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"Sha'ni, come," Mo'at beckoned, and Shawn approached warily.
"This...tawtute demon is to become one of us?" a younger tsahik spat. "It has no shame, appearing before us thus."
Shawny looked at Mo'at, completely bewildered, and realized that she was still wearing the same dirty shorts and tanktop she'd been wearing for the past—God, had it really been ten days? She probably did look pretty wretched. But it wasn't like it was her fault! She'd been unconscious for four of those ten and they hadn't let her out of bed for more than a few hours at a time since her awakening. Laundry hadn't been on anyone's to-do list what with all the resting and the re-hydrating and resting some more.
"This is no tawtute creation," Mo'at said firmly. "She is one of us, as much as Toruk Makto. Her name is Sha'ni."
"Sha'nikupe te Uniltu So'fi'ite," Shawn said softly, looking at the ground.
"It presumes to take a name of the People!" the angry tsahik cried.
"I take nothing," Shawn snapped, glaring at her antagonist. "This name is given by Titxantslusam of the Omaticaya."
"It-"
"Be silent, Tsahik," an older wisewoman barked. "You shame yourself and your clan. Whether or not she enters our ranks, this woman is one of the People. Or do you doubt the signs?"
The young one subsided into sullen silence and Mo'at stepped forward, telling them how she arrived on the back of a thanator and of her journey through the Tree of Souls.
"She lay for three days guarded by the atokirina," Mo'at finished. "They departed only when she woke."
The fairy lights, Shawn thought, thinking back. So they were woodsprites. They were sacred, weren't they?
"Sha'ni, tell them what you told me," Mo'at commanded.
Shawn sighed and did as she was told. Her story was well practiced by now, and the telling was much smoother than it had been when telling Neytiri. The circle of tsahiks listened in grave silence until her narrative ended, then took turns asking seemingly inane questions as Mo'at had done. Once again she was mystified, this time at the relevance of her mother's age at the time of Shawn's birth to the situation at hand.
Once Mo'at dismissed her, she immediately sought out Ninat and demanded to be taken to the nearest body of water to bathe and wash her clothes. Ninat demurred at first, suggesting she continue to clean herself with wet cloths, but Shawn insisted, stripping off her tanktop and practically shoving it under Ninat's nose.
"Oh, my," Ninat said, wrinkling her nose. "You are quite right, my friend. I didn't realize—such a dull color hides the grime well. But tell me, what is that you're wearing? It looks quite uncomfortable."
Shawn looked down and blushed, hastily donning her shirt once more.
"It is called a—a bra. It covers and holds...here," she mumbled waving a hand vaguely at her chest. "uniltiranyu...bigger. Hurts if not held."
"I see," Ninat said, her mouth twitching suspiciously. "Many of our women are jealous of such abundance. I will tell them it is not without disadvantage."
"We go now?" Shawn begged. "Please. I stink like old meat."
Ninat laughed merrily. "Ah, little sister, you bring me joy. Come, then, let's fetch the others. We will make an outing out of it."
They tracked down Neytiri, Peyral, and a woman named Syulang, whom Shawn had met a few days previously and quite liked. Ninat sent them on ahead of her with a mischievous smile, saying that she had to do something before she joined them. The others obligingly swept Shawn away into the forest, chattering animatedly. Although she was at first uncomfortable without her guide, she slowly relaxed in the other women's company. Syulang made a point to include her in the conversation, and Neytiri was very solicitous of her welfare, making sure to stop often for Shawn to rest and drink. Peyral remained somewhat aloof, but Shawn was beginning to suspect that she was merely quiet and it had little to do with her.
At the sight of water, Shawn gave a girlish squeal and dashed forward, throwing herself into the river. She scrubbed vigorously at her head before coming up for air and submitted meekly to Neytiri's scolding. It had been worth it. Seeing Shawn properly chastened, Neytiri relented and rubbed a handful of powdery crushed leaves into Shawn's hair. It was frothy and slippery and smelled nice—much nicer than the harsh shampoo used on the base.
"What is it?" Shawn asked curiously as Neytiri kneaded her scalp with the stuff.
"Slipweed," Neytiri replied. "When we are done here we will show you. There is much for you to learn, sister."
"Yes," Shawn agreed. After a moment's silence, she asked, "Neytiri, how can I be tsahik? I know nothing. Not even slipweed."
