Post by Lee on Jan 6, 2010 14:53:00 GMT -5
Revising In progress
Name: Tsamwey [warsong] (Tsa for short)
Age: 21
Secret Word: PMed
Gender: Female
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Race: Na'vi
Tribe: Rokure
Mount: Ikran : Tawsreu, [skydance] (sreu for short)
Tawsreu is average size for a female Ikran; her massive wings when spread to their fullest are easily Tsamwey’s height multiplied and her neck is long and graceful, flowing smoothly into her chest. Electric amethyst is the predominate color on her back, splashed with rich turquoise, and viridian in symmetrical patterns, Stripes of polished ebony rimed with white and scarlet complete the pallet. The creamy cyan underbelly maintains fainter versions of these markings. Her eyes are the same molten green gold as Tsa’s, and in truth the pair is quite handsome together.
The sky is where she truly shines, an athletic creature her favorite pastime is acrobatics wheeling, diving, spiraling through the air with a fluid grace. She is the dancer with the sky as her stage and the landscape as her backdrop while both brilliant sunlight and the gentle glow of Prometheus act as her spotlight. Sreu is very much a show off, preferring often to take the ‘pretty’ way verses the simple way given a choice.
As a pair Tsa and Sreu move like water, completely in tune with each other. Built for endurance, Sreu isn’t quite the fastest Ikran in the sky, but in that respect she can out last most of her smaller brethren. Her strength lies in her ability to out maneuver anything after her. She is very vocal and affectionate, at least where Tsa is concerned, when it comes to everyone else Sreu is quite broody, and unless you have food don’t even think about getting very close.
A social creature Sreu is greatly outgoing when it comes to others of her kind, showing off for males or sunning with her compatriots she enjoys the company of others of her kind, getting fussy when she’s away from them too long. Wild Ikran are suitable substitutes in lieu of bonded.
Physical Description:
Molten green gold eyes gleam brilliantly above high shapely cheekbones. They are her father’s eyes, with a texture like the roots of home tree sinking deeply twisting into the earth, creating brilliant depth. They are alert like her father’s always studying always learning more, they seem constantly in search. Tsamwey’s face is much like her grandmother’s had been in her youth, high cheekbones give a sense of pride to her face, and add fierceness. Full soft lips are a mark of her mother’s influence, as is the clear lilting alto that emerges when she speaks or deigns to sing.
Her hair is usually pulled back, ether all in the traditional protective queue about her lekku, or half up with the length of the soft strands hanging to the small of her back. Often she adorns the locks with flowers or feathers of scarlet, amethyst, or gold. Her neck is long and graceful, typical of a Na’vi, adorned with a choker of various animal teeth woven together with leather strips. And beneath that hangs a simple leather chord with a carved shell pendant depicting an Ikran in flight. A gift from her brother on the day she bonded with Tawsreu.
Her frame is her mothers, small and willowy she stands just at nine feet tall. Her father’s strength in her, powerful lean muscle developed over years of climbing and training as a warrior. Her skin is a deep rich cyan, with simple bands of darker tone marking stripes over her body. At nights swirls of light dot her shape, coiling over shapely limbs belly and face in a pattern akin to the curl of smoke in the wind. She moves with all the feral grace of her people, with an economy of motion that would inspire envy in human athletes.
Her adornments are simple; a thin lightweight fabric in a warm earthy brown wraps just below her shoulder blades and crosses over her heart in front covering her breasts before being tied behind the neck. The same fabric creates the traditional loincloth, which hangs down to the knee and is attached by a supple braded cord that rests just above the hips. Also fastened to the chord is a pair of skintight leggings which helps protect her legs from blistering due to wind or rubbing against the back of her Ikran. Her bow hangs over her shoulder, as does the sheath to the knife she bears on her person at nearly all times. Wide leather strips protect her forearms, and also house a secondary dagger, much smaller in size.
