#taw fics

[tsahikkk]

All In The Name of Time

pairing: avatar 2009!jake sully x omaticaya!fem!reader

a/n: this is gonna be a POV based series based off of the timeline a little bit after of the first avatar movie in 2009. lengthy read ahead but i do hope y'all enjoy reading! <3

word count: 2k+

warnings: use of Y/N, death of a loved one, ritualistic action, burial ritual

summary: The sky people have left your beloved Pandora to rise in and of itself, to mourn the loss of your people, and to rejoice the life it has saved. The aftermath dawns upon you, your duty as tsahik has betrothed you to Toruk Makto, Jake Sully. yet you find yourself questioning the Great Mother of her plans for you.

vocabulary: tsaheylu - neural bond; metute - two person(s); seykxel ti'efu - strong (emotional, mental, not physical) feeling (literal transl.); tsahik - matriarch, high priestess, interpreter; uniltìranyu - dreamwalker; sa’sem - parents; Eywa’veng - Pandora

Tsa'u tipe'un, oengeyä syen tipe'un, si tsaheylu mikam metute si Eywa, ma'ite - It is a decision, your final decision, and a connection between you both and Eywa.

Slu seykxel - become strong (emotional, mental, not physical)

the first time.

"Tsaheylu is an unconditional commitment to an imperfect person. To love someone isn’t just seykxel ti'efu, Y/N. Tsa'u tipe'un, oengeyä syen tipe'un, si tsaheylu mikam metute si Eywa, ma'ite." Ma'sanok said as her hand held mine while we sit by the steps of our home, "the people need you... Omaticaya needs you and you will be Tsahik"

"Will I ever be truly ready, ma'sanok?" I said, tears falling, as mother raked her hands through my hair. I held her hand tighter, praying that Eywa blesses me with more strength as tears streaked down my cheeks.

The sky people have left my beloved Pandora missing. I mourn the loss of my people but I am the daughter of the fallen Olo'eyktan, and I have prepared my whole life for this... for ma'olo Omaticaya. It is in my blood to lead my people through and through but what is this hollow yet heavy feeling in my heart? It feel as if it can never perish from me.

Mama wraps her arms around me. "When your baba asked me for my blessing before he left for war, I made him a promise," she hands me a pouch and I open to reveal Baba's necklace, "This is the necklace I made him the day we first met. He wanted you to wear it… to remind you, slu seykxel, 'ite." Mama wiped my tears as she herself cried. "This is a new beginning for the both of us, ma'syulang. Your baba would not want us to dwell in his death for he is with Eywa now." Mama is correct. Baba did hate it whenever one of us would cry.

He used to say, "'Itetsyip, you come from the blood of strong men and women. You may feel pain in your heart but never succumb to it. Slu seykxel, ma'syulang. Slu seykxel."

The breeze blew silently as an atokirina came near us. I smiled thinking that maybe Baba has sent it. "Oel ngati kameie, Tsahik," Jake Sully greeted as he paid to visit, "oel ngati kameie, Y/N. I'm afraid it's time."

Mama stood and arranged herself, "We must attend to our people, 'ite, 'itan." "Yes, mama. Jake?" I gestured him to follow us.

"How are you, Y/N? I am sorry for the loss of Olo'eyktan. I get that you’re goin’ through a rough time. I’m here if you need anything." His head hung low as he quietly said.

"I know, Jake. Thank you. I do hope Mama is coping better than I am. I cannot imagine the feeling of losing a mate, you know. The pain of losing a father bores a hole through the heart but a mate..." I shook my head, "only Eywa relieves it."

I can't help but think how I would be if I lost my mate. I am betrothed to Jake. As tradition, I have to uphold it but it's not much of a loss. Jake has lead the people through victory. He is Toruk Makto. Many know his stories. He had become Olo'eyktan after Tsu'tey claimed for him to be the new leader of Omaticaya. Baba basically took Jake under his wing in training. "He is a warrior. Omaticaya tsamsiyu!" Baba said. Tsu'tey, on the other hand, needed a little more time to warm up on him but time came and they fought together. They were brothers--Jake was his last shadow.

My shoulders felt heavy as we approached Vitriya Ramonung, the Tree of Souls. Atokirinas surrounded the air as families came and sat with their departed loved ones. Mama was already hovering Baba’s fetal-positioned body as she held an atokirina, tears falling silently.

“Jake… I don’t think I’m ready.” I halted, “I don’t think I will ever be ready to see Baba like this.” I turned to face him, leaning my forehead to his chest. His arms hugged my weak frame, caressing my hair soothingly, “All in Eywa is well, princess. Olo’eyktan was a great man. He will always be with you, I know it.”

We walked towards Mama who has her hands raised as people surrounded the tree. “We have gathered before Eywa to mourn the loss of our people…our Olo’eyktan,” she sat down and began swaying, humming.

Utralä (a)nawm ayrina’l(u) ayoeng,

Everyone sang with her. Widowed husbands, wives, and partners held their mate’s baubles. Clinging as if singing to Eywa would bring them back— bring their hearts back. Children would sit near their sa’sem, huddling close as they too sang.

A peyä tìtxur fpi na ma ki-ya Eywa?

The wind calmed as men of the clan started placing departed loved ones in their cists. Families following suit placing an atokirina with a kiss in with the body. A mother wailed for the loss of her son. A wife wept and begged for her love to come back. Eywa gives life but life comes back to her too. She gives and she takes. Life happens in Eywa’veng as she upholds the balance every day. No one is free of her plans but no one goes astray of Eywa.

Mama held my hand as the men neared to us. I looked over to Jake as his calloused hands drew calming circles on my back. “Breathe, Y/N. Breathe.” He said as my chest heaved, feeling refreshed of the air filling my still lungs.

Jake stood as Mama did. Jake walked over to Baba’s fetal positioned body and carried him to the foot of tree. In his cist, laid his feathers and his robe. Mama handed me the atokirina where I placed a kiss hoping it would grow into the Tree of Voices.

She dipped down and blew a breath towards Baba as her hands held his songcord. She placed it on his chest, nestling between his hands. Jake covered Baba with the tree bark, sealing him in to be with Eywa. “Baba is with Eywa now, Mama.” I said wiping Mama’s tears.

The drums stopped beat as Mama stood. Her hands swaying in the air as if inviting the fronds of tree to go downwards. She knelt, holding a bowl with a red paste made from nectar and ground burial flowers. She muttered prayers as she smeared the paste on the tree’s bark.

People slowly stood and left the Tree of Voices as Mama held her head low, praying for the lives taken by war. Jake looked at me as he offered his hand for me to hold.

“Go, ma’ite. I might take a while. “ Mama said pausing in chant. “Mama… I can wait for y—“ I tried to reason. “Jake, ma’itan, please.” She asked Jake firmly. Her hands trembled as she held a wooden bowl with kava.

I looked at Jake with eyes pleading, asking him to let me stay but he stood holding my shoulder, "Jake…. please. I want to stay. Let me stay. “

“We have to go, Y/N. We have to let Tsahik do this.” He said helping me to stand quickly. “Mama! Please! I can’t go yet!” My eyes crying as I darted for the bark covering Baba, “Baba can’t go yet. Not now, not ever!”

Mama paid me no attention as she continued to pray. She doused the foot of the tree with the kava on the wooden bowl. “Jake ‘itan. Please take her home."

"I'm sorry but we have to go, Y/N." He said opting to carry me out as I shook my head, wailing, "No, Jake! You put me down right now. My baba is there...he is there..."

I sobbed curled in his arms as he carried me while he walked towards home. He moved the hammock to the side as he laid me down. His fingertips grazing slight as the hammock cocooned me. He laid down on the hammock beside mine. "Jake, have you lost people too?" I asked, sniffing. He looked up at the night sky and said, "Back on Earth, I lost them. My brother died fighting against getting mugged."

"What is... mugged?" I asked sitting up to look at him. "Oh it's when a thief steals from you then they attack you in a public place." "I'm sorry to hear that, Jake." I said. I never knew much about his family. He was never one to talk about them especially his former life. "You never talk about your loss on Earth..." I tailed looking up the stars.

"It's been weeks since I passed through the eye of Eywa. I went in human and woke up Na'vi, Y/N. I even have a songcord like you." He said breathing easy. Maybe he favored this life. He has his body fully functioning and his freedom. "There is not much to like in my former life. So much more to look forward to... even a life with you." He said slowly looking over to me.

I know how timuntxa happens; how mine and Jake's arrangement happens. I was Tsahik-to-be and he is Olo'eyktan. It is not that I did not love him. I climbed to his hammock sitting by his feet tucking my tail on my lap. "It is not that I do not like you, Jakesully," I sighed, "I just wanted to fall in love too. Growing up, I saw love built between Mama and Baba. They had duties but our home was filled with joy and love. I want that with my own family too."

Jake Sully has become my confidant, rock, and partner since I found him almost killed by a palulukan. I ought to kill the uniltìranyu when an atokirina landed on my arrow. He was significant in Eywa's plans and that he did lead the people to victory. He tamed Toruk and became Toruk Makto. Everyone knows his storied. I’ve seen it firsthand.

