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pandorafallz · 3 months ago

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Vampire AU | Quietly Known

Trudy’s tablet blinked once innocently, indicating the presence of a new message but she didn’t look at it straight away as she mulled quietly inside the link shack, almost alone as the science duo prepped for a new expedition down into the forests but… the pilot had felt the need to get a confirmation of a growing suspicion she had with a member of their team.

Two months living with Grace and Norm at Site 26 had been… enlightening in an interpersonal manner. She hated to admit that it took her far longer than she had liked to pick up anything wrong with Grace. Well, not wrong, per se, but off. Different.

Yes. Different.

She had been here since early 2152, now two years into her six-year contract (something she was thinking about a lot more now) and she had primarily moved the Science groups around the forest well enough. She wasn’t oblivious as she liked to make herself seem to most people and certainly didn’t want to change that image either when it was necessary. Something she would have to cling onto now that she knew what the doctor was, but she had the bait set for confirmation. To be 100% certain.

The paleness, the shadows under her eyes before she had one of her ‘supplements’ which Trudy had realised was a repacked blood bag (she didn’t dare open one to check but it was fairly obvious to her based on the bag's weight, shape and squishiness) and the… hangry mood swings that were only ever prominent when the woman wasn’t plugged into her avatar.

Trudy had been keeping careful track of the doctor’s lack of food and water intake the last week to notice the doc wasn’t actually touching any of it. At first, since it threw off her supply demands; always had more than expected. With what she considered now, it was possible the doc couldn’t physically consume human food or drinks which made her feel far better about the drink they made that the doc got rid of.

There was no way she could let the doc know she was aware nor could she tell Norm either; he wouldn’t believe and Grace wouldn’t fall for her trap again so innocently plus, they were alone with her in the mountains so… it wouldn’t be good to do that.

Of course, Grace was only one part of a growing problem, Trudy knew that while the doctor was potentially very dangerous, she had seen no signs that they were being harmed in any way out here. Unlike the growing problem with SecOps and the dozers which was slowly becoming a hot-bed between them and Selfridge. Sure, she was tucked away here but her folks in SecOps were not quiet about their frustrations on Selfridge’s new rules and management over new security features.

The guy seemed to think he had good ideas, like the trackers they had installed on her Samson (and everyone else’s ships). Trudy knew where they were and laughed a little because… the trackers only worked outside of the flux vortex and every pilot knew that. They could rid and ditch the trackers later once masked if they didn’t already and while the mountains were the main areas of the flux, there were still pockets dotted about all around that every pilot knew for safety navigation reasons. Small pit-stops for those dedicated. Trackers solved nothing. Selfridge hadn’t yet tagged anything bigger than a Samson either which really showed where the guy’s assumptions were.

(Something that may come back to bite him)

In combination with the growing problem and the fact her friends weren’t interested in Selfridge’s plan with Hometree which was still months (and more, hopefully) away, they were keeping options open; they just needed a contingency plan and a good push. Maybe she could get Norm to come with her?

But what about Grace?

Trudy frowned, feeling a little torn.

Her tablet flashed again, dinging and drawing her attention down. She pulled it from the small shelve and opened it up to see two messages but both were sent from a… private chat. A specific chat.

{Chacón.}

{Westguard wants a word. Message when ready}

Her brow pulled in in surprise but mostly at the fact she was contacted directly by this group. She knew a little, that Westguard was a call sign of a long-deceased pilot but it was more known now as a group that worked… underground in contraband movements and trades under the table for RDA staff. Basic drugs, money and sexual favours were common trades but there were a few restrictions put into place, no weapons, sedatives or additives. Probably more but she didn't know.

This was made to help circumvent Selfridge and his idiocy excuse of leadership. As long as he never found out; they were good. Trudy never dabbled into it herself but… it had been a long since she was directly messaged. They contacted those they trusted to keep quiet and would benefit from helping them.

{Chacón here. What do you want?}

{The Na’vi artefact of that beaded Sarentu string Dr Augustine took to Site 26. That is a red priority, anything else from that clutch that can be taken discretely is also welcome.}

Trudy chewed her tongue for a moment.

{What’s in it for me?}

{A Westguard IOU}

Her eyebrows rose. That… was a big deal. She could get anything from that. Westguard had people not just in Hell’s Gate but also the other bases like Frontier West. Plentiful of aid if she called for it.

