Author's Note: Okay, to make up for the really short first chapter, here is a slightly longer second chapter. I am liking the enthusiasm for this story! I really do hope that you all continue to enjoy! Sorry about the long wait! There was a lot to put into a chapter, so I hope it's not too hard to read.
Warnings: Brief mentions of multiple miscarriages.
A hand settles on Neteyam's shoulder, giving him a gentle squeeze. Neteyam's eyes open, blinking blearily into the darkness. It must be almost dawn. His lashes flutter a bit as he tries to pull fully into consciousness before looking up to see his dad knelt down in front of him.
"Are you ready to get up?" Tao'su asks, offering a little smile.
Neteyam nods, yawning and stretching as much as he can with Rotxo snoring into his spine and seven-year-old Rowee drooling onto his chest and arm. He slowly uncurls from around them, extracting himself as carefully as possible. Neteyam grabs the blanket that he kicked off at some point in the night, sweating profusely between both of his brothers curling around him, and moves it up to cover both of them a bit, knowing that they won't be asleep much longer.
Neteyam takes Tao'su's hand to help him get through the gaggle of limbs, trying to not step on any tails or feet. He presses a tender hand to Rotxo's shoulder and another hand on the side of Rowee's head before straightening up and making his way across the room to where his mom is still sleeping. He kneels down and presses a kiss to the side of her head, gentle enough to not wake her before heading over to his chest in the corner of the room between Rotxo's and Rowee's.
Draped across the top he grabs his adornments, hanging them off his loincloth, around his biceps, slipping his most recent gift of shells from Rotxo around his ankle before the last piece that he grabs, holding it for his dad to take before he straightens the braided upper half of his hair up into the knot on his crown before his dad carefully puts his betrothal gift around his forehead so that the simple, flat, white and pink shell rests between his eyes and onto the bridge of his nose. He pulls out the framing braids, one on each side of his face, from beneath the headdress while his dad sticks the teeth of the comb built into the back into his hair to keep it in place.
Once it's secure, Neteyam and Tao'su grab their spears and head out of the marui. It's still pitch black out as they hit the beach right outside their home and make their way along it toward the communal docks, where the rest of the hunting party will no doubt be gathering here in the next few minutes.
"I'm sorry for over sleeping, I didn't hear you wake up," Neteyam apologizes in the quiet, crisp morning air.
"Not at all, you were up late last night trying to help your mom get everything ready for tonight," Tao'su says, shaking his head. He places a large, warm hand on Neteyam's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
Neteyam grins, excitedly, he glances over to the dock in front of their marui that his dad and brothers worked tirelessly for weeks to construct a few years ago. Well, mostly Tao'su, Neteyam, and Rotxo, but Rowee was excellent emotional support.
He looks back up at his dad. "Did you already talk with the Chief? Are they still good to come over tonight?"
"Unless something changes today, they should still be coming," Tao'su says, pulling Neteyam tighter into his side, squeezing his shoulder. "Did you already talk with the Tsahik about missing this morning's prayer?"
"I told her that I was going to come with you to get my chores done with earlier, and she said she could just wait for when we get back and then she and I will go together."
"That was very nice of her," Tao'su says easily.
Neteyam smiles at that, looking down at their feet as they walk. "Yes. She is very sweet to me. I remember all those years ago, when I first got here, I thought that she hated me, then I was certain that she just didn't like me. But she's very sweet. I see why mom loves her so much." He flashes his dad a pretty smile that shows off his duel fangs and slightly larger two front teeth.
Tao'su pulls a bit closer to Neteyam, giving his thin shoulder a squeeze. "I'm glad that the two of you are getting along. You know your mother adores her."
"I do," Neteyam says softly. "I do too." As they round a slight curve in the beach, they can see some of the hunting party already wading water, chatting loud enough that Neteyam, even from about thirty feet away, can hear them speaking but not make out the words. But his eyes do find the young man standing with his toes in the water, arms crossed, talking with the tall man in front of him.
The Olo'eyktan is one of the tallest men in the village. Tall and strong with the reef Na'vi's natural teal skin. The upper half of his hair is braided along his skull, like most of the Metkayina, with the rest of his long, curly hair flowing down his back. Dressed up in all the bright and glittering adornments fit for a man of his station and never without his signature red threaded Shaw over his shoulders. He's pristine. Strong. A perfect representation of power and authority. It's why so many clans in the region respect him. He fits the perfect model of an Olo'eyktan.