"I'm sorry if I’ve brought you into this. If you do find yourself wanting others than me, I understand. I can call all this off," He said looking down, fidgeting his fingers, "You are skilled, caring, and... beautiful, Y/N. Anyone would be so lucky to have you as their mate. I would not want to take away your chance of looking for love."

His ears were pink by the time he finished. I chuckled at his unusually shy demeanor. "Jake, you did not bring me into this. I even think I brought you into this but I have fought beside you. My baba... he trusted you--I trust you, there is nothing to not like. I see you.” I said.

“I see you, Y/N.” He smiled.

I have now found Jake’s presence comforting. His strong arms craddled me as I laid beside him. I leaned to his chest, listening to his heart beat. “You know, Jake..” I trailed, “Elders used to say that Eywa started life with people but they had two head, four arms and legs, you know two of the normal body parts.”

“Oh yeah? Tell me the story.” He said as his hand rested on my back soothing circles on.

“It was said that Eywa loved na’vi so much. They took care of her creation. But one day, their queues had gotten tangled because of a disagreement and it cause great pain to them all.” I said wincing at the thought of my queue tangled. Jake chuckled at my expression, “Go on…”

“Eywa felt pity towards her creation who was still in pain so she separated them. Leaving them with half of what their body used to be of. Their queues untangled but separated. Elders say that tsaheylu brings you back to your separated half. You become better, you feel the beauty of Eywa when you find your mate.” I sighed. Oh Eywa, to be in love and be loved in return.

“I used to believe that everyone is made from the same star. My father used to tell stories of his adventures in the stars and how a moon far away from Earth hosted life.” He talked,“I think he was talking about Eyweveng. I dreamt of flying and going through a forest following a tall blue woman that I think is na’vi.” He hinted a tease as I laugh at his assumptions. Maybe Eywa truly brought Jake to my people— our people. Maybe Eywa did bring Jake to me.

“And look where that got you, skxawng.” I poked his side earning a laugh from him. His laugh brightened me. I loved hearing his infectious laughter that never fails to bring a smile to my face. The wind blew and I can feel my fatigue washing over my heavy eyes. I snuggled more onto his chest. Basking in his warm embrace. I wish I could stay here forever if he’ll have me.

“Well it got me here…laying with a beautiful woman hoping she chooses me.” His eyes got dreamy as he looked at me already asleep. He laughed lightly as he wrapped his arms around me. Jake comfied himself and he kissed my forehead, hoping his confession wasn’t heard. Lightly touching the hem of the hammock to cocoon us to sleep.

#atwow imagines #avatar the way of water #avatar 2022 #sully avatar #jake sully x reader #jake sully #avatar jake #jake sully imagine #avatar 2009 fic #avatar #avatar x reader #jake sully fanfic #jake sully fluff #fluff #ao oare si taw #imagine

[xxpeppermintxx109]

my asoiaf fics - glbh | taw | tdod | tdmhth

« by all accounts concerning the tourney for the wedding of prince jacaerys velaryon and lady baela targaryen, prince qoren martell of dorne won princess shaera velaryon’s hand and favor, but the court fool mushroom claimed it was the one-eyed prince, aemond targaryen, who won her heart and bed »

- writings of archmaester gyldayn and maester yandel

« when news of his sister reached him at the trident, rhaegar targaryen supposedly cursed to the old gods and new that jaime lannister would meet his end on rhaegar’s blade. and when rubies spilled in the trident, some claimed it was rhaenyra on rhaegar’s lips—his last melancholic song, just like the ones they sang to one another to forget their father went mad »

- stories and songs surrounding the silver prince and his beloved, good princess

« your brother was a fool, little dove. the young wolf, they called him—the young wolf and his bastard witch. if there is anyone to blame it is only themselves »

- cersei lannister to sansa stark

« that bastard boy reminds me greatly of a knight i once fought alongside, khaleesi. though, i struggle to remember if he is more like the sword of the morning, or the kingslayer, and i fear for any poor soul who faces him »

- ser barristan selmy to daenerys targaryen

« be wary of mance rayder’s son, snow. there are wildlings, and then there are wild men; the only freedom he cares for is that of his own life. the others may accept you and turn their suspicions away, but if you have even a moment of fear, that man will tear into you like a wolf to a rabbit »

- qhorin halfhand to jon snow

#greenliesblackheartswip #green lies black hearts #house of the dragon #aemond targaryen #qoren martell #shaera velaryon #the dance of dragons wip #the dance of dragons #rhaegar targaryen #jaime lannister #rhaenyra ii targaryen #robert’s rebellion #game of thrones #a song of lions wolves and dragons #a song of lions wolves and dragons wip #robb stark #jon snow #laena waters #brynden waters #daemon targaryen #margaery tyrell #ao3 #xxpeppermintxx109 #fanfic #ao3fic #fanfiction #fanfiction trilogy #my ocs #original character #daemon rayder

[fanaura]

Hey could i request a Neteyam x reader. Reader is best friends with Lo’ak and they are the same age. When the sully siblings hang out with the reader everyone notices there is a sexual tension between Neteyam and the reader. The reader and Neteyam finally become a couple and Lo’ak thinks that Neteyam is stealing his best friend. In the end all is forgiven and they all live in harmony.

finally getting to this request!! sorry it's taken so longg

Lo'ak's best friend (part 1, sfw)

pairing: neteyam x omaticayan!fem reader

content warnings: reader YEARNS for neteyam, and a tense moment between them

this fic series will have no smut between neteyam and the reader. it's going to be a cute and wholesome teen romance :)

“You’re getting too close!” you called out to Lo’ak as he ducked and weaved under and around you and your Ikran, teasing and taunting you both. His beast was just as cheeky as he was, sending your more skittish partner in a distress. “Shhh Tswake,” you soothed, stroking the smooth leathery skin of her neck. “Let’s teach them a lesson.”

In an unspoken command, Tswake dived, the wind slapping on your face and stinging your eyes. You just avoided one of the floating mountains ahead, though Lo’ak had no such luck. “Shit!” He exclaimed at the same time his ikran let out a head-splitting shriek, the sound of wings and bodies making contact with hard earth. You chuckled triumphantly, the wind now calming on your features as you both leveled out and slowed. You could hear and see other banshees and their riders flying around you, looking at you with disdain at the disruption of their previously peaceful evening ride. You smiled to yourself. It wasn’t uncommon for you and Lo’ak to be getting yourselves in some form of danger or trouble, it came with the territory of being the best friend of the Olo’eyktan’s son. It was hard for Lo’ak to live up to his father’s impossible standards, so you took it upon yourself to help him forget, even for a little bit. It was the habit of many people in the clan to assume you were promised to each other, but it wasn’t like that, it couldn’t be. Not when your heart and mind and soul was consumed with another.

You had accepted long ago that - for Lo’ak’s sake - you would never have what you truly wanted, or who. It didn’t matter, anyway, mating wasn’t always for love, you knew you could be content with mating with a respectable male and having children to fill your life with joy and happiness. But somewhere, deep down, a part of your heart ached, and you knew that feeling would linger.

The sound of Lo’ak and his ikran snapped you out of your melancholy: “that was not funny,” he said with feigned upset.

You grinned back at him, “that’s what you get for pissing us off, Lo’ak.”

“You know damn well it was Taw’s idea just as much as it was mine,” it was true, Lo’ak’s banshee was very much trying to gain the affections of your own, but Tswake was having none of it. Your previous thoughts had once again reappeared in the front of your mind, causing your smile to falter and your eyes to turn away from your friend and instead to the floating mountains ahead. You tried to focus on the air, the sun, anything else, but nothing could distract you from the rope pulling and constricting at your lungs. Lo’ak caught the change instantly.

“Are you alright?” he said your name, his eyes and voice etched with worry.

You didn’t look at him, “yes, of course.”

He didn’t leave it alone, “come on, you know you can talk to me. Tell me.”

You sighed heavily, both of you ducking underneath vines hanging off of nearby rocks as you flew, the sun warming your face, “it’s nothing, really. I just feel like… I mean, as we’re getting older, there have been…” Eywa, you felt stupid saying this to him. You paused, trying to gether your thoughts into a coherent way to recount to Lo’ak, who continued to soar alongside you.

“There have been expectations, Lo’ak. For me to choose, to mate. Not with you, of course,” you added hurriedly when you saw his frown. “I just feel as if there is no one truly out there for me, that I will never be able to mate for love.” You didn’t mention who, specifically, was on your mind. You knew how Lo’ak would act if he found out.

“Oh,” he said, his eye brows furrowing together again.

“I know, it’s stupid. We’re both still young and I shouldn’t worry myself with this sort of shit but I-”

“No,” he interrupts, stopping your anxious babble. “I get it. Dad’s always telling ‘Teyam and I to ‘start thinking about it,’” the thought of Neteyam thinking about people he would consider mating had your stomach twisting in an unbearable knot. Lo’ak went on, “but it’s not like it would be hard for you to find a mate,” you looked at your best friend, really looked at him, and he wasn’t mocking you, he saw how much emotional turmoil you were in and he was answering genuinely. He really believed you wouldn’t - and couldn’t - struggle in the process of building a family of your own. If only he knew.

“You think so?”

He grinned at you, “well, if they don’t end up figuring out about how annoying you are and how bad your breath smells.”

