Tread Lightly...

[Dutch]

Hours of preparation had finally come to fruition. Platters had been set out, a fire had been put together outside of the stone arches to both ward of predators and provide a beacon. Itami moved about around the area, laying out food, some played music, and some just sat and talked. There certainly wasn't a lack of subject matter to discuss- this would be the first meeting with the Humans in some time, and all were anticipating the result. Weeks ago, one of them had signaled an Itami hunter down to put in a request to meet with Olo'eyktan Tukru'atan and the Tsahik, Lanak. After a long conversation, the pair agreed to hear out the humans- but not at the camp nor at the human camp.

And so, like always, Ultxa'tskxe- the Itami "Meeting Stone" would be used. Ancient and formed by Eywa herself, Ultxa had been used for generations by the Itami as a place to meet with any other tribe that requested an audience. Despite a few Na'vi's protest at the humans being there, Tukru had decided it would be better than their home. Lanak's advice certainly cemented that choice. The Olo'eyktan peered to his right where she stood, he smiled at her broadly- she was always gorgeous, but it seemed this time, she wanted to make sure the Humans knew exactly who she was.

It would only be a matter of time before the scouts Tukru had sent to the edge of the jungle to lead the humans to the Stone would arrive. His eyes moved from his beloved towards the much taller grasses that surrounded the area- where his best bowmen and women were waiting. All it would take was a simple motion, and each human would get an arrow through the throat. He may be throwing them a small banquet to show Itami hospitality, but as always, while one hand was offered in peace, the other was armed and ready to take them down if needed.

One of Tukru's hands would move sideways to touch Lanak's back lightly- he was sure if he was nervous about the meeting, she probably was. He winked at his wife before he stepped away from her side towards the fire- where it's light would show his scouts where to go. Tukru's arms crossed and the leather of his spears' bandoleer pressed into them, he had brought them both out of ceremony, and as a back up plan if needed. Eywa will this meeting to go smoothly... Thought the large Na'vi as he waited for any sign of the humans...

[otterling]

Lanak stood in utter stillness, as serene outwardly as any statue, but inside her mind was running a mile a minute. Her thoughts were whirling as fast as any of the Itami now rushing about to finish setting up the meeting place and those thoughts were primarily that this was a bad idea. Fear tinged along the edges of her mind. Ever since her dream on the first night they had landed, Lanak had known a deep disturbance when it came to the strange small beings. In her dream Eywa had shown her the Sky People, their mouths agape with a hunger that could not be satiated and all of Pandora being drawn into the empty void in their souls that nothing could ever fill. She had refused to dismiss it as a nightmare, believing without question that the vision had come from Eywa herself as a warning about these outsiders. She would not trust them, did not trust them, and when she was honest with herself, she had to admit that the Sky People actually frightened her.

But Lanak was a Tsahik and as such she could not show even the slightest hint of such worry to anyone else around her. She had to present a façade of absolute calm and assurance before her people for they would certainly look to her as a source of strength in this uncertainty. It was never easy to lead a people and much was asked of both she and her mate, Tukru. They alone in the tribe could never show weakness openly or it could cause mayhem among the rest of the Itami and Lanak would not allow that. She had a duty and a desire to protect her people, Eywa had chosen her for such a task, and so Lanak would silently bear these meetings as best she could and defend her people with her life if need be. Her first line of defense was like that of any number of the beasts on Pandora, a display of power in the form of her dress. Her statement would be made silently but often words were not needed and as such Lanak had dressed for the occasion in her best clothes.

A dress made of thinned sturmbeest leather hung from her shoulders, its sides completely open to the air and the front and back half held together to her form by an intricately woven pattern of the bioluminescent grasses which glowed softly with a pale orange light. The leather had been taken from the most colorful section of the beast’s hide, the line along it’s spine, and a vivid pattern of orange and blue stripes descended from beneath the ornate high necked mantle that Lanak wore over top of it, running all the way down to where it terminated just above her ankles. The blue sections of the leather had been tooled out around her midriff to expose the cyan skin beneath leaving only organically undulating strips of orange there to cling to her stomach and a myriad of bracelets adorned each arm and ankle. Feathers of hues ranging from a brilliant shade of turquoise blue to sunset orange and deepest forest green sprayed out from these bracelets and from the headdress Lanak had chosen.

