AVATAR TWOW: Torn between the 2

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Special: PT 3

"YOU ARE AN IDIOT," Kiri huffs beating the back of Rotxo's head with vex.

Both of their heads hover over the crystallized water, scanning the ocean life beneath with grandeur. The boy grins sheepishly and follows his eyes up and down Kiri's dripping slender frame. He pinches her waist; all too rapidly. It leaves Kiri to wince and his fingertips to sear.

"You're a dork," Kiri says to him, grinning a bit as she cups her slight-aching side.

"What's a dork?" Rotxo asks her.

"It's a slang term for penis—"

Rotxo cuts her off with a splash of water. Cold droplets caress the woman's jovial and impish face. He laughs as she too, laughs—her head is flung back and her airy giggles rumble through the salt-filled air.

"Oh yeah?" Rotxo's voice fades.

His eyes gawk at her silhouette; so beautifully shifting with elegance. Everything lithe about her, everything swift about her—he loves it all. Her straight hair sways with the breeze and some locks cling to her face. She occasionally grabs strands away from her eyes and mouth and looks at Rotxo with those endearing eyes; so soft and gilded. It almost urges the boy to turn away.

He sinks in the water; flaunts his muscular limbs and paddles as he floats, his eyes peering at Kiri with enamor. "You ever been to Seawall Terrace at night? It's a beautiful view," he tells her.

"Seawall terrace?" Kiri asks, slumping next to Rotxo.

She pivots as the water tickles her chin; so warm that her insides twirl with glee. She waddles closer to Rotxo—their bodies merely a few inches apart.

"I've heard about it. Just never been to it," she says.

"I'll take you there one day."

Kiri laughs. "One day?"

Rotxo nods. "There are so many things Awa'atlu has to offer. I want to show them all to you. Especially at night."

"Don't be mushy, Rot," Kiri deadpans, whacking the boy's hefty chest.

His chest is cold; dribbling with droplets of water. It heaves up and down and fast as the flare in his chest expands, seizing more air.

"I'll take you today," Rotxo declares.

His face is grave as he gapes profoundly into the golden sea of Kiri's, whose smile falters, and glances away timidly.

"Alright, I'll meet you at your grandmother's," she says looking ahead at the horizon of blues.

Rotxo grins. His heart is thumping enormously. "Grandma has missed you. She asked for you yesterday, hoping you'd come for breakfast. She even saved you some savory fish," he says.

"Tell her I'll come today, afternoon," Kiri beams tenderly.

_________________

"Uh-uh, where is my baby girl heading to? It's almost dinner time," Jake says, crossing his arms.

Kiri sighs. "I'm going to Rotxo's grandmother. He wants to show me something and then I'll come back as quickly, I promise, Dad."

Jake pursues his lips and trades glimpses with Neytiri, who flicks her head to the side, approvingly.

"Alright," he says. "But don't be out too late. I want you here before the full eclipse. Tell Rotxo I said hi."

"I will," Kiri nods, her tail swinging with frenzy.

"Look who's going on a date," Lo'ak taunters, nudging Neteyam's ribs, whose fingers are diligently working to pull a string through his polished-iridescent rock.

"Have fun," Neteyam says with a fervent smile, but his eyes never rend away from his craft, even as he adds blue and orange beads and a couple of white torn shells.

"Is that the gem Ao'nung gave you? It's so bright," Kiri says. "The bracelet is coming out nice."

Neteyam grins and hums but doesn't say anything. Frankly, he doesn't have to as Kiri knows that he took the compliment.

"All Metkayinas got my kids in love," Jake cracks up with jest.

"They certainly have a type," Neytiri chimes, resting a hand on her mate's buff pecs.

"Not me! I want an Omatikaya," Tuktirey chirps.

"Alright, alright!" Kiri laughs. "I'll be going now."

As her family unisons "bye" and wishes her to have fun—Kiri paces out of the Marui and into the cold night. The ocean roars up ahead. She walks that way; the mild sand crinkling beneath her feet and warming between her toes.

The Maruis are lit like lanterns, bundles of fires searing within.

"Kiri, you're here!" Rotxo's grandmother, Nuva croons. She engulfs the lithe woman in her cozy arms. "We've missed you," she adds.

Rotxo appears out of a corner and offers Kiri a smile. "Glad you came," he tells her.

For the first time in her life, Kiri's heart slams. It flutters and sprouts like buds. As Rotxo walks to her, Kiri nearly wants to back away, but she doesn't.

"We'll be leaving now!" he says, before grabbing Kiri's wrist and hauling her away to the Seawall Terrace. That night is bright. Quiet and intimate.

They ride on their respective Ilus and converse from time to time. But more often, they are silent, fighting their thumping ears and hectic rhythms of breaths.

"This is it," Rotxo shouts amidst the roaring tides that splash up against the carved tree.

He takes Kiri's hand for the second time that day and leads her up to the branches—where they both sit. Kiri's mouth can't help but gape. She is astonished by the placid view and canvas of purple and indigo blues. That night, she lets her head rest upon Rotxo's shoulder with a pleasant grin, as her ears drown with the forceful crash of waves.

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