Author's Note: Sorry about the long wait! We are starting to get into the meat of the story. Mo'at is learning. She's starting to understand. Thank you for the support! I hope you continue to enjoy!
"Okay," the younger male hunter says, rubbing the back of his neck, breaking the silence that they were traveling in up until that point. "So, I get it now why he was eating raw meat. His caregiver is an actual palulukan. How is he supposed to know to cook the meat with a palulukan being the one to feed him?"
He didn't ask anyone in specific as they travel back to Hometree in relative silence, weighed down by their new kill, so graciously left behind by the palulukan when he decided that it was time for him and Tsyeyk to return to wherever their home is before it starts to get dark. They kept up the silence until they were about halfway home, all lost to their thoughts. Today has felt... surreal. Tsu'tey won't claim to know much about Tsyeyk, but it seems like everything that he learns is insanity on top of more insanity. His mind is reeling.
Tsyeyk is... breath taking.
"How did this happen?" the female hunter asks. "How did he get picked up by a palulukan? And how was it by a palulukan like that? I have never seen a white skinned, blue-eyed palulukan before."
"Me neither," the older hunter admits. "He was certainly blessed by Eywa, that much is clear."
"The palulukan, or the boy?" the female asks softly, her hand going to the pack on her side, where she's carrying a good portion of the bones from the beast the palulukan killed to feed Tsyeyk. After listening to Tsu'tey and Mo'at talk about how weak Tsyeyk is and sending the younger male hunter off to get fruit for Tsyeyk to eat to try and regain his strength. He seemed to understand - well, he obviously did - that Tsyeyk wasn't going to last long if he kept eating bits of scrap every couple of days. And the few bits of fruit that Tsyeyk managed to eat wouldn't be enough to sustain him.
Especially if he's vomiting up his next meal anyway.
Despite his obvious aversion to food, Tsyeyk is hungry and once he's assuaged of the fear of constantly throwing up his meals or suffering through painful stomach cramps as his body rejects the raw meat, he's content to eat until he's full. Even today, a few slices of fruit and a bit of meat, just enough to feed an Omatikaya child half his size isn't enough for Tsu'tey's liking. And it certainly isn't enough to sustain Tsyeyk either. But it's a start and Tsu'tey knows enough to know that it has to be gradual.
He's eating, that's what matters.
But just from them speaking quietly about their concerns was enough for Father, who is obviously smart enough to understand them, to go out and fetch food for Tsyeyk to eat, as he is progressively getting too weak to hunt for himself. Mo'at tried to explain to Father that Tsyeyk was like them. That they had to prepare the food so that he could safely eat it without getting sick. And Father agreed to let them.
While the hunters were out getting kindling for the fire, they also hunted for some herbs to help settle Tsyeyk stomach so that reintroducing meat to his diet wasn't going to upset it as badly. She had carefully covered the meat that was portioned for him in the juices the herbs were made from before Tsyeyk got to have it. And he seemed alright after, not clutching his stomach or asking Tsu'tey to rub it. He drifted peacefully into another small nap, full and content.
Father sticking close as the ever-watchful guardian.
No, not just a guardian. But as a father. Tsu'tey is no expert on palulukan specifically, and there honestly isn't a lot to be known about how males interact with their young seeing as it is extremely rare for them to stick around but having just watched Tsyeyk and Father wrestle around on the pond and rocks, it looked like a father and son playing. Or, more accurately, a father and his cub. Rough-housing. Snarling. Flashing teeth. Growling. But Father was so gentle, guarding Tsyeyk head with a massive paw, keeping those massive fangs away from Tsyeyk's face aside from tiny playful nibbles.
And while Father appeared as though he was sleeping, Tsu'tey suspected that he wasn't while they were with him, but if he's willing to sleep around Tsyeyk, then he has to trust him. Tsyeyk is part of his family.
Which also explains why Tsu'tey was having such a hard time finding Tsyeyk in the first place. He's been sleeping primarily during the day, like a palulukan mostly would. But these last few times that they met, Tsyeyk must have been slipping out of where they were sleeping - their home - to travel around during the day. That's how Tsu'tey was finally able to find him. It also explains why he would go back a few hours before dusk, because Father would be starting his day soon and would notice if Tsyeyk was gone. Sneaky.