Aaand there it was. The real Lo’ak was back. You pursed your lips together to contain your smile, as you and your ikran dove down to the clearing for you both to dismount and go to Hometree for mealtime.

The tree of your home was a generous hue of colours; cool greens, blues, and purples illuminating the area around you in a comforting embrace. A light chatter of your tsmukan (clan) under the three moons grounded you, steeling you as you and Lo’ak walked towards where his siblings were sitting, Neteyam eating and teasing Kiri in his good-humoured way. Your heart thundered, pulse fluttering infuriatingly. This was stupid! You needed to get over yourself, it was never gonna happen.

Lo’ak nudged your arm with his own, bringing you fully back into what was happening around you, instead of your attention staying on the boy who’s regard had shifted from his sister to you. And Lo’ak. You and Lo’ak. There was no way he cared enough to be looking at only you. You reminded yourself of this as you began to rattle on casually with the other Na’vi your age you passed that sat near Hometree, a “hello” here, a “how are you?” there.

“I still do not understand why you talk with them,” Kiri said to you as you took your place next to her, pretending to be enthralled by her comment in order to not let your traitorous gaze to shoot to Neteyam and stay there. Embarrassing.

Kiri was around half an inch shorter than you, but a million times more feisty. You prided yourself in being friendly to everyone because of you hatred for confrontation, but Kiri was unashamed in her opinions of others. You admired it, to be able to speak what she felt about anything and everything, though you knew she felt just as out of place amongst those your age as you did. Just like her mother, you were told.

You chuckled at her cynicism. “Why wouldn’t I? They’re not all bad.”

She looked at you, unimpressed. “They are a group of boring idiots, every time they open their mouths my ears bleed.” Her candor was a bit exaggerated, but it was truthful. It was almost impossible to have any real conversation with the teenage Na’vi, their talk was so surface-level and… bland. You would never admit it, but you agreed with her. But before you could answer, the oldest of the Sully’s said something first.

“You are just mad that everyone is scared of you and we are your only friends,” Neteyam said it with a smile, purposely trying to get a reaction out of Kiri. His eyes flicked from you to his younger sister, almost as if to catch your reaction. You stifled a laugh.

“I’d rather them to be afraid of me if that meant I never actually had to talk to them,” Kiri snapped back to her brother, playing right into his hands.

“Says the healer! You’ll have to talk them if you become a healer with grandmother,” Lo’ak said, laughing.

You understood both of their points, but Neteyam and Lo’ak didn’t struggle in the same way you and Kiri did. Everyone liked them. They could make friends and talk to anyone, it was just the way they were. You said this to them, looking at Neteyam as you did. He huffed a laugh as he took a bite of his meal.

“First of all, not everyone likes me. And second of all, everyone loves you, I don’t think you actually struggle with getting anyone to like you.” His eyes burned into you, and even though Kiri had kept talking, you just stared at him, taking no notice of what your friend beside you was saying. He stared right back, unabashedly. You had been tense and nervous since you first saw him tonight, but now you thought your heart would beat so fast it would rip straight from your chest for everyone to see how much he affected you. It was not as if you’d never made eye contact with each other before, that sort of thing was unavoidable. This, this was different. There was a new weight to the way you looked at each other now, something you had never felt before. It made you want to get up and run away into the trees and scream. The look he gave you was a taught thread, wrapping around your neck and depriving you of all air. Did he really mean that? Everyone loves you. It was the first time he said anything like that to you before, and you didn’t know how to feel about it. By now, that bravery and easy-going way about about you that sat within you like a warm body of water had shriveled and dried up, leaving your mouth dry and head muddled.

You heard your name, and your mind that had zeroed in on the boy across from you instantly came back to take what was happening around you. Kiri was looking at you confusion and unease settled in her features. She said your name again, “are you alright?” You looked at her for a second, struggling to find an excuse for why you had stopped talking and was staring at her brother.

Eywa. Did they notice? Did they think you were being weird? Your cheeks heated, giving your blue skin a warm hue as you said, “what? Yeah, I’m fine.” Was Neteyam still looking at you? You weren’t gonna risk it.

Kiri and Lo’ak had now joined Neteyem at staring at you, and you saw your best friend looking between you and Neteyam. Crap. He really never misses a thing. His brows were bunched together, ears downturned and mouth clamped shut, his jaw flicked with tension. He couldn’t have known. You prayed to Eywa he didn’t actually see know anything.

“Are you sure?” Kiri asked. If she saw as much as Lo’ak did, she wasn’t going to say anything, and her face betrayed nothing to you.

You went to reassure her that you were, when Lo’ak answered for you, “she’s tired. It’s been a long day, Kiri.”

I looked at him, my eyes searching his. You looked at Kiri, who was waiting for your answer, and then at him. He was still looking at you. Before that confusing tense energy could take hold of your mind and heart, you quickly answered Kiri.

“I’m fine, Kiri, I think I’m just gonna go to bed.” You gave her a smile that didn’t quite reach your eyes as you rose from your seated position.

You left the group, and you could feel their eyes on you as you walked away, but you refused to turn back to confirm your suspicion. You kept walking until you were out of their sight. As soon as you were alone, your thoughts all bubbled over like an over-boiled kettle. You knew that all these thoughts and questions will have you up late tonight, running through and over thinking every second you were there. Mealtime with the Sully’s was usually so easy and… fun. But now, something had changed.

He had changed.

#avatar fanfiction #avatar imagine #avatar fan fiction #avatar #avatar 2022 #avatar james cameron #atwow imagines #atwow neteyam #neteyam x omaticaya!reader #neteyam #neteyam x y/n #sfw only #avatar the way of water #sully family #neteyam sully #lo'ak sully #kiri sully #fanaura's freaks

[juicefield]

Meyp Skxawng - Neteyam X Avatar!Reader Part 4

A/N: My apologies for not updating the fic in so long, I was sick with some type of stomach bug and then had a really hectic week. I've also been suffering from writers block, so if this isn't up to par I apologize! Just been struggling with writing lately. Also I'm not sure if this was obvious but when reader is with the Sully siblings (besides Neteyam) she is speaking English, and that's why she talks a lot more casually then with others (not just bc she is more comfortable around them). As per usual feedback is appreciated! Also if you find any mistakes comment them down below or message me.

You can find the other parts here:

Part 1 // Part 2 // Part 3

Although the writing in this fanfiction is my own, I do not claim any  ownership of Avatar, Avatar: The Way of Water, or any of the subsequent medias. All rights go to James Cameron and the producers. 

Synopsis: After a few week in your new body the Sully kids and Spider take you out into the forest for the first time.

Neteyam X Fem!Avatar!Reader 6.8k 1st person POV

Y’know, Jake was right when he said that eventually everything becomes backwards when you have an avatar. Like out there is the real world and in here is the dream. I’ve only had this body for a few weeks and I already feel my sense of reality slipping from me. Time becomes blurred, days simultaneously feeling too short and too long at the same time. Every day I feel more and more like I belong out there, in the forest, and not here in the lab with Norm and Max. The first week was difficult, my new body weak and feet too pliant for the harsh peat of the forest floor. But, slowly, day by day I feel the calluses building and my muscles will themselves to go a little further. 

With the Sully children it's learn fast or be left in the dust. Hell, the first time I went to the forest with them I almost died. We had decided to take my first trip out, well actually out and not close to the cave entrance. Lo’ak led the charge and set out at breakneck speed and before long I was left behind with Kiri. Spider, Tuk, and him paid no mind as we disappeared from their view. Walking slowly, we were enjoying the forest's feast for the senses and Kiri turned to me with a strange expression.

“Why are you walking so slowly? You were faster on your first day.” She says, fixing me with a pointed look, even though she was clearly walking slower than me.

“Well it is a lot harder out here! I’m not exactly used to climbing giant tree roots and dodging excessively large plants.” I whine, annoyed that she dared to point out my slow speed. Stopping suddenly she spins around to point at me dramatically.

“Ah! Ah ah,” She tutted with a wag of her pointer finger, “you told me you were going to make the most of this opportunity. Taw, you are stronger than you think. If you want to thrive in this body, you must trust it. You have always been stronger than you think.”

While normally her words would have been extremely comforting I’m still sore about her comparison to my past self so I look to the side, pouting and refusing to answer. This only served to make her angry, which she quickly demonstrates by pulling harshly on my tail. Yelping in pain I open my mouth to respond before her fierce eyes train on me, quieting any verbal retaliation that I was hoping to attempt.

“(Y/N). Your spirit is very strong, and that is the most important part of someone. You have always been strong, despite your problems, and you need to realize that your outside now has that same strength. Trust your body. Here.” Kiri comes up behind me to place her hand on my stomach.

“Breathe. Feel the muscle, the bone. Feel its strength.” She instructs as I do as she says. Taking a deep breath I try to tune out the rest of the forest, turning my focus onto the muscles in my stomach. I feel tension rise in my abdominal muscles when she presses harder to illustrate her point. She gently removes her hand to grab mine and place it over my chest.

