Chapter 5: Festivities

Author note: I use { } to separate Na'vi and English when it's appropriate for the scene.

As Kiri trudged onward through the interminable swampy labyrinth, the sun was sinking lower in the sky. At this particular section of marsh, the insects were very persistent, nibbling at her and continuously buzzing in her ears. She was hungry and thirsty; her arm felt like it was in a vice; and her head was pounding. Stopping for a moment, she bent down to the stream to fill her parched lips.

"Why are you stopping?" A synthetic voice startled her from behind—the voice of the machine who was either her captor or her guest. She wasn't sure at this point..

"I need to drink," Kiri said, continuing to sip with her hands. She knew Spider needed some water too, but she couldn't give it to him while his mask was on.

The machine stopped and began scanning its surroundings. Despite the damage sustained in the skirmish with the Alta'maha, it walked and carried Spider with relative ease. Above, sunlight beamed down on its body, reflecting off its unpainted areas through the thinner canopy. Yeriks and other smaller animals maintained their distance from the drone nearby while a swarm of hunting banshees cried out as it flew overhead.

Kiri arose and adjusted her homemade sling. Her attention was instantly drawn to the banshees, hoping they had riders, but she was disappointed when there were none. She then looked at the portable radio looped at her waist and wished she could call her dad if she knew how.

"Requesting ETA," the machine said after observing the Banshees fly off.

Sighing, Kiri faced the machine. "Almost there," she added, purposefully being vague. She recalled this area and estimated that they were approximately two miles from the camp. "There is a cave not far from here where you can stay."

"What is the calculated threat assessment at that location?" the machine inquired as it locked eyes with one of the Yeriks, prompting the creature to flee in haste.

Kiri blinked at that question. "Uh, I don't know. We didn't go inside because we didn't bring any lights."

"Proceed then."

After traveling for a little longer, Kiri halted in front of an ancient, decrepit cave. It was tiny in comparison to the one her clan lived in, but it was the only hiding spot she knew of. Spider had wanted to investigate it earlier, but she decided against it. In retrospect, it may have been a good idea.

"Here it is," Kiri remarked, gesturing with her hand. As she got closer to the opening, her nostrils scrunched up in reaction to the foul air coming out of the cave. It was obvious something lived within, and she froze in fear, thinking one of those hell centipedes was inside.

The machine stepped ahead of her and turned to inspect the interior, scanning slowly and thoroughly as it could see through the darkness. "Scanning locations for threats."

It was then that Spider suddenly let out a groan, which immediately got Kiri's attention. She swiftly circled the machine to check on him.

"My head," Spider growled before grasping for his back. "My back," he complained next.

The machine stayed still while it assessed the cave, ignoring what the Na'vi and human were doing.

"Monkey boy! You're awake!" Kiri gasped with delight as they locked eyes.

"What happened?" Spider said in a daze, as he looked around the world upside down, "Who's holding me?"

Kiri coughed and glanced about awkwardly before making some hand movements to indicate something was wrong.

Spider then more closely scrutinized his holder, and his eyes widened as he saw the metal.

"Threat assessment is minimal," the machine reported after scanning the cave's inside.

"What the!" Spider yelled out after recognizing the voice, and it was then that he realized the machine was holding him. "Let me go!"

"Affirmative." The machine let Spider slip off its shoulder, causing him to land on his back with a thud that knocked the wind out of him.

"Oof," Spider groaned.

"Spider!" Kiri shouted as she rushed to check on Spider before hissing at the machine. "Why did you do that? You could have killed him!"

"I did what was requested," the machine said as it marched around to face them. Nearly all of the hardened dirt had peeled off its body, revealing more RDA symbols on its dented and scratched chestplate.

"What the hell is going on now?" Spider remarked, moaning as he sat up and held his sides. "I think I broke something."

"Correct, fracture of the 11th rib," the machine stated matter-of-factly.

"That's from dropping me, douchebag," Spider remarked, taking deep breaths to ease the discomfort.

"Incorrect," the machine said, looming behind them. If they did anything rash, its machine-gun arm was ready.

Kiri was surprised that the machine could determine Spider's injury type. "Spider, the drone saved our lives."

Spider dismissed that thought. "This is a bad dream, right?"

