Legal: All movie characters, locations, and names are the intellectual property of James Cameron and/or Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation. I claim no ownership over anything but my original characters and original plot line.
Any lines spoken in Na'vi will be italicized in the quotes since I am terrible with translating it.
Sorry about the speed of updates recently. Had some extra busy weeks at work and such. I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far. Please enjoy and don't forget to review!
VI. Learning to be Omaticaya
It had been four weeks since Etani had started to instruct John on the ways of Na'vi hunters. John could not remember a time in his life when his body had been pushed to such extreme limits. The first week had been the worst for him. Every single muscle and joint had ached from the long days of running and climbing through the forest. After just one day it was clear to John that Etani had no intentions of making the training easy for him. He had remembered something Jake had said, "With the Na'vi it is learn fast or die." John was finding that was certainly the case with Etani.
As the weeks had progressed John was certainly noticing a change in his body. He no longer was winded after climbing or running and was even able to keep up with Etani. John still went to sleep every night with aches and pains, but that was more due to the sparring sessions that Etani made him participate in. During the second week of his training, Etani had handed John a blunted spear and told him that becoming a good hunter required him to become a great warrior as well. John stood little chance that day, completely unable to dodge or parry any of Etani's strikes and ended up going to sleep that night knowing the next day he would be covered in bruises.
Things had been different in the last few days. Etani had noticed John's skill with the spear starting improving drastically. John was able to fight on even ground during sparring sessions and had even managed to overpower Etani on several occasions. While this impressed Etani to some extent, his pupil was very slow to improve with the bow. John's strength and stance with the bow was correct, but his aim was often off target. Etani had tried to correct this error but after repeated failings had come to the conclusion that it might be better to have Tirea instruct John on the finer points of the bow and arrow.
During hunts Etani was unmatched with the spear. He was often complimented on his ability to be deadly accurate. While his skill with the bow was good, it was nothing when compared to Tirea's. She was able to hit even the most elusive of moving targets at great ranges. Once she had ranged her shot and marked her prey it never escaped. Tirea often said that she could not compete with Pey'lal as a hunter or with Neytiri in terms of beauty. In fact Etani knew that Tirea felt she was extremely average among the Na'vi. No matter how Tirea denied it she was a strong huntress.
Etani knew that Tirea's skill as a hunter was one of the reasons she was widely sought after within the Omaticaya as a potential mate for many young Na'vi. He had seen many ask her, but she had never accepted any of their affections. Etani had been with Tirea since they were small, growing up and learning to be hunters together. They had always been close but never had discussed anything other than the hunt or the normal business of the clan.
Lately Tirea had been spending time with John teaching him not only how to properly use a bow but also on other aspects of Na'vi life. He still did not understand why Olo'eyktan had placed him in charge of teaching John. Thinking about it often caused Etani's mood to darken, especially when he thought about Tirea spending time alone with John. As he watched the sun rise over Pandora and the blue color of night vanish Etani heard a slight rustle of leaves behind him. He turned around and was surprised to see John standing there.
There was little doubt that John was slowly becoming a better hunter. Perhaps his training was starting to sink in; John was beginning to move through the forest without making a sound. Etani knelt down and picked up one of the sharp spears that was waiting by his feet. He threw it to John and turned and started to run through the trees towards the river. Etani could sense John running behind him even if he could not hear him. John was definitely improving to be keeping up and not making any noise doing so. Etani quickly dropped down several branches as the noise of the flowing river grew louder. He stopped on the river bank and waited for John to silently join him.
Etani turned to John and pointed at a small canoe. "Today we work on spear fishing, get into the boat JohnHale." He said as he grabbed the canoe and held it steady for John. Etani pushed off from the shore and navigated the river slowly, gazing down until he saw a school of fish.
"You must practice both patience and balance when fishing with a spear; pick the right time to strike." Etani reminded John.
John nodded to Etani and slowly climbed to his feet inside the canoe. Looking over the side he spotted the school of strange looking fish and took a wide offensive stance. The boat rocked as John steadied himself. Etani remembered several weeks ago John could not even properly balance himself inside the boat and fell into the river many times. John focused on the water keeping his body extremely still. The spear tip flashed as he rapidly stabbed down into the water. Etani watched as John pulled the spear up and noticed the shining body of a fish hanging from it. John carefully removed the fish and put it in the boat, then prepared himself for another attempt.
After catching several fish Etani finally motioned for John to sit down and started rowing them back to shore. John gave Etani a questioning look and Etani finally said, "Come, we must take these back. Then it is time to see how much you have improved with the spear."
