ATEYO TeSYAKSYUK: TSULFATU

Started by Ateyo Te Syaksyuk, January 10, 2012, 01:55:03 PM

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Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#300
300)Everyone was laughing as the pilot Mike Daniels picked himself up from a pile of pa'li manure. "Ma Morina", he said ruefully. "That's the third time. Pxelo! Oe ke liyu Pa'lia maktoyu ." I'll never be a pa'li rider."
Morina looked rather distressed at this  outpouring of discouragement but Ateyo, in her new found role as tsahik had words of wisdom for him: "Skxe lu txa', pay lu paynga', ulte sngel fkeytok."Rock is hard, water is wet, and  sh*t happens."* She turned to the distressed young Na'vi woman and said, "Oel mok ngati fwa kä Maik hu ne kilvan fpì srung sìvi poru yur!"  I suggest that you go with Mike to the river, for the sake of helping him wash."  
  Tai smiled to herself, remembering Meykir's admonishment that she must remind her children to wash, and clapped Mike Daniels on the shoulder.  "That's OK, Bro.  You still have 97 tries left!  Come back when you are clean!"  She watched the two walking hand-in-hand down the trail, Morina assuaging his injured pride.    "Ma Maik!" Tai called out, " I know your pride is injured and Morina is very pretty. But you need to finish this training today.  We've got Iknamaya in four days." Mike turned in his tracks to see Major Tai waggling a reprimanding finger at him.  But he burst into laughter.  Standing next to Tai was Ateyo.  WAGGLING A WOODEN SPOON AT HIM.  She must have been carrying it with her all day in her role as tsahik!
  The entire crew followed Mike and Morina to the river.  Zina had suggested that all take a break to cool down.  There was some chiding about Tovrey'itan's sweaty thighs, and various couples were promising to massage "saddle" sore legs.  Tai could be heard coaching her unit, "Repeat after me, "SLOWLY! NÌK'ONg!"  
  "I can't hear you!"  
  "NÌK'ONg!"
  Zina and the other experienced riders were explaining about visualization and confidence, and being certain "not  kick  pa'li on belly" while mounting.  "That's just it, " complained Mike.  I've never riden before and I don't even have a saddle or stirrup to help me up"   But in the end, Tai and Zina arranged all the inexperienced riders in a line at intervals, following experienced riders.  But it was important for the mipa maktoyu to be able to guide their own mounts.  By the end of the day, each rider could instruct his or her mount to turn this way or that way.  Janet and Twiti were fast learners and were able to ride at a canter smoothly before Mike or Bruce ever could.
  Ateyo was lucky to have a small kran choose her, but not so lucky finding a small pa'li.  But Tai had become an accomplished rider and solved the dilemma by offering her a hand up.  Ateyo did not bother riding astride the monstrous back of the pa'li.   She stood behind Tai, as would a circus bareback rider, even at a canter.  She could allow Tai to communicate with the pa'li with confidence.  It became quite easy for them to ride in this manner. And Ateyo could avoid becoming "saddle sore."
 "Txan wawe fpìl aysänume nì'law sì hìno a pa'li!" It's very important to think instructions clearly and precisely, to  pa'li. "NÌtengfya fpì ayikrans. The same  way for ikrans. Rä'ä sar ayli'u.  Kame!" Don't use words. SEE!"  Kxetsaw was finishing up and reviewing the lessons, as they all rode to the kelutral.
  "You did well, Ma Twiti." Zina complimented her yawnetu.
  "Irayo!  Slä oe lu ngawng."  Hilarious giggling erupted behind her. "Why are laughing at me, Tsmuk?!"
 "You saying. ' I am WORM!'" Twiti frowned at Ateyo, who was being quite rude.  She made a second attempt.
  "Oe lu ngäng?"
  "KEHE! You not being stomach."
  "Oe lu neyn?" She was getting frustrated.
  "Kehe nga lu aean. You being blue, not white! But sounding close!"
  "NGENG! Ma Twiti!" Zina could no longer withhold her tongue. "Rä'ä, Ma 'Teyo! don't be mean to my yawntu!  Or I'll find my own spoon!"  She turned protectively towards Twiti who was riding the pa'li behind her.  "Nga lu ngeng, kefya srak?" You are tired, isn't that right?."
  "Sran.  If I wasn't so tired this would all be funny." groused Twiti.
  "Oeru txoa livu, ma Tsmuke. Oe livu niltsan.  Forgiveness to me.  I will being good and Zina will make all better!"
The rainforest began to shimmer and glow as evening approached.  Soon nothing was heard except the muffled footsteps of the ayfa'li.  The twenty minute trail ride confirmed that conversations could occur while riding, as long as the destination was clear.  The welcoming smells of the evening meal was the reward for a long day of training.
  During the meal, Ateyo got a hug of forgiveness from her sister Twiti.  And Tai got permission from Ikxeru to take an advance party to the Eastern Sea Clan to retrieve her almost forgotten Samson.  "That's cool, Ma Tsmuk.  I could use some beach time. "Txampay Lom lu oer!" I miss the ocean" replied Ka'lani. It was hard for Kofi and Pxepxi to find sleep that night.  They were too excited to rest.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* http://forum.learnnavi.org/navi-customs-and-culture/navi-proverbs/960/ (#962)
irayo ma Alyara Arati te Nguran Liyanin'ite

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

301)~ Tovrey'itan slept on his side with his arm protectively wrapped around Kapteyn Zhanet Henderson.  Tanìs was pleased to have been included in this family sleep trio.  She was snuggled against her Sa'nu.  She was glad Tovrey'itan liked her Mommy.  She was afraid that they would go away and hide together, the way that grown-ups sometimes do.  But now the txonä ayhì'iang the night time insects were quiet and the ayatanvi, rays of light, were starting to peep through the leaves.  She sat up and noticed other families sleeping in a similar fashion.  She waved at Pxepxi and Kofi as they sat up in the darkness.  As the syuratan, the bioluminesce of the rainforest started to fade,  each child kept an anxious vigil awaiting the return of spirits to their parents bodies.   She sighed, wondering, 'Fäza'u tsawke krrpe? "When will the sun come up?" It seemed forever, that they waited for a flickering eyelid or a change in breathing pattern.
  "Ma Zhanet! Srak, ayoe sivop fìtrr a txampay?!"  Janet will we travel to the ocean today?" Janet only laughed and gathered up the child for a snuggle.  "Rewon lefpom ma 'evi!"  But Tanìs was not about to be distracted from her question.  "Fìtrr kivä, srak?!"We will go today, yes/no?" she asked anxiously.
   "Sran ma oeyä 'ite! Mivakto oehu fu Tovrey'itanhu?" Yeah my daughter! Will you ride with me or with Tovrey'itan?"  Tanìs had not considered this possibility. She liked Tovrey'itan but and she certainly wanted to ride an ikran, but he was too new to her for her comfort.  Nor did she want to seem impolite.  She only buried her head in Janet's shoulder.
  "Oh you've embarrassed her, Ma Zhanet! Rewon lefpom, Ma Tanìs!  Sweylu txo mivakto ngeyä  sa'nokhu vaykrr ngal omum fota ngaru sunu oe nìtxan!  Oel fpìl futa tsasäfpìl lu sìlronsem, ma 'eve." You should ride with your mother until you know that you really like me! I think that is a smart idea, girl!" 
Tanìs was grateful for this reprieve.  Tovrey'itan grew in favor by this simple gesture. "Za'u ma oeyä mevenge! Awnga kä sì yom ko.  Come my two girls! Let's go eat!"  Tovrey'itan sprang to his feet and brought "his girls" to their feet as well.  As TanÌs ran off to meet Pxepxi and Kofi amid squeels of glee, he took the time to enjoy a proper greeting for his mate.
   "Bonzai!" was heard from several voices throughout the treetops, and shouts of "Geronimo!" as ayevi sì ayuniltìranyu swung from convenient ayana, hanging vines. A pretty descent Tarzan yell emitted from Twiti's throat.  (She loved watching those ancient film stories when she was on 'Rrta.) Of course, all the ayevi were delighted with that wild call and all tried noisily to imitate her.  She promised to teach all ayevi how to make that throaty sound LATER!  Especially after a number of wooden spoons were brandished in their direction.  Everyone was anxious to eat and leave. Spirits were high. The meal was finished quickly.
    "Fäziva'u ne tsenge a oel tok! ''Come up to where I am!"  cried Zina to Twiti. "Oehu nga tsun mivakto. "You can ride with me!" As Twiti reached the branch where the ayikran were launching, she happened to glance over at Tovrey'itan.  Not too long ago he had assumed she would be his intended one, simply because he had ridden with her on his ikran.  Now he was content with his new family.  He caught her eye, and gestured "Oel ngati kameie."  He pointed out Zhanet  far below, loading up the chopper.  his pride and happiness was evident in his smile. Twiti was relieved that he had found a new focus for his attentions. She let her eyes drift over to her sister and Tai on a nearby branch.
  "Ma Tai!  I making fix on this saddle for you."  Some how Ateyo had found the time to build a saddle for Taifa' and make the repairs on the saddle for Tai.  Tai had seen her working on Taifa's saddle after meals. "Krra ngeyä tirea kä ne lahe tokx, oel tìkanghem samì fi'ut fratxon." When your spirit goes to other body, I worked on it every night."  Tai had wondered about the puffiness under the eyes of her, otherwise, alert mate.  Now she had her answer.  Working under the dim glow of a penghrrap plant must have strained her eyeballs.  Ateyo stood proudly displaying her handiwork.  Tai gave her a grateful, crushing hug. "Ngaru yawne lu oer!" You are  beloved to me!"  It wasn't soon enough that they were skyward with a lusty yell of "YAWO!"

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

302)Tai was enjoying her ride using her newly repaired saddle.  Taifa' and Ka'alani were flying beside her, Ateyo and Pxepxi were riding Atanvi in their wake.  If all went well, they would be at the Olo'Vawma Ora, Dark Lake Clan in the early afternoon.  She glanced behind her and received a thumb's up and a big "HELL YEAH" from both Ateyo and Pxepxi.  Thanks to JakeSully, that phrase had become part of the Na'vi conversational ayli'u.  words.
  It would be a good thing if those  dark clouds ahead moved away from the direction they were flying, north by north east. But this entire operation required a stormfront to follow. Eleven days from now the clans would be gathering at the Old Camp, near Aena Txe'lan Gate. She would have enjoyed the flight more if she was not so preoccupied with the rescue mission and the total eradication of RDA presence on Eywa 'Eveng.  Maybe it would not be a bad idea for Jake Sully to make another appeal to Eywa.  She watched the storm clouds building and wished she knew more about weather patterns on Pandora.  Eyktan Ikxeru was a walking almanac! She had been pumping him for his wealth of stored knowledge on the storm season.   By all estimations, everything was timed right. 
   Another thing was eatting at her mind.  Ateyo voiced her desire to become part f the mission.  She wanted to fly in with "pixie dust",  and use it like radar jamming flak.  The "pixie dust" would be made of ground unobtanium, and would, with any luck, prevent the missiles in the AMP suits from gaining targeting data.  Her first inclination was to simple forbid Ateyo to risk her life.  But  she had no right to make decisions for her.  She did, however, need to ascertain Ateyo's and Atanvi's flying skill through a lightning storm.  In answer to her thoughts, thunder rumbled ominously before them.
   Major Tai signaled to Taifa'anae and Ikxeru to get their attention.  That was easy enough because Taifa' had one eye pealed in her direction.  Tai motioned to the darkest section of cloud and shook her head KEHE. No. Eyktan nodded approval.
   Taifa' gave a thumbs up and pointed to the thinner clouds at the edge of the storm.  Again Tai, shook her head, KEHE, and indicated a path between both extremes of the storm cloud.  Both Ikxeru and Taifa' made gestures of puzzlement, screwing their fists in front of their eyes.  But Tai indicated Atanvi with a slight twist of her head, and pointed again with her chin towards her chosen path.  She needed to know how niwotx ayikran,all the ikrans, would fly through a storm.  Taifa' and Ikxeru both nodded as they perceived the intent.
  "Pxasik!" sneered Zina through gritted teeth.  She saw the conversation ahead and wondered briefly if Tai's sanity had escaped her.  But only briefly.  She remembered Tai's plan to sneak close to the RDA stronghold through a storm. It only made sense to fly through now, before the attack, just for practice.  "Ngal 'ekxina meyam  oeti, Ma Twiti. You hug me tightly, Twiti. Mepxunhu. With two arms."  Twiti did not know the word for tightly, but the sharp crack of thunder with its accompanying lightning bolt caused her to tighten her grip.  Zina patted her arms reassuringly and said, "Srane, 'Ekina Meyam."  Somewhere in the back of her mind, Twiti realized that her startled reaction was only feeding into Zina's delusion that Twiti NEEDED to be protected.  Twiti relaxed her grip a little and gritted her teeth. She was certain that she would gain Zina's respect when she tackled her own ikran.
   The gusty winds knocked the ayikran around in the sky.  Tai could feel Pìwopx Srewyu struggling to keep his wings straight and level, and could only imagine what Atanvi was coping with.  She glanced back to see Ateyo gritting her teeth.  The little arms of Pxepxi were grappled around her waist.  Pxepxi!  Tai had forgotten that her child was along for this ride.  She had asked that Pxepxi ride in the chopper with Janet and the children and ayfyentu.  Well they were committed now.  "Pxepxi is going to get the ride of her life.  Maybe next time she will obey my suggestion!" thought Tai  grimly.  Disobedience was a quality she was unaccustomed to tolerating. kids!
   Lightening flashed and thundered rolled. Tompameyp, weak rain began to spatter their skin.  Wind chill was now a factor.  Ateyo could feel the warmth of Pxepxi wrapped around her. At first Pxepxi had left a gap between them.  Now she was scrunched in tightly against Ateyo.  She could feel her child start to shiver.  But a bank of warm air  pushed up against them, flash drying them all. The buoyant warm air lifted them higher, and except for the occasional crossdraft, the ride was much smoother. Tai and Ikxeru kept their flight formation expertly tucked into the leading edge of the front.  This was scud running at its finest!  She couldn't remember when she first heard the term.  But it described what they were doing perfectly.  They were all flying just below the bottoms of the clouds.  The jungle below was darkened and illuminated by the sunlight forcing its way through bits and pieces of clouds.  Far in the distance, they could see the glimmer of Dark Lake, no longer Dark!  Ikxeru pointed out the tiny bright spot on the Eastern horizon, and all eyes strained to see the glimmer of hope.
  Tai could feel the wind whipping her tewng, tswin, and her kxetse snapping in the wind.  She still wasn't used to the constant tugging of delicate tendrils of  her tswin though she was locked in with Pìwopx Srewyu.  Nor at the bottom of her spine where her kxetse was being yanked from her body.  She glanced at Taifa'.  Ka'alani was clinging to him with her own tail wrapped around them both.    She had her head pressed against his shoulder blades and looked quite content.  With the wind pushing them forward, they should reach Olo'Vawma Ora just in time for the mid day meal!