And before him, turning toward Neteyam and Tao'su as they approach, is his son.
Ao'nung. Top half of his hair braided into a knot with the rest of his hair at the top of his head. Body still long and covered in sinewy muscles, they are carefully building along his arms, legs and stomach. He's one of the tallest boys their age, no doubt going to be close to his father in height but for now, he's perfect height for Neteyam. He's a lot humbler in his adornments, but Neteyam clocks the anklet, identical in design to his own. One he knows that his brother, Rotxo shares, as well as Ao'nung's sister, Tsireya.
Something she made for all of them. A symbol of their bond, their connection to one another, she said.
When Ao'nung's eyes find his, the taller of the two of them grins broadly. Neteyam's favorite look on his face. He knows how much Neteyam adores it. Every time Neteyam sees it, it fills him with this intense joy that Neteyam can't help but propel himself forward, to run into the arms of his betrothed, being careful not to catch him with his spear and ruin everyone's morning.
Ao'nung catches him easily, hugging him tightly, rocking back and forth, while the chief chuckles next to them. He pats the top of Neteyam's head affectionately before greeting Tao'su with a hand from the forehead, which he returns, before they clasp each other's forearms.
"I envy their energy," Tonowari chuckles.
Tao'su laughs. "Can you believe this one was asleep ten minutes ago? I envy it too."
"Same with this one. Rolled out of his sleep as I was leaving," Tonowari muses back.
Neteyam pulls back, looking over at the hunting party already wading into the water or sitting on their skimwings already, talking quietly amongst themselves or watching the new arrivals. Neteyam and his father both wave from their forehead in respectful greeting before Neteyam turns to Tonowari and doing the same. Which he returns with a smile.
"Good morning," Neteyam says, looking between the hunters and the clan's chief. He grins when Ao'nung rests his cheek on Neteyam's shoulder, shoving the sharp end of his spear into the sand, knowing that he'll hurt someone if he keeps holding it. As some of the others return his greeting, Neteyam turns toward Ao'nung again. He laughs at the smirk that Ao'nung gives him, reaching up to cup his face. "Why are you up so early? It's going to be a long day for you if you don't get more sleep."
Ao'nung's hands land on his ribs, lowering his forehead to Neteyam's. "I'm good, mom, but thanks for the concern."
Neteyam glares at him, playfully, resting his hands on Ao'nung's biceps. "Fine, but I don't want to hear about how long of a day you had tonight."
Ao'nung grins. "Fine. I'll complain about other things. I've got lists."
Neteyam laughs, surprised. "I'm sure you do!" He shakes his head a bit before grinning back up at the slightly taller boy. "But you should get some rest, okay? We have to go get those shells that your mom asked for when I'm done. Don't forget."
"I would never," Ao'nung says, letting out a little laugh at Neteyam's eyeroll. "Are we leaving when you get back?"
"No, I'm sorry. Your mom and I are going to pray when I get back, then we'll go."
Ao'nung pulls his forehead back a bit, tilting his head slightly. "And when are you supposed to get more sleep?"
Neteyam shrugs, looking at his betrothed through his lashes, as innocently as possible. "We'll have some downtime when we're done, if we're fast. I'm sure you'll want to tell me about your day. I'll do it then."
Tonowari and Tao'su both bark out laughter while Ao'nung stumbles back, almost out of Neteyam's arms, clutching at his chest, face nearly splitting with his smile. Neteyam laughs when Ao'nung finally finds the wherewithal to do the same. He doubles over laughing, half in Neteyam's arms, while the darker skinned Na'vi just laughs to the stars, eyes crinkling, laugh huskier.
"Wow!" Ao'nung gasps, through laughs, straightening up, pale blue eyes glittering in joy. "And they say that you're the nice one of us."
"No one says that," Neteyam says, playfully, pushing his queue back over his shoulder for him. "I'm sorry. I'm kidding. You just take them with such grace it's hard not to cut one or two in. But I am kidding." He reaches up to brush at his cheek with one hand, still smiling.
Ao'nung rolls his eyes. "You apologize like I don't know that you're kidding. You always apologize. It almost makes the throbbing pain of the joke hurt more."