(Face Claim: Jessica Alba)
Personality:
Talents:
History: The ash and cinders left behind by the Tawtute had been cooled ten years before Tsamwey was born, though the memories still blazed in the minds of those who had survived it. Her father and eldest brother both had fought against the sky people and it had left scars far worse than those visible. Still life moved on, children were born, and had grown in the years passing. Mohab had three sons to his name before Tsamwey came along, Tixtur who had barely stepped into manhood when the battle occurred, and Tirol had begun to train as a warrior, and Tsteu was but an infant.
Karyu had thought her child bearing days had passed when she discovered she was pregnant, and though at first she was afraid that she might not carry to term at her age, both she and her mate saw this unborn infant as a blessing from Eywa. After the appropriate number of moons, the baby girl entered the world with her tiny fists clenched and her small shrill voice raised high. Moab and Karyu gave her the name Tsamwey, meaning war song, for her clenched fists and raised voice.
Tsamwey was a happy child, chasing the tiny whirling lizards, bugs, and her brothers from the moment she began to crawl. For a child born to a couple so near the end of their time, she was full of life and laughter. She learned to walk, and started singing, nonsensical syllables at first, but as she grew she began to grasp language. Tixtur was for the most part indifferent to the infant, as he was to most after losing his left eye in the conflict. Tirol and Tsteu however were enthralled by her. Tsteu in particular often got in trouble for teaching her to say foul words on accident.
When Tsa reached the age of ten, Mohab passed through the eye of Eywa, with his mate following only months behind. Though there was some mourning, Tsamwey knew they were not far from her, their spirits had joined Eywa and she could still hear them when she visited the sacred sites. It was Tirol and his mate Pele who took over Tsamwey’s rearing. Pele had two sons and was overjoyed to have a little sister around. It is due to Pele’s overzealous grooming that Tsa prefers a simple plait or her hair half pulled up. Sitting still for hours while Pele would intricately braid the dark silky strands of her hair was the farthest thing from fun Tsa ever experienced.
Womanhood was something Tsamwey grew into slowly, though when she realized it herself it seemed as if it had been over night. She had begun to train with her brothers, being taught what it meant to be a warrior, how to ride Pa’li and then how to snare an Ikran. Every day seemed one more step in a new journey, the destination of which seemed unimportant.
The ride to the Iknimaya was long, and Tsa’s stomach had fluttered the entire way, her palms sweat as she made the climb, her cousin’s both ahead of and behind her. They had talked about this moment from the day they had begun training, Tsa had her mind so absorbed on the task ahead that she didn’t stop to look around her until they had reached the cave and ledge where the Ikran were sunning themselves.
The sky seemed full of them, brightly colored jewels wheeling about the mountains, their cries echoing off the cliff faces. There were so many, she struggled to count them. Tsa was grateful to Eywa that it was Tsteu and his mate Mi’nan leading them it was comforting to say the least. Tsa was the last of the four to try for an Ikran, and the only thought that flooded into her mind as her brother rested his hand upon her shoulder was ‘what if no one chooses me’ She pushed this from her mind however as she stepped from the shadows of the cave into the brilliant sunlight on the ledge.
Their shrill cries filled her ears, and snare in hand Tsa approached first the smaller females. None of them would have her however as they took off in flight as she neared them. Dejected and moving toward another small gathering of Ikran she hadn’t been paying enough attention to her surroundings, and when she heard the screech it reverberated in her chest as she turned to face the animal that had just landed behind her.
The animal seemed immense, her brilliant amethyst markings afire in the noontime sun. Eyes like molten gold locked onto her own and Tsamwey felt something deep within her chest and a tingle down her spine, she had already been spinning the noose when the head of the beast lunged, ebony teeth gleaming brightly dripping with saliva, the roar filling Tsa’s ears. The snare wrapped around the maw of the amethyst creature, and Tsa leapt onto the Ikran’s back, legs winding tightly about the creatures neck.
What only lasted seconds seemed an eternity to Tsamwey, until the tendrils of her queue synced with those of the Ikran. She watched as those molten gold that only a moment before had been filled with nothing but death, widened as the creature straightened itself out.
Words could not describe the sensation of flight, or the bond between Ikran and rider, Tsamwey could sing her entire life and still the sounds would be inadequate. From that moment on the Na’vi woman would never be too far from the skies. She had her Tawsreu, her sky dancer, and life would never be the same. Tsa was officially accepted into the tribe as a warrior, not long after and easily earned the respect of her peers with her hard working demeanor and honesty, and she took her duties seriously.
