Quality Time Together
The next morning, the twins were sitting on a palm tree at their viewpoint in front of the sea. Their reunion with their dad was not what they had expected. Instantly the moment they came back, he had lashed out at them for going beyond the reef even though Sylwa was clearly the victim of abandonment and Lo'ak was only trying to save her.
"You saved my life. And you haven't been given any credit for it," Sylwa felt like Lo'ak was never appreciated for anything he tried to do; it seemed as if no matter what he did, he would always be overshadowed by Neteyam.
"That doesn't matter to me," he tried to assure her, but a part of him felt hurt that their dad didn't give him any appreciation for what he had done. Yes, sometimes he was reckless. But that didn't mean he wasn't doing it for a good cause. Since the sky people's return, he felt that no matter what he did, it would never be good or perfect enough for Jake.
She reached over and clutched his hand, facially expressing her deep love and appreciation for him. And he smiled. At least she, Tsu'tey, Payaka, and Atuiko believed he was so brave.
They heard footsteps. "Children…" Their mother. They didn't turn to her.
"Mum. I know what I did was reckless and irresponsible but…I just…I'd never forgive myself if something happened to her out there," Lo'ak didn't want to fail her. "Not like last time,"
Neytiri clearly understood how much Sylwa nearly getting killed in the forest fire a year ago had made her youngest son feel so guilty that he'd do anything for her. "I'm proud of what you did,"
"Well, Dad isn't," scoffed the grumpy teen.
"He is proud. He was just really petrified. He really is glad that you're both back. He was worried sick as I was," her words did little to appease them. "Look…" she moved to sit with them. "…he's hard on you both because…"
"Because he doesn't understand us," bemoaned Sylwa. "He doesn't even try to,"
"Because…he was you two," her words intrigued them. "Always being rash and getting himself into all sorts of danger. The day I first met him, he was stupid to go into the forest alone by himself. I had to rescue him from a group of Viperwolves. I admired his bravery but I found him stupid at first,"
"How come he never told us that about him?" Lo'ak asked; surprised to hear this. All the time growing up, they had always known their dad to be a genuine hero. And quite recently a bit of a strict one.
"Because he wants you both to be better people. He's just trying to set a good example so you two can grow up and not make the same mistakes he did,"
"But does that mean he has to be so strict? Why can't he just be like he was before all this happened? Before the sky people came back and our happy forest life was all ruined?" Sylwa's cheek fell on her hand; to her, their dad was not exactly the same dad who had rescued her before. "Why can't he just be our dad again?"
"Hard times made hard people," their mother tried to downplay their domineering dad's nature but to little avail.
"We didn't ask to have to leave the only home we've ever known. We didn't ask to get bullied or mocked or mistreated by these people for looking more…alien," Lo'ak said, holding up his hand. "We've tried everywhere we can to fit in. But no matter what we do…" he huffed, not needing, or even wanting to finish. "I just wish he'd see us for who we are,"
"He does try to understand you," she rubbed his back.
"Then why doesn't he appreciate anything Lo'ak tries to do or listen to me?" Sylwa asked, wanting to ask that question for a long time.
"It proves that he loves you both,"
The twins just turned away; nothing their mother said made sense. "Twins, look at me," she begged. They turned to her. "Since the sky people have returned, our lives became in danger. And as a father, he has made a lot of sacrifices for you two and your siblings. And now that the daemon whom he betrayed is back, things are more serious than ever. He's twisted by fear. He just hasn't been in his right mind. But he has done everything he can to keep us all safe. That's the reason we came here. And with everything that we've had to adapt to do and tolerate, anything could happen. Just like you both being caught up in that storm. He'd rather be hard on you two than lose you," her words cannily touched their hearts. "Family is the most important thing. And like he always says, 'Sullys stick together'. This family wouldn't be who they are without him; without him, we wouldn't even be here right now. You both are just like him; he just doesn't see it yet. He will. You both just need to be patient,"
She gave them one last encouraging smile before leaving them alone, hoping her words had tried to make them see their dad. The twins stayed silent for a long while, reflecting on their mother's words, and thinking about their dad. They knew that he loved them. But he had a very strange way of showing it. Atuiko, who had been looking for them since this morning, appeared and in an instant, he flew his arms around them.
"It's okay, Atu. We're not going anywhere," Lo'ak promised.
