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What would have happened if TAP chose a different clan to target to get their students?
How would things have changed?
This is just an Idea/concept for people (not me) to expand into alternative AUs for TAP and the Western Frontier clans. This is just my interpretation of the potential that could have happened if Mercer, Harding weren't so picky on which clan would be the easiest to wipe out. Cortez, she didn't seem like the person to give an F on where they came from, just as long as they were Na'vi and from a clan (she switched from the Kame'tire to the Sarentu very easily).
Since the Sarentu were the canonical Clan wiped out by the RDA/TAP, they won't be on the list as students since the RDA wouldn't have targeted them in these alternative universes (unless TAP hit two clans for double students)
The Aranahe Clan | The Zeswa | The Kame'tire
TWs: Loss of favourite characters
Each clan with have their own post so I'll update the links when it's up and once that's done, this post will be available to reblog XD
EDIT: All written out, if you have any questions about these, feel free to ask. If you get inspired to write your own version then feel free! just tag me so i can have a read too XD
so, for fanfic purposes, i wanna discuss the idea that... do you think that the Zeswa know about Butter?
Like, a big part of me wants to believe so, that they know bc they have access to so much milk whenever they want and can shake it like it owes them money to get their butter but... like what if they don't need butter at all, so why bother to learn? maybe it was a discontinued food ingredient bc they have so many alternative options? Why waste time with making butter when they can make what they need far more efficiently without shaking milk.
Yes, the Na'vi know how to make pastries, but not necessarily do they need butter, Lard or other animal fats are long-term known ingredients to make it alternatively. Butter is not part of any trades nor listed in any of the food lists in either standard or speciality.
I haven't seen anything in-game that suggests butter's presence in the Zeswa's clan. no blocks or wheels of butter. Only milk barrels and cheese rings. There's not NPC talk wither. There is talk of Whey, but that's a by-product of cheese making than butter making (which produces buttermilk, slightly different to Whey).
What do you think?
Do Zeswa have butter?
Yes, of course!
No, bc they don't need it.
They know, but choose not to use it. (Discontinued)
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The RDA only really became aware of the potential of the nomadic nature of the Zeswa and dependence on the Zakru from word of the Kame'tire, Mokasa who choose between the Sarentu or the Zeswa for the RDA to target to spare the Kame'tire. Since the Sarentu were last known at their lands, Mokasa told Alma the Zeswa so suspicion would not fall upon the clan's shoulders should something happen to the clan.
The RDA left and the clans knew very little of what would happen until the Sarentu clan ventured to find the Zeswa for their typical travels, only to enter the Upper plains and find the last known location covered in a deadly fog.
Harding, seeing how much more deadly the clan was, despite the easier routes, opted to not even bother opening with a dialogue. Mercer and Harding had Cortez left at TAP Con-1 despite her protests as targeting the clan needed more specialised attacks than just shooting out; it was hours of singling out lone figures before the clan realised. Since they didn't need diplomatic faces, she wasn't considered important to be there.
They set up snipers, chargers and bombs to box the Zeswa in the area, shooting Ikran and hunters when away from The Circle before the alarm was raised and the TAP soldiers moved in and started the massacre, killing the a majority of the fighting Zeswa, Most of the Zakru and a Ikran and Direhorses. Children hiding in the tents or behind the bodies of family or Zakru were taken in.
Nesim, 3 years old.
Minang, 5 years old
Karmong, 4 years old
Tu'kari, 7 months old
Faiu, 4 years old, †at aged 12 attempting an escape
Sosul, 2 year old,
Tukru, 3 years old,
Novao, 4 months old. †Aged 9, suicide out of guilt.
Kìn a young dairy crafter would have been the only adult to have escaped and fled to The Heart of the Plains in self-imposed exile once the shooting was done and children taken. He found solace with the wandering Zakru.
Once the children were taken in, the RDA triggered the Yavä to destroy the bodies of both Na'vi and Zakru to hide the evidence and abandoned the area. the Density of the Yavä did spread it far before stopping,
The kids were taken to TAP Con-1 and the facility remained their school location once the area was set up, as the yavä was of no issue or problem and heavily guarded given it was set up in the mountains.
They lived in similar conditions to that of the Canon Sarentu kids, trained in weapons, human languages and stripped of their Zeswa identity. They have only a few relics from their past:
Minang had her mother's bracelet, given to her as a gift hours before they were taken. This was later stolen during their attempt to escape.
Sosul had a bead from Kìn, as a gift meant to go in his hair, Alma let him keep the single bead that he had hidden in the hair of his kuru.
Since Minang is the oldest of the children taken, she remembers a lot of their way despite Mercer's attempts to supress it and is often punished, but to force her compliance, Nesim is often used as a target to keep her in line.
