Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here is chapter forty-six of "Gone in the Dark." This chapter has a bit of Aonung/OC. I felt it was time to show more of them since I had not done it in a while. Stay tuned for chapter forty-seven.
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Chapter 46: Feeling Calm
Riri stood on the beach in the early evening. She had her eye on the sun sinking toward the horizon. It slipped behind a large cloud until it was covered across the middle. She glanced toward a young Metkayina man, who stood in shallow water and tossed a net out. She watched him take hold of it and pull it back somewhat. She shifted her attention back to the sky.
Riri heard squawking and spotted three tetrapteron flying in a straight line. They opened their beaks and flicked their tongues. They flapped their wings in almost perfect unison. She watched them until they were gone. Footsteps caught her attention. She turned to see Aonung coming her way. She tried not to smile, but she couldn't stop herself.
"Hello, Aonung," she greeted.
"Hey, Riri," he replied and stopped beside her. "You doing okay?"
"Yeah," Riri admitted. "What about you?"
"I am fine. I do wonder when Eli will return and give the news about negotiations," Aonung said.
"I am sure it is taking him quite a bit of time to find all the Green Spears currently battling in the ocean. This can't be done in a few minutes," Riri pointed out matter-of-factly.
"Nekx is keeping a close eye on Julay and the Green Spears who participated in the attempted revolt. Several Metkayina are helping him with that," Aonung said, placing his hands on his hips.
"I can never forget seeing the anger in Julay's eyes when he declared the war over. It is obvious she wanted it to continue. She is bloodthirsty," Riri mumbled, cringing badly.
"Nekx shed that nature when he realized the pointlessness of this war," Aonung whispered, lowering his ears.
"That was not easy for him to realize," Riri said, touching his shoulder.
"No, it wasn't," Aonung agreed. "Jake said Nekx was like Marmax in Xena: Warrior Princess. Marmax was a veteran warrior and general who wanted to eliminate his enemies without thinking of the innocents who got caught up in the Thessalian/Mitoan War. He came to his senses due to seeing the grisly reality of war up close and ordered the fighting to end."
"That was brave of him," Riri said, blinking three times.
"I hope Julay will get the appropriate punishment after Nekx informs Uzukay and Nessa of what she did," Aonung commented.
"I do too," Riri agreed.
The duo turned toward the sky. They could see the sun beginning to touch the horizon. They took three steps forward, small smiles forming on their faces. They inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly.
"I am so glad the days of wondering when new patients will be coming in are nearly over," Riri said, a relieved sigh leaving her mouth.
"We may have some come here in the next day or so. I hope they will not be badly injured," Aonung murmured.
"So do I," Riri commented while rubbing the back of her neck. "I heard some Metkayina discussing they were happy the war was over."
"Some Green Spears had similar thoughts, especially Keye'txon. He was the first one to reveal he was tired of fighting," Aonung added.
She clasped her hands together. "Who would have thought Nekx's childhood friend would set this event in motion?"
"I know, right? Sometimes, it's not our family members who have the most wisdom. It is our friends," Aonung said with pride.
"Keye'txon knows Nekx inside and out and vice versa. I can't help but wonder if their parents were friends during their childhoods," Riri suggested with much curiosity.
"They could have been. Who knows?" Aonung said with a shrug.
"Yeah. There is so much we do not know about other clans, even if we share the same values," Riri murmured.
He nodded in agreement. "That's right."
Aonung and Riri heard playful squealing. They spotted Payakan and La doing bows in the distance. The tulkuns reentered the water just as quickly. They did spyhops. They wiggled their flippers. They opened their mouths and wiggled their tongues. They folded them before spouting air from their blowholes. They sank beneath the surface.
Aonung and Riri kept their eyes on the water. They waited anxiously for any sign of the tulkuns. Suddenly, Payakan and La leapt backward from different directions. They arched their backs. They reentered the water in which they created big splashes. They returned to the surface, air leaving their blowholes. They lowered their heads. They slapped their tails on the surface three times. They laid them in the water before lifting their heads. Aonung and Riri couldn't help but smile.
"It is amazing to see Payakan and La leap around as the sun is setting," Aonung said.
"I know they are happy the war is over. They hope negotiations will be done quickly, so we can have the tulkun celebration," Riri responded.
"It sucked my parents decided to postpone it, but I understood their fear pod members could become targets for bait in traps," Aonung commented, swallowing hard.
"You do what you feel is best for everyone. Nothing else really matters," Riri pointed out truthfully.
"Exactly," Aonung agreed. "Not everyone will agree, but it can be beneficial."
"Some Metkayina did not agree with Jake's suggestion the Avatar Team should assist with medical care, even after they saved Lauchi's life. It has proven to be beneficial as many lives would have been lost if it had not been for their technology," Riri explained.
"Before the dreamwalkers came to help Lauchi, we had no idea what a breathing tube, an IV, a heart monitor, or an air pump were. Now, we do," Aonung said.
"I am astounded how Lo'ak had no trouble inserting that needle into Keye'txon's arm. He is probably the youngest person to do such a thing, whether they are Na'vi or human," Riri whispered in amazement.
"Norm showed him what to do. Lo'ak understood every word," Aonung said with pride.
"Hey, don't show too much pride for him," Riri warned playfully.
"Too bad. I will show as much pride as I want for him," Aonung said, standing tall and proud. "He's my friend."
"He's my friend too," Riri responded. "Now, come here."
She grabbed him in a headlock and gave him a noogie. He broke out of her grasp and pretended to grab her loincloth and pull it over her head. She moved around as if she were blind. He acted like he was putting it back in place. She touched her temples.
"I love it when you pretend to do what you just did," she said sweetly.
"I love it that you love it," he responded with a smirk.
"I love it that you love it—never mind," Riri commented and shrugged.
"It becomes a mouthful, doesn't it?" Aonung teased.
"We've seen bigger mouthfuls," Riri commented while crossing her arms.
"Yep," Aonung agreed. "I want to put this mouthful on you."
Aonung grabbed Riri's cheeks and pulled her into a kiss. He slipped his tongue into her mouth, making her groan. She moved her hands to the upper part of his arms. He pulled away from her. She blinked three times before emitting a small giggle.
"Wow," Riri said, his voice showing amazement.
"I have been waiting to do that for a long time," Aonung said, winking at her.
She squeaked. "I am glad you did it."
Riri kissed Aonung passionately. They wrapped their arms around each other. Payakan and La leapt backward in different directions. The young Na'vi looked toward the water as the tulkuns landed on the backs in which they created huge splashes. They tried not to smile, but they couldn't stop themselves.
"We were lucky to catch Payakan and La breaching here," Riri said.
"No denying that," Aonung agreed. "How about we become tulkuns and breach like they do?" He tickled her chin.
"Nah. I would rather remain here on shore," Riri said while shaking her head rapidly.
"Spoilsport," Aonung mumbled.
"I heard that!" Riri blurted out in mock annoyance. She slapped him in the back of his head twice. "That is double for mumbling under your breath!"
Aonung growled in playfulness and smacked Riri on the cheek twice. They smiled and put their arms around each other. They began walking down the beach.