Jake scrunched up his face as he slowly woke up. Flickering his eyes open his frown deepened even more as he listened to the silence of the room. What woke him up? Usually, he was a deep sleeper and didn't wake up until his alarm. Then he heard it. From behind him he could hear the light breathing from Etta, which was followed by a nearly silent sniff. He paused for a moment, listening to the repetition of her noises. Sensing that this wasn't going to end anytime soon, he rolled over to see what was wrong. Lying on her back Etta was blankly staring up at the bunk above them. As a quick tear ran down the side of her cheek, Jake's eyes softened in concern. He shifted himself around to be fully facing her. Etta didn't react to his movement.
"What's wrong?" he asked in a gravelly whisper, his throat still rough from sleep. The woman beside him didn't respond immediately.
"Why are you up? Usually you sleep like the dead." she asked instead, still staring up above them. Jake tilted his head.
"That's not what I asked." he countered pointedly, not allowing her to steer the conversation. Etta reached up and wiped a tear streak off her cheek.
"Nothing. Just thinking." She told him dully.
"Etta. I can say with certainty that something is bothering you." Jake let a small grin slip out as her face scrunched up indignantly.
"Say's who. What makes you an expert?"
"I've spent every waking moment with you for nearly two months now…actually I've spent every sleeping moment with you as well." He pointed out smugly, nudging her on his last comment. Etta reluctantly grinned, shaking her head at him.
"Now that we've established my expertise in Etta reading…what's really bothering you. You can tell me." He insisted gently. Jake waited patiently as her icy pale eyes welled up, but didn't let any more tears drop.
"Sometimes it just hits hard….remembering what I used to be able to do. Don't get me wrong, I've come to terms with it….but some days I are harder than others." Jake nodded silently. He knew exactly what she was talking about. Having lost the use of his legs was a daily struggle. It made him feel guilty that he was still double crossing all his friends just for a chance to get them back. Etta didn't have that option, and knowing her she would never take the deal.
"Flying today…..I had never seen anything so beautiful…" a bitter laugh escaped her throat.
"Then I come back here, and I can't even see the dullest things like the top of the bunk." She lamented, the tears finally slipping out. Jake couldn't take it. After hesitating he finally reached out and cupped her face gently in his large hand, thumb rubbing across her cheekbones. She startled slightly, not expecting the contact.
"I get it…and I wish I could do something about it." He admitted, pursing his lips in displeasure. Etta nodded, allowing him to shift her face so she was turned towards him.
"I know you get it. That helps….having someone to talk to."
"Yea…" he trailed off thoughtfully, his eyes roaming over her face that was just so close. His lips quirked as her eyebrows furrowed slightly, enjoying the confused look on her face.
"…Jake?" she whispered, not moving from her position. He continued stroking her cheek distractedly.
"Yea?"
"I really don't know what you're thinking right now…the silence isn't helpful." Instead of answering, Jake leaned in and gently pressed a kiss to her lips. Etta grunted in surprise before responding tentatively. After just a few seconds Jake pulled away, scanning her face for any negative emotion.
"Well…..that is not what I was expecting…" he braced himself.
"…..but I didn't mind it." She admitted a, tilting her head downwards in slight embarrassment. Jake huffed out a quiet chuckle.
"So that means I can do it again?" Etta grinned.
"Well, you do need the practice." She teased. Jake rolled his eyes.
"Shut up." He muttered before swooping in for a much more intimate kiss, his hand shifting to cup the back of her head. Jake smiled in the kiss as she responded in kind and lifted her own hand up to run over his jaw. Breaking apart for a second time Jake smiled down at her.
"You're grinning like a loon." Etta hummed in amusement, feeling his facial muscles contract.
"What can I say. I like kissing pretty women." He shot back, leaning his forehead to touch hers. Her lips quirked up, pleased at this new side of the man.
"I think we should get back to sleep. We have an early morning again." Etta whispered, feeling much better than a few minutes before. Jake grunted in displeasure.
"Buzzkill." However, he grinned as she shoved on his chest and rolled away from him with a laugh.
"Goodnight Jake." She insisted, shifting to get comfortable. Jake followed her lead and moved onto his back.
