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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍
𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐋
after a few long weeks of intense training, jake had deemed talia qualified for her first hunt to move on in the ritual. this solidified the reality the girl so desperately wanted.
he had studied everything he entrusted in his children to teach the avatar girl, even down to her bow stance. which, luckily for her, both brothers were more than happy to practice with her. multiple times.
though because neytiri was the best hunter in the family, they decided it'd be best if she was the overseer for the first clean hunt. this made talia nervous, having to perform and succeed under such a triumphant warrior.
so here talia was, sitting with neteyam as he helped do some light painting in preparation for the hunt. he sat before her with orange paint, dipping his three slender fingers in the liquid before tracing simple lines on her face. talia kept her eyes trained on his, watching the way his face became focused yet held a certain tenderness to it.
"are you nervous?" he asked as he dipped his fingers back into the paint, the question genuine as he wanted to soothe any unsettling feelings residing in her.
she took a deep breath and shook her head. "i am, but more excited. i want to do this, i want to become one of the people."
neteyam smiled at her statement, glad to hear her mood lifted after their talk last night. "you'll do good, tal. i too can't wait for you to become omaticaya, that's when we will celebrate."
as he continued painting, she tried not to smile to avoid ruining his work. "and what kind of celebration are we talking about?"
"dancing, singing, drinking and.." he trailed, hoping the girl didn't hear his cut-off.
but she did. "and what?"
now he returned the eye contact she'd been longing for, their tension immediate. "many will ask to court you. i've already seen the way the guys in our clan look at you, you will have no problem choosing a promising mate."
talia blinked as she processed what he said, she would be able to choose and accept a courtship from another clan member. though she couldn't say anything about any of the other males in the clan, she did know of two boys she had her eye on already.
"and if i can't choose?" talia thought back to lo'ak and how she wouldn't be able to pick between him or neteyam. she didn't want to end up making a decision she would regret and he stuck with it forever.
"you may accept several courtships, i suppose. it is rare, but not frowned upon. do you- do you know who you're choosing already?" he couldn't help but ask, a slight nervousness laced in his voice from the thought that he's only imagined their mutual attraction and that she will pick someone else.
