#n'deh

Then, there was her dear brother. Who had struck Jakesully for his silence on the matter of Graceaugustine and tried to get her location from him. While it pained her to deny her brother what he so needed, she knew part of it was the uncertainty of what that might bring to the Omatikaya, which is what Eytukan feared. An Unknown. Selfishly, she… did not wish for him to have a Vampiric life if he mated with her. If it were possible for Na’vi to turn like humans, then what would his existence be like? Would he become disconnected by Eywa if his heart goes still? Would Grace push him to turn so they would spent time away together? Mo’at wanted to think the best in terms of Grace and that she wouldn’t push for that sort of life for him. But… she was equally worried N’deh might insist. To ensure his survival to Grace for long-term. He was impulsive enough for it. He desired Grace enough for that. What would change in him?

Lastly, the situation of the Sirens now in their close lake. Now closed off from the clan until they were removed. She was expected back today to inform the four aliens of the clan’s choices of the matter. If they were to aid them to the oceans, or if they’d deny and let the group leave. Of course, there was another option. The humans still has their metal ships, they could take them to the coast of the Valley of Mo’ara and let these four go out to the wilds as so desperately wanted. Wisdom spoke against that course of action, knowing about the life under the surface was very different to experience and these four had none. Death would be certain of they left without aid of… anyone.

‘Great mother, please guide my hand into a clan accepting of this new alien species who need your ocean water.’ She prayed softly, hoping her voice would be heard.

In her experiences, Eywa’s presence was subtle in times like this, slow to answer if there was something to give. Often left interpretation. Mo’at remained quiet, mostly waiting but she focused her mind to still and to stop the churning thoughts of Hometree and her brother. It could have been minutes, could have been much longer.

The scent of salt seemed to saturate the air around her. Salt water, with a humid touch of warmth against her skin. The sounds of the forest seemed to quiet as the sound of water echoed, massive bodies of water, and a distant horn echoing as if some way distant behind her. Finally, the last sounds were foreign echoes that sung faintly, high-pitched and elongated squeaks. Tulkun.

It took a second before it vanished into nothing, the smell of the forest around seeping back to her senses in each breath. Mo’at’s eyes opened, a sacred seed bobbing away from its hover in front of her.

Eywa has decided. A reef clan would take the Sirens.

-

“<I told Quaritch I’d make my way towards the mountains.>” Grace said as she licked her fingers clean of the sauce, deeply enjoying the efforts her new husband put into breakfast. “<He’s planning to make the trip himself to try and meet me. I think he’s paranoid I did a runner or something.>”

Looking about the cave they were set up in. He had done a lot since she unlinked last night. The meat from her kill was all but prepped. He had left briefly, since she linked back up in the night, to clearly collect items for marinades or salt for preservation and even proper smoking racks that were still going, since they had so much of it and so much left. What had been done already through the night was now ash then leaf-wrapped and in a basket hung up off the ground. What couldn’t be used, were buried at the roots of a tree. The treated hide was wrapped and set off to the side. She was sure N’deh had plans for that.

She kept the smoke going as he cooked and presented her with a sauce dip, a large chunk of meat that was tender and fell apart on her tongue, with a small sides of foraged, edible roots. God, she loved her avatar’s ability to eat and enjoy actual food.

“<Where does he plan to meet you?>” N’deh asked, genuinely confused. “<It is not like he can pin-point your location, nor do you have GPS coordinate to give.>”

“<No, but he plans to go to my last known coordinates, the marsh and do a sweep. Norm’s report told them I ran west.>”

“<We’re about eight and a half miles out from the marsh. I could lead you there.>” N’deh said, though he looked a little put-down at the idea. “<But… I want you to stay with me for the next few hours. A few more hours together.>” He moved closer, slipping an arm around her waist, his other hand coming to her inner thigh. “<Let your people worry for a little longer. They’ll never find us here.>”

Grace smiled, putting her empty leaf into the fire and lent into his warmth. “<I suppose I can, but I need to get on the move by this afternoon. I told Quaritch, Norm and Trudy that I was with a non-binary Vagabond, so showing up quickly wouldn’t be so suspicious. But, I don’t think they should see you, just in case they make assumptions. Good portion of humans don’t understand the depths of how Na’vi courting go and just will assume that I traded sexual services to get back to ‘Civilisation’.>”

“<What is… vagabond?>”

Grace winced. “<It’s… a term for Wanderer, or Trader. There are however a lot of more negative names assigned to that word but in context of Pandora, it better fits to a wanderer with no connections to the clan.>” She was very well aware, but she had to make it sound innocent. “<If I mentioned you were an Omatikaya warrior, then I suspect Selfridge will try and get me to impose myself onto the clan with this ‘opportunity’>” her tone tighten with disgust.

“<Ah, yes.>” N’deh seemed to share that. “<Does that have to do with the metal beasts coming to Hometree?>”

Grace looked to him sharply, breath catching for a second in surprise but it faded off in the following moment.“<I take it the Omatikaya are the ones delaying them?>”

“<Jakesully gave warning about them and warned us to not show our hand in breaking them. The Animal attacks, the breaking wires, the water in the engines… we were taught how to disable them without being caught by metal walkers and the recording eyes.>” N’deh said, looking very satisfied.

Grace stared, her lip curling up in amusement. “<That is good fucking news. I had a hunch Na’vi were doing it. Selfridge thinks the Na’vi people are too… ignorant to know how our technology works.>” well, that was one day to put it. But she was glad, but she didn’t press for information on the matter. She’d never tell the weasel about it. If she was human, she probably would have worried about being caught lying but… as a vampire it was easy as walking.

N’deh nodded, though she noticed the dent in his brow, a sign of unease. “<We can only delay them so long, my love. We’re… there’s no defined plan after we stop them from entering the Tree of voices.>” He said, “<At least, none that I was allowed to listen to. Eytukan might still have a plan but—“

“<Tree of voices? Why the fuck are the dozers going through that?>” Grace said, confounded. “<Tree of Voices are five miles away from Hometree, but that’s not in the direct path to Hometree….>” But, it quickly made a horrid realisation. Selfridge had planned for it. He, despite his idiotic disbelief, knew it was important to the Na’vi. He had access to that information. He didn’t know or care how, he just knew it was a trigger for conflict.

Did Quaritch know the risks? Any poor bastard, ignorant or nor was gonna get their chest shot in with an arrow if they so much damaged a blade of grass. The RDA could pass it as a cultural misunderstanding despite it being purposely provoked, but still have the support and authorisation to go directly to the Hometree. That fucker.

She had to talk to Quaritch, make him understand the consequences. If he knew… then maybe they had to use their gifts. Make him do as they needed; to not start a war. It would be war if those tree were touched. Tit for tat.

Selfridge would kill hundreds of human and Na’vi like in war for a profit. Sick, bastard.

Confronting the weasel himself? No, that was a quick ticket for him to attempt to send her home. She’d sooner escape but then what happened to her department if she fled? Her avatars? The Avatar and SciOps Programs? Too many variables without a contingency plan.

She was sure there were a ton of scientists, especially those with avatars, who’d fight tooth and nail to stay here. Everyone else was fucked if the entire SciOps was shut down. Selfridge didn’t see SecOps needed SciOps, Just as much as MineOps needed SecOps. It was a working system, but the bastard wouldn’t see that, would he? Or he could simply cut the Avatar program, which wasn’t the worst-case scenario for SciOps but it meant a lot of people were displaced. Link-room techs, monitors, and the likes would be either fired or put into other areas, or lastly, no doubt would steal what shit they could and bolt. With Like-minded SecOp Pilots not wanting to get killed in war, they’d get away easily.

Grace had to think up a plan of action. Talk to Max and discuss options.

“<I’ll think of something. I’ll talk to Maze, Hale and Curfman about getting the mechanics feeling off or something. Dozers can’t be fixed if there’s no mechanics to fix It.>” Not all at once, just enough to increase the workload and give some of them burn-out that’ll slow their motivation down. Missing supplies as well would not go amiss. Shen liked to fuck shit up so maybe a virus in the software? Lots of opportunities.

“<Just make sure you do not get caught or let the leaders know that we know. There is much in the air for us in knowing of how to stop the sky people coming.>”

Grace took his hands. “<I know. I won’t risk the Omatikaya.>” She had enough time with the delays. “<With people leaving, that’ll reduce the Sky people’s manpower. When the numbers get too low… that’ll be difficult for the RDA to be able to continue, let along pick a fight.”

“<I wish I could but I cannot tell you of what’s happened with who has already left. Those are not my secret to tell.>”

Grace hummed. “<That’s fine. Less I know, the better.>” Honestly, she didn’t see the point of knowing that, but she had to assume he possibly lived with a handful for some time, perhaps still did, assuming Mo’at lied and the humans were dotted about Omatikaya territory and hadn’t fled entirely.

Something she could consider later. But for now, that did bring her back to their situation.

“<What should we do? Our living arrangement?>” Grace asked. “<Right now, I’m living at Site 26. I’ll be spending the week at Hells’ Gate. I can… try and leave my avatar behind.”

“<I will leave my camp, I cannot join you so soon at the Mountains. My sister will come to you once she realised I have left. She’ll think I’ll move to your side immediately if she believes I know you are in reach.>” N’deh squeezed her hands. “<I’ll find a suitable location.>”

“<We have a site you can use.>” Grace offered.

“<No, the Na’vi know where it is. I heard Tsu’tey found it months ago.”

“Fuck.” Which meant it had to be moved. They didn’t want visitors in a sensitive spot, even if they were squatting on someone else’s land. “I’ll get someone to move it then.”

“I can scout the border west of Omatikaya territory for a more long-term place that won’t interfere with other clans, but I’ll get a set up somewhere close to the Tree of Souls for myself until then.”

Grace nodded slowly. “<A place you’re not allowed in?>”

N’deh nodded once. “<There’s a small spot that I found years ago. I may not be allowed on the roots or too close, but it’s a place I can hide for a little while and still be close enough to you. With this meat, I’ll be set for a while so I will not need to hunt and be spotted by scouts.”

Grace smiled, glad to see him putting a plan into the mill. He had a week to do it too, undisturbed if the Omatikaya follow their traditional of clan bonding.

“<You’ll eventually need to leave.>” N’deh pointed out.

“<I know.>” Just…’when’ was the question mark here. Maybe once she had the SciOps and Avatar program figured out. She had a hunch she had until the Dozers stopped, when the conflict possibility was at an all-time high between SciOps and SecOps.  “<So, what can you fill me in on since we’ve been a part? Did you travel before coming back?>” They had so much more to catch up on, after all.

-

“…He burned his clothes?”

Morgan didn’t look up as he continued sewing. “You’re surprised?”

Jake sighed deeply, using the stick to prod out the remains of N’deh’s clothing from the camp fire. “A bit dramatic.”

“No, not really.” Morgan said, “You betrayed his trust, undermined his feelings and you’re lied by omitted fact about the love of his life.” He looked up, giving the avatar a look. The bruise looked far worse now today than it did yesterday. A definite strike mark along his shaved temple, the bowstring cut looked very sharp still despite being treated. N’deh had a very good swing. “You earned that strike.”

Jake glowered, his hand coming to his head. “You’re on his side about it?”

“Of course I am! I’ve lived with the man for far longer than you. He saved me. I owe him my life. He taught me how to survive out here. To connect with Pandora. Don’t you dare undermine N’deh and the pain he’s been in just cause you don’t like his partner, a torn bond is a serious affliction to the spirit!” Morgan huffed, shaking his head. “Na’vi mate for life, Jake. You know this. They bind their spirits together through tsaheylu. Psychic connections that form bonds between two people, if torn in the process of binding can lead to chronic mental pain. He didn’t deserve that.”

Morgan shifted on his log, turning his back to get back to work. Thankfully, Jake took the hint, huffing off with a mutter about ‘lights’. The mask he had made for N’deh, it hadn’t escaped his notice that it hadn’t been tossed to the mercy of the flames, relieving him to know that he valued his work in this gift, but now… Morgan had to make it better suit N’deh now. If he was ridding himself of Unilstä'nìtu touches, he needed to redesign the mask. Not in the style of Omatikaya, not with his banished status.

So, something new.

He changed out the Unilstä'nìtu colour threads and leather straps, but he had few colours in mind; Blue, Black and red. He had some spare feathers he could add and he wanted to add faux braids using black fibres to the mask, make it a headdress. He could add beads to it, make it beautiful.

Morgan stripped the colour away once the thread was gone, some residue lingering in the tiny carvings but nothing he needed to worry about as he repainted the black about the eyes, running red down it’s main snout and blue accents beneath that. He repainted the hunting sigils in black and while he left it to try, he pulled together some fibres to start the braid work.

It was probably an hour or so before Morgan heard the familiar mechanics before Nadine joined him, looking stiff before she detached her leg and scratched at the stump.

“You can cut Jake some slack, ya know.”

“I will when he stops being a jerk.”

“Morgan.” Nadine said, her voice turning sharp. “Augustine is a fucking Tick. Don’t you think N’deh deserves better? He can find another mate.”

Morgan took a steadying breath, trying to stifle the spike of annoyance and anger. “Look, I may not like vampires and while I do feel violated about being a happy meal, can you please not call them names?”

“I’m not wrong.”

“No, you’re being a hypocrite.” Morgan finished up the last braid, even as Nadine’s face flushed with anger. “Same with Jake, pronouncing all the encouragement towards humanity and making the Na’vi see us as people, while all the time demonising vampires as monsters.”

Nadine’s face tinged a little pink. “They fed from us. From you. They got into your brain. Need I remind you that you kicked up a whole fuss about it after we told everyone?”

“I can still hate that. My feelings are not black and white. I hate what was done to me and hate being a victim but… I’ve healed enough to understand why. They are a predator species with no alternatives. Will I be comfortable around a vampire, fuck no. But I can still be a decent person and accept that N’deh’s mate is a vampire. I’ll not offend him by disrespecting her.”

“They’re not human.”

“Neither are Na’vi, but you still consider them people.” Morgan finished. “And, getting back to N’deh here, no. He can’t pick another mate. It’s not how it works. He is bound to her. Only her. If she makes him happy, who am I to get in the way of that>” It was none of this fucking business, if anything. It wasn’t like N’deh was just gonna come back one day to camp, hand-in-hand with her.

Nadine was scowling at him. “I have every reason to hate vampires. As does Jake.”

“Every vampire in existence?” Morgan pressed, “Need I remind you that humans killed Sylwanin and kids at the school and Omatikaya don’t hate us for it.”

“I don’t have to tolerate vampire bullshit. They bit me, fed from me and warped my mind to forget that violation. I can’t forgive that.”

“Then don’t. We’re entitled to our opinions nor do they have to be shared.”

“Fine. But don’t expect to crawl into my bed later.”

Morgan’s hand paused on the braid, looking up at Nadine in surprise. “You’re breaking up with me?”

Nadine nodded swiftly. “<Pro-vampirism is a deal breaker. I’ll get my stuff.” She yanked on her leg again, then a cover over her prosthetic foot and headed up to his shack.

Morgan stared, feeling a genuine welt of hurt that thickened his throat. She was breaking up with him? Over a difference of opinion? He wasn’t even pro-vampire, neutral at best… how fucking immature. They hadn’t even advertised they had been hooking up for the last two months because it had been more fun, not because it was a secret or going behind their backs out of shame but because it was hotter. The risk behind being ‘caught’ even if Jake would have given them both a fist bump about it.

Fine.

Morgan set the fake braids down, grabbing the basket and shoved what he had into it and waited until Nadine had come down, only really with her clothes and spare chargers under her arm before she headed straight to the ground shack and so, he went straight up to his basket in tow and passively aggressively, changed the codes to this airlock to continue in peace.

-

“<How did these ‘sirens’ take the news?>” Neytiri asked as Mo’at returned back, slipping into the familiarity of her den.

“<Unhappy about the prospect of my wisdom of leaving them in a clan’s hands, but we’ve seen how the humans attitude and experience with us has shaped them. They’ll use this week of darkness to decide on that wisdom. >” Mo’at replied, “<Do not go there unattended. I’ve told Tsu’tey these water people hunt from the shore with their vocal lures at dusk, so we’re to avoid going there at such times. They’d also warned us about interfering with their meals, they’re apparently very territorial over their prey.”

“<As Predators, it’s understandable.>” Neytiri allowed, “<but until they leave, are they expected to come as the humans do?>”

“<I have yet to ask your father on that matter. I’d caution against having humans and these Sirens here at the same time to avoid conflict if we do.>”

“<You think they should remain where they are?>” Neytiri guessed, “<Should they not get the same experiences? Connecting with Na’vi could make it easier for them to stay with a reef clan?>”

“<One of them, Kassandra had to return to her human-like appearance to give her a speaking voice. The… transformation looks painful. I do not know their bodies but I do suspect that legs are very uncomfortable as a result. I do not know how traumatic these transformations would be repetitively on their bodies.>” She was cautious on the matter, even if these four would benefit, their way were not of the waters. The people of the reef had better means to integrate their cultures. With the Sarentu and these potential Dhampyrs, the Omatikaya already had a lot to deal with already on top of their collection of humans and that was already excluding the Sky people’s attempts to destroy not only their home, but their sacred trees. It was reasonable to delegate these water people to the water clans, as Eywa demands.

Mo’at knew vaguely that Metkayina were the biggest of the reef clans, their Tsahìk was still Tan who had not handed down her position to her daughter Ronal. Tonowari had taken up position as clan leader due to the recent death of the Olo’eyktan but she knew little of cause, only the shift in power when news reached them from passing wanderers and messenger scouts.

