Avatar is my happy place

But soon I see it, something again I’ve only read about in books and see in pictures or illustrations and truly its even bigger than I imagined it. The Omatikaya clan’s hometree their Kelutral and I’m about to enter it, not in the way I ever envisioned I would enter it but still I guess dreams do come true.  I watch as Na’vi skirt out of the way of the running Direhorses, but as the direhorses move past them they slink back in closer observing Jake and I.

The overlapping voices were too much for my brain to really register but I could tell they weren’t too happy at our presence. Though some did look curious as they gaze at us as they continued to move in closer some even reached out to touch us on the arm, I watch as Jake flinch at the contact, but I kept my body still and facing forward. I was walked behind Jake and could see the knife that they had place right on my queue, I even felt one upon mine and it made me shiver with nerves.

The cutting of the Kuru is greater than death to the Na’vi, it dissolves their connection to the great mother, stopping them from returning to her embrace after death. The fact that they have their blades against both of ours, to me at least shows that they have no intention of allowing us to connect and be apart of this world. I just hope they let us return at all, that we can come to a calm resolution. This shouldn’t be the way that we are reintroduced to the clan.

We are eventually stopped at a clearing, where we are placed in front of Eytukan the Olo’eyktan. He turns slowly his face stern and clear confusion that firmly sets into anger as his gaze settles on us, and I look him over noticing his chest mantle covered in claws and by the size of them I venture the guess that it is Thanator claws. Looking past him, I gaze at the Skeleton head of a beast that could only be of a Toruk. Knowing in my research that the last Toruk Makto was Neytiri’s great-great-grandfather, rider of the last shadow. I bow my head slightly, not feel worthy to gaze upon it, but as I slowly lift my gaze again I catch Tsu’tey’s eye and he immediately snarls at me, fangs poking through as his gaze Hardens.

Tsu’tey stands tall behind Eytuktan and as I look over him once more, I notice he holds my drenched med kit bag and all I can think is I’m glad that is waterproof. My eyes then fall to Neytiri as she greets her father.

“Father.” She takes her hand placing it to her forehand and brings it back down, “I see you.”

 I move slightly closer to Jake as we are released from our holds from the warrior and I place my good arm on his gripping his elbow tightly to ensure that he doesn’t do anything stupid.

My eyes drift from Neytiri to land on Eytuktan as he walks down towards her his head tilted as he regards us, he slowly moves past Neytiri stopping in front of us. He looks to Jake first and then his gaze drops to me, part of me wishes to greet him, but the more nervous part of me wants to wait until permission is given.

“May the Great Mother smile upon our first meeting. I see you Olo’eyktan.” I give in to intrusive thoughts of being able to greet the man in his native tongue before he most likely decides to kill us both.

As I speak, he slows his movements and looks me over again, and I feel myself shrink under his eyes, but I try to remain tall and strong matching his gaze. Hoping it comes off as being respectful, considering I know Jake just nodded at him.

From outside of the clearing, I can hear gasps of other clan members, over my ability to speak their tongue. I try to keep my gaze focused on Eytuktan but a sharp hiss from a warrior draws my attention for a second and I try to keep my face as neutral and compliant as possible before I return it to the man in front of me.

“These creatures…One who seemingly speaks our tongue” He begins as he turns away from us and I can see Neytiri also following her father’s movements, “Or at least is competent enough to know a greeting but why dear daughter, why do you bring them here?”  he stops in front of Neytiri regarding her with sharp eyes that show the strength of a leader, but I see the love of a father hidden behind the harshness of which he looks at her. He looks towards me again and it seems just like his daughter, he’s testing my knowledge of his language, to show him I understand I give him a low nod before meeting his gaze. Since he has moved away I can only just make out the low ‘hhm’ he makes at my confirmation of understanding what he said.

Jake leans in closer to me and I can feel his breath on my ear as he goes to speak but I grip his arm tightly allowing nails to dig in to hopefully quem his questions. I hear a slight hiss from him but he straightens himself back up understanding my silent request that he remains quiet and saves any questions he may have until the end.

“I was going to kill him,” She pauses for a second, her head slinking over her shoulder slightly in my direction. “And her, but there was a sign from Eywa.” I watch as Neytiri leans forward towards her father as she speaks, making herself appear smaller as to appease her father, most likely knowing he would not take kindly to this information.