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk


303)  It was easy to see the direction from which the wind was blowing from the swaying leaves of the Olo' Vawma 'Orayä kelutral.  (Clan Dark Lake Home Tree)  Ikxeru faced his ikran into the wind, as he indicated that the formation encircle the colossal tree.  One by one, the ikrans were escorted onto the outstretched branch, starting with hì'i Atanvi.  He was the smallest ikran and was carrying two passengers, both Ateyo and Pxepxi. All the ikrans carrying two were landed first, including Taifa' and Ka'alani.  When all the other ikrans had landed safely,  Tai mentally asked her ikran to flare his wings.  Pìwopx Srewyu flared as suggested and the wind carried him backwards to where Ikxeru and his ikran were hovering against the wind. Ikxeru grinned at this delicate maneuver and motioned Tai to land.  "KLLKÄ" he shouted, Go Down.  Tai relinquished her role as Flight Leader and obeyed her Eyktan.  It was his perogative as Eyktan to be the last to disembark.  "Ayoe nìzawnong polate." he stated to no one in particular.  We have arrived safely.
   A procession of Dark Lake Clansfolk met the tired aymaktoyu in the tree tops.  Loud greetings were heard.  "Eywal ayngati zolamunge akxuke!" Eywa has brought you unharmed!  and "Oel ngati kameie" were accompanied by hugs.  Some aytaronyu brought salve and linament for sore muscles.  Aymaktoyu removed the saddles from the ayetnaw ayikranyä, from the shoulders of the ikrans.  Each spent time praising and massaging their mounts.  Atanvi even let Pxepxi massage him, much to her delight.  Soon, Tai came up behind Ateyo and applied linament to the outside of her thighs.  All the riders followed her example and mates were liberally oiling their mates, with giggling and laughing and promises of Later, Dear!  Eventually, the saddles were secured to smaller branches.  As everyone started down the kelutral, the sound of vectored thrust rotor blades were heard.
  They all were lead to the clearing where they watched Janet Henderson gently set down her Lefngapa Ikran.  Pxepxi ran to met the other children who were leaping from the craft.  Tovrey'itan rushed to the chopper door and waited as Janet did her shut down procedures.  The joy on their faces was quite evident.  He peeled himself away to help his sa'nok, Lìnga Rìk, from the helicopter.  She was wrapped in a blanket of aean aean and was babbling incessantly about the rough ride and her aching bones.  Tovrey'itan tenderly carried his mother within the protective shelter of Vawma Orayä Kelutral next to the ylltxep, the communal fire.  There sat Koakte in her quiet glory.
"Ma Kaulevi!" exclaimed Koakte,
"Ma Hllvrra!" exclaimed Lìnga RÌk.
Everyone smiled in wonderment to  hear the names of the old women spoken.  It had been years since anyone had heard those names.  And it had been more years since the mekoakte had seen each other.  Captain Jeanine Black Elk, in her Avatar self, knelt and presented a small bowl of steaming broth to their esteemed guest.  "Oel ngati Kameie, Ma Kaulevi. Nga  zene näk fì'syuve asom."  You must drink this hot food."  The stately tute placed the small drinking bowl into the cold, gnarled fingers of Lìnga Rìk and also of her Koakte who was tsahik and tsulfätu of Olo'Vawma Ora'.
   As the ayfrrtu, visitors were welcomed and seated, the smell of roasted payoang, fish, greeted their nostrils.  Pfor'a'tsu arranged fish on fresh leaves and added some crispy teylu on the side.  As he approached his Aunt, Lìnga Rìk, she exclaimed loudly, "Where have you been, my sister's child?"  She hadn't lost her memory.  She was admonishing him for being away from Zongsteng Alor for so long.
  "FÌtsenge yawnetuhu, nìlun! Ma Oeyä Hona Sa'nu."  Here with my Beloved One. of course, my Adorable Momma!"  It was not unusual for aunts and uncles to be addressed as Mother and Father.  "The last time I flew here I met this woman, Hehaka Sapa, And she is so beautiful that she captured my heart."  He sat next to his Aunt and placed the warm leaf platter of food upon her cold knee.  Captain Janine Black Elk smiled and blushed to be given such an open compliment.  She remembered a day when, as a shuttle pilot, such words would be met with a rebuff from her own lips.  But Pfor'atsu had melted HER heart.  She sat next to her Koakte and shared fish and hot broth with her.
   Soon Lìnga Rìk was joined by her own son, Kxeyo, and his muntxate, Dianna.  This was the first time Txianna had been introduced to Hehaka Sapa and she was halfway through the meal when she realized that, for one thing, she was an Avatar, and not Na'vi.  She had not been present at the Pa'li Clan, when she had been blooded.  She spoke Na'vi fluently and wore elaborate 'ioi'. "Oh wait a minute!  You are Captain Jeanine Black Elk! I've never seen you in Blue! And now you are He Ha Ka Sa Pa.  Is that your Na'vi name?"
  "Kehe!  That is the name of my father, and his father for generations back to my ancestor."
This astounded Dianna to think that anyone from earth would be able to trace their geneology so directly.  "He was Black Elk. Hehaka Sapa. Layona Yerìk." Nìwotx Na'vi smiled and nodded to hear the familiar translation of her name.
Secondly, she realized that she was also related by marriage to the two cousins, Kxeyo and Pfor'a'tsu.  It was then that she understood that Ateyo and Ikxeru were also cousins.  So she asked if Ateyo's mother was their mother. 
   "Kehe, Ma Txianna.  Oeri lamu poeyä  'eveng le'aw."  No, Dianna. I was her only child", said Ateyo sadly. "So let me get this straight, Ma 'Teyo. Your Mama and Ikxeru's Mama, and my Kxeyo's Mama were all sisters.  Now Mo'at's brother married your Mama and had you. Kefyak?"
   "Kehe.  Pxe'lani  tsatsatute hu holum nìmal nìwotx." Pxe'lani left with that guy without thinking twice about it.  Oeyä tsmuketsyìp lamu txur re'o teri holum. My Little Sister had strong head about leaving."  'Rini had a distant look in her eye as she recalled the tragic loss of her sister from the clan.  Txianna realized that the older women were including her in the relating  of intimate family history.
Txianna turned to her 'Mother-in-Law' saying." Now, you had Kxeyo and Pxako. Kefyak?"
"Srane.  Pakxo is named after my late husband, Pxako Tsintzay.  He was killed in the Attack on the Well of Souls."  said Lìnga Rìk. Txianna nodded as she tried to absorb the lineage.  "So where does Pfor'atsu come in?  Is he your son, too?"  Lìnga Rìk and Koakte exchanged knowing glances and were supressing smiles.  Pfor'atsu was still sitting at Koakte's feet, but he had a silly grin on his face.  Finally Koakte admitted,  "Pfor'atsu is my son, whom I had at an early age in my life.  Kau'levi raised him as her own when I was unable." 
  "And Kau'levi is you, Lìnga Rìk!"  Txianna was pressinng her fingertips to her temples  trying  to retain the information.  To her it seemed that her eyes were swirling in her head! "Oh Miss Koakte!  You were one wild child at one time!"  Ateyo translated this and they all enjoyed a laugh with the toothless older women.  "Now, Ma Koakte Hllvrra:" she was pleased to have recalled her name.  "How is it that Pfor'atsu is so young if you had him early in your life?"
Lìnga Rìk poked her old friend in the ribs with her elbow and exclaimed, "She only looks this old now because she was such a 'Wild Child' earlier in her life!"  Lìnga Rìk was exuberant,not only because she used an American English phrase, but because she had a moment in which she could tease her old crony.
    "I was younger than I am now!" said Koakte Hllvrra, a little too defensively.  Lìnga Rìk cackled a little too gleefully at some past secret that embarrassed Koakte, and resulted in the birth of Pfor'atsu.  The old women continued laughing and reminescing, Pxepxi took the opportunity to accost Ateyo.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#304
304)~  "Sa'nu, srak oel 'uvan sivi hu oeyä ikrantsyìp, rutxe?" Mommy,  can I play with my toy ikran?      "Oel pfìl kehe! I think not!  It is at ayoengä kelutral, kefyak?" our hometree.
  "Kehe!  Me'u lu mì Kaptain Zhanetä kunsìp."Those two things are in Captain Janet's gunship!  "Srak, oe kä zivamunge?" Can I go bring them?
  "Ngal zene vin a Zhanet, ma 'ite." You must ask Janet, Daughter. Ateyo was ready to translate for Janet but Janet had already jumped to her feet.
 "Furia fol run, oel mìvunge 'evit ."   To find them, I'll take the child.  "Za'u, Ma Peppy."  With a nod from Ateyo, Pxepxi reached for Janet's outstretched hand. Flanked by Pxepxi and her own child, Tanìs, pxefo headed for the chopper.  Ateyo could hear Pxepxi correcting the pronunciation of her name. "Kehe, Ma Zhanet.  Peh PEE!"  Before they had gotten out of sight, Kofi jumped to his feet.  "Srake tsun oe kivä nìteng? Rutxe Ma Sa'nu?"  Yes/no can I go also? Please Momma?  
 "Sran, ma oeyä 'evan! Poeru peng fayluta oel new oeyä 'otxang."  Yes, my boy! Tell her that I want my musical instrument."  The boy was eana txìm down the path before Ka'alani could think twice.  "Ulte pivllte SAN:Irayo:SIK, Ma Kofi!" And say QUOTE Thank You:UNQUOTE, Kofi."
  "Oe zìyerok, Ma Sa'nuk!" I will remember, Momma", he called from over his shoulder.
As his eana txìm disappeared down the path they all could hear him call out, "OERI PIVEY" WAIT FOR ME!"
  As they were awaiting the return of the children with their meikrantsyìp, Hehaka Sapa brought forth several hoops made of pliable wood and strung with rawhide.  She knew that they looked like giant dream catcher's, but that was not their purpose.  She presented them to Eyktan Ikxeru and had Ateyo translate for her.  "In ancient times, my people, the Lakota, made hoops like these to practice tìkusan hu tsko swizaw, aiming with bow and arrow.  They can be used as moving targets, like this: with a flick of the wrist, she sent the hoop spinning away.  She had added enough backspin so that it also returned. She reached to her knee and caught it before it lost momentum. Eyktan Ikxeru was suitably pleased with the gifts.
"Txantsan! We can practice before we continue our journey!"  Tai, Zina and Kxetsaw were practicing the proper release to cause the targets to twirl along the ground and return.  But they stopped when they heard the noisy approach of mevi, the two kids.
  "Za'u, Ma Oeyä Mevi!  Muwìntxu ikrantsyipit fraporu! " Come My Two Kids! Introduce your Little Ikrans to everyone!"  Pxepxi and Kofi carefully lay down their bundles and even more carefully extracted their marionettes.  Many were the exclamations of amazement at the workmanship and even more so at the movement controlled by strings. "Rutxe! Uvan si foti fpì ayoe, Ma'Teyo!"  Ateyo was delighted by the invitation and began demonstrating the flapping of the wings and the movement of the neck and the clacking jaw.  Ka'alani had her 'otxang and began strumming a Hawai'ian tune that she remembered.  Ateyo caused dancing movements from the marionette.  Pxepxi imitated her movements.  Suddenly Ateyo broke out with the familiar lyrics: "Mìn nìfta ftär, Mìn nìfta skien!" But when she sang, Tìtswusayoniri moe lu'aw, We are one in flight, she had dropped down her tswin over her shouder, but of course, nothing happened.  Pxepxi stopped playing and said, "Ma Sa'nu!  Set ngal ngop hì'i memaktoyu nìteng!" Momma Now you have to make two tiny flyers, as well!
  In between rain showers, aytaronyu wandered out to the clearing where the chopper sat.  They had fun with the practice of shooting arrows through  hoops as they spun past.  But the increasing wind soon made that sport impossible.  The cry of ayikran far overhead, revealed that the ayikran were also playing in the wind.  Taiyä Pìwopx Srewyu was demonstrating the new technique which Tai had taught him. He would hover facing the wind, then flare and drift backwards.  Soon there was an entire flight of ayikran following his example and were crying out with glee.  Flying forward, and then drifting backwards. Repetitively. For the sheer enjoyment!  "SHEESH! I HOPE THEM FELLA DON' TIRE OUT EACH UDA!" laughed Taifa' as he watched them play.
  When they aytaronyu returned to txep ayll, the communal fire, they found aylahu, the others, busy with craftwork.  Tovi and Txianna were seated with Koakte, getting lessons on handcrafted pottery.  Hehaka Sapa and Ateyo were examining the ikrantsyìp and examining colorful ceramic beads.  Ayevi were playing Ngeyä Ketxse Lu Oer tag in the tree tops (Your Tail is Mine) and giggling hilariously.  Tai and Taifa' had produced their Nifo' Oti from the chopper and were demonstrating the weapon and teaching the aytaronyu how to spin it and catch it.  Rudimentary exercizes. But by this time the storm had circled 'round and pounced upon them with  a furious RRMPOM! of thunder.
"Frapo ne mìfa! Lerok yrrap apxa!" Everybody inside! A big storm is approaching!  More stones had been added to the fire ring to provide warmth for the sleepers later in the evening.  A conical structure of ta'leng yerikä, yerik skins, was quickly erected beneath the kelutral to retain the heat of the  txep ayll, the communal fire.  Roastd yerik and juicy ayfkxen, fruits and vegetables were passed around.   A bunch of women were pounding out seed butter and singing in a rhythmic, almost non -melodic manner, which reminded Txianna of RAP music!  Hehaka Sapa gathered a hot stone from the fire and brushed off the ashes with a whisk made of aromatic herbs.  With a bone utinsil, she herded the stone into a heavy clay jar.  She placed the pot in the center of a shelter she had made for Koakte. And she made a soft bed of rushes and grasses covered with another ta'leng. Lìnga Rìk was soon bedded down next to Koakte. "Go ahead and enjoy your celebration, my children.  I'll drift off to sleep when I am ready."
   But everyone was aware of the long flight ahead.  A steaming hot bowl of Kava was passed around.  It was sweet and spicy and warmed everyone from the inside out.  Even the children were allowed a little sip.  As the evening wore down people started to cozy down on the mats that had been provided in a ring around the txep ayll. the communal fire.
  "Ma 'Teyo!" said Tsahik Meykir.  "As our newest tsahik, will you say some words to Eywa for us?"
  "Srane!  Everyone must lean over to someone else and kiss them on the eyes as you each say:  "Ngari menarit atstu Eywal pivom lefpoma hawtsyìpfa." May Eywa close your eyes with peaceful slumber.  *
High above in the branches of the kelutral, Pìwopx Srewyu enfolded hì'i Atanvi under his wing. And all was quiet.
http://forum.learnnavi.org/navi-customs-and-culture/navi-proverbs/msg560528/#1092

