Music Inspiration: Immediate- "Wyatt's Torch"
The Coastal Clans of the Eastern Sea
The neural network of Pandora weaved every life, past and present, to each other. No other world had shown such an intricate cohesion with its inhabitants and it was a power to be respected. The humans had underestimated its ability and cast it aside as meaningless, until the world reacted to reject them like an immune system to a pesky pathogen. Joanna became intrigued and invested in discovering more of the full extent of the neural network. For Nitari, it was part of the training from a master to their apprentice and Joanna happily dove into it. She had vowed to not disappoint her leader and immersing herself in Eywa's realm to protect their world was pivotal.
Today, however, Joanna had begun her lesson earlier with Nitari's blessing. She would not do anything past what she had been taught and frolicking through history was favorite pastime. The memories of a young Nitari who saw herself as inexperienced and unfit for her role reflected off her own current insecurities. She did not see herself worthy to match her but the more she dug into the past, Nitari was clearly more gifted than her predecessor. Akon had quietly snuck into Joanna's stroll through memory lane while she had been following his mate's first months as a tsahìk-in-training. His mother had not been the nicest on his choice of mate but tolerated it better than his father, mainly because the two had to work together.
"Don't underestimate yourself, child" his voice rang out behind her as she played spectator among the old memories. Surprised to hearing a new voice within the memory, she yelped and disconnected from it. Returning to the green fields of Eywa's realm rather than the stardust of memories in the nexus, Joanna clutched her chest with alarm to being found in her quiet perusing.
Embarrassment didn't begin to cut it and she was ready to leave the realm entirely to bolt away with cowardice. Akon didn't care since they were accessible memories for a reason and found her modesty hilariously amusing. The clan leader subdued his emotion with a soft chuckle before beckoning her with a wave of the hand, "Come, I have a lesson for you."
"Me?" she asked with surprise, eyes wide like an alarmed hexapede.
"Nitari is not your only teacher" he reminded playfully because he was one of thousands of inhabitants in the land of Eywa. While his mate ruled over the living among their clan, he oversaw the deceased world. Still, that did not keep him away from exploring the world of the living.
Joanna kept his pace over the green pastures while he explained easily, "Nitari has spoken to you about the spirits of traveling atokirina. Remember how we practiced being atokirina?"
She smiled pleasantly because it had been a fun experience to pretend to wiggle around like an atokirina. What she didn't realize was that entry into Eywa's world for her had been her consciousness only in the beginning. Akon, however, had corrected her view by revealing that living souls entering their world were also depicted as traveling atokirina. While she had originally freaked out with Tsu'tey for floating in a world of stars and voices, she had been a little atokirina star wiggling her own little limbs. It was only in the heart of Eywa's endless fields of green where na'vi held physical forms.
"The benevolent sprites are also envoys for the living that can hold a connection" he continued to depict the balance in everything and his solid form disappeared into a starburst. In its place, an innocent atokirina floated higher into the sky and she heard his voice in her mind, Nitari wishes for that to pass onto you. I figure we can get a head start so you can impress her when she does arrive.
"Am I that obvious?" she whispered sheepishly to her respect for her mentor but Nitari had given her entry to their world. Everything in her current life was owed to her or at least, she felt that way. She was her mother and as such, Joanna would never disappoint her.
She turned her concentration to shifting her consciousness away from a solid form, thinking of the bright little sprites. Adding a wiggle or two of her limbs helped her get into the moment and Akon tried not to laugh at the wriggling na'vi. He didn't know whether pretending to be atokirina would really work but he enjoyed having another living friend to communicate with. Also, it was a humorous lesson for a man that enjoyed teaching with a dash of hilarity. She was a fierce huntress but carried a gentleness that led him to wonder if children that were meant for a couple could be born elsewhere. Joanna did not share their bloodline but she resembled a blend of their personalities. Before his passing, he had wondered what a grown child of his and Nitari's would be like. Children were adopted by clan members when left orphaned, but his mate had taken her in despite being an adult. In experience, however, Joanna was still learning.
When she felt herself floating in the air and saw the grass below her with no feet dangling, she laughed with success. It was a very slow climb for her first try but she managed it! Maybe the 'pretend to be woodsprite' lessons had worked! Akon waited for the little atokirina that was half his size to join him and smiled to himself. Yes, she was his little atokirina.
Part of him had originally assumed Nitari's plan was to unite Joanna with Xuret but Eywa scratched that plan to avoid more pain. The couple had already lost a child and their nephew, they didn't want to risk Xuret either. Their destiny for descendants was looking past the clan entirely to another for an olo'eyktan and another world for their tsahìk. Eywa brought balance strangely but they would not question it. Joanna tried her best to reach his level and giggled with success when her little tendrils shot down for the last burst of speed.
Follow me, he encouraged kindly before flying into the lilac-blue sky that felt endless to Joanna. She tried her best to control her floating skills but resembled an awkward zigzagging sprite more than anything. Boy, she wasn't graceful at all. His full integration with the world's neural network allowed him to open portals to Pandora to explore with new information for Eywa to process. Joanna would aid him in that search as she followed him diligently and he instructed, Don't look back. I will guide you with me today but Nitari will show you how to traverse the world on your own.
Listening intently, she kept close to fly through the white portal hanging above them. Pandora reminded her of a beautifully layered cake of a maze where she kept discovering a new world within another. It was a marvel to be connected to Eywa's realm through the Tree of Voices but within that realm, she was able to loop around back to her own world to see sights not achievable with her body's senses. The white luminosity faded to the lush green forest past the rock wall of their beach and she could only see trees around her.
Joanna, you're flying into the canopies, Akon informed her gently to the little atokirina that was slowly gliding away. The delicate tendrils fluttered upwards to propel her in a small arc back towards the ground. Slowly, she made her way back to the clan leader who practically glided through the air like it was a runway.
He had not been a teacher in some time but it was natural to him as he advised, Similar to an ikran, you control the movements. Feel your surroundings and act.
I didn't think such a thing was possible, she replied with surprise to traveling the world through the ethereal wood sprites. It was difficult focusing on her path and her limbs because keeping her tiny body moving took most of her concentration. It reminded her of trying a bicycle for the very first time after removing the training wheels. Was she ready to take the training wheels off?
Akon agreed that not many na'vi knew the true nature of atokirina but those that attained tsahìk rank were the closest to begin unraveling the mystery. Nitari had been curious about the world of Eywa from the moment she became a tsahìk and meditated for hours by the Tree of Voices. She would do her best to pass on her knowledge to her student and he advised their protégé, Atokirina are the envoys of Eywa. We are Her eyes in the physical world. A tsahìk can gather the same information for the All-Mother while also protecting her people.
Nitari told me that atokirina were spirits but I never imagined that living na'vi could share their views, Joanna admitted quietly to being a little woodsprite explorer that fed back info to the All-Mother. Would her travels yield anything important? What if she endangered the innocent sprite with her uncoordinated flight?
The atokirina were simple innocent creatures floating through the world to carry out Eywa's work and he spoke about the most common ways, Nitari used them to survey tawtute activity to keep the clan safe but before that, she would explore the forest.
Did it take her long to master her tsahìk responsibilities?, she asked curiously because her leader handled business swiftly like the back of her hand. Experience could be a main reason for her ruling ability but Joanna had a nagging suspicion that she had been gifted from a young age. The memories of a young Nitari depicted a girl very attuned to nature and the people surrounding her. She was primarily quiet by nature but would raise her voice when required to garner attention. Joanna came close to comparing her to Tsu'tey but her mate had a confident streak about him since he had friends boasting him while Nitari only had her brother, much like herself.
Akon felt her thoughts wander through his mind from their shared connection to Eywa and he responded, She will say otherwise but she was a natural in my view. Mastery takes time, skill, and experience, but she had a sturdy grasp within a few seasons.
Joanna had a large cup to fill, big enough that it became a canoe in comparison to her own potential. Uncertainty tainted her heart but the fear of failure was too great for her to throw in the towel and curl up. That wasn't her anymore. Her clouded thoughts of uncertainty deviated her control of the atokirina's flight and she tried to straighten the descending path. If there were other woodsprites, they would be laughing at her drunken spin. Her voice was meek as she admitted, I hope I can meet her expectations. My mate will, but for me . . .
Akon gently bumped against the smaller atokirina to straighten her path with delicate flicks. Joanna appreciated the helpful boost as her uncontrolled spin calmed into a floating trail once more and he laughed softly to encourage, Don't think negatively. If there is an obstacle, develop a plan to conquer it. She will always help you.
I must prove myself strong to match her one day, she pointed out quietly to show that she could handle her expectations. Not only for her but the clan. She relied on her clan to learn but they would look to her for guidance and she damn well better know what to do. Otherwise, Eywa would shake her head in regret and send a bolt of lightning after her . . . probably.
What are you two doing?, Nitari's voice entered their minds as they floated through the trees. The two sprites twirled their bodies to detect a larger sprite floating over to them with greater speed than the two combined. She dwarfed their sizes and the two joined her side to become a little cluster like all wandering atokirina.
Exploring!, Joanna answered cheerfully to the new adventure of the day and circled around her mentor. Nitari chuckled warmly to her excitement that transcended all forms and noted that her protégé would inhabit more than one form. She was glad to see that she was entertained in her studies rather than simply waiting around for her.
Akon would take responsibility for carrying her student away to continue her lesson and explained simply, I decided to take her on a short trip. She's learning well.
And if she hadn't been ready?, his mate asked carefully because they had been practicing the form of atokirina in Eywa's realm. Joanna was still learning how to maneuver through the layers of the realm and sending her on tasks exceeding her growing abilities could disappoint her with failure. She didn't want to throw her into a situation she wasn't ready for due to the extent of cognitive focus.
