Storm over Pandora

Started by Lehrrap Uniltìranyu, December 31, 2009, 08:10:08 PM

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Sngä'i Tìrey-yä

#140
Kelutrel
1000 HRS


Mo'at led Alex down the spiraling tree. When they reached the fire pit, she pushed him towards the group of Na'vi, who eyes him up and down as he approached. Alex waved sheepishly and found himself a rock to sit on. He was relieved when Ariel showed up, saw him and walked over. He was about to begin talking with her when one of the tribesman walked up to them, and began chatting.

"Kaltxì tawtute, sì uniltìranyu."

Alex had no idea what was said. "eh?" was his only reply as he turned to Ariel, hoping she had some idea.

"Oh god, I have to play translator?" Ariel groaned and turned towards Alex, "My na'vi isn't good enough for this... but I did get that. He was just saying hi." Turning back towards the Na'vi male she replied, "Kaltxì, ngaru lu fpom srak,"

He smiled, quickly replying "Srane ma tsmuke, sì ngaru lu fpom srak."

Ariel stammered a bit, wracking her brain for the right word in reply. "Uuh, Sìlt... something um... Sìltsun? Ya, I think that's it." She sighed and ran a few long blue fingers through the hair that slowly slipped out of her queue. Learning Na'vi was becoming a truly daunting task.

This pulled a laugh from the Na'vi man, and a few others around them. "Sìltsan, ma tsmuke. Ìnglìsì srak."

Alex watched and listened to the conversation. He was feeling pretty useless until the Na'vi man said something about ìnglìsì...English?

"English? Really? Oh thank god." She sighed in relief, and turned to Alex. "You're being unusually quiet, I think he's gonna start using English so you should join in the fun and not leave me sitting here all awkward like someone stiffed on their first date." Ariel paused and her stomach rumbled, "And do you think we can get something to eat around here?"

"Yeah, I picked up on the English part, and I think we could get food, that's why Mo'at brought me here." Alex turned to the Na'vi standing with them. "Food? Eat?" Making eating motions with his hands in front of his face. The Na'vi laughed at Alex, and took both of them by the hand to the fire area where meat was cooking, and some was done set to the side to keep warm.

"You eat this. Eat, yom in us langage" pointing to the meat keeping warm.

Ariel looked at it, and delicately wrinkled her nose. She wasn't a vegetarian by any stretch of the imagination, but calling her picky would be putting it lightly. Still, she was starving and it did smell rather good... "Um, what is it? What animal?" She crossed her fingers hoping it wasn't some kind of bug or something.

"You call them......" he stopped to think "Foreest bahnshee"

Ariel paused to digest this, "So we're eating your guys' rides? Don't you use those to fly around? I figured it would be off-limits for eating..."

Alex wasn't interested in listening to their conversation, his eyes were on the strips of meat in front of him. He reached out and grabbed a piece up, burning his fingers on the still very hot meat. He let out a small cry of pain, and in his desire to eat for the first time in 36 hours, slapped the meat across his face mask with a small smacking sound. Laughter soon erupted from all around him.

The Na'vi man chuckled a bit, then turning to Ariel "No, these small ones. No can ride, good for hunting."

"Oh ok," Ariel said and took a piece, trying not to laugh at Alex. It was bad enough he was comic fodder for the whole clan, she was going to try and be nice to her human teammate. She sniffed cautiously at the meat, and then using her incisors pulled a few stringy strands off and into her mouth. She chewed cautiously, tasting the meat, and the swallowed. It wasn't half bad. "As much as I hate this term, this pretty much tastes like chicken." She observed, "You doing ok Alex? How's that gonna work?"

Alex peeled the meat off his visor, obviously embarrassed. Noticing for the first time how many people were around them, watching the interaction. "Uh...well. I'm not sure. This mask is in the way. If I take it off, I die. If I leave it on, I starve to death, and die. Which reminds me, I'm parched. Need that too, or I die."

"Sounds like you've got yourself in quite a pickle" Ariel observed, taking another bite and swallowing. It was kind of insensitive to be eating in front of Alex, but hey, she was hungry. "Maybe you could like take a bite, then take a breath, then chew, and repeat? Pretty troublesome, but seems likely to avoid death."

"Uhhhh. Uhm. Yeah I guess that could work. Maybe." Alex took a deep breath removing his mask briefly, taking in a mouthful of the meat, and slaped his mask back on. Chewing his food for a moment, he turns to Ariel "Yeah, a bit like chicken."

Na'vi male turned to the eating pair of newcomers "Cheeken? What is Cheeken?"

"Um, it is almost like an ikran, but much smaller with only two wings. It cannot fly, so we eat it and its eggs. And it is covered with soft things called feathers." Ariel paused to see if she missed anything, "And it can be very delicious"

Navi male looked puzzled "Do you.... tsahaylu with cheeken?

Ariel snorted in a really unladylike fashion and started laughing hysterically. The more she tried catching her breath, the harder she laughed, until she was rolling on the ground with tears streaming down her face. "Tsahaylu..." she managed to choke out, before bursting into laughter again.

"I think I missed something." Alex says to the Na'vi, his mask hissing again as he took another bite and resealed it to his face. "What is Tash-hay-lu?"

The Na'vi man smiled at him "Tsahaylu, it mean bond. Na'vi tsahaylu with Ikran, with forest, with Eywa"

Alex though for a moment, and chuckled, watching Ariel attempt to stop her laughter. "No, we do not uh....Ta-hay-lu...tash-he....bond with our chickens."

"Ahaha..." Ariel finally managed to start breathing again, "Man, my ribs hurt from that. But Alex, tsaheylu is this ponytail thing" she said, grabbing her queue and bringing it forward to show him the pink trendles, "They can connect it with pretty much everything and talk to it, that's how they ride the horses and stuff. Instead of training it, they just use these to talk to em." She sniggered and looked coyly at him before throwing it back behind her, "Apparently its also what they use to do the dirty." She winked and burst into laughter again.

"Oh...." Alex said, finishing his piece of meat. "That's cool, I guess. Hey I need some water..."

"Ya, I could use something to drink too. Like a tall glass of sweet tea, condensation dripping down the side, with a couple of ice cubes clinking against the glass..." Ariel sighed. "And maybe some rum thrown in. Or vodka. Whatever really, just something would be nice."

"I'll leave it to you to figure out how to ask for water. I've had enough of making myself out to be the fool today."Alex said, reaching for another piece of meat.

"Uugh, trust a woman to have to get everything done around here." Ariel grumbled and turned towards a nearby Na'vi, "Um, water?" She said, pantomiming the drinking gesture and hoping the native understood. Ariel coughed for good measure, and made more drinking gestures. After a moment, the Na'vi nodded and wandered off. "Well I do hope that was effective..." Ariel grumbled and turned back to her meal.
Avatar is a movie about a guy with blue balls running through the forest chasing tail.

Kiyoshi Tenshi

#141
"Arik, yes... um, srane... your Inglisi is actually very good." Better than Aniuket's he realized, and wondered if Mil'Ani had attended Grace's school more than Aniuket had. It made sense, considering Aniuket's older brother, Sek'mut, was so antagonistic towards the Sky People and everything they brought. Under the circumstances, would I feel so different? he asked himself truthfully.  

"Thank you," Mil'Ani said, "I... I have to ask; why did the other Sawtute attack you and leave you here?"

Arik shook his head. "I don't know," he replied, "I think something is happening back at Hell's Gate. Something... crazy."
"Hell's Gate? Scar-in-ground?" Mil'Ani asked. He'd seen the massive cut into the very skin of Eywa'evengä at the Sawtute tribe's home-- how could anyone live like that?
"Scar-in-ground," Arik said with a sigh. No better way to put it. "As to what it means, I do not know. Someone wants all the money, the..." he stumbled, searching for words, "...the value. From the ground, and they will kill anyone they think stands in their way."

"But what is the value in the ground?" Mil'Ani asked. "For years, Sawtute rip the ground, to take the rocks that make the mountains float? Are there no floating mountains where you come from?"
"There never were," Arik said, "But they... we... take from here and send to there, and now we make things float the way we like."

"Why didn't your Eywa provide this for you?" Mil'Ani asked.
"We don't have an Eywa," Arik said, and noticed that a bunch of other Na'vi were clustering around. "We never knew there could be such a thing. Many today still don't believe it, they think it is in your imagination," he said, pointing to the Na'vi.

"So, Sawtute take the rocks to build floating mountains?" Another Na'vi asked from among the nearby crowd.
"All sorts of floating things," Arik said. "Floating machines, mostly, and ships that take us places; bring us here."
"More Tawtute will come?" Mil'Ani asked, feeling unsettled by the prospect.

"Maybe," Arik said. "I wish it was not so, but... maybe."

"But you said, the Sky People from your clan tried to kill you, because you want to stop them?" Mil'Ani clarified.
"Yes," Arik said. "They want to take more; we want them to take less-- or stop taking at all. So they attack us."
"Floating mountains are so important to you?" a warrior in the crowd wanted to know. "Look at the wonders you have, you build..." --he waved into the air-- "Like su'shiri t'acto sa... your kunsip..."

"It is Sawtute nature to try to build more, use more, take more," Arik said. "To have more means to be successful."
"To have too much means to take from others," Mil'Ani said, "To spend time getting more, and not enjoying what is already there..?"

"I know," Arik said. "It makes no sense. We work and work to have more, and... we never allow ourselves to be happy, because we fear someone else may have more than we do."

The small crowd was silent.

"I can see why some of you would wish to come to Eywa'evengä," Mil'Ani said. "I would want to escape such an unhappy place."

"I'm sorry," a new voice cut in, a familiar voice. It was Grace Augustine's Avatar, walking next to Eytukan, with Mo'at trailing behind. A beautiful Na'vi girl followed nearby with an annoyed look on her face and a round earring embedded in her ear, which Arik thought was unusual. The chief warrior, Tsu'Tey, followed, glaring at the strangers. "But I am afraid we may not have escaped enough. One of Tsu'Tey's best warriors has seen an AMP suit approaching, so we need to get ready for trouble."

Many of the Na'vi exchanged confused looks, but confusion turned to alarm as their tribesmen who knew Inglisi translated for them.

