#afop minang

[marcus--666]

Ha'ku learning from the Zeswa

[bluealienobsesser]

Losing a loved one

[creamybeemovie69]

Some of my favourite little details in avatar: frontiers of pandora

The two guards outside the council room in the aranahe hometree that just chat shit? All the time? Even during that last confrontation with Etuwa's father they're just stood chatting about someone's poor foraging skills or some shit it's so funny

The fact that the camera lowers when you're speaking to humans, which I know is probably so we can get a good look at them but I chose to believe it's because your sarentu slowly kneels until they're eye level with them

Nefika and Relun's dynamic of miserable old man and batshit crazy old woman

Whatever the fuck Okul's got going on. Gender? Babes they're clinically insane, they're too busy running into poisonous gas to worry about gender

The sleeping pod things hanging from the ceiling in the hometree. It took me forever to work out where they were all sleeping because there was no way they were all fitting in that one sleeping den

"it is sound proof Priya."

Anqa forgetting her training and getting attacked by wasps because she's too busy thinking about Priya

Hajir and Alex planning to have tea, no one talk to me

Daniella being this very capable badass soldier with a hardened exterior and her himbo husband who's just happy to be there as long as there's wood to whittle and food to cook

The sarentu humming sarentu songs while they cook

Zomey refusing to leave the plane until she saw Eetu get out

The resistance humans wearing clothes that have been altered/repaired by Na'vi weavers

Minang losing her shit and charging the base in the plains despite being the calmer, more collected one? Good shit.

That little detail in the cloud spitter description that says kids make a game of seeing how close they can get to the plant without triggering it

"I can still smell the chemicals" just kill me now I can't take this

Every single individual human having to ask Jake Sully for permission to stay on the planet. Were they forced to go back to the RDA if he said no? Or were they just left to die out on pandora?

The ferals being unable to communicate with eachother and being so angry because they're so lonely

Kin, Relun and the Kame'tire trader all being friends before the Kame'tire were banished

Priya not being able to talk to Alma in her human form because her avatar was her friend

Nor just. Disappearing? Where did he go? Is he okay? Why can't I go looking for him?

The Na'vi naming options for your Ikran being the names of other kids in TAP

So'lek collecting the identity tags of the soldiers he kills

So'lek in general actually. "This dReAmWaLkEr decided to lock you up in a box instead 👀"

Alex being granted permission to stay on pandora because he wanted to keep Grace's legacy alive through his work. Why is this never mentioned anywhere but in his character description?

The comic book pages

The fact that Priya dyes her hair. Are you actually telling me this excitable little climatologist worked out how to make hair dye from pandoran plants before Alex figured out how to eat any of it?

Anqa's fucking "my land was invaded too". Give this head-empty lesbian a break man

Everyone hating Billy because they think he can't be trusted only for him to be one of the most loyal among them

Etuwa's father refusing to fight because he lost his wife, then deciding to fight because he won't let them take his daughter too

"what have they done to you, my beautiful?" Actually sobbing like a fucking baby rn

[savanathema]

Grief

[xxxkvitravn]

The Great Games camp photo dump

I want to take more screenshots of the other characters I forgot to add. There are so many of them and I get distracted so easily

[skxawngonearth]

Frontiers Memes without context

(cut for Spoiler protection)

PS. I don't know how to meme

[newhologram]

Sisters

[pandorafallz]

Lest We Rest Upon Our Graves | C22

Ri’nela knew searching through Eywa for comfort was not often done to tend to a long-standing problem, not only for comfort but to try and find more of their people and ways of the Sarentu through Eywa had been her task and duty since their escape. She had little to build upon and yet, she had to build.

Even if the foundations were sand. Shifting sand which made it all the harder to build upon. Her constant had been her friends; the remaining few of her clan and working with the resistance. They only had each other which had been a good solid start. Like stone. But it crumbled into the sand as the churning waters of truth and grief struck through.

Nor was gone, abandoning them. Teylan had run off back to Mercer which only churned their waters up and then… Cortez. Cortez who had been there from the very beginning with a sledgehammer to force them from their foundations and away from their people and pretended like she had no part in it. Abandoning them for sixteen years in cold sleep. Not checking in. Not seeing the possibilities of life that the human woman wanted to leave behind.

An unfired bowl would leak sooner or later.

What a leak it was and it left Ri’nela struggling now to keep up with the flow. It was exhausting work. Even with Teylan back, she felt she couldn’t trust him. Not fully but she wanted to one day. She had hoped today, they’d finally get headway with the leak that Cortez had left behind. That the woman would stop running away from them and face the reality of her actions.

It was like a twist of cruel fate had decided not to allow them the chance.

Alma Cortez was dead.

Just… gone into nothing. Vanished into the forest. A human that would not be saved by Eywa to speak to after death either. Not one of the people. Never was.

Ri’nela hated how much it hurt now, not the personal loss that she pushed away from feeling but the hurt that Cortez didn’t tell them that she was dying. More secrets and now, they were left bleeding from them again. She didn’t want her heart to bleed for Cortez. Not after everything, not after the secrets. Not after dying without so much of a final goodbye. She shouldn’t have to grieve for her.

Yet she felt her body try despite her mind’s refusal.