It had been a typical morning when Sreu and Tsa had set out from their home tree in the mountains to make their weekly pilgrimage to the tree of souls, the flash of fire in the sky caught Sreu’s attention first, and then Tsamwey saw it. Immediately they turned around and headed straight away to speak with the clan leaders about what they had seen.
Humans had again returned to Pandora, to what point and purpose the Na’vi were unsure at first. Eventually messengers came from other clans, the Tawtute that were arriving were not miners but scientists claiming to be looking for a way to save their dying world, Tsamwey herself volunteered for the scouting party but, Olo'eyktan Narkesh decreed that the Rokure would ignore the humans, let them study the forests, after all they couldn’t reach the clan’s home tree without the flying ships that the researchers seemed to have left behind this time. Tsa had appealed to Tzasende, but the Tsahik too agreed with her husband, at least publicly.
So far Tsamwey has managed to avoid taking matters into her own hands, but her curiosity is something that is difficult to be held at bay. If she was to run into these dream walkers, it would have to be one of them to do the discovering until Narkesh saw reason.
RP Sample: Tsamwey had closed her eyes; she could feel the cool air entering the Ikran’s lungs, the drumbeat of the animal’s heart as it matched the rhythm of her own, and the warm leathery skin against her own. All around them the cries were a din, but they seemed muffled somehow. It was as though they were the only two beings in the world for just this moment.
Up, Tawsreu the Na’vi warrior thought, though the name was something she had simply felt. How many times had she pictured this moment in her mind, the warm smell of the Ikran beneath her, and the scent of the waterfall nearby, the heat of the sun embracing her skin, the breeze cool against her skin. Her brothers had all described this moment for her as best they could and yet the words failed to compare.
And then there was falling, Tsa’s own eyes closed she was experiencing the world through Sreu’s senses, and the strange duality was somehow comforting. Eyes like the roots of home tree opened as massive wings spread wide to catch the hot pulse of air that would send them soaring upward in a dancing spiral. Elation – that was what Ikran felt when they took flight, the wind filling their wings like sails on a ship, carrying them farther than the land bound Pa’li could ever dream. They owned the sky, and now Tsamwey too felt that unadulterated freedom.
“Tsamwey! Tsamwey! You did it Tsamwey! Father would be proud!”” Her brother’s deep baritone called to her as he and his own bonded joined the reveries. A smile wider than a thanator’s spread over the young Na’vi’s lips as she raised a hand to wave to her brother.
Yes, father would be proud, had he lived to see this moment, mother too, and they could see she hoped. “Tixtur too?” She shouted over the wind.
“Yes even that stone can’t help but be proud of the warrior you’ve become sister.” A wide playful grin split Tsteu’s lips.
The flight to home tree had been exhilarating; Tsa saw the world from the sky for the first time. Landing her brother Tirol and Pele were waiting for them. Pele wrapped her younger sister tightly in her arms it seemed to Tsa before she even touched the ground.
“Oh she is so pretty Tsa! Have you named her yet? Oh what was flying like? Were you scared? Your brother has a present for you in honor of this occasion, we knew you would be successful, but I had no idea you would get such a beautiful one. Look at that color. . . .” It seemed as though the Na’vi woman didn’t need to breathe the way she was gushing. Tsamwey simply grinned and nodded. She had learned like Tirol had, that you waited until Pele completely ran out of breath before even trying to get a word in edgewise, and as sure as the sunset she finished none too soon, and Tsa finally had the chance to do something other than nod.
“Tawsreu” She managed to answer Pele’s question before Tirol joined the small reunion.
“A good name, and a magnificent Ikran too, but I would expect nothing less from a daughter of Mohab.” He grinned. “I suspect Pele has already ruined the surprise but here, in honor of your first flight.” A purple iridescent disk carved from shell hung from a leather chord, an Ikran silhouetted was carved into the surface.
Tsamwey took the disk gingerly in her fingers, tracing the lines of the etching, tears welling in her eyes. “It’s beautiful. . .”