We would have pretended to be atokirina in Eywa's realm, he answered easily to improvise on his mate's lessons because he would keep a vigilant eye on Joanna. Otherwise, he would ruin her hard work and simultaneously push back the progress of their future tsahìk. He would not risk the future of their clan and shaping up the new leaders.
Joanna stopped her rhythmic circling around the larger atokirina and informed her, We did try that.
I hope my mate didn't overwhelm you, she apologized because Akon held a more energetic air with his teachings and darted from one task to another. During their years together, she had to flick his forehead or pull on his ear to deter his impulsive plans for adventure. Nonetheless, he was a great teacher since he had guided her through her rite of passage.
Her protégé laughed merrily to that idea and answered earnestly to the highlight of her day, No. Although, I did worry I was flying off into the sky more than once.
It takes practice, she comforted to her new skill and circled closely around the tiny atokirina to keep her tucked safely between them. The first lessons would be trips around their territory but her plan would expand to use the realm of Eywa for long distances. Keeping an eye in the dense forest and the southern coast which were not populated would maintain safe borders. The infestations of the tawtute were monitored through Eywa's realm to keep her people safe and it was that sense of security that she would pass on.
Joanna, however, was unaware to her long-term goals and enjoyed the new sense of freedom. It was almost like being an avatar when she thought about it! Once she disconnected from the neural network, however, the atokirina would continue existing to contain another spirit. There was always balance in the world and she remarked proudly, You've taught me a lot since my first journey here and I am grateful for the experience.
We still have a few more things to show you, Akon enlightened her about being a wayward atokirina because she would slowly adapt to the new form. Practicing in Eywa's world would be safer when alone and she could perfect her flying skills to avoid accidentally crashing into foliage.
Come, let us travel out to sea, Nitari informed the two before taking the lead in their cluster and drifted off towards the coast. It was time to begin their field trip to the safe openness of the sea.
Joanna tested her mental fuel on the trip to the sea by controlling the path of her little atokirina. Akon and Nitari floated calmly like ikran masters of flight while she resembled a newborn hatchling that kept diving and rising erratically. It was a struggle when clearing the distance from the beach to the sea but she had enjoyed accidentally dropping to catch glimpses of her clan. Part of her had wondered if she could spy on her own connected body by the Tree of Voices but Nitari's path led elsewhere.
For Nitari, she was trying to assess Joanna's ability to control her new form in a safer environment. It would be a gradual process to mastery and the safety of their home would support that growth. Her student struggled in her path across the ocean but she admired her persistence to continue without complaint. If anything, the drain of her energy only spurred her personality to become overly cheerful to cope with it.
Joanna was familiar with the territory of her clan after recent trips with Nitari on their ikran. Nonetheless, she found the coastline even more beautiful through new eyes. She couldn't hold back her excitement as she declared, It's so big! Was it always this big? Why do I feel so little?
Atokirina aren't exactly ikran size, Akon reminded with a laugh to the huge size difference between the two. Almost everything would be large to an atokirina.
She felt safer traveling between the two larger atokirina, feeling much like a child again. Carrying out a solo trip across the sea on her own would have been daunting in that form. She had flown over the sea countless times with Xeki but this was different. It was a humbling experience to inhabit a delicate form and she remarked with admiration, I always wondered why atokirina traveled in clusters, I'm starting to see why.
Nitari agreed that they had strength in numbers to protect each other but na'vi were social beings. They would rarely travel alone past their clan territory unless sent out on a mission. Atokirina resonated that tie to their old life and she explained, It maintains our bonds in life and death. We are never truly gone from this world.
Another thought jumped to mind and Joanna admitted uncertainly, I have never seen atokirina out at sea but then again, it's a large ocean.
A strong air current struck her little atokirina host and Joanna yelped to being flung away unexpectedly from her companions. Spinning wildly through the air, she managed to control the flutters of the tendrils to balance herself in the sky. Her line of sight darted everywhere to pinpoint her companions but their tiny size made it almost impossible against the large sky. Nervously, she squeaked to being alone, Oh no, where did I go? Still in one piece though. How am I supposed to find them?
She didn't want to lose her companions on her first trip and with burning embarrassment, called out for help, Mother!
Nitari chuckled softly to the worry in her voice and felt a maternal flare to find her little atokirina. She twirled in the direction that she had gone and began moving, calling out through their bond, Calm down, little one. We will hover over to you.
I'm sorry if I'm lagging behind, she whispered meekly to her awkward coordination while they simply glided gracefully. She wouldn't have been surprised if traveling ikran thought she was a dysfunctional atokirina. They were smooth and ethereal beings in flight, not erratic and clumsy like a wet duck. The back of her mind began to feel that old pull when she was reaching her limitations but she cleared her mind from her frantic emotions.
She waited patiently for them to find her instead of causing more confusion by moving around. The temporary lack of movement allowed that bothersome pull to fade away and she was relieved to keeping her connection. Having her lesson cut short would be depressing because she was giving it her best. Still, she couldn't help but feel like a stranded child that had been swept away from her parents downstream. It was silly but they were her safety net.
Akon's calm voice soothed her internal fretting when he reminded easily, Being slow and swept away are two different things. Both are acceptable in the learning process. Mistakes are bound to happen but we learn from them.
Their arrival was welcomed and her gratitude was shown by the twirling atokirina that hovered straight for her elders. Joanna wasted no time in returning to their side, wedging herself closely between the two to return to their path across the sea. Together, the trio wandered over the glittering blue sea that threatened to swallow the world with its endless horizon. Joanna had always admired the dense forests for their complex ecosystem and daunting landscapes but the ocean was a whole different playing field. The ocean surface hid another world entirely from their view as it lived apart from the earth but interacted with its people. The RDA found no interest in it since it lacked anything worthy of profit in their eyes which was its saving grace.
To Joanna, the secrets that lay in the deep could protect the na'vi from attack since the water could provide protection. An aerial attack that had devastated the original Omaticayan Hometree could easily have destroyed the Atykwe's top canopies. Although the protective caves were there, they could also spell entombment for her people. Having them flee to the water was another way to prevent danger and although they could hold their air up to three minutes, they needed speed on their side. The ikran were meant to rule the sky, not the water . . . though they tried their best in diving.
Nitari had a plan for Joanna's strategies because she knew her old people best and preventing a future attack was always on their mind. It was why she saw the young woman's knowledge as invaluable and the more she taught her about Eywa's realm, the more she could tie together all those worlds to protect their people. Further ahead, the potential answer to her student's question was breaching the surface of the waves. Shadowy figures that totaled ten swam through the water as they wandered through their seasonal migration pattern. Nitari had not seen them enter her territory in many seasons but they were an uplifting sight for her. They had recently begun to frolic in the area and she decided to bring those closest to her for a first look. Once they traveled deeper into the sea, her clan would undoubtedly see them at sunset since they preferred sleeping in warmer waters by swimming closer to shore.
What are those?, Joanna asked with surprise to the beautiful forms gliding through the water while a few jumped into the sky with echoing squeaks. They were almost like Earth's long extinct plesiosaurs with six strong and agile fins that broke the surface when the smaller ones jumped into the air. Their long, graceful necks craned to see the open sea before them but Joanna could not see the details of their faces.
Like Joanna, Akon was delighted to see the gentle grazers of the sea and informed her with glee, That is an ilu pod! They are the aquatic version of a pa'li and gentler than ikran.
I've never seen them, she whispered with admiration to their teal, green, and blue bodies. She could only see the top of their forms but when the smaller ones jumped in an arc, a hint of a creamy white underbelly was spotted. They were energetic creatures but their pace across the ocean was steady, creating quick distance between her group.
They followed along from their higher angle and Nitari explained their history to her, They were eradicated from our shores upon the arrival of the tawtute. Our clan held them as steeds long before us but the tradition faded with each generation. We were simply happy to have them in the distance but the tawtute frightened them away. This is the first season that I am seeing them again and they're welcome old friends.
Are they like the nalutsa?, Joanna asked carefully since the armored mammal was the Pandoran version of a killer whale. You would have to be crazy to ride one because their armor kept them well protected. She had contemplated on daring an attack to bond with one before both Tsu'tey and Nitari smacked her over the head. Although a worthy steed, they could pose a threat to the children and non-hunters based on their carnivorous diet.
Nitari laughed softly at the comparison because the ilu were much gentler in nature. Their diet also helped in that temperament, unlike the nalutsa. The leading ilu called out to the pod with a soft whine to make sure nobody dragged behind and she informed, No, the nalutsa are carnivorous which is why we avoid their birthing grounds. The ilu feed on tiny fish and the smaller cousins of teylu, inuteylu, which makes them harmless to us.
The ilu were way more appealing to her than the feisty and dangerous nalutsa. They reminded her of the gentle whales that existed on Earth before sea pollution killed them off. She could only imagine what her old world would have been like if the global environment had been protected instead of choosing personal interest and profiteering. The world before her would be protected from humanity and she asked softly, Where do they live?
The matriarch knew the underlying meaning of where she could go to witness them in person. She had not seen them personally herself since her Xteli was too old to make the journey to the open sea. He would try like any tough ikran but she would not risk his health. This ability allowed her to explore without the need for steeds and she answered, They migrate from place to place but they normally travel here during winter. The clans that do keep them offer the reefs and lagoons for shelter from predators.
They are gentler than ikran to tame, her mate added in helpfully as they noticed Joanna slowly kept dropping lower towards the ilu. Whether it was out of curiosity or slipping in her hold of the atokirina, they didn't know.
They are beautiful, she whispered with captivation to the graceful creatures and noticed three calves were part of the pod. They had children in tow which could make them protective if approached by strangers so that was a fact to consider. Her idea to keep a nalutsa did sound silly when logic set in but the ilu had a higher chance of success. They could have a safe home in their ocean and tsaheylu with the respected creatures could strengthen her ascension and Tsu'tey's to Nitari's roles.
