No rest for the wicked (open)

[Tey'lu]

The thick smell of Ocean air hit the flaring nostrils of the Na’vi female. She’d been scenting the wind ever since her lithe form had finished scaling the ragged edges of the cliff. The Alehuai people did not have the vast expanses of forest, or gently floating homes atop Thundering Mountains—but the female Na’vi would not trade her roiling waters, and warm sand covered shorelines for anything. Even the twisting tunnels and large arching walls of her home’s caverns were something the woman took pride in living in—even if it did seem claustrophobic from time to time. News of the Sky People’s return traveled quickly even if the clans of The People seemed a few days ride apart. Naturally she and most of her kind felt the raw sting of barely healed wounds being opened, heard the cries of friends, family and even mates that needed being avenged.

Tey’lu was a fierce warrior among her people. She was prone to spending much too much time braving the treacherous waters of her home land alone, and best known for her great loss. Her father Makto a very strong, very brave Na’vi warrior had been taken from his mate and his daughter—and both filled the emptiness of his loss with contempt for the Sky People, lucky for them they’d been driven out before Tey’lu was old enough to feel the need for retribution. Now a fully grown woman, the female found little else but revenge occupying her waking and sleeping thoughts. Her bow, arrows, and blade remained well kept should she ever get the chance. Years passed—most of the clan seemed to grow up without hearing tales from the time of Great Sorrow—but the unfortunately few who had lived in the time and were still alive seemed unable to move on. It was in this word of pain and reckoning that Tey’lu was raised up in. Her mother spent much time telling stories of her lost mate and they almost always ended in her making some hateful sentiments toward those responsible.

When word had arrived on the back of an Ikran, Tey’lu and many of her brothers and sisters had war and revenge in their hearts. Naturally the clan as a whole didn’t take kindly to the rumors of clans trying to make contact—trying to seek peace instead of the extermination of the intruders as they should have been. The Na’vi woman gave an almost feral sounding snarl-it would have been menacing, frightening even if it came from someone who looked a little more imposing or better yet there was actually anyone around to hear it. Loosely the woman wrapped her finger tips around her elbows, her eyes flicking from the still horizon of the water, to the vast outline of seemingly never ending forest. This land, this world belonged to The People—to Eywa, and all the Sky People were good for was death, and destruction. They brought pain, fire and metal monsters with them—always thought only of themselves and never cared for The People or learning their ways. They were cursed, they brought curses with them—and she couldn’t stop wondering why the Olo’eyktan of her people, was the only one who knew what to do about it. No making friends, no trying to speak 'ìnglìsì, no peace between the Sky People, their demons, and The People, her people.


The strong winds of the sea, sent her wild locks flying in every direction “Ewya, hawnu Na’vi,” she breathed quietly to herself. If the Sky People were going to be permitted to walk freely through the forests, than Tey’lu feared they needed much more than just the protection of their Great Mother. It seemed the greatest need of her people was more time spent seeking wisdom from their ancestors or perhaps just more thinking. Clearly many clans were lacking guidance, for it seem only the Olo’eyktan of the Alehuai knew was what the right thing to do. Even now the only thing keeping the female warrior sane, was their leader's fierce and confident orders for all warriors to hunt and kill any Sky People or Dreamwalkers that strayed too close to their lands.

The steady beat of wings made her ears twitch, and she fought the strong urge to turn and see to whom they belonged too. A cry of an Ikran filled her senses easing the tension slightly from her limbs. So it was not The Last Shadow as her heart and body had feared—but another rider. Slowly turning her elongated neck in the direction of the sound she tried to focus on who exactly it was—to no avail. Tey’lu gracefully stepped aside, leaving enough room for the giant creature to land—while she waited patiently to see the face of its owner.






