ATEYO TeSYAKSYUK: TSULFATU

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

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

PREFACE~~~~~~
Ateyo's life parallels mine in most respects.
Including the gender issues.
The romance between the Samoan pilot mimics the love shared by oeyä yawnetu sì oe. (my beloved and I)  She too is two-spirit, yet served as an Army Helicopter pilot for 20 years, and she lived among the Samoans for two years and was accepted into their family structure.
My experience with volunteering at the local library revealed that children are drawn to me and enjoy
the craft making sessions I taught.  Niri Te (Tai) and I live in a loose knit rural community where we have gained popularity with some for our cook outs and target shooting competitions.
 The GiveAway is a long tradition among Native Americans.  It is a tradition, where bonds are made between clans and individuals.  It is usually accompanied by spontaneous drumming and singing,
hooting and hollering, and lasts for hours.  It sometimes conducted like a "roast" with gifts reflecting someone's accomplishments or an embarrassing event.
These things I wish to convey with a Na'vi context an share with you!
ATEYO TE SYAKSYUK (aka Tee, Tabby or Toby)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1)~ An excited energy ran through the Na'vi of the Kelutral, HomeTree.
The moons would be in alignment tonight, so that meant
a visitation of the neighboring clan and a feast followed by a GiveAway.
And a GiveAway always meant a visit from Ateyo Te SyakSyuk!
The children were especially anxious to see what gifts Ateyo would bring,
Ateyo was a tsulfätu, a skilled craftsman.
She stayed away from most of the Na'vi, which seemed very odd.
She lived among the treetops, with a colony of Syaksyuks as friends.
But everyone loved her for her good humor , her songs, and her gifts.
Perhaps she was self-conscious about her height.
She was not even two meters tall.
"Tsawtutsyìp!"  The 'eveng would cry out. Little human
It was a word that the ayevi had made-up. just for her.
"Oisss" Ateyo would only grin and hiss good naturedly.
But perhaps she was self-conscious because she was two-spirit.
"Ateyo, nga lu Tsmuke? Tsmukan?"  Are you Sister or Brother?
"Tsmuk", she would reply with a grin.  Sibling!
"Sran. Slä tutan fu tute?"  Yes, but male or female?
She would grin and say "SRANE" YES! and disappear into the heights.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#1
2)~  Ateyo was excited too.  The sawtute (sky people, humans) and the elders had had a meeting earlier that afternoon,Olo'eyktan, the Clan Chieftan, Ikxeru had assured her that the sawtute were becoming ayeylan, friends, and were very much interested in the Na'vi and wished to help them retain their home land.  They were from the warrior clan of the sawtute, the Human SkyPeople, and one flew a kunsìp!  (a gunship,a flex-wing helicopter!) Tai was her name. She was from an Ocean Tribe from 'Rrta, earth. Ateyo had always wanted to fly an ikran, the winged dragon-like creature that every hunter flies; or even lefngapa yayo! a Metal Bird,the flexwing  helicopter. She remembered helping Trudy Chacon paint her kunsip and her face with tsamopin, warpaint.  Ateyo had presented her with an armband ornament, ioi: a circular shape with grass blades woven through it to resemble the strange wings of the kunsìp. That was during The Time of Great Sorrows when Trudy Chacon helped JakeSully and the Na'vi repel the greedy skypeople who were destroying Pandora with their strip mining operation. Trudy never came back.
  She looked at the new ornament in her hand, a replica of the one she gave Trudy.  She had met Tai just last month, and fortunately Tai had invited her to sit in the left seat, next to the pilot.  She had served as interpreter on that excursion.  She hoped Tai would accept her gift.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#2
3)~ Ateyo sat above the large gathering place, thoughtfully chewing the last morsel of her dinner. She had wondered if today would be a good occasion for a Give Away.  Eyktan Ikxeru, the chieftan, had assured her it would be.  The sawtute, humans were relaxed.  They had to eat carefully, sneaking one bite at a time under their masks.  How tedious a task!  It only proved to her how willing they were to be here. She watched the eyktan stand and walk to the drum.  He made a short speech, again welcoming the sawtute and thanking them for their assistance in turning away the Destroying Sawtute.  Tsahik Meykir stood up and gave a good translation.The tsahik was the medicine woman and spiritual leader of this tribe, the Omatikaya. She had studied with Toktor Grace, too, in the time before the Great War. She was speaking in Na'vi and Ìnglìsì:
"Is special night for us. For celebrate new friends make here, we do GiveAway.  Comes always our special friend: Syaksyuk! Syaksyuk? Where are you?"
