The Hands of Time Never Change ((open))

[Na'di Pil'stinnie]

And so it began. Years ago, she never would have had the courage to come here so brazenly. Years ago she would have kept her wishes and desires to herself. And although she respected and loved Ewya, she never felt comfortable being alone in Her presence. But, that was then. The more things changed, the more they appeared to stay the same. For Na'di, that couldn't have been any more obvious. Lately, she had been having dreams, visions it seemed, of her future. She took dreams and their hidden meanings seriously, as though it was Ewya's way of telling her what to look out for.

The last thing she wanted to do was ignore some sign from Ewya. In fact, she pretty much based most of what she did around Her. She wasn't the only one of course. It was just what came with being Na'vi. There was a part of Na'di that felt she missed so much growing up, that she allowed herself to be an outsider among those who were the same age as she. Her life had been rather unusual, but not terribly so. She spent most of it with her grandparents; her own parents seemed incapable of taking care of her for so many different reasons.

Her youth was marred by a series of pointless rebellions that sought to anger everyone she knew. Even those closest to her began to back away. She just wanted attention from those who had neglected her. It was her way of speaking out, so to speak. However, she hadn't really did that good of a job in obtaining whatever it was that she sought. Her grandfather felt she had lost her way. And so she had. Whatever she was then, she didn't want to be now. Na'di really wanted to believe that she could change. That was what the trip had been for.

Against the wishes of everyone, she and a few others traveled across Pandora in order to find themselves. The journey proved to be an eye-opener. In her three years away from home, she realized just how much she neglected what was really important and how naive and selfish she had been. Her focus hadn't been where it needed to be; she was lost. She had never lost faith in Ewya, but she also never allowed herself the chance to give in either. That had all changed during her time away.

It was strange, but she didn't even remember coming here, nor that she hadn't come alone. Na'di spent the better part of this day trying to convince some of her clan-mates to come with her, but she was only able to persuade one. She was surprised to see that her friend, Lithika, had joined her. The two had bonded over the years and Na'di had to admit that she was rather fond of her. Her eyes must have been closed because when she opened them, she was standing before the Tree of Souls. It had been a long time since she last ventured this far, but now she knew why.

The Tree's beauty seemed too much for her to handle and she almost contemplated leaving. No, I've come much too far for this. I'm here for a reason. She thought to herself. Lithika was silent, apparently in deep thought herself and examining some of the flora near the Tree. That left Na'di practically alone, right where she wanted to be. She couldn't say that she didn't plan for it to end up like this, but it was near perfect. The closer she moved towards the Tree, the louder the whispers seemed to get. She held up her queue and bit her lip. There was someone she desperately wanted to speak to, but she was hesitant to do so.

Her body jerked back and forth, as if stuck in limbo and finally she shook her head. She was behaving foolishly and looked around to see if Lithika had noticed. Her friend was nowhere in sight and Na'di sighed heavily. It was just like her to leave like this. She hoped the other Na'vi wouldn't go too far. Na'di finally took in a deep breath and sat down under the Tree, the whispers faint, but clear. Her queue suddenly became intertwined with one of the Tree's "branches", as if making the movement she seemed unwilling to make. The feeling was spontaneous, yet rewarding. She started to cry.

And so she spoke, in her native tongue, "Ewya, the Provider, I do miss him so very much, may I be reunited with Tu'lukatan once more?" She had met him during her time away from home. He had been part of the Itami clan and for some reason, she found herself drawn to him, however, he was to be mated with another and she could not have him if he didn't want her. Na'di didn't get to find out if he wanted her or not when he was living. She never told anyone about her feelings towards him and when it was his time to go to Ewya, she never allowed herself to grieve. Now was that time.

His voice rang clearly to her and she could feel him within her. Their conversation was brief, but it was what she needed. Once the connection had been broken, Na'di gently removed her queue from the branch and slowly stood up. She wasn't ready to leave just yet, but couldn't find much of a reason to stay either. She supposed she could make an attempt to look for her friend. A few minutes passed before Na'di gave up. She sat back down among a soft bed of plants and closed her eyes. Was it wrong for her to have had feelings for someone she couldn't have? She wanted answers and had to assume that that was what she had gotten.