They are known to sing but I have never been fortunate to hear one, Nitari remarked with melancholy to the beautiful creatures that were scarcely seen south of the coast. She had been lucky to see them in the distance and in her youth, would travel to the Metkayina to witness them in person. Their happy barks and squeals were welcome but a song was a rare treat to hear.
Can we see them closer?, she asked curiously to catch a better glimpse of their forms over the water. It was the best shot she would have without bringing attention to her true form. A flying and inbound ikran coming towards you could be scary to a being accustomed to the ocean.
Follow me!, Akon declared happily to zoom off to begin a steep decline and Nitari sighed at his enthusiasm. Despite the passing ages, her mate remained at his prime in the core of his soul. Nitari and Joanna followed the previous clan leader to meet the ilu for the first time in seasons.
They appeared like a serpentine whale from a high altitude but as they approached the pod, Joanna was delighted to see they were more reptilian on closer inspection. Their long neck was muscular to clash against the strong currents and she saw their head held six eyes instead of the usual four of other steeds. She studied the ilu at the front, who she assumed was the alpha, and noticed two pairs of eyes followed the crescent of the head with the last pair rested right under the pair of queue antenna. They likely served for a wider angle of their surroundings to avoid predators but unlike the two forefront yellow pairs, the top was almost blackened by the larger iris. How interesting.
Their skin was reptilian like the ikran but in a stunning emerald, sapphire, and teal to match the sea. The majority held stripes across their backsides but she didn't dare move closer to avoid being splashed by the waves. They appeared docile but there was strength in their bodies in the way they moved across the water. The ilu were creatures to be admired and respected . . . and she would figure out a way to offer her home to them.
"I love the sound of raindrops" Joanna mused fondly to the gentle splattering sounds across the beach. The gentle showers were always best when working throughout the day and at night, the heavier rain lulled her to sleep. Tonight, however, they would have soft rain and colder air by the breeze coursing through the entrance of the hut. After an intensive lesson, she welcomed the relaxing sound to bring an end to her night. Briefly, she wondered if the ilu pod had reached the cliffside area to begin their stay.
"You love the sound of everything" her mate teased her fondness for the natural beauty of the world. She hissed playfully before leaning into his embrace while they sat by the entrance of their hut to watch the rain. With the rain season in full swing, they had the choice to sleep under the canopies in their hammock or alcove. The couple, however, would reserve their home in Kelutral for the summer season or when their hut sprung a leak. He leaned against the wooden doorframe of the hut to relax his back and tightened his arms around her shoulders to squeeze her close.
"No, I don't like . . ." she disagreed with his assumption with a laugh and tried to think of suitable reasons. Her mind drew a complete blank because even the night noises of the chittering bugs lulled her to sleep. She enjoyed curling up against him to hear his peaceful breathing at nighttime and realized he won the argument. Slumping her shoulders, she sighed aloud to concede, "Never mind."
"It is quite calming" he agreed with an amused smile to his mate's fretting and combed his fingers through her loose hair. She sighed softly with content to the relaxing grazes of his strong but dexterous hand. He could melt her into happy goo with a simple massaging stroke to her head and snuggled against him. Tension in her muscles had become common nowadays with the recent training and she often found refuge in his arms. Tsu'tey didn't mind the affection one bit as he peered out of their hut to admit with contemplation, "Back with the Omaticaya, I grew used to the warm rain but here. . . it is cold."
"So that's why you wrap yourself with a blanket every time we get home" she chuckled softly because the heavy downpours were different along the coast in comparison to the forest. The fat droplets of warm rain brought no temperature change, except for more humidity, while the coast carried colder edges from the wind. He tried to brave the rain longer each time to grow accustomed to it but he would rather find refuge, especially at night. She grasped one of his hands to kiss the top of it and doted sweetly, "My poor beloved."
"The trees help retain moisture while here, there is nothing but rock" he commented flatly to missing the dense forest because rock was harder to climb. The terrain was different but the heart of the people was similar to the Omaticaya. He didn't expect his popularity to precede his integration and his cousins had now begun pulling him into storytime with the other children of the clan. His older self would have run and told them to scatter but he sat them all down to regale them with old hunting tales and heartwarming stories. If Joanna was free for the day, she would bring them treats or supplies for crafts. Watching the droplets trail down the outer layers of the hut, his disposition brightened to one positive light and he told her, "I do enjoy the cold water to drink here, however. It was not tasty to drink warm water after running."
"Yet you nagged like a shrieking riti when I complained" she chided gently to their old antics as teacher and study, laughing to the past. Tsu'tey pretended to ignore his unfavorable traits because he had nagged her for almost everything. She had been innocently ignorant about their way of life, trying her best to learn, but he had not made it easy for her in the beginning. Despite that antagonism, she still managed to care for him and he smiled when she turned her head towards him to gnaw at the air. It was a poor imitation of a riti and he joined her laughter, loving her even more for her silliness.
She held out her right arm through the open entrance to feel the soft drops against her skin. Her lessons of meditation with Nitari were often discussed in the privacy of their home and she explained, "Nitari has been showing me how to use the Tree of Voices to explore through the atokirina. It is unlike anything I have experienced. I can only compare it to flying with an ikran but I can see through their eyes."
"What is the purpose of it?" he asked since tasheylu with the sacred trees were to maintain a bond with Eywa and deceased relatives. He was not aware that it could be used past that, especially with atokirina. He spent most of his time meditating from old memories to learn from them and visited with his deceased loved ones. The atokirina would float through the endless fields when he wandered away from memories but becoming one was a new thought altogether. He was curious to this new discovery and wondered what else his mate had been privy to.
She would not hide the truth from her mate, apart from the one vow to Nitari on his true path, and proposed, "Discover the world? It's almighty Nitari power in my view."
"You're not making sense" he sighed softly to her quirky language because she was prone to her old tawtute personality. It made her unique and although it could frustrate him, he was also endeared by his mate.
"I tried" she mumbled innocently and grinned widely to his dejected pout. She couldn't say no to that grumpy face, mainly because she had fallen for it. Throwing her playful joking aside, she explained, "The atokirina would help her keep watch over the clan past the borders, especially when the tawtute were here. I did, however, witness something quite intriguing on my recent trip to the ocean."
Tsu'tey burst her bubble of excitement when he teased dryly to her adventuring streak, "Did you accidentally guide the poor atokirina into smacking itself against an ikran?"
"No! Skxawng!" she exclaimed indignantly that she would do such a thing but frankly, it could have happened. Her first trip was a stumbling effort in midair but she managed to make it back in one piece to release the atokirina for another spirit. She didn't have the energy to jab him in the ribs and leaned back against his chest to snuggle against him for warmth. Tsu'tey assumed she was tired and wrapped both arms around her shoulders, placing his chin on top of her head. She smiled contently to the cuddle before continuing with her story, "I saw an ilu pod. They haven't been seen in our coast for many seasons, apparently. The tawtute eliminated many when they attempted to build a sea lab after Hell's Gate."
"What?" he asked grimly with horror to what those creatures had done and anger flared through him. The wildlife of his world was not meant to be disturbed for purposes that didn't relate outside of daily life. Their life was about balance to respect Eywa's rules but the tawtute tainted and destroyed everything they touched. Yet, there were virtuous anomalies among their kind or he wouldn't have his mate.
"It was cut due to budgetary constraints and splitting to another base when one needed constant supervision wasn't ideal" she explained with regret to the shrewd plans to destroy sea life for the sake of profits. If the wildlife wasn't pivotal in mining for unobtanium, they were taken out of the equation. It was this disregard for life that led xenoanthropologists to send video footage back to Earth in encrypted files to blast it to the public. The project was scrapped after backlash and only Hell's Gate remained as their only base. Still, Joanna could only wonder if there were any more secret bases somewhere. Like Tsu'tey, she didn't trust humankind. Discarding her negative thoughts, she smiled faintly to the positive sign the ilu representing, "Nitari sees them as the return of balance."
Living in the forest all his life, he had never seen such creatures. The sea was a mystery to him and any forest dweller, but it did stir his curiosity. If they were nearby, he would venture out to take a glimpse with her and admitted, "I have only heard of them."
"They travel in pods, it's quite like the pa'li" she told him excitedly to the beautiful creatures and sighed aloud, "I wonder . . . if we could be ilu makto?"
He was surprised to hear of a new steed for transport and with the sea being new terrain for him, asked uncertainly, "You want to use tsaheylu with an ilu?"
"We are one with the water, it is fitting to conquer the sea and sky" she answered confidently to seal a bond with the sea and earth. Their pa'li were a connection to the earth, the ikran were the link to the sky, and the ilu would complete the circle. If she could interact with them and become familiar during their migration period, she could initiate the bond. Her nose ran along his slender throat and she piped up cheerfully, "To be united as one."
"It could also eat you" he stated bluntly to the other factor on the unknown creature because he already talked her out of the nalutsa idea. The ilu sounded like a more feasible plan for his mate but she needed to gather information to plan. Not everyone would have insane luck to claim a toruk like Jake. Like his clan brother, his mate was fierce with determination when her mind was set. Part of him wondered if that principled focus is what divided the peaceful dreamwalkers from their tawtute counterparts.
"They're not carnivorous. . . kind of" she replied with a halfhearted chuckle because although their diet was fish, their rows of small but sharp teeth could still leave marks. Not only that, but their jaw size dwarfed a na'vi head. Not a single animal on Pandora was innocently adorable . . . except maybe a tapirus. Boy, did she miss the little herds back in the Omaticaya. Nonetheless, it would not deter her this time and she patted his right thigh with enthusiasm to declare, "That's why we're going on a trip for information."
