"Why do you enjoy torturing me, Neytiri?" Jake asked, arms fidgeting agitatedly at her sides.

"Not torturing, stop whining. Big baby." Neytiri laughed toothily. Stepping back to inspect her work, "It's not all the time I get to prepare the Toruk Makto before a festival."

"Party? Big deal? C'mon, can't I just braid my hair normally?" Jake tried again as Neytiri stepped back in to adjust her elaborately braided and beaded hair, "I'm not the only bachelorette being hit on tonight."

"But you *are* the only one inspiring the attention of TWO Olo'eyctans." The Tsa'hik's daughter mentioned coyly.

"Don't remind me." Jake groaned.

"You're being such a BABY." Neytiri teased, pulling back again to admire her handiwork, "There. Finished."

"I will never get used to this." Jake muttered, before he was ushered out the door.

-o-o-o-

The drums were beating rhythmically through the night wind, Tsu'tey lounging with a respectful smile on his face. The Horse Clan of the Plains were still their guests, and Tsu'tey was playing host quite well, if it wasn't a little tedious. He was decked in royal regalia, his waistband telling the story of thousands of successful hunts, and the Thanator necklace showing his courage and bravery. His Hunter's braid was more elaborate than usual, feathers and clasps of shiny metal glimmering in the moon and fire light.

He was in the middle of showing avid interest in a boring tale when she stepped out of a nearby hut.

He felt his breath stop in his chest.

The moonlight struck her slender silhouette with such perfection, her neck curving perfectly to her bosom, the makeshift vines curling and creating the illusion of hiding her chest from view, when all it did was amplify it. The fluorescent aura of her clothing gave her form a soft glow. Her loincloth left nothing to the imagination, gripping her hips as trails of braided knots of feathers and carved beads swung gently from her waistband, echoing the fullness of her intricately braided hair.

Neytiri's doing, Tsu'tey was sure. But the beauty... that was all Jake.

Tsu'tey didn't realize he was staring until Neytiri, standing right next to Jake, stared straight at him and gave a knowing smile. That was when the Olo'eyctan realized his group of guests had gone silent, turning curiously to see what had captured his attention. From the hushed gasps, and glances back at the suddenly mute male warrior, they understood why.

"[Rutxe txoa ngenga] Please forgive me..." Tsu'tey pardoned himself respectfully, eyes focused straight ahead as he was weaving through the group, making his way to the center fire where the two females were headed.

Both Horse Clan of the Plains and People of the Blue Flute exchanged amused and envious glances. They weren't sure which was more sought after, the attention of a mighty Olo'eyctan, or the hand of the courageous Toruk Makto.

-o-o-o-

"Okay, I've made my grand entrance." Jake sighed, itching to take all the beads from her braid, "Can I go hide now? I'm sure everyone's gotta be sick of the Toruk Makto."

"Judging from the looks I've caught thrown your way, you are so far off from the mark you may as well have reverted your sight to be as blind as your former Tawtute brethren." Neytiri gave Jake a secretive smile.

"Oh yeah? They're probably getting an eyeful of how *ridiculous* I look." Jake muttered, trying not to slouch and show just how unhappy she was as she jangled one of her bracelet covered forearms, "Look at me. Like some goddamn Christmas tree-"

"I see you, Toruk Makto." A male stepped in their path, nodding politely to the Tsa'hik's daughter, "And you as well, Neytiri."

Jake had to stop herself abruptly, to avoid running into the other who had suddenly appeared.

At the nudge from Neytiri, Jake said awkwardly, "A-and I see you... uh..."

Her hand faltered in mid-motion. She hadn't the foggiest idea who this kid was. Because obviously from his size and muscle structure he must've been in his late teens. Not to mention his braid wasn't nearly as long or as thick as Jake's noticed the other more seasoned warriors were.

"Af'rhat of the Olo' Pa'li!" He offered excitedly, "I watched as you brought down that metal beast of the Sky People! They didn't let me fight yet, but I was charged with the important task of protecting the Omaticayans."

"And we appreciated all your help!" Neytiri smiled, ruffling the kid's head.

Af'rhat practically beamed at her words.

"Come, tell me more about your people. I have not ventured out to the Plains of your Homeland in quite a while." Neytiri grinned, leading the young boy away, "I'm sure the Toruk Makto has many things to do and many Na'vi to speak with tonight."

"Neytiri? Seriously?" Jake tried to stop the other, hand outstretched, "N-Neytiri! C'mon."

"Bye Jake." Neytiri waved with a small laugh, leading the rambling boy off towards another group of Na'vi.

"Great." Jake sighed, glancing nervously around her. Without the other as a buffer, Jake seriously didn't want to know who would come seeking her attention.

Maybe she could slip away before-

"Toruk Makto, I see you." Another unfamiliar male voice piped up.

Great.

"And I see you." Jake smiled formally, but before the other could get a word in edgewise, she sidestepped him, "But I'm really thirsty at the moment, excuse me while I grab some punch."

"Ah, I can retrieve that for you-"

"No thanks, I got it." Jake chuckled nervously, darting away. Her ears burned as she felt his gaze rake across her form as she departed.

She seriously wanted her male body back. Especially as not two steps later, another warrior approached her to speak.

"Thirsty. Getting something to drink." She interrupted before he could get a word in, edgewise, slipping past him as well.

Every five steps she seemed to have to dodge her way through the crowd, evasively maneuvering to slip away before a real conversation could start. She was really despising Neytiri and Ewya just then.

"Do you require an escort?" An amused male voice asked.

"Nope, no I'm fine." Jake responded reflexively, not even glancing the other's way.

Suddenly a broad chest appeared before her, however, impeding her progress as the same amused voice reiterated, "Oh, but I insist, JakeSully."

Jake started.

Her eyes travelled down that chiseled chest, taking in the elaborate waist band and the muscled thighs adorned with bulky leg wraps of equal embellishments. When her gaze travelled back upwards, she saw the gleaming Thanator fangs spanning the collar of the neck guard, the intricate knots and loops elongating the warrior's form while the fangs elaborated his dangerous appeal.

It wasn't until her eyes finally met up into those feral amber gaze that she realized she had been staring. Or that her mouth had been parted during her stargazing.

"Insist all you want." Jake snapped in response to his indulgent smirk at her appraisal, "It's not like this is a battlefield."

"Do you prefer being dogged every step of the way, then?" Tsu'tey inquired, finally releasing her from his heated stare to glance at the crowd mingling in the night.

Jake sighed inwardly. He did have a point.

Unfortunately.

"Ah, is that Akwey?" Tsu'tey commented, raising his arm as though to wave.

"Fine." She snapped quickly, grabbing his arm to stop him as she stepped around him and started walking, "Come and escort me, then."

Merely amused as she started dragging him along, he easily matched his pace to hers as he rumbled, "It would be my pleasure."