Laila awoke with a start, but her sudden movement sent an instant migraine to thump her skull and she laid back down just as quickly. Her muscles ached and her empty stomach coiled like a pit of snakes, causing her lower torso to cramp. The woman moaned and hooked her arm over her eyes, trying to block out the bright light that ebbed into the room while her other hand pressed against her stomach. Then, she froze as a sudden revelation occurred to her. Slowly, she removed her arm and blinked her eyes hard, trying to clear the blurriness from her sight.
She was in an unfamiliar room. The walls seemed to be made from tree bark that stretched and enclosed the ceiling into a point. A large hole on the far wall acted as a door, which remained covered by a draped, brown quilt. Small notches had been carved into the walls, which shelved a great assortment of herbs and flowers Laila did not recognize. Dried vines and plant bundles hung from the ceiling, all of which clouded Laila's sense of smell and made her head ache even more. She turned her head to look behind her and hissed at the sharp sting in her neck. She grumbled incoherently to herself and ran her hand against her throat to ease the tension. She felt an odd line that ran across her jugular, and when she looked at her hand, flecks of dried blood laid upon her blue fingertips.
More conscious of her movements than before, Laila lifted herself into a sitting position, her eyes wide and confused. The woman laid upon what seemed to be an animal hide, her blanket of which was made of the same material. The colors were a dull gray with blue stripes that shimmered brilliantly when reflected in the light. The pelt covering her body slipped down and she had to hold the blanket to her chest, covering her nakedness. The pelt was surprisingly quite soft. She ran her free hand across the material, reveling in its texture, then flinched at the pain that shot up her arm. She had forgotten about the injury…
Despite the single spike of pain, she felt only numbness in the appendage, which had already been dressed. From her wrist and up to her elbow, her arm was wrapped in large green leaves. Curiously, Laila picked at the corner of one of the leaves and lifted it. Bright, iridescent purple slime dripped from the leaf and onto her arm. She scrunched her nose in both disgust and wonderment at the strange sight. The skin around her cut was no longer red and feverish and the swelling had gone down. The wound even seemed smaller than before. "What the Hell?" the woman mumbled.
Just as the words left her lips, she heard a voice. Her ears flickered and she strained to hear better, searching for any sound that may have been familiar. There were two voices now and she could see shadows emerging from just beyond the entrance to the room. The men spoke in hushed, rough tones as if they were arguing. It took many seconds for her mind to understand just what she was hearing, but when she finally picked up on the dialect to the foreign sounds, the realization of the situation caused her heart to momentarily stop. She had been captured by the Na'vi.
Quickly, Laila scanned the room for anything she could use as a weapon. She only saw more plants. Cursing inwardly, Laila's thoughts raced with a plan of action. She would have to fight them hand-to-hand, but her wound and weakened state gave her a great disadvantage. She would lose in an honest fight. The dried herbs would be no help, either. She could use them as a distraction, but throwing flowers at the enemy would not get her far. She had only one option; to throw the animal hide over the first person to enter the room and make a run for it.
Just then, the hair along Laila's arms and the back of her neck stood on end. Her head snapped in the direction of the entrance and met the yellow gaze of a Na'vi. Everything within Laila froze with fright. Even her thoughts had quieted, and the soldier found that she could not react at all. The Na'vi remained just as still as her. They did not enter her room. Instead, they had pulled the quilt back just enough to peek inside.
As her initial startle began to pass, Laila realized the native seemed just as surprised as she had been. They looked young as well, like a curious child who had snuck away to see the circus oddity for themself, only to be caught in the act. Laila could use this to her advantage. Taking in a long, slow breath, Laila forced a smile despite her still rushed beating heart.
"Hello?" she called out softly, hoping the slight tremble in her voice would go unnoticed. The Na'vi did not respond. Through the gap between the blanket and the floor, Laila saw the end of his tail twitch. She could feel the anxiousness ebbing off of the kid and it made her nervous. She swallowed. "Kaltxì?" she tried instead. She had taken a very basic course on the Na'vi language three years ago. Honestly, Laila did not pay much attention to the class as such a situation where she would actually need to speak the language beyond a few commands had never occurred to her. After all, she was a soldier hired to shoot shit, not communicate.
The kid's eyes widened at the sound of his native tongue and he pulled the blanket back a few inches more. It was a boy around the age of fourteen. The sides of his head had been shaved nearly to the skin. His black dreads were braided back into a mohawk which flowed freely down the middle of his back. His flat nose was narrow and his eyes large and bright, displaying his youthful innocence. She smiled as comfortingly as she could and made a gesture, beckoning him. "Nga- um… Nga za'u..?"
The boy smirked at her botched sentence and poor pronunciation. Taking a careful step forward, the boy slipped around the pelt and into the room, though he did not come closer. Laila shifted, the tension in the small space only growing now that the two foreign creatures stood so near one another. Her yellow eyes flickered as she searched for what to say and the boy did the same. Finally, Laila decided on introductions. She tapped a finger against her collarbone. "Laila. Oeru syaw fko Laila."
