Changing Faith
Chapter 6
"Navi"
A tingling feeling like a bad case of pins and needles was all that I could feel. A dull ache in my knees and a killer head ache. I opened my eyes to the dull inside of the casket like chamber of the Neuro-link. With a sigh I pushed the release button that opened the lid from the inside. As I sat on the gel that lined the chamber, an emptiness settled in my chest. A longing that I didn't understand. Then my stomach made its presence known, angry at my brain for teasing it with all the flavours of the feast it missed out on. I made my way down the hallways, harsh lighting making my head ache worse. I moved through the lines trying to get as much fresh food as I could, all I managed was some bio-engineered fruit. I sat on cold steel benches, discontented with my meal.
Grace was asking all kinds of questions, briefing Jake on everything that he had seen so far. She was trying to teach him, and she was failing. I chuckled as I watched Jake start giving people his own names, my favorite was Mo'ats, Dragon Lady. Norm was a little worse for wear, jealousy taking front control of his thoughts. I slid over towards him as he was mumbling something. "Green eyes wouldn't look good on you my friend" I whispered in a joking tone. "What" he snapped back without even really looking at me. I rolled my eyes, in too much pain to deal with his pettiness "You are a kind and curious man Norm, don't fall into a crater that you won't be able to climb out of. Because it will be of your own making, and you will find that there will be no life ropes." I sighed out while rubbing my temples. I was frustrated and tired. I stood to leave when Grace called out to me as I passed. "Clan life starts early, in the lab 0400." I waved a hand at her, showing my understanding. That gave me 6 hours sleep. I crawled into my bed after showering and was dead to the world.
I woke a few hours later feeling mostly well rested as one could with what sounded like a brigade of elephants marching outside. I dressed in shorts and a sports bra, my back still twinging from a wound on a different body. I walked down the hall towards the lab, suddenly there was a presence behind me. It was the guy from our chopper the guy who grabbed me first day, I never learned his name. An arm wrapped around my neck and across my chest. Instinct poured into my reaction. I planted my feet and rolled forward. The solider came flying over my head and landed on his back. His buddies down the hall now laughing, a sound that chocked out when they saw I had a small blade to the guys throat. A sly smile on my lips and a predatory gleam in my eyes, "I told you I'm always armed, pity you didn't believe me. I however don't have time for amputations today, so you're in luck." A small chuckle left me as I stood, leaving him on the floor stunned to silence, a small nick in his chin from my blade. I finished my walk to the lab without incident.
Upon entering the sliding doors, I saw Jake already laying down in the bio-bed. Grace leaning over him speaking to him with a smile. I looked over to Max and nodded a greeting to the quiet man. I climbed into my own chamber and settled in, Max coming to close me in. Something felt different this time however. The swirl of lights started but I didn't end up in my other body. I was lost in the whirlwind of colours, a laugh like a crystal bell floated to my ears. Then soft like a whisper of a feather across your cheek, "Soon now my child, soon." A shock later I opened my eyes to see the top on the cavernous hollow of the sleeping chambers. The noise of the day starting, floating up like the smells of breakfast on the fires. I touched the cover of my hammock and it crept back like a fern retreating to its stem. I sprung to the branch above my bed and used it to swing to the walkway. Landing quietly, I crept along beside other sleeping forms. Making my way down the tree I passed by the alcove that Mo'at used as a healing chamber. It was dark and quiet inside, so I continued to the cooking fires. There were a few younger females tending to the fire and singing softly. One was stirring a pot of boiling water that smelled a bit sweet, Tea. "I see you," I greeted them. They smiled at me as they responded the same, offering me a cup of the sweet-smelling liquid. "Eywa smile on you" I said in return, having nothing to offer but my words.
The small clay cup warmed my hands as I started the treck out to the edge of the monolithic tree. Children were up with their parents and running around, playing in the roots. Off to one side, farther away from the base of the tree was a seperated area. Half fenced off by roots and branches, keeping the children from tromping hooves. Inside this free range enclosure were the only other animal that the Na'vi had at least half domesticated. A tall horse like creature with a long snout and a sturdy skin encased bone frill running down its neck and six legs. Dire Horses the humans called them, but the Na'vi called the Pa'li. there were a few animals lingering in the area, waiting for their rider friends. One individual was seperated from the others, surounded by a ring of more fencing. Screaming could be heard from the other side, a high pitched keening sound. There were people surounding the corral, seemed a wild animal was about to be bonded for the first time. And didn't sound to thrilled with the idea. I took a wide ark around the corral, quietly making my way around the people atempting to bond with the raging animal.
He was the most beautiful creature I had ever laid eyes on. Black with navy striping, the tips of his antennae tinged red, feathering the same colour down into his feet. Tsu'tey aproched the creature, bola in hand. It seemed as though this proud warrior had chosen his mount. Pitty, I thought, that animals like this chose their riders, not the other way around. I stood silently behind a large leafed bush, blending perfectly with the shadows just behind the line of people. Tsu'tey aproched and was about to cast his bola when the animal reared. Four flailing legs forced the man to the ground beneath the animal. A surge of something profound surged deeply from my chest. I stood from my place, and whistled loudly like my grandmother had taught me. The large creature took a step back still on hind feet, and landed suddenly. Sharp hooves but inches away from Tsu'tey's prostrate form. Heavy breathing coming from both the man and the horse. The rest of the crowd was quiet, watching me as I aproched the pair.
All eyes were on the tree of us as I took swift, smooth steps towards him. A tugging in my chest like a rope pulling me towards them. A great head swinging back towards me and shock once again washed over me. Deep amber eyes with a rectangular horizontal pupils. No wonder he matched the now furious warrior behind him. "Calm now Brother" I soothed to him, "They won't hurt you any longer," a hiss sounded off to my right, seems like Tsu'Tey had gotten up from embaressing himself. I rolled my eyes and once again lifted a hand palm up to this magnificent stalion. Whispering erupted from all around us, a scream sounded from the still frustrated creature. I steped closer still, trying to take all of his attention. Amber setteled into my brown, and everything melted away. We were safe, his bond link floated down smoothly to me as I reached around for my Que. It felt as if someone had submerged me in cold water. a rush of more primative thoughts came foreward as the link was made.
He was no normal Direhorse. He was the herd patriarch, and has survived more that most. A peel of giggles escaped my lips, as my hands moved to cover my mouth. This was amazing, things felt different. The sandy soild beneath my feet was harder, the colours dimmed to only four or five, smell was stronger, sounds sharper. I could feel my body as well as anothers. A waft of smell came at me, sharp and pungent but not unplesant at all. Like drying herbs and salt water. Another grunt left my new companion as images of a very angry Na'vi man flashed in my vision. I turned just as he was still four or five steps away, and he stopped. Small shock showed in his eyes and vanished almost just as fast. "He saw you," I explained, "Hes worried you will try to hurt me, like you did to him." tumbled past my lips before I could stop the words. I turned back to the Pa'li, just as he lowered to his knees, creating a step for me to climb up. He senced my wounds. without thinking of another I set foot on the black leg, and stepped up. Once setteled across his large back, my feet found placement on a ridge infront of his nostrils, on his chest. He rose to his feet and then he was gone. Racing through the forest with me along for the ride. Not a care in the world, calling my joy to the trees around me. This, this was freedom.