A Hunt (Aerys)

[Venotica]

ooc: This color<< means she is speaking Na'vi.

Nayúnva awoke earlier than usual, today. She wasn't particularly excited, nor was she required to do so, she just had. This is to say that she was up rather early, before the sun was even beginning to show. Na'vi awoke early, and the tribal life began early. She had already began to regret awakening so soon. She had a feeling she would be very tired tonight, but she always enjoyed the very early morning feel in the air. Being an early riser however has its consequences. She was up and about the Hometree doing chores before many had even begun to stir. She did not mind, of course. She was always willing to serve the tribe, and Ewya.

Throughout the morning, she completed her odd jobs around hometree, and soon the tree was buzzing with everyday sound. She paused in her chores, after completing the final one she had been assigned, to sit on the ground, just outside the entrance to the hometree, and look around.

The sounds of the forest were almost beginning to make her feel sleepy, when she was jarred out of her dosing by a familiar voice.
"Ah, I see that someone seems to be getting comfortable."
Nayúnva looked up from where she was sitting, and smiled slightly as she recognized the face of her friend, Tuenk. Tuenk and Nayúnva had completed almost all of their warrior training as a pair, and he was one of the few people who had felt the sharper side of her tongue, and still associated with her on a day to day basis. Despite her consistent sharpness, he had even asked to become her mate, which she had politely declined him on. She still felt slightly guilty about it, sometimes. After all, he had saved her from a close run in with a Toruk.
"I was trying." Nayúnva replied, "Until I was so rudely interrupted." Other Na'vi might have gotten slightly offended, but Nayúnva shot Tunek an award-winning smile to show that it was all in good humor.

"Come, sister." Tunek said, a slight smirk on his face from her comment. "You look bored, and I need a hunting companion." Nayúnva simply smiled and nodded her head at him, following him out into the forest.

Nayúnva felt her usual irritation began to take over her when their hunt was ruined twice in a row. Once, by lemurs. The second time, by viperwolves.

She tried desperately to keep her composition, much to the amusement of Tunek. It seemed that today, Ewya did not want them to make a kill.

Finally, on the third time, Tunek made the successful shot, much to the delight of the both of them. However, when the time came, Nayúnva decided to stay back while Tunek went back to hometree. She always liked just being alone in the forest.

Once her friend had left, she went at a light jog, then a run through the forest, jumping and hanging from branches, and artfully landing. It had been a long time since she had just run, and it felt good to be able to run just for a little while.

Finally, she slowed near the edge of a large pool, and stood near the edge, peering into the waters almost curiously. She poked one toe in, and then removed it, before lowering herself to sit near the edge of the pool, and poke her fingers in the water, watching the artful ripples it made across the still water.

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Word Count: 630
Muse: Shot. AP English essay stole it from me.
Inspiration: Climbing up "Iknimaya- The Path to Heaven"
Other: Sorry it took so long to get up. Constant interruptions and a research paper. Ewww.

[• Aerys •]

There was a fine line regarding borders between the territories between clans. With the Rokure and Alehuai so far, boundary disputes were never much of an issue; at least, to Alek’seh, he had never heard of any confrontations between the Sea and Mountain tribes and the Itami. It stood to reason that there would be some crossing over between the Plains and Forest, however, with the edge of Na’ring bleeding into the rolling hills. The Aylukana tribe were generally a placid people, though, so Alek didn’t feel particularly threatened as he eased Ki’Wa past the first towering trunks of trees.

Still, his Pa’li kept her head high, gaze oscillating between the ground and canopy above. Her steps were careful in spite of the soothing vibes he sent across their mental link, but he suspected that was in part because of his own trace of apprehension. It wasn’t often he ventured into the forest, let alone by himself, and though it was generally frowned upon for Na’vi to venture off by themselves, (and dangerous) Alek enjoyed his brief forays of solitude. He and Ki’Was had managed to escape a Palulukan unscathed. He rather thought that he could handle anything at this point.

Besides, being in the forest alone would perhaps give him the opportunity to down his own hexapede. Sure, there were opportunities out on the plains to hunt, but it never went unnoticed by his other tribes members. Spectators meant criticism of the not so very positive kind.

He led Ki’Wa further into the shelter of the woods, one hand tugging at the bow string across his chest idly as his own gaze scoured for potential prey. The trees seemed quiet, though, and it was nearly a half of an hour before Alek even saw some movement; a band of lemurs skittered through the low branches, screeching obscenely, before he found what he had come into Na’ring for—hexapedes. It was a small group, relatively young by the looks of things, but no less agile than the elders he had hunted before; in a disgruntled chorus of honks, the creatures took off at a run and disappeared into the thick of the forest.

