+Growing Feelings+
Mia's P.O.V
I awoke the next morning to Norm and my brother's voices. Apparently Norm was trying to teach Jake Na'vi which definitely wasn't going all that well. Groaning in annoyance at my brother's stupidity in the language I sat up in bed and pronounced the word correctly startling both of them.
"Na'vi is not that hard, Jake," I mumbled angrily as I swung my legs over the bed and walked over to them. Taking a seat near Norm as Grace brought me breakfast, I added, "in fact, Na'vi is much simpler than German. Well at least to me it was."
"Yeah, well I don't know either so what now," Jake glared as I simply rolled my eyes and replied, "What now? I'm going to help Norm and Neytiri teach you, so that next time you won't make the mistake of saying their hello as 'I feel you,' instead of, 'I see you.' Sometimes I wonder about you dear brother." Norm silently watched this interaction between my brother and me. His grin grew as we both seemed oblivious too it for a few moments, until I turned and replied, "What?"
"Nothing, it's just that you two…well you've made some progress since you've been here. When I first met you, it was like you guys didn't know enough English to speak to one another," Norm replied as I once again rolled my eyes and turned back to my brother. However, Jake took it as a compliment and smiled. After a few tries at teaching my brother I turned the reigns over to Norm as I dug into my breakfast.
"This is a very important part of it," Norm replied waving his arms around as Jake mimicked him.
"I see you, I see you," Jake cut in, but Norm stopped him and replied, "But it's not just, 'I'm seeing you in front of me,' it's 'I see into you. I see you. I'm accepting you. I understand you.' So you gotta get this okay." Drinking the rest of my bowel of cereal I sat it down, wiped my mouth, and shook my head as I turned to Norm and spoke in Na'vi, "He still thinks with muscle, and not heart. It's going be harder for him to learn the language than it was for us." Jake looked confused as he watched my lips move, but not being able to understand the language coming out from my mouth, especially when Norm turned and replied, "He can learn it. He's just being stubborn. He acts like this is all a big game and it's not."
"Would you two please stop talking in that language! It's driving me nuts," Jake complained angrily looking between Norm and me.
"Well learn it, and then you'll know what we're saying," I replied as I stood up and patted him on the shoulder.
"Come on it's time to go link with our avatars. Hopefully Neytiri will be able to teach you better than we can," I said almost pleading to Eywa.
Heading over to the machines, Norm followed us as he helped to get the machines set up for Jake and I. Norm must have been taking to slow for Jake as he got into the machine, because I heard him call out to him, "I gotta run! Okay? Let's go." Shaking my head I walked over to the controls of my machine as Grace made her way over and showed me how to set it up on my own.
Then once I was lying down on my link bed she looked over at me and asked, "Did you sleep well last night? No nightmares I hope." Shaking my head I replied, "Dream free, and well rested. I'm ready to go." Smiling she lowered the net and then the hatch. Closing my eyes and letting my mind go blank, I let my conscience travel over into my avatar.
Upon awakening I heard someone calling my name. Looking up I found Neytiri and Jake waiting for me. "Ugh, what is it," I faked sleepiness as I sat up and yawned, which in turn brought on a real one. Stretching I stood up in my net and jumped up onto the limb where they were.
"See she's fine. She's just sleeps like she's dead," Jake kidded around with Neytiri who only shook her head before turning back to me, "Tsu'tey has gone for two days to visit another clan. He will be back to teach you, but in the mean time I will be your teacher." Nodding in agreement Neytiri turned and motioned for us to follow her.
Later that day you'd find us running around, and jumping across tree limbs, while Neytiri tested our tracking abilities. She wanted to make sure that we'd be able to keep up with our prey when chasing after it.
I will say one thing. Keeping up with Neytiri was a pain, but the one person I never thought I'd have a hard time keeping up with again was my brother. Ever time she'd leap, he would too. Every time she'd jump to another branch so would he. His legs were getting strong, tougher in fact. He could run longer distances, and he seemed happy in this body, and from the looks he gave Neytiri I had a feeling why. It was the same look I had given Tsu'tey recently.
Neytiri jumped suddenly as she used a higher branch to swing her across to the other side. Jake followed her example and landed just as gracefully behind her. Gulping I strapped my bow around my shoulder and used both of my hands instead of one. I landed where I was supposed to, maybe not as gracefully as them, but I landed all the same. Maybe being a gymnast here wasn't all that good.
