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kysukioshi · 9 months

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Concordia

Neteyam x fem!Na’vi OC

summary: a tale of love, redemption and betrayal; Neteyam and Tsuk'ami, two Na'vi from rival clans share a past forged in the innocence of a childhood friendship. Tensions between their clans rise as they strive to rewrite a destiny that fate has woven for them.

warnings: this story may contain violence, smut and swearing, so if you're not comfortable with those topics, please don't interact.

Story Masterlist

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Part Three - Veiled Portents

Tsuk’ami was always told she was a dreamer. She always focused on the irrational, the fairy tales and the myths, and how easily it could be her weakness. She was told she should wake up, and focus on the realities everyone had to face in order to survive—especially since she was the future of Soluna; the next generation.

At some point in her teenage-hood, she put her reading and writing hobbies aside. The judgement from her clan’s elders was too much for her to swallow. But as she got older, she embraced it.. kind off.

She hid her writing cloths and papers, but she no longer felt embarrassed to admit it to herself. She crafted vivid narratives, intricate stories of the resilience of the Na’vi people, the wars and the ages of peace, as well as some romance. One thing in particular she was proud of, was her character Txi.

She liked to think of Txi as her alter ego. Txi was brave, and she was a strong leader that led her people to freedom and peace from the external threats.

Txi was the embodiment of Tsuk’ami’s aspirations. Those desires were not only about her fantasies of fighting in a war, they were also about her mother. She wanted her mother to know Tsuk’ami’s limits— to see how much Tsuk’ami was actually capable of.

Now that Tsuk’ami met Neteyam, her deepest desire reignited itself again, making her curious to all the secrets and stories other clans had to share.

Her clan had its traditions, which consisted of the people knowing only about their clan. The knowledge wasn’t limited only to the leaders, and she knew she couldn’t wait that long to find out. She also knew where such informations could be kept.

…

In the middle of the night, Tsuk’ami slipped out of her family’s hut, trying to go unnoticed as she walked to her mothers study chambers— guided by the curiosity of her mother’s extensive collection of historical tomes and scrolls.

She moved the linen door flap, walking in and carefully, as if not to leave evidence, looking around the room. She crouched near a section of a shelf, which had ‘confidential’ written on stone above it. She cautiously looked through the neatly arranged scrolls and papers, her fingers tracing over each title as she worded it quietly.

Her hand brushed over a certain scroll, the wood handle old and dusty, with an engraved ‘narratives of the neighbours’.

Tsuk’ami became frustrated as she began to read. The first few segments of the long texts spoke only of customs and bygone eras she had already heard of. But as she dove deeper into the lengths of the scroll, she delved into accounts that spoke of conflict and alliances.

“The Tipani tribe, always stood protectors to the borders of many clans they bordered. Their domain veiled in the mist of the treetops. Their resilient tales bore stories of great craftsmanship, which had helped these people fight like true warriors, and succeeded in many wars. The alliance between the Tipani and Soluna were always helpful both ways. Soluna had provided them with passage, as well as supply pathways for their own, personal use.”

She ran her fingers over the additional, unimportant parts of the text

“Unfortunately, due to disputes and let downs, both sides decided to end their long term partnership, and Soluna declined any further supply chain support.”

“But what then?” Tsuk’ami whispered angrily. Those were no answers to her. What could have prompted them to cut their connections?

She scrolled through other texts, all until she found one titled ‘the lost tribe’

“The Omatikaya tribe had once had all eyes on it. Their borders held beautiful nature within them, which is why they were called what they were called; Omatikaya— blessed by Eywa. They had always been spiritual leaders, powerful and smart healers. Many of their leaders even rode the great Toruk. They had amazing supplies of food, as their grounds were rich with minerals and other supplements that produced good quality foods.

The Omatikaya, however, chose a wrong path. Their opportunities to prosper washed away as they let a demon enter their lands, mate their royalty and lead them. Although Tsyeyk te Suli lead wars and even rode the great Toruk, he still should have not been elected for Olo’eyktan.”

Tsuk’ami’s eyes were wide. That was it? Even after such information she was left in a cusp of revelation. Jake Sully, she thought. Neteyam’s father. She still answers, closure. She threw the scroll down as frustration welled within her.

How was Jake Sully allowed to the Omatikaya? What had changed their minds?

...

Neytiri’s footsteps were quiet in the echoing halls of the hallow hometree. She walked to the communal hut, moving with pride, as she always did. Her shoulders were pushed back, tail high, and braids neatly placed behind her ears.

She walked through the beaded doors, the elders standing to greet her, their gazes respectively turned towards the floor.

She walked around the round table, stopping at her eldest son’s side.

Neteyam’s gaze followed his mother, watching her sit right beside him. They shared a meaningful look, knowing both of them hated being there. Jake had left that hate club a couple years back, as he had gotten used to spending hours on end in that room, on that wooden chair, with those same babbling elders.

“Neteyam” he heard his mother’s soft voice, whisper quietly under the loud chatted “I know it is draining, but we must focus”

“Sorry” Neteyam murmured before he sat back, his ears perked at the never ending conversations that just didn’t concern him for some reason. He would care, if they were speaking about security problems, or patrol arrangements, but the words shared between the elders were everything but that.

“How affective do you believe our systems are?” And elder, Lefpa asked, turning towards Jake. “I understand we were offered new arrangements, by Anurai.”

Neteyam became interested

Jake sighed, “I believe their terms were far too vague, odd.” He began “I do not trust such ill-defined requests. I have seen where such agreements led, with the Soluna.” Neteyam’s ears twitched

“I agree. Such things require careful consideration” Futep spoke, his boney and skinny fingers tapping on the wooden table they sat at.