“<When it is time for the Sirens to leave, they will need you, a daughter of our clan leader to negotiate their presence and Uturu to the Reef people. You can pick an accompany party of people to join you on this trip. No less than four.>”

Neytiri nodded once, “<When are we expected to go?>”

“<Not soon. We will send a warrior to check in on the Sirens every two-three days for their wellbeing. Maybe a week or two after the week of darkness.>” A little less than a month. It seemed reasonable to gather their bearings on the matter and the lake was so far suitable for their needs. “<Take this time to think who would be best suited to not only make the trip but to not open conflict with the Sirens.>”

Her mind touched on Jakesully. His… reaction to these people gave her some insights to the man’s distaste. It concerned her, but she hoped that soon, the man would be humbled respectfully to grow and see beyond his perceived demons. He would not make a good companion on this trip if he saw Sirens as monsters as he did with Vampires. Right now, that was not her job or priority to fix. Her people needed her to see them through this new change and she looked forwards to the Week of Darkness, there was still a lot that needed to happen before the darkness arose tomorrow’s noon. The opening festivities needed her hand. It was a spiritual time for the clan.

-

“Dr Gavin,” Ridley called, knocking on the door of the man’s quarters, the scientist having to have his lunch in his quarters than at the mess with everyone else. It took a moment before the familiar doctor opened his door, looking a little pink-faced and annoyed.

“What? I’m a little busy right now.”

“I know.” She said, “Your work just not sticking?”

Ian’s annoyed face smoothened out in surprise, she took that chance to step in and shut the door after her, leaning back against the door to not impose.

“Doctor Gavin, I know you’re here for the love of discovery and finding new things to look at and learn and I know you love the Tulkuns.”

“You’re interfering with my research?” Ian said, his pale skin becoming pinker as his thoughts no doubt with into overdrive. “I could get you—“

“Fired? With my Mother as Head of SciOps?” She felt no shame in using that card here. Her mother would not let her go easily and she’d use that. “Doctor Gavin, I will tell you exactly why so take a breath and let me talk. Okay?”

“It better be a damn good reason.” Ian nearly hissed, running a hand through his hair. “I spent weeks with you in your avatar and Nathan studying Tulkun. If I don’t produce research, I don’t get the funding to do more. I get sent back home.”

Ridley hummed, slipping from her sleeve a coin-sizes disk and pressed it into the door behind her, a small beep signifying it was active. A short-range sound dampener; it’ll knock out any potential bugs in the area. “When Nathan and I first came here, my mother pulled me aside and warned us that the RDA may try and use avatar drivers as spies for bad RDA purposes, as they attempted to do so with the notorious Jake Sully. They plan to topple the occupied Hometree for the metal under the roots. So we both know what the RDA are willing to get what they want. Mother believes that the RDA will misuse our science. Tell me, Doctor Gavin, what do you think the RDA will do to these wonderful and beautiful Tulkun if they believe they can provide something beneficial to the company, regardless of how it’ll be perceived by the Na’vi.”

Ridley watched as her words struck with the Doctor, the crumple anger seemed to fizzle out and his face began to lose colour before his leg wavered and he sat heavily onto his desk chair.

“They… they couldn’t possibly….”

“Respectfully, the RDA doesn’t give a fuck if it gives them profit. Since I’ve been here, I’ve seen how they’re using the scientists like tools here, we discover shit that they can use and our warnings fall on deaf ears. This… substance, Amrita, you found, we need to alter the results to show it is harmful to human life.” Ridley pulled her arms around from behind her. “I’ve already got the reports forged, You just need to submit it under your profile and name.”

“But… the sample I have is in the lab.” Ian said, hands shaking.

“I’m certain I can get a hold of that for you.” If not her, Nathan should. Biological samples were often held in a different storage fridge than flora samples after all.

“Now you know the risks that come with discovery, I do want you to be mindful of what we put onto RDA systems.” In her hands, she held out a thumb drive and a clear storage drive. “May I?”

Ian nodded slowly, moving off his chair and gestured her to his monitor. She breezes easily through his profile, uploading the false Amrita report onto the RDA system, and with her clear storage, moved the true, Amrita data from his tablet and storage. Very cut and dry. Nathans ‘friend’ knew enough to remove any slack and identity the false report as something to keep.

“This is a quarantined memory drive. You can stick shit on, but without my approval, you can’t remove it. Doesn’t even flag up in RDA systems. I want you to use this to put anything you’re not sure could be used against Pandora. There’s a fine line between what good knowledge is and what’s exploitable. We are scientists, don’t become ignorant or deluded yourself to the notion that they won’t do bad things. Assume the worst of the RDA.” Ridley said, standing back up, removing her thumb drive but handed him the secondary drive. “They are not your friends, doc.”

Ian stared at it for the longest of moments, taking a breath. “I can’t stop research on them, Dr Augustine.”

“I’m not saying stop, I’m saying be careful. There’s a lot to discover about the Tulkun and we are still free to do so, just not in a way that’ll get the RDA into whaling them into extinction. We can talk more later or more privately once we’re back at the reef. Try and get Nathan’s avatar to come with us. His avatar should be healed up enough by then.” Her Avatar had been brought back with them since they couldn’t risk leaving the expensive body behind for a week alone, with eight hours a night without her linked up, every day without any form of protection or oversight.

Hopefully, with Nathan’s avatar back and hopefully at the reef, she could finally update them without the RDA’s Eye on them.

Trudy had been keeping careful track of the doctor’s lack of food and water intake the last week to notice the doc wasn’t actually touching any of it. At first, since it threw off her supply demands; always had more than expected. With what she considered now, it was possible the doc couldn’t physically consume human food or drinks which made her feel far better about the drink they made that the doc got rid of.

There was no way she could let the doc know she was aware nor could she tell Norm either; he wouldn’t believe and Grace wouldn’t fall for her trap again so innocently plus, they were alone with her in the mountains so… it wouldn’t be good to do that.

Of course, Grace was only one part of a growing problem, Trudy knew that while the doctor was potentially very dangerous, she had seen no signs that they were being harmed in any way out here. Unlike the growing problem with SecOps and the dozers which was slowly becoming a hot-bed between them and Selfridge. Sure, she was tucked away here but her folks in SecOps were not quiet about their frustrations on Selfridge’s new rules and management over new security features.

The guy seemed to think he had good ideas, like the trackers they had installed on her Samson (and everyone else’s ships). Trudy knew where they were and laughed a little because… the trackers only worked outside of the flux vortex and every pilot knew that. They could rid and ditch the trackers later once masked if they didn’t already and while the mountains were the main areas of the flux, there were still pockets dotted about all around that every pilot knew for safety navigation reasons. Small pit-stops for those dedicated. Trackers solved nothing. Selfridge hadn’t yet tagged anything bigger than a Samson either which really showed where the guy’s assumptions were.

(Something that may come back to bite him)

In combination with the growing problem and the fact her friends weren’t interested in Selfridge’s plan with Hometree which was still months (and more, hopefully) away, they were keeping options open; they just needed a contingency plan and a good push. Maybe she could get Norm to come with her?

But what about Grace?

Trudy frowned, feeling a little torn.

Her tablet flashed again, dinging and drawing her attention down. She pulled it from the small shelve and opened it up to see two messages but both were sent from a… private chat. A specific chat.

{Chacón.}

{Westguard wants a word. Message when ready}

Her brow pulled in in surprise but mostly at the fact she was contacted directly by this group. She knew a little, that Westguard was a call sign of a long-deceased pilot but it was more known now as a group that worked… underground in contraband movements and trades under the table for RDA staff. Basic drugs, money and sexual favours were common trades but there were a few restrictions put into place, no weapons, sedatives or additives. Probably more but she didn't know.

This was made to help circumvent Selfridge and his idiocy excuse of leadership. As long as he never found out; they were good. Trudy never dabbled into it herself but… it had been a long since she was directly messaged. They contacted those they trusted to keep quiet and would benefit from helping them.

{Chacón here. What do you want?}

{The Na’vi artefact of that beaded Sarentu string Dr Augustine took to Site 26. That is a red priority, anything else from that clutch that can be taken discretely is also welcome.}

Trudy chewed her tongue for a moment.

{What’s in it for me?}

{A Westguard IOU}

Her eyebrows rose. That… was a big deal. She could get anything from that. Westguard had people not just in Hell’s Gate but also the other bases like Frontier West. Plentiful of aid if she called for it.

{My next return to Hell’s Gate is tomorrow. Tell me where to leave it.}

Once she found a time to sneak it away… maybe when Grace was linked up.

Her eyes followed Norm’s avatar as he moved and started to organise his bag pack for their next outing down below through the window of the shack. Already in her flight gear to get them down but she found herself lingering for a little with a fond smile.

Norm put small container after small container, a probe of some kind… a small tool sampling kit and cleaning supplies to stop cross-contamination… the usual stuff. Her heart relaxed in watching him work and made her last week more… bareable.

“Ow, fuck.” Grace’s voice hissed, followed by the predictable clatter of metal dropping onto metal.

Trudy turned to see the head of SciOps hurriedly shoving her hand into her pocket and stepping over her vintage compact mirror with a shrewd expression. “You okay, doc?” She asked innocently but genuinely.

“Oh, yes.” Grace nodded, waving off her concern. “Just cracked my arm. I’m linking up now. Be ready in five.” She patted her arm softly but it almost sent a shiver down her spine at the unnatural coolness. Her discomfort was missed as the doc walked towards the second compartment, allowing her the moment to pick down and pick up her compact mirror from the floor, watching the woman’s retreating back in front of her but also… absent in the silver-backed glass long before the doc was out of literal sight.

Her breath released shakily after the link bed echoed as it signalled that Grace was mentally absent from the shack. Her reprieve from sensitive ears. Her time to take a deep fucking breath and carry on.

Trudy hurriedly placed the mirror down onto her bed for now and grabbed her helmet and mask to get her Samson ready for their trip. She wasn’t foolish enough to try and hunt for more evidence which would only get her caught out and… she doubted neither of them wanted that. She’d not force Grace to panic or put her in a place to be panicked either.

Outside, Grace’s avatar was up and about by the time she left and putting things into the Samson and going over their list again with Norm. Her eyes followed the lead avatar for a moment before she slipped into the cockpit, pulling off her mask and putting on her helmet as she started the engines, the buzz and the roar settling her discomfort immensely.

“Let’s head south to the Wrawn River” Grace called in the coms, “I want new samples of a Baja tickler from there and samples from the surrounding areas.”

“Didn’t we get samples from Dr Masterson last week?” Norm asked, settling into the back.

“I want to do a comparison and see if the geological differences are similar or significant. The baja tickler tends to be a more swamp-based plant but I’ve spotted more saplings growing a little away from Hell’s Gate’s refinery. Perhaps there to help clear the soils?”

The two continued to talk about the science of the plant as Trudy got them in the air.

It was a shorter slight than anticipated but the two were too wrapped up in the science to really notice and hop out and continue on. Trudy remained inside, the engines slowing but not off to keep the predators from getting too close but it left her alone with her thoughts now as she contemplated her next move in all of… this.

Fuck.

 - 

Jake’s breath remained steady as he lined up his arrow.  His target was only a few metres away but he could feel his muscle tension loosen the longer he held the string and the familiar dig into his fingers but he held his posture before he released.

Half a second later, with a heavy thud, the target set itself home into the faux target, the shot in the centre nut not dead-centre but that mattered little; he made a good shot. Pride filled his gut that only grew at Neytiri’s pleased expression as she went and examined the target, her finger running down the arrow.

“<You’ve perfected since I last saw you.>” She complimented. “<I thought with me a little busier… you’d not practise.>”

Jake snorted. “<I know I’ve been between places, human, camp chores, training with you, bone shaping… but I’ve spent a little longer before bed with a bow. Plus, the sling’s the reason my aim is so good…>” That probably shaved off a lot of weeks. Perhaps even a month of training.

Neytiri hummed and pulled the arrow out and returned it to him. “<If you make a clean kill, then you can go with Tsu’tey and his trainees to claim an Ikran.>”

Jake perked up. “Really?!”

Neytiri laughed. “<Yes but first… come with me. I have something I must give you.>”

“<Oh?>”

Neytiri said nothing but led the way with a mysterious grin. Jake followed but the path had become far too familiar now so when they reached Neytiri’s spot, he dipped behind the waterfall to see her rummaging around a few new baskets.

“<This is new?>” He noted. Baskets? Last time there was nothing, maybe a mat for comfort but nothing like containers or supplies. A few ceramic pots, some baskets with had some unspin fibres, cloth, a loom even and bones with small tools set around. Some fruit and food preparation was here as well.

“<My uncle requested having some of this here.>” Neytiri spoke bending down and looking through the fabric for something. “<I saw little reason why not.>”

Jake seated himself down, taking a deep breath of the moist air from the waterfall that offered a pleasant background noise in waiting. Maybe this was a spot for N’deh as well? When he was away; maybe to feel close to Neytiri when he was barred.

Neytiri returned, in her hands was something bundled up in beige fabric and bound by string, and she sat with a swishing tail and an excited expression as she held it out to him

“<Thank you>” he curiously set it into his lap and tugged the string until it unravelled and he unwrapped it, “<I’m curious, do you often wrap gifts or was that something Augustine taught you at school?>” He had seen a few people exchange gifts but… not wrapped so he was curious.

“<Grace taught us humans celebrations and gift giving. Like the celebration of your birth, we do not celebrate it but we acknowledge it as means of a passage of our age and rites.>” Neytiri said, “With gift giving, I do like the surprise of covering it; seeing the anticipation of the receiver and their joy>”

Jake continued to unwrap before he found himself looking at four pieces of hide that were clearly very crafted together. Nantang hide, if he wasn’t mistaken. He picked one up, uncertain of what it was as he examined it, unwrapping it further to see it was painted with a complimentary red and with soft threading, and the string was longer on this with a second larger piece that was separate but part of it….

“Oh!” he knew what that was! He excitedly slipped the hand cover onto his left hand first, hiding his last two fingers into it before her hands came to help, securing the string around his first but slipped the large piece around his forearm and wove the string into it; a combined piece of not just a glove but an archer's arm guard his other arm did have a guard but smaller as that was put on as well but more decorative and to compliment his attire.

The other two wrapped ones were simple foot covers as well from his toes up to his ankle with a thick wrap. With nothing extra to go on his legs but it sat wonderfully; while fabric visually covered his big toe, his middle toe was covered by a large, hollowed Ikran claw. His fingers traced over the claw for a moment, glad it was short and blunt to not cause issue when stepping. The fabric underneath keeps it secured.

“These are beautiful!” he complimented, “You must have put so much work into it! Thank you.” He gushed, “Oh, I can’t believe I forgot about these. Damn, Kim’s gonna be so jealous. Ha.” He could watch her envy… and no doubt watch her make her own but still, as a group, they had slacked in these regards: the main covers to hide their Dreamwalker attributes. This should definitely push the others into getting theirs together.

Neytiri’s hand came to his arms, touching softly at the guards and then his fingers. Her cheeks flushed happily and flipped them over to view it from the back.

“<How is your hand flexibility?>”

Jake tested that, wiggling his fingers and while his last two were more restricted, it didn’t feel too imposing. “<Good. They shouldn’t hamper my shooting. I’ll see with my other tasks later but I don’t foresee a problem.>”

Neytiri nodded. “<I am glad to hear. I was worried these were too small.>”

“<Nope, perfect.>” He rose to his feet, taking a few testing steps.

“<Once you’ve got your Ikran, you’ll be able to have shin guards. You can work with the leather workers to match the foot covers.>”

“<Oh I will. I want everything to match.” He grinned. “Oh, this has made my week. I do have to ask, why did you put it here? I don’t mind the answer but wouldn’t it have been easier if you had brought it from Hometree or something?”

Neytiri’s expression fell a little before she looked a little flustered. “<I… it would have been easier but I wanted to give it more privately. I only had the time to make yours and I did not wish to make the other Dreamwalkers notice in case they believe in favouritism… and with this type of gift, there may be some people who may misunderstand this gesture of a gift.>”

“Misunderstand?” Jake’s smile dimmed. “<What? That they’d assume something?>”

Neytiri hummed. “<Gift giving carries weight. Gifts between friends are common but often small trinkets and beads, sometimes jewellery. As an unmated woman, bigger gifts like this can be… mistaken as a form of courting. I did not wish for unwarranted gossip.”

“Ah.” He could see immediately where her worry was from. “<What do we do? Or say when people see these?>”

“<If they ask, tell them N’deh made them for you. He will happily take that burden to spare me and as he carries no power in the clan, he will not be hampered by it and all is seen innocently>” Neytiri said, grasping his other hand intently.

Jake sat down nodding. “<Okay. But… I also made you a gift. I have it on me because I kept forgetting to give it to you>” Was this on the same level as this or would be seen as an innocent gift?

Neytiri’s ears perked up a little. “<Me?>” but it seemed like she wanted it regardless.

From his pouch, he pulled out his gift, which wasn’t wrapped but he kept it cupped and hidden in his hands before she got impatient and pulled his fingers apart, making him laugh and resisted her attempts.

“<Let me see,>” she playfully slapped the top of his head.

He sniggered and released before she peered into his hand and gasped, pulling her gift free before he could shut his hands together.

Her eyes widened at the delicate piece, her fingers touching over the network of purple beads but her lips held a soft smile.

“<I was inspired after my first communion with Eywa. Purple is her colour, at least, I believe so. I… patterned the beads to resemble what I saw over the forest when we escaped the RDA; how the forest glows from above in this network-like pattern. As a tsakarem, I felt it was… fitting.>” he explained, growing nervous as she said nothing.