"Night Etta." Jake lied there quietly as he listened to her breathing start to even out. As his eyes began to droop he felt Etta move, her hand reaching out behind her to find his. With a contented grin, Jake took hold of it and interlaced their fingers. He quickly drifted off to sleep, much easier than he had in years. This time it wasn't just because he was exhausted. It was a much different feeling.
...
...
The following days consisted of flying lessons and exploring the forest on their own. Jake and Etta naturally paired up with one another as they headed out each day. Tsu'tey scowled as he watched as the duo raced off up the tree once breakfast was over. His eyes narrowed as Etta shoved the man out of the way to speed ahead of Jake who was right on her tail. Neytiri set a gentle hand on her mate's shoulder, drawing his attention away from the new hunters.
"Leave them be." She insisted sternly, already knowing what was running through the man's head. Tsu'tey pursed his lips as he followed after her.
"I don't like that moron. She can do better." He muttered, shifting to walk alongside Neytiri who smirked.
"We don't control the will of Eywa. If it's meant to be then it will be."
...
...
Unaware of the conversation their mentors were having, Jake chased after Etta who very clearly cheated by knocking him over on the way up.
"I win!" she cheered, hands in the air victoriously when she reached the top. Jake smiled down at her yet rolled his eyes.
"Because you played dirty." He pointed out, walking past her towards the branched full of squawking ikrans.
"Hey, at least I gave you a nice view as a reward." She pointed out, strolling alongside him. Jake laughed in surprise.
"Oh is that what that was? Ya know if you wanted me to stare at your ass, you don't have to try so hard. I'll gladly do it if you ask." Etta looked over her shoulder with a smoldering smirk.
"Good to know." She teased, swishing her tail pointedly. Jake's gaze went back down that direction before snapping them back up to her face when she laughed. Looking up into the branches he spotted some familiar coloring and stuck his fingers into his mouth, whistling a specific pattern. Each ikran responded to its master's specific call. The large creature instantly responded and sailed down through the branches towards Jake, landing in front of the duo with a thump. Jake laughed and reached out to rub his ikran as the beast nudged his chest fondly. Etta smiled at the scene before looking up to find her own partner. She whistled out a bird call, having spotted a purple head looking down at her. All she got in response was a deadpan stare. Pursing her lips, Etta tried another call. Still nothing.
"You two still haven't worked out a call?" Jake inquired, his ikran resting its chin over his shoulder. Etta scowled.
"No, because he's….A HIGH MAINTENANCE PRICK!" she explained, shouting the insult up to the trees where she knew her mount was watching them. An indignant squawk was shot back at her in response. Etta threw her arms out in frustration.
"Well if you came down here, I wouldn't throw insults! Just come here and tell me what you want." She argued. Jake smiled, thoroughly amused at the woman who was having an argument with a dangerous dragon creature. Her ikran let out a disgruntled growl and lazily made his way down to the main branch where she was standing.
"Don't give me the stink eye. I'm not the one being difficult." Etta countered, frowning at the look the beast was giving her. He leaned forward and huffed in her face.
"It's been three days…those two got it done in the first three minutes. Obviously, I'm not the problem." She argued back, gesturing towards Jake and his blue partner. The purple beast flared out his wings in annoyance. Etta rolled her eyes and groaned.
"Fine. Tell me what noise you will respond to. I'm tired of doing this every day." She relented, crossing her arms as she waited. Tilting his head, her ikran was silent before he let out a Pandorian bird cackle.
"I can't make that noise." She deadpanned. The creature merely stared back, obviously unwilling to give up his call.
"Go ahead and give it a go. We haven't really tried out the extent of our vocal chords yet." Jake suggested, having taken a seat on the branch while waiting. Etta shot him a glare.
"Fine." she grunted before clearing her throat. Etta scrunched up her face as she attempted to mimic the call, however it came out very warped and weak. Her ikran repeated the call, correcting her rendition. This went on for a few minutes before Etta finally was able to flawlessly make the call. Her ikran instantly shrieked happily, bobbing his head up and down in approval. Etta laughed at the gesture, reaching her hand out to stroke along his neck.
"Alright, I'll use that call. Why do you make things difficult?" she muttered, quickly connecting her que before hopping onto his back.
"Finally! We only wasted twenty minutes." Jake laughed, following her lead.