"You brought this war-beast to us!" Tsu-Tey said, but Eytukan raised a hand.
"A single AMP suit?" Arik asked, curious. "No escorts?"
"That's what Sek'Mut said," Grace affirmed.

"Then something isn't right," Arik said. "They would not send a single AMP suit. Let me see it, up close, I need to know what this is all about."
<<No,>> Eytukan said, <<The Tawtute rider will see you, and know you hide among the Omatikaya. You will reveal your presence here to them.>>

"Grace, I'm sorry, but all I caught was 'Omatikaya' and 'Tawtute'," Arik said helplessly. She translated for him.
"Get me Na'vi clothes," Arik said, "Omatikaya clothes. I will blend in; they will not know me from another, and we will not get close enough for the rider to see."

Despite the tension, Grace stifled a surprisingly girlish giggle at the thought. "Arik, a man-thong? A mong?"
"Camouflage, Grace-my-dear, camouflage."

Tsu'Tey scowled, but Eytukan and Mo'at approved the idea, so there was little protest he could offer.  

Arik stood, and reached to shake Mil'Ani's hand. "Thank you, Mil'Ani," he said. "This ritual, called a handshake, is what Sawtute do when they meet. And they say, 'pleased to meet you'."
"Pleased to meet you," he repeated, "Not so unhappy."
"We have our moments. Rare, but we have them. Now let's go see who comes knocking. And I never thought I'd say this, but my kingdom for a banana-hammock."

The Na'vi moved, Grace bit her lip to keep from laughing, while above, Aniuket, Nef'Tys, and Tireamokri got ready to see what the approaching Tawtute weapon meant.

Mil'Ani sighed and shook his head. The instant there was even a single moment of peace, more humans had to come and ruin it.  Oh well. That's life for you. He placed a hand on Arik's shoulder. "Come with me. I'm sure I can spare some of my clothes for a Dreamwalker," he said with a smile.

[move]

Mako

Hometree
1100 Hours


Chris looked on as Grace walked into the clearing.

"I'm sorry, but I am afraid we may not have escaped enough. One of Tsu'Tey's best warriors has seen an AMP suit approaching, so we need to get ready for trouble."

Chris was suddenly alert. Many of the Na'vi exchanged confused looks, but confusion turned to alarm as their tribesmen who knew Inglisi translated for them.

"You brought this war-beast to us!" Tsu-Tey said, but Eytukan raised a hand.
"A single AMP suit?" Arik asked, curious. "No escorts?"
"That's what Sek'Mut said," Grace affirmed.

"Then something isn't right," Arik said. "They would not send a single AMP suit. Let me see it, up close, I need to know what this is all about."
"Kehe," Eytukan said, <<The Tawtute rider will see you, and know you hide among the Omatikaya. You will reveal your presence here to them.>>

"Grace, I'm sorry, but all I caught was 'Omatikaya' and 'Tawtute'," Arik said helplessly. She translated for him.
"Get me Na'vi clothes," Arik said, "Omatikaya clothes. I will blend in; they will not know me from another, and we will not get close enough for the rider to see."

Despite the tension, Grace stifled a surprisingly girlish giggle at the thought. "Arik, a man-thong? A mong?"

Chris chuckled quietly at the remark.

"Camouflage, Grace-my-dear, camouflage."

Tsu'Tey scowled, but Eytukan and Mo'at approved the idea, so there was little protest he could offer.  

Arik stood, and reached to shake Mil'Ani's hand. "Thank you, Mil'Ani," he said. "This ritual, called a handshake, is what Sawtute do when they meet. And they say, 'pleased to meet you'."
"Pleased to meet you," he repeated, "Not so unhappy."
"We have our moments. Rare, but we have them. Now let's go see who comes knocking. And I never thought I'd say this, but my kingdom for a banana-hammock."

The Na'vi moved, Grace bit her lip to keep from laughing, while above, Aniuket, Nef'Tys, and Tireamokri got ready to see what the approaching Tawtute weapon meant.

Chris looked on, impatient. He was dying to go with Arik, knowing that it was his job in the first place.

"Well, what about me?" He finally said.

-----------

Kiyoshi Tenshi

Chris looked on, impatient. He was dying to go with Arik, knowing that it was his job in the first place.

"Well, what about me?" He finally said.

Mil'Ani looked at Chris. "You can come too, if you like," he offered. "You can help Arik pick out his outfit." "And I'm goign with you," Mil'Ano added as he walked towards his brother and Arik. "Just in case we happen to run into that...AMP suit...along the way."
[move]

Coyote

#144
Kelutral; 1110 Hrs (Tawtute Time Reckoning)








Mil'Ani sighed and shook his head. The instant there was even a single moment of peace, more humans had to come and ruin it.  Oh well. That's life for you. He placed a hand on Arik's shoulder. "Come with me. I'm sure I can spare some of my clothes for a Dreamwalker," he said with a smile.

Chris looked on, impatient. He was dying to go with Arik, knowing that it was his job in the first place.

"Well, what about me?" He finally said.

Mil'Ani looked at Chris. "You can come too, if you like," he offered. "You can help Arik pick out his outfit." "And I'm goign with you," Mil'Ano added as he walked towards his brother and Arik. "Just in case we happen to run into that...AMP suit...along the way."

"Then we need to look the part, tsmukan," Arik said. "Lead the way, please," he said to Mil'Ani. The Omatikayan led them to his shelter, which he shared with his family, notably his brother. Arik sensed that the elders weren't around any more and wondered about it, but felt it would be too personal to ask. Mil'Any got them some Na'vi clothes, which wasn't a very involved process since there was little involved.

"You know," Arik muttered as he took off his shirt, "Ancient Celtic warriors would paint themselves blue and go into battle naked."
"Aye, laddie," Chis muttered, both of them laughing a bit. It took little time for them to change, and after only a moment of self-consciousness, got back to business. "Let's collect up the thundersticks and get ready," Arik said.

"You don't think that'll give us away as outsiders?" Chris asked.
"I'm adapting only so far," Arik said, "I don't have time to learn a bow in five minutes, and I don't want to take one from these people, who can actually use it effectively. If the fecal matter hits the fan, and this is one of Childs's goons, I want something I know how to use."
"Let's go." They stood tall and looked at each other. They snickered a bit, but Arik turned to Mil'Ani. "Thank you, Mil'Ani," he said.

"You look very... Na'vi," Mil'Ani said, admiring their fitness. The Tawtute made these bodies in a building? he couldn't help but wonder.
"Let's drop off this,' Arik said, bundling up his clothes, "...and get going."

They walked back, past the fire pit, where they saw Alex and Ariel gorging on some large barbecued something-or-other that a female hunter had brought in earlier. "Tastes like chicken?" Arik asked casually as they approached, causing them both to cough on the mouthfuls they had.

"What? How do you know about chic--?" Alex started to ask. He stopped, and looked at them both, closely. "Arik?" he asked.
Ariel's eyes grew wide, and she stifled a laugh. "Oh, my god," she said.
"Yeah, I feel a draft. Do you have any idea what it's like to have this thing riding up your butt?"

Ariel gave him a steady look and blinked a couple times. There was no pity on her face at all. "As a matter of fact," she said, and let the rest of the sentence go.
"There's an AMP suit coming," Arik said, "We're going to check it out. I don't think it's hostile, because it is all alone, which would be a suicidal way to attack. But better safe than not, eh? Remember, I have weapons in my backpack. Two pistols, two rifles. I'm taking the machinegun and Alex will take one of the rifles, so you guys have a rifle and two pistols, plus whatever you brought yourselves. If this is an attack..." he looked around at the growing crowds of Na'vi. "Help them out as best you can."

"I don't know how to fight!" Ariel said, worried.
"I don't think you'll have to," Arik said, "But if so, well... learn fast."
"That's not encouraging."
"It's all I have, Ariel. Sorry. I really am. I'll teach you when we get back."

They rallied at the place where the Avatars and humans had spent the night, and Arik picked up the GS-221 machinegun he'd salvaged from the helo that had shot them down. Tsu'Tey was already organizing the rest of the Omatikaya.

<<Even if you are not a warrior, you are still a hunter!>> he said, <<So have your bows ready if this thing comes to fight!>> Tsu'Tey looked around, at the tree branches, at the ground, anywhere a blue body stood ready to defend their home. Whoops and yips went up. Tsu'Tey nodded towards the remaining humans and Avatars. "You must hide," he said. "All others, let's go!"

Arik looked around. He and Alex had human weapons, but otherwise blended in to anyone not looking carefully. Grace helped hide the other Avatars and humans. Mil'Ani was with them, with his own bow, and up in the trees, Arik saw Aniuket looking down at him, concerned. She waved her broken arm, indicating how she could not help. Arik smiled at her, reassuring, and noted that Eanataw and Tireamokri had their bows as well, and Nef'Tys was running out, carrying a large bow herself.

<<Where are you going, little one?" Mo'at asked.
<<I can fight too!>> Nef'Tys insisted.
<<No one who has yet to climb iknimaya goes to fight,>> the older female said. <<Wait here, and defend Kelutral.>>

Nef'Tys seemed to deflate with frustration, but moved away from the crowd of warriors, disappearing into the jungle with shoulders slumped.

Arik wondered if they were all going to march there as one, but as the Omatikaya walked out into the broad common area near the fire pit, a series of unusual shouts, calls, and whistles went up. Several dozen leathery wings beat the air, and a number of large pterodactyl-like creatures landed, and people began to mount them.

"Don't look directly at their faces," Mil'Ani warned the two Avatars. "if you look in their eyes, it is a challenge; that is so for anyone who is not their riders." The Omatikaya gracefully leapt onto the backs of the creatures and took to the air as one.

"My god," Arik said, "This planet is so cool. We got the Pandoran Air Force."

Other Na'vi took to the trees, while others mounted on large six-legged horses and took off at different vectors into the wilderness.
"Outriders," Tsu'Tey said, scowling at the two Avatars. "They will make sure the beast travels alone. Straight ahead is the path the beast approaches on. You can tell by looking if it is coming to attack?" he asked, glaring at them.

