"Happy birthday!!" Norm sprung into the lab, bringing in a plate of ration cake pieces stacked on top of each other. Everyone followed behind Norm & they were immediately let down by the sight.
After a night of Neteyam teasing me with his flirty stares & occasionally using his tail to pull me closer to him, he wrapped me up in a blanket when i passed out. My face buried in Neteyam's chest & nestled in his arms like a baby by the morning. He is twice my size, so i felt extra protected by his large hands.
Neteyam hissed at the sound of the door slamming open, his dagger already out & ready to launch at the 'intruder.' I felt his body tensed up & i woke up immediately, shushing him down.
"Thank you guys.. you didn't have to do that" i said, rubbing my eyes & turning to meet everyone as Neteyam loosened his grip.
I slowly got up to blow the invisible candles & everyone clapped merrily, "someone is 19 now! so that means no more curfew, not that you had one" Norm scoffed, trying to joke it out in his usual manner. Lo'ak would probably be jealous of his words if he was here right now.
Then Neteyam lifted me up, giving me a small spin. "Happy birthday my sweet girl!!" he says excitedly, followed by a appropriate kiss on the forehead as Papa bear Norm is still present in the room.
I gave Neteyam a kiss on the cheek anyways before he breathed into his mask for air.
"I've heard about these birthdays, my dad would tell us that the sky people use a cal- lender? to remember the dates!" he said tilting his head to the mispronounced word. My heart exploded over hearing Neteyam's cute stutter at the english word.
Norm had a little tear rolled down his cheek, slowly getting all emotional "my daughter is all grown up now! I can only sit back & watch her soar" he said as Carla placed her palms on his shoulders to comfort him.
An idea struck Neteyam & he turned to both Norm & Carla, "keep her busy! i'll be right back!" he huffs as he quickly grabs his bow, rushing out of the facility.
"You know, I wouldn't be surprise if he just got up & left one day" i said gripping on Norm's sleeve as i watched Neteyam disappear into the forest enthusiastically with his cloth bag & bow.
"& leave his girl behind? over my dead body! besides, theres 2 of you in here which is extra terrifying to him. He's gonna go all crazy with the dagger" Norm comically imitating Neteyam's hiss, then throwing his wrists in the air & walking back to his desk.
But it got me thinking. I never made a birthday wish yet & i still got a few hours, maybe its time to re-think about what i want.
I looked over to Norm, Carla, Dr Patel & the Pilot. Humans like me, but on Pandora; an easy target for the rogue hunters & the wild. Maybe, permanently transferring my conscious into my avatar's body. I could protect them if i did this, if i practiced my skills more & be Neteyam's forever mate.
Glancing at my avatar's body made me rethink my entire life's decision. It will be easier wont it? Im physically stronger & i heal faster, apparently im good with the bow too.
But what about my research? my book? will i ever go back to earth? god i need a damn sign!
Suddenly- Neteyam's ikran shrieked right outside of the facility, everyone hunched down to slowly take a peek outside & Toruk Makto landed. Norm sighed in relief & grabbed a mask to head out, "Dude! every sound i hear just spikes up my blood pressure!" he shouts out to Mr Sully.
Norm helped Mr Sully as he limped into the facility to greet us, "Hey guys-" he pauses to scan the room.
"Where is my s-" as we heard footsteps trailing behind.
"Dad? dad!!" Neteyam cuts his dad off to hug him from the back in excitement like a little boy. Mr Sully chuckles & reaches out to hold his son, finally the father & son reunites.
As Neteyam meets my gaze with a soft smile, his dad caressed his braids before going on a serious note with him. "Dad, there is something you need to know" Neteyam addresses as Dr Patel hands Mr Sully a mask.
He brings his dad into the surgical lab, showing him my avatar's stitched up back & explained what happened at the forest mountains as the rest of us stood outside to watch. Mr Sully placed his palm on Neteyam's head as a sign of admiration,
"you did good my son, you protected her" he acknowledges.
I was nervous to to announce my decision & its worse now that Mr Sully is here. But i pulled everyone into the room as soon as the father & son wrapped up their conversation,
"I- i have something to.. say. I know what i want for my birthday- " i choked as i saw Neteyam grip his cloth bag.
I faced down to take in a deep breath before speaking up again, "I love being a Na'Vi.. I love Neteyam & his family. I want that forever, but please don't think that im leaving you guys for good!" i turned to face my guardian first.
Norm slowly walked towards me, cupping his hands on my cheeks dearly. "I saw this coming the minute you volunteered yourself, i just didn't know when.." he said shrugging his shoulders & forcing out a smile.
"But i know- ..that you're a strong girl Violet Pierce, & i just- want my little girl to be happy. Thats all i ever want for you" Norm's voice quavering as he crossed his arms, tears already rolling down his cheeks. The rest of the crew smiled at me, weepy over Norm's words.
I turned to face Neteyam & his dad next,
"..do you think i should do this?" i asked them nervously.
Mr Sully smiled, "I followed my heart. & if your heart calls out to my son & to the people, by all means go after it."