So, either one of two things happened. Either Father has always known that Tsyeyk was sneaking out and has just made it back before him to keep the ruse up, which Tsu'tey's not super sure why. Or the blanket and tewng gave Tsyeyk away. Tsyeyk might not realizing that stuff like that would need an explanation as to why it just suddenly appeared. Father, being highly intelligent and obviously wise to Na'vi no doubt realized that Tsyeyk was sneaking out to meet someone and came to investigate to ensure the safety of his charge.
No, his cub.
No one wanted to talk about the palulukan's placement when he revealed himself, either. How he had been dug in right where they climbed past. So, had he snuck up behind the nantang while they approached? Or had he been watching the hunters and Tsahik watching Tsyeyk and Tsu'tey for a long time? Moving stealthily through the forest without anyone even noticing he was there. Able to camouflage so effortlessly, his body showed what the contorting body of the nantang looked like inside of his own body to keep the illusion going. Tsu'tey has never seen or heard of anything like that before.
Tsu'tey doesn't know, and he's not sure he wants to. They made it through with their lives, especially against an alpha predator that definitely has a few noteworthy one-ups on regular palulukan.
"Father," Tsu'tey says, voice flat, feeling like he has to defend the father of his one-day mate and that person, himself. "The palulukan's name is Father. And the boy is Tsyeyk. Call him that."
"Yes, of course," the female says, tipping her head down in respect. "I'm sorry."
Tsu'tey rubs at his forehead, the headache he's been fighting for hours is rearing back full force. He has not been getting enough sleep these last few weeks in his mindless search for Tsyeyk. And the fact that he couldn't even turn off his panicking mind last night and didn't get a wink of sleep didn't help. Even that nap he had with Tsyeyk earlier - both in the field and the very short one right before Tsyeyk left - wasn't enough to satiate the throbbing in his head.
"Tsyeyk is indeed blessed by Eywa," Mo'at says, her voice soft in awe and wonder. But there is something final about it. "And Father too. Not an ordinary brother of palulukan. That much is obvious."
No one could argue that.
"He has the hair above his eyes and the extra fingers and toes, so he must be an avatar," the older male hunter says slowly. "But even they have some level of survival skills. He tried to put his hand into fire."
No one needed to remind Tsu'tey. It broke his heart to see Tsyeyk crying for the second time that day, simply because he'd never seen fire before and wanted to touch it. Just to touch it! Crazy to think that there was anyone out there that has never seen fire before. And while mid-panic, Tsu'tey realized what Father was doing when he just let Tsyeyk push on his face with his hands and chest with his feet until he exhausted himself once more, letting Father lay across him as he fell asleep.
Father wasn't just pinning him down, he was covering him up to keep him warm. Something that Tsu'tey had noticed right away was how cold Tsyeyk was. All the time. He was so happy to hug and cuddle and sunbathe, all in an effort to warm up. He pulled Tsu'tey down on top of him earlier that morning, to both cuddle and keep warm, and the same thing with Father. He fell asleep with Father's head on his chest, and when he squirmed enough to roll onto his side, Father moved to rest his massive head against the curve of his waist. Tsyeyk scooted into the warmth. Welcomed it.
A simple tewng isn't enough. Tsyeyk needs more than that to keep warm.
"We don't think this is some sort of Sky People trickery, do we?" The young male asks. He holds up his hands in defense at the sharp look Tsu'tey sends his way. "Peace, brother. I won't be the only one asking."
"He's right," the older hunter says, eyes scanning the forest for dangers. "They haven't seen as we have. It is hard to believe anyone was raised up by a palulukan to begin with. A male on top of that. And further still, one that is massive and miscolored? It is a truly incredible story. Would you so easily believe it without having seen it with your own eyes?"