At this point, the ayeveng, the children, were nearly frantic:
SYAKSYUK! SYAKSYUK!  the eyktan Ikxeru pounded the drum as a figure descended from above.
SYAKSYUK SYAKSYUK! In a high piping voice. A beautiful, musical whistling sound was heard as Ateyo soared down wearing a pair of "wings" fashioned from large leaves. They were attached at the ankle and along her sides to resemble the syaksyuk (lemur-like creatures) who swooped among the treetops. She landed lightly near olo'eyktan, the clan chieftan.
 

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#3
4)~ Tsahik Meykir, the medicine woman,  had taken her seat next to the Tsatute who flew the kunsip.
"I not knowing if other olo' have One like Syaksyuk. She making this thing our tradition.  All child look excitement for GiveAway." But her eyes were just as glittery with excitement as of any evi in the circle.  Eyktan Ikxeru bowed to Ateyo in a mock formal gesture
"Oel ngati kameie".  (I SEE you truly) The small, by Na'vi standards, figure also bowed and said SYAKSYUK! in her high pitched chirp.  Everyone laughed as the olo'eyktan feigned shock and surprise.
"I come with gifts for GiveAway!" the small figure cried.  And the evi were beside themselves. But they knew they must wait.  "Ateyo climbing high up tree and bringed you  prize UTU MAUTI- push fruit."
 A great pantomime ensued where Ateyo solicited help from an 'eveng, a child, to untie the fruit from one of the extra hands she had fashioned on her costume.(SyakSyuks have four hands, too!)
Eyktan  Ikxeru accepted UTU MAUTI solemnly and pretended to take a bite.  Everyone hooted and hollered.  They all knew it was impolite to accept UTU MAUTI without first refusing it.
"ATEYO I cannot accept this delicious gift when we have new friends with us here."

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#4
5)~ NÌPRRRRRTE! With pleasure!" Ateyo turned quickly towards Tai. There was another tsawtute sitting with her, but she remembered Tai from before. A time when Tai needed a ralpengyu, a translator, to fly with her in her kunsip. Being puptokh, small body, Ateyo was asked to sit up front, next to the pilot. In a flash, she remembered the event:
Tai had come to Ramunong Ayvitrayäa, the Well of Souls, to seek acceptance and prove her dedication towards the Na'vi.
And had been requested to be struck dead if her words were untrue.
((FLASHBACK))
Ma Tai! The Great Mother does not cause death.  It is not her way. But I know she can see your heart, as well. Though you don't have tswin,(all Na'vi have a braid,which contains neural fibers) I would hope that you know this. Can you feel it here?

Ateyo took the liberty of placing her hand over Tai's heart, wondering to herself how anyone could experience deep connectedness without a tswin. Tai took Ateyo's hand in hers.  They were nearly the same length, but Ateyo's three fingers were long and slender. She brought the sweet hand to her lips, and lingered there a moment. Ateyo felt a strong jolt of warm energy coursing through her veins at the touch of those lips.

Ateyo remembered her response, " Yes Ateyo. I feel it here. I feel many things deeply. Here."
She had touched her own heart but her eyes had been locked into the deep cat-like eyes of Ateyo.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#5
6)  Graciously and with great exaggeration, Ateyo presented the UTU MAUTI to Tai.
"Ateyo has climbing to  high up ayutral, trees, for bringing this good Push Fruit."
She heard the ayeveng giggling behind her.  She hadn't meant to use the translation.
Did they have to take everything so literally?
She was grateful to hear many voices in the reprimand OIISS!