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

305)~ Ateyo was wide awake.  Her mate was visiting her yumona tokx, so eana tokx Taiyä was eeriely still.  Carefully, Ateyo slipped from underneath the heavy ta'leng. the sleeping skin, She wanted to keep her mate from loosing too much heat.  The ground was mostly dry beneath the kelutral, the the recent rain had left a chill in the air. Syuratan (bioluminescent glow)of the na'ring (forset) had not lost it's intensity.  She could make out the dim silhouette of someone seated by the txep ayll. Zina was using two rib bones to pull a hot rock from the fire.  She too intended on replenishing the hot rock/heater for her uniltiranyu.  They each murmured their  "Oel Ngat"s and sat in companionable silence.  Finally Zina broke the silence; "Ma Ateyo. Does it ever feel strange to you to sleep next to someone who is almost without life?"
   Ateyo pursed her lips and stared into the red glowing rocks. "Srane.  It always seems strange.  But I feel very protective of Taiyä eana tokx krra sneyä tirea kä ne tokx alahe." Tai's blue body when her spirit goes to the other body.  "Sometimes it makes me sad, though. I can't really explain it.  But our love carries us through."
   Zina had a thoughtful look on her face as she wrestled the rock into the clay jar.  "I think I love my Twiti.  I've never felt so strongly towards another person."
   "This is a good thing, Ma Zina. But I have a word of advice:"  Zina was not used to accepting advice, and remembered that Ateyo had never been in a relation until she met Tai. "We each have an uniltìrontokx to train and guide.  They are almost like babies.  They don't know our ways, that is true.  But they are NOT babies.  They have had other experiences that helped them become adults in their own world.  I know that Twiti is very dear to you.  I can see it in your eyes!  But remember, she IS capable and needs guidance.  Not protection.  Unless her spirit is away."
   Zina knew that Ateyo sensed her over-protectiveness.   She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck bristling. Still, she was deemed a tsahik, so perhaps she had a valid point. She felt her defenses settling, wondering how Ateyo would address this issue.  "When I was raising my ayorfan," orphans "I learned how important is was to compliment them on their strengths and learned not to make decisions for them." Again Zina was about to protest but clamped her jaw. 
    "Ma Zina, as an 'evi have you ever caught a kenten?"  (What child hadn't caught the silly little lizards with spiralling collars?!)
   "You were good at it, srak? Txo ngal fyep kentenit nìhawnng nìsyep,  ngal sru' teykerkup."  If you hold a fan lizard too tightly, you will crush it and it will die.
   "Slä txo ngal fyep kentenit nìsyo ulte 'eykefu kxuke, ngane tayätxaw." But if you hold a fan lizard lightly and make it feel safe, it will always return to you.
    "Zet ngeyä yawnetuyä txe'lanit fìfya nìteng, ulte poe tayätaw frakrr." Treat your Beloved's Heart in likewise manner, and she will always return.
   "Ulte srung sivi txo ngal nìhewne 'ampi peyä ngängtsyìpit nìteng!" And it helps if you rub her belly, too!"
   Zina actually chuckled, and Ateyo breathed a sigh of relief.  She didn't know if she could make an impact on this stubborn taronyu, but she seemed to have succeeded.  She was not expecting, however, to be embaced by her!  "Irayo, Ma Tsahik!  I feel so much better now that I have listened to you. You truly are wise!  I think I will sleep better now!  We have a long flight tomorrow, so it is best if we each lie down for sleep!"  Ateyo watched the strong, lithe body of the hunter return to her place beside Twiti and smiled to herself to realize that she had performed as very tsahik-like service for her friends.  She gathered the hot rock heaters for her soaia and carefully placed them near the sleeping forms of the children and the comatose forms of Tai, Taifa' and Ka'alani.   Ateyo slithered beneath the sleeping skin and sidled up next to her Yawntu.  She draped her ketxse over Tai's belly, and drew Pxepxi close to her as well.  Easily, she drifted off to sleep.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

306)~ Ateyo woke up in darkness.  Which surprised her because she felt so rested. *How could it still be night time?*  She didn't realize that she was under the cover of soft, heavy ta'leng, skin, until Pxepxi tackled her! "Alakxsi a kxem, Ma Sa'nu?" Are you to ready be vertical, Momma? Win sivi, Ko! Yom Ko! Let's hurry! Let's eat!" 
   "Pesteng lu Tai?"  Where is Tai? Why didn't get you me up sooner?" *kxem! Be Vertical?!"  That sounds like something Oeyä Tai would say!* she thought to herself, and was somewhat pleased to know that her daughter was imitating Tai.
   "Tai plltxe SAN: "Fnu, ma 'evi. Sa'nur leru hahaw. Tsivurokx ko" :SIK. Tai said,QUOTE: 'Quiet, young one. Mommy is asleep. Let her rest':UNQUOTE!  Slä set trr a txen. But now it's time to be awake." Ateyo responded by tickling her and had her giggling and laughing.  But she let herself be hauled by the hand towards the kettle of hot washing cloths.  She was teased by almost everyone for oversleeping, but Pxepxi made certain to keep her on task.  Pxepxi handed her mother a huge bowl of Pxornalor, saying "Ka'alani syaw fì'u SAN: Jiffy Pop!:SIK."  Ka'alani calls this stuff, QUOTE: Jiffy Pop! :UNQUOTE.  But Ka'alani was standing with her hands on her hips, watching as Kofi, her 'evan, (boy) was teaching a lesson in Na'vi to the Japanese technician, Toby.
   "Ma Tovi! Txo new nga tslivam, zene kivanfpìl." If you want to understand, you have to concentrate. Tìng mikyun. Srak, nga new tsngal sngel fu tsngal tsngan? "Give an ear. Listen closely. Do you want a cup of trash or a cup of meat?"  Everyone guffawed as Tovi guessed the wrong word and was presented a cup of inedible food scaps.  Kofi patiently explained and pronounced the three words and Toby continued to engage the boy in this lesson.  Ka'alani was aghast. "KOFI!" she scolded. But Toby was laughing.  "Tam, tam, ma Ka'alani!  I asked him to teach me this!"
   Eventually the lessons and morning meal were finished. The sleeping skins and tarps were rolled up and placed in Janet's chopper, as well as the Ikrantsyìp Uvan'u, toy ikrans.  Toby opted to stay behind and learn about the Dark Lake ceramic and glass bead making procedures.  Txianna would have opted to stay because the ocean terrified her, but Kxeyo easily persuaded her to ride along with him.  Tovrey'itan was kissing Janet in the door of her chopper and teasing her.  "Ma Yawntu! Once you have an ikran to fly, we will no longer to be able to transport my mother.  Perhaps we shouldn't take you to Iknamaya!"  LÌnga Rìk swatted her son playfully.  "Kehe, Ma 'Evan!  You will have to strap me to yourself and take me home when she comes back with her own ikran!"  Kau'levi was pleased to allow the youngsters their visit to the Eastern Sea. She, herself, was looking forward to spending more time with her old crony, Hllvrra!
  The day was bright and sunny.  Smells of the steamy jungle foliage reached up to their nostrils as the formation of ayikran launched from the branches of Olo'Vawma 'Orayä Kelutral. Dark Lake Clan's Home Tree.  The Vawma 'Ora now looked like the Txanatana 'Ora. Dark Lake, Bright Lake,  with the sunlight glistening off the surface. Atanvi, Sunlight flashed between each flap of Ikranä aysyal, wings.  Pxepi was grateful for the renten, visor, goggles, that Ateyo had made for her.  She had made the lenses from red insect wings! tumopina hi'ìang aysyal. She was filled with pride. *Pxepxi: Yrrapa Maktoyu! Storm Rider!* she thought. Had she not riden through a storm? Albeit behind her mother, but none the less, it was quite an accomplishment.  Soon she would be watching Twiti get her ikran, and someday, she would get her own ikran as well!  She would name him YRRAPA! Storm!"  Kofi was clinging to his Sempu, Daddy.  His renten had blue wings for lenses. He must have known she was thinking of him, because he turned in his saddle to wave at her.  Her cousin and she had survived the horrible loss at the Omatikaya Kelutral.
   She had often wondered whether Ateyo knew her Mother. But she never had the courage to ask.  All those horrible memories would return each time she wondered.  She pushed away a memory of the monstrous sound of the Kelutral crashing around them. The frightening noises of ayfeyntu, grownups, crying. Screaming.  Her Mother hauling her away by the hand. The awful suddenness of the huge branch crashing down. Her stunned groping of her Mother's bloodied hand, protruding from beneath the branch.... Pxepxi buried her tear stained face into Ateyo's back and clung to her with a violent passion.
   Ateyo reached back and carressed the child's knee.  She knew that Pxepxi was not afraid of flying.  She could feel the pain and sorrow flooding her soul from behind her.
Felt the child's dampened face buried between her shoulder blades.  She knew what the child was experiencing.  Mentally, she commanded Atanvi to continue following Pìwopx Srewyu and asked his forgiveness.  Quietly, she disconnected her tswin from Atanvi's tswin and presented the end of it to her adoptive daughter.  She sent all the comforting thoughts that were possible. Quietly she started to croon a lullaby.
Sleep my little baby - Hahaw ma oeyä prrnen
Let your thoughts float away - Tivung aysäfpil lìng neto
Eywa holds you in her arms - Eywa ngaru meyam mì mepxum
Safe Baby Sleep Sister Mine - Zong Prrnen Hahaw Ma oeyä Tsmuketsyìp Ko
She waited for he last wracking sob to subside and felt the child relax against her.  Pxepxi gently tapped her Mother around her middle as a signal that she was OK.  She felt a sense that Atanvi's wingsbeats were saying Tam Tam, Tam Tam.  She sent Ateyo a heartfelt Irayo, as she disconnected their meswin and returned Ateyoyä tswin ngane tsyokx. returned Ateyo's neural braid to her hand. She pressed her ear to her Mother's back and listened to her heartbeat, as she had done so many times before: tam tam, tam tam, tam tam, tam tam.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