[• Aerys •]

He wasn't entirely sure that what he was doing was smart, but Alek'seh found himself unable to care at this point. It was taboo for most Itami to travel far from the main campsite alone, especially not as far as he was daring to go, but the young Na'vi hadn't wanted a traveling companion. Not that he had many to pick from, in any case, since most were embarrassed to be seen with him. He wasn't exactly the most graceful of hunters, nor was he as built and tall as the other males in his tribe, so it stood to reason that the women generally flocked to them.

Still, it had taken some meticulous planning to get away from the main tents without being questioned. Ki'Wa was a little irritated that he had pulled her away from her early breakfast, and had bluntly demonstrated her agitation by bucking him off before he could secure the bond. Persistence had proven to be the key when working with his Pa'li, though, and after a second valiant attempt the direhorse had finally conceded. Bow strung across his back, arrows secured in his quiver, Alek'seh set off towards the one place he knew he'd be able to find solace...and maybe some answers.

The venture had been long and went a little less smoothly than Alek had been hoping for. A brief run in with a disturbed pack of nantang had not only slowed him down a bit, but left him with a stinging gash on his right calf. Luckily, Ki'Wa had escaped the skirmish sans any blemishes, which made the rest of the trip to the Vitraya Ramunong uncomfortable, but doable. A makeshift bandage staunched the blood enough to keep him on his mount's back, though when he finally reached the small valley that harbored the massive tree, he could feel the dull throb up through his thigh.

It was not often that Na'vi visited this sacred ground. Alek had been told stories of its history, had sojourned with his family numerous times when he was younger, but never alone had he come all this way. This wasn't a routine visit, however, nor was it a journey made out is desire to pay tribute to his ancestors. After his extensive bout of unfortunate luck that had befallen him over the past several months, Alek'seh rather thought that he could use a few prayers for himself.

The great silver and crimson beast beneath him seemed to perk up when he drew her to a walk, her gaze fixed on the gentle sway of the tree at the far end of the clearing. Its long, fluorescent branches hung like rose silk, and the closer Alek'seh listened, the more he could have swore that he heard the whispers of Eywa's followers in the faint breeze that moved across the earth.

Once dismounted, Alek took a few tentative steps to test the discomfort in his right leg. The pain seemed to subside, though, as his attention drew from the minor injury to his task at hand. His time was minimal, considering he knew that his parents would be a little more than upset with his abrupt disappearance. The sooner he took care of his business and returned to the camp, the better.

So, with nimble steps, the lithe Na'vi leapt from the smooth, flat rocks up into the forest of glowing branches. Atokirina danced silently through the boughs, whispering across his flesh as he moved. An undeniable sense of lethargy settled over him, putting him at peace, and Alek had nearly readied himself to settle down and take his queue in hand when he spotted a motionless form out of the corner of his eye. It was a female Na'vi, not one of his tribe, sitting several paces away from the tree.

Of course, it was certainly none of his concern what business other Na'vi had, given that all tribes were welcome here...but he couldn't help but notice a sense of sobriety to her still form, an almost untraceable feeling of...sadness?

Ears flickering uncertainly, Alek'seh took a few hesitant steps in her direction, negotiating the pink branches in silence as he drew close. His voice sounded small in the quietness of the clearing as he spoke. "Are you alright?" he murmured in his native tongue, his tail curling around his leg.

[Na'di Pil'stinnie]

How long she had been sitting there, she didn't really know. A flurry of thoughts crept in her mind. Na'di remained silent, distancing herself from whatever was going on around her. She couldn't think of negative thoughts right now. No, not after her brief, but dramatic re-encounter with whom she believed was her true love. How foolish of me, behaving like this... She thought to herself. She wouldn't dare tell a soul. It was far too embarrassing for her as it is. Her grandfather would only look down on her even more than he already did if he knew that she had lusted over another Na'vi.

She wasn't as young anymore, that was the truth. Everyone around her had been pretty patient when it came to her finding a mate, but time wasn't really on anyone's side. She hated being reminded of that. Searching wasn't something she liked to concern herself with. In her eyes, when the time was right, the situation would just present itself. In fact, she didn't really seem too worried about not having one, like so many of her peers. She wasn't too interested in those in her tribe, which caused her to be the brunt of many a joke.