“Now, feel the heart beating here. Notice the sounds it makes. Your spirit lives here, and she is very strong. Feel how the strength starts there and flows down the rest of the body.” I gasp softly when my hand makes contact with the warm skin of my chest. I am surprised by the thunderous beat I feel below even through bone. It feels like the drum the people use for the many rituals and parties that take place in high camp. The beat of my heart reverberates through muscle and bone the way the air vibrates around the drum, taking the energy of the drum all the way to my little room in the lab. So too does this heart take this blood to my legs, imbuing them with life and power. As I focus on the beat I can start to hear it too, a distant thump in the blood of my ears. I don’t stop listening to its sweet rhythm until I am interrupted by Kiri nudging my arm. 

“Sit with me. I want to teach you something.” She commands me and points to a cleared area next to the tree we are standing on. I hesitate but ultimately decide to obey, sitting down on the soft moss and blades of grass that litter the forest floor.  Fixing me again with her intense stare she places her hands on her crossed legs and I mirror her.

“Oel ngati kameie. Do you understand what that means?” Kiri prompts and I almost roll my eyes. Of course I know what that means, I’ve literally heard it throughout my entire life, despite it never being directed at me.

“I see you. Yes, Kiri. It’s the most common phrase in the whole language, so uh- yeah.” I respond and look away from her eyes for a moment of reprieve from what I am starting to suspect is a lecture on ‘seeing’ myself.

“No. Wrong. Seeing is not looking. You do not understand because you do not see.” She says and flicks me between my eyes.

“Ow. Why are you flicking me? Of course I can see.” I whine and press two fingers over the spot she assaulted, massaging gently. She has had so many years of practicing her flicks on her brothers that her fingers are practically a deadly weapon at this point. I know that she doesn’t mean see like that, but I’m still irritated enough that I don’t want to give her what she wants. She hisses slightly and I can see the frustration on her face so I refocus and decide to actually listen to what she has to say.

“Taw. Seeing is not done with your eyes, it is done with your spirit. To see someone is to let go of the previous experiences you have had and to let them wash over you anew. When I say I see you, I mean the part of Eywa in me sees the Eywa in you. I see into you, your spirit and your kindness and I see the way we are connected. I see into you. I saw you when no one else did, and that is what I am asking you to do now. Do not see the forest as a dangerous place, see it as it is. It is the most wondrous creation of Eywa, and you are now a part of it. If you want to find a place in the clan, you must learn to let go of what has happened to you. You must also see your new self, to trust yourself as well as the forest. Do you understand?” Kiri finished the explanation with a gentle touch of her hand on my own. 

“I know but, Kiri, I’m not a part of this forest and I never have been. I can’t see because I am not a child of Eywa like you. I’m afraid there is no Eywa in me.” I speak my fear that I had been holding in since I took my first few steps in this body. The fear that I would be unable to connect with the world around me, despite aching deeply for a connection.

“Oh, (Y/N), you have always been one of Eywa’s children. You were born on this moon just like everyone else and Eywa’s heart beats in you as well. In fact, I feel that you may be closer to her than even some Na’vi I know.” Kiri comforts me in a soft whispering voice, looking into my eyes with tender sympathy.

“How? I can’t connect with her, I can’t visit the tree of souls, or even pray to her without feeling dirty and shameful.” I lament, shrugging my shoulders to try and hide how strongly the thought makes me feel.

“(Y/N), you don’t need those things to be connected with the Great Mother. I cannot explain it, I just feel her in you. Ever since you have been in this new body I have sensed that she grows closer to you everyday.” Kiri answers vaguely. I try to get her to explain, or at least to try to find words for what she feels but we are interrupted by the sounds of a branch snapping about twenty feet away from us. 

Kiri is immediately at high alert and brings a finger up to her lips to silence my many questions. My ear twitches at the sharp sound and I scramble up as silently as possible. Kiri nods toward a tree to our right and we both huddle behind it, looking around the trunk to where the stick had snapped. The hairs on the back of my neck start to stand when I see foliage rustingling in a way that looks like something is almost slithering through. Immediately I am sure it is a predator, I can tell by the way that the leaves shake that whatever is behind them is stalking us. Any prey animal would have run already, so we can rule out a yerik. Kiri is watching from the other side of the tree, gripping my forearm tightly with one hand and the other grips her hunting knife. We are almost stuck in place while the rustling comes closer, still skillfully hidden by the thick foliage. I can’t help the gasp that leaves my throat when a pair of yellow eyes locks with mine. 

“Nantang.” Kiri mutters as the viperwolf begins slowly moving forward, revealing it's hexapedal limbs one by one as it climbs over the stump it was standing on. I try to look away from the intense eyes but an invisible force causes me to stay rooted down. I am still staring at it when two other pairs of eyes join the first, causing Kiri to start pulling on my arm.

“They are out in the daytime… run! We must run, (Y/N)!” It takes only a moment before I am snapped out of my stupor and I take off after Kiri. The wind whips past my face as I jump over roots and plant, scrambling to catch up with Kiri. This causes the biggest one in the middle to come rushing after us, using its extra forelimbs to grapple over the ground around us. The wind is knocked out of me as the largest one slams into my back, its mouth wrapped around my tail yanking me to a stop and onto the forest floor. The next few moments are a blur as I wrestle with it, forcing my arm up under its throat to keep it from biting my face off. Kiri heard the sound I made when I went down and whips around, she shouts something but I can't hear her as the adrenaline has the blood pumping loudly in my ears.

Vaguely I register her calling out for Lo’ak as I wrestle with the largest of the viperwolves, its teeth sink into the flesh of my forearm and I cry out in pain as we roll over and over again. The other two viperwolves circle me and their packmate while Kiri yells something at me in Na’vi, but in my preoccupied state I can barely even  understand English. Eventually she yells one word in English. Catch.

She throws the knife towards me and it lands a few feet away. I use the arm that isn’t clamped between the viperwolves jaws like a vice grip to try to reach it. I stretch as far as I can go and my fingers only push it farther away from me. I strain against its gleaming fangs, which causes the flesh on my arm to tear slightly, but allows me to finally reach the knife. Gripping onto the leather handle I face the viperwolf. It releases my arm when my eyes meet its piercing amber eyes. The muscles on its face ripple as it lets out a loud snarl, fast as lightning it lunges toward my throat and my instincts kick in, sinking the knife up into the dip of its throat. It falls only a few inches from my throat and it thrashes a few times, horrific wet gurgling sounds leave its throat as I push it off of me. 

One of its packmates lunges towards me in retaliation, running on pure adrenaline I kick it squarely in its torso but before I have the chance to attack again with the knife now firmly in my grip an arrow whizzes past my face, landing in the torso of the poor animal. My gaze traces the arrows path and I spot Lo’ak between the trees. 

“Lo’ak!” Kiri shouts, and he readies his bow with another arrow, aiming it at the last viperwolf but it runs off after looking at its dead and wounded packmates. Lo’ak drops his bow to his side and runs forward toward us with Tuk chasing his heels. Spider follows a few feet away grabbing Lo’ak’s bow and calling out my name when he notices the crimson blood flowing down and pooling in several distinct spots around my feet.

“TawTaw are you okay?” Tuk says worriedly, rushing to my side and grabbing my injured arm. I wince and make a noise of pain when she grabs onto a part of the open gashes. She apologizes quickly and lets go, allowing me to hold the arm up to her.

“Yes, TukTuk I’m fine. It will scar, but nothing major.” I answer, my voice softer than I expect. Spider crowds around me and pulls my arm to him to examine it for a moment. He and Tuk ask a couple more times if I’m okay while I reassure them while her two siblings fuss in the background. Once he is sure that I’m okay he tries to lighten the mood.

“Yeah, Tuk. That’ll be like the coolest scar ever, right? Badass!” He says in an attempt to reassure her, placing a comforting hand on both our shoulders. I agree quickly and try to put a smile on my face to appease her. Before she can agree or disagree Lo’ak is storming over to us with an intense look of concern on his face. His eyebrows are furrowed and his mouth is in a downturned scowl when he opens it to speak.

“(Y/N). Are you okay? You need grandmother.” Lo’ak says, in a tone that's honestly more serious than I have ever heard him use.

“I can treat her, Lo’ak, like I said. She will be okay, many have suffered far worse.” Kiri assures him, placing a hand on his arm to calm him down.

“No! Grandmother needs to see her.” Lo’ak argues, eyes still wild with fear. I've never seen him look so scared before, and I saw the look on his face when he accidentally stuck Kiri with a poisoned arrow when they were just thirteen. He was really scared to go home after that, even though it was easily reversed with the help of Mo’at. I stand up, wobbling only slightly from my lightheadedness from my lack of adrenaline and the loss of blood. I  reach out to nudge his shoulder and he whips around to face me. Looking into his face he seems even more freaked out than I am at the moment. 

“Lo’ak I’m okay. Look I’m barely even bleeding, it will heal easily. And… thank you for protecting me.” I try to convey this while looking into his eyes. After I say this his ears droop and I can practically see the adrenaline leave his body. Again he surprises me with a fiercely protective hug, grasping onto my neck to avoid my hurt arm. I can feel his heart beating next to mine as I raise my arms to embrace him, enjoying one of his rare hugs.

