A true seer | Neteyam

8. The talk

By the time we went back home, just before sunset, the clan was full of cheers and congratulations for our hunt. At least the others helped carry the body. Neytiri, mid learning, was being taught by the usual cooks on how to prepare and spice the dinner.

I stood there, resting on one of the entrances of the community pod, a wooden bowl on one of my hands and the seashell on the other. I was contemplating the Sullys. Neytiri was missing the reunion, of course, being in the kitchen and all, and the kids were in the middle of a playful fight until their father scolded them. From what Tsireya told me, Lo'ak told her that Jake's plan was to lay low, out of all possible drama, but it didn't seem to get through his children's thick skulls. The bare minimum was that they were safe, happiness would come later.

I couldn't wait for the chance to talk to them properly. To know why they were here. But my thoughts didn't linger long enough as a voice talked to me from my right.

"Hey." It was Neteyam.

I made sure to grip my bowl tightly this time, not wanting to drop it and make a scene. I looked at him, "Kaltxì," I said and   gazed at the floor, in a mere attempt to disguise my nervousness.

"I- I, um, how do I say this? I am sorry. I'm not sure if it's my fault or if there is something I did wrong, but I feel like I needed to say it.  When we got here I was so confused as to why everyone was saying things like 'not another one' and 'you better not bring someone who's gonna die', and the Olo'eyktan said things about other forest Na'vi... It wasn't until we saw you sleeping on the mauri next to ours that we understood one part of it. When dad greeted you I- you reminded me of, well, your younger version. But I wasn't sure if it was you, you know? And then dad explained to us your story and I knew it was you and that it wasn't just a feeling I had.

"I was so overwhelmed by my feelings that I forgot for a moment that you said my name earlier. I had thought you didn't remember me. But of course you remember me, or at least what we did, because otherwise you would have already found a mate, because who wouldn't want to mate you, and I honestly have no idea of the science behind mating so I don't know if it would have worked anyway, but I-"

I covered his mouth with my hand before the verbal vomit continued. "For Eywa's sake, you act like a child." I furrowed my brows and so did he. When I backed my hand away he opened his mouth to say something, but I slapped one of his arms. "And, for the record, it should be me who has to apologize. We were kids and I totally abused your ignorance and... innocence on the matter, although I definitely didn't know much, and technically you were the one to suggest it. But it was me who accepted and I shouldn't have, because now I've ruined your chances at mating with someone you love, and having children and all that. I suppose that now that Jake is no longer Olo'eyktan, your mate is not to become Tsahik, but it is still as important as before. And it is totally reasonable if- if you are mad at me and you don't want us to be friends. And-"

He shut me up by putting his hand over my mouth, a wide smile spread in his face, showing his front teeth.

"Now who's acting like a child?" He removed his hand and chuckled.

"I was not!"

"Then neither was I. And, 'for the record' I don't regret it. By far, in my entire life, only you have been my closest friend and more. There is no one better than you that I could have chosen to mate with, especially at six years old! I merely hope you feel the same way." His voice left the funny tone and was replaced by a pinch of fear and worry.

"I," I looked into his eyes, "See you, Neteyam." I placed my hand on his chest, right above his heart.

He peered at my hand and stared back at me with as much intensity as I did. "I See you."

I smiled. He invited me over to where his family was sitting, Neytiri now among them. It had been exactly what I hoped he would ask, but I still refused. His first night should be spent with his family and family only.

Before he let me go and eat with Tsireya, he delicately grabbed my wrist. "Will I see you at your mauri when we return to our pod?"

"Oh, that was not my mauri, is was my mate's. I sleep there from time to time. Tomorrow I'll show you where I live."

It didn't occur to me that I had slipped a piece of information that contradicted half of the things we said earlier. And, without looking at his face, I released my hand from his hold and went and sat down with Tsireya.

I soon started telling her and Rotxo about the hunt, Aonung listening as well, half jealous that he, as a hunter himself, couldn't make it because he was too busy bothering the new forest visitors.

The day ended, finally, letting my mind and body rest from the troublesome events that took over my usual routine. A new stage in my life had begun.

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Author's note:

Here, as promised, today's second chapter. I specially want to thank all of you readers for, as the name says, reading. We finally hit the 1k mark and I couldn't be happier! It is all because of you that this is possible.

I will continue to upload as many chapters daily as I can (at least it is 1 per day).

If that is enough, I'm off to a long nap, because all these nights I have spent writing these chapters I've been sleeping at 3 am! If you have the same sleeping schedule, please remember that it is not the healthiest!

Happy sleep, cheers.