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The Songs of Freedom Chapter 4: The Day You Left Me

Characters: Sarentu OC named Kirani, Nor, Teylan, Ri’nela, So’lek

Synopsis: Your training for the resistance has begun, you struggle with your past physically and emotionally, So’lek teaches you the ins and outs of becoming a true warrior, Nor confronts you and forces you to make a challenging decision

Warnings: None, just angst, swearing, general adult themes, mentions of ptsd, past abuse against Na’vi children, and a little plot twist at the end (more angst)

Word Count: 2.7k

Le'awtu: Alone, On one’s own, by oneself, lonely

Each day you train with So’lek the harder your head hits the pillow every night. Your confusion on why this man would use sky people weapons is beyond you, but you figured listening to him is best for your survival planning the resistance against the RDA.

You do your best to forget the night of the celebration, forgetting the stolen looks, awkward touches and semi confession So’lek made to you shortly after chaos ensued. You both know each of you feel the tension every time you’re in the room together. But like most things, they go unresolved.

Today, you’re in the makeshift artillery room with So’lek, Ri’nela and a begrudging Nor. Both Tanywral and So’lek have begun showing you basic self defense moves separately, along with how to properly arm yourself with daggers and bows. Tanywral spent the last few weeks teaching you the process of hand carving a knife made of black obsidian, and a bow crafted from the wood in Kinglor Forest.

She took the time to educate you on the neurotoxin that the arrows are all dipped in, to kill your enemy within seconds. Shortly after, you and the group had made your custom weapons to carry with you at all times.

You stand before So’lek as he lays out an array of guns along the table, explaining each weapon’s use and name. You can’t help but instinctively grip your knife in its sheath a little tighter watching as he holds up the hideous metal machines. Nor just rolls his eyes in disgust, clearly having no issue showing his disapproval for the sky people weapons.

“Our ancestors would be ashamed of us. We should not be here!” He hisses with gritted teeth. You see Ri’nela visibly wince at his words, knowing that the Na’vi ways do forbid the foreign metal in your culture. Your path to becoming a true Sarentu seem to be more convoluted than ever watching as a Na’vi waves the metal weapons in the air in demonstration.

So’lek puts the AR15 down gently, as he simply snorts in response. “And how do you expect to win this war against the sky people hmm? With your little bow and arrows? What about that pathetic pocket knife you seem to like? NO. This. Is how we win.”

He points to the rows of guns and stares into Nor’s eyes. You and Ri’nela stand awkwardly shuffling your feet almost paralyzed with stupidity. Both Nor and So’lek had valid points, but you wouldn’t see to it that you stick your nose in this pissing match.

“Is that what you think!? Teylan couldn’t even bring himself to be here today! He’s the smartest out of all of us!” Nor waves his arms frantically. You begin to feel your stomach churn watching So’lek observe Nor with little to no emotion. “Just listen to him Nor! Please.” Ri’nela pleads in a feeble attempt to diffuse the situation but it only upsets Nor more.

“Listen! Listen to the man who has forced us to live with the humans here? I think I will see myself out.” He turns on his heels and begins to harshly bump past you, “I think that is wise.” So’lek states simply.

Nor storms off and slams the door, causing you and Ri’nela to flinch. You awkwardly gaze to So’lek who’s eyes are already on you. “I… I should go and talk to him.” Ri’nela huffs in a defeated tone. Your stomach clenches at the guilt in her voice, making her think this was her fault. But somehow, out of all people she’s always been the one to find the way to offer solace an comfort over the years. A Tsahìk-like quality you’ve begun to notice in her more and more.

She awkwardly shuffles past you and walks out of the room to search for Nor, leaving just you and So’lek to your own devices. You cough out ungracefully and advert your eyes to the table, “I should go too.” You almost believe your half assed excuse. “No. You stay, I’ve had enough drama for one day.” He says exasperatedly.

You shrug and sigh, leaving you no choice but to maybe listen about how these stupid little machines could even remotely be of use to you in a fight. So you walk up closer to them in defeat. “Okay… and just how do you expect me to use this thing?” You point to the AR.

So’lek chuckles softly and walks up behind you, his bigger form looming over your small frame, casting a shadow onto the table. “Well if you let me show you..” He whispers in your ear. A small shiver ripples down to your spine, causing your brain to short circuit slightly. “What?” You cough out.

