Chapter Text
“Duck!”
Neteyam didn’t bother turning back when he heard the words and just acted on the command and only then turned around to face the ikran again after he’d dodged the bite it had directed at him. He dropped low again to the ground when it tried again before moving under and to the other side of it. Taking a deep breath and keeping calm as he faced the creature. The cheers of his family blending into background noise as he stayed focus on the task at hand.
This was going to be one of the most important moments of his life after all. The foundation and start of everything he ever wanted in life. Being recognized as an adult in the tribe being the beginning and start of everything he had ever strove for. The right to asking for his Tswayon Ne and later hope to be his parents Ka Meuia Tsenge.
From the first time Neteyam had been taught by his mom and his grandmother the significance of one’s second birth and all that would entail afterwards he has looked forward to the day. Knowing that when he finally managed to achieve that he would be able to ask of his dad something he thought only a right to his mom. A way of showing love he’d known that all the other Na’vi families seem to share with each other, but he never understood why his didn’t. To know that it wasn’t because their families love was less then all other but rather that he simply was not old enough, was not ready for it yet was a great relief.
And honestly the start of the first long-term goal that Neteyam has ever thought of achieving. He’d never had a ‘dream’, as his father would call them, until that day. There was nothing that drive his actions through out the day expect for the fact that he’d just always done them until now. He put real effort into his life and work after that. He’d dedicated himself to harnessing skills he’d need to achieve such a goal and he knew that it would make receiving his reward all the sweeter after earning it.
He'd only wanted to earn his ikran and second birth even more when he learned of the Ka Meuia Tsenge.
“Neteyam!” Kiri screamed in alarm when the ikran managed to head butt him and almost knock Neteyam off it’s back and over the cliff. The looks of excitement on his family was replaced by stress and concern but Neteyam didn’t let it distract him. Focusing back on the moment at hand and taking that hit as a lesson for letting his mind wander during the fight.
He didn’t bother wiping the blood from his nose as he went back to grabbing the ikran’s head and going for it’s queue. As soon as he did, he grabbed his own as fast as possible and connected them just as he was beginning to lean off the side of the cliff. The ikran stopped fighting as he felt the Tsaheylu. Boisterous cheers came form his entire family as the creature settled and readjusted with Neteyam on top and away from the cliffs edge now. They came running down in over to him. Tuk being the slowest as climbing the rocks was harder for her.
Neteyam wore a proud and bloody smile on his face and finally wiped it clean as best he could. His mom was running up and already going to push at his ikran rushing him to fly immediately. His dad doing the same but not without telling how proud he was first.
“Go, Neteyam! Go!” They all shouted at him, and he took a deep breath to calm his nerves before thinking for the ikran to leap into the sky. It did just that.
Neteyam was a natural. Not even stuttering in his flight pattern for more then a few seconds before he was coating through the air with ease. It was an amazing feeling. Both in flying for the first time as if he were using his own body and the rush of excitement in knowing that years of work, year of preparation was finally paying off! That his ‘dream’ was no longer just that, and he had turned it into reality. At least the first one.
That rush of happiness was felt by his ikran, his new partner. The mountain banshee screeched in excitement that reflected his own. Amplifying it back and forth to each other. The feeling only growing when his parents and Kiri pulled up beside him in flight. Tuk riding with his mom and Lo’ak with their dad. The entire family cheering and whooping in joy at the success of the day. The flew through the sky and over the ocean and forest all day. Twirling and flipping and just enjoying the freedom that was flying. Neteyam truly fel tit was the best day of his life.
It was bound to get all the better.
When they finally headed home it was well past eclipse and soon to be night fall. The sun finally setting soon as they headed back to their home in the floating mountains. As soon as they showed up and Neteyam was seen on his own ikran cheers rang out from their people below. One of which being their grandmother Mo’at who came up smiling with open arms of pride to the Neteyam. He accepted the cheers and hug with a wide grin on his face.
Things were pretty fast after that. His grandmother having had so much faith in her success everything for his second birth was already prepared. Food was prepared and the people were ready. All that was needed was for Neteyam to have his marking applied. Given that his mom and dad were the ones to teach and mentor him all that he knows up to this point they were also the ones to apply his markings as per tradition.
“We are so very proud of you.” His mom said for what must have been the hundredth time this day. Her smile still present as it had been since the moment they started. She was working on the right side of his body while his dad worked on the left.
“All of us really are. We know how hard you worked for this day and we are so proud of you for finally achieving it.” Jake said pausing in his painting for a second to make sure his and Neteyam’s eyes locked. Wanting his sincerity to be seen as much as heard. Neteyam shared a smile with them both.
“I cannot wait for the ceremony.” Neteyam receiving happy chuckles from his parents. The glee was contagious between them all. Neteyam’s own smile though fell a little as he felt his nerves starting to get to him.
As they were doing so Neteyam decided that this was the perfect moment to finally ask what he really wanted.
He swallowed around nothing as he let them finish up the marking before he finally spoke. They were about to raise after looking over their work and leave to wait out with the others for Neteyam to come out but Neteyam finally made himself speak.
“Wait.” He said and his parents pause sharing a look with each other when they saw the nervousness in his eyes in demeanor.
“There is no need to be nervous. You are already one of the people even without this.” His mom said almost placing a hand on his shoulder before stopping herself so she wouldn’t mess up the work they’d just done. Neteyam smiled at her care but shook his head at her words.
“That’s not it.” He said turning his body away from her to face his dad who looked back expectantly.
“Dad… after all of this is over… will you be my Tswayon?” Neteyam asked finally managing to get it out.
Neytiri hand came up to her mouth and gasped as a happy expression spread across her face. She looked to Jake expectantly anticipating his response as much as Neteyam. What an honor to be asked this of their first child. She was almost jealous if she wasn’t so happy for them both. They both looked to him with eyes wide in either hope or excitement.
And Jake… Jake froze.