"We can," Arik said as Chris nodded in agreement.
"I can spare no warriors to help you," Tsu'Tey said. "Find Sek'Mut on your own and give him what help you can." He called his own horse, and got on its back, sliding his hair-queue into it's own leathery appendage.

"I will guide them," Mil'Ani said.
Tsu'Tey looked down at Mil'Ani. He knew Mil'Ani somewhat, but not well. So, this one wants to walk with the Dreamwalkers, then, does he?
"Fine; do as you please," Tsu'Tey said, and rode off.

The rest of the village had cleared out; either to defend the tribal area or hide. Aniuket dropped down from the tree where she'd been watching and came up to Arik. For a moment, she stood close, as if hesitating, and finally said, "Do care-full."
Arik reflexively reached up and ran a strand of hair from her face. "I will," he said. "You be careful too."
Aniuket gave a flicker of a smile and went to help Grace.

"Let's go," Arik said.
Mil'ni looked up, where Eanataw and Tireamokri were already running quickly along the tree branches towards the defensive ring. "Others help you, too, I think," he said. He took off at a dead run, and Arik and Alex ran to keep up.




For his part, Damien Cole was at the approach to the massive Hometree and breathed a sigh of relief at the sight. He'd walked all night, easy in the AMP suit, to be sure, but still requiring being awake the whole time. I have to be approaching some sort of perimeter at some point, he figured. He slowed his pace and started watching for any sign of life. He saw a human-sized, blue body dart through the trees past him, but he couldn't focus on it. One of those funky spider-monkey things with the double-forearm thing going? he wondered. He looked up, and blinked. The sky was full of flying lizards with riders on them.

Suddenly, there was a loud thump! and something landed on his AMP suit. "What the hell?" he muttered out loud. He looked up, craning his neck around inside the suit, but he was harnessed into the seat and the suit turned with him, so he couldn't see. A blue blur yelled a loud war-whoop, and a Na'vi female stood up on the shoulders of the AMP suit, a wicked-looking knife in her hand. She pointed at him, inside the cockpit, and yelled.

"You give up now!"

For a moment, Damien just looked at her. Then, movement caught the corners of his eyes, and dozens upon dozens of natives emerged from the brush, surrounding him, arrows ready. Above, native birds swept closer, and on the tree branches, more of them appeared as if from nowhere.




"What you see?" Sek'Mut hissed at Arik.
"He's not here to kill anyone," Arik said, looking through the binoculars he'd brought. Actually, he was looking through one scope of the binoculars, and closing his other eye, since the binoculars were human-sized and he couldn't open them enough to use them with both lenses.

"You say!" Sek'Mut grumbled.

"It's true," Chris said. "He's carrying that box. I think Blake or your sister sent him."

"Let's see what this is about..." Arik said. He, Chris, Sek'Mut, Mil'Ani, and others nearby got up to approach carefully.










Results:
AMP suit stopped; characters approach.

***
In Libertarianism, there is no Government, so the Bosses are free to exploit the Workers.
In Communism, there is no Government, so the Workers are free to exploit the Bosses.
So in Libertarianism, man exploits man, but in Communism, its the other way around!


VIDEO LOG DAY 8:
Attempted to pee on Viperwolf to test reaction. Please see attached medical file.
WARNING: Attached medical file exceeds gigabyte limit. System failure.

Brainiac

Oscar woke up. There was a lot of commotion, people flying away on lizards. That wasn't the only thing bothering him, though. For one, he was wearing a thong. He let the idea roll around his head a bit.

Wait, what?

He was wearing a thong! Why was he wearing a thong? He tried to sit up. but someone pushed him down again, gently but sternly. He already felt a bit light headed. He was still getting dizzy spells when he got up too quickly. But why a thong? That must've meant the Na'vi had been undressing him in his sleep. Then why give him a thong? It was so weird. He sat up slowly, and moved his arms, for the first time in a while. It was like moving a pair of old, rusty hinges. It felt like they creaked, the rust rubbing off. He thought it was cool, until he realized that it was his skin that was "creaking", underneath the leafy bandages. He was probably yanking open all the old wounds. God, those must look horrible. He was still afraid to remove the leaves.
He stood up, using his tail to get up. His arms swayed a bit, two useless extensions on his torso.
Man, I wish I knew what all this ruckus was about.

Grace seemed busy. He looked around for someone to bring him up to speed.
Speed is a ppoor sbubstitue fo accurancy

Check out my blogif my presence on this board isn't weird enough for you.

Txontaw

#146
Kelutrel
1100 HOURS

<<Alright,>> Txonunilyu thought. <<Let me see if I can remember them all. He's Arik, that's Chris, Grace, the injured one is Jax. Ariel is over there... Ah, and there's Alan. No, Alex. Yes, Alex. I belive that the sleeping one is named Oscar.>>

She was going through the names of the visitors. She had asked Mo'at to fill her in on what she was missing, which was pretty much everything. Now she knew what had happened to them, and how they had gotten here. She thought she had heard several kxangangang on her way back from hunting, but she didn't know it was from the sawtute betraying their own kind.

Someone called everyone who was going over to where they had met last night. Arik picked up a kun that he had brought with him.

<<Even if you are not a warrior, you are still a hunter!>> Tsu'tey said, <<So have your bows ready if this thing comes to fight!>>

Txonunilyu yipped with the others, and thrust her knife into the air.

"You must hide," he said to the Uniltìrantokx and the sawtute. "All others, let's go!"

Txonunilyu called for her palulukan, Eanswizaw. She climbed up, and raced along with the ikran, jumping over tree roots and dodging the low plants. She reached near where Tsu'tey said that the war-walker would be, and slowed Eanswizaw to a walk. She caught sight of it, and climbed of her palulukan silently. She climbed up a tree overhanging the path the war-walker was taking. Suddenly, she had an idea. It wasn't brilliant, but it should be entertaining. She jumped off the tree and onto the war-walker, drawing her knife and shouting, "You give up now!" At the human inside. The body swiveled around a bit, as the driver tried to see who had landed on his machine. She moved into a position where he could easily see her, and she tried to look as terrifying as possible. Her lips were srawn back, showing pointed canines. She brandished the knife wildly, her ears back.

Then the other hunters who had silently surrounded him came out, their bows drawn, ready to fire if necessary. She caught sight of Tsu'tey, looking disapprovingly down at her. She just smiled at him, and jumped off the war walker.
"You're not in Kansas anymore. You're on Pandora, Ladies and Gentlemen." - Colonel Quaritch


Mako

#147
Hometree
1110 Hours


Mil'Ani looked at Chris. "You can come too, if you like," he offered. "You can help Arik pick out his outfit." "And I'm going with you," Mil'Ano added as he walked towards his brother and Arik. "Just in case we happen to run into that...AMP suit...along the way."

"Then we need to look the part, tsmukan," Arik said. "Lead the way, please," he said to Mil'Ani.

Chris followed Arik and Mil'Ani to an area that Chris assumed Mil'Ani lived in. It didn't take long for the Na'vi to find something for them to wear. Chris shrugged out of his pack and jacket, and began taking off his shirt.

"You know," Arik muttered as he took off his shirt, "Ancient Celtic warriors would paint themselves blue and go into battle naked."

Arik had a rough but enjoyable sense of humor. He always managed to relate it to combat in some way, shape, or form.

"Aye, laddie," Chris replied, both of them laughing a bit.

It took little time for them to change, and after only a moment of self-consciousness, got back to business.

"Let's collect up the thundersticks and get ready," Arik said.

"You don't think that'll give us away as outsiders?" Chris asked.

"I'm adapting only so far," Arik said, "I don't have time to learn a bow in five minutes, and I don't want to take one from these people, who can actually use it effectively. If the fecal matter hits the fan, and this is one of Childs's goons, I want something I know how to use."

"Well then let's go." They stood tall and looked at each other. Chris suppressed a chuckle a bit, but Arik turned to Mil'Ani. "Thank you, Mil'Ani," he said.

"And you have my thanks as well," Chris interjected.

"You look very... Na'vi," Mil'Ani said.

Chris watched as the Na'vi warrior sized them up, noting the intrigued look he carried. He felt a little uncomfortable under the gaze of Mil'Ani.

"Let's drop off this,' Arik said, bundling up his clothes, "...and get going."

"I'm right behind ya."

They walked back, past the fire pit, where they saw Alex and Ariel gorging on some large barbecued something-or-other that a female hunter had brought in earlier. "Tastes like chicken?" Arik asked casually as they approached, causing them both to cough on the mouthfuls they had. For Alex, this had less than desirable results.

"What? How do you know about chic--?" Alex started to ask. He stopped, and looked at them both, closely. "Arik?" he asked.
Ariel's eyes grew wide, and she stifled a laugh. "Oh, my god," she said.

"Yeah, I feel a draft. Do you have any idea what it's like to have this thing riding up your butt?"

Ariel gave him a steady look and blinked a couple times. There was no pity on her face at all. "As a matter of fact," she said, and let the rest of the sentence go.

As Arik and Ariel had a moment of conversation, Chris let his mind wander back to Eanataw. It had been a few days since he had seen her. He somewhat hoped that she would accompany them to investigate the AMP suit. He zoned back in.

"...rry. I really am. I'll teach you when we get back."

They rallied at the place where the Avatars and humans had spent the night, and Arik picked up the GS-221 machine gun he'd salvaged from the helo that had shot them down. Tsu'Tey was already organizing the rest of the Omatikaya. Chris followed suit, making sure he had his knife, and picked up the door gun he had managed to pull from the wreckage earlier.

Chris studied the mass of Na'vi. There was something about them that struck within him a deep chord, an almost primal, yet highly refined instinct. He saw Eanataw and Tireamokri had their bows as well, and Nef'Tys was running out, carrying a large bow herself.

<<Where are you going, little one?>> Mo'at asked.

<<I can fight too!>> Nef'Tys insisted.

<<No one who has yet to climb iknimaya goes to fight,>> the older female said. <<Wait here, and defend Kelutral.>>

Nef'Tys seemed to deflate with frustration, but moved away from the crowd of warriors, disappearing into the jungle with shoulders slumped.

