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𝓳𝓮𝓵𝓸𝓾𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝔂
...

the sun burned brighter and hotter than ever in the sky. almost like it was showing off all the power it had over the na'vi—even the metkayina had to stop and take breaks every once and a while, and they were supposed to be used to this weather.

of course, to neteyam it was like hell on earth. he could barely sit up without feeling dizzy. he tried to chop it up to his hard work the previous days and the late nights he spent out, it was probably that and he still wasn't used to the weather either. he couldn't imagine how his siblings took this heat.

he dragged his feet across the sand, the small pebbles poked and nudged their way in his feet more than usual. he wasn't usually this irritated, in fact his feet on the sand was usually relaxing to him, like a massage—now it made his ears blow imaginary smoke.

the dark blue na'vi walked along side his sister, kiri. her hair never quite tamed due to the water and her salty attitude made it easy to pick her out from a crowd, of course it was easier now due to the fact they were a completely different breed of na'vi, but the point was already made. 

she held a medium sized basket filled with what neteyam could only guess was herbs or fruits, but he was too lazy to glance over to check his theories, let alone think in this heat.

kiri rambled on and on about something neteyam could only half listen to, toning in and out of the conversation to make small 'mhm's.

he couldn't quite grasp why she was able to talk her mouth off right now, or even find the air in her lungs to do so. he could barely get out a word or two before having to take in another huge gulp of dry air.

but this na'vi was his sister, so he put up with her story, leaving no room for complaints.

his eyes darted around his surroundings, the atmosphere looked like a mirage of waves, the kind you'd see behind a fire or if you look far enough to the edge of the sea.

the forest na'vi took note of the metkayinas' statue: they stood tall, but not confident. even the heat had gotten to them, although it didn't show nearly as much. to the sea people, it was just like a hotter day than usual.

as the two siblings stepped up onto the woven platforms, these being non-bouncing to his delight, neteyam's ears shot up to an all too familiar voice.

his ears twitched and turned, pinpointing where exactly it was coming from—his senses suddenly going back to normal, if not more complexed, despite the wrenching waves of sun. the forest na'vi's signature orange eyes shot to his left, and his pupils enhanced when he found his target: ao'nung.

neteyam inspected his every move, the metkayina looked annoyed: his eyes constantly rolling, shoulders slumping, speckles of sweat dripped down his neck to his collar bone.

why was he so irritated?

the wondering eyes found themselves to the source of the metkayina's distress: a petite, perfect bodied, girl. her arms clung to one of ao'nung's, like she wanted to drag him somewhere.

she wore just enough jewelry—from the necklaces around her neck, arms, and even ankles. her loincloth was teal-ish, with a few white pearls. but her eyes. those pretty blue eyes. they hadn't left the sight of ao'nung, who was clearly upset.

doesn't she understand? he doesn't want to be around you.

neteyam almost let his lip curl, but he quickly controlled his anger. no one knew about his relations with the heir, and now wasn't the time to get all protective. so he lifted his shoulders up confidently and turned his gaze away, although his ears still pricked with dissatisfaction—hearing the girl's attempts at getting ao'nung's satisfaction began to make his blood curl.

kiri, who was oblivious to the whole scene, kept on rambling, only to be cut off by her brothers rushed tone.

' ' hey, kiri? ' '

she directed her attention over to her brother, who appeared absolutely fine, maybe a little harsher than usual, but that was probably the heat. she'd also assume his rushed tone was the fact she'd hadn't shut up about her story, maybe it was getting too boring?

' '  what's up? ' '

she adjusted the basket of fruits she was carrying, half her attention on her older brother, the other half on where she was going—being extra careful not to bump into anyone, as her feet were clumsier than usual from the extreme temperatures.

' ' uh.. i have a hypothetical question. ' '

he mumbled, as if cautious anyone would hear. kiri only let out a chuckle though, neteyam never usually asked her questions, it was usually the opposite.

' ' go on.. ' '

she trailed, encouraging him to continue expressing his train of thought.

' ' what if you were, er, in a romantic relationship with someone and.. uh, um.. ' '

' '  spit it out.. ' '

kiri was interested to see where this sudden hypothetical question was leading.

' ' what if you saw another na'vi interested in them, and you didn't, like, fully trust them. ' '

he finally breathed out after a huge gulp of air. of course neteyam had full trust in ao'nung at the moment, but it wasn't out of the question that he'd lead someone on just to cover his and the forest na'vi's relationship.

neteyam wasn't really sure how he'd deal with that, or how'd he feel if it got to that point, but he wouldn't spill too much to kiri in case she'd caught on.

but, luckily, she trusted her big bro.

' '  i don't know, confront them? why are you asking me? ' '

she added with amusement, but kiri was the best bet out of all the sully children.

' ' it was just bugging me, that's all. ' '

kiri just tilted her head and nodded, weird. maybe he was into someone at last? but, that was so unlike her brother, he always put work
before relationships—he was a hardcore workaholic. it would, though, be a miracle if he finally found someone.

neteyam, on the other hand, was beyond relieved that his sister hadn't asked any questions. although fire still coursed through his veins, he'd come to a final decision: he'd confront ao'nung about it later, maybe she was some love struck, jealous metkayina with a power kink. gross.
                                             ...

1078 words!!
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