Jake and Neytiri were at the Tree of Voices. Neytiri was caressing some vines, while Jake was standing behind her.
"You may choose a woman." Said Neytiri. "We have many fine women."
Neytiri turned to face Jake. "Peyrall is a good hunter." She said solemnly.
Jake is surprised to see Peyrall walk out from the trees and stand in front of him with her head bowed. For a moment, Jake contemplated Peyrall's sweet pretty Na'vi face. He then looked over at Neytiri who was staring at him expectantly. Jake sighed with resignation, realising what he had to do.
"I don't want Peyrall." Jake said reluctantly.
On hearing Jake's rejection, Peyrall ran sobbing into the forest. Jake looked after her with a pained expression on his face. But he didn't have time to dwell on Peyrall's distress.
"Ninat is the best singer." Said Neytiri.
Jake then saw Ninat walk timidly from out of the forest. Ninat looked up at Jake with her love-filled melancolic beautiful eyes. Jake frowned and looked over at the area where Ninat had come from and realised that all the single Na'vi young women were queued up behind her. Jake gulped as it dawned on him what Neytiri was expecting him to do.
Jake looked over at Neytiri who was still staring at him. She had her arms folded across her chest and was impatiently tapping her left foot on the ground. She was clearly waiting to hear his response. Jake sighed and turned to face Ninat's sweet beautiful pleading eyes.
"I have already chosed." Said Jake cautiously. "I choose you Neytiri."
Jake hoped that by not naming Ninat, it would reduce the impact of the rejection. But it had little effect. Tears in her eyes, Ninat covered her face with her hands and fled weeping into the forest. To hear the sobs of the gentle young woman fade into the distance pained Jake greatly. Jake felt like there were stones in his heart as he heard Ninat's beautiful singing voice turned into a heart-broken wail of despair.
"Since I have chosen you, Neytiri." Said Jake looking anxiously at the queue of disconsolate Na'vi women awaiting their turn. "I surely don't need to see the others."
"No Jake. It doesn't work like that." Neytiri glared at Jake sternly, her arms still folded firmly across her chest. "You must reject all the other women in person. Then they must all watch us mate for life so they know they can never ever have you."
"Is this a Na'vi tradition?" Asked Jake frowning.
"No." Neytiri smiled sweetly at him. "It just makes me feel good."
