The Stars in Your Skin

CHAPTER FOUR

Naawri glances up from the family firepit, along with her sisters, when someone enters their home. It's her older brother and his small sweet-natured mate, Wiua. She greets them before looking down to flip over a medley of vegetables on the clay griddle. The two greet them in kind them before dropping down across from her. Soon, the home smells of vegetables cooked and seasoned with care for the clan.

"So," Eyvir starts, "Noni how are things going in the way of finding a mate?" He uses the utensil to flip over a of thin pod like vegetable.

Naawri instantly tenses, knowing the exact heading of the conversation. She glances at Rayka when the tall Na'vi gives her thigh a pat. She keeps her gaze on the vegetables searing on the large griddle.

"Great!" Her sister chirps. "I've a few men I've got my eyes on and a few who've made their suits known to me." She stirs the pot of vegetables.

He nods approvingly. "Great." There is a pause before then, "what about you Nawri?"

She keeps her eyes on the spiced vegetables she's placed in the large leaf before wrapping it. She purposely doesn't answer him, grabbing another leaf.

"Naawri," he calls firmer this time.

She schools her features before regarding him. "The same as the last time you asked," she answers, flatly. She places another morsel of vegetables onto the leaf before sprinkling it with spices and carefully, lovingly wrapping it up.

"Do you still have that troublesome tunutu?"

She flicks her eyes up at him in surprise then. She's made sure to never tell him about her feelings for Neteyam, how had he found out? She turns her gaze to Noney who sits next to her eyes steadfastly on the pot of boiling vegetables. "Really Noney?"

"It was an accident." She defends before mouthing the word sorry.

Naawri groans. Wonderful now not only did she have to endure his badgering but his judgment as well. She heaves a breath. Well, she might as well own it. "Yes."

A deep frown mars his stern face. "No."

Her eyes snap to him. "What?"

"You should get that out of your head. Right now," he admonishes, voice hard like flint.

She snorts. "And why is that?" She asks calmly, placing another foodwrap on top of the growing pile on their platter.

He stops to look at her. "Because he is the olo'eyktan's son."

"What does that have to do with anything?" She levels a gaze at him, hoping he would not utter the words she expected of him.

"Because he is him and you are...you. It would never work out. Especially since there are so many other more fitting young women vying for his attention."

"Eyvir!" Wiua chastises.

"What?"

She inhales deeply. His words cut like daggers but she says nothing more. She only picks up the platter of foodwraps and rises, exiting the home without a word. She didn't allow her expression to falter until out of the tent. Maybe he was right.

She's quiet during the communal dinner, eating her food without a word, despite the lively atmosphere. She only gives a soft smile when Ha'ew bumps her shoulder with his.

He gives her a look both inquiring and concerned.

She shakes her head and shoves some more food in her mouth.

He scoots closer.

That night she lays on their sleeping mat back turned to her sister, excellent night vision still able to see every detail of their home in the lowlight. "I really am sorry," her sister says.