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Na'vi language

Chapter 6: The Real Lessons Start

Following those instincts, I reached for my blade. Any na'vi would of shuddered from my clumsiness, and I had almost cut my finger off in the process as well. The knife was positioned pointing down, and my hands were shaking in fear, but I still had strength in my voice.

"Show yourself." I hissed.

I tried to crouch, but it only appeared awkward and inexperienced. Soon as I had demanded my stalker to come out, there was the sound of someone standing out of a crouch. Their footsteps also became louder knowing that they were now discovered. In the shadows, I could see it was a na'vi, and male. As soon as I had seen his face, my chest burned with hate.

It was Tsu'tey. I growled at him as he casually walked closer to me, having the same expression as always. My knife was still in the same position, my hands were shaking even more, worried what Tsu'tey might do.

"Lower your weapon," He paused. "Not much of a weapon if wielded like that."

As he talked, he flipped out his knife in the flick of an eye. By his stance and balance, I could tell he was a very experienced hunter and warrior. I had already known this though.

"How did you do that?" I asked, distracted by his actions.

"Why would I show you? You dirty moron." He said. I ignored his bitterness.

He saw me entranced and showed off by flipping the knife in the air, turning around and catching it with his toes, and using his foot to fling it back into his hand.

"Show off." I said squinting my eyes.

He flipped it though his fingers and shoved it back in the holder. By that time my knife had returned back to its own resting place, I wanted to try and do what he had done, but I knew it would be unsuccessful and embarrassing. I was right. I was worse than I had even expected. Tsu'tey stood there with his foot tapping, sighing, and glancing hard in all different directions to avoid looking at my lack of skills. I could tell he couldn't bear it, seeing that it was possible to be this bad, and I also knew how he treated the kids when they had done something wrong.

"Moron! Let me show you!" He yelled. Before I could decline, he snatched it out of my hand.

"Give it back!" I yelled back.

"First," He said as he took the knife by the top of the hilt. "Better control," He pointed it upwards and moved it from left to right. "Better movement," He handed the knife back. "Now show me."

I tried to copy him, but of course failed. He let out a huge sigh. "Skypeople are impossible." I placed the knife back into the holder once again.

"We both have that in common then." I began to walk away. I heard him following me.

"I will not make my brother look a fool from you." I knew he had meant Sirlsoam.

"Since when did you start caring about him? Since when did you care about anyone? All you care about is yourself and you ego." I said turning around back to him.

"You know nothing." He growled. I began walking again the other way. "I need to teach you. I'm the best teacher. The faster you learn, the sooner you are out." I stopped. 'I'm not going anywhere.' I thought to myself. Before I could produce a rational thought, I had already spoken.

"Deal." I said and continued walking, trying to stay strong.

"Meet me here same time tomorrow." His voice said darkly. I turned around and saw he had stopped following me.

"Okay then." I said harshly.

What have I gotten myself into? But this would show him that I'm not completely hopeless, and maybe if I could get him on my good side, everyone here would be as well. Who am I kidding? He's the most stubborn person I've ever met, like he said, what if I'm here, and then I'm out? Why can't he just listen? I'd rather not think of that thought.

Soon, I found myself back entering the towering tree, then my hammock. I laid down and quickly drifted asleep, waking up back in the claustrophobic tube that had sent me there in the first place. I dragged myself out and placed myself in my bunk, and drifted to sleep.

"Good morning, Savannah." Grace said softly shaking me. I opened my eyes and looked out the window and saw it was still dark.

"Morning?" I asked in a sleepy voice.

"Well, very early in the morning. But I needed to give you something." She had as usual sweetness to her voice, but when I looked down to see what she was holding, I understood. Grace held a jewelry box that either held a bracelet or a necklace. I knew who it was from.

"No. I don't even want to open it this time." I said getting out of bed.

"Savannah. Please, just open it." Grace begged.

"Why should I? They sold me to a company on an another planet. Gifts can't make it up."

"I know they can't, but please. You've had every year." Grace looked upset.

"Ugh...fine."

I took the box from her hands and opened the lid. Inside was a golden rope necklace. Gold huh? I knew from reports that gold is becoming more and more scarce by the ounce. Usually their gifts were silver or some strange man-made material. But really, where were they expecting me to wear this?

"That's gorgeous. Isn't it?" Grace said enthusiastically.

