XI: What Pandora needs now Is (II)
For the next two days Hometree was abuzz with activity, especially since now everyone knew what was going on, but it was in no part to Jake, Neytiri or Mo'at's telling. Once the two most… determined Na'vi in the Omaticaya set their minds on something it was… hard to miss… Poor Ninat was literally hounded every moment she had any free time and she became fearful of the sudden appearance of either Yawne or Peyral who, as also the some of the most stealthiest Na'vi in the clan, literally appeared from nowhere. Materializing from thin air directly beside her, and asking for advice, or council, and always in a whisper as if everybody didn't know exactly what was going on. It became such a huge deal of it, most of the Na'vi actually began to make preparations themselves for the 'big day' which somehow anonymously and conglomeratly became a certain day –which on earth would be in June- Jake and Neytiri too were harrowed nearly day and night by their friends who somehow managed to avoid each other like invisible forces of nature.
But always, always, were able to located Jake or Neytiri when they had free time. It became so bad in fact, soon, everyone became as nervous about the event as Yawne and Peyral were supposed to be. Everybody talked about it, even the children who didn't understand it. The adults where on edge; what if they didn't like each other's songs? What if Yawne passed out? What if Peyral laughed? What if a Palulukan attacked? Such craziness set the entire Omicaya jungles abuzz and soon the words spread… pretty far… "Is silver hair still waiting?" A member of the horse clan commented to another offhandedly. Yes it seemed to be the event of the century and epic songs were already being written about the exchange of songs between two simple Na'vi. Jake just wanted it to be over. He had no idea what kind of… hellwasp nest he had poked. He couldn't even fly on his Ikran without fearing the shadow of Lawtaw or Ean'taw. Jake was possibly the bravest Na'vi in all the Omaticaya, but even he couldn't repress a shy or a shudder each time someone said "Psst!" in his ear now.
Thankfully Jake had helped Yawne at least eliminate Sex Bomb and What's new Pussy cat? both by Tom Jones, though if anyone could pull it off… and he was somewhat hard pressed to help Yawne eliminate I will always love you by Whitney Houston. Neytiri had been the one to eliminate Wind Beneath My Wings and Barry White's Can't Get Enough Of Your Love Baby, as well as Let's get it on by Marvin Gaye. This didn't stop Yawne from practicing for Jake or Neytiri though, thus Hometree was inundated with new love songs; so much so old romances bloomed again, and new romances thrived. Suddenly Hometree became a very loving place. They were especially fond of One Love by Bob Marley. Everywhere Jake or Neytiri went the Omaticaya were simply swimming in the atmosphere of loving, tender kindness. Everyone was either chasing after someone else, making eyes, or in the arms of somebody else; people had flowers in their hair, and they sang their own songs to each other. Jake often wondered if it would be known as "the time of great loving".
For their own part, Jake and Neytiri couldn't help but also be swept up by the little romances of their day. When they woke, they snuggled and lounged in bed longer. When they went to work, Jake introduced the good bye kiss, and 'honey I'm home' kiss. They pulled each other's tails when they passed by each other, often prompting a squeak and a coy look, and they surprised each other with tiny gifts. A little sprinkle of flower petals left in the hammock, a fruit cut up in a whimsical shape on their communal plate, or perhaps a lick on the shoulder from sneaking up behind. All in all many Na'vi began to appreciate each other a great deal more, and it was seen as a time to reflect on the gifts of Eywa, most including love for each other. What was it to be in love with another Na'vi? Did mated for life really end after life? The Na'vi celebrated the love for Eywa, family, and for small gifts. It became a great blessing. Yet. The two catalysts for such a time were completely oblivious.
So wrapped up in their own worries and complications they hardly noticed the going on around them, or if they did, took everything in stride as one who creates the wave rides the crest. Jake had experiences a movement before, which he himself was at the forefront of, but he didn't take control of it until he became Toruk Makto. Now however, he was able to sit back and experience the movement with an awareness and new eyes. He was no longer an outsider to worry about the strange goings on in an alien culture, he was no longer concerned with his own double life, he was whole and soundly swept away in the tide and had every opportunity to reflect with the Omaticaya as an Omaticaya. So it was something of a mystery to him how the two people so at the forefront were so oblivious to everything else around them. Certainly they did their work, hunting, crafting what have you but they always seemed directly preoccupied thereafter. As soon as Yawne would drop his share, he'd pace off looking at nothing, mumbling to himself. Peyral would do the same except her action where more native, and thus she would remain totally silent, and nod to those around her before she too was off slinking through the jungles during her free time.
