Calm Before The Storm, Jake Sully

057, First Time For Everything.

♯┆calm before the storm .ᐟ
━━━━━━━━━━

     Returning to Awa'atlu, Denahi had forgotten how hot the sun burnt her back. Or how the sand felt between her toes. A complicated rush of emotions flooded back. This was the last place she had seen Neteyam, the last place she had been pregnant. A son she could no longer strap to her chest. Feel his breath. Her chin stood high as she continued to walk.

Denahi wouldn't allow this vulnerability anymore. She had to be strong. Her children had to see that she wasn't weak. Although, that strength was an act. Nothing more than a stage performance she put on.

"Momma... Ronal has said you must rest," Malhua announced into the dark air. Denahi stood holding onto her bow. She believed more she practiced, her wound would heal within seconds. She was wrong. Denahi turned around to Tuk and Malhua before attempting to pull the string back once more. But, she felt nothing but pain.

Her arm snapped, her shoulder screaming in mortified pain. "Ah!" Denahi cried out, hissing at herself before slamming the bow down into the sand. Malhua squeaked, hiding herself behind Tuk for a second.

Denahi looked at her scared daughter. "I am sorry. Momma is sorry," Denahi mentioned before kneeling into the sand. Malhua straightened herself and ran towards Denahi, curling into her lap. "You have to rest it, momma," Tuk told Denahi with a smile.

Denahi nodded her head, stroking her children's tamed plaits. "I will see Ronal. Go find Lo'ak," Denahi told her daughters.

She stood and walked to Ronal's marui. Ronal welcomed her in with a smile before gathering her materials. "You have resisted?" Ronal asked Denahi. The woman looked toward the ground, avoiding Ronal's stare.

That was a telling answer. "I have told you to rest, Nahi. It will not heal." Denahi sighed before nodding her head. Ronal spread some paste across a leaf, fastening it to Denahi.

Later that night, the Metkayina had to speak with the Tulkun council. Payakan had been causing too much trouble for them. But, Denahi knew how much this would hurt Lo'ak. He had bonded with Payakan. Payakan was his brother.

"The matriarch has spoken. She says the outcast continues to defy the Tulkun way. All killing is forbidden. He was outcast for this, but he has done it again. The outcast attacked the demonship bringing death to our people. Even the son of Toruk Makto," Tonowari announced to his clan. Denahi gripped onto Jake's arm after he announced Neteyam's name to them all.

"Dad... They can't blame Payakan for that," Lo'ak whispered to Jake. Denahi turned her head to him, nodding in agreement. But, Jake thought the opposite, "Shh. Not now."

After a few clicks and rumbles from the matriarch Tonowari spoke again, "She says he continues to disrupt. Spreading bad ideas among our young. She says he will only bring more death." Denahi looked over at Lo'ak once more. He wasn't happy with anything Tonowari was translating.