“<Ri’nela.>” The familiar voice of Minang echoed before she felt the soft touch on her shoulder. She sighed deeply, stamping down her mild frustration at the interruption but she… was glad it wasn’t Kìoetey or Teylan. Kìoetey was... far too forgiving right now on the account of Cortez’s death that it angered her. Teylan was… not there in the way she needed him to be.

She could talk more freely to a Tsahìk

Ri’nela sat back, pulling her mind back and separating her connection to the Great Mother. Minang was crouched about three feet away, her expression soft but met her gaze.

“<I apologise for interrupting>” Minang started, “<So’lek mentioned you and the Sarentu will need spiritual and emotional guidance.>”

Ri’nela’s jaw flexed but… she supposed she shouldn’t be surprised. So’lek did care about them but some things he knew not to touch. She was glad for that. “<It’s nothing too concerning. Things will pass.>” Ri’nela said, “<There is nothing that can be done.>”

Minang head tilted. “<Death is nothing to be passed by so easily. If you do not allow yourself to feel of its effects, the shadow will always follow you. Hampering your personal growth as a person and as a Tsahìk. A Tsahìk must listen to Eywa and Eywa attend to our spirits after death.>”

“<There is no spirit to go to Eywa. Cortez was a human.>” Ri’nela stated.

“<But you feel grief from her death.>” It was a statement, the way the Tsahìk spoke but it felt very decisive.

“<I shouldn’t have to. After everything…>”

“<Grief has its layers, tied to the complexities of life. Grieving her death is only one layer of the loss. I do not know the details but So’lek mentioned she had helped raise you in the Sky people cages, but also was there when you were first taken. Sixteen years, you knew a version of her. Someone you know and connected to because there was no one else. Everyone must form attachments to survive. I won’t assume if she became the mother figure for you or not, but that is sixteen years of trust and care that came to an end when the truth came to light. Grief and pain come from severed connections. I cannot imagine how betrayed you felt.>”

Ri’nela’s tailed swished along the short grass, her gaze coming to stare at a bobbing woodsprite but she felt a dull heat in her gut and a tightening in her throat. “<I can’t forgive her>”

“<You cannot forgive her for her part in the Sarentu’s loss or her not mentioning her condition before her death?>”

Ri’nela nodded. “<Kìoetey’s probably forgiven her quickly now that she’s dead. How she spoke after coming back…>”

“<Despite the appearance, I do not believe that is the case, Ri’nela but… I am not here to talk about how Kìoetey has chosen to handle her grief.>”

“<I… What if Cortez died not telling us to try and earn redemption? It’s an easier way to get it.>”

“<She looked for means to recover but her death was unexpected, Ri’nela. You know this.>” Minang spoke patiently, “<She died knowing she was unforgiven and sought nothing to gain with that news.>”

“<You can’t know that. She was scared of us, Minang.>”

Minang let out a tense breath. “<Your anger is valued… but I see right now that you’re holding onto it too close to your heart. I cannot tell you how you must move on because that is not my journey but… to be a good Tsahìk to your clan, you have to be careful of how you keep it.>”

Ri’nela swallowed uneasily. She knew she had responsibilities as a leader and… she knew Minang was right but…

“<I don’t know how to let it all go. We lost our whole clan because of her and Mercer.>”

“<That pathway of loss will take years to walk down and you cannot rush it. Grief is not forgiveness, allow yourself to understand that. Forgiveness is a different road and you all the time to walk it. Allow yourself to mourn your losses, the Sarentu, the AlmaCortez you knew and one day, the true AlmaCortez. Grieve for yourself before you grieve for her..>” Minang’s hand came and settled on her chest. “<You are strong to have endured all that you have. You can allow yourself to rest that strength. There is no weakness in that.>”

Ri’nela could feel the heat return to her eyes, her throat thick and her breath shook before she closed her eyes.

-

Kìoetey was hesitant to return to the office but… at the very least she felt the need to actually check in with the other Eastern Resistance members beyond the woman now that they had plans. Teylan said he was going to get his things together, as little as he had, in preparation to leave for the Zeswa’s clan but Kìoetey wasn’t ready to go straight off like he was. Not yet. The resistance still needed them.

Getting closer, she paused as she heard voices talking among each other in a very intense conversation.

“… look here. Those signals are rapid… she must have been in a lot of pain..”

“Briefly, not unexpectantly, but the pain responses here decreased as sporadic activity spiked once the seizure kicked in. If anything, a seizure was triggered very quickly after the rupture. There’s no signs of consciousness after the seizure wains off and the blood starts to increase the pressure inside the skull... most likely falling into a coma first.”

Kìoetey’s gut tenses as she realised they were talking about Alma. Her condition. She found herself just listening, not interrupting the scientists.

“With the build-up of blood, that could have forced the brainstem down against the skull.” The second voice continued, very matter-oh-factly. “Do you think it could have been the cause of death over internal haemorrhaging? I’m inclined to believe that, even without a body to check.”

There was a heavy sigh. “It’s possible but there’s a lot of factors, Max. Maybe Hydrocephalus following the haemorrhage? The scanner did show blood within the cerebral fluid before the rupture.”

“She had a sentinel bleed days before. Nalin confirmed that. Death occurred far too quickly for that to be too much of a factor.”

There was a soft hiss of a wince. “Ouch.” There was a pause. “She should never have left the base after that. She should have been put onto bed rest and medically observed.”