Nesim grew up to be a rebellious child with the help of her sister, pushing back against Alma and Mercer, but got more brutal punishments from Harding, to the point where she lost her eye in a particular bad beating. Minang had to convince her to keep a lid on her temper if they were to survive. The two were separated a lot during the day and together at night.
When Faiu was twelve, he helped convince a portion of the Zeswa kids to escape, but Novao sold the group out which earned the Zeswa a reward but he succumbed to the guilt of getting one of their people killed and attacked one of the handers which led to his death. This damaged Morel for the kids but kept a few flames burning as they grew up.
Then, the RDA were evacuated in 2154, and the kill order was given and Alma stepped in and killed the soldiers and led the Zeswa to cryovaults and despite the kids resistance, convinced them in.
In that time since the kids were taken, The Sarentu clan returned to the other clans, informing them of their discoveries but the Aranahe knew little to help but attempted to, flying over the plains to see the former site but unable to see what was left.
The Kame'tire helped the Sarentu devise ways, spending the first 15 years finding means to breach the fog safely. Tamtey, a young Sarentu warrior clashed heavily with Mokasa who tried to convince Anufi to not help, realised he hid something. Anufi forced the answers before realising that Mokasa had sold out the Zeswa and then banished. With knowledge that the sky people were involved, the Kame'tire and Aranahe sent scouts to locate RDA bases.
It took the clans ten years to locate TAP Con-1, 2164, but also Siul to create a concoction to pass into the fog of the upper plains which showed them the truth of the massacre, with only a few strong bones of the Zakru remaining of the dead's remains in the fog. Songcords, decoration bones and elements that could not rot showed were each of the Zeswa were fallen.
The Sarentu were able to break into TAP Con-1 and they spent days searching through it, finally breaching the medbay where the children were found sleeping. But they were scared of accidently killing one of the teenagers so the Kame'tire send someone to the Omatikaya, where the allied sky people were, to help them open it. It took a week for Hajir and a team to arrive to the Western Frontier, Alma opting to stay away once she learned the Kame'tire and other clans were so involved, she feared they'd harm her. Although she is heavily questioned about her previous projects by Jake. Her avatar was later put into water-storage beside Grace's dormant avatar as punishment for some time.
The Zeswa kids are later woken up and taken to the Hollows to recover and to start the integration with Na'vi. The kids push for help to the Upper Plains, to see where their people once were. Karmong connects swiftly with the Direhorses that live around the fog, though fell off a few times, she found a pleasure in riding, as it felt like freedome.
The Zakru that weren't part of The Circle's herd do come about, eldered beasts recognising the Zeswa children but the kids had long since forgotten how they lives with them. A few Sarentu, like Teylan and Yuayt and Kame'tire opted to remain with the kids when they went to follow the Zakru once they began to leave the upper plains and back to the Heart of the plains, not to feed, but to guide the young Zeswa back to Kìn, who they all knew as the last survivor of the Zeswa.
Kìn, though traumatised by his ordeal 26 years before, was overjoyed to see his two daughters alive, Karmong and Tu'kari but devastated to learn about the loss of his son during their captivity. He feels a great guilt and shame for not coming back sooner, to help the Sarentu and Kame'tire find them, as he believed they were all killed that night and had been terrified of being found and killed by sky people in turn.
Nesim convinced him to teach them their people's ways, to rebuild in a time of peace. Kìn settled back into dairy crafting, teaching Sosul how they milk Zakru and how to craft Zangke and cheeses. Others, kite making and how tents are made. Nesim took on a leadership role, as did Minang. The others briefly returned to the Upper plains and the other clans to be taught how to use Na'vi weapons and the Way of Eywa.
4 years later, the RDA returned but the clans were far more prepared this time.
Tsyuta had obeyed the medical team’s instructions very well, despite being restless. Ri’nela had wished to make things easier, but she knew that while Hajir was more knowledgeable than Nalin, neither would be fully equipped in tending to Na’vi.
There hadn’t been a whisper of the Aranahe, but with Alma busy with the humans, discussing movement plans, and some people already starting to pack up redundant items, which was surprisingly a lot. Decorations were taken down, put into crates and labelled. Daniela had taken to upkeep the inventory of everything with Priya, and Anqa had started to show Luis De Luca the ropes on how to pilot, to open up another flyer position that they’d need. With the move, it’d be important. The HQ, according to what Ri’nela overheard, could be airlifted into three separate pieces and taken, but with the Upper Plain winds, it sounded like they’d have to completely pack up for safe transport. They'd need another pilot anyway.
It sounded like a lot of work. Something Ri’nela wasn’t going to trouble herself with.
But she still had work to do herself to ensure a safe future for them and the Resistance. Tsyuta still had a few more days of bed rest before the docs would let her go about for the lightest of duties; no flying, no bending and no lifting anything heavier than a bowl of fruit, so she couldn’t help with the resistance either.
