Sanctuary with the Sea People
Before this chapter starts, I have an announcement to make. I've given it a lot of thought and I've decided to keep Tsireya as a female and doing a fem slash between her and Sylwa. I hope you all like that idea. Enjoy this chapter.
For a few days, the Sully family flew across the sea on their banshees, cold from the bitter rainfall. They pulled their ponchos and travel cloaks tighter around their shoulders as rain drizzled over their shoulders above the roaring waves.
It was mid-afternoon on the sixth day when ahead of them, the family of seven could see a grand island surrounded by a giant reef. The trees were tall and mighty and there were sea-green people. The six Ikrans flew over the wall that separated the reef from the open water and no sooner had they done so, than they could the attention of the sea Navi whom they had come to see sanctuary with. They flew towards a village built under the giant Mangrove tree roots. They were tents and stretchers held up by the wood. This was the village of Awa'atlu, home to the Metkayina Clan.
On a tall branch, a sea Navi blew through his shell horn, alerting the clan of the unexpected arrival. They circled around and gracefully landed on the soft sandy shores.
As people were gathering from the village and the sea to greet the newcomers, the Sullys dismounted their mounts. Sylwa felt extremely nervous. As she dismounted Sylwa and scratched her chin, she felt her insides tingling like mad. Lo'ak saw her discomfort and held out his hand, she took it. They walked behind their loved ones as they stood to greet the people whom they opened would provide them with safety.
"Tuk," Neytiri called. The youngest daughter took her hand. The mother was desperate to keep her close.
"Hey," Jake awkwardly held up his arms, doing his best to sound casual.
Sylwa stood between her twin and Neteyam. Kiri stood close by, a little agitated like her, afraid of being judged.
As the people gathered around them, staring at them with strange glances, two teens emerged from the crowd. They were teens about the same age as most of the Sully children. One of them, the taller one had a top bun and a mean pair of eyes and the other had fuzzy hair. They didn't look very friendly.
The twins and Neteyam did the 'I see you' gesture as a way of greeting.
"Easy. Just be cool," said Jake, not wanting a tense scene to happen before they'd even introduce themselves.
The two mean-looking teens circled around the twins and Neteyam.
"What is that?" the taller one said, touching Lo'ak's tail.
"Is that supposed to be a tail?" the other mocked.
Sylwa snarled at him softly. Already she was not like this kid.
"Sylwa," hissed Neteyam.
Rolling her eyes, Sylwa turned her head away, trying to ignore the two bullies. She glimpsed at the sea at the Navi approach on sea mounts. She noticed one of them was a girl diving into the water from her mount. She emerged from the water walking onto the sand. She was a sweet Navi with hair braided to her scalp with the rest of it waving behind her head. Feeling rude at glimpsing at her like that, she turned away, feeling awkward.
"How are they supposed to swim?" the Metkayina continued to mock the twins and Neteyam. The taller one noticed Sylwa's marks on her back just under her wrap. "What do we have here?" he tried to touch her.
Lo'ak noticed. He was about to snarl at him when the girl whom Sylwa had seen emerged from the sea stepped in. She slapped the boy's hands away. "Roxto. Aonung," she scolded. "That is enough,". She gave them a soft but firm glare and they backed down, stepping away.
She glanced at the newcomers.
"Hello," Sylwa greeted, appreciative of her stepping in.
"Hello," she greeted back, chuckling a bit too, feeling awkward.
Lo'ak noticed a shorter kid a bit older than Tuk was observing them. He looked a bit like the shorter bully but had a friendly face. He saw him. "Hello," he greeted, sounding kind.
"Hi," the kid waved anxiously.
No sooner had the twins said their greetings to these two friendlier reef Na'vi, two magnificent flying fish creatures came from the sky. The Sully family turned and saw the clan leader riding one of them. Once his mount landed in the water, Chief Tonowari walked to the shore making his way to the newcomers. He carried a spear with him and special leather armour with long kelp tendrils. Beside him was a mighty Metkayina warrior with short-shaven hair and unfriendly eyes. Tuk was a little scared of him that she hid behind her mum a bit.
"I see you Tonowari," Jake greeted, gesturing the 'I see you' gesture with his hand.
"Jake Sully," Tonowari did the same gesture, welcoming them. The rest of the children greeted back politely too.