“Come on!” he said to Ki’Wa, heels digging into her sides. The direhorse leapt into a swift canter, all six feet thundering through the underbrush in pursuit of her rider’s quarry. Eyes narrow, ears back, Alek kept his amber gaze trained on their retreating forms, focused and certainly ready to prove the skeptics back at camp wrong. He had actually never made a successful kill whilst riding before, but he was certainly not averse to changing that little fact.

So intent on tracking the hexapedes, the young Na’vi lost track of his surroundings and gave over to his instincts and Ki’Wa. She negotiated the forest floor fluidly…until the ground took an abrupt dip and gave way to a massive pool of water. The direhorse slammed her cloven hooves into the dirt and jerked to a painful stop to keep herself from plunging headfirst into the cool depths of the pond. Unfortunately for Alek, that didn’t quite keep him seated, and with an indignant yelp, he flew over his Pa’li’s head and landed gracelessly in the water.

Swimming had never been much of a strong point for him, so it was with just as much finesse that he flailed his way out of the pool, dragging himself up onto a rocky ledge and crouching. His tail curled around his feet as he panted, peering around through a sopping curtain of his hair…and catching sight of a female Na’vi staring at him from across the way. Unbidden, a flush of mortification swept across his cheeks.

“Sorry,” he spluttered in Na’vi, ears lying back against his head.

[Venotica]

Nayúnva sat by the pool's edge for a while, letting her thoughts wander. She could go either way when it came to being alone. She didn't mind straying away from her hometree and her family, but at the same time, staying there and helping the tribe did her fine also. She was a bit of both worlds. Her general impatience sometimes gave her difficulties when dealing with some members of the tribe, but her loyalty to the tribe made her want to be near her family. Keeping the balance between the two worlds often ended up with her going on lone hunting trips, or constant chores to keep herself occupied. Occassionally those that did not mind her occassional snapping, (Tunek) would invite her along. And the other warriors, for the most part, did not seem to mind her. The singers and the dancers, however, certainly didn't care very much for Nayúnva, but she didn't mind. It would surely be impossible to be liked by everyone in a tribe as large as the Aylukana, especially with Nayúnva's sharper attitude.

She was caught up in her thoughts, but suddenly jerked out as she heard the sound of what sounded like a Pa'li galloping through the forest. She lifted her fingers out of the pool, and gave a slightly curious look in the direction that the sound seemed to be coming from. She was surprised when the Pa'li burst forth from the tree's, and continued in the high speed. Nayúnva opened her mouth, alarm shooting through her as she realized there was a rider on the back of the Pa'li. She had intended to cry out a warning to the rider, but it was too late. The Pa'li didn't have an issue stopping short and avoiding the water. However, with such short noice, the rider flew right over the Pa'li's head, and with a cry, into the water.

Nayúnva laid her ears back against her head as the Na'vi hit the water, and she shifted away form the edge of the pool so as to avoid the water splash that resulted from the rider hitting the water so quickly and rather ungracefully.

And, though she felt bad for the rider, couldn't help but to let out a small, amused laugh. The rider had hit the water, so she was sure that the rider would be okay. However, he did sputter a bit and have a hard time reaching the edge of the pool. Clearly, the Na'vi was not a strong swimmer. She couldn't help but to subconsciously raise an eyebrow slightly at the Na'vi as he climbed out of the edge of the water. It occurred to her, that he had not even realized that she was there yet, as he was merely sitting on the opposite side with his tail curled around himself.

His dark hair covered most of his face, as it was now sopping wet, but when he did turn around, Nayúnva saw the surprise, and then embarressment flicker across his face.

He spluttered an apology in Na'vi, and Nayúnva had to fight to keep herself from replying with one of her usual comments. She felt bad for the male, and figured that if it had been her, she would be feeling embarressment raging inside of her right now.

"It's alright." She replied, unable to keep the amusement out of her voice. "But perhaps it would be smart if you practiced your swimming a little bit, hm?" She smiled just so slightly, still amused by the situation, before standing up, giving a little stretch as she did. She cast a glance over at the Pa'li standing by the water's edge, and then at the Na'vi, and realized he must be from the plains.