Neteyam had a list of the elders he hated. It was a special little place he kept somewhere in his heart, and that way always remembered. Futep was on the top of that list. He was always the most persistent when it came to Neteyam’s training and evolving into a grown, capable man. But never in a parenting, caring way. Neteyam had realised Futep was always furious with the fact that a ‘demon’ sat at the head of the council meeting table. He did everything he could to make Neteyam suffer through his training, so he can prove to everyone how a child through whose veins flows blood of a demon, is harder to train and excel.

Neteyam, of course, proved him wrong, so Futep searched for more ways to discreetly make him and his father and siblings suffer. His excuse was “your father signed up for this life, he, and you, must face our traditions and customs”

Everything he did, everything he said, annoyed Neteyam like nothing on Pandora. His constant finger tapping, throat clearing. The way his whole face sagged. The way he spoke slowly, with his chin facing the ceiling.

“What about the sightings. On the Soluna borders. Does it not concern us?” Lai spoke “they must be plotting something new.”

Jake looked to Neteyam “I had sent Neteyam to investigate the matter. Apparently it was a bug in the system” Jake didn’t pay much mind to it, but Neteyam’s head became loud.

“Were the sightings substantiated?” Futep turned to Neteyam, his fingers interlocking as he gazed at the boy. All the elders gazes were now on him.

Neteyam’s ears began to ring.

…

“Tsuk’ami must you interrupt me now?” Deyla looked up from her reading, her head still facing down. “I hope it’s important.” She finally put her scroll aside, now fully looking up at her daughter.

“Has father returned?” Tsuk’ami’s voice was questioning, as she spotted her father’s gear neatly placed on the against a wall. Her question was answered, as she caught a glimpse of movement at the entrance of her parents’ alcove.

She saw her father, a genuine smile breaking across his weathered face. “Paskalin” he exclaimed warmly, opening his arms to welcome her with an embrace that enveloped her in warmth and familiarity.

Her face lit up. Her father’s returns always brought much ease—understanding, to her.

Their embrace lingered for a moment longer, before her father, Kxeku, pulled back gently, a twinkle in his eyes at the sight of his daughter. “What are you up to?”

Tsuk’ami’s gaze returned to her mother. “I was hoping to visit Vitraya Ramunong today.” She explained. “Ah, the call of the forest” her father teased, ruffling her hair affectionately.

“A ritual is being performed at the tree of souls today.” Deyla informed her “I am afraid you will have to pick another day.” Her mother smiled softly returning the scrolls to her lap.

“What about the other one?” Tsuk’ami’s ears fell back, understanding of the consequences that might occur from that question.

Deyla’s brow furrowed slightly, “Which one?”. Her father’s gaze fell on her “the one at the borders?” His tone was questioning, and at it, her mother’s eyes widened “far too close!” She exclaimed

“I know” Tsuk’ami nodded, respectfully, understanding her mother’s concern “but I know you of anyone would understand. The great mother intends to show me something. I must hear.. I must see.”. At her comments, Kxeku had a considerate look on his face, as if seeking permission from his wife.

Deyla’s protective instincts clashed with Tsuk’ami’s eagerness “Your father may be more lenient,” she conceded “but that is dangerous. Those parts of the forest.. they are unforgiving.” She acknowledged.

After moments of silence, and her mother’s quiet concentrations, she looked up at her daughter again “with caution.”

Filled with a mix of gratitude for her mother’s guidance and bubbling excitement for her impending adventure, Tsuk’ami respectfully thanked her mother before swiftly departing toward the forest’s edge. Her heart danced in anticipation as she ran trough familiar paths that led to the lush forest

The animals she crossed paths with, sights and smells she encountered on her way to the tree, all fit her spirit. It was as if she always left a trace of herself wherever she went. The sunlight filtered through the canopy, painting her face with soft, warm hues.

As the sight of the tree of souls, she halted.

The colossal tree stood, surrounded by vibrant life of beautiful flowers and plants, hit by the colours of the sunset sky, making it even more eternal.

The expansive branches reached skyward, its bioluminescent roots hanging from its tops. It carried a tranquil energy, a silence and a peace.

It had her heart racing, and her neural queue already awakening its soft glow. She walked quickly with excitement.

…

Neteyam soared through the skies astride his ikran, the bonded flight carrying them over the vast expanse of the forests he now regularly kept watch on.

It had been peaceful for quite some time.. days, perhaps. At least for what he remembered. Days meant nothing to him. Time as well. It was all the same.

But ever since that interaction with Tsuk’ami everything was pretty boring at the borders. Not that he missed having problems, or her at that, he just appreciated the fact that she listened to his advice to not come so close to the borders, not just for her safety, but for the sake of the clans relations.

But of course, as it was in Neteyam’s life, everything he was thankful for or everything he grew comfortable with knew to quickly wash away.

As he was enjoying the wind clashing in his face and throwing his braided hair back as he rode the waves of the sky, he had to look down, and he had to catch the sight of a lone figure, standing, not so close, but not so far from the borders.

More precisely, it stood at the Tree of Souls. And even more importantly, that Tree of Souls wasn’t just like every other one. It was the one that Soluna and Omatikaya didn’t quite yet decide who it belonged to.

Sure, it was on the land of the Soluna people, but it was also gifted to Omatikaya, many years before their rivalry began.

That way, Neteyam didn’t really have to go down there and talk that na’vi away, because they were on their land, but he also had to because it wasn’t their property.