I try to keep my breathing even, as I wait for the response of the Olo’eyktan, knowing that when it comes to clan matters this is his domain. But with there being a sign from Eywa I’m still holding out hope for the Tsahik to come out to decide our fates.

“I have said.” He enunciates every word, he seems frustrated in this moment, and I can’t say that I blame him for it, they don’t want us here after everything the RDA has done, not just to the whole clan, but to Eytuktan’s family specifically.

“No dreamwalker will come here.” I keep my eyes on him but as he continues to speak a frown inch its way on my face and my eyes droop down to the ground my ears flattening across my head.

“What’s he saying?” I hear Jake whisper to me clearly feeling left out of the conversation, but I barley register it as I try to focus in on

“Their alien smell fills my nose.” He finishes, laughter begins to surround us from all directions from the clan members, and I close my eyes and let out a small grounding breath. Yeah, we off to a great first meeting.

“Hey, what’s he saying” Jake grips my arm more tightly urging my attention back to him in hopes of me translating.

“My father is deciding whether to kill you both.” Neytiri says it in such a calm way that it takes me a second to properly register her words, and my eyes widen as I feel Jakes hand fall away from me and see him take a step forward.

“Jake! -“I try to pull him back to me, but he brushes me off.

“It’s nice to meet you sir.” Jake puts his hand out in attempts to shake hands with the Olo’eyktan, and shouts come from all warriors yelling and grabbing at both him and me and I swallow hard as the same warrior from before grips my good arm, but not as dramatic and deadly as the ones that grab at Jake. I see Tsu’tey in the mix of the warriors who hissed and yelled at Jake and watch his hand clenches around the strap of my bag.

“But I’m sorry you can’t kill her.” He says it so seriously that I balk completely at him, but I don’t move closer or dare to speak, as to not agitate an already upset audience, “She’s a mother, she has a kid at home.” He finishes and as he tries to look back at me, he’s gripped by the back of the neck to continue looking forward.

This information seems to shock most people in the vicinity as I feel more eyes on me than before. Neytiri’s head shoots in my direction her mouth gaping slightly at the information, Eytuktan’s eyes almost soften at the admission of my status as a mother and Tsu’tey he continues to glare eyes shrinking to slits as he looks me up and down, and I can’t help but Squirm under their scrutiny. Most people do regard me in a negative light when they find out I was a teen mother, so as I feel their stares I can’t help but feel small and irresponsible, they’re probably wondering why I am here and not with my child. Cause as we walked in; I did see multiple children who were all huddled closely to their own mothers some in slings across their chests while older ones were being held by the shoulders.

But before I can muster up the courage to possibly defend why I am without my child, a voice calls up from a set of stairs that round the Hometree.

“Release these creatures!” All eyes snap toward the voice as she speaks and their gaze’s slowly make their way back towards Jake and I, as she steps down each step her arms outstretched in front of herself, “Step back!”  I look up at her again as she move’s down the steps, and I recognise her as Mo’at the Tsahik of the Clan, Neytiri’s mother and Eytuktan’s mate.

I’m slowly pushed back towards Jake and he immediately steps in line with me and I try to stubly punch him in the ribs while whispering, “I told you to keep quiet!” I seethe the words at him quickly, before Mo’at finishes her approach to us.

“I will look at these Aliens.” She announces to the crowd and everyone steps back at her words, she walks closer to us and I can vaguly make out Neytiri giving an explanation to Jake on who she is and I bow my head in respect, but My head snaps back up towards Jake as he dares to speak again.

“Who’s Eywa?” he says looking down toward me with furrowed brows.

“Did you listen to nothing I tried to teach you.” I say to him my eyes wide and mouth open in utter shock at him, Jake just shrugs his shoulders towards me.

Mo’at makes her way around us and I follow her path and can’t help but shrink more under her gaze as she paws at both Jake and I even going as far to swipe at our tails and I stumble slightly forward. Unsure of the feeling of someone being so causal about touching it so blanketly. I hear a chuckle from in front of me and look up to see Tsu’tey quickly school his features back into a scowl which I quickly rebuke with one of my own and I can’t help but look down towards my bag.

Tsu’tey seems to noticed this and tightens his grip on my bag seemingly to say that I won't be getting it back any time soon and my frown deepens as I look at it. Knowing that I stashed a photo of Malu in one of the pockets, so I could have some part of her be with me during our times apart.  Mo’at then finish’s her walk around the two of us and stands directly in the middle of the both of us in front.

