10. Hunt Festival

Everyone was having a wonderful time at the festival. They drank, they danced, they sang and played instruments while letting go of all the tension and stress of these last few months. Since the tension with the skypeople grew, most of the Omaticaya were on the edge at all times, so having such a joyous opportunity they did not let it slide.

Even Norm was dancing, letting go of his stuck up personality. Grace was drinking with some of the hunters, and surprisingly Jake was also surrounded by some of the hunters that were present at the hunt. He told everyone the story about how he and Neytiri got chased by the great beast Toruk after the hunt.Maria was surprised that Jake could explain it so fluently in Navi, she had to admit that he was a good storyteller, everyone was immersed in his tale. They were so intrigued that they didn't even realise that Tsu'tey came over to the group. He did in fact often joined the hunters or his students at Last Meal with some drinks, so it was no wonder he brought a huge container full of alcohol at such an event like that evening. Asking Jake silently to a drinking game by pushing a horn filled with the liquid in Sully's hand, Tsu'tey didn't even acknowledge Maria sitting near the group.

Jake willingly accepted the challenge and both seemingly bonded over some drinking games, leaving Grace and Norm in the hands of the other hunters, who encouraged them to join in some drinking games themselves.But Maria wasn't left out, in fact Ka'ani came over to her with some drinks, like he did at all times. He was not only a dear friend to her, but he also protected her at all times. Bullies or loneliness, it didn't matter."You sang beautifully Maria, I could not believe my ears, you sounded like Eywa herself. And you look gorgeous tonight, just like you do at all times. Can't even see a hint of the woman that cried today." Getting punched in response, he could only laugh . But he didn't miss the purplish blush adorning her cheeks."Thank you, brother, I mean it."Smiling at each other, they cheered to the succesfull hunt (and near death experience) and talked for a bit, both of them left their worries buried deep somewhere else."Do you know what? We should join the others!"Not having a chance to disagree Ka'ani pulled Maria into the dance field. Both joined Grace and Norm and Maria couldn't deny that she was enjoying a fun dance that the younger hunter showed them. They could have danced forever, if it was not so tiring, and soon the whole group settled down again, not far away from Jake and Tsu'tey, who were having a heart to heart over even more drinks.

''You need to dance!''

The Avatars and Na'vis all showed signs of suprise when one of the best huntresses of the whole clan, Peyral, pulled a drunken Norm to the dancefloor.

''I actually cannot believe what I am seeing right now.'' Grace's face only supported her shocked statement. When Maria was trying to spot Norm dancing with the female she spotted somebody else that she was searching for the whole evening.

''I will be right back.''

Storming off into the direction she saw the young hunter from earlier today leave, she tried to catch up to him. It turned into a tough task, cause the male seemingly dissapeared entirely. Staring to question her own sanity, as it was not possible for him to simply dissapear, she nearly got a heart attack when his familiar voice sounded right next to her.

''Looking for me?'' he cracked a smile, staring down to the Avatar.

''I was in fact looking for you. What was your name again?''

''Txopo.''

''Nice to meet you. Txopo, look. I just wanted to thank you for helping me today, but I will need to ask for another favor from you.'' Ignoring his raised eyebrow Maria continued ''I really need you to stay quiet about seeing me cry today. I can't face such an embarrasment in front of the people. I know I am asking for a lot, especially after probably saving my life today, but..''

Before Maria could continue to babble more nonsense Txopo stopped her by grabbing her shoulders.

''You do not need to worry tawtute. I had forgotten you even cried, and even if I was to tell other people about it, it is not shameful. You were crying out of relief, and compassion. It is honorable to do so. You truly don't need to worry.''

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Watching their interaction enraged Tsu'tey. As if it was not enough she was constantly hanging out with Ka'ani, now there was one Male more to worry about? How did she even know him? He never interacted with their group.

It grabbed his attention when she suddenly left her group, looking around frantically. When he saw a young hunter approaching her, he knew that she was looking for him. Why was she looking for him? He did not know why that hurt his pride, it just did. And seeing him grabbing her by the shoulders like that made him even more furious. He did not realize how much he wanted to switch positions in that moment. For her to be searching for him, to be smiling upon finding him. How blissfull it would be, if that was the reality. He knew better than that.

He made her hate him with his mean demeneor. Always mad at her cause she was a tawtute. Always cursing at her. But he knew better after talking to Nekawn, he knew better than to judge her by her roots, by her species. In the end he had the chance to get to know her better, and he did not use that possibility. It was his fault he didn't try to talk to Maria, to truly acknowledge her as a Na'vi. To truly see her as one of the people. And the one thing he felt most guilty about was how he did not talk to Sylwanin about it. He would normally pour his soul out to her at the tree of voices, but for a reason he did not understand yet he could not do that nowadays. Tsu'tey knew better than to behave like that, and he set a goal to visit the Utral Aymokriyä as soon as possible.