Tsteu slapped his arm around his older brother, and much more gingerly put an arm around Tsa’s shoulder. “This is great and all, but brother share the story of our little sister’s first flight over a meal, before she falls from exhaustion?”
“I hate to say it but Tsteu is actually right about something,” Pele teased having found her wind again.
Tsamway laughed, as they made their way down to eat and share the stories of the day, the disk held delicately before her. Today was a new beginning.
Name: Tsamwey [warsong] (Tsa for short)
Age: 21
Secret Word: PMed
Gender: Female
Sexuality: Heterosexual
Race: Na'vi
Tribe: Rokure
Mount: Ikran : Tawsreu, [skydance] (sreu for short)
Tawsreu is average size for a female Ikran; her massive wings when spread to their fullest are easily Tsamwey’s height multiplied and her neck is long and graceful, flowing smoothly into her chest. Electric amethyst is the predominate color on her back, splashed with rich turquoise, and viridian in symmetrical patterns, Stripes of polished ebony rimed with white and scarlet complete the pallet. The creamy cyan underbelly maintains fainter versions of these markings. Her eyes are the same molten green gold as Tsa’s, and in truth the pair is quite handsome together.
The sky is where she truly shines, an athletic creature her favorite pastime is acrobatics wheeling, diving, spiraling through the air with a fluid grace. She is the dancer with the sky as her stage and the landscape as her backdrop while both brilliant sunlight and the gentle glow of Prometheus act as her spotlight. Sreu is very much a show off, preferring often to take the ‘pretty’ way verses the simple way given a choice.
As a pair Tsa and Sreu move like water, completely in tune with each other. Built for endurance, Sreu isn’t quite the fastest Ikran in the sky, but in that respect she can out last most of her smaller brethren. Her strength lies in her ability to out maneuver anything after her. She is very vocal and affectionate, at least where Tsa is concerned, when it comes to everyone else Sreu is quite broody, and unless you have food don’t even think about getting very close.
A social creature Sreu is greatly outgoing when it comes to others of her kind, showing off for males or sunning with her compatriots she enjoys the company of others of her kind, getting fussy when she’s away from them too long. Wild Ikran are suitable substitutes in lieu of bonded.
Physical Description:
Molten green gold eyes gleam brilliantly above high shapely cheekbones. They are her father’s eyes, with a texture like the roots of home tree sinking deeply twisting into the earth, creating brilliant depth. They are alert like her father’s always studying always learning more, they seem constantly in search. Tsamwey’s face is much like her grandmother’s had been in her youth, high cheekbones give a sense of pride to her face, and add fierceness. Full soft lips are a mark of her mother’s influence, as is the clear lilting alto that emerges when she speaks or deigns to sing.
Her hair is usually pulled back, ether all in the traditional protective queue about her lekku, or half up with the length of the soft strands hanging to the small of her back. Often she adorns the locks with flowers or feathers of scarlet, amethyst, or gold. Her neck is long and graceful, typical of a Na’vi, adorned with a choker of various animal teeth woven together with leather strips. And beneath that hangs a simple leather chord with a carved shell pendant depicting an Ikran in flight. A gift from her brother on the day she bonded with Tawsreu.
Her frame is her mothers, small and willowy she stands just at nine feet tall. Her father’s strength in her, powerful lean muscle developed over years of climbing and training as a warrior. Her skin is a deep rich cyan, with simple bands of darker tone marking stripes over her body. At nights swirls of light dot her shape, coiling over shapely limbs belly and face in a pattern akin to the curl of smoke in the wind. She moves with all the feral grace of her people, with an economy of motion that would inspire envy in human athletes.
Her adornments are simple; a thin lightweight fabric in a warm earthy brown wraps just below her shoulder blades and crosses over her heart in front covering her breasts before being tied behind the neck. The same fabric creates the traditional loincloth, which hangs down to the knee and is attached by a supple braded cord that rests just above the hips. Also fastened to the chord is a pair of skintight leggings which helps protect her legs from blistering due to wind or rubbing against the back of her Ikran. Her bow hangs over her shoulder, as does the sheath to the knife she bears on her person at nearly all times. Wide leather strips protect her forearms, and also house a secondary dagger, much smaller in size.