Kiri shook her head. "Unfortunately not. I negotiated a bargain with them," she murmured, placing her palm on his shoulder. "They wanted tools and parts for letting us leave."

Spider gazed at her like she was nuts. "Are you serious? We can't help this thing," he responded angrily, "and I refuse to help a Na'vi killer in any way."

"As stated previously, the male would not comply," the machine stated, "and termination would resolve this issue."

"Termination?" Spider muttered, getting ready to stand up in spite of the discomfort. "Go screw yourself."

When Spider attempted to stand, the machine leveled its weapon at him.

Kiri stopped Spider from standing and made him sit down. "Spider, listen," she said. "Look at me."

Spider glanced into his friend's eyes reluctantly. "What?"

Kiri took a deep breath. "I gave him… it… my word," she said, "it was your life or this."

"Kiri, all you had to do was run and leave me behind," Spider said, disappointedly, "I wouldn't have blamed you."

Kiri frowned. "I... couldn't do that," she said, sighing. "Please, just... for me. Promise not to say anything about this to anyone."

Spider glared at the machine before gazing at Kiri. "I promise," he responded, raising a pinky.

Kiri grinned and locked her pinkies with his before staring at the machine. "See. There is no need to terminate," she stated, narrowing her gaze.

The machine aimed its gun at the ground now. "Very well."

Spider stood up with Kiri's support. "Oh gosh, this hurts," he muttered, sighing deeply and clutching his side.

Kiri then turned her gaze to the machine. "How do we contact y-?"

"Frequency 243.3," the machine interrupted.

"You have a radio?" Spider remarked in surprise, glancing between them.

"Yeah," Kiri said, taking it out of her waistline and presenting it to him. "I got it from the helicopter."

"Why didn't you use it already?" Spider questioned as he took it from her, "Your dad's code is Neteyam's birth year on the human calendar."

Kiri felt like face-palming as she remembered Jake telling her, but she forgot.

Spider turned on the radio and started tuning it to the correct station. In between channel switches, he heard what he assumed to be the RDA chatting. He was almost on the right channel when he heard sounds behind him.

"Desist," the machine said as it aimed its weapon at Spider from behind.

Spider stopped what he was doing and turned around. "Why?" he asked stubbornly, his eyes fixed on the barrel of the gun.

Kiri immediately snatched the radio from Spider and positioned herself between them, like she was keeping two children from fighting. "We don't need the radio," she told the machine before staring at Spider. "{The camp is nearby,}" she said in Na'vi.

"The next infraction will result in termination," the machine warned.

"There won't be a need for it since we're leaving," Kiri stated, holding Spider by the arm before staring at the machine. "You'll hear from me later, okay?"

"Affirmative," the machine stated, lowering its arm once again.

Kiri's focus then shifted to Spider. "Let's go," she stated, evidently frustrated with him constantly challenging the machine.

"You don't have to tell me twice," Spider said, giving the machine a dirty look before they started walking off.

The two hurried away, with Kiri leading them off-trail and away from the camp on purpose. The machine's piercing crimson eyes watched them from a distance before it vanished into the cave.

Feeling safe some distance away, they both continued walking towards the camp, which was less than half a mile away now. They were in a large area surrounded by pools of brown, marshy water. Unlike the deeper part of the swamp, this area was bright with bioluminescence.

Overheard, the flapping wings of banshees were heard, with riders visible on their backs as they headed deeper into the swamp. Spider tried to alert one of them with a hand wave, but Kiri quickly grabbed his hand and pulled it down.

"Why'd you do that?" Spider asked, groaning a bit as he clutched his side still.

Kiri took off her sling and tossed it aside. "Listen," she said, taking a deep breath, "We can't tell anyone what happened, so I have come up with a cover story."

"You tried killing me in my sleep?" Spider said with a half-hearted, pained chuckle. "You hit me with a stick?"

Kiri sighed and rolled her eyes. "No, this is what we're going to say…"

An hour later…

"So tell me what happened again," an irritated Jake Sully asked, his arms tightly curled about his chest.

Now inside the human infirmary bunker back at the camp, Kiri and Spider were resting on beds next to each other and receiving care from the human medical staff. Kiri was getting a cast for her arm, while Spider was receiving pain medication while holding an ice pack to his side and having a gash on his skull repaired. Both of them had been given a full bath and their minor wounds had been bandaged.