“We can’t change what’s happened, Norm. Nalin is still learning how to run the medical bay. She’d newer to the role and to the Resistance than Dr Bashir. Plus, I don’t think it was the bleed that killed her. Look, the bleed is bad and I don’t doubt the severity of the bleed but… I’m concerned about how quickly she deteriorated. She died within six minutes of the rupture. Nalin mentioned she suffered facial paralysis and slurred speech. I think that cardiac arrest followed once the damage to the brainstem was too extensive. There was no saving her.”

There was a long pause as Norm took a heavy breath.

“Think she would have survived the procedure?”

“Given her scans here… probably not. Nalin’s running blood samples she took before her death so we should have some bio-data to go off without a body. It was mentioned she was on some Na’vi herbal remedies that apparently did nothing. I’m not so sure.”

“You think it could be a factor?”

“I think it’s always good to explore all avenues. Na’vi herbs in the human body linger a lot longer since our bodies process them a lot slower. If it affected her blood, then it could have thinned it enough to spread faster.”

“Still, it’s fascinating to see the post-death activity before activity ceased. It almost looks like she was dreaming. I don’t think we’ve had scans this detailed before…”

Kìoetey felt a little uneasy, a twisting discomfort in her gut the more she heard before she decided to enter, knocking lightly at a panel to let them know before she entered the space to see the Dreamwalker of Norm and Max was seated behind the desk, the monitors live with different imagines of Alma’s brain scans in different stages, One scan showed a lot of dark mass at the lower half, she could hazard a guess what the dark represented.

“Ah, Kìoetey.” Max quickly tapped the screen, minimising the images and turning it into a simple interface. “You look unwell. Are you okay?”

Kìoetey swallowed thickly. “I’m… planning to spend some time away from the resistance with the Zeswa with Teylan. I wanted to check in first and get an idea of… what’ll happen now.”

Norm nodded. “Of course. You’ve… been through a lot in a short amount of time. I’m so sorry to hear about what happened about.. your people and Alma’s death.”

“Did Alma ever mention us to you?”

“No. She mentioned she was part of an RDA program in the West but never went into detail. I did ask a few times about it but she always avoided the topic. I see why but… doesn’t make it right.”

Kìoetey inhaled softly. “She always did like her secrets.” She knew the Eastern crew knew little if Anqa of all people knew less of TAP but.. it made her sad to think about it.

“I think… I know this sounds bad and I’m not defending her at all but if Jake knew what she had been a part of, he would have had her sent back to Earth with the rest of the Sky People. She knew that.” Norm spoke, looking apologetic as he said this. “I’m sorry.”

Kìoetey shook her head. “I get it.” She did, unfortunately. A lie to keep her on the planet she loved despite the moral and ethical debacle of the TAP program in her shadow. She knew she was in the wrong to lie about it, gloss over the details enough to not stir up more questions. It was still 16 years of lying to the resistance.

“So’lek brought back some of Alma’s things from the station. We’ve decided to put them into storage unless there’s anything there you want to keep. Also, we’ve found some messages she left recorded for you.”

Kìoetey’s eyebrow pulled in. “Messages? Did she know?”

The two looked at each other before Norm spoke.

“I warned her that her survival chances in medical weren’t good and… encouraged her to leave a last message in the event of her death in the procedure. She made six messages. One for each of you and Alex and So’lek and… for us.” Norm gestured to himself. “She knew the risks of the surgery but was willing to take it.”

Kìoetey’s eyes widened. Her heart twinging. Alma had given them a chance to say goodbye? “You?”

“Generic things in terms of the resistance, updates she didn’t write down, the reburial of her avatar, that sort of thing. It’s all here.” Max patted the monitor softly. “Do you want to watch it?”

Kìoetey nodded softly. “Can you save them for me? I will watch it later and… give the others theirs when they’re ready.”

“Sure, this thumb drive okay? Or do you want it on the tablet?”

“Thumb drive.” Kìoetey decided, recognising the drive that Nalin had used a lot in terms of Alma’s data. Her medical file had been copied off by now, so… why not keep it herself? See what the data she had saved on there fully. It wasn’t like anyone else was going to use it.

Once they were done, she let them put it into a sealable plastic bag and handed it over. The drive was tiny in her hands but it felt like it had weight. She slipped it into her side pouch with a nod.

“Thank you.” She said, “How long are you staying?”

“A week. We’ve got to refuel, and keep an eye on the RDA patrols for a few days to ensure our way back’s all good.” Norm said.

“Let me know when you’re reburying the avatar. I can… help.” She knew why they’d rebury it; a new grave meant a more respectful one. It wouldn’t undo the damage that Jason and all his morons had done but it was an easier solution with some sense of respect restored. Since she had no part in Alma’s true body and Ri’nela had dealt with the avatar’s body before; she wanted to try and be there for this version, no matter how unpleasant it would be given it was still in active decay. She could put a mask on. Problem solved.

“Are-are you sure?”

“I… yes.” Perhaps it may offer some closure, maybe not but there was only one way to find out.