307)~Ateyo tapped her 'iteyä kinamtil, her daughter's knee, and pointed out the shimmering ocean on the horizon.  She could feel Pxepxi wriggling with glee behind her.  Pxepxi still had that nagging sadness in her heart.  She knew that she would ask her mother, her Momma, Sa'nu Ateyo, to help her deal with this sorrow.   She tried to picture her mother from long ago.  She could not.  She had been only a baby when that terrible attack on Home Tree occured.  She tightened her grip around Ateyo's middle and tried not to think about the past.  Pxepxi concentrated on the sunlight on her skin. On the beat of Ateyo's heart, and the beat of Atanvi's wings.
The weather could not have been any more pleasant.  The storm clouds of the previous day had scattered, and lacked the energy to re-establish themselves.  The spit of land on which the Eastern Sea clan's kelutral became dimly visible.  Even Atanvi cried out with happiness when he saw the narrow peninsula.  A cloud of aysyal, wings, could be seen rising from the kelutral which grew larger and larger as the greeting party approached.  A thoaty ìley, war cry, was heard from Eyktan Atumopin.  She was easy to identify with her body painted red!  Pxepxi found it fascinating that the leader was wearing tsamopin, war paint. Pxepxi vowed to herself that someday she would wear  tsamopin for all ocassions! Everyone gestured Oel ngati kameie to signal their friendly intentions.  Before long, nìwotx ayikran (all of the ikrans)were perched comfortably along the cliff face. 
   The air was filled by the high pitched greetings of excited children. "Oel ngati kameie!"   Ayevi were the first ones to arrive on the scene.  They were quick to draw away the newly arriving children to play in the surf.  They all had remembered where they had stored the gigantic sea creature scales that they used as small surfing boards.  Ateyo noticed that Pxepxi declined to join the others and sensed that her daughter was grieving the loss of her true mother.  Ateyo draped her arm around the child for comfort, and Pxepxi snuggled close to her.  As visitors, they were all escorted to the top of the cliff near the kelutral. 
   "Kaltxì Seiyi, ma oeyä eylan!" shouted Tsahik Lamu'ite as she gracefully ran to greet ayfrrtu. the visitors.  "We thought you might come here before the battle. rescue party, to retrieve your lefngapa ikran, Ma Tai! Perhaps you will stay a few days?" 
  Tai consulted with her walking calender before she responded.   "Srane!  We intend to! Ateyo plltxe SAN: oeru vomuna krr:SÌK.    Ateyo says we have ten days before we need to meet at the Old Camp.  The distinct rotar slap of the vectored thrust Samson was soon heard from above.  Captain Janet Henderson expertly touched down next to Tai's lefngapa ikran on the nearby cliff.  Tovrey'itan leapt onto his ikran with with a loud "YAWO" and raced over to meet her.  Soon he returned as the rest of the passengers trudged across the path towards the kelutral.  As they were being seated in the communal area, Tai was greeted by a famliar face.  "Kaltxì, Ma Tai. Ngarul omum oeti?" 
   "Srane!  Yes I remember you!  You watched my tskow swisaw, bow and arrow, when Eywa first chose me!  But you were with the Omatikaya clan, were't you?" 
   "Srane Oe mi liayu,"  I am still. "Slä oel zolamunge upxare fwa ayoengä mìpa taronyu zene ftayey ayikran ta Txampaya ayikranit!" Tai translated his words aloud, not only for verification but to stall for time as she searched her memory banks for his name.  "But you have brought a message that your new hunters must chose  ikrans from the Ocean Ikrans?!  That's unusual, kefyak, Ma Kaimun?"
  "Kamun! Srane!" The young man was pleased that his name had been remembered. Almost.  He also realized that Tai no longer carried the strange little bow which she once had.  He meant to ask her about it, but right now, he felt it important to share his news.  "Tsahik Mo'at, sì ZhakeSully, sì Neytiri nìwotx polvllte SAN:Alekxsi and Watxe must chose from Sea Ikrans, as did my father's father:SÌK.   This puzzled Tai, but she thanked the young man for his service as a messenger.  Mo'at, Jake and Neytiri had said that Alex and Wade Must chose Eastern Sea Ikrans?  She admitted to Atumopin and Lamu'ite her confusion.  "I thought aysahik were always from the same clan they guided.  How is it that Mo'at was not Tsahik of the Eastern Sea Clan?  Lamu'ite plied their guests with tasty morsels from the sea as they took turns relating the love story of Eytukan and Mo'at, and how he had spirited her away to become Tsahik of the Omatikaya.  "And as daughter's daughter to an Eyktan, her perogative is to suggest which of her family members will chose from Eastern Sea ayikran."
  Kamun offered, "Oel zam'u trram ulte aynga zay'u trray." I came yesterday,  They will come tomorrow.
   "Au Sa'nu! Rutxe, srak ayoeng nari sivì?"  Oh Momma! Please,srak we may watch?"
   "Nìlun, ma oeyä 'ite!  You have been so sad today, we will watch if it makes you happy!  But you need to ask Eyktan Atumopin."
   "You are still young, Ma Pxepxi.  And if I recall, not always obedient.  I think you must wait your turn.  But what is this that I hear of your sadness?"  Pxepxi was both embarrassed and awestruck to be scolded and yet addressed so caringly by this Nawma Eyktan, this Great Leader. 
   "Srane, Ma Eyktan Atumopin.  Oe mllte. I agree.  I was once disobedient.  I do not deserve this privaledge.  Oeru txoa livu?" To me is forgiveness?"
   "Nìlun! Of course. Slä pelun lu kxeftxo? But why are you sad?"
   Pxepxi realized that she was being addressed as an adult and her eyes watered up.  "Krra ayoe tìtswayeroneri, oel fperil krra Omatikaya kelutral  skama'a ulte..." When we were flying I was thinking of when Omatikaya HomeTree was destroyed and..." She choked up but pushed on.  "Oel ke omum oeyä Sa'nok alahe." I don't remember my other Mother.  I just remember the Tree crashing down on her.  And I remember her hand. With blood on it.  And it was cold.  And I was scared. I cried and cried..."  She looked up helplessly with tears streaming down her face.  She was sitting in front of Ateyo with her knees drawn up to her chin.  Ateyo wrapped her in a protective coccoon.  She wished that somehow she could undo all the hurt.  Pxepxi was conscious of other people turning their attention towards her.  She felt embarrassed by her tears.  She wanted to be a brave taronyu.  But hunter's don't cry!
   She could hear Ateyo's voice crooning in her ear.  "It's OK to cry, ma oeyä 'itetsyìp, my little daughter.  What happened was a terrible, terrible thing. Even a stone would cry.  I'm so sorry that you had to see your mother die."  It didn't surprise Ateyo that her own tears were running onto Pxepxi's hair.  She knew. She remembered her own mother's death.  The sense of utter abandonment.  Pxepxi could feel a large hand enfold her head.  "Ma Pxepxi." vowed Tai. "I will never rest until every last one of the RDA has been hunted down.  I promise you that."  Pxepxi felt herself being lifted to her feet.  She was wrapped in Tai's strong arms.  She felt safe.  Tsahik Lamu'ite nudged Tai's elbow. "Za'u. Kayä nìwotx ne Utral Aymokri."  Come.  We will all go to the Tree of Voices."

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

308)~Under the Utral Aymokri the sound of the surf seemed like a distant heartbeat. Pxepxi was enfolded in Ateyo's arms. Her sobbing was echoed in the throats of those who were with her.  All, both Na'vi and ayuniltiranyu had lost someone in the Times of Sorrow.  And although Pxepxi clung to Ateyo's tswin, it was evident that the child needed to see her mother.  Pxepxi obeyed the voiceless prompting and allowed her tswin to attach to the tendrils of the Tree.  Immediately she heard a voice calling to her.  She didn't recognize the name but she recognized that voice.  In wonderment Pxepxi heeded the voice.  She could feel the smiles from everyone past and present.  She could sense herself as prrnen. a baby. she could see her own chubby little hand reaching out to touch her mother's lips.  Playfully, her mother took her fingers into her mouth and gazed into her eyes.  Her mother's eyes were burned deep into her memory.  She remembered the love and the warmth. the sense of security.  Now she was sitting with her tokx au tokx. face to face. but Pxepxi was older now  her mother was sharing memories and thoughts with her.  "Au, ma oeyä 'ite.  I am so sorry that I had to leave you so suddenly.  It has worried me to think of you alone.  I am so glad that ayoengä Ateyo is taking care of you.  Poe kamä ne Numtseng Tokxtor Kreysyä hu oeyä sa'nok." Her mother's mother went to school together at Doctor Grace's Learn-Place!  Pxepxi had no idea that Ateyo knew her mother's mother.  She watched a scene unfold in her head.  She realized that her mother's mother was sharing her memories of Grace's School.  She could easily identify Ateyo as the small, silly one.  She could see the sculpture of balls hanging from the ceiling.  Ateyo had let her help make another one as a gift for Neytiri.  Now her grandmother was showing her a mewling infant.  Her grandmother assured her that she was the first person to have ever touched her.
  She watched as her Grandmother gently placed the infant in her mother's arms.  She watched herself, as an infant, suckling at her mother's breast.  Tears welled up in her eyes, once again as she watched the joy and wonderment on her mother's face.  She felt bathed in radiant joy and security.  She watched her mother's face.  Other Na'vi were also present, and someone who was decidedly her father, was exclaiming proudly and carressing her mother's head and her own.  But her grandmother's attention was focused on mother and child.  Pxepxi could gaze upwards, and her infant's memory replayed the sights, sounds and smells of that moment and her mother's heartbeat; tam tam, tam tam.  "I'm always here, ma oeyä 'ite.  Now that you have opened your mind and heart to me, I can watch you growing.  I was afraid that the sorrow and fright would keep you away from me!  You are my brave girl!  I am so happy that you have sought me!"  Pxepxi was reluctant to break the connection with this "first" encounter.  She found herself being nudged along as a mother would encourage a child to venture.  Pxepxi felt insanely happy.  She finally knew her mother!  She finally had a new set of memories from which to draw.  A much happier set!  Now she knew of her Grandmother and her father as well.  She could come to any Tree of Voices and share these wonderful memories.  She couldn't wait until she told Kofi! She wondered if Kofi remembered his mother.  They had never shared about their infancy.  The bad memories, though brief, were intense enough to deter any but the bravest.  "You are my brave girl." Her mother called her brave.  She felt exhausted.  She must have fallen asleep and lost the Bond.  She was in Tai's strong arms being lifted and carried away.  She felt safe.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk


309)Tai cuddled  Pxepxi in her arms and walked from beneath the Tree of Voices.  Pxepxi laid her head contently upon Tai's shoulder.  She wondered if her father would have carried her in this manner.  And knew that he had.  And she knew that Ateyo and Tai loved her.  But she was asleep before Tai lay her down in the communal area with her head in Ateyo's lap.  Aylaha ayeveng (Other children) offered fkxen, mostly sweet juicy fruits.  And the conversation was about the "small times" when the ayevi of many clans had travelled each week to learn the language and culture of the sawtute at Toktor Grace's Numsteng (learn place, school)  Everyone of Ateyo's age group were trying to recall the mother of Pxepxi's mother.  Everyone was having a difficult time remembering the shy young woman.
   Tai was impatient.  She and Taifa'ana'e kept glancing at the Samson helicoptor with the slabs of heavy wood tied beneath it.  Eyktan Atumopin was watching the Major with interest.  She wanted to ask about military matters, using ikrans and new warriors, and the upcoming iknamaya:   "Oe tsun tse'a fwa menga sìlpey tìkangkemvi sngä'i."   I can see that you two wish to start your work-project.  "Sweylu txo poti kä set."  It's best if you go now.  We have many things to discuss but we should wait until later.  Slä oeyä Tsahik requests that you make your noise far away!"  Tai and Taifa' exchanged glances. Each gave their muntxate aysäpom, kisses, and excused themselves quickly, hardly believing their good luck.  Tai could hear Eyktan Atumopin teasing Eyktan Ikxeru, "You don't even remember MY name, so I'm not surprised that you can't remember Akayra!" 
"Tse. I didn't remember her name but I remember Punto.  I think they became a mated couple"  He turned to Meykir, his wife, asking for confirmation. "Kefyak. Ma oeyä muntxate?"  Ikxeru realized that again, he had missed an opportunity to learn Atumopin's true name.  Perhaps Meykir remembered.  But why hadn't she told him?  The women were laughing at his his discomfort.  He blushed and allowed them their amusement at his sake.

    "Tse!  We sure dodged the bullet, Cuz!" Laughed Taifa' as the two skirted the village and walked towards the second cliff  where the choppers were parked.  "I thought we were going to have to memorize a bunch of names of people we have never met!" 
   "Well, I'm kind of torn.  I would like to know more about Pxepxi's biologic mother and father.  And you might want to know about Kofi's parents, too, at some point.  Nice thing about the Tree of Voices, though, we can tune in to the parents and get to know them at any time.  They are probably waiting anxiously to know more about their children."
   "BUT...   "  asked Taifa', wondering how Tai would justify their recreational intentions.
   "BUT I intend to work on this surfboard while I have the opportunity!" she stated  firmly.  "...While we have good sunlight and the tide is out."
   "But shouldn't you be working on battle plans and the like?" insisted Taifa.
   "Part of my brain is constantly working out battle plans.  I want to have as few causalties as possible.  Giving my hands something constructive to do allows my brain to work out all the possibilities.  Atumopin and Ikxeru and I will be able to talk over many aspects of this mission for the next few days.  Ateyo says we still have ten days until we all meet at the Old Camp once again.  Each eyktan knows the strengths and weaknesses of his warriors.  Jake has been through this all before.  HE knows the terrain. HE knows the Na'vi.  And he is Toruk Makto. He IS my commanding officer.  And so far, he is supportive of my plans."
   "And I've already gotten carte blache from Colonel Schroeder to proceed as planned.  As long as I keep him in the loop, he will be fine.  Once we have finished working on these boads, like when the glue is drying for the skegs, we need to "hightail it" topside and discuss battle plans.  I want several possibilities to lay out before Toruk Makto. Meanwhile, let's work on these boards!"
  As they were unstrapping the heavy planks from beneath the Samson, the two discussed the nature of the waves of the Eastern Sea.  They had enough wood to each build a long board, but they didn't have a far reach to the breakers.  Instead, long thrusters with multi skegs (steering fins) would be necessary to manuever past the rocks at the base of the cliff.  It took two trips but they brought down each plank to the narrow beach along the cliff face.  They agreed that from there, they could shelter the camp from most of the whine of the saws.  The tide was going down, giving them plenty of time to work.  Pieces of burned sticks provided the charcoal for sketching the rough shape onto the planks.  Vertabrae from the Kawnga Swirä Atxampay, the Bad Sea Creature, made convenient work tables. 
   One by one, ayevi a lenomum. curious children, came ashore to watch.  Covering their ears with their hands, they watched from afar.  But the task was too noisy for them to stick around.   "Lumpe stun mefo tìvangkem luke kxem sneyä aymekun?" How can those two work without hurting their own ears?" asked one 'evan of another.
   "Nari sì, Skawng!  Mefo leru hawnmikun!" Look, Moron!  Those two are wearing ear protectors."  Indeed, Tai and Taifa' had donned the headsets from the chopper.  The boy who had answered was pleased to have ridden in the chopper on a previous occasion and had worn a set of ear protectors, as well.  The two were left to their task for the better part of the afternoon.  The saws were quite versatile using highspeed vibration.  Slicing the skegs was a challenging feat.  Again  vertabra proved to make an excellent workbench. Narrow chunks of wood were forced into a declevity of the bone, and wedged firmly while the slices were made.  The surfaces were smoothed out using attachments that changed the vibrating saw into an effective sander.  Pleased with their efforts, they lay down their tools and grinned triumphantly.  Their triumph was echoed with a loud "WHOOP!" from above.  Tai and Taifa' looked up in time to see a row of Na'vi removing their hands from over their ears.  They had all lined up on the trail that lead down the cliff, with Ateyo and Atumopin at the lead.  The line snaked down the trail with Ateyo motioning Tai to STOP with a cutting motion to her throat, as Tai had taught her.
  "Red Painted One saying QUOTE Time to eat! UNQUOTE" Tai and Taifa were no where near finished, but agreed, none the less.  Everyone helped to carry the equipment and boards back up the cliff.  Even the wood scraps were carried up to be used for  other projects.  Ayevi were awestruck by the inclusion of "fins" on the backs of the surfboards.  Excitedly, but from a safe distance, they gesticulated toward the skegs and tried to inform Tai and Taifa' of the proper location of the dorsal fins.  On the trail, it was impossible for them to demonstrate appropriately.   But as they reached the cliff top they began to encircle the ayfeyntu, the grownups, with their hands pressed together behind their necks in semblance of dorsal fins.
"Au! Dem fella gots sharks on Pandora!  I seen dem chomping on da Jaberwocky last time!" Ka'alani had joined her mate when he had reached the top.  Being near the sea influenced her to speak DaKina Pigeon Hawaiian-English.
  "Peli'u CHOMP Ma Ka'alani?" Kofi asked his mother.  Her response was to make "teeth" of her hands and arms.  "CHOMP! CHOMP!" FRÌP! FRÌP!"
"AYSRE'! AYSRE'!  Ma Tai nga zene  kempe sivi. Tai you must make teeth! WHERE MAKE TEETH?"  Ayevi and perhaps ayfeyntu didn't understand the concept of surfboard, and imagined instead that Tai and Taifa' were sculpting some sort of sea creature.  Everyone was remarking at the quick work of the loud tools, and admired the sleek edges.  They were disappointed that the work was now laid aside.  The smells of roasted fish soon distracted them all and everyone sat down to eat ayll, communally.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

