After All

TWO

"I wish I could come with you, but I have to be there for the clan. Plus, I don't even think there'll be any place for me on your ikrans".

"I hope that next time we'll go, even if I don't know when that will be, you'll get to come with us". 

"Me too. I...have something to tell you as well, by the way", she declares, pushing her basket on the side and putting her knife in it after detaching a last shell from the rocks. She turns to face me completely, her eyes gleaming.

"Go on, I'm all ears".

"She takes a deep breath, all while scratching the tip of her ear, something she does when she's nervous".

"I...mated before Eywa", Euevam announces, with a shy smile.

I put down my knife too, and grab her hands.

"That's amazing, Ev'! Who is this lucky person you mated with?"

"Alua, a hunter. He's my age. I also must tell you that you're the first person I'm telling it to", she reveals, looking away.

"You didn't even tell your parents?"

"No...not yet. Well, in fact, they don't know that we are more than friends. Nobody knows, apart from you and 'Inaeng"

"I'm really happy you found love, but you must tell them", I say, tilting my head and slightly raising my eyebrows.

"Don't worry, I will. Well, either way, they'll know", she adds with a chuckle, laying a hand on the bottom of her stomach. 

I gasp with joy.

"You...?"

"Yes, I'm most likely going to be a mother. And you'll be an aunt, Lei'wan!"

I cover my mouth with two fingers, trying to process all this new information.

"Woah, this is amazing, Ev'! I know you'll be a wonderful mother

"Irayo, ma Lei'wan", my cousin thanks me, a hand on her heart. Also, tell your brother I give him all my support for his last step of Iknimaya. Eywa is with him".

"I appreciate it, thank you, I'll tell him".

Euevam looks at the sun and at the tide, beyond the reef walls, and then turns her gaze back to me.

"Maybe it is time for you to go meet him. The sun is going to be right above us soon".

"You're right. I'll see you later, then".

"See you, my sister".

I grab my basket, secure it between my arm and my torso, call Ikxini and ride back to our marui.

When I enter our home, I find Tse'hay sitting on the edge of the marui, his feet dangling in the water, looking in the void. He lightly jumps when I sit next to him and put a comforting arm around him, but he then unwinds at my touch, and rests his head on my shoulder. It's as if I can feel and hear all his thoughts rushing in his nervous and tormented mind. I don't need him to speak to understand what is going on.

"Try to relax, baby brother. Everything will be perfect. You will be perfect."

"But what if I fail? And what if I can't stand the pain of the tattoos?"

"You won't fail, I can assure you. And don't forget I'm the one who will tattoo you. I'll be gentle and make sure to give you breaks as soon as you need them. You're in good hands. You can trust me".

"I know I can trust you but..."

"Shh", I cut him off, pulling him closer. "Stop the flow of your unceasing thoughts. Eywa is with you, always. Our Great Mother is in you and you are in Her", I add, placing a hand on his heart.