She remained in her position, no real desire to get up just yet. Of course, she would eventually have to return home. Her grandparents were a little too over-protective of her and seemed to have it in their minds that she would bolt at a moment's glance. She was just restless; it wasn't her fault if she was drawn to things others couldn't see. Perhaps they did see and chose to look the other way. In any event, Na'di knew that she wasn't like the other Aleuhai and she'd probably never be. If it hadn't happened by now, chances are she'd never truly fit in. How utterly disappointing.

That ship had long ago sailed. Na'di made peace with who she was. She was a loyal and proud Na'vi. If the others couldn't see that, then she saw no reason to trouble them anymore. Off and on her thoughts flickered back to Ewya and what had just occurred. She thought of her family and how her parents in particular had been rather unsatisfying. She thought of her tribe and how rigid and overbearing many of them came across as. She thought of Lithika, her friend, wandering about, but her thoughts always returned to Tu'lukatan. She supposed this was the time and place for her to move on.

Yet no matter how hard she tried, she simply couldn't. She needed a distraction, or perhaps some motivation. Her senses, always alert, had picked up on another Na'vi, but in her vulnerable emotional state, she assumed it had been Lithika. She thought no more about it and finally opened her eyes. Yes, the time for mourning had to end. She felt guilty mourning for someone who hadn't loved her back. Na'di took in several deep breaths and looked up at the Tree again in wonder. She understood its presence and was grateful that Ewya had been there to help her in her time of need.

A soft voice came from out of the branches and startled her so much that she gasped far too loudly. It clearly wasn't Lithika's voice and Na'di now felt incredibly embarrassed. "Oh!" She quickly put a hand to her mouth, afraid of saying something to make the situation even more awkward. Instead, her golden orbs stared into his and she tried to turn what had probably looked like a frown into a smile. She wasn't sure if it worked. Na'di slowly looked around, wondering if the male Na'vi had been alone. She didn't want to think this was some sort of ambush. She stared at him again and finally found the courage to say something.

Removing her hand from her mouth, Na'di stood up and replied, in the Native language, "I'm fine." This had been entirely unexpected and now she felt like a fool standing there fidgeting with her queue. She wasn't normally a shy person, but he had caught her rather off guard and she was trying to gather her bearings. After all, she had just had a rather emotional encounter. "Are you here to pay your respects too?" Out of all the things she could muster, that was all that came out of her mouth. It would have to suffice for now as she could no longer meet his gaze and was instead wishing for yet another distraction.

[• Aerys •]

In retrospect, Alek realized that his approach hadn’t been quite as smooth as it could or, perhaps, should have been. When the girl gasped, he started and nearly tripped over his own feet, half afraid she might lash out and slice his head off. As it was, he stumbled back a few steps and lifted his hands tentatively, one bright golden eye popping open to survey the stranger. She was standing now, and remarkably remained just shy of his own height. Most Na’vi towered over him, (among other things that Alek was not fond of acknowledging) the women included, so he couldn’t help but be silently pleased that he had found such a rarity.

Without a doubt she was beautiful, but not simply by superficial standards. She was quiet, soft, though first impressions were just that; Alek himself could be an entirely different creature if the situation warranted it, and considering he had startled her, it stood to reason that she’d either be angry or a bit stunned. Not that he really liked either reaction, but he would be lying if he said he didn’t prefer the latter.

“I am,” he answered smoothly, offering her a lopsided, toothless smile. “I have not been here in quite some time.” His feet carried him through the thin boughs of the tree, fingers gently brushing against the iridescent tendrils. “Enough time that I forgot how beautiful this place was.”

A brief glance around told him that the there were no other Na’vi present, and that the only movement was Ki’Wa nosing through a small patch of greenery at the edge of the clearing beyond the tree. She clearly was not from his tribe, so she had no preconceived notion of who he was or his reputation…so why not talk to her? Most conversations he had with those from the Itami clan consisted of admonishments or instructions or, more often than not, a few choice oaths. Needless to say, it was…pleasant, having a normal conversation.

