without question, neteyam sully

chapter one

The women of the Ayuke family weaved their way through the crowd of the Metkayina clan. Hushed murmurs spoke of foreign na'vi, with skin bluer than the reefs that contrasted to their own. Mekanei's ears twitched in interest as the girl tried to peek over the crowd to get a glance in.

"I must speak to our Tsahik, stay close and don't do anything stupid. I beg of you, Mekanei." Ali'imalu pleaded before becoming one with the crowd. It was pointless to think the girl would even listen. At this point her middle name could've been 'stupid'. The girl thought of her options - stay near her mother and observe the situation from afar or seek out Ao'nung where she was sure to get answers. Of course she had to go with the latter.

Mekanei took off through the crowd, eyes darting in every direction to spot a certain man bun among the various heads present. All hope was starting to seem lost until a familiar hand gripped her own, tugging the girl to the center of the crowd. Ao'nung lead the pair right towards the forest na'vi, passing right by them with a lack of interest in regards to their greetings.

Mekanei took this chance to study the na'vi that the crowd had encased. The whispers told the truth about their features, how their skin was bluer like the night sky and how their eyes were like orbs of embers. The girl couldn't help but stare in admiration. She had finally seen other na'vi, ones that didn't live like her own and had different features to suit their habitat. Thin tails with tufts at the end swung nervously behind them, accompanied by flatter ribcages and limbs that lacked the inclusion of fins. It was astonishing how different na'vi were depending on their environments.

On behalf of Ao'nung, who's respect was hard to gain by many, Mekanei proceeded to greet the pair of brothers who had been ignored. The eldest boy's face seemed to light up at the gesture, flashing the Metkayina girl a toothy grin. She sent him her own soft smile in response but that had caused the grip on her hand to tighten. A warning squeeze. Mekanei's expression faltered, furrowed brows trying to assess Ao'nung who didn't bother looking in her direction.

However before Mekanei could question her best-friend on his actions, the crowd had parted to reveal their Olo'eyktan and Tsahik followed closely by Ali'imalu. A wave of silence washed over the audience at the appearance of their leaders. Tonowari's eyes seemed to flicker in familiarity at the foreign family.

"Why do you come to us, Jake Sully?" Tonowari questioned, clearly not expecting the man to appear at their village. The name sparked something in Mekanei's mind, her eyes widening in recognition. She spared a glance at her mother who was already looking right at her, the two sharing a look of confirmation. It was Jake Sully, the infamous Toruk Makto among the forest people.

The girl had learnt so much about him when she was younger. Her parents had the pleasure of meeting him before much like Tonowari. Mekanei was always told tales from her father about the great power and respect the Toruk Makto's of the forest dwellers had. How they were the chosen ones, but more importantly how Jake Sully was not one of their people but managed to claim that title while becoming one.

The man in questioned surveyed the ones around him, before focusing on Tonowari with open arms. Desperation was present on his features as much as he tried to hide it. "We seek uturu."

Ao'nung scoffed under his breath from beside the girl, the crowd around them resuming their hushed whispers at the news. Ronal tried taking in their words, disbelief and distrust firing within her. "Uturu?" The Tsahik uttered, casting a look to her husband.

"Yes," The former Toruk Makto spoke, "Sanctuary for my family."

The leaders of the Metkayina clan gazed into each-others eyes, forming words through just a single look that everyone around them couldn't understand. But one thing for certain was the unsureness that radiated off the pair. It was a risk for the clan to accept new people, especially the family ahead of them, in more ways than one.