"Olo'eyktan Tonowari," greeted Neytiri. They were glad to see that the chief was warm and welcoming but it was the Tsahik they were more concerned. A woman with long wavy black hair appeared from the ground. She wore spiritual robes made of seaweed, kelp, and shells. She was pregnant but she looked wary and suspicious.
"I see you Ronal, Tsahik of the Metkayina," Jake greeted.
"I see you Ronal," greeted Neytiri, trying to be as polite as she could despite her dislike for the shaman's distrustful face.
"Why do you come to us, Jake Sully?" asked Tonowari.
Jake felt nervous. "We seek Uturu," he answered, extending his arms out.
"Uturu?" Ronal blurted out.
"A sanctuary for his family," the father of the Sully family was determined to keep his family safe and this was the perfect place to keep them from danger.
"We are reef people. You are forest people. Your skills will mean nothing here," said the reef clan chief sceptically.
"So, we will learn your ways," said Jake, determined for them not to be sent away. "Right?"
"Yes," agreed his mate. But she snarled at Ronal as the reef shaman grabbed her tail. She grabbed Tuk's hand.
"There's arms are thin," she said a bit unkindly. "Their tails are weak," she took Kiri's tail making her pull it back. "You will be slow in the water,"
"Doesn't mean we can't learn," Sylwa spoke up, already disliking this woman now.
The shaman growled at her. Ronal grabbed Kiri's hands noticing there were four fingers instead of three. "These children are not even true Navi!"
"Yes we are," argued Kiri, pulling them back.
Ronal approached Lo'ak and grabbed his left hand holding it up. "These children…they have daemon blood," he held out his fingers and everyone around them gasp. The mighty warrior beside Tonowari who was General Soxato snarled, disliking them already. He wanted them to go. Lo'ak hung his head in shame, instantly feeling judged for his looks.
Sylwa was becoming scared but it was her anger at the Sharman for her insults that dominated her emotions. "Hey hands off," she pulled Lo'ak's hand free. "We are not daemons!" Ronal snarled. She snarled back.
"Enough Sylwa," Neteyam beseeched strictly, not wanting a fight to start. She growled softly, hating his bossy attitude.
Neytiri glanced at Jake, facially imploring him to do something. He nodded. This was taking quite a bad turn. "Look. Look!" he showed his four-fingered hand in full view so everyone could see. "I was born of the Sky People and now I am Na'vi. All right, you can adapt. We will adapt,"
"My husband was Toruk Makto," Neytiri spoke up. "He led the clans to victory against the Sky people," she wanted to make a good impression on the reef people but it didn't seem to do any good.
"This you call victory? Hiding among strangers?" questioned Ronal disapprovingly. Neytiri hung her head down. "It seems Eywa has turned her back on you," her mocking words made Sylwa want to snarl at her even more. She looked at Jake. "Chosen one.."
Neytiri hissed at her and she hissed back. Bad blood was boiling between the ladies.
Jake stepped in, afraid of where this was going. "I apologise for my mate. She's flown a long way and she's exhausted,"
"Do not apologise for me," his mate hissed back but she back downed when he facially implored her to take it down a notch. They had come here for safety. Not to fight with them. Already this was turning into a state of dispute.
Tonowari stepped up, raising his spear in the air. "Toruk Makto is a great war leader. All Na'vi people know his story. But we Metkayina are not a war. We cannot let your war here," he sounded serious as he glanced at the Sullys. General Soxato beside him agreed with him. He wanted them to leave.
Jake picked up Tuk who laid her head against his neck. "Look I'm done with war. Okay? I just want to keep my family safe," he beseeched hugging Tuk.
Tonowari and Ronal looked at each other, uncertain. The general however stepped in, already intent on seeing them go. "How do we know this isn't some sort of trick? How do we know these Sky People might not be looking for them?" Already he disliked this family for having 'daemon blood'. The family were afraid. What if they had to leave? As he glared cynically at them, he eyed the twins and Kiri with mean eyes. He didn't like them. The kid who had said 'hello' to Lo'ak placed a hand on his forearm making the boy's twin turn to him. He was touched by his kindness.
"Uturu has been asked," Neytiri reminded, holding Kiri by her side.