Tai never lost eye contact with Ateyo. Fìpo menari THOSE EYES!
Tai took a quick gulp of air and popped open her mask.
Taking a quick bite, she slammed her mask into place.
Chewing contentedly, she looked meaningfully into Ateyo's eyes.
The moment was not lost on anyone.
Young sampsiyu all hooted, knowing glances were exchanged among others
A moment lingered where no one dared move or breathe
Eyktan Ikxeru leaned over to his muntxatu (wife)and stated the obvious. "Awngeyä Ateyori lu mowan fìtawtuteru.  Our Ateyo has desire for this tsawtute. "This will be interesting". The silence was broken when Ateyo leapt into the air and sang the refrain from her newest song:

'Efu hufwet
A oeri mesyalit spule
Nefä, nefä
Kxamlä taw aean
~~~~~~~~~~
I feel the wind
Carrying my wings
Upwards Upwards
Through the  blue skies

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#6
7  Unexpectedly, Tai jumped to her feet and motioned the other human to his feet.
"We two come from a small island country on Earth.  There was a time when it had much beauty, like Pandora.  But bad humans have destroyed that beauty.  We came to Pandora because we love this beauty. We are willing to fight and die for this. We two will do a war dance from our Samoan people to show you our willingness to fight."  
 The two had already removed their boots and took their stances. While the Tsahik Meykir and Ateyo translated.  Ikxeru, the Chieftan, motioned the aysampsiyu, Na'vi warriors, to gather closer.
 The two began their chant with a commanding shout, stamping rhythmically and drumming on their bodies with their hands.  The words they chanted flowed like Na'vi, some of the aysamsiyu joined by clapping the rhythm. The presentation was short and intense. And ended with both Samoans in a defensive posture and a fierce expression on their faces. The aysamsiyu all jumped to their feet and shouted, eager to learn. And the children jumped to their feet and pulled Ateyo to her feet as well. "Come let us learn this dance."
 "Sran!  I can give these gifts away at a different time!" Ateyo was truly torn. This would be a good opportunity to learn from the humans. They were truly sharing together. Now the ayeveng, the children,  were in a dilemma. They were beginning to get very excited. Olo'eyktan was about to intervene when Tai held up her arms in a commanding gesture. Said something loudly and took her seat,and looked to Ateyo to translate.
Poe plltxe, san: nì'ul srew lehawnngtrro: sik. "She say QUOTE: MORE DANCE LATER: UNQUOTE" and turning to the evi, the kids,  she said:
"Now, who will help me take this basket of gifts OFF MY BACK!?""

 

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#7
8~  Ayeveng, Children, came rushing up to Ateyo, "OE SRUNNg SIVI NGA." I will help you.
"Careful, Ma Evi. Don't break anything. Including me!" The woven pack was nearly as big as Ateyo herself.  Gently, it was lifted from her back and placed beside her. The children were nearly dancing with  excitement.
 With a flourish, Ateyo produced a beautiful cape of an delicate orange color. The garment whirled in the air. The entire edge was decorated with bead work made of iridescent seeds.
"Oe kä win sami ulte stamä'ni loreyuti alu ngivop fì'are fpi Tsahikit Meykir!" Ateyo went fast and caught Helicordian with which to create this cape for the sake of Tsahik Meykir!
Tsahik Meykir stood up and Ateyo carefully draped the beautifully crafted cape over her shoulders.
She turned to the Mesawtute, the Two Humans, and explained: "Your people calling this plant Heli cor di an. When touching it goes down very fast."   Recognition registered on their faces, they had each been startled by this plant before.  Meykir turned to Ateyo and rewarded her with a grateful hug.
 The next gift was produced. An elaborate pxawpxun, an armband, crafted for Olo'eyktan Ikxeru, with extra beads left dangling simply for the colorful effect. Laughing and cheering ensued after each gift was presented. Each person in turn standing to display their gift, sometimes exchanging a gift of their own with Ateyo. The night wore on, people came and went, food and drink was shared. The children received child size bows and arrows, ioi of various kinds. The human medic next to Tai received a pxawpxun with  a red cross emblem woven into it.  Ateyo did not understand the glowering look she received from him.  The hug was a demonstration of his great size. Shorter than Na'vi but heavily muscled.  