Tsu'tey turns away, glaring at the dirt. No. Honestly. If he wasn't at the epicenter of all of this, he would have a hard time believing that it was real too. While overwhelming, nothing about today has changed things for Tsu'tey - at least not in the negative. Tsyeyk is just more special than he originally thought, and while he's very quickly coming to terms with the fact that he's never going to be able to let him go, he's not sure what the future holds for him, aside from Tsyeyk. He was foolish the other day for even thinking that there was a chance he could let Tsyeyk go.
And Tsyeyk scenting him has to mean something too. Tsyeyk striking claim on him might have just been a protective measure because he viewed Mo'at and the hunters as enemies threatening Tsu'tey, but it could also be that somewhere in his subconscious mind, Tsyeyk knows that they are meant to be as well.
Not that Tsu'tey is going to do anything about that until Tsyeyk understands what that means, but still... just to know that beautiful boy has eyes for him only even if he doesn't fully grasp the depth of Tsu'tey's desires, is enough.
"He is special," Mo'at says again, nodding to herself. "I just don't think I have fully come to understand the full truth of it just yet. There is more to be seen, I think."
"What more could there possibly be?" the female hunter asks, honest curiosity in her voice. "I suppose the answer of if he isn't a dream walker, then why does he look like one?"
"Good question," Tsu'tey admits, forcing himself to calm down. They mean well, he's just being too sensitive.
They lapse into silence, everyone still thinking about the day. No one had an answer for that. At least, none that anyone dared to say aloud. Tsu'tey knows that some part of them might be thinking that it's a trick. That Tsyeyk is somehow faking who he is and how he is, but they don't see like Tsu'tey does. Tsyeyk is so innocent and gentle. Yes, childish and ignorant. But so smart and beautiful too.
This is why Tsu'tey wanted to wait. One day isn't enough time to get a full grasp of a person. One day isn't enough time to learn what makes someone that special... well, that special.
Back at Hometree, many of the clan welcomed them back, not used to their Tsahik being gone for most of the day, as it's nearing dark now. Eytukan comes to meet them at the bottom of the spiral leading up onto the platforms above. His daughters a few steps behind, waiting patiently for word of what they discovered. The youngest of which is armed with her bow, either she was about to go hunting or just came back from it. Mo'at reaches out to take Eytukan's hands, which he gladly offers to her, and she looks into his eyes, her own sparkling as she simply says, "We must speak."
Together, the hunters, Olo'eyktan and Tsahik, their two daughters, and Tsu'tey head up the spiral to speak somewhere in private.
Once they are all seated, Mo'at recounts the day. Tsu'tey keeps his expression even and ignoring the looks sent his way by his betrothed, her sister, and her father. He knew that they had been watching the whole time. It was no secret what they saw while they were. But Tsu'tey still felt bad for Tsyeyk. Felt like he invited people to invade his privacy. Watch him while he slept, while Tsu'tey helped to bathe him. Things like that. He knew that Tsyeyk didn't care - but Tsu'tey did.
And as wrong as it felt to Tsu'tey to know that they had an audience the whole time, the thought of leaving him as he was made him feel worse. Tsyeyk needed to be cleaned up. Needed to start learning how to take care of himself. Tsu'tey also wanted to change out his tewng too, even brought one with him, but he couldn't bring himself to convince Tsyeyk of that knowing that people were watching.
Tsu'tey watched their faces morph from curiosity to wonder to disbelief to fear and uncertainty to disbelief once more.
Sylwannin, sweet and kind, took her mother's words straight to heart, finding wonderment and curiosity in place of fear and worry - she had been scared about the nantang, but relieved that it was handled. Neytiri, similarly to her father, was much more concerned. Where Neytiri saw wonderment, she also saw fear. Not sure if this was a positive sign from Eywa. That somehow the Sky People were manipulating them, or if he was somehow an abomination born from their machinations - something evil and vile twisted in Tsu'tey's gut at the insinuation but he managed to bite it back and not snap at the younger girl.
Eytukan is much the same as Neytiri, but he is also willing to see the wonderment on his mate's face. How she holds his hands and whispers that this is a good thing. That Mo'at has sensed nothing ill from Tsyeyk, even as the nantang closed in on them. Even as he picked her as the epicenter of his fear.