A series of unusual shouts, calls, and whistles went up near the main area of the clearing. Several dozen leathery wings beat the air, and a number of large pterodactyl-like creatures landed, and Na'vi began to mount them. Chris quickly identified one of them as an Ikran, the beast of the sky that Eanataw had ridden earlier. His mind flashed back to the free feeling he had while on the back of the Ikran.

"Don't look directly at their faces," Mil'Ani warned the two Avatars. "if you look in their eyes, it is a challenge; that is so for anyone who is not their riders."

Chris dropped his eyes in response, respecting the Na'vi's wishes. He knew how powerful an Ikran was. The Omatikaya gracefully leapt onto the backs of the creatures and took to the air as one.

"My god," Arik said, "This planet is so cool. We got the Pandoran Air Force."

Chris smiled. There was that humor again. Other Na'vi took to the trees, while others mounted on large six-legged horses and took off at different vectors into the wilderness.

"Outriders," Tsu'Tey said, scowling at the two Avatars. "They will make sure the beast travels alone. Straight ahead is the path the beast approaches on. You can tell by looking if it is coming to attack?" he asked, glaring at them.

"We can," Arik said as Chris nodded in agreement.

"I can spare no warriors to help you, Tsu'Tey said. "Find Sek'Mut on your own and give him what help you can." He called his own horse, and got on its back, sliding his hair-queue into it's own leathery appendage.

"I will guide them," Mil'Ani said.

Tsu'Tey looked down at Mil'Ani. He knew Mil'Ani somewhat, but not well. So, this one wants to walk with the Dreamwalkers, then, does he?

"Fine; do as you please," Tsu'Tey said, and rode off. Chris detected a tone of disgust in his voice. This one didn't like the Avatar team for some reason.

"Let's go," Arik said.

Mil'ni looked up, where Eanataw and Tireamokri were already running quickly along the tree branches towards the defensive ring. "Others help you, too, I think," he said. He took off at a dead run, and Arik and Alex ran to keep up.

---------

"What you see?" Sek'Mut hissed at Arik.

"He's not here to kill anyone," Arik said, looking through the binoculars he'd brought.

Actually, Chris noted, he was looking through one scope of the binoculars, and closing his other eye, since the binoculars were human-sized and he couldn't open them enough to use them with both lenses.

"You say!" Sek'Mut grumbled.

"It's true," Alex said. "He's carrying that box. I think Blake or your sister sent him."

Chris turned and gave Eanataw a glance. He was happy she was with him, despite the situation.

"Let's see what this is about..." Arik said. He, Alex, Sek'Mut, Mil'Ani, Chris, and others nearby got up to approach carefully.

-----------

Tanhìyärina'

Tireamokri was not at the front lines of the Na'vi, but she was close enough to see what was happening.  As she spotted the war-walker, instinct took over, and she raised her bow, knocking an arrow and sighting the metal beast.  A familiar cry from overhead drew her attention away for a moment.  It was Kinä, her ikran, stark white* against the blue sky, whirling and darting among the other ikran and their riders. 

"Ma Kinä!" her mind cried out, and then her voice as well, hissing out the words.  "Ma Kinä!  Ne alìm!  Zene kä.  <<You stand out against the forest!>>  Ngari 'awve 'eko sìyängi.  Tspang lìyu!  Kä!"  Kinä! Get far away!  [You] must go.  You stand out against the forest!  You will be attacked first.  [You] will be killed!  Go!"

The ikran cried out sullenly and then left, flying off into the distance, but did not stray too far away.  She could sense Tireamokri's adrenaline, her battle-readiness, and wanted to be near enough to help.

Out of the corner or her eye, the Na'vi saw Txonunilyu leap from her ikran onto the war-walker, and quickly turned her attention back, raising her bow once more.  The subsequent standstill felt like an eternity, until finally Txonunilyu jumped off of the giant metal thing.  Tireamokri kept her bow drawn, her arrow knocked, and her sights on the war-walker.


*please see OOC thread for explanation.
Fitseng lu oe, tìftia kìfkeyä seri.

Kiyoshi Tenshi

#149
"It's true," Alex said. "He's carrying that box. I think Blake or your sister sent him."

"Let's see what this is about..." Arik said. He, Alex, Sek'Mut, Mil'Ani, Chris, and others nearby got up to approach carefully.

Mil'Ani felt a little nervous. He had never left the camp withut his brother beside him. then someone tapped him on the shoulder, and Mil'Ani whirled around to see his older brother. "You guys didn't think you were going to leave without me, did you?" he asked light-heartedly.


[move]

Sngä'i Tìrey-yä

#150
Hometree
1130 HRS


Ariel watched nervously as a horde of Na'vi filed out of the village, some of her partners with them. She thought back to her conversation with Arik before he ran off,

"I don't know how to fight!" Ariel said, worried.
"I don't think you'll have to," Arik said, "But if so, well... learn fast."
"That's not encouraging."
"It's all I have, Ariel. Sorry. I really am. I'll teach you when we get back."


"You'd better come back, or I'll kill you guys." She muttered under her breath, and heaved a great sigh. Well, if they were all going to start dressing up and really planning Na'vi, she wasn't going to be the last one running around in denim. Wiping her greasy fingers off on the hem of her shorts, Ariel looked around and found a young female Na'vi. She looks like someone I could possibly ask, Ariel thought, and started towards the girl.

The young Na'vi looked up in alarm, she was probably only a teenager. Definitely not an adult warrior, or she'd be off with all the others. Summoning up every bit of knowledge in her body, Ariel tried thinking of helpful words. And failed. "Um, oe tsun latem?" She really doubted that change meant the same in na'vi as it did in english, and she knew her sentence structure was wrong, but it was the best she could come up with.

And her best was nowhere near good enough. The frightened young na'vi gave her a really quizzical look and slowly repeated the sentence. Wracking her brain, Ariel asked "Ìnglìsì srak?" The young girl just shook her head.