Her hair had been swept back into braids once more but the striking green crescents that she normally wore had been removed and around the bundle of braids that fell from the back of her skull was instead wrapped an Eyaye plant. The massive splay of iridescent blue leaves stood out a full foot on either side of her shoulders and fell to just below her waist, tapering off right above her tail and colorful feathers had been woven along the circumference where the plant held her hair back. Her long neck and the tops of her shoulders had been wrapped in a thick molded piece of titanothere leather that had been dyed black and tooled with sacred symbols of wisdom and protection to form a mantle which fell to just below her bosom. Indeed Lanak had pulled out all the stops for this meeting. If the Sky People wished to meet, she was bound and determined that they would know from the get go that they were not dealing with those who should be trifled with easily.

Even as the woman presented an outward aura of calm and power, her bright eyes flitted from place to place in the camp, ensuring all was in place and proper. While she did not care for their guests, she would also not tolerate bad manners. They would show proper hospitality that was due all beings but her friendliness would end there. Lanak’s sharp ears flicked toward every strange noise in the only sign of her nervousness but she turned her head only slightly and only when she needed to. To anyone who didn’t know better, Lanak was the absolute picture of calm detachment. She turned to look at Tukru as he touched her back, a small sign of affection and reassurance, and her features softened as she smiled at him. Only Tukru’s presence in this meeting made her feel safe in the company of their impending guests. She knew without question he would protect her and their people. She watched him move toward the fire and then slipped her eyes closed, her thoughts going out to the great mother in a silent prayer that Eywa’s will would be done this night…one way or the other.

[• Aerys •]

Nothing truly eventful had come to pass since his arrival on Pandora. He'd seen a few scientists dragged back into the compound after being stung by some alien creature, a guard or two a little shaken by a close encounter during one of their forays into the jungle, but nothing really exciting. No battles with the natives, no mangled bodies from one of those weird cat things people always talked about. Needless to say, Milo Vittore had grown a little bored, so when talk of a rendezvous with one of the tribes began to bubble through the not so very Hell's Gate two point zero, he jumped at the chance.

The nuances of the trip he did not know, nor did he care to know. All he was aware of was that he had been charged with protecting two of the scientists as they met with the direhorse tribe and discussed a strengthening of alliances. Of course, he knew just as much about firing a gun as he did anything about this planet, but a crash course in wielding one of the state of the art tranqs had him hooked.

So it was with his first thrills of anticipation that he readied his bird, pacing through the hangar with an exopack slung over his shoulder. Supplies were hauled from the storage facilities into the Samson, mostly computers and scanners that the two women would need (As well as a few concealed devices for him to take readings for his employer). Necessities were packed, too, just as a safety precaution. Not that Milo would get them stranded in the wilderness like some kind of rookie asshole; he hadn't been invited on this mission because of his ruggedly good looks and cynical charm—though that undoubtedly had helped. RDA knew he was the best of the best, and on a place like Pandora, you sure as hell needed the best of the best.

There seemed to be a palpable excitement in the compound the day of the expedition. Scientists scurried about, the heads of the operation taking the two women aside to brief them on what was happening. Milo couldn't help but feel particularly buoyant, even as he silently prayed for a bit of action this afternoon. Just something so this damn trip wasn't so mundane.

It was not until after noon that the scientists finally migrated from the compound into the hangar, the two that would be accompanying him sticking out like sore thumbs, what with them standing nearly four feet taller than everyone else and sporting neon blue skin. He had just finished the last of the preparations when he finally climbed into the aircraft, his dark gaze fixed on the avatar drivers.

“You guys ready?” he called impatiently. He glanced out the gaping side door and groaned as another flock of scientists approached the aircraft. “We need to go.”