“Okay. But, I still want you to see Grandmother. It’s not that I don’t trust Kiri to treat you, I just…” He whispers, trailing off as he lets go of my shoulders. Reluctantly I agree, knowing how hard headed he can be he will not let it go. Usually that would be just fine, but I didn’t really want the famed tsahik to know about how I almost got us killed by being dramatic about my new body. Tuk takes our embrace to mean it's time for hugs and practically jumps on me after he steps aside, carefully making sure to avoid my left arm. Silently I send thanks to Eywa for sparing my right arm, which is my dominant.

“We heard growling and Kiri yelling bad words. I was so worried.” She laments, squishing her face into my abdomen. Kiri steps back into the conversation, having sent the animals off to Eywa with a prayer with Spider trailing her like a much smaller shadow.

“We will head back. Grandmother will want to know what happened.” Kiri says, sheathing her knife back into its holster after wiping the blood of the creatures on a cloth. I can see Tuk visibly droop at this, obviously upset to miss out on a day of swimming and fun instead of the usual chores and training.

“No, Kiri, you go have fun with Tuk and Spider. Me and Lo’ak will go back. You rarely get time off, please enjoy it.” I insist and it takes a few more back and forths of arguing until Kiri relents and takes them to the intended destination, but not before rolling her eyes with a big fat dramatic sigh. While I had said the reason was because of Tuk and Kiri’s non-existent work-life balance, I really just wanted to talk to Lo’ak. He still seems shaken up from the attack and I want to address his worries in privacy away from his sisters and Spider, who would definitely tease him for caring so much about me. They have always thought it funny to tease him and imply that he cared for me more than a friend. I know that it would only make him more upset, causing him to retreat back into his tough guy shell. He needs a more gentle touch than any of the three can possibly provide him. While Lo’ak feigns being a macho unfeeling warrior he is really a sensitive soul. The trip back is silent and he jerks his head around at the slightest sounds, his body is rigid with tension like he expects something to jump out at us. 

“Lo’ak,” I start softly, placing a hand on his back and wincing when he jumps slightly. “Are you okay? We’re okay now. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“Nothing is wrong.” He responds curtly, refusing to look back at me. I sigh and shift my hand up to his shoulder, grasping softly causing him to stop dead in his tracks. 

“Lo’ak, c’mon, you know that I know you better than that.” I mumble softly and he finally looks back at me. I see a surprising amount of pain swimming in the depths of his eyes and his face sears itself into my eyes. With eyebrows drooping and his ears bending at and ears drooping lowly he responds.

“You could have died, (Y/N). If I wasn’t there you could have died. What would I have done if you had died on my watch? You have always been the only person in my life I knew was safe. The only person that I knew I could count on to come back to, the only one that this world couldn’t take. Now that you have this new body that isn’t a guarantee anymore and that… scares me.” He admits, looking away in shame at his words. My eyes sting as I realize what this is really about. My voice wobbles with emotion and my eyes grow misty as I try to respond to his words, struggling to find words that would comfort Lo’ak without dismissing his feelings.

“I know Lo’ak. This is scary for me too, but I need this. I can learn to protect myself. Hell, I killed a damn viperwolf! Shouldn’t you be proud of this meyp skxawng for that?” I finally get out, resorting to humor once again to avoid the big feelings that we are both laying out on the table. You see, me and Lo’ak have always been each other's constant. I was the only person in Lo’ak’s life that didnt see him as a fuck-up, the only one that he felt safe going to to cry. While we never talk about it (due to his usual attempts at stoicism), I have helped him through more than a few nights after Jake or Neytiri have really ripped into him hard. My joke seems to land when he smiles a little and nods.

“You are right. It was impressive that a useless baby like you could kill just one.” He says and his lips finally curl up back into their rightful place, into that signature smirk. I let out a faux offended noise at his comment and pushed his shoulder, telling him to shut up. I see the lines on his forehead disappear and can't help but mentally pat myself on the back for calming down my best friend. After a few more exchanges of friendly banter we continued on back to the clan, only stopping once when he let go of a huge leaf that flung backwards as I tried to stop it with my torn up arm without even realizing it. I got a few stares and sympathetic looks on the way through camp, but it was relatively uneventful until we stopped at the entrance of the healing tent.

I take a moment to prepare myself for what I am sure to be an endless barrage of questions. After taking a deep breath such as one would before jumping into water I step into the marui. Mo’at seems to be packing up some sort of tea into a small satchel. I catch the tail end of her instructions to the young man that looks to be not much older than me as he sits next to her, nodding dutifully along as Mo’at drones on. 

“... Let it brew for 20 minutes. Do not add anything. It is supposed to taste bad, you will deal with it.” She says looking him in the eyes and raising her eyebrows for a menacing effect. The young man looks away awkwardly and says thank you to her before shuffling out. Finally her eyes land on me and immediately go to my shredded arm. Her eyes slide back to mine and it's like I can feel palpable exasperation pouring out of them.

“Sit.” She commands and motions to the mat in front of her with the fluid sweep of her arms, adorned with a jeweled top that clinks as she moves. I gulp and hesitate before Lo’ak clears his throat, as if to tell me to hurry up. Hurriedly I sit down cross legged and hold my arm out to her as she greets Lo’ak with a hand, motioning down her face.

“What happened?” She asks, pulling harshly on the arm to adjust it so the light pouring in from the hole in the ceiling hits the still oozing wound. I try not to flinch as she turns the arm back and forth, trying to see both sides to assess the damage caused by the bite.

“Grandmother, Kiri and (Y/N)-” Lo’ak starts to explain before she cuts him off with the raise of her hand, silencing him effectively as the words die in his throat.

“I was asking her. Let her speak for herself.” She commands him and he shrinks back, going to sit in a darker corner of the marui.

“Well, Spider, me, Tuk, Kiri, and Lo’ak we’re headed out to one of the watering holes to swim and we got separated. They left me and Kiri behind and we took a moment to stop because Kiri said she had something she wanted to teach me. After we talked and meditated we heard a branch snap and then a pack of nantang jumped out and attacked us. Luckily, Kiri was faster so they didn’t hurt her. The biggest bit me and I had to defend myself before Lo’ak came and shot one of them…” I explain while she stares at me, showing absolutely no emotions, which only serves to terrify me. She says nothing so I continue rambling on.

“And I’m sorry. I had to kill one of them to stop it from doing this to my face instead. I do not know the prayers, so Kiri sent the animal off to Eywa for me.” I continue on before she raises a hand to stop me from word vomiting up more apologies. 

“How many nantang?” She asks, already pulling out some cloth and water to start cleaning each individual wound.

“Three. One large adult male and two juvenile males.” I respond, trying not to pull away from her harsh dabbing. She looks back to my face and tilts her head slightly, raising what would be her eyebrows in surprise.

“Hmmm.” She hums and I can feel my ears start to wilt under her scrutinizing gaze. “A sky person has not killed a nantang since Jake Sully. They do not usually attack in the day unless they are threatened. Did you threaten it?” She notes and starts grinding up a poultice to use on my skin, my nose twitches from the acrid smell so it takes me a moment to answer. 

“I think it was because I met its eyes. It was staring straight at me, I… I’ve never felt like that before.” I admit and she does nothing to respond except nod. Before long she is done with the poultice and starts to apply the goopy salve to my forearm. It stings quite a bit but I slowly relax into the pain, which is honestly not much worse than my normal days in my other body. While the burning pain is intense, it’s not anything I haven’t felt before. In fact pain is one of my longest friends, beating even the Sully siblings. She seems to notice and tilts her head inquisitively.

‘Does it not hurt? It is concerning if you do not feel the wound.” She looks at me expectantly and I shake my head.

“No, it definitely hurts. But I am very used to pain, so it does not bother me.” I almost mumble out my answer, trying to avoid her fiery gaze that is boring into my side profile.

“But you grew up in the lab, did you not? Why are you familiar with pain? Even my strongest warriors will complain about this salve.” She motions to the remains of the poultice in the mortar she used to grind it up, curiosity edging into her voice.

“Oh. Yeah, I forget that most people don’t know. My other body is… weak. There is something wrong with my legs, and they often cause me very intense pain.” I explain, using my hands to point at my blue legs. She chides me for moving my afflicted arm and pulls it back towards her to start wrapping it. She uses some unusual type of cloth to wrap around it a few times, securing the poultice to my skin.

“You are strong… for a lab rat.” She says in what I can only interpret as approval. Once again I somehow win approval from the hardest member of the Sully clan and my stomach feels like its flipping as I smile shyly at her compliment. 

“Thank you. And, thank you for treating me… and I really am sorry to have disturbed the balance of life without proper training, ma’am.” She waves off my worries, clicking her tongue in dismissal.

“It is fine. Now keep this on for a day and clean it thoroughly twice a day for a moon cycle. If it starts to burn or is hot to the touch, come back, or check in with Kiri. Now go, I must get ready for the returning hunting party. There is always an injury for me to tend to when they return.” She says dismissively, with such little expression that I cannot truly gauge her feelings on my actions in the forest. Lo’ak and I exit the marui, slowly shuffling out in tense silence. Once all the adrenaline wears off I realize I’m feeling pretty tired and just want to go home to my other body, this one is in sore need of a rest. Stopping Lo’ak I tell him I’m going home and thank him for taking me back, but insist that he can go now. He asks me a couple times if I’m sure and I assure him that I’m all good now and the walk back to the lab is very short. Finally he nods in agreement and we part ways. 