"Oh – wait, we?" he began nonchalantly before blurting out the rest to her plan. What was she planning? Releasing her from his embrace, she turned around to peer at him with a charming smile to deter his protest. Her proposal was appealing to him, however, but he crossed his arms to show that he also had a voice in their decision. She couldn't simply make decisions without taking him into consideration. His brow furrowed to show he meant business and he questioned, "When did I agree to this? Was I asked?"
"It's part of Nitari's original plan for you to meet the other clans to do our seasonal trading" she answered quickly because her quest for information meant traveling outside the clan. His stern glare slowly softened at being stuck with his promise to the matriarch and his mate's crazy idea. He assumed her plan was to head out straight to the ocean and attempt tsaheylu but she was thinking conservatively on this. He was rather impressed by her strategy, especially after her uncanny Iknimaya attempt, and she added in, "I would also like to gather information from the Metkayina. They have ilu as steeds and their reefs match the ecosystem of ours which would make an ideal home for them. It's only information, I promise."
He reluctantly agreed that she had a decent idea for her plan and sighed softly, "Joanna."
Her ears flattened against her head to having her number one supporter shoot down her plan. She needed for them to be a loyal team, not only as mates but potential leaders. If he didn't believe in her, what would keep her people from behaving the same? Before Nitari's reveal, she had been blissfully unaware and happy to live a carefree life. Providing sustenance and protecting her clan was all she worried about. Now, every move she made came with an end game in sight to become what her mentor needed her to be. Tapping her fingers against the green fabric of their flooring, she asked meekly, "I'm reaching too far again?"
"No, you might have a good idea" he answered frankly to her plan and leaned forward to press a kiss to her forehead. Her ears perked on end instantly with a matching lilac blush on her cheeks, smiling widely to his approval. There was relief in her bright gaze and he returned a fond smile when she cupped his right cheek with gratitude. He would advise her when she was on the wrong path and reward her when she was on the right one. Even when he held reservations, he would consider her suggestions. She wasn't impulsive with her actions anymore and he agreed to her proposal, "We can gather information on their habits and care while assessing whether taming them is possible."
"The Atykwe had them generations before Nitari so that boosts our chances" she stated helpfully to the old transport steeds because they would cut distance in reaching areas the ikran couldn't. She wanted to provide this as a gift to her matriarch and her people. At the same time, she could provide a safe home to the ilu that had once inhabited their waters. They could return the Atykwe to what it once was generations before Nitari's existence and she smiled earnestly, "We've never been afraid of a little hard work."
She was right in that aspect because he would always provide for her and she did the same. Failure was not in their personality and they complemented each other's strengths. Their weaknesses were fortified in open communication and they were each other's confidantes. He would hope that Eywa planned this for them and spoke firmly, "We can give it our best."
Joanna leaned over to kiss her mate with a happy smile to securing his vote and he tried not to laugh when he heard her hands tap against the floor. She was endearingly silly and he would be by her side through thick and thin. However, he would be making sure the ilu would not pose a danger to his mate to prevent harm to either party. If Nitari called them peaceful creatures, he was inclined to believe they were Joanna's hope for sea transport.
Their passionate kiss was disrupted when a ruckus of laughter erupted from nearby. The couple shared a knowing smile to the familiar voices and called an end to their cozy evening. Their little brigade of cousins was likely dropping by for a sleepover or to summon them to a family gathering. Tsu'tey smiled with amusement when he heard Leti's voice signaling her arrival, "Tsu-Tsu!"
"I hear Leti but I can't see her!" he called back with a calm voice to tease the little girl but Joanna laughed softly behind her hands.
The couple laughed when the quartet burst through the entrance with a bundle of rolled blankets for extra warmth. It appeared a sleepover would commence. Joanna grabbed a nearby cloth to dry the children's shoulders and round faces before hugging them fondly. Each of the boys rang off a chirpy welcome with a thank you for the motherly care, happy to reaching their destination. Leti wriggled out of Joanna's grip first to dart over to her cousin to wrap her arms tightly around his neck. When he was sitting down, he was easy pickings for her short reach and he picked up her small form to return the hug.
"Let's get you settled in" Joanna smiled kindly as she grabbed each of their rolled blankets to check whether they were soaked. The light rain would quickly dry it but she preferred hanging them from their empty shelves to dry them faster. Although she and Tsu'tey kept blankets for them, the children preferred the ones with their parents' scent to avoid feeling homesick at night.
"Afterwards, we can either play a game, make necklaces, or have story time" Tsu'tey explained to the children about their options for games that night. They often enjoyed story time until they fell asleep in their bundled blankets. With the temperature dropping faster at nighttime nowadays, the children preferred the warmth of their beds. Standing up, he peered out at the pouring rain before moving to release the entrance flaps from the doorway posts to seal the hut for the night. He didn't want too much wind to flow into their home with little ones nearby and he told them with apology, "I'm afraid the rain will keep us from the beach tonight."
The children cheered happily for the games nonetheless because they didn't mind snuggling into their beds. Tsu'tey told them the best stories since he lived in foreign places they could only imagine and Joanna's own stories from her old world gave them plenty to enjoy. He had acquired children-friendly games from his uncle Akhil and inquired from his aunts on favorite playtimes for the children to avoid boring them. Zika and Nara, however, highly doubted that it was possible since they failed to stop trailing behind him. Seasons ago, he never would have considered it but his little cousins brought out fatherhood traits in him. If he could succeed in making them happy, he had the potential to do the same with his own child one day.
The visit to the Tayrangi clan was the first on their itinerary and Tsu'tey found solace with the bordering forest. Unlike the Atykwe, this sea clan had no border along the forest and relied heavily on their ikran to hunt in the sea and forest. Their huts were similar in design to the plain clans rather than the Atykwe and he enjoyed sleeping in the triangular shaped hut at night. The sea was also somewhat calmer at night and Joanna had informed him that the coast further south became more turbulent with waves. Although they were there initially for trade, Tsu'tey had easily slipped into his old advisor role to converse with the clan leaders on the progress of integrating the dreamwalkers to their clan after the exile of the tawtute. Joanna had tried not to blush heavily when he revealed they were a mated couple since that had not been in their original plan when becoming friends. Ikeyni, the current olo'eytkan, and her mate were impressed to the reveal, given Tsu'tey's ferocity, while Joanna tried not to melt into a puddle from her blushing.
Ikeyni and Tsentey were both hunters by nature which allowed both couples to share tips and tricks to cement their new camaraderie. Tsu'tey was surprised to find their traditions were even more progressive than the Atykwe by splitting the role of tsahìk away from the ruling couple. Ikeyni did not see herself strong in keeping a connection to Eywa, more attuned to nature, like her mate, and had chosen her little sister to become tsahìk in her place. It was an impressive change and Joanna liked the two right away for choosing the positions to fall on rightful shoulders based on merit rather than birthright. Although Nitari had not gone public with her decisions for leadership, her choice to pass on both roles to her and Tsu'tey fell in line with the Tayrangi. It brought comfort to her that maybe they could do this if the Tayrangi had undergone similar changes and they still held strong.
They had spent a total of two days on the coast, exploring the open sea with the ikran while Tsu'tey frolicked in the forest. Joanna knew her mate would be prone to missing his native terrain and let him head out on a hunt with Tsentey. With both being adept with their ikran, they had quickly made a friendship built around ikran knowledge. It made her happy to see him shine as both an accomplished diplomat, a rising leader, and a master hunter. Meanwhile, she tried her best to fit amongst the sea clan and found a niche with the huntress. Their respect for the sea as huntresses was their foundation to build on and Ikeyni introduced her to the makeshift rock pools of their coast. Unlike the shallow ones of the Atykwe, theirs had been chiseled by hand and allowed the water to aid in creating the deep rock pools that would fill and empty at high tide. The heat from the sun warmed the water enough that they could use aromatic herbs for relaxing baths and Joanna had happily dove in for a na'vi spa. While her mate concentrated on a hunt, she stuck to relaxing comfortably.
"What a beautiful coast!" Tsu'tey boasted proudly upon his return from the hunt with the Tayrangi. They had brought down a male sturmbeest and slipping into his old hunting tactics had been a breeze. He had forgotten the danger the forest posed in comparison to sea hunting since the ikran did not dive deeply into the water. Swizav had yet to warm up to diving into the water like the others so they were still adapting to the new strategy. Hunting in the forest, however, brought back that adrenaline rush that he missed.
Joanna quirked a curious eyebrow to his festive mood but hunting was practically stress relief for her mate. While she was squeaky clean from the sea, her mate had loose dirt splattered over his right side from an offensive attack. When it came to hunting, he didn't care how messy or how many cuts he earned as long as he succeeded. She could only wonder how poor Swizav turned out. Her mate would need a bath to keep his impeccable appearance and she chuckled softly, "This entire world is beautiful."
He couldn't agree more and breathed deeply to taste the salty air of the sea. It was invigorating to return to his mate safely after a good hunt. His days among the Omaticaya were gone but he was humbled to not only hunt with the Atykwe but the Tayrangi as well. A hunter of his humble beginnings could only be so lucky!
"You enjoyed your ride over the forest, didn't you?" she smiled fondly to his beaming smile, brushing her right thumb over his cheek to convey her affection. He had been initially nervous on representing the Atykwe but Arat had coached him with information to base his conversations on. To Joanna, he had been absolutely perfect and reminded her of his days as the Omaticaya olo'eyktan. Granted, they hadn't gotten along at all but he earned her respect from his speeches to the clan.
Gazing at the cloudy sky overhead, sparse ikran flew through the darkening heavens and he agreed, "They are masters of the sky."
"It reminds you of the Omaticaya" she remarked softly to his old home because he was prone to miss it. He had thrived in the forest with his talents but she saw the same potential lurking in him among the sea clans.