He circled above, watching with slight annoyance. The responsibility of the inter-clan dynamics often weighted on him. Yet as much as he wanted to stay open minded to the fact that those na’vi are maybe good people, they were killing him with their curiosity.

Irritation started prickling at him. They were ignorant, dismissive. But those were his personal sentiments speaking. His eyebrows furrowed as he gripped onto the handle on his ikran. He had to face the potential challanges that laid ahead.

With a sharp inhale and an even sharper exhale, he guided Wamey to a steady descent. They landed on a tree top, far enough for the person to not notice him, but close enough for him to get down and even closer.

He manoeuvred with ease—as if he was born doing it. But as he did, his moved became slow and sloppy as he found out who he was dealing with. It was a shift, a realisation, but it was also anger.

He was furious with her. She was most definitely the only one making problems in that damn clan. It was her third time messing up, and his third time cleaning it up.

He wrestled with conflicting emotions. One part of him wanted to walk on over there, and say all of it to her face. Scare her away, make her never come back, because quite frankly he didn’t want the sight of her anymore.

But did he? Because in the midst of his approach, he stopped, stuck behind tree, observing her unusually slow and careful moves. She was headed to one of the glowing roots of the tree, her tswin in her hand.

It was a sight for sore eyes. She looked peaceful. The light from the tree cast an otherworldly illumination of the lights on her features… perfectly. She was focused, didn’t even notice his presence.

He also had to admit. She looked beautiful. But that didn’t mean anything to him, right? He thought many girls from his clan were beautiful. Although not beautiful inside out, because he hadn’t found that girl just yet. But he was still allowed to think that.

He thought that about his mother, his sisters. About the girls that giggled and watched him leave everyday for work. The girls that talked to him during the big feasts, the girls that he thought were his true love when he was younger. Even the girls he kissed when he got drunk, and those he brought to his secret spot, using them for his release of stress—for his pleasure and need.

And just because he was a tad bit curious about her, didn’t mean he would let her do what she wanted. Right?

But as Tsuk’ami connected, and looked to be deeply focused, he couldn’t stop her. Not that he didn’t want to, but it was forbidden.

In her mind, images that ran painted beautiful scenes, usual things the great mother showed her. They were always vivid tales and songs of her people, living happily, in harmony surrounded by laughter, light.

But this time, there was an eerie sound ringing somewhere in the back of her mind. It reminded her of the dream. Scars inflicted upon the land appeared before her, disturbing scenes of death and distraction—disharmony that extended beyond. The web of life in the forest was interwoven, distorted.

She saw her clan, burning in flames. Trees ripped apart by strong winds. She heard screams. Cries. A cry—Heartbreaking cry.

“embrace the truth, for within it lies your path. you will carry the bridge. navigate it. see it” an unnatural uncanny voice spoke “the answers are close. look back.”

Tsuk’ami fought to regain control. She managed to reach for her queue, without really seeing it, and rip the bond apart. The weight of the visions clung to her, as she stumbled back a few steps, her back colliding with the solid frame that stood behind her.

The unexpected impact made her jolt and turn, Neteyam reaching to steady her, quickly removing his hands as he did. “What the fuck happened?” His eyebrows furrowed

She looked back, regaining her composure, recollecting her memories. Turning her gaze back at him, she narrowed her eyes “what are you doing here?”

“You knew I would come.” His voice was low and harsh “you keep doing this to make me come back.”

“What are you talking about? This is our land!” Suki stood her ground, meeting his skepticism resolute stare

“The tree belongs to us.” His arms folded defensively

“Spirit trees do not belong to any clan.” His remark sparked anger within her, her eyes flashed with frustration.

He sighed, rubbing his temples “I understand what you mean, but it is how both yours and my clan decided to divide things.” He spoke softly, trying to make her understand “if that wasn’t the case, imagine how many fights would occur if na’vi from both clans visited same trees at the same time.”

Suki lowered her gaze as she processed the information he gave her, but she quickly shot back “why should I believe that this tree belongs to Omatikaya?” Her brows scrunched together “your clan always manipulates for their own agenda.” Suki’s hands fell on her hips as she had a bitter look on her face. “Besides, my mother let me come here. She would never let me even near something that belongs to you.”

Neteyam scoffed “because your people always let their pride blind them. They use every opportunity to gain an upper hand and pretend things never happened” his temper rose the more he spoke

Their voices clashed like opposing currents. It echoed in the clearing around the glowing tree, where usually silence absorbed all life. Yet now, it was only dicord that unfolded.

Tsuk’ami didn’t have an answer to his words. She read about the Omatikaya, yet nothing was said. She was never thought of such things, and she understood that maybe, Neteyam was right. Her people probably hated their history, so they hid it, changed it.

After a moment of silence, Neteyam’s stern voice shifted the atmosphere “what did you come here for?” He wasn’t curious, he didn’t seek her answers so he could comfort her, he wanted them so he can scold her and go home for the day. She was always on the move, always looking to avoid home, or perhaps those were more of her tricks. She just wanted to mess with him.

“None of your business.” Tsuk’ami’s tail swayed as she tried to act brave.

He could see cracks in her coldness—the usual insecurity she carried. Of course, he didn’t acknowledge it, he just wanted to get to the root of the issue as fast as possible. “That so?” His head rolled back “It very well is my business when I’m the one who has to deal with you avoiding the consequences. There are rules you have to follow.”

“I am under no obligation to share with you why I come to the Great Mother.”