Atuiko was crying again. "I had an awful nightmare of you both going missing again,"
"Don't worry. We're here," Sylwa said.
Tsireya arrived; they smiled at each other. "You both okay?". They nodded. "Did it go all right with your dad?"
"Not exactly," was all Lo'ak could say.
The rest of the siblings arrived. "We just wanted to make sure you both were all right," Neteyam.
"We're fine," brushed off Lo'ak. A bit rudely. Sylwa nudged him.
"How did you guys survive that storm?" said Tuk, sitting with Atuiko.
"That's quite a story," explained Sylwa. "Think you guys can handle it,"
"Tell us," pleaded Kiri. They all gathered around the twins. Sylwa told them including Lo'ak what it had been like nearly getting devoured by the Akulas but when she came to talk about Payaka…without mentioning her name yet, she told them how she protected her from those creatures and then kept her safe in the storm after she and Lo'ak were separated.
"I wish I'd been there. The ocean blessed you with a gift Sister," said Kiri proudly.
"She helped me find Lo'ak and she gave us a lift back home. She had like a missing fin and she had a harpoon in her other fin but I moved it out," Ignoring the growing concerns on Tsireya's face, Sylwa decided to introduce her new Tulkun friend; Payaka had warned her not to mention their friendship to anyone but they were her siblings and Atuiko and Tsireya were her friends; she could trust them. "Her name's Payaka. She's so sweet and kind and she has the most amazing singing voice. I asked her to come with us when we arrived but she said she's hated here. Why?" She noticed the blank look on Tsireya's face. "Reya?"
"Payaka," she said grimly. "She's a killer,"
Sylwa instantly denied it. "No. You've got it wrong. She saved my life. A killer would not do that,"
"They say she killed Navi and her entire pod," said Atuiko, much to her displeasure. "But come on Reya…" he was taking Sylwa's side much to her delight. "They're just rumours, right? I mean if Payaka saved Sylwa's life then they must be wrong,"
"They are wrong. Guys, she's telling the truth," supported Lo'ak. "Payaka did help us both. She brought us back here even though she knew no one here would like her there. And that's not the only thing. I was rescued in that storm by a Taquamare,"
A second passed. Neteyam, Kiri and Tuk burst out laughing. They laughed so hard that Tuk fell on her back, Neteyam battered against the ground and Kiri had to press her palm against her chest. Their teasing hilarity offended Lo'ak.
"Stop laughing like that!" Atuiko defended.
"Guys, he's telling the truth," Sylwa was infuriated to see them especially Neteyam acting like this. "He did save his life. I saw it so myself. And I can tell you, he is not a daemon creature. He's just like us. He's very similar to a direhorse and he can run on water and dive underwater,"
"I'm telling you, guys. Without him I never would have survived or found Sylwa," Lo'ak continued to defend his party of the story. "He was alone. He didn't even have a name. So, I named him Tsu'tey, after Dad's predecessor. He showed me the wonders of the ocean far below. And I can tell it's the most beautiful thing you could ever see,"
Neteyam just stood up and playfully gripped his shoulders. "My baby brother meeting a daemon creature and then living to tell about a world under the sea,". Lo'ak irritably shook his hands off.
"Don't tease him," Sylwa said.
"You're being a bad brother," accused Atuiko but Neteyam didn't listen to them.
"And my baby sister who faced a killer Tulkun and lived to tell about it," he continued to tease.
She smacked his hand. "How dare you call her a killer like that,". His face dropped, surprised by her angry tone. She looked into their doubtful faces. Atuiko however believed them. "Guys, we're telling the truth. Everything we know about Taquamares is a lie and Payaka is no killer at all,"
The sisters were speechless and unsupportive. Tsireya shuffled closer reaching over to grab her arm. "You mustn't go see her again. It's too dangerous,"
Sylwa stood up, visibly hurt. "You don't believe us,"
"I do," proclaimed Atuiko much to her delight. "And so should the rest of you,". His words didn't sway them.
Lo'ak huffed in dismay. "You guys aren't listening," He grabbed Sylwa's hand and they stormed off.
"Wait! Guys!" Kiri cried out, feeling guilty.
"Come back! We didn't mean to be mean!" Tuk pleaded.
