A/N Just topped 350 views. Really happy with these numbers, keep up the support!
I said it before, I'll say it again, I don't own Avatar.
Waking up, he was surprised not to find the palulukan sprawled over him, as had become habit in the time they had been travelling together. looking around, he noticed her on the forest floor, busily burying last nights meal. Before he could voice his question, Sylwanin explained, having crept behind him to see what had caught his attention.
"She is burying all signs of the meal. She does not want another of her kind to notice the remains, and think that plenty of food is available." "So she's trying to keep the others from breathing down our necks?" He thought he understood, he just wanted confirmation. She frowned. "If a Palulukan were close enough to 'breathe down your neck', it would not be doing so."
He laughed. "Sorry, its just an expression." She looked at him curiously, before making her way languidly down the tree. He gulped, trying not to stare at the enticing figure. He slowly made his way down the tree, trying to match her liquid movements. She watched at his sorry attempt at grace, and shook, trying to contain her mirth at the sight.
He reached the ground, trying to ignore the blatant display of ridicule coming from his female companion. Clearing his throat, he waited for her to finish. quietly cleaning up what few possessions they had.
He sat against the tree, and started quietly. "Where are we going?" She stopped, clearly shocked. "I thought you knew the way.." She started, confusion evident in her voice. "Knew the way where?" He was truly curious. Where was he supposed to know the way to? "The tawtute building." She saw the disarray in his mind as he tried to remember directions to a place that, until a few moments ago, he hadn't even known existed.
After a few minutes of this mental struggle, he looked at her, helplessness in his eyes. She quickly stepped in ,hoping to draw his attention away from his disability. `We can go to Hometree, they will know the way to your building." He nodded, still stressed at his problem. He looked over at her.
"Do you know the way to hometree from here?" She nodded, but her expression told of her uncertainty. "I have never traveled far from my home; it will be difficult to do." she paused, considering. Walking to the base of a much larger tree than the one they had slept in, she began her ascent.
"Where are you going?" he shouted at the already hard to see figure moving up the trunk. When he didn't get a reply, he started up after her, unsure as to the purpose of her climb. When she reached the top, she was surprised to see him pop up beside her.
"Why did you follow me?" she asked, not understanding his presence there. "Trying to figure out why you climbed this tree. Please don't tell me it was just for fun?" He responded, fervently hoping he had not completed the grueling ascent for the pleasure of it. "No," she replied. "I was trying to notice anything that is close to Hometree." She paused. "And?" he prompted, hoping for some idea of where they were going.
She nodded, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Pointing behind him, she started, "The trees are smaller in that direction. Hopefully, we will find it in that place." He was confused. "Why does smaller trees mean that a Hometree is there?" She looked at him as if he were a child. "That is the direction of Hometree. It needs more to sustain itself, leaving less for the smaller trees."
He nodded, mentally face palming at his ignorance. Without any more words between them, they started the long climb down, Sylwanin quickly surpassing him. Finally when they reached the ground, they found the palulukan tearing into a deer like creature, evidently not caring about the interests of its humanoid companions.
He started walking towards her, hoping to scavenge some meat for he and Sylwanin's meal. He didn't make it, due to the second carcass placed at the base of the tree. He smiled, and dusted himself off, going towards where he had left his flint overnight. As much as he valued it, he didn't want to impale himself on it during a restless night.
By the time he had returned, Sylwanin had already gutted, and butchered the beast, and was preparing a spot for a fire. Shrugging, he started the fire, bemused and pleased at the days events. as they ate, he reflected, happy that they actually had a destination, and that he may actually be able to find out who he is... was. He got up from the fire, and began searching for a place to sleep for the night.
After some searching, he found a tree to his liking. However, before he could begin his ascension, he noticed a small opening in the trees roots. upon entering, he decided he preferred the comforting walls to the swaying openness of the trees. sighing, he felt the palulukan slip in with him, wriggling to get herself inside. Soon after, he drifted to sleep, wondering who he was, and how he'd gotten there.
A/N I'm not sure two things: the length of the chapters, and the progression of the story. I could write longer chapters but then it would take longer to write, and therefore, upload. However, I'm totally open to suggestions about the speed. Thanks for reading!
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