I take my time on the way back to the lab, trying to delay the inevitable scolding I will get from Norm and Max for my forest trip. As I stroll by the cooking area I take a deep breath, enjoying the scent and how empty camp is at this time of day. As I look around at the few people sitting outside I notice the screeching sounds of many ikran in the distance getting closer, signaling the return of the hunting party Mo’at mentioned. I walk to the edge of the cave mouth and watch the hunters as they return, noting how they all start lining up to carry the prey to the area where they butcher their prey. Among them I spot the tall figure of Neteyam. He seems to be instructing a few younger men and vaguely I wonder if he will be the one returning with a wound this time. I let out the breath I am holding when I note that his blue skin doesn't seem to be  marred by the crimson signature of an injury. 

It crosses my mind to wave to him or call out his name but I stop when he turns to one of the other young hunters and starts to discuss something with her. I continue walking past them and find myself sort of relieved at having successfully avoided him. We hadn’t really said more than two words to each other since our awkward dinner encounter. I’m not sure what it is but I just can’t bring myself to look him in the eyes since, unable to even think of how to apologize to him. What would I even be apologizing for, really? There's just something in those eyes of his that stirs something in me, they stir some part of me that I wasn’t even sure really existed. I’ve always felt like I am an animal in a cage, stuck, with everyone around me looking at me with pity and lingering distrust in their eyes. It is always one of the two. But when I look into his eyes, I feel like I am looking into the eyes of another animal in a cage all of his own. His duties form his own cage, making sure he does not take off in flight to get away from here. Much like me, many pass him with the same pity because of his harsh father, but instead of distrust it is fear that lingers after, fear of angering him or his powerful parents. However, when he looks at me it feels like he is seeing me, and me only, not my legs or my demon blood, just me. My pure soul untouched. Our cages fall around us, and there is only the other animals eyes boring into our soul. Such a tantalizing paralysis. I've never felt anything like that so it is obviously fucking terrifying to me, because I know that thought, that hope, which I will leave unsaid, is entirely impossible. 

I am lost in trying to find an apology for the next time I see him while I stand there watching that I don’t notice the first few times someone calls out my name. On the third time I hear it it finally registers that someone is actually calling out my name so I look around to see Neteyam waving me down. I hesitate for a moment and he waves a little faster, beckoning me to him as he waits by his ikran. Bracing myself for a moment, I begin slowly striding to him. As I approach I can see the agitated swing of his tail and the look of panic on his face.

“Hello, Neteyam. Is everything okay? Did something happen during the hunt?” I ask, finally sparing a quick glance into his eyes to see his reaction. His face morphs into a look of confusion and he shakes his head.

“No, no. I wanted to see if you were okay. What happened to your arm?” As he says this it makes me realize that most of the pain from the wound had actually subsided from the poultice. I will have to thank Mo’at for the care, maybe I will weave her a nice satchel, if Kiri can help me.

“Oh, yeah. Honestly I forgot about it for a minute, your grandma is such a talented tsahik that it barely hurts.” I offer up in response, too embarrassed to lead with the fact that I nearly got myself killed my first time outside of the Omaticayan stronghold. This only serves to make his grimace deepen and I can tell he is not satisfied so I continue on. “Your siblings, Spider, and I were headed to the swimming spot when me and Kiri got separated. She was helping me with some spiritual guidance when out of nowhere a pack of nantang attacked us, er well actually attacked me I guess. Luckily Kiri had her knife and Lo’ak showed up or I’m pretty sure I’d be running through a nantang’s guts right now.” His brows knit in concern when I finish my rambling explanation. “Oh, and don’t worry, I’m the only one that got hurt. Kiri was far enough ahead that they didn’t attack her.” 

“What? How many nantang? They do not usually attack during the day. Maybe I should warn father that there might be a pack of rabid nantang running around attacking people.” He says thoughtfully, rubbing his chin with his pointer finger and thumb. I can feel his eyes as they scan my body again to see if some new injury beside the one on my arm would mysteriously pop up.

“There’s no need. There were only three and two of them were killed in the fight. The other was scared off when me and Lo’ak defeated it's packmates. I doubt it will be back to the area anytime soon, and they did not seem rabid, just… hungry.” I say to try and ease the tensions that have gathered in his broad shoulders. I see them sink down for a second before perking right back up.

“You and Lo’ak? You killed one?” He asks and I get the feeling that he meant that he was impressed but the word kill instantly deflates any burgeoning pride I can feel. 

“Yes… I did not want to, but it was lunging for my neck. If I had hesitated any longer I would have…” I trail off and look to the side mournfully. I know that realistically Eywa and the clans members wouldn't blame me for my actions, but I feel like I've upset the balance of life in the forest without having learned the proper way of doing things. From watching Jake’s video logs I am aware that there are certain customs and traditions when it comes to the extinguishing of life in the clan. They did not even allow Jake to participate in hunts until he had proved himself as a member of the clan, something I have yet to do and have no idea how to accomplish.

“You need not worry, you were protecting yourself and my sister. Mother and father will know that and appreciate it, and so will the Great Mother…” Neteyam reassures me, and I let out a sigh of relief when he pointed out that I was also protecting Kiri. That’s definitely something that could help if Neytiri hears and starts to disapprove of me. I had only just gained her trust enough for her to allow her children to go places with me completely unsupervised. Plus it is a soothing balm for the guilt I’m feeling about it.

“I know, but it is still bothering me. I am not used to death and the flow of life I suppose. My world was so small, I feel unprepared for this huge new world.” I’m not sure why, but Neteyam makes it feel second nature to talk about the thoughts I haven't even shared with Kiri yet. Everytime I see him it’s like he does something to me that obliterates all of my self control and the waters of my thoughts flow through my mouth like rushing rapids. My normal defenses are no match for the charm of this gentle giant. Neteyam seems to chew on this for a few moments, gathering his thoughts into something easy to say. After a moment he places a large hand on my shoulder, something that seems to simultaneously ground and unnerve me.

“You will. You are brave, that much is clear to me. This world is large, but you will make yourself big as well. You have a desire to learn, and that is how you will do it. Learn well, Taw.” He responds and I am blown away by his confidence in me and the maturity of his response. Oh, and also the fact that he used my nickname. For a second it feels like he has stuck a live wire in me, electricity surging through me, making my heart beat loudly and my thoughts shift into overdrive. Placing a hand over my heart I try to quiet the cacophony of thoughts that attack me and I find myself saying a single word in question.

“Taw?” Is all I manage, almost breathless. Neteyam’s intense gaze falls and he starts to fidget, looking at the song chord at his waist. He fumbles with it to alleviate the nervous energy that is clearly filling him.

“Is it okay for me to call you that?” Neteyam asks, his voice unsteady and unsure. “It’s just… that is what my siblings have called you for a long time, so I thought you might like it if I also called you that. It suits you very well.” I cough a little from surprise and can’t help the smile fighting to show on my face. My tail almost wags for a second before I can still it.

“Yes. Yes, you can call me Taw… Just don’t call me TawTaw, Tuk might try to poison you. One time she tried to feed Lo’ak kllpxillw seeds after he called me that, even though they hurt his stomach. She is very protective of her special name for me.” I giggle as I tell the story, remembering the distinctly mischievous look on her face as she tried to hide the seeds in the dish they brought to eat at the lab with us. My story makes Neteyam let out a hearty belly chuckle, and he grins as he imagines the scene between his siblings. 

“Yes, she seems to be very protective of you in general.” He comments and opens his mouth to say more before a very irritated looking young man calls out Neteyams name from a distance away.

“Come on, man! We need help carrying these yerik. You can flirt with girls when you’re not on hunting duty!” He shouts across to us, his tail lashing back and forth in agitation. Neteyam’s grin drops and he rubs his temple soothingly, rolling his eyes at the voice.

“My apologies. That is my friend, Rinu. He does not have any manners. Thank you for the conversation, but I must go now. See you again, Taw.” Neteyam says his goodbye before setting off toward his friend. I let out a laugh at his friends before saying my own goodbye as he retreats. Taking a moment to recuperate from the second use of my nickname I start walking towards the direction of the lab again. Luckily I come back when Norm is out helping in his avatar so I am spared from one of his famous motherly sermons of being careful, instead I only get a small lecture from Max on the importance of being aware in the forest. He makes me promise to take one of Kiri or Lo’ak’s extra hunting knives next time before I lay down to wake in my new body.

A/N pt 2: Again thanks for all the love so far, and sorry if this part wasn't my strongest, I've been dealing with a lot so sorry if that same through my writing. Anyways I just wanted to share a piece of fanart I drew of Neteyam as Olo'eyktan while I had writers block. Enjoy!

