A/N:
Well...Bah! what can I say ? I got inspired and decided to write it out on this one.
Let us get to it.
Hope you guys enjoy it.
Life as a Tsahik was never a easy one.
It was to bear the responsibility of caring all lives within a clan. To be their healer, their guide and teacher. To be the bridge between them and the great mother. To help them fight to see another day or leave their world behind and go into the ancestor's embrace in peace. Every single day.
A task as daunting as it was exhausting.
But Ronal never once faltered before its weight. Nor did she ever forsaken the pride the title carried.
Becoming a mother solidified her will ten-fold. Minor or great, whenever she was needed, Ronal worked to the best of her teachings and capabilities to aid those that require it.
For the last moons, one in particular had a constant need.
The peacefull times were gone once more in Eywa. Her husband, like the people, felt the change when the warning of the demon's return reached their clan in the seas.
It was hectic, to say the least.
Plenty of meetings were made between the Metkayina leaders. Large groups traveled across the water day and night. Precautions were discussed over and over between the leaders, be it Olo'eytkan or Tsahik.
In the end of the rush, they concluded that the best course of action was to just be ready for whatever may come from the invaders. Keeping a tight watch in their borders.
The stories being told from their actions since coming didn't ease the hearts of the people. It seemed now they were more dangerous than ever. The destruction they brought more even terrifying and powerful. New machines that built monstrous grey metal walls to guard them.
Some aspects gave a form of comfort. First was that Toruk Makto and the Omatikaya were already at war against them. Yet, some doubted that the great warrior would've the same success from years before. Second, was that, even in their first stay, the sky people preferred to stay in the lands of the jungles. Never really venturing to the seas or beyond.
Would it be the same this time ? Time would tell.
Tonowari did not show it in the open, but Ronal could read her husband well, the stress and worry were slowly getting to him. And to her as well. That's why, in the privacy of their home, late into the night, when she noticed him getting lost in his thoughts, Ronal pulled him out of them. Assuring Tonowari and herself that both would figure something out. For their clan. Their children.
It works for most of the times, and the pair gets to enjoy a good night of rest.
Still, there are times Ronal awakes in the middle of the eclipse, to find her mate nowhere to be seen. Frustrating as it could be, she lets him have those moments of solitude. Comforted by the fact he would return later, arms gently wrapped around her like he always did.
Tonight was different.
"Mom, mom, mom!"
Ronal opens her eyes, startled away from her sleep to her daughter, Tsireya, staring her directly in the face.
Her youngest looks nervous, looking at the entrance of their marui and back to her repeatedly.
There's a wave of worry that instantly causes any sleep to wash away from Ronal.
Getting into a sitting position, she takes her daughter's hands within her own. Her worry grows when she does not see Tonowari nor her son Aonung.
"What is wrong ?" Ronal's voice is lightly horse, but focused. "Where is your father ? Your brother ?" She asks about their whereabouts.
Tsireya is quick to answer. "Something is happening. Father sent Aonung to wakes us up and go to him,"
Ronal inwardly breaths in relief that no harm has come to pass on her family.
But what about the people ?
Senses now regaining themselves and taking in the rest of the surroundings, Ronal's ear flicks and she looks outside over her shoulder. On the other side of the curtain, she many of her clan all running in the same direction over the walkways of their village. Some carrying spears in hand gesturing and shouting to those behind them to follow quickly. While others urged their young ones to remain inside their maruis before joining in.
Ears now flattening against her skull, Ronal could only frown.
Just what in Eywa's name was happening out there ?
Well, she wasn't about to find out sitting at the floor of her home. As her expression hardens, Ronal stands up, still holding her daughter's hand. They were both summoned, and were wasting time.
"Go to your father," She says to Tsireya. "Wait for me there,"
"B-but," Tsireya tries to argue.
"Now, daughter," Ronal word is final.
Sighing lightly, Tsireya nods in understanding, before darting between the forming crowds heading along the way.
Being true to her action, Ronal quickly gathers her attires to meet her husband. She puts on her shell head piece carefully over her head. Tights the middle of her hair to keep it straight as much as possible in the moment. Lastly wrapping her skirt, decorated with song cords around her waist securely.