Tonowari was more open but Ronal was more hesitant.
"Do not agree with this," Soxato persisted.
But the Sharman nodded agreeing with her mate.
"Do we have to go?" asked Tuk sadly.
Jake placed her down. "Shh…it'll be okay,"
The decision was made. "Toruk Makto and his family will stay with us. Treat them as our brothers and sisters," the chief said to his people. "But they do not know the sea. So they will be like babies taking their first breath. Teach them our ways so they do not suffer the shame of being useless,"
The people nodded in agreement but the general, however, remained very sceptical. He glanced at the little boy who beside Lo'ak and flicked his finger towards him, facially telling him to come. The twin boy watched the kid follow after the general, his dad.
Jake exhaled with relief. "What do we say?"
"Thank you," Tuk smiled. The twins and Neteyam thanked the chief as well but Kiri rolled her eyes when she said her 'thank you'.
The chief turned his head to the kind girl who had defended Sylwa and the mean boy who had mocked the Sully teens. "My son Ao'nung and my daughter Tsireya will show your children what to do,"
The bully who was revealed to be his son immediately protested. "Father, why…" He was silenced by his father's stern and strict voice.
"It is decided," he raised his hand.
Ao'nung huffed in annoyance. The twins were uncomfortable about him being one of their tutors. They just hoped his sweet sister could handle him.
"Come. Let me show you around our village," Tsireyan offered kindly. "And let me help you with your things,"
With the decision decided, the people went back to do their own things whilst the Sullys unpacked their Ikran. Sylwa, who remained more agitated than ever about staying because of the mean attitudes of the Sharman, the chief's son and the general, unpacked some of the bags attached Skeera. One of them contained all her human items. She had to keep them hidden. Already she was feeling judged enough as it was for her looks. She only hoped things would get better. But what she was more afraid of was anyone seeing her scars. She hated what would have happened if those bullies had seen them. She had unpacked the fourth one from Skeera when she nearly lost her balance and fell backwards.
"Careful," Tsireya caught her and helped her stand up.
"Thank you," she said.
"Here. Allow me," she took two of them away from her.
"you don't have to,"
"Please. I insist,"
"Thank you," she smiled in gratitude.
"Follow me, everyone," Tsireya said to the family. After sending their Ikran off to perch on some mangrove trees after the long distance they had flown across the sea, the Sullys followed the reef clan princess into the village. They walked past lovely huts made of threats of leaves and reeds and over pathways that stretched above the water. Squeaking in the water were plesiosaur-like sea creatures which they guess were the mounts of reef people.
As they carried their items and followed Tsireya, Tuk giggled when she came face to face with one of them but Neytiri urged them to follow them. They finally arrived at the hut they would be staying in. It was completely empty.
"I hope you'll all be comfortable here," said their kind host, placing down Sylwa's bags.
"This is great. Right?" Jake tried to sound motivating.
Neytiri dropped the roll-up mat she was carrying. This was nothing like back home. It just wouldn't be the same.
"I will leave you all to get settled," Tsireya prepared to leave, passing by Sylwa, the last one to enter.
"Hey…" Sylwa spoke up, earning her attention. "Thank you for sticking up for us back on the beach,"
"No problem. What's your name?"
"I'm Sylwa,"
"Lovely name,"
"Thanks. It was my aunts,"
"Well…I leave you all to get settled in," said Tsireya. "We'll start tomorrow, give you all some time to settle in,"
"Thank you for showing us around," she said. "And for being so kind,"
"No problem. I'll see you tomorrow. And don't you worry about my brother and his friends. I'll make sure they don't cause trouble,"
"Thank you," she said again.
"Well bye," Tsireya walked away and Sylwa smiled out at her, proud that already she had made a nice new friend.
For the next few hours, they set up their new accommodations. Jake placed his guns and human items secretly under a bit of a straw rug. Neytiri placed her father's bow on a handle. Kiri placed their food supplies in a corner and hung some baskets up. Neteyam stacked up some of their other belongings. The twins rolled out their sleeping mats and pillows. Tuk was playing with a toy outside.
Whilst no one was looking, Sylwa opened up her knapsack, revealing all her sky people items, her treasures. She zipped it up again and hid it under a blanket. She had to keep them secret from everyone. Only her brother knew. If her dad knew, he wouldn't be happy.