So’lek, she had asked to stay behind to protect Tsyuta and the Resistance, but took Anqa’s ship to the cliffside cave. It made her heart beat fast, both at the freedom she felt in this exploration path and the beauty of the cave. The Tarsyu sapling made her pause and offered a sense of comfort before she pressed on and shimmered up the lift-vine and onwards. A soft scrape to her knee on the curve up, but Ri’nela didn’t feel it break the skin. Eywa forbid, Nor may blow a gasket if she came back with punctured skin, and she was already well aware how much he didn’t want her out alone on the Upper Plains as it was.
It had taken a lot to convince him that the clan weren’t yet considered a threat and was an opening out of the actual one. All the more reason not to give him ammunition.
A soft breeze fluttered across her face, far colder than expected. Sharp winds indeed. Her pathway remained clear and got brighter before opening up to a large exit way, but she saw the vast open blue of the sky before she noticed the magnificent arches above. Natural beauty she had not seen before. The stone formation was strong, grown with life along with the remnants of green coming off of it.
Her feet carried her out, and her eyes landed on the high number of Direhorses around, small Hexapede-like creatures, but… weren’t. She didn’t yet know that creature's name, much like the giant lumbering with the dorsal fin with natural pits along that which looked like it tunnelled air through. Up ahead, she noticed a plateau with items and signs of life and didn’t hesitate to approach. No one was there, but there was a kite along the stone, held down with a weight, and it shook with the breeze. There were a few small tents and baskets about, so clearly a pit-stop for the Zeswa that gathered in this region.
So’lek had mentioned this was a signal kite; she’d have to raise it to get a scout's attention should the area be empty. The moment Ri’nela lifted the weight, the teal kite launched up into the air to its full mast and strained.
So, Ri’nela waited.
It took perhaps twenty minutes to see two warriors on the back of the Direhorses, both male, unfamiliar, but they seemed curious at her presence.
Ri’nela’s head tilted, straightening up to greet them.”<I see you.>” She greeted, “<I was hoping you could take me to either the Tsahìk or the Olo’eyktan of the Zeswa. The matter is… important.>”
The younger of the two got off, coming straight to the signal kite to pull it down now that it was acknowledged. She made a move to help, but he shook his head toward her. “<Thank you, but there is a technique you are not familiar with>” he declined politely.
Ri’nela nodded, turning her attention to the other guy. “<Will you be willing to aid me?>”
The Zeswa guy was peering at her for the longest of moments, then past her to the tops of the Aranahe trees. “<Do you know how to ride?>” He gestured, his horse turning with silent commands.
“<Not yet, but I’m willing to.>” Ri’nela said.
“<Go pick a Pa’li, you’ll have to ride with us if you’re to make it to The Circle.>”
Her eyes flickered cautiously to the other roaming Direhorse.
“<Be gentle in your approach, you are not Zeswa, and they are younger and frightful. Be slow. Once you touch and pat them, they will be at ease enough for you to bond with them.>” The younger one said very helpfully.
Her eyes found one, stepping down and through the long grass with her hands up and open as she approached it. It quickly noticed her and began to huff a bit defensively.
“<It’s okay>” She said, hoping to soothe it with a calm and collected tone.
It reared up, yet Ri’nela found herself unafraid of it; it didn’t look angry or sporadic, Defensive, mostly, but she kept talking, hoping her voice’s tone would work. It landed on its front hooves before she reached forward and patted its face. “<That’s it, I won’t hurt you>”
It mewled softly, the long, thin tongue swashing out for a moment before she grasped the long kuru and connected it to hers. It reared a little, their mind touching with unexpected sensations. She knew from word of the concept and how the Tarsyu felt, but this was…different. Sensory feedback from the Direhorse hooves, the vast breath and massive heart… it was almost overwhelming. But it took a second to reel it in and find calm, and take steady breaths to ground herself..
The Direhorse calmed in response. It’s—his— mind was… simple. More instinct-driven, but she felt he was aware of her body just as she was with his. He had been ridden before, but not often, to be too familiar with Na’vi. He’d return here once she was done. The Arches were his favourite feeding grounds with his herd.
Ri’nela clambered on, feeling the more comfortable ways to sit before she directed the Direhorse to follow. The two warriors did give her some tips to adjust and how to sit properly to avoid falling off without a saddle.
“<If it gets spooked, do not let its fear overwhelm you.>” The older Zeswa warrior said, taking the lead. “<You must remain in control of the mount, or it will control you.>”
“<How will I regain control?>”
“<Ground yourself to the world that is real. Sights around, the things you can see, smells, and songs in the wind. Fear will not see beyond its own imagination.>”
With that, they picked up speed.