Neteyam rolls his eyes, back at him, still grinning playfully. "That doesn't make any sense. But even if you know that I'm joking, I just want to be clear, okay?"
Ao'nung laughs, shaking his head and hugging Neteyam tightly. "Okay, okay. No hard feelings, I got it."
Neteyam hugs his back just as tightly as someone makes their approach and the last member of their hunting party, Ta'lee jogs up, waving off her forehead to everyone before turning her eyes to Tonowari and tipping her head in apology.
"Sorry, chief. My baby woke up while I was leaving. I had to make sure my mate came to full consciousness before I left. It won't happen again," she says through heavy breaths. She must have run here. She expertly flips her spear onto her back.
"It's alright Ta'lee," Tonowari says, creases of concern appearing between his eyes. "Was Ghax up late? It's not like him to be a heavy sleeper, right?"
She shakes her head. "No, he took Fieeze's late night patrol so that he could have this day off to be with our kids so I could be out all day." Tonowari hums, nodding. She quickly adds, "I need this, chief. I love my babies, but I need to love them from a distance."
Tonowari chuckles. He holds his hand up to stop her from continuing to try and explain herself. "No, Ta'lee. You don't have to justify anything. I had two children closer in age than yours. I understand the need to get away and have a bit of time to yourself. Let us know if you need anything at all. Even if it's just another hunt to get away from the village for a few hours."
Ta'lee smiles, relieved. "Thank you, chief. I really appreciate it."
Tonowari nods, offering a kind smile before patting Tao'su's back next to him and casting a look over at Neteyam and Ao'nung. "It's time, boys. We should be back in a few hours, Ao'nung. Make sure to help your mother and sister when morning comes."
Ao'nung nods back, pulling from Neteyam with a little nuzzle to his cheek before putting a respectful distance between them, turning his eyes to his dad. "Yes, dad. I'll head back now. Happy hunting. I'll see you in a few hours." He looks between all of them, eyes lingering on Neteyam for a beat longer than all the others, both boys smiling at each other, before he tips his head and heads back toward the marui that he shares with his parents and sister.
"Bye," Neteyam says softly before turning and heading into the water, spear in hand, his father, Tonowari and Ta'lee not more than a step behind him. All of them call for their skimwings before taking off.
Neteyam's skimwing, a sweet boy named Shixo, rumbles beneath Neteyam. He smiles, leaning over and running his hands along the beast's flank and neck. Most people call it a growl, but Neteyam knows that he's mimicking Neteyam's own purring. According to Tao'su, and really, anyone that has felt the need to point it out, has told Neteyam that Shixo is probably one of the meanest skimwing that they've got in the reef, but Neteyam has never seen it. Shixo just prefers Neteyam over anyone else. And Neteyam just loves him.
He always comes when Neteyam calls for him. Unlike ilu, who can bond with a single Na'vi, they don't always stay with that one Na'vi. Skimwings are much the same, but they don't usually bond with anyone. Just... become more comfortable with a specific rider or collection of riders.
Not Shixo. He always came for Neteyam, whenever he called for a skimwing.
So Neteyam altered his call. Instead, it's three claps and a whistle. Just for Shixo. And he comes barreling from wherever he was, sometimes slamming other skimwings out of the way. He's not super friendly with anyone else, but Neteyam loves him. He's like a grumpy old man.
As the hunters are hauling the nets full of fish for the week back toward the village at a more leisure pace, the late morning sun beating down on them, Neteyam lets his hand run through the water, watching the seeds of Eywa follow after his hands, glowing brightly even in the sunlight. His spear is strapped to his back
He must have been staring for too long because he feels his dad's hand land on his shoulder, and the usual, soft, "Do you need help coming back?"
Neteyam turns to look at his dad, smiling at the flicker of relief across his face. "I'm okay, dad. She isn't showing me anything. I'm okay."
His shoulders loosen up more as he pulls his hand back, offering a smile in return. Tonowari, always at the head of the group, glances over his shoulder at their words, curiously.
"It's hard to tell," one of the other hunters says, sliding up on his other side. "You're so quiet anyway, that when you stare off at the seeds, it's hard to know if she's trying to show you something or not."
