Ma Neteyam

22

In unison, they took a step forward, ready to greet one another. " Nete-"

Suddenly, a strong set of arms grabbed a tight hold of her from behind. She looked back to see it was her Uncle, his face portraying a look of distress.

She looked back at Neteyam to see a girl beside him, one hand on his stomach as if to stop him from continuing on.

No, she needs to get to him. She desperately struggled to get out of Tonowari's hold, but it was impossible. She squirmed and kicked and screeched like a wild creature, not caring of what people thought of her, yet nothing was going to get her free.

" Neteyam!" she cried one final time before her Uncle dragged her away.

" No no no please I have to see him, I have to hear him tell me he's alright." she begged her Uncle as he took her to a secluded spot.

When he finally set her down, he still held a tight grip on her shoulders and bent down so he was at eye level, " Vareya, you need to calm down! Why wouldn't he be alright?" he asked desperately.

Now that it was just them two, she couldn't help but break down into a sob as her cracked voice attempted to explain what she felt to the only person that might actually understand her.

" I-I saw it. I saw it headed this way and I saw it land. I couldn't help it, it brought back so many unbearable memories and I lost it and I couldn't think. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry but I need to see him, I need to make sure he's alright. They were here to kill him-"

"Vareya, yawntutsyìp, listen to me." he spoke quietly in contrast to her, attempting to calm her down, " One of their daughters fell ill, they called for help, it's not an attack. Your fine, they're fine, we're all fine."

The truth and reality struck her like an arrow to her heart, her legs buckled and she collapsed. Before she could hit the ground, Tonowari caught her.

If possible, he held on even tighter than before. So there they stayed, an Uncle comforting his niece as she cried out in pain.

______

Neteyam couldn't believe his eyes. There she was, Vareya. In the village, with the entire clans eyes on her. He felt his heart drop for the second time that day when he saw how broken she looked.

The first thing that came to mind was that Lengö and his group had finally come back for revenge, but then that didn't sound right. He witnessed firsthand how Vareya handled that situation. It was made clear that it's happened several times before and that it's never sent her running wildly looking for Neteyam.

And the emotions that surged through him when they made eye contact, the silent conversation and understanding they had. Something had happened. Something big and something bad.

And while Neteyam doesn't know what, he could tell by her wide bloodshot eyes and trembling body that she needed him. She had gone there looking for him.

That thought alone warmed yet shattered his heart into a million pieces, especially when he saw the Chief of the Metkayinas, Vareyas Uncle, restrict her from doing so.

That made her go something close to feral. He's never witnessed anyone act like that before. She squirmed and kicked and yelled at Tonowari to release her as all eyes were on the fighting pair.

Neteyam took another step forward, ready to be at Vareyas side and listen to her if she wanted to talk. He was ready to risk everything his family had done to gain respect from the Metkayinas for her.

Ready to make his lie of how close their 'relationship' truly was evident.

For his friend. For the outcast. For Vareya. For the Na'vi that is holding the other side of the invisible string that bonded them together. It was a leap, a big one, but he was willing to do it.