There was no mistake in the beauty of the plains. The vastness and openness of the plains, wind-bent trees, and the arrowdeer, as she was told, were running about. Time seemed to mean little, passing through stone formations and across shallow rivers and tall winding red trees until they reached a high peak and opened up to a sight filled with slumbering Zakru and pitched tents of various colours. People were busy, pottering about, but there was soft cheering and a general lively atmosphere. Not to mention, loud but low echoing sounds that were certainly the Zakru.
Ri’nela dismounted at the edge, patting her mount and following the older warrior into The Circle. She felt a few curious faces.
“<Sarentu?>”
“<The Sarentu is here?>”
Echoed a little behind her, but she didn’t lose her step as she was led towards a large purple tent, passing a changing table which was set up not too far from its entryway. War paint, maybe. Ri’nela didn’t let her mind linger on that.
“<Niwin will direct Minang and Nesim to you. Since you’re visit is… unexpected, they don’t often stay here when they have duties with the clan.>”
“<Of course.>” She knew they had better places to be and do. It wasn’t like they sent a scout ahead either. No matter.
It didn’t take longer than a few minutes before the first of the two sisters swept in. Tsahìk, by her attire. Minang. Her hair was woven up, jewellery and decoration that… seemed purposely to simulate that of Zakru. She looked to be in her thirties and… there was almost a purple tone to her skin with how sun-touched she was. Her yellow eyes were sharp, but the woman clearly sensed she wasn’t here for fun within the first few seconds of her entry.
“<Sarentu, We weren’t expecting a visit so soon, let alone uninvited.>” The latter didn’t feel like a jab or an insult, but Ri’nela felt like… it was remarked based on the eventual plan. They were planning to come to them. Her heart settled more comfortably.
“<Under normal circumstances, we would have preferred coming by with your request.>” Ri’nela started, eyes darting to see a new figure enter briskly.
Nesim. An inch shorter than her sister, their hair height not applicable in that assessment, but her attitude was sterner, fiercer with how she held herself, and she felt like a warrior. Established. Comforting, even. Her left side of her face held scars, but the most prominent feature of her was the lack of her left eye; sewn shut and long healed. One scar even sent as far as her lip too.
“<Sarentu? So soon?>” Nesim questioned, “<We’ve only just sent a scout to see what has come from the Aranahe lands to see what has come from your presence.>”
“<Then I will gladly tell you what has occurred for me to be here today.>” Ri’nela said. “<My name is Ri’nela. I am one of the four surviving Sarentu, and we’ve recently escaped the Sky people's cages.>”
Minang padded past her, listening but gesturing to follow and settle. Nesim did too, crouching by the fire. “<That few…>” Minang said, her voice sad. “<I’m sorry for the loss of your people. We… hoped that there were more. We heard whispers of your return and observed that… many sky people sites were stopped by your people’s hands.>”
“<Yes, Tsyuta is a budding warrior. We… live with the humans that are resisting the RDA’s advances over Na’vi land and territory. The Resistance that is currently living in Aranahe territory, but… there was an incident yesterday that cannot be undone.>” Her throat tightened as she said it.
“<Sky people?>” Nesim asked.
“<No. I wish it were. It would have been so much simpler.>” Ri’nela inhaled deeply, trying to compose her next sentence. “<Tsyuta and Etuwa, the Aranahe Tsahìk knew the sky people were responsible for a persistent problem that was occurring with the Kinglor. The flowers that feed them closed up due to sky people's devices. The solution was to take down the sky people's fortress that controlled the devices. Etuwa led the metal Ikrans away, and Tsyuta snuck in and crippled the base and restored the kinglor feeding plants.>”
“<Ha, the sky people are no match for the People.>” Nesim laughed.
Ri’nela wished to share her glee in the words of a fallen foe, but it felt like a hollow victory.
“<Etuwa was hurt when she was caught in the metal Ikran’s crash.>” She said, washing away Nesim’s smile. “<She lives now and is healing. But then, Tsyuta didn’t know what to do so she flew to the Aranahe for aid for her. Ka’nat wasn’t happy to hear she was harmed. With the help of her Ikran, Etuwa literally crashed through the Hometree’s window port to get to her father. All he saw were her injuries and the blood… and he believed that Tsyuta was the cause of Etuwa going out to fight the sky people. That it was her fault.>” Her face turned grim and she could feel the growing horror behind Minang’s expression. “<He didn’t listen to Etuwa as he ordered a warrior to kill her.>”
The both of them gasped deeply, and Nesim’s brow lifted in surprise. “<He ordered her death?!”
“<I don’t understand it either.>” Ri’nela said, voice cracking. “<Tsyuta… she took the spear to her face but managed to flee and escape the Hometree and come straight to us. Her eye… was destroyed.>”
“<Does she need our healers?>”
“<She’s being treated by a few healers, but I would welcome a Zeswa healer to aid her process. Her eye has been removed from the socket and is currently resting for the next few days until the worst of the swelling goes down. The resistance healer had sown in a… type of implant for an option of a replacement eye that’s either functional or decorative. Tsyuta hadn’t decided on it since she’s… very emotionally vulnerable. She needs help from the people now, but our people hold no trust with the Aranahe now.>”
“<So you’ve come to us.>” Minang followed, exchanging a look with her sister whose jaw was tight.
