There were so many wanting to speak to their kin from the Ice Lands that it was afternoon of the following day by the time the group finally arrived at New Hometree.
Mo'at had spoken with the kinsmen and acquainted them with recent events. She explained that Jake had not yet made a general announcement to the Omaticaya about the coming ships, and asked the cousins not to speak of it just yet. The clan did not need to have the joy of a gathering marred by such news; she'd advised Jake to wait at least a day after their return to inform the people. The Tsahik had a shrewd notion that between the new cousins and a gathering, the impact of hearing that more Sky People were coming would be significantly blunted.
She was right. The entire clan was electrified when the cousins arrived at New Hometree. Nothing would do but they must show their entire home off, immediately, from the ikran-roosts at the very top to every single craft area on the ground level. Some of the great tree's branches bore more weight in curious Omaticaya that day than they would see for many decades to come. The tour gave A'tey (newly back from the gathering) and her crew time enough to prepare a meal worthy of a great celebration.
And there certainly was cause to celebrate. The weavers' reputation had been well upheld by Mo'at shawl, which had been awarded highest honors as an emeritus piece, and Jake's collar had not gone unremarked either. The greatest victory was a totally unexpected one, however.
A'tey had entered Norm's mint sauce into the cooking contest without saying anything to him, and it had taken top honors. The poor scientist's first thought when he saw a crowd of Omaticaya running towards him yelling was that he'd inadvertantly violated some unknown cultural taboo and was about to be executed. The Na'vi he'd been standing with had gotten the gist of the excited shouts before he did, and they'd grabbed the anthropologist's arms to lift him into the air and parade him around the Tree in jubilation.
A full party broke out as the Singers brought out their drums and other instruments and started playing. Food and drink were soon being passed around (Mo'at smiled to herself when Jake quickly passed the kava bowl along without drinking any of it.)
Dancing broke out in earnest after the meal, and there were many more participating than usual. All of the White Mountain clan Na'vi were young and unmated; there was a considerable amount of flirting going on, and interest on both sides. And that was not the only focus.
Norm had earned the Na'vi's respect and a place in the tribe for his actions during the war. He'd been content with that, enjoying the freedom to study the People at will, from the inside. It was natural that his new clanmembers had been interested in their dreamwalker-brother at first, but he'd been relieved when he'd become enough of a fixture around New Hometree that their interest had turned to other things.
Now that interest was back, and more than doubled. He'd brought great honor to the Omaticaya by having a winning entry in the gathering, and his status had taken a huge leap. Norm had gone from being almost unnoticed to someone that the unmated females were suddenly very aware of. A large group surrounded him for most of the evening, since he didn't want to be impolite by declining anyone's invitation to dance. Neytiri watched her mate's best friend often, and had to hide a smile when she caught sight of Tanhi wearing an almost-snarl which was directed at one woman who was being quite forward with the dreamwalker.
Jake was relieved as he watched his people enjoying themselves from his customary place on the sidelines. Mo'at was right, he thought. It had been a very good idea to put the news off for one more day. Neytiri saw the shadow over his smile and took his hand to comfort him, knowing the reason for it. He caressed her cheek in his characteristic gesture and she leaned into it, pleased. She scooted over to settle herself against his side and he wrapped an arm around her so that they could watch their clan together.
One Omaticaya stayed in the shadow of a great pillar, not at all inclined to join the celebration. Pa'kan was watching Kiree and a group of her friends dance with one of the young male visitors. Her cheeks were colored more deeply than usual, her body-spots bright. She spoke shyly to the young man, who responded with a smile and a comment that made her face color further. Pa'kan scowled in displeasure and looked around the area. Everyone was having a good time; he knew that he would soon be noticed if he remained, so he slipped away into the shadows of the approaching evening with the sight of Kiree and the stranger burning in his mind.
Jake announced the arrival of more Sky People ships the following evening. He stressed that the people soon to come were few in number, mostly not warriors, that there would be no more flying machines, and that Vitraya Ramunong and New Hometree were in no danger. He told them that the ice-cousins and the best warriors from all the local clans would form a war party to make sure that the newcomers would leave quietly, and that he would begin teaching them how to defend themselves better. The Olo'eyctan said that in years to come there would be a need to fight, but that they had time to prepare for it.
The Omaticaya took the news well, all things considered. Toruk Makto had saved them from the Sky People once already, and he said that the People would be all right. He called the clans once again, and would teach them how to fight and how to win. With that, they were content enough.