We sing the chords to remember.
Hahana may not have been alive for the war the Omatikaya people waged against the Sky People, but victory or not, she has heard the stories of destruction and devastation that came after and she wants nothing to do with it. When war comes to the Metkayina in the form of a refuge family, she will find if she is the warrior she and her twin brother Ao'nung were raised as, or the coward she knows herself to be.
The Sea Is Your Home
The way of water has no beginning and no end.
The sea is around you, and in you.
The sea is your home.
Before your birth, and after your death.
Ao'nung is born as dusk settles over Awa'atlu and the ocean wages war against the reef. Hahana is born as the eclipse breaks over Naranawm, the Great Eye, and the sky clears and waters calm.
They learn to swim, ride ilu and fish at each other's side. They are an inseparable force of nature, their competing personalities a balance gifted from eywa. When Ao'nung is unyielding, Hahana is flexible. When Ao'nung's temper and overconfidence overpower his decision making, Hahana is there as his closest confidant and greatest advisor. Where Ao'nung is brave, Hahana is cautious.
Our hearts beat in the womb of the world.
Tsireya is born under the mist-covered morning years later, ripe with promise and a heart as soft as their father's, Olo'eyktan. The twins bond with her as close as siblings can be, but never as close as they are to each other. A natural relationship for the troublesome twins, but an internalized slight to their youngest sister who has always felt left out, though she will never speak it.
Our breath burns in the shadow of the deep.
Hahana and Ao'nung are inland when the horn sounds.
Hahana's ears twitch at the disturbance in the air, far off. For a moment she is certain she has misheard. The horns are used to warn of danger, of trespassers.
No one has dared cross the treacherous ocean to harm their reef for as long as Hahana has been alive.
She turns to her brother, Ao'nung, but he shakes his head. "Do not assume the worst, it could be just to gather." But even with her twin brother's attempt to soothe her, when the horns ring out again, the two siblings scramble out of the mangrove tree they are perched in.
Climbing through the roots, Hahana leaves behind her stash of shells, collected in a spring further inland. Her village, Awa'altu, is her only comprehensive thought. Her heart hammers in her chest and blood drums in her ears, urging her forward as the horns fade into nothing. The silence only amplifies her anxiety and it takes all of Hahana's self control to keep herself from panicking.
The people will be gathering, either to meet the trespassers to speak peacefully or, worse, prepare for battle. Hahana prays to eywa imminent battle is not the case, but she has always been one to jump headfirst to conclusions.
"Stop freaking out, Hahana," Ao'nung calls behind her, but even he cannot keep the stress from his voice.
Her natural, anxious nature feels more coward than careful as her heart roars in her ears. If Ao'nung wasn't here to witness, she wonders if she would be racing to the shoreline or hiding in the mangroves. Her twin brother's grunt as he misses a step behind reminds her now is not a time to get lost in her head.
She runs faster than she ever has, and still she feels that time moves even faster. She jumps from outstretched root to root, leaps over small pockets of spring water and treks through soft sand before Awa'altu comes into view.
Sprinting over the woven pathways of her village with her brother on her heels, she nearly stumbles as she sees five ikrans circle the sand bar before landing. Her heart stutters in her chest, pounding against her ribcage.
"Forest people," her brother says as he grabs her wrist, slowing her as they move through the crowd forming on the beach.
Whether he knows it or not, his fingers on her arm ground her and help slow her cowardly heart - her heart that wants her to run from whatever problem they are sure to face if they keep going forward.
"What could they be doing here?" His question pulls her from her thoughts.
Before she can be tempted to veer off course, Tonowari's voice calls their names, his deep timber carries easily over the people congregated on the shore and the twins jog over to meet him as they approach the Omatikaya on the sand.
Rotxo, Ao'nung's friend, catches up to them as they stand before the strangers. Rotxo is as close to Ao'nung as Hahana is with Etera, Rotxo's eldest brother. Etera and another close friend of theirs, Pania, have been sent to the Ta'unui Clan in the east to strengthen clan relations and learn from them. A task that was originally Hahana's before being given to Pania.
The two young forest boys gesture to her and her brother, they only nod in return. Hahana tries to catch her brother's eye but he is only scoffing at the two younger boys.
Hahana turns to take a closer look at the forest people. Two adults that she recognizes as Toruk Makto and his mate, Neytiri, and four children. She looks over them carefully as her younger sister, Tsireya, comes up to join her and Ao'nung. They're skin is a deep blue that Hahana had only seen once before, when Toruk Makto visited their people a few years after the Sky People were defeated in a great battle that took place just before she and Ao'nung were born. Their bright yellow eyes are an enchanting shade that she has only seen replicated in a select few shells found on the sandy floors of the reef.