"Yea, yea. Let's get going, jarhead." She chuckled, spurring her mount into the air. With a laugh Jake and his ikran joined them, sailing off towards the floating mountain range.
...
...
On one of their training days, Jake and Etta joined a hunting formation led by Tsu'tey. Flying in an arrowhead formation the two of them took up the left side. Etta flying just one over from Tsu'tey and Jake on the outer edge. The two of them followed instructions and remained focused up until the point that Tsu'tey told them they were going higher. There would be no more hunting for today, just getting familiar with the layout of their land. Jake glanced over at Etta who was crouched on her ikran, focused on the scenery around them. With a mischievous grin he steered his mount her direction, flustering her own ikran. Etta gaped at him indignantly and retaliated in the same manner. The two laughed as they taunted one another, their ikrans joining in the play. Tsu'tey barked orders at them, brining their games to a halt. However, it didn't fully stop their giggling.
As they followed after the group Tsu'tey led them down into a very sharp dive, skimming along the side of a mountain.
"Whoever pulls out first is chicken shit." Jake barked out a challenge, looking over at Etta with a grin. AS he expected, her silver eyes glinted competitively.
"Bring it on Marine." She scoffed, diving down sharply with Jake right alongside her. The duo grinned wildly as the rock face flashed below them as they plummeted down towards the forest below. Jake let out a whoop of excitement, glancing over at Etta as she laughed along. Just before they crashed into the trees both of them pulled out and shot right back up.
"Too bad we ran out of air." Etta taunted good naturedly. Jake laughed, enjoying himself too much to care. With a flair he began doing barrel rolls around her as they flew.
"Show off! I hope you fall!" she shouted at him with a grin. He levelled out beside her and grinned.
"Not a chance. Besides you'd miss me if I died." He pointed out smugly. Etta shrugged.
"Just a bit." Jake grinned at the admission. Ever since the night of the kiss, their relationship had changed. While the friendship and comradery were still there, it now came with an undercurrent of strong affection. He looked over at her and smiled gently as she locked eyes with him, her expression conveying her own contentment.
"You two, pay attention! You're straying from the group." Tsu'tey barked from the side. Jake and Etta jerked their heads around to realize that he was right. They quickly turned and headed over to join the rest of the new hunters. For the rest of the time Jake and Etta kept their banter at a minimum, determined to learn the layout of the land. As they turned the corner Tsu'tey led them over a small valley full of arched rock formations. Beneath them, among the usual green vegetation, sat a large glowing white tree resembling a willow. Etta stared at the phenomenon with awe, while Jake was more interested in watching her.
...
...
"The tree of souls." Grace explained, watching the video feed from one of the drones they had sent out.
"Vitraya Ramunong. It's their most sacred place." She explained excitedly. The scientist looked over at Jake, making sure he understood how incredible it was that he was able to see it firsthand. He stared at the screen with a hard frown.
"See the flux vortex in these pulse color images." She pointed out the other screens alongside the footage.
"Yea, that's what messes up my instruments." Trudy muttered.
"It gives you nice practice. Can't depend on all this high-tech junk." Etta commented with a grin. Trudy chuckled, nudging her shoulder. Etta chuckled and laid her hand on Jakes shoulder as she resituated herself on the counter behind him. Grace ignored their banter.
"There is something….really interesting going on in there biologically. I would die to get samples." She hummed, smiling at the screens.
"Outsiders are strictly forbidden. You lucky swine." Jake stared at the screens conflictedly. He hadn't realized how instrumental this place was when he sent the feed to Quaritch back at the base. Well he knew it was important and secret, but now that he got the full effect the guilt was starting to creep in.
...
...
Flying over the forest, Jake and Etta to the edge and bank around to coast along the cliffside. With their bows out, they scanned the forest floor next to them, keeping an eye out for Sturmbeasts.
...
I was a stone cold aerial hunter. Death from above. The only problem is…you're not the only one.
...
Suddenly Jake caught sight of a large shadow that didn't belong to either of them. Whipping his head around he looked above. Coming directly in front of the sunlight, a colossal flying raptor headed towards them with talons outstretched.
