~~~Superstes~~~UNDERGOING MAJOR EDITING

Sephora

Neteyam shifted against his mother's gentle embrace and looked up at her. He was no longer attached to the complicated sky-people machines except for an IV and a thick wrapping of bandages around his chest. There wasn't anything they were doing for him other than making feeble attempts to keep him entertained. "I am well, Ma, I promise." 

She clicked her tongue. "It is alright to be weak sometimes--that is why you have parents. I will speak to your father, and maybe you'll be allowed to leave." She planted a kiss on his forehead and soon, she walked back out of the room. 

Neteyam watched her go with wide eyes. His mother was, at times, much more understanding than his father was--but often, Neytiri would go along with what Jake said when it came to their children. However, her children were more important to her than life itself, and he knew even Jake wouldn't stop her from doing what she wanted. Neteyam's relationship with his mother was special--they had a clear awareness of one another, and they cared for each other openly. But nothing could come between Neytiri and her firstborn. 

He grinned. Maybe not even Jake. 

                                                                                          ~~~

The late afternoon was humid, hot, but there was a breeze blowing through the maze of trees and foliage throughout the jungle. His natural born forest-hunting ears rotated at the sound of nature, insects, lemurs, birds, ikrans, and many more animals that created an orchestra of wild music to be heard miles across the forest. 

Above him, he saw thousands upon thousands of trees that created a dome above the Omaticayan territory. He closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of his home, the aroma increasingly pleasant after so many months away at sea. 

Here he stood, his bow slung across his back and his cummerbund strapped around his torso, preparing to hunt in his own forest after being forced to adapt to life at the reef. 

After a few hours of convincing, his ma finally convinced his dad to allow Neteyam to go outside and hang out among the villagers. He talked with many of the clan members, reunited with Grandmother, and messed around for a bit. The Omaticayan people were overjoyed to see their prince after so long, especially after he'd been bed-ridden for weeks. But Dad never specified how far he was allowed to roam, so he took his ikran and flew out to the forest. A bold move for Neteyam, but he could always play the innocent card. But he'd probably just end up taking the punishment like the noble warrior he was--however, that is if he was caught. 

Neteyam settled himself behind a large log and arranged his bow, his eyes focused on the target a couple feet ahead—a hexepede, munching on leaves. 

Just as he was pulling back his arrow, his vision crystal-clear, another arrow from above shot down and stuck itself near the beast's foot, causing it to notice Neteyam and sprint away. Neteyam's ears shot up and his eyes went alert, scanning the perimeter for whoever scared off his prey. He stepped over the log and looked up towards a tree, where he noticed a young girl, looking apprehensive. 

A curious expression bloomed across his face. The girl muttered a "sorry" and began climbing down from the tree, her nails and toes scraping against the bark. Once she was at a safe level, she hopped onto the ground and threw her bow behind her shoulder, her motion graceful and unbothered. 

But when she glanced up, her round eyes widened. "Neteyam?" 

He was taken aback at the girl's knowledge of his name. He analyzed her, looking her up and down. She had wispy lashes that grazed her cheeks, and a full set of plump lips. Her markings were distinct, pretty, and the pattern across her forehead resembled a star. Her long, layered hair was twisted into messy braids that were adorned with colorful feathers and beads. Like any teenage Na'vi would be, she was lanky and thin, but the features that were new for Neteyam to see was her curvy torso and waist.