310)~ Tsahik Lamu'ite was handrolling seafood morsels with cooked grain into food wraps.  Pendia Campeste, one of the Filipino Techs/Avatars was sitting beside her, helping with making and serving.  She was proudly naming the variety of seafood available.  "May' fì'pumit! Lu ftxìlor!" Try this one, it's delicious!" The Polynesians were quite pleased.  "Petsengit tok Tovil?" Where is Toby? " asked Ka'alani.  Twiti reminded her; "He stayed behind at the Dark Lake Clan to learn about their pottery and glazes. Remember?"
   "We've got to get that boy out here!  He LOVES this food!"  The med team from the Hidden Base were still in human tokx.  They were quickly eating pieces of food beneath their face masks.  It was hard to determine how the food tasted without the benefit of Na'vi tastebuds. Dr. Reginald Threadgoode had reacquainted himself with the Na'vi whose skin he had grafted.  It was odd that the stripe patterns were trying to reintroduce themselves on top of the grafted stripes, though the skin was duplicated from the hosts themselves.  But the grafts were healed without evidence of scars.  Muscle tissue was being redeveloped. Txar'itan had full use of his arm once again.  He had feared he would be permanently disabled after being bitten by the sea monster.  He was demonstrating his full range of motion for the admiration of Dr. Threadgoode. 
   At the conclusion of the meal, a fierce looking uniltìranyu approached Eyktan Atumopin and gestured her greeting of "Ohel ngat kame."  The extreme formality did little to belie the fact that Laria Pxataya was the favorite Avatar of Atumopin. "Vuyin ohel Iknimayat." I respectfully request Iknamaya, Ma Oeyä Eyktan."
   Eyktan Atumopin responded in like manner, very formally.  "Your progress has pleased me well. You will surely be included for Iknamaya. Ulte aylahe kop. Srak? And the others as well?"
   "Kehe Ma Eyktan!" Pendia, the shy Filipino cook, surprised herself at her outburst.  "Nìprrte oe yomtìng Na'viru tup lu tsamsiyu." It would please me to feed the Na'vi, rather than be a warrior."
  "It is a wise woman to recognize her strengths and limitations! Txantsan! Nga lu txantsana 'emu. Kefyak, Ma Tsahik?"  Excellent! You are an excellent cook.  Isn't that so, Tsahik?"  Eyktan recognized the timidity in this young woman and was quick to return her to the safety of the cookfire.  It is important to feed an army as well.
   Ten Opunto stood and made his request known; "Vuyin ohel Iknimayat." I respectfully request Iknamaya, Ma Oeyä Eyktan." 
   "Ma Opunto! Ngaru kop fìmeuia. " To you, also,  is this honor ." Ikxeru and Ateyo exchanged glances.  It had just been revealed that Pxepxi's grandfather was named Punto.  And here was a tsawtute with a similar name!
  "Ma LukPen!"  This name Luke Pen, literally meant Without Clothing.  It caught Pxepxi by surprise and she nearly choaked on her food with laughter.  Luke merely smiled at the 'evi.  It wasn't the first time that his name evoked laughter.  He was glad that his name was not Tim Saul.  "Srane! Ma Eyktan Atumopin! Vuyin ohel Iknamayit, kop."
   "Pxennga layu txantsan maktoyu!"  You three will be excelllent flyers.  It is likely that Iknimaya will begin tomorrow.  We are expecting some others from the Omatikaya Clan to arrive soon.  Meanwhile, I wish to discuss this upcoming mission with Eyktan Ikxeru sì Eyktan Tai.  You may listen if you wish, but it is unlikely that we would include such new warriors in a skirmish."
   "Ma Tai! Ngaru sayunu fwa omum futa ayoel nergop Pxikxsi Txustit."  Tai rolled the words around in her mind until she came up with the translation. 'You will be pleased to know that we are creating Pixie Dust!'
  "Txantsan! Pìmtxan? Excellent!  How much?"  With a simple gesture, she sent Ten Opunto and LukPen to retrieve the Pixie Dust.  They soon returned with an awkward load suspended in a large fishing net.  The net was filled with an assortment of seashells, each filled with ground Unobtainium.  As the net was laid before them, the shells seemed to move of their own accord.  They were merely reacting to the push and pull of the magnetically charged mineral.  Some shells seems to actually levitate.  "It was quite a task, Major!" said Luke.  We had to team up to catch the small pieces as they first fractured.  They didn't have enough force to hurt anyone but it was challenging to keep them herded together."
  "Himtxampe lu nivew, Ma Tai?" How much will you need, Tai?" asked Atumopin in her matter of fact way. Tai's eyebrows shot up. "Ke omum!" I don't know.  I suggest we do some experiments to find out."
  "How we gonna do that, Cuz?" Taifa' had not yet switched into military mindset. 
  "Nìftue! Easily!  I'll go switch on my radio and transmit a message to the other choppers.  We will have someone take that net of Pixie Dust Shells and see how close it needs to be to my chopper to interrupt the signals."  The collection of shells was divided equally three ways into smaller nets.  Pxeikran sì pxetaronyu were mounted and awaiting instructions.
   Each chopper pilot was dispatched to sit in their respective cockpits ten miles apart from each other.  Mike Daniels was stationed in low hover ten miles up the coast.  Captain Janet Henderson and Lt. Wade reported when they were each ten miles out. The collection of shells were within 200 feet of Tai's choppper.  "OK kiddos. Report in.  Do you read?"
   "I read you five-by-five Major."  Came three replies.
When the shells were moved within 100 feet of Tai's chopper, the radio speech was indistinguishable.  But when the smallest amount of shells were moved to within fifty feet of the chopper, the targeting data went completely haywire and all communicatons were lost. 
    "Txantsan!  I want to hear radio traffic every five minutes.  I'm going to have three ikrans fly towards you.  When they are within a quarter of a mile you need to start checking your navigational gear and targeting equipment.  I will expect a full report from each of you either on the fly or when you return.  Once the ikran has circled you, you may return, even if we have lost communication." 
   Once the pxeikran had been dispatched Tai could overhear radio traffic distinctly until each ikran was within 200 feet of the respective choppers. Two wingbeats later brought the ikrans to within 100 feet.  Tai could hear garbled voices but could not distinguish words.  And quickly, presumably at 50 feet, all communications and tolemetry was lost.  Ikxeru and Atumopin both gasped when the screens went blank.  Tai had invited them to watch the screen and explained the blips and their disappearance.  Within a few minutes, the rotor slap of returning choppers could be heard.  Pxeikran could also be seen flying formation with the choppers.  Their proximity had hidden the arrival of the choppers from the screen.  Tai was elated.  "Wait 'til Jake sees this!"
   Almost on cue, a shout rang out as ayikran were spotted in the distance.  The Omatikaya clan would soon be arriving.  The pilots and Na'vi returned to the communal area to greet their arrival.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#311
311)~Ateyo saw a flash of RED as Eyktan Atumopin raced passed her and down to the path along the cliff face.  It wasn't long before all the aytaronyu were running towards the path, as well.  With a lusty YAWO they each launched straight down the cliff face.  Niwotx ayikran tucked their wings in tight and did not flare until ocean spray crashed along the rocks at the base of the 'aukx.  It was such an exhilarating experience!  No one seemed to mind that they were slightly off course.  The strength of the ikran wings soon had them all within hailing distance of the newcomers.  It was exciting to recognize the flyers and their passengers.  Mo'at and others were surely traveling in the chopper, nearby.  Kaltxìs were shouted and ikrans called greetings to one another.  
  A multicolored flurry of wings began to line the cliff face near the top as the ayikran landed.  Ateyo joyfully greeted ZheykSuli and Neytiri.  She reintroduced her daughter, Pxepxi, and her  half sister, Kristi 'Twiti' Kastillo and her newest sister Zina, the muntxate of Twiti.  Zheyk had remembered Twiti's tattoo of the cartoon character Tweety Bird and joked that she needed Ateyo to paint one on her Blue Tokx as well.  But the chopper was landing with Mo'at and the others, and a long line of Na'vi marched across to the other cliff to meet them.
  "NÌN MA'TEYO! There is our ALEKxSÌ !" Alexandra and Wade were climbing out of the chopper following Mendllzong and Mo'at.  Mo'at smiled when she heard Pxepxiyä enthusiastic voice.  There was no restraining Pxepxi.  Like an arrow, she darted towards Alexandra and threw herself into her arms. Alekxsi gave her a quick embrace but was able to peel off the exuberant child and set her on her feet facing Nawma Mo'at.  The child was appropriately awestuck and immediately gesticulated formally,   "Ohel ngat Kameie" from her forhead.  Mo'at smiled indulgently saying, "I don't know whether it is a greater honor to be welcomed exhuberantly or formally!"  Pxepxi was at a loss for words, not certain whether she had offended Mo'at and was now in trouble.   A moment later, Mo'at opened her arms to her and joyfully received a hug. "It is a blessing to be hugged by such a child!  Ateyo, are you certain she is not of your own blood?"  Now it was Ateyo's turn to be speechless.  She was about to explain the heritage of the child, but Mo'at opened her arms to her as well.  "And it is such a blessing to be hugged by not-a-child, such as Ateyo!"  Everyone laughed in relief.  They were all unaccustomed to this less harsh version of Mo'at, but grateful.  
  Tsahik Lamu'ite remained formal. "Ma Nawma Tsahik. Ayoeru meuia txo ngal pllte SAN: Irayo:SÌK ne tsawke, srak." Great Tsahik, it would be our honor if you would say QUOTE " Thank You" UNQUOTE to the sun.  It was a custom peculiar to the Clan of the Eastern Sea to walk enmasse, to the tip of the peninsula each day break and sun down, to Greet the Sun or to Thank the Sun as it dissappeared on the other side of Eywa 'Eveng.  Aysahik, including their Sacred Clown, Ateyo, reached out their arms to the sun and held them raised as each recited their thanks for safe travels, for warmth, for visitors, for health, until at last the sun disappeared.  
  Around the txep ayll, communal fire, there was excited talk of the upcoming iknimaya.  But Ateyo was not joining in the conversation.  " Ma Ateyo," said Neytiri. "As tsahik, you have forgotten how to be silly.  Why are you frowning?"  Ateyo was startled from her thoughts. "Oel perllte mì Toktor Kreys sì tsawke."  Alekxsi was sitting nearby and translated aloud, for her own benefit.  "You were thinking of Doctor Grace and the Sun? How so?"
 "I remembering of Eywa 'Eveng look like ball.  Toktor Kreys tell SAN 'Tsawke being in middle.  Like fire ball.' SÌK  "Slä ayoeng tsiye'a tsawke kllke. But we just seen sun going down! Tsawke is MOVE, not stay still! Ke omum. I don't understand."
 Tai stood up and wiped off her hands.  She drew Ateyo to her feet and stood behind her as they faced the txep, the fire.  "Set tse'a txep. Nga lu Eywa 'Eveng ulte tsat lu tsawke, srak."  You are Eywa 'Eveng (Pandora)  and that is the sun, yes/no."  She waited until Ateyo nodded. "Set kìm a skien, mawl ni'aw. Now turn right. Half only.  Eywa 'Eveng tse'a tìvawm nì'aw, kefyak. Eywa 'Eveng sees darkness only, isn't that so?  Tai encouraged another rotation and named Rewon, Txon.  Morning, Night.  
 Pxepxi jumped to her feet.  "Au! ROLUN!  Oh I've GOT IT! Ewya 'Eveng lu rum ulte Elwal mìn poeyä 'Evengit nìrum. Eywa 'Eveng is a ball and Eywa is spinning  her Child like a ball!
Trr'ong, trr'ongmaw, rewon! Dawn. After-Dawn, and Morning.Kefyak?"  She entered the beginning arc and  imitated  her Mother's move.  Now Tai continued to call out, "SreKxamtrr, Kxamtrr. KxamtrrMaw", before mid day, mid day, after mid day.  Zina grabbed up Twiti by the hand and they too joined the arc, and with a singsong voice, "Ha'ngir, Kxaym, Sretxon'ong"  early afternoon, afternoon, before nightfall.  By now, nearly everyone had joined the circle, making tiny revolutions as they traveled around the "sun". Ateyo looked over her shoulder as she rotated away from the Tsawke once again, saying Irayo to the sun. Everyone imitated her.  Tai was enjoying this spontaneous dance and sang again, "Txon'ong. Txon'ong maw. Txon." Nightfall. Afternight fall.Night.  She was glad to see Na'vi reach down to draw the ayhumon to their feet.  They might not yet know these words, but maybe they would associate the light on their faces and backs. SRE KXAMTxON, Kxamton, Kxamtonmaw.  Before midnight, midnight,aftermidnight. She had nervously glanced at her watch at SRE KXAMTON. Ateyo imitated her. And everyone else followed suite. Tai had no need for worry.  She saw that even though it was dark, it was not nearly sre kxamton.  But she had started a new dance, perhaps a new tradition!  Ateyo was singing in a strange voice, much like an older woman.  
Trr sì Txon ulte Trr sì Txon   Day and Night, Day and Night
Kerìm. Merìn Kxämlaw taw   Spinning, turning, across the sky
Eywayä tiyawn 'ìveykawn    Ewya's love causes us to remain.