“We’ll radio you if you’re away,” Max said, reaching for a pen to write a note down, a reminder. “Did you want to help find a spot to rebury her or…”

Kìoetey hesitated, a part of her wanted to nod and say yes but she was surprised by her own reluctance. “I… ask me another day.” She opted to answer with. Perhaps it was still raw news but it was a lot to ask of her. Reburying the avatar was far simpler than choosing a place to rest its bones. It carried significant weight. Perhaps she wasn’t ready to bear it just yet. She had a minimum of a week to decide.

-

Ri’nela looked more at ease when Kìoetey next saw her return back into the base as she tended to Amay’s harness with the new weight of her belongings out back. Minang wasn’t with her but she considered their Tsahìk had opted to return to the clan first to prepare for their stay. She had seen the Tsahìk’s Ikran descend.

“<How are you feeling?>” Kìoetey asked, touching Ri’nela’s arm.

Ri’nela let out a heavy breath. “<Lighter. Minang has… a lot of wisdom.>”

Kìoetey relaxed considerably. “<I’m glad to hear it. Did she tell you of her offer to us?>”

“<She’s offered to help teach me along with her Tsakarem. I can learn a lot from her. I want to learn. Use her wisdom for guidance for our own.>” Ri’nela said. “<I’m glad to hear Teylan will be joining us. I didn’t expect that.>”

“<He’s… seeing a new side to human friends he doesn’t like. He’s… still trying to process it all. Not just Alma’s death.>”

Ri’nela’s lips pursed. “<How is he?>”

“<Emotional. He needs time as well but being around the Zeswa may be what he needs. He’s aware of that so… that’s a good start for him>”

Ri’nela smiled softly. “<Indeed.>”

“I’m about to fly out to the plains myself. Did you need a lift or do you have other arrangements?”

“Anqa will drop me and Teylan off later today or tomorrow. I still have a few things I need to do.”

“I thought Teylan was leaving as soon as possible?” Kieotey remembered.

“I can talk him into leaving with me to make it easier on Anqa. You?”

“I will be yo-yo-ing back and forth from the resistance. There’s still a lot to do to help. Especially with the Dreamwalker’s pregnancy. They may need Anufi or Minang’s expertise to deliver.”

Ri’nela tisked, blinking in swift recollection. “I completely forgot about that.”

“I do wish to help with the child. Live between two bodies will not be easy to cater to a child in one.” She’d see of course if the parents would allow that but she had never seen a Dreamwalker baby (excluding the fetuses she had killed) so it was certainly going to be exciting to see a baby around. Kìoetey hoped that… maybe a clan would be more willing to accept a Dreamwalker’s child as an ally; to allow that child a future with the people regardless of its parentage.

“Perhaps not but we should keep a respectable distance. Dreamwalkers are not Na’vi.”

“They’re not Alma. Ri’nela. They know that.”

Ri’nela stared for a moment before she shook her head. “<Sorry. It’s… I’m angry still with her. Better than before but…”

“<I understand>” Kìoetey closed the distance, setting a hand on her shoulder.

“<Have you forgiven her? Cortez?>”

Kìoetey cocked her head. “<Why are you asking?>”

“<You’re acting like all her sins are forgiven and that you feel like we should throw ourselves down and weep…>” Ri’nela stated, her tail swishing as she gestured softly towards the direction of the avatar’s grave.

“<Most of my anger has passed but that doesn’t mean my passivity is forgiveness. That my attempts to care for her are forgiveness. I haven’t forgiven her, Ri’nela.>” Kìoetey sighed. “<And I’d never expect you or anyone to do that.>”

Ri’nela’s tense expression faded out softly. “<Will you ever reach that place to forgive her?>”

“<One day.>” She could feel it in her heart but not yet. “<I do wish she had survived. It… wouldn’t have been easy to be around her but… seeing her make that effort, to try and earn forgiveness… to see she genuinely wanted to change... That would have meant something.”

“<I… I cannot consider it. Not yet.>”

“Do not rush it.”

Ri’nela nodded, sucking in a deep breath but looked ready to move on to something else. “I need some food. Radio if you need anything.”

Kìoetey dropped her hand. “<I’ll let you know about the arrangements the Zeswa will provide.>”

Masterlist

[dilfsyndrome]

Hidden Weakness

⚠︎︎ Afop Spoilers ⚠︎︎

Saving this quest for last since I got a lot more to do and since it is like the final quest till next update then I’m saving it for last.

(Alma just standing there)

[rinelasheart]

Wow I’m a buffoon. It just hit me how integral female leadership is in AFOP.

Etuwa as tsahìk of the Aranahe. Nesim and Minang as tsahìk and olo’eyktan of the Zeswa. Anufi as tsahìk (and the only actual leader) of the Kame’tire. Ri’nela as the developing tsahìk of the Sarentu. Even as controversial as she is, Alma of the Resistance.

Women as authority figures is a prominent element in the game, and it’s done in a natural and authentic way that doesn’t feel “girlbossy” or like performative empowerment. This is the way.

[pandoraheadcanons]

Who's your favorite character in AFoP by the way? That is if you have one.

Haven't been playing much got to maybe the second clan and just bought sky breaker (it being a nonstop ping in my questlog broke me.)

My favorite character is one you'll meet with the Kame'tire, Okul! They're so funny and I just love their whole vibe, and their approach to things.

Minang and Nesim are also two of my favorite characters, because the Zeswa are such an amazing clan, and I love their sisterhood.

