The Stars in Your Skin

INTERLUDE TWO

Naawri hurries through the village greeting clan members on the way to her destination. She stops at a home closer to the innards of the village, entering only when a disembodied voice beckons her. She greets the elderly Omatikaya female with respect and a smile.

“How are you today Kava?”  Kava was an elderly Na'vi that she and Neteyam helped around her home every other week.

The frail woman stands hobbling to her. “I'm fine dear. Are those flatbreads?”

She proffers the leaf wrapped treats to the woman, gaze surveying the home and all the tasks needed doing.

The elderly Na'vi happily takes them. “Sweet or savory?”

“Sweet and salty.”

The elderly woman makes a happy sound before opening the leaf packet. 

“You're late”, Neteyam’s dulceted voice ripples  through her senses. She turns to find him in the entrance burdened with two large water carriers. “I had to carry these on my own,” there's no real heat in his voice.

She puts a hand on her hip. “You always carry them on your own anyway.”

He only gives her a grin. “True, but the Walking Songs weren’t as pretty.” He sets the carriers down and comes to stand next to her.

Naawri’s back prickles at the closeness of him, his warmth leaching into her skin. She focuses to keep her eyes on Kava who's still talking. “Come  let me show you.” She leads them to the back of her home where she tilts one of her baskets aside to reveal a hole.

“How did that happen?” Naawri asks.

“I have no idea,” she replies almost sheepishly.  “Can you fix it?”

Naawri almost frowns. Sewing baskets and mats was one thing, repairing the hide of a hut was another. It was a job most male Weavers performed. For good reason.

“Of course she can,” Neteyam answers full of confidence.  “You've got this.” He gives her an encouraging grin.

She looks away to hide her blush, a lopsided grin lifting her mouth. “I’ll need the materials.” Surprisingly Kava produces the needed materials, hide, tusk, and talioang leather. “And some muscle.”  She cuts an playful glance to him. “Can you go get Rayka?”

He purses his lips. “Seriously?”

She chortles. “I'm kidding, Tey. You’ll do nicely.”  She pats his back, careful not to let her hand linger. 

Together, they repair the hole, fixing the new hide to the old. He uses the tusk to bore the hole while she stitches the cord through. It's hard for Naawri him being so close, his natural scent circulating through her nostrils. Each time the muscles in his arms flex with exertion she forces her gaze downward. Why the heck did he have to look so stupidly delicious?

They finish in half the time then go on to the next task: cleaning and re-coating her storage jugs and pots. Sateya shows up at this point sidling close to Neteyam with a coy smile on her face.

“What is going on here?” she chirps, wrapping an arm around Neteyam's.

Naawri has to refrain from inhaling a meditative breath. Of course his promised one would show up. This was something the two of them did together and by her reckoning Sateya was encroaching, but she was his future mate. She might as well get accustomed to it sooner than later. Even though it hurt like claws down the face. “You can help if you like.”

A flicker of reluctance passes over the woman's beautiful features.  “Ok,” she chirps.

Naawri forces a smile, having noticed the quick display . “You can help Neteyam.” She gestures to the jugs and clay pots. She sees Neteyam open then shut his mouth. “I’ll be inside.” She scurries inside to help Kava.