Mune Olo'eyktan [NeteyamxAonung]

Part 6

It's true Aonung still feels a little tired, anyone would after staying awake on the back of an Ikran for so long, but that isn't all.

Ever since his friends showed up, Neteyam has been acting strangely, in his eyes. Though, it could just be that he's overwhelmed.

Suddenly returning home, seeing old friends he left behind, plus knowing that he won't be able to stay with them. It must be messing with him, even though he's enjoying himself.

Those thoughts are what eases Aonung's mind.

Perhaps he's a little concerned with those friends of his because he doesn't know them, and has the instinct to protect Neteyam, despite knowing the boy doesn't really need it, especially while he's there in his element.

This is the place Neteyam was born and raised. The forest is his home. It's what helped build him into who he is; A strong warrior. Aonung has wanted for some time to really see the mightiest warrior in his element like this, but is still somewhat worried.

The water around helps wash away those worries though.

He resurfaces again, his eyes closed, feeling completely at peace for a moment. Then a voice suddenly fills his ears.

The melody of a female.

With his ears twitching around, his eyes open, looking for the girl singing nearby.

He swims towards the other end of the pond, until he comes past a large root. Behind it, there's a girl sitting in a short, sturdy tree, vocalizing with the sounds of the forest.

With his head halfway above the water, he swims towards her, wondering why she's out alone if it's dangerous.

She looks quite comfortable singing to the creatures around her, until she notices a pair of pale blue eyes watching her from the pond.

She freezes, startled by the sudden sight, then starts to observe his foreign features.

Arafima- Are you one of the Reef visitors?

He nods, and she sighs in relief.

Arafima- Sorry, did I disturb you?

He swims to the edge then pulls himself out of the pond, and her ears perk up as she eyes the rest of his obvious differences.

Aonung- No, you sing well.

Arafima- Oh, thank you.

She turns and hangs her legs off the branch she's on, revealing the anklets she wears. Her long hair has two braids on the left side, accompanied by a large indigo flower.

Aonung- Why are you out here alone?

Arafima- Are you a figment of my imagination?

Aonung- What?

With a soft giggle, she hops out of the tree, landing perfectly, then walks up to him, seeing the confusion on his face. She places a finger on his chest, in a lingering poke.

Arafima- You have a physical presence, so you're actually here. Meaning I'm not alone at all.

He remains silent, unsure what to do with her response, which makes her laugh softly.

Arafima- We can both go back to the village now. Just so you won't be out here by yourself, since you seem scared.

Aonung- I'm not scared.

Arafima- Then why worry?

Again, he doesn't know how to respond, which she seems to think is amusing. As she turns and heads to the path back, her tail sways around.

Arafima- Come on.

Since he was planning to return anyway, he follows the girl through the path, and once they reach the village, she turns to face him.

Arafima- I didn't get your name.

Aonung- Aonung.

Arafima- I'm Arafima. Enjoy your stay, Aonung.

After showing him a smile, she dismisses herself to tend to whatever business she has, while Aonung just decides to return to their temporary home.

His swim has him feeling calmer, which also has him feeling sleepy. He greets his sister and Spider on his way to the den, then once he's there, he goes to sleep, despite everyone other than Wari being awake.

Meanwhile, Neteyam, Lo'ak, Rotxo, and the others stay up well past the time he decides to turn in. Partying with the rest of the village like there's no tomorrow.

After a night of drinking, reminiscing, and playing around, Neteyam wakes up feeling rested.

He also feels a figure curled up to his side, and as he looks around, he realizes he's not in his family's den.

As he thinks of the night prior, he jolts up and looks down at the sleeping girl next to him that begins to wake.

Her sleepy yellow eyes look up at him, and she gives him a tired smile.

Yuuki- Just like old times, huh?

Neteyam- . . . Oh Eywa, what have I done?

He whispers to himself as he runs his hands through his braids, his eyes wide and filled with a mixture of emotions.

They may not have only made out, but he still went home with her, acting like he's not already taken.

He was done with this life, it was behind him.

He's supposed to be a man of heart now, not a man of lust.

Yet here he is, with the same girl, in the middle of the same mistake he repeatedly made before having to move to Awa'atlu.