"Dive!" he shouted in alarm, instantly heading downward to get away. Without hesitation Etta followed his command and ducked out of the way of the claws reaching for them. The large yellow beast screeched, snapping it's sail like bill at them. Jake shifted to the left, his irkan barely missing getting it's leg bitten off. Etta turned back towards their attacker and fired off an arrow. It merely bounced off the hide, but it did buy them a few extra seconds. The creature squawked angrily and flustered about before it continued chasing out them with renewed fervor.
"Cross over!" Etta barked. Jake moved to the side, letting the two ikrans to cross over one another and confuse their hunter. Finally, they reached the canopy of the lower forest and the duo dove straight into the branches. The yellow raptor followed them, snapping branches as he did.
"We need to lose him, head for a thicket." Her head snapped around wildly, looking for their exit. She yelped in surprise as the raptor snapped at her, barely dodging its sharp jaws.
"Go! Go!" Jake encouraged, panting from the excitement as he ducked in and out of the large trees. Etta followed his methods, but they were still being followed.
"Follow me!" he yelled, Etta turning her head his direction. With a nod she sent her ikran after him, twisting sideways to make her way through the small hole in a large thicket of vines. The large yellow raptor skid to a halt, unwilling to get tangled within the tightly knit vines. As their attacker left empty handed Jake and Etta continued flying until they were out of sight. Etta was the first to perch on a large tree, comforting her anxious ikran.
"Steady boy. You're alright." She whispered soothingly as Jake perched next to her. The avatars spent a few moments making sure their mounts calmed down before they looked at one another.
"Holy shit….." she muttered, her eyes widening as the reality of what just happened sank in. A grin slowly spread across Jake's face. Throwing his head back he let out a laugh, which quickly spread over to Etta. The two giggled in exhilaration as their bodies came down from the adrenaline high.
"But you're ok, right?" Jake asked, reaching over to hold her shoulder. Etta smiled, lifting her hand up to pat his assuredly.
"Perfectly fine." she nodded. Looking up towards the sky she looked for any lingering shadows.
"Looks like the coast is clear….but I think we should still wait it out a bit. Just to make sure he's gone." Etta suggested. Jake grinned roguishly.
"Well I can think of a way to keep us occupied in the meantime." He hummed.
"Charades?" Jake glared at her and reached out to bring her face towards his. Etta laughed and willingly complied with his silent command. Their lips met halfway, starting off needy but quickly shifting to warm and tender. Jake pulled back and stared down at her with a soft grin.
"Just for the record…..I hate playing charades." Etta threw her head back and laughed.
...
...
Back at Home Tree, Jake and Etta had explained their adventure to Neytiri. Wanting to know what it was that they were running from, they followed her over to a large skull of the very creature from earlier that day. Jake reached up and fingered the sharp teeth while Etta flitted around the jaws.
"Interesting, its similar to the irkans but the formation is different. Extra plates above the nose…denser jaws…..these look like they would be used as clamps…" Jake glanced over at her in amusement as she rambled on, walking around the skull.
"Etta…." He called out quietly, breaking her out of her funk. She blinked in surprise before smiling sheepishly.
"Oops." She muttered unapologetically. Jake chuckled, going back to his own examination of its features. Neytiri calmly stood beside the duo.
"Our people call it the Great Equinoptrix." Jake told her.
"It is Toruk…..last shadow." Neytiri explained. Etta nodded thoughtfully.
"Seems pretty accurate. It's the last shadow you ever see." She mused. Jake huffed a laugh. Neytiri grinned and hopped up onto the branch next to them.
"My grandfather's grandfather was Toruk Macto. Rider of Last Shadow." She told them, crouching down and staring at the skull with a reverent smile.
"He rode this?" Jake asked in surprise.
"Toruk chose him. It has only happened five times since the time of the First Songs." Neytiri whispered.
"That's a long time." Etta pointed out, tilting her head as she gazed at the skull before them.
"Toruk Macto was mighty. He brought the clans together in a time of great sorrow. All Na'vi people know this story." Neytiri continued proudly. Etta pursed her lips thoughtfully.
"Mind telling us? We missed that bit being late to clan and all." She requested curiously. Neytiri grinned and settled down cross legged to begin telling the story. Etta quickly plopped down in front of her, dragging Jake down to the ground as well. The man grunted in surprise at the sudden pull and thumped onto the floor. Gaining his bearings, he settled in beside Etta and listened intently as Neytiri told them the legends of her people.