"No. People don't wear jewelry here, there's no point. I'm an avatar. When do I have time to show off shiny jewelry that no one wears?"

"A birthday card came with it."

"Oh, well they were only a few months off, that's better than before." Grace placed a cigarette in her mouth, and walked over to the fridge.

"Well do whatever you want with it, now I don't even care."

"Thank you, Grace."

Every year fro my birthday, my parents sent me a useless gift, usually a heartless piece of jewelry. I just hated having the reminder every year that someone on slummy earth had actually gave birth to me. I really, really didn't like earth. Though I was glad my parents had gave me up, I still didn't want the reminder of pain every year.

I got out of bed and took out the powdered food and placed it onto a plate, but then I realized something. It was time to do my weekly inspection. I finished my food and walked into the bathroom. Boy, was I a mess. My hair was greasy from root to tip, oil and acne crowded my face, and black circles around my eyes as if I had gotten in a fight. I washed my face and then hopped into the shower. When I was done combing my long bright hair, the sun was shining through. I had taken a rather long shower. Morning meal would be starting soon, and of course they would notice if one of the dreamwalker's bodies were still lying in the hammock lifeless.

I rushed into the pod and saw everyone else was gone. I laid down and let my mind go blank. I've been doing it so many times, it happens instantly. This time was no different. I awoke in my hammock, but I had a strange moment of serenity.

The small flakes of dust shone brightly from the sun which made it look like golden glitter showering in the air. They bumped and slid across one another and floated back up towards the sky again. Looking to the right and left I could see distant trees and saw the lemurs slinging from one to another. I heard the even more distant calls of the wild banshees that you heard everyday but didn't bother to stop and listen to. Why have I'd never had a moment like this here in Hometree? It's been the most calming moment I'd have in a while. But something had caught my attention. Smell. I had for the first time since being in Hometree, inhaled the smells and paid attention. The smells of trees, animals, flowers, all things na'vi, and even my own hammock, were all very overwhelming to my nose and it caused me to sneeze.

"Bless you." A voice shot out from behind me. It had almost sent me sailing to the forest floor.

"Jake! That's not funny!"

"What? Mom always told me to use good manners." He said sarcastically with a huge grin on his face. I couldn't help but smile and laugh back. "You creep! What are you doing? Go down to breakfast."

"I was waiting for you. I was gettin' scared you were never gonna wake up."

"Well, it's still weird, but let's go."

"Is not!" He said punching my arm.

"Is too!" I said punching back. "God, your like the little brother I never had or wanted."

"Psh, you'd love it if I was your brother. Besides, I think I'm older than you." He paused. "How old are you?"

"Technically I would be twenty-eight, but minus six years, I'm physically twenty-two."

"Me too." He said sounding shocked.

"Surprised much?" I asked laughing.

"So you were born in 2126, right?"

"Yep. Born August 20th."

"Are you serious? I was born August 24th!"

"Ha! I knew I was older." I laughed in his face.

"Goddammit! But only by four days. No big deal."

"Whatever you think!" I laughed again by the time we finished our conversation we were down on the ground walking to the fire pit.

I noticed that we were both trying to keep a farther distance from each other to show that we were not together like everyone had thought. Even though the rumors started slowing down, there were still people who talked and stuck to what they believed. I don't think it could ever work anyways. Jake was an attractive man, and we were both the same age, but like I said, he's more like a younger brother. We just weren't attracted to each other in that way. Grace would of had a heart attack if we did anyways. I laughed at the thought of her reaction. Jake looked at me with his usual confused look. I shook my head, removing the thought. He shook it off as well while we approached the fire.

I looked up from my feet and saw Tsu'tey sit down. Him and I locked eyes for a second, but he disconnected by looking into his food that was placed in front of him. I sat down in front of Sirlsoam who was sitting next to a large group of laughing hunters. What was so funny? Jake found a spot next to Neytiri who was sitting next to her mother.

I turned my sight back on to Tsu'tey. He was sitting there enjoying his food, and laughing with Eytukan, his future father-in-law. Clearly they were boding well since Eytukan had an enlarged grin on his face. I wondered if Tsu'tey had told anyone about his new student. I could hear it now, "The clans most greatest warrior and future clan leader is generously helping the poor skygirl who doesn't know a thing about what she's doing." Sounded like a great story to create a new wave of fame and attention for him. But I must admit, it was true, I was desperate for acceptance, and desperate times call for desperate measures. That was Tsu'tey's role in my story. But then again was I that desperate to turn to Tsu'tey?