"A tsahik needs more than knowledge," Neytiri said. "Perhaps it is for your very innocence that Eywa has called you."
"You mean ignorance," Shawn muttered.
"No, innocence," Neytiri said firmly. "You have a pure heart, Sha'ni, anyone can see that. Your heart is as free of hatred as my Jake's is from fear. It's as clear as the stars on both your faces. Now rinse."
Shawn obediently ducked under and rubbed the slipweed from her hair. When she came up, Neytiri had already stripped and joined the others in the deeper water. Deciding to think about what Neytiri said later, Shawn peeled off her clothes and went to join the others in what seemed to be a game similar to Marco Polo. Ninat's arrival a some time later was announced by a warrior cry and a cannon-ball splash worthy of any poolside tough.
"Finally," Peyral said laconically, flicking water at her friend.
"What kept you?" Syulang asked curiously.
"I was finding suitable garments for Sha'ni," Ninat explained. "She can't keep wearing those tawtute rags. It took me a while, though, to find something we can use to bind her chest. Her berries are so big she can't support them on her own."
Neytiri and Syulang howled with laughter while Shawn sputtered and blushed. Peyral restrained herself, grinning widely.
"I did not say this," Shawn growled.
"You—don't have to," Ninat hiccuped. "There's nothing—wrong with our eyes."
At the look on Shawn's face as she hastily covered the area in question, even Peyral broke down and the four spent the next quarter hour bemoaning the (vastly exaggerated) difficulties Shawn's breasts would cause. They were actually only slightly larger than the average Na'vi's, Shawn huffed to herself, and certainly nothing special by human standards. Luckily, these difficulties would not include finding a mate, they assured her, and had a great laugh envisioning the hordes of lust crazed males that would no doubt be panting after her.
"Do not make me foolish," Shawn finally snapped, her bioluminescent freckles glowing with embarrassment . "I do not ask to come here. I do not ask to be different."
"We're sorry, Sha'ni," Ninat said, immediately contrite. "We're just jealous of our pretty little sister."
"And her berries," Peyral added seriously, causing the other two to snort with laughter even as they tried to school their features.
"We're sorry, Sha'ni, truly," Syulang protested as Shawn made to go back to shore.
"We forgot it's so new for you," Neytiri said apologetically. "We are your friends. Do Sky People not tease their friends?"
"They do," Shawn admitted, relaxing slightly. "At the tawtute place, other uniltiranyu tease me for päsketpol. I do not play well."
"We know of päsketpol," Ninat said. "Grace Awgustin tried to teach us. It is a very silly game."
"Yes," Shawn agreed. "I do not like it."
"We will teach you to play Na'vi games," Syulang said, and grinned. "You will be very good at hiding games, I think. I can hide you in my satchel."
"I am not so small," Shawn muttered mutinously.
"No, not so small," Peyral agreed, cutting her eyes at Shawn with a sly grin, and this time Shawn joined them in their laughter.
The group of friends returned to shore and dressed, magnanimously refraining from teasing Shawn as they helped her put on her loincloth and chest wrapping. The end result was interesting, Ninat concluded with satisfaction, and not unpleasing to the eye. As promised, Neytiri took her into the forest and showed her various plants that had medicinal value or were good to eat. The others accompanied them, putting in their two cents and thriftily gathering food as they went. At first Shawn felt awkward and exposed in her new garments, but soon relaxed. It was certainly more comfortable than her other clothes in the wet heat of the jungle.
"Come," Neytiri said finally. "Let's go home. Sha'ni needs to rest."
"No more rest," Shawn complained. "I am better now."
"Better, but not yet well," Neytiri said in a tone that brooked no argument, then grinned. "You need your strength to beat back your suitors."
"I see no suitors," Shawn snorted. "I am awake six days. Where are they?"
"That's because they have not seen you," Syulang suggested. "They have all been out searching for a new kelutral. Now they are back and will be after you like nantang after a baby yerik."
"I want no suitors," Shawn clarified quickly, disliking the analogy.
"You will," Neytiri assured her with a twinkle in her eye. "Having a mate has its rewards."
"Not yet," Shawn said firmly, blushing at the thought.
