A Glimpse of the Past (Attn: Dutch)

[• Aerys •]

The camp had been abuzz with talk of the trip since dawn. Alek’seh heard murmurs of both excitement and of frustration; some believed the ruins to be stark reminders of the horror that had befallen Pandora so many years ago, cursed and tainted by the humans’ greed. Others saw it as an opportunity to better understand the Sky People, just perhaps, the reason for their appearance again. Word of their activities the second time around consisted of “research”, though they made it a point to underscore the importance of “peace”. Whatever the case, Alek had elected to remain ambivalent towards their presence. If and when he ever came in contact with one, he wasn’t particularly sure how he would react, but again, there was little necessity to dwell on something that could possibly never happen.

Like the fact that he would be an unlikely candidate to participate in this little venture. Tukru’atan himself would be heading the party, a rarity in and of itself, so it stood to reason that he would select only the finest warriors present in the Itami clan. No one knew how potentially dangerous the expedition could be; a few times scouts had seen dreamwalkers poking around the ruins with some with strange weapons, but, true to their word, they had not attacked the Na’vi. The leaders seemed intrigued by the abandoned buildings that had once housed the humans’ previous operation, eager to puzzle out the source of the Sky Peoples’ interest.

Amber eyes flickering, Alek rose from his crouch and moved away from the chattering Na’vi. He had no desire to listen to them gossip about those that would be accompanying Tukru, especially when he had been wanting to go out with the group for quite some time. The past few hunts had left far before Alek’seh had risen from his slumber, though whether or not that was intentional by some of the older males in the clan, he didn’t know. Still, he couldn’t help but feel a bit…left out, at times, and the longer he lingered and listened to the group, the more he felt his irritation settling in.

Ki’Wa offered him a curious look when he approached her, stomping her cloven hooves as she turned her attention back to the array of flora before her. Her antennae sifted through the plants with interest, her long tongue dipping down into the cups to lap at the nectar there. Other Pa’li mingled in the small area designated for mounts, but most were out and being saddled for the trip. Alek couldn’t help but frown as he approached her, one smooth azure hand lifting to pat against her side.

“Maybe another time,” he murmured to her, fingertips slipping up and across the rigid segments that coursed down her back.

[Dutch]

Across the camp people readied themselves. Bows, arrows, blowguns, satchels, everyone gathered what they needed. The pa'li were rested, the noble beasts inpatient to run now, it could be felt in the energy that permeated the camp. Among his people stood Olo'eyktan Tukru'atan, leader of his people, and proud of all of them. His calloused hands were wrapped around his long-spear as he leaned on it slightly as his golden eyes flicked to each of his chosen for today's venture. Each Na'vi had been selected specially by Tukru, and each one would fulfill their selected task.

It had been some time now since the Sky People had descended back onto Pandora, and the Olo'eyktan had yet to decide on a stand with them. The majority of him wanted to tell them to get off his people's territory, and to gather their possessions and leave. However, his better half had advised patience- that Eywa worked in mysterious ways, all life had purpose, Sky People included. A wry grin touched Tuk's lips at the thought of his beloved Lanak. His eyes met with one of his mightiest warriors, and the two exchanged a nod of respect- Mao was a pillar of strength indeed. Those golden eyes then peered at the horizon, it'd still be some time before mid-day arrived, and he wanted to be at their destination by then.

Tukru straightened his posture and lifted his spear from the ground, the wood surprisingly light, but he knew how strong it really was. With one hand he spun the weapon so that the head of the spear was pointed down and it was slid back into the leather bandoleer that housed it. He began to walk towards the pa'li, many of his people that had been chosen were already mounted up and ready. It was time then, and a pa'li needed to be chosen. It would be a long run to the ruins, he needed an endurance-oriented pa'li.

He wandered among the small herd that hadn't been chosen yet, his hands occasionally would reach out to brush the hide of whichever pa'li he was closest to. His eyes spotted Alek'seh, the young Itami that always seemed to shy away from everyone- but also, one of the people Tukru had chosen. Why was he not mounted up and ready? The Olo'eyktan knew he needed to investigate this. He walked calmly towards Alek'seh with a gentle smile, when he arrived his head would bow to the slightly younger man.

"Ki'Wa was always one of our best, it makes me happy to see her with you, Alek'seh. Judging by your expression, I am guessing Ruia never found you- Looks like her and I will be having a talk when we return... Mount up, Alek'seh, and make sure Ki'Wa is ready, we have a long trip ahead of us."

With another nod Tukru patted Ki'Wa's neck gently, and turned in time to see one of the tribe's pa'li approach him. His antennae snaked towards the dreadlocked man and Tukru smiled. Seemed Eywa had chosen his mount for the trip for him. In a smooth motion Tukru made tsahaylu with 'Po'No' and patted his flank. Alright, tsmukan, we will ride together. Thought Tukru as he stepped towards his side and fluidly mounted him. His golden eyes scanned to make sure everyone was ready. Once he was sure they were ready Tukru held his hand up and gestured to the east.

"Kämakto!"

Po'No reared back on two legs and whinnied with much vigor, the pa'li eager as the rest for the long run. Tukru turned his eyes towards the tiny hill of green in the distance- the jungles that bordered the Itami territory, opposite to the Aylukana-Itami border- where the Sky People's former camp was, and where hopefully, answers about what they want to this day would lay.