The eclipse came to pass and outside the reef, people were fishing with nets. The twins stared out into the open, at the sight. No matter how much they missed home, what they saw before them was amazing. The sun beams were dazzling on the surface of the seawater. The sea stacks and small islands surrounding the big island stood strong and mighty against the waves. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad after all.
"Sullys fall in," Jake announced. The children and Neytiri gathered around him. "I need you, kids, on your best behaviour. I mean Learn fast and pull your weight. Don't cause trouble. Got it?' he eyed Lo'ak in particular.
"Yes sir," he answered in a bit of grumbled manner.
Neteyam tickled his neck earning a hiss response. He laughed.
Tuk started crying. "I want to go home," Already she was missing the forest, their former tribe, her best friend.
"Oh Tuk…" said Neytiri sadly, her soft eyes glued to her wet ones.
The girl twin shuffled closer and gave Tuk a hug. "I miss home," she lamented.
"This is our home now," Jake said gently.
"You say but it won't be," said Sylwa, upset now, feeling as if he was breaking the promise that he made to her at the Tree of Souls. "They don't like us. And that shaman lady called us 'daemon blood',"
"It'll pass," he tried to sound soothing but she just turned away, unable to accept his words. "We're gonna get through this. So long as we have each other's backs,"
"What does your father always say?" Mom asked.
"Sullys stick together," both the boys mumbled out without energy.
"That's right. Sullys stick together," Dad gently nudged Kiri. "Now this time with some feeling,"
"Sullys stick together," all the children spoke together but they didn't sound very energetic.
"At least try," he implored. "Do it for us," he spoke for himself and their mother.
The children sighed but they weren't certain how this was gonna turn out. They heard footsteps coming from outside and to their surprise saw Tsireya again.
"My father is holding a gathering tonight to welcome you all," she said. "You will all be our guests of honour," she walked back the other way after the announcement.
"See? Sounds exciting," Jake tried to sound motivational but yet again his attempts weren't as effective as he hoped. Soon the night came to pass and in the village, everyone was gathering up. The children stood up to leave. Sylwa stood up, still wrapped in her aunt's shawl.
"You don't need to wear that," Jake said, thinking it was just an item of travel clothing.
"Let her," encouraged Neytiri. "She needs it,"
"Kiri, I want you to keep an eye on your sister," requested Jake.
Sylwa was shocked. They had come here for safety and yet she was still being treated like a helpless creature. "But dad…"
"You never know what kind of accident you could get into," The Sullys walked out of their tent towards the party.
Sylwa huffed in annoyance. Kiri clasped her shoulder, trying to reassure her that he was only acting in her best interests.
"Why doesn't he ask me to watch over her?" grumbled Lo'ak, equally disliking it.
"Because he doesn't trust you won't lead her into any sort of dangerous," answered Neteyam next to him in a low voice. It was obvious that Jake was still mad at Lo'ak for taking his sisters and Spider out into the forest.
Lo'ak felt rejected. It was almost as if he blamed him for her getting shot. "How was I supposed to know what would happen?" he grumbled. As they came to the Metkayina gathering, they glimpsed at fresh island fruit being served or squashed into shell cups.
"We hold this celebration to welcome Toruk Makto and his family," announced Tonowari. The people who had come raised cups.
Sylwa stayed extremely close to her twin who was just as nervous as her. They noticed some of the faces weren't too pleased with their presence. They could see General Soxato, glowering at them. It was as if they were the enemy. They ignored him.
Whilst Jake and Neytiri decided to talk to Tonowari and give him other personal thanks for letting them stay, Tuk decided to introduce herself to the smaller kids. Neteyam decided he'd try to talk to the other teens, try to get on their good side. But Kiri, Lo'ak and Sylwa, the children who resembled more avatars than Na'vi, felt excluded.
"I'm gonna go," said Sylwa, suddenly walking away.
"Sylwa…" Kiri tried to reach out to her.
"Let her be," said Lo'ak.
"But dad said…"
"Let her have some time alone," he implored. "She's been through enough,"
Kiri sighed and gave in. She didn't want to make her sister feel oppressed in any way.