His ears flattened slightly to being caught by his mate but they held no secrets. Pointing to the forest that bordered the sea, he explained why he enjoyed it, "The rock wall back home makes it harder to see the forest but I can walk its trails from here. It does pose a risk of wildlife wandering onto the beach but I like the view."
She couldn't help but laugh at that and wagged a warning finger to chide playfully, "Don't wander too far."
"Our sightseeing is done for today" he stated with an amused smile to let her know he was free for the rest of the day. His day had been spent separately from his mate and he was happy to see her. She was practically glowing and wondered briefly if Ikeyni had taken her for a beauty treatment somewhere. The olo'eyktan had shed her trademark bold red and gold paint across her face and chest for a smaller version over her collarbone and chest. His mate's humble appearance in her hunting garb drew him like a glow worm to nectar but privacy was lost to them during travel.
"We just returned from our reef bath" she smiled to inform him of her excursions of the day and realized they made a pretty good team. Each of them had earned camaraderie with the leaders based on their similar skill sets and tastes. She had almost asked Ikeyni about aerial tricks but Tsu'tey would have lectured her till sundown on trying anything crazy with Xeki.
The ruling couple of the Tayrangi had finished overseeing the newest catch of their hunt and congratulating the hunting group. Tsentey headed off with their troop of hunters to deliver the fresh meat to their cooks for drying before storage and to have the rest for last meal. His position in the clan was most similar to Tsu'tey's old role as the top hunter while also serving as his mate's advisor. No wonder the two had gotten along amicably. Joanna motioned with her hand that he could run off and enjoy his day of hunting. He had been eyeing the departing group through his peripheral vision and she wouldn't deny his fun. Tsu'tey didn't hesitate to join the group with a happy greeting and Tsentey beckoned him to grab one of the large bowls filled with freshly cut meat.
Ikeyni laughed with amusement at the similarities between them and ushered Joanna towards the gathered baskets, "Come, let us choose your fish for the Atykwe."
The hunting area of the Tayrangi was set up similarly to the Omaticaya where their catches were prepared and a short walk to the fire pits handed it all off to the cooks. The Atykwe, on the other hand, cleaned their catches close to the beach to wash off the grime. While half of the hunters headed to the forest that day, another team headed to fish for teylu and smaller saltwater fish. There was a bigger abundance of food for the Tayrangi in comparison to the Atykwe and Joanna was certain Tsu'tey would ask Nitari to train an efficient team for the forest. He could never forget his roots and their clan was meant to thrive one day when Nitari was no longer among them.
The taller na'vi motioned to the baskets full with a variety of fish and she grinned to offer, "If there is anything that interest you, let us know."
Joanna inhaled deeply to the strong smell of fresh fish and kneeled to peer at a fish almost as long as both her arms. How had they managed to catch that one? She and Anaya struggled to get the fat fishes of the deep and it normally took a group effort. It was a different breed than the ones that lurked south and knew she wanted that one for her matriarch. A sudden wave of dizziness sprouted through her head and she rubbed her stomach absentmindedly as the queasiness rose, brushing it aside. She had a task to complete and whatever decided to not digest thoroughly would fight her stomach acid. Glancing up at the painted na'vi, she smiled with gratitude, "Thank you for the fish, the smaller ones are perfect for grilling but this one will be perfect for stew."
Ikeyni scoffed indignantly because if she wanted fish for stew, she had an answer. Brushing her long braids behind her shoulders, she kneeled beside the other huntress to point towards the baskets at the end. Inside, fatter medium-sized fish of silver blue were stored piled one after the other and she advised, "These are better for stew with the current season, at least for us. We will prepare both for you to take home."
Joanna was going to reply in thanks for the generosity but a sudden wave of nausea unsteadied her. What was going on? Excusing herself with a hand to ward the leader away, she leapt to her feet to avoid the incoming roll of bile that entered her throat. Tsu'tey noticed her stumbling gait from his spot, slowly moving away from the gathered hunters chatting with the cooks. The group stared in confusion to her scattering behavior while Joanna was doing her best to find a decent place to throw up in the open shore. With nothing but the sandy beach in front of her, she kneeled on the sand to dig a hole with the utmost hate. Tsu'tey broke away from the surprised group and ran over to his mate worriedly to call out, "Joanna, what-"
The words died on his lips when she hurled her stomach contents into the crafted hole. What happened? She was fine just a moment ago! Ikeyni blinked awkwardly to the abrupt turn of events and remarked to the others, "I didn't expect that."
Tsu'tey kneeled to rest a comforting hand on Joanna's back and found her shaking lightly. This was not normal behavior for his mate and it struck his protectiveness over her. He didn't like seeing her hunched over in a frail position and he leaned close to ask her privately, "Are you all right?"
"I've been feeling queasy lately" she murmured weakly, ears flattening with shame for scattering off like a hexapede. The Tayrangi would likely laugh at her sudden hiccup thinking she couldn't handle the fishy smell. She loved fish! It had never made her nauseous before but recently, the smell of certain foods sent her running for a place to barf. Brushing her palms over her forehead with mortification, she sighed softly, "I thought I could keep it under control."
"You've been tired in your lessons but this is something else" Tsu'tey remarked with concern because her time with Nitari left her exhausted. However, it had never disrupted her health and he pondered whether the cause was harmful.
Ikeyni approached the kneeling couple, noticing their flattened ears and hushed whispers, and decided to call an end to their day. It was clear that the huntress was not at her best anymore and she wouldn't push her weakening stamina for the sake of maintaining alliances. She felt like an older sister at watching her eyes widen with embarrassment and she advised firmly, "Joanna, you must rest."
She tried to stand on her feet quickly to show she was fine now, holding back the dizziness in her head, and protested, "But the trip-"
"Another time" the olo'eyktan stated with a nonnegotiable tone because sending off an ill Joanna to the Metkinaya would not reflect well on her clan. Tsu'tey grasped his mate's right arm to steady her and she relented by leaning against him. Boy, was she glad to have him by her side. She couldn't believe her shoddy luck on her first trip of all times and dipped her head to obey. The huntress flashed the couple a kind smile and assured them that all was well, "Go rest in your hut for the evening, I will send a healer."
With great reluctance, Joanna allowed herself to be led away to their guest hut. Closing her eyes, she leaned against her mate and wrapped an arm around his waist while he kept his firmly over hers. She groaned against his shoulder for ruining their first trip and muttered weakly, "I'm sorry, my love."
Tsu'tey smiled kindly to her despondent voice because she wasn't to blame for her stomach. He would never place priority over anything but her health and ignored any possibility of ruining their first trip. Keeping optimistic about their day, he pretended to be oblivious and replied easily, "About what? You did nothing wrong, my silly tanhì."
"That wasn't the greatest first impression" she sighed morosely to slipping up her first alliance and with an olo'eyktan no less. She should've gone on the hunt instead and left Tsu'tey to converse with Ikeyni. If she had thrown up after the hunt, her work would have shined. Now, all her progress felt adrift and it was disheartening.
The smaller shoreline allowed the two to find their red and brown hut, displaying safety for her upset stomach. The physical force from vomiting had induced a headache but breathing deeply calmed the nauseous spell. Tsu'tey grabbed the leather flap to open it and assisted her footsteps inside to avoid tripping. Their fabric bedroll and wicker mat were already set up for its occupants and he helped her lie down with a gentle hand. He kissed her forehead when she sat on the bed to bring a faint smile on her lips and assured, "You did fine in the morning, that's what matters."
He brushed his hand over her head to smooth down her raven hair and her smile widened to the affection. His love for her was unlike any other and he would protect his precious mate. She never stopped believing in him and he would return that respect by never leaving her side, even she complained. Pointing to the mat, she pouted briefly before accepting his silent order and laid down on her side to peer up at him. He grabbed one of the nearby blankets to drape it over her and she smiled gratefully for his tender care.
"You spoil me" she teased affectionately to his unwavering devotion and grasped his hand to intertwine their fingers. She was incredibly lucky to have him in her life and closed her eyes to snuggle into the bedding. Tsu'tey smiled quietly to himself as he sat beside her, squeezing her slender hand.
The couple's private moment of affection was halted when the tent flap opened and an elderly healer entered. Despite Ikeyni was progressive in her clan leadership, she entrusted the best healing practice to the older healers. They had seen everything and anything at that point in their lives while younger healers were stronger for resetting broken bones, discovering new treatment for ailments, and attention to detail when it came to sewing lacerations. Tsu'tey shifted against the mat to allow the newcomer inside and Joanna smiled at the firmness in his grip as his guard rose cautiously. Despite the epitome of calmness on his face, he was her protector. She greeted the Tayrangi healer with a kind smile and the woman replied warmly, "The olo'eyktan sent me to help ease your stomach."
She reminded Joanna of Zika and Mo'at as she worse a sunflower yellow shawl but carried a leather satchel diagonally over her right shoulder. Her long-braided hair was pulled back from the front by a fabric sash of the same shawl color. The choice in hue brightened Joanna's mood and the older woman kneeled to hand her a green ikei bottle. Removing the cork, Joanna sniffed a sweet scent and the healer explained helpfully, "This tea helps with settling down an upset stomach. I will prepare more for you and have one of the young ones bring you a light meal for tonight."
"Thank you" she replied appreciatively and proceeded to take a small sip. The sweet and cool liquid refreshed her tongue, gulping down a few more sips before lying back down. She hoped that drinking it slowly would prevent another bout of nausea and decided a nap would be best.
"You must rest until last meal and even then, it's best to drink soup" the healer advised carefully to keep her comfortable and looked to her mate for agreement. Tsu'tey decided that a well-aimed firm glance would do the trick and Joanna grinned to his trademark scowl. Some things never changed. The healer squinted at the young woman and asked softly, "Have your symptoms been recent?"