From the humans, I really like Alexander! His way of talking is so relatable to me, and I always like his calls at the labs.

[bluealienobsesser]

Afop has given us more dynamics between oloektan and tsahik

Nesim and minang being sisters

Ka'nat and etuwa being a father daughter duo

Is it possible for tsireya and aonung to rule together as brother and sister?

[xxxkvitravn]

The coolest na'vi in one room 🔥

[bluealienobsesser]

I love the zeswa but I wish they kept their purplish color

[xxxkvitravn]

[pandorafallz]

Lest We Rest Upon Our Graves | C21

Kìoetey’s heart remained in her mouth and her feet were starting to hurt but she didn’t want to stop so soon. She knew she was close…. She had to be. From Horseshoe Mountain station, there had been two sets of shoe prints leaving the station in one direction. Alma wore cargo boots that had a very distinct and worn pattern from more extensive use while Nalin wore more basic boots that had a generic pattern and were newer in comparison.

She had followed them, even through the yavä but it became lost over rocks and she couldn’t find it and she spent hours trying to retrace the steps and walking in circles. The only steps she did fine were Nalin’s set returning back to horseshoe mountain; not straight, weaved in and out and circled once as well, so tracing that back also became near impossible once she got to a cracked hill but there was nothing to follow to.

Her gut told her she was close, even though she smelt no rot or decay, she felt it in her heart that Alma was nearby. A human body was small, easily missable in the large forest and fog. There were other possibilities that turned her stomach to think that the Shroud would have taken the opportunity to use any available warm corpse. But she didn’t feel that was the case, not if Alma was covered in the lingering hints of Yavä still. They wouldn’t go near poisoned flesh.

Nalin had said the tree was eating her. So logically, Kìoetey had lingered around the nearby trees, assuming that Nalin meant the tree roots would eventually take in any minerals Alma’s body released, but again, she should be smelling the decay if she was by a tree and close by.

Where was she? How could she just…disappear?

“Alma, where are you?” She whispered, swallowing thickly, coming to jump from the rocky hill onto the soft mossy ground, missing the human-crawl-able space in the stone’s cracked surface behind her legs as she looked on over the area in front. Moss, thick grass and stones covered the way of disturbed soils.

“Sarentu.” So’lek’s voice broke through the woods, echoing a little before she felt her shoulder slump, already having a sinking feeling that he was here to take her home.

Her eyes followed his movement as he appeared from the right through the bow fern then headed towards her with a soft expression on his face.

“I…I couldn’t find her.” Kìoetey hated the words that fell from her lips. “I know…I know she’s so close but I can’t find anything.”

So’lek’s eyes remained soft, offering a touch to her shoulder which she allowed. “You did your best, Sarentu. There is no shame in returning home before dark. ”

“I have to bring her back, So’lek. Alma needs a funeral.”

So’lek let out a patient sigh. “It will be time for lunch soon and Ri’nela and Teylan will need you to help… process this unexpected loss. Teylan is confused about what he feels and Ri’nela is angry. I do not know what to say to soothe that simmering rage.”

Kìoetey swallowed thickly. “Five more minutes?”

“Alma would not fault you for not finding her. She rests upon their grave. I suspect she chose a place that would not be easily accessible, out in the open or would have written down coordinates to follow. Given what you brought to me yesterday morning, it is no surprise she feared what may happen if people found out the location.”

“I already told her we stopped the humans doing that,” Kìoetey argued softly.

“I don’t think that mattered at that point. The damage was done and she knew already decided.” So’lek dropped his touch. “Desecrated land is still desecrated.”

Kìoetey swallowed thickly. “I…I thought It would be easier for her to visit them. I wanted to visit them as well. Mercer killed them in cold blood, like Aha’ri. That…baby wasn’t even born yet.” Her tone turned bitter. “He didn’t need to have killed the baby.” She remembered the size of that tiny human femur bone, the largest bone in the human body and it wasn’t even half the size of her thumb.

So’lek hummed. “No, he didn’t but that didn’t change the outcome of the past. Alma’s losses are not yours to bear, Sarentu. You cannot wish them back. Alma is gone. Sometimes… there may not be ways to find the end we seek from the dead. We can add her to the memorial when you’re ready.”

Kìoetey reluctantly nodded. He was right…. She knew that but it wasn’t easy to hear. “Why…why didn’t you tell us she was sick, So’lek? You…you knew she was dying.”

So’lek didn’t look surprised at the question, as if he expected it. “I considered it. When I concluded it was her that was sick, I did confront her privately about it. I told Alma to tell you herself of her condition. She refused. I thought of giving her a… ultimatum but she suffered another bleed from her nose. In her absence, Normspellman called and informed me of their time and their plan for treating her. I believed she had the time to tell you or you would find out after the surgical procedure of the condition.”

Kìoetey wanted to feel anger at So’lek but couldn’t find it within her. He believed she would be fine as well. That was not his fault. “Why did she refuse? I know Nalin said she didn’t want to make a big deal out of it but… surely…” There had to be more to it. More to why.

So’lek began to walk, so Kìoetey followed with him back towards the direction of the station.

“Fear, mostly.”

Kìoetey sighed deeply. A simple answer but didn’t feel like it was the full story. “Because I scared her?”