But they were already out of ear range. Atuiko glared at them. "You should all be ashamed of yourselves! Lo'ak nearly drowned out there saving Sylwa and he hasn't been enough credit for that," He aimed his vision at the three siblings. "And they're your family for goodness sake. it. They would never lie to any of you,". He then looked at Tsireya. "And you have no right to deem a good creature who saved Sylwa and took them both back here as a killer like that based on stupid gossip when you don't even know the real story. Seems her words of wisdom didn't catch up on you after all. You hurt her feelings pretty bad. Hope it was worth it,". He stormed out of sight catching up to the twins. The four all felt guilty, especially Tsireya who felt as if she had just broken Sylwa's trust.
The rejected twins walked along the beach with the remorseful Atuiko walking beside him; he was the only one who believed them. Sylwa was hurt by their disbelief. Tsireya especially. "Why won't they listen to us?"
"Because we're the black twins of this family," lamented Lo'ak. "Let's go see them,"
"Don't listen to them," said Atuiko. "They should have known better,"
"Thank you for believing us," Sylwa was deeply warmed by his devotion to them.
"You're my best friends," he smiled, earning a pair of warm smiles back. "You two would never lie. And as you two have shown me, you can't judge people unless you get to know them. I would really love to meet your saviours,"
"Tsu'tey will love you," said Lo'ak excitedly to him.
"I'm not sure taking you past the reef is a good idea," said Sylwa sceptically. "We don't wanna get you into big trouble,"
"Come on Sylwa," said Lo'ak. "He needs to get out,". He was desperate to introduce Atuiko to Tsu'tey. "And you know he does,"
Sylwa took a moment. "Okay. But we gotta plan this carefully or we're screwed," Just when they were walking along the sand, they saw Aonung, Roxto and their friends ahead of them. "Oh great," she cursed. Sensing Lo'ak still wanting to punch him, she grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly, dreading the thought of getting into trouble with their dad again. "Let's just walk away,"
They turned and tried to walk away, but Aonung still walked towards them. "Hey, I just wanna…I just wanna talk," but they wouldn't turn.
He tried rushing up to them but sensing him behind them, Lo'ak spun around and shouted:
"Get away from us! Just get away!" Aonung stumbled back, terrified of his outburst. "Did it cross your mind that you nearly got Sylwa killed?"
"It was just meant to be a prank. A harmless prank,"
"'Harmless prank?' repeated Sylwa bitterly. "I nearly got eaten alive by not one but three Akulas! I nearly drowned at sea! In the middle of nowhere! And Lo'ak could have drowned too saving my life. What you did was unforgivable," she hissed, spit flying from her mouth into Aonung's face. "Look at what you've done to me!" she showed him her words and the awful scar on her ankle from the Akula's tooth, making the bullies more guilt-ridden. Roxto could see the cold glare Atuiko was sending towards him; he still hadn't forgotten how painful his words were the other day. "You have no idea how guilty I felt when I couldn't find my brother. How would you like it if your sister came out looking for you and you didn't even know if she was alive or not?" The ashamed Aonung didn't answer. She scoffed. "Didn't think so,"
"You're a bully because you think just because you're the chief's son you can do whatever you want. Well, you can't," Atuiko snapped. "And now thanks to you things are much harder between them and their dad than they should have been,"
"Now for the last time. Leave us alone. And if you ever come near my sister again, I will kill you," Lo'ak pointed a finger at Aonung's chin making the ashamed teen freeze as he stared into his cold unforgivable eyes. The boy twin took his twin and surrogate brothers' hands and they walked off, Atuiko blowing a raspberry at the group of remorseful bullies. Aonung sighed; his father had ordered him and his friends to apologise to Sylwa, and Lo'ak as well, since if she hadn't been trapped out there he wouldn't have gone out looking for her but it had failed miserably.
The twins walked along the beach when they heard loud screeches. They looked up and saw their Ikrans descending towards them. The moment they landed; the twins ran over to embrace them.
"Good to see you girl," Sylwa hugged her head. Skeera purred and licked her face before she threw her arms around her neck.
"Hey boy," Lo'ak affectionately scratched Betze's head before letting Atuiko give him a pet.
Skeera begged Sylwa to let her go for a fly. "Sorry, girl. But I'm gonna need you to stay here and keep an eye on our dad. Make sure he doesn't know we're gone,"
"Same goes for you Betze," said Lo'ak. "Keep an eye on Atuiko's dad. If he learns about this, he'll never let us see him again,"
"Absolutely," said Atuiko. "And anyone else. If anyone learnt of your friendships…" he drifted off. Lo'ak and Sylwa exchanged worried glances; they could not bear to think about what any of the Metikyena would think if they learnt they had befriended a daemon creature or an outcast Tulkun they deemed a killer.