The boy's brow drew together as he listened. After the woman repeated her name for a third time, he nodded his understanding. "Lay-lah," the boy repeated, taking his time to pronounce each syllable.
"Good job," Laila said and she smiled again, though this time it was more genuine.
The boy's ears perked and he wagged his tail. His eyes gleamed and he grinned at the woman eagerly. The boy began to speak. "Oeru syaw Ru'atan! Ngaru lu fpom srak?" Laila repositioned the blanket over herself awkwardly, unable to keep up with what the boy had said. Seemingly having understood her confusion, the boy took a second to settle himself. He pointed at his chest and said, "Ru'atan."
"Roo-a-tan?" Laila did her best to mimic his pronunciation, though the boy smiled and shook his head and Laila knew she had failed.
"Ru'atan. Ru'atan!"
"Roo-ah-ton?" She tried again, this time attempting to roll her R as he had. By the way the boy ran a hand over his face to hide his laughter, she knew she was still off. Unable to help herself, Laila chuckled along with the flustered kid. He seemed sweet and so unlike the others, though that may have been due to the different situations she had been around Na'vi.
The blanket over the entrance is harshly jerked to the side and light flooded the room. Laila jumped and shielded her eyes, only to be met with shouting. When her eyes finally adjusted to the change in light, Laila saw the boy with his head ducked and ears flattened and a much larger male standing over him. This male was lean and strong and towered over Ru'atan, who only came up to his chest. The two continued back and forth and Laila could not keep up with anything that was said, but she knew the situation had just gotten more dangerous.
Slowly, Laila lifted herself into a low crouch and she backed herself up against the wall, her uninjured arm keeping the blanket securely over her breast. If she timed it right, she could make it out the door while the two were distracted. The soldier kept her sight trained on the larger Na'vi as she edged her way closer and closer to the opening. If she could get further, just a few feet further, she could dive around the boy's legs and get out. She was almost there…
Suddenly, the male turned on her. Laila jumped in shock as he pointed an accusing finger in her direction, shouting something she didn't understand as he advanced upon her. Without thought, Laila stood and braced herself, her white fangs gleaming in warning. His steps did not falter, even as the boy grabbed at his arm in a failed attempt to hold him back. The closer he got, the more apparent his intimidating height became. Laila hardly reached his shoulders, and he had to lean down to come face-to-face with her. Laila did her best to back away, but the wall stopped her retreat. She was cornered. The Na'vi hissed menacingly, ferociously, and Laila did the same instinctively. Although, hers was pitiful in comparison.
"Ftang nga! Aynga neto rivikx!" A new voice shouted above the chaos and the room went silent. The male Na'vi glared pure daggers at Laila, who did the same to him. Then, to her surprise, he stepped away. In the entrance of the room stood a third Na'vi. A red and gold shawl hung around the elder female's shoulders and her hair remained pinned back by a headband. Attached to the band, a long spike dangled just below her chin. The clothing struck Laila as familiar, but it was not until the male touched three fingers to the brow of his head and swept it downward that Laila realized who she was in the presence of. The woman was Mo'at, the Tsahik. The leader of the Omatikaya clan. Laila ducked her head, trying to show some sign of respect, but it went unnoticed as the great leader instantly went to question her.
"Why have you come here?" she demanded.
Taken aback by her use of English, Laila momentarily did not know what to say. Thankfully, she was quick to regain her wits. "I did not mean to."
"Are you a scientist?"
"No."
"Then why do you watch us? Hiding in the trees, stalking my people. Sky people have no respect!"
"Please, I meant no harm-"
"What are you?"
Laila blinked, unsure of her answer. This was similar to that of an interrogation rather than simple questioning, and Laila's years of training put her on edge. This was dangerous. Any wrong thing said could mean her life. "I am a soldier - a protector. I was only trying to learn from you to better protect my people." The Na'vi male scoffed at her explanation and Laila worried that Mo'at would not accept her answer either.
The Omatikaya leader's face remained passive and emotionless, showing no signs on whether she believed the human. "And where are your people? These protectors?"
"Dead," Laila said instantly.
The Tsahik cocked her head to the side ever so slightly and her eyes narrowed. "How?"
"We were in the Hallelujah Mountains. One crashed into us."
"I am very sorry." Laila was shocked at the sincerity in her tone and a pain gripped at her chest. Stating the death of her friends so easily made her stomach tumble, but she would not let her feelings show. Even as Mo'at studied her expression, Laila forced her eyes to meet the leader's without a waver. After a moment, Mo'at spoke again. "What are you called?"
"Lay-lah!" Ru'atan interjected happily, but his smile disappeared as soon as his elders turned to him. The larger male hissed something in their native tongue and pointed at the door, dismissing the boy. Ru'atan groaned in protest, but he did not dare argue as he exited the room. Once he was gone, the two Na'vi faced Laila once more.