It was such an odd thing to Jake he tried to follow Peyral and see exactly what it was she did, he'd better luck trying to track an invisible flying viper wolf. Yawne was no different in his absent stealth, Jake soon learned if they wished to be alone they had ways of literally disappearing. He gave up not long after, and spent his own time with Neytiri. Their conversations were mostly enveloped with the "stress" of dealing with their bothersome friends and the impact it had on the whole clan but in earnest, they had began to have trouble facing another issue… Their own romance. Did Jake want a "wedding"? Why had Neytiri not told him bonding would mate them for life? How much of it was his own heart and how much was the mission? How much of it was Eywa's influence and how much of it was their own? It began to nag… at both of them, like a tiny hellwasp behind their ears. The niceties slowly stopped as the worries thickened. A few days more into the affair and both of them walked around heavy with what neither of them would say, ears laid back, and they too fell into brooding silence.
The whole of the clan noticed of course, how could they not? The only pair who was not lovingly at each others throats with love bites and such seemed to try their best to avoid each other. Jake really didn't know exactly what it was that bothered him, or why he couldn't just… just drag it out and shoot it. But it was there all the same. Neytiri acted like she sat on a bur a great deal of the time, and over all their actions began to draw almost as much attention as Yawne and Peyral's. Naturally it became readily apparent that if someone didn't say something the two couples might actually stay apart. Much murmuring and whispering filtered through the clan, and eventually the dichotomy of Jake and Neytiri's relationship growing apart with Yawne and Peyral's relationship growing a bit too close was very strange indeed to Mo'at. Was it some kind of earth custom to hide away feelings and scuttle about in the shadows? She was getting somewhat miffed, but she had no real action aside from telling them to talk to each other, which only made them apologies storms and stare at each other with pitiful looks. Apparently neither of them really knew what was wrong, it was a odd distress which the oblivious friends did not notice. So it was thought.
…
Jake finished his duties with a cold kind of swiftness, as he did more and more recently, and he found himself wandering with the same troubling thoughts… troubling him. He found his steps leading him on through a familiar path and did not realize he had a shadow. A silver shadow. As silent as some kind of silver phantom, Yawne paced directly behind Jake copying his every step and with arms behind his back and inquisitive look on his face. If Jake took a misstep, Yawne would pause and bend his body back to observe as if it was intentional and then immediately return to following. Jake was entirely clueless to his presence until they both came upon Neytiri who was sitting cross-legged upon a rock and lifted her head to watch the odd spectacle of Jake and his silver specter. Yawne of course looked at Neytiri when Jake did, like a mirror, and though Jake's face was pining and sad, Neytiri's was befuddled. Which Jake mistook, and tried to communicate the question across the gap with a tilt of his head and knit brows. Yawne followed suit with the same head tilt but with a cold expression of observation.
Neytiri narrowed her eyes in puzzlement, confusing Jake further, who then shrugged and held out his hands pleadingly. To which Yawne looked at him then back to Neytiri with wide kind of matter of fact eyes and a small shrug… to which Neytiri's mouth opened slightly as a single brow lifted. She didn't not get the game they were playing, but Jake seemed hurt by it? Jake was further puzzled and turned his face following her eyes, only then to turn his eyes and see Yawne, who was looking at Jake- having turned his head just as slowly as Jake did, and then innocently turned to look behind himself. Which of course made Jake say, "YAWNE!" and Yawne physically jumped at the loudness of his own name said not two inches from him.
"What?" He said just as lost as Jake and Neytiri seemed to be.
"How long have you been…?" Jake then looked back to Neytiri, along with Yawne who then jumped in time with Jake as they saw Neytiri who looked at them puzzledly and followed their startled gaze to see Peyral sitting crouched right beside Neytiri. Neytiri then jumped, and Peyral jumped from her jumping. Instantly Neytiri burst out laughing loudly and madly, holding her hand to her chest. Jake stared with an open mouth, and Peyral blinked at Yawne who blinked at her. Neytiri continued to laugh, bowing over, and Jake smiled genuinely for the first time in days. Then he too began to laugh with hands on hips as Neytiri's own laughter drawn from her belly lifted the anxiety away. Jake and Netiri continued into hysterics as Yawne and Peyral watched them stoically in nonplused acceptance. It was several minutes before the laughter ceased and Jake, Neytiri, Peyral, and Yawne crouched side by side in a small circle discussing simple things. Peyral and Yawne remained oblivious to what was going on around them, and they didn't discuss their previous machinations. In fact it became apparent both of them thought they were being completely secretive.
