The Balance of Life
Part One - Discovery
Chapter 4 - Part 3--- NewHome
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Looking around I can't imagine a more perfect setting for our clan—or any clan for that matter. Ralu, if anything else comes to you let us know."
"Mother, you'll be the first to know," Ralu replied cheerfully, her mood snapping back to normal.
"Judy, we're going to check out this tree," Jake told her when she and Abby joined them at the base of the tree.
Similar to Hometree, but on a smaller scale, the tree had a winding core of interwoven smaller trees that made it easy to ascend into the tree's upper reaches. Less than half way up Neytiri stopped to examine one of the trunks that branched off horizontally. It was large enough to permit walking without feeling like you had to pay close attention to your balance. Taking a sudden turn onto a side trunk Neytiri knelt down and began to feel the bark with her hands.
"Jake, feel here," Neytiri gestured. "You can feel the indentation in the branch. It's healed over now, but many years ago there was a sleeping hammock tied to this branch. The other ends were most likely tied to the branches across from this one. By the width and depth of the scar I would guess that this hammock was used for a large family."
"So this place was used by the Na'vi. Like you said, it is a perfect setting."
"I'm sure we will find more evidence if we look close enough."
"True, but what's the point? We know that a Na'vi clan lived here in the past. The real question is how long ago, and why did they leave?"
Taking out her knife, Neytiri cut into branch along the indentation.
"It's hard to tell with any certainty," Neytiri began as she pointed to the slice she had taken out of the branch. "But from the growth rings I would guess that it has been several generations since this tree was lived in."
"Ralu, it's too bad you didn't get more of an idea about what really happened here." Jake didn't want to question the validity her vision, but her less than useful warning wasn't helping much.
"Some of my 'visions' aren't really visions, but more of feelings, sensations that I pick up on. I wish I could tell you more."
"This might be a silly question, but do the spirits of the dead ever linger among the living?"
"The spirits of our ancestors are always with us. You know this. Remember, you heard them at the Tree of Voices."
"I remember much from our time there," Jake answered as he looked directly into Neytiri's eyes. The sly smile that crossed her face told him she remembered their first mating as well as he did.
"What I'm trying to ask is if the spirits have ever done anything to make you uncomfortable? Cause objects to seemingly move by themselves."
From the completely baffled expressions on both their faces he knew this wasn't going to lead anywhere.
"Let's forget that possibility for the moment. What about sickness that affects may people at the same time? Possibly a large number dying in a short time. Has that ever happened before?"
"Not that I can ever remember," Neytiri answered. "There are songs that tell of great tragedy and misfortune. I don't remember anything about many people getting sick and dying. Why are you asking these questions?"
"I'm just trying to come with a rational explanation of what happened here that made the people living here abandon this place."
"I have heard stories about clans that became too small to survive on their own. Why this happened could have many reasons; food shortage, many years in which women do not bear children, attacks by other clans."
"Do those things happen often?"
"No. For the Omatikaya none of these has happened in many generations."
"We had better continue looking around since we have to head back soon. We can talk more about this later."
After five minutes of further exploration Neytiri concluded that—Ralu's ominous vision notwithstanding—this tree would serve the clan well as a new home. As there were six of them, any decent sized clan would have room to grow.
"How long before we need to leave?" Neytiri asked when they descended from the tree and started back towards the Samson.
"We have enough time to take a look at the banshee if you want to do so."
"Yes, very much. Ralu I know you would like to see the banshee too, but it would be better if you stayed behind."
"Actually I don't mind." It would give her a chance to talk with the female avatars. Up until now Jake and Norm were the only avatars she had met or spoken with.
"Is it all right if Ralu stays with you?" Jake asked Abby when they reached the Samson. "Neytiri and I are going to go check out the injured banshee."
"Sure, she can hang out with us," Abby answered.
"Rocky, how long until we have to leave?" Jake asked.
"You have fifteen minutes. I'll give a shout on the bullhorn when you're down to five."
Ralu watched her new parents jog towards the tree with the banshee. As soon as they disappeared up the tree she turned to Judy.
"I know it's rude to ask, but I'm curious, are you and Kyle life-mates?"
"It's hard to learn when you don't ask," Judy began. "I suppose we are. Kyle and I have had a thing for each other right for the get-go."
" What's 'a thing'?"
"Sorry that's a common human phrase. It means we are attracted to each other both physically and emotionally."
"Have you had this 'thing' for a long time?"
"Pretty much since we both arrived on Pandora three years ago."
"Do you have a child?"
"No, avatars can't have children."
Ralu didn't miss the sadness in Judy's voice or the feelings of sympathy from Abby. Plus this didn't mesh with the vision in which she clearly saw Neytiri nursing a baby.
"Why not?"
"It is the way were designed. Avatars aren't conceived in the normal way. The RDA—that's the name of the group that made us—didn't want its investments having children as that would necessitate having to look after the children. Every action the RDA took regarding Pandora was based on one and only one thing. Profit!"
"I'm sorry if I upset you," Ralu responded after Judy's voice had grown loud and angry.
"Oh honey, you didn't. It's just every time I think about all the crap the RDA has pulled I get mad all over again. Don't pay any attention to me."
"I like paying attention to you. I've never had the chance to talk with a female avatar before. Maybe someday I could talk with you when your spirit is in your human body."
"Sure, we'd like that. Wouldn't we Abby?"
"Sounds good to me."
Before Ralu could ask any more questions, her parents along with Buck and Kyle emerged from the tree and started towards the Samson.
"Did you see the banshee?" Ralu asked her mother when she returned.
"Yes. Sadly it is as I feared. The banshee is very badly injured. I do not think its wing can be mended. I will talk with some of our older people and see what they think."
"All aboard. It's time to head back," Rock announced as he climbed back into the cockpit.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Author's Note:
I will be away for a long weekend so this will be the last post for about a week. I will get back to posting longer entries less often.
Thanks to all of you who have reviewed. Your comments are appreciated.
Enjoy.