“What clan do you hail from?” he asked after a few moments, head tilting as he turned to her, one hand wrapped loosely around a bundle of rose colored branches.

[Na'di Pil'stinnie]

A small smile slowly began to form out of the corners of her mouth. She had to admit that this was rather unexpected. Although he seemed nice enough, she wasn't sure if she could actually handle having a real conversation with someone. The more she thought about it, however, the more she realized that this was probably exactly what she needed. She figured it was Ewya's sign of telling her to move on. Talking to this other Na'vi wasn't going to hurt anyone and that it was perfectly normal to do so. She wasn't going to feel guilty.

She was certain that her friend, Lithika, would eventually come back to her ready to go, or if Na'di took long enough, would just leave her on her own without telling her. As much as she admired Lithika, that was one of the things she didn't like about her. However, she wasn't going to concern herself with the future just yet. She did bring Hydra, her Pa'li, with her. If all else failed, she wouldn't be entirely alone. Na'di, trying her hardest to behave with some dignity, stood there silent as he started speaking to her.

In any other instance, she probably would have said something embarrassing, but she felt the need to try and be on her best behavior. Perhaps the current environment had something to do with that; she wasn't entirely sure. Coughing lightly, she finally responded, "Yes, it is lovely." She grimaced at her words slightly. It didn't sound like anything she would have normally said and she wasn't really behaving like she normally would and something told her that eventually the real "Na'di" would come out and he'd be disappointed. Most everyone that ever came into contact with her was, at least.

She took a slight step back as he moved forward; it was only instinctual. He wasn't much taller than she was. Then again, she was on the short side in comparison to her People. It hadn't really bothered her much before, but she had to admit that it was nice to finally talk to someone at eye level. He did have a slight edge on her, but it didn't appear to be by much. She smirked slyly as he asked her what clan she was from, though it wasn't because of what he said, it was what he did that made her smile. Was he trying to...approach her, for lack of a better word?

He didn't seem as awkward anymore and she felt a little more comfortable herself. If he wanted to attack her in any way, she was certain he would have done so ages ago. "I'm from the Aleuhai clan, down by the Sea." She added rather unnecessarily. Na'di took a few steps forward so she could get a better look at him. He didn't have to know her real reasoning behind this; she'd probably never have the courage to tell him anyway. "Well, um...what are you called?" She asked, feeling as though it were only appropriate to ask. She stupidly looked around again, pretending to find interest in something that wasn't there. It was only because she could feel his eyes looking at her. It made her nervous.

[• Aerys •]

In spite of the proverbial even playing ground, Alek's inherently quiet nature still kept him from feeling entirely at ease with the female Na'vi. She seemed harmless thus far, passive as she spoke to him, and showed very little inclination that she was going to chop his head off. Alek'seh considered all of these very positive points...until he opened his mouth and said the wrong thing. Which, undoubtedly, would be very soon.

"Alek'seh," he answered at length, gaze flicking back down to the ground. He reached for his queue and let his hand slide down the smooth braid, lifting it until the sensitive tendrils were exposed. He pulled one of the extensions of the tree forward and let the two connect, and with a soft gasp Alek closed his eyes and gave himself over to the echo of memories that sang through the moon.

It was just as much of a soothing process as it was taxing, listening to the voices, and Alek made quick work of his silent prayer to Eywa. He tried to commit himself to at least two visits a year, and though he had yet to receive any direct answer, Alek couldn't help but feel--and hope--that she kept a watchful and caring eye on him.

"I am from the Itami clan," he said at last as he pulled his queue away from the tree. "From the plains. It was a long journey coming here, though I will admit that it is worth it." Alek carefully settled his braid back over his shoulder and pushed dark strands of hair from his eyes. "I've never seen the coast. Is it far from here?"

[Na'di Pil'stinnie]

Na'di stood there in complete silence. She wasn't entirely sure how to respond. He did tell her his name, then he proceeded to connect with Ewya. While he did this, she remained rooted in her position, awkwardly. Na'di almost thought about leaving to find Lithika, not entirely sure that he picked the "best" time to want to do such a thing, but she decided against it, something tell her to stay. She'd take it as a sign. Whatever he was doing or saying, it didn't last nearly as long as she had expected and she was instantly grateful for having not bolted.