“<Yes. The resistance has pulled their people in and has locked the doors from any outward intrusions. The Aranahe are being treated as a hostile clan for the harm caused in cold blood for aiding them. They wish to evacuate the lands entirely, but… Alma, the resistance leader, wishes to relocate the Resistance onto the Upper Plains.>”
Their look of surprise wasn’t hard to miss. “<You’ve come to… ask this of us?>”
“<I was hoping you could come down to the Resistance base and talk to Alma. Negotiation on what this move will entail if you permit it, and the Resistance can also help against the sky people that are on your lands.>” Ri’nela explained. “<I know it is a massive ask for people you do not know.>”
The two sisters looked to each other for the longest of moments, then Minang stood up. “<We will need time to discuss it. Go give our home a wander and meet the Zeswa and our Zakru. Kìn is in the small yellow tent just north if you wish for a warm guide. He’s an elder and our chief dairy crafter>”
Ri’nela stood too with a nod. “<Thank you>”
“<I do have one question, has Tsyuta decided how she will tend to the lost eye? There are ways the People can grieve and find closure with the loss of a body part.>” Nesim asked.
“<Yes, she had requested it to be put in a decorated, clear jar of preserving fluid and to be sent to Ka’nat as a gift and lesson for his actions against her.>”
Nesim actually laughed, though it wasn’t joyful; it sounded far more reserved. Like scoffing at a bully who got caught. “<Then he will not forget the harm he inflicted on your clan.>”
“<Indeed. People will see what harm he has done too. No doubt every Aranahe knows what Ka’nat has done. The eye will be proof that will not be forgotten. Tsyuta will not let it be forgotten either.>”
Tamtey closed her eye against the wind, her forehead resting a little against So’lek’s back to shield her face from the coldness that… felt weird. Hajir had warned her that flying might make her head feel funny—air pressure—and he was not wrong. But there was a significant sense of grounding as she held onto So’lek and leaving the Kinglor Forest behind her.
Felt safer than even being in Resistance HQ.
Since her talk with Nefika and Etuwa, she felt more at peace with her decision on the matter and with the arrangements made to leave. She remembered bits and pieces from her interactions with Minang but nothing too solid so in part this was probably her first official meeting with the Tsahìk and Olo’eyktan.
She was looking forwards to meeting Nesim more than anyone. Someone who was a fierce warrior and had gone through the same loss and healed. She could show her how to heal. She didn’t doubt that So’lek couldn’t show her how to use a bow with her new disability but there were techniques that Nesim knew intimately to make it easier.
She could feel how So’lek’s body flexed as Ìley flew on, changing directions and how he leant forward or back. Familiar, as she remembered how instinct driven it was to adapt to ride. The Ikran’s mind with your own, helping you move your body to ease the ride and to cut through the air as one without drag. She hoped to rider Katir one day once she had healed.
The downward motion made Tamtey open her eye, tilting to see So’lek heading to a rock shelf formation at the side of the cliff that separated the Kinglor Forest to the Upper Plains.
“<Why are we stopping here? Can’t we fly on?>”
“<I have not yet bonded with the Zeswa Ancestors at their sacred site. The wind of the upper plains is merciless and Ìley is not familiar enough to fly those skies to fly in blindly. The Zeswa riders in Eywa will show me the way once I am granted that permission.>” So’lek explained, “<He is also from the Aranahe rookeries and has not needed to fly outside the Kinglor forest and likewise, your Ikran will follow suit.>”
Tamtey nodded slowly. “<Will we have to do that with all territories?>”
“<This behaviour is strictly found in the Aranahe Rookery. The forest is plentiful with food and mates that they never feel the need to go further than they have to. That is also why they’re more docile in comparison to that of the rookery that my clan shared with the Omatikaya. Now that they have rider’s they’ll grow and adapt to go further and build their confidence up they’ll be able to go where without needing your connection with Eywa to show them the way.>”
“Huh…” She never considered that at all.
They slowed and landed and she slipped off first, taking a second to squint through the sun and look at the surroundings.
Opposite the shelf, she noticed the massive RDA structure that turned the forest orange with pollution around it. She had noticed the smell and she had seen it more distantly but she hadn’t considered its purpose here before now.
“<What’s this base here for?>”
So’lek jumped off Ìley, giving it a spare glance with a displeased look. “<I do not know. Priya and Teylan may fill you in but it’s very well guarded and unwise to attempt unprepared.>”
Tamtey hummed in agreement. She wasn’t even mentally prepared to throw spear. It’d be unwise to attempt anything.