You back up into So’lek and turn around what kind of game is he playing? “Listening isn’t one of your strongest traits hmm? I’ll show you.” He laughs and grabs the gun propping it onto the table and connecting it to the stand. “Watch me.” He instructs carefully.

You stand next to him and observe quietly, watching as he explains how the magazine works, popping it in with a click. “You must always remember to keep the safety on while assembling the gun. This is a tool. Treat it as such.” He states confidently. You nod your head and he continues to demonstrate, by lifting the gun off the stand and walking over to an empty section of the room.

You follow, and stare as he begins to get into a shooting stance. “These guns were made for the Avatars at the RDA base. This will fit to your body as it does mine.” He explains. “This holds 30 rounds of ammunition, you still think your little bow would be useful?” He chuckles

Your ears pin to your skull at his little dig. Were you not here to learn the ways of your people? Why does he insist on using the forbidden material. “Why do you use this machine? We Na’vi condemn it..” You tread carefully.

You see his eyes open a bit, perhaps in surprise or curiosity. He lays the gun down once more and takes a moment to gather himself. “The day Toruk Makto gathered the clans together, we nearly lost. Many Na’vi died that day. Most of my clan was wiped to the brink of extinction, suffering catastrophic losses. And it wasn’t until my brief time in the amongst the Anurai clan I learned one thing; We must destroy the sky people using their own tactics. Weapons, methods. We must be the better villain.” He states with disgust.

You watch as he absentmindedly plays with the dog tags dangling on his chest piece, observing as he contemplates his next words. “I have been on a mission to destroy all sky people since that day. Taking them down one by one. Each base, each outpost. All burned to the ground.” You watch him intently as his nostrils begin to flare relaying his message. “You… killed all those men didn’t you. So you take their dog tags and wear it like some trophy?” You ask hesitantly.

He smirks, and looks to you, “You’re smart.” But you do not return the smile back. “In this quest for blood shed and revenge you have only become what you hate the most. This vengeance has consumed you So’lek..” You whisper in a horrified realization.

With the look on his face, he wasn’t expecting that kind of response from you, as he scans your expression more closely. “Ah yes. The naive little Sarentu thinks she knows what’s best hmm? Is that it? And you what do you propose I do? Shoot down the bases with poisoned arrows?” He spits back.

“Fuck you. You know that’s not what I meant. You parade your tags around HQ like some fucking self righteous vigilante? What gives you the authority to tell me what kind of weapon I can or can’t use? Huh? Who died and put you in charge?” You step as close as physically possible towards So’lek bumping noses with the older Na’vi.

He snickers and keeps his cool, “Do best to remember who saved you little Sarentu. If it weren’t for me, you’d still be a slave to the RDA.” His last sentence is all it takes to trigger a response from you. You slap the back of your hand against his jaw at the speed of light before your brain even registers your action. So’lek staggers back in shock, gripping his face looking at you.

Your chest begins to heave with sheer adrenaline, with your nostrils flared out madly. “Do not ever speak to me like that again.” You grit your teeth and stand your ground watching as he slowly rises. He manages to just nod his head, in a silent agreement, acknowledging he took it too far. “I’m sorry.” He states simply.

The room is strong with palpable tension, so thick you can taste it. So’lek clears his throat, “we are done for the day, you are dismissed.” You both avoid eye contact, swiftly turning around to leave the suffocating space slamming the door as a result.

You swiftly move and run into the corridors, looking to find Nor and Ri’nela. You approach his door and knock loudly. “Ri’nela I swear!” The door swings open to a confused Nor. “Oh. I thought you were Ri’nela.” He says irritatedly. “Sorry to disappoint you.” You step in.

“Who said I was disappointed?” You turn around as Nor sees the visibly upset expression on your face. “What’s wrong?” Your lip quivers slightly as you look on the carpet in shame. “I think you were right..” You speak softly.

“About what?” You and Nor share a glance. “About everything I guess. So’lek… he has this agenda to kill every sky person he meets. This blood thirst he has… I think you were right. Our ancestors would not approve of this.” You wave your hand in the room.

Nor sighs softly and takes a moment, “I am leaving Kirani.” Your eyes just about bulge out of your head. “I am leaving to find one of the other clans. Eetu said the Aranahe are accepting of the lone Navi who travel far. We do not belong here…” He states confidently.

“What!? No. You cannot. Nor we need to stick together. We need each other, I need you.” You squeak out. You back away from him in shock as your calves bump into the bed frame causing you to stagger onto the mattress. Your ears must be deceiving you. “No Kirani. This place, this metal box. It’s no better than TAP..” He sits down next to you as your mind reels a thousand miles per second.