Sylwa left the party and climbed up one of the giant mangrove roots till she came to the top. She stared up at the three moons shining over Pandora. The sea was dark but beautiful and the sky was miraculous with so many stars. She remembered as a child; her father would take her and her twin stargazing back in the forest. She missed those times.
She pulled out her sketchbook from her secret pack strapped to her back and opened the pages to the blank ones. She started drawing again. First, she drew a portrait of Spider. She missed him deeply. For much of the trip, she had worried about him, wondering what the RDA or worse his daemon father were doing to him right. She prayed to Eywa that he was all right.
Lo'ak tried to act all right but he felt excluded. He then noticed amongst the crowd was the same boy who greeted him earlier. He saw him. "Hello," he greeted again.
"Hi,"
"I don't think we were properly introduced. I'm Lo'ak,"
"That's a handsome name. I'm Atuiko. Welcome to our village. It must have been quite a journey to get here,"
"You have no idea,"
"Hello there," Kiri joined in. "I'm Kiri,"
"Nice to meet you, Kiri. Do you guys like your new tent?"
"It's…decent," said Kiri. "It's lovely,"
"I'm sorry about you guys having to leave home,"
They pursed their lips missing their way of life.
"What's it like the forest?" From the look in his eyes, Atukio was expressing how much he had always wanted to see more of Pandora beyond the reef.
"It's so much green," said Kiri.
"So many animals," added in Lo'ak. "Like Viperwolves, and Thanators,"
"And the spirit tree. Its' the most beautiful thing at night,"
"I've always wanted to see what the forest is like,"
"Maybe one day we could take you there," Lo'ak was already beginning to feel a connection with this kid.
Before Atuiko could say anything, they head a stern voice. "Atuiko,"
They turned around to see General Soxato approaching them. "Stay clear of those daemons,"
Lo'ak wanted to rile at him but Kiri held him, facially imploring him to back down. They had promised their dad they wouldn't cause trouble. Begrudgingly Lo'ak bit his tongue and backed down.
"But dad…" Atuiko tried to say.
"You heard Dad…" Roxto approached them. "Come on," he grabbed his hand and pulled his little brother away. The twelve-year-old look back at Lo'ak who looked out to him with a sympathetic expression.
Soxato nearly towered over them. "I've got my eye on you two and that other girl. Stay away from my son. And we won't have a problem,". He marched off.
"I really hate that guy," whispered Kiri.
Once she finished Spider, Sylwa came to the next page and drew her grandmother. As she finished her, a tear was shed and it fell on the page. She sniffled. Now that she was here, she had never felt more upset than ever.
"Are you all right?" spoke a kind gentle voice.
Sylwa's heart jumped and she nearly fell off in fright. She turned her head around.
"I'm sorry," said Tsireya. "I didn't mean to scare you," Quickly Sylwa packed her book away. "Why are you crying?"
"I just really miss home," Sylwa cried a bit. "And I miss my granny,"
The sympathetic princess sat beside her. "I'm really sorry about how difficult this has been for you. But it'll get better. I'd feel the same if I had to leave home. What was that thing you were doing?"
"What thing?"
"The thing were you were moving your hands in a strange pattern?" Tsireya coped with her arm movements. Sylwa wasn't sure. "It's okay. I won't tell anyone,"
Trusting her because of her kindness, Sylwa pulled out her sketchbook and opened the pages. "I was drawing,"
Tsireya admired the pictures of the forest. "They're beautiful. Is this where you come from?"
"Yes," she slowly flicked through the pages.
"They're so beautiful. I've never seen anything like it,"
"And least you've got all this," Sylwa admired the beauty of the reef, the islands, the rocks. This is like a whole new world,"
"There's more to here than just what you see above the surface. Just wait till you see what's in the water," Tsireya stared down at the water below their feet. As they did, Sylwa could see glowing fish, glowing coral, glowing algae.
"Remarkable,"
"Things are gonna get better," comforted the teenage Na'vi princess. "I'll teach you and your siblings everything you need to know. And I'm sorry about the things my mother said. She's not usually like that,"
"It's more the general I'm concerned about," Sylwa could relieve her quivering form of the cold eyes the mighty warrior had sent to her and her twin and elder sister.
