The Stars in Your Skin

CHAPTER SEVEN

A.N.: Avatar and all associated characters are not mine. I'm just playing in the sandbox. The OCs are all mine. Enjoy!

A month passes in the blink of an eye. He and Naawri were on much better terms now. It had been a great relief to him. Not having her friendship sent some strange emotion colored with a deep melancholy swirling through him. He was happy that she understood that he wanted her in his life.

His relationship with Sateya was a different animal altogether.

He grits his teeth when his mother combs another tangle from his currently loose hair. Today was Hair Weaving day for his family. He looked longingly at his father who was currently combing Tuk's hair with such care. His mother had a much heavier hand than his father when it came to hair weaving.

His father rises when footsteps near the marui.

Naawri stops before the entrance, greeting Toruk Makto with deep respect. She gives succinct answers to his questions about her welfare, keeping her eyes on his nose.

"Is there something you need Naawri?"

She holds the wrapped gift close to her chest. "Yes. Is Neteyam home?"

"It's Hair Weaving day for our family."

Hair Weaving day was special to Omatikaya. It was a time for haircare and the redoing of braids. It was a time for bonding, reminiscing, and storytelling with song. "Oh! Forgive me I didn't mean to intrude." She peeks up at him after a moment of silence.

He stares at her with a raised eyebrow. "It's okay. I'll get him for you."

"Thank you very much Toruk Makto." He stops in the entrance and turns to her.

"You've been Neteyam's good friend for a while now you don't have to be so formal."

She only nods. He shakes his head before entering the home. How could she not be formal? He was Toruk Makto and their Olo'eyktan. His very presence commanded respect. Stories of his exploits were sung around their fire pit on the regular.

Her mind shifts to the leaf-wrapped gift in her hands. She hopes Neteyam likes it. What was she doing? This kind of gift, if not carefully given, could send the right message to the wrong people. Wiya this was a bad id-

Neteyam's voice draws her from her thoughts. "Nawri?"

She glances up and the thoughts ripping through her mind come to a screeching halt. Neteyam stands there hypnotic amber eyes full of curiosity, thick dark hair falling past his shoulders in deep waves. Oh Eywa, this man has no business being this pretty. Riti begin swarming in her belly.

She blinks when he calls her again. "Hi," she answers. She tugs at a braid. He returns her greeting with a warm smile and well tsahey. That was the most beautiful thing she's seen all day.

"Is there something you need?"

What? Why was she here again? It takes a moment but the warm fuzziness in her brain clears and she clenches the gift in her hands. "This is for you." She proffers it to him.

His eyes brighten before he leads her away from the entrance and the prying gazes of his family. He takes the gift, thanking her. Naawri clasps her hands behind her back to keep from fidgeting, but her tail flicks anxiously. She regards him.

Neteyam unwraps the gift with anticipation. It's a slingbag. The bag itself is a simple brown but the strap is embellished with intricate needlework with swirling patterns in his colors. It's beautiful. He runs his hands over the bag, brow creasing. This was not regular plant-based leather. It felt more supple, durable.