A few other touches and she hurrying out of the pod, on her way to the heart of the commotion.
She strode strongly in the walkway, head lifted and back straight. Those who caught sight of her quickly moved to the side, clearing the path for their Tsahik, saying "Oel ngati kameie" while touching their fingers to their forehead.
Ronal alternated between reciprocating the gesture of respect and nodding in acknowledgment in quick moves before going on. None took offence, they understood why she couldn't stop now.
Soon enough, she could see a large fire ahead at the edge of the village, out in the open, reminiscent of their cook-fires. Her people on their feet forming a circle lines around it. Those more at the back moved their heads and stood at the tip of their toes to get a view of the center. Whispers and murmurs reign across the air.
"Is it really one of them ?" Ronal heard a young warrior, similar age to her son, ask in hushed tones.
"Yes," A adult woman replied, not taking her eyes from the front.
"How did he get here ?" Another, a older fisherman, wondered.
That only fuelled Ronal's mission to find the underlying cause of the whole thing.
Like before, the people dart away from her path, greeting quickly. When the last ones move, she sees her family. Aonung and Tsireya both sit at the left and right of their father before the fire. All three of them stare unmoving at whatever stands at the other side hidden by the flames.
Tonowari's ear flicks, sensing her approach. Both knew everything about each other, down to the finests details. A single and specific gesture could speak volumes without any words.
He turns around, standing up, now towering over her, the children turn to her as well. Just by Tonowari's look alone Ronal can see that this night is truly unprecedented. Her husband rarely appears before their clan without his Olo'eytkan vest or his Akula mantle. It must have occurred when he was taking his nightly strode through the village.
Tonowari lifts his hands, putting one softly over her shoulder, the other on her elbow.
"My love," He lowly greets her as their people's voices quiet down.
Ronal replies by placing her own on her mate's wrists, rubbing them gently with her palms. She furrowed when looking into his eyes. Unquiet, distant and, she dared say, lost, even in her presence. His thoughts a complete opposite of his usual self. He was always confident, certain and focused. It doesn't help the worry that has been growly steadily on her.
"Husband," She says, subtly trying to anchor him, before asking. "What is happening ?"
Tonowari's shoulders dropped. He licked his lips, as if trying to find the right words to answer her question. Ronal stared at her children, hoping they could also provide a response. She found them in very similar states. Aonung's hands twitched, and his turned his gaze torwards the other side of the fire every few moments. Ronal still couldn't see, as her mate blocked the view. Tsireya's breath was silently deep, and she too didn't see willing to turn away for long.
Ronal's patience of this was at it's end.
"Tonowari," She says firmly, giving him a stern look that cowered even the greatest warrior. Now outright demanding a answer.
Tonowari at last replies. But not with words.
With a hand moving to her back, he moves to Ronal's side, putting her at the front of the fire, free to see the other side.
She lets out a mouth-opened gasp, taking a step back.
Tonowari, and all of his years, never expected to go through this. Who could really?
Getting lost in the middle of the ocean with no boat was simpler than this.
He only managed to make some process by using basic decisions that seemed fitting for the occasion.
After getting, what he thought it was, the name of the strange human that came into his village, Tonowari main focus was treating his next steps with extreme caution. He knew that sooner or later there would be a large commotion cause by the human's presence. And he had to keep it under control.
Language remained a barrier to both to go through. Tonowari still held the suspicion that it wasn't even the usual English most humans used between themselves and taught the Omatikaya in their school in the jungles. The amount he heard from Toruk Makto in their previous interactions didn't quite match with the present human.
It took some time, but with some patience, Tonowari got the human to follow him. But not before having confidence that he wasn't there to cause any harm to his people. Something he didn't had to communicate to his surprise.
The stranger easily spun the spear in his grasp, positioning and locking it at his back, over the red cape. When he caught Tonowari staring, he turned his now open and empty hands. A casual sign of peace. Much like he did by putting his knife away.
Tonowari guided him to area of their largest fire pit, mostly used by the adults in the village during winter for nights of socializing and drinking. Fitting, he wryly thought. after seeing the watchmen taking notice of him and the human following his steps.
The storm was forming.
