Chapter Text
RONAL
Her husband was not a morning person. He liked to snuggle up to Ronal as closely as possible, as if holding her would make the day start later. Ronal, however, loved how the peace of the morning cleared her mind and made it easier to commune with the Great Mother. She knew the Great Mother had a message for her this morning- likely one in patience and open-mindedness again, as it had been in recent weeks. But oh, how warm her mate was.
She tried to shift out of his grasp, making him grumble in his sleep. Something was making her anxious. A great change was about to occur but Ronal could not figure out what it was for the life of her. She needed to meditate. Finally pulling herself out of her sleepy husband's warmth, Ronal stretched her arms and legs before starting to heat a pot of water for tea. She began her routine meditations- singing her songcord, reciting the way of water, mentally going over her list of things to do. Usually, the Great Mother would guide her meditation from here, as she did with all Tsahiks of the Metkayina. Today all she got was the urge to go outside and look to the sky. Ronal was sure her goddess had a message for her. She just couldn't figure out what it was. Sighing, she finished brewing her tea and took it outside to watch the sun rise.
Her eldest son, Ao'nung, was next to rise. He and his cousin Rotxo had planned a fishing trip at the edge of the reef. Ronal's ears flicked back while she listened to him stumble around the marui while he got himself ready. She winced as she heard him trip over his sister, Tsireya, who had the same will to sleep as her father. Finishing her tea, Ronal went back inside to corral her family awake.
Almost seven hours later, she understood why the Great Mother had wanted her to look to the sky. Five forest ikran descended from the sky. A horn blew, announcing their arrival, and she could see how her people congregated to watch the newcomers as they landed. Please she prayed do not ask to send my people to your war.
Ronal saw the woman first, deep blue skin and striking gold eyes that looked defiant and yet so achingly enticing. She was beautiful, although Ronal would never admit that to anyone else. The woman- Neytiri te Tskaha Mo'at'ite- as Ronal remembered, was tsakarem of the Omaticaya. The forest and the reef clans did not interact often, and for good reason. They were too different, essentially coming from different worlds altogether. The last time she heard Neytiri's name was when Toruk Makto had called her husband to war with the humans over twenty years ago. She had been pregnant with Ao'nung then, and was not able to come with. Ronal had never been more afraid in her life. And now, with Neytiri and her mate on her beaches again that fear began to rise in her throat once more.
And then Toruk Makto said something not quite what she was expecting.
"We seek uturu" he said. Toruk Makto looked to her husband beggingly, "A sanctuary, for my family. Please."
Ronal could see the moment her husband broke. It was the moment Toruk Makto took the hand of his youngest daughter and lifted her into his arms. Tonowari was soft-hearted. He always had been and Ronal was sure he always would be. The man felt too much empathy too be healthy. Empathy that in this case, Ronal knew would override her fear. Tonowari looked to her, an equally pleading face as Toruk Makto, but one Ronal knew that only she could see. Ronal stared him down with the full force of her fear, anger, and anxiety. Ultimately, she relented. Fine. Only because it was not war they were asking for, but peace.
"Tsyeyksuli is a great war leader. But we are not at war. We cannot allow you to bring your war here." The Olo'eyktan announced.
"Please." Toruk Makto took a step closer to him, "Im done with war. All I want is to keep my family safe."
Tonowari nodded, "Very well. You and your family may stay here. My people- teach them our ways so they must not suffer the shame of being useless. My son, Ao'nung, and my daughter, Tsireya, will show you where you may sleep."
Toruk Makto bowed his head in thanks. Neytiri looked pissed, but said nothing. Ronal watched as they gathered their items from the backs of their ikrans and followed Tsireya to an open marui on the east side of the village. Ronal caught her brothers eyes as she watched, a knowing smile plastered onto his face. A smile that told her he knew something she didnt. Ronal left for her healing den before he could taunt her any further.
As she walked, she couldnt help but let her mind wander to the Great Mothers plan and those striking golden eyes.