Neytiri continued on once she knew we were still behind her. The next time she repeated it, this time I followed her every movement even though it scared the living daylight out of me. Only this time I landed just as gracefully as her, and it put me in front of Jake.
By the time we finished for the day my whole body felt sore, but a good kind of sore. It was the kind of sore I loved back when I did gymnastics. Back when we didn't do this for survival, but for fun. Back when things seemed simpler, but also back when I wasn't as happy. Here, I was.
Taking a seat next to Neytiri at dinner she turned toward me and asked, "Your hair got in the way of you today. I think it's time for me to braid it for you." A little stunned I turned to look at her, but seeing her genuine grin, I too smiled as I replied, "That would be nice." Taking a bite of my fruit I swallowed it before asking, "So why did Tsu'tey leave again?"
"He went to another clan nearby. He and father are building up trust with the other clans so that if there is war soon, they will be there to help," she explained as I simply nodded.
Neytiri and I made light conversation all throughout dinner as Jake just watched us, mostly her really. He listened as Neytiri and I laughed, joked, and talked about him, or Tsu'tey. After dinner Neytiri took me up to where Sese, her ikran was, and sat me down as she braided my hair into individual braids. She said that it would help keep most of it out of my face. She said she would keep only a portion of it out of the big braid. Not arguing with her I let her do her work.
At some point Jake came up to watch and talk with us, all the while Neytiri drilled us on our Na'vi. At some point she finished with my hair, but once again left a pink flower attached to the braid.
Jake smiled warmly when he caught sight of my new look after he had been staring at Neytiri for a long time. I smiled back at him, and watched as he turned his eyes on her as she continued to drill him on a few Na'vi words. After a little while I left them to their own selves as I went climbing through Home-Tree discovering new sights, and beauties all around it.
However as I was coming back down, I found Mo'at. Stopping in front of her as I jumped down from one of the limbs she replied, "I see you're learning quickly." Nodding I answered, "Na'vi life suits me better than my old one." Mo'at smiled at my words and replied, "There are not many of your people like you MiaSully. I am glad Eywa blessed us with you and your brother, and gave us hope that maybe someday we will be able to teach the others." My eyes fell as I replied, "Not many others will want to be taught. Most of my people just want to use your world. Not learn it."
"But there are some who are different, yes," Moat replied. Nodding I answered, "Yes, there are many who want to learn, like Grace, Norm, Max, and a few others. They've been trying to reach out to your people for awhile now with no success. Maybe, you should give them a chance once more. Second chances are a big thing from where I'm from."
"I will think about it. It is getting late MiaSully. You and I should both retire," she insisted placing her hand on my arm in a motherly sort of way. Nodding I told her goodnight before heading back down to my bed. Upon arriving I found Jake's and Neytiri's beds empty. Rolling my eyes with a chuckle I jumped inside mine and let my eyes slowly drift close as the first day without Tsu'tey ended.
The next day I awoke early in my avatar as did Jake, and this time we found ourselves waking Neytiri instead of the other way around. Once she was fully awake she drug us down to where the direhorses were to train with them once again. I was getting better, whereas Jake was still having trouble.
"Yeah! Check it out," Jake cried as he got the horse to move quicker and much more carefully this time, however at the very last moment the direhorse turned to quickly and he came tumbling off and right back into the mud below. Neytiri and I heard a low, "Crap," as we both giggled at his immaturity, which had ultimately led to his falling. If he had taken it much more slowly he would have been perfectly fine.
When it came my turn I could already see the disgruntle look on Jake's face as I easily rode the direhorse around the clearing; however he got his laugh in as well. Forgetting to remind the horse calmly and slowly I was slung off into a pile of mud. Needless to say I wasn't happy.
However the mud got washed off as soon as the rain came. Neytiri changed our training on the direhorse to going out and reading the trails and the tracks at the waterhole since they'd be easier to spot in the wet ground. Jake found this to be a bit of annoyance, as did I, but it was still sort of cool learning about stuff like this all the same. It could come in handy at some point in my life.
Later when the rain stopped Jake, Neytiri, and I stumbled upon a group of viperwolves. Easing slowly, and quietly, through the brush we found a few cubs and their mother as she nursed them and played with them like any mother would do. Though the creature seemed mean, and deadly like that one night Jake and I got caught out in the middle of nowhere; here the viperwolf was adorable, and sweet. Now I could see why Neytiri had been so mad that night when she had found Jake and me. These creatures had families just like us, and spirits just like us, and we hadn't been thinking that when we had been attacking them. We thought they were just trying to kill us, but they were protecting their own families, and providing for their cubs.
