Footprints
Little Neytiri always hated being left alone to be taken care of by other members of her family, she was extremely loyal to her parents in attachment as any child below two years of age. Her young mind failed to realize that her parents held very important roles in the clan as she believed their main priority was to remain by her side constantly. She felt lost without them and the young infant aimed to prove that nobody could compare to her beloved mother and father.
Whenever she was left alone in the company of relatives or other clan members, she strived to free herself and find her way back to her parents. It was an amusing scene to her father when he watched his little Neytiri try to crawl her way to them but she was always caught, her little golden eyes watering to the thought of abandonment. Of course, Eytukan caved in to his youngest and brought her along most of the time to calm her somber sniffles but his mate lectured him that it was time to widen her circle of trust. Neytiri could only call out to her parents for attention since she'd recently learned to voice their names and managed to stand by gripping onto objects but she scratched her bum whenever she fell. Still, she kept trying her best to prove that she could take care of herself alone and follow her parents.
Sylwanin didn't mind staying with family at all since she enjoyed visiting her relatives, spending a day in their footsteps, but did become a little irritated at having to watch her defiant little sister. She obeyed her parents quietly, knowing that they held her best interests at heart and their tasks as clan leaders would often leave her in the care of family. It was a fact she'd adapted to throughout the years but her young sister refused to budge and was insistent to follow them everywhere. She found it humorous when her baby sister crawled behind her parents with a happy smile, believing she'd snuck aboard into their newest trip- only to be returned to her arms for safekeeping. Sylwanin had been the victim of many tantrums of a disappointed Neytiri as she'd been left to shush her sobs but the sisters loved each other.
On a particularly sunny day, Mo'at found her youngest playing on the floor with wooden animal toys and kneeled down to inform her child gently, "Neytiri, you are staying with uncle's family for a little while. We will return soon."
This set off an alarm in the child's mind and her hands immediately shot out to clamp onto Mo'at but her mother was one step ahead, placing her favorite blanket in front of her. Neytiri's fingers were blocked from grabbing hold for an emergency latching and she frowned irritably when her mother patted her head, wrapping the pink blanket around her shoulders to restrain her little hands. Mo'at wrapped her cozily into the blanket with motherly assurance she'd return and walked away from her daughters.
No, she would not be left behind this time.
"No, sa'nu" she sniffled tearfully as she crawled after her but she was too slow, unsteadily climbing up on her two legs to wobble towards her departing parents as that was the last resort left for her. With a fussy growl, she freed herself from the bothersome soft blanket to give chase to her departing parents. Her eyes blurred painfully at being abandoned (despite Sylwanin was eating a snack within touching distance) and her little hands swiped at the air as she cried longingly, "No, sa'nu. . .sempu."
Her mother was used to her daughter's cries since birth but her father always held a soft spot for his children and Neytiri's calls worked like a charm at pulling her father's heartstrings. Eytukan turned around to watch his weeping daughter slowly making her way towards him, steadfast steps heading in their direction as her little hands swiped at the air to beckon them back. He was worried that she'd fall due to her desperate haste but she kept in pace with her little steps as she called out to them. Well. . .this was definitely something new for Eytukan.
Noticing that her father had stopped in her blurry vision, she strengthened the force in her short steps and the speed as she was determined to catch him. She wouldn't allow herself to fall because if she did, it was over for her and they would leave her alone. The thought alone was unbearable for Neytiri's heart and it fueled her resolve. Little fingers curled in the hopes that she'd be held by both her parents soon and she cried frantically to her parent, "Sempu, my sempu!"
Neytiri might not have noticed her newest action in motion but her father certainly did, admiration shining in his eyes to her little steps. Eytukan turned to his mate, who had forced herself to ignore the motherly force that beckoned her to return to her sniveling child, and quickly told her with enthusiasm, "Mo'at, look, she's walking."