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#8
9~As the tsawtutan sat again next to Tai, he slipped his hand over hers in a possessive manner.
("this is awkward",) thought Ateyo because the next gift was the circular ioi that she had made for Tai. It was fashioned of woven plant fibers to resemble the rotors of the kunsip within the circular shroud. Tai offered her arm and Ateyo proceeded to wrap it, neatly around her arm,explaining:  PXAW indicating around, and PXUN indicating arm.
Fa'afatai! Irayo! In her delight she had spoken Samoan. GiveAways were a common custom.  Quickly, she removed her old Timex with it's flexible metal wristband. PXAW PXUN she announced and made a big show of placing it over Ateyo's hand, past her slender wrist and well onto her forearm.
As the crowd murmured its approval, Tai sat down and patted the spot between her and Tsahik Meykir.
"HEYN TOKXTSYIP!" (Sit Little Body) Indeed, she had rehearsed that line all night waiting for the opportunity to invite the animated little Na'vi person next to her.
Laughter and approval filled the gathering place, but she was aware that her self-appointed boyfriend was not pleased by the gesture.
"Tam tam?" questioned Ateyo with a nervous glance at the big Samoan next to her.
"Tam tam." replied Tai.  She leaned over to her companion and whispered something.  He nodded solemnly and placed his hands on his own knees with a disheartened sigh.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#9
10) The Give Away lasted several hours with spontaneous outbursts of singing and dance and presentations to Olo'Eyktan Ikxeru and Tsahik Meykir and the sawtute guests.  It wasn't long before the evi came to Ateyo and dragged her to her feet.
"We want you to do the Ikran Flyer dance with us."
Laughing she got to her feet and the evengya made a rough formation to each side of her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IKRANÄ TSWAYONYU
Oe mìn nìtxa' ftär
Oe mìn nìtxa' skien
Titswusayonìri moe lu 'aw
Oeyä ikran sì oe
Txur, seykxel
'Efu hufwet
A oeri mesyalit spule
Nefä, nefä
Kxamlä taw aean
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
IKRAN FLYER
I turn very hard left
I turrn very hard right
We are one in flight
My ikran and I
Very strong  
I feel the wind
Carrying my wings
Upwards Upwards
Through the  blue skies

Evi loved this song for the chance to pantomime flying. It also gave Tai a chance to talk with Tsahik Meykir about Ateyo. Through the corner of her eye, Ateyo could see Tai smiling, and even the Big Samoan next to her seemed to be enjoying himself.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#10
11 ~ Tai leaned over towards Meykir during the Ikran Flyer performance.
"Ma Tsahik. I have met two other Ateyos. They were Tsmukan, brothers. This Ateyo is Tsmuke, sister.
But wears her hair in male fashion."
Meykir could not hide her delight.  If you ask her, she will say, 'Tsmuk!' and if you ask male or female she will say 'YES!' She can be delightful, but I think she is sad. She will say, 'Everyone loves Ateyo, but no ONE loves Ateyo'.
Tai nodded slowly. "It is a loneliness that I am familiar with. In Samoa, where I am from, there are some people who are Fa'aFafina- in the style of a woman. Eltu (and points to her head) doesn't match tokx(and points to her body).  I am such a one. Everyone wants Fa'aFafina for sister. Strong. Pound much poi." (she made a muscle and pointed to a pounding stick nearby) "But no one wants Fa'aFafina for wife."
Meykir nodded and indicated with her eyes, the big Samoan sitting next to Tai.  
"Is he Fa'a??"
"No. But he wishes I were not!" Tsahik nodded solemnly.
"That could be problem." It was a statement more than a question. "You are liking our Ateyo?"
Tai could actually feel herself blushing. Again. But the answer was inescapable:
"Srane. Yes"

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#11
12~The Ikran Flyer dance was finished and everyone was cheering. Ateyo had been watching Tai and Tsahik Meykir through the corner of her eye. The Big Samoan next to her had his head down and his hands were now fists on his knees.
