Heres a little pikture for all of you
We fly in front of the Sullies leading them into the clans village. The horns being blown as we fly over the reef and find our way over to the shore, circling until we find a place big enough for all of us to land.
People stopped what they were doing, watching and getting out of the way as we were landing in front of them. Sullies right behind us.
I hurry up, mounting off I move over to Amate and help her get off, gently so she doesn't hurt herself. I take our visors off and place them inside of her bags. The weather is so much better than how it is at home. We made few stops and I was desperate to change clothes as it was gradually starting to get hotter. The clothes I forgot how to wear to be honest.
Once I get my tunic off the wind makes it's way over my exposed skin, making me feel rather uncomfortable. The sullies land behind us, their Ikrans visibly being tired.
The group of people already formed around us, mostly familiar faces but to be honest I don't know any of them. Good thing is that they are watching the family behind us rather than focusing so much on us.
At this point we're sucked into the group, they circled us out away from Sullies.
I feel Amate letting go of my hand, she is leaving my side as she walks towards someone, her granddaughter. Ronal. They greet and hug, after long years of not seeing each other I think they deserver a moment for themselves. I look around, trying to catch a glimpse of the family we arrived with but I can't see a single thing.
As I turn my head I am greeted with a smile and pair of spread arms, calling me in for a hug. I walk over to Ronal and wrap my hands around her, only holding for few seconds before letting go.
"We brought a whole package with us" Amate signs to Ronal, a bit rude from my perspective. Ronal's mood shifts, she tells us to pack our stuff and that she will send someone to help us carry it to our marui.
I watch as she disappears in crowd, one small comment from Amate made her switch up so quickly.
"Ouh my pretty boy" Amate's attention shifts, reaching her hands towards someone I yet have to see. She cups the face of the boy in front of her, my heart skips a beat once I realize who that is. Much older and taller then from what I remember, his hair tied up, allowing me to see his new tattoos that gently spread around the side of his neck.
He greats the old woman back, and turning his head towards me he stops my brain from functioning. He looks so much like his mother, strong face and soft lips. And just like her he stands tall and confident. With a smile on his face he greets me as well.
A simple gesture of his fingers, a way of saying 'i see you'.
"Anahera" he speaks up, his voice intimidating but I can't help but find softness in it. I return the gesture and say his name in return. We don't exchange any more looks, nor any other ways of saying hi.
"This is what I have to carry, correct" he asks as he takes our bags, three in total. I take mine since it's not that heavy, unlike Amates stuff. And to be honest I don't think there is a need for me to bother the poor guy any more.
I walk right behind him, Amate few steps behind as she looks around, every time we visit it takes us few moments to take the place in, but for Aonung it's not a problem since he spent his whole life here. Does he even understand it how mesmerizing this place is.
Often I forget how fun it is to walk on their woven pathways that connect every house with every part of the village. With every step you feel like you will bounce off into the water, so you have to be very careful, at least until you get used to it, or unless your goal is to jump off into the water.
"How was the trip? " Aonung asks breaking the silence.
"Exhausting" I simply answer, not trying to over share or make the conversation dry or boring. Hopefully saying enough so that he continues the conversation if he's interested in knowing more.
"And the forest people, how did you meet them?" he asks once again.
"They were on their way to Awa'atlu when the storm cut their trip short. They asked for shelter and we gave them one"
"So Amate and you went with them to show them the way" before I could answer he speaks again "does that mean you won't be staying here for a long time"
"I am not entirely sure yet, but I can explain it to you once we have a proper sit down" I tell him
We continue walking in silence, my mind goes back to the time when we were kids, playing in the sand and chasing each other. There was his sister as well. His little sister that made him play dress up with her. Sometimes I would come to ask them to play but Aonung would just sit there as Tsireya played with his hair and jewelry.
"How is Tsireya" I ask him, remembering his sweet sister.
"She is good" he says "Mother just started teaching her the ways of a spiritual leader and that's all she has been talking about"
The last part makes me smile.
"That is amazing to hear"
"You guys will be staying here" Aonung says as he slows down his pace. He walks into the marui and places the bags on the floor.
"What is that" I ask as I examine the marui in front of me. I've never seen these things before, or maybe I never payed attention to my surroundings that well.
He walks over to me and looks at the thing that I have to point out for him. A totem, what he said. They are used as a welcoming gesture and are placed on all the guest homes. The one on right has one as well.
They are made differently, each standing out with their colors and flowers. The flowers that remind me home.
I face Aonung and smile in return, thanking him for explanation.
"And for carrying stuff" I add.
We've lost Amate along the way but I am sure she will find her way.
"Am glad that I could help. If you need anything I'm here, and if you're down for a swim we can do that too" he smiles and I nod in response.
"Maybe later"
//
I try to organize the marui. There is barely anything I can put my stuff into so I just leave it in my bag. There is couple of hammocks firmly laid on the floor, I take two of them and set them up while using some rope and other stuff I could find. All from Amates stuff, of course.
They are currently hanging from the roof but they can hold. It is stable enough. I've put them on each end of the marui so they are not a bother during the day where we move a lot of stuff around. Plus it leaves us with a lot of open space that we can work with.
Eventually Amate arrives, I totally forgot about her. Did she get lost.
"I've been talking to Ronal" she tells me, like she could read my mind. As she enters our new 'home' she looks around. "Ouh nice" a simple comment.
She sits down on the floor, close to the entrance, her facing the ocean and the reef that is in front of us. It's really beautiful, but I can't wait for the night, the view just gets crazier and even somehow prettier than this.
"Did something happen" I ask as I sit next to her, brushing my fingers through my hair as I have nothing else to do.
"She wasn't in that big of a mood due to Tonowari letting the Sullies integrate into their clan"
"But isn't that good" I interrupt her.
"For them yes, but Ronal is also trying to be cautious for her people. Letting the foreign in isn't what they are used to" She explains. That's true. My opinion is bit different since that's all I've known. We've been letting people in since I can remember. And I guess that's where we differ.
"I explained our situation to her" she signs with her hands, making me remember that I've actually left my family for Eywa knows how long. "They are more than happy to let us stay here".
Which I find kind of obvious, but still they have every right to send us back home whenever they want.
Few people approach and I look to my side to see who it is that is coming our way. Sullies, with all their stuff in their hands as they walk the ridiculous pathways of Metkayinas village. All lead with a girl in front. That must be Tsireya. She hasn't changed much and it's easy to recognize her, with her shining eyes and beautiful smile, you could never miss her.
Behind her was Tuk, all happy and cheerful as she jumped around, using the bounciness to her advantage.
And then her brothers, walking with their heads down. I move my tail as Neteyam approaches. His braids moving with his every step. Stuff that he carries is gently wrapped with his hands, and on his arm rests a bracelet that I haven't seen before. It must be the one that Tuk made for him.
I move my gaze up to his face only to see his eyes already set on me.
Helou helou guyzs, hope youre having an amazing day, or night
Maybe random info but when I think of Amate I kinda imagine her like Mags from hunger games, have no idea why, but thats the reason shes now deaf and uses metkayina sign language to communicate
ANYWAYS
thank you guys for reading, new chapter dropped i guess so hope you enjoyed
BYE BYE for now, see you soon <3