And she was right, he knew that. He considered her response, his head tilting to the side. He stood there for a moment, looking at the tree behind her “what happened there…?” His voice was softer

Tsuk’ami looked back, her ears lowering at the sight. “I don’t know.” she said, her voice barely above a whisper “I heard something… a voice. Something about bridge.. my path.”

Her answer was unclear, but it was one he could work with. He understood she had probably seen something horrible, the way she stumbled in shock and shook as she looked back.

He knew those kinds of visions all too well—but not from personal experience.

His younger sister, Kiri had always had them. Ever since she was born. Even stronger than Tsuk’ami. She would face nightmares, flashes of visions during the day, weird experiences when connected with the Tree of Voices, and even many health scares, when she would pass out out of nowhere, or have awful seizures.

So he knew how to deal with those things—he grew up doing it.

“Okay come here” he walked to the tree, but after a couple steps he realised she wasn’t following

“I’m not going there”

He rolled his eyes “don’t be a baby.”

She thought about it for a second, before she crossed her arms and walked up to him. They sat next to the tree.

“Whatever you saw there, it was probably important,” He began “a message, from the Great Mother.”

“I know.” Tsuk’ami, though still tense, responded, acknowledging the branches of the tree.

“You clearly didn’t understand it well enough and you must try again.” He explained, his gaze a mixture of determination reluctant camaraderie.

“No.” Tsuk’ami stood, waving her hands around. “I’m not doing that for some time”

“One day, you’ll do it anyway. So why not now, when it’s still fresh.” He stood up with her, trying to set his tone reasonable.

She hesitated, weighing the offer. It lasted a few silent moments, where she battled it.

“I’ll do it with you.” Neteyam’s voice suddenly broke her bubble, and she turned her gaze to him, questioning what he was offering. “I will connect at the same time.” He said

A tense pause hung in the air as Tsuk’ami grappled with the proposition. She was taken aback. Summoning her resolve, she looked up at him again, with a slight nod. “Okay..” if we must, she was going to add.

Despite the lingering tension, he grabbed onto a couple of the branches, holding onto his tswin in his other hand, the pink tendrils already dancing with anticipation.

Tsuk’ami followed his lead, holding her own queue close to the branches as if she waited for him to it first. And he did. But before she could follow, she took a moment to admire his face. His pupils dilated, and his mouth fell agape, before he pulled himself together, waiting for her. She shook out of her state, closing the distance of her whip and the tree.

She was immediately sent back, not conscious like Neteyam was, and it freaked her out. She was, now without warning, surrounded by fire and destruction. This time, she was sure it was her clan, but it was destroyed beyond recognition. People ran, but they were like shadows, and she couldn’t make their faces out. She began to panic— frowning and mumbling something as she shook, but she heard a faint voice “stay in it” ranting those words over and over again. She realised it was Neteyam.

She kept walking, stumbling over debris and dead bodies, and it made her shiver. At that, she almost gave up, but she kept going. “What do you want from me.” She looked up to the red sky, begging for answers “I don’t understand”

As she said it, everything became louder. The cries, the ringing, and it stood like that for a moment. When it stopped, Tsuk’ami was surrounded by darkness, and everything fell to a single cry. It was soft and high pitched, but heartbreaking. She looked around, but saw nothing. “Tell me about my path. How must I help?” she spoke into the void, but as she heard something, like a word almost spoken, she was shoved right out of that state.

She stood disoriented, her eyes widening as she noticed the branches shining like flickering lights. The usual steady glow seemed to falter.

“Neteyam” she turned to him, hoping he had answers to give her, “what’s happening with it?” She was eager to know. Did she cause it? Is it dying?

Neteyam was already staring up at it. He didn’t answer, but a hint of concern coloured his features. He knew he only had seen that scenery once— when his sister failed to connect to a Spirit tree of the Metkayina people. But this was no where near the same situation as that.

The silence suddenly broke “I’m done” Tsuk’ami stumbled back a few steps “I never asked for this. I’m not involving myself in these- these visions! And stupid riddles!” She yelled, throwing her arms around hysterically “if the Great Mother wants to tell me something, she can speak clearly.” And with that she stormed off.

That definitely wasn’t Txi speaking. Because in reality, all Tsuk’ami wanted to do was somehow save the world that was dying before her eyes. It’s what Txi inspired her to be. But this was just her fear—fear that she was doing something wrong. Fear that she wasn’t cut for that job, even though she fantasised about it.

Neteyam just watched, a silent witness to the turmoil that was within her. The forest went still, silent, the lights stopped, all as she walked away. And Neteyam saw it, he noticed. He recognised it.

_______________

Sooo Neteyam is learning something new about Tsuk’ami, and it concerns him more than he would like to admit!!

Btw sorry it takes me so much time to complete a chapter, I try to make everything fit perfectly for what I have planned in the future. (Things change quickly) loll

#neteyam atwow #neteyam #neteyam x oc #avatar #avatar the way of water #atwow #neteyam art #neteyam fanfiction #neteyam te suli tsyeyk'itan

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naavispider · 2 years

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If you playing me that mean my home aint home - chapter 10

Featuring more awkward ikran rides, Spider teaching Quaritch Na'vi (aka my favourite thing), and pLentY of father/son feels 🥺

They took off into the cool Pandoran breeze. Mercifully, the new harness gave Spider a much better grip on the ikran and he didn't need Quaritch's arm to hold him in place anymore. He was filled with a new sense of optimism as the wind blew through his hair, knowing that he was headed back to the forest - back home. Out here, his hopes of rescue were much higher. He knew Jake wouldn't have forgotten about him. Hopefully scouts would catch wind of their presence and send an attack team, and he'd finally come home.