So’lek led her through to a cave. Ri’nela had told her of this pathway. Yet she found herself kind of excited for more physical activity. This didn’t feel like it would strain her too much. So’lek’s pace wasn’t too fast, but she had a sense it was purposeful to be enough to not push her head too fast but enough to feel like a challenge. But there was a heavier throbbing that build at her socket as they went.
He did call a minute break when they reached the Tarsyu sapling, so Tamtey rested beside it until the throbbed settled back before it could get painful.
“<Do not hesitate to tell me before it hurts.” So’lek said softly, “I know this is uncomfortable but do not push yourself.”
“<Its fine, we stopped before it hurt.>” Tamtey responded with softly, fingers touching over the purple petals with a sigh of relief.
“<That is not the point I am making, Sarentu.>” His tone dried up a little.
Tamtey cracked a smile softly, but rose to her feet. “<Let’s get going.>”
It wasn’t much further really before they were ducking out to the bright open world of the upper plains, met with the beautiful sight of the stone arches that towered above but as much as she wanted to see it in awe, her head spun with how bright it was and how the wind blew into her face, whipping at her clothes, her hair and stung her eye.
“One second…” She called as So’lek’s form moved in front of her.
It took a minute before Tamtey blinked through the wind and her eye adjust more to the light, squinting and wiped the tear that had risen before she could see properly ahead of her and nodded to So’lek.
He led her directly to the Direhorses, showing her how to get close enough to bond before he jumped onto his new mount. “We will ride there, it’ll be quicker.”
Tamtey swallowed uneasily but nodded and did her best to recreate So’lek’s actions to get a Direhorse. It took three tries before she was successful enough to bond with it and with a hiss, was able to jump onto its back, settling herself with it but she could see through its eyes which felt immediately disorientating. She snapped her eyes shut, taking a few steady breaths.
“<Are you alright?>”
Tamtey nodded softly. “<Its vision is disorientating; both of its eyes but one of mine… I feel the lack of the left more prominently.>” her hand touched at the bandaged shell at her socket. “<Can I ride with my eyes closed?>”
There was moment of silence, before she saw through its eyes as So’lek got close to ride beside her. “<To start off. I’ll ride beside you. You can see the green kites above, we can>”
It was weird but Tamtey led the way at a walking pace, trying to get used to the riding differences- a part of her expected the motions of an Ikran but the Direhorse didn’t respond in the same way so she almost rode into So’lek with an apology.
But she got used to it, but kept her eye closed regardless as they road on more comfortably. There was a speed she tried to reach but the bobbing motion hurt too much to keep up, so they remained at a steady trot.
Eventually, she allowed herself to open her eye, trying to focus less out of the Pa’li’s eyes as she went now she could feel the differences between them in this bond. So’lek said nothing and remained at her side as they drew onwards, passing through a few streams and tall plants and then upwards a hill that had large red trees.
Then finally above it, she could look down upon the sight of tents and massive fur-covered bodies of brown, long-trunked giants that lay tucked among them. There was a faint scent that hung in the air, that she had to assume came from the Zakru but nothing that was a bother. The closer they got, the bigger the Zakru got. Her eye lingered on them for a moment before she slipped from the back at the edge and patted the Direhorse’s muzzle and let it go on its way and let So’lek take the lead in.
Her eyes flickered to the people, noting how their hair was so different; not loose and free like the Aranahe but braided into basket-weaves shapes. To be unhindered by the wind. No messy hair and no risks of tangling with it confined. She’d need a change of style that’d be easier in this wind too.
So’lek led her towards a blue tent where, Tamtey realised had a few people in. Minang, she did recognise. Nesim, by the lack of eye but there was also an older man by the fire that was set up and going with a slightly… firmer build than a typical Na’vi. All three were sun-kissed by the slight purplish tan to their skin and all dressed in coarse but beautiful fabric. Durability.
“Fuck!” Tamtey startled herself and almost feeling herself lurch forwards as her left foot struck a something heavy and hard but it moved with her with the force behind her motion. So’lek’s arms caught her swiftly.
Heat flooded her cheeks, sparing a look down with a wince to see she had kicked a ceramic bowl of red paint which now splatted across the grass and her legs, So’lek’s feet too for that matter.
“<I’m sorry. I didn’t see it>” She immediately apologised, looking down to make note of other things she hadn’t noticed before. So’lek stopped her front bending down and simply pushed the bowl back into place.
“<The paint will dry.>” Minang said, unbothered by the accident. Perhaps understanding, given her new blind-spot. “<Come.>”
Tamtey wiped her feet in the grass quickly and move forward to meet them.
“<Welcome our home, Sarentu. My name is Nesim.>” The Olo’eyktan started, “<This is Kìn.>
Tamtey’s eyes moved to the older man with a soft nod. “<Thank you for accepting us.>”
“<Sit, let me change those bandages.>” Minang gestured to a spot beside a tray of items.