"You'll have to forgive him. He's not really used to outsiders. But over time both he and my mother will accept you,"
"Your father was so generous to let us stay here. It seems you take more after him,"
Tsireya chuckled. "You could say that. You know I don't know your sibling's names,"
"Neteyam's the oldest. The one standing next to him is my twin Lo'ak. The older sister's Kiri and the youngest is Tuktiery. They call her Tuk. I call her Tuki,"
"How cute," said Tsireya. "Sounds like a lovely family. My mother's pregnant,"
"How far along?"
"About four months," she said.
"Who are you hoping the gender will be?"
"I hope it's a girl. But Aonung's betting for a boy,"
"When my mum was pregnant with Tuk, the boys betted for a boy but Kiri and I betted for a girl,"
"Seems you two were the lucky ones," Tsireya's remark made Sylwa chuckle.
Still, at the party, Lo'ak and Kiri were keeping a distance away from everyone. Especially Aonung, Roxto and the other teens. They did not want to get on their bad side. Jake was already becoming good friends with the chief but Neytiri and Ronal still remained a little hostile to each other.
Lo'ak glimpsed around and he saw the general standing a distance away, giving Atuiko a silent lecture. He frowned. Looking at the kid made him reflect on Jake scolding him back at the Hallelujah Mountains. He felt sorry for the kid.
"Lo'ak, don't look," said Kiri, turning his head away. "Don't get on his bad side,"
"He shouldn't treat his kid like that," he said.
Kiri pressed her hand over his mouth. "Shush," she hissed irritably.
The general noticed them glimpsing towards him and Kiri turned Lo'ak way and they walked off, the sister still holding her hand over the boy's mouth till she licked her fingers much to her disgust. "Yuck. Man, you are so annoying,"
Guys…" Neteyam walked up to them. "Where's Sylwa?"
"Around somewhere," answered Lo'ak quickly.
"Where is she?" the brother repeated again more seriously.
Sylwa showed Tsireya more of her pictures. "This is so amazing," the reef girl complimented.
"Thank you. I know it's a Sky people thing but we have friends who had loyal to the Na'vi. My dad's friend Norm gave me this book,"
She flicked to the pages of Spider and her granny. She sniffled. Tsireya could see her pain. "Is that your grandmother?"
Sylwa nodded. "Yeah," she touched her wrap.
"Is that hers?"
"Yes. But first, it was my aunt Sylwanin's. My mother's sister,"
"What happened to her?"
"She was killed by sky people when they first came to the forest. Her death made the Omatikyena resentful of them, so they banished them from their lands. They never met another sky person. Until my dad came along. You see that star," she pointed upwards. Tsireya looked up, focusing on the twinkling dot that she was pointing to. "That's Earth. That's where he came from,"
"It must be so far away,"
"It is,"
"And who's this?" asked Tsireya pointing to Spider's picture.
"That's Spider. Our best friend" said Sylwa. "He grew up among the Na'vi. He relates more to them than he does with Sky people. Even though her mother doesn't like him, he's like a brother to us. As kids, he, Kiri, Lo'ak and I used to go on all sorts of adventures in the forest,"
"Where is he now?" wondered Tsireya.
"I don't wanna talk about it,"
"Sorry Sylwa," she apologised.
"Don't you wanna go back to the party? Hang out with your friends?"
"You should join us," insisted Tsireya.
"I can't. I'd stand out too much," Sylwa looked at her hand, her cursed four fingers.
"You know that doesn't make you a daemon,"
"That's not really how I feel. Even in the Omatikyena, Kiri, my twin and I just felt so different. Besides, we spent more time with Spider than we did with the other teens. I don't know why it would be any different here,"
Before Tsireya could say anything else, they heard a loud whistle from below. "Hey! You wanna get down from there?!"
Sylwa looked down and to her irritation saw Neteyam the guilty-looking Kiri and Lo'ak. She huffed and climbed down the trunk, Tsireya behind her.
"You shouldn't have walked off like that," criticised the older brother.
"I was just looking at the stars. Why do I always have to be constantly watched over?" she complained.
Before Neteyam could argue, they saw Jake approaching. "What's going on here?" he demanded.
"I was showing Sylwa the stars," spoke up Tsireya quickly. "And what the view is like when you sit on these giant roots," she gestured to the branch. "But we were just heading back to the party,". She winked at Sylwa.