"So," Mo'at began, her voice low and challenging, "Lay-lah the Protector. You wish to learn from us?"
The title given to the Marine sounded more like an insult. Laila had to fight back the urge to glare at the Tsahik. "Yes."
"Sky people cannot be taught. You do not learn."
"Grace was my teacher." The lie left Laila easily, and she very nearly smiled in triumph at the flash of recognition that crossed the Tsahik's face.
"Dr. Augustine?"
"Yes."
"But she is no longer your teacher?"
Laila bit her lip, her thoughts racing to come up with more lies that could get her free from the situation. Although, everything that came to mind only seemed to further dig her into a hole. "No. Grace is a good teacher, but I wanted to learn your ways from you. That is why I watched you."
Mo'at's tail twitched as she mulled over what Laila had said. Without warning, the great Na'vi leader reached forward and took Laila's face within her hands. She turned the woman's face side-to-side, studying the blue and white markings upon her skin and the slight oval shape to her eyes. She took a piece of Laila's black hair between her slim fingers and twisted the loose strands. Then, she reached around Laila's head and took hold of her single, thick braid. Mo'at trailed her hand down its length until reaching the base of Laila's neck where the woman's queue was. Laila had not so much as even touched her queue. It was an extension of her nervous system, concealed only by skin and hair. It made her nervous, and when Mo'at grabbed the sensitive area, Laila flinched away from the touch. It was all she could do to keep herself from swatting the Tsahik's hand away. Mo'at's nose flared in a silent warning, but she thankfully released her hold.
Stepping away from the sky demon, Mo'at straightened herself and gave a single nod. "If you truly wish to learn from us, Lay-lah the Protector, then I will grant you this wish. We will teach you our ways, and you will become one of the people."
Laila's heart dropped. "No, that's alright! Really, I've caused you so much trouble already-"
"Then you do not wish to learn?" A mischievous glint flashed across the elder Tsahik's otherwise serious gaze and Laila knew she had been caught in her lie. The Na'vi leader was testing her, leaving her with only two choices; admit that she had been lying, or agree to become "one of the people."
Laila gulped. "Thank you, Tsahik. You are very generous."
The male Na'vi had not spoken during the interaction, choosing instead to listen intently to the females' conversation. However, at the revelation of the great Tsahik's decision, he finally spoke. Laila could not be sure what exactly he had said, but she could tell he was furious. Even as Mo'at faced him the man did not quiet his protest. The Tsahik did not appear to be bothered by the male, however. As she passed him by, she placed a hand against his chest and said something in Na'vi. His entire demeanor changed before Laila's eyes. His shoulders slouched, his eyes went wide, and his mouth fell open, unable to make another sound.
Mo'at glanced over her shoulder, her eyes so full of wisdom still flickering with hardly concealed impish delight. "Tsu'tey will be your teacher," she told Laila. Then she was gone, leaving Laila alone with the male.
Laila felt the disappointment cloud over her thoughts. Not only did Mo'at know of Laila's lie, but she was determined to expose this by pairing her with a man that obviously wanted nothing to do with her. Laila was trapped. Shaking herself of this thought, Laila steeled her resolve. If she was to become one of the Omatikaya people, then so be it. She would stay and play their game, if only until the opportunity for her escape arised. She was a Marine, after all. How hard could this be?
Keeping her face passive, Laila repositioned the pelt and pinned it to her chest with her leaf-covered arm. Her other hand now free, she offered it to the male in a handshake. "It's nice to meet you, Tsu'tey. I look forward to being your student."
His eyes trailed over her outstretched hand, then to her face. His shock now gone, the male's features morphed into one of pure hatred and outrage that cut into Laila like shards of ice. With a harsh scoff, Tsu'tey left the room without a word. Laila's hand dropped. Maybe this would be harder than she thought. With a low groan, the woman slid back to the floor and she ran her hand through her hair. Now that she was alone, she took notice of just how hard her heart thumped against her ribs and a new wave of pain pounded her skull.
Why did she lie about wanting to learn from them? Of course, Laila held no ill will for the Na'vi. Truthfully, she had never thought much about them unless she was to escort the scientist beyond Central Command. It was not until three weeks earlier that she even cared to learn of their ways, and that was only due to the mission. Now, not only was she to learn directly from them, but become one of them? That was, if she didn't get herself killed by them first.
Her new position might have been envied by some. A soldier who has infiltrated the Omatikaya clan, now with direct insight into their way of life? The praise she would receive from the Commander would surely be great, if not for the fact that she had no intentions of spying on them anymore. She did not care what the clan did, or what her mission called for her to do. All Laila Richardson wanted was to get back to Central Command and rescue her friends…
"Damnit," she cursed under her breath. "Good job, idiot. You've really done it this time."
A/N: Looks like Laila's getting in over her head, huh? I wonder how she'll get out of this one! Hehe... I hope you have enjoyed this chapter! Please leave a review if you can!