And everyone was spinning and turning slowly in their circle around the fire, as if they had been rehearsing the dance for ages.
It wasn't an exciting dance and soon gave way to other dances and singing.
All of a sudden. Janet Henderson stood up. Even Tovrey'itan was startled by the suddenness.  "Aylifya'ut lu Way te 'Rrta pizayu syaw Lewis Karol.  These words are from an ancient song from an ancestor called Lewis Carrol.  It is SO OLD that no one understands all the words.
`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
 Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
 And the mome raths outgrabe.
"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
 The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
 The frumious Bandersnatch!"
He took his vorpal sword in hand:
 Long time the manxome foe he sought --
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
 And stood awhile in thought.
And, as in uffish thought he stood,
 The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
 And burbled as it came!
One, two! One, two! And through and through
 The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
 He went galumphing back.
"And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?
 Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'
 He chortled in his joy.
`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
 Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
 And the mome raths outgrabe.
Captain Janet Henderson had captivated her audience through her acting and reciting.
Her voice she had changed to reflect that of the father and that of the narrator.  Everone recognized the name Jaberwocky, especially because she pronounced it nìNa'vi:
ZHA PxER WOKI
She didn't know why she had awakened from that unil ayll, that communal dream with that word in her head a month ago, but the poem had continued to resound in her brain.  She had memorized it in gradeschool, perhaps millenia ago.  She hadn't planned to recite it just now, but it came burbling forth.  She sat down amid laughter and compliments, and soon the ayevi were doing their ikran dance.  Pxepxi and Tovi dragged out their marionettes as an encore.  In the firelight, the strings were not visible and caused much consternation at first.There were many songs and stories but the highlight of the evening was the Fire Knife Dance by request of  Eyktan Atumopin and echoed by all.  But at 22 hundred hours, Tai announced SRE KxAMTxON, Pumpkin Time.  And sadly Ateyo concurred Krr Pum Kìm.  (which was also nonsense as a translation.)  Reluctantly, the ayuniltìranyu trooped down to the guest Fali, as the Polynesians referred to it.  Tai shouldered her nifo oti and trouped past Neytiri and Jake Sully.
   "Why so glum, Major?  That was a great performance!" Jake clapped her on the other shoulder good naturedly.  "Srane, Ma Zheyk!  I could have danced it again, but we have to get horizontal.  It is always a disappointment to go back into link.  You remember that don't you?" Neytiri lay her hand on Tai's heart.  "Tam tam, ma oeyä 'eylan.  Eywa has not revealed how this shall be accomplished, but I know that she SEES your heart."
  "Yeah.   You're right.  It was always a bummer until I passed Through the Eye of Eywa.  I guess it is natural to be saddened.  But it's time to feed your yumon tokx.  Big day tomorrow. Get some rest."  He then smirked at the semi-logic of that statement.  "Atumopin says that you have some remarkable news to share with us tomorrow.  I guess it will wait. Txon lefpom, ma tsmuke."  And ayuniltiranyu were escorted to their quarters for the night.

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JABBERWOCKY,Lewis Carroll,(from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872)

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

312)~  Tai was conscious of the sound of the magnetron whirring down.  She released the interior latch of the link chamber and took in a lungful of sterile laboratory air.  And immediately coughed!  'That's interesting', she thought. 'Not even my human lungs like this air!'  She could hear the other link chamber lids opening.  Melvin was no where to be seen.  He was probably in the other pod.  She smiled at her co pilots.  "I hate having to come back all of the time." 
"No lie," agreed Janet Henderson.  "I'd rather be next to my muntxate, sleeping, rather than unconscious." 
   "Good day, Mates! or evening, as the case may be!" said Melvin as he walked in the doorway.
   "SRE Kxamtxon! Before midnight! I hate having to look at a watch when I'm having a good time!" said Tai.
  "Were you going to STIR the Kava with Ateyo?"
   "That's rather personal, wouldn't you say?  But while we are on the subject: Boys or Girls?"
   "What?" Melvin was caught off guard and had a very puzzled look on his face.
   "Melvin. You do date, don't you? Let me be direct. Are you into Boys or Girls?"
   "OH Girls! Girls, girls definitely.  No offense, Major!"
   "No offense taken, I'm into girls, too."  Behind her, Taifa' was losing it.  Janet turned her head and suppressed a smile.
   "A nice little Sheila OVER the age of twenty! Preferably an egghead, who is fascinated by things that go WHIR! And a BODY!  She's GOT to have a BODY!"
   "Are you opposed to her being Blue?"  asked Major Tai.  Melvin was randomly handing out packages of freeze dried meals and trying to achieve a modicum of privacy in the cramped and crowded link pod.  "Why the Spanish Inquisition, Major?  I'm used to the idea of being single.  I haven't seen any Blue Women that are shaped like what I have in mind.  The Na'vi are all so ,,, THIN!"
"I'd prefer to think of them as ATHLETIC." said Tai with a sly smirk.
"Well Whatever.  I'm happy hiding in here. Really.  Don't try to hook me up and don't do me any favors!" said Melvin.  "As long as the fusion reactor  provides electricity, I will be here! So you can stop singing that ancient 'Rrta ballad."
  Tai was grinning to herself as she turned away singing, "We gotta find you a woman!"

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

313)~"Ting Pom*Ting Pom*Ting Pom*"  Tsahik Lamu'ite and Eyktan Atumopin were standing outside the grass and bamboo guest hut exchanging the familiar morning greeting.  They were obliged to repeat the greeting several times before all their guests awakened, which was not at all an inconvenience.  "Rewon lefpom, Ma Oeyä Eyktan!" called Tai  from the hahaw rìk asawl, big sleep leaf, that she shared with Ateyo and Pxepxi. In the near distance, the sound of a conch shell called everyone to greet the sun.  Soon sleepy Na'vi were trooping their way to the tip of the peninsula.  And the guests from Zongsteng Alor and Omatikaya clans joined the procession.  The humans from the medical team joined in with their face masks too.  Most couples had their EanEan blankets wrapped around each other.  And  youngsters peeped out from between.  At first Ateyo was reluctant to leave the warmth of her little family.  The crashing surf on the cliffs below only seemed to make it colder.  But everyone proceeded to the eastern side of the peninsula overlooking the quiet lagoon.   She slipped from the warmth of the blanket and joined alahe aysahik in  welcoming the morning ayatanvi, sun beams. As she raised her arms in greeting, all she was aware of was that dazzling sunlight against her blue skin.  Her tail twitched with delight, her ears pricked forward.  She was conscious of an undercurrent of expectation.  Today would be Iknamaya for Eastern Sea Clan and for Alekxsi and Wade, as well.  Suddenly, there was a scream in her face.  ATANVI!  She knew that voice!  Ayikran had joined the Na'vi in greeting the sun.  Now they were calling to their aymaktoyu! 
  Atanvi called from the cliff face from which he hung.  Beside him was Atanzaw and Pìwopx Srewyu and Zinayä purple ikran, whose name Ateyo did not yet know.  "Ayikran always seem to know the Day of Iknamaya.  They are as excited as we," announced Atumopin.  She gave out a WHOOP and jumped on her ikran for a quick ride.  She was soon joined by others.  Ateyo was glad that Pxepxi climbed behind her with a blanket.  It only helped a little though.  She could hear her daughter's teeth chattering and reached back to place her reassuring hand on Pxepxiyä shivering knee.  Atanvi wanted to skim over the water but sensed the distress of his riders.  He let them off near the encampment and dived away with a joyful scream.
   The first meal of the day featured roasted payoang, fish, that the ayikran had plucked from the surface.  Pendia Campeste had also cooked a huge pot of seafood soup, though the pot was actually a large seashell.  There were more people around this fire than Ateyo had expecteed. She saluted Hans Schroeder an Oel Ngat Kame.  But Patxi, Max and Norm she nearly tackled , "Oel ngati Kameie sì Meyeiam" I see you and I hug you!"
The excitement was high as the day's events were laid out.  JakeSully was took aside the Ayeyktans.  "Ma Oeyä aysmukan sì aysmuke." My brothers and sisters.  It has come to my attention that we have all agreed to meet at the Old Camp near Blue Heart Gate in only nine days.  By that time, many clans will also hold Iknamaya, and we will have many untrained but eager mipa aymaktoyu. new flyers.  We must decide how best to use these New Ones to our best advantage. Perhaps as scouts, messengers, spotters, and air ambulance.   Any suggestions?"
   "Ma Toruk Makto!" said Tai.  "Some of my my new riders are already paired with Na'vi mates who are already accomplished riders. And some of my new riders are already accomplished warriors and flyers of lefngapa ayikran.  They might be best used to fight the amp suits or destroy any radar capabilities from their aircraft. Otherwise, new riders would be best suited for air ambulance and messengers."
   "And to pick up those who surrender..." suggested Colonel Schroeder.
   "Ma Zhake." said Eyktan Atumopin.  "Awngeru trr volaw. We have nine days,  in which to train our new riders.  And two of our new riders are Omatikayaä.  They should remain with us, as least for initial training."
   "Oe mllte Ma Atumopin. I agree, Red Painted One. "Kxawm syewlu txo Weyt sì Alexsi 'ì'awn pxetrr fìtseng." Perhaps it is best if Wade and Alexi stay three days here.
  "I have one worry, Ma Atumopin." said Tai.  "I know that Eastern Sea ayikran can flash while hunting.   Can they be trained NOT to flash?"
   "Tam,tam, Ma Tai.  Mawey livu ngeyä txe'lan."  There there Tai. May your heart be calm.  For this reason I think it best that Weyt sì Alekxsi train for three days with us.  But we should not wait any longer.  We should  go to iknamaya for the Eastern Sea. Will you join us?"
  "Oeru txoa livu, Ma Eyktan Atumopin." Forgiveness to me, Red Painted Leader."  If we had more time, I would gladly stay to watch, but we need to take our candidates for their own Iknimaya.  Slä, but if I took my metal ikran with our  people, and if Weyt and Alekxsi  go first, we can stop long enough to watch them."
   "Txantsan!  It is decided!  You will follow me to where the Ayikran of the Eastern Sea reside.  Once Weyt and Alexsi have been chosen by their ikrans. You may proceed to the place across the Floating Mountains where the other ayikran reside."
   "Ma Tai," said Colonel Schroeder. "Thank you for testing that, er, Pixie Dust, and reporting to me last night.  I trust it is stowed in your chopper."
  "Ten-Four. Ma Colonel.  We have a cargo net loaded with stuff that is 99.9 percent pure!"
  "Outstanding!" interjected JakeSully.  He had wondered how to incorporate this subject into the conversation.  "Then we will see you at the site tomorrow morning, where you were chosen by your ikran, Ma Tai. Oel ngati kameie."
   "Nga omum, Ma Tai.  Leave your lefngap ikran at the bottom of the Ayram Alusìng." Floating Mountains.
   "Trray rewon, tam tam, Ma Zhake. Oel Ngat Kame!" said Tai as Jake turned away.  The camp was already bustling with activity.  There were a number of people who chose to remain behind, and join in a few days.  The others were wishing the mipa ayhapitxu, the new members, good luck with their Iknimaya.  Tai and Taifa' made certain that their nearly completed surfboards were stowed safely above the high tide line.  "Hey Cuz!  I asked Sargent Barilla to man the doorgun so that I can fly my ikran.  Pìwopx Srewyu, Cloud Dancer can fly my wing."  She caught site of her muntxate in an animated conversation with Atumopin and Lamu'ite, but didn't have time to wonder. 
   She needed to Bond with Pìwopx Srewyu to let him know that he should follow.  She turned toward the cliff face to see the heads of pxeikran peeping over the edge of the cliff like three gigantic handpuppets.  She called Cloud Dancer nì'fwefwi, by whistling her peculiar notes.  With a cry he leapt into the air and landed at her feet.   She greeted him and petted him and gave him a treat of Jaberwocky Jerky.  Once she had established the bond, she visualized herself in her lefngapa ikran, and visualized Pìwopx and Atanzaw in formation with her.  She visualized Eyktan Atumopin with her ikran, as well.  Her ikran seemed to understand and flooded her brain with happiness, and willingly separated from Tsaheylu.  And just in time.
  "Guess what, Ma Tai?" Pxepxi came bounding up once she had seen them break the Bond.  "Eyktan Atumopin says SAN, "You can fly with your mother to watch Alekxsiyä Iknamaya. But you must promise to be obedient." SÌK!
   "That's amazing, Pxepxi!  And do you think that's possible?"
  "MA TAI! NÌLUN!  OF COURSE!  She said that we are friends and that friends treat each other honorably.  So I'm on my BEST behavior! Kefyak! Isn't this true, Ma Sa'nu?"
   "I think she said, San "It is BEST if you BEHAVE! Srane nìngay!  Yes, it's true!"  They exchanged a three way hug before they all mounted up.  Kofi was seated in front of Taifa', who each got kisses from Ka'alani.  Eyktan Atumopin shook her head in disbelief.   There were never children at Iknimaya.  How could she have agreed?  At least they would be waiting at the foot of the Floating Mountains.
   Tai saw to the loading of her crew and the medical team from Hidden Base into her chopper.  This was turning out to be quite an elaboate event. 