“What are you called?” She switches her glance between Jake and I.

“Jake Sully.” Jake tries to school his face into one of neutrality to cover up his nervous smiling and I try to keep my face as calm as possible.

“My Name is Dr Corvus Katrina Jones-Sully, but everyone calls me Cori.”  I say as instead of lowering my head, I try to stand tall, to ensure that my respect for them and their language shines through, Mo’at hums slightly at my use of their language.

“Another scientist?” She sneers towards me and I shake my head quickly.

“No, a healer, and a researcher of culture. I don’t study the likes of animals or plants I don’t take things that are already here. I simply observe and take in the information that is offered to me, none of my research is meant to be shared with others unless I am given permission. I do not wish to disturb the balance of Pandora. Or harm any who live here.”  I find myself babble out as much information of my role as quickly as possibly before Mo’at lifts her hand and I find myself immediately quietening my words and leaning back slightly. She regards me with her eyes looking up and down but does not offer any words of understanding or believing me and I find myself swallowing back a lump at her intense stare.

She then pulls a sharp pin from its sheath and stabs Jake with it, I see him flinch slightly at the intrusion and I try to keep myself from doing the same and not react when she licks the pin either. She then procures a second pin and does the same to me, all I can think is thank god she didn’t use the same one cause the germs of blood and silva mixing is not a great combination.

“Why did you come to us?” She asks, but she does not direct the question specifically to either of us.

“I came to learn.” Both Jake and I speak at the same time, Him in English while I spoke in Na’vi.

“We have tried to teach other sky people” Mo’at slows her speech as she takes a step towards the both of us squinting, “It is hard to fill a cup which Is already full.” She turns her gaze towards me at that sentence and I hold her gaze, before I can speak Jake lets out a small laugh.

“My cup is empty, trust me. Just ask my sister” he jabs his thumb in my direction and I can’t help the small laugh that falls from my mouth with a shake of my head. “I’m no scientist. And as far as my sister goes, I’m pretty sure her cup is never-ending, there's never been a time in our entire lives where she wasn’t trying to learn something new.” Jake shakes his head as he looks at me with a smile and I can’t help the smile that splits on my face, as I feel the pride that edges off of him, but both of our attentions are quick to turn back to Mo’at.

“You’re sister says she’s a healer and a researcher, a researcher of what exactly?”  Mo’at sends the question towards Jake which I can only assume she is doing so that she can figure out if I was telling her the truth when I spoke in Na’vi.

“Oh yeah she’s a killer doctor – not actually a killer though I just mean she’s really fucking good at what she does-“ Jake Stammers out and I look at him with wide eyes his own eyes widening as he lifts his hands up defensively as a few of the warriors take a step forward hissing slightly, with raised weapons.

“Jake,” I chastise pulling on his arm slightly, Jake turns back to Mo’at

“Yeah, she’s an amazing doctor and surgeon too, she studied both Human bodies and your guy’s too.” He says gesturing to the Na’vi around us and I struggle to hold in the groan I feel escaping my throat as a few of the Na’vi around us narrow their eyes at me.

Great he’s making me out to sound like a pervert by saying I studied their bodies.

“She also studied y'all's language and culture for years like years and years, before she even joined Dr Augustine’s program. Like I don’t know how she managed it all especially when Malu was born.” Jake Finishes and I can hear the pride in his voice as he talks about my accomplishments and I find it hard to be mad at him in this situation.

“Malu?” She questions looking at me and I can’t help but smile as I think of her.

“My daughter.” I say proudly.

“You are a mother too then? Surely you understand our hesitation on allowing either of you to walk on our lands.” Mo’at looks me up and down and I find myself nodding along with her words.

“Of course, my daughter means everything to me. Despite what others might think, considering I stand before you without her by myside.”  The words tumble from my mouth before I can really stop them, but I know they come from a place of some insecurity, “There is a picture of her in my med kit bag that I carry, so even when she is not physically with me I have a piece of her with me always.”  I gesture towards the bag that Tsu’tey is still holding tightly and I watch as he narrows his eyes shifting the bag slightly behind himself and I have to hold back the Instinct to roll my eyes at the childish behaviour.

Mo’at gestures towards Tsu’tey and the bag and I can seem him clench his Jaw tightly before he makes his way down beside Mo’at depositing the bag at my feet.

“I believe it belongs to the demon.” Tsu’tey growls out towards me before taking a few steps back behind Mo’at.