Whatever would come, he'd deal with it.

"So how do you call an ikran, kid?" Quaritch asked from behind, breaking Spider's reverie.

"Oh. Um, I can't do it, I've never had an ikran." He turned around. "Do you not sort of, instinctively feel it?"

Quaritch looked down at the boy. This was the first time he'd asked a question that he seemed genuinely interested in the answer to.

"I guess not, huh?" Spider turned back around. "<Too much a human.>"

"What was that kid?"

"I said, I'm not surprised. You may have an avatar but you'll never be Na'vi."

Behind him, Quaritch pondered what Spider had said, a frown on his face. Kid was talkative today. Almost too talkative. Spider clearly didn't respect him for his disregard for Na'vi culture, but as he'd seen in the forest two nights ago, Spider loved talking about the 'blue ways'. He could work with that.

"How do you say hello in Na'vi?"

"Kaltxì."

Quaritch was taken aback by the completely different pronunciation. "Karl - tay"

Spider snorted. "Oh my God," he said, laughing. "<That is the most tragic pronunciation ever!>"

At that, Spider received a rap on the back of his head. "Do you want to actually be helpful?"

"Say it slower... Kal."

"Kal."

"txi."

"ti."

Quaritch watched Spider shake his head, and he knew the boy was probably smirking his face off.

"You have to stop the sound in the back of your throat. Txi." Spider said it slower.

Quaritch copied the sound, happy it came out much more identical.

"Better. Now say the whole word." Spider turned around to face him again. "Kaltxì."

"Kaltxì."

A smile spread across Spider's face. Well I'll be damned, thought Quaritch.

Perhaps the boy realised his moment of vulnerability, for he turned around again quickly.

"You're getting there," he replied.

"Teach me goodbye."

And Spider did. By the time Hometree came into view, Quaritch had five words under his belt, and Spider's positive attitude had infected Quaritch in a way he found terrifying. He should not be in such a good mood after just one decent conversation with the kid. He thought no more about it as he urged Cupcake to descend lower, eventually through the canopy to land in the undergrowth at the base of the ginormous tree. The squad soon landed behind him and he waited for Spider to get off first before disconnecting his queue and following suit.

"Hell yeah," Savine rallied, to which the other guys let out similar chants. Although not as big as the first Hometree, this second one was still imposing.

"Now, our mission here is the explore Sully's last known location. The tree was raided a year ago when our guys got back here from Earth, but we're looking for any signs of Na'vi returning, or potential nearby clan activity. Heads swivelling. Let's move."

******

Spider leapt his way in front. He didn't know if Quaritch had clicked it, but this used to be part of Spider's home. Weird was not a good enough word to describe how it felt being back here, seeing it deserted after the People had fled, and turned over by the RDA raids. He ran to the wide entrance of the tree, where the remains of the communal living areas of the Omaticaya were scattered over the floor. He took in the sight before him as the recoms caught up, guns raised.

Fike jumped and everyone turned their guns upwards as a sleeping ikran screeched in annoyance at being disturbed. The ikran took off. "You can put your guns down assholes!" Spider called. The difference in their attitude compared to his was crazy. Spider felt at home here, he knew the tree inside out, had spent years playing, learning and laughing here. He couldn't imagine anyone being afraid of imaginary dangers lurking behind every corner.

The squad fanned out, beginning to look through possessions long since left behind, trying to decipher the clues of the People. Spider started to climb the inner column. He knew where he was headed. Since Jake was Olo'eyktan, the Sullys had had a slightly more private living space higher up. That was the place that held the most memories for him, the place he longed to see again. As he climbed the coil, he could almost hear the ghost of Kiri's laugh trailing behind him.

He reached the upper level of the tree and walked across a suspended vine acting as a bridge. He could still see the recoms exploring below.

"Hey Spider! Don't go too far!" Quaritch called up.

Spider ignored him, and made his way to the room where he had fallen asleep with the Sully kids too many times to count. It was an enclosed area that offered privacy from other clan members, and it felt like home. He looked around at the walls of the tree, the empty baskets he'd helped weave, the little table Neytiri's mother had made. Against the left wall had been the sleeping area, against the right was the eating space. A cry caught in his throat.

On the wall, still pinned up, was the drawing he'd done years ago of the Sully family, with little Spider standing next to them as a Na'vi. He couldn't believe it was still here - he'd forgotten all about it. He reached out and touched the faded outline, gently reassuring himself it was real.

The drawing gave him an idea. There was a root-like vine in the corner of the room, where Spider used to hide things behind if he needed to. Only Kiri had known about it. Heart hammering, he crouched down and dislodged the vine in the wall. It put up a fair amount of resistance after a year of being untouched, but as it came loose he found what he didn't know he was looking for. He pulled out the knife and examined it in his hands. He had made this knife when he was just 12 years old. Jake had helped him, shown him how to sharpen the blade, chisel the handle and sew the casing. It had been Kiri's tenth birthday and the pair had just decided that they were going to be friends for life. He'd wanted to give her something. He'd hidden it behind the root until her birthday. The humans had arrived soon after.

He held it close to his heart, closing his eyes. "<Kiri, where are you?>"

He jumped as he heard heavy footsteps behind him. "Spider?" Quaritch called. He hadn't heard the man approach. He exhaled, turning around slowly. "What's that you got there?" Quaritch's eyes flickered to the knife held to Spider's chest.

"Nothing."

Quaritch grabbed the knife out of his hands, examining it. "Not planning on using this toothpick were we?"