"Must you always stare?" I heard a whispering voice from behind me.

It was Sirlsoam. I realized I was and looked around to see if anyone noticed. No one seemed to notice.

"I'm not staring at him."

"Ah, I never said it was a him."

"Yeah, yeah, skypeople stare to much, I know, I know. Anyways, what are we doing today?" I asked changing subjects.

He had a confused expression on his face. "You are starting your training with Tati'tina."

Tati'tina had explained before to me what we would be doing once we first start. First, we were to start off by having me to learn the healing plants and herbs that had different affects and different remedies. I of course, know the simplicity of riding a horse, but I must learn from her now on ways to ride it with the hunters.

"She told me you were to meet her at your usual place." Once I finished, I said goodbye to Sirlsoam for the day and strolled to the pools where many of the women spent time when they were raising their children. But there were others, like me. Well not exactly like me. Coming up to the pool, I saw Tati'tina.

"Good morning, Savannah." She greeted with a tense voice.

"What's wrong?" I asked suddenly worried, glancing down at her humongous stomach.

"Wa'in does not want me to teach you." Wa'in was Tati'tina's mate. He was one of the more quieter hunters from when I had seen him. He had seemed also very kind to me when we met.

"He doesn't want you teaching me because I'm," I said, cluing her on.

Tati'tina's face grew in horror. "No, no! He doesn't want me doing anything to do with leaving Hometree."

I sighed with relief. "He just wants you to be safe."

"It is like he does not trust me," she continued. "why should he not?" I rolled my eyes.

"I have no idea Tati'tina" I groaned. She was such a wild child.

"I told him I had to be the one to teach you." There was a moment of silence. "So, ready to go?" She asked.

"Yeah. Let's go." I said enthusiastically as she gave me a small leather satchel to place over my shoulder.

She grabbed my arm and lead me through the forest until we reached a wide, deep river. Inside the river, were many young hunters, some younger than me. They were laughing and calling out to one another. Many were jumping off of trees and doing flips. They didn't seem to notice us.

"They are going to be in trouble." Tati'tina said in a taunting voice. She was obviously trying to make them hear.

I laughed. "What? Are you going to tell on them?" I asked with a lowered voice.

"Of course I am!" She shouted this time. We continued walking forward. Tati'tina stopped when she saw a tall, lean na'vi taking a running start and jumping into the river. "Wa'in!" She screamed. Oh no. He's a dead man now. She ran towards the spot he jumped in. "What are you doing? You are suppose to be the leader of this hunting party, teaching the young ones to hunt, not swim." She said crouching over the river sternly talking to her mate. He had surface and so did fear in his eyes. Tati'tina was embarrassed that a honorable hunter like Wa'in was slacking off. I could then see how I would of pictured Tsu'tey's sister. He said something in his defense, but it was barley audible. I saw movement in the corner of my eye. I turned towards it. I saw it was a few of the young hunters had stepped out of the river and approach me. Though they were younger, they still scared me on how intimidating and dominant their stride was, and I was so much shorter. I stood there with my head held high.

"Is it true Savannah?" I recognized the voice. Oh yes, it was one of the show-offs Grace and I had as a student in the classroom.

"Txunpil, is what true?" I asked fearing what he had to say.

"Is Tsu'tey really teaching you?" He asked. Ah, so Tsu'tey did tell other people. No surprise really, I even thought he would of announced it at morning meal.

"...Yes, he is." I hesitated.

"I wonder how you got him to agree to that." He said jokingly.

"Well, he told me that he's the best teacher and the faster I learn, the faster I'm out."

"You are lucky! I wish I had Tsu'tey as my teacher. I have Wa'in as mine." He said in a whiny voice.

"Well, you wouldn't get to go swimming, now would you?"

His expression showed as though he just had an epiphany, but he shook it off and replaced it with a serious look. "Well still..." He said growing a scowling frown and harsh eyes with a stature that related to Tsu'tey so much. He looked like a younger version of him.

Before I could say anything, the two boys on both the side of Txunpil grabbed him and threw him into the river. They all jumped in and resumed their fun. Tati'tina came back over to me when Txunpil was gone.

"So what now?" I asked her.