They were however, somewhat confused by Jake and Neytiri's actions and banded together in a double team of concern until both Jake and Neytiri were once again apologizing up a storm and not looking at each other in a pitiable kind of way. Yawne and Peyral looked at each other, and Peyral nodded. Yawne sighed to himself then abruptly pulled Neytiri into a strong kiss. Neytiri's first reaction was a kind of startled yelp, which Jake copied in his own surprise, and then Neytiri started laughing uncontrollably while angrily telling him to get off of her with a slashing tail at the exact same time as Yawne moved down to licking her. Jake was baffled, but Neytiri's cries of anger and Yawne's refuse to stop- apparently- licking her face and neck made Jake gruffly pick the larger Navi up and toss him off. There was a clear moment of unbelieving stupidity as Jake looked at Neytiri and Yawne, while Yawne rolled a bit and got back to his feet. Peyral, meanwhile watched completely unconcerned, as if nothing had happened.
"What, what is this…?" Jake said, Neytiri tried to stand herself, feeling somewhat disheveled, but Yawne was again on his feet and marching right back at Neytiri. Jake didn't know whether to stop him or not and Neytiri didn't seem certain either as she got to her own feet. Yawne's massive frame ducked directly beneath Jake's hesitant hands and again seemingly wrapped his tongue around Neytir's neck as they went into a rolling struggle of laugher and shouting; Jake began shouting too as his own blood began to boil and this time he took Yawne in a choke hold, Yawne slipped out- somehow- and Jake silenced completely as they began to wrestle in earnest. It was quite the struggle as Jake and Yawne hissed with effort. Jake's face became purple and Yawne was sweating in concentration. Neytiri could only watch in utter surprise as the two men athletically switched holds and concentrated only on their breathing. Peyral watched with interest too, but made no other move. Jake tried to get a full nelson, Yawne countered with a twisting cobra lock, Jake slipped over his sweaty back and Yawne almost got away when Jake took his legs in a judo hold and brought him down. They got their feet again, once more locked arm in arm, and Jake was breathing heavily.
Finally Yawne's own leverage and greater strength was beginning to wear Jake down; Jake's anger would not help him defeat Yawne and shake him from what ever madness took him, and Neytiri could do nothing but watch in horrid fascination. With an odd twist Yawne was suddenly wrapping himself around Jake in a counter lock and Jake knew he wouldn't last much longer- his own inner conscious took hold before he truly hurt Yawne. "YAWNE STOP!" he screamed, nearly a roar, as he tasted blood on his lip. Yawne too was breathing hard, lifting to his feet and crouching. Jake took a defensive foot stance but he really had no desire for this to continue.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Yawne roared in Jake's arms. Jake screwed up his face, and threw aside the larger Navi, this sudden outburst so shook Jake he yelled in return.
"WH-! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!"
"WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?" Yawne shot back incredulously.
"YOU JUST CAN'T DO THAT! WE'RE MATED FOR LIFE, REMEMBER?" he screamed back fiercely. To which Yawne suddenly stopped dead and relaxed his stance.
"Oh. Okay Jake, I get it. She's your mate." And then Yawne nonchalantly walked back over to Peyral and flopped to her side. Jake watched him carefully, completely baffled as Yawne collapsed beside Peyral who looked him over. Peyral brushed his hair aside and checked his skin Yawne and she whispered about the fight like it was long in the past. Jake and Neytiri remained in stunned silence for a moment, until both Yawne and Peyral turned to look at the pair in unison. They stood side by side, both ruffled and Jake far more worse for the wear, yet they only stared at Yawne and Peyral in shock instead of looking to each other. The frank gaze of the seated pair shook the standing pair out of their stupor and caused them to look at one another. They were both a mess, but neither had lifted a finger to attend to the other like Peyral had done with Yawne. This simple realization that they had blindly forgotten their own concern for one another so rattled them they quickly stepped closer together and touched each others arms, desperate for some reaffirming physical contact. They then, as one, returned their gaze back to the others.