“<it’s… beautiful>” She held it to her chest, her hand moved and cupped his cheek. It took for a second like she wanted to lean in and close the distance but… she lent back swiftly as she started to much to his disappointment but that was made up quickly as she slipped it up her arm instead.

“<Come, you must make your kill>” She decided, renewed with energy and so, Jake nodded eagerly and picked up his bow.

 -

Jake led the hunt again, the new additions to his wardrobe a little more forefront and took only some mild adaptation before his silence returned to his steps and he found the tracks of a lone yerik.

It wasn’t often they were alone, safer in herbs but it happened with a mature one was on its last legs or split off from the herb from an earlier interruption. Its head was down, munching away on from foliage and it had a nice dark hide with a white accent and slight matted fur from what he assumed was from sap. An adult, its head raised from its feeding and looking around nervously.

He raised his bow sideward to remain low to the ground, taking a quiet slow breath as he took aim and it was almost a blessing as it turned towards him, offering a direct view of its chest.

He drew back the string and exhaled as it lined true, and let go. The arrow shot forward and struck; striking the yerik down in a second; not even making a sound aside from the thud. Jake hurried forward, his hands coming to rest on its side as he offered her prayer.

“<I See you, Brother, and thank you. Your spirit goes with Eywa, your body stays behind to become part of the People.>” He sat back, content in his heart but reached and retrieved his arrow.

Neytiri joined him as well, “You are ready.”

 - 

Mo’at’s Pa’li trotted easily through the foliage of the forest, far from Hometree but with purpose. She wore her gathering satchel for her herbs and she had been gathering some useful medicinal herbs that would benefit for Eliza’s care; weaker for adult Na’vi but a good strength for Humans or Na’vi children. She also needed a new strain of herbs to grow close to Hometree as a passing yerik had eaten too much of what they had been trying to cultivate naturally so they needed more to restart the cultivation and aid the plant to heal and regrow.

Some herbs were simply hard to get but also some were only best collected by the Tsahìk; a few herbs could have additive traces to them so it was necessary to gather few and far between as those gathering could absorb some of the herbs' properties when harvesting. She had been careful in gathering those and had washed her hands in the river and rubbed a cleansing leaf juice into her hands.

The gathering was only part of her purpose so far but one that sated Eytukan’s inquiry when she took her leave and she was not deceitful in it either but she had aimed to see more than just plants in this outing. Finding a sign was easy and so she followed it. The distinct smell of sky-people’s flying machines.

Their metal ships often left an unpleasant odour in the air that was very distinct and she could smell it was strong and consistent that seemed to tell her she was close to a recent drop-off of an RDA group. Mo’at quietly hoped it wasn’t a group of sky people searching for those humans on their lands but… she felt no fear or indication from Eywa she was in immediate danger so she kept on her travel.

Her efforts were rewarded as she heard voices not too far away and very distinctly English in language, the loudest and most common was an excited male but… she recognised the less intense female voice easily when she was close enough to a line of trees that acted like a curtain between them.

Graceaugustine.

Mo’at clicked her tongue, pausing her mount to get off and unbonded from it as she led on with a lingering hand on its neck and stepped through the treeline silently she saw the two Dreamwalkers.

They were set by a riverside and a collection of reeds and bast plants and a great vine that was a little upstream and offered as a natural bridge across; it was very open and quiet aside from the soothing sound of flowing water but Mo’at’s attention did return briefly to the stone formations around the water; hoping not to see burrows and thankfully, did not. They weren’t at risk yet.

Graceaugustine was easy to see; despite seeing her from the back and she was dressed as she typically remembered her; the same beige sky-people clothing, those shoes and that multi-coloured headband. She was accompanied by another Dreamwalker, a male with a type of hat on his head, also primarily in beige and with a red shirt underneath.

They were both seated a few metres away from a txumtsä'wll which made her nervous; also hoping their ignorance of the plant wouldn’t lead to their harm. These plants were respected for their dangers, being filled with potent poisons that would spurt when either filled or threatened. The latter was a real possibility as she could see a coloured wire from the tablet in their hand and it seemed to lead directly into the root of the plant.

Mo’at was perhaps observing the two for a mere two seconds before Grace’s posture stiffened up abruptly, halting in the middle of her conversation and turned to face her with a confused frown. Mo’at heart fluttered a fraction faster in surprise. Did her senses heighten through this body as well? She hadn’t expected that; this body had its limits given its heart was beating. Or was it simply a matter of passing traits that made her more aware of her surroundings?

These questions hung in the back of her mind in the second that followed and neither broke it. As Grace moved to her feet, facing her properly but Mo’at couldn’t help but notice the… necklace the Dreamwalker wore around her neck. A necklace she knew all too well.

Sylwanin’s necklace.

The unexpectedness of that made her pause. She knew Sylwanin had mentioned she had gifted it sometime before her death; she had never mentioned to who and had been waiting to see who would get that honour. After… she had assumed it had been lost and none of the people had claimed it. Sylwanin had gifted it to a Dreamwalker?

“Mo’at?” the voice brought her back from her mind sharply, breaking their silence“<I see you.>” Grace added, becoming formal in an instant as she stepped closer, her yellow eyes wide and clearly surprised by her appearance.

The male Dreamwalker spun up and almost tripped over his own tail but neither spared him much attention as he blushed about it.

“<I see you, Graceaugustine>,” Mo’at said, her eyes dipped down to their work, their alien tools set out from their bag, “<I hope I am not interrupting?>”

“<No, not at all.>” Grace spoke, her attention clearly turning and taking note of her bag and the Pa’li that was sniffing about, finding a pitcher plant to feed on. “<It is nice to see you. I didn’t expect to see you this far out from Hometree?>”

Inquiry laced the remark. Mo’at knew Grace was far more subtle in her questions. It seemed that hadn’t changed. “< For the most part, I am herb gathering. The abundance is furthest from frequent gathering hands. Some gatherings must be more careful than usual with their properties. Medical herbs are easier to gain from the mountains or its surrounding forest and I was aware that you were now living in the mountains. I thought I would take the opportunity to see you.>”

Graceaugustine’s head tilted before she smiled softly. “<We’re almost done here and we’re about to head back to our home. Do you wish to join us? We could catch up far more comfortably there.>”

Mo’at eyed the txumtsä'wll and nodded. She’d rather not risk standing too close to such a volatile plant so causally. “<I will wait while you finish.>”

 -

It wasn’t longer than five minutes as the two Dreamwalkers hurriedly collected their things together, extracting some fluids from inside with a thing, a long needle, the moss on the outside and a bit of its root before they packed up and disconnected the wire from the tree.

“<Will you take the Samson up?>” Grace asked.

“<No, but I know a pathway up from the ground. It’s only a twenty-minute climb>” She saw little reason, aside from the convenience, to take a metal ship up. It smelled and she’d rather not leave covered in it either. “<You can follow me if you wish to know the way>”

Graceaugustine considered her words, eyeing the bag in her hand then turned to the second Dreamwalker who finished up securing his bag.

“Norm, why don’t you get these secured on the ship? I’d rather you take these since they’re a little more volatile than our typical samples?”

The Dreamwalker, Norm, looked momentarily deflated at the suggestion but nodded respectfully on the request. “Alright.” Norm took the bag and vanished off into the treeline.

“<This way.>” Mo’at directed Graceaugustine to follow her towards the great vines as their point of reference. “<Is he new, the other Dreamwalker?>” She inquired after a moment of quiet walking, “<I have not seen him before>”

“<Norm? Yes, he came here a few months ago.>” Grace spoke with fondness lingering in her tone, “<He’s a good scientist and pleasant company. That… does remind me, did your people perhaps run into a rogue avatar? We had a guy disappear off with a pilot into your territory and a few people followed after that.>”

Now, ever more grateful that Graceaugustine was in her avatar that she could not sense any… turn of words; lies or altered truths affected the body in a subtle way and while the Cold One in warm skin was bound by its limits, she was glad the subtleties could not be picked up the same way.

“<My daughter mentioned seeing a Dreamwalker run through the territories and investigated enough to tell them to move on or face the end of the arrow. They were intruders so they took their metal box and left our lands. To where, I have no idea.>” Mo’at spoke, which was the easiest thing to remember and stick to, after all, as it was their land, it would stand out more if they hadn’t noticed and hadn’t made an effort to keep the sky people off.

Playing ignorant would only work for so long before suspicions were aroused and she knew, with Grace and people like her, they’d pick up on that lie easily. While Mo’at distasted lies, she had come to learn that some had a purpose and more so when in dealing with sky people. The same reason the Dreamwalkers took on new clothes and appearances; was to protect the clan from unwanted attention. It was very little weight to do the same to ensure her people remained safe from the sky people and she had a duty to protect those under Uturu.

“<If more were located, they were probably turned away, it’s likely they went far from Omatikaya lands. I never personally have gotten involved. Why do you ask?>”

“<He and his buddy stole a lot of equipment and left. Theft is a crime for us so… his avatar, the module, the ship…. It costs a lot and taking it without permission can lead to serious trouble. Plus, abandoning the RDA is also a breach of his contract and also can be considered an offence. There’s… probably more to it but I only knew the guy for a week before he was gone.>”

It sounded like Jakesully’s absence weighed nothing to her concern either. She wasn’t sure what to make of that so she left it at that for now. “<Then he is of no concern or topic. Come.>”

Mo’at led the way towards the start of their ascent. Up ahead, she noticed the metal ship in the sky and high up and it disappeared. She instructed Graceaugustine to remove her shoes to make it easier but started up first.

The climb was familiar, but it had been a long time since she had made this sort of trip. Grace, surprisingly caught up despite clear inexperience, though struggled with her balance as they gripped the great vines and stalks as they climbed from one to another, using small floating rocks to stop and adjust to keep their strength and carry on.

By the time they reached the top and along towards the site of the metal home, Grace was heaving a little for breath and quietly grumbling by the time she took a few seconds up at the top to regain her strength.

On the front of stretched of grass and paywll trees dotted about, the metal ship was sat innocently and empty of Norm and its rider. The air was only dampened by the smell of its fuel still. Ignorable for now.

The small silver home sat connected with a few boxes on top and sat at an angle where the light didn’t shine so directly in but there were dark panels set facing the path of the sun. Not only were there the two metal homes but also there was a larger solid tent that was covered with a dark blue fabric cover over a frame, there were large triangular tarps with little rectangles on with wires coming down to connect inwards to some machinery.

Inside it was metal flooring but with lots of shelving set up, a few sky-person screens, and scientific tools; a few things looked familiar, like mortar and pastel. Plants were floating in liquid and a small living area beside the two hammocks on the far side for their Dreamwalkers.

Grace didn’t hesitate to go straight in and pulled out some water from the small cold box and downed it without another word.

Norm, the Dreamwalker was inside the large tent, and unloading their bags but had paused to watch with an amused expression. Mo’at looked around as she got close to properly look in but it was all oddly to scale which was mildly unnerving; she was so used to Sky people's technology being… well, small. All of this was large and meant for large forms.

There was a smaller table off to the side with small chairs and a squashy-looking seat, so it could cater to small bodies as well.

“You know, I thought I was gonna be annoyed about missing the climb… dodged a bullet on that,” Norm remarked cheekily.

Grace snapped the cold box shut and gave her companion a sour look before she dropped the empty bottle into a metal canister. “Tomorrow, we’ll go down and up.”

The amusement vanishes and his ears drooped in dread.

“<This… is new>” Mo’at interrupted, eyeing the new building. “<everything is to the size of your Dreamwalkers.”

“<Our field lab.>” Grace unsteadily rose to her feet, her tail lashing a little. “<Oh… let me put my avatar down for a rest. That climb really took it out of me.>”

“You okay, Grace.”

“Yes, yes.” She waved her colleague’s concern away, tossing the shoes onto the floor beside a red hammock and clambered in and fell still, but it was only about a minute before the silver home door opened up and Grace came out in her native form and masked up.

Mo’at stared a little in her examination of Grace. In all honestly, trying to see detailed traits of a Cold One in was harder through the mask. Most was obscured by the reflection of light and the only real visual difference that Mo’at could see was… Grace was so very pale.

It looked like she had been bathing in milk. The only variance in colour was a slight purplish tint to her lips and under her eyes where her skin was thinner. The hue seemed to make her look a little tired. The paleness seemed to brighten not only her orange hair but also the dark open shirt with a red long-sleeve underneath. Her skin lacked warmth and a pleasant blush of life that humans had. Out of context, perhaps she may not have noticed… or assumed Graceaugustine was ill but… it saddened her a little.

“You good?” Norm asked again, looking down at her as she joined them.

“Reminds me I need to put more effort when exercising. I’ll be feeling that later for dinner.” Grace wrinkled her nose. “<As I said, our field lab. We can work in both forms out here. We originally had the lab inside the modules but I requested the field lab to be installed so we can keep some of our science more…separate from when we’re not working.>” She offered a gesture to the seating arrangement inside.

“<I’d rather sit outside if you do not mind.>” The metal flooring was unappealing but thankfully, there was little argument. Norm abandoned his bag and joined them, sitting down, and relaxing back.

“<How has everything been at Hometree?>” Grace asked first, stretching her legs out in the grass.

“<As well as it can be, I suppose. We’ve been very busy recently, the Great Hunt preparations have started so the clan is in an uplifted mood to ensure we’re prepared. Much of what I have collected will go towards those injured. Many medical remedies need time to be crafted and to become potent.>”

And so they fell into a pleasant conversation. Mo’at spoke more about the upcoming celebrations, rites of prospecting hunters and new site of Eywa the Omatikaya found and the upcoming birth of twins. Grace spoke in detail of her time up in the mountains, the plants that they had however did dip a little into those who had left the RDA; the notion of a woman of four piqued her interest; Quadruplets was what Norm had called them.

“<That’s an interesting necklace.>” Norm spoke after a moment, leaning a little to see after he noticed it.

Mo’at’s hand came to her chest with a tense chuckle. She had forgotten she had been wearing it.

“<This? Oh, this is a Zawɾ’fwefwi. It’s used as an animal scare.>” Mo’at said, taking it from around her neck to allow the two to see it. “<It got out of hand of its owner a week or so back and into the hands of children who enjoy pranking elders, and myself.>” She did have some regrets there but it had given Tsu’tey some joy.

Grace laughed a little. “<I didn’t know Omatikaya used these, I thought you had more water-based animal scares.>”

“<We do not, but we’re hosting a clan within our territories at the moment. Your people do not know them. They’re… very reclusive. Even for the people.>” Mo’at spoke carefully, slipping it back on and under her shawl.

“<If you don’t mind me asking but why are they visiting if they’re reclusive?>” Norm asked cursiouly.

Mo’at considered his words for a moment. “In some part, cultural exchange, but mostly aid as their clan suffered a significant loss of people and sought travel from their lands to recuperate and to reconnect with the People. They crafted these Zawɾ’fwefwi to walk in peace rather than be forced to hunt or hurt creatures that may see them as prey.>” Her hand came and touched the palulukan whistle as she spoke.

“<Oh no, are they okay?>”

“<They will be, but they need our guidance through their grief. They no longer have a Tsahìk and Olo'eyktan and until we can aid in train one, they rely on us.>”

“<Oh, that’s terrible.>” Grace sympathised, “<I hope that they’re able to heal.>”

“<Indeed,>” Mo’at wholeheartedly agreed with genuine agreement, her mind touching onto Ruby in particular, “<A few of these people live with the clans but a few live in camps away to avoid being overwhelmed by the amount of our people. They are still reclusive at heart; it is their way. I do ask that you leave these people alone if you accidentally come across them in your outings; they may not take so well to Dreamwalkers or sky people expectantly>” Mo’at hoped that this would cover plausible reasons as to why there were camps outside of Hometree. It wasn’t as common for their people but camps in the West had more freedom and space to have more separated camps for ease of travel and resting points, even trading posts.

Grace’s face fell a little but she nodded. “<Alright, but what’s their clan name? I can see about getting my other teams informed as well>”

Mo’at resisted twitching but it had been something she had been thinking about in a need-be situation since Jakesully had told them of this option. While she had considered options that best fit the Dreamwalkers, she also needed to not indicate their sky-people past or hint. Otherwise, she may as well tell them they were Dreamwalkers.

“<Their clan is called Unilstìmä'nì. They’re a clan that specialises in bone shaping and weaving. They care little for unnecessary conflict but can be very… stubborn.>” To put it lightly. “<It can be frustrating but… it is a learning process for us all.>”

Unil was a word for dream, often tied to Dreamwalkers, Uniltìranyu or dream hunt, Uniltaron. But stìmä'nì came from the word catch, or in her use of phrase, it was used as a closed past tense; caught. The name roughly translated to Dream Caught Clan but there was a lot lost in the translation so it sounded less appealing in English. In Na’vi, it flowed easily from the tongue and had more mysterious connotations and was rich in possibilities, like the Trr'ong clan. They had a more literally translated name of Dawn (or Sunrise) Clan. So it wasn’t unusual either.

It wasn’t her first option in her consideration, Tanhì'Sopyu clan was another one she may have gone for, but the ‘Star travelling’ clan would certainly sell out to more creative thinkers like Grace to part to put the two and two together. Too obvious.

Grace gave a sympathetic chuckle, accepting her words with a nod. “<I hope they settle well with your people>” she reached forward and patted her knee softly.