Spider grabbed it back, and the Colonel held his hands up in mock defeat. Spider turned wordlessly and replaced the knife back behind the root. He knew Quaritch wouldn't let him keep it but he'd be damned if he was going to let Quaritch have it.

"Come on," Quaritch beckoned him to leave, and he reluctantly traipsed back across the bridge. "Wait down by the entrance."

Spider was left to entertain himself while the recoms scoured the rest of the tree. He took the opportunity to rest, uninterested anymore in the ghosts of his past. After a while Quaritch called over the communicator for the squad to meet back at the entrance. They moved out to the forest, pausing to divide up water and sachets of food. His stomach growled embarrassingly loudly and Quaritch passed him a bunch of the protein bars from earlier, and a bottle of water. He removed his mask and gratefully gulped the water, before shoving half the bar into his mouth to chew while he put the mask back on. Now seemed to be a good moment while the recoms were resting, so he wandered off in search of some Yovo berries. Thankfully, he found a patch not too far from the camp, and straight away tore one open to get to the blue liquid inside. Normally, he'd mix it with sap to make it stain longer, but he was working with what he had. The berry was about the size of a football, so one was plenty. He started with his arms, reinforcing the almost completely faded stripes until they were bright again. Next he moved on to his legs and torso, and finally his face. It was difficult holding his breath long enough for the juice to dry, but he thought he did a fairly decent job. The only think missing was Kiri to do his back.

"Spider, get your ass back here now," he heard over the communicator. He sighed, knowing Quaritch was going to be mad.

He found the button on the collar that he knew would transmit his voice, and pressed. "Yeah," he said, "don't freak."

He made his way reluctantly back to camp.

*****

Quaritch hadn't found anything immediately useful at the tree, but that was no surprise. It was hard to imagine the huge structure filled with people, going about their day to day lives inside a tree, yet their remains had been scattered everywhere. Baskets strewn across the floor spilling supplies the People had been too rushed to bring with them, spears and bows and arrows scattered on the floor. He almost felt bad for them.

Then he'd found Spider on an upper level, clutching a knife - a small one at that, presumably it was a child's. But after he'd made Spider leave, he'd caught sight of something that made him pause. A child's drawing was pinned to the wall of the tree, showing... damn. Jake Sully, his crazy wife, and five children. Under each image were their names, messily scrawled in blue crayon. Jake, Neytiri, Neteyam, Lo'ak, Tuk, Kiri and... Spider. Holy shit. The kid had drawn himself as a Sully. A blue one at that.

What was that feeling rising in his chest? He couldn't name it, he couldn't even recognise it. He tried to pass it off as pity. It was definitely sad as hell. It had to be Spider that had drawn that picture. No one else would have drawn him blue. Jesus, the kid was even more messed up than he thought.

Then, while they were loading up with calories he'd realised Spider was missing, again. He called for him over the radio, thankful he'd even had the foresight to give one to him. Spider emerged from the forest, but he looked different. His fingers were stained blue, and Quaritch realised his tiger stripes were a much brighter shade of Na'vi. He forgot his anger as Spider shyly walked over, stopping just short of where he could reach for him. Quaritch huffed in acknowledgement.

He didn't know what this was. But it wasn't pity.

#avatar the way of water #fanfic #spider socorro #miles quaritch #is there anything going on with Savine and Mansk?#are two random rda recoms getting a side love story?#i guess so #also loved writing the parts where spider teaches quaritch na'vi

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beautiful-basque-country · 1 year

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Kaixo! Hope you’re having a great day! I saw a post where you were talking about basque names and you said that nicknames work slightly differently so I was just wondering if you could explain that please 😊 thanks in advance!

Kaixo anon!

Diminutives of Basque names are created by adding -txu /-txo or - less usually - -txi at the end, nothing else.

Some examples:

Estibaliz (f) - Estitxu

Aitor (m) - Aitortxu, Aitortxo

Arantxa (f) - Arantxi

Miren (f) - Mirentxu

Asier (m) - Asiertxu, Asiertxo

Gorka (m) - Gorkatxo

We even do this with Spanish names:

María (f) - Maritxu

Ramón (m) - Ramontxu, Ramuntxo

José (m) - Josetxo, Josetxu

Carmen (f) - Carmentxu

With longer names we don't make them even longer by adding the diminutive mark and usually leave them just like they are: Goizalde (f), Maddalen (f), Joseba (m), Imanol (m), etc.

#euskal herria #basque country #pays basque #pais vasco #euskadi #euskara #euskera #basque #Basque names #Culture #Anons

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postsofbabel · 1 year

Text

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#posts of babel

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redflagromance · 1 year

Text

Superdim Sunday: Chapter 4

“-ust shut up and let me thi-!”

“go back, we have to go back-”

“Shut up! I need to-”

“-ave to go back-”

A male and a female voice overlapped with the sound of a baby crying.

‘Oh, fucking hell.’

Ji-Min bared her teeth as the shouting died off. She was close enough to catalog the damage- Gene had shot off the passenger's side window in his warning shot. The back bumper had fallen off, revealing ugly denting. If she had to guess, the exhaust system had probably been shoved forward through the converter and engine mounts.

'... I'm not sure that wraith braked at all.'

She made a mental note to gently ask Gene to have his driver give more following distance. She wasn't brave enough to say that personally.

Ji-Min couldn't see it but she guessed that the front probably wasn't as rough. A human body wasn't as hard as a car.

That thought pissed her off again. She prowled up to the driver’s side and looked in.