That night when I awoke in my human body I felt different. I felt like I didn't belong. I mean I had felt like it before, but not like this. No, this was much different. It felt like I was trapped here. Like there was no escape, but only through my avatar.
"Hey you okay," Norm asked as I pushed the food around on my plate.
"Yeah, just a little tired," I replied finally looking up at him. He gave a short nod of understanding before walking away and over to Trudy. I watched as they laughed and joked together, and how their eyes seemed to follow each others movements. I could see the connection there just as clearly as I could see the one between Jake and Neytiri. Pushing my plate away I walked over to my cot and lied down. Leaning my arm over the side I pulled my bag up to me and opened it. Digging through its contents I found a heart shaped silver necklace. Opening the clasp I felt a few tears bubble up in my eye as I looked at the man who was hidden within it; the man with deep emerald eyes, and a strong visible jaw structure. The man with the sandiest blonde hair you'd ever find, and shoulders so broad you'd think he was a god. Sage, how I missed him. I could remember him as clear as day.
"Hey sweetie you want some pancakes," I questioned looking between the man sitting at the dinning table and the scalding pan full of pancakes beside me.
"Do you even have to ask," he laughed while pouring himself a cup of black coffee. Rolling my eyes I flipped the pancakes to make sure they were done on both sides before pushing them off onto a plate. Walking over to Sage, almost barely dressed in a skimpy pink silk robe, and a pair of my best underclothes, I came to stand behind him. He looked up and smiled at me, as I leaned down and kissed him.
When I pulled away it wasn't for long; only long enough to place the plate of pancakes on the table. Turning back to Sage I took a seat in his lap as we made out in the middle of the kitchen. I used to dream of doing something like this when I was sixteen, but I had never imagined how it would feel to be with somebody you truly loved. Then again I never imagined what it would be like for them to have a phone either.
Pulling away Sage leaned over me to grab his phone. Pressing the talk button he put it to his ears. I got up casually and took a seat in my own chair as I put pancakes and bacon onto my plate. Sage eventually stood and left the room. However a few minutes he returned dressed and ready.
"Where are you going," I asked innocently as I took a bite of my pancakes.
"To go pick up some papers, it seems me and Jake's leave dates have been moved up," Sage answered solemnly as he picked up a piece of cold bacon off of his plate and placed it into his mouth.
"Sage I thought you said this time wou…"
"Mia, please don't start. This isn't my fault. I can't help it they want us back so soon," Sage defended himself. Angrily, without a word, I stood and made my way to the bedroom. Sage dropped his things on the counter in the hallway, and immediately followed. I almost had the door shut when he stuck his foot in between. Opening it up he made his way inside all the while I was fighting tears.
"Baby, I told you I have to wait another year to get out. Then you can have me all to yourself. I promise. We can even start a fam…"
"No, Sage. I already told you I don't want to…"
"Sooner or later Mia you're going to have to let that go. What happened was an accident and it won't happen again. Trust me you're ready to try again I know you are. The nightmares have lessoned the breakdowns have almost went away. Trust me you can handle it," Sage replied comfortingly as he took me into his arms.
"I can't Sage. I just…I'm not ready. Right now I just want you, and only you," I whispered into his chest. Sage sighed in defeat, and with a shake of his head he pulled away.
"I gotta go," he mumbled walking out the room. Before he left I could see the hurt in his eyes. I knew how bad Sage wanted a family. I knew how he's family had abandon him, but I just couldn't.
"When will you be back," I asked following him to the door.
"Don't wait up. I think I'm going to go out tonight with the guys," he replied and without a kiss goodbye he was out the door.
"I didn't know you even still had that," Jake said as he rolled up beside me. Wiping my eyes I stuck it back in my bag. "It's a memory Jake, how can I forget it. Sage bought it for me after we had that fight," I mumbled.
"I know. I was with him that night he drug me and other guys to the jewelry shop. He felt horrible for pushing you," Jake replied as he wheeled over to his bed. Nodding I stood up and helped him in, something I was surprised he let me do. Once we said goodnight I shut off the light and returned to my own bed.