("This does not look good for Ateyo.") the thought burned quickly through her mind. She had a desire to flee back into her treetops and think about this whole matter. She turned to the eager children. And now she had found a way to escape the underlying tension.
" I think I am finished with my SyakSyuk wings for the night.  Who will help me take them off?"
The ensuing mob scene wandered off stage left.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#12
13~The Big Samoan came to his feet. He turned to Olo'Eyktan Ikxeru and said in a loud voice,
"We are deeply honored that you invited us to this Fi'aFi'a, this feast."
He was gratified that Tsahik was translating rather than Ateyo. And paused while she translated.
"I cannot speak for TaiTaeAo," and looked pointedly at her. "I had wonderful time. I enjoyed food."
He patted his stomach so that the meaning was clear. And was met with laughter.
"But now I need HAHAW (he laid his cheek on his hands in the universally accepted word for sleep)
"And I want to take off this MASK!"  He tapped the clear lens that enveloped his face.
Everyone was relieved to hear this and laughed. They could not imagine wearing anything that uncomfortable. And some were relieved that the tension they had perceived had dissipated. A voice emerged from among the young hunters:
"ONE MORE DANCE BEFORE YOU GO!"
Tsahik Meykir did not need to translate, as the young warriors approached him with pantomime gestures.  This gave him a perfect chance to bring Tai to her feet.
Again, the were side-by-side, dancing the Siva of their ancestors.  The strong rhythms and the synchronicity was like lightning between them.  Surely, she could not abandon this energy.  He wasn't dancing For the Na'vi.  He was dancing for Tai. This could be their New Samoa.  Surely, she could feel it!
The dance ended with a strong posture. They held still for the last moment. And he took her by the arm, "Promise that we will speak before I go back to the base." He waited for a nod before he released her arm and they were mobbed my tall, slender blue bodies.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#13
14~  The sawtute had walked down/climbed down from the clan's home tree. The Na'vi samsiyu and toronyu, warriors an hunters, had accompanied them down amidst laughter and singing.  They were prepared to accompany them back to the sawtute place, but Tai and Taifa'ana'e indicated through pantomime that they wished to speak together. Satisfied for a moment of privacy the Big Samoan addressed the woman.
"Tai I didn't mean to act possessive when I grabbed your hand. I don't want to own you, but I don't want to lose you either,"
He was interrupted: "Are you jealous that I am attracted to Ateyo?"
"NO," he protested loudly.  "Not jealous. It's just that,,,"  he groped around for words. "It's just that we were doing Siva side-by-side it made me think how this could be our New Samoa, and seeing your affections for this Na'vi person... Well. Tai. we are the only two Samoans here... and I..."
"Au, Brother!  You KNOW I am not going to be the one to bear your children.  I don't date outside my gender!"
It was an old joke between them, when his desires were first quenched.  He had accepted the fact that Tai was double-gendered, but preferred the company of, and identified with the female sex.  But seeing her affection towards another woman, A Na'vi woman, made him feel a little bit lonely.
"But you date outside your species?"
"That remains to be seen! But this IS New Samoa.  Those Na'vi samsiyu were dancing Siva with US!"
Taifa'anae laughed.  It was a relief,  He had been scared, at a deep level, that he would be ALONE in this new place. They would find a way, somehow, to make this home.
"You should go back and say GoodBye, or something, to your little friend." He wanted to make an assuring gesture, that he wasn't trying to be possessive.  "You didn't get a chance to say GoodBye."  He gave her a big bear hug and smiled down at her. But his smile was sad as he turned heel and returned in the direction of the sawtute place.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#14
15~Ateyo could hear the singing and dancing below.  Mefo, those two,Samoans were teaching their dance to the Na'vi. The evi had followed her up to a place where she could remove her syaksyuk flying wings.  They were excited to see which of them would receive the treasured flying apparatus. She gave each string of whistling Cat-Ear Plants to two deserving children.
 " Look Ateyo. I can see mefo sawtute talking."
