Invisible String - Jake Sully

11

"They'd be proud of you too, sister," Tawn said quietly, "I'm proud of you, and you will always be my role model," she confessed.

Ronal sniffed and blinked her tears away, "are you sucking up to me because you don't want me messing up your hair?" she joked.

Tawn nodded, laughing along with her sister.

When they were children, Ronal had a phase of hating Tawn. Having a five years age gap, Ronal didn't like to share her parents' attention with baby Tawn'kiri. She often had a brawl with their parents, accusing them of loving the baby more than her. Back then, she never understood why her parents doted on the baby so much, not until she had her baby. When Tsireya was born, Aonung took after her jealousy, but she didn't fail to express her love to her oldest son, so he didn't feel left out.

Growing up together was also hard for Ronal since she hated when Tawn followed her around like a lost puppy, wanting to fit in with her friends. At one point, Ronal remembered pushing her down the ocean because she was following her and her best friend around, resulting in her being grounded and screamed at by their parents.

As they got older, though, Ronal began to tolerate Tawn. The little girl was so happy when her big sister invited her to meet her mate that she cried that night because, despite being her bully during her early years, Tawn looked up to his sister. She loved her sister so much that she wouldn't stop gaining her affection, even though it may seem annoying to Ronal.

"Now look at this," Ronal smiled, giving her a mirror.

She looked at the half updo that Ronal did on her hair. She also added some hair accessories here and there, making her look ethereal, "I love it so much! Thank you!"

They finished just in time for Tsireya's voice telling the village that their spirit brothers and sisters had arrived.

Both sisters walked out. Tawn listened to the trumpets symbolising their welcomed arrival.

"Roa finally has her calf, and I cannot wait to meet the little cub," Ronal grinned excitedly at her sister before walking towards the shore.

Tawn smiled, following her sister, "Say my congratulations to Roa for me, would you?" She stopped in her tracks.

"Will do. See you soon Tawnie," Ronal waved before diving down and riding her ilu.

She remembered her promise to Pxango's uncle and wasn't one to bail out; no matter how tempting that may sound, she always kept her promises.

"Tawn?" she turned around and locked her eyes with the familiar orange-coloured eyes.

"Jake, hello!" Tawn smiled, looking down at her toes, her cheeks warming up as last night's event entered her brain.

Tawn didn't hear any greeting from Jake, so she looked up at him only to find Jake looked so enthralled, his pupils dilated, and his mouth was agape.

"Are you okay, Jake?" Tawn asked, concern for the man.

Jake blinked his eyes multiple times before saying, "I'm fine, but Tawn, you look other-worldly," he said, complimenting her.

Tawn felt her cheeks warm at his compliment, "thank you, Jake," she said bashfully, "you look good too."

Jake chuckled at her shyness, "are you here to see the Tulkun, Jake?" she asked.

Jake nodded, "yea, but then I saw you here alone, so I thought, why not accompany you here," he shrugged nonchalantly. "so where's your date?"

"here, actually," another voice interrupted them.

"Good morning Zovi," Tawn greeted, stepping away from Jake a little bit, "are you ready to go?"