Grace came by briefly to give me my new nightly medication, and once she left it only took a few seconds for it to take effect. Within a little amount of time I was dead asleep
The next morning I didn't even stop to eat breakfast, as I immediately started up my machine and jumped in before Grace could catch me. When I awoke I found Jake too had taken to my example as he opened up his cocoon and jumped out while faking a yawn.
Neytiri was already up and waiting for us down at breakfast. When we arrived she took one look at me and laughed.
"What," I asked as she walked over and picked at my hair.
"I think maybe it might be time for me to redo your hair. It looks like the rain got to it yesterday," she replied holding it up in front of me. That's when I could see the mud, the leaves and the frizz. Groaning I let her lead me away from Jake and down to the river to wash. Unlike Tsu'tey she didn't make me go that far in; just enough to wash out the grime. Then undoing the braids I let her brush through my hair with her fingers. When it was smooth enough she began to redo it, but instead of braiding it individually she braided it back into one thick braid leaving only two pieces to hang out in front. Looping them she clipped them to my hair. Then as a final touch she once again added a flower; a purple one this time. (Imagine Katara from Avatar the last Airbender almost.)
"See, as good as new," she smiled pointing to the water. Looking down I smiled. If Neytiri knew how to do one thing, it was styling hair.
"Thank you," I replied with a warm smile.
"Come on. I believe it's time we go find Jake," she spoke as she took my hand and pulled me up. Walking back to Home-tree we caught sight of someone familiar. I had to literally hold myself back from hugging him. I don't know why the feeling came over me, since he was a bit of a jerk. I guess I could blame it on my irritation of Jake's love sick puppy eyes toward Neytiri. I mean it can get quite annoying watching those two moon over one another, without realizing they had feelings for the other person.
When he turned and caught site of me, he formed a slight grin, but then turned away to talk to Mo'at once again.
"Looks like you'll be leaving Jake and me soon," Neytiri frowned slightly almost as if she were about to lose her long lost sister.
"Don't worry. If I can escape the beast I'll come back and visit you two," I smiled at her as hers slowly grew into a grin.
Upon reaching Jake we found him sitting around a group of female warriors as he told them stories of his life. Neytiri frowned slightly, but hid it quickly as she walked up to him.
"It's time to go," she told him simply as she patted his shoulder and walked off. Jake frowned at her as she walked away with a cold gaze. Looking up at me he found me rolling my eyes as I replied, "Go on."
"Aren't you coming," he questioned.
"Tsu'tey is back. I think it's best if I just stay here until he comes and finds me," I implied a little sternly, letting my emotions get to me.
"Okay, well I'll see you around sis," he replied, and with that he stood, kissed me on the cheek, and walked away leaving the female warriors to gawk.
"You're his sister," most of them muttered. Nodding I replied a little angrily, "What did you think I was…his mate?" They all nodded vigorously, and with that I rolled my eyes and with a shake of my head I walked away.
Finding my way to the top of the tree where I had found Tsu'tey that day, I found the place barren. Sighing I took a seat on the branch, and laid back. Crossing my arms behind my head I looked up at the other branches and sky above. Now this was the life. If only I could close my eyes and fall asleep instead traveling back to my human body.
"I knew I'd find you somewhere higher up in Home-tree," smiling I opened my eyes and turned my head to see Tsu'tey standing above me.
"I was hiding from Jake and Neytiri. Too much running, jumping, and training," I groaned as Tsu'tey took a seat beside my head.
"At least she kept you busy while I was gone," Tsu'tey replied looking out over the jungle.
"She made me sore too," I complained as I went to sit up.
"It means your muscles are getting stronger," he grinned as I sent him a simple glare. Turning to look at me he noticed the difference quickly as he asked, "I see Neytiri finally got a hold of your hair." Nodding I pulled my braid forward and replied, "She's really good at styling it. However I like it down better than up." Raising a brow he asked, "Why?"
"Because I can hide my face when I want to. Hide what I'm feeling," I shrugged casually. Frowning he answered, "There's no need to hide your feelings. I will not judge you, and I wouldn't let anyone else do so. You are safe here unlike with your sky people." Turning to look him in the eyes I mumbled, "Some of my people are corrupt. They'll use you in any way they can. Then again there are those who would do anything for you to make sure you'll be safe, and you won't get hurt. Grace, Jake, Norm, Max, and many other people I know are like that; especially my brother Tommy. He was always there to help me when I was in deep trouble."