Ateyo hadn't noticed that feast was all but ended.  So preoccupied with these unfamilar attractions, she had allowed the ayeveng to distract her.  But she strained to see where the tall child was pointing.  
She turned away when she saw the Big Samoan embrace Tai.  Her heart sank and she admonished herself for even thinking that someone might have more than a passing fancy towards her.  She was two-spirit.  How could that even be possible? Ha! They couldn't even breathe the same air. She turned aside and looked away. And didn't even notice that Tai was returning.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#15
16~ "Are you sad, Ateyo?"  Mikir'ite peered at Ateyo's face. "You like that Tsawtute, Don't you?"
Ateyo was startled at such a direct question. But felt that the daughter of Meykir deserved a direct response.
"Srane.  I am sad at such an impossible thought."
The younger ayeveng were not as polite, and delighted in Ateyo's embarrassment: "Everyone loves Ateyo but no ONE loves Ateyo!"
They had all heard Ateyo's lament. She pretended not to feel its sting.
"We all love you, Ateyo." (Mikir'ite shot a reprimanding gesture to her younger aysmukan.) In that instant all the ayeveng once again swarmed around Ateyo and gave her hugs and affection.  Soon they were talking about their gifts and admiring Ateyo's Lefngyapa PxawPxum, the Timex that Tai had given her.
"Look it has aytanhì" Sure enough each of the twelve positions had a luminescent dot like the freckles on their bodies and the stars in the skies. "It is a tsawtute gift and a Na'vi gift at the same time."
The children were delighted in their discovery and exclaimed at the sweeping second hand.
"ATEYO! ATEYO!"  A breathless young toronyu, hunter, climbed up from the main gathering room. "Tai came back. Tai came back!"
Together the children made a knowing sound, "Ahhh."
"Ateyo grinned sheepishly. "Maybe she forgot something."
Mikir'ite leaned over to her and said, "Kehe, Ateyo.  Maybe she remembered something."

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#16
17~Ateyo was conscious of all eyes upon her.  Her heart was beating in her throat as she climbed down to the large gathering room. And there sitting next to Tsahik, once again, was Tai, smiling at her.
Those eyes! Mefo menari! Tai spoke first in Inglìsì:
 "Everyone got a hug from Ateyo, but Ateyo didn't get a hug from me!"
The tall Samoan woman stood and drew Ateyo to herself in an embrace. The bridge of Ateyo's nose fit nicely near the woman's throat, though impeded by the edge of the mask. It was nice to be embraced so closely by another. She experienced the pulse of Tai's blood against her cheek, and wished to experience this more! But decorum got the better of her. She stepped back from the embrace, trying, but not succeeding in hiding her smile. "Nprrrte." Ateyo murmured, purring out the word.
 Tsahik Meykir translated, but the body language spoke louder.  Meykir informed Ateyo of the Samoan value that Tai had explained; the value of Two-Spirited people in her culture.
"Oe lu mene tirea," Tai explained in stuttering Na'vi, "Oel ngati kameie."
I am two spirit and I SEE you.  Ateyo once again experienced a dizzying joy. Some ONE loves Ateyo.
She scolded herself for jumping to conclusions and listened as Tsahik continued to translate;
 "This one enjoyed your songs and your joyfulness.  She says you make her feel happy inside and wants very much to get hug before she returns to the Sawtute place."
 If your friend has go not with you, you are being welcome for stay in Home Tree this night.  Plenty Sleep Leafs, em, hammocks here. "Ateyo showing where sleeping you."

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#17
18) It was a foregone conclusion that all the ayveng were invited.  "Ateyo, you and the Tsawtute can sleep with us here.  Look! Here is a sleep leaf big enough for two."
Though Ateyo had just indicated two single-occupancy sleep-leaves in the communal sleeping area.
It wasn't lost on Tai that the Evi were acting as cupids on their behalf.
"Hahaw.Tokxtsyìp." Tai used baby words, much to the amusement of the Evi.  They started calling out encouragement to their mentor. "Sleep Little Body!" Tai's grin was all the encouragement she needed.