Mo’at gestures towards the bag and I crouch down slowly aware of all the eyes on me and the warriors inching closer with their weapons as I slowly unzip the bag and revealing the medical supplies inside. I slowly slide my hand into the side pocket and pull out the small Polaroid picture I carry of Malu, in a red Minnie mouse tutu dress proudly holding a ‘jungle book’ book and Bagheera. The photo was taken last year on her birthday, as I found another special edition book to add to her collection.

Mo’at Looks inside the bad and spots the photo that I hold in my hands and promptly holds out her own, I slowly raise up again and place the photo within her palm and she holds it up to look at it.

“She is very small.” Mo’at mumbles in English looking at the photo and both Jake and I let out a small laugh.

“But very mighty as she would always say.” I reply back in English, she then gestures down towards the bag and hands the photo back to me, “It’s a medical kit bag, for if any of the Avatar’s receive any injuries I can patch them back up.”

She gestures to my arm that is still in the swing, “Just like the sling I’m using for my arm, it keeps it secure and immobile to ensure the best healing results.” I explain and she hums along before her attention then goes back to Jake.

“And you are?” She speaks towards him, Jake loses the smile that was previously on his face and stands up taller beside me, turning serious.

“I was a Marine,” He stutters for a second looking unsure as he looks at me then towards Neytiri before settling back on Mo’at “ A warrior of the Jarhead Clan.”

Once again with his words Jake makes my mouth drop open in shock, and he looks down at me as I raise a brow at him, and he shrugs his shoulders slightly.

“A Warrior!” Tsu’tey yells across the clearing and everyone’s attention snaps towards him, he raises his weapon and goes to move closer to Jake and I glare at him as I stand in front of my brother who puts a hand on my good shoulder. “I could kill him easily!” Tsu’tey cries out as Eytuktan place’s a hand on his chest to stop his movements forward.

“No!” Eytuktan yells out stopping Tsu’tey in his path and he stares down at us and sneers his fangs peaking out from his lips and I keep my glare directed at him and he scoffs at me.

“This is the first warrior dreamwalker we have seen. We need to learn more about him.”  

I blink rapidly as I take in Eytuktan’s words and I watch as Tsu’tey does the same eyes growing wider as he turns to the man next to him.

 I slowly turn back to Jake as he tugs lightly on my Elbow. “What’s going on what are they saying.”

“I think your idiocy may have just saved you.” I whisper to him, but before Jake can answer me Mo’at speaks up turning towards Neytiri.

“My Daughter.” She starts slowly and Neytiri glances towards her,  “You will teach him our way, to speak and walk as we do.”   Neytiri looks like she is about to object to this but Mo’at holds up and hand turns to Tsu’tey and points to him and Nudges her head in my direction, “You shall teach her.”

Oh shit.

Both Neytiri and Tsu’tey come forward towards Mo’at, “Why can I not teach the girl? At least she speaks our tongue.” Neytiri complains and  I can’t help but a small swell of pride that fills my chest at the smallcompliment that shebestows upon me.

“Ugh, the demon sullies our language, I pray to cut it’s tongue from its mouth to save my ears from the sacrilege.” Tsu’tey spits out and his gaze locks with mine ensuring that I heard and know how he feels, the previous pride I felt immediately leaves and I’m filled with an overwhelming amount of shame. Of course Neytiri wasn’t complimenting that my ability to speak was good, just that I could speak it and understand it compared to Jake.

“Enough!” Mo’at called out lifting her hands and the two in front of her stopped, “Was it not your arrow that would’ve pieced his heart?” She gazed down at Neytiri who Groaned and hissed while turning away, Mo’at turned to Tsu’tey “And your Bolo that captured her legs?”

I feel my ears go flat on my head as Tsu’tey levels me with another deathly glare and a snarl before he turns away huffing and turns back to Mo’at again and points to me, “How can she learn when she is injured!” He yells, and Mo’at slowly turns her gaze back to me.

“She will learn the ways of healing with me while her injury still restricts her, but I feel strength from her that I don’t think this injury would hold her back from your teachings.” She says all this while looking me up and down and I tentatively nod at her which only seems to anger Tsu’tey more.

“I will not aid these demons!” He tries again but Mo’at whirls on him.

“You dare question Eywa, you dare question your Tsahìk?” Mo’at levels him with a look that makes him falter in his anger and his ears pin flat against his head and he lowers his gaze to the floor.