"We fell off a tree while napping," Kiri said as the technician 3D printed a cast on her hand using a sophisticated human machine.

"That was my fault, sir," Spider said as one of the technicians gave him an injection that hurt. "Ow- I hate needles."

Jake scowled, not bothering to hide his irritation through his constant tail flickering side-to-side. "We were looking for you for over an hour. Did you fall out of the sky?"

"Did I forget to say I'm a heavy sleeper?" Kiri shrugged blithely. She was not convincing in any way, shape, or form.

Spider said, "It was a tall tree." He emphasized the word "tall."

Jake signaled to Spider to keep quiet. "You know this would go a lot smoother if you told me the truth, Kiri."

"It is," Kiri said. Her casting was now complete, and she could feel it hardening and tightening on her flesh. The doctor had told her before she had a compression fracture on her arm, which would have been impossible from a tree fall.

"You'll have to wear this for three weeks," the female doctor said to Kiri, "and avoid falling out of trees." She winked with a chuckle.

Kiri smiled and gave her a nod.

As soon as Spider was through having the adhesive applied to his wound, he placed his head on the pillow, and closed his eyes. "This feels so amazing," he added, feeling incredibly calm and euphoric from the pain medication.

Jake rubbed his forehead. "Not only do I have two knucklehead boys that run off and don't listen, I have to worry about you two as well."

"Oh, I know," Kiri stared at the floor. "Sorry."

The airlock entryway of the bunker suddenly opened, and someone entered. Seconds after the outer door closed and when the air was filtered out, the inner door opened. It was Neytiri, storming in with her bow and battle paint still on her face.

Kiri looked up after recognizing her stepmother's footsteps.

Neytiri and Jake exchanged glances as he moved close to her and whispered. The words "fall" and "tree" were audible to Kiri.

Neytiri then approached Kiri and began to speak. "{Kiri, where were you?}" she asked in Na'vi, making it clear that she was upset. "{Your brothers and I have been searching for you since the mid-moon.}"

Spider's eyes opened the moment he heard Neytiri, and he gave Kiri an oh-crap face since he knew he was not supposed to be near her.

Kiri got to her feet and went over to Neytiri. "We just went for a walk, ma," she said, "Time just happened to go by."

Jake stood back and tapped his arm quietly as he watched them.

Neytiri then cast a venomous glare at Spider. "I told you to keep away from my daughter," she pointed at him. "Look at what you did to her. You humans are nothing but a curse."

Spider gulped like he was staring down a Thanator as Neytiri scared him the most out of everything he saw today.

"Woah-," Kiri said, moving between them, "Ma, I brought him along. He's innocent."

Neytiri gazed at Kiri next. "{I have taught you many things, my daughter, but being a liar is not one of them,}" she continued, sniffing at her and leaning forward. "{You smell like the blood of the sky people's machines.}"

Spider utilized the distraction to slip into the neighboring room, which also had beds. Before he could enter, however, the experienced huntress spotted and hissed at him.

Kiri fidgeted with the gem of her mother's necklace, suddenly glad she was able to keep it instead of giving it away as a promise. "I was near the helicopters today."

Neytiri scowled and moved aside with Jake so they could talk privately. This time, Kiri couldn't hear them, but she knew what was coming.

Jake glanced at Kiri sternly. "You're grounded," he stated nearly on cue as she expected. "And since you lied, it's going to be two weeks of doing everything your grandma tells you. Also, if your arm wasn't broken, I'd have you scrub the floors and bathrooms like I did in boot camp."

Neytiri chimed in, giving Kiri a disappointed look. "And you are not to leave the camp again without permission."

Kiri inhaled deeply, nodded, and looked down once more. Not the best outcome, but also not the worst outcome. "Yes, sir...and ma."

Jake came closer to Kiri, put his hand on her shoulder, and squeezed gently. "Kiri."

Kiri glanced up to meet his gaze.

"Listen, my life is already dangerous enough," Jake said, squeezing her shoulder reassuringly. "I can't be coming back after getting shot at only to find out from your sister that you wandered off hours ago."