[Talau]

((for those who dont know me, these: <<.....>> indicate Layla speaking in Na'vi...since i really don't know much of the language, it's the best i can give you))

Oh God….oh God………oh God……I think I might be sick.

Those were about the only thoughts running through Layla’s mind as she prepped for the nights “little” outing.

There was nothing ‘little’ about it.

Oh no, this…THIS…was a big deal. A very big deal indeed, and she was scared to hell that she was going to muss something up. For all of her so called ‘wisdom,’ for all of her schooling, and training, and preparing, and fretting, and fussing…for all of her work and minimal field experience…Layla did not feel AT ALL ready for this. Peace talks were a big to-do and she was going to be the only translator there that she knew of and oh God was she hoping that all of those years of studying didn’t let her down. As she re-braided her queue into a gentle French braid, her mind continued to grind its gears in overtime. There were about a thousand things that could go wrong with this…she could misinterpret something (oh please, PLEASE don’t let that happen!), one of her group might say or do something offensive, someone from her group might take offense at something said to them and start a stink…heaven only knew what might happen! The Itami were civil enough, but even so…oh God help her…one slip up, one fopaux, and this could all come crashing down around their ears rather nastily.

Oh God…what if someone got through the screening?! Then it would all be MY fault! “Oh, it’s no big deal Dr Roshanara…your studies proved quite effective. I'm sure no one with any major flaws slipped through our gates this time around. You won’t have a thing to worry about” my tanned hiney! Tell that to the other ten foot tall people running around THEIR home planet uncertain if they’d rather talk to us or shoot us! Oh, and by the way, did I mention they still HATE us because of the last time we were here? How is this no pressure?

She checked herself in the mirror to be sure she looked at least slightly decent. All traces of jewelry were gone save for a single cross pendant she’d carved out of a broken branch she’d found about a week back. It was certainly nothing special to look at but it provided some sort of comfort to her hanging on its twine about her neck. Okay, check list time: hair done (check), jewelry removed (check. No showing up the hosts in any way), re-dressed (dark blue halter top, cut a bit longer this time –check- knee length cargo pants –check- brown lace up dance shoes –check-), utility belt and stored items (ID badge, palm computer, voice recording device, flashlight, switchblade, some spare batteries, extra memory card for her recorder, small digital photo holder…all check), pack….wait…where had she put that blasted thing? Searching around for a moment, she pulled the (still) folded up pack from its place in her footlocker and shook it open. Into the front pouch went a few simple necklaces…just small things she’d made from shells or bits of bone or wood that she’d managed to carve into something half decent and string on twine, but she hoped they would be accepted. She’d heard that the Na’vi wore more extravagant clothing and jewelry the higher their rank and these were paltry little things, but it was the thought that counted right? You brought gifts for your hosts right? If it didn’t seem like a good idea, or the opportunity didn’t present itself, she would just neglect to state that she had them with her. Now, the Persian in her wanted to help with the food…not to mention she’d gotten a few ideas from the American’s “first thanksgiving.” Darting outside into the gardens they’d started in the compound, she’d gathered as many fruits and…well, she supposed they were as close to ‘vegetables’ as Pandora got…as she could fit into the pack without smashing them all.

That was about the time that one of the scientists had caught her and let her know the pilot was ready. With a look like she’d been caught stealing red handed, Layla nodded and closed the pack hurriedly before slipping it over her shoulders. With a few deep breaths, she followed the scientist and met the others in the hanger. Milo…wonderful (end sarcasm). The man certainly wasn’t known for his winning personality, and she really, TRULY, hoped he wasn’t going to be the one causing a stink if something happened out there. Now who was the…oh…Adriane. Well there might be hope yet. She seemed nice enough and she was certainly a cheerful one…hopefully that would balance out the cynical Milo. Please God let her balance out Milo. She’d decided…this was the beginnings of a dream…whether it was a good dream or a bad dream, however, she wasn’t quite sure yet.