"He was scared and confused," Mo'at says, her voice soft, as if comforting Eytukan. "He was trying to protect Tsu'tey. I underestimated how feral he was. How driven by instinct, at least. But after, he was as Tsu'tey described. Child-like. Kind. Curious." He eyes level with his as she firmly says, "Innocent."
Eytukan stares back at her for a long moment, before letting out a small sigh. "You wish to help him?"
"I don't know what he is," Mo'at admits. "He is not clanless, as I can't quite figure out if he was created by the Sky People, or if the Great Mother made him so that he may exist on both sides, but yes. I want to help him. In fact, I think we need to."
"What do you mean 'exist on both sides'?" Neytiri asks, creases forming between her eyes, bow resting across her lap.
"He looks like one of them, able to blend in easier, but his soul is Na'vi. He is one of us," Mo'at says, her voice soft once more. "I feel the Great Mother in him. Flowing through him like a great and powerful river. He speaks and the forest listens. The nantang were enthralled by him. Subservient to his anger and fear. He holds power - great power. Something I have never seen. And the Great Mother sends one of her strongest children to protect him."
"A massive, white palulukan," Sylwannin says, moving her hand to her mouth in awe. "You think this was a purposeful act by the Great Mother? The convergence of this palulukan and Tsyeyk?"
"Yes," Mo'at says firmly. "I believe she sent him to protect Tsyeyk long enough for him to learn how to survive on his own or..." she stops, considering something. She blinks, pulling one hand from her mate's to touch her mouth, as if something had just occurred to her.
"Mom?" Sylwannin asks, tilting her head.
"What are you thinking?" Eytukan asks, a slight edge of worry in his voice.
Her ears flick back, then forward, then swivel back again as she turns her eyes to Tsu'tey, they are wide in realization. "He..." she starts, hesitating, before saying, even softer, "I have seen you, Tsu'tey, since you were a boy. One day you would lead the Omatikaya. But I never saw who stood beside you. I couldn't figure out why the Great Mother would put you into the position of taking away what she had always planned for you, but now I get it. That boy, whatever he is, will be by your side. Here in the Omatikaya. He will act as the Great Mother's voice. Blessed is he, the child born with one foot on both sides. With the body of a dream walker, but the soul of the Na'vi."
Tsu'tey's heart leaps into his throat and this feeling washes over him. This certainty like the moment he first laid eyes on Tsyeyk, stretched out over that warm rock, basking in the sunlight. Tsyeyk and he were meant to be. And whether it was to remain in control of the Omatikaya for the rest of their days or not, it didn't matter. Where Tsu'tey was to go, so too would Tsyeyk. And vice versa.
This was a relief to Tsu'tey. Most other Na'vi lived in wonder of their purpose, but never Tsu'tey. His has always been laid out before him. Mo'at's visions of him leading the Omatikaya since he was a boy gave him a glimpse into his future. These last few weeks of seeing Tsyeyk both in his dreams and now in real life, getting to hold him and help him. Getting to just exist in his orbit has only solidified his future for him. He knew that Tsyeyk was meant to be his. He tried, very weakly, to fight it, knowing deep down he probably wouldn't be able to. But Mo'at has just confirmed what Tsu'tey has wanted.
His future is still set. It just now has another solid piece added to it. Tsu'tey will be Olo'eyktan. And Tsyeyk will be at his side.
Eytukan trusted Mo'at. But as she did, he needed to see for himself. She interpreted Eywa's will, but he was still responsible for the safety of the Omatikaya. So, he would see for himself.
Mother awoke him.
He was wrapped up in Tsu'tey's blanket, blissfully warm, as Father lightly snored next to him. Tsyeyk twists around Father's limbs resting across his legs and presses his face into the warmth of Father's neck, shivering a bit as a slight breeze pushes in through the entrance of the cave. He pulls the blanket up his shoulders a bit more, eyes drifting closed when Mother tries to wake him again.
A zip of energy through his body that makes him jolt. He peers around the darkness of the cave, looking over Father toward the mouth, seeing light shining in. He blinks a few times, yawns, and sits up. He pushes long black hair over his shoulder, still clean and miraculously detangled from yesterday. He can still faintly smell whatever it was that Tsu'tey put in his hair and it smelled good.