The Sarentu complied, letting So’lek start conversation with Nesim and Kìn as she removed her bandages first but held onto the plastic shell and let her examine her eye fresh again, trying to watch this time as she took a leaf and coated it with some herb mix and placed it over her eye. She flinched a little at the coldness of it offering the shell.
“<No, we will not need the sky person version.>” Instead, Minang pulled a different shell, a real one from possibly a crab-like creature of some-kind that was smooth and large, shaved down at the edges. She placed that against the leaf and used a woven, reed like wrap that held the shell in place. The Na’vi bandages felt odd, but that was probably because it was so new and unfamiliar but it felt stronger. Less like it was gonna tear off against the wind.
Minang peered at the bandages, assessing it quietly before she nodded. “<Tomorrow, we’ll change the bandages again. The herb paste will need to be replenished then. Your body will heat it and it’ll seep into your skin. The mix will help reduce swelling and fight against infections, far better than the resistance medicines.>”
“<They did their best with what they had.>” Tamtey defended softly. “<More than what that Aranahe ever did.>” Which was nothing. She felt… irritated about that still. Sure, Ri’nela said Etuwa offered to send a haler down but that was hours after the fact. Etuwa was the one making that effort and not the efforts of the Olo’eyktan.
“<I heard.>” Minang replied, securing the bandage and began to pack the leftover items away.
“<We’ve set up a tent for you and the other Sarentu at the eastern side of the Circle.>” Nesim started, drawing her attention. “<Now that you’re properly tended to, Kìn has offered to show you about the circle and let you meet the Zakru>”
“<What about you, So’lek?>” She knew his plans already but she wondered how quickly he was going to bounce.
“<I’ll go and ensure Ri’nela gets her Ikran but if all goes smoothly, she and the others will join you before the day ends.>” So’lek clarified.
“<You’ll need to bond with the Ikran riders at the Chamber of echoes if your Ikran won’t cross into the plains.>” Minang remarked, “<The Ikran riders can show you the way.>”
“<I look forward to doing that.>” She missed Katir already, in part some of it was due to the fact she had been inside for ages but she knew the last real time she had been with Katir, it had been when she had returned back after getting stabbed. She pain she had been in, she wanted to show Katir she was really okay. “<When can I star training?>”
“<It’ll be a week and a half before I can start training you with a bow.>” Nesim said, “<Smaller, less physical training can happen sooner to acclimate you.>”
They spoke for a bit more, going through what to expect in living here and she was glad that their tent was more private. Sure, the clan had tents that everyone slept in but in some areas it was more communal. Families pods often had their own tent to keep their children more in control than just out and about where they’d be constantly be disturbed by fight-dancing adults.
Tamtey wasn’t allowed to partake in fight-dancing yet, with the same reason of strenuous activity that’d hamper her healing. Which wasn’t a wrong assessment but she hoped she’s get to partake at some point.
Then, she was encouraged to go with Kìn out and meet the clan. He showed her about the tents, the communal areas where they had food, the hunter’s tent, the cheese-making tent, the dairy camp, Pa’li grounds, the Nursery which housed a baby Zakru who, while massive to Tamtey, was so small in comparison to the mother Zakru. Next Maker’s tent where primarily, kites were being crafted and lastly, the Ikran’s perch, were the Ikran typically about but not many.
The Sarentu tent was put up by the Pa’li grounds. It was a sizeable tent with four hammocks were set up along the side, empty racks ready and she could see a basket beside each one for anything else. There were cushions but like most of them, they were pinned into the ground with woven strings and pegs. An unlit fire pit was in its middle, with a three point frame that held an empty ceramic bowl. Satchels of water hung in water skins and there was even food set up in woven bags and kept off the ground.
Honestly, Tamtey was glad to get here, running her fingers over the furthest hammock. Her head was starting to pound despite the new herbs and she felt tired. Not unexpected, she was familiar enough with the side effects of eye-strain.
“<I need to rest but we can continue this later?>” Tamtey said to Kìn.
“<I often am in the cheese-maker’s tent or the communal area if you need me.>” Kìn said warmly. “<I’ll make you a surprise for when you wake.>”
“<Thank you.>”
Napping in an unfamiliar place was weird and the wind rustled a lot of the fabric that made it a little hard to drop off but… Tamtey eventually drifted into a light sleep.
-
“Tamtey?”
Her eye flickered open groggily, blinking the haze in her vision to sharpen up to see Teylan’s face inches from her face.
“<Dear… Eywa.>” She sucked in a sharp breath, taking a second to steady herself.
Teylan lent back, grinning but looking far chipper now, but she noticed immediately his hat was gone. Nor was there too sizing up the hammocks and Ri’nela was shadowed with Anqa who was holding baskets of stuff together, a Resistance case more in Anqa’s arms.