Maria returning to her group though interrupted the hunters plans. He watched as Ka'ani grabbed her arm (why was she grabbed all the time?) and pulling her to the outskirts of the hometree.

He could not resist the urge to follow both of them, even though he knew it was not the right thing to do. They nearly arrived at the paddocks of the Pa'lis and Tsu'tey could only make out some shouts, not really hearing the conversation. Finally catching up he could only hear what he could pinpoint as Ka'anis confession.

„What do you mean? You said Mo'at will look into ways to make you one of us, truly one of us. Do you really think she didn't mean it?"

The younger hunter only looked at Maria, just like Tsu'tey did. He could not make out the meaning of those words yet.

„Maria I mean it. What is your reasoning? You can not say it is because you are not truly Na'vi. You will be soon enough. You will be one of the people. Why can't you be my mate then? I really don't understand."

Mate? Being a real Na'vi? What was he talking about? Why was he annoying her so much? Annoying him? Not being able to bite down his anger he marched in between the pair.

"What is this about?" the stern voice brought both of them back, and instead of answering they could only stare in shock.

"I said what is this about?"

"I am just asking Maria to consider me as a potential mate, there is no need to interfere this conversation, teacher." Ka'ani spat out as if it was venom.

The women in question just stared back at both of them. She couldn't bear it anymore. Tsu'teys guarded eyes haven't left hers for even a fraction of a second. Not even a glance to the ground she walked on, nor to the side. She couldn't stand it anymore. With a swift motion she excused herself and left into the direction of the festival. Hearing both of them calling after her didn't stop her, in fact it fastened her steps. Maria's body was writhed in anguish inside that constellation. She felt bad, because she knew she should care and think about rejecting Ka'ani, as he was nothing more than a clan brother to her. But disturbing her inner peace the most was her teacher, that acted like a bipolar child. Sometimes he was the nicest person ever, encouraging her to be better and sometimes, like this evening, ignoring her presence completly. She couldn't make sense out of his behaviour. And she didn't even realise how much till she saw Jake and Neytiri, as well as Norm and Peyral dance and laugh around.

She never truly realised how alone she felt, till these moments. Of course she was happy for her friends, but couldn't deny that she felt a green venom growing in the depths of her. Maria would never tell another soul about her true feelings, how she wanted to be loved and to love, but in the end it did hurt her a lot. She truly wanted to experience a relationship bloom, but with a person that caught her attention. She knew her friend was too good for her, as she would not be able to treat him with the same adoration and love as he did. And that made her feel bad and unworthy of that kind of love. Maria could make out the male that was responsible for her doom nearing the fire in the middle. She also caught a glimpse of Saeyla trying to catch up to her teacher, with no avail. Honestly he never looked as determined as he did right now. Seing him slip out of hometree, with Saeyla following him Maria could not resist the urge to do the same. Grabbing a drink nearby, chugging it in a swift move and going after the pair she felt excitement blubbering in her stomach. When Tsu'tey interfered in her personal problems, sure as hell she would do the same.

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Going deeper and deeper into the forest, Maria soon realised where the path lead to. Utral Aymokriyä, the tree of voices. One of the most sacred places for the Omaticaya. Nekawn once explained to her how Tsu'tey was betrothed to Neytiri's older sister and how he loved her so dearly, that he still searched for her advice through the tree. She felt bad for him, living through such a trauma at such a young age. Loosing the love of your life to some aliens, that try to join your clan afterwards. She totally got why he hated her guts, and to be honest, she would probaby do the same in his position. The glow of the tree grabbed her attention, as she was apparently nearing his destination.

''What are you doing here?'' ears pulled back Tsu'tey could only growl at his former student.

''My teacher, why don't you see? Your betrothed is not made for you, but I am. I see you as the great warrior that you are, the great leader, a great teacher. I see you for all that you are. But why don't you see me?''

Stunned by the confession the male did not move nor react. Maria was as well under shock. Now she knew why her fellow student reacted so hostile to her! Every female was like an enemy, that she would need to destroy, on the other side she was shocked how the others knew about Jake's and Neytiri's connetcion?

''How dare you? How dare you going around doubting Eywa's will? I will never see you like you see me student. You are dear to me, but not in the way you wish it to be. Now leave, search for another, but leave me alone.'' hissing the last part, Maria saw how something in Saeyla broke apart. She looked shattered, devasted, hurt. Tears threatening to fall down. She tried to hold herself by wrapping her arms around her torso, as if she tried to hold together a broken shell. Turning around the huntress left the scenery, leaving Tsu'tey alone at the tree, not noticing Maria hidden in the bushes.