Cuddling with Norm was nice, but she had never "gone all the way" with him or anyone else. The thought of rounding the bases with a Na'vi male did not bear thinking of. To turn the conversation away from her mating prospects, she asked,
"Do you not have mates?"
All but Neytiri shook their heads, though Shawn detected a faint blush on Peyral's usually impassive face.
"Not yet," Ninat corrected, poking Peyral in the ribs. "How long before Ngimkxetse chooses you, Peyral?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Peyral muttered.
"Well, let's see if you remember when Ngimksetse sees you," Neytiri said, sticking a flower behind her friend's ear. "Come, sisters."
After loading makeshift baskets with their spoils, they trooped back toward the camp, resting frequently. Despite her protests, Shawn was glad of it. Perhaps she wasn't quite one hundred percent yet, she admitted to herself. This was the longest she'd been out of bed since her flight from Hell's Gate. When they arrived at camp, she wearily bade the others goodbye and thanked them for spending time with her.
"Rest for a while," Neytiri said. "We will come for you when it is time for the evening meal."
Shawn bit her lip to keep from protesting. She had managed to sleep through supper until now. Other meals tended to be less formal affairs, taken alone or in the company of a few friends. She dreaded the thought of being under the scrutiny of the entirety of several clans. Just don't think about it, she advised herself, and settled on her pallet for a nap. One step at a time.
Ninat and Syulang came for her a few hours later, shaking her gently awake. Shawn sat up and stretched, smiling impulsively at her friends. She'd never had much time for socialization growing up. Later, when she went to university, almost everyone was significantly older than she, even those in the same degree program. At Hell's Gate, she was a student, not a colleague, even to Joanne. Shawn had never had girlfriends before, and she found she liked it.
"Don't be afraid," Ninat said, tugging her forward when Shawn hesitated at the edge of the vast circle. "You are new to them, too, that's all."
"Let them look," Syulang said with a grin. "And make sure you look back. There are plenty of fine men in the crowd."
Shawn rolled her eyes and followed Ninat toward the central fire, carefully stepping over tails and feet. They found Neytiri and Peyral and settled next to them, waiting for food to be passed their way. Shawn's eyes drifted beyond the fire. In the distance, she could see the circle of Tsahiks silhouetted against the glow of the Tree of Souls.
"Put it from your mind," Syulang whispered, touching her shoulder. "Worrying won't make them come to a decision any sooner."
"I know," she whispered back. Don't think about it.
Owing to Neytiri's status, they didn't have long to wait for food. Shawn reached eagerly for a hunk of meat, only to snatch her hand back as Neytiri smacked it with the flat of her knife.
"Kehe," she said sternly. "Fruit and broth for you, sister."
"I have no broth," Shawn grumbled.
"I brought some for you," Neytiri informed her, and handed her a bowl. "Here."
Shawn sighed, brought it to her lips, and drank—slowly. After making certain Shawn was suffering no ill effects, Neytiri relented and let her eat a few teylu. At first Shawn balked at eating the pale, squishy larvae, but the desire for something she could sink her teeth into overruled her squeamishness. As it turned out, the teylu didn't satisfy this particular desire any better than the fruit did, but it was actually quite tasty. She'd had shrimp once at a posh university banquet, and it tasted a bit like that..
After a while—long after Shawn finished her rather meager dinner—her ears pricked at the sound of a drumbeat. Another joined it along with a flute. Those closest to the fire scooted back to make room for the dancers that came forward. Shawn craned her neck, watching eagerly. The dancers circled the fire with strong, rhythmic motions, reenacting the hunt. It was entrancing. Not for the first time since waking up among the People, Shawn wondered if maybe she had made a mistake in studying zoology rather than anthropology.
When the dancers finished, a man's voice boomed out over the gathering in a simple song praising the bravery of the male hunters. A woman answered this with a verse about the grace and beauty of the female hunters, altering the melody slightly. Another riposted with a verse about the virility of the young men. Ninat had a verse or two on this topic, altering the melody further to showcase her vocal range and agility.
"Ninat is the Omaticaya's best singer," Neytiri whispered proudly.
"She is very good," Syulang agreed. "But I think Ateyo of the Tipani might best her."
"Hah!" Neytiri scoffed. "We shall see."
"You are not Omaticaya?" Shawn asked in surprise.
"No, I am Tipani," Syulang said absently, and shushed her as her tribe's singer belted out an ode to a hypothetical female's luminous eyes.