We’re coming Mr. Vittore…keep your pants on.

She quipped, striding toward the chopper. Hopping in she deposited her pack on her lap safely and settled in as best she could. Oh how she hated these things…she felt like she was about to fall out every time she got in one. Certainly Layla knew Milo wasn’t going to let that happen, he was a more than capable pilot, but even still…she’d have preferred the very long walk and risk of getting attacked by some animal or other. As expected it didn’t take them long to reach the place they were meant to meet the Itami scouts. By the time they’d reached the place, however, it was night…well…as “night” as it could get on Pandora since most of the time it got to “dusk” and stopped. Sure enough, down below were the four scouts sent to meet them and lead them the rest of the way to the meeting grounds of the Itami. Wonderful…they were late. Grabbing her pack, she hopped out of the craft and trotted over to their guides.

She greeted the scouts kindly in Na’vi and apologized for their tardiness as she waited for the others, then motioned for them to lead on. As they moved through the tall grasses, Layla watched how their guides moved through them, bronzed eyes flecked with green glinting slightly as she absorbed the new information and sought to emulate some of the simpler and more “normal” (normal meaning human normal) aspects. Her objective? Simple really…learn by doing. If she wanted to learn about a culture, about the Na’vi…how they moved, acted, learned…became Na’vi…she needed to try and do the same to some degree. Right now it was a practice in silence. She wasn’t quite sure how they managed it, but these four were quite silent, even moving through all this tall grass. How did they DO it? Well it seemed to be in the feet, how they turned and twisted their bodies through it, moving bits of it aside and a very fluid tail movement that seemed to allow the grass to slide closed behind them like a curtain. The feet she could imitate, the body movements as well (for the most part anyway), moving the grass aside came naturally…but the tail…she STILL had trouble with the thing. Well, tail trouble or no, she decided to start simple…start with the feet. And so she did.

With her mind now occupied with something other than the upcoming meeting, the trip seemed to pass swiftly and her nerves calmed considerably. Before she knew it they were on the edge of a large clearing with possibly THE largest rock she had EVER seen. Those green flecked eyes widened slightly as she looked around. It was like Na’vi paradise for her…so many…so many to talk to, to learn from, to learn about…so many to meet. She’d never be able to talk to them all in one night, but the curious little girl in her wanted so badly to try and do just that. Blinking, she shook her head and pulled herself together, following their guides once more to the Olo’eyktan and Tsahik. Now to see if her time spent preparing had done her ANY good…

Oel ngati kameie Itami Olo’eyktan Tukru, Tsahik Lanak.

With the proper motions of the greeting, she bowed her head slightly for a moment before looking at them once more through bronze-yellow eyes, the flecks of green in them glinting slightly in the firelight. The bioluminescent lights dotting her body like stars shifted and shimmered between an anxious light yellow and a curious, happy, green as the emotions warred within her for dominance.

<<I am Layla, interpreter and studier of cultures…This is Adriane, studier of animals…and this is Milo, pilot and mechanic…he flew us here from our camp. I apologize greatly if we are late. Also…I know it isn’t much, but I brought some fruits and vegetables from our gardens for tonight. They are here in my pack if you accept them?>>

She pulled the pack from her shoulders and unzipped it to show them the food inside before offering it to them. It was a good thing I moved the necklaces from the pack to my pants during the ride over, she mused silently, one ear flicking slightly as she waited silently for their reply, or one of her companions to say something worth translating to them.

[Çħĭγȁ]

Adriane swallowed as she stepped out of the chopper. Her ears seemed glued back to her head, and for once she agreed with her tail, which was tucked between her legs, betraying her nervousness.

Crap... you have to calm down!
This was a diplomatic mission. No one was going to kill anything. Nothing was going to go wrong. Right.
If only she believed that...
Adriane waited behind Milo and Layla until the introductions were made. When she heard her name - made so much more beautiful by the Na'vi language, she thought - she stepped forwards. She whispered a greeting - "kaltxì" - the only thing she knew how to say. A slight shameful flush crept up the back of her neck, and she quickly stepped back.
Damn it, Ari, you're a biologist, not an interpreter, she thought, but she felt silly and unprepared. They didn't really need her to play ambassador - it was just luck that she'd been invited along.