[• Aerys •]

Alek'seh tensed when he heard the low, distinguishing rumble of the Olo'eyktan's voice, snapping upright to turn a bemused look on his leader. Tukru'atan was tall and proud, the very example of what all young Na'vi aspired to be, and Alek would be lying if he said he wasn't even remotely intimidated by the older man. There was no obvious reason for the faint sense of fear, since Tukru had never given Alek any viable reason to be afraid of him, but given the Na'vi's penchant for being a bumbling fool around his equals...

Needless to say, Alek'seh had suffered through enough humiliating situations with his superiors, several in the presence of the Olo'eyktan himself. Tukru'atan never seemed to take offense to his blunders, though, which alleviated a few of the knots twisting in his gut. Their clan leader was a good man, so it also stood to reason that this wasn't some kind of prank.

Regardless of that tiny iota of reassurance Alek could not conceal the look of surprise that swept across his features. "T-thank you," he stammered after managing to get his voice working again. It was difficult to keep his voice steady, but he managed to do so valiantly, and quickly set to work. He stooped to snatch up his saddle, hefting it over Ki'Wa's withers and adjusting it to settle easily against the slope of her shoulders. The Pa'li snorted and nosed through the flowers at her feet.

It took him a few moments to cinch her girth and gather his supply back, fashion it behind the saddle, and gather his weapons. The rest of those invited on the expedition were already milling around the edge of the encampment, some already beginning to move out. Alek'seh didn't even try to quell the excitement bubbling in his chest as he urged his direhorse towards the pack. Briefly he caught a glimpse of Tukru at the head of the procession, deep in conversation with warriors at his side.

I cannot believe he's letting me go, the boy thought. His ears pricked forward and his gaze swept across the plains beyond the camp border, anticipation making him as giddy as a toddler. Even the vaguely disapproving glances from his other tribes members were not enough to dampen his spirits, not on this day.

[Dutch]

The Pa'li were magnificent as they thundered over their plains, their muscles strong and their breaths steady, generations of running this land had made them the most impressive specimens of Pa'li known on Pandora. And with them, the proud and mighty Itami rode, not as mere passengers, they would feel as the Pa'li felt. The sun was hot on the neck of Tukru'atan as they ran, the buzzing of insects droned on and the occasional bellow of a predator would sound in the distance, life-Eywa- always made herself known.

Hours would pass as the Itami made their journey, no one was in sight, no sturmbeest, no hexapede, it was if their path had already been laid before them, as if they were meant to walk this path. Not before long, the giant, ancient, twisted metal structures could be seen behind a thin line of trees, that was their goal. Slow... steady... Thought Tukru, and Po'no slowed his steps. Tukru sat up, and rested his palms on his thighs as his eyes scanned the tree line. The jungle- a place the Itami rarely ever set foot in, thus, was the place they were most wary over.

"Ftang! Easy, easy... We are at the border of Itami soil, our people don't enter the jungle usually. Be vigilant, more than ever. We enter."

Tukru peered past his shoulder at his people behind them, and nodded to them. No doubt some would be nervous, some wary, and worst of all, some excited. The jungle was dangerous if one didn't know it, Tukru respected that, respected it- it was not his domain, and he knew it. He took a deep breath, which Po'no mimicked. Tukru smiled and ran a hand over his neck crest. Easy tsmukan, we will be safe.

He motioned for them to move forward, and Po'no trotted forward, into the shade of the jungle, into the unknown where the human camp still sat, rotted and reclaimed by the jungle.

[• Aerys •]

Alek’seh couldn’t help but feel a thrill of anticipation lance up his spine when the procession moved out. So often he had strayed close to the ruins of the first base the humans’ had occupied, so often he had been close to entering the forbidden area, stayed only by the haunting tales from the elders of the tribe. Such stories had neither been confirmed nor denied, but Alek had had little intention of discovering the validity of the rumors.

Not until now, in any case.

The rolling plains melted away into the forest, engulfed by trees that reared halfway the distance to the orbs yet visible in the sky, shrouded in the thick canopy overhead. Alek’seh kept a hand on the antennae that secured the bond between him and his mount, the other firm around his bow. Gentle mental commands steered the direhorse after the others, his sage-bronze gaze swiveling to take in his surroundings with caution. There had never been any major disputes between the Aylukana and Itami, but Na’vi were territorial people nonetheless. Such a large crowd moving past the boundaries established after the last war could be cause for concern…save for the fact that Tukru’atan was leading this expedition. If anything were to go wrong, he would protect his tribe.

In general silence the pack moved, their journey unhindered even as they approached the expansive clearing that harbored the actual ruins. Flocks of yerik scattered at the sight of the Pa’li, a few clusters of forest Ikran screeched far from above, but nothing dared disturb the mass of Na’vi moving into the field. Alek’seh, practically vibrating with excitement, rose up to get a better look above the bobbing heads of his companions.

What looked like a protective fence encompassing the old buildings had been torn away and trampled, long overrun by vegetation. The edifices themselves were broken and laced with more greenery, as if a product of Eywa in her attempt to conceal the evils that had been spawned there. Still, unnatural grays and blacks and glints of metallic shimmered in the hot sun, a ghostly shell of what had been a great source of disturbance on Pandora.

Alek was pulled from his momentary stupor by the sound of clacking wood. He glanced around to see his tribe members knocking their bows, apprehension pulled taut across their faces. Some seemed reluctant to even take another step forward, but Alek’seh could barely keep himself from galloping right up to it. As it were, he nudged Ki’Wa forward at a slow walk, his weapon still lowered, gaze trained on the buildings several spans away until he drew level with the first few pairs of riders at the head of the group. Turku had his head bent with a few of the higher warriors in his tribe, their words intelligible to his keen ears. No one moved above the Olo’eyktan, waiting patiently for his word, Alek included.