While she finds them fascinating, the distrust and apprehension in them worry her. And then she notices their bodies. They are tall, but thin - weaker than the full bodied frames of the Metkayina. Arms with lean muscle, and legs that would surely be useless against the current if they ever braved the water. Their narrow tails ending with a tuft of hair on that end, its uses unfathomable to Hahana.
The shorter of the two boys does a double take when Tsireya walks up and greets her with a casual familiarity this situation does not possess, ignoring Hahana and Ao'nung just next to her. Hahana narrows her eyes and tilts her head back to look down her nose at him and she and Ao'nung step forward, obscuring the boy's view from Tsireya. Their younger sister's hiss of irritation is ignored by her older siblings.
Hahana's gaze flickers over to the older of the two boys and finds he is nudging his flushed younger brother and grinning at his expense. She shares a look with Ao'nung.
Tonowari gestures to the ocean around them and continues speaking to the Omatikaya family. Bashfully, Hahana pretends that she has been paying attention the entire time. "We are reef people. You are forest people. Your skills will be useless here," he says. Besides Hahana, Ao'nung snickers softly.
Toruk Makto bows his head to Olo'eyktan. "Then we will learn your ways," he says in his rich voice, deep with promise.
Ao'nung snorts loudly and all eyes dart to him. He walks up to the two boys closest to him and Hahana and grabs at them. "Their arms are thin," he says while the boys recoil from him. He reaches out to their tails, but they snap them away quickly. "Their tails are weak." He moves back to stand next to Hahana and crosses his arms. "They will be slow in the water."
Rotxo grabs Toruk Makto's eldest daughter's hand and holds it out for the people to see, four fingers attached to her thin palm. "They aren't even full Na'vi." The girl rips her hand away from Rotxo as the crowd cries out in alarm.
Demon blood is called out more than once.
Toruk Makto holds out his hands for all to see, four fingers spread out. "I was born of the Sky People and now I am na'vi." He shouts out over the restless crowd. "You can adapt. We will adapt." His words are strong, but the plea in his voice does not go unnoticed.
Neytiri steps forward, her voice low. Her bright yellow eyes, dull with exhaustion, are hard against Hahana's mother's sharp gaze. "My husband was Toruk Makto. He led the clans to victory over the Sky People."
Ronal's chin lifts as she looks down her nose to the former Tsahik-to-be of the Omatikaya people. "Do you call it a victory to hide among strangers? Maybe eywa has turned her back on you."
Toruk Makto steps between his mate and Tsahik, but the Metkayina people have begun muttering amongst themselves. Hahana listens but keeps her eyes narrowed and her lips sealed in a thin line. "I apologize for my mate," Toruk Makto says.
Neytiri hisses, betrayal plain on her face. "Do not apologize for me."
"She has flown a long way and is exhausted," he continues, giving his mate a look before looking to Olo'eyktan.
Tonowari raises his hands to quiet his people. "Toruk Makto is a mighty war hero. All Na'vi know his story." He turns back to the Sully family. "But we Metkayina are not at war. We can't let you take the war here."
"I'm done with war. I just want to protect my family."
The twins both nod their heads in agreement with their father. Hahana has not seen war and as she takes stock of her own family, she finds that she may feel sadness for the Sully's, but not at the sake of her own peace. She whispers to Ao'nung, "the water will spit them out sooner than they can learn to swim. They do not know what they ask."
Neytiri's voice is as defeated as it is sharp when she says, "uturu has been asked."
The smallest one reaches out for her father and he picks her up. "Will we be sent away?" she asks. The sadness in the girl's voice sparks something in Hahana, but she smothers it. There will be no peace if Olo'eyktan allows sanctuary.
"It will be okay," Toruk Makto responds. Hahana isn't sure if he is right.
Tonowari and Ronal turn to look at each other. Hahana knows her mother will be against it, she has always been as hard and unyielding as the crest of the tulkun. Her father, on the other hand, is the softer of the two, and as Hahana watches the two of them communicate silently, she knows what they will do.
Olo'eyktan turns to the Omatikaya family. "Toruk Makto and his family will stay with us,'' he announces to his stunned people. "Consider them as our brothers and sisters. But they do not know the sea. Therefore, they will be like newborns taking their first breath. Teach them about our way of life so that they will not suffer the shame of being useless."
Toruk Makto looks gratefully to her parents. He turns to his children, "What do you say then?"
With the exception of the youngest child in Toruk Makto's arms, the children are unenthusiastic as they mutter, "thanks."
Hahana finds herself relating to them, even if it is out of fear of what their presence means more than it is being a place they do not know. It isn't until her father's next words that she finds herself outwardly showing anger over the situation.
"My son, Ao'nung, and daughters, Hahana and Tsireya, will guide your children."
Ao'nung immediately rounds on their father. "Why?" He whines.
Tonowari is quick to silence him and any protest Hahana may have uttered. "It has been decided."