Tsu'tey's scent is gone, though. Both from Tsyeyk's skin and from the blanket as they both smell more like Father now as Tsyeyk's been cuddled up to him for the last two nights. Tsyeyk rubs at his eyes, yawning again before he felt Mother brush against him, a gentle breeze over his shoulders and neck, this time warmer, more welcoming. Almost beckoning.
Tsyeyk stands up after detangling his legs from Father's, and makes his way over to the mouth of the cave, looking out over the trees in the direction of the field that he liked to play in. It was midmorning, warm with a light breeze. It felt like a great day and to top it all off, Tsyeyk's stomach didn't hurt. He was certainly hungry, but it wasn't the horrible, cramping pain. And he felt better than he's felt in days. Stronger, more energetic.
Not to what he knows should be normal, his brain warns. But better. He feels better.
Father lets out a long yawn, moving to step up next to Tsyeyk, blinking unhappily into the light, grumbling. He's all thrown off. He's tired. But Tsyeyk is up and moving, so now so too does he.
Tsyeyk reaches his hands up over his head, stretching out his limbs and spine. He turns to look at Father, smiling as another soft, beckoning breeze pushes past them. Father looks around, blinking big blue eyes, sensing Mother too. Tsyeyk giddily bounces up and down, reaching out to touch the breeze, grinning happily as the coolness washes between his fingers. Father gently nudges him back, away from the edge, but otherwise watches with bright eyes as Tsyeyk chases the breeze a bit, Mother wrapping around him lovingly.
Finally, Father convinces Tsyeyk to stop playing with Mother and hop onto his back. Once Father makes it to the ground, Tsyeyk slides off and goes skipping into the forest, singing his nonsense while scanning the forest for Tsu'tey. Father's lumbering steps and the whisper of his heavy tail dragging across the ground is enough to scare away most the beasts watching them. Some massive, horned ones, spread out the fan in front of their face and back up slowly, but Father only spares them a half glance, enough to know that they are retreating and that's it.
As they make it to the field, Tsyeyk stops, tilting his head in surprise. He blinks at the figures gathered closer to the center but still on the opposite side, immediately recognizing the three hunters and Mo'at in her bright red. Next to her is another male and female, both armed with those curved sticks, like the hunters, and another female with her hands folded neatly in front of herself.
They were all facing the forest, the two armed newcomers both looking on pensively, while the other female is staring with wide golden eyes, where Tsyeyk appears, probably having heard his singing. Mo'at, who was facing the forest behind them, turns to face Tsyeyk and smiles.
Joy surges through Tsyeyk and he rushes into the field and crashing into her, nuzzling her chin and cheek, happily. She weathers his strike, managing to keep standing despite stumbling back a bit, and hugging him close. Tsyeyk rests his cheek on her shoulder, his tail swaying and curling behind him. "Mo'at! Mo'at! Mo'at!"
Tsyeyk opens his eyes to see the male has a hand on Mo'at's back to steady her, his eyes on Tsyeyk's face. He looks weary, studying Tsyeyk. The feral boy's tail droops and his ears flicker back in worry, the man's hard expression scaring him. Tsyeyk's chin trembles slightly as his eyes blur a bit and surprise flickers across the male's face. The younger of the two new females next to him, blinking, her eyes wide.
She asks something, in disbelief. The other female says something chastising to her while Mo'at pets down Tsyeyk's hair. He burrows into her shoulder a bit, scared that he had somehow misunderstood. That these people weren't friendly like Mo'at was. He had just assumed that since she was there with them, that they were like her. Now he's not sure.
Mo'at pulls back enough, reaching up to wipe beneath his eye, saying something softly. Tsyeyk's tail wraps around his waist in fear, glancing over her shoulder at the man, ears pressing back tightly. Mo'at follows his gaze, to the surprised and almost... admonished male. When she looks at him, he says something slowly, as if he feels bad. Mo'at smiles though, assuring him before turning to look down at the boy burrowing into her chest and shoulder, staring at the increasingly apologetic looking male.
