Harmony and Dissonance

Chapter 4 - Why Do I Walk the Dream

The next few days passed the same as the first one. None of my Na'vi classmates were very personable. They'd talk to me if I talked to them, but it was pretty clear that I was an outsider. The only person that really talked to me was Adam. The guy was actually pretty cool, we had a lot in common. With him being sick all the time he had a lot of free time and he played as many games as I did. We'd often spend the lunch period talking about neural interface games. However, today was turning out to be different. Adam hadn't showed up today. I figured that the scientists that were working on his Psionic Link were doing maintenance of some sort. As such, I was quietly enjoying my lunch alone. That was until Neytiri approached me. I never even knew that I shared a lunch period with her, I had never seen her at lunch.

She did not look at all pleased as she stood in front of me. She looks at me condescendingly as she asks her question, anger plain in her voice, "Why are you here?"

I'm thoroughly confused at why Neytiri would be angry with me. As far as I know, I haven't done anything that would warrant such an attitude. "What do you mean, and why are you angry with me?"

"I've heard stories of the dead world that the Sky People come from, but… I never thought it was so bad. We started covering modern Earth History. I saw pictures of your planet. It's dead, completely dead. You killed your mother!" Neytiri responds, "Why did you come here, Zac? What do you plan on doing to my home?"

"What do I plan on doing to your home?" I answer, confusion plain on my voice, "I am not the RDA or some radical bent on farming this place for all of its resources, Neytiri. Also, I didn't come here from anywhere."

"What do you mean?" Neytiri asks.

"I was born here, on Pandora." I say, "This world is the only home I have ever known. Earth is just as foreign to me as it is to you. Honestly, I wouldn't change anything about our home."

"Still, why are you here? Why are you walking the dream?" She asks in response.

"Because this is the only way I can be closer to my home." I answer honestly. "Other human children heard fairy tales and bedtime stories when they were little. I grew up on the stories of the Na'vi. The same stories I imagine you grew up with. Instead of princes, princesses, and happily ever afters, I heard the tales of the Toruk Makto, the wonders of Eywa, and how everything is connected. For as long as I can remember, all I wanted was to go out into that world that I heard so much about, the world you live in. However, I've been stuck inside the walls of this damned metal town. Now I have a chance to live my dream, and this body is what gives me that chance. You can hate me if you want, for impersonating a Na'vi, for being a Sky Person, for whatever you want, but I will not stop walking the dream, Neytiri. It's everything I've ever wanted."

"I see…" Neytiri responds, her hatred is gone, "I'm sorry for coming at you so. It's just, when I saw the state of Earth compared to what it used to be, I was filled with sadness and rage."

I smile in response before I turn the tables on this conversation, "It's no problem, Neytiri. But since I've shared, how about you? Why are you here?"

"I don't follow." Neytiri responds, as confused as I once was, "I am here to learn."

"Learn about what? Algebra? Earth History? Science? I'm sorry, Neytiri, but that doesn't seem right. The Na'vi have no need and no desire for these things, I know this as well as you. Why are you really here?" I counter.

"I'm not lying when I say I'm here to learn. I'm here to learn about your people. It's been a tradition in my family to go to school here. The eldest females of my family have been doing this since my grandmother's grandmother's mother attended the first school on Pandora. If we are to live in harmony with your people, we should understand you."

I stare at her for a moment. Something has just clicked on in my head. The eldest daughters of each Tsahik in every Na'vi clan inherit the position of their mother. This couldn't be just pure coincidence. If Neytiri is indeed the next Tsahik of the Omaticaya, then she would be a direct descendent of Jake Sully and the Neytiri of 200 years ago. "Say, Neytiri, could you answer one more question for me?"

"I suppose." she replies.

"Is your mother the Tsahik of the Omaticaya?" I ask.

"How did you know? I never said anything about it." Neytiri replies with her question.

"Remember, I know a lot about Na'vi culture. The eldest daughter of the Tsahik inherits the position. When you talked about the eldest female of your family always attending this school, I just had a hunch." I respond. "Anyway, I have a proposal for you and the clan."

"What's that, Zac?" Neytiri asks.

"While school is good and all, you don't truly learn about humans here. What I'm suggesting is that I teach you about humans. Our culture, desires, what makes us us. In exchange, I want you to teach me the ways of the Na'vi, of your people." I make my proposal.

"I'll have to talk with my mother about this." Neytiri answers.

"That's fine." I say, "I have to talk to my parents as well."

Before either of us can say anymore, the bell rings, signaling the end of lunch. I stood up from where I was sitting on the floor. The cafeteria tables were too small for Na'vi to sit at so we all sat on the floor. For some reason, I have the feeling most of the Na'vi would have preferred the floor anyway.

"Later, Neytiri." I say as I clear my place and take my tray to the drop off. Neytiri doesn't say anything as I leave, her brow furrowed as though she was deep in thought. She's obviously still bothered by something, but I don't have time to ask.