The males sigh shifted Marias focus to him, watching intentivly what his next step would be. Tsu'tey pulled his qeue over his shoulder, connecting with the tree.

''Sylwanin, I need your advice.'' he started whispering under his breath. ''I do not know what to think of my feelings, they are confused. I am confused.''

Not wanting to listen in his private conversation Maria decided to show herself to the hunter by stepping out of the bush she was hiding in. The noise grabbed Tsu'teys attention and his eyes grew wide when he saw who was standing right in front of him. Oh Eywa, as if his thoughts summoned her.

''What are you doing here?''

Playing with her hands, not being able to look up she tried to find the right words. ''I saw you leave earlier, followed by Saeyla. I originally planned to interfere in your conversation just like you did earlier, but when I heard what was said I could not dare to do so. I should not have followed you here, my apologies for that.''

The male only nodded at first, not really knowing how to respond. He was not sure if it was the right thing to ask now, but she would answer truthfully now, he was sure of that.

''What did Ka'ani mean with becoming one of us? What did Mo'at tell you? I need you to be honest.''

His question left the worst feeling in your stomach and made her sick. She did not want to talk about it to anyone, especially not him. How would he react? He would never accept her as a clan sister, not after what the RDA did to his beloved.

''I want to walk among the people forever, not be a soul trapped in a false body, never being able to be truly real. I found my way, my destiny, and I cannot let it be. I asked the tsahik if she was able to help me, to find a way to bind my soul to this body completly. To make me real. It is decided, and I hope that I can go through with it after my dream hunt.''

Meeting the hunters gaze she could not read him. He did not show any emotion, which in itself was weird for the male. Maria took his passiveness as a sign to continue. Moving even closer to him she explained how dear that secret to her was, how she wished for it to work in her favour, to truly live out her life on Pandora. Not to live inbetween two worlds. To settle down one day, to find love and to build a family, with this body. She excitedly told him everything, all the thoughts that laid like stones in her mind. But the male didn't react, it seemed as if he was not even listening anymore.

''Tsu'tey?''

With a heavy sigh he disconnected his qeue and took a step towards her.

''Maria. I truly don't know what you expect me to say. It is great you found your passion here, but I can't find any answers that would satisfy you or not hurt you. You became dear to me, a long time ago, and I know my behaviour must be confusing to you. Because you are confusing to me. You are a tawtute, even if you manage to stay in this body, it doesn't change your roots. I also know it is not right to judge you for that, you had no say in these things. You are you, and you are a good soul. And that is what fuels my confusion. How can you be so good, so pure, even beautiful but still a tawtute? Nothing will change that fact. I came here to ask Sylwanin for advice, but here I am, spilling my heart out to you, not knowing what to do. What can I do about those emotions that stir up in me because of you? How can I continue my daily task when I see those hunters eying you like prey? I don't know why you had to come here and evoke these horrendous emotions in my self.''

Both of them stared at each other, the male being obviously shocked at what he just said. During this time of nightfall, scattered constellations of glowing dots adorned his features, mesmerizing Maria. But still, his words cut into her skin, leaving her torned apart, bleeding. He did in fact confess his twisted feelings, but he also told her multiple times how she could never be one of them. That she could never be with one of them. With him. The realization of her feelings towards him made her gasp. How was she able to lock them away all this time, to ignore the tugging in her stomach when he was around. No wonder she could not accept Ka'anis feelings, when her heart belonged to someone else.

Their gaze did not falter for a moment, eyes locked on each other, tension rising with every second. Taking in each others appearances, illuminated by the biolumicent forest and the Utral Aymokriyä. Having enough of the staring Maria walked pass Tsu'tey, right to the tree.

''Neytiri once told me prayers are spoken at this tree. That they are sometimes heard.'' Connecting her queue with the tree, her pupils widened. She could hear the ancestors loud and clearly, as if they were right in front of her. Tsu'tey could not hide a smile at the dreamwalker, seeing her experience the wonder of the Utral Aymokriyä. He moved from his stupor and joined her at the tree, connecting his own queue once more.

''She is right. But you can also ask for help from our ancestors. Sometimes their advice is better than a prayer.''

Maria looked over to him, a soft smile adorning her face. It felt like a silent agreement, to ignore the things that were said, and to start anew. Her eyes started to shift to the forest behind him, taking in the beauty of the it. Hearing a displeased noise her eyes found his again. He was able to see every part of her, every emotion, every weakness and everything she nerver granted anyone permission to see. But so was she able to see through him. It was refreshing that both of them let their guard down, and soon they found themselves stretching their arms out, grabbing each other at their upper arm.

''So Maria, tell me more about your clan..''

''Only if you tell me why your ear has a gunwound.''

And so they found themselves laughing at old tales, shared secrets they never thought to tell each other. Not realising how Atokirina started surrounding them, blessing them with Eywa's will.