“<As do I>” but Mo’at felt the cold touch and her stomach sank but glad her heart did not stutter. “<but enough of them. While it is nice to catch up, I would like to return often but… it’s become more obvious that your people are not leaving or intend to. More of your people arrive than leave and… I think it’s about time I learn more about your people.>” She directed this to Grace. It was a good enough excuse to learn more human things to learn about the Cold One. It was a two-for-one deal, even if Graceaugustine was unaware of that. She needed to be close to learn and it was hardly a smoke screen.

Grace blinked in surprise. “Wait, on humans? Earth?”

“<I did not partake of the school and while I may know and read English, I only ever answered your questions. I never considered asking my own. The children wished to learn more than I did when you first desired the school. Now I do hold regret in not allowing myself to grow and indulge my curiosity of the humans and their world”

Norm perked up.

Grace still looked conflicted. “<I… suppose I can. I have a lot of time up here.>”

“<I do have a request that you use your Dreamwalker sparingly. It would be nice to See you as…you. Not the false skin.>”

Grace’s jaw tensed up immediately with uncertainly which did surprise her a little.

“She’s not saying no avatars, Grace, just not as often. We should say yes.” Norm said, bending forward to the Cold Woman excitedly. “This is a good opportunity and why not?”

“Pandora is a very dangerous place for humans.” Grace started, eyeing him carefully. “Viperwolves, Thanators and even insects can kill you. Humans are more susceptible to venoms. I don’t need to remind you of that Slinth that practically chased Jake to kingdom come.”

Norm hummed. “But… we’re out and about up here in our human bodies.” He gestured to their camp as he said this.

“We take precautions out here, we’re high and away from common dangers and… excuse me while I say this; you’re skinny and barely got any muscle on you. Our size means we can’t outrun large predators. I’m not exactly in my prime either.” Grace gestured to him as she spoke then herself.

“You have masks and I am capable of keeping you as safe as possible out in the forest,” Mo’at spoke in English with a small smile, “I know more saps that can protect you from insect bites and I doubt Nantang will attack so freely. I do wear this Zawɾ’fwefwi.” She pointed out as a reminder. “I have been assured by one of the clan that animals will run.”

“See, Mo’at is very well equipped and she knows the forest and all the plants and where to find them. Old survey sites and data is one thing but I think we can trust the local Tsahìk to know what she’s on about and provide more information than just what we’re getting on our equipment”  Norm said, very passionately

“Thank you,” Mo’at said, pleased with his respect.

Grace let out a heavy sigh, not reluctant in nature but almost tired as she debated the merits of the request and Mo’at could see why she wasn’t for it but that was why she had asked; she needed to see Grace honestly despite her desire to appear human. Norm clearly knew nothing of her true nature and Mo’at didn’t want to upset that image either.

“Alright,” She answered with, “we can debate the use of avatar depending on where we’re going.”

“<I can agree to that compromise>” It sounded reasonable; some terrain would be too hard for small bodies so in some cases, the Dreamwalker bodies would be more useful. They could shed the skin when at their metal home. She had plenty of opportunities now in front of her and… despite wanting to learn more of the Cold Ones through Grace, it would be nice to actually rekindle their friendship.

 - 

Mo’at returned to see Hometree alive with joy as the afternoon closed in, taking the time to return to her den and set her herbs to dry out beside a bowl of embers and descend down to observe the clan. She sat with Eytukan as Na’vi, humans and Dreamwalkers sat around cheerfully exchanging stories and work tips but her eyes followed N’deh as he appeared. She noticed his eyes lingered on her mate so she reached down and waited.

“<I see you, Eytukan>” N’deh addressed first, echoing to her in greeting but his attention was to their clan leader, “<Since Jakesully and the other hunters are to get an Ikran, I must once against request to join them>”

Eytukan’s jaw remained tense, “<I have told you many times as to why you cannot>”

“<I am aware of your reasons, Olo’eyktan but I am willing to negotiate an option that will suit us both. I am willing to stick to a select path and will agree to be guarded on the trip if you fear I will go too close to the Tree of Souls. Once I have an Ikran, I do not need to go to the mountains again. If your heart is too set, then I have another option that you cannot control. The Tawkami clan may allow me to claim an Ikran from the rookery on their lands. While you do have the power to decide if I am to go to the Omatikaya’s rookery, you have no ground to rob me of an Ikran from another clan or unclaimed territory. Many options are still open to me.>”

Mo’at’s head tilted as she let her brother’s words pass over her and she was… surprised at his words and how forceful he sounded. Not demanding, but informing. N’deh was providing more options to showcase his options; he wanted the close option of the Omatikaya’s rookery but was willing to go far for a new one. This was his last request before he would take the second option.

In all honestly, Mo’at hadn’t considered another rookery as an option either but it made sense to N’deh’s drive for it. There were always other options but he was offering a sense of control on it.

Eytukan’s eyes narrowed and she could see the tension in his face. But he was in deep thought now as he considered this unexpected option.

Mo’at touched his arms soothingly.

“<Brother, remember you are still an exile and no longer Omatikaya Do not push where force is unwelcome.>”

N’deh chuckled very dryly. “<I know, sister and I do respect the way of our people to ask than simply do. I could have claimed a new Ikran months ago when the idea occurred to me but I did not. I wished to have the blessing of Eytukan and the familiar of a rookery I once climbed when I was fifteen.>”

Which was a good point, their agreement with him was complicated but there was only punishment and revision of their agreement if N’deh went to the Omatikaya’s rookery without permission of the clan leader. They had no power or control on that and the fact was, N’deh left in exile with his Ikran so it wasn’t forbidden to claim a new from somewhere else.

“<Perhaps we should allow this one time,>” Mo’at suggested to her mate, carefully “<Maru can keep a close eye on him when he takes first flight and steers him away from undesired areas until he’s clear of the mountains. If he comes from another clan, we have no way of knowing where his returns come from.>”

Eytukan faced her with a more scathing frown but she had a point he could not refute and N’deh himself was allowing them to control the situation more with his request. Unguarded was unpredictable.

“<Maru can be your shadow once you’re there. Join Tsu’tey and his warriors and take the path of Iknimaya.>” Eytukan decided, “<Do not stray from Maru’s path.>”

N’deh looked tense but only in constraining his emotion as he swiftly nodded. Joy filled his yellow eyes and a weight looked to have shifted from his shoulders. “<Of course, Olo’eyktan.>”

With that, N’deh practically skipped away and went directly to Jakesully

Sooner or later, she would find out that they had mated, but N’deh was hoping for later. With her duties at Hometree and the rest of the clan, her attention wouldn’t fall to him nor Grace. Which meant he had to collect his stuff together and leave as soon as possible.

Tìrol slipped under the canopy and touched down at their camp, irritating Kim’s Ikran trying to eat what looked like her recent hunt before N’deh jumped off and padded straight towards the heart of the camp.

“N’deh!” Jake’s voice echoed, sounding relieved but N’deh gave the Dreamwalker a scathing look to leave him alone. He did not say anything to him either but went straight to the largest mauri that was already opening.

“<N’deh!>” Kim was already pulling him up her arms wrapping around him, and he felt the pressure of her baby bump in the tightness of her arms before the kicks of the little ones reminded their dear mother of the limited space.

“<I’m okay, my friend.>” He said warmly. “<I’ve… taken time away. Needed time.>”

Kim pulled back, her hand coming to rest at the bump, her eyes staring into him for a moment before she nodded him in. N’deh moved the curtain across anyway for privacy, shimmering off the basket form his back.

Jerome was on the floor, sewing the beginnings of a tiny loincloth but he looked pleased to see him well. “<I hope your time away was fruitful.>” he set down the tools. “<You look less burdened.>”

“<It was.>” He lifted the lid from his basket, offering the wrapped pieces of meat. “<Palulukan meat. Now, all I ask if that this gift is not meant for people who betrayed my trust.>”

Kim’s eyes widened but brightened at the gift, accepting it and sniffing it. “<Smoke and ash-leaf wrapped?>”

“<Yes.>”

“<I can agree to that.>” Kim said, “<I won’t question where you got Palulukan meat but I can only assume that’s why you were away for so long.>”

N’deh chuckled softly. “<Yes.>” He gave another piece to Jerome who took it with thanks and set it into their personal food basket and returned. “<How has the camp been in my absence?>”

“<Awkward. Nadine has since returned from the Vents and is staying with Jake this week since her attempt to go underground failed.>”

N’deh nodded softly. “<How is Morgan?>”

“<I have not personally heard from him, but he went to the vents independently after gathering more fibres.>” Kim said, “<I’ll make you a tea.>” she reached for the bowl of embers,

“<It is okay. I—” N’deh faltered at the abrupt side-eye. “<Actually, A sweet tea is possible>” he back peddled quickly. No, he’d let her feed him if it kept her happy.

Kim nodded, pleased before she slipped out briefly for water and ceramic teapot.

“<She’s been worried about you.>” Jerome said softly, “<and she’s pissy at Jake too. Camp is still feeling awkward since the whole thing went down.>”

“<Jakesully only has himself to blame for his secrets.>”

“<Are you going to hit him again?>”

“<Only if he keeps more secrets I deserve to know from me.>” N’deh said simply with a sniff. “<I doubt he has many more.>”

He would not go out of his way to strike the Dreamwalker any more and he saw little reason to engage in conversation because it would be far too easy for provocation. Jakesully may say something offensive and N’deh had no desire to hear a reason for this sky man’s distaste. Let him rot in his own dark presumptions. N’deh wasn’t going to be around him for that.

Kim returned swiftly, with a flat tray of fruits, herbs and sugar lumps with a ceramic teapot with water before she set it to onto the embers to heat up, setting the tray and the three small mugs. She added sugar lumps to the bottom, followed by the berries and only a sprinkle of herbs. Kim sighed heavily, pressing her palm into her baby bump. “<Leg in, little one.>” She huffed. “<I’m so looking forwards to the end of this pregnancy.>”

“<Your daughters are strong.>”

Kim snorted softly.

For a moment, it was just a pleasant silence that fell between the three of them. Like old times.

“<Somethings changed.>” Kim said abruptly, her eyes watching him as they waited.

N’deh looked from the kettle to her face sharply, eyed widening only a fraction. “<Not in Na’vi or English>” He stated, not wishing for any eaves droppers to understand.

Kim shifted, her hand coming to rest on his chest, yellow eyes sharp and her brow furrowed. “{You have mated? The weight is gone.}” High Valyrian.

N’deh swallowed, ears twitching a little. “{Please do not tell anyone}”

Kim’s eyes widened a lot, but she looked pleased nonetheless as she soon poured the steaming water into the cups. “{Her, or someone else?}”

“{Her. She got lost from her expedition due to the Palulukan. She killed it and… I got curious about what I heard.}” He admitted, finding an odd relief to tell her that.

“{You did everything correct, yes?}”

“{Yes. We… had the same idea not to waste time. We were close to Eywa’s site but we didn’t linger long until after we were done.}” He blushed a little, scratching his ear. “{But my heart is whole now. Our bond is settled and we’re taking this week apart to get things in order. I cannot stay. I intend to leave but I hope that… we could find means of staying in contact}”

“{We will still be here for another good month or so, providing the babies are born healthy.}” Kim said, handing their cups out, taking a tentative sniff and sip of hers. “{We’ve still not decided on when or where we’re going?}”

“{I thought we were going to the valley?}” Jerome asked, confused.

“{That is the plan, but… there is a lot to discuss. I want to talk to René about joining us, as a Unilstä'nìtu. He was make an excellent leader.}”

N’deh blinked in surprise, as did Jerome.

Kim looked between them before she laughed awkwardly “{I suppose I forgot to share my thoughts with you two, I see.}”

N’deh hummed, agreeing. “Renéharper. Not Jakesully?” He could see the value in that decision. Someone that did not hold the same bias.

“<Jakesully has his issues, but in time I can see him settling but not in terms of clan leadership. He has a connection with Eytukan because of the necessity the Omatikaya need of his and the human’s guidance in how to handle the problem of the bulldozers and RDA threat. There is respect, but… Jake has no place among any of the people. He has hunting rites, and will having rites of the boneshapers, but no rite of being called a Son of the Omatikaya or a Place among the People. Eytukan has shown that he does not desire Dreamwalkers among their kind as one of their people because he had not offered. A budding clan needs a respected leader that can stand among the people. To be accepted as one of the people. Jake needs to undergo Uniltaron.>” Kim summarised in Na’vi now.

“<Renéharper has been accepted as a Son of the Tipani.>” N’deh realised. “<He is a well-respected Na’vi now. He’s no longer considered a Dreamwalker since his spiritual move into his new body>” He took a deep sip of the tea, the sweetness of the sugar and the juice of the berries tingled down his throat as he swallowed. A bit too sweet for him. No matter.

“<Yes. René also has decades of experience on this world. He has connected with the Tipani, Sänume of all Tsahìks respects him. She values him. Welcomed him into her clan and they’re stricter than the Omatikaya. He has a husband and children. He is one of the people. Mo’at respects him with the same level of respect to learn from him.>” Kim said, “<Jake has only been here 5 months. No other clan will see him as an equal and it will take decades for anyone to to the same level as René. If our clan is to become a reality, then we must find the right pieces.>”

“<René does wish for segregation>” Jerome pointed out.

“<He… is not entirely wrong. I do believe that humans and Na’vi can live in harmony, but I think we should… segregate based on technology, not race. Humans who wish to use human metal and technology, the wheel should live separately, but nearby and we work as allies sharing land and resources. The heart of the clan should live as one of the people, Human and Dreamwalker; no metal, no turning wheel and no stone upon stone. Yes, there will be a hypocrisy due to Dreamwalkers using metal machines to operate their Dreamwalkers but I don’t see how else the other clans will see the Unilstä'nìtu as a law abiding clan. Eywa’s law shows respect and respect is paramount with forming relations with the other clans.>”

Kim was very aware how difficult it would be, but Eywa’s law was absolute in the way of the people. To use metal, even as handy tools were frowned upon. Would there be more Dreamwalkers later down the line for the other humans? Or would there be only a single or so generation of Dreamwalkers before the practise was stopped? N’deh didn’t know, but it sounded complex.

“<Maybe talk to a Tsahìk about the options. Not just my sister, but Sänume, assuming you can get another audience with her.>” N’deh suggested. “<This talk should also happen with all the other Dreamwalkers, and human Camp leaders>” He was no longer Unilstä'nìtu in any way or form, he had no say in it now.

“<I plan to. I want to see about getting my rites of the people with the Tipani. I want a place with the people, with my humans remains at their ancestral site, I should have the right to do that.>”

Jerome nodded, “<I can get behind that, my love. We would have an honourable connection with a clan, even if we are not considered one of the Tipani.>”

-

N’deh left Kim and Jerome tent once they had finished their tea, again, ignoring the presence of the Dreamwalker down by the main fire as he climbed into his own Mauri carrying a bowl of embers with him and shut the curtains after him. The darkness was familiar, but the light of his bowl lit the space up, carefully using that to ignite his own light bowls up before he examined the space and his personal items.

His hammock.

So much to pack up. So much to take.

The spot he had told Grace about was a cave system close Tree of Souls; the tree was set into a basin in the ground. Roots spread out far and wide to her other sacred sites and the site had these beautiful arches that protected Eywa’s tree. His spot was about half a mile from the edge of the basin edge. Not too close to risk punishment of trespassing, but far enough to not be looked for this close. With the cave, he’d need not waste time taking down his mauri. It was designed for trees, not a cave so even if it took it, it’d stay rolled up or repurposed as floor mats.

Honestly, N’deh figured it was better to leave it. Kim and Jerome could use it as a second place for sleep or storage. He could always make another and, he had bones to better help his new home. Less to carry with him and he could take everything with him on a single trip. He already had moved the Palulukan goods there anyway so he wouldn’t need to make the other trip. Later, assuming Jakesully was busy and visiting the other Dreamwalkers or the Vents, N’deh could leave then. Away from following eyes. For now, he still needed to plan his long-term solution.

His wife situation was something that still needed a plan to it. Her life was on this world but not with the humans. He was glad she knew that but she too would need a place to live. Could they stay? #

N’deh wrinkled his nose. Unlikely, once they knew he mated with her. Eytukan wouldn’t want them on his land, so where was the next best location? There was still a lot of open land. Couldn’t be the Valley of Mo’ara, not with the humans and the Unilstä'nìtu that could develop there.

Would it just be him and her? Were the other vampires that may wish to leave too? Could he tolerate more vampires around?

N’deh paused. Would he become one too?

He hadn’t thought of that yet. The idea was tantalizing. To spend forever with his mate, happy and ensuring their lives were preserved. He would need to talk to her, see her thought on the matter. He’d want Grace to be the one to do it, to have his life in her hands, someone he could trust to care for him in that time. What if she refused? There could be another of her vampire friends who could? N’deh swallowed down the uncertainty, but he’d have to address that with Grace when he could.

No matter. He set those thoughts aside for now. He grabbed his travel basket, filled with basic fibres and items he had gathered recently. He tipped it into his hammock for now, carefully removing the pictures from his mauri walls, placing the small ones into the chess kit for security and rolled the lager ones up. He wrapped the small trinkets and beads up into a pouch, the books set at the bottom of the basket before he collected up his old clothing, rolling them up and tucking them into the space. Setting in his jewellery and tools last before he was satisfied to leave it as it was; He’d get new shelving units together later. Kim and Jerome could keep this one.

-

The cave was as N’deh left it since dropping off the Palulukan goods. Large, open space. Thick Vines and leaves covered the main entry way so that it would be hard for people to immediately see in. With a fire, perhaps but he considered putting up one of his mats to further mask his presence. This cave did face away from the Tree of Souls, so visitors wouldn’t see his camp unless they really went exploring.