The twins exchange a glance and Ao'nung storms off, Rotxo hot on his tail, leaving Hahana and their sister behind. She turns to follow him, knowing he is only going to find his friends and complain, ultimately undermining their parent's commands to treat the newcomers as brothers and sisters, but Tsireya grabs her wrist and gives her a meaningful look.
Of the three children of Olo'eyktan and Tsahik, Tsireya is the most like water. She adapts quickly, and forgives like the passing tide. She is as lovely as the eclipse's reflection over the surf, and as soft as the embrace of the calm reef. She also can be the most self-righteous and insufferable.
"Come and see our village," she says to the family standing awkwardly before them, a bright smile plastered on her face. "This way." She starts leading the forest family up the sand bar, dragging Hahana unwillingly by the wrist.
Toruk Makto and his mate follow with as much enthusiasm as can be expected. The youngest daughter, Tuk, Hahana hears her being called, rushes up the woven pathways that make up their village. She jumps and squeals in excitement at each new thing they pass and Hahana feels the pit in her stomach grow. The other siblings are not nearly as lighthearted and she finds herself relating to them more than the open joyfulness of their youngest member.
She wonders if they understand the danger they have put onto her and her people, or if they only mourn for their old way of life, unconcerned by the way Hahana must now mourn her own changing future.
Tuk only knows they are running from war, seeking refuge and sanctuary - uturu. She does not understand the danger her very presence brings to Hahana's people. It is hard to find anger, but her heart is still heavy. Her parents must be back in their marui now, arguing over the implications and Hahana feels a spark of annoyance with Tsireya for dragging her along for this tour. Even Ao'nung is amongst friends so he may air his grievances, but Hanaha must play nice with her youngest sister - who does not seem to grasp the severity of the situation they now find themselves in.
The two boys walk in the rear of the group, but even their sullen expressions and wary eyes brighten as they take in their surroundings. A beautiful, interwoven community just above the crystal clear waters, so close one could reach down and touch it. An island untouched by war.
Hahana catches the youngest son, Lo'ak, glancing at Tsireya on more than one occasion as she tells the family of different places of significance that they pass by. He spends more time looking at Tsireya than he does looking at the healing hut or meeting spaces she points out. If Ao'nung were here he would have pushed the boy into the reef by now.
The oldest son, Neteyam, comes to walk at pace with Hahana. She pointedly ignores him, pretending to be listening intently to Tsireya's tour of their home while imagining how Lo'ak would sputter just at the surface of the water on his thin, useless arms. To her dismay, Neteyam turns his yellow eyes to her and she tenses up for him to speak.
"Those creatures in the water," he starts, pointing to the ilu that swim and leap just below them. "What are they called?"
Before she is dragged into a conversation against her will, Ao'nung calls out for her. He steps between the two of them, blocking Neteyam from view. The boy mutters something under his breath but Hahana does not take care to listen to his words.
"Come, mother and father request us," Ao'nung says sarcastically, leading her away from the family before Hahana can decide to push the eldest brother off of the woven path instead of Lo'ak.
Tonowari and Ronal wait for their eldest children in their marui and their father wastes no time as they enter. "Tsireya is the only of you three who has immediately begun the task I set out for you - to guide them," he tells them.
"I was on the tour, as well," Hahana protests. She looks to their mother but Ronal offers her eldest daughter no help.
"Glaring at Jake Sully's sons as you stomp alongside your sister does not count as guiding them, Hahana," Tonowari sighs, as though she made a grievous error. As if she is not allowed to feel frustration at the intrusion in her life - in all their lives. "Tomorrow, you two and Tsireya will meet with Toruk Makto's children to teach them the ways of the reef."
Ao'nung gapes at the news. "They are like babies, father. Thin, useless arms and an even more useless tail. They will be dead weight in the water." He throws his arm over Hahana's shoulders and leans into her with great theatrics he is known across the village for.
Hahana opens her mouth to launch her own protests but Tonowari raises his hand, cutting off the two of them. "I have heard enough complaints, I will accept no more today."
Hahana sighs. A losing argument on her tongue but she settles for logic. "Father, we cannot possibly be expected to teach them anything." Ao'nung nods in agreement beside her. "It is not only that they will need to learn the way of the water, they simply do not possess the gifts eywa has given us to allow us to live amongst the waves."
Tonowari dismisses his eldest daughter with a wave of his hand, again choosing to ignore Ronal's snort in agreement, her only responses to this argument so far. "If they do not learn," he says, "it is because you cannot teach." Hahana recoils from her father at the slight, her lip curling over her teeth. "You are to meet them in the morning to begin training. I will hear no more of this." He speaks with a finality that leaves no room for argument. "Hahana," he turns to her, still holding her brother up as he sags into her with great despair. "I trust that I will not have to look to my youngest daughter to ensure your duties are met." His gaze drifts to her brother. "Both of your duties."