"I know of the Itami." She said, seriously. Tu'lukatan had been part of that clan. She wondered if they knew each other. She wouldn't dare ask. Na'di bit her lip, trying not to think of Tu'lukatan. She didn't want to be reminded him of, but now that his new Na'vi was from the same clan, it was hard to try and ignore it. Instead, she decided to answer his question. "Yes...and no." Na'di cleared her throat and continued, "It's only far if you don't know where you're going. I travel this way often, so I've learned a few shortcuts here and there." She smiled softly.

She looked down at the ground again, realizing that this was known as the "awkward silence". Oh how she hated those. But what else could she say? "How long were you planning on staying?" It was honestly the only thing that came to mind. "I only ask because I have a small camp set up..." She nearly cringed at her own words. However, it could have been worst. She could have blurted out what she really wanted to ask, and after a minute or so of more silence, she finally asked, "Are you mated...with another?" She instantly regretted it, more because of the way it sounded when she said it. Actually, it sounded almost comical, but she didn't dare laugh.

"Forgive my boldness..." She mumbled, slightly mortified. The question seemed so out of place, yet it was one she tended to ask often. She didn't want to admit it, but she liked knowing those sorts of things. He didn't look like the type to have bonded with another just yet, but she was extremely curious. "Oh! I think I hear something..." She lied, trying to get out of a sticky situation. She hoped he wouldn't call her bluff. She hoped he'd keep talking to her. Most importantly, she hoped he wouldn't walk away and leave her here alone. Night was already befalling them.

[• Aerys •]

Out of any question or comment she could possibly make, Alek'seh had most definitely not been expecting that. He abruptly froze and stared with unabashed bewilderment at the other Na'vi, his bronze gaze wide. For several agonizingly long moments his voice refused to work; the words were there, certainly, but each struggled and failed to gain purchase on his tongue. Then, just as quickly as his stupor had come, it waned and left him feeling as if his face were on fire.

Alek ducked his head and laid his ears back in an attempt to conceal his flaming cheeks. It took him another few moments to get his jaw working. "I am not," he answered quietly, his white markings shimmering with his intense embarrassment. "I, uh..." He paused and finally looked to the Alehuai, a lopsided smile claiming his lips. "I haven't found anyone yet."

Her sudden desire to bolt only served to strengthen his uncertainty and the flush coloring his cheeks. Before he could stop himself, he took a few steps through the hanging branches of the tree. "I should go too," the young Na'vi answered awkwardly, gaze flicking up to the skyline just visible over the lip of the hills that rose around the Tree of Souls. Auburn and gold stretched across the horizon, hugging the faint curve of Polyphemus that nearly engulfed the breadth of the sky...night was approaching already?

In his effort to achieve a graceful and nonchalant exit, Alek'seh tripped over a thick root and latched onto some of the iridescent tendrils, swinging around as he all but flailed to get his footing. "I have a long trip back," he muttered, tail flicking wildly. "Are you...do you..are you going home?"

[Na'di Pil'stinnie]

So the real Na'di had to finally show up and did so in real memorable fashion. This was turning out to be one of the worst moments of her life. Perhaps she was over-reacting just a little bit. She never really knew how to say the right things. It was like she was the polar opposite of her father. He was a great public speaker. She just tended to say whatever was on her mind, whether or not it was appropriate to say. And in this case, clearly asking if he had a mate was not the best thing for her to say. What had she been thinking?

She bit her lip again, especially after he seemed eager to leave her. She sighed, realizing that someone she was cursed. She couldn't hold meaningful conversations with anyone without messing it up somehow. At least he answered her question. She wasn't sure if she trusted herself enough to actually make a reply back. Instead she just nodded her head and mouthed "oh" to herself. She had come here with the intent on putting the past behind her, not embarrassing herself. The only plus side was that she knew she'd never see him again. Was that really a plus?

