Ocean Skies - Loreya

The Ribbon

"Do you know where Tsireya is?" Kiri asks, a hand grasping Lo'ak's upper arm.

Lo'ak shrugs. "She said she will be by the shore, working on some tasks."

"I don't see her," Neteyam comments, squinting in the sun. He glances at Rotxo, a little sore about being exposed, but greatful nonetheless. "Do you?"

The Metcayina shrugs. "No. She's not here anywhere. Maybe Ao'nung knows where she is."

"Where's Ao'nung?" Lo'ak asks, turning to Neteyam expectantly.

Neteyam scoffs. "How should I know?"

Lo'ak rolls his eyes. "Why are you being pissy? Be happy I remembered your string and saved your ass, bro."

Kiri promptly steps between them and wacks the back of their heads, earning pained groans and a soft cackle from Rotxo. "Focus—"

"It's not a string!" Neteyam cuts her off, scrunching his nose, tail swishing behind him. "It's a ribbon—"

"Same thing, bro!" Lo'ak yelps, swatting at him.

"It is not!"

Kiri shares a look with Rotxo, who immediately removes his amused smile and nods along with her displeasure.

"You guys are unbelievable, honestly." She rubs a hand over her face and messes her fringe up. "Why are you bickering when you think Tsireya is in trouble?"

Rotxo shrugs. "Men."

Kiri pauses, brows furrowing in confusion. "That's a human concept."

"I learn fast." Rotxo glances to the side.

Kiri purses her lips, trying to read Rotxo's expression, but failing to succeed.

"They don't have much luck when it comes to thinking," Rotxo says slowly, turning to watch Neteyam and Lo'ak.

"Clearly." Kiri deadpans, hands on her hips. "With the situations they're in."

They step aside a bit, letting Neteyam and Lo'ak bicker, unaware of the conversation about them.

"How did you feel when you found out about it?" The young Metcayina asks quietly, leaning closer to her.

Kiri swallows, shrinking back slightly, cheeks heating. "They're my brothers. I'm used to them doing stupid things. Okay, not stupid, but reckless."

"But how did it make you feel?" Rotxo hums, blinking quickly when a handful of sand gets pelted his way from the fight happening not far from them.

"I worry about them." Kiri let's her tense shoulders relax. "More about Lo'ak than Neteyam. With the sign from Eywa, I think he and Ao'nung will be fine. But Lo'ak and Tsireya... what they did might he worse."

Rotxo nods along to her words and swallows thickly. "I expect gaining acceptance from the clan will be hard. Especially since we are different."

"You are not different, " Rotxo comments. "You are na'vi just as all of us."

"You know what I mean," she sighs, shaking her head. "What Metcayina has eyebrows and four fingers."

"You do," he smiles.

She blinks, stunned. "Oh."

"Tonowari, come inside this instant," Ronal calls out to her mate, standing at the entrance of their marui, facing outside.

Tsireya and Ao'nung stand inside, shoulders touching and stomachs burning with the intensity of their anxiety.

Tonowari pauses, spear raised as he demonstrates Metcayina hunting ways to teach Spider, Jake, and a couple of young Metcayina hunters. He lowers the weapon and frowns, the tense atmosphere enveloping him almost instantly.