Hahana lightly shoves her twin brother off of her and dips her chin low. "Of course, father," she says, a promise she does not take lightly, but one she knows she will struggle to fulfill to her father's expectations. Ao'nung scoffs beside her and she knows once she is alone with him there will be a fight between them.
Tonowari steps outside with their mother, likely trying to placate Ronal, as Tsireya bounds into the family's marui as though absolutely nothing were amiss, and Hahana fears she may really believe that to be true. The look of disappointment she gives her older siblings tells Hahana everything she needs to know about what Tsireya is thinking - and the danger she is pointedly ignoring.
"They are fleeing a war," Tsireya says in the self-righteous way she speaks when she thinks her eldest siblings are in the wrong. "It is terribly tragic and the two of you could have been nicer." Sometimes, Hahana wonders if Tsireya pretends herself to be more mature than the two of them because she is unable to understand the bigger picture, imagining everything to be an easy fix when in reality it is not.
Ao'nung throws his arms up in disgust. "Of course you'd think so. Your heart is too big, little sister."
"Your heart is too small," Tsireya counters, only for him to roll his eyes. "You should have at least come with me to show them around, Ao'nung. Hahana started the tour before -"
"She didn't finish it," Ao'nung interrupted her and Hahana sticks her tongue out at her brother's attempt to shove blame onto the two of them equally.
Tsireya rolls her eyes. "Because you took her from it."
"And it is a good thing I came when I did, Hahana would not have lasted a moment longer."
Hahana places a hand on Ao'nung's shoulder, lightly pulling him to sit down besides her. She motions for her sister to sit as well. "Hear me, Tsireya. I understand their plight, but to come here is to bring their war with us."
Tsireya leans forward and frowns. "Not if they are not found," she says, reaching to Hahana and Ao'nung, she grabs their hands and places each of them on their own chests. "Look into your heart, no one knows they are here. We can -"
Ronal's stern voice interrupts her youngest, "we cannot ignore the danger, Tsireya." She cuts a dark look to her mate, who has joined her back in their marui. They sit down together, completing the circle. "No one knows they are here, yet. That may change at any moment, do not forget that." All three of her children nod to her and Hahana drops her gaze to her lap. "You will do as Olo'eyktan commands, but you must stay vigilant. Am I understood?"
Both girls nod to their mother and Ao'nung mumbles something that sounds enough like an agreement that Ronal does not comment on it.
Hahana looks back up and catches her mother's sharp eyes on her, trying to communicate something to her eldest daughter. Ronal knows Tsireya's naivety and soft heart will be difficult to convince of any danger, and Ao'nung's brashness and prejudice will only serve to cause more problems than this situation already presents. Should the Sully's be discovered taking refuge in their clan, many will face dire consequences. With one look, Hahana knows that the responsibility to keep her twin and her youngest sister out of trouble falls onto her.
"I will not disappoint you," she swears, earning a curt nod from Ronal. Accepting that as dismissal, Hahana stands and is followed by Tsireya and Ao'nung out of their marui.
Tsireya gives them one last look of judgment Hahana has no energy to decipher before she leaves the twins to their own devices.
o-0-o
As the day comes to an end, Hahana kicks her feet back and forth listlessly in the water next to her twin brother and sighs deeply. He spent his evening with the village boys, scheming plans to undermine their father or only to complain about their predicament, she doesn't ask. She wishes not for the first time for Etera and Pania to return, if only so she, too, had friends to take counsel in. She tries not to think of them on the eastern islands, if only to lessen the shame deep in her gut of having Pania be chosen over her for their journey.
She rests her hands back behind her and lifts her face to the sky. It has always been Hahana's task to keep her brother in line, but it is no secret amongst their family - their people as well - that she always defers to him anyways. She is cautious at her best and nervous and anxious at her worst. On more than one occasion has Hahana tried to run from a problem only for Ao'nung to catch her by the wrist and pull her headlong into their next adventure - for better or worse. Ao'nung will be the next Olo'eyktan, and she, his greatest advisor and friend. But above that, she is still his little sister, even if only by a few hours.
"It appears we will not be getting out of this one, brother." She breaks the silence. She turns her face to look at him. In asking her next question, she knows he is giving him the power to decide how they will engage with their newest responsibility. "How do you expect tomorrow to go?"
Ao'nung's smile is smug. Even without his words, Hahana knows by the look on his face that following her father's command will be a great difficulty. "We will not get along," he says, an answer not at all surprising to his sister, and one she believes to be true.
She cannot imagine getting along with anyone who would so willingly put the safety of others at risk.
Still, Hahana rolls her eyes at her brother's response and looks back out over the reef, searching for any sign of danger over the horizon.
cross posted to AO3