He acted fast, raising his hand to stop the warriors from possibly engaging with the human, thinking their Olo'eytkan to be in danger. Tonowari didn't speak out loud, but as small as he was, the human didn't seem fazed by them in the slightest. He merely looked….unbothered, even if Tonowari couldn't see all his face under the headdress.
After giving out orders, Tonowari requested the aid of two of the watchmen as the others went to bring the rest of the people out. Outside of meetings between Olo'eytkans and a few different occasions, Tonowari always had all in his clan present to hear his decisions, in special his wife. This would not change now.
While waiting for them, Tonowari and his warriors prepared the fire, with the human watching with a keen eye, sitting cross legged in the spot he gestured for him before-hand.
Time as a chieftain taught Tonowari a lot about the deeper meaning of things. Of the thoughts given away by a single look and stance.
So he knows a leader when he sees one.
The human's posture was calm but firm, his head held high. An air of confidence and a unwavering surrounding him as the fires spark to life.
His reaction on the warriors makes more sense. Those who lead don't get to be intimidated or show it before anything. They must held strong at all times. Either to be an example in the face of danger. Or, because they knew they had nothing to fear.
Tonowari wondered which of those did the human fell. He wondered a lot about him honestly.
The golden headdress has been put gently over the sands besides him, showing off his short, lightly pulled back, black hair, the same covering most of his jaw and his upper lip. For Tonowari, nothing could compare to the wings at his feet. He still didn't expect the human to ears pointed to the sky, very much alike his own. The spear was strongly put close to his leg. Where Tonowari saw a detail he had missed at first. At the end of the weapon, hanging on a club-looking section, was a single shell. It would be very small put side to side with those he saw children collecting or those used and molded by his people as tools.
A simple decoration most likely, he concluded for now.
They were both on the opposite sides of the fire at one point repeating their previous scenario in the walkways. Tonowari sat alone after sending the two warriors away for another task, with specific commands, while waiting for the people's arrival. Normally, food and drinks would offered, but Tonowari had no idea the human could even eat the same as he could. Not to mention, he was lost in a world of his own to care.
From the beauty of the sea, from the explosion of colors in the night sky, the human watched in silence, with a youthful wonder in his eyes. The corner of his lips flexing almost into a smile. A curiosity one possessed when seeing the marvels of the world for the first time.
Oh, how Tonowari wished he could understand the human language.
Soon, he wasn't the only who had that thought.
By the moments, more and more of his people reached the fire. All had similar reactions to seeing the man sitting with him. And again, he had to calm them to avoid a accidental and unnecessary conflict. One that required a bit of more convincing was his son, Aonung.
His first born had a good heart. But pride and stubbornness were aspects that he still had to master at his age. As much as he argued, Tonowari didn't relent, and ordered him to bring his mother and sister there at once.
"How is he here ?!"
Which leads them to this very moment.
Ronal didn't react outside of what he thought it would be. Shock turned to quiet ferocity. Her eyes narrowed and hardening. Ears flexing as a snarl broke through her lips. Tail twitching in agitation.
Giving her hand a light squeeze, Tonowari turned her attention to him.
"He came from the water," He says calmly only for her to hear. "At the walkways,"
"Are there -," Knowing what she would ask, Tonowari shook his head.
"He's alone for all I know. I ordered our scouts to search the reef for anyone else. To sound the horns in case they find something," Which, until now, there was nothing. Either the human was truly alone, or the worst had fell upon the search party. Tonowari hoped it was the former.
"And why is he sitting here like a guest, armed, and not locked away in shackles?!"
Tonowari was sure many of the villagers shared her thoughts. He could see it in their eyes, and from some of their whispers. All of them could be in danger. Until now, however, Tonowari didn't had any true reason to imprison the human. He spoke, guiding the conversation to a crucial point. "Ronal…I don't think this is a normal human,"
His wife looked at him as if he was mad.
"Remember when we traveled to the Omatikaya's land after the great war ? The humans we saw there ?" He put it to her first to explain.
Ronal shook her head.
"He doesn't look any different from them!" She stated matter of fact in a hiss, almost pointing at the human in question. The same had his head tilted, hand over his mouth, staring at both of them solely.
