Demand for Neytiri's services as tsahik went through the roof after Kiree's ceremony. Every woman who had attended told friends, and the friends told their friends, with the result being that the Olo'eyctan's mate suddenly found herself with a very full schedule almost every day.
She still attended hunters' meetings, since she was there as tsahik as much as taronyu, but more often than not she was off to tend her fellow clan members as soon as the midday meal was over and didn't return until very late in the afternoon. Mo'at also occasionally asked her daughter to assist with mas'kit nivi sa'nok, so Neytiri was suddenly quite busy.
Norm had brought his first two scientist-volunteers to today's afternoon meeting. The next ISV was expected to arrive in about seven months, and both he and Jake wanted to have the avatar team familiar with the Omaticaya and New Hometree well before it arrived.
"Hey Jake. These are the two I was telling you about. This is Dr. Chris Miller, head of entomology, and Dr. Kim Yoshi, head of zoology." The scientists nodded politely as they were introduced.
The Olo'eyctan looked at the two newcomers and spoke bluntly. "I'm gonna lay it out straight for you guys. We screwed these people over by coming here and that was wrong. I'm not going to let it happen again, whatever it takes. If you wanna call that going native, fine. Here's the rules: No tech, no advanced knowledge, nothing that'll change their culture." He cringed inside as he said that, knowing that he himself would be the biggest violator of that decree, but plowed ahead anyway, "I'm sure Norm's told you that we're here to learn from them, not the other way around. You have any questions, you bring it to me first. I've got veto power over everything. You have a problem with that, don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out."
Norm winced internally at the marine's borderline hostility. Can't blame him though, given the way everyone treated him before, he thought to himself. Glad I warned them ahead of time.
Miller, who was (surprisingly) dressed as a Na'vi and for some reason had a carry-net full of fruit on her back, took the near-tirade with aplomb. "Understood. I appreciate the opportunity you're giving us, Olo'eyctan. As far as I'm concerned it's a miracle that this is being allowed at all. I assure you that the very last thing in the world that I want to do is blow it."
She looked at the ex-marine and spoke in a softer tone. "I'm afraid that there aren't many scientists known for carrying a brass pair. Augustine was the closest thing we had, and the rest of us were too glad to leave the politicking to her and keep our heads buried in the sand. Truth be told, we're just as much to blame for what happened as anyone, if not more so. We saw what was happening and pretended it wasn't, just so we could keep our noses buried in our own work. For what it's worth, I'm sorry."
It was the right thing to say, and moreover he could see that the words were meant. "My name's Jake," he said, a bit more courteously.
Chris replied firmly, "You come visit Hell's Gate in your human body and I'll call you Jake. I'll call you that here when I've earned the privilege."
He looked at the scientist in startlement, "My human body's dead."
The entomologist looked at him evenly, "So?"
A hint of a smile appeared on the marine's face. The woman had a full clip of atitude, that was for sure. "I think we'll get along." He turned to the other avatar, "You're the zoologist?"
Kim took his clue from the entomologist and reached forward to shake Jake's hand. "Kim Yoshi, Olo'eyctan. I can't tell you how thrilled I am to get this chance."
"It's Tsahik Mo'at who's giving you this chance, not me," Jake replied. "I suppose I should take you to her."
A familiar voice commented formally, "That is unnecessary, Jakesully." The tall woman strode with regal dignity towards the small group. She looked over the newcomers. "So, these are the new dreamwalkers you spoke of."
"Yes, Tsahik," Norm spoke respectfully. "This is Chris, and that is Kim," he said as he pointed to each in turn. "They are the dreamwalkers who understand the language best."
Mo'at was curious. "You are dressed as one of the People?" she inquired of Miller.
The scientist nodded respectfully. "Yes, Tsahik. When I first became a dreamwalker I learned that a body is simply clothing for the spirit inside. It seemed silly to me to add unnecessary clothing to that which is clothing already."
The Tsahik tilted her head, impressed with the answer. "And the fruit in your carry-net?"
Chris pulled the net off of her back and held it in front of her for inspection. Norm noted that the scientist had not, for some reason, gathered the largest fruits from the compound gardens, but those that were more the size of the wild fruits that grew in the jungle.
The scientist explained, "My family taught me that when someone does you the honor of inviting you into their home, it is polite to offer a gift to thank them for their courtesy." She gestured to the fruits, "I only picked one or two from each plant, and thanked them for their gift. I was told that that is the proper custom. I would be honored if the Omaticaya would be willing to accept these."
"So," Mo'at turned to her son-in-law, "It seems that there are some dreamwalkers with proper manners after all." She hid a smile at Jake's fleeting expression of exasperation and turned back to the newcomers. "Your gift is welcome, irayo. I am told that one of you will be working with the cooks?"
Kim bowed, "Yes Tsahik, that would be me. I would be happy to help the cooks."
"And to learn more about the younger brothers and sisters who help sustain our lives, I understand," Mo'at countered.
The zoologist chuckled at the matriarch's shrewdness, "Yes, Tsahik."
She nodded firmly. "Then let us go to the cooks. We can take the fruit with us and introduce you there first. The Omaticaya have set aside a branch of our Hometree and hung hammocks your dreamwalker bodies can sleep in when your spirits return to your Sky People camp. Norm'an can show you there after the evening meal."
The new dreamwalkers thanked Mo'at and obediently fell in as she and Norman escorted the pair to the cooking area.
Jake watched after the little group and mentally shook his head. Then he remembered what Sir'tey had said about dreamwalkers and Hometrees. Maybe this will work after all.