𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐍 | neteyam

013 | RESPECT

Neytiri was running her mouth to explain how the ceremony would work to ears that may or may not have been listening. It was just hours before Eclipse, when the ceremony would begin, and the entire family had been all together for the first time in what felt like days.

"Everyone from the village is going to gather at the shore, Ay'yeiva and Eixtri are going to come down the beach and lead us all out to the Cove of Ancestors. Similar to back in the forest everyone will form small groups while Exitri, Ronal, and Tonowari perform the actual ceremony."

Kiri and Tuk listened carefully as Neytiri spoke, the most eager to witness the important moment for the Metkayina girl. Lo'ak and Jake weren't as visibly interested, Jake having heard from Neytiri already and Lo'ak knowing from how many times he had asked Tsireya about it just so he could talk to her.

Neteyam, out of 'respect' (he was having to try hard to not look as interested as his sisters upon the mention of her name) listened to his mother's words.

"Ay'yeiva will then swim down to the spirit tree and connect to it. Eixtri said that she will be able to see how the clan will be under her protection; thriving or not."

Kiri nodded as Tuk started asking Neytiri questions about the ceremony.

Soon it was time to leave the marui pod. Everyone was excited, some choosing not to show it on the outside. For their first big event with the Metkayina clan, it was sure one to be a part of.

•••

Ay'yeiva stood in front of Ronal as the older woman played around with the placement of her daughter's ceremonial garments. In her eyes it mattered where every bead was pace or which side of a shell was facing upwards. Everything in her life had led to this moment and she wanted to make it the most stress-free day she could get.

"Mama, I think it's fine. Really." Ronal could hear the small plea in her voice for her to stop. She let her hands fall to her sides, giving Ay'yeiva an apologetic smile, "I just want this day to be perfect for you. You're only going to get this once and I don't want you looking back thinking it could've been better."

It was Ay'yeiva's turn to give Ronal a smile, grabbing her hands as she spoke, "Mama, you only get this once too. You have to remember that."

Ronal held back her protests, the last thing Ay'yeiva needed to be given a stress-free day to be something against her wishes.

Eixtri looked at her daughter and granddaughter from across the marui pod with a proud smile on her face. She could feel herself wanting to cry happy tears, deciding to politely disrupt their moment to stop her from crying, "I think you should get going now, darling." Both Ronal and Ay'yeiva turned to her, letting their hands go as Ronal nodded her head.

She didn't say anything as she left, only nodding her head to either of them before exiting the marui. Eixtri took Ronal's place in front of Ay'yeiva.

"I remember when your father had his ceremony, it was almost a year after he *actually* became an adult because he was so far behind, but his ceremony nonetheless."

Ay'yeiva laughed, remembering all the times she had been told stories about her parents growing up and how different they seemed to have been.

"It was around the time he and your mother started getting to know each other and all I could remember seeing Ronal with him was *they better not mess this up*. Knowing how your father was as a child it was a complete shock to see him grow into such a great leader. But it was your mother who helped him get there."

Ay'yeiva's mind blurred slightly. She was being reminded of her father's ceremony, then of how her mother played a big role in it? As amazing of a person Ronal is, she wasn't a mother of a future leader then. She was a potential mate of the future leader.

"You have already grown into a beautiful warrior, but one day you will become a mighty leader. But you must know, no one has ever achieved greatness on their own."

Ay'yeiva opened her mouth to protest, but Eixtri beat her to it, "It's time for us to go, darling."

Ay'yeiva was grabbed by the hand and gently pulled out of the marui pod, reluctantly following her grandmother as her ceremony began.