Tonowari insisted nonetheless with wife, listing. "They couldn't breathe the same as us. Yet, he has nothing to aid him. His weapon could very well be seen as one of ours. His garments are of metal. And, for I remember of it, he doesn't seem to speak in english as Toruk Markto or the others,"
It didn't help much his case.
"It's been more than 10 years since the demons left," Ronal argued heatly. "You think they would come back as first time ?" One doesn't fail just try it again without making changes. "Their technology could've solved those problems for them. The clothes a disguise to confuse us,"
Tonowari dreaded it would be something like this. One detail didn't allow him to fully believe it.
"Look at his ankles," He gently requested her.
Ronal puffed in impatience, but humored him in the end. It didn't take long for her eyes to widen in a new kind of shock.
"Those…Those are -,"
Few were the times he had ever seen his wife being left speechless by anything.
"Wings, yes," Tonowari confirmed, glancing at them, all four still as the human, with a occasional flicker. "When I said he came from the water, it was true. But a more accurate description would be that he flew from the water to stand before me,"
Ronal didn't utter a word a few beats, mind trying to comprehend what she was seeing. Ever so slowly, her expression turned neutral.
"What does he want ?" She asks suddenly.
Tonowari didn't fool himself thinking she truly believed the proposed notion about the human. Her initial fury quelling at least gave him room to have a more open-minded conversation.
"I do not know," He says to her. "He spoke to me, before. I think he even said his name. Other than that, the rest were words without meaning," Turning away from the human, Tonowari asks. "Is there anyway you could find to understand him ? With Eywa's aid, perphaps ?"
Ronal's mouth presses to a thin line as she shakes her head.
"You know it's not that simple. If Eywa could help us understand them, the Omaticaya wouldn't have needed a school to learn. Besides, it would require a Tsaheylo from both. And this man, be him demon or something else, doesn't have one,"
Tonowari frowns, jaw tightening. This was a great complication. If not even the Tsahik could have a solution, there was little that could be done.
Could he sent a request for help to Toruk Makto ? Yes, but the Omaticayan Olo'eyktan was at war. Tonowari doubted he would stop fighting for his home because of a mysterious man coming up to their shores.
Maybe one of the scientist –
A set of short hisses snap Tonowari to attention.
The human had gotten to his feet. Spear taken out of the sand and now in his hands again.
Around him, the villagers all have taken a step back, some with teeth bared. Those with weapons were one step from getting into battle positions. Ronal's fury returned ten-fold while she crouched, placing a protective arm in front of Tsireya, who had crawled back a short distance away. Aonung stood up, going to stand next to his father. Making himself look taller, shoulders pulled back and fist clenched, making a stance of challenge.
"Peace, peace," Tonowari says to his people, calm and steady. It alleviated just a small portion of their nerves.
Even with such commotion, the human pays little mind for it. Instead, for their surprise, he spins the spear, grasping its end. Then, he pulls the shell from its locking string, and once again leaves the weapon in the sand.
Confusion mixed with wariness, as he gave the gathering a quick look, before starting to slowly walk around the fire, towards Tonowari.
The Olo'eyktan watched with narrow and curious gaze as the human stops in front of him, lifting an arm and offering the shell.
Staring at it and then back at the human, Tonowari's ear flick, and he moves to take it. Trusting he would not regret it a moment later.
"Father/Tonowari!" Both his children and Ronal hissed in warning at him.
Wordlessly giving them a look a assurance, he goes on, picking up the shell.
She did not like this.
She did not like it all.
Ronal felt her tail twitching as she turned her gaze between Tonowari and the human as he went to take the latter's offering.
Not taking offers from strangers was one of first lessons any was taught at the start of their lives. And yet there he was!
She and her son were a mirror of each other, expecting something terrible to happen the shell was accepted. She couldn't see Tsireya's face. But judging by the hold her youngest had on her arm becoming more strong, it was easy to deduce it was similar to theirs.
She and the villagers watched with breaths held as Tonowari brought the shell closer. It looked like a child's toy in his hand due to the size. Moments later, nothing came to occur, and all were put more at ease.
With her husband moving the shell in his palm, looking at every possible angle and corners, Ronal rose to stand close to him.
He continued his examinations, with doubt escalating in his eyes.