Their Ikrans chirped 'yes' and flew off. The twins snuck down to the beach and called some ilu. Taking one last glance to make sure no one especially their dad knew where they were going, they mounted their steeds and swam off underwater. But unknown to them, Aonung, Roxto and the other teens had watched them from afar. The prince turned his attention to their friends. They had to investigate what would make the twins leave the reef so soon like this after returning.
Sylwa decided the Three Brothers Rocks was the best place to find Payaka. If this was where she had rescued her, this would be the most likely spot to find her. Only this time they would be extra cautious of the Akulas.
"Payaka!" she cried out. "Payaka!"
To her delight, Payaka emerged from the waters and she eagerly swam over to greet her. "Hey, girl. Told you I'd come back," she sat on her fin.
It's so good to see you.
Lo'ak rode over to her with Atuiko behind her. "Hello. Meet Atuiko,"
Payaka stared intently at Atuiko, astonished to see a sea Navi with them, all the way out here to see her. She was touched.
"Hello," Atuiko awkwardly waved. "It's nice to meet you. Well done for saving Sylwa, Payaka. I know what people say about you. But I know now that they're wrong,"
Payaka's eyes closed. Sylwa could tell she was sad. "Why are you an outcast?" she asked, wishing she could tell her so she could help her. "What happened? Why do they call you a killer?"
I can't talk about it. It's too sad. She said.
"Whatever it is that they said you did, it isn't real," said Atuiko. "You wouldn't have rescued Sylwa otherwise,". Payaka's eyes twitched hearing him say that. The twins were touched as well. Their best friend had heeded Sylwa's words about not believing everything others said about other people without knowing them.
"We trust you," signed Sylwa. "You can trust us,"
Thank you.
Lo'ak noticed someone was missing. "Where's Tsu'tey?"
Right after he said that a creature shot out of the water like a dolphin. They turned their heads and they saw Tsu'tey doing a flip in the air before splashing into the water again. Lo'ak climbed up onto Payaka's back and laughed in enjoyment seeing him doing his cool trick. Tsu'tey saw him and instantly swam towards Payaka and he jumped for joy onto her back at seeing Lo'ak again. He ran around in circles and dug his snout into Lo'ak's chest and pinned him to the ground playfully, licking his face like a pampered puppy.
"I told you I'd come back," he stroked his snout and Tsu'tey brayed playfully.
Atuiko stared in wonder. Sylwa pulled him onto Payaka and they stood on her back, gazing at the creature again. Atuiko had imagined Taquamares to be daemon-creatures but this one looked so compassionate and daring. "He's amazing," he breathed.
Tsu'tey noticed him and cocked his head. Nervous, the kid hid behind Sylwa.
"It's okay," Lo'ak assured, holding out his hand. Tsu'tey was curious to see a sea Navi out here with his new friends meeting him. When Lo'ak had told him they wanted to introduce him to a friend, he had imagined a forest Navi like them. Not a sea one.
"It's all right," assured Sylwa. "He won't hurt you,"
"Here. Just do this," Lo'ak walked over, gently held his hand up and positioned his fingers towards Tsu'tey's snout. "Now let him come to you,"
Tsu'tey walked forward gently and sniffed the kid's fingers. Hello. He purred and his snout and horse-like nostrils touched them.
Atuiko breathed relievedly. "He's so soft,". Tsu'tey licked his face. "And slobbery,". The twins laughed. "You really aren't a daemon creature,"
Uh, thanks?
"I didn't mean to sound offensive," he apologised deeply.
It's okay.
He says: 'It's okay,'. Assured Sylwa.
"Thank you so much for saving Lo'ak," said Atuiko to Tsu'tey. "And you Payaka for saving Sylwa," he patted her hide making the Tulkun purr in appreciation. "Our people should learn what you two did,"
Instantly the creatures disagreed. They did not like the sound of it.
If only it were possible. Tsu'tey sat like a dog again and hung his head down.
"He's been alone his whole life," said Lo'ak patting his side.
"Poor guys," Atuiko said. "We should have got to know them ourselves instead of believing all those rumours we heard. And believing..."