The matriarch instantly turned around at this, casting aside the possible tantrum since it would be a milestone for their child after watching her fall multiple times throughout Kelutral. However, if she fell on her bum again, her mate would get an earful for being swayed by her cries. They needed to meet with their messengers to send their trading goods, mostly fabrics and dried meats, for the western clans that grew various delicious grains for trade in return. Eytukan kneeled down to encourage his youngest child to accomplish her goal, watching her lips hitch in hopeful smile despite her tear stained cheeks. Neytiri's little feet scurried to her awaiting father, her crystalline tears drying up as she finally reached him and her heart never felt happier.
Falling into his arms with fearful whimpers, she hugged him close to make sure he never left her again and sniffled sadly, "My sempu."
"There, there, Neytiri" he soothed her soft sobs and picked her up, her small form molding into his arms easily as she clung tightly to his shoulders. Each little cry reminded him of the day she'd been born, moments before the breaking of dawn, and rubbed her back gently to simmer her crying. Neither parent could bear an upset child and strived to keep their children safely happy within Kelutral. Eytukan stood up to hold her close to show he wasn't leaving anytime soon since she'd made him proud with those insistent little steps and lectured gently, "Sa'nu and I will never leave you but you must learn to stay when we tell you too. Sometimes, little children cannot venture with their parents because danger could be near."
She uttered a defiant huff to the idea and wrapped her arms around his neck, showing her never-ending loyalty by mumbling firmly with pouting lips, "No, sempu, no."
Eytukan chuckled fondly to her insistence to remain by their side and she smiled brightly when her mother dried her tearful face with the end of her shawl. Neytiri loved the delicate soft fabrics that her mother wore, always finding comforting warmth within her arms and her little fingers wrapped around her wrist with an affectionate 'sa'nu'. Mo'at leaned down to kiss the top of her little hand to bring luster back into her child's eyes and smiled at her mate, "It seems we will have to postpone our outing."
"Or we could take her along, she falls asleep rather quickly" Eytukan reasoned with a warm smile as he gently poked the bottom of their daughter's nose, causing a giddy laugh to leave her lips. She wiggled happily in his arms, happy that she would be tagging along for this trip too and was eager to begin her newest adventure beside them. Unfortunately, her father knew that certain noises caused her to become drowsy and he explained to his mate with a mischievous tone, "The chirps of the insects in the clearings will lull her to sleep and being in the shade will have her yawning within minutes."
"Only for today but good little girls must let go of their parents one day" Mo'at lectured her expectant daughter, kissing her forehead affectionately as Neytiri babbled gibberish and her name. She brushed back Neytiri's loose hair, smiling when her little ears flattened against her fingers and stated dotingly, "I'm very proud of you, my little one."
Neytiri clung onto her father happily as they departed, leaving poor Sylwanin to help her uncle by making arrows but would learn to master her crafting skills there so all was not lost. As Eytukan predicted, their little toddler soon fell asleep against Mo'at's soft shawl as she'd wrapped her cozily in her arms and kept her in the shade to lull her into dreamland. Little Neytiri would always venture after her beloved father since the day she learned to walk and despite the danger, she would follow him loyally without a second thought. He was her leader, teacher, and most importantly, her father and role model; she would honor and mourn him in life but he would live on in her steps.
A/N: It's about time I posted another vignette, I like putting one between each large chapter of the main story and life opened up to give me time to write it. Little toddlers are adorable and their endless energy can zap yours before you know it. With Neytiri's new pregnancy, I saw it fitting to do a quick vignette about her own childhood since I'm certain her baby will be running all over the place with her and Jake after them.
Laithano:Yep, Anaya and Arat have a story of their own which we'll see develop in the vignettes and the main story.
Bigoldfrog: One thing I love in stories is character development, whether for better or worse, it's an interesting psychology. Each little vignette shows every day life while also showing how it's shaped the current character in the story. It really does get you attached as you build a background and give them their own life in the story.
Jack Black: I really like Akon's character, we'll see more of him in flashbacks in the main story and vignettes. He's a man with enough willpower to initiate change throughout his entire clan with Nitari by his side; they're one of the sweetest and tragic couples in the story.
Moonlight Calls: Anaya's quite a character, she's not hesitant to speak up but can be self-conscious about her ramblings. Also, she's quite brilliant with clan history and is quite the musician as the tale progresses.