Neteyam nods, the seeds swimming around his fingers, keeping up with the steady pace of the skimwings. "I know. I don't mind anyone asking." His golden eyes turn to his dad, and he smiles wider. "Thank you for checking on me."
"Any time," Tao'su says, smiling gently.
Neteyam quietly watches the waters, the seeds swimming with them, and he feels the pull to the sacred tree. He knows he's going to have to go straight there after he helps the other hunters with their catch. Thankfully, they are making such good time, so hopefully Ronal will have finished everything that she needed to or will be at a good place to pause until they're done.
He listens to the murmuring of the hunters around him. Laughing and joking, even still welcoming Ta'lee back. She's been out with her new baby for the last few weeks, and they sorely missed her. She is one of their fastest hunters. And these last few weeks away from her duties hasn't dulled her in the slightest. She still swims circles around them.
Neteyam doesn't always go with the hunting parties, he has a lot of responsibilities outside of that, and only jumps in usually when they need someone to fill a space or when he gets the itch to go out with them. Usually, his duties as Tsahik in training keep him plenty busy as it was. But he does enjoy this time. He likes to be with the hunters, listening to their stories and the overall competitive, yet playful nature of their hunts.
"Neteyam?"
Neteyam glances over at one of the younger hunters, newly minted in the last few months. He's only a year or two older than Neteyam. Other than these hunts, Neteyam hasn't spent any time with him.
"Yes?"
"Can I ask you something? About, you know, being a forest Na'vi?"
Tao'su tenses next to Neteyam and the darker skinned boy catches Tonowari's ears flip back toward them, his chin tilting slightly. Both ready to cut into the young hunter, depending on his next words. Neteyam feels an old anxiety cut through him, but he swallows it down.
"I guess so. I'm not sure if I'll be able to answer. I mean, I've lived here for pretty much my whole life," Neteyam says gently, hoping that would be enough to dissuade any questions he's sure he won't be able to answer.
But either the hunter didn't notice, or was still too curious to not ask, ignoring the looks of the rest of the hunting party. Or maybe he just doesn't see them. Most people know that if they want to talk about Neteyam - and typically his origins - it's definitely not when his father is around. Or the chief for that matter. Tao'su has been protecting Neteyam as best he can from the judgement of the clan for his entire life here, while the chief has always wanted to be fair and kind to his clan, as well as his best friend's adoptive son, Neteyam is also now betrothed to his son and the future Tsahik.
At this point, any slight, no matter how minor, is met harshly.
"They don't fight with spears, right? Forest Na'vi?" the young hunter asks.
Neteyam glances at him. "I suppose not. I think it's the bow and arrow primarily. I'm sure there are other things too, but I think that's typically the weapon of choice."
He nods. "Do you think you're any good at it?"
Neteyam blinks. "At what?"
"The bow and arrow?"
Neteyam stares at him, wondering how he was supposed to respond to that. He catches another hunter scratch at his head, uncomfortable. "No, I imagine I'm probably pretty bad at it. If, by chance, I was taught that skill, I haven't used it in ten years. So, I imagine if I knew anything about it, I don't anymore."
He looks down at the back of his skimwing, lips pursing in thought, like it hadn't occurred to him. He doubles down, regardless with, "But you spent time in the forest. Immersed in their culture. Do you think a part of you remembers?"
Neteyam can feel the irritation radiating off his dad, but Neteyam knows that it's just curiosity. People tend to create a barrier around Neteyam, his parents, brothers, his friends - which was once Tsireya and Ao'nung - and now one of them is his betrothed, as well as the Olo'eyktan and Tsahik. So a part of him supposed that not a lot of people could just ask him these things. No matter how silly they seem to be.
"I suppose I don't know," Neteyam says gently. "Maybe we should throw Ta'lee's baby into the water, see if she remembers how to swim."
The hunter blinks in confusion while Ta'lee grins off to the side. "What?"
"Her culture is that of water. And for a time, she lived in it before she took her first breath." Not completely true, but he's hedging his bets on the hunter not really knowing that.
"Reef people's babies can swim, just not that young," he argues. "She's too young right now."
"Ah," Neteyam says softly, reaching up to tug at one of the braids framing his face. "Then perhaps some skills are innate, and others must be taught, I suppose. Thank you."