“No, Tsahik I do not wish you to question you, but how can you ask this of me? To teach these demons when all they have shown is destruction and killing.” There is pain in his voice as he speaks but I can tell he is trying to hide it, to level his voice as being a warrior and not as someone who has suffered at the hands of humans.

“Tsahik, I do not wish to cause Turmel, I do not wish to force someone to teach me if they do not deem it to be okay.” I say tentatively gaging both Tsu’tey and Mo’at’s reactions to my words, Mo’at again looks me up and down while Tsu’tey snarls and turns away from me.

“It is decided.” Mo’at announces to the clan with Jake looking down at me curios as to what has been decided and I place a hand on his arm giving it a reassuring squeeze.

My daughter will teach you our ways” She looks to Jake before turning to me, “And tsu’tey you. Learn well, Jakesully, Co’ri. We will see if insanity can be cured.”

Mo’at turns back to Tsu’tey and Neytri, “They are your responsibility. Both of you” If looks could kill Jake and I would be dead ten times over with the looks the two of them are giving us and once again I cannot blame their anger and hesiatation.

“Tsu’tey bring Co’ri to my tent so I may inspect her wounds, Neytiri see to Jake’s yourself.” Mo’at then walks off back to the stairs.

Neytiri walks up to the two of us with a snarl and roughly grabs Jake by the arm pulling him away, he goes to say something but she whirls back on him her braids hitting him in the face, “Do. Not. Speak.” She snarls at him and continues to pull him roughly towards some tents, he looks back at me for a second and I give him a nervous smile and a wave which he mirrors back.

Tsu’tey does not walk up to me simple gestures with his head to follow him with that same snarl on his face. But this time I do not have the energy to match him, I simply sigh reaching down to pick up the bag and I can’t help the small hiss I let out from the pain in my shoulder.

Suddenly the bag is ripped from my hands and I look forward with wide eyes and am met with the anger and disgust of Tsu’teys, “Weak.” He spits out as he turns back around stomping off in the direction of Mo’at, I let out a sigh and slowly begin to walk behind him.

“Leanabh.” I whisper under my breath, and Tsu’tey stops briefly looking back at me with narrowed eyes, I know he does not understand that I just called him a child in Gaelic, but I think he can understand that I didn’t exactly compliment him either. So I smile at him though with my shoulder it probably comes out as more as a grimace. He grunts and turns back around.

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Tsu’tey POV

The BOLO SCENE

Something I was not prepared to see this day, Dreamwalkers back in our forest. To close to the clan, to close for it to be an accident. I can practically hear their stomps from even this distance. There demon foot coverings that make them loud and trackable within the forest.

I tighten my fist around the bolo in my hand waiting for them to come into view. Two of them, a man and a woman. Huddled in close – perhaps they are mates with the way the male is gripping onto the woman’s hand and looking back every few steps to ensure he hasn’t lost her.

Then she comes into view, she is injured, she is in pain, yet she is still trying to smile at the man in front of her and is keeping up with the pace. It startles me slightly as I watch her, she is attempting to match and copy the same movements as Neytiri. She is not succeeding in the slightest.

 She keeps looking down at her feet towards the ground, though as quickly as she looks down she keeps looking all around and even from this distance I can see that they are wide with fascination. Or really, she is most likely seeing what other things her and her people can take from us again, planning another attack.

Her ears are swaying all over the place as if she is trying to listen to all that is around her. Stupid, dreamwalkers cannot listen and they cannot see. Looking them over again I can see that the male is brandishing at least one hunting knife though it will not do much up against the party of warriors I have with me.

With her though I see no weapons on her person, foolish of her to come to the forest unarmed. I look back down at the bag attached to my Pa’li the demon bag that holds things inside it that I recognise as their medical supplies. Though hidden inside was a picture of a child. Looking back up at them even in their fake bodies I can see similarities of the child to the male, maybe their Child. I can’t help but narrow my eyes at them, they left their child behind to come here, they would leave their child alone to come for death in entering these forests.

I can’t help the low growl that leaves my throat, catching her would be too easy she is already injured it would not take much to subdue her. I lift the Bolo aiming to strike at the legs of the Male and as I throw, I see the female’s head snap up and yell, pushing the male in front of her down and bolo wraps around her own ankles instead and she falls.

I can’t help the gasp that leaves my throat as I watch her tumble from the tree, landing with a resounding thud on the floor.

“VOS!”