[• Aerys •]

As Alek'seh glanced across the shimmering pool of water, he could sense in the faint twinkling of the marks scattered along her skin an underlying amusement all but radiating from her. It made him flush deeper, his own markings reflecting embarrassment in the soft shadow cast by the trees overhead. He pushed his sodden bangs from his face and sniffed, the back of his hand sweeping across one cheek to rid it of the excess moisture.

"There is no need for it," he muttered back, ears flicking irritably. He rose to his full height and glanced around to Ki'Wa, who was now idly perusing the flowers a few paces off from the pond. "There is no water where I come from." Which was only partially the truth, but Alek didn't see any harm in a little white lie. There were a few lakes scattered across the Itami domain, but the young Na'vi had made a point to avoid them at all costs. It wasn't as if he was from the Sea!

"I did not mean to startle you," he continued, the edge slow to dissolve from his voice. "These forests are unfamiliar to me. I was chasing a herd of yerik and trying to..." he trailed off when he realized the extent of his rambling, yet the boy possessed enough dignity to keep his infuriating blushing under control this time. He straightened and carefully wrung some water from his sarong, jaw setting.

"I take it you are one of the Aylukana people?" He moved around the water and beckoned his direhorse forward as he spoke, his golden gaze sweeping her torso for any sign of potential injuries.

[Venotica]

He responded to her quickly, and she could sense the slight edge in his voice. She could hear it, and the flick of his ears only confirmed his slight irritability at her comment. She was sure what she had said was probably not something that he had wanted to hear, considering he had just flipped head-first into a pool. She chose not to respond, and instead merely placed her hands on her slender hips as she surveyed the Na'vi now standing across the pool from her. He had the build of a typical Na'vi. Tall, with broad shoulders. By his clothing she could tell he was more than likely not a warrior. But what really intrigued her about the male was the tattoo's that stretched down his arm, and along his torso. She had always been fascinated by tattoo's, but not enough so to get one of her own. She had a stubborn and indignant fear of a mistake occurring and being stuck with an unattractive tattoo on her body forever.

They were tribal markings, that much was obvious. Still, though, she was unfamiliar with the symbols of the Itami. She was sure that all the tattoo's stood for something, but it was not long before she let her mind focus back, as the male was speaking again.

He explained his reasonings to her, about what exactly he was doing charging through the forest on his Pa'li, before he stopped, probably realizing the slight ramble. Nayúnva did mind, however. She was still finding amusement from the story. "I'm sure it was not you. The falling part, maybe, but as far as the hunt, the yerik seem to not want to be caught today." She smiled slightly, her humor at the situation getting the better of her once again as he paused to wring out his sarong. She couldn't help but to wonder in her head if things like what had just occurred happened to this Na'vi often. She had, of course, had her fair share of embarrassments, but of course their were a few unlucky Na'vi in each tribe that bad things just seemed to happen to.

As he walked over to his Pa'li, he questioned her of her tribe. She paused before answering to flip her dark hair over her shoulder, the beads making a slight clicking as they collided with one another. "Yes. And I assume you are of the Itami?"

[• Aerys •]

Alek grimaced down at the mud that clung to his lower leg and feet now, his ears flicking with his disdain. Though the plains did possess water, he had never made it a point to hone his swimming skills, not after the incident that had almost occurred when he was younger. Just thinking of it rankled his nerves, his lips twitching back over sharp canines in a silent growl; two older Na’vi had thought it a good idea to take advantage of his lack of adeptness when it came to navigating water, nearly drowning him in their prank. His parents had been furious, certainly, but it had left a bad taste in Alek’seh’s mouth.

“I am,” he answered shortly, his green-gold gaze flicking out to the forest surrounding the clearing. The yerik were nowhere to be seen now, which answered his question. He had no intention of going back to his home empty-handed, so in spite of this brief loss, Alek wasn’t ready to give up just yet. “I came here to catch a yerik, and I will not simply go back because of one incident.” In retrospect, the boy realized that he was talking to himself more than he was to this strange female, but he also came to realize that he was not particularly bothered by it. “Do you wish to accompany me? You know these forests better than I.”

In one fluid motion Alek slid up onto Ki’Wa’s back, one hand automatically reaching for his queue to complete the bond with his Pa’li. She snorted and drew her great head up once he secured his arm around the antennae, turning to face the girl. In his sudden determination, however, he noted his distinct absence of propriety, something that drew a flinch across his features. “I am Alek’seh,” he said after a moment, head bowing. “What do you go by?”