She got the gist. "Yes, we were,"
Tsireya took her hand and guided her back to the gathering away from the dad and the siblings. He was still not happy with them.
"Dad, Sylwa can take care of herself," Lo'ak tried to speak up.
"That is not for you to decide," he said strictly making him shrink back with rejection. He looked softly but seriously at his eldest daughter and sons. "I know you all might disagree with this but she has nearly died. Two times now. And anything could happen here. I need you all to keep an eye on each other and whatever you do, don't go beyond that reef," he pointed out towards the open ocean beyond the island's protective boundaries.
When Tsireya took Sylwa back to the party, she escorted her to a group of smaller kids. Kids whom she loved to swim around with and sometimes teach.
"Hello," Sylwa greeted anxiously.
"Is this one of the ones with daemon blood?" asked a kid.
"That is incredibly rude," defended Tsireya. "You don't judge people on how they look but on they treat others. Now let's be nice to her. She's very sweet. Now why don't we sit down and let Sylwa talk about herself?"
They obeyed and sat down. Sylwa felt a little anxious. But with an encouraging smile from Tsireya, she regained her self-confidence and she spoke. She talked about the forest, the creatures, what it was like…she almost felt tempted to take out her sketchbook and show them but she couldn't. Not in a public area.
Neytiri observed them. She smiled. She was glad that Sylwa had made a friend with Tsireya and was now befriending the kids. Ronal came forward and she glanced carefully at her daughter with Sylwa and the kids.
"My children may be different but they are still true Na'vi," spoke Neytiri passionately with a strong voice that bared the unconditional love of a mother. "They will adapt and learn your ways. Just as my Jake learnt the ways of the forest from me and became my husband," she turned and walked away to join Jake.
The gathering came to an end and the Sullys walked back home. The night had turned out nicer than they thought. Sylwa was glad she had made a friend with Tsireya. Lo'ak and Kiri were happy to have met that kid Atuiko but wished they could have talked more to him. Tuk was happy to play a bit with the other kids. And the parents were glad to be in the good graces of the chief and eventually his wife. Nevertheless, they remained very weary of the sneering general.
"Thank you so much again," said Sylwa to Tsireya after she had escorted them back.
"No problem," she answered. "I'm really glad I could help. Now I'll see you all tomorrow," she waved and walked off, sending a chuckling smile to Sylwa.
"Glad to see you've made a new lady friend," Neteyam teased.
"Shut up," she pushed him back making him laugh a bit.
"See tonight wasn't so bad right?" asked Jake encouragingly. The children couldn't help but agree.
As they prepared for bed, he noticed Sylwa pull out something from behind her wrap. "Sylwa?" She spun around, holding it behind her. "What are you hiding?"
"Nothing," she answered.
Neteyam pulled the book from her hands and passed it to her. "Teyam," she hissed furiously. He shrugged his hands in annoyance.
Jake frowned softly, looking at her sketchbook. "What else did you bring?"
"Nothing else," she said.
"Sylwa…" Neytiri crossed her arms.
She huffed. She had blown it. She pulled out her knapsack from its hiding spot and revealed her sky people treasures. Her father huffed. "They're just objects. They don't cause any damage,"
"As long as we're here, you are not allowed to use any of them," he said suddenly.
"Why not?" she complained.
"Because we are trying to learn their ways. And we cannot be on their bad side you using these…gadgets. No more sketching,"
"But dad…" she tried to argue but he gave her a strict glare. She gave in sighing. "Can I have my book back?"
Jake offered slowly. She gripped it but he wouldn't let go. "You've got to stop acting like one of them,"
"You were one of them once,"
"I was. But I changed. And now you need to focus on what's happening right now,"
"You can deny it all you want but Sky people are part of who we are. And you can't change that now how easy you think it is," Sylwa pulled her sketchbook free, packed it up again in her knapsack, placed it close to her bow and knife and retreated to bed without another word. All the Sullys tucked onto their mats under their blankets. The twins shuffled closer together. They were gonna get through this. Just as long as they were together.
Another chapter done. What did you all think so far of the new OC characters, the new dialogue and the talks between Sylwa and Tsireya. Please will you all send reviews and let me know what you all thought? I would love to hear your opinions. See you all soon. And thank you all so much for your support.