Neteyam blushed & hides his face at his father's response, proceeding to take out a large handmade beaded neck piece with dried flowers beautifully sewn in from his cloth bag. Then a smaller version of that to fit my human neck.
"I love you regardless & i will support your decision Ma'Vi, your happiness is what matters to all of us. To me." he says dearly, gently wiping my tear stained cheek with his thumb.
- -
Mr Sully unraveled to us on how Neytiri managed to fight off half of the rogue hunters, while Lauako & the rest of them cleared out to the skies. He evacuated the elders & children to the Tree of souls for safety. It took them days to observe & learn about their motives, but Mr Sully underlined the fact that Xenía was nowhere to be found.
Thank Eywa that Neteyam's parents are one of the greatest fighters, because we would've been slaughtered that morning. By the end of it, Neytiri instructed him to find us & he figured we would already be here by now.
"We don't know where she is but now confirming that the rogue hunters are eliminated, its safe to head back to Hometree. What do you think?" Mr Sully turned to face me.
I nodded my head with a nervous smile & glanced at my avatar. if i go through with this, theres no going back. I can still work on my research if i wanted to, i just need a bigger pen & paper.. But, i rather live in this.
Norm walks over to me, putting his forehead against mine, "Know that you are in good hands & im always gonna be around. I see you daughter." he says at the brink of tears again.
"i see you, dad" i replied, feeling a sting in my heart.
*ೃ༄
Neteyam leaded us back home with his ikran; Norm, Carla & Dr Patel along with the pilot, followed behind in the battered helicopter for my birthday ceremony at the Tree of Souls.
As we landed, sounds of rushed footsteps emerged from the forest. "Neteyam! Vi! You're back!" little Tuk jumps out of Lo'ak's arms & into Neteyam.
Kiri & Neytiri ran in to hug me next, crashing me onto the ground & i was suffocating even with my mask. Norm crossed him arms & chuckled at the sight of my new family welcoming me home.
On the other hand, Lo'ak was faced away from us to avoid triggering any emotional warmth in him.
"Aw come on bro, you know you missed us" Neteyam wearily winks at his brother.
".. Dammit! i hate you for leaving us for that long!" Lo'ak huffs, pulling his older brother in for a squeeze then yanking my tiny arms to join in. Soon everyone came in for a massive family hug, laughing in contentment on knowing that we're back home safe & sound.
After the pleasant hug, Mr Sully immediately informs his family about Lauako's death & my decision, all heads turn to see my avatar resting behind Norm & realises that this is happening now.
Neteyam carries my avatar to the Tree of Souls while Neytiri prepares the clan for the big ceremony. I let out a sigh as i watch my avatar being placed right below the giant willow tree & noticed the woodsprites from the forest floating down to meet me.
Kiri dragged me to a secluded shaded tree to remove my clothes while Mr Sully guided Norm & the rest of the crew down.
"This is so weird, im taller than you!" Kiri jokes, handing me a cloth to tie around my lower abdomen.
I turned to meet her exhilarated gaze & laughed with her. But a wave of was anxiety already hitting me, "Kiri, im nervous.. am i going to die before i wake up?" i asked fiddling with the cloth.
She tilted her head at the question & chuckled, "hey.. its like a link but permanent. You will temporarily be with Eywa & she will guide you to your true self" she said as she used folded leaves to cover my breasts.
I gripped her hand firmly as we walked down to the willow tree & Neteyam's eyes were plastered on me like i was walking down the aisle. Norm already hysterical at the sight, Mr Sully had to calm him down before Neytiri spoke up.
"Hey" Neteyam greets me ever so sweetly, extending his hand out to me.
With doe eyes meeting my love, "h-ey" i replied shyly.
Neytiri softens her gaze & smiled when she saw her oldest son lightly flirting with his mate. She caressed my hair tenderly & kissed my head, telling me to rest beside my avatar's body. "You may close your eyes & wake as a new woman" she whispered.
My back on the soft grass, the trees around us were swaying to a soft tune. My eyes started to feel heavy as Neteyam hums the sweet lullaby, his siblings sat behind him as the ceremony commenced.
"Ma'ite Omatikayaä lye set ( My daughter is now of Omatikaya)" Neytiri declared to the clan.
The voices started to fade as soon as i saw an illuminating burst of light heading towards me & feelings of jubilation washed over my soul. Everything was wispy, like i was floating in an empty world but with a mighty heart beat.
I heard Eywa.
"Pori tireati, munge mi nga. Tiviran po ayoekip na Na'viyaä hapxi Eywa (Take this spirit into you, Eywa let her walk among us as one of the people.)"
Sounds of flutter resonated & i felt someone's hand on my cheek, "hey forest girl" said the familiar raspy voice.
"Lu hasey (it is done)" Neytiri's voice followed, her hands over my chest to feel my heart beat. My eyes opened to meet Neteyam's honey loving gaze & i couldn't help but smile at my sweet man.
He took my hand to help me up & i looked down. My lifeless human body with root fibres from the ground connected to the nape, the mask taken off & placed beside my head. The ritual is done, i am a daughter of the Omatikaya clan.
Neteyam leans in to my ear, tickling my lobe with his lips "Happy birthday my love"
*ೃ༄