Over the next few weeks, Tsu'tey upped Lia's training and learning regimen, which was mainly on the;"I see you.", wording and expressing that Lia actually saw Tsu'tey, that she acknowledged and respected him.
Today, however, he had made Lia climb up the Home Tree, until they came to a stop on one of the thicker branches and Tsu'tey walked forward, sending out a sharp, bird like call, which caused Lia to pin back her hears, having never heard a high pitch sound leave Tsu'tey throat before, or having heard that a high pitch sound at all in her Avatar Body.
It wasn't long before an Ikran appeared with a screech, startling Lia, who backed away, so that she was closer to the entrance, eyeing the Ikran warily, but did not look it directly in the eyes. Tsu'tey glanced back at her and was pleased that he didn't have to tell her to not look in at his Ikran in the eyes.
"This is Izia, he is my Ikran."Tsu'tey said proudly.
"He is gorgeous."Lia said, taking in Izia's stunning features and if Lia had glanced at Tsu'tey, she would have seen his chest puff up in pride at the praise.
"Ikran is not Pa'li."Tsu'tey suddenly said, his voice sharp and stern, causing Lia to look at him, as he grabbed his braid and Izia's own tendril, making the connection."Once Shahaylu is made, Ikran will fly with only one Hunter in it's whole life."He explained before mounting Izia."To become Taronyu; hunter, you must chose your own Ikran, and the Ikran must chose you."
"When will that happen?"Lia asked, keeping her eyes firmly on Tsu'tey and ignoring the churning in her stomach, at the idea of becoming a Taronyu.
"When you are ready."Lia relaxed at hearing this before her eyes widened when Tsu'tey suddenly took off and the Avatar quickly bent down, by the edge to watch as he and Izia flew around Home Tree gracefully.
Lia followed his movements from her spot on the branch, smiling widely as she watched, amazed by seeing something so unbelievable happen, or at least something that was considered, unbelievable by her people's standards.
She moved back when Tsu'tey and Izia landed in front of her."You ride gracefully, Izia, Tsu'tey. It is if you are one with the wind when you two fly."Lia said, sounding rushed as she spoke with awe.
Tsu'tey smirked at her words."Your words of praise are welcomed, Marali."
"You are not used to using the muscles in your back and stomach."Tsu'tey stated knowingly as he corrected Lia's stance while she held his bow and arrow, since she didn't have her own yet, aiming at the target he had set up."Do not just use your arms."He added but had tapped at her stomach."Hold in!"Lia did as he told her, and allowed him to fix her stance again.
"Ow!"Lia yelped as he hit her elbow, a bit harder than usual, and hissed at him."Don't hit so hard!"She growled at him.
"You are like a baby!"Tsu'tey scoffed and Lia glowered at him."I did not hit you that hard."He added, frowning.
"This body is basically still a newborn."Lia retorted, frowning at him as she lowered the bow and arrow."Everything I feel, it is more intense. My body is still too soft. It has not hardened to the harsh conditions of my surroundings."She explained and Tsu'tey frowned as he listened to her explanation of her Avatar Body.
When Lia wasn't learning how to hunt, swim, or had horse riding lessons with Tsu'tey, Mo'at would drag her away to learn some of the Omaticaya Healing Techniques, which honestly surprised Lia, as she had thought that she would not be allowed to learn how the Na'vi used the plants to make herbal medicine.
The first time Mo'at had dragged her away to learn of the Na'vi plants which could be used for medicine, was right after Tsu'tey and Lia had come back from riding their Direhorse, and Lia thought she was in trouble, or that Jake had caused trouble, which Lia would have to sort out and fix, so that they wouldn't be kicked out.
Tsu'tey had just watched, stunned that Mo'at had dragged away his student, but did not follow, even when Lia looked back at him questionably, silently asking what was going on. Jake and Neytiri, who had appeared next to Tsu'tey, also looked confused and worried, equally wondering what was going on and turned to the Warrior to get some answers.
No one would dare to stop Mo'at.
Not even Eytukan, who had paused in his mid day walk to stare after his Mate and the Dreamwalker, especially with the determined look on Mo'at's face and wondered if the poor, confused, girl was in trouble.
"I am not in trouble?"Lia asked as she glanced around the hut.
She recognised that the room she was in was the healing hut of the Home Tree, where some of the Zeykoyus (Healers) and Mo'at were most of the time. But right now, no one was here, other than Mo'at and Lia. Mo'at, who had started to grab some herbs and placed them on the table, paused to stare at Lia.