Ta'lee rolls her eyes as the young hunter nods, as if happy to help Neteyam. He catches the looks some of the hunters were sending between each other. Tao'su's ears are low in annoyance, but his eyes are turned ahead once more.
A few minutes of silence and Awa'atlu comes into view.
The young hunter also says, "Do you think they knew what you could do? Your previous clan? How Eywa speaks through you? I mean, if they did, they probably wouldn't have let you go, huh?" He seems like he's just thinking aloud now, but the air grows thick around them. Neteyam can pinpoint the exact moment, both Tonowari and his father had enough. Tonowari glanced back at Tao'su, maybe to gage his reaction or to try and calm him, but it's too late.
Neteyam's shoulders tense and Tao'su glances over the young hunter, lips pulled back in a threatening hiss. The hunter flinches, eyes wide in confusion. He looks around at the others, but everyone is silent.
"I don't imagine that is any of your business, boy," Tao'su snaps, glaring.
"Oh, uh, I... I didn't..."
"Who knows?" Neteyam says softly, eyes on the water, the seeds of Eywa tickling at his feet. Shixo snarling in anger, feeling the sadness and self-loathing crash into Neteyam in waves. Shixo snaps in the direction of the hunter, wanting to lunge out of the water and rip his throat out, but Neteyam sooths that, chiding the thought. Neteyam would never want to hurt someone, especially one of their own. No matter what they said about him, even in ignorance.
"Maybe they knew and didn't want to deal with the hassle of having a freak for a son. I guess I don't know why they abandoned me. Might have just been easier that way." Neteyam hears the hollowness in his own voice and can see his dad flinch in his peripheral. Tonowari has fully twisted around from where he's sitting on his skimwing's back to stare actual daggers at the young hunter.
Everyone is stuck in a tense silence, more than a single pair of eyes burrowing holes through Neteyam, but his attention is back to the water. He wishes he wasn't lugging back fish, then he could just go to the Tree of Souls and have someone let Ronal know that he was there so she could just meet him, but he wasn't going to dump his duties just because someone hurt his feelings.
It's such a silly thing to still be bothered by after all these years. And it's not like the hunter said anything that a dozen other people haven't said every day of his life. Family has always been so important to the reef people, children are treated so preciously, but Neteyam was found, abandoned at sea. People have always assumed that something was wrong with him. And when his abilities started to manifest fully, out in public, now everyone gets an opinion as to why he's so different. Why his clan abandoned him in the first place. Why his birth parents never came looking for him.
Everyone gets to wonder, and Neteyam gets to be the one that they bounce their questions and curiosities off on.
As they near the edge of the largest dock, Ao'nung is waiting for them, as he always is when Neteyam joins the hunting parties. Neteyam slows to a stop with the rest of the party as Ao'nung leans down onto his hunches, smiling crookedly at him.
"Wanna give me a ride?" He asks, same as every other time.
Neteyam smiles back, thinly. "Hope on."
Ao'nung blinks, before placing a hand onto the dock and pushing off into the water, making as small of a splash as possible. He emerges a moment later next to Neteyam, maneuvering himself up onto Shixo's back, who grumbles, allowing him because it's Neteyam's desire. Neteyam lifts his elbows so that Ao'nung can slot his arms around his waist before they start moving again.
Ao'nung rests his chin on Neteyam's shoulder, glancing at him with a beautiful bright blue eye. "Are you okay?"
"Oh, yes. I'm fine," Neteyam says softly, not interested in getting anyone in trouble. Unlike Tonowari, who can be impartial and understanding that sometimes people just say stupid things without thinking, Ao'nung can hold a wicked grudge. And no one would dare say anything against the Olo'eyktan's son.
Ao'nung stares at him, keen eyes not missing a thing. "Something is upsetting you; I know it." He can feel the young hunter slinking back behind them, no doubt wishing he could disappear.
Neteyam grips one of Ao'nung's hands, leaning back into his embrace. Not a lot gets passed his betrothed.
"I was... just reminded of something unpleasant," Neteyam says softly, turning his head to bump his nose against Ao'nung's cheek.
Frowning, Ao'nung asks, "How? About what?"
Not wanting to lie, necessarily, Neteyam carefully says, "About my clan, before coming here. How I was abandoned. How it probably was because I'm a freak."