John certainly knew what that meant and winced slightly as he thought of all the bruises he would have the next day. The pair picked up the fish and ran swiftly through the trees back towards the village.
**
Jake sighed lightly as he stood watching Neytiri holding a newborn Na'vi baby. It had never occurred to him how many truly mundane tasks the leader of a clan would be required to oversee. On the one hand, it was definitely a beautiful sight to see his mate holding the newborn, rocking it gently against her chest. On the other hand this was the second birth he had attended in the last month. In Jake's eyes his presence at the birth was pointless since he just stood there while Neytiri and the midwives did all the work. Neytiri, however, assured Jake that his presence was just as important as hers was.
Neytiri handed the newborn baby girl back to the child's mother. Jake smiled at Neytiri as she walked towards him. For a second Jake thought he saw a look of longing in her eyes. Having children was not something Jake had thought about before mating with Neytiri. Through their bond he knew she wished to start a family. They had not talked about it and certainly no words needed to be exchanged due to the deep connection the bond created. Her strong desire for a family was all Jake needed to decide he wanted a family whenever Eywa blessed them with children.
Today it seemed Neytiri had other things on her mind as she took Jake's hand and walked towards the outskirts of the camp where the Pa'li were grazing. Neytiri looked at Jake and motioned towards a pair of horses drinking from the stream. As she spoke Jake detected a slight sadness in her voice, "my Jake it has been some time since Seze's death and I believe I am ready to bond with another Ikran."
Jake gave Neytiri a knowing smile then let out a call to his own Ikran. A shriek echoed across the riverbank from one of the tall trees that surrounded the Omaticaya camp. Jake's Ikran flew down from the overhead branches and landed in front of him, extending one of its neural whips to him. He formed the bond, feeling the power and consciousness of the creature become one with his own. A strong desire to fly and hunt passed over Jake causing him to wonder whether it was his desire or the Ikran's. He quickly thought of their destination and told his mount to fly and wait there, then broke the bond and climbed on the Pa'li.
His Ikran took flight making a path straight towards Iknimaya and the Ikran rookery. Jake formed the bond with the Pa'li and followed Neytiri as her own Pa'li galloped in the direction his Ikran had just gone. Jake was always surprised at how the direhorses truly loved to run, to them it was the ultimate freedom to gallop across the surface of Pandora. He found himself smiling as the feeling passed through the bond and settled over him. Jake understood what his mate had been missing and he was willing to do anything to help her discover that feeling again.
As they neared Iknimaya Jake could see the vine covered floating rocks rising up before them. Jake and Neytiri dismounted and began to climb towards the Ikran nest. Climbing up caused Jake's to remember his own Ikran trial and the feeling of flying for the first time. He also remembered the danger and the fact that he almost was thrown off the cliff. Neytiri slowed as they neared the waterfall that covered the entrance to the nest. For the first time Jake felt some apprehension at the thought of what his mate was about to attempt. He let those feelings pass as he took her hand and squeezed it showing his support for her.
Neytiri walked behind the waterfall and into the Ikran nest. Several Ikran hissed at her before taking flight, several others just ignored her completely. She knew that none of these were hers and walked further into the nest until she spotted a female Ikran watching her. This Ikran was not backing away and seemed to be daring Neytiri to come closer. As Neytiri approached the Ikran hissed and displayed its teeth, earning a return hiss from Neytiri.
The Ikran was the first to move, lunging at Neytiri with its jaws wide open. Neytiri quickly dodged the attack and threw her bolo around the creatures snout locking the deadly jaws shut. As she lunged for neural whip to make the bond the Ikran spun its body throwing Neytiri to the ground hard. Neytiri rolled away as one of the razor sharp claws came down right where she had landed only seconds before. Getting back to her feet quickly Neytiri jumped back onto the Ikran, grabbing the neural whip and bringing the end of her queue towards it. The neural fibers connected and she felt the power of the creature flow through her. She looked at Jake and smiled as her new Ikran took flight.
Jake immediately felt pride for his mate, knowing she was regaining what she had lost since the death of her first Ikran. He ran and mounted his own Ikran then took flight trying to catch up to Neytiri. The two Ikran leveled out next to each other as Neytiri looked at Jake lovingly. Jake knew there was much to be done back at the camp since a new Hometree still had not been found, but right now he wanted nothing more than to fly with his mate. He pushed all the other thoughts and concerns out of his mind and relished in the feeling of flying with Neytiri.