Kiri wasn't surprised that Tuk was the one who told on her. "I know… I just wish I could help you," she said. "I hardly see you."

Jake ran his fingers across her hair. "I know, I promise we'll get together soon as a family."

Kiri frowned, "You always say that."

"{Kiri, your father is fighting so you can have a future with Eywa,}" Neytiri added in, "{You must drop the selfish thoughts and focus on the family.}"

Kiri flicked her tail while looking between them. "I'm not being selfish," she grunted.

Neytiri shook her head.

"Alright," Jake said, gesturing with his head for Kiri to leave. "Go get some chow. They're almost done out there."

"Yes, sir," Kiri said, offering him a mock military hand salute before proceeding to the airlock. Her parents remained behind to continue their discussions among themselves and with the attending physicians.

Before exiting, Kiri stopped and turned to look towards Spider, who was resting peacefully on one of the beds, and exchanged waves goodbye. Both were thankful to be alive and looked forward to reconnecting in the future.

As she was finally outdoors, Kiri breathed in the air, which was noticeably denser than the filtered air inside. There was a flurry of activity in the camp as clan members prepared food near the numerous bonfires for the evening meals. In celebration of today's successful attack against the RDA, a feast was being prepared. However, she didn't know what exactly happened other than that they came back with more bounty.

When Kiri traveled down the road toward the main gathering area, she saw her two stepbrothers, Lo'ak and Neteyam, a short distance from her. After they met eyes, they started approaching her and walked through the crowd. She was so happy to see them.

When they approached, Kiri waved with her cast arm. "Hey guys."

"Hey sis, are you alright?" Lo'ak asked as he took a close look at her.

"We were looking for you for an hour," Neteyam stated as he lifted Kiri's cast arm to examine it. "Who did this? Was it those Ssezao'ites punks again?

Kiri blinked. Ssezao'ites were a pair of siblings who made a point of being unfriendly towards her "strangeness", but it didn't take long for Neteyam to straighten them out. "Uh, no, it wasn't anyone. We fell off a tree while sleeping."

"You fell off a tree?" Lo'ak said with a laugh. "You think we're going to believe that story?"

"Tell us who did it, and we'll put them in the infirmary worse than what you got," Neteyam added, cracking his knuckles. "Big bro has to look after this little sister after all."

While everything was going on, there was some celebratory chanting going on around the fireplace. Jake and Neytiri left the infirmary and began walking towards the center, where the music was playing. As soon as Kiri inhaled the aroma of the grilled meat, her stomach began to rumble.

Kiri pulled her cast arm away and backed up slightly. "Nobody hurt me, and you don't have to beat anyone up for me."

Neteyam held up his hands, giving her a look. "Okay, they'll get a pass this time, but if anyone hurts you again, I'm busting their teeth in."

Lo'ak added in. "How's Spider?"

"He's doing okay," Kiri replied. "He'll be on bedrest for a while."

"You think that boy is going to stay in bed for a few hours?" Lo'ak laughed.

Kiri smiled. "You're right—uh," she finished, her stomach growling again, "I'm sorry to cut this short, but I'm really hungry. I haven't eaten all day."

Neteyam then placed his hand on Lo'ak's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "You're in for a real treat today."

Lo'ak puffed up his chest, looking especially proud.

"What?" Kiri asked, looking between them.

"Your bro got his first Talioang kill today," Neteyam said, referring to Lo'ak. "On our way back, he took out the biggest one I've ever seen."

"Wow, congratulations." Kiri seemed impressed, but she knew he was exaggerating about how big it was. Only very expert hunters were capable of taking down the massive, buffalo-like Talioang by shooting through their breathing openings.

"Thanks sis," Lo'ak grinned. "When do you think you'll pick up the bow?"

"I'll train you to be the best," Neteyam added, throwing his arm over his brother's shoulder, "I made Lo'ak what he is."

Lo'ak elbowed at his brother. "I made me what I am, bro. You're just copying me."

Kiri rolled her eyes at the question and spoke up before they started bickering about egos. "I don't believe that'll happen soon."

Neteyam looked at Kiri. "Alright, sis. No rush. When you are ready, just come speak to big brother," he said. "Now go get some food."