"Gradually but yes" Joanna answered truthfully to the full extent of her discomfort. It had started occurring in the recent week before her trip but she managed to handle the nausea. A quick trip to the colder area of the sea to breathe in the chill air and a calming dip usually did the trick. Without that at her reach, the spells hit harder during their travel. She bit her bottom lip before admitting sheepishly, "They are worse during the morning."
"Why haven't you told me?" Tsu'tey questioned firmly because he slept beside her every night. How had he not noticed her discomfort? Had she been intentionally hiding it from him? Even through their bond, he had not sensed it.
"It's not every day" she answered sheepishly to being put on the spot because it was intermittent. One day, she would be great and the next, she would be barfing her guts out by the rock pools. She wasn't a healer so na'vi ailments were new to her after being human most of her life. Her ears flattened against her head and her smile wavered, "At least, until now."
The healer snapped her fingers to quell the young couple's questioning and stated firmly to the huntress, "Rest, young one, and seek your trusted healer for the answer."
With that said, the healer left the couple and Joanna hissed at her mate for going full-blown interrogation mode. She wanted that aimed at others, not her. He returned the same fussy hiss but after a moment, the two smiled at each other with amusement. Their stubbornness flared for each other but Joanna squeezed his hand tightly to convey her improving mood. She raised their intertwined hands to kiss his palm and told him calmly, "Go regale the clan leaders with your great feats and assure them we will always be allies."
"Joanna, your health comes first" he disagreed instantly to leaving her alone and spending his evening among strangers. She mattered more than anyone! Joanna admired his devotion but they also had the task of representing their clan. She wouldn't allow her incident to ruin their image and her best player at portraying their strength sat before her.
She jiggled her new drink with her other hand and insisted cheerfully, "I'll be fine, this stuff is tasty!"
"You just threw up, don't worsen it" he sighed softly to her insistence because her mind was hard to budge from a decision. He rested easier knowing she was in their hut and could sleep away to replenish her strength. Leaving her was not easy but there was determination in her golden eyes. He didn't want to upset her more by denying her wish but he wouldn't be far so he could check in on her periodically.
"Please, do this for me" she pleaded with a wavering voice that twisted his heart. He couldn't deny her and breaking her heart wasn't in his personality. Unfortunately, Joanna held their clan dearly and would not disappoint their leader. He highly doubted that was possible with Nitari's kind nature but Joanna aimed to prove herself as a reliable huntress. She raised his hand to tuck it against the crook of her neck, pulling him close, and requested sincerely, "I need you to represent our clan. You are my best hope for diplomacy among all of our neighboring clans and we have to show them that we are a strong clan worthy of alliances for generations to come."
Tsu'tey sighed softly to being cornered with that reasoning and having his hands tied. He wanted to stay by her side but she sought for him to put duty first before love. She flashed him a content smile to prove she would be fine and jiggled her ikei bottle at him again. Her appearance was more animated like before, relieving his worry, and he agreed with reluctance, "For you. Only for you."
He leaned down to nab a kiss from his mate but she angled her head away, telling him with a sheepish smile, "No kiss, my dearest, I smell horrible."
Releasing his hand, she tapped the flat end of his nose and suggested slyly, "You might also want a dip to freshen up after the hunt."
Rain bombarded the couple on their trip further south to visit the last clan on the itinerary. Joanna didn't mind it, finding the cool rain refreshing against her warm skin. She had slept comfortably through the night and the drink supplied by the healer helped in easing her stomach. She had woken refreshed and kept her ikei bottle full of the drink until it was time to depart to keep her vitality in place. Placing the digestive issues aside, she focused on her task for the matriarch and her quest for ilu information. Tsu'tey, on the other hand, was still not enjoying the cold rain that splattered him. It was becoming more tolerable with the passing weeks but he felt his confident image wilt to the bombardment of water.
The Metkayina were welcoming on arrival by offering a warm shawl to the shivering hunter. Tsu'tey, however, decided to brave it to prove he could handle the rain while Joanna sighed to her proud mate. Still, he was trying his best to adjust. Thankfully, the rain had let up so her mate wouldn't resemble a grumpy cat during their tour of the coast. Xeki and Swizav were adorned with their scented necklace to wander the beach and the two had quickly taken off to feed, completely abandoning their riders. Joanna had focused on Tsu'tey's comfort that first day by braiding his damp hair into a large single braid to keep it out of his face.
While her mate was familiar with such diplomatic trips, this was her first time and she didn't want to leave a bad impression. Her unfortunate nausea spell back at the Tayrangi had been dreadfully embarrassing but Ikeyni had laughed it off. The huntress was not delicate with such things and Joanna had been thankful for not coming off as insulting. Now, she was on the second leg of the journey among the Metkinaya. While the Tayrangi focused on ikran for their steeds, much like the Atykwe, the Metkinaya were all about ilu. She didn't understand why until she caught the aerial view of their terrain. They had less shore space unlike the other two clans and an abundant reef with outlying islets that beckoned water transport. The forest was more of a rock cliff over the clan with their Hometree looming over the shore on a gentle slope, providing another border for them.
Tsu'tey thought the huts of the Atykwe and Tayrangi were exposing to the elements and away from Hometree. The Metkinaya, however, took it to a new level of discomfort by building their homes directly above the water as they hung between rock arches. He assumed they were wood due to the looming Kelutral over the shoreline but that thought was swiped away on closer inspection. His footsteps creaked over the wooden floorboards and he eyed the aquamarine water with suspicion, even on his second day there. Little fishes of orange and yellow flicked back and forth on their swim through the ocean, reassuring him that they weren't hungry predators.
He was jerked out of his thoughts by Joanna as she set her traveling pack on the ground. His mate was more than happy to sit at the edge of their open alcove and let her feet dangle over the clear water. The alcoves lined one side of the intersected homes while the opposite was exposed towards the water, creating beautiful scenery in her eyes. The clan leader, Tonowari, had been kind in offering one of the beautiful alcoves for their stay. While she kept the privacy curtain open at night to watch the calm reef, Tsu'tey had turned towards the safety of the opposite end of the alcove. He was not used to open spaces just yet, but she had lulled her mate to sleep with a bundle of their own warm blankets and stroking his hair.
Outside of their guest alcove, he had been at his utmost perfection in diplomacy. He was a wall of stone against the rain when she had watched him head out with the olo'eyktan for a tour. Tonowari was widowed like his own matriarch but carried himself more stoically like Mo'at. Nonetheless, he was happy for the ikran claw knives that Nitari had sent over since ikran were infrequently used among the Metkinaya. Xeki and Swizav were practically animal celebrities among a clan that rarely used ikran and were now enjoying a fish buffet that the children brought in to convey respect. Joanna and Tsu'tey, however, were preparing for a day to meet the ilu to which the children of the olo'eyktan, Aonung and Tsireya, would assist.
"No rain today" she smiled sweetly and pointed to the clear skies in the horizon. This would make her mate happy but he had sectioned the hair above his ears with a tie to keep it out of his face. Honestly, she was seeing more hairstyles on her mate than before they were mated.
"How are you feeling?" he asked quietly because he was keeping a vigilant eye on her at the same time. Their morning had gone well without problems but the previous day worried him. Being far from home, he didn't want his mate to become sick with their trusted healers (primarily his aunt Zika) away.
She waved a hand to dismiss the matter because the healer's draughts worked. The bothersome queasiness was gone so she would put it out of mind. With a beautiful landscape that greeted her within steps of her sleeping area, there were plenty of other sights to focus on. The interconnected walkways and homes that were suspended over the water were stunning. She wished to have such marvels at the Atykwe but their oceanic layout brought strong waves to the shore unlike the gentle waters of the Metkinaya.
"Ready to meet the ilu?" she heard a cheerful voice call out behind them and the couple turned to find the children of Tonowari.
Aonung was the eldest of the two but the siblings were younger than her and Tsu'tey. They were closer in age to Wätu but they were clearly mature since their father depended on them to assist with running the clan. Aonung had both sides of his head shaved with the rest braided tightly into his queue braid. Tsireya, on the other hand, tied her long tresses into a braid to drape it over her head like a headband. When it came to the sea and long hair, it could create the worst tangles without decent conditioning. The attire of the Metkinaya was similar to the Omaticaya due to the warmer climate by the reef and sea landscape. Their only difference was that they depended more heavily on close-range weapons rather than bows and arrows.
Joanna jumped to her feet with zest and smiled widely, "Of course!"
"Follow us!" Tsireya beckoned with the same enthusiasm and proceeded to dive right into the glittering water below them. Tsu'tey stared in startled surprise to the move because both the Atykwe and Omaticaya had distance to the water from their homes. The Metkayina, however, didn't hesitate to live above the sea without concern.
"In the water?" he asked slowly, holding his hand out toward his mate to help her jump over the edge. She squeezed his hand in silent support before slipping over feet first into the clear blue water.
"It makes it easier to reach them" Aonung replied because the sea was just like the sand when it came to traversing it. They had more water than sand in their territory and adapted to their environment. Tsu'tey promptly followed his mate and was pleasantly surprised to hit the water and find it warmer than the Atykwe. If he accidentally fell into it during the night, it wouldn't be so bad unlike hitting the ocean waves back home.
Tsireya splashed the crystalline water with her hands, splattering droplets everywhere, and she grinned warmly to compromise, "Along with a closer view of our home."
Joanna treaded water to avoid sinking into the water and raised her hands over her head to declare gleefully, "Let's go!"
Together, the quartet swam away from the interconnected homes to delve further into the colorful reef system. The siblings led the way with movements agile enough to resemble fish and Joanna couldn't help but wonder if na'vi could be mermaids. She dove underwater to catch a closer glimpse of the greenish water as tiny yellow fish flicked by them. The orange-red, yellow, and pink-orange coral reefs were beautiful against the water and white sand. Bioluminescence twinkled underwater when shadows passed over certain areas and her ears perked when her mate asked, "Are there no worries children can fall out of the homes during the night?"