Frustrated with the progress of her conversation, she finally decided to use some physical means to convey her question. She grabbed at her wife-beater, and mimicked pulling it off over her head. Then she pointed at the girl's clothes and mimicked putting them on. The look of comprehension was a relief, the veritable light bulb clicking on. The young girl took Ariel's hand and up the central spiral they went.

~~~

About an hour later, they finally emerged from the top tiers of Hometree and made their way down together. Although the two girls hadn't really been able to chat, a sisterly feeling had formed over the love of dressing up, and somehow they both managed to communicate through exaggerated words and gestures. Mi'niri, as the girl introduced herself, was getting ready to become a warrior, and had her eye on a certain boy (not that he knew she existed). It was a pretty awesome bonding experience.

Better than getting to know another one of the locals, Mi'niri had hooked Ariel up with some Na'vi threads. So when she descended from the spiral of Hometree, she blended impeccably with the locals. Gone were the denim shorts, replaced with a soft leather loincloth. The front was cloth was long and thin, enough to cover all the necessary bits, but leaving the sides and back completely free. It was much more comfortable for Ariel's tail to be able to move freely, like this new garment allowed. At first it was a bit awkward, but the bottom didn't really take long to get used to. It was the lack of a shirt that had Ariel grabbing at her sides. Sure, she was given a long string of gorgeous purple and red beads delicately interwoven with some soft hemp-like material, but the coverage just wasn't the same. As long as she stood perfectly straight with her shoulders back, it covered the most prominent part, but she was essentially running around bare chested. "So this is what mardi gras feels like, except for I'm not drunk" she mumbled and adjusted her beads. Mi'niri really went all out with accessorizing Ariel, not like the avatar had complained. On the base of her tail rested another hemp-like creation, beaded in the same red and purple. It went in a spiral from the base of her spine halfway through her tail. Her hair had gotten redone as well, instead of the messy single braid with its constantly escaping fringe, Mi'niri had managed to pull some of her bangs back, elaborately braided, although Ariel had adamantly opposed cornrows. Instead the bottom layer of hair was left loose and flowing while small top sections were braided and pulled back into the knot. This knot rested directly above where the long queue started, and was fastened with another thong of leather and beads. She'd get used to the new style eventually, but Ariel was going to be pretty self conscious for a while. Probably the best thing though, was the small dagger that Mi'niri kindly gifted her, a gorgeous thing with a carved bone handle and some sort of colorful inlay. It hung on a separate strip of leather draped across Ariel's thin waist, perfectly located for a quick draw in an emergency. Of course, Ariel would be more likely to cut herself than an opponent, but the idea was great all the same.

"Boy, I cannot wait to see their faces when they get back. I bet they won't even recognize me." Ariel said, chuckling. What to do until then though? Luckily Mi'niri seemed to sense Ariel's discomfort and kindly pulled her towards some other Na'vi women sitting around in a circle. A few toddlers were playing in the center, jumping over one another, pulling tails, causing mischief. Two of the na'vi females had young babies strapped to their chest in curious x-shaped holders, that left their arms conveniently free. It seemed they were all weaving, mending, doing those exciting domestic chores that inevitably one gets to assigned to in conjunction with motherhood. Although Ariel never learned to knit, she did have a hobby of crochet in high school. Once sat down in the circle, and properly introduced (a whole score of names she would never remember), one of the women kindly handed her a skein of a soft fuzzy string, and indicated that she could help.

"I don't know how to weave" Ariel said slowly in English, hoping one of them had happened to chance upon Grace's school, "But I know something similar. Does anyone have a sharp stick with a notch?" Blank stares met her request. "You know, stick, hi'i vul? I think." Finally, some comprehension. In rapid fire na'vi, one of the women sends a child running off. Just a few moments later, the child returns with a stick the size of Ariel's forearm. She laughed a bit, and then mimicked a smaller size. The child ran off (now with several other children in tow, all clamoring to get sticks to please the unitirantokx). The small hoard returned, and Ariel was able to select one about the right size. The knife around her waist suddenly came into use, as she was able to smooth one end of the stick and make a deep rounded knot. As all the women watched curiously, Ariel successfully crafted a rather crude crochet hook and started crocheting. Some of the women closer to Ariel leaned forward and pulled lightly at the pattern the hook created, curious of the amazing process by the alien. After slowly showing a few more twists, the na'vi seemed satisfied and settled back to their own intricate weaving processes. Ariel, for one, let herself get lost in her crochet and listened to the babble of na'vi that washed over her.

This really is the best way to spend my time waiting, she thought, even if there really isn't a need for a scarf on Pandora.
Avatar is a movie about a guy with blue balls running through the forest chasing tail.

Ka'il

Damien stayed still, watching the natives emerge from the forest.

Damn, what did I get myself into?

Clearing his throat, Damien spoke through the AMP suit's external speakers, not really sure of what to say, but knowing he had to say something.

"Hey, hey, wait. I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm just delivering supplies."

Slowly setting the box of supplies and cargo down, he stood back up and backed up a step.

"See? Supplies."

He pointed, slowly and deliberately, the AMP suit following his actions. Damien didn't want to set off any short fuses.

"Supplies." He repeated again, to make sure he was understood.
If the colors that bind,
Were to unwind,
Would I still be safe,
Within my mind?

Kiyoshi Tenshi

#152
He pointed, slowly and deliberately, the AMP suit following his actions. Damien didn't want to set off any short fuses.

"Supplies." He repeated again, to make sure he was understood.

Mil'Ani was the first one to lower his bow, looking relieved. His brother, on the other hand, kept his bow pointed at the AMP suit.

"Come out, tawtute. We need to be sure that you mean no harm," Mil'Ano spoke in a tone that showed he meant business.

"Come on, big brother..." Mil'Ani whispered. "He said he was just bringing supplies."

Mil'Ano sighed. "You still have much to learn, Ani," he muttered to his younger brother. "In a situation such as this, the human may be lying in order to get us to let our guard down."

Mil'Ani frowned. "Sorry..." he mumbled, looking at the ground.
[move]

Txontaw

The Jungle
APPROX 1300 HRS


Txonunilyu cautiously stepped around the war-walker and dragged the box out of its reach. Using her knife, she slit it open, and carefully lifted the flaps. She saw the exopacks, and medkits. She dug through to the bottom, and made sure there were no weapons. She lifted her knife, and called, "tìngayìt poanìl plltxe! He speaks the truth!"
"You're not in Kansas anymore. You're on Pandora, Ladies and Gentlemen." - Colonel Quaritch


Coyote

Omatikaya Jungle
1300 hrs. (Tawtute Time Reckoning)









"Tìngayìt poanìl plltxe! He speaks the truth!"

Arik and Chris stepped forward, cautiously, with Tsu'Tey and Sek'Mut joinng them. The Uniltiranokx were wary but approached nonetheless openly. "I think we're okay," Arik said.
"And if we're not?" Sek'Mut growled.
"Then take my skull back to your sister and tell her I'm sorry," Arik said casually, brushing aside the warrior. He and Chris stepped past Txonunilyu, and Arik met her eyes and smiled at her, giving an approving nod of her courage. "Don't let the scowl brigade get you down," he said, not seeing her puzzled look at the comment.

"Hello up there," Arik said, "Right here," he waved his hand.
"Who are you?" Damien asked. "You speak English?"

"Yeah," Arik said, "Supplies? Who got you those?" he asked.
"Short chick, dark hair," Damien said. "Kinda cute."
"Named Na'ama?" Arik asked.
"Yeah! You know her?"
"I've been known to admit it from time to time," he said. He looked in the container.

"Got quite a combo plate in here," Chris said.
Damien blinked, confused at the casual and easy English of these two native. "You're Avatars!" he said.
"Right in one," Arik said. "oh, this is awesome, breather masks, med kits, food, water purifiers... long-range radios. Jackpot. What's your name, friend?"

"Damien Cole," the AMP pilot said.  
"Damien Cole, you're my new best friend," Arik said. "Definitely on my Hanukkah card list. Can you bring this closer to the Tree?"

"If those guys will let me," Damien said, nodding with his chin towards the pack of warriors that sat before him.
"Let's go," Arik said, walking towards them. Damien picked up the box again, and followed hesitantly behind.

"You bring this beast to Kelutral?" Tsu'Tey demanded. "No. It is forbidden."
"Then we'll carry the supplies in one by one," Arik said. "And leave the AMP suit out here where it can be seen. Easily."

Arik stared at Sek'Mut and Tsu'Tey, with Chris nearby, tense and nervous at the pack of warriors that surrounded them. A female warrior approached-- the pretty one Arik saw earlier.
<<Tsu'Tey,>> she said, <<He is right about the shield-walker being exposed. We should bring it in, unload their needs, and send it back.>>
<<This is not your place to decide, Neytiri,>> Tsu'Tey said.
<<It is not mine, it is Eywa's choice,>> Neytiri said. <<Mo'at thinks they are chosen by Eywa because they are enemies to the Sawtute. They bring insight to the Sawtute we need.>>

"I grow weary of backing down in the face of Sky People needs," Tsu'Tey said, spitting the term 'Sky People' with contempt. "You will push too far, Tawtute, and then there will be trouble."
"Thumb-wrestling at nine," Arik said cheerfully. Tsu'Tey and Sek'Mut glared at him, Sek'Mut in particular with barely suppressed rage. But they parted, and Damien was allowed in, the AMP suit stamping into the central courtyard, to the terrified shouts and yips of the rest of the Omatikaya.

"You really are pushing those two," Chris said to Arik. "Were you this much of a smartass when you were in the Army?"
"You'll notice I'm not in the Army anymore," Arik said. "I actually did the job really well, but there are just too damn many egos that need propping. And those two..." he said, nodding towards Sek'Mut and Tsu'Tey, "...there's nothing I can do that'll put me on their good side, so I'm not going to waste time worrying about it. As long as we know where we stand with each other."

"One of them is going to take a swipe at you, you keep it up like this," Chris warned.

Arik was quiet for a moment, sizing the two warriors up. "Yup," he said, "You're probably right. And then we'll work it out, and finally get it over with."

They entered the camp, and Damien dismounted the AMP suit, which was surrounded by curious Na'vi --and only some of them were children. Txonunilyu was surrounded by adolescents, who she regaled with tales of her daring attack on the massive shield-walker. The trauma kits were examined, and it was confirmed-- there was nothing that could be done for Jax with the limited supplies they had. The food, however, was eagerly passed out, and each of the humans got a water purification straw. Ammunition was passed around also, and they all got radios.

"Na'ama did well choosing," Arik said, "And Damien, thank you for bringing this here. Welcome to Kelutral, and renegade status."
"I might be able to get your wounded man back," Damien said. "Colonel Quaritch has patrols out all over looking for you."

"Will they come this way?" Chris asked.
"They're trying to avoid provoking the natives," Damien revealed, "But sooner or later, they'll come. I can take him back and say I found him in the woods on patrol." They thought about it, and for a moment, Arik was tempted.