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#314
314)~ "Thank you for flying AirPandora.  Please watch your step as you exist the aircraft."  Said Tai for her own amusement.  Tai felt a heavy hand upon her shoulder.  She was surprised to find Norm looking at her with a whistful smile.  "Trudy used to say stiff like that all the time."
  "Nga lu lom poeti, kefyak, ma tsmuk." You really miss her, don't you Bro.  
  "Srane.  I often wondered how she would look eana tokxhu. with  blue body." He looked kind of sheepish, nore than usual. Somewhat embarrassed.  "I guess subconsciously, I rode on your ship because you are a female pilot.  And you have the same sort of attitude she had..."
Norm had succeeded in embarassing himself to a bright shade of red.  Tai wondered if he was making an indirect advance towards her.  She also noticed that his muntxate was not with him.  "Is Mary in Schroeder's ship?"  She was trying to remember if she had seen her at all.  Norm's face clouded over.  "No, Mary decided that I wasn't the one for her. We've parted company."
  "I'm sorry to hear that Norm. How do you feel about that?"  The ship was nearly empty now.  The pilots and the medical team were standing in the grass waiting for the other lkrans to arrive.  Only Ateyo remained, sitting on the open doorstep.  Pxepxi and Kofi were nearby, but too involved in conversation to be listening.
  " 'Efu nì'keftxo, slä, I feel sad, but relieved, to be honest. Mary has been sweet and she was there to help me through my loss.  But she has become restless, and I realize that I was grateful for her love but I wasn't in love with her."  Norm was surprised at himself for being so clear and forthright.  " I have come to realize that I really like the swagger and confidence of Trudy.  You are a lot like her.  I guess that's why I came to ride in your chopper."  Norm was aware of two holes being burned into his skull and turned to find Ateyo scowling at him."  He was immediately apologetic.  "Kehe, Ma Ateyo!  I don't mean to imply that I want your muntxate for my own.  I just mean that I realize that Mary isn't right for me.  Ke zoplo!  No offense!"
 "Tse, nìltsan!  Well GOOD! We will have to find someone just for you."  She had taken a comical stance intervening between Norm and Tai while brandishing her famous wooden spoon. But all three were laughing.  The three walked over to the other chopper to meet the others from Olo'Omatikaya.  
 There was already excitement in the air,  Mendllzong was sitting on his haunches speaking to Dr. Reginald Threadgoode.  Standing next to Mendllzong was the Na'vi of Norm's dreams.  He had met Liri'el many years ago after the War. She had been instrumental in teaching Na'vi to the medical personnel at Hell's Gate.  He had spent the last eight years carefully avoiding contact with her.  Now he found that it was unneccessary for him to avoid her intense eyes.  He felt a gentle tap on his wrist.  He looked down to see Ateyo hiding behind Tai. She made a pantomime of shoving closed her gaping jaw, and patting into place,  her goggling eyeballs.  She  had noticed him gazing at Liri'el! and was signalling him to what..? stop staring?  She shot him a wicked grin and then faced forward with a straight face.  When Norm dared to look up again, Liri'el was looking directly at him.  With her ears pricked forward and her kxetse lashing!  "Oh my Eywa," he thought.  "She caught me looking!"
  Liri'el was pleased to have seen Norm gazing at her.  After all these years, her stomach always did a flip-flop when she thought of him.  Her heart was pounding. She wondered if he could see her skin turning purple with embarrassment.  She tried to still her anxious tail.  Mary was not standing next to him!  Maybe those rumors were true?!  He was so adorable with his ears poking out from under his cap.  She forced herself to pay attention to the conversation between Mendllzong and Toktor GoodThread.  They were talking about setting up a "field hospital" for the upcoming battle.  This caught her attention and she was successful at avoiding Norm's gaze.  He was staring at her.  Perhaps he was still attracted to her? Her stomach did another backflip.
  Norm felt the gentle prodding of a wooden spoon.  This time Ateyo wasn't doing a pantomime, but she was motioning to him.  He bent down to listen to her. "Tìkan ke lu nìtram. Nga zene swizawit livonu."  Aim does not suffice.  You must release arrow."  *   Ateyo gave him another sidelong grin. As she returned to her straight-faced composure.   "Damn." he thought.  He was fully clothed, tawtute style,  but he felt entirely naked!      
  Dr. Threadgoode looked up and motioned for Tai and the others to join in the conversation.  Pxepxi made certain that she was close enough to hear the ayfeyntuyä, grown up's conversation.   The medical personnel were all in human tokx, which meant they were eye to eye with Ateyo.  (And Pxepxi, standing aside quietly.)  Mendllzong was making introductions.  "Ma Tai, I would like you to meet Dr. Luke Hawking and his  assistant, Liri'el.  She has been able to bridge the gap between Na'vi and  the medical staff for the past eight years.  I thought it would be good to have her along for the same purpose.  Norm, I think you remember Liri'el, kefyak?"  
  Norm gestured from his forehead once again. "Oel ngati kameie! Srane! Nìprrte smon!"  Yes, Nice to know you!"  Norm wondered if he had said that too enthusiastically. "Liri'el was important to me, to us when the RDA medical team first started to treat the wounded Na'vi after the Battle for HomeTree and the Well of Souls.  She was able to learn medical terminology quickly and  explain procedures concisely to the Na'vi.  We hit it off immediately!"  He found himself blushing, yet found his reward in her smile.  Liri'el was uncertain of the term Hit It Off and wondered how much information those words conveyed.
  "Toktor GoodThread and Mendllzong were telling us about setting up a... field hospital... " she used the Ìnglìsì word.  "He is telling SAN Ma Tai suggests that new flyers be our ...Air Ambulance... SÌK.   Ma Norm, that would be your resposibility, to bring the wounded into the ..field hospital... "
 "And I know how important that can be!"  Reflexively he grabbed for his shoulder which was wounded during the Battle for HomeTree.    
  "Srane, oe zerok. Yes I remember." said Liri'el with  tenderness in her voice.  Her heart had gone out to him as he lay in the hospital bed eight years ago.  It amazed her that this foreigner was willing to bleed for the freedom of her people.   Secretly, she never realized what he saw in Mary.  She was good hearted and gentle.  Too gentle. Timid.   And secretly, she was pleased that she was not by his side.  Perhaps, indeed the rumors were true.  
  "I look forward to helping out with air ambulance service." said Norm. "But first, I must have an ikran, And Today is My Day!"  
Tai clapped him on his uninjured shoulder, saying, "You'll do fine Brother.  I would feel much better if I was wounded, to know I was being loaded onto your ikran."  Norm grinned and turned quickly to hide his excitement, nearly tripping over Ateyo and Pxepxi in the process.  He looked up to see if Liri'el had noticed his ungainly exit.  But she was laughing and blowing him a kiss and saying, "Etrìpa Syayi!"  good luck.
* Learn Na'vi. Proverbs Thread. « Reply #10 on: March 07, 2012, 04:42:32pm

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

315)~Aymaktoyu from all clans flew their ikrans in wide circles around the climbers. The "Unobtanium" at the core of each rock produced a mag-lev effect that caused  the formations to appear as if floating: AyRam aLusìng. the Floating Mountains. The heavy roots of trees and plants kept the monstrous boulders from pushing each other away, though sometimes it appeared that those very roots would be sawn in half from the strain.
 Neytiri soared low crying, "Eyk, Eyk, Eyk!" as she swooped past her half-sister, Alekxsi and her muntxatan Weyt as they made their way up the drifting rocks. Norm would not be choosing an ikran from the Eastern Sea Ayikran.  But he also could not refuse an offer to ride behind Liri'el to watch Alex and Wade get chosen by their meikran.  It was an appropriate excuse to have his arms wrapped around her middle.
  Eastern Sea Riders were approaching the Filipino crew at break neck speed.  Apparently, it wasn't sufficient that they climb the teacherous rocks, they also had to avoid the feints of "attacking" ayikran as well!  The Eastern Sea Ikrans made a big show of flashing their wings, to dazzle the eyes of the climbers.  Zina was flying with Twiti behind her and choose to harrass the fierce Uniltìranyu whom Atumopin favored. She recognized a kindred soul and was rewarded by a defiant call from Laria Pxatia. Txen Opunto and Luke Penn brandished their bolos and pretended to take aim, causing Zina to laugh.  
 "I hope you don't dive on me like that!" shouted Twiti into Zina's ear." Zina only grinned over her shoulder and shook her head.  Twiti was amazed at how high they continued to soar, and how high the initiates were to climb.  She was grateful for all the climbing she had practiced.  She lost sight of  Alekxsi and Wade as they ducked into a tunnel passage.  Together they soared around to the other side of the passage to watch as Alex and Wade launched into thin air, only to grab a long dangling root and continue their climb.  Suddenly, Zina's ikran let out an odd squeal of delight.
  Before them was the rookery of the Eastern Sea Ikrans.  The air was filled with their squawking and bellowing.  It looked very much like the rookery that Twiti had previously seen, when Tovrey'itan took her up.  This rookery was located further east than the previous one.  The Sea ikrans, themselves, were slightly different than other ikrans.  Their "beaks" had a heavier prominance, with which to pry mollusks and crack sea shells.  They also had an ability to "flash" their bioluminesence.  At the arrival of ayNa'vi aytaronyu, nìwotx ayikran  began to "flash" their wings at the intruders.
  Wade and Alekxsi had climbed steadily and were quite out of breath.  "Alakxsi Alekxsi? Are you ready, Alex?" panted Wade. But a commanding hand was upon his shoulder.  He looked up to see the Red Painted One before him.   "Weyt kayä lesngä'i"  Wade will go first.  She clapped him on the back and shoved him towards the narrow ledge that separated them from the rookery.  He collected säpom, a kiss, from Alekxsi and leveled his shoulders.  "Remember all that I have taught you Ma Weyt!" called Neytiri from the sidelines.  Wade then waded among the bellowing ikrans. Some ignored him and shuffled out of the way.  Some regarded him with a hiss, before turning their backs.  But one magnificent blue one shoved itself past the others and stood upon it's haunches.  With it's wings unfurled it screamed it's challenge with flashes of yellows and reds amongst the silver-blue light it produced.  Wade ignored the flop sweat that erupted from all over his skin.  In the back of his mind he could hear shouts of encouragement.  In the front of his mind was the task of claiming his new friend.  He returned the challenge with a loud roar.
 This ikran lunged forward and Wade parried.  Back and forth they dueled, sharp teeth snapping near his face.  The timing was easy.  At the ikran's last snap, Wade simply turned sideways at the last moment and slapped his bolo around the ikran's jaws.  It startled the ikran to such an extent that he was able to leap on it's neck, before it had a chance to react.                                                              But this double insult could not go unanswered.  With a muffled roar, the ikran threw it's head around.  But Wade had already scooted up behind it's meswin.  Desperately, the ikran tried to shake him off, pry him off, scrape him off.  Wade was too focused to notice the punishment he was receiving.  All he was aware of was the meswin that kept lashing back and forth.  But again, the ikran had unwittingly set up a pattern.  With his legs locked around the ikran's throat, he simply shot out his hand and pulled in a tswin.  Quickly, he joined his tswin with that of the ikran's.  And he actually laughed when he perceived  the ikran to say, "HHUUHH?!?!?"
    "Skawng!  Moron! You set up such a pattern, it was easy to claim you!!"  The ikran did not seem to take offense at the appelation.  Immediately, Wade got the impression, "NÌlun! You didn't think I was unwilling?  NOW who is the skawng?"  With the mutual insults behind them, they plummeted from the 'auwk, cliff.  And of course, it was unclear who was more delighted; Skawng or his Skawng.  Alekxsi was among the cheering crowd when she felt a commanding hand on her shoulder.  "Alakxsi, Alekxsi?"  Somehow, the smile of Eyktan Atumopin conveyed wicked delight.  But Alekxsi was not bothered.   She took her bolo in hand and walked confidently among the reptilian flyers.  She could hear Wade and his ikran shouting encouragement.  As she walked ayikran turned their backs with disinterest.  It seemed that she was walking the entire length of the rookery.  Ikran after ikran shuffled out of her way or hissed at her.  She didn't lose hope.  She knew her ikran was here somewhere.
 He announced himself by stretching out his front paws with his rump in the air.  He bellowed at her playfully and pretended to snap at her.  Smiling to herself, she thought, "This will be easy."  Quickly she threw her bolo towards his jaws, but skillfully, he turned his head.  "I missed!  How could I miss?"  The bolo had actually made one and a half turns around his jaw and one talon.  Said bolo was now pinned beneath said talon, and if ikrans could laugh, he certainly was.  He flapped his pale golden wings and threw his head back, making a peculiar barking/quacking sound.  Alekxsi regarded him with her hands on her hips.  She narrowed her golden eyes and watched for his talon to move away from the bolo.  But as she bent to retrieve it, he quickly bent his head to his feet.  He did not try to bite her.  He simply swatted her with the vane on his head and sent her sprawling.
  Alekxsi was aware of the laughter in the background,  And she was aware of the laughter above her.  This ikran was throwing his head back and shaking his wings making that same barking/quacking sound. "THAT DOES IT!" she thought.  Her wounded pride caused her to wound his toe.  She thumped on his toe with her fist with all her might.  When he bent down his startled head the second time, she quickly slapped the bolo around his jaws.  He reared his head back but she had already grabbed one of his meswin.  She was dangling there, but didn't have a chance to wonder how to climb on his back. He swung his head from side to side and didn't like the pendulous weight of this Blue Person hanging from his tswin.  In a panic, he snapped his head.  Immediately, the neural bond was broken and his new playmate was sent hurtling over the cliff.
  "Oh. My, Eywa. I'm gonna die." But Alekxsi was not panicked.  She spread out her arms and legs and wished she had a set of SyakSyuk wings. She had resigned herself to an honorable death until something incredible happened.  She bounced.  She didn't realized that she had closed her eyes and did not realize that her ikran had swooped after her.  She had bounced off his leathery wing, but was still falling. He spiraled down after her, tying to catch her on the back of his wing.  On the third bounce he turned upside down and caught her in his talons.  He returned to his roost and dropped her as gently as possible upon the ground.  Everyone rushed forward to her aid, but he stood his ground and hissed at them all.  Alekxsi was able to raise her hand in the common gesture of assurance.  "Tam,Tam!  I'm alright!" As she stood up, she was slapped in the head by her ikranyä tswin.  He had chosen her, now they could tsaheylu!  Laughing she joined their meswin.   "Ipuyu, Funny One! Nga yawne lu oer. I love you!"  She knew she was probably inventing a word, 'Ipuyu.  But he seemed rather flattered.  Soon the two joined meSkxawng in the sky, laughing and squawking.
  They were joined also by Tai, and Sargent Taifa'ana'e and Ateyo, and Zina, each on their ayikran.  Tai was motioning them downwards.  And motioned for Liri'el and Norm to follow.   Alekxsi knew they were to spend time with the Eastern Sea Clan, but escorted  the other group a short way down the drifting landscape. Mefo waved Hiyalovay, See You Later, and received forehead salutations Oel Mengati Kameie. I SEE YOU BOTH. Alekxsi and Wade watched as their friends spiraled down towards the base of the AyRam aLusìng. The Floating Mountains. With a certain whistfulness, Alekxsi realized that she would not be able to see Norm choose and get chosen by his ikran.  Eyktan Atumopin let out an ìley, a war cry to draw their attention.  "Fa txìm le'aw fko ke tsun mivakto meinrakit. With one butt one cannot ride two ikrans." Ironically,she realized that she HAD metxìm.  But even with TWO bodies she still had only ONE spirit. She resigned herself to that actuality. And wondered at the future repercussions of living in two worlds and two clans.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

