop a low-level wooden slat frame, but it was better than this... he may be Na'vi but he was so sheltered living as an Ash People. Also, there were no insects to worry about in his bed. And there was Teza. Mansk missed her so dearly and he wondered what his smart and beautiful mate was thinking right now as she lay in bed without him. If she was worried about her husband failing to bring their Ta'li back, their only daughter. Oh how he hoped she had someone to bring her comfort in his absence. Ke'ila, her parents, Ka'uwe. Anyone. He hated that he left her alone.

Mansk was lightly twirling the beaded leather bracelet she made for him early in their relationship so many years ago—before he set out on the warpath. After all this time, it was like new, its excellent Teza-made craftsmanship showing. Suddenly, Mansk felt something crawling on his tail making him panic and roll off the mushroom, falling over onto the ground below about twelve feet. He didn't even see whatever bug it was. Frustrated, skeeved out, and now wired and unable to sleep, he decided to take a walk. Maybe go splash his face with some cool water from the river.

As he stood, brushing leaves and dirt off him, he noticed that Lyle wasn't in the tree around the corner that he had claimed for rack. Mansk shrugged it off. Probably going to take a piss, he thought. He then took a little stroll through the rich nighttime Pandoran forest, Naranawm high in the sky above, nearing the flowing sounds of the river. As he walked along though, he then heard something that surprised him.

It was Lyle's voice... he was... singing?? Mansk slowly, silently stalked toward the voice of his brother appreciating how silent he learned to be with his Na'vi feet after all of these years. Silent enough to sneak up on Lyle at least.

Lyle was looking out into the water, the glowing purple and white riverbed illuminating his body. He had a pile of seeded leaves in his hand that swirled down like helicopters when they fell, and he was gently tossing them into the river and watching them flow away as he sang. It was very soft singing, almost mumbling, but Mansk could make it out.