The meat, he had hung from the vines on string to be off the floor of tempted little creatures seeking an easy meal. Bones were bound and hung too, only lightly treated against rot but they’d need to be sorted properly later, and fortune, he had the week to do so. He had buried the Palulukan head into a beetle nest for them to consume the meat and remaining flesh so he could have the skull separately without damaging it in the butchering process. It’d most likely be ready by the end of the week. Those beetles were hungry for dead flash, especially during the week of darkness.

For now, he found a place for his hammock to rest. Roots growing along the underside of the ceiling offered the strength to support his weight. His travel pack, he set down, started a fire. Jakesully had left this nightly-noon to visit the other Dreamwalkers, which had given him the chance to disappear. Kim though pushed a radio into his hand and a charging hub for it, so he still had connection with those two.

He sighed deeply, his heart feeling light.

-

Kim sipped her tea deeply, her eyes lingering on the fire, feeling it’s warm as it danced across her skin. It… felt odd. The Darkness. All day. Sure, they had their water clock going, tracking the hours since for their sanity. She did not like it, never did the last couple of years, one of the reasons she didn’t see the appeal of moving to Alaska when they finally made it Earth-side when she was old enough to move planets independently. The darkness made her tried, more so than usual with the pregnancy. There was little they could do that was safe. Gathering was just… a bad idea without a party and a warrior, hunter species were further out and so even hunting was minimal.

Sure, they could do what Jake did and go off to the other camps but Kim felt very little desire to do that. Last thing she wanted to do was go down into the Caves with this big belly and get stuck. N’deh was now gone from their camp, so she couldn’t even find him to make beads or jewellery together. Kim was simply bored.

A visit to Hometree… was not strictly welcome and it certainly felt like there was a real distance set between them and the Omatikaya. The time of darkness was meant for clan bonding and rites and… they were not part of it. It was not offered and Kim had hoped that Eytukan would have invited them as a show of connections.

He did not.

Made her desire to leave for her rites with the Tipani more validated. Getting her rites and… trying to get the notion of the Unilstä'nìtu to form and grow into a real, respectable and beautiful clan. She wanted a future here. Their children needed a clan. It honestly felt like they were being strung along more than anything.

Jake might make headway if he found means to convince Mo’at to bury his brother at their ancestral sites. If she didn’t tell him why, his ignorance would work in his favour. He had done a lot for the Omatikaya in comparison to the two of them. He had earned it more, in a way. Maybe she should suggest flying him towards the Tree of Souls, not close to concern but let him see and… feel Eywa’s presence there. A connection.

Her eyes slid to her husband as he happily continued on with the inkle loom, made based off Morgan’s claimed one and scaled up, watching as he flipped the pattern cards, moved the shuttles and double checked his work and repeat. It… was satisfying to watch him work and get so engrossed in it and drawing her thoughts away from her frustrations.

“<Enjoying watching me work?>” Jerome asked, not looking up.

“<Yes, you’re a sight to see>” Kim chuckled. “<I don’t know what to do with myself.>”

“<You could weave?>”

“<No.>” Sitting and weaving, while it would occupy her hands, it wouldn’t her mind. Same with spinning.

“<A nap?>”

“<No, I’d love that but that’ll mess up my sleep schedule.>”

“<What do you want to do?>”

“<I don’t know.>”

Jerome let out an exhausted sigh.

Kim rolled slowly, clambering to her feet and used the side of the mauri to get up and padded to the radio and picked it up. “Hey, can someone get Morgan I wanna talk to him?” Maybe she could get ideas from him? Maybe get him stuff to help him finish redoing N’deh’s mask. That seemed more helpful than anything else she could think of.

There was a long pause before the line opened again, but it wasn’t Morgan who answered. It was Castro.

“Er, Kim. Are you sure he isn’t in his shack? He’s not here.”

Kim blinked, her stomach tensing. “He’s not here. He went out to gather and go straight to the Vents for the storm. I’ve been at my camp all day today and since the storm started.” Her heart began to pound, if he wasn’t at camp and he wasn’t safe in the Vents, where the fuck was he? Eywa… did he get stuck? Was he dead or dying of radiation poisoning?

Jerome stopped what he was going, looking as alarmed as she felt but he hurried off, clambering out and straight to Morgan’s shack, knocking on the protective lead shielded shutters.

“He’s not here. Fuck…” Castro swore. “I… don’t know what else I can do or say—hey!”

“Check the cave by the Ma’kiso Lagoon.” Elena’s voice was sharp, louder than the miner’s annoyance at having the radio snatched. “I restocked it as an emergency site, just in case Morgan or someone couldn’t reach the vents in time.”

“I’ll check there first.” She tucked the radio into her pouch, sparing Jerome a look before she jumped straight onto her Ikran’s back, and they both launched into the air. Her other hand came to her belly, the other gripping the kuru harness but she could feel both babies were up and active, no doubt the upkeep of her heart had roused the two. But it wasn’t about their movements, the weight and pressure on the back of the Ikran hurt at her lower back in this position.

Kim did know this cave, as Morgan had used it his first year out. The second year he had his shack so it wasn’t a problem anymore once they got the lead panelling. She vaguely recalled Elena’s interest in it based on Morgan’s passing comments but thought nothing of it.

Within ten minutes, she was touching down outside the cave, pausing though the dark as she entered, noting the guns propped up against the wall beside the entry pool.

RDA weapons.

He didn’t have a gun on him.

Logically, he wasn’t alone. RDA soldiers were with him. Fuck.

Kim tightened her gloves, making sure her extra toes were hidden and her eyebrows under her oil paint, though she make sure her riders mask stayed on over, just in case. Before she took a deep breath and slipped under the surface, taking only a few strokes and kicks before her head broke the surface.

“Holy fuck!”

Her head whipped around to the familiar, bald form of Corporal Wainfleet, who jumped back from the water’s edge, his hand coming to his empty holster, but moved swiftly to his knife. He wasn’t alone, as her eyes flickered to the movement of a tattooed woman and Colonel Quaritch…. But lastly her eyes landed on Morgan who had been crouched over a basket of seeds.

“<Morgan.>” She clambered out, ignoring the three humans who were staring her arrival in surprise but none had guns so she didn’t feel too threatened to by pass them.

“<Kìmétey?>” her fake Na’vi name rolled easily off Morgan’s tongue. Something she had almost forgotten about when they had wanted to establish a cover. So they’d not assume her to be the true Kimberly Green. Everyone knew her shortened nickname, Kim. She didn’t know if any of these three knew Na’vi, so they’d have to play it safe for now.

“Whoa, mama.” Wainfleet whistled, blinking in surprise, eyes at her pregnant belly.

“<I got so worried when no one confirmed you were safe.>” She said, reached for him and pulled him into a hug, squishing him a little against her chest. He shifted his leg open for space.

His small hands patted her back. “<I’m okay. Just… glad this area was set up.>” He leant back. “<I didn’t think it was wise to bring unwanted company home.>”

Kim spared a side-eye to the watching three and sniffed. “<Have you got enough supplies?>” She released him, but kept a hand on his upper back, feeling his warmth. He was truly safe.

“<For now. Our friend was very wise to over pack dry goods.>” Morgan assured, “<How is everyone at home? Tsyome? Tsyeyk? I assume my former lover is well?>” Jerome and Jake, of course they hadn’t established names for the humans to bypass the RDA.

“<My mate is well, but is worried for you. Tsyeyk was not home when we got word. I no doubt will have to inform him when Tsyome informs the both of them you’re absent.>” She paused, feeling one of the babies twist, shifting a leg into her rib which made her groan out, a foot visibly pressing out from the other baby.

Morgan patted the lump, “<Leg in, little one.>” The foot vanished after a moment. “<Your worrying wake them?>”

Kim nodded. “<Eywa may have blessed me but two is pushing that blessing.>” She grumbled though her eyes slid back to the three RDA folk. “<What are you doing with sky people? They are unsafe. Have they hurt you? Made any attempts to take you from us?>”

Morgan sighed, sparing a look to Quaritch then back to her. “<Their ship crashed. I’m fine. They seem to think I’ll change my mind and go back to the village with them. Fuck that.>”

“<I will pick you up or one of the others will to ensure you’re safe.> Kim could promise that, to make sure he wasn’t taken against his will. No. She’d not loose an old friend out here.

“What is going on here?” Quaritch finally spoke up. “You know this Native?”

Kim hissed his way, shifting Morgan to stand between her babies and the colonel. Morgan moved willingly.

“This is Kìmétey, she and her mate recovered me from Blue Lagoon and helped me survive. She was worried when I wasn’t at my planned location but remembered where I first hid from the storm.” Morgan hastily mentioned. “She wanted to make sure I was alive and well.”

“She’s not local.” Wainfleet mentioned, “Not in that attire.”

“She’s Unilstä'nìtu. Visiting the Omatikaya. We travel but the Omatikaya barely tolerate me so I must keep my distance. I live with the Unilstä'nìtu that live away from the Omatikaya since the Unilstä'nìtu are very reclusive by nature and Kìmétey does not trust the clan around me. She said something about an Omatikaya-sky person school which seeded sever distrust towards humans.>” said Morgan. “I don’t know the details, or care as long as she keeps me safe and sound.”

Quaritch’s blue eyes were narrow, examining her carefully. “What are the chances this woman could go to the mountains and talk to Dr Spellman? He’s an avatar driver that knows Na’vi. Very, very friendly with the locals. He can inform the RDA of our survival and for pick-up at the end of the week.>”

Morgan turned, but Kim let her expression say it all. Fuck no. she had nothing to gain from that except risking Morgan’s freedom. “You’d have better luck asking an Omatikaya warrior than a Unilstä'nìtu gatherer. She likes me, but she had no reason to trust you three. You offer her and her people nothing to ask this request.”

“What does she want? The RDA can provide well for our safe return.” Quaritch bargained.

“<Like sky people have anything we want.>” Kim muttered.

“Maybe she’ll run into Augustine?” Wainfleet offered, “She’s running about.”

Quaritch hummed, interested. “We lost an avatar driver a few days ago. Think she knows something about her?”

Morgan, for the sake of appearances, translated the statement.

“<We’ve seen it. Left it with a passing traveller and cared little on what happened to It.>” N’deh no doubt looked after her very, very well. Nothing she could tell Morgan about it now, just in case there was someone who did understand Na’vi here.

“Kìmétey did mention seeing it—her, I mean. A Wandering Na’vi passing through the southern marshlands though seemed to occupy the avatar but she didn’t see the outcome to know what came of the avatar.”

“So we came all this way for possibly nothing.” The woman muttered, annoyed. “We should have waited until after the storm.”

“Quiet.” Quaritch said to the woman sharply.

“<I’ll go. But I’ll visit again tomorrow, Do you want me to bring anything?>”

“<N’deh’s mask. I can spend the next week perfecting the new design. Also, we’ll need four new masks. These three will need spares for when they leave, the battery life won’t last once we’re out>”

“<Very well.>” She could feel the air was getting thin for her, she had to go anyway.

She slipped back into the water before taking a breath and disappeared beneath.

-

“How is the avatar?” Thana asked the doctor as he finished up the last scans of the stolen body. It now lay dormant as ever since Ulysses returned with it from the Kinglor Forest.

“Minor weaknesses and muscle loss in the lower extremities from disuse but a few hours in the pod can strengthen the legs up if we’re keeping the body long-term.” Henry said as he finished up his observation. “Brain activity is… unusual and in sync with Tabitha’s human body. Heart rate, specifically. Theo did visit. She’s confirmed a veil foundation has set root into the avatar brain in a very clean fashion. She believes it’ll be easier to transfer the foundation, memory and personality into the avatar then just eroding the foundations and having Tabitha absorb the veil.”

“I’m glad we have a confirmation on that.” A lot had been in the air about the possibility in that method. “When it the separation set?”

“Four days from now. Theo is meditating with Maya for mental preparation. What’s the plan for the avatar after separation? Alma’s still quite useful?”

Thana shook her head. “Alma is a veil. She’s just a memory stick, not a power source. Short of Maya’s influence, she won’t wake up on her own. She’d not a real person.”

Henry’s shoulder drooped. “So, what’ll happen to it.” His eyes darted to the avatar. “Euthanasia?”

“<We’ll water-store for it before any decision is made. If it’s useful, it’ll be only due to her womb. Avatars are capable of reproduction. Our second stage here relies on expanding numbers.” Her mind touched on the drone they sent out to the Mangkwan territory East of here, a thought and idea but they needed to understand this isolated clan until they could decide if they were worth the trouble to, leave alone, take or take out. It’d be a shame to kill off an entire indigenous clan due to clashing coloniser beliefs, she wasn’t ignorant to knowing exactly what they were here, but… that was later discussion. They had decades to decide once Tabitha’s heart stopped and their goals would shift. “We need to bring in Doctor Hegner from Hells’ Gate for a full RDA debrief.”

“Hegner?” The human spared her look.

Thana sighed deeply. “He’s a veiled human. The other Dhampyrs left him behind in our mission to escape the main site quickly.” She knew why he was left but they needed more humans now. “He was originally sent to check in on Alma which was why he was put into the avatar program. Since he couldn’t move sites from Hell’s Gate to Frontier West, his mission changed to RDA surveillance.”

The doctor’s eyes grew wide and horrified. “Oh god.” His heart picked up quickly. “He’s veiled?”

Thana spared a look down at him in concern. “Yes.”

“I saw him.” He swallowed thickly. “I don’t know what the hell really happened to him but he’s doped up to cloud nine and working in the mess. He barely strings two sentences together. He’s a walking fear for Avatar drivers.”

Thana inhaled sharply. “What happened?” She, like many other Dhampyrs in big Na’vi bodies, had been in sustention gel for the long-term travel, and how they got in these bodies without any of the humans or RDA knowing. She knew little of Hells gate.

“I… only heard rumour he got caught by a Slinth in his avatar and got eaten alive. His mind slipped. I don’t know if that’s what really happened or not but…”

“His veil slipped.” Thana corrected with a dry mouth. Much like an emergency stop, it seemed, the severing of the dead avatar and living human mind caused damage. No avatar body, meant more damage to the human. They could still reclaim him. Theo could try and restore his mind to someone functional and productive again… maybe Maya too, assuming it was bad. The covens on earth could afford to throw away faulty veils and hijacks, but not here. Not on Pandora.

“We have two active Dhampyrs in hells gate. We can try and contact them. They’re part of this underground black market, Westguard who could smuggle him out when it’s safe to do so.”

Thana’s head turned to Steph who scrolled in, tablet in hand. The human woman looking interested in this situation.

“Westguard?” Henry echoed.

“Contact the Dhampyrs, request a full debrief on the market, it’s policies, rules and how it is run. If it’s useful, we can use it. I’d rather not destroy it by ignorance.” Getting them to hand over a mentally unstable human to an unknown group was no easy task and she had no idea how they’d see it. Knowing the rules make it easier to know what to break. Hegner probably had installed triggers to come to them willingly, or desperately. “See about if they can locate Hegner’s handler. Veils aren’t put into assignments alone.”

At least it’d give them something to do and sort out.

“I’ll let you know when there’s anything to report.” Steph agreed.

“<Okay.>” half heartily, he swung his legs out, frowning as he looked down at his attire. The clothes he had made because… he shared in that vision of what they could have been. A new clan. Now… he felt like an outsider to that. No. No, he would not wear the same clothes as Jakesully.

“<What’s wrong?>” Kim asked.

“<I can’t stay here.>” N’deh said, “<Not around him>.”

Kim’s eyes flickered about, lips pursing softly. “<We won’t stop you from leaving.>”

“<You won’t?>”

Kim shook her head. “<You have the right to be where you want, in this camp, or elsewhere.>”

“<Would you follow me?>” N’deh knew how loyal she was.

Kim’s hand came to her belly, “<I’m not in a position yet where I can leave. Once my daughters are born, I plan to talk to Jerome about going to the Valley of Mo’ara and get talking with the Tipani, or just René. Clan rites and distance from the Omatikaya maybe what I need.>”

N’deh felt… an odd sense of comfort in those words. He knew, more abstractly in passing conversation that Kim had eyes elsewhere than at the Omatikaya. Her heart was not in this jungle, or with this clan. With her due date coming up, of course they’d be thinking about the next course of their lives as a family.

“<We can discuss this later.>” Kim reached forwards, patting his arm in assurance before leaving him to it.

N’deh almost left then and there, but the rattle of beads was the reminder of his attire, expression turning stony before he removed the Unilstä'nìtu waistcloth, being careless in the process. He pulled on his Wander-Omatikaya style loincloth on instead. Front cloth, dark green with delicate embroidery of flax leaves to honour such a bountiful plant. He switched out his new cummerbund with the old, familiar one that he had since his Dream hunt. He pulled off the shoulder pad, and grabbed the new collar he had been making, styled to that of the Unilstä'nìtu, digging his fingers into the woven string and began to undo it, unravelling the hours of work, pulling off the beads and dismantling it until it was just fragments of an idea. He set those into his hammock to clean up later, putting on his old blue choker, the familiar Ikran claws on it that felt right now.

N’deh’s eyes slid to the mask.

Morgan had made that mask. While styled beautifully, it held the colouring meant for Unilstä'nìtu. Something to replace later, but he would not destroy the gift, Morgan had done nothing wrong to him for him to want to destroy that work and effort. N’deh hadn’t changed his braids to locs, so it was simple to remove the decoration and return back to traditional beads and feathers before he felt… good.