(Face Claim: Jessica Alba)
Personality:
- Proud – Hailing from a long line of warriors, it is to be expected that she is proud of her lineage, unfortunately almost to the point of arrogance. She may admit to being wrong but if she knows she is right she won’t back down for anyone, not even to save face. She believes in all things the truth must be sought and seen, even if it is unpopular, or against tradition. Always she will fight for what she knows in her heart to be right, and strives to do the right thing at all times. She will fight for this more fiercely than anything you could imagine.
- Stubborn – A trait that all of her siblings possess perhaps; she is one who always embraces a challenge. To tell her she is incapable of accomplishing something is to write an invitation for her to prove you wrong, (sometimes to her own detriment.) Once her mind is set on a course of action she is almost immovable from that path. Once she commits to something you can be assured that she will see it through to whatever end might be waiting for her. She will never abandon her family, and of her loyalty there is little question, though there are times when that loyalty may be called into question. If loyalty means to go against the truth, or what is best . . . well it isn’t hard to understand her choice.
- Passionate – In all things Tsamwey moves with fervor that is almost tangible, and if she is to do a thing she does it properly. Her heart is either all in or not at all, and this passion for life is at the center of everything she does. She always seeks new experiences, new ideas, and new sensations. Her world is a mosaic of beauty she yearns to explore as deeply as possible. One of the benefits of riding Tsamwey is the gift of seeing that world, and the ability to travel to the sacred sites to commune with Eywa.
- Spiritual – All Na’vi experience a deep connection to their moon and to their deity, and are a part of the great web of life, an ever flowing cycle of energy. Tsamwey honors this bond fervently, taking time each day to meditate in communion with her surroundings. She honors this bond, and views all life as sacred.
- Curious – Tsa wants to know anything and everything, whatever there is to learn. She is like sponge absorbing water; she will try nearly anything once and has no sense of fear. This trait causes her often to border on the obnoxious, with questions upon questions when confronted with something new, or quite hours observing in silence. As a result of this curiosity Tsa has learned much, and possesses an inner wisdom that is always growing and adapting.
- Adventurous – flying is one of her favorite pastimes, but Tsamwey loves anything that will set her heart to pound like a drum in her chest. Perhaps this explains the abundant fervor the Na’vi woman possesses, and the energy that she nearly always seems to be brimming with. If there was one word to describe Tsa, it would be alive, because of her infectious energy. Perhaps it is a marker of her youth, or perhaps it is simply a way of life. To live with eyes wide open, and a heart free of fear. A simple enough mission for a young Na’vi, no?
Talents:
- Singing – as the Na’vi have no written language, history is passed from generation to generation through sites like the tree of voices, and orally via story or song. Tsamwey is possessed of a lilting alto voice that resonates deep within her chest, and rings out clear and distinct. Her mother was among the tribe’s storytellers, and while she chose to follow in her father’s path, music will always be a part of her life.
- Hunting/Marksmanship – Many warriors serve a dual function in providing nourishment for the clan, and Tsa is no different. Her bow is deadly, and she spends time each day practicing both on foot, and astride Tawsreu. Tsa believes firmly in always striving to be better than what you were the day before.
- Combat – Descended from a line of warriors, in this too Tsamwey has been well taught. She is skilled with bow and knife, though prefers long range to close combat. Her smaller size allows her more agility, and speed verses her opponents, and her skills are sharpened every day in practice with her brothers.
History: The ash and cinders left behind by the Tawtute had been cooled ten years before Tsamwey was born, though the memories still blazed in the minds of those who had survived it. Her father and eldest brother both had fought against the sky people and it had left scars far worse than those visible. Still life moved on, children were born, and had grown in the years passing. Mohab had three sons to his name before Tsamwey came along, Tixtur who had barely stepped into manhood when the battle occurred, and Tirol had begun to train as a warrior, and Tsteu was but an infant.