“What’s going on?” Tamtey yawned, pushing herself up. “Did Ri’nela get her Ikran?”
Teylan nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, and Nor.”
Nor grunted nonchalantly, peering up at the tent supports and nodding to himself. “<I like this tent. No metal.>”
Tamtey smiled coming to her feet slowly. “<That’s wonderful to hear.>”
Ri’nela smiled too, looking at Teylan fondly. “<Teylan also claimed an Ikran.>”
Tamtey gasped, looking to Teylan who blushed with almost a sheepish look but he looked so happy. “You did? That’s amazing!”
Teylan shuffled a little. “I didn’t plan on it but when I saw Ri’nela get hers… and you had yours and Nor get his… I just… got inspired… or maybe it was the adrenaline and I didn’t want to miss out. I lost my hat though. It flew off and… I can’t find it.” His hand came to his head. “I’m going to miss it.”
“tell her what you names you, Teylan.” Ri’nela encouraged.
“Ada.” Teylan giggled a little. “So’lek thought it was odd to give her a human name but I think it suits her and… and she let me hug her. She wouldn’t come to the plains directly but So’lek said that’s normal with Aranahe Ikran until we bond with the Zeswa spirit tree.” He rambled.
“What’s your Ikran’s name, Ri’nela? Nor?”
“Zoslu.” Ri’nela said, her face crumpling happily with her eyes swimming with joy. “She’s so patient with me and kind. She’s got a fondness for nectar and seeds and I’m hoping the Zeswa will help kit her out in a beautiful harness. That’ll be my main plan today.”
“Nor?” Tamtey pressed lightly.
“Reyfya.” He answered, “He’s… reclusive. Not too fond of the other Ikran. You’ll probably not see him often until I call him.”
So very alike to himself than, Tamtey thought but didn’t say out loud. “Anqa, you’re here?”
“Just to drop off supplies for you. Your stuff, some tech to Teylan and a weather proof case to keep it in.”
Nor wrinkled his nose a little but didn’t interrupt as Anqa sat it down.
“<I brought Alma, she’s going to start talking to the sisters about tacking RDA sites for the opening we need to move bases.>”
“<Were is the base going to go?” Tamtey asked,
“The First Zakru, across the Greatheart Lake. The Zeswa have a camp there in the massive chamber that’s under the stone. Twisting Rivers but they’ve agreed to set HQ there since it’s covered and large enough to house both Zeswa and Resistance.” Anqa explained, gesturing off to the distance. “Alex has already built a few devices to knock-out long-range scanners and EMP bombs to take out the few balloons the RDA have set up.”
So they were set and ready. They had an end-goal in plan.
“They’ve also repurposed Divergent station in the Kinglor Forest to house supplies they can’t take to the Clouded forest’s Storage. Figured they needed a back-up for a back-up.” Teylan carried on, “That’ll also be used as a safe-house too should the need call for it.”
“I’ve also began to move redundant people to a few of the field labs close by to the Zeswa start getting used to our presence before we get there.” Anqa added in. “I can’t stay long but I’m glad to see you settling in. I really hope you’re happy here.”
Tamtey smiled weakly. “You’re acting like we won’t see you again, Anqa.”
“Oh, you will but I do think you living with Na’vi is the right call for you all. Resistance HQ will always be open for you but around your people is where you’re meant to be. To Reconnect.” Anqa said, her eyes serious. “You can’t do that living with humans all the time.”
Tamtey chuckled in soft agreement. Yeah, that did sound about right. It was nice to be around Na’vi.
“How are you handling it, Teylan?” Tamtey asked, knowing how scared he had been of the forest, “Being here, I mean?”
“Weird, but it’s so open so it looks much safer than the forest.” Teylan said, “But the Zakru… they’re so huge. What if one rolls over? We’ll be squished.”
Tamtey chuckled softly. “I don’t think they do but I’m sure Kìn will tell you all about them and what to do.”
Teylan nodded, a little slower. “I guess, but they seem friendly and everyone seems so nice and don’t seem to mind my tech.” he spared a look to the case and to his bracer where he had a screen affixed to it.
“How’s your head been?” Anqa asked, “Hajir’s been asking if there’s been other updates.”
“<My heads better. Minang’s replaced a few things and with stronger herbs. I won’t be able to star training for another week and a half but I’ve been assured I’ll be starting small in the meantime.” Tamtey summarised on what she knew Hajir already guessed. He seemed like a worrier anyway.
“We’re almost done with your decorative prosthetic.” Teylan said, “With the scans, we’ve estimated the size of it but the inside bit will need time to wait until the swelling goes down to see how it healed and how to fasten it in for comfort.”
Tamtey’s fingers came back to her face then nodded softly. “I look forwards to seeing what it looks like.”