**
Tirea was waiting for Etani and John as they walked into camp carrying the fish. She greeted them both then handed John his bow and told Etani she was taking John to learn about making Tsahaylu. Etani scowled as Tirea lead John into the forest. No matter how tired John had been from running and fishing all morning, his weariness seemed to vanish when he was around Tirea. She was not particularly remarkable among the Na'vi in terms of beauty or skill but John noticed she had an energy about her that seemed infectious.
She led John swiftly through the underbrush and stopped in a clearing where a Pa'li stood grazing. Tirea stood in front of the horse and lightly stroked its chin as John approached from the side. John could hear the excitement in her voice as she started to tell him about the Tsahaylu.
"You must learn about the bond if you wish to become a hunter." Tirea said as she handed John the neural whip of the Pa'li. "Through the bond you are able to tell the animal what to do or where to do. All you must do is think it and they will obey."
John climbed on the Pa'li carefully adjusting himself so he could sit comfortably on its wide back. It was certainly a strange feeling having nothing between some of his most sensitive areas and the rough hide of the animal. He let the amusement of that fact go as he brought the end of his queue up to the neural connection of the horse. As the neural fibers linked John felt as though he was falling into a deep river of emotions.
As his consciousness fully merged with that of the Pa'li he could feel and see the world of Pandora as the animal did. John could feel exactly what the animal did with every breath it took. The world of Pandora was a plaything to this creature and John could feel an overwhelming desire to gallop through the forests and plains. He noticed Tirea giving him a look of approval as she remembered the sense of awe that all young hunters had when they made Tsahaylu for the first time.
Tirea released her hold on the Pa'li and stepped away. John looked around the clearing and thought of the horse running to the other side. Immediately the Pa'li sprang forward running towards the spot John had envisioned. John's leg muscles ached as he struggled to stay on the powerful creature as it ran. As the horse broke into a full gallop John slipped, bouncing off the rear end of the Pa'li and slamming into the ground hard. Sensing that the bond was broken the Pa'li slowed and finally stopped to drink from a small pool of water. John stood up and rubbed his backside knowing he would be paying for that the next day.
The sound of laughter filled the clearing as Tirea ran over and brought the Pa'li back to John. The horse extended one of its neural whips toward John as he climbed back on top of the creature, forming Tsahaylu with it. Tirea stepped back and John again thought of the horse moving across the clearing. This time he put conscious effort into controlling the speed of the animal and the horse trotted in a circle around Tirea. John began to feel more comfortable and instructed the Pa'li to speed up causing it to break out into a run. Again he lost his grip and slipped falling in a heap behind the running horse. As Tirea again guided the animal back to him, John realized that this was going to be an extremely long day.
**
The sun was setting by the time John and Tirea made their way back to the Omaticaya camp. John could feel the pain from the punishment he had put his body through during the long day. At least he had shown some improvement with the Pa'li. He had managed to stay on the horse while it was running at a full gallop before Tirea told him it was time to return to camp. John always preferred Tirea's more gentle style of teaching to Etani's straight to the point and often brutal style.
Aside from teaching John to use a bow and form Tsahaylu, she also taught him the more subtle parts of the Na'vi life. She was responsible for showing him to clean and cook the fish and other game animals that the hunters had brought back. John realized it was important to learn all he could from both Tirea and Etani. While Etani taught him to be a warrior and a hunter, Tirea taught him how to be one of the Omaticaya. She had even taken time to explain the strong bond and energy that all life on Pandora shared with each other and with Eywa. He had been truly fascinated by the strength that the people drew from their surroundings.
As they approached John noticed Etani and Jake standing at the edge of camp talking quietly to each other. Tirea greeted them and they looked up, Jake motioning for them to join the conversation.
"Good you are back; there is something that I need the three of you to do." Jake said with an edge of concern in his voice. "None of the hunting parties that I sent have found a suitable new Hometree. I have decided to send you as the next search party."
"We would be honored Olo'eyktan." Tirea said proudly, looking at both Etani and John. "We will not fail to find a new Hometree."
John was impressed by the conviction he heard in Tirea's voice. He knew that this task would not be easy, especially given the fact that none of the other hunting parties had found anything.
"Take Pa'li and supplies for a few weeks and return once you have found something." Jake looked at John as he spoke. "Use this opportunity to further teach John what it means to be Omaticaya."
"Of course Olo'eyktan, we will leave at dawn." Etani responded.
The conversation ended and they all went to prepare for the upcoming journey. As John lay down to sleep he felt the pain from the days training and wondered whether they would be successful in finding a new home for the people.