Karyu had thought her child bearing days had passed when she discovered she was pregnant, and though at first she was afraid that she might not carry to term at her age, both she and her mate saw this unborn infant as a blessing from Eywa. After the appropriate number of moons, the baby girl entered the world with her tiny fists clenched and her small shrill voice raised high. Moab and Karyu gave her the name Tsamwey, meaning war song, for her clenched fists and raised voice.
Tsamwey was a happy child, chasing the tiny whirling lizards, bugs, and her brothers from the moment she began to crawl. For a child born to a couple so near the end of their time, she was full of life and laughter. She learned to walk, and started singing, nonsensical syllables at first, but as she grew she began to grasp language. Tixtur was for the most part indifferent to the infant, as he was to most after losing his left eye in the conflict. Tirol and Tsteu however were enthralled by her. Tsteu in particular often got in trouble for teaching her to say foul words on accident.
When Tsa reached the age of ten, Mohab passed through the eye of Eywa, with his mate following only months behind. Though there was some mourning, Tsamwey knew they were not far from her, their spirits had joined Eywa and she could still hear them when she visited the sacred sites. It was Tirol and his mate Pele who took over Tsamwey’s rearing. Pele had two sons and was overjoyed to have a little sister around. It is due to Pele’s overzealous grooming that Tsa prefers a simple plait or her hair half pulled up. Sitting still for hours while Pele would intricately braid the dark silky strands of her hair was the farthest thing from fun Tsa ever experienced.
Womanhood was something Tsamwey grew into slowly, though when she realized it herself it seemed as if it had been over night. She had begun to train with her brothers, being taught what it meant to be a warrior, how to ride Pa’li and then how to snare an Ikran. Every day seemed one more step in a new journey, the destination of which seemed unimportant.
The ride to the Iknimaya was long, and Tsa’s stomach had fluttered the entire way, her palms sweat as she made the climb, her cousin’s both ahead of and behind her. They had talked about this moment from the day they had begun training, Tsa had her mind so absorbed on the task ahead that she didn’t stop to look around her until they had reached the cave and ledge where the Ikran were sunning themselves.
The sky seemed full of them, brightly colored jewels wheeling about the mountains, their cries echoing off the cliff faces. There were so many, she struggled to count them. Tsa was grateful to Eywa that it was Tsteu and his mate Mi’nan leading them it was comforting to say the least. Tsa was the last of the four to try for an Ikran, and the only thought that flooded into her mind as her brother rested his hand upon her shoulder was ‘what if no one chooses me’ She pushed this from her mind however as she stepped from the shadows of the cave into the brilliant sunlight on the ledge.
Their shrill cries filled her ears, and snare in hand Tsa approached first the smaller females. None of them would have her however as they took off in flight as she neared them. Dejected and moving toward another small gathering of Ikran she hadn’t been paying enough attention to her surroundings, and when she heard the screech it reverberated in her chest as she turned to face the animal that had just landed behind her.
The animal seemed immense, her brilliant amethyst markings afire in the noontime sun. Eyes like molten gold locked onto her own and Tsamwey felt something deep within her chest and a tingle down her spine, she had already been spinning the noose when the head of the beast lunged, ebony teeth gleaming brightly dripping with saliva, the roar filling Tsa’s ears. The snare wrapped around the maw of the amethyst creature, and Tsa leapt onto the Ikran’s back, legs winding tightly about the creatures neck.
What only lasted seconds seemed an eternity to Tsamwey, until the tendrils of her queue synced with those of the Ikran. She watched as those molten gold that only a moment before had been filled with nothing but death, widened as the creature straightened itself out.
Words could not describe the sensation of flight, or the bond between Ikran and rider, Tsamwey could sing her entire life and still the sounds would be inadequate. From that moment on the Na’vi woman would never be too far from the skies. She had her Tawsreu, her sky dancer, and life would never be the same. Tsa was officially accepted into the tribe as a warrior, not long after and easily earned the respect of her peers with her hard working demeanor and honesty, and she took her duties seriously.
It had been a typical morning when Sreu and Tsa had set out from their home tree in the mountains to make their weekly pilgrimage to the tree of souls, the flash of fire in the sky caught Sreu’s attention first, and then Tsamwey saw it. Immediately they turned around and headed straight away to speak with the clan leaders about what they had seen.