Ninat responded with a description of the male's noble nose, phrasing it in a way that sounded suspiciously like a double entendre of some kind. Ateyo gave a lengthy account of the female's long legs and where they led. By this time the other singers had subsided to listen to the two masters duke it out with melodic lines that became more and more complex and verses that grew both wittier and bawdier. When each ran out of real body parts, they moved on to possessions and crafts and all manner of seemingly innocuous objects. Ninat and Ateyo drifted to the center of the circle to face each other, hands on their hips and singing their verses right into the each other's faces. It ended when Ninat delivered a rapturous praise of the male's spear, describing it in loving detail and illustrating her point with a series of high, difficult-sounding trills. Ateyo's mouth opened as if to sing and then paused, instead letting out a hearty laugh. He gave a warm salute to Ninat, who smiled shyly in return.
"Hah," Neytiri said again. "Ninat has won, as I knew she would."
"I wouldn't be so sure," Syulang replied speculatively. "I think Ateyo may have won after all."
"What—hmm," Neytiri said, eying her friend thoughtfully.
"You are like little grandmothers," Shawn scolded. "You think of nothing but this?"
"There is nothing wrong with that. We are of an age to be choose and be chosen," Syulang said, unabashed. "So are you, Sha'ni. You will feel differently once you are more at home with us."
"And get to know some of the young men," Neytiri added with a grin.
"Not for long time," Shawn said stubbornly.
"Tam," Syulang said equably. "If you say so."
"I do," Shawn grumbled.
"You should sleep now, Sha'ni," Neytiri said, heading off a potential argument.
Shawn didn't argue, glad of an excuse to flee the rampant match-making. She made her way back to her pallet, ignoring the curious stares from the gathered Na'vi. She had met many people in the past few days, but it wasn't even a fraction of the People gathered in the territory surrounding the Tree of Souls. Most, like Titxantslusam, were friendly and open, but there had been more than a few who coldly ignored her or even spat at her as she passed. She wondered how many there were in the whole of the gathering who saw thought she was a tawtute demon like the angry tsahik.
Don't think about it, she told herself for what seemed like the thousandth time. It was quickly becoming a mantra, and Shawn dreaded the time when she would have to stop and think about what was happening to her. That time is not now, she told herself firmly, and went to sleep.
Unfortunately, the time came sooner than Shawn would have liked. Mo'at woke her before dawn, motioning for Shawn to accompany her back to the Tree of Souls. Shawn followed with her heart in her mouth, glad that she wasn't obliged to say anything even as Mo'at's silence frightened her. The tsahiks were gathered under the Tree, staring at her gravely. Mo'at motioned for Shawn to take her place in the circle and the two sat down.
Of its own accord, Shawn's queue connected to the grass-like tendrils at the foot of the Tree. Shawn looked around the circle, wondering what she was supposed to do. Should she close her eyes like the others? She could feel the minds of the other tsahiks through their mutual connection to the Tree of Souls. They were examining her closely, though Shawn could not imagine what they were looking for. Wanting to please them, she opened her mind as completely as she knew how, and waited for them to pass judgment.
"I see you, Tsahik," the eldest said finally.
"I see you, Tsahik," another followed.
"I see you, Tsahik."
It went around the circle—even the angry one, Shawn noted. Was she supposed to say it, too? To which Tsahik should she say it? It wasn't until Mo'at turned to her and said, "I see you, Tsahik," that she realized what was happening. Her queue disengaged and she stood up, shaking. Mo'at rose as well, laying a steadying hand on her arm.
"It is Eywa's will, my child," she said gently. "You are Tsahik."
"Tsahik of what clan?" Shawn demanded. "I belong to no one."
"The Anurai have need of a tsahik," the angry one informed her with an expression perilously close to a smirk on her face.
"But-"
"You were chosen by the Anurai clan totem. I will come with you and teach you what you must know," Mo'at told her. "Neytiri is nearly ready for her Passage. It will be good for her."
"Shall I inform Rai'uk, Tsahik Mo'at?" the angry one asked with an unpleasant gleam in her eye.
"Rai'uk?" Shawn asked, turning to Mo'at, and remembered that the tsahik and olo'eyktan were a mated pair. Her eyes grew wide. "No..."