"Better not," Alex spoke up. "He'll have to go right to the hospital section, which means instant prisoner. And interrogation."
"Plus it'll through suspicion on you," Arik agreed. "if you can sneak back into Hell's Gate without suspicion, all the better."
"That li'l gal back there could use some support," Damien admitted.
"Yeah..." Arik said, subconsciously rubbing his chin, "That too."

"Well, all the same," Damien said, "Before I go anywhere, I need to rest. I walked that thing all night to get here. That's 200 klicks of broken ground, and it ain't fun."

Arik was interrupted by the arrival of Aniuket, Tireamokri, and Nef'Tys. Sek'Mut tried to intercept his younger sisters, but they pointedly walked around him.
"Something else to bear in mind," Chris said, "It makes life hard for them, too."
"Okay," Arik said, "can't argue with logic like that." He brightened into a smile as Aniuket approached. "Hello," he said, "Oel nga-ti kameie."
"I see you," Aniuket replied as Nef'Tys beamed at her. "Will these new gifts help Jax?"

"I don't think so," Arik said gravely. "I think we need to do the ceremony."

"He could die," Tireamokri said.
"He will die without it," Arik said. "Almost certainly. If Damien takes him back to Hell's Gate, he'll be imprisoned, probably just killed."

"Then we will talk to Mo'at," Aniuket said gravely.
"Ariel says you will teach her how to fight," Nef'Tys said, putting her fists up and grinning. "I want to learn, too!"
"Nef'Tys!" Aniuket scolded.
"It's okay," Arik said. He ruffled Nef'Tys's hair. "I might teach you a bit, just... I don't want to make trouble with Sek'Mut."

Aniuket frowned, and looked over her shoulder at Sek'Mut. "He... he only has worry for us, that is only it."
"I'm trying not to make him angry," Arik said.
"Thank you," she said.

He smiled at her. "You know, your eyes remind me of the 'Yellow Rose of Texas'," he said.
"Yelo Rooz of... Teks-uhs?" she asked. "What is it?"
"Um..." Arik smiled. "Texas. It's a place in Amer--" he didn't want to get into an explanation of nation-states. "It's a place back on Earth. Used to be beautiful, but now it is covered with landfill, prisons, and firing ranges."

"So what is the... Yelo Rooz?"
"A rose is a flower," Arik said, "And sometimes, a beautiful girl was called a 'rose'. The Yellow Rose of Texas was a song about a girl in Texas."
"You can sing this song?" she asked, intrigued. They ignored Nef'Tys making obnoxious kissy-faces towards them, and Tireamokri laughing.

"We have no time for 'Yellow Roads'," Sek'Mut interrupted, annoyed at the closeness developing between his sister and the Avatar.
"Yellow Roads is another legend," Arik said. "Completely different. I think Childs would be the Wicked Witch of the West; you might be... Toto?" he said, instantly regretting the jibe, even as he knew Sek'Mut would not understand it.

"Toh-toh?" he asked. "What is it!"
"Ahh... Toto was a dog. A hero dog."
"Dog?" Sek'Mut asked.
"Fierce, powerful animals," Arik said quickly, "Like nantang. Revered by humans as partners for hunting. Very fierce."

Sek'Mut looked at him. "You compare me to this fierce creature?" he asked.
Arik bit his lip, while Chris looked on, not wanting to say anything. "People revere their dogs, where I come from," Arik assured.
"Hm," Sek'Mut said. "I respect the nantang," he said. "Toto, then. I like this."
"I'm just trying to be friendly," Arik said.

Sek'Mut grunted, but his anger seemed deflated as he moved off. Arik saw Chris shaking head; he shrugged in reply.

"Let's get this transfer ceremony going," Arik said. He took Aniuket's good hand, and they walked to the crowd where Mo'at awaited their decision.










Results:
Supplies delivered, distributed.
It becomes clear that jax cannot be saved with available meds.
Arik tries to make peace with Sek'Mut, doesn't do too well, but tries to save situation.
Mo'at approached to perform the transfer ceremony.

***
In Libertarianism, there is no Government, so the Bosses are free to exploit the Workers.
In Communism, there is no Government, so the Workers are free to exploit the Bosses.
So in Libertarianism, man exploits man, but in Communism, its the other way around!


VIDEO LOG DAY 8:
Attempted to pee on Viperwolf to test reaction. Please see attached medical file.
WARNING: Attached medical file exceeds gigabyte limit. System failure.

Lehrrap Uniltìranyu

Kelutrel- Dreamscape
?? ?? HRS


   Jax couldn't breath again, the darkness in his mind crushing him slowly as he grasped for a light, something, anything to light up the dark in his head. He didn't want to die, no matter what he said, he didn't want to give in, he wanted to fight.

   "<<Then fight on... warrior. Your time still has not come.>>"

   The voice was familiar, and suddenly, memories came flooding back, a bright light in the darkness, and he was lost within his own thoughts. He found himself looking at himself, just a few days before he was shot down, in the military bar at Hell's Gate.

   "People can change... to a point."

   "We're an emotional people, and we know it. So much drives the things that makes us human... love, hate, anguish, pride, passion, fear, gluttony... all these things that we label 'emotions', the things that make us most human."

   "We grow, and we change... so, so much. Look at where we are now, standing upon the ashes of the old world, and compare it to the start of the 21st century... so much, in such a short amount of time."

   "But... there is one thing that remains constant. The one trait we share with everything and everyone around us, that no matter what culture you look at, you'll find. Even here, even now. The one thing that doesn't change, but flux in and out of human history, an ever-changing snake that we nurture with our thoughts, our actions, and our minds. Indiscriminately it moves, this beast, taking away all that makes us Human, turning us into nothing more then a wild beast, out for blood, killing sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, and anyone that should so dare to stand in its way."

   "War Never Changes."

   The military bar simply known as 'Kansas' was quiet as the men and women inside watched and listened to Gunnery Sergeant James 'Jax' Logain, a proud, upstanding example of a soldier and an expert pilot. He was standing above them, on one of the steel tables, urged on by the men and women there to tell his story, to tell them about Nigeria.

   "My name... was once James Logain. Son of a strong, upstanding marine of a father and a brilliant school teacher of a mother, a young man that had a world of opportunity unfolding before him with every breath, step, and move he took. He had but one dream: To fly. It didn't matter where, or why, or for who he was going to fly. All that mattered was that he would fly, unburdened by the world below him. It was his dream, his only wish."

   "His father taught him, giving him a task, a pathway that would take his son to the sky and beyond, to make him a proud warrior... a United States Marine, just like him. And that young man, that young James Logain, latched onto that dream as if it was the only lifeline he had. He wished to fly, with all of his heart, to be a strong, proud, upstanding soldier in the face of adversity, to stand as defender of all that lay out before him, be it man, woman, country, or a stranger on the street."

   Jax shook his head slowly. "But the problem with dreams and wishes is that they stay that way, dreams and wishes. James Logain learned that the hard way... In Nigeria."

   "The world has a way of winding up and kicking you in the balls so hard that your hopes and dreams go flying out your ears, to hit the floor and shatter. That's just how it is, because reality is? No one give a flying s*** about you, if you survive or not, if you're still human or not, if you're an excellent soldier or not, or how many people you save. I think that's what drove me even more to become a pilot, to fly... up there, in the big blue, there is no one to be bothered by, no one to try to drag you down, no one to ruin your dreams. Up there in the big blue, you are truly free."

   Jax nodded before he took a drink of the 'Pandoran Sunrise' that he had taken a liking too and continued, "I was top graduate out of my Company in Boot. Best of the F***ing Best. Period. My transfer and recommendations for flight school couldn't have gone though faster if it had been lubed up and fired out of a MAG-Cannon."

   "My dad was proud, as much as any father would be for his boy to become a soldier, and I was just glad to be able to fly."

   Jax took a breath and continued, "Master Gunnery Sergeant Rush was my flight instructor, and he taught me everything I need to know to be an excellent marine, and a perfect flight pilot. How to fight and fly on the go, how to know how your bird is doing without watching anything... instinct. He didn't give me it, but he showed me how to use it, how to tune it in."

   "When they told me that I was flying Medivac in Nigeria, I was almost moved to tears in joy. I was going to be able to do what I wanted when I was a child; I was going to go save lives! I didn't want to be a hero... I just wanted to be able to take our people home, to help them get fixed up so they can continue to protect and serve."

   Jax snorted. "James Logain was a silly boy, with a lot of dreams. It was about that time that James Logain became known as 'Jax', for reasons still unknown to him. Major Gunny Rush never explained, and he died before Jax could find out. He went out to war, with training, determination, and a SA-2 designated 'Scythe' on his side."

   Jax's voice lowered as he moved into the next part of his story. "Jax went into his first mission, raring to go. He had a full tank of gas and a full set of weapons, two door-gunners and two medics. He was going to go in and save two lives. A young female marine by the name of Sara Maria, and an older army soldier, a man by the name of Ryan Andrews. They had been downed on the frontlines and needed emergency Medical Evacuation, ASAP."

   "Jax flew in low and fast, his Door-gunners unloading down range to fend off a swarm of Nigerian Soldiers who were trying to down Scythe as the medical team got Sara and Ryan into the SA-2."
   
"It had gone well... the medical team had them inside, and Jax was pulling away without any damage taken to Scythe or his crew. His first medical run was going perfectly."

   Jax's voice dropped to a monotone. "Jax didn't know about the sniper, nor did his crew."

   "It was loud, the blast from the sniper rifle. Jax heard it over the sound of his rotor. He looked over his shoulder to see what had happened, and saw blood all over the interior of Scythe."

   "Ryan was dead. A perfect circle sitting out the side of his head as he slumped down."

   Jax's voice shuttered a bit as he continued on. "He could have done something... I could have done something... to save them, taken evasive maneuvers, or something... but I didn't. I was shocked. Locked up. I screwed the pooch."

   "Sara was next, a round though the heart. I yanked hard on the yoke, and got the hell out as fast as possible. One of the medics took a round to the leg and had to be pulled out."

   "It was a complete and total failure. I had screwed up my first mission, and I was sure that I would never be sent out again."

   Jax takes another drink before continuing, his voice low. "But they did. They sent me back out, again and again. Each time, I went in guns blazing, taking out everyone that dared get close, and those that didn't... and each time, I was never able to get anyone home."

   Jax shook his head, "Jax was soon known as 'The Reaper of Medical 1717', Scythe marked up with a body count of how many I had failed to save. I was a joke... but they still sent me out. I was killing, taking out soldiers by the tens and twenties in my quest to save someone, anyone, just once."

   "But I never saved anyone. No one but myself."

   Jax closed his eyes. "One Hundred and Twenty-Five flight missions... not one rescue. Two hundred and fifteen confirmed kills between me and my gunners and who knows how many more that are still uncounted, even to this day. Lives that in the end... didn't even matter, not to me, not to my gunners, not to my general, just dead bodies to be burned or buried and mourned by the mother or father of that son or daughter. My final flight mission, I was shot down by a RPG-11. My crew... killed, the medics, burned to ashes, the people I tried to save... dead."