Tagged: Open!
Words: eight zero zero
Notes: Short and sweet first post!
Inspiration: Shutting Down Grace's Lab

[Adetokunbo]

There was no frame of reference for Bo beyond that of the world he'd been raised within. His father, like many of his people, still spoke openly of the Great Sorrow. Though he was far too young to have experienced such memories for himself he had journeyed with his parents to the Tree of Souls to commune with the dead. He didn't know if it was because he was young but he had not really been sure what he was feeling at the time beyond the knowledge that he was in a sacred place. He could feel his lost brother, his great-grandfather, and several other generations of his ancestors even if he didn't understand what they were trying to tell him. He felt welcomed there though, even if he was not able to verbally or mentally communicate with them as his mother had. But then, he still wasn't able to understand completely the role of his mother and her connection to Eywa.

He understood fighting and training. Adetokunbo understood duty and the weight of the past. Just as he also was anxious to build a future free of strife and the threat of humanity amongst the People. He was looking forward to the day that he would kill his first human. He didn't know what they looked like, only that their skin was as hard as stone and their hands shot flames and arrows. He had heard talk of the dream walkers and he knew that they must be villainous, more deadly and hideous than any creature created by Eywa. His father had said they were an abomination. Something so evil must be the most horrible thing to behold, ever.

They were the stuff of his nightmares. That is, if he were to ever admit to having ever had one. They surely must have eight or more legs and be quick, with poisonous blood and several rows of razor sharp teeth. They would have eyes in the backs of their heads, able to see without seeing. And they must be quick, bigger than even the largest Angtsìk. The tales he'd heard of the Great War that his father spoke of made it sound as if when they flew they blotted out the sun. He was curious now, as much as anything. Bo was anxious to travel, now that he was of age, and discover their secrets for himself. One by one he would find their weaknesses and then he would destroy them all. His father would settle for nothing less.

He would rise up like the great hero he'd always wanted to be. He would put an end to the destruction of the Sky People and he would bring peace to the lands. All would know how wise his father was and he would show them the truth of his father's words. Never again would any of the other Olo’eyktans doubt the leader of the Alehuai. Never again. it angered him that some had begun to refuse the offer to join together, to rise up and defeat such great evil. He couldn't understand why they could be such fools. He prayed nightly that Eywa would bring them wisdom.

"Takuk, easy." the rider whispered to his mount as the winged beast flew through the air with increased speed. Normally when they did this maneuver the two would speed out over the open sea and perform a couple of rolls, simply enjoying the flight. It was practically the only time the two got along, when they were flying or fighting. The rest of the time the two fought like brothers too competitive for their own good. As the pair crested the ridge of stone that represented the peak that stood as the last barrier between the two of them and the unbridled freedom of open flight, Adetokunbo noticed the woman standing on the cliff side.

He recognized her as a member of his tribe, Tey'lu. She was quiet most of the time but she was a capable warrior just the same. She was nearly old enough to be his mother so he'd never paid more attention to her than that, not beyond making sure that she performed up to his and his father's standard. He knew it would be rude to simply fly past her, buzz her like a plane flying over a radio tower. He pulled back on his mount, attempting to slow the beast. That didn't work, the creature had other ideas. "Rude, you're being rude." The boy said it with venom. He was not yet old enough to know when to hold his tongue. The male never felt the need with Takuk, the creature would know what he was thinking anyway, as long as they were connected through his queue.

The Ikran cried out in anger, in protest as the Na'vi pulled up roughly, attempting to force his hand, "I said slow down." Well, he hadn't, not really but he'd meant to. A snort from the Ikran should have been warning as the animal withdrew its connection to the rider on it's patterned back. "Stop, Takuk." the boy commanded angrily. The beast did. On a dime, its legs landing just beside the young woman and sending the proud boy over it's ducking head and over the cliff side. The Ikran folded up its wings as it peered over the cliff and watched to boy attempting to slow his fall by spreading his arms and legs spread eagle in the air.

The last thing that could be heard from the male before he splashed face first into the waves was, "Vrrtep!" Yes, he thought the Ikran a Demon, sent to curse him.