Tsireya chuckled with amusement to his unvoiced worry about children falling headfirst into water. Unlike forest dwellers, children of sea clans learned to swim before climbing anything. She turned to swim on her back and pointed to the start of the homes on each end of the beach to explain cheerfully, "The deeper water here is for our hunters while the shallow ends and shore are for families with small children. Only adults have homes over deeper water than our knees."
"Our children learn to swim before they walk" Aonung pointed out easily because parents taught their little ones to swim among the safety of the reefs. If they passed by those areas of the beach, they would likely see a few infants floating in their mother's arms and splashing about. However, for this trip, they needed to be in deeper water to reach their ilu friends.
When Joanna nodded giddily to his remark, Tsu'tey's gaze shifted to her to ask with curiosity, "Wait, ours will too?"
"Of course!" she grinned with perky agreement to the many skills their little one would learn one day. Hopefully, she would teach their future child well but they had plenty of time to prepare. While her mate was ready for a child, she was more focused on accomplishing her new training. Their little one would undoubtedly be strong like her mate and she proclaimed, "Their lungs must be strong like a storm."
With that said, her legs splashed against the water to intentionally kick up water and she boosted ahead of him. Well, she was returning to her humorous self so that was good. Aonung let the women carry on ahead since Tsireya was the most knowledgeable about their steeds. Slowing his pace in the water, he addressed the older hunter to assure calmly, "It is quite safe here, Tsu'tey. We become fearful of Kelutral's heights for our children so it is a humorous shift."
"I will agree to that" he said amicably because their origins taught them what to fear and what was comfortable. For him, the trees always spelled safety while the sea clans saw the water in this manner. It was an interesting change in mindset but the stunning views easily discarded any hesitation. A hunter had to be adaptable in all situations and the sea was simply another facet of Eywa's creation. The echoes of bird calls, the gentle water against his skin, and the laughter of the women set him at ease. It was a stunning place to live and he smiled with appreciation to the rare gift of being able to travel. The matriarch entrusted him with that task and he would not fail her, complimenting the colorful reef, "It is beautiful here."
The ilu pod of the Metkinaya rested in the center of the largest reef to have the most space for frolicking. A small islet of white sand and rock protruded from the water to allow for basking and the young calves were happily plopped on their stomachs half-asleep. The older ilu oversaw the younger members by the islet's edge while others dove for an underwater snack. Joanna latched onto her mate instantly with glee when she caught sight of their white and green forms, enthralled by their large size.
Tsireya laughed softly to her delighted expression while Tsu'tey reminded his mate not to drown him prematurely. He had never seen such creatures because the rivers of the Omaticaya didn't wield fish life that large. There were predatory fish but they knew the areas to avoid to not become a meal. These beings were unlike anything he'd seen but their soft reptilian skin and switching out their flippers for wings reminded him of tamer ikran. The face was entirely different but the small sharp teeth told him they weren't as gentle as pa'li. Were these the creatures his mate wanted to tame?
"Meet our pod" Aonung presented proudly to their seaborne friends and held out his right hand to the largest ilu of the pod. There were fifteen adults frolicking in the reef in varying sizes and Joanna assumed the one he beckoned was the alpha. With him being the future olo'eyktan, it made sense that he would lead one of the strongest ilu. The green speckled ilu warbled with interest to the newcomers as one of its queues landed on top of Aonung's head. He laughed to the affection from the ilu and looked back at their guests to say, "They are quite social creatures."
"They're beautiful" she whispered with awe to their large size but gentle demeanor. Treading water, she felt tiny compared to the aquatic being and Tsireya beckoned them to approach. The siblings stepped onto the sandy islet to meet the pod, raining droplets on the little calves that promptly whined in protest. A gentle pat to their white bellies from Tsireya quieted the little ilu and Joanna grasped the damp sand to stand upright. It felt surreal to finally see them up close and the calves reminded her of young pa'li. Clasping her hands over her chest, she smiled sweetly to the plump sunbathing calves, "Aw, they're like a sea version of Peke."
Tsu'tey chuckled softly to her adoration and briefly explained to the other two, "Her pa'li is quite affectionate."
The siblings chuckled to her wide glittering eyes and Tsireya held up her hands to cup the snout of one of the resting ilu by the water. A gentle rub of acknowledgement went a long way with the ilu and she smiled when their left queue was offered in return. Initiating the bond with the adult ilu, she told the curious animal, "This is Joanna and Tsu'tey. They came from the southern coast to visit us and are eager to meet you."
The news brought a happy bark from the ilu that reminded Joanna of a mix between a dolphin and whale. It was a lengthened series of clicks of cheer but to her right, the remaining ilu warbled a drawn-out whistle that reminded her of whales calling their pod. It was quite interesting from a researcher's perspective but that was her old life. The female ilu lowered her head and with a held breath, Joanna rested her palm on its warm emerald skin to find it softer than an ikran's. Softly, her voice quivered to their first meeting, "Hello, there. Aren't you beautiful?"
"They require less space on land, unlike ikran and pa'li" Aonung explained easily to the versatility of the ilu in comparison to the other steeds. They were easy to care for since the sea was their territory and as long as their waters held sustenance, they were happy. The sunbathing islet added an extra perk for the medium-sized pod. He initiated tsaheylu with the alpha female as she oversaw the pod and she barked at Tsu'tey in welcome. He had to admit it was a better greeting and easier on the ears than a furious ikran screech. Like Joanna, he rested a hand on her head to greet her respectfully and the younger hunter continued, "Here, our territory is theirs. They know where not to wander and will alert nearby migrating ilu where it's safe."
"The Atykwe have reefs and safe zones which would appeal to ilu" Joanna pondered for providing them with a suitable habitat to their liking. The beautiful reefs, open water, and sunbathing spots made it perfect for the Metkinaya ilu. Although their own reefs were smaller in size, the ilu could approach their shores to sunbathe safely on the sand. They wouldn't need the sunbathing rocks so the ikran could keep their own slice of territory.
Tsu'tey was quick to remind her about their primary concern, "If we can catch them."
"It would be a heavy advantage for your clan" Aonung stated confidently because his people depended on the ilu due to the high rock cliffs that kept his clan separate from the forest. With little terrain and ample sea, they needed to adapt to their environment to survive. The Atykwe had a chance to improve their food supplies and he advised, "Your hunters would be able to find food where the ikran fail, especially during storms. Like pa'li, you can bond with more than one."
"We have found that swimming alongside them during their migration assists in tsaheylu" his sister piped up helpfully to help their search from experience and her ilu flapped its green fins against the sand. She chuckled softly when the ilu's tail splashed in the water to offer a ride but she shook her head to calm her energy. The young female was always eager for a swim around the reef like the other young adults. Gazing back at the older couple, she added in, "However, it is not about taming one but the pod. Nobody gets left behind."
"I can't imagine leaving any alone" Tsu'tey whispered solemnly to his mate because he knew firsthand how lonely a life could be without family. He had not allowed anyone to separate Aci from her young until she deemed it was time and would never condone it for any creature. If they were able to match the pod to hunters, he would help in corralling the little calves to follow the rest. Joanna had told him she had seen children with the seven adults so their safety would be a priority.
"They are not hostile due to our smaller size" Aonung revealed to the gentle nature of the ilu despite their intimidating appearance. They were not confrontational unless they were protecting their pod and the na'vi riders would defend their partner against any enemy. He had fought off a nalutsa male already that dared to pick off one of the calves a season prior. Ilu were sacred to them like an atokirina and he reminded, "But take care in not approaching the young ones on initial contact."
"Is it better to bond with the alpha first?" Joanna asked uncertainly because she figured acceptance from the leader would correlate throughout the pod. The female from the herd in their waters was almost as large as the one next to Aonung so she would have her work cut out for her. She thought Xeki was large and despite the length was a close call between both species, the ilu were wider.
"Yes, she will always be in the lead or center" Tsireya answered politely because they matched similarly to na'vi culture. Only females stayed in the pod while male calves could grow until they matured. She always had the hardest time releasing them to the sea but her father wisely reminded her it kept a balance. Having overpopulation in the pod could prove catastrophic for the reef and she advised quickly, "Unlike pa'li, ilu are matrilineal like ourselves. Only daughters stay and the male juveniles will linger until ready to join bachelor pods when they arrive for mating season."
"Thank you, this has been very helpful" Tsu'tey spoke respectfully to convey appreciation for their kindness. They didn't have to tell them anything about the ilu but the clan had been very kind. He would not mind exploring more of the beautiful reef and learning more about the ilu. A smile crossed his lips when one of the sunbathing calves nudged him with the end of its queue in curiosity. Outstretching his hand, he kneeled to dip his head respectfully to the young ilu. Its yellow eyes observed him carefully while the two slits over its snout sniffed him, chuckling when he felt the spiracles on its white chest exhale against his knees. The ilu was adorable despite its large size as it bested any pa'li young.
"Anytime" the young hunter dismissed with a helpful smile because he liked meeting people along the coast. Soon, he would be old enough to travel to nearby clans and he was curious about those who used ikran. He had heard the sea was more turbulent among the Atykwe and wondered how tall their waves could become. Joanna smiled with gratitude when he told her kindly, "Nitari has been a very respectable leader with us. I hope to visit your coast one day."
"She would happily welcome you and the same applies to us" Tsu'tey stated to encourage future visits because having allies strengthened bonds between clans. He had seen what it had done for Nitari and Mo'at which could easily transplant to the Metkinaya. Joanna couldn't have put it better herself, always impressed by his diplomatic skills.