The introductions finished, the Itami guides moved quickly away through the tall grass. Adriane didn't like it. Perhaps it was her nervousness - even her Na'vi's body was sweating - but she felt far more exposed out here. There were so many more things that were dangerous in the jungle - Leonopteryx didn't usually venture this low, and Thanators, slingers, and viperwolves all kept to their forest home. The grass was just grass, and wouldn't sting or poison you. But none of that helped quell the terrible anxiety rising in Adriane's stomach.

So it was with crawling skin and stiff limbs that Adriane first approached the Itami camp.
For a moment, she could only stare.
It was a flurry of activity; children who would be taller than her were she in her true body ran around, playing what looked like tag; many adult Itami crouched atop an enormous rock, watching the humans' little party; another group of adults was approaching the foray and their guides.
They did not look warm and welcoming, but they talked amongst themselves, and appeared relaxed if not overtly friendly. Adriane took a deep breath. See? she told herself. It's not so horrifying. Now if I can just keep Milo from doing something unbearably stupid...
She was almost twice his height. It shouldn't be too hard. What could possibly go wrong?

Words 406
Comments Famous last words. Also, cookie and +10 Nerd Points to anyone who catches my Nerd Quote somewhere in there xP

[Dutch]

Tukru's ears and nose picked up the presence of the Sky People long before he could see them. They moved loudly through the Itami's plains- were they alone, Eywa would have probably taken them in the night. His golden eyes flashed at the sight of his scouts and their guests as they pushed into the Stone's clearing. With a flicked of his tail followed by a flick of his ear, he motioned for his archers to be ready without alarming or notifying the guests. He prayed that they need not slay, but the minute something went wrong, arrows would fly.

He stepped back from the fire to once more stand at Lanak's side and motioned for the Sky People to enter. His eyes stayed on their every movement as one of the dreamwalker females approached Tukru and his wife. Tukru'atan did not speak the Na'vi greeting to the stranger, but made the motion nonetheless. At least she was polite, but then again, he was sure she knew that if she wasn't, she would ruin any chance the Sky People had at peace with his Itami.

His stern, intense gaze met with Layla's as she spoke. Her pronunciation was horrible, and clumsy, but the words were correct- enough for Tukru and his people to understand at least. He could appreciate effort- as it was all he ever asked for his own people. Tukru would turn his gaze to Lanak for a moment, a couple words she spoke rang hollow to him, but none seemed threatening or harsh. It was a good thing she would understand him, the Sky People were smart to bring a translator.

Tukru eyed the bag warily, his non-trusting eyes narrowed until he could see what was within it. Fruits- ones he had seen on visits to the Aylukana or when they came to them- but these reeked of the Sky People's touch- and of different soil. But he supposed they would be edible- and it was best not to insult if possible. He waved for one of his people to come and grab the fruits. After they left he turned his gaze to the translator.

"Your Milo comes to us not as a Dreamwalker like you. Why is this? No matter."

With a wave of his large hand Tukru already dismissed the subject before it could go any further, he did not need to know the ways of the Sky People- not yet anyway. He motioned for the group of Sky People and Lanak to follow him to the very center of the circles of stone slabs. As he moved, several Na'vi began to gather large pallets of food. He rather did not look forward to eating the Sky People's fruits, but would regardless. Tukru sat down on one of the large slabs of stone that tightly circled a fire that had been reduced to embers- more for heat than light.

He sat and waited for the humans or Lanak to speak- Tukru would not lie, the alien's presence in such an intimate place for the Itami slightly upset him- but better here than at the camp. A low subconscious growl sounded from Tukru- really only Lanak would hear it, as she knew his sounds and motions best. And so he waited, for Sky People's words of just wanting to be here to study and what have you. Tukru however, would not be so easily swayed.