"Hawnven, srak?" Ateyo indicated the Cochran jump boots that Tai had put on before she had first left the Kelutral.Tai replied with a smile. "Shoes! OFF!, srak?" Ateyo started to help her unlace them, but Tai said "Kehe" and unzipped them from the back. "Zipper", she instructed. "Zipper" repeated Ateyo. and unzipped the other boot. "Zipper" said Ateyo and pointed to the breast pocket of Tai's flight suit.
"Zipper" repeated all the children from their respective hiding places.  Indeed, none of them had climbed in their sleep leaves.
"Looks like we have many chaperones tonight!" She grinned at Ateyo, wondering to what degree children were allowed to watch adults.
"Zipper!" Ateyo exclaimed. And pulled the zipper at Tai's collarbone.   "Yes, Srane, Zipper." She  modestly turned her back to finish undressing. Giggles filled the air as she let her flight suit drop to her ankles."
"Ta'leng vawmpin. Kosman." Ateyo murmured. dark skin. wonderful. Tai's skin had not lost the dark walnut color even though she had been away from Samoan sunlight for ages.  More giggling ensued.
"Hahaw ma Ayeveng. Hahaw".  A delighted chorus responded, "Txon lefpom Ma Ateyo! Txon lefpom, Ma Tai."  Ateyo curled up next to the strong body of Tai as easily as if they had been mated for years.  Tai momentarily lifted her mask and quickly kissed Ateyo's shoulder. Contentedly, they drifted off to sleep amidst giggling But eventually, that drifted away too.

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#18
19~ Before Tai became fully awakened, various experiences intruded on her slumber.  There was a lovely body next to hers. The sounds of women pounding taro? in the village!? There was a tail?! wrapped around her thigh?!?! And there were many pairs of eyes staring at her. There WAS a soft pounding sound and happy singing, but not Samoan. Probably not taro. But pounding and singing. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew that Taifa'ana'e would enjoy this aspect of Na'vi life. The figure next to her stirred and that tail twitched involuntarily (!?) tickling her thigh. She must have startled because suddenly she had inspired giggling from all around.  "Rewon lefrom Ma Tai! Rewon lefpom Ma Ateyo!" a chorus of young voices cried out happily. From other places the voices of mothers could be heard chiding Evi to mind their manners and calling them away.
"Rewon lefpom Ma Ateyo!" Tai murmured from behind the annoying mask.  It had been a long time since she had had to sleep wearing her breathing device. She was greeted by a sleepy nuzzle. She had almost drifted back to sleep when Ateyo sat up suddenly.  Luckily, there were no children to observe the event, because the hammock was sent to wild swinging.  It had simply startled Ateyo to realize that she was not sleeping alone.  The two women looked with astonishment at each other and burst out laughing.
"I could get used to this!" Exclaimed Tai. The response was an enthusiastic hug that nearly dislodged her face mask.  Waking up to laughter instead of shouted commands was indeed rewarding!

Ateyo Te Syaksyuk

#19
20~ There she stood in her skivvies, trying to decide whether to put clothing on. She pictured herself in breathing apparatus and a loincloth and thought better of it.
"Hawnven, srak?" Ateyo pointed to the boots
"Kehe. Rä'ä hawnven. This was definitely time to go-naked-feet day!
"Yemstokx?" She wondered if that was the word for clothing.  She clad herself in the pro-offered flight suit, zipping it only to her waist.
"Zipper!" Ateyo almost offered to help, but was disappointed when Tai turned away to manipulate the zipper at her crotch.  They exchanged apologetic half smiles, each wondering what the future would hold. Ateyo presented the circular ioi and Tai allowed her to wrap it around her arm.
"Ohakx?" Ateyo made a gesture towards her stomach in the universal sign language for hunger.
"Srane! Ohakx!" Tai was delighted to find a simple response to a word she hadn't learned yet. She followed Ateyo down to the next level where people were gathering for the morning meal.  Immediately the two of them were mobbed by the Evi, chattering and grabbing their hands, trying to establish a preferential seating pattern.
"Good Morning, Tai! Did you sleep well?" said a familiar voice.