“No, no entirely.” So’lek declined softly, “It is a…complex situation. You’re not at fault here, Sarentu”

Kìoetey sucked her teeth softly before she let out a heavy sigh of defeat. “Let’s go home, So’lek.”

-

The trip back was uneventful really, So’lek went to the station to pick up a few things and Kìoetey took Amay back to the Base. It was quiet when she landed although there were a few people milling about, recovered enough to start their work for the day. However, she couldn’t stop but overhear a few humans in an oddly good mood that felt out of place.

“...I’m honestly surprised she didn’t kick the bucket sooner. Would have done us all a favour.”

Kìoetey’s jaw tensed as she heard the whisper, her eyes flickering about the human faces but none seemed to look her way.

“Don’t you think that’s a little harsh?”

“Can’t be worse than what she did to the Sarentu, right? I’d call that Karma. She kills them, they kill her. Pretty neat.”

Kìoetey couldn’t help herself as she detoured from the airlock straight around to the despicable sight of Jason.

The guy shrunk back at her sudden appearance in utter surprise. “K-Kìoetey…”

“I will not stand for you to talk so cheerfully over the death of Alma or any of our allies. I do not care if you don’t like her or your personal opinions on what she did to me and my clan. That is not any of your business and you have no voice to determine what she deserves or not. Keep talking and I’ll see to your job all day, every day will be latrine duty for the rest of your time out here.”

Jason went to open his mouth but his companion straight out stomped on his foot to shut him up.

“I… I apologise on behalf of my friend.” The friend said quickly, “I’m sorry.”

Kìoetey hummed, unconvinced but didn’t hold onto it longer as she turned and returned back towards the airlock, glad for one the human knew better than to mutter behind her back.

Inside, she was greeted with more hung-over, recovering humans but the place looked more orderly now. The sides were clear and the trash was shoved into bags to be sorted.

However, Kìoetey gave pause as she noticed a tall, unfamiliar woman; a Dreamwalker, clearly but with an obvious bump from her lower half talking with Nalin who looked a bit better and sipping from a big mug of water.

Dreamwalkers… she had forgotten about that in her rush outside.

Nalin noticed her first, not meeting her eye and looked straight to the floor, the Dreamwalker turned and rose from her crouch which only made the bump of her child larger. She was in about her thirties, purple tank ton and grey-green shorts, her hair was braided back from her face but shaved down at the sizes, and she had delicate features and surprisingly large eyes for Dreamwalker. Very Na’vi-like.

“<I see you, Sarentu.>” the woman said in clear Na’vi.

Kìoetey returned the gesture. “Who are you?”

“I’m Molly. Molly Curfman.” The woman spoke. “I’m just…. catching up on what’s happened. I’m sorry to hear about what happened to your people.”

Kìoetey just nodded, not ready to address that with a stranger but she appreciated her acknowledgment. “Where is your… husband? The others?”

“Daniel’s talking to Norm and Alex still on reorganisation and potential upgrades to install for the new base. I last heard Max is looking through paperwork Alma left for them.” Molly listed casually.

“Paperwork>”

“Data. Alma consented for the Resistance to use the complied data from her scans to study the effects the death of an avatar brings to its driver. From where we can… try and understand why it occurred the way it did and try and find ways to escape the second death for other drivers..”

Kìoetey’s tail twitched with unease but as much as she didn’t like it… there was reasonable logic. Scientists.

“Do you know where Ri’nela is?”

“Outside, back exit with Teylan,” Nalin spoke up. “I… I haven’t seen them but that was what Jin-young said when he came back with some lumber.”

“Thank you.” She departed from the two and headed out the airlock again and made her way up the steps until she found herself outside again, the breeze tickling her flesh as she sought two familiar faces among the foliage outside.

Teylan looked... confused, tapping along the screen of his tablet and his tail thumping the ground every so often.

Ri’nela was just… sitting down and also on a tablet and frowning at it in discontent. Kìoetey tilted her head, taking note that it was a static image of a brain scan.

“Is that Alma’s brain?”

Ri’nela’s head turned to her softly before she tossed the tablet onto the grass beside her.

“It’s an old scan Cortez sent to the eastern crew.” She sounded dissatisfied still, her jaw tight still.

Kìoetey inhaled deeply. “I couldn’t find her. I tried… but the trace disappeared.”

Teylan’s head rose, his brow pulling in. “Maybe she’s where she wants to be? Not to mention, she’s also got her mate and child with her so… they’re together at the very least. She’s not alone out there.”

Kìoetey knew that was what he was telling himself, nor was he technically wrong but it wasn’t like they were with Eywa. No proper rites or… anything. Still, she’d not tell him that. He was content with what he understood.

“She should have told us about this.” Ri’nela gestured to the tablet. “She should have told us she was sick and dying.”

“And when did you think it was a good time for her to announce she was dying?” Kìoetey asked,  coming to settle down upon the grass. “Would you have believed her?”

Kìoetey wanted to think she’d straight off believe her and go from there if she had been told in time but… she wasn’t blind to her own actions and where her anger had lashed out before and the aftermath had pushed Alma all but away from talking to them. She knew there was a real part of her that may have initially brushed the statement off and assumed she was just saying that for attention.

For their pity.

Alma had acted like a kicked puppy, so to speak, since the avatar died before she almost broke her arm. Since then… closed off. Not willing to be too close either.