"Is just a shell," Tonowari says, showing and handing it to her.
Ronal never considered herself be one for paranoia. It never had a place in role or in any other moment in her life. Be it a blessing or a catastrophe, all was the will of the great mother, and her will was law.
Now, holding the shell in her hands, Ronal felt a little ashamed for her reaction. Probably the rest of the village as well. Justified as their feelings might be.
"I don't understand," She hears Tonowari say, to the human, no doubt. He gestures firmly to it with his arm, holding the same expression of doubt still. "What is it for ?"
It was futile to use words, Ronal went to remind her husband. But his motions had a effect.
Either the human understood the meaning of Tonowari's gestures, or he was planning to do his next actions no matter what.
He pointed at her husband, moving to her next. Then he placed his hand under his mouth, making the motions of talking with it. Finally, he pointed back at the shell.
Tonowari and Ronal looked at each other, the latter putting it ahead of them to see.
"Talk to the shell ?" For the life of her, the Tsahik couldn't make any sense of it. The human became more and more bizarre.
"Maybe it is important for him," Tonowari considered what could be the reason.
Or, he was making both of them for fools in front of their entire clan and children. Ronal privately wondered, giving the same a new glaring look.
Should that be true, he was a good pretender. With both arms over his waist, the human was a picture of patience, waiting for them make their decision like an elder watching younglings during their trials.
Liking or not, Ronal knew it had to be done. None of them could stay there for the rest of the night. If it would give some clear answers, so be it.
Her husband took action first. Picking the shell gently out of her hands, and bringing it close to his mouth. Hesitating for a moment, he says into it, looking at the human. "I am Tonowari,"
The human tilts his head to side at Tonowari introducing himself, but his eyes show satisfaction. Once more, he extends his arm, asking for the shell back this time.
After doing so, Ronal, Tonowari and the whole village watched with interest as he knelt in the sand. As Tonowari did before, he spoke into the shell, eyes closed. But not a single word.
If Ronal was to focus, she could hear him repeating strange unknown phrases like a prayer.
As she was about to comment that to Tonowari, she paused. Her ears flicked, the sounds of the ever moving ocean were drowned by sudden current of wind. To her astonishment there was no physical signs of it, only the sound. And Ronal was the only one hearing it, everyone else still had their attention locked at the human.
The wind's roar got louder as a storm, but Ronal did not feel discomfort with the noise. No. Instead she tensed, pupils dilating when she it washed over her inner being. A shiver that ran down her spine. A overwhelming sensation.
Eywa ?
No. Similar in might. But it wasn't her.
Who is this ? What is this ?!
Ronal's heart felt like it was close to bursting out of her chest. Both the wind and invisible presence closed in, as if they would squash her. It seemed like an eternity for her, but were mere moments for those beside her.
Then it all ended in a instant. When the human placed the shell in the sand.
All she had gone through in private now passed on to her family and village.
Aonung almost fell by the sensation. Tsireya gasped loudly. Tonowari took a step back as if he had been pushed.
The rest of the village had different variations of those reactions, the whispers starting anew with vigor soon after.
Her mate recovered his wits, shaking his head to cast away the vertigo. With a alarmed expression, he looked over the fire, seeing the state of the people. He bend down, grasping their son's shoulder gently in comfort, asking how he fared and helping him steady himself. Then he turned to her and their daughter, asking the same question, breathing out in relief after getting positive answers.
It did not take long for him to wonder aloud, speaking all of their present thoughts.
"What in Eywa's name happened ?"
"A sign"
One could hear a heartbeat as every sound ceased at the statement. And not because of the words themselves.
But because it didn't came from anyone of their clan.
With held breaths at their throats and disbelief in their eyes, Ronal, Tonowari, their children and the dozens of their people slowly turned their heads to the front.
The human, standing straight with the shell in his, had proud and content smirk on his lips while staring at it.
"Blessed be the lord of rain's name"
Heads jerked, weapons were dropped to the ground, and Ronal didn't know to react. It wasn't a trick of the ears in a wave of voices.
She could understand him.
She dared a quick glance to her family before turning back to human. Their reactions solidified the fact.
Lifting his head, smirking still, the human spoke.
"I believe we have much to talk about,"