Mo'at turns to Tsyeyk, saying something softly as the male steps closer, making Tsyeyk shrink into her a bit. Mo'at takes one of Tsyeyk's hands on her shoulder and brings it toward the male's face. Tsyeyk panics, whimpering when his hand touches the man's forehead, yanking his hand back only as far as Mo'at would allow. The male tips his head forward slightly, showing off the smooth leaf shaped thing resting on his forehead that Tsyeyk brushed with his fingertips.
Hesitantly, ready to yank his hand back if needed, Tsyeyk reaches forward again, touching the smooth surface. Tsyeyk isn't sure what it is. Shaped like a leaf. Intertwined with threads that disappear into his hair and under his ears. But it's thick and smooth like stone. But the color of old bone. Tsyeyk's not sure what it is. But it's smooth to the touch, and warm. Tsyeyk blinks the moisture from his lashes, gently running his fingers over the smooth surface.
He rests his cheek against Mo'at shoulder, eyes following his finger as it gently runs along the subtle grooves worn into the material, his golden eyes wide. The male watches him quietly, the hard set to his expression softening more and more.
"It's pretty..." Tsyeyk rasps, sniffling a bit. He pulls back from Mo'at a bit. The male perks up, staring at Tsyeyk hesitantly. He seems guarded, worried, but Mo'at says something softly, which makes him look between them, carefully.
"Oel ngati kameie, Tsyeyk," Mo'at says sweetly, smiling.
Tsyeyk pulls back enough to wave his from his forehead to her, stumbling through the phrase, excitedly, "Oel-l ngati ka-kameie! Mo'at! Mo'at!" His tails wags behind him as he flashes dual white fangs at her. He stims a bit, giggling.
Her lips part when Tsyeyk spots someone walking out of the forest past the man's shoulder. His ears perk and then squeals in joy and pulling from Mo'at before racing across the field, spreading his arms wide. "Tu'tey!"
Tsu'tey's smile is beautiful as he pulls the long strap of the bag he has over his shoulder off and lays it down onto the ground before stepping forward and opening his arms. Tsyeyk launches himself into Tsu'tey's arms, wrapping his arms around Tsu'tey's neck and his legs around his hips. Tsu'tey stumbles slightly, laughing as Tsyeyk nuzzles his face, neck, and shoulders, purring loudly. His tail lashes back and forth in joy. Tsu'tey's arms squeeze him tightly with one arm across his shoulder blades and one hand scooped around his thigh, as he reciprocates the nuzzling, much softer than Tsyeyk is. And that sweet little purr in his chest that Tsyeyk loves.
He pulls back, lowering his legs to the ground before bouncing around Tsu'tey, yammering on in excitement. He has more energy than he's had in a while and he's so excited to see Tsu'tey again. Tsu'tey smiles brightly, flashing his own fangs as he laughs, eyes bouncing with Tsyeyk. The boy spins around to look toward the way he came, seeing Father, statue still, standing a few feet inside the field watching them.
"Shishishal!" Tsyeyk calls, holding onto one of Tsu'tey's hands, still bouncing up and down. "Tu'tey, Shishishal! Tu'tey!"
Practiced, precise, Mo'at leads the hunters, Tsu'tey and the new strangers in tipping their heads and greeting Father. Even the not-so-scary man followed suit. Him and the feisty younger girl both have wide eyes. Father tilts his head slightly in acknowledgement before looking out over the forest, carefully scanning the trees. His heavy tail sways behind him, rustling the foliage and kicking up the dirt. His face fans flutter as his keen eyes turn back to Mo'at.
She says something, gesturing. She says the word, "Omatikaya" and "hunters" before gesturing again to the trees. Father stares at her for a long moment, considering, before he tips his head again and looking straight over at Tsu'tey and Tsyeyk. He rumbles a warning to Tsyeyk, that they weren't alone, but not necessarily in danger. Tsyeyk looks toward the trees, wondering what Father saw that Tsyeyk did not. Admittedly, he wasn't really looking for anything before, but even now he doesn't see anything jumping out at him.