He was ready to go. She knew he took her lie for what it was and nodded her head again, unable to find the right words to make the situation less awkward. However, in his desire to leave, he appeared to trip. Na'di stood there, smiling. It wasn't funny because he tripped, but because he was trying to be nice about it. She walked closer to him and asked with a look on her face that seemed impossible to her just a few moments prior. "Are you alright?" She asked, slightly concerned. He seemed to have gotten his bearings straight and she took a small step back.

"Home?" She repeated, her eyes blinking several times. She looked over her shoulder, wondering where her friend had gone before looking back at him and realized she hadn't told him her name. She wasn't normally this rude and blurted out, "My apologizes! I never introduced myself!" She spoke so loudly, her voiced seemed to echo softly. "I'm so...nervous." She said, as if that would explain her behavior. "I'm Na'di by the way. I wasn't, I hadn't planned on leaving just yet. Our clans aren't as far apart as one would think. We could...go together? My friend, it seems, has left me." She said, trying to muster up some courage.

[• Aerys •]

If anything, the other Na'vi seemed just as uneasy with the situation as he, and in spite of its triviality, Alek'seh couldn't help but take some small satisfaction in that notion. It wasn't as if he was a social butterfly to begin with, so it made him feel less uncomfortable knowing that maybe the awkwardness that had blossomed between them was simply a product of a first time meeting. Or...maybe it was simply him over-analyzing a situation that didn't need to be over-analyzed. Such was often the case, and on more than one occasion Alek had come to realize that he was reading into the little nuances far too much.

“I See you, Na'di,” he murmured with a slight bow of his head. The Itami glanced around, sensing no other movement in the small ring of flatland surrounding the tree. Ki'Wa must have moved off. “I have never seen the coast—only stories from my childhood or news from the scouts have given me much of any knowledge of the sea. I will admit, my swimming is a little less than adequate.” He broke off with a lopsided, rueful smile and slowly left the interior of the branches, golden gaze sweeping across the front of the small stretch of land ahead of the tree. Ears flicking, he made a series of sharp cries that echoed across the clearing and waited. Then, true to form, Ki'Wa came trotting dutifully out of a small copse, her head high.

“I will travel with you, though you will need to lead the way,” he admitted. The Pa'li came to an easy stop and snorted, her gaze wary as it settled on the female. Alek'seh smiled broadly and gave the direhorse a firm pat on the neck. “It is not safe to wander these forests alone, however. Are you sure your friend has left you?”

[Na'di Pil'stinnie]

Na'di inclined her head in a similar fashion and repeated, "I See You, Alek'seh." She quickly looked around, trying to see if she could feel or hear Hydra or Lithika. The only being besides herself that she could sense was standing in front of her. She frowned just slightly. It had been wrong to bring Lithika with her. The Na'vi showed very little interest in the things that were important to Na'di, yet they had so much in common. She didn't understand the other Na'vi sometimes. It was almost frustrating.

As if on cue, Hydra made her way back to Na'di. She merely smiled. At least someone hadn't abandoned her. "The coast is beautiful, though I suppose I'm a bit biased. You should come some time." She whistled softly and Hydra came closer towards her. Hydra slowly walked up to her and looked over at the other Na'vi with indifference. Na'di herself shrugged. "This...is Hydra." She said, turning to face Alek once again. "Maybe one day, I'll teach you to swim properly." She smirked, tending to Hydra once again. She was ready to leave, having accomplished what she had set out to do.

"Lithika!" She called out loudly, but already knew that her friend had gone. It wasn't the first time it had happened and if she continued to bring her on her adventures, it wasn't going to be the last. "Yes, she is gone. She didn't really want to come. I asked her to. Lithika, for all her flaws, is an expert. We've made the journey before. She knows her way and I'm fairly certain she has been gone for nearly an hour. It would be foolish and time consuming to go after her now." She shook her head at her Pa'li, sighing softly.

Hydra paid little attention to the other Pa'li at first, though Na'di was aware of her direhorse sizing the other up. "Now, now...they're friends." She whispered softly to her. Na'di looked over at Alek once again and said, "I'll lead the way. Lithika's going the other route. There's another way that will take us to your clan quicker and then from there, I'll go home. I must admit, I hadn't prepared for this, but it's a nice change, don't you think?" She said, gracefully climbing onto Hydra. "I wouldn't recommend us going too far tonight. I prefer traveling in the day if that's okay with you." She placed her queue in Hydra's and as Hydra was already making her way forward asked, "Would you ride next to me?"

