#the reef

words count: 1.5k+

requested!

Moe’anu’s life is shaped by her tsakarem’s training. As the eldest daughter, the role was hers since birth. Moe’anu listens, learns, understands Eywa. She feels her in the waves, in the wind, under her feet when she walks on the beach, at the circle of ancestors when she links. She feels her everywhere.

Moe’anu believes in her tradition—in the Na’vi ways. She knows about the Sky people trying to assert their laws on them but she knows which one is the right way. Eywa’s.

So when she sees Toruk Makto and his children, she knows Eywa has sent them here for a reason and she is determined to make them feel at home.

But, her mother isn’t so keen on letting strangers into their home. Her father is doubtful, but respects Jake Sully and his achievements.

Ao’nung mocks and Moe’anu is glad to see that Tsireya intervenes. Instead of speaking, Moe’anu stands tall and quiet next to her father. Her eyes linger on the family and land on the smallest child. She seems tired and Moe’anu knows the flight from the forest is a long one.

Tsireya is too happy to show them their ways and Moe’anu returns to the cave where her mother and she were collecting herbs.

“You shouldn’t have been so harsh,” the words leave Moe’anu’s mouth before she can stop them. They are not mean, but quiet.

Ronal looks at you. “Eywa has turned her back on them.”

“I don’t think hiding from danger means Eywa has abandoned her children,” Moe’anu says. “He’s trying to protect his family. Try not to be so harsh on them, mother.”

At the end of the day, Moe’anu helps herself and takes food for the Sully. No one really asked her to help but still, she feels the need to help--to reach.

“Hello,” Moe’anu speaks softly, standing at the entrance of the marui. “I’m Moe’anu. Tonowari’s eldest daughter.”

“Nice to meet you, Moe’anu,” Jake Sully says. “These are my children. Lo’ak, Neteyam, Kiri and Tuk.”

Moe’anu smiles. “Nice to meet you. I came bearing gifts—well, food.”

Kiri smiles and reaches to Moe’anu first. Their fingers touch as she hands her the bowl, and Moe’anu knows right away that Kiri is special somehow.

“Thank you, it’s very kind of you,” Jake replies.

Moe’anu nods. “Of course. Try to get some rest, Sully family.”

🐋

The Sully settle just fine. Ao’nung complains about their lack of breathing underwater but Moe’anu always bites back.

“They’re learning.”

“They’re forest people.”

“Be more respectful.”

Tsireya seems to like Lo’ak a lot. Moe’anu doesn’t see how it is a bad thing. Her mother whispers about him and calls him a demon for having four fingers and Sky People traits—Moe’anu doesn’t think it should matters. It doesn’t to her.

She appreciates every single one of them. Though she doesn’t spend time with them a lot, she sometimes attends the training with Tsireya. She likes Lo’ak for his eagerness to learn. She likes Neteyam for his fierce personality. She likes Kiri for her curiousness and Tuk for her cuteness.

Despite everything they have gone through, they are still kind hearted which is a very hard thing to be. They grew up around war and chaos. When things like that happen; people tend to turn to hatred but they turn to love and family.

Family is their strength.

She enjoys showing them things about how the sea speaks, the shells move or the wind whispers.

“You need to breathe through here,” she lays a hand on Neteyam’s stomach. “And then you slow it down.”

Neteyam groans. “Lo’ak managed it! How can’t I?”

And Moe’anu chuckles. The sound reverberates around the pair—soft and quiet. Neteyam blushes, his eyes looking down at her hands on his stomach and he sucks in a breath.

“Okay,” he nods. “I’ll try again.”

That is enough to make Moe’anu happy.

The next time she spots the Sully is when she is walking through the village, coming back from a healing session with a hunter that got attacked by an aluka.

Children are pointing and laughing as they pass. Kiri rolls her eyes, Lo’ak looks ashamed while Tuk looks clueless.

The parents are nowhere around and it is Moe’anu who steps in. “Have you not be taught respect?” She hisses.

The children’s ears and tails fall back in shame. “Sorry, tsakarem,” one says.

Moe’anu shakes her head. “Don’t apologise to me but to the Sully. They are part of our people now. Respect them.”

“Yes.”

Moe’anu follows them as they wobble to the Sully. One of them tugs at Lo’ak fingers. They turn around and seem surprised that someone has grabbed his additional finger.