   Jax took a shuttering breath as he thought back to the day, the fire in the cabin of his SA-2. "The RPG lit up Scythe, turning it into a major inferno as I pulled myself out, clawing for every inch."

   Jax laughed bitterly. "The devils luck. That's what they called it in the end. There had been a sniper up on the hill, just by where I crashed. He zoomed in on me, and pulled the trigger as I brought my hand up to try to call for help. My Aviator's watch saved me, the bullet breaking it but preventing it from killing me. I went down completely, knowing I was shot at."

   Jax slams the rest of his drink. "Saving myself... that's all I could do. The Reaper of Medical 1717, the sick bastard that can walk into any warzone and walk out with nothing but a scratch... and a trail of bodies in his wake"

   Jax took two steps, jumping off of the steel table and looking around the bar, as Esme and Arik, and at every one of the soldiers. "In the end, it doesn't matter that I survived, or what happened out there, for the same powers-be-damned reason that I'm out here now: No one gives a s***, money rules all, and one other simple, basic fact."

   Jax puts the mug on the bar and walks away, heading for bed and another night of nothing but nightmares, death, and destruction.

   "War Never Changes."

    Jax's spirit felt tears slowly come to his eyes. "I was right... I'm always right." before the warmth came again, loving arms that gently held him as he drifted back into nothingness.



-----------
"Ta'em 'eko!!!"
-----------
"Better to have fought and died then never to have fought at all"
-----------
Bionic Arms and Pandora, The most read FanFic on Learnnavi.org! Read it here! -Shameless self promotion-

Kiyoshi Tenshi

"Let's get this transfer ceremony going," Arik said. He took Aniuket's good hand, and they walked to the crowd where Mo'at awaited their decision.

Mil'Ani looked up at his older brother excitedly. "Did you hear that? The transfer's starting!" Before Mil'Ano could respond, Mil'Ani had grabbed his hand and they were walking back to the crowd.

"Slow down, little brother," said Mil'Ano with a chuckle. "Jax isn't going to go anywhere. At least, not for a while."

"But I don't want to miss it!" said Mil'Ani in an urgent tone of voice. "This is going to be the first time I've seen a human being transferred into the body of a dreamwalker!"
[move]

Tanhìyärina'

Tireamokri lowered her bow, loosening her grip on the string.  After a moment, she slipped her arrow back into its quiver.  Txonunilyu's words, and their implication, spread through the Na'vi like a wave.  "Tìngayìt poanìl plltxe," she had said.  He speaks the truth.

Those words seemed to loosen the tongues of the Ayuniltìranyu as well, and the Dreamwalkers began chattering among themselves.  Aniuket translated snips of it for her as they made their way back to the Omatikaya Kelutral.  There was something about a tawtute back at their hole in the ground that had sent the supplies, a tense exchange about the metal walking machine accompanying them to Kelutral, and then Aniuket saw Arik.  Tireamokri smiled as her friend went off to speak with the Uniltìranyu.  Nef'tys, grinning, slipped into the role of translator.  Arik was saying something about a hero nantang, and Tireamokri boggled as Tsu'tey backed down from their heated conversation.  A hero nantang?  On their world of orange trees and no ground?  Do the nantang walk in the trees as well, to hunt? she wondered.

They had decided to try the transfer ceremony.  Tireamokri furrowed her brow and pursed her lips.  Will this work?  They are willing to try-- look how they have all dressed in Omatikaya clothing.  It is so strange, seeing Sawtute dressed as Na'vi.  Their extra fingers stick out funny.  The eye goes right to them.  It's rather disorienting.

The group gathered to go to Mo'at.  Tireamokri was emboldened by her new friends, Aniuket and Nef'tys, who had accepted her as tsmuke so easily, no matter that she was not Omatikaya, and she slipped through the crowd to approach Mo'at too.

"Oheri srìyung neu," she offered, standing comfortably before the Tsahìk.  "Oeyä olo' mì, Tsahìk oeri layeiu.  <<I know our ceremonies,>> ulte Eywa nìwotxseng lu, fìtseng sì tsatseng, <<the same.>>""I [deferential] want to help.  In my tribe, [I am happy to say] I will be Tsahìk.  I know our ceremonies, and Eywa is everywhere, here and there, the same."

She smiled softly, hopefully, and waited for Mo'at's reply.
Fitseng lu oe, tìftia kìfkeyä seri.

Coyote

#158
Visitors' Camp Platform
Kelutral, 1500 (Tawtute Reckoning)










Nef'Tys sighed. Her sister was no fun; she wanted to make moon-eyes at Arik, who was fun, unless he, too, felt more like making moon-eyes back at Aniuket. So Nef'Tys wandered off. She'd tried to listen in at what was said with Mo'at, but the older ones chased her off from there, too.

So when Oscar looked over at the other side of the platform, he saw her slim form gazing at him, and the wounded, silent Jax, eyeing him appraisingly.

"You're the confused one," she said plainly, in English.
Oscar blinked, momentarily frowning, but finally answering, "I guess I am."

They stared at each other for a moment.

"So," Oscar said, "What is going on? There is a lot of excitement."
Nef'Tys narrowed her eyes at him, then suddenly smiled. "A shield-walker came," she said. "It brought food, medicine, things for kuns. The... talksfar. Rah-dee-os."
"Radios," Oscar said, nodding. "Good. We need radios."

"Power takers from the sky. Sol-lar power for radioz."
"Solar power units for the radios," Oscar said. "Good." He looked at the adolescent Na'vi girl. He wondered exactly how old she was. She's cute, in a slender, very blue way. He looked over at the figures of Arik and Aniuket standing close, talking. "You're her sister, right?" he asked Nef'Tys.

Nef'Tys grinned. "Yes," she said.
"So what happens now?" he asked.
Her features became instantly businesslike. "Mo'at says you are here to help us," Nef'Tys said. "You no like what Sawtute do to Eywa'evengä, now that you know," she said, pointing to her head.

Oscar thought about everything that gesture might mean. "Yeah," he said. "We want to do the right thing."
Nef'Tys nodded. "We will help with Jax," she said, pointing to the unconscious man lying on the platform, with the breather mask on. "But I think Mo'at will say you will to stay with us. Learn to be like the People. Jax, he has no other family."

"Stay... here?" Oscar asked.
"For some while," Nef'Tys said. "Until Jax is feeling like home is here."

"All of us?" Oscar asked.
Nef'Tys looked over his shoulder; he turned and followed her gaze back to where Aniuket and Arik were standing close. Very close.
"As many as can stay," Nef'Tys said.
"Or will stay," Oscar muttered.

Nef'Tys grinned, her ears flickering with mischevious happiness.

Oscar looked at her for a bit. He felt his tail shiver, but didn't know what it meant. He looked at his useless arms. They swung when he turned. His muscles started to heal a bit, but it would be a long time before he could lift anything heavy. Oh, well...









Results:
Nef'Tys brings Oscar up to speed on recent events.

***   ***   ***

Kelutral,
Tribal Central Area
Same Time











"I am sorry," Arik said, "For your arm... Um...Fì-ìri tsap'alute si oe," he tried, indicating Aniuket's bandaged arm.
Aniuket looked at him and smiled, but he could see seriousness in her large, yellow eyes. He was briefly entranced by her eyes, and the patterns of bioluminescent spots on her forehead, but snapped out of it.

"I can no si tseo for... for big time," she said.
Arik nodded, understanding. "My fault," he said, "Oe skxawng."
"No," Aniuket said, "You not skxawng. You think to make me safe."
"I tried." Arik said with a sigh. He looked around the inside of Hometree. "Aniuket, being here... we put you all in danger. The Omatikaya. I... we should leave."

"This is what you want?" she asked him, her face carefully neutral.
"No... oe kehe neu," he said.

They walked together for awhile, others of the Omatikaya looking at them curiously, some few with fear or dislike evident. Children followed them.

"Aynga tsmukan... he is here?" Arik asked, looking around for Sek'mut's scowling face.
"Is my brother here?" she asked, shaking her head and giving him an amused look at his attempts at ninavi. "No. He is getting ready to go to Tree of Souls with us. To make safety." She glanced up at him, and he looked at her. Her eyes narrowed somewhat, appraising him critically. Finally, she put up a warning finger. "You no go," she said. "I not allow."
"Um...?" Arik stammered.
Aniuket held up her injured arm. "Who make tseo for Omatikaya now?" she asked frankly. "You... what is it, you use, for value?" she asked. "People trade... paper--" she said, stumbling on her latest English word "--for value."
"Money?" he asked confused.

"Money paper," she said, "If you give someone, and they not give you money paper, they...?" she prodded him with her good elbow.
"They owe you money," he said.
"Ohhh."
"Owe. When someone gives you something of value, you owe them something."

"Ohh-weh. You owe me to make tseo. You stay here, in Kelutral, make tseo. You owe me."
Arik couldn't help but laugh.
"You laugh at me?" Aniuket asked, straightening.

"No," Arik said, "Heheh..." he sighed in frustration. "I owe you for language lessons, that's for sure. I am not laughing at you, Aniuket," he said, "What you say is true, I owe you, and I am laughing because..." they stopped, ignoring the small gathering of children that encircled the, fascinated in their interaction. "Oe... eltu? he asked pointing at his head, "it says I should go, to keep you safe. But...txe'lan?" he asked, pointing to his heart, "Says I want to stay here, and I laugh because you say out loud what my heart says in secret."

Aniuket looked at him, her features relaxing. A moment passed between them, one that Arik felt, and by the look in her eyes, Aniuket felt it too. She blinked, and for a moment Arik wanted to lean forward and kiss her, but unsure if the gesture would be welcome, or acceptable among so many people... Her eyes blinked and suddenly, they refocused at a point just past Arik's shoulder, and she let out an annoyed hiss.

Arik turned in time to see two boys making an absurb pantomime of kissy-faces at them both, while others made gestures of throwing up. Aniuket let out a stream of ninavi that Arik needed little translation for, and vowed to try to remember some of the words for later use himself. Aniuket shooed away the children and returned to him, her ears flickered with annoyance and embarassment. A few other adults stifled laughter.

"Bad children!" she said, but Arik could hear the humor in her voice; the amusement of someone caught in a moment of guilty pleasure. Arik put his hand up to hide a foolish grin. "You do not begin at this, too!" she said, giving him a playful slap on the shoulder. On the other side of the fire pit, an older adult male gave Arik a sympathetic look as his own mate gave him a look of rebuke.

They walked some more, Arik taking her hand, Aniuket giving him another smile. "If you are to stay here," she said, "You need... an Eywa k'sey nivi'bri'sta," she said.
Arik looked at her, uncertain what the stream of sylables meant. "I need to... walk on fire and dance with snakes?" he asked.
"Walk...?" Aniuket asked, befuddled.
"Sorry," Arik said, "Um... Tawtute humor. Sarcasm."

"Sark-az-eem," she said. "You need to... k'sey nivi," she said, pointing to the hammocks hung from the branches above. "Sleep like one of the People."
"Where do I get one?" he asked.
"Maybe some not used," Aniuket said. "Sometimes travelers, or Na'vi... they go to Eywa, nivi still here, not yet on fire. Like the one for Jax... if no one make claim, it will be his."

Arik thought about it. "People won't be angry if I use a bed that belonged to someone who died?"
"Na'vi do not die like sawtute; alone. All... power. Energy? It come from Eywa, we borrow, use, give back. Not gone-- in Eywa."

Arik looked up at the hammocks, and around at the Na'vi.
"You feel comfort here, Ahreek?" she asked, her face again carefully neutral.