Ri’nela’s eyes rose from the tablet. “She could have spoken to me.” She scoffed, shaking her head.

“Ri’nela, I don’t fault your anger or the reasons behind it but… she’s not coming back. There’s no ‘What if’s here. There’s a lot that we don’t know about or why Alma hid that from us but—“

“Cortez kept it from us because she was scared of us but… it’s not fair to us to just.. go off and die like that.” Ri’nela shook her head. “She should have told us that. We deserved to know after all that she had put us through.”

Kìoetey stared at her friend tiredly. “I don’t know what to do.” She admitted. “A part of me wants to be angry and mad like you. Find reason to justify my rage but… then I’m just clinging to it and for what? She’s not about to shout at until my head feels clear. She’s not about to talk to to get the weight off my chest or to clear the air between us. She’s not there for any of us to…” She struggled to finish.

Ri’nela remained quiet for a moment despite her simmering. “Did Nalin say anything to you?”

“No, she’s… keeping to herself. I think she’s recovering from the… ordeal.” Kìoetey said, her hand coming to rub her forehead. “I wished she called us sooner… we could have brought them back.”

Teylan let out an uneasy sniffle. “What do we do now?” He looked between them.

Ri’nela let out a heavy sigh, some of her mood fizzling out. “I don’t know. There’s nothing to be done in regard to Cortez. No body, no funeral. Nothing. Maybe… So’lek might have some ideas but I don’t think I want any part of that.”

Kìoetey frowned. “You really want to cut all ties with Alma?”

“There’s no Cortez anymore.” Ri’nela rose to her feet, leaving the tablet on the dirt. “I’m going to meditate in the Ancestors’ rest. Don’t bother me unless you need me for something.”

Kìoetey didn’t say anything but watched her go sadly before Teylan sniffed loudly. Kìoetey sighed deeply but moved to sit beside him, pulling him to her side. He sunk quickly into her shoulder before he began to bawl loudly as she rubbed his back.

-

Teylan cried for a while before he settled into silent tears and the occasional hiccup she kept her comfort with him, feeling him let it all out had made her own tears spill but she felt… relief in its wake to allow those gates to open for a little bit. For him, it was necessary. Confusion and grief were a horrid mix.

Kìoetey knew where she stood but… not Teylan. Coming back to the Resistance from Mercer, dealing with contempt from those humans he hurt his actions had hurt, loss of his human friends in the attack and… learning what Alma had been a part of to… this? It was a lot for him. He had a lot to grieve and it was more than just Alma’s death.

She could sort of see where Ri’nela was coming from and… anger was an easy emotion to cling to to avoid grief. To avoid feeling the loss and to avoid reconciling the fact they weren’t going to get the closure they craved to what Alma had done to them. Anger was easy, but it wasn’t healthy. Being angry at Alma was too easy when the woman wasn’t even alive to defend herself. Ri’nela had never been the one to cling to anger like this before and… it was odd to witness.

Kìoetey didn’t know how to reach Ri’nela through this. It was… too personal for her to speak with objectivity. They needed someone else to talk to her. A Tsahìk.

Either Minang or Anufi would offer wisdom to them in this situation. Minang, probably was the wisest choice since Alma had no part in her clan’s withdrawal. She made a mental note to take a trip at some point.

“Teylan,” Kìoetey started slowly, “Do you want to go inside and get a drink?”

“No.”

“No?”

“S-some people are happy… I don’t get why they’re happy that she’d gone.” Teylan slowly pushed himself up slowly, “She was their friend once. She… led the resistance.”

Kìoetey sighed deeply. “It’s complicated. Humans are not Na’vi and won’t react like we do.” Which, as Kìoetey realised quietly with a pang, was probably another reason Alma had made sure not to mention it before; the human’s enjoyment of her death. For those who believed she deserved it. Alma knew some people were going to relish it. She didn’t want to know who would.

Did Alma believe that… they were among those who would be pleased?

“Why don’t we go inside and get some food? We don’t have to go inside fully but there should be fire to sit at.”

It took a little more coaxing before she got them onto their feet, keeping her arm around him and the tablets under her arm as she led the way back in and down to the fires and she set the tablets down in favour of throwing together a small meal for them both for lunch.

There wasn’t much appetite but Kìoetey ate anyway to feed her body but she watched Teylan mostly pick at his before he noticed her looks to actually eat. He did do with more pinned ears, disgruntled but compliant. It made her feel a little better that he had food in his belly nonetheless.

“I want to help… with the memorial for Alma but…” Teylan paused, “It might mean talking to Jin.”

Kìoetey paused, “You want to help with that?”

“I think so? I think I’ll feel bad if I don’t.”

“I’ll talk to Jin to ask.” Kìoetey decided, “I might get him to agree if you only talk about the memorial. No referencing his losses.”

Teylan nodded softly. “If he agrees.”

A figure strolled into her peripheral before she realised who it was, pleasantly surprised.

“<Minang.>” She rose to her feet, offering a tired smile. “<I’m glad to see you.>”

Minang looked between them carefully. “<So’lek invited me back after he came to collect the sky-people devices we used during the battle. We forgot to return them sooner. He mentioned… an impactful death occurred and he was worried for you.”

“Alma died.” Kìoetey swallowed uneasily. “Unexpectantly… last night.”