Humans had again returned to Pandora, to what point and purpose the Na’vi were unsure at first. Eventually messengers came from other clans, the Tawtute that were arriving were not miners but scientists claiming to be looking for a way to save their dying world, Tsamwey herself volunteered for the scouting party but, Olo'eyktan Narkesh decreed that the Rokure would ignore the humans, let them study the forests, after all they couldn’t reach the clan’s home tree without the flying ships that the researchers seemed to have left behind this time. Tsa had appealed to Tzasende, but the Tsahik too agreed with her husband, at least publicly.
So far Tsamwey has managed to avoid taking matters into her own hands, but her curiosity is something that is difficult to be held at bay. If she was to run into these dream walkers, it would have to be one of them to do the discovering until Narkesh saw reason.
RP Sample: Tsamwey had closed her eyes; she could feel the cool air entering the Ikran’s lungs, the drumbeat of the animal’s heart as it matched the rhythm of her own, and the warm leathery skin against her own. All around them the cries were a din, but they seemed muffled somehow. It was as though they were the only two beings in the world for just this moment.
Up, Tawsreu the Na’vi warrior thought, though the name was something she had simply felt. How many times had she pictured this moment in her mind, the warm smell of the Ikran beneath her, and the scent of the waterfall nearby, the heat of the sun embracing her skin, the breeze cool against her skin. Her brothers had all described this moment for her as best they could and yet the words failed to compare.
And then there was falling, Tsa’s own eyes closed she was experiencing the world through Sreu’s senses, and the strange duality was somehow comforting. Eyes like the roots of home tree opened as massive wings spread wide to catch the hot pulse of air that would send them soaring upward in a dancing spiral. Elation – that was what Ikran felt when they took flight, the wind filling their wings like sails on a ship, carrying them farther than the land bound Pa’li could ever dream. They owned the sky, and now Tsamwey too felt that unadulterated freedom.
“Tsamwey! Tsamwey! You did it Tsamwey! Father would be proud!”” Her brother’s deep baritone called to her as he and his own bonded joined the reveries. A smile wider than a thanator’s spread over the young Na’vi’s lips as she raised a hand to wave to her brother.
Yes, father would be proud, had he lived to see this moment, mother too, and they could see she hoped. “Tixtur too?” She shouted over the wind.
“Yes even that stone can’t help but be proud of the warrior you’ve become sister.” A wide playful grin split Tsteu’s lips.
The flight to home tree had been exhilarating; Tsa saw the world from the sky for the first time. Landing her brother Tirol and Pele were waiting for them. Pele wrapped her younger sister tightly in her arms it seemed to Tsa before she even touched the ground.
“Oh she is so pretty Tsa! Have you named her yet? Oh what was flying like? Were you scared? Your brother has a present for you in honor of this occasion, we knew you would be successful, but I had no idea you would get such a beautiful one. Look at that color. . . .” It seemed as though the Na’vi woman didn’t need to breathe the way she was gushing. Tsamwey simply grinned and nodded. She had learned like Tirol had, that you waited until Pele completely ran out of breath before even trying to get a word in edgewise, and as sure as the sunset she finished none too soon, and Tsa finally had the chance to do something other than nod.
“Tawsreu” She managed to answer Pele’s question before Tirol joined the small reunion.
“A good name, and a magnificent Ikran too, but I would expect nothing less from a daughter of Mohab.” He grinned. “I suspect Pele has already ruined the surprise but here, in honor of your first flight.” A purple iridescent disk carved from shell hung from a leather chord, an Ikran silhouetted was carved into the surface.
Tsamwey took the disk gingerly in her fingers, tracing the lines of the etching, tears welling in her eyes. “It’s beautiful. . .”
Tsteu slapped his arm around his older brother, and much more gingerly put an arm around Tsa’s shoulder. “This is great and all, but brother share the story of our little sister’s first flight over a meal, before she falls from exhaustion?”
“I hate to say it but Tsteu is actually right about something,” Pele teased having found her wind again.
Tsamway laughed, as they made their way down to eat and share the stories of the day, the disk held delicately before her. Today was a new beginning.