She gave a heavy sigh. "Wa'in said,"

Before she could continue, four hunters on direhorses busted through the forest and I saw two of them were Sirlsoam and Tsu'tey. They all looked enraged. All the boys in the river were in horror and they all scrambled out of the water.

"Let us get out of her." Tati'tina grabbed my arm and we ran as fast as we could out of sight. I could hear Tsu'tey rage in na'vi as we ran into the brush and out of sight.

The rest of the day we spent it deep in the heart of the forest. She showed me the plants that had different parts that make simple remedies. I did have a good memory in remembering when Tati'tina tested me at the end of the day. My satchel was now overbearing with plants. When we were back at Hometree, it was time for evening meal. I saw the group of young hunters who were at the river were much more quiet. After we finished dinner, I knew where I was to go. I saw Tsu'tey during dinner had left very early so I was guessing that was where he headed for. I looked around and saw no one was around, so I headed into the darkness that was becoming brightly illuminated as I walked deeper.

Soon I sighted the waterfall and an arrangement of bioluminescent lights arranged in the form of a body. "Here we go." I said to myself.

"Hurry." Said a deep and agitated voice. I released a huge sigh and jogged over to where Tsu'tey was standing. "You have your bow?" I thought he would of asked me what I was doing at the river earlier today, but he didn't. I pulled the new bow from my back and showed him it. He took it from my hands. "Pah, the bow children first use." He said with a smirk on his face.

"Wow, that's possibly the first time I've ever seen you even show emotion." I said with sarcasm. His smirk turned back into his signature frown. He threw the bow to my face, but out of instinct I caught it.

"You surprise me by catching it." He said trying to match my sarcasm. I stepped behind him and saw a target. No arrows were on it, but I could see many places where arrows had hit the bulls-eye. "Look at me." He said pulling up to the target and into a stance. I examined his position very precisely. His feet were shoulder width apart, he evenly had distributed his weight on both feet and also in between the ball and heel of each foot. But he stopped there. "Do this." He commanded me.

"What? Stand there?" I said crossing my arms.

"Yes, that is how children begin. Now move." I walked up and did the same he did.

"No!" He said kicking my leg with his foot.

"Ow!" I said kicking him in the knee.

He acted like he didn't even feel it. "Your feet are not equal with your shoulders, and you are weak." He said sharply.

"Well my bad!" I shouted trying to straighten out. "Going to be a long night." I muttered.

"Yes it will." He examining my posture. "Pah, children learn this when they are young so their bones know."

I turned to him. "Tsu'tey, really if you hate me this much, I can find a real teacher." I said taunting him. To finish it off, I turned back towards Hometree, and started walking away. I don't have too, shouldn't have too, take that shit from no one.

"Wait!" He said grabbing my arm. I was wearing my best poker face. He still had his usual expression, but then his face sunk into desperation, a look I had never seen on Tsu'tey. I was fascinated. "Just let me teach you. The clan will see me as a new person. I will have a new respect from my people and...and...do not dare tell someone I said that. His desperate look turned back to anger. I was very surprised.

"Um...ok?" I said, shock covering my voice. Could it be possible that the great Tsu'tey isn't happy about his placement in the clan now? I examined his face, his angered but yet pleading eyes. "Yeah." I said quietly as a solid answer.

"I think we are done for tonight." He said looking around, clearly wanting to get away from me.

"Yeah, see you tomorrow night?" I asked.

"Yes." He said lifelessly. Instead of going back the direction we both came from, he leaped into the trees, and the last I heard of him was a small brush of leaves rustling against his skin.

"What just happened?" I asked myself. I thought I had read Tsu'tey so well, but had I missed something? I'd seen the look he had shown me. Desperation. Craving acceptance. Fear. I had seen it all from myself. But Tsu'tey? I realized I had been distracted from my thoughts since I found myself back at Hometree but not remembering the walk at all. But I wasn't ready to go back. Instead, I wandered around the outskirts of the Omaticaya's home. But I wasn't looking at anything. I just kept walking, thinking of how I had gotten here, what I would do in the future, what would happen, if I did become one with the people. I stopped when I heard a fire pop and brought me back into the present and I realized that Grace and the others at the site might be worried. So I found the way back up into the tree and found my empty hammock. The cool beads and the relaxing sound of the jungle calmly caressed me to my other body. The last thing I heard were wild ikrans far in the distance calling me, calling me to join them. Or at least it was my wish that it was what they were doing