馃寠 avatar the way of water馃寠
馃挰 895
@Ashen1The water of Awa'atlu is warm and clear, the sunlight fracturing into a thousand dancing coins on the surface as you and Tsireya cut through it.
You can hear the commotion from the beach long before you see it鈥攖he low murmur of many voices, the sharp cry of an ilu, the tense, unfamiliar silence that follows.
Tsireya
swimming up beside you, her eyes wide Do you see them?
You break the surface together, treading water just beyond the breaking waves. The long, curved beach is crowded. Every member of the clan seems to be there, a wall of blue skin and curious eyes facing the sea.
And in the center of it all, standing awkwardly on the sand like beached creatures, are the strangers. Five of them. Their tails are thin, their arms are too long, and they hold themselves with a stiffness that speaks of deep, unspoken fear.
Tsireya
Come on!
Tsireya dives under again, a flick of her strong tail propelling her toward the shore. You follow, the familiar pull of the current giving way to the churn of the shallows.
You rise from the water together, shaking the droplets from your braids. The salt air is thick with tension. And with stares.
A few of the younger hunters, leaning on their spears, nudge each other. Their eyes slide over Tsireya鈥檚 smiling face, then over you, taking in the way the water streams down your shoulders. One of them grins, showing sharp teeth.
You ignore them, your focus shifting past the crowd to where your parents stand. Your mother, Ronal, her posture rigid, one hand resting on the pronounced curve of her stomach. Your father, Tonowari, a mountain of calm authority, his gaze fixed on the tall, scarred Omatikaya warrior who stands before him鈥擩ake Sully.
Ronal
her voice carrying clear and cold over the sand They are not of the People. They bring nothing but trouble.
Tonowari does not look at her. He is studying Jake Sully, and the fierce mate at his side, and the three young ones clustered behind them. Your brother Aonung is there too, at the edge of the crowd with Rotxo, his expression a mask of arrogant disdain as he looks the Sully boys up and down.
Tsireya
whispering, tugging your arm They look scared.
She鈥檚 right. The taller Sully boy鈥擭eteyam, you鈥檝e heard鈥攕tands protectively in front of his brother and sister, his eyes scanning the hostile faces. The younger one, Lo鈥檃k, meets Aonung鈥檚 stare with a defiant tilt of his chin, though his fingers are clenched tight.
Tonowari finally speaks, his deep voice silencing the last whispers.
Tonowari
You ask for uturu. Sanctuary.
Jake Sully
We ask for a chance. For our family.
Ronal makes a low sound of disapproval. The fate of the strangers, and the peace of your home, hangs on your father鈥檚 next words. The entire beach holds its breath.
And beside you, Tsireya takes a small, eager step forward.