𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐍 | neteyam

𝟎𝟎𝟓 | 𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋

WALKING BESIDE HER GRANDMOTHER, AY'YEIVA LISTED TO THE STORY SHE WAS BEING TOLD.

"I remember when your father was preparing for his ceremony. He was only a little older than you," The woman telling the story started laughing a bit as she spoke, "He was quite the troublemaker growing up actually, so much so that his ceremony was held back by a year because of how behind schedule he was!"

Ay'yeiva joined in on the laughter, remembering some of the stories she had been told about how reckless her father was growing up by her mother.

The woman continued, her voice calming down as she wrapped her hand through the younger girl's arm, "Your parents are very proud of you, I hope you realize that my dear."

Ay'yeiva smiled, looking down to her feet as the two of them neared closer to their destination.

They had just left her family's pod with a few of the beads Ronal had been collecting through her daughter's life for this special occasion, planning on incorporating them into Ay'yeiva's ceremonial clothing.

To reach the pod where some of the elders were, the two of them had to pass by the shore, more specifically the rocks Tsireya had currently been sitting with Roxto, Lo'ak, Kiri, and Neteyam to teach them how to control their breathing.

Regaining her attention Eixtri spoke up, "How are the newcomers getting on? I have heard good things from your parents"

Ay'yeiva hesitantly smiled as she spoke, "From what I have seen so far I agree with my parents. Tsireya has told me that they've picked up on a few things much faster than we thought they would."

Eixtri slowed her pace, "You are not saying everything you wish to, child. Tell me, what is it?"

Ay'yeiva sighed, the two walking for a bit longer before she finally brought up what was bothering her, "It's just, I've been waiting my entire live for this" She motioned to the sack of beads in her hand, "and then they show up and everyone's excitement has just seemed to disappear. We are getting closer and closer to it and everyone is getting more and more preoccupied with what the Sully's are up to instead of their next leader." Her eyes started blurring and she felt the top of her cheeks moisten, "The whole reason I was born was to lead the clan when father can't anymore but with everyone's attention elsewhere it feels like that reason means nothing anymore." She quickly wiped her face dry before even Eixtri could see more than a few tears, shaking her head, "Anyway, how are you planning on attaching these beads?"

Eixtri noticed her difference method immediately and didn't allow her to have her way, "Ay'yeiva."

She knew what her tone meant. The girl stopped walking and looked up to her grandmother, "I feel bad for being angry with them. I have no right to but I just don't know why I am." Her cheeks became tear stained once again and, thankfully for Ay'yeiva, not many people were around to see her state.

Eixtri only pulled her by the head and held her, rubbing her back as she whispered, "When the day comes that you are an adult, will be the day people regret they focused their attention on the newcomers." She pulled her away so she could see her face, rubbing her thumbs over Ay'yeiva's cheeks, "It may hurt now, child, but you will heal."

Eixtri kissed the top of Ay'yeiva's head, "You always heal; Eywa has made sure of it."

•—•

EIXTRI STRUNG VARIOUS BEADS ONTO THE CLOTHES SHE WAS MAKING FOR AY'YEIVA'S CEREMONY, GLANCING AT HER GRANDDAUGHTER WHO SAT OPPOSITE OF HER EVERY FEW MINUTES. She looked distressed, unlike her usual self. Plus, Eixtri had already calmed her thoughts of the newcomers, and Ay'yeiva doesn't waste her time stressing about the same things unless they truly bothered her.

"What is it, my dear?" Eixtri broke the silence, "I know something is troubling you, and I know it isn't the newcomers."

Ay'yeiva was pulled out of her thoughts by her grandmother's voice, clearing her throat, "Oh, uh..." she thought it over, will she believe me?

She caught the small stare she was receiving, and decided she needed to let it air, "Uh... Have you noticed Zoru acting.... Different, at all?"

The mention of the boy intrigued Eixtri, who placed her hands down to rest and gave her full attention to Ay'yeiva, "In all honesty I don't pay much mind to the boy. Why, is something the matter with you two?"

Ay'yeiva hesitated, "It's just... ever since he got this idea in his head that he's going to be my mate, he's been acting strange." Eixtri nodded, taking the new information to heart.

"...aggressive" Ay'yeiva added.

She noticed her grandmother's eyes widen slightly, then calm back down. "Aggressive...how?"

The younger took a deep breath as she turned around in her seat and pulled her hair off to the side. A large scar running down her spine was seen, the ends not quite healed.

Eixtri quickly put down her work and stood up, reaching out for Ay'yeiva's hand. She pulled her gently after covering the scar back up, leading Ay'yeiva to her own pod. It was almost sundown, meaning many Metkayina were either at their pods, the shore, or out for a swim.

Entering the pod Eixtri motioned for Ay'yeiva to sit down and move her hair off of her back to reveal the scar once again. After examining it quickly she moved to grab something Ay'yeiva assumed would help it heal.

A stinging sensation hit her back, then quickly disappeared as the homemade cream Eixtri had put on the wound began to soak into the girls skin.

Even without seeing her grandmother, Ay'yeiva could see the anger and frustration she held, "What could the boy possibly have done to you, my dear."