"You aren't a freak," Ao'nung snaps, jerking back and glaring into Neteyam's eyes. Not necessarily directing that anger at Neteyam, but at his feelings. "You are perfect, just the way you are. Don't offer those people even a thought. Whatever reason you aren't with them anymore is their fault and their loss. You are here, with us. You are my betrothed and one day, you will help me lead our clan into a prosperous future. Only a damned moron would worry about that."
Neteyam didn't dare move, but it's almost like every set of eyes turned to the young hunter, and Neteyam immediately felt bad for him. He no doubt didn't mean any harm by it, but Neteyam knows that no one is going to forget this as soon as he's sure both himself and the hunter wishes that they would.
"I would like to not talk about this anymore," Neteyam says softly, nuzzling into Ao'nung's cheek and jaw. Ao'nung sighs, nuzzling back as they finally make it back to the beach.
With practiced experience, the hunting party and Ao'nung start hauling the heavy nets up onto the beach for more of the clan to take away to store and clean for when they are going to be eaten. The young hunter keeping quiet and to himself. Neteyam feels so bad for him. It really was innocent, Neteyam doesn't doubt that. But he's not in the mindset to cheer him up. Next time, he'll reach out to the young hunter, let him know there was no ill will.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Ao'nung asks, taking Neteyam's hands, frowning in concern.
Neteyam smiles at him, conscious of everyone around so he keeps his lips closed, already self-conscious from his origins, now he doesn't need to be reminded of his teeth too. Most of the time he can forget about them, being caught up in the moment, but now that he's so hyper aware, he's not taking any chances. He had big front teeth when he was young and they grew in well for his small, thin face, but he remembers how cruel the other kids were. Not to mention his double set of fangs.
If they weren't calling him a rodent for his front teeth, he was a skimwing for his fangs. There was literally no winning.
"I'm okay," Neteyam says softly, leaning forward to press his forehead to Ao'nung's. "I need to go, though. I've made your mother wait on me long enough. We are still on for later, yes?"
Ao'nung nods, still concerned. "Okay. Well, I'm here if you want to talk."
"Thank you," Neteyam says sweetly, rubbing his nose a bit against Ao'nung's which makes him smile. "I'll see you in a bit. I'll come get you when we are done."
Ao'nung nods, squeezing his hands once more before finally letting him go. Neteyam offers another little smile before heading off in search of Ronal.
Ronal was in her marui when he found her. She's pleased, offering him a small smile upon seeing him. They set off right away, Ronal allowing Neteyam to leave the spear he forgot to give his dad to take home in the chief's marui. He'll be coming back with Ronal once they are finished praying anyway.
They make it out there, talking about simple, light topics, and Neteyam can already feel himself letting go of that pain from earlier. For as much as Neteyam used to think that the Tsahik didn't like him, he never realized how wrong he was. She was always curious of him, but she isn't a very emotional woman and tended to keep everything behind a stoic mask. Many attribute it to indifference or disinterest, but Neteyam learned very quickly that was the furthest thing from the truth. Ronal has been taking exceptionally good care of him for many years, even before Ao'nung asked to court him.
Or, well, asked if he could be courted in the future, but whatever.
Neteyam is thankful to have her watching over him. She keeps sending him looks, like she knows something has upset him, but he just smiled at her, and she respectfully nodded and didn't ask, which was thankful for. I really wasn't a big deal and it is a silly thing to still be upset about, but... well, he can't help it.
They spent over an hour just praying to the Tree of Souls. It's called a tree, but it's really a mix between a tree and a reef. It's almost like it was once separated. One on land, one in the water, but they were so close to each other, that the tree part of it leans far over the water, it's roots and branches drooping into the water, all the way to the ocean floor and spreading out. He's never been to another Tree of Souls, but this one is utterly massive.
Neteyam's not creating the bond, though. Sometimes he's okay, able to make the bond and control what he sees and feels, but he's too on edge right now. Too upset. He doesn't want to bond with Eywa and fill her with that. Even though he's already starting to feel better, he has to go into these bonds when he's strong and steady of mind.
Otherwise, the seizures are horrific.