"I would very much like for her to hear one of your songs" Joanna told the gathered ilu with a fond smile and they warbled with chorus of agreement. It wasn't a song but it came close with its prolonged one note key. They were social creatures, much like the pa'li, as they lingered beside each other rather than swimming out to sea. The calves were closely guarded by their mothers while the juveniles splashed in the water around the islet.
Inhaling deeply, Joanna smiled happily to the endless sea and the opportunity to meet the Metkinaya. Her mate had been wary of their sleeping arrangements but that was cast aside now. Tsu'tey was enthralled by the little ilu calf, waving the end of his queue braid in a gentle invite for tsaheylu. Despite his stoic and firm features, that demeanor was tossed aside for the animals of Pandora. He was quieter and more vigilant after their reunion, allowing for the mindset of a great leader. Indoors, however, he was a different story as sassy joking and smiles revealed his true nature.
Her joy was short-lived when the nausea returned with great force and before she could move to find privacy in the middle of an occupied islet, her stomach contracted. Damn it, where could she go? The nauseous sensation and sudden increase in salivation were the precursors to what had already happened back with the Tayrangi. Kneeling over the farthest solitary spot, she threw up over the sand to spill her previously digested meal. Thankfully, first meal had been hours ago so there wasn't much in her stomach compared to last time.
Coughing to remove the nasty acidic taste from her mouth, she scrambled over to the sea to scoop water into her hands. Rinsing her mouth with burning embarrassment, she used her tail to bat sand over the mess she made while the three onlookers stayed silent. Could a hole open in the sand to swallow her hole? Now, she had two clans that witnessed her moment of weakness. She didn't want to disappoint Nitari but her record wasn't as great like Tsu'tey. She splashed the lukewarm water over her face and inhaled deeply to calm her queasy stomach, silently praying that a second show wouldn't erupt.
Tsu'tey, however, broke the silence with concern at seeing another reprise of her vomiting spells, "Joanna-"
"I'm fine" she interjected swiftly to ward off worries because they had reached a breakthrough. The ilu were now a reality before her and spending time with them would help for bonding with the wild ones in their beach. Standing on shaky legs, she cast aside her own well-being to mimic her mate's strong front to shake off that nausea episode. She couldn't show vulnerability when proving herself as a diplomat and with the ilu at stake.
"No, you're not" he disagreed sternly, aware of her stubbornness to admit weakness. She was much like himself but unlike his mate, he could easily toss her over his shoulder to fetch help. As wonderful as the ilu were, they didn't compare to her health. His mate had always been healthy upon meeting and he had only seen her ill once at the Omaticaya. Patting the little ilu on the head in farewell, he approached his mate to point out sharply, "I have never seen you throw up since meeting. Now, it's happened twice!"
She decided not to slip the truth about the other instances shortly after wakening at home. There had been recent nausea spells lately but she figured she had gotten the na'vi version of swimmer's ear. Throwing her hands in the air to appear nonchalant, she offered with an awkward chuckle, "Maybe the travel got to me?"
Tsu'tey was not falling for her ploy and not wanting to argue with her in front of guests, stated firmly, "You're not fooling me."
"We're so close to finishing our trip" she tried to reason with him, grasping his hands to convey her intense desire to stay. Throwing up was a simple setback, not a reason to return home! The ilu were so sweet that it beckoned her to bear through the nausea to learn more about them. How could she deny the cute plump calves?
"I'm not letting you travel while sick" he disagreed vehemently because her bearing discomfort for knowledge was not part of the plan. Her heart was in the right place to improve their clan but it shouldn't come at the cost of her health. He vowed to protect her and if that meant doing so against her own judgment, he would bear her anger. His golden gaze was firm against her apprehensive eyes and Joanna knew he was likely winning this round.
"It's probably something I ate back home that didn't settle" she suggested to leap at another answer in the hope of staying and rubbed her flat stomach for emphasis. All right, it wasn't entirely flat anymore in recent weeks and figured her tutelage with Nitari was making her a little soft around the belly. Thankfully, her mate had been kind in not commenting about it. Tsu'tey remained unconvinced by the dull look he aimed at her and she laughed nervously to try one last time, "I shouldn't be eating so many raw oysters. They're so tasty though."
"We're going home" he finalized simply with a nonnegotiable tone because he wasn't risking her health. Turning around, he approached the siblings with an apologetic expression for cutting their time short.
Joanna closed the distance between them with haste and grasped his shoulders from behind to plead, "Tsu'tey-"
"Your mate is correct" Aonung interrupted to agree with her concerned mate and Joanna whined pitifully behind his shoulder. He was her rock against the storms but this time, he was shielding her from her own desire. She didn't want to leave but Tsu'tey convinced the other two faster than she could. Hmm, she would have to carefully study his silver-tongue methods of persuasion. Aonung retraced his steps back to the water and motioned for her to follow, "Come, we will hydrate you before your return home."
"I . . . oh, fine" she sighed softly with regret at bidding the reef farewell in such a short time. The ilu warbled at seeing the two young hunters leaving the reef but Tsireya promised to return to them. Joanna was regretful to leave, feeling discouraged with her effort to prove herself in diplomacy. Tsu'tey would not budge from his decision and all she could do was bide her time to return on a new trip. She understood his concerns and not wanting to appear like an ungrateful guest, chuckled sheepishly, "I can't say no to kind hospitality."
Tsu'tey grasped her hand to avoid any last-minute attempts to escape and pulled her towards the water. He wanted to keep her close in case she felt weak while swimming so she could cling to him. His mate kept a brave front and he hoped she would remain stable until they returned home. It would take at least half a day to reach the Atykwe which was a main reason for him to return her to the safety of their people. She whined softly under her breath at leaving the ilu behind and returned to the warm water with her mate.
Tsireya sympathized with her longing to stay with the ilu and she offered sincerely, "You are more than welcome to visit anytime . . . except when you're ill."
Joanna smiled weakly with disappointment to cutting her trip short and called out to the ilu with apology, "I'm sorry, ilu! You're all great!"
Tsu'tey chuckled softly to her fawning while the ilu gurgled with question to her perky voice. The creatures were friendly like tamed pa'li which gave him hope that Joanna's idea could be accomplished. If they could tame the ilu, it would be a great feat to return them to the clan once more. The Metkinaya were key for information towards that goal and he gazed at the future leader to speak earnestly, "Thank you for your kindness."
"Your matriarch is kind and both of you resonate that strength" Aonung stated simply because he had been a little boy when he caught a glimpse of the tsahìk. Despite being scared, her gentle temperament and snacks drew him out of his shell. The tawtute had cut their travels short but his father kept trading with the clan throughout the conflicts. Whenever they needed aid or supplies, she had assisted. He would continue to return that kindness with her envoys and spoke honestly, "You would do the same if it were us."
"True, Nitari would send an escort if you were alone" Joanna agreed with a fond smile to her maternal figure and had yet to find anyone that spoke ill of her. She had managed to shift opinions from the oldest generation that she should have been descended from the ruling family, rather than an artisan, and rose the clan to prominence. It was that admiration that fueled her to continue her path by bringing the ilu back to one of their old homes. Gazing at her mate despondently, she tried one last time with a pout, "Can't we stay until-"
Another wave of nausea struck before she could finish, her hand flying to her mouth to avoid barfing on her mate. Tsu'tey wrapped his left arm around her waist while he swam with the other to reach shore with the utmost speed. Her last-ditch attempt to convince him failed and he shot back protectively, "No, I am carrying you home if I need to."
"No fair, my stomach betrayed me" she whined pitifully to falling prey to her own body and hoped nothing was seriously wrong. Did food poisoning last longer than it did with humans? Or was she developing digestive problems? She didn't know what was going on and decided to trust Tsu'tey on returning home. The healers would have a better idea than she did.
A/N: Phew, and two new clans have been crafted from Cameron's work. I'm hoping to do them justice by making each unique to their terrain. The ilu have interested me, much like the sea clans, from seeing pictures from the Avatar franchise so we'll be seeing more of them. Although they may look innocent at first glance, I want to make them a mix between gentle humpback whales with their riders and the cunning orca whales against enemies. I also wanted to delve more into the atokirina since they're spirits of the forest so I decided all spirits could see technically see through them with enough fortitude. Joanna and Tsu'tey have now dipped their feet as traveling diplomats for their clan and while Joanna tried her best, it didn't work out as planned. We will find out next chapter the reason for Joanna's nauseous spells but I'm sure some of you might have an idea.
Thank you to my readers, as always, and last chapter reviewers!
gossamermouse101: Haha, the cliffhanger is just an intro glimpse but our main characters will be safe for now until they start interacting with them. The RDA have never been good guests of hospitality, after all.
Guest1st: Your question is hilarious because I think they both tie, given their similar personalities. Tsu'tey, however, is quite more covert about it. Jake is all about his baby, which we'll see in the upcoming chapters, as the new family bonds. The Norm triangle will be resolved soon when it brings the old gang back together. Joanna and Tsu'tey's own family will begin unfolding soon, especially after this chapter, so you'll have your answers. Haha.
Excessive Donkey: That's all right, it was technically dead for almost a decade and took me a while to hop back on the Pandora pa'li for thinking. I also became nostalgic last summer and with this being the most popular piece among my hiatus pile, I decided it needed to continue to its completion. It also pushes me to complete this story and take out another from the hiatus vault, haha. Thank you for reading my story, nonetheless, I love hearing from readers.
fredih: Haha, thank you! This is actually my longest story out of all so I'm also curious to how long it will be at its end. I'm planning on potentially 12 chapters after this one. Each one that's been posted is at minimum 20 pages so I'm likely going over the 900,000 words, haha. Thank you for enjoying my characters, given that the cast has grown massively since the first volume.
Thank you for reading and stay safe!