Minang’s head tilted but didn’t look surprised. “<I see.>”

Kìoetey frowned, “<Did… you know?>”

Minang came forward and gently sat with them. “<I did.>”

Kìoetey tusked a little. “<She told you but she didn’t tell us.>” Unbelievable. Why did Minang get to know before them? Why did it feel like everyone else knew but them?

“<I inquired about her health when I noticed the shadow of sickness in her eyes and she told me of her condition>” Minang spoke “<As Tsahìk, It is something we notice in people around us. Especially if they’re close to returning to Eywa.>”

Kìoetey grimaced. “<I didn’t notice she was sick. I just wish she told us. Why didn’t you tell us?>”

“<It is not the Zeswa way.>” Minang sighed softly, “<Zeswa will walk away from the clan when death is near, connect to Eywa for a final time and go on our journey and meet the great mother. We honour their path as a valiant gesture and let them be known as dusk riders. One day, I will walk away from my people, hopefully old and a long life lived but it will ease them to know I ride with Eywa without harbouring too much weight with my death.>”

Kìoetey frowned. “<But… what of funeral rites for you? Your body?>

“<Eywa will reclaim it where I fall.>”

“<But what about animals?>”

“<Then the animals will be nourished with my gifts my body will provide, just as Na’vi hunters are gifted with the tributes of their kill.>” Minang explained, unconcerned.

Kìoetey swallowed uneasily. “<It doesn’t bother you?>”

“<Why does it trouble you of what comes of our bodies after our death?>” Minang asked back. “<Our spirit remained unharmed in Eywa.>”

Kìoetey inhaled deeply, turning her attention away. “<I… I don’t know. All of the Sarentu that fell were desecrated in death by the Sky people. My people… My mother was dissolved into nothing in the yavä they split to hide their deaths. There weren’t even any bones for me to find. To bury.>”

Minang let out a more understanding hum. “<All clans have different approaches to funeral rites and what comes of the body. No clan is right or wrong on what comes of our bodies. Our choices are listened to, even if we do not wish to follow the tradition of our clan. The Omatikaya once buried their dead beside the roots of the Hometree before their home was felled by the sky people. Tayrangi Clan offer their remains to nourish their Ikran and the Kame’tire will often bury their dead close to Eywa when possible. While your people’s remains are gone from the physical world, they will receive a spiritual rite to return them Eywa when it is safe for us to do so. I will gladly help when the time comes.>”

“<I would be grateful. But… I know I will speak to them in Eywa after. I will heal one day. But a human body… is not Na’vi. She won’t go to Eywa. I won’t… be able to find any means of healing the wounds she inflicted on us in our past. I wanted to speak to her. She agreed to talk to me today before she was due to undergo a medical procedure that could have saved her. I expected to see her today…>” Kìoetey swallowed thickly. “<I won’t ever get to see her again. I tried to find her, at the very least but…>”

“<Did she pass on in a place she wanted be be?>” Minang questioned.

Kìoetey shrugged, staring vacantly into the fire now. “<I hope so. She was… Nalin was there at her side when she died. Alma was… performing a funeral rite for her mate and child… then…>”

“<Then she is where she is meant to be. Even if she is not with Eywa, she is with her family. Her body will nourish any plants or animals. Providing for them. It is not disrespectful.>” Minang’s hand was comforting as she touched her shoulder.

“<Ri’nela harbours a lot of anger towards Alma. A lot, half of it is justified with our history with Alma but I also believe rest of that is… misplaced to deny her feelings of grief. She also needs a Tsahìk’s guidance to help her through it.>”

“<Where is she now?>”

“<Ancestors’ Rest. Communing with Eywa>” Kìoetey said. “<I tried to talk to her but… we share the same pain in regards to Alma. I do not share her level of anger. She is training to be Tsahìk, I do worry about how that may affect her ability to listen to Eywa if anger consumes her.>”

“<I will seek her out soon.>” Minang promised, “<While it is a time of peace and for your time of grief, would you like to spend that time with the Zeswa? Kìn would open his tent for your stay. Many are still living with loss from the last battle and would offer words and gestures of comfort.>”

Teylan let out a heavy sigh, looking conflicted. “<I-I would like to go. For-for a little bit.>”

Kìoetey couldn’t help but look at him in surprise. “<You would? I thought you preferred it here>”

Teylan hesitated a little. “<I do. It’s safe here. But… but listening to people laugh about her death, peeing on her Dreamwalker’s grave and… I know some of them aren’t happy about me because I got people hurt and killed too. I want to try but… but I think I need some more help. Na’vi help. The Tsahìk’s can’t… keep coming here all the time for just me. It makes more sense if I leave. As long as I stay in the camp with the Zakru. I should be okay, Right?>” He spared a worried look to Minang.

“<Of course.>”

“<I don’t have to stay all day every day. I-I can come back often anyway. It’s… It’s an odd freedom to have now. I just need to get use to it…I think.>” he said that last bit, mostly for himself it seemed.

Nonetheless, Kìoetey stared at him for a moment then smiled softly with relief filtering into her heart. He wanted to try and be with Na’vi. That was…amazing. A small start and one she hoped he’d stick to.

Minang rose back to her feet, her hand lingering on her shoulder. “<I will tend to Ri’nela, should you need me>”

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