You’re rendered speechless watching his mouth move with muffled words coming out. The nausea begins to creep up, feeling your head go light with dizziness. “Kirani? Hey..” He shakes you lightly, shocking you out of the trance. “Huh?” You speak dumbfounded. “I said come with me. Runaway with me..” Nor whispers.

Now you know your ears must be broken, staring at the Na’vi with complete and utter disorientation scattered on your face. “What!?” You pull away from him. “Come on Kirani, now is our chance. To find ourselves. To connect with our Na’vi side. To be truly free.” He walks after you. “How could say this?” You whisper.

Nor winces at your words, gazing intensely into your eyes. Before either one of you speak another word, he reaches forward gripping the back of your head and kisses you passionately. He stuns you speechless with the kiss, as you somehow melt into his lips whimpering in surprise.

You kiss him back with vigor, just as you hear the door swing open. “Nor have you seen?-” So’lek watches as you and Nor practically swallow each other whole with your tongues, causing you to break apart as fast as he opens the door. “So’lek!?” You yelp out. Nor keeps his hand firmly on the back of your head, almost like he intends to establish this unspoken dominance between him and So’lek. “I see that you are busy..” He awkwardly stares at the string of spit connecting you and Nor together. Scalding hot embarrassment washes over your cheeks to the tips of your ears, stunned yet again within the span of minutes.

“It is none of your concern.” Nor challenges So’lek. Oh shit. So’lek simply raises his brows in an amused look of observation, walking towards the both of you. “Hmm is that so?” He chuckles dryly. You look to Nor, then So’lek, and back to Nor. Both Na’vi have flared nostrils and ears pinned back, with their tails lashing back and forth. “Stop!” You scream out. “What is this? Stop it, the two of you.” Your attempt to diffuse the situation fails miserably as So’lek and Nor practically bump chests.

“Fuck.” You whisper to yourself. “She doesn’t need a babysitter. You can go now.” Nor hisses. So’lek laughs dryly and looks past Nor’s shoulder and into your frantic eyes. He glances back to Nor, “Why, so you can shove your tongue back down her throat?” He replies.

Nor pushes So’lek back, making him stagger, back only slightly. “Nor!” You shout in panic. “She can make her own decisions believe it or not.” Nor continues to challenge. Before you can stop the two of them Nor shoves So’lek once more and turns around to face you. “I am leaving Kirani. And when I step out that door, you can either come with me, or stay in this prison.” He huffs out.

You shake your head feeling the sheer panic rise through your veins, “Nor please don’t do this.” The fear seeps in as your eyes fill up with tears. “No.” He rushes past you and grabs the sack of his belongings woven and wrapped together, walking through the door. “Nor please!” You follow suit as he runs to the end of the corridor near the exit, whooshing the door open to the Kinglor Forest.

The rain immediately coats your skin, staring at the setting sun in the sky. “Nor please, we can figure this out. I promise to listen to you, I am begging you not to step foot in that forest.” Your voice quivers reaching out to his arm in an attempt to physically tether him. “Kirani. Please do not make this harder than it needs to be.” You cry out and cover your mouth refusing to believe this is really happening. Your heart slams into your ribcage over and over, drowning out the humming of the forest creatures.

You step forward, as Nor takes a step towards you. “Nor… I.. can’t just leave the others…” You whisper in small shaky voice. Nor’s small glimmer of hope that you stepped forward to join him, soon dies as his smile fades quickly. “Goodbye… Kirani..” He rips away from you and dashes into the forest before you can get your bearings. “No!” You shout in a raspy scream.

You fall to your knees in surrender, your slumped form pathetic in the pouring rain. Your shoulders heave up and down as the small cries escape your mouth. Your crying drowns out the sound of the airlock door opening as someone’s hands grip your arms firmly lifting you off the wet grass. “Kirani.” It’s So’lek. “Get the fuck off me!” You screech hearing the familiar voice. You begin to thrash in his arms fighting him off, as he tightens the harsh hold. “Stop.” He booms. “This is all your fault! All your fault! Your fault!” You repeat hysterically.

He manages to lift you onto your feet, as you weakly get your bearings, spinning you around and pulling you into a bone crushing embrace. That alone is enough for the floodgates to burst, as you scream into the crook of his neck. “What have you done..” You hiccup.

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