@skeletondeerart @jackiehollanderr @anxietydrogz @farleyis @soleilmoon

#neteyam x reader #neteyam x female reader #neteyam x disabled!reader #neteyam x avatar!reader #neteyam x female!reader #neteyam x fem!reader #platonic!lo'ak x reader #platonic!kiri x reader #platonic!tuk x reader #platonic!spider x reader #norm spellman x daughter!reader #max patel x daughter!reader #neteyam te suli tsyeyk'itan x reader #neteyam te suli tsyeyk'itan #neteyam sully x reader #neteyam sully #neteyam suli x reader #avatar 2 #avatar 2022 #avatar: the way of water

[inexplicifics]

I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your fics (The Accidental Warlord got me hooked) and I've only seen the Netflix Witcher, so your TAW verse was my only exposure to the character of Serrit. Until a while ago, when I was reading another fic and Serrit was a minor character. Male pronouns were used for the character and immediately I bristled like "Woah, who's out here misgendering Serrit?!"

And then I remembered TAW verse is not canon.

When I was reading Out of the Night that covers me and Serrit entered the story, I was like, yes, good, our Serrit back. And then remembered you're the author of both lol

This is very funny and also I have the same problem sometimes when reading other people's Serrits!

I am so very glad you like my fic; thank you so much!

#questions answered #serrit

[tornadoyoungiron]

Perhaps K and U for ask game?

( -🧀non)

K:  Do you have a guilty pleasures in fic (reading or writing)?

If it isn't a little obvious by now, I do like me some angst and hurt. Both reading and writing it. It makes characters more interesting. Put a character through some angst and I am there. Especially if it's Scotsman.

U: Is there a pairing you would like to write, but haven’t tried yet.

There are a few. I have it in mind to write some Green Arrow and LMR 600 Gordon as that's a really interesting concept. Green Arrow interacting with someone whom he actually dated. Sir Nigel and his 9F Waifu from the NYMR. There's Pendennis x Scotsman which I have touched on before but not really. There's... a lot there. It's complicated.

And the one I'm sure you'll be thrilled to hear is a continuation of the Taw Valley short, in which Pendennis outright stakes a claim to Ms Wine Aunt.

#ask bakunawa #baku answers #ttte young iron #my asks #ask answered #author ask

[tomburswag]

fanart for the fic im prolly never gonna post cause yeah

im always a sucker for wheel bah falling first and then not realizing until taw me gets a gf and he hates it

#tombur #tombur fanart

[seth-shitposts]

*pokes you with a stick* hi! How's your day been?

Heheh

Pretty good so far. Work was fine for the most part. Past hour have been working on a prompt fic that is aimed to be finished within the next few hours

AND ALEX IS SO BIG BRAINED HE-

My stars I WANT TO BLABBER ABOUT IT SO BAD.

Alex is piecing together major plot points for The Aphelion Waltz and I'm SBXBHDHDHDHDHHDHEJ3JF bro bro bro, Bdjdujrjdjd (I actually had to come over here to cool my jets because of how much I am losing my shit over these developments for this fic. Because holyshitfuck)

We can't work more on TAW until I have this fic finished and if I'm correct, this one prob won't be more than 1k? It's probably going to be our shortest fic to date honestly. But I'm Hella hyped for it :)

-Sebastián 💚

---

Im doing marvelously. Causing mayhem that will hit the streets in about a month or two. I am a patient man with a lot of plans. We're finishing up one of the prompts you sent us, actually. And then the rest of the evening will probably be devoted to fleshing out more plot for TAW.

Once we finish this prompt fic and post it, we're for sure going to go eat something though.

How has your day been, friend?

-Alex 💙

[ly0nstea]

Pronounciation guide for my non-irish speaking fic readers

I wrote a PJO-based fic around Celtic myth and I know not a lot of people speak Irish so, here's a little guide on how the words and phrases are pronounced and their meaning! Enjoy!

Word - meaning- pronunciation guide

Siobháin - Name (God is gracious) - shuv-awn/shiv-awn

NíCróga - Daughter of blood/gore - crow-gah

Maidin Mhaith - Good morning - moh-jin woh (oh pronounced closer to the o in stop)

A leanbh - Calling to child - ah lan-uv

Íosa - Jesus - ee-uh-sah

Nuair na ba dul seasc - Nurr nah bah dul shash-k

agus na caoirigh ná táirgthe - oh-gus nah kwee-rig naw taw-rg-hah

tá Éire i nguais - taw air-ah ih new-ish

beidh sraith nua a tharlaithe - beg shrah new-a ah har-lah-hah

beidh curadh nua a bhreith - beg curr-ah new-ah ah vreh

Ó! - An exclamation - Oh!

Mo chailín beag - My little girl - muh hall-een byug

A dhéithe - A plural form of oh my god - Ah yay-ih-hah

Púca - Ghost - Poo-kah

Cú Chulainn - Ancient Celtic Hero - Koo kull-in

Tír na nÓg - Teer nah n-owe-g

Oisín - Name (Fawn/Little Deer) - uh-sh-een

Niamh - Name (Bright/Radiant) - Nee-av

Badhbh - Name (War Goddess) - Bye-v

Bean-Sídhe - Mythical Creature (Banshee) - Banshee

Foc - Fuck - Fuck

Drogheda - Name (Town) - Droh-head-ah

A athair - Calling to father - Ah ah-her

Ó'Lír - Son of Lír - Owe leer

Knowth - Name (mound) - N-owe-th

Oscailt - Open - Us-kult

Anois - Now - an-ish

A Sheáin - Calling to Seán - ah hy-awn

Seáin - Name (John/Jack/Shaun) - Sh-awn

An Ródaí - On Road-ee

Tabhair Abhaile Mé, Brighid- Take me home, Brighid - T-aw-vur/T-aw-ur ah-wall-ya may, Brighid

Brighid - Name (Goddess) - Breed/Bt-ih-j-it/Br-ih-jih-d

I mo Dhia - Oh my god - Ih muh yee-ah

Dúlachán - Doo-lah-hawn

Fionn - Name (Finn) - Fy-un

Mac Cumhaill - Surname - Mac Cool

Teach na Leanaí Déithe - House of the Gods’ children - Chok - nah lan-ee day-ih-hah

Crannóg - type of house - Cran-owe-g

Tuatha Dé Danann - Tribe of Gods - Too-ah day dan-an

Mór - Big - More

an Fhile - The poet - on ill-ah

an Ghabha - The (black)smith - on hah-va

And a small featuring of portuguese

Olá - hello

Fica de boa aí, cara - Chill out, man

Merda! - Shit!

Carahlo - Fuck

[our-flag-means-death-ao3feed]

People Can Never Fully Start Afresh

by ElenLuyddog

He closes his eyes, deeply sniffing and pinching the last of the blood from his nose, not even bothering to continue watching this ridiculous reunion. His spine blindly lies back on one of the quarterdeck staircase’s newel post with a shaky grunt, feeling the tiniest drops of blood sink into the back of his throat. He sniffs once more and gently clears his throat, spitting the remains onto the cherry wood panel before him.

“YOU FUCKING BASTARD!”

“EEK!”

Two loud pairs of boots sprinted across the main deck and up one flight of stairs.

“YOU LEFT ME WAITING AT THE DOCK!” Blackbeard roars woundedly, loud enough for everyone in the fucking port to hear. He winces at the volume, silently growling to himself as Bonnet’s fist still vibrates through the bones of his nose and rattles into his cheekbones.

“I KNOW!” bellows directly into his ear.

Boots run around the stern before running down the other flight.

He does nothing but buries his face in one hand.

Words: 13768, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Series: Part 2 of The Taw & the Sea Star

Fandoms: Our Flag Means Death (TV)

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: F/M, M/M

Characters: Crew of the Revenge (Our Flag Means Death)

Relationships: Blackbeard | Edward Teach & Israel Hands, Israel Hands/Lucius Spriggs, Israel Hands & Lucius Spriggs, Israel Hands/Original Female Character(s)

Additional Tags: Trust porn, STILL brought to you by the letter F, Post-Episode: s01e10 Wherever You Go There You Are, Introspection, Read last third slowly, Demisexual Israel Hands, Demiromantic Israel Hands, POV Israel Hands, Soft Israel Hands, Swearing, Pomosexual Izzy Hands, Israel Hands-centric, The One Digit Less and Blackbeard Kinda Sucks Fan club, The Revenge Reunites, Dark Humor, Sexual Tension, Fluff, Nowhere near smut very almost like it, Emotional Connection, Kind of Hurt/Comfort, Realistic, #GiveFangaRaise, Everyone Has Issues, Israel Hands Has PTSD, Israel Hands Has Feelings, Israel Hands Has a Heart, Funniest BlackStede reunion?, Izzy “I’m Over Everything and Everyone” Hands, The Gay Bi conceptual Impasse, Self-Aware Izzy Hands, Black Pete showing the fuck up!, Elen can’t write group situations very well, Comment which version of Lucius and Izzy in this is the most magnetic, Love letter to all of this ship’s writers, because it’s going to go to hell in the next fic not sorry, Team Izzy Hands has a daughter, Off-screen BlackStede reunion, Epilogue to last fic, Prequel

source https://archiveofourown.org/works/45220756

#Our flag means death #ofmd #https://archiveofourown.org/works/45220756

[thefallenbibliophilequote]

4) What fic of yours were you surprised by how popular it was?

I'll be honest, Cia, it took me a while to answer this bc i am so bitter and i tried to calm myself enough to try and not be bitter about this.

So umm i'll do my best.