Collecting up his bow, arrows, he took the attire he had made and left his mauri, not hesitating to toss the clothing into the fire before leaving. He’d never touch that attire again.

-

It was the sound of the Palulukan that stopped him releasing his arrow into the neck of his prey. Large male rungfwam with massive and impressive tusks rooting at tree roots. The sound of the mighty beast carried enough that his prey startled and took off. N’deh’s heart thudded too, spinning around on the branch before he realised the sound cut off abruptly with a heavy thud, not too far off.

Silence following.

Either it had left, or something had happened.

A wise person would slip away… but curiosity was his weakness. What could falter a Palulukan? Silently, he made his way through the jungle, going from branch to branch before the trees got a little to spaced-out to climb, so he crawled down before he peered through the treeline to a clearing… to see the massive and still form of a Palulukan, resting on it’s side, the head tilted at a wrong angle as if it’s neck was broken.

Then, he saw the flash of blue of skin. He stepped around, eyes widening to first, notice the Dreamwalker attire… before he noticed the rest of her that made him gasp sharply in recognition.

The sight of her almost hurt as she spun around.

Grace.

“N’deh.” Her words echoed between them, a silence that lasted only for a second before his body moved first, closing the distant swiftly between them.

“Grace.” His hands reached her shoulders, the warmth of her skin solidifying that she was here, real. She was here. Grace was in reach… she was… alone. He was alone too. “There’s a small cluster of tree of Voices half a mile from here. Let us mate and end our pain.” N’deh wasn’t going to pass up this opportunity. The Omatikaya had many clusters of Utraya Mokri, some in small clusters, some medium that rested not too far from the Hometree and larger forests furthest away. He knew about them, and this one based off how close the marsh was to this area; the scent coming from her shoes told him where she had been.

Grace nodded, wide-eyed. “Okay.” There was relief in her voice, “<What about the thanator?>”

N’deh barely gave it a look. “<We can be quick? Return to butcher it together while we spiritual heal and rest physically?>” A few hours, it should be fine. The scent of Palulukan would keep things away. They couldn’t afford to lose this chance, despite lacking the romantic side, that part could come in later when they could afford it. He took her hand, guiding her swiftly away.

-

Grace’s heart thumped through her avatar’s chest, legs pushing her on quickly despite her head throbbing. This wasn’t on her to-do list but she wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity. No, she needed this as much as he did. She couldn’t deny, she hadn’t tried to think of him because it hurt. It made life easier but there was always that background ache. She had long since learned to ignore it and live past it. It dulled since she went cold. Now, he was here, the pain of the torn bonds bristled, reminding her the pain of having her spine punched in.

It needed to stop.

Was it a good time, no, not at all but were they going to get another opportunity? Absolutely not. They had to take this and take it quickly. They could figure out the fine details later once they were done, even if they were gonna be breaking a lot of Na’vi and RDA rules.

Norm and Trudy wouldn’t be able to get this far in without being hounded off by a Omatikaya patrol so she’d have to figure what to say once she unlinked since they had no way to contact her, vice versa so turning back was their only option to check in on her after a few hours. The fact she’d be linked up when they got there would be their only sign her avatar was alive. No way was she telling them she was getting hitched, the readings wouldn’t reflect it either, not with the modifications she needed to mask her silent heart and different bio systems.

She just needed to convince Quaritch getting lost was true, so they didn’t assume she had done a runner… she’d need to get back to either Hells’ Gate or site 26 within the next few days before Selfridge blew a fuse.

Her eyes lingered ahead, her stomach churning with nervousness she hadn’t felt in a long time as she caught sight of the tree of souls. A very small cluster, but one still respected. There were about eleven trees, blowing gently in the wind with the floating woodsprites that danced happily and unbothered, with a small stream cutting through the outer edges. He led her into the heart before coming to a stop, his hands already removing his chest guard.

Straight to business.

“<We won’t be able to fully complete traditions,>” N’deh said, “<mating before Eywa here will be enough for us.>”

“<We can do something far more romantic later.>”her hands quickly unclipped her utility belt and sat to undo the laces of her boots. She knew the Na’vi way meant they should have been doing this at night, to sleep and rest as a bonded couple, but the matter of her avatar would mean she’d slip out of it’s skin as it rested. They had had a simpler plan the last time, before their bond was broken. She still didn’t know who did it, but it hurt enough to not think about it.

“<Yes, once we’re bonded heart and mind.>”

It felt weird, boots and socks off, taking off her clothes to be bare ass naked in a jungle felt weird. So open and exposed. But… despite the pain, N’deh was looking stunning as he unclasped his cummerbund from his ribs and reached for his choker since it was the last thing on him.

“<Leave it, it looks good.>” It really did, she didn’t mind him wearing it throughout.

N’deh’s lips pulled up, his hand dropping and pulled his kuru over his shoulder. “<Any to say before we….?>” He took her hand with his other hand, encouraging her to kneel down on the moss covered roots.

“<No hickies on the neck. I can’t hide those with a good enough excuse.>” Everyone who knew have to give them knew what they looked like and on the neck was too risky, she couldn’t cover those.

“<Okay.>”

Nervously, Grace pulled her own kuru around, her eyes watching him mostly but there was little time wasted as he brought them together and the pink tendrils intertwined together and almost immediately, the first thing she felt was the resonating pain double… leaving her gasping, grasping onto his waist to ground herself. Her eyes squeezed shut, but thankfully the pain didn’t last for much longer than a few seconds, as the pain simmered off as… she felt the kindling reconnections the damaged bond and more seemed to grow in it’s place, threads of him that felt like strong cables than the weak thread before it. Each second passed, she could feel a part of him take root as the bonds wove thicker together.

But she tried not to see the connections, but opted to explore it, feeling more than just his spirit but also his body, the heart in his chest as it thumped heavily against his ribs, the swish of his tail and the feel of her own hands clasping his sides… her weight against his chest, now she realised.

Her eyes flickered open but she could feel him relishing in the utter relief as all his pain vanished from his mind. Grace said nothing, not interrupting his relief since he had endured it all so much more than she had.

There was more bubbling beneath that, as they breathed. Easing through the first stages before she began to feel a heat bubble up through her veins, a longing that she had not felt in years, spreading fast and leaving her needy. It felt mirrored too, his body responding too and she knew it’s grow into a feedback loop if they didn’t get it under control.  Her hands skirted up his ribs, pushing herself off his chest and tugged his head down into a kiss, moving as his hands tugged her into his lap…

 -

…

 -

Grace stared up at the trees above her, the white tendrils and the floating woodsprites that were unbothered. Her heart was slowing, the sheen of sweat was cooling but she was unbothered as she stroked through N’deh hair as he rested his head on her chest, trying to ignore the static feeling buzzing up and down her tail.

She could feel he was… just floating in his mind. Lingering pleasure, the relief of release of not only their mating but the pain was gone entirely. He surfed in the comfort of her arms so she let him. For now.

Grace smiled softly as a woodsprite dipped down, landing briefly onto his back before bouncing up and away. N’deh seemed to surface back then, craning his head to watch it bob out of reach before rolling off her legs but remained tucked in at her side.

“<You’re my wife now.>” he stated, his tried eyes bright. “<And I’m your husband.>”

Grace’s smile remained. “<Too far too long. But… better late than never.>”

N’deh chuckled, closing his eyes for a moment. “<We’re both going to be in so much trouble.>”

“<I might be, you on the other hand, probably not.>” She still had the RDA to deal with first. “<Mo’at said you had been… banished. She came to the school to tell me. Did they accept you back?>” He was back on their lands, so maybe it was possible.

“<No, I’m… only back physically but no longer considered a son of the Omatikaya>” Through their bond, she felt that ache of loss. “<I was banished for attempting to mate with you.>”

Grace’s eyes fluttered shut for a moment, she had… considered it as a thought but she hadn’t thought it was so strict. She was an adult, he was an adult. It wasn’t like she was going to fuck everything up for choosing a Na’vi man. She could have figured something out but instead… their bond was torn as it was forming, and he was gone from her.

“<Then… why should you be worried? You’re not of the clan, you can choose the woman who you want, even if she’s not of their clan either.>” It… she hated saying but it felt odd to restrict the choices of two adults who weren’t of their clan anymore. Eytukan should not have that reach.

N’deh’s head shot up, looking startled. “<I did not consider that.>” He moved, sitting up sharply.

Grace sat up too, her tail thanking her with a wash of blood finally pumping down the appendage. “<I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, N’deh. I do not know the Omatikaya rules so intimately about mates.>” She didn’t want him to jump to the wrong conclusions in case she was wrong. She was still an outsider.

N’deh relaxed a little. “<I will give it some time to think. I… am very emotional right now. Our spirits will need time to settle.>”

Grace nodded, eyes darting to find their clothes. They had to dress and go before they were caught here. Not only that, they had to figure a plan now each other and how their situation was going to work with her due back to Hells gate before the storm and… N’deh probably still wanted that thanator for its meat and hide so they had to deal with that.

Honestly, Grace had never butchered an animal, but she was used to blood now so it wasn’t a stomach turner any more. Should she take the head to prove to Quaritch she had a run-in with it?

Still bonded by their kurus, the new couple cleaned up in the stream to wash and dressed quickly. She didn’t bother with the pull-over shirt, just used her outer shirt since she could pull that over her shoulders than over her head which covered her up just as well. The shirt, Grace simply slipped into her pocket and she tied her shoes together, wedged her socks into them and held them, rather than putting them on.

N’deh took her hand, leading her from the site once it looked orderly, nothing unbelonging was there and began to make their way back. Their steps were quiet and less hurried, but still brisk. The ground under her feet was a little sharp, unused to not being protected by her shoes.

“<Your feet will harden.>” N’deh said, amused.

Grace blew a soft raspberry in return, making him laugh. “<We’re still gonna butcher the Thanator?>”

“<Yes, we must respect its death by putting its meat and body to use. Plus, I like to enjoy the thought that out first meal together will be a delicacy. Palulukan meat is… rare. We rarely kill them because often they are too hard to kill but now, there is plenty and now our spirits are tended to, we must turn our attention to it. My Pa’li is in the area, with supplies. A campmate that I was living with suggested I hunt big game for the upcoming storm, and gave me a sled with on-site butchery.>” N’deh said, “<I know you like blood now, so you can help. We can bond over this activity.>”

Grace looked at him sharply in surprise. Her gut tightening in alarm. “<Wait, you know?>

N’deh nodded, swallowing thickly as he looked ahead still. “<That you were turned into a cold woman at the hands of another, yes. The news of your new kind have… been told to the clan.>”

“<How?>” She was sure they hadn’t done anything to show off, they barely left the sites they were at.

“<We… came across a human who told us, Jakesully.>”

Grace frowned softly. “<I knew he knows, based off the recording he put out on his exist strategy but… how could he possibly know? I’m pretty sure it’s a secret thing on Earth too, otherwise it’d be a shit-show.>”

“<His brother was killed by a vampire on your world before he was meant to come here. Jakesully has a deep seed of hate towards vampires since then.>” N’deh admitted, lips pursing with disapproval.

“<Oh, so he’s spreading rumours…>” That didn’t surprise her as much as it should have. She knew most humans had every reason to dislike their kind given their feeding habits, but it wasn’t like they had any other choices. She hated it and hated doing it but they needed to feed, otherwise they’d go feral and murder. What they had was their best-case scenario to ensure they didn’t kill people. “<That’s a quick way to get his’s wheels kicked in.>”

“<I believe many are aware of his prejudges. Most of the Omatikaya are weary but do not wish to cause trouble. Some are curious, like Mo’at who wish to learn more but—>”

Grace stopped, feeling mildly winded as the words past his lips. “<Mo’at knows what I am?>”

N’deh stopped, but she could feel through their bond his honesty and truth… and she found herself feeling a sting of hurt.

“<Is that why she visits me?>”

“<Mo’at’s been visiting you?>” That, he certainly felt hurt about. “<She implied this morning you were in the village with the sky people.”

They were both in the dark about this.

Grace tugged, to get moving again but her mind wandered on what this truth now told her. Mo’at had been visiting once a week, if possible, give or take a day. It wasn’t consistent due to her role in the clan but Grace had been so thrilled to see an old friend. One that knew what she had become and not made any signs of knowing. Insisting she remained our of her avatar, which now gave Grace more context to the Tsahìk’s thinking. Mo’at wanted to see her vampire form. To assess? To judge? Because she was simply curious? It hurt, honestly. Mo’at hadn’t wanted to see a friend, she wanted to see a new creature.

Which meant Eytukan also knew what she was and was no doubt worried about her presence. The whole clan may know now. The Kids from the school… they’d no longer see her as a teacher… the title of Sa’nok would no longer be on their lips if they saw her. They’d only see a monster they were taught about by human fears.

N’deh’s fingers tightened around her hand. “<Think about it when our bond has settled.>” He encouraged before they saw the sight of the Pa’li, it was a little caught in the sled but moved with some aid and followed to the site of the fallen Thanator.

It was as it was left, but their presence startled away some of the smaller carnivores that had been investing the fallen beast. It was still fresh enough to process. They hadn’t left it too long. Good.

It didn’t escape her that N’deh went and pulled out one of its long grey teeth. “<I will use this to signify our mating on my songcord.>” He said, “<Seems… fitting>”

Grace grinned at him. It kinda really did.

-

Norm paced around anxiously, night was drawing in and Grace remained linked up. He could hear Trudy talking loudly with Quaritch on the monitor in the habitual side of the shack. 

They hadn’t been able to stay, as much as Norm wanted to go racing after her but he knew it’d be a fool’s errand and clambered into the Samson as soon as Trudy got close enough to do so but they had no leads and little time.

Two warriors oh Ikran forced them away so the next course of action was to talk to Grace. If the avatar died, he knew to expect her radioing from the shack, but she was still in the link when he unlinked in the Samson. The avatar was alive, and they couldn’t risk breaking the link in case she was in a precarious situation. It felt all too similar to Jake and the Slinth situation.

He had run his report, added in the body cam footage and submitted it. Now was a waiting game… and he hated it.

Finally, an hour after sun down, he heard the shift in the link bed, the torus spun but the silver bed was coming out of it before he nearly pulled it open as soon as it was clear to do so,

Grace blinked rapidly at the sudden burst of light, her hand flying up with a groan. “Ugh.”

“Your avatar still alive?!”

“Yes.” Grace dropped her hands, sitting up and swung her legs out. “It’s safe. Resting in a cave right now, actually.”

“Will you need to link back into it?” Norm asked, his mind spinning on possible creatures that could find it unattended.

“Yes, but not yet. It needs to rest.” She jumped from the bed, bursting past him. “I assume you’ve already sent the report in?”

<Err, yes.>”

“Okay, I’ll write mine up now. We can get a plan together to get the avatar back. I’ve got a few ideas and approximate location but I do plan to try and make my way back to the mountains.”

“You need to be back before the storm.” Trudy said, “That’s now a day and a half away.”

“I know, I’m very aware. If I had proper coordinates, I’d give them, but my comms blew out. I think I ran through a fluxcon.”

Norm nodded, his shoulders relaxing a little. That made a lot of sense. Trudy had mentioned a spike in activity in that area which did stutter her Samson readings. But she was familiar enough to know how to work through it given her skills on the mountains.

“Were you able to loose the thanator?” Norm asked.

Grace pulled the chair from the desk, letting out a heavy sigh. “No, but I did come a cross a vagabond who killed it for me.”

“It died?” And, there was someone else in this picture. Clearly she had gone through a lot.

Grace nodded, “They a skilled hunter. Not of the clan but travelling through it. They asked me assist in preparing it with them given its size, as a thanks for saving me. Maybe I can convince them to point me the right direction.”

“Please do, it’ll be easier that way to find you.” Trudy said, idly fiddling with the dressing on the arm. She paused, considering for a second before looking downright jealous/ “Does that mean you got to eat some of the thanator that tried to kill you?”

“Ooh,” Norm spared Grace a look. “Is it a good meat?”

“Oh, it’s delicious. The vagabond had it all cut down and smoked over the fire.” Grace’s eyes lit up a little as she spoke, logging into the monitor. “I had one rib because it’s massive and the meat practically fell off the bone. It’s a lean meat so… very good quality. Very filling.”

Norm swallowed thickly. “<Can you get some for us?” Honestly, he could picture a massive barbeque, the tantalising and delicious scent of meat in the air, a smell he had once in his youth because his father was able to get a stake and it was such an occasion that they grilled it and Norm got to enjoy his first piece of real meat.

Grace laughed softly. “I’m sure I can get some for you. I’m keeping some of the teeth too for bragging rights of surviving a thanator attack. Na’vi are very generous with hunts and with how much meat that thanator had, I can probably swing get quite a bit.”

Trudy stared, looking conflicted before she licked her lips. “I’ll see if we have any sauces…”

-

Gendry stared at his RDA contract with a frown, nor was he the only one. The seven of them had spent the last few hours looking at the terms of their contract.

 There were no denying the updates made recently, the new people in their ranks had relieved some of the stress the absence of their friends had left them in and… Halenna had revised Jake Sully’s goodbye video that had been leaked onto the Westgard server which had sparked interest to closer inspect the fine print in ways that Gendry hadn’t considered before now.

There was no denying the uncertainly and nervousness that everyone had, the MineOps crew had been especially twitchy about it, more so than the SecOps so Gendry was aware more fractures were appearing. More people toying with the option to escape. Now, not possible. Not with the storm so close they had to wait to consider what was possible and what wasn’t.

But… now he felt a deep seeded dread at the tablet screen.