"Mawey," Mo'at cautioned. "I took the liberty of informing Rai'uk of the possibility. I will take Sha'ni to him now."
"Tsahik," Shawn said frantically and she hurried after Mo'at. "Tsahik, I cannot..."
"You will," Mo'at said. "It is your path."
"You cannot force me!" Shawn snapped, stopping abruptly.
"I do not have to," Mo'at said calmly. "If you are one of us, you will accept Eywa's will. If you will not, then you have no place here."
"You will make me leave?" Shawn whispered, eyes pricking with tears.
"No, my child," Mo'at said, cupping Shawn's face in her hands. "You were brought here for a purpose. Eywa provides, Sha'ni. You must trust in her, and in us. This is your path."
"No," Shawn said, backing away. "I cannot-"
Shawn whirled and ran blindly into the forest. She rushed forward, heedless of the the leaves and vines slapping her face. She had no destination in mind, just a driving need to get away. She finally collapsed under luminescent ferns, sobbing. How had this happened? She'd had her life snatched away from her and been told to start a new one. She had tried—she had made friends. And now, once again, it was all to be pulled out from under her. And they had thrown an arranged marriage in, to boot.
"Sha'ni."
"Go away," Shawn mumbled, her face to the ground.
"No, little sister," Ninat said, and sat beside her.
"Do not call me that," Shawn said. "They will make me leave, and I will have no friends, no sisters."
"This is not true, Sha'ni," Syulang said, and the others settled around her. "We are going with you. Well, Ninat and I are, anyway."
"What?" Shawn looked up with a sniffle.
"Mother told me about the Circle," Neytiri said. "I cannot leave the Omaticaya, nor will Peyral—not when Ngimkxetse is going to choose her. Besides, I would be lonely without her."
"There is little but memories of death for me," Ninat said softly, smoothing Shawn's hair. "So I will go with my little sister."
"I as well," Syulang said, and grinned. "I am like you, Sha'ni. My parents died long ago. The only person I am leaving behind is my grumpy old aunt. I rejoice at the chance for a new start—a new life."
Shawn, overwhelmed by a surprising sense of relief, pressed her face into the soft, moist earth once more. Ninat and Syulang would come with her—assuming that she went.
"But—Rai'uk-"
The others looked at each other in dismay.
"I regret our teasing now," Ninat said. "We should have known fate would be listening."
"I—not ready for mate," Shawn said, trying to not to let panic take away her words. "Rai'uk is stranger."
"To be mated before Eywa is not necessarily the same as the act of mating," Neytiri said comfortingly. "That can come later, after you have shared tsaheylu many times and know each others' heart. It is often so between the Olo'eyktan and Tsahik. It would have been so for me had I not met my Jake."
"But what if he is not good man, or I am not good woman?" Shawn objected. "What if we cannot be happy?"
"Eywa will not let that happen," Neytiri said firmly. "When you form tsaheylu, you will share your good memories or bad. In this way you know if the mating is blessed, or not."
"And if the mating is not blessed?" Shawn asked hopefully.
"It is a possibility," Neytiri admitted. "But unlikely. Olo'eyktan and Tsahik mate for a reason. Those meant to be Tsahik and those meant to be Olo'eyktan tend to be compatible because the very qualities that make them fit for their positions are compatible."
"Oh," Shawn said, face falling.
"All that I have heard and seen tells me that Rai'uk is a good man," Syulang insisted. "You could do much worse, Sha'ni."
"And probably not much better," Peyral added, giving her opinion for the first time. "He is a fine man."
"He frightens me," Shawn whispered.
"Well, Peyral frightened you, too," Ninat pointed out reasonably.
"I did?" Peyral looked so shocked at this that even Shawn gave a watery chuckle.
"Little, only," she assured her friend.
"And now you know better," Ninat concluded with a brisk nod. "Have you ever even spoken to Rai'uk?"
"No," Shawn admitted.
"Well, I suggest you do so," Neytiri said firmly. "Now."
"Now?" Shawn asked uneasily, touching her tear-stained face. "Please, no. I do not want...I do not want him to see me like this. Like a child."
"No, you're right," Syulang said, looking her over. "That won't do at all. Let's get you cleaned up and relax for a bit first."
"The river isn't far," Ninat said. "I'm surprised you remembered the way, Sha'ni."
