Chapter Text
When Neteyam’s feet touched the ground, all he could think about was how different the grains of sand felt against the soles of his feet, loose and individual compared to the more compacted forest floor of his home. How the sun scorched hotly against his back with no shady canopy to shelter him from its blistering rays. Every detail of the environment just made him miss his real home. So he just tried to focus on the task at hand; leaving the best possible impression on the Metkayina in the hopes that they’d allow them refuge.
The Reef Na’vi crowded around them, most likely out of curiosity at seeing Na’vi from the forest so out of their natural habitat. Two males that pulled forward from the rest of the group, broad shouldered and muscular like the other men, but without the intricate webbing of tattoos. Neteyam suppressed a shudder of unease at the way that the taller of the two stared at him. His gaze was predatory and unrelenting. It reminded Neteyam of the look in his very own eyes when his bow was pulled back to the fullest, the moment before taking down prey.
However, he let none of that discomfort show when he greeted the two, motioning with his hands ”I see you.” The other’s eyes remained transfixed on him in the same calculating manner as he refused to return the gesture, circling Neteyam like a palulukan.
“Pffffh haha! Is that supposed to be a tail?!” The shorter of the two snorted as he yanked on his slender tail, and the other joined him in laughter. Neteyam bit back a hiss, whatever they would say he would just have to endure. It was for the sake of his family. He looked to Lo’ak briefly, worried the other wouldn’t be able to contain his disdain for their aggressors, but his brother was focused on something behind him.
When Neteyam turned he saw an objectively gorgeous Metkayina woman rise out from the ocean. She shook the water out of her shoulder length curls and made a beeline to the crowd. He smirked knowingly, Lo’ak was practically slack jawed at her.
“Ao’nung! Roxto! Stop that!” The girl hissed, Neteyam caught her scent more clearly, she must’ve been a little older since she had presented as an omega already. Immediately they ceased their teasing and sheepishly backed away from Neteyam and his family. Seeing his tormentor drop the act so fast at some light scolding melted away most of his fears, even if the burning gaze still lingered in his mind.
Lost in his own thoughts, Neteyam’s attention was only regained at the booming voice of his father. “We seek Uturu!” The crowd immediately dropped into hushed murmurings, but the adamant voice of Ronal, the tsahik, cut through as she repeated back “ Uturu?” Neteyam felt like he could hear the disdain on her tongue.
”Toruk Makto… We are reef people! Your skills will not have use here.” Tonowari, the alpha leader of the Metkayina, stated with an awkward chuckle. “We’ll adapt!” His father returned, “I just… I need to keep my family safe.” He murmured, a hint of desperation clear in his voice. Omega as she was, Ronal’s face remained stoic to the words, but Tonowari wavered. His heart was softer, and it was clear he felt sympathy for a father who only wanted to keep his own safe.
“Toruk Makto and his family will stay with us. They don’t know the sea and will be like babies, taking their first breaths. Teach them our ways so they do not feel the shame of being useless.” Tonowari stated simply. Neteyam released a breath he didn’t even know he was holding when he heard the verdict. He bowed slightly, following the rest of his family, “Thank you.” He murmured softly.
Tonowari smiled kindly at them, “My son Ao’nung, and daughter Tsireya, will teach you our ways.” He said, motioning to his tall bully and the beautiful girl who had caught Lo’ak’s interest earlier. Neteyam groaned inwardly, just his luck. Hopefully he’d get to spend more time with Tsireya, or maybe Ao’nung would just avoid teaching them since he clearly didn’t enjoy their presence.
”B-but father-!” Ao’nung sputtered, just to be cut off by Tonowari. “It has been decided.” He growled, staring down his son until he shied his eyes away. So much for that. Neteyam thought, picturing his future months having to deal with a spoiled son of the chieftan who clearly thought he was above them.