~~~Superstes~~~UNDERGOING MAJOR EDITING

Washed up

                                                                                         ~~~ 

The next day Lo'ak and his friends wanted to take Fey'atsi to the cove of the ancestors. Tsireya was wanting to give her a tour of the village, the reef, and the deep, wide endless blue oceans that surrounded the Metkiyana people. He told Neteyam to ask if she wanted to go, and she said yes. Tsireya had bounced up and down in joy. He believed the reef girl was overjoyed to have more girlfriends to hang out with other than Aonung and his posse. 

Payakan was more than happy to give the group a ride, but the only thing delaying their short journey was Dad and Neteyam's arguing. Lo'ak, based off what he heard, would say it was a one-sided argument and Neteyam didn't get much say in the decision anyway. Lo'ak stood outside the pod's entrance along with Feya, listening to the conversation and waiting for a result. Occasionally, they two teens would glance at each other as if to say are you hearing this?

"I think it'd be wise for you to stay here." 

"Dad, I can still do things. I won't even be alone!" 

"I don't care. That doesn't hinder the fact that something might happen." 

"Nothing will happen!"

"May I remind you what happened a few weeks ago? You can't even get stitches wet, Neteyam! You're still bandaged up, and you think this is a nice time to go 40 feet deep in the ocean?" 

Lo'ak heard silence, and after a few moments, he heard a quieter, but sterner voice. 

"I don't know what's gotten into you recently, but you better cut it out right now, or you're in for a world of hurt." It was his father.

Even though Lo'ak wasn't the one being lectured for once, that certain tone sent shivers down his spine because he knew Jake was serious. 

Feya set her lips into a line, "I think that's a no. It's okay, we can go another time." 

Lo'ak nodded in agreement. "We'll let the others know. But...I don't think Neteyam will like it if we stay just because he can't come."

Ahead of them Lo'ak noticed Tsireya and Aonung walking down the network of weaved pathways, waving to the Metkiyana that resided in their pods. He shifted on his feet a bit, feeling a rush of excitement at the sight of Tsireya. Even after all these months, he still felt somewhat nervous around her. He and Feya began to walk towards the Metkiyana siblings. 

They met in the middle of the pathways, "Lo'ak," Tsireya greeted, "what is wrong?" 

"I don't think we can go to the cove today, Neteyam's not allowed." The fourteen-year-old informed. Behind her, Aonung stepped up, a confused look on his face. "I thought he was better?" 

"No, you skxawng. He just had his lung removed. He can't hardly do anything right now."

"He doesn't have lungs?! How does he breathe?!"

Lo'ak blinked. "Holy crap, I'm not that smart, but when I talk to you, I feel like the smartest person alive! People have two lungs, you know!" 

Aonung cocked his head, processing the younger boy's statement. 

Lo'ak ignored him and turned back to Tsireya. "Yeah, anyway, I don't think we should go without him, but he might get upset if we don't go. He's like that sometimes."

Tsireya smiled, "Well, that is alright. We'll wait on him. Fey'atsi , might we show you some other things here in the village?" 

Feya nodded warmly. "Of course."