A red-faced baby, properly secured in the backseat, was screaming their little head off in a frilly yellow shirt, one sock on and one on the floor. The passenger was the woman. Her head was buried in her hands, so Ji-Min just saw curly blonde hair. The woman was probably not white, judging by what Ji-Min could see of her shoulder and jawline.

The driver had his left hand gripping the steering wheel, defensively blocking off his phone. His head was pointed down as he used his phone. He had short-cropped hair, dark brown, and he was nearly as red as the angry baby.

As Ji-Min watched, he closed an article about lighting cars on fire. He opened up a new search tab and typed in ‘dispose of car.’ After a few seconds, he said, “Water? There’s a river…” He opened up a navigation app and panned out to look at how far they were from the river. It was not close.

Ji-Min put her hand on her chin as she watched him repeatedly type and backspace. She was blessed to watch the frustration on his face as he realized that he would have a hard time getting home after sinking his car. He searched ““Can i get a txi from an embankment” and then deleted that, and typed out “can i get a taxi no questions” and then “how to be forgotten by taxi.” He was not a fast reader. She really shouldn’t have been watching, but she was transfixed by the silent drama.

‘How are you going to get the car there?’ Ji-Min wondered, a little invested now. ‘Did he forget that the car isn’t driveable? That aside, the police are going to be looking for him.’

He made a frustrated groan and opened a new tab. “wgere to get berosene”, he typed.

‘Aww,’ Ji-Min thought, disappointed. ‘He gave up on submerging the car already? I wanted to see him try to move it.’

That chain of misspelled garbage gave him nonsense, so he tried again, “where to buy fire fluid.”

She straightened up from her lean next to his window. It was probably time to call this in.

Well, she could be reasonably confident that he didn’t plan on turning himself in. And he also wasn’t bright enough to know that it would be hard to get a non-working car to somewhere isolated enough to destroy it. Ji-Min pulled her phone out of her back pocket and dialed up 9-11.

The passenger looked up from her cry. Her eyes widened. They were red with tears and sticky with ruined mascara. She didn't say anything to her partner. She just stared.

…Ji-Min showed her the phone. The number 9-11 was prominent on the otherwise white screen.

The passenger looked at the asshole, and she looked back at what was probably her baby crying in the backseat. She made a hand gesture to indicate that Ji-Min should step back.

That was fair. As the call rang through, Ji-Min slipped to the side of the alley, hopefully out of the driver’s immediate line of sight if he looked up and in his mirrors. If he made a break for it, Ji-Min could catch him on foot. But it was probably better not to spook him.

“This is 9-11, what is your emergency?”

Ji-Min leaned against the wall without letting the driver out of her sight. He was still using his phone. She really wished she could see what he was trying to problem solve by now. Had he realized that the police would identify the car and the owner? “There was a hit and run,” she said. “That was already reported. I am looking at the driver right now, about 12 blocks away from the scene of the crime.”

The driver was still on his phone. Maybe he was searching ‘how to change my name’ or 'do moving companies ask questions'

The passenger twisted around to comfort the baby, but her eyes fixed on Ji-Min. She looked tense, but not too rough. Ji-Min felt an anxious twist in her stomach as she wondered if the baby was crying because it was stressed or because it was hurt.

The operative on the line asked for her location. Ji-Min listed off the sign she’d noted, and then she described the car, giving the license plate twice. “The driver is a male, maybe 30s, and I think he threw his passenger’s phone out the window so that she didn’t make a call,” Ji-Min said calmly. “She was trying to convince him to turn in.” Her adrenaline was fading now that she was pretty sure there wouldn't be a confrontation.

“What’s your name, please?”

“I won’t give it,” Ji-Min said just as blandly as the emergency dispatcher’s trained voice. “There’s an infant in the car. Tell whoever comes to be careful to keep the bystanders safe.” She glanced back. "Come with the sirens off, he's gonna be an asshole to his wife if he hears you coming."

“Ma’am, I really do need your name.”

Ji-Min hung up and put away her phone. Then she waited. The couple in the car had another argument, but this one was less subdued. She didn’t strain to hear the details, because she heard enough to be pretty sure that the woman was trying to convince the driver to turn himself in.

There were distant sirens.

‘It would have been so easy to just not turn them on,’ she griped. ‘Work with me here.’

The asshole jerked to attention and looked around. Ji-Min pressed up against the wall, but she could still tell that he saw her by the look that passed through his eyes. He was gonna make a run for it.

"Don't do it," she said conversationally. "Don't fucking do it."

He was way too far away to hear her. But he was also a dumb asshole. He screamed something at his passenger, setting off a fresh round of wailing from the baby.

The ignition turned and turned without turning over. He twisted to look back at her again and slapped the steering wheel.

"Loser," Ji-Min muttered. She kicked off of the wall. "How's this going to go, my guy? I don’t think you’re a world class runner, and you’d have to be for this to be worth it."

The sirens were getting closer.

He unlocked his car and threw the door open. He made a run for it down the alley.

Ji-Min exhaled a gust of air and met eyes with the passenger. Then she started running after him at an easy ground-eating lope.

She wasn’t worried at all about losing him. She didn’t actually wanna hurt him, so there was no point to tackling him at full speed or tripping him. He wasn’t a supervillain. He was just some guy

She was in much better shape than he was. She could have sprinted him down in a matter of seconds. But it felt more humiliating to let him lose speed about two blocks later, huffing and puffing furiously. “You good, man?” Ji-Min mocked from about a foot behind him. He swerved when he looked over his shoulder.

“Fuck off,” he spat at her. He ran into the street without looking, which was a bold decision for a man who’d run down a pedestrian not twenty minutes prior.