 316)~ "They look like ants." Tai thought as her ikran soared past her crew and the other Flyer Hopefuls. The two rookeries were separated by a short distance that they had soon covered  before Tsawke, the sun, was at mid day, kxamtrr.  "HELL YEAH!" she cried out in encouragement. "Hell yeah!" was echoed by the climbers.  "HELL YEAH!" was echoed by every maktoyu who had flown along to watch the initiates.   
Jake soared above Norm and Max crying out "Make us proud aysamsiyu!"  Each climber returned a thumbs up on an outstretched arm.  Norm was delighted to be dive bombed by Liri'el.   She blew him kisses which he pretended to snatch out of  the sky.
Ateyo pushed Atanvi into a steep dive and swooped over the head of her half sister Kristi "Twiti" Castillo. They then banked sharply, a tight turn, nearly standing him on his wingtip. "High Four!"called Twiti as she jumped and nearly succeeded in slapping Pxepxi's outstretched hand.  Not to be outdone, Zina came by on her Ikran to dive bomb her muntxate,Twiti, as well.
   Twiti had an unfair advantage.   She had actually climbed these mountains before with Tovrey'itan.  It had been a shameful attempt on his part to woo her by allowing her privaleges that only aspiring ayswayonyu should enjoy.  No one held it against her, of course.  And since Tovrey'itan was now happily involved with Captain Janet Henderson, aylahe aytaronyu, the other hunters had stopped ribbing him about his poor attempt at courtship.  Twiti was happy to toss those thoughts aside in favor of the here and now.   "Hamalo lolu sätsyìl 'o' slä fìalo 'o' nìtxan nang!" Previously  the climb was exciting, but this time, very fun!
She had been witness to two different sätsyìl, but every single encounter was very different.  She was concentrating on her breathing and placement of hands and feet.  It was much easier to climb this time.  She knew she would have to rely on her quick reflexes and cleverness to get an ikran.  But she was also aware that Ateyo had to try three times before a suitable ikran presented itself to her.  Then she had to smile as she remembered overhearing the conversation between Tai and Norm's love interest at the bottom of the Floating Mountains just minutes ago.  "Are all the first encounters with ikran as, um, entertaining as the ones we have seen among the ayuniltìrantokx?"  Liri'el had laughed.The sound was like small silver coins falling, or even more delicate, like raindrops on a window pane.  Kxeyo had entered the conversation at that point.  "Pxako was very entertaining! And he is not Uniltìranyu!"  Kxeyo liked to tease his little brother about his glorious Txìm Whipping.  But Pxako was always quick to point out that he was victorious in the end.
  Liri'el finally answered Tai. "Every encounter is different.  But each ikran picks a suitable maktoyu, if you are willing to Kame with your heart, before you use your tswin!"  Twiti remembered Pxako's bloodied back; and wondered what would be required of her to prove her worthiness of an ikran.  She could hear the echoes of feet slapping against the rock  tunnel that lead to the rookery.  They were near!
   The blood was pounding in her head.  She was pleased to have come to the top of the Iknimaya sästyìl without lagging behind.  The climb alone was challenging.  But the climb alone would not  win her an ikran.  She concentrated on calming her breathing, and hoped she would not be chosen first. She needed to catch her breath.
   Jake Sully was laughing.  He thought he had seen his last military insignia when he left the RDA behind.  But now Tai's crew from the Hidden Base was lined up, dressed for the occasion.  Each was wearing a tewng with the insignia painted upon the front.  "Whose idea was this?" he cried, trying to keep a straight face.  Everyone pointed to Ateyo who was evidently proud of her handiwork.  Sargent Parilla shrugged and said, "Uniform of the day."
   JakeSully was giving his speech.  "I don't have to tell you that Iknimaya is the essential turning point in a Hunter's Life.  Each one of you will be challenged to the exteme.  Each experience is slightly different.  Keep your wits about you. Be willing to improvize and DON'T LET GO!  Sometimes you will not find an ikran.  Sometimes you will choose the WRONG ikran.  But DO-OVERS are permissible.   Srak, Ma Ateyo?" Everyone laughed nervously.  "Do-overs will have to be rescheduled in the future."  His speech was in Inglìsì because all  the aytaronyu were uniltìrantokx. "Now that you have all caught your breath, Norm is first."
  Norm's eyes nearly popped out of his head.  "Me?!"  He was dressed in a tewng, loincloth, now, having changed before they had left the Eastern Sea.  He  stepped forward, "I'm dressed for success! Let's do it." 
  "Rä'ä tswa' omum ngeyä  etrìpa hawnreo."  Don't forget your lucky hat!" said Liri'el as she placed it on his head. And gave him a firm liplock.  Norm was taken aback, happily.  He wasn't expecting such an outward PDA, Public Display of Affection.  Nor was he aware that Liri'el knew that he referred to his baseball cap as LUCKY! But he felt on top of the world now.  With a huge grin on his face, and without a second thought, he crossed the narrow ledge leading to the rookery. And stood face to face with  huge green ikran.  Suddenly his stomach turned to ice.  He felt the color drain from his face, and actually wondered if he looked light blue. But the ikran regarded him carefully and turned his back. Norm wondered if the IKRAN had seen him change color and turned away in disgust.
   Norm took a moment to regain his composure. He could hear his cheering section yelling, "You can do it Norm." But the voice that sounded clearest to his ear was that of Liri'el. "Tìtstewnga' Tsamsiyu."Brave warrior!  He turned and gave them all a thumb's up and blew her a kiss.  When he turned again, a green ikran with prominant purple markings accosted him and screamed in his face.  It wasn't fear that leapt to his throat.  It was certainty.
    He found a challenging OÌSSS roaring from his lungs.  In days to come he could not recall approaching the ikran.  He could not recall the boldness of approaching those teeth and wrapping the bolo around those jaws.  Somehow he was upon its back and hanging on for dear life as it tried to scrape him off.  He could her JakeSully coaching him from the sidelines; "Use your legs like I showed you Norm! Use your legs!"  Norm wrapped his legs around the jaws. But the ikran had actually dislodged Norm from his neck and was pinning him to the ground with his hog-tied jaws.  Norm's ancient high school wrestling skills came into play and soon he had squirmed from underneath the massive head and was now sprawled across the face holding a tswin in each hand.  The instantaneous mind rush was unlike anything he had ever encountered.  Oh sure, he had riden pa'li, but this was different.  This was certainty. Completion. "Nga lu fìpo!  You are the one!"  Exhausted, both he and the ikran lay in the afterglow.  Norm had't even experienced this certainty with Mary.  It wasn't MOWAN,  It had nothing to do with sexuality.  But he suddenly understood how tsaheylu could enhance and complete sexual oneness.  Before he could follow this train of thought he was hurtling over the edge of a cliff, attached, somehow or another, to a reptilian rocket.  He didn't know he had been screaming until he started laughing.  "THIS is what it's ALL about," he thought.  It wasn't long before Liri'el joined him flying on her ikran.  As they began their aerial pas-de-deux Jake grinned and turned back to the crowd.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

317)~"Whose NEXT?"                              
 "ME! ME! PICK ME!"  Peter Parilla was Major Tai's chief mechanic and sculptor of convertible Samsons.   He jumped down from his rock seat and strode up to JakeSully.  "Ready as I'll ever be."  
 Tai took him by the arm and warned him;  "I want to see all those fingers still attached when you come back."
"Don't worry Major. I'll have all my body parts when we are done with this dance."   He took three steps into the clearing and bent down.  "I think Norm no longer needs his Lucky Hat."  He tossed the mangled cap over his shoulder like a demented bridal bouquet.  THEN, his adversary roared in his face.  " TSAT ZAMUNGE" BRING IT! The ikran stretched forth its purple neck and snapped at Parilla.  Parilla advanced and hissed at the ikran.  Ikran stepped from the rim of the cliff and covered a crevisse in the rock wall.  Parilla did the unexpected and dived toward the ikran, skillfully dodging the nasty teeth yet binding the jaws with one fluid movement.  Startled, the ikran shook its head violently from side to side trying to disengage his jaws from the bolo.  Parilla grabbed a tswin as it whizzed past.  The ikran swung its head and Parilla flew in an arc that landed him smartly astride the ikran's neck.  As his eye's uncrossed he grabbed the two tswin, but before he could let go of one and grab his own tswin, the ikran tucked its  chin and bucked him forward, slamming him onto a large log, on his back, straddling it.  Before he could sit up, he saw the beast raise its head and slam the bony protruberance on it's bottom jaw, right between his legs.  The ikran, thinking that it had pinned down the pesky blue biped, started to emit a honking noise, by way of laughter.    Soon the entire rookery was honking in laughter!  But the laugh was on the ikran.  Its bony chin was now tightly wedged in the log.  The creature was so engrossed in trying to free itself, that it didn't notice that Parilla had rolled off the log and simply took up a tswin which was dangling carelessly.  In a moment, their eyes dilated in mutual awareness.  The ikran stopped struggling.  "Need some help with that?"  he sent soothing thoughts to his ikran and the creature allowed him to take out his knife and use it pry open the log.  The ikran gently freed it's chin and regarded Parilla with the menari, two eyes, on the side of it's head.  Now they regarded each other as mutual friends.  With his tswin still connected to the ikran, Parilla climbed onto it's whithers. "YAYO!" and over the cliff they  went.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

318)~ "I caught Norm's hat.  Does that mean I'm next?" Twiti asked Jake in all innocence.
"ÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌ KEHE! That ikran was pretty humiliated.  The one that follows will be pretty pissed off.  Maybe you should wait once more.  We need a scrapper!"  He coaxed Twiti to take her seat once more.  "Hang on to the hat."
  "Tai stood up and said, "Hey Fred!  Think you can top that last performance?"
  "I'll try, Ma'am." Sargent Freddie Petrich got to his feet.  He was grateful for his Avatar tokx.  Otherwise, he was no taller than Ateyo.  He took two steps into the "arena" and spun around to meet any challengers.  But  an orange one came from behind him and knocked him forward.  Freddie did a tuck and a did a nut roll from which he sprang to his feet and turned while in mid air.  The ikran closed within two feet of him and roared with such ferocity that Tai could swear she saw it's breath waving through his hair.  Freddie answered him with a right jab straight to the tip of it's snout.  While  blinking in stunned wonderment, Freddie wrapped the bolo around the jaws and immediately ducked between it's front legs, alongside his whithers and grabbed it's tswin on the way up.  But before he could join meswin in tsaheylu, the ikran reared up, twisted ninty degrees and slammed Freddie into the rock wall.  But Freddie had not let go the meswin.  Without the need to remain UPON the ikran, Freddie easily joined meswin.  In puzzlement, the ikran eased Freddie down the rock wall and bent to allow Fred Petrich to climb onto his back.  They launched gently from the cliff, a wee bit too sore for a steep dive.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

 319) "OK It's only going to get worse from here.  I'm going next!"  Twiti handed Norm's hat to Zina, who, for once, did not try to shelter Twiti from the challenge.  Jake motioned Twiti into the mo, the open space which might be considered an arena.  Twiti walked past four or five ikran who either looked disinterested or annoyed. A few hissed, but a green one with blue markings jumped out to challenge her.  Twiti leaped sidewise to the edge of the cliff and the ikran tried to block her.  Unfortunately, its front wing knuckle slipped off the edge of the cliff.  In an effort to regain its balance it flung out its wing.  Twiti ran to its kxetse and climbed like a syaksyuk straight up onto its neck.  She grabbed a tswin in each hand as the ikran became hopping mad.  She knew that she had not the strength to wrestle it down, she  would just have to let it tire itself out.  The ikran started to hop up and down. Twiti hung on for all she was worth.  Each hop sent her txìm skyward and moments later smashed her txìm in direct contact with her ikran.  She rode him like a bronco for eight seconds, but was thrown onto the ledge above.  She rushed at it and somehow found herself on its neck once again.  She did her txìm another five seconds of damage before the same thing happened.  She successfully remounted and quickly criss-crossed the meswin into a square knot, without putting any tight bends in the ropelike appendages.  It wasn't painful but definately annoying.   The ikran continued hopping until it hopped right off the 'aukx.  Everyone gasped in horror because tsaheylu had not yet been achieved. 
   Others rushed to the edge to see the two in an uncontrolled fall.  Stunned, they turned to Jake with pleading eyes.  "It is the way." He explained in a quiet voice.  All eyes then turned to Tai.  But she responded grimly.  "It is the way."
  "Pasìk!" shouted Zina as she hurtled herself onto her ikranyä saddle.  But before she was halfway down the cliff, Twiti was already on her way up.  Gingerly, the ikran let itself down upon the cliff.  Twiti calmly disengaged her tswin, and unknotted the ikrans meswin. And non-challantly slid to the ground.  Zina was soon landed beside her Beloved.  There were tears streaming down the tough woman's face.  "I thought we had lost you!" And threw her arms around Twiti in a grateul hug.  Tai came running up.  "Too bad they don't give buckles for that.  That was one Hellacius ride!" 
   "Moe lolu kllte nìwin.  We were going down fast! Slä rä'ä lopx! But I didn't panic! Oel kem Tsaheylu awsiteng, oeyä ikran sì oe... " Suddenly she remembered the words to Ateyo's Ikran Flyer: Titswusayoniri moe lu'aw.  Flying Two as One."  NOW she truly understood!
  Neytiri also ran up.  "To seal the Bond, you must have ridden all the way to the bottom of the cliff!" 
Twiti rolled her eyes and held up one finger. "Moel kiveiä!  We two will will go gladly!  Moe tayatäw.  We'll be back!" Her ikran bent down and she GINGERLY sat upon his whithers.  Twiti sent her new 'eylan many gentle, soothing thoughts.  She whispered, "Yayo" in her mind and it gently lauched into the air.  Ateyo and Atanvi came swooping alongside. "Don't worry, Tsmuketsyìp! I making for you one thick pillow saddle!"