The rest of the day is nothing but a blur. I'm more concerned about Neytiri than about anything else. I know that, compared to Pandora, Earth looks like a hellhole, but did it evoke that sort of reaction out of all the Na'vi? I was disgusted, sure, but… Neytiri's reaction was so much more. Eventually, in-between periods I decide to ask one of my classmates about it. I walk up to a random male Na'vi.

"Excuse me, may I talk to you for a moment?" I ask him.

"What you want, dream walker?" he asks me with a thick accent. I realize that this conversation would probably be easier in Na'vi.

[Just a single question. Last year, when you covered modern Earth History. What did you think of the way my people had treated their planet?] I posed.

[I was angry. Your people killed their mother, dream walker. You came here looking to do the same to our home, to Eywa. I hated you for it.] he answered.

[I see…] I say.

[No, you do not. You and your people never See. That is the problem.] The Na'vi said before he left. He leaves me speechless. He's right, of course, and I can't blame him for it. Humans did indeed come to this planet intent on plundering it for its riches.

[Irayo.] I say, but I'm positive that the man didn't hear me.

I cruise through the rest of the day, eager to talk to my parents as soon as possible. The final bell rings and I rush out of the school, fighting and jockeying with everyone else to try and be the first out the doors. I burst out of the school doors and take off at a dead sprint to my house, hoping that my parents aren't out.

I'm in luck as I enter the house to see my parent's Avatars pouring over some books.

"Welcome home, sweetie." Mom says as I enter the house.

"Hi, Mom. You and Dad have a moment, there's something I need to talk to you two about." I respond.

"Alright." Dad answers as he snaps closed the book he was perusing.

I sit down and explain what had happened with Neytiri, what I now know about her, and the proposal I told her to take back to her clan.

"No, absolutely not." Mom says after I explain what I want to do.

"Mom, you've always told me that this planet holds something special, that Eywa actually exists in the trees and the animals. I want to experience that as well. I know I could do that with you all, but I want to See as the Na'vi See. They try, are trying, to understand us so that we can live together, truly sharing the planet with each other. However, no one is making the journey back, no one willing to live as the Na'vi do. I can, I want to. Even if it's only me. Even if I can't convince anyone else to see the Na'vi the way I do, at least the Na'vi will know that their message can touch some of us. You both have observed the Na'vi, learned from them, but I want to be one of them, to understand them, like Neytiri is trying to understand us. This is a two way street, if we don't make the journey like they do, nothing will ever change." I reason, desperately trying to convince my parents to allow me to do this.

"This is very dangerous, son." Dad says, "You're talking about living with them, training with them, hunting with them. There are a great many dangers out in the forest. Your mother and I take an armed escort every time we go out."

"I know. I might die, but this is the only way. How long until the Na'vi retreat from us completely? How long until all the humans see them only have savages. If I can't prevent that for even a little while by showing them that at least one of us cares, then it would be worth it." I reply.

"No. I won't have you running around out there just to get yourself killed." Mom denies.

"Please, this means a lot to me." I plead, putting on my best sad puppy dog expression.

"I say yes." Dad says.

"What?" Mom turns on him, "You can't be serious! You said yourself it's going to be dangerous!"

"Yes, but he's already mad up his mind, Sandy. He's determined and he'll be a pain in the ass until he gets his way. I can't deny him this, because I did the same thing when I was that age. My parents didn't want me to come here, but if I didn't I wouldn't have met you and I never would have experienced the joys of Pandora. We have to let him go at some point. Though, I'll admit, this is a little earlier than I'd like." Dad responds.

"It's not like you won't ever see me again, my real body will be staying here." I say, "Though it's possible to die from the system shock, it's also possible that I'll live through my Avatar's death. Please, Mom."

Mom looks from me, to Dad, then back to me before throwing her hands up in the air, "Fine, do whatever you want. But you better be safe, you hear me. If you die out there, I'll kill you."

"Thanks, Mom." I say in gratitude as I pull her into a hug, "Thanks so much. I just hope the Omaticaya agree."


The next day, I'm surprised to see Neytiri waiting on me as I depart my home.

"Kaltxi, Neytiri." I greet her.

"Kaltxi, Zac." Neytiri returns, "I have talked to my mother and the Olo'eyktan about your proposal. They agree, and I do as well. They told me to tell you that they are expecting you at Kelutral tomorrow, after school."

"That's great news, Neytiri." I say, "I convinced my parents to let me go, so everything is set. You are now my karyu, and I yours."

"Close, but not quite. I will be teaching you about our customs and traditions, but I'm not yet a full fledged hunter. Tuk'lan, my tsmukan, offered to help and will be teaching you how to hunt alongside me. Honestly, I think he likes you." Neytiri replied.

"I guess that's a good thing." I reply, "He seemed like a good guy."

"Anyway, if we don't hurry, we'll be late for class. You sure like to sleep in late." Neytiri says.

"Yeah, I do." I answer truthfully, "Let's go then."


A/N

I'm saddened by the decrease in reviews that I've been getting. The first chapter netted 5 reviews, the second 3, and the last chapter got a lonely 1. Please review, it lets me know that someone is reading. While I enjoy writing this story, there's little point if no one is reading it.

Anyway, I hope that you all enjoyed chapter 4.