“Be careful,” Ji-Min called, pausing to look both ways. It was clear, so she jogged across. “Wouldn’t it be awful if somebody hit you?” She ignored the growl he let out. “There’s some real dickwads out there, selfish little windbags too up their asses in misinformed self importance to remember that we exist in a society of other real human beings with complex inner lives.” She was enjoying this. This was better than her morning treadmill run.

He stopped running. “That wasn't my fault."

Ji-Min hung back as the guy wheeled back to stare defiantly down at her.

"It was his fucking fault," he insisted. "What kind of idiot goes running into traffic?"

Ji-Min rolled her eyes. "It doesn't matter if it was his fault," she said waspishly. "Take some responsibility for your actions. You should have seen him. And even if not- it hurt him a lot more than it hurt you. You should have just stayed." She put a hand on her hip. "You're being real selfish right now. You know what you should be doing?"

He didn't say anything. He just heaved resentful breaths and watched her.

"You should take that baby to the fucking hospital." Ji-Min jabbed her finger at him. "The fuck, man? I don't know shit about babies but I know that they're delicate."

His face went slack.

"You really didn't think of that?" she marveled. "Holy shit." Ji-Min sneered at him. "Goddamn irresponsible. All three of you need medical attention, probably." She rolled her eyes. "Just go back to the car and wait for the police. It's worse now than if you had stayed at the scene, but the worst thing is for you to be arrested while I'm sitting on you." She raised her eyebrows at him meaningfully.

Of course, her eyebrows were covered. So he wouldn't see any of that.

He looked a little green. His hands were shaking.

"Come on," Ji-Min prodded. She tapped her foot on the ground. "You're not getting away. There's no chance of it. Go back and apologize to your girlfriend for yelling at her." She didn't hide her impatience. She had better shit to do.

"Wife," he corrected. He took a shaky step towards her and paused for a moment. Then he scrubbed a hand over his face. "Yeah… fuck. Okay." He took a deep breath. "You're not gonna tell them I ran from the car?" He started walking back, jaw set like he was steeling himself.

Ji-Min hummed. Of course not. She wasn't going to talk to the cops. But she wasn't going to tell him that.

The sirens had to be real close by the time they made it back to the car. The guy settled on the sidewalk with his face in his hands, too ashamed to talk to his wife.

Ji-Min considered spitting on him, but that would be DNA evidence. Instead she dug into her back pocket for her wallet and knocked on the passenger side window.

The woman inside tried to roll it down and made a face when the glass didn’t budge. Then she opened the door. "What?" Her tone was defeated.

"Cut the straps on that damn car seat," Ji-Min ordered. She flipped open her wallet and pulled out a stack of bills. "Get a new one. Once you've been in an accident, they're garbage."

There was a pause while the older woman stared at the cash. "I can get a new car seat on my own," she said, in a tone that made Ji-Min think she meant she'd ask around her friends.

Ji-Min shook the bills impatiently. "Don't be proud. It's for the fuckin baby." She sniffed as the lady gingerly took the cash. "Besides, it's not my hard earned money. I got it from a criminal."

She got a stare for that one. "This is evidence for some kind of crime?" the lady asked. She had one hand on her purse, the money still out. She was thinking about it.

"Only if you tell the cops. Hammer doesn't miss it." Ji-Min slapped the car companionably. "Good call on not moving the baby. You're waiting for the paramedics?" The police were really close now. They must have come the same way, from the accident, because it sounded like they were gonna come from the same place she'd entered the alley.

"...yeah." She put the money in her purse and zipped it up. The air was very awkward. The woman avoided eye contact. “Do you know… Is that man alright?”

Ji-Min thought back to what she’d seen. It would be a stretch to say that the pedestrian was fine. "I don’t know. I think he was alive when you left the scene.”

The woman took in a deep, shaky breath. “That’s… good. That’s good.” She fidgeted. “I don’t know what I should be doing. Next, I mean. And with my life.” She let out a sharp little laugh. “After the hospital.” Her fingers twisted around each other and she stole another nervous look at the baby in the mirror.

“I don't care what you do," Ji-Min said honestly. "I'm out."

The lady blinked. "Wait, what?"

Ji-Min didn't turn back. She gave the driver a kick as she walked past him that sent him sprawling on the cement. "I'm watching," she lied, and watched his face turn resentful and pained. Then she darted down the block and turned down a side street.

The street lit up with flashing blue and red lights behind her. She took another turn to be careful and ducked into an alcove. After a quick survey for cameras, she took off the mask and gloves and stuffed them into her pockets. Ji-Min pulled out her phone to check the closing time for the store she'd left her car at. She didn't want to go back past the cops while they were still there, but she needed to collect it before the store closed.

She had time. She walked a few miles, ducking cameras and changing roads a few times before she shrugged off her jacket and tied it around her hips.

'I wonder if it's possible to get a jacket to fold or zip up into a bag. That would be useful.'

Useful or not, it was really out of her skillset. Ji-Min put the thought aside and found a place to get lunch. She transferred a thousand dollars from Hammer's account to hers, feeling like she'd earned it. On a whim, she put 'baby car seat' on the explanation line.

She lingered over a coffee afterwards until she'd judged the cops absolutely had to be done with the scene. Then she made the trek back to her car, bought juice from the grocery store, and finally went to the landmark she'd picked out that morning.

Gene didn't call. Ji-Min told herself that she wasn't disappointed.

#Superdim #Superdim Sunday #deplorably devoted #deplorably devoted to you #redflagromance #short story

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