"Do you believe you have caused trouble?"Mo'at asked and Lia shook her head no."Then you are not in trouble, Marali."Lia continued to stare at the Tsahik, wondering why they were here."You said that you are a Zeykoyu, yes?"Lia nodded, mentally translating the word to Healer in her mind."But you only know how to help the wounded with your Sky People's teachings and methods, correct?"Another nod."Then I will teach you to be a Zeykoyu of the Omaticaya, when Tsu'tey is not teaching you."Lia stared at Mo'at in surprise.
"Thank you, Mo'at."Lia said breathlessly.
Mo'at had given Lia a beaded necklace, only this one was a single layered bead necklace, compared to the three layered bead necklace that she had been given to complete her Na'vi outfit, with a green stone hanging in the middle. Mo'at helped put it on and told her that when she completes her training with Tsu'tey and becomes one with the People, she will become an official Healer of the Omaticaya Clan, and that the necklace symbolizes her status as Healer.
"You have honored me with your teachings, Mo'at, and I am thankful that you allow me to learn them."Lia said, appreciating the time she spends learning from Mo'at, who smiled slightly.
"Call me Sa'nok, Marali."Lia's eyes widened as she stared at Mo'at in shock.
Sa'nok, the Na'vi word and title for Mother.
"S-sa'nok?"Lia choked out, stuttering on the word.
"Yes, Maite."Mo'at said, smiling widely at the shocked Avatar, and seemed to have left her even more stunned by calling her; Maite, the Na'vi word for; My Daughter."In the past few days you have learned to be a Zeykoyu I have come to see you as my own, Marali."Mo'at stated as she placed her hands on Lia's shoulders as she looked down at the young Avatar."I have nothing more to teach you to become a Zeykoyu, unless Eywa has plans for you to become the next Tsahik."Lia looked ready to faint at that and if it wasn't for Mo'at's hands on her shoulders grounding her, she would have.
"Ahaha, Mo'at-I mean, Sa'nok-"Lia corrected herself at the look Mo'at gave her."do not joke about such things. Even though I am in this body, it is not my true body, so it would be impossible for me to be the Tsahik of the Omaticaya, as I am not a true child of Eywa."Lia reminded her.
Mo'at hummed, looking thoughtful."Yes, of course."
"You are acting strange."Tsu'tey muttered softly as they walked through the forest, following the trail, which Tsu'tey was teaching Lia to read."Why?"He asked in a demanding voice.
"I have completed my training with Mo'at and I will become an actual Zeykoyu as soon as I become a Taronyu as well."Lia whispered back as they bent down by some animal tracks and Tsu'tey paused to stare at her in shock.
"Already? But you started four weeks ago!"He hissed in disbelief as he saw that what she said was true. Around her neck was a beaded necklace that gave you the status of a Healers.
"I am a fast learner when I want to be."She hissed back and rolled her eyes as Tsu'tey frowned at her.
"You make my life hard, Marali."Tsu'tey stated, causing Lia to gasp at him.
"I do not!"Lia hissed angrily."I just never thought I would have to become a Taronyu, nor did I even think I would meet you and your People, to learn or to become one of the People."Lia stood up."I still think I will fail before I even become a Taronyu."Tsu'tey stood up, frowning at Lia."I cannot... I will not make a clean kill or otherwise. My heart is weak, so I am weak."Lia shook her head."This is"She gestured around herself then at Tsu'tey and herself."is pointless. You are right. I will never be one of the People."Lia admitted.
The young Dreamwalker turned to walk away, only for Tsu'tey to grab her, but as quick as he had grabbed her, he had let go, even though she had turned back to hiss at him.
"You are not weak, Marali Suli!"Tsu'tey snapped, stunning Lia as he stepped closer to her."Your heart is not weak."He added, placing his hand over her chest, where her heart was beating strongly, and he stared down at her calmly as she continued to stare up at him with wide eyes and gasping at him."I see you, Marali."
"I see you, Tsu'tey."Lia said softly, and she did see him, as if she was seeing him for the first time.
~~~Preview~~~
~~~Jake Has Been Ignoring His Health~~~
"I understand that he loves being able to walk again, but if he doesn't do the exercises and regain his strength, he won't be able to go back into his Avatar."Grace said softly."He might even die while he's in his Avatar because his real body is starting to give up."