Lo'ak was instantly distracted and gazed into the crowd. "Bro, it's her," he said to Neteyam.

Kiri followed their gazes. They were staring at Kaya, a pretty Na'vi girl their age who was with her parents and family. Lo'ak had stared at her for weeks without making any moves to initiate conversation. Kiri didn't know anything about her or anybody else's age since she kept to herself.

"This again," Kiri sighed. "Just go talk to her," she said to Lo'ak.

"I will," Lo'ak said, looking at Kiri. "Tonight for sure."

"She just looked at you, bro," Neteyam teased, squeezing his shoulder.

"Wait, really?" Lo'ak was taken aback and instantly swung his head back to look. Neteyam struggled to stifle a chortle.

Kiri shook her head and her stomach grumbled more belligerently. "I'll see you later."

"Alright, sis," Lo'ak said.

"Bye Kiri," Nateyam added.

While walking off, she could hear her brothers talking some more until the drums and flutes drowned them out.

Kiri kept walking toward the center of the camp and saw that one of the animals killed during today's hunt was having its head cut off and being stuffed for a special meal. The head made her breathe faster and tighten her chest. She didn't know why, but the head reminded her of the hell centipede. Suddenly she spotted a pair of red diamonds reflecting off the flames on one of the tables, and the smoke reminded her of her nightmare.

As she panicked, her world darkened. She could only sit on the ground and clutch her knees to hide from everything. She didn't know how long she stayed there, but it seemed like hours.

"{Are you okay?}" A voice suddenly startled Kiri.

Kiri trembled as she gazed up at a male Na'vi roughly her brother's age. He had a fair complexion and a warrior's braid in his hair. "{Y-y-yeah…}" she stammered.

The stranger kneeled in front of Kiri, and she felt a twinge of embarrassment when she realized she was sitting in the center of the walkway with people walking by her. "{My name's Txoum. And you're Kiri, right?}" he asked.

Kiri nodded and took a long breath to calm herself. "{H-h-how do you know my name?}"

Txoum let out a chuckle. "{You're the Olo'eyktan's daughter,}" he said, offering his hand to help her up. "{I've seen you around.}"

Kiri stared at his hand warily before reaching for it and being helped up. "{I'm sorry,}" she said, fiddling with her necklace pendant and nervously scanning the area for signs of danger. "{I don't know what just happened.}"

"{You were in a trance,}" Txoum said before he gestured at the cast on her arm. "{May I ask what that is? I've never seen it before.}"

Kiri examined her cast and pondered how to describe it in Na'vi. "{The bone in my arm was broken, so this helps it heal properly.}"

"{Strange, I've broken my arm before and never had to get that put on,}" Txoum added.

Kiri took another deep breath. "{It's something the sky people use,}" she said, expecting a negative response.

Txoum seemed surprised. "{Oh, wow. You must be somebody special then.}"

Kiri blinked. "{I'm not special.}"

Txoum let out a laugh, and Kiri looked on with confusion. "{I've heard stories about you.}"

Kiri panicked at that mention, expecting to only hear all the taunting and name-calling she typically gets from her peers behind her back.

Txoum got closer to her. "{They said you tamed your Ikran when you were just a child,}" he said, "{That's impressive.}"

Kiri seemed surprised when he mentioned that. "{Oh, yes. That is true. I don't remember it, but my Ikran's name is Gracie.}"

As soon as Jake took a position in front of the temporary platform and began addressing the dozens of assembled clan members, the joyous music accelerated.

Txoum and Kiri both switched their focus to Jake.

Jake lifted his hand, calling for the music to stop so he could speak with the entire clan. All present focused their attention on the leader. "{My brothers and sisters, soldiers of our great tribe, today we celebrate another victory over the sky people,}" he declared as the crowd applauded. "{We have fought with all our strength against the invaders who sought to take our land, and we will emerge victorious.}"

Kiri couldn't help but applaud as well, feeling especially proud for her stepdad as he was always a gifted orator. She could also see her brothers now standing close beside her father, trying to bask in the glory of the moment as well, or maybe trying to show off to the girls their age in the crowd who were admiring them.

"{But let us not forget the price we paid for our continued victories. Many of our brothers and sisters have given their lives for our cause, and we honor them today,}" Jake continued, holding his head down for a moment of silence. The crowd, including Kiri and Txoum, did so as well.