Thankfully, Neteyam doesn't need a direct connection to the Tree of Souls to be able to pray to Eywa and receive inspiration and even guidance. So, the two of them sit in silence, praying for prosperity and guidance in the future for the clan and for themselves. It's relaxing for Neteyam, helps him feel recentered once more. He's finally able to let go of the last tendrils of pain from earlier - at least for the moment. Which is all he can ask for. He knows his dad is going to be fuming for a while.
On their way back, once more at a leisurely pace, Ronal glances over at Neteyam, when their knees brush against one another from how close they are.
"Yes?" Neteyam asks, smiling coyly at the older woman. She smiles faintly back at him.
"We should talk about your duties."
He swallows, nervously, nodding solemnly. "Okay. Is something changing?"
"Yes," Ronal says quietly. "I'm pregnant."
Neteyam gasps, eyes wide. He stares at the tiny smile on her face, and joy surges through him. She has been wearing much longer and more intricate modesty pieces these last few weeks, so Neteyam has been suspecting, but didn't dare say a thing out loud. Ronal has lost many children over the last ten years that Neteyam has been here. Three in total and every time was just as devastating as the one before it.
Neteyam can understand why she would want to keep it a secret until she was more confident in the survival of this child. She might not be ready to tell the clan yet, or maybe Neteyam was just the beginning, and she would be alerting the clan here in the next few days, but for now, it was just for them to know. Neither Ao'nung nor Tsireya let on that anything was going on with their mom, so Neteyam isn't sure either know, but he wasn't going to ask her that.
Maybe Ao'nung. But later. He wouldn't want to ruin any sort of surprise. He'll wait until the clan knows before he says anything.
"Okay," Neteyam says softly, offering her a tender smile. "Do you want me to see how the baby is?"
Since her last miscarriage three years ago to now, Neteyam has learned another ability of his. He can see babies inside their mothers. He can connect with them and get a glimpse of them. Depending on how far along they are, he can see some details more clearly than others. Like in the beginning, it's all a lot hazier, but closer to term, he can sometimes see images of them as children, or even adults. Everyone is different, but it's a special skill that Neteyam loves most of all.
And while it drains a lot of his energy, he would definitely do it for her. To at least assuage her fears.
"I would like that," Ronal says softly, delicately. "But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about."
Neteyam nods. "Okay. I'm listening."
She turns beautiful blue eyes, with a touch greener than most other reef Na'vi. Something wholly unique to her. "I would like for you to help me interpret the will of Eywa for the clan. You have a very unique connection with her and see things that I do not. I think it's about time that you assist Tonowari and I in making official decisions. It will be excellent practice for your future."
Neteyam stares into her eyes, shocked. The connection between Tsahik and Olo'eyktan is special. It's not something to be taken lightly, or to get between all willy-nilly. They are a unit. Two minds.
And now they want a third?
"I... I don't know about this," Neteyam says softly, doubt and worry in his voice. "I don't want to mess something up."
"We will both be there, still," Ronal says smoothly. "You will just help us. Tonowari will still be the one to make the final decision, but now he will have both of us there to advise him."
Still unconvinced, Neteyam looks down at the water again, Eywa's seeds having finally left him for the first time today, which is just his luck. Looks like nothing is going to distract him from this conversation. He wants to argue this, still not feeling confident enough in his interpretations of Eywa's will to be advising Tonowari on whether or not they should be swimming on a bright and sunshining day, let alone on matters that actually affect the clan.
As if reading his mind, Ronal says, evenly, "You will be fine. Tonowari and I will both be there. This will be excellent practice for when it is just you and Ao'nung making decisions. Take this opportunity to learn. Make your mistakes now, not when you are alone."
Okay, well, he couldn't very well argue with that logic.
"You... promise to still be there to help me?" Neteyam asks softly.
"Yes," Ronal says, smiling again, still as soft and frail as before.
"And the chief is okay with this?" Neteyam asks, looking toward the older woman.
Ronal nods. "We discussed it together. We both agreed that this would be excellent for all of us." She hesitates, lips parting again, before she stops, considering something. She sucks in a deep breath, warring with herself. Neteyam stays silent, afraid to push her one way or the other. "And," she says slowly, "you would really be helping take a lot of stress off of me."
Well, when she puts it like that, there is no way he would ever refuse that.
"Okay," he says, sounding more confident than he felt. She smiles a touch wider, as if she expected that immediate response. "If this is what you and the chief want, then I will do my best."