In the event of base wide conflict with possible indigenous attacks, the Security Operations have the right to draft viable men, woman and non-gender conforming personal into the line of duty to protect the base and remaining non-combat able personnel. By signing the contact, you understand that if you’re fit and able, you’ll be constricted into offence or defences purposes. You’ll be assessed based off your last physical that is scheduled every 6 months with MedOps…

It went on, but it left a bitter taste in his mouth to read what he had signed. He didn’t remember reading it. His eyes flickered up to the seven of team wearing the same expressions.

“We need a plan.” Halenna said tightly. “I’m not being drafted into the greasy weasel’s war over metal. Sully’s right, it’s not worth it.”

“How do we get out?”

“Westguard owes me a favour.” Gendry said tightly. “But it’ll take the next week to organise. I know there’s seven of us now, but there could be more interested. I know thirteen other folk that want out but are stuck.”

“Okay, keep us posted”

Masterlist

On the other hand, despite his attractiveness in both his bodies and being, he could be a complete and utter moron in many ways. It was almost endearing but she knew she had to factor in a lot of ignorance and human elements of him that wouldn’t simply be let go, even as they grew together.

Neytiri knew she shouldn’t nurture those thoughts of a Dreamwalker. He wasn’t of Omatikaya or one of the people. She was his teacher and guide in their world and to get him through the rites of passage to become a hunter and to be seen as an adult among the people. To take the call of battle should the need arise.

It did make her wonder, while those with Dreamwalkers could gain the rite of adulthood with their people, those without… would find it more difficult. Maybe those who found a calling would grain their rites of passage through their jobs. Weavers had rites, as did the wood shapers, gatherers, hunters and even the Bone shapers had the rites of passage.

Jake would take the rite of passage with getting his Ikran but he was also a bone shaper… not fully qualified but he had impressed a stern woman with natural skill and proved he was capable of becoming a great artist.

The new whistle he had around his neck was an attest to that. She had watched him carve that bone down into something beautiful. Something that would take someone months to learn and yet it was like Eywa was guiding his hands. Neytiri was certain if he didn’t take his hunting rite, Hukinli would get him through their rite of passage and be offered a very good place among the bone shapers and to be allowed to maintain the Toruk totem. He might be happy but she knew by his request and heart, he was meant to fly.

She would get him wings to do so.

But for now, she could gift him these gloves to mask his presence to those initial concepts Breekung created for the Dreamwalkers. To cover his extra finger and toe.

His feet covers were done and Hukinli had been gracious to offer the carved bones with a simple request but the hand gloves were harder to craft with the thin hide but also allowed flexibility, and range of motion of the fingers and wouldn’t be at risk of getting caught.

Na’vi didn’t have a lot of reason to wear gloves and to simply cover one finger that was not in the way of a bowstring or to prevent calluses, it meant to her the gloves were to be seen as a symbolic reason beyond hiding the little finger that the Na’vi simply didn’t have. Appearance was one thing but it had to have an acceptable reason for it or it may stand out.

Still, she hoped Jake could find them suitable.

“Neytiri?”

Her head rose, pausing as her dear uncle’s head appeared first then the rest of him into the den space.

“<I see you, uncle>” She greeted with a soft gesture. “<Are you looking for my mother? She has made her way with father to the Miner’s Caves ten minutes ago.>”

N’deh nodded softly. “<I heard they were both taking the trip. I thought you may allow me to assist here ?>”

“<Assist?>”

“<Where I am desired or needed, or simply, I wish to spend time with my niece.>” N’deh spoke.

“<Tsu’tey is keeping an eye on the clan for now but will come and join me soon.>” Which meant she really had to be done with these gloves soon to avoid him from seeing it. Neytiri felt… a little guilty that she had made these, beyond the fact it was more than just helping Jake.

A gift like this carried weight. Significant weight even given she was an unmated woman. She knew better than to hurry and hide it given N’deh was right in front but she felt less inclined to hide it as he crouched and helped move some of her misplaced needles and cut fibres and collected them up neatly.

“<Is that a gift?>” N’deh asked, reaching for the finished one. “<A handpiece?>”

Neytiri’s heart thudded a little. “<Yes. While the Dreamwalkers have changed most of their arrangements, elements had been… less considered.>” Neytiri spoke, “<even you have forgotten such a piece.>” He had the loincloth and body paints now but again lacked the gloves.

N’deh eyed it thoughtfully, holding it against his own hand but there was a size difference that gave it away that it wasn’t meant for him. “<Nantang hide??”

“<Yes. Relatively thin, allows for flexible movement and doesn’t show the silhouettes of a small finger during hand movement. Minor tanning for consistent colouring.>” Neytiri elaborated.

N’deh remained silent, running his finger over the carved bone before he placed it back down before he turned to her softly and reached up, touching her cheek with warm “<Be careful, Neytiri>”

Neytiri frowned, “<It’s an innocent gift, uncle.>”

“<For Jakesully? I’ve noticed this will fit his hands perfectly.>”

Neytiri let out an impatient click of her tongue. “<Do not worry. I know my duty to the clan and I will not compromise what’s expected of me.>”

N’deh let out a soft tut in response, sounding far too much like her mother when displeased. “<Duty to the clan is one thing but you should…consider your own happiness too. Your heart does not beat after Tsu’tey.>”

“<Who my heart beats after is not of your concern, Uncle.>” Neytiri remarked dryly. “<You’re not my mother>”

“<No. I am not but… I am someone who loves a Dreamwalker. Wanting someone you cannot have is a hard ordeal but it is durable.>” N’deh let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping as if burdened with a great weight.

Neytiri’s shoulders relaxed a little but she felt… a strange empathy with her uncle as he began to reorganise her mother’s herb pots into an order that would certainly annoy her when she realised what he did.

Of course, he knew. Separated, broken bonded and exiled. That would set the burden on his spirit vastly. She couldn’t…imagine the pain of a severing bond that came from her father’s actions but the fact was, he was living through it. Not so bad as if the tswin had been removed.

He had a strong spirit. Resilient and patient.

If… if she considered it, how would her father react? Her mother? They would disapprove, that was certain given that both wanted her with Tsu’tey. She would lose her place as a tsakarem if she mated with Jake. That would devastate her mother.

A simple solution would be to mate with both Tsu’tey and Jake and have the best of both but Tsu’tey and Jake only had a basic acquaintance relationship with each other with no strong appeal that could be encouraged to bloom into love. They would not share her so she couldn’t have both.

Only one.

She didn’t want Tsu’tey. Not that she would admit that out loud but her uncle was right her heart was for Jake.

Tsu’tey did not love her for… her. They were friends, they had a history but his heart had been for her sister. Despite it being of no intent, she felt more like a consolation prize for him. To become Tsakarem by default due to her birth, not by choice as Tsu’tey had been given. She knew he loved her, perhaps as a close friend but he’d never love her like he loved Sylwanin.

If they mated, they would not have their true hearts supporting it. She could provide children that could have her heart but it would not be a satisfying or content relationship. Could she live with that over the warmth and attention Jake could certainly provide?

“<Is it worth it?>” Neytiri asked, breaking the silence as N’deh put the itching powder next to the soothing paste for the skin.

N’deh paused for a moment. “<Mating with a Dreamwalker?>”

“<You lost everything. A home, our people… the connections to Eywa for your attempt. Is one Dreamwalker really worth the loss and the pain?>”

N’deh rolled back onto his heel. “<If we weren’t separated by the sky people’s walls and the Omatikaya’s forest, Yes. She is worth it to me>.” He said. “<I would take exile with her, go where she is and see that we could be happy.>”

“<Even if she is a sky person under that false skin?>”

“<What she is has never concerned me.>” N’deh said, “<I wouldn’t even care if she became cold, because who she is is what matters to me more than her bodies. She makes me happy. I make her happy. We’re pieces of a puzzle that’s not yet whole.>”

Neytiri felt her stomach flip at the…insinuation of his acceptance of the chances of her being a blood demon but she kept her expression from reacting to that; he didn’t truly know. He thought her still warm and alive as a sky person in the sky people’s village. She couldn’t tell him otherwise, not just because it was against her father’s word but her heart ached to do that to him.

“<I do not wish you banished, my dear niece so be careful on how you choose to go forward.>” N’deh spoke, “<I will support you, regardless.>”

Neytiri nodded her thanks but it made her wonder for a moment if it would be best if she spent more time at the camp. If she chose Jake, if she was successful in claiming him then… she would certainly follow her uncle in banishment… but she would still be with Jake. She could live with him in his camp, under the agreement and still be happy.

Happy enough.

-

“So, are you all coming?”

Jake eyed the selection of faces that had joined them at the cave entrance where Alejandra was waiting with Austin and Xanthe. By Alejandra’s feet, it looked like she had a small bag of what looked like strings and all of their avatar-sized shoes were bagged and ready to go.

Waiting was Kung Sr, Bree, Ruby in her human form as well as Zane, Ashely in her avatar and Kendra.

“Harper wanted to come,” Kendra started, “Eliza benched her given how sensitive her side is at the moment. I’m here to see what sort of terrain it’ll be from a… non-miner’s POV. I’m probably just gonna be visiting the hot springs and Homebase right now.”

“Not the other caves?” Xanthe cocked her head curiously.

“Not today. I’m sure with the Na’vi coming along, it’ll be stressful to guide a large party as it is.” Kendra answered.

“Fair enough.” Alejandra agreed before she reached down and pulled out a selection of beaded cords, “Xanthe, take the human-sized people down the blue route. That’ll be safe for them, People with Dreamwalkers, I’d like for you to stay and follow this route with us since you’ll be needing this route when big.” She handed Kendra and the Kungs their own beaded cord and promptly showed them how to fix it onto their forearm.

“What are these?”

“I’ll explain once we’re at our cave,” Xanthe said cheerfully. “Come, pick up a set of avatar shoes. I’ll be easier for them to wear when not soaked through.”

Between them, each of the four humans slung up a bag each and made their way from their cave and out. Jake watched them leave, giving Bree a wave as she departed through some foliage with a dramatic twirl.

“Ten bucks that Bree’s here because Kung won’t her stay alone at her camp,” Ruby remarked.

Jake snorted a little. “She’s probably just protective. Bree is a minor.”

Alejandra let out a dry snort. “Doubt it. Zoey’s a complete control freak.”

“Zoey?” Jake frowned at the miner, “Wait, that’s Kung’s first name?”

Alejandra smirked. “Yeah, she hates that name but never got around to legally changing it. I call her Zoey just to annoy her. ”

Jake sighed deeply. Right. This situation they had talked about yesterday.“Can we please keep things civil between you two while she’s here? We’re not in the RDA anymore and believe it or not, we need to remain a community.”

Alejandra’s nose wrinkled. “Jake, has she told you anything of her life before Junior busted her out?”

“I knew she was the Head of MineOps, oversees team management of supervisors over the mine and all that. I don’t know the full details of the job. I ain’t a miner.” Jake admitted. “She’s made it no secret she was no saint about it. She has a military legacy.”

“She didn’t care about us. Only doing her job and getting us to try and meet those damn quotas that Selfridge wanted. Two people died and it’s on her hands too, not just Selfridge’s.” Alejandra seethed, with a scoff. “Two good men. My friends.”

Jake’s head tilted sadly. “I…empathise with your loss, truly, Alejandra.”

Alejandra’s eyes narrowed. “I sense a ‘but…’ here, Sully.”

“Kung’s also suffered personal losses due to the RDA; her own daughter’s death. She lost her job and was imprisoned. I don’t want to undermine your loss and I won’t but there needs to be… a understanding here that you two are no longer part of the RDA. No longer a major or a MineOps officer. I’m not asking you to forgive and forget and be buddies. Just keep things civil so it doesn’t upset the rest of us. We’re not out here to fight each other.”

Alejandra scowled at him. “You’re asking a lot, Sully.”

“I know but I can’t see how we can thrive with those shadows in our corners.”

Thankfully, they were interrupted by a Pa’li trotting through the treeline before the familiar sight of Eytukan and Mo’at appeared and gently disembarked from their mount.

Eytukan’s eyes washed over their group first then around to the cave’s entry with a careful interest in the surroundings.

Mo’at crossed the distance quickly and with purpose. “This is… close to Hometree. I didn’t expect it to be so close.”

Alejandra’s mood shifted as she turned her attention to the Tsahìk. “Fortunately, yes. We’re still scanning other areas for entryways. This is the direct route to Homebase big enough but I’m certain we can find other routes and caves that will lead close or direct that don’t have long water start. Can you hold your breath for a long period of time?”

“We cannot, but Na’vi can learn to extend their breath in the waters with regular practice and meditation. People of the reef must learn this as a life skill to thrive in the oceans.” Mo’at spoke.

Alejandra nodded, “We have breathing equipment we can give you in the meantime but I will need to give you all a safety briefing on how to use it and how to safely navigate the cave that will not compromise yourself or people swimming behind you. Water caves are dangerous and can kill if not respected.”

“As you wish.” Mo’at agreed. 

Alejandra relaxed, “I don’t doubt your abilities to survive in a cave but even the greatest of swimmers and divers could make a small mistake that can cost lives. You’re not too familiar with this breathing apparatus so you’re not going to be able to get out easy without assistance if something goes wrong and we may miss indications of distress. We cannot afford the mistake with two clan leaders taking the same trip with us.”

“We understand your fears,” Mo’at assured, sounding a little more patient than before.

Jake knew some of her instructions from his time in the Marines but with the new face mask that was handed out in the debrief, he opted to listen and fixed it onto his face as a demonstration to both Na’vi, touching over to feel the seal was good before offering a thumbs up.

“Feels good.” He said, voice muffled by the plastic.

“Good.” Alejandra nodded, “now for these.”

From the bag again, she pulled out the same cords she handed to the others. But these ones were slightly different; longer and had different colours beaded in different patterns. Only, it seemed that the cord was folded in half, meant to be parallel to each other as it looped around a finger and was secured at the elbow.

“Fix these onto your arm, preferably on the outside but inside works if it’s comfortable.”

Jake took the cord he had and fixed it onto the outside of his painted arm. Just under his knuckle was a red bead. It looked… hand-crafted from resin, not a natural stone that was carved either. Inside the bead, he could see a… bead of water inside with glowing moss. It seemed to… shine a little through the design. Made sense it had to be made to glow in the dark.

“What… is this?” Jake decided to ask.

“These look like Songcords?” Eytukan noted, eyeing the cord on his forearm with some careful curiosity.

“Songcords were an inspiration but this is an idea we thought would be…accepted by the Na’vi who don’t want to use human technology.” Alejandra started. “We know there will be times where you’ll want to visit independently, so we had to figure out a way for you to get through our defence systems and directional twists that wouldn’t give us away either. Rope is a good idea and in the life-death or blatant areas of risk, we have rope to act as a guide or to cling onto. But rope will sell us out if the RDA see us run into a cave. They can follow us. They can follow a rope.” Alejandra explained. “Wei came up with this idea is using a colour-code system to tell us the direction of the path without need of rope and so… we developed the idea of using coloured beads for us to use and setting down coloured moss or bead displays in the cave as a reference.

 “What do you call them?” Jake wondered, amazed as he looked at such a simple idea. It gave the Na’vi what they’d be most comfortable with as well as familiarity. A lot of untapped potential…

Even Mo’at looked impressed at the notion, seeing it in a new light, or probably surprised humans would come up with a favourable solution so quickly.

“Waycords. I wanted to call them Wayfinders but I got vetoed because it sounded too much like that outdated RPG game.” Alejandra sighed, slipping one onto her own arm which was significantly smaller but held the same pattern. “They’re completely customisable, depending on where you’re going. We’re making a few for different areas. The cave we’re taking you to also has cords to other areas. Not many since we’re still in the development phase of these. Most of these were made last night for you.”

“How do these work? The pattern on the other side is reflected downwards, is it not?” Eytukan said, also trying hard not to sound impressed.

“Left string is the way there and right is the way back, or if you want to add to expand or an alternative route, then another cord is put in its place. You could simply follow the left back in reverse but this cord is simply to and from Homebase. Unmarked passageways aren’t part of the path.”

“But different colours for the same path?” Ruby asked peering at hers.

“If we route directly using one colour, that’s just as bad as a rope. If we’re following the red all the way, and the RDA realise we’re following red tunnels, they’ll find us sooner or later. By changing colour often, we make it harder for them to follow us. If we go down red and then go gown blue and yellow, they’ll think we’re still on red and get lost or hit a dead-end.” Alejandra explained.

“Very smart,” Mo’at remarked.

“Indeed, I did not consider those risks.” Eytukan eyed his face mask, being careful as he set the plastic onto his face. “<This does not feel pleasant.>” He remarked in Na’vi although also muffled.

“<It’s a temporary solution, husband. Unless a person from the reef comes to guide us through breath training, then we cannot hope to make way without either passing out or drowning.>” Mo’at replied back, being far more careful to thread the mask under her shawl to avoid getting caught up in both her tswin and her shawl. Her fingers pressed into the seal under her chin as she took a few testing breaths and then nodded her content

“Ready?”

With seven definitive nods, Alejandra leads the way into the cave tunnel. It was four metres in when the cave tunnel opened up into a four-meter-wide chamber with a steep incline straight into water that seemed to settle entirely from edge to edge. Around there was colourful foliage, vines and flowers and even the water was filled with glowing plant life along its bottom. An assurance even, for Jake to see. They wouldn’t be swimming blind. He had never considered the possibility, really.