After the pause, Jake lifted his head and spoke once more. "{But today is not a day of mourning. It is a day of celebration. We have once again triumphed over our enemies, and one day, we will throw them off our planet for good,}" he said, to a cheer from the warriors in particular. "{The sky people may have better weapons, technology, and resources, but we have something they can never have: the strength of our spirit, the power of our unity, and the fierce determination of our warriors.}"

Neytiri raised her bow above her head and cheered. As well as Jake, she, the best of the clan's warriors, was a symbol of optimism and pride.

"{Now, let us begin our festivities!}" Jake exited the stage to deafening acclaim from the drums and flutes. All those there began dancing joyfully or were moved to feast on the various delights placed out.

After that speech, Kiri and Txoum looked at each other. "{Shouldn't you have been up there with your father?}" Txoum asked curiously.

Kiri rubbed her arm at that mention. She was an introvert by nature and absolutely hated crowds, so the last thing she wanted to do was have the entire clan staring at her. "{Not today, I was just going to get some food and go somewhere quiet,}" she said. "{Today's been a really long day.}"

"{I can relate. I got picked to go with the Olo'eyktan today,}" Txoum agreed, "{and it was my longest flight yet.}"

Kiri was surprised he was chosen at his age and thought that if Jake chose him, it was because he was a good fighter. "{That's impressive.}"

Txoum waved his hand dismissively. "{Just doing what I can to help the clan,}" he replied, turning to point to the table on which numerous clay plates of various delights had been prepared. "{Would you like to try some of my mother's food?}"

Kiri looked at the dishes and her stomach roared yes before she opened her mouth.

After hearing it, Txoum chuckled and motioned for her to follow. The music was picking back up as more and more warriors joined in on the celebratory hunting dance.

After preparing an enormous platter of food for Kiri, Txoum watched in amazement as she sat down and started devouring it. "{Slow down before you upset your stomach.}"

Kiri stopped eating at that mention and swallowed. "{I'm sorry.}"

"{No need to apologize,}" Txoum remarked as he sat down next to her and ate a piece of fruit he had taken from the table. "{So what does the Olo'eyktan's daughter do to entertain herself?}"

Kiri sighed. "{Boring stuff.}" she said, munching more food.

"{Like what?}" Txoum questioned as he leaned back slightly and chewed the fruit further.

Kiri pondered. At first, she considered making up some fantastical hobbies she enjoyed doing in her spare time, but ultimately she opted to be straightforward and share the truth. {"I like to stare at plants and study medicines. I like to read the sky people's books and use their technology,}" she continued. "{And I sit in the forest by myself and play with the animals that come to me.}" She said, shrugging and eating some more.

"{Interesting,}" Txoum said, bobbing his head. "{Sounds more interesting than my life.}"

Kiri stopped eating again and looked at him. "{But, you're a… tsamsiyu?}" she said, referring to him being a warrior.

Txoum looked into her eyes. "{I was born into a life of duty, training, and the hunt,}" he said. "{You get the choice to be as you wish.}"

Kiri contemplated those words, as she had never thought of it like that before. "{I will become the Tsahik one day.}"

Txoum nodded. "{I'm aware. How do you feel about that?}"

Kiri rolled her head side-to-side. "{I don't really know. I have to figure myself out first.}"

"{You and me both,}" Txoum said before looking towards an older Na'vi male that was approaching. "{I have to help my father now, but it was nice to meet you, Kiri.}"

Kiri nodded her head. "{It was nice meeting you as well.}"

Txoum stood up and gave Kiri the familiar clan gesture. "{I see you.}"

Kiri returned the gesture. "{I see you,}" she said, bowing her head.

Txoum turned and went to talk to his father, and Kiri brushed her hair behind her ear. "{What are you doing with the Olo'eyktan's daughter?}" She overheard Txoum's father saying.

After Kiri finished her meal and realized how completely worn out she was, she started heading towards the cavern to rest in her tent. She slowly made her way through the crowd and stopped for a moment to admire the cyan-colored glow of Polyphemus dominating the sky as the sun was already setting and the bioluminescence of the night was taking over.