Mune Olo'eyktan [Neteyam x Aonung]

Part 97

By the time eclipse graces them with its own dark beauty, they can hardly pay it any mind as the village gathers to watch Mo'dan be lowered into the water to give back the energy he borrowed from Eywa. His father, Ko'nan, isn't present, because he was exiled earlier, due to an attempted mutiny that ultimately lead to his own son's death.

When Neteyam had told the warriors of the man's doings before, he still left out the fact that Aonung had no say in becoming Mo'dan's mate. He would've liked to see how badly Ko'nan's punishment would be if they knew he encouraged such behavior, but felt like Aonung would still prefer to keep that part hidden, and left in the past.

Mo'dan's grandmother chose to desert the village, not willing to let her son die alone, no matter how wrong he was. The rest of the boy's family, his mother and brother, gather for him.

His mother assumed he was just like his father, but upon hearing how this tragedy came to be, she regrets thinking such things. His brother, though they never interacted much because of their mother, never harbored any bad feelings towards him. He may not have known him too well, but he still cared from a distance. He too was unable to go against one of their parents' wishes, which was for him to not follow Ko'nan's lead, therefore he could not interact with his own brother.

Once the funeral is over Jake ushers his older three children to the beach, without bothering to voice why. Once there, they come up to the Tsahík, standing with Aonung and Rotxo. The two marine boys each have a small bag hanging from their shoulders. The kids come up to each other, each with confusion. Then Neytiri shows up on the beach, carrying three different bags, with Tuktirey skipping alongside her, and Spider in tow.

She comes up to each of her older children, handing them a bag. When they look inside the bag they were given, they see a few of their belongings, along with a few snacks. Neteyam looks at his mother with a mix of concern and confusion.

Neteyam- What's going on?

With no answer, she looks past him, making him turn around and see the healer woman he met earlier. She approaches them with her son right behind her, then smiles warmly at the teens. Neteyam briefly looks at the bright eyed boy, before turning his attention back to his parents.

Jake- Don't look so scared, nothing bad is happening.

Kiri- What is all this for?

Ronal- You will go with Cin'lan, back to her village.

Neteyam- What? Why? You don't want us here anymore?

Neytiri- It's nothing like that. We only feel it will be a good experience for all of you.

Neteyam and the other teens all exchange the same unsure looks.

Jake- It's just for two weeks.

Lo'ak- Two weeks?

Spider- It's okay, bro, just think of it as a vacation.

Tuktirey- Can I go?

Neytiri- No.

Tuktirey- Aw man.

Kiri- Why are we even leaving?

Cin'lan- I heard of your discord, and the problems you face among each other.

Each of the teens turn their gaze to her.

Cin'lan- A little time away, in my village, should be a good experience for you.

Kiri- What can we do there that can't be done here?

Neytiri- Be respectful, Kiri.

Kiri- Sorry.

Cin'lan- It is alright. We are of the same clan, but each village is different in its own way. Will you allow me to show you?

Kiri and Lo'ak exchange a look, then look to their older brother. Neteyam looks at Aonung, who nods at him, then back at Cin'lan.

Neteyam- Please do.

The woman smiles at him, then with a nod of approval from each parent, she guides the teens into the water to retrieve their Ilu. Once they're each ready, she looks back and waves to their parents on the beach. They mimic her, waving and seeing Tuktirey jumping to wave at them as they slowly take their leave.

Cin'lan- Stay close, and keep pace, then we should arrive just after daybreak.

They each do as instructed, and follow closely as they ride the waves under the night sky, anticipating what their lives will be like for the next two weeks in the, supposedly different, village.