“We wanted to apologise for laughing,” a little girl says and Moe’anu clears her throat.

Another one adds. “And pointing fingers.”

“Uh, it’s alright,” Kiri replies. “We are a little different—nothing to be ashamed of.”

The kids nod their heads and wait for Moe’anu to allow them to leave. When she does, they thank her loudly and run to the beach.

“Thank you for this,” Lo’ak says.

Moe’anu waves a careless hand. “Do not say thank you. You are one of the people.”

The words of Ao’nung and Lo’ak’s fight reaches Ronal and Moe'anu a little before sunset. They were gathering algaes when someone said Ao'nung had fought with Neteyam and Lo'ak.

"Daughter, you must see--" Ronal starts but Moe'anu ignores her. Ronal can't do anything about it but sighs, she has herself to blame mostly for her temper. "Ao'nung is young."

"Ao'nung is the next Olo'eyktan, he knows better," Moe'anu says angrily, putting her woven basket down.

The walk around the village doesn't take long and she finds them in their own marui. They're all here. Jake tries to speak to Lo'ak but Moe'anu sees red. She is her mother's daughter after all.

It is Ao'nung who sees her first and his eyes widen. "You are ignorant like a child!" She shouts in his face and hisses. Moe'anu doesn't care if their parents are here, if Jake and Neytiri are behind her. "Why are you acting this way? Because they have four fingers? What did you call them this time, uh?"

"Four-fingered freaks," Ao'nung admits lowly, almost ashamed.

Good, he should be, thinks Moe'anu.

She paces before him, hisses when he looks up at her. "They are Toruk Makto's children, you owe them respect. And mostly, they are children of Eywa!" She argues and she can see him fidgeting with his fingers just like when he was a child. "Difference does not matter. It shouldn't matter. They are our brothers and sisters."

"But--"

"No! You are to be Olo'eyktan. Behave like one," she mutters and glances at him angrily. "You shamed us. But you shamed me, Ao'nung."

Ao'nung's shoulders slouch at her words and he can't bring himself to meet anyone's eyes. He is ashamed to have disappointed his older sister because he looks up to her, sometimes more than his own parents.

Jake looks at Moe'anu with a certain shock and almost like a déjà-vu. It reminds him of the first time he met Neytiri in the forest and she had refused to teach him their ways, stating he was an ignorant child and that Sky People did not see.

"Listen, Moe'anu," he clears his throat and takes a step closer. Moe'anu turns to meet him and cocks her head to the side, waiting for him to go on. "My sons should not have fight. They'll apologise."

Moe'anu raises a hand in his face with a low hiss, stopping him from talking. "No, Jake Sully. Your sons have defended their sister. They did what was right. They should not be punished for it," she tells him quietly. "You are no guest here. You are one of us, Jake Sully. Just like your children."

Tonowari watches his daughter proudly. He has been silent ever since she stepped in the marui. "My daughter is right, Jake Sully. Your family is one of us. You are Metkayina now," he presses quietly, tone flat but his head holds high. He lays a hand on Moe'anu's shoulder and gives it a squeeze. "If my son starts something again, he'll be punished."

"No, no, it's fine. We--" Jake argues but is cut off.

"No, Ao'nung will apologise," Moe'anu says, gripping Ao'nung's arms and moving him in front of Lo'ak and Neteyam. "Then he'll apologise to Kiri."

Ao'nung apologises, his voice small like a child afraid to speak up. And when he is finished, Moe'anu brings him to Kiri and forces him to apologise.

They don't return to the marui right away, instead they sit by the dock together. Ao'nung is quiet, his shoulder agaisnt hers. Moe'anu knows he wants to speak but Ao'nung always has been too proud.

So Moe'anu speaks instead.

"I don't want you to be mean toward the Sully anymore. Am I clear, Ao'nung?"

"Yes, sister," he nos his head. "Are you still mad at me?"

Moe'anu hums, feelings the water around her ankles. "Very...But you are my brother and I forgive you. Just try to behave, yes?"

Ao'nung nods eagerly and Moe'anu chuckles softly. She kisses the top of his head gently and heads to sleep. Ao'nung follows shortly after. Moe'anu is happy to see Ao'nung with the Sully the days that follow.