Peyral scowled and then said, "This is how you do it." She then cupped Yawne's face and said just as lovingly as the day they confessed their affections for each other. "You are stupid, he is mated to her." She then slapped him on the face, not lightly, but not as hard as possible.
Yawne pouted, "I understand but you've been so distant, I was feeling lonely." Peyral then had actual near tears in her eyes as she gently took Yawne's face and brought him into a kiss.
"I forgive you, I am sorry." And they then embraced lovingly; whispering sweet things into each other's ears and caressing each other's skin. Neytiri and Jake were again so befuddled by the display they did not realize they had stepped even closer, leaning into each other and wrapping their arms around each other protectively. Once they notice however, Jake checked his instant reflex to pull away. He was ashamed of that instinct, and embarrassed it took this level of dramatics to knock some sense into them. Instead he locked his arms firmly around Neytiri and looked into her eyes.
"Neytiri… I don't know, what's been happening between us… but it has to stop." He said, his voice somewhat shaken.
"I know my Jake… I feel this is true as well." she replied equally opened mouthed. Jake felt his hands begin to shake, but he didn't know why, and it made him angry. Yet he was suddenly too tired and exhausted to move away, and didn't feel one bit like letting it go, so he simply started babbling and breathing with the hope whatever it was would come out. He did not realize his own words as he spoke them.
"I've got questions Neytiri, about you and me, about Eywa, and our mated life… I don't know how to ask them, but I don't care if there is a right way. I'd rather be wrong and…" he smiled slightly, "Let you slap me so we can kiss and make up."
Neytiri too smiled, and her eyes began to glisten, "I just want to hear you my Jake." And now her own hands were pulling Jake into her, gripping him with the innate desire to never let him go. Even if his words hurt.
They all too soon remembered they had an audience, one who watched the two with satisfied expression of observation. Jake felt like saying something to them, in thanks maybe, or apology… but his tongue failed him. It just became a kind of awkward moment of looking at each other. Peyral nodded and stood, pulling Yawne up, then the two smiled in a kind of 'that's right' look, and traipsed, truly traipsed, off into the jungles. In their wake, Jake and Neytiri held each other, the silence left by the pair suddenly filled with a gush of words from both of them at the same time as they turned to each other. It was so sudden neither made any sense and both stopped with small laughs and smiles. Jake settled back into leaning into Neytiri and looked down at her with his arms forming bars around the small of her back.
"Me first." he said.
"Alright my Jake." she answered.
…
Together they stayed, nestled within each other, speaking of things unspoken. Saying what they needed to say. The conversation continued even as they both grew weary of standing and settled on the ground face to face. Neytiri's hands fussed about Jake's frame and face, even as his own straightened hers. As evening slowly drifted over them, concerns brought about tears; sobs; gulps and clutching embraces. These too were spent in time, and finally, they simply sat together; holding each other as they did that first night. As the first faint lights of the forest came to life, Jake and Neytiri stood and they themselves traipsed back through the jungle- hand in hand. It was then, some great surprise when the pair found themselves in the middle of a celebration. Drums, flutes, and dancers flooded their ears before they even saw the festive lights.
There were massive Pendulum Drums with Na'vi players swinging side to side on trapezes, a host of flutes all piping along with smaller Gourd Drums keeping the time in their own rhythm. No one was singing yet, for the special occasion was only meant to start with the originators of the event. Two who sat beflowered and befuddled in a ring of ceremony surrounded by other couples. Jake and Neytiri froze as they came into the party lights, they turned to each other in slight worry. Both knew neither had prepared a song, not really; Jake look to say something, but Neytiri touch his lips.
"We have sang to each other this night already… with our hearts." she smiled. Jake returned it and embraced her strongly. Suddenly the drums silenced, and all eyes turned to the pair. Mo'at stood and gestured to them, speaking in Na'vi she began her oraration;
"Now all are here; it is time to begin, a night of songs, of love, and a celebration of two who have brought a new appreciation of each other to all of us. We see them, as they have made us see each other." She bowed formally; all the while Peyral and Yawne looked clueless. Mo'at motioned to them and it became clear this was the moment for them to share their songs. Yawne and Peyral looked to each other and then at all around them and once more back to one another. They didn't know quite how to begin. Finally, Yawne turned and lifted Peyral up, then, he knelt before her. He waited a moment, simply looking up at her; gazing at her as if placed on a pedestal for worship. She stood tall, yet shy, knees slightly together, shoulders pushed slightly forward. Heart shaped face framed by festive flowers around her forehead, yet her ears and eyes were pointed directly to him. Giving him back all the love she saw in him given to her.
