strong - neteyam x oc

tree

"Her condition- how Kiri is doing," He reiterated. 

"Why are they here?" Her arm was now wrapped around his arm, cautiously speaking so the sky-people could not hear her.

Neteyam could feel her breath on his neck as her chin settled on his shoulder, "They are good friends of my father. He says they are called scientists, or doctors."

"What are those?"

"They observe things, and help heal us." Kireyi hadn't paid attention as he turned his head to look at her, she could only watch the sky-people.

"Like.... Tsahik?" Neteyam hummed at her response, and her face grew frustrated, "Yet why could they not help Kiri? They do not seem like true Tsahik- my mother will surely do better."

Her brows furrowed more as he chuckled, "You're right, they could never compare."

She hummed, tilting her head in more confusion, it tapped the bottom of Neteyam's ear, "What is wrong with that one's clothes?" Her free hand discreetly pointed to the man. 

He softly smiled realizing she was talking about Norm, an Avatar/sky-person, "That is Norm, he is a mix like my family, but he wears sky-people clothing."

"Hmm.... why? It seems so- constricting."

"I don't know either to be honest." This time Kireyi chuckled, continuing to ask more questions about the foreign people.

A faint shout was heard from the pod, it was Tuk calling out to her sister. Everyone excluding the sky people had rushed in, Neteyam took Kireyi into the pod with him. As much as the girl wanted to stay, her mother looked faint from treating Kiri. Kireyi made way to her mother helping her up, "Come mother, let's go back to our pod so you can rest."

She got up, and Kireyi rested her mother's arm around her shoulder, the other arm holding all of the medications. The two silently left, leaving the family privacy, "What happened to the girl?" 

Kireyi looked up to her mother, "I'm not sure.... she was convulsing and shaking, Rotxo was with her the whole time."

"Hm.... bring him to me tomorrow, I've never seen this before." The older woman was clearly bothered.

Knowing not to ask for now, Kireyi simply agreed, "Alright. I'll make you tea when we get home, to help your body calm."

Her mother's hand tightened around her shoulder, "Thank you my girl."

After caring for her mother, Kireyi was sent with herbs to give to the Omatikaya family, to help their young girl. Despite everything that had happened, Kireyi still had her flower in her hair, and Tsireya didn't miss a beat when pointing it out. With a small huff, the older sister walked away; she after bringing the herbs, she wanted to return to the cave and take some time for herself. It seemed like things weren't going so well for everyone, and she didn't know how to help; it made her feel guilty. 

She coyly turned the corner, peaking in. They must've heard her as most of the family's attention turned to her, taking her aback. Clearing her throat she held out the small basket, "My mother collected some herbs, you may use them in food or teas. It will help Kiri...." 

Their mother got up to take the basket, "Thank you, you have done so much for us," A hand brushed her shoulder in endearment and Kireyi could feel herself turn warm. 

"It really is no problem, I must return to my family again."

Neytiri nodded to the girl and she escaped to leave to the forest. She was quick to advance, as she knew she wouldn't have forever to be out wondering. It was night out, the air kissing the leaves with a soft breeze. They rustled and shifted in the wind, creating what sounded like a soft melody throughout the forest. The leaves glowed around the girl, and the ground lit up with every step. As she began deeper into the forest, she heard a twig snap behind her, her ears twitched, and she didn't need to turn to know who it was.

"You're following me." She told the boy.

"Yes, it seems I am," He chuckled and caught up to her, "This doesn't seem like your family...."

Kireyi turned to look at him, eyes squinting, "Maybe it is...."

"Hm...." He stepped closer, eyes on her hair, "You still have the flower?"

With a swift motion, she took the flower from her hair, hiding it behind her back, "No."

He chuckled, circling around her and taking the flower back, "Then what's this?"

"Hey!" She reached for it, but he held his hand up stepping away from her; with a huff of air, she turned her head from him. She could feel him moving closer to her. She didn't move. Her skin tingled as his hand approached the side of her face; once he placed the flower back in her hair, he spoke.

"It fits you well, no need to hide it."

This far in, although the two were always meeting eyes, it still felt like the first time with every occurrence. He was gentle with her, and she'd be lying if she said she hadn't realized it. Even as the sky-people came, he merely let her hide behind him, not judging her. Turning her back to the boy, she walked away expecting him to stay, but he didn't. Neteyam followed after her, even as she decided to escape to the Marui Pods. Not even getting to go to the cave, she hadn't been upset, just flustered. Kireyi sighed, she had seemed to be flustered often lately. Trailing her path to her family's pod, he shouted to her.

"Goodnight Kireyi." With a pause in her step, she couldn't stop herself from looking back; it was a faint nod before she ran to her Pod, disappearing from the boy.