Arik looked around, inhaled the fresh air of Pandora, looked at the people... and he kneeled down, picking up a handful of dirt, and let in run through his fingers. Dirt, he thought, real dirt. I was seventeen before I felt real dirt at home, and afterwards I had to wash because of the oil and grease that had seeped into it... he sniffed the dirt, crumbled it betwen his fingers, and let it run out. When it was gone, he felt --brielfy-- like his soul was lacking something.

"I am more comfortable here than I have ever been, anywhere," he said.

He pretended not to notice her sudden relief. He focused on the people talking to Mo'at, instead. They were discussing the transfer ritual.

"Who is the one for... that will help Jax?" he asked.
"He was boy, same age as Nef'Tys," Aniuket said. "Nice boy, quiet. He get injury in eltru, never wake up, but not all dead."
"A coma," Arik muttered. "Tawtute word for it. So, if Jax does not transfer in to this boy, the kid will starve to death. Save two lives, in a way."
"He is with Eywa," Aniuket said, "He will be Jax, new Jax."

Arik looked over at the knot of people discussing Jax's fate. Part of him felt he should be discussing it, too, but he held back. Partially he was afraid to make such a descision for another person, even though he'd already done just that, earlier. But another thought nagged at him, as well. Maybe I support this because... deep inside... I envy him. Being here 'for real'. Am I trying to live vicariously through Jax's experience?

"Ahreek?" Aniuket asked.
"I'm okay," he said, smiling at her. He straightened, and inhaled a lungful of fresh, untainted air. "I love the air," he said. "So fresh and clean; we can't breathe like this on Earth."

Aniuket looked up at him, her eyes betraying a myriad of emotions, none of them voiced.

"if you are to be among the People," she said, "You will also have to make climb of Iknimaya. You know what it is, Iknimaya?"
"No," Arik said.
"To become a man among the Na'vi, you learn bow, to hunt for People. Proof you can bring food to tribe. When you are ready, you make climb to float-mountains, claim Ikran, and be accepted."

"Ikran?" Arik asked.
"The flyers, like your kunsip," Aniuket said, pointing towards the sky with her good arm, "You ride them. You bond with one and fly together forever."
"The pteradactyls?" Arik asked, "I get a pteradactyl? A banshee?" he looked around, amazement written on his face. "Sign me up."

"First you begin to learn riding Pa'li," Aniuket said, laughing. "We will to ride Pa'li to Vitraya Ramunong, to bring cure to Jax."

"You can teach me to ride the Pa'li?" Arik asked.
Aniuket held up her arm. "Not so well," she said, "But I can tell you how; you can learn by do. Come on; I show you." She led him away, towards the clearing where the Pa'li were kept. Children followed them, staring at the ungraceful uniltìrantokx.  She gave a low whistle, and a large six-legged Direhorse approached, causing Arik to step back. Aniuket smiled.

"You can ride her now," she said.
"There's no saddle," Arik said.
"Sad-dahl?"
"Um... a seat. A leather seat to sit in."
"This is... Dreamwalker custom?"

Arik could tell she had no idea what a saddle was. Okay, that's how they do things here. Bareback.. "Okay, kemo sabe," he said, "I'll mount up."
"First you make your Tsaheylu," Aniuket said as Arik leapt up onto the back of the mighty beast. She gave him the leathery tip of the creature's nerve-cluster ending.

"Ohh, I saw a show like this in Tijuana," he muttered, and slid his own queue into the one of the Pa'li. The massive creature shivered at the contact with an alien mind, with alien thought processes, but despite a nervous shuffling of its feet, held steady.

Arik's mind, however, seemed to be alive with sparkles of awareness. Suddenly, he had six extra legs! And he was mighty enough to leap that downed tree branch--

"Ahreeek!" he heard Aniuket shouting in alarm. The ground was shaking. An earthquake? he wondered. The downed tree branch was rolling towards him, and he was airborne...

"Ohhshiiiiiiiiit---!!" he yelled, as the Pa'li came down on all six on the other side of the tree branch, and Arik slid off to impact the ground.

"Areek!" Aniuket said. She crawled over the branch as best she could, as Arik picked himself up off the ground. He started laughing hysterically. "Areek!" Aniuket said, running her hands on him to check of injuries.

Arik stood up, laughter animating his face, and he looked at her, concern in her eyes melting to amusement. "I'm okay!" he said. "I thought about jumping, and it jumped!" he said.
"Your minds connect through the Tsaheylu!" she scolded. "I was scared!" she said.
"I..." Arik said, still grinning. He took her gently in his arms and held her close, smelling her hair, luxuriating in her scent. They parted, but slowly, and not completely; a look to each others' eyes was all the encouragement they needed to share their first kiss.

After a moment, they parted.
"Ahrik," she whispered.
He kissed her forhead and held her. "What?" he asked.
"The children are watching and making faces."
"This is still a cool world."









Results:
Arik makes personal connections at Kelutral-- with Aniuket, and with Pandora itself.

***
In Libertarianism, there is no Government, so the Bosses are free to exploit the Workers.
In Communism, there is no Government, so the Workers are free to exploit the Bosses.
So in Libertarianism, man exploits man, but in Communism, its the other way around!


VIDEO LOG DAY 8:
Attempted to pee on Viperwolf to test reaction. Please see attached medical file.
WARNING: Attached medical file exceeds gigabyte limit. System failure.

Sngä'i Tìrey-yä

#159
Hometree
1500 HRS


Wow, real nice guys. Ariel thought as she saw her companions come back from the jungle and walk past without even looking for her. Either her dressing like the locals was working too well, or she just wasn't as important as she thought she was. Ariel watched as the large group broke down slowly, Arik first talking to some na'vi guy, and then walking off making moon eyes at a girl. Typical man, she thought, always chasing tail.

With a sigh, she stood and stretched out her back. The weaving circle she had sat with looked up in surprise and watched as she apologetically smiled and set down her half-finished crochet project. They seemed to realize Ariel wanted to talk with her companions, and gave knowing smiles and reassuring nods. Within seconds of abandoning her crocheting and walked off, children swarmed around trying to touch the scarf, peeking through the little holes like windows.

It was just her luck though, as Ariel wandered over it seemed all of her earthling friends disappeared. Even Tireamokri was busy talking to some stern older woman... probably not a good idea to interrupt them. The only other familiar face still around was of the grump; that one na'vi guy who had b**** and moaned the entire time he helped them to Hometree after the helicopter exploded. Still, it was better than nothing; at least she knew that he spoke english.

"Hey you, blue guy with the black braid." She called across the clearing. Multiple na'vi turned and stared at the strange shouting alien, along with the one she was looking for. "Yup, you! I forgot your name, but you're the guy that dragged us here after the boom boom pow incident." He was definitely staring at her now, mouth slightly open, eyes screwed in a grimace. With a beaming smile, Ariel skipped over and slid to a stop next to the still bemused na'vi. Posing with her hands on her slender waist, she looked up into his eyes and said, "What, never seen a girl before?" Before pausing for a breath, she continued speaking. "Ok, tell me your name again, because I totally blanked. You know, broken ribs and everything has a tendency to do that. Which, by the way, your doctors are amazing. I feel a thousand times better. And I look a thousand times better too, c'mon, don't you like the make-over? I blend in perfectly!"

The poor na'vi fellow looked at Ariel as though she was carrying some sort of communicable disease and paused before answering. "I am Sek'Mut. And you do not look like one of us." With that he turned and tried walking away.

"Woah tiger, you're not running away from me this easily." She said, reaching forward and grabbing his hand. With a backwards motion, he jerked his arm away, effectively smacking her in the face and causing her to sprawl across the ground.

"You... you hit me." Ariel said, stunned. She slowly sat herself up as Sek'Mut slowly turned to look at the fallen alien. "YOU ASS, YOU CAN'T HIT A GIRL." She launched herself off the ground and started pounding her fists on his back, because he was a bit too tall to hit the face. This time Sek'Mut turned around in amusement and grabbed both her wrists in one of his large hands. He held her struggling in front of him, and leaned forward so that their noses almost touched."Don't touch me alien."

Ariel did the only thing she could think of in reciprocation. She leaned forward with a smile and licked his nose.

"Ah! <<Disgusting creature>>" Sek'Mut cried out in na'vi and dropped Ariel on the ground. "Why did you do that?" He exclaimed in anger. A few passing na'vi snickered to see the great warrior in such a frazzled state from the alien.

"What else was I supposed to do!" Ariel exclaimed, dusting the dirt off her rear end. "You're taller, faster, stronger. I'm just thankful you're not smarter too, because then you might actually be a threat." She stretched her arms back and rubbed where she had fallen on her tail. "See, on my planet, I'm a lawyer, a scholar. It means I am one of the smartest there is." She flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Not that you can say the same."

Sek'Mut snarled and thought for a good response, but one didn't seem to come to him. With a final sneer, he turned and tried stalking off.

"Don't you turn your back on me kitty!" Ariel called out and ran after Sek'Mut, panting to keep up with his long strides as he ascended the spiral. "Here kitty kitty" She called, making kissy noises. After a few levels, he turned around abruptly, and she bumped into his chest. "Jesus, are you made of rock or something? Those are some hard abs." Ariel reached forward and poked at his stomach. With a growl, he pushed her away.  

"Leave." He ordered, "Do not follow."

"You can't tell me what to do!" She cried, "This is a free country... or is it? Wait up Sek'Mut!" She panted as he increased speed. "You need a nickname, Sek'Mut is too difficult. How about Seky? Muty? Or maybe just kitty, which do you think?"

Sighing, he responded, "Your friend gave me tawtute warrior name Toto, vicious nantang. That is good."

Ariel couldn't contain herself, letting out a short gasp of laughter. "Um, Toto? Really?"

"Yes, he said Toto great strong creature. Very fearsome. Is this not true?"

"Oh no!" Ariel responded, shaking with repressed laughter. "Toto is great. Chased off that witch after all. But did you know, that Toto was the pet of a girl?"

"What is pet?" Sek'Mut looked suspicious.

"It is an animal that belongs to a person." She tried explaining, "Like your ikran has only one rider. Some animals have only one person they are loyal too."

Sek'Mut looked troubled, "You say Toto had person?"

"Something like that. But getting back to the point, your new nickname is Toto. Ok love?" Ariel said with a sweet smile.

"Why you follow?" He finally asked with a sigh.

"Because, you're interesting." She answered simply. "My other companions often spend time with one another, but I don't always get along. I'm one of the only females, and I have more education than they do. They are mostly trained to be warriors, while I was taught about our people's history and laws. So we can be different." Ariel smiled, "Besides, I'm looking for a na'vi friend, and you look like you can teach me to fight! I think Arik is going to be busy with that piece of tail he was chasing." She finished with a wink.

Sek'Mut glared, "That woman is my sister."

"Oh, well in that case I'm sure he's going to be an absolute gentleman." Thinking quickly she added, "I bet if you started spending time with me, Arik would get very angry. He might even leave your sister alone."

"Really?"

"Yup."

Sek'Mut let out another sigh, "I will teach you."

Grinning from ear to pointed ear, Ariel grabbed his arm and started pulling him back down the tree, "Great Toto!! ...and you still haven't told me I'm pretty."
Avatar is a movie about a guy with blue balls running through the forest chasing tail.