Tsu'tey leans down to pick up the back, giving Tsyeyk's hand a little squeeze to pull his attention back to him. Tsu'tey points to the loincloth, "tewng," he says, then reaches into the back to pull out another that was a bright blue color. Tsyeyk gasps, eyes wide. He reaches out to touch the soft material before reaching down to excitedly untie the knots at his hips. He manages to almost get one undone before Tsu'tey's hands stop him. He puts the blue tewng back in his bag and reties the knot. Tsyeyk pouts, ears flattening before Tsu'tey takes his hand and leads him to the forest.
"Tu'tey, tewng," Tsyeyk says, over and over again as he follows. "Tsyeyk, tewng, Tu'tey."
Tsu'tey smiles over at him, pleased, before stopping somewhere just inside the tree line but covered in dense foliage. Tsyeyk tries to move out of it, not liking getting poked, but Tsu'tey pulls him back murmuring something before laying down his bag and holding out the tewng again. Not sure what changed, Tsyeyk excitedly removed the purple one and took the blue from him, thankful that it looked pretty similar. Just more things dangling from it for him to admire.
Distracted after barely tying one side, Tsu'tey helps him tightly tie the tewng to him before stuffing the purple one into his bag and leading them back out. Mo'at is knelt on her knees before Father, head bowed as she says something softly to him. Father steps closer, until he's about three feet from her, sending a level look at all the hunters, male and two young female included, before looking back at Mo'at, face fans fluttering a bit.
Mo'at raises her gaze to him, searching for something before she follows as Father's eyes turns to Tsyeyk and Tsu'tey as they approach once more. Tsyeyk bounces over, holding tightly to Tsu'tey's hand before twisting and turning, showing off the pretty tewng, the same color as Father's icy blue eyes. Tsyeyk tells him, giggling excitedly, and Father's eyes soften as he leans forward, sniffing at Tsyeyk's hip again before raising his eyes to Mo'at again, head still dipped. Their eyes lock and this peculiar look crosses over Mo'at's face as Father turns his eyes back to Tsyeyk, lowers his chin nearly to the dirt for a moment before lifting it up once more and running a long, barbed tongue across Tsyeyk's cheek as both a sign of affection and to get him to stop yammering.
Then, Father's eyes meet Mo'at's meaningfully as Tsyeyk rubs at his face, grumbling. Tsu'tey winces in empathy, noticing the barbs before looking over at the unarmed girl and saying something. She nods, slightly weary, slightly in awe, looking between Father and Mo'at before holding out the woven basket at her side that Tsyeyk hadn't noticed before, filled with fresh fruit. She offers it with a smile.
They all gather around to sit, Tsyeyk sitting in front of Father, who lays out on his side, blue eyes ever observant, ever watching, while the three hunters from before vanishing into the tree line and out of sight. Tsu'tey sits next to Tsyeyk, angled at a way to ensure he's not too close to Father, with the armed girl next to him, male, then unarmed girl, then Mo'at to complete the circle.
After having Tsu'tey try a bite of fruit he hasn't seen before, Tsyeyk happily munches away on the rest, humming and purring with his tail wagging while Tsu'tey watches him with the gentlest expression on his face, holding his own fruit that he hasn't taken a bite out of yet. The two girls are both eating tentatively, watching Father watch them with a level gaze, while the male is staring at Mo'at, frowning. His expression reminds Tsyeyk of someone, but he's not sure who.
And Mo'at is staring at Tsyeyk, that peculiar look still on her face, as if trying to puzzle something out. She looks from him to Father, then back to him. She's trying to figure something out, but Tsyeyk has no idea what it is. She'll find a way to ask him, he thinks. When she's ready.
Mother sings. Her song the breeze flowing between them. The bugs buzzing. The animals in the forest skittering about. Her song is the faint sound of rushing water. Her song is their gentle breathing. Their hearts beating. Her song is them, and everything around them. Beautiful and wonderful. And all at once, her song washes over all of them, Tsyeyk sees their skin pimple up as Tsyeyk takes a breath with her, and they both let it out at once.
Mother's laugh is soft as it drifts away into the forest. Once more beckoning. Calling for them. Calling for him. To the forest. To his future.