[• Aerys •]

"Be that as it may," Alek answered warily, his amber gaze following her smooth movement. "She should not have left you. Expert or no, it is not safe to wander the forests alone, day or night." He smoothed his hand across Ki'Wa's broad back before flexing his muscles, heaving himself up and over in one remarkably fluid movement. The young Na'vi reached for his queue and fed it into one of the direhorse's, unable to resist a familiar wave of tension when he felt the mental connection established. It made his lips part in a silent sigh, his shoulders easing a bit.

"Though you seem like you know what you are doing," he admitted at length. His gaze settled on the girl, head tilting. "I would not be surprised if you told me you wandered forests alone. My father told me to never underestimate the women of our kin. You are strong." A pause, and he could not help the soft smile that claimed his lips. "Stronger than some of the males in my tribe, it seems."

With a soft mental nudge Ki'Wa lurched into a walk and nosed up alongside the Alehuai and her mount. He paused to glance over his shoulder at the tree behind them, and for the briefest of moments he could have sworn he heard a chorus of soft murmurs.

The pair moved away from the small, sheltered clearing, and even as the last rays of light from the dying sun breached the horizon, Alek could feel the woodland shifting and changing around him. What wildlife yet lingered was settling down, save for the scavengers who thrived in the night, the distant cries of forest Ikran waning the more the stars began to dot the sky above.

"We do not have to travel far tonight," he answered at last. He drew his gaze from their surroundings and glanced to Na'di, features settling into something distinctly curious. "So you are from the Sea...have you any grand stories about your home? As I said before, my knowledge of the Alehuai is very limited."

[Na'di Pil'stinnie]

Na'di shrugged off his concern, though couldn't hide the smirk that was now forming from her mouth. "It's unfortunate that I picked such an...unreliable travel companion, but beggars can't be choosers." She said indifferently. Besides, if she played her cards right, things would end up turning out better than they would have if she tried to catch up to Lithika. At least he talked to her and seemed to be semi-interested in life. She had been focused entirely on Hydra when he seemed to compliment her. As it was rather unexpected, she nearly fell off Hydra altogether.

After gathering herself, Na'di turned slowly and raised an eyebrow at Alek, completely embarrassed. She was extremely grateful for the fact that it was just him and her. At least, she was hoping that was the case. Clearing her throat, Na'di said, "Oh, thank you." She giggled. That was something she had never been called before, strong. She sized herself up and shook her head only slightly. "I doubt I'm as strong as you claim." As though realizing that she was perhaps being slightly rude at the fact that he was trying to be nice to her, she hastily added, "But, I do swim alot!"

She shook her head and closed her eyes. Eventually, she would say the right thing at the right time. She just hoped it wouldn't be too late. She decided that the best thing for her to do was ride in silence until they both decided it was time to rest. She peeked over at him on occasion and wondered why he had really been out here alone. She was far too nervous to actually ask him and opted to just make up a more convenient reason for herself. The more she glanced over at him, the more distracted she got and after awhile, she nearly forgot where she was and why she was there.

Na'di blinked several times and could feel Hydra's slight annoyance with her. She was behaving rather foolishly, like someone far younger than herself. She wasn't sure what to make of the fact that he wanted to ride with her. Perhaps he was just being kind and polite. She didn't want to believe that there were any other motives. He just didn't seem like the type to lie to her in that sort of way. She was certain that if he was to be mated with another, his companion would at least be at his side. Na'di shook those ridiculous thoughts out of her mind. There was no point in going any further with them. He was from another tribe and she was almost certain that she'd have no more contact with him once he returned to his clan.

They finally came to a small clearing and Hydra came to a halt. After what appeared to be several uncomfortable minutes in silence, Na'di looked over at Alek and said, "We should camp here for the night." Without so much as a moment's hesitation, she swiftly jumped off Hydra and stretched. How far they had gone, she wasn't sure, but she could barely see the Tree of Souls now. Maybe it had been longer than just a few minutes. She was, after all, daydreaming considerably. Na'di looked up at the sky and smiled to herself. She felt much more comfortable now and finally felt confident enough to address him properly.