"The…" he began, then faltered as tears came to his eyes and he choked. He bowed his head… all watched in silence… Yawne swallowed hard… looked up to peyral… and his voice came out as a soft whisper. "The trees are filled with angels… floating by my side… and every time I listen close I hear their bodies softly, fly, and hide…"
Yet before he could sing another word Peyral looked at him in disbelief and began singing in soft Na'vi. "It's all a bit confusing... impossible at best…"
Yawne narrowed his brow and did not miss a single beat, "But when I walk, alone at night…"
Then Peyral finished in Na'vi, "I feel their holy presence lift my head…" They were singing the exact same song. Yawne stood then and together hand in hand, she in Na'vi, he in the sky people tongue, sang as one:
"Love, love, a thousand winters melting!
Love, yes love, as you wrap your arms around me!"
Having found the rhythm the two singers established, slowly the flutes began to follow in soft hollow tones, then the drums set down a rapid beat, with a strong thrum pounded by the swingers over head and the song continued, still in the dual languages.
"They wait for us to listen, to the voices we can't see.
They wait 'til all the lights come on and finally we hear that melody.
Love…! Love…! A thousand winters melting!
Love, yes love, as you wrap your arms around me!
There's a thousand ways you love me, and a thousand times you've shown me,
and if ever I've found love~ I've found you."
The Navi People heard the song, and it lifted their hearts, the beat continued and built, and then all lifted their voices to sing along; a myriad of sounds all echoing and fading and rising in harmonious unison, even Jake held Neytiri and she held him, as they sang to each other. Yet none sang higher, fuller, nor stronger than the two voices in the center. The lights of the world danced, wood sprites flowed in circles and the whole of Pandora glowed as the song spread through the very roots of Eywa herself.
"Love…! Love…! A thousand winters melting!
Love, yes Love! As you wrap your arms around me!
There's a thousand ways you love me, and a thousand times you've shown me,
Love, yes Love, as you wrap your arms around me."
And Peyral did just that, as the rest continued to sing, she pulled her lover with her. They ran through the crowd, faces flush and breath heavy. None bothered to stop them. The pair disappeared into the jungles leaving the celebration to continue and allow other couples to sing to each other. The whole of hometree was alive with lights and dancers. They passed through the lights and into the night; running among the fallen galaxy at their feet, dancing among the stars.
…
Peyral led Yawne across the lights sparkling between their toes, her breath was hot and she was eager to find a place for privacy. Yawne however, swept up even as he was by the overwhelming flow of life, still had a human voice within him. But the subject was irrevocably breeched, the dance was on. Peyral chose a soft ground of short grass on the bank of a river beneath a looming tree. Peyral turned, taking Yawne's other hand. "My love…" she leaned close, rubbing her chin against his jaw. "…why do you fear me?"
Yawne was lost in the closeness of her breath upon his face, but she would not force him to go further untill what dwelled in his heart drifted from his lips. "I… I don't fear you, I never feared you. I fear myself failing you."
Peyral pulled his hands around her waist, gently nipping his chin. "We have a home now, you and I, people of our own. We have a family; we can both hunt, so we may never go hungry. You teach and work for your place as I do. How will you fail me?"
Yawne licked his lips, "You… are my first." he whispered.
"And you are mine." she grinned, pulling his body into the curve of her own and sinking him down to the grass with her body weight. His long abs and broad chest were as a pulsing mattress, his heart beating strong with his strong limbs.
"I, I don't…" he hesitated, even as his hands began to trace paths upon her back.
Peyral leaned into him, "Then do not speak with words, speak with your heart. Let your body speak, let mine listen."" and she took his mouth. They had kissed before, sharing even the tantalizing touch, caresses both hungry yet stilled, but this kiss was a key to the door they had both not crossed. The threshold. Peyral felt his great body tremble beneath her weight as she wrapped a leg around him with her tail following suit, but it was not fear… and finally his strong arms pulled her close, his own mouth seeking hers.
"I love you! I love you more than life itself!" he breathed helplessly into her.
Peyral took hold of him as if to pull all he was inside herself, breath bridging on impossible need, "and I you! Oh, my love!" …so it was Pandora was filled with the fullest love song, sang since the dawn of time, of love beyond time itself.