"I did not," Shawn replied, surprised. "I did not think...only ran."
"Your heart led you to a place of joy," Neytiri said with a nod, and led the way to the river. "This is not surprising."
"I wish..."
"What, sister?"
"I wish you can come with us," Shawn muttered. "Or that I stay. I wish we can be all together. This place bring me joy. Much joy."
Neytiri stopped abruptly and faced the others.
"Sha'ni is right," she announced. "We should all be together, at least as much as we can. The Omaticaya kelutral and the one for the new Anurai are not terribly far apart. We will make tsmuke'awsiteng*. Soon three of us will be mated and the others will surely follow in time."
"What is circle of sisters?" Shawn asked in confusion.
"It is for mated women," Ninat explained. "To support each other as they learn to live with a man and raise their children."
"Children?" Shawn squeaked.
"Don't worry, sister," Peyral assured her with a grin. "That need not happen for some time. It surely won't for me."
"We will gather every fourth eight-night to be together and renew our bond," Neytiri asserted, nodding in satisfaction. "Give me your hands, sisters."
Neytiri nicked the palm of each of their hands and they formed a circle, clasping their slightly bloody hands. What followed very closely resembled an Earth child's playground pact. They swore to keep each others' secrets, aid any member in need, give open and honest council, and stand together in the face of adversity. Though simple, the small ceremony had a profound effect on all five of the young women. Shawn thought she detected something that could possibly be a tear even in Peyral's eye.
"Alright," Ninat said, blinking mistily. "Come. We must make our little sister beautiful for her first and only suitor."
The newly formed circle laughed and continued to the river for one more morning without cares. They taught Sha'ni many Na'vi games, as promised, until they tired and merely floated together on their backs.
"How can I go back?" Sha'ni said presently. "Everyone will know, and stare."
"When you come back, it will be with Rai'uk at your side," Syulang said firmly. "No one will dare give you trouble."
"Mother will speak to the clans," Neytiri told her. "Those who wish to go with Rai'uk will prepare to leave...pending your successful mating. We will fetch Rai'uk to you."
"What will happen?" Sha'ni asked in a small voice.
"You will go away for a while with Rai'uk," Neytiri explained. "If he is not a complete skxawng, you will spend some time getting to know each other, and you will form tsaheylu. If the mating is blessed, Eywa will send you to sleep and perhaps grant you brief visions of your life together—just hints. When you wake up, you are mated before Eywa."
"There is no..."
"Not necessarily," Neytiri said, and smirked. "I must warn you, though, sister. The...feelings of the bond are very strong. You may be more ready than you think."
"I do not think so," Shawn demurred.
"In any case, if it is a successful mating, you will indeed have a partner for life," Neytiri said seriously. "If nothing else, Rai'uk will be your closest friend. Closer than us, even. It is a great gift, Sha'ni."
Shawn couldn't imagine a complete stranger suddenly being closer to her than her only friends, but didn't argue. Neytiri was the only mated one so far, and she was nearly a tsahik in her own right; she surely knew better than Shawn did about such things.
"Come, now, we must not keep poor Rai'uk waiting any longer or he will think you have rejected him and run back to the Sky People," Neytiri said briskly, towing her reluctant sister to shore.
They took great care with her appearance, arranging and rearranging her chest wrap and weaving flowers into her hair. At last, they pronounced her perfect and set off toward the camp. Neytiri and Peyral left the others a small distance away from the camp and went to find Rai'uk. Shawn sat on a rock and held her head in her hands, trying to breathe slowly. Ninat and Syulang sat on either side of her and talked of inconsequential things in a vain attempt to keep her mind off what was to come.
Shawn was almost relieved when Rai'uk at last appeared, accompanied by Neytiri and Peyral. Neytiri said something to him that made a ghost of a smile flicker across his face, though he nodded gravely. Ninat and Syulang squeezed her hands briefly before disappearing with the other two into the forest. They were alone. Shawn stood and took a deep breath before looking up at the warrior standing before her. She remained silent, having no idea what to say. If you can't think of anything nice to say, don't say anything at all, she thought inanely, and waited for her suitor to speak.
*I got the basic idea and the word for the circle of sisters from Broadhands, but his is a little different from what's described here. To see how, go check out his En Pointe stories as well as By The Numbers. They're awesome.