"There's lots of stories...I wouldn't know where to start. Here, I'll tell you after you help me set up everything." She held out a hand and smiled at him. "I don't bite." She just hoped he didn't think she had been dodging him for the past twenty minutes or so. Talking to people hadn't always been one of her better assets. She was a shipbuilder; conversations among many were fairly rare for her. Not to mention, she wasn't like most of her clan to begin with. Na'di loved the fact that she honestly had no idea what was going to happen tonight, or the next night. "I've walked among the Itami once before." She admitted at last.

[• Aerys •]

Truth be told, Alek'seh had not ventured out from the Itami camp earlier with the intentions of spending a night away from home. He had packed only some tried yerik meat, a skin filled with fresh water, and his bow and quiver. There was never a need for txep, not when the leaves themselves glowed with the light of Eywa, leaving the young Na'vi a little unsure of what else he could do in terms of setting up. He dropped from Ki'Wa's back easily, though he could feel the stiffness from his rigorous journey to the Tree beginning to settle in his thighs and calves.

"The Itami are a proud people," he murmured, slowly removing the leather harness from his Pa'li. "We believe in neutrality above all else, though we are not unfriendly to our fellow Na'vi." The direhorse snorted in appreciation, turning her great head to nuzzle him gently. Alek smiled softly, the markings scattered across his body glittering with a distinct sense of fondness. "Conflict is not in our best interest."

As he moved away to set the gear down, the ground underfoot shimmered with each step, a burst of illumination that faded just as quickly when the Na'vi shifted. The grass would be as good a bed as any, pending no predators ventured into the small clearing.

"If you are hungry, I have some dried yerik. I know it isn't much, but I do not think it would be wise to go hunting this late." Alek'seh wasn't about to elaborate upon his infamous hunting skills; the girl was a stranger, still, and he had little intention of disgracing himself in front of her. At least, not yet. He produced a small bundle of the meat and abruptly sat, careful as he laid out his weapons beside him and offered her some of the rations.

"What is the sea like?"

[Na'di Pil'stinnie]

Na'di shrugged and tending to Hydra for the most part. Most male Na'vi would have offered to fetch her something. She had to admit to being a little dismayed that Alek offered her no such thing. Instead, she mumbled something inaudible to herself and politely declined what he did manage to offer her. "You...don't hunt?" She asked, turning around to face him, a quizzical look on her face. She was certain she had a disappointed sound to her voice, and even though she was disappointed, she didn't want to sound like she was.

She then turned her back to him again and patted Hydra on the side, to which the direhorse made a grumbling sound. Na'di merely smirked. Luckily for the both of them, Na'di had come prepared for such a thing. She hadn't expected to complete her trip in one day and as such, brought a few tools needed to hunt. A strong warrior she was not, but she figured if he wouldn't offer to do it, she had very little choice. Perhaps this was why he had no mate. If he couldn't hunt, especially in the plains, then there was little hope for him in finding a suitable mate. It was very disappointing, to say the least.

Hydra, even without being connected to Na'di via the queue seemed to understand Na'di's slight dilemma. The direhorse turned her entire back to Alek and Na'di couldn't help but be slightly embarrassed. "Would you stop!" She hissed. The direhorse did no such thing and Na'di just left her alone. "Can't you hunt? We'll do it together." She added hastily. It was like Na'di not to leave well enough alone. She was going to get to the bottom of this, once and for all. "I need something with more sustenance." She opened the large pouch that Hydra had been carrying for her and laid out all of her own weapons. "In answer to your question, the sea is very beautiful." She sounded distracted, however and finally stopped fiddling with her weapons and looked up at Alek oddly.

"How do you expect to woo a female Na'vi this way?" She said, a sly smile appearing on her face. Personally, she liked him just the way he was, but it would have been nice if he offered to hunt or at least made an attempt to. She wasn't going to tell him that, however. She was certain she already made him very uncomfortable.