The Asgardian Way is one I did not expect to do as well as it did. I wrote it pretty fast and I was not super 100% whole with it. But it got a lot of love and it surprised me and made me actually love it more.😊🖤🖤🖤

I am not going to mention the fact that this has double the notes of a fic I worked a whole month for and poured my heart into... Nope. Not gonna be bitter and mention it.

#the fic's name is Forever btw in case anyone wanted to know... #me? bitter? noooooo #i won't even mention how Forever was posted before TAW and how i reblogged it a lot. nope. #cia #asks

[impossibletruths]

⭐!

Afterwards, most importantly, she takes him out for dinner at the cheap Mexican place down the street, where they meet up with her roommate and Wei Wuxian’s friend from undergrad, Wen Qing.

“Hey, so,” says Wen Qing halfway into the appetizer. “I hear you made friends with your hot violinist neighbor.”

“I’m not talking about this,” declares Wei Wuxian. Wen Qing leans further forward, elbows braced on the table and Yanli leans back with a quiet smile. It’s classic good-cop-bad-cop and he’s not falling for it this time. He isn’t.

“A-Li says you won’t tell her anything.”

“She’s right. I won’t.”

“But you’ll tell me, won’t you?”

“No. I refuse." He sticks a chip in his mouth, and says, mouth full, "This is bullying, you know.”

“Real mature,” snorts Wen Qing. He presses his lips together.

“You don’t have to tell us his name,” says Yanli patiently, picking at her food.

“Though I don’t know why you wouldn’t,” interjects Wen Qing.

“But what’s he like? Do you like him?”

“Yeah, I like him,” says Wei Wuxian, then promptly closes his mouth again. Yanli smiles, and he offers up, nonchalant, “I mean, he’s my friend.”

Are they? Oh. Yes. Huh. Wei Wuxian is pretty sure they are.

“And?” prompts Wen Qing. Wei Wuxian shrugs.

“And what?”

“What’s he like?”

Wei Wuxian looks between them and relents. There’s no winning against them all teamed up like this. It’s like big sister energy squared. What’s he to do? He slumps back in his chair.

through a window softly

Yes ‘roommate’ is a euphemism here, yes they are dating, and no Wei Wuxian does not realize it. In his defense, he’s a pretty busy guy, but come on. Big sister energy squared should have told you all you need to know, Wei Wuxian. (Jiang Cheng makes fun of him mercilessly over this, and he deserves it.)

I also have, y’know, feelings about how well Wei Wuxian gets Lan Wangji even though all they’ve done is play music together, and how much he likes him, and the ways in which a relationship can transcend space and language. Jiang Yanli and Wen Qing cottoning onto his feelings before he figures them out himself is peak Wei Wuxian and he is! valid!

But mostly this is about ladies(TM).

fanfic writer’s director’s cut

#the real moral of this story is queer yunmeng sibs ftw #also ty for your patience! it's been what the kids like to call A Week #fic extras #fic writer's director's cut #taws #ask memeing #jostencredible #long post // #ish

[hellbeloved-a]

thinking of writing huuusk agaaaain

#( 001. RAT HOE'S TALKING ! —— FLEX ) #i taught i taw a puddy tat #I MISS HIM........ #I READ FICS ALL AFTERNOOn #2 stave off the Depression #BUT BESIDES THAT. I WANNA write him again #also talking 2 henri has me #wanting to write angel like. i have a blog for him im just MMMM idk hesitant

[incarnateirony]

Heads up and boost please

ONCE YOU READ, DON'T JUST LIKE. REBLOG PLS. IMPORTANT.

So some of you remember the Travis Aaron Wade nonsense starting 2015 and through the following years, the attack on Misha Collins' career in Dec 2017 organized by him and the members of "Castiel's Angels" that stood as his front group TAW sent voicemails to, and the following chaos of harassment and doxxing that parts of the fandom went through between that lot, varying from threatening packages and letters about their kids, overt stalking, calling their jobs and more. Also, the historical periods of people realizing how WRONG the group is, leaving, documenting with a bajillion screencaps and then being gaslit under with false positivity.

Yeah, well, they're the ones behind that back-alley Lineage knockoff of SPN like the world's most terrible mary sue special snowflake Kids Of The Characters fanfic. By and large we ignored them, because most influencers they tried to pull in to make use of their clout and audience (since she constantly loses hers for these very reasons) caught on and a few have even made testimonials, like the guy they got to play Azazel that they kept telling they had the rights and were talking to the crew while making (which always translates to "I talk to TAW", or "I asked a silly fan question during a photo op asking if I can film my fic nobody took seriously and then present it as reality") --

But now they've suckered another in, and he hasn't listened very well because they are MASTERS of fucking gaslighting. I did, finally, get him to slow down and at least consider things, though I'm unclear how deeply he'll take it to heart. (Apparently, they never even told him there's like, a real spinoff, currently in production, that he could apply for, but rather presented it as Wayward being the last spinoff option in SPN so fans totes want her basement knockoff)

THAT SAID, please check out this thread, engage as needed. Those of you who ARE familiar with it, feel free to use the point Chance is tagged into the thread to give your own takes and remembrances.

https://twitter.com/experimentural/status/1448665496925073418

This of course doesn't even touch on her history of fraud, art theft, and whatever the FUCK else, because to fully cover the last 6 years of Victoria's fuckery would require a ten page thesis on its own. But don't let her drag down aspiring actors that don't know better.

(also if you're just seeing this OP check the notes for more recent posts, this is getting updated as it goes)

#supernatural #spn #blacklisttaw #castiel's angels

[curlicuecal]

I really liked your Cyberbunny fics. Did you have more planned out for them at any point? Also since you mentioned it, what sort of microbiology stuff would make an interesting plot hook?

tAw, thanks.  That one’s been with me so long, it’s very special to me.

I definitely have more I would *like* to write for it, and at a minimum the last bit of Outcasts because we’re close to the climax and i’ve been excited about that for how long? so long

Life stuff and brain stuff got me unable to write (except for occasionally or w/ a friend) for a few years, but things seem to be settling in, so I’m hopeful the time and spoons and drive for bigger projects will cycle back soon.

Micro plot hooks, hmmmmmmmm.

See, my brain goes to endosymbionts, because that’s my pet interest, or host-manipulating microbes like cordyceps, because same.  

Okay, hey:

there’s this thing bacteria do, where they swap around genes like trading cards, getting them from each other and the environment instead of from their parents.  Horizonatal (instead of vertical) gene transfer.  And the COOL and USEFUL thing is that it lets them pick up genes that are useful to their current environment.

Like, say, in a cold environment you’d get cold-tolerance genes from the microbes that are already living in the cold, or in a high-antibiotics environment (like a hospital) you’d get antibiotics-resistance genes and that’s how MRSA happens.

And the OTHER COOL THING is that the multicellular version of this isn’t horizontally swapping useful genes on plasmids, it’s horizontally swapping useful bacteria.  Like, aphids in areas with lots of predatory wasps will pick up bacteria that give them camouflaging coloration, or bugs in sunny areas will get bacteria that provide sunscreen, etc.  Humans do this too, at least a little! Your gut microflora will become colonized with the microbes that are best at digesting your local foods and processing your local water.  (This is part of why traveller’s diarrhea happens).  And these bacteria potentially do other things like change what foods you crave or how you respond to stress.

Plus you’re gonna naturally pick up local stuff and pass it around to the people you interact with! That’s cool!  And there are usually costs and trade-offs! That’s DRAMA.

So plot hook: lean into that-- environmental adaptations being passed around on bacteria. Cold tolerance and glow-in-the-dark and enhanced hearing to notice predators and ability to digest poisons and changes to fertility and lifespan and body size.

[depizan]

100 Days of Writing

I’ve once again missed a bunch of days of @the-wip-project‘s 100 days of writing because the prompts/questions just didn’t work for me. So I’m filling in with other things.

It’s hard to know whether Lucas was thinking about air travel or ocean travel when making the Star Wars movies. He drew on dogfights in WWII movies for some of the space battles, but there are also things that feel more (water) ship-like. Different Legends and new!EU authors have generally drawn either more on aviation or more on seagoing vessels. And fic authors are no different.

I am far from an expert on either, but I know somewhat more about aviation than...maritime...stuff...? (I don’t even know what the watery equivalent to “aviation” is!) So I’ve pretty much reached for my aviation knowledge when writing and headcanoning about space travel for my fics.

There are preflight checklists and air traffic controllers and take-off clearances. People fly approaches to spaceports. I describe passenger service more like large jetliners than cruise ships. Jezari has a pilot’s license.

I assume spacecraft have collision avoidance systems, akin to TCAS (traffic collision avoidance system) and TAWS (terrain awareness and warning system). It might not make sense for a spaceship to shout “terrain! pull up!” at its pilot(s) when in danger of running into something, but it might shout “collision! pull up!” because you still don’t want controlled flight into terrain (or other obstacle) accidents.

(And, yeah, boats probably have some similar things for obvious reasons, but I know the words for the aviation ones.)

Sure, space travel isn’t exactly aviation. It really is (or would be) somewhere between aviation and sea travel. People don’t generally live on airplanes, for starters. But I have to do a lot less google research if I can just have Jezari talk to the approach controller, you know.

#100daysofwriting #Mac vs worldbuilding #Mac ponders Star Wars world building #ficverse worldbuilding