The twins glanced at him. "And believing what?" asked Lo'ak.
Atuiko sighed. "Best I don't say it,"
Tsu'tey abruptly leapt into the water again and looked eagerly at Lo'ak patting the water behind him with his tail.
"Looks like he wants to let off some steam," said Sylwa.
"Wait till you see what he does. It's so cool," he jumped onto him and the two still sitting on Payaka watched as Tsu'tey leapt out of the water and ran around in a circle, the kid's mouths dropping in fascination. They stopped and came over to them again.
"How does he do that?" asked Atuiko.
Tsu'tey showed them his feet. "Webbing," remarked Sylwa, bending down. "Your species adapted, evolved. How fast can he run?"
"Faster than anything I've ever seen," said Lo'ak.
"Faster than a cheetah?" challenged Sylwa.
"What's a cheetah?" asked Atuiko.
"It's the fastest land animal back on Earth," explained Sylwa. "And you said he could swim deep underwater,"
"He sure can," said Lo'ak.
Our kind can do so much more. Said Tsu'tey.
"He says, that they have so many other abilities," said Sylwa.
I'd like to show you Lo'ak.
"He says, he would like to show you, Lo'ak,"
"You can show all of us," said Lo'ak to Tsu'tey.
There are some abilities I can only do on land. He explained.
"He's both a land animal and a sea animal," breathed Sylwa.
"That's impossible," breathed Atuiko.
"Well, it sounds like he wants to teach us the ways of his species.
"Why don't you and Payaka sis have some girl time? And Atuiko and I can go for a ride?" asked Lo'ak.
"Sounds lovely," Sylwa was glad to have some girl time with her Tulkun saviour and Payaka felt like having some girl time too.
Lo'ak offered a hand and Atuiko took it. Lo'ak pulled him up behind him. "Hold on tight," Atuiko wrapped his hands tightly around him. "Have fun," he saluted. Tsu'tey did a loud neigh Atuiko grip tighter onto Lo'ak and he sped off, leaping out of the water and galloping across the sea, the girls waving out to them.
Sylwa sat on Payaka's fin. "What do you like to do for fun?"
Payaka expressed a happy smile. She took her underwater; the girl held on tightly to her fin. They swam over patches of coral, past beautiful, coloured fish and when they came to a pack of krill, the Tulkun opened her mouth and devoured a well-needed meal. As the sun shone above the surface, Payaka rotated around and she was swimming upside down. As they swam close to the surface, Sylwa held out her hand and traced her hand, feeling her fingers touch the air above them again.
They surfaced for air and Sylwa climbed onto her back, holding her arms out. She breathed in a deep gust of air, feeling true freedom. Squirt. Foam spat out from Payaka's breathing holes. "That's disgusting," she playfully complained.
Got ya! Joked Payaka. Go to the end of my tail.
Sylwa stood at the end and then when her new friend dived underwater, she was catapulted into the air and she did a flying flip and landed with a splash. They went for another swim.
Clinging on tight to her fin, Sylwa signed. Go faster.
You want speed? Here we go! Payaka flapped her tail and they went faster and faster and then….splash!
Payaka leapt out of the sea and Sylwa performed a spinning backward flip.
"This is so funnnn!" she squealed for joy as she and her new Tulkun friend did flips and tricks in the air, having the time of their lives.
After their final splash, she swam over to sit on her fin again facing her eye. "Thank you,"
No. Thank you. You're the first person to be so kind to me and not treat me like I'm a killer.
"You're not a killer. Whatever it is they say about you, they're wrong,"
Why would you come and see me? Even after what they said to you about me?
"I don't believe everything I hear. And I know what it feels like to be judged so unfairly or in a way that makes you feel so alone," she rubbed her arm, remembering all those cruel girls and mean teens who called her 'freak' or 'ugly' just for having four fingers and a burnt wound on her back. "You're my friend Payaka. And nothing I hear will change that," She stroked her hide and Payaka purred, feeling so happy.
That's the next chapter done. Hope you all enjoyed it as much as I've enjoyed writing it. What did you all think? Once again thank you so much for your reviews. Dear Bailey, thank you once again for your ideas. I would love to use them. To answer your question, l think NAkala should have the body of a Thanator and you have my permission to use the name Tsu'tey. And dear OvikirhonXP0, I loved your GOTG 3 ideas and i would love to use them.