“Here, once you’re done with the tanks, we hide them here,” Austin called, sticking his hand into a hidden crevice behind some vines. The shadow of the vine seemingly masked its very presence, even. “So… you guys can come and go whenever ya please.”

“Will you guys need more canisters?” Jake wondered.

“Yes but… that’s a later’s problem.”

Jake hummed, making a mental note to double-check the camp or maybe look into more shacks. Most had spare canisters after all for their air filters and shit.

Alejandra, without any hesitation just walked straight into the water and disappeared with a smooth dive. Jake took the lead after her with Eytukan after him and Jake was surprised to see how deep it went by the time his eyes adjusted to the water and became clearer.

The water was cool and pleasant as it washed over his skin, cleansing and refreshing as he noticed the rope against the ceiling of the cave, tied out of immediate view from the cave but noticeable once you were in. His body paint didn’t wash off, even as he treated the water to remain under. The bubbles streaming from his canister filter up to the top.

Eytukan was far smoother in the water as were Mo’at and Ashely, Ruby and Zane certainly flopped like fishes but Austin seemed more at ease.

After a moment of double-checking that their masks were truly working and at little risk of detaching, Alejandra took the lead and swam at a surprising pace for her size, sometimes using the rope to pull her along but it took a second to realise that she had no shoes on either. Probably for the best. They were hard to swim in.

The seven minutes climbed by slowly they swam along before Jake saw the human ahead disappear up entirely. Soon enough, Jake saw the end of the tunnel and lent his head up, breaking through the surface to another tunnel but it was far narrower.

Jake clambered out first and settled more into the tunnel for space because it was gonna be a very tight squeeze. Mo’at appeared next followed by Eytukan and then Ashely, then the last three humans.

“Dump your masks in the basket for pick upon your exit. You won’t need these ones.”

“What about when we’re in the human atmosphere?” Jake asked, frowning but slipped the canister off his hip and peeled the mask from his face, the air smelling surprisingly damp.

“There are Co2 canisters already there you can use for supplemental sips,” Alejandra answered, squeezing the water from her dark hair. “It’ll be a narrow path until we get to the blue tunnels so stay single file.”

“How long is the dry pathway to your home?” Mo’at asked, peering around Jake’s elbow as she deposited her canister away as well.

“About seven hundred and fifty-one metres. Fortunately, this is the second shortest route. The waterway took us over a lot of dead, weaving space.” The miner chuckled but didn’t dawdle any longer and led the way down the red tunnel.

It became a pattern, Jake followed on with the cord on his wrist the colour patterns as tunnels and other pathways opened up, each one set with a coloured spot of moss in front. One tunnel had no colour and vine tied across and when asked, Alejandra responded with

“Death drop.”

A peek-in did show an immediate drop onto stalagmites. So they didn’t question it any further.

Red, blue, blue green, green, red, yellow and finally, red which led them to a longer, even tunnel but now, LEDs and string lights seemed to line the roof of the tunnel, signalling the more human-augmented areas.

Then they reached the airlocks at the end of the tunnel. The airlock was supported in the wall with what looked like a mortar mix and metal panelling along the edges and… he could see the surfaces had also been painted as well as if trying to blend the stone around it. Not very well, it seemed, maybe they needed to get Ruby onto it.

“The airlock is bigger on the inside, don’t worry. We separated the doors from one another purposely.” Austin said, squeezing through and opening up the airlock door.

Jake peered in to see a large opening in the middle, a monitor balancing on the wall, and large tubes coming in and out of both sides through the mortar finish as part of the air exchange systems. “Sweet. N’deh almost got stuck in my shack’s airlock one night. I didn’t want that experience personally.”

Mo’at chuckled quietly.

One by one, they filled the space but it was very close and personal and that feeling only increased when they had to bend down to crawl through the human-sized airlock out. Mo’at almost stepped on Jake twice and Eytukan almost fell on top of her when the clan leader cracked the back of his head and the base of his tswin on the doorway.

The relief was immense to put distance between him and the airlock the moment he would squeeze out of the metal door; they should probably try and find a means of building a Na’vi-sized airlock as well. If this became common, they’d need a proper door scaled to the taller folks.

Jake’s eyes took in the open space inside the cave in wonder when he noticed the new surroundings, airily following along to see lights strung up across the cave, waving around stalactites along the ceiling and stalagmites along the floor. Na’vi bladder lanterns were also dotted about where string lights couldn’t hand and there was… a surprisingly far distance to see despite the light limits. Mirrors were also used to shed light both further and brighter as well. Jake had wondered why they wanted those the most last second.

Now it made sense.

Homebase had a large, open centre that had multiple off-branches of cave tunnels. Some were fitted with airlocks now, others were still using a fabric airlock to keep the atmosphere in but some looked to be untouched and no doubt sealed off.

It was clear to see areas were sectioned off for specific purposes.

The sleeping area was off to the left, bunk beds, mattresses on the tarp-covered floor and a few hammocks were up. The bunk beds each had their own curtain stapled on for some privacy. Sleeping bags looked to be used in place of comforters and blankets for now. Meters away from the bed and more central was the clear common area; the place where people worked around a large, suspended LED from a floating rock shining down on them but it had a light yellow ting so the light wasn’t too harsh.

To the far right, close to a wall was an area that looked like food preparation and a lit fire being tended to by one of the miners. Full shelves of baskets were up against a row of stalagmites and some were used to hold supplies with rope and hooks.

A few of the miners were milling about, occupied with work. Someone looked to be in the common area, weaving together something, one was making beads; the sort found on the Waycords. Kendra and the others looked to be about as well and settled while they had waited for their arrival.

There were two unfamiliar faces about but he knew their names in passing and could guess who was who easily. Both were male, one was a tall, athletic white man, with long blonde hair that was platted and a short stubbly beard. He had strikingly grey eyes with only a few flecks of blue in the outer rim of his irises that only became visible as he came to greet them but… Jake just thought Marcus looked like a majestic Viking.

The second man was… not what Jake expected. Wei was a short Asian dude, with short black hair but he was surprisingly very large for his height. He had a double chin, round belly and thick limbs but despite his weight, the clothes he wore looked baggier than what he would have thought. He had lost weight, logically, Jake realised. The guy was now out of RDA’s junk food and only eating what was available and when. There was a story there, no doubt.

Wei looked to be occupied at a hand-crafted potter’s wheel, melding clay and water with his hands that worked so delicately to form a rounded pitcher with clear skill and precision. Beside him lay at least six other pots of various shapes and sizes that looked to be drying out now, a bowl of clay water and a box of tools that would aid his craft. Handmade from wood, shapers and scrapers. A metal string that Jake would guess would cut the clay from the wheel once he was done. Bree was watching the man work, asking him questions to which he was answering with a smile.

“Welcome to Homebase.” Marcus greeted warmly. “Good trip?”

“As expected,” Alejandra spoke pulling off her waycord from her arm and tucked it into her belt. “How’s everything here?”

“Wei’s making more pots to store those beads we’re making. I’ve been scoping out a few caves that we could use as a drying room and we’re almost done with the bricks and stone cutting to make a large kiln down in the east tunnel.” Marcus spoke.

“Sounds interesting, how are the visitors?”

“We’ve shown them around and they’re helping a little with some of our chores.”

Alejandra nodded, pleased. “Come, I’ll show you around as well.” She directed this to the Na’vi who were peering around the space. “Toilets is past that red curtain. There’s a hole in the floor to do your business, a pitcher of water to wash any… spillages. The tunnel beside leads to a water pool, small and flows underground, we use this to wash and clean.” She pointed out to the tunnel past the food preparation area.

“If we drop a bead or something, will be lost forever,” Jake asked.

“Yep.”

“Noted.” Jake passed a look down at himself, glad for one that he didn’t have anything too loose on him just yet.

“That airlock with the green red and green leads to a more private of areas and Bree is barred until she’s eighteen,” Alejandra said, earning a scowl from the minor.

A soft snigger echoed before he could stop it because it was such a… human thing to have. Probably a wise idea given the fact the bedrooms were shared with no privacy.

“Sex cave?” Jake couldn’t help but ask with a grin.

“Yep.”

He sniggered again.

“Don’t worry, we do what we can to keep it safe and sterile,” Alejandra spoke, though her cheeks as a slightly darker flush. “So, where do you want to go first? You can hang around and see how we live or want to move on to our caves?”

“Is it a smooth passageway between caves or will we yo-yo between caves and Homebase?” Jake asked.

“Yo-yoing. Homebase was picked because it’s rather central to our other caves and tunnels. Hotspring’s is the South-East tunnel, which is the blue tunnel, the cave I want to show Mo’at is north and purple, and the special cave with a treat for all visitors is West but lower down than the other systems. Crystal caves sit beyond a water cave in the turquoise cave. South of the hot springs.”

Jake pondered his options quietly.

“I wish to see the crystal caves first, ensure that there is little harm being done with your stone mining.” Eytukan decided. “After which, I do not mind.”

“I will see the cave you desire me to see first.” Mo’at decided.

“I’ll tag along, colour me interested.” Jake mused because… well something had to be important enough for the Miners to want a Tsahìk’s opinion. Ruby departed from her boyfriend’s side to join him.

Zane wanted to remain around the camp first and join them for the hot springs cave and the special cave.

“Marcus,” Alejandra called, “Mind showing Eytukan the crystal systems for me?”

The blonde nodded. “I’ll mask up and find my tablet.”

“We only have one Waycord for each right now, except the way here.”

“Want them back?” Jake realised, eyeing the cord on his arm.

“No, you can keep them for now. You’ll need them to get back later.”

Within a few minutes, the group disbanded off to where they were going to be. Ashely was handed a Co2 canister to sip when Xanthe asked for help with her taller height. With a soft parting from her mate, Mo’at took the lead after Alejandra to the purple door and one by one, did they get through the airlock and out.

The tunnel was narrow at their shoulders, so they walked single file along. Jake almost took the wrong way before Ruby pulled his tail.

“Ow.”

Ruby poked her tongue out playfully.

It was a long route, and it began to wind but it was more like a labyrinth than a maze of tunnels. Smooth and rough limestone became coated with moss and foliage. Vines grew and glowed, a dampness hung in the air and there was even a soft breeze that flowed down the tunnel. The air began to smell…pleasant. Flowers also seemed to crop up as well, adding a beauty to the tunnels as well.

Then, at the far side, he could make out a natural light, a lulling purple that shone through a curtain of vines.

Alejandra slowed. “Mo’at, please go ahead first.”

Mo’at moved with little hesitation past the human, noticing the same purple light and her interest had clearly skyrocketed. She ducked her head as she gently shifted te vines away before she paused with a soft gasp of awe.

Jake, unable to help himself, hurried forward and ducked his head through the curtain before he felt the weight of what he saw.

It was a large, open cave but it was lit with the strong light of a central tree that was tall enough to have a large daylily-like flower head open to extend long pink tendrils to the dais of roots bellow. The roots were thick, flowing in all directions and there was a small pond of water furthest away with glowing fish but Jake didn’t spend a second on them. Around the tree were woodsprites, dancing and spinning happily.

The trunk had large flower heads open, similar to the larger ones but with only a few tendrils peeking out of it but these tendrils weren’t smooth like the largest ones, they were small, white and pink but thin as a human finger and the ends were feathered out like the end of a Na’vi Kuru.

Something in Jake stirred with a… booming warmth and he felt the urge to come close.

This was a site of Eywa. Hidden underground and healthy.

Mo’at’s face was awed, gentle as she made her way to examine the tree but… the moment she stepped onto the dais the flower head moved closed up and withdrew the tendrils, drawing a surprised gasp. Even the flowers along the trunk closed as well.

“<Fascinating…>” She looked shocked at the display, her hand coming to touch the trunk. Closing her eyes and took a slow breath to listen. “<I sense the Great Mother’s presence… her whispers are loud here…but I cannot hear so easily.>” She sounded troubled.

“I thought this was an important spot. Only a few of us have been in but not too close. I thought we’d have to run this past you first.” Alejandra remarked, keeping her distance by the vines but looked to be holding herself back. “It’s… it makes me feel weird.”

“Weird?” Mo’at opened her eyes, turning her attention down.

 Alejandra cocked her head a little. “Almost tranquil. I feel… an odd pull towards the flowers. I don’t know if they’re safe so I’ve… not allowed myself to investigate the feelings. I’m…not a botanist.”

“I feel it,” Ruby remarked, looking at the tree with dilated pupils and wide eyes, her hands clenching into her shirt. “I want to touch it.”

“Eywa will not harm you.” Mo’at assured, stepping back, crouching close to continue her exam of the bark, running careful fingers over the trunk, “Eywa is discrete and more subtle with sky people. If you feel this so intently, then she must be screaming at you to listen.”

Jake licked his lips but didn’t wait for anything else, bounding up quickly to the roots, his heart beating in his head his hand pulling his tswin from behind him forward. The flower head opened up again, offering tendrils again to them.

Ruby went straight for the flower heads, as did Alejandra. Jake spared a moment to watch as they both in sync seemed to grasp an offered tendril from two different plants and situated it to the back of their necks. Both slumped almost immediately, to Mo’at’s alarm as she dived to the two humans' side, but didn’t disconnect as she rolled Ruby around to examine her half-lidded expression

Jake took a breath as he let the tendrils of his tswin wrap around before…

He felt himself sink into a pleasant, familiar warmth of Eywa. It felt much like his first time, connecting to Eywa. The beat of her heart seemed louder than before. No words to be said from the Great Mother but. Jake found himself in an unfamiliar jungle.

Nor was it vacant.

A lone human was sitting on the grass, happily weaving something on a loom. The human looked to be in his mid-to-late thirties, a thin, warm tanned-skinned male with dark black hair that was braided back, his entire wardrobe a mix of human and Na’vi in weaving. Thick braids of colour over his top half that wrapped a part of his chest like a chest piece. His pants were a little baggy, model similar to human clothes but the weaving was different, more open. Despite being out in the open, he wore no mask on his face nor was there one near him in this memory.

The man paused as he noticed him. “<Hello? What are you doing here?” his was voice deep but soft and curious. Fluent in Na’vi, with a perfect accent as well.

“<Eywa brought me here.>” Jake replied, “<We’re…connected to this tree. Unlike the tree of Voices…>”

“<Oh yes,>” The man realised what he meant. “<It’s a rare sight to come across them, more rare than Tarsyu and their saplings but Eywa provides for those left for us to take.>”

Jake crouched down. “<Eywa grew these trees for us?>”

“<Of course. She needed ways to understand Humans so she provided a way for those who were willing to See. Humans and Dreamwalkers alike can connect and be with Eywa.>” He said, his hand coming to rest over his heart.

“<Who are you?>”

“<Jayson Lopez. My wife and friends call me Jay.>” The man replied.

“<You have a wife? Friends?>”

The man broke out into a wide smile. “<Yes. I love her very much. She visits me often and shows off our baby’s growth with each visit. I wish I could be for her now… but accidents happen.>” He sighed sadly.

“<You’re…dead.>” Jake felt his insides plummet a little. “<I’m sorry.>”

Jayson nodded once. “<Maybe you’ll find her. She’s with our friends traveling since the crash. Our numbers have grown since then. It will soothe her to see more people out of the RDA as well.>”

“<What’s her name?>”

“<Anela Harding. Our son is Javier Harding, named after my father. Our second child is not yet born.>”

Jake nodded. “<I’ll let the others know>”

“<Your Tsahìk is worried. Please go now to soothe her fears but feel free to return.>”

Jake opened his eyes, blinking back to reality before he felt a warm hand on his cheek he met Mo’at’s large yellow eyes peering at him carefully inches away.

The intense urge to connect faded away and he…felt good. “I’m okay.” He assured, turning his gaze back to the tree with fondness. “Eywa created this tree for us. Dreamwalkers and sky people. For the ones left behind.” Or in his case, to willingly flee the RDA.

Her other hand came to his chest, touching over his heart. “Did the Great Mother tell you this?”

Jake shook his head airily. “A human spirit rests with Eywa. He told me. There are…more of us out there. Lost. Left to die but found a way to survive, like Morgan.” Jake realised. “He’ll be…interested to know that. He wasn’t the only one left to die.” He frowned a little. A sad fact. RDA really did not care for their people.

“Then they must have been out for a while for Eywa to provide such sites for them,” Mo’at noted then turned her attention down.

Alejandra looked…groggy as she sat up, still connected to the tree but more aware.

“Huh, Eywa’s real.” She remarked, a little dry as if remarking on something obvious as day to an ignorant soul. “I think I need a drink.”

“Then we should return to your home.” Mo’at decided. “You will need rest after your first connection. We can hold off on the other caves.”

Alejandra nodded airily. “A nap sounds… so good now.” She gently tugged the tendrils from her neck and sluggishly rose to her feet, Jake offered an arm to her.

Ruby was still under, connected to the tree. Mo’at lent over the small human, touching her cheek

“Rubycarr?”

“…no.” Ruby shook her head, screwing her eyes. “No, let me stay.”

“You must come back to us first. Another time.” Mo’at reached under her, guiding her head away from the moss, her hand dwarfing the red-haired significantly before she gently tugged the tendrils away with efficient care.

“No… please let me go back.” Ruby cried, her eyes snapping open and filling with tears. “I haven’t felt that way since my first communion with Eywa in my avatar.”

“You can return but later. Your human mind needs time to adapt now to these new connections. It is unsafe.”

It took a lot of convincing before Mo’at picked up the reluctant human and let her bawl into her shoulder about it before they headed back to Homebase to regroup and discuss this new cave… and what it meant for them.

Things were going to be a lot more interesting now, weren’t they?