"Was?"
"He passed a week before I was sent here. One of those corrupt people decided his life wasn't worth anything compared to the stuff he had on him. I was there when it happened. I still can't get it out of my mind. I still feel like it's my fault that he died. I feel like I could have done something," I choked as the memory surfaced. Tsu'tey placed a comforting hand on my shoulder and whispered, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring it up. If I had known…."
"You didn't, so don't worry about it," I mumbled wiping my dry eyes. At least no tears came this time. Standing up I placed all my emotions into a concrete box inside my mind, and closed it. Then with an expression as cold as stone I said, "Well, are we going to train or not." He simply looked at me for a moment before nodding.
Tsu'tey's P.O.V
When I arrived back at Home-tree I almost dreaded going back to the same routine, until I quickly remembered a certain girl who was waiting on me to return. Though she may not be my girl, she was my student, and she did keep my life interesting since she had been there.
When I caught site of her walking with Neytiri I barely noticed the changes in her. All I saw were her eyes glowing as they stared into mine. She was just as happy to see me. Before I could catch myself I grinned at her, which she quickly returned. Forcing myself to look away I quickly turned back to Mo'at to discuss business.
Once we were done I went to find her, but I quickly found she was harder to find than most people around here. Getting a tip from one of my friends I quickly went up to the top of Home-tree where my ikran usually rested. Upon arriving I found her casually resting on the limb. When I spoke out she didn't seem startled, almost happy that I had found her.
She went on to tell me that she had been hiding from Neytiri, and her brother; something about them putting her through hard and vigorous training. I knew she was just complaining to entertain me though. When I turned to get a better look at her it wasn't that difficult to notice her new hairstyle. It seemed fitting for her since she'd be moving around a lot very soon, but still, I missed her old look. She seemed to second that opinion just as quickly.
When I asked why, she basically explained it hid her emotions whenever it hung down. It angered me a little that she'd want to do that. There was no reason to hide her emotions here. None of us would judge her. Eywa would not judge her. If anyone did I'd probably shoot an arrow straight through their throats. She was safe here unlike with the sky people.
When I voiced my opinion her face darkened as she explained how her people were. In her opinion there were two sides to them. There was a good side like Dr. Augustine, and a bad side, which we all suspected. When she tried to tell me people who were good in her own opinion her eyes seemed to fall fairly quickly at a specific name. I quickly found it was her brother who had passed recently. I wanted to hold her and whisper comforting words, but she was my student, and I was her teacher. I barely knew her, and I knew I shouldn't do anything of the sort so I simply placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and told her I was sorry, and that I hadn't meant to bring it up, which in turn made her seem almost ashamed as she murmured back that it wasn't my fault, because I didn't know.
As she stood up and my hand fell from her shoulder I watched as she drew back her emotions and hid them behind a strong fortress. She was drawing herself in, something most warriors had to do; something that she must have perfected over a long amount of time. Turning to me she replied with no emotion, "Well, are we going to train or not." With a nod I stood up and walked ahead as she followed me.
That day I knew I had seen a side of her that she rarely let anyone see. A side that probably even her brother had barely seen. Mia was hurting, and for what entirely I did not know. What I did know was that she was still grieving over the loss of loved ones. That much I learned from her explanation of her past mate, and her brother. For some odd reason, I had this feeling that there was more to everything about her. More reason to why she had to force away her cold exterior to be around other people. It's not that she was as her people call it, a bitch. She simply just forced people away so that they wouldn't see her vulnerable. So that they wouldn't learn that she was probably slowly falling apart inside.
Eywa only knew how much I wanted to reach out to her, but if I did I had a feeling it would open other doors that need not be opened. I could not risk my future, as selfish as that sounded. She'd have to figure this out on her own. I just hoped Eywa would forgive me in the long run.
I hope this is to your liking. Eh I'm not really happy with it though. I think I could have done better in this chapter, but I think my spunk has sort of just flown away at the moment. Hopefully it will pick back up again as soon as I get time to watch the movie once more. I'll try to update as soon as I can, but remember I'm working nowadays so it might take a while. Anyway I hope you enjoyed this chapter, because I really loved all of your reviews. At this point I'd love to hear some helpful feedback, maybe even some ideas since lately I'm running short. Either way thanks for reading, and hopefully reviewing.
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