Vampire AU | Parts in motions | C87
Mo’at sat quietly, her eyes closed as she sat under the warmth of the great Mother’s light pressed against her eyelids, not necessarily meditating as she had bonded with the Tree of Souls but she needed time away from Hometree and the people to… organise what she had in front of her and how she needed to navigate this. She needed Eywa’s guidance on the matter too.
They had a population of humans, mostly on Omatikaya territory and spread about, but almost all would be spending the week under the surface in the caves, whilst also having handfuls of them gain their blessing of breath in that week, to schedule. Nothing unfamiliar with. Most were fine in the caves, although Nadine would go in under sedation to avoid panic in the tunnels. Nothing the humans couldn’t handle. Aside from transport, they needed no other help.
The Sarentu at the third sister, the latest additions arriving nearly a day or so ago from the Western clans and were taking time to recover from time fatigue from such a distant trip. The Sarentu’s allies, human and… non-human were a little trickier to consider. Mo’at had a growing believe that the tall ones were Dhampyrs, but she had little proof to know and less on decide how they, as a clan would handle this knowledge. Was what they are something to worry about? Was she simply worried due to Jakesully’s fear and discomfort of Human-esque creatures? She had yet to decide, but would observe for now.
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.
Masterlist