{My next return to Hell’s Gate is tomorrow. Tell me where to leave it.}

Once she found a time to sneak it away… maybe when Grace was linked up.

Her eyes followed Norm’s avatar as he moved and started to organise his bag pack for their next outing down below through the window of the shack. Already in her flight gear to get them down but she found herself lingering for a little with a fond smile.

Norm put small container after small container, a probe of some kind… a small tool sampling kit and cleaning supplies to stop cross-contamination… the usual stuff. Her heart relaxed in watching him work and made her last week more… bareable.

“Ow, fuck.” Grace’s voice hissed, followed by the predictable clatter of metal dropping onto metal.

Trudy turned to see the head of SciOps hurriedly shoving her hand into her pocket and stepping over her vintage compact mirror with a shrewd expression. “You okay, doc?” She asked innocently but genuinely.

“Oh, yes.” Grace nodded, waving off her concern. “Just cracked my arm. I’m linking up now. Be ready in five.” She patted her arm softly but it almost sent a shiver down her spine at the unnatural coolness. Her discomfort was missed as the doc walked towards the second compartment, allowing her the moment to pick down and pick up her compact mirror from the floor, watching the woman’s retreating back in front of her but also… absent in the silver-backed glass long before the doc was out of literal sight.

Her breath released shakily after the link bed echoed as it signalled that Grace was mentally absent from the shack. Her reprieve from sensitive ears. Her time to take a deep fucking breath and carry on.

Trudy hurriedly placed the mirror down onto her bed for now and grabbed her helmet and mask to get her Samson ready for their trip. She wasn’t foolish enough to try and hunt for more evidence which would only get her caught out and… she doubted neither of them wanted that. She’d not force Grace to panic or put her in a place to be panicked either.

Outside, Grace’s avatar was up and about by the time she left and putting things into the Samson and going over their list again with Norm. Her eyes followed the lead avatar for a moment before she slipped into the cockpit, pulling off her mask and putting on her helmet as she started the engines, the buzz and the roar settling her discomfort immensely.

“Let’s head south to the Wrawn River” Grace called in the coms, “I want new samples of a Baja tickler from there and samples from the surrounding areas.”

“Didn’t we get samples from Dr Masterson last week?” Norm asked, settling into the back.

“I want to do a comparison and see if the geological differences are similar or significant. The baja tickler tends to be a more swamp-based plant but I’ve spotted more saplings growing a little away from Hell’s Gate’s refinery. Perhaps there to help clear the soils?”

The two continued to talk about the science of the plant as Trudy got them in the air.

It was a shorter slight than anticipated but the two were too wrapped up in the science to really notice and hop out and continue on. Trudy remained inside, the engines slowing but not off to keep the predators from getting too close but it left her alone with her thoughts now as she contemplated her next move in all of… this.

Fuck.

Jake’s breath remained steady as he lined up his arrow. His target was only a few metres away but he could feel his muscle tension loosen the longer he held the string and the familiar dig into his fingers but he held his posture before he released.

Half a second later, with a heavy thud, the target set itself home into the faux target, the shot in the centre nut not dead-centre but that mattered little; he made a good shot. Pride filled his gut that only grew at Neytiri’s pleased expression as she went and examined the target, her finger running down the arrow.

“<You’ve perfected since I last saw you.>” She complimented. “”

Jake snorted. “” That probably shaved off a lot of weeks. Perhaps even a month of training.

Neytiri hummed and pulled the arrow out and returned it to him. “<If you make a clean kill, then you can go with Tsu’tey and his trainees to claim an Ikran.>”

Jake perked up. “Really?!”

Neytiri laughed. “<Yes but first… come with me. I have something I must give you.>”

“<Oh?>”

Neytiri said nothing but led the way with a mysterious grin. Jake followed but the path had become far too familiar now so when they reached Neytiri’s spot, he dipped behind the waterfall to see her rummaging around a few new baskets.

“<This is new?>” He noted. Baskets? Last time there was nothing, maybe a mat for comfort but nothing like containers or supplies. A few ceramic pots, some baskets with had some unspin fibres, cloth, a loom even and bones with small tools set around. Some fruit and food preparation was here as well.

“<My uncle requested having some of this here.>” Neytiri spoke bending down and looking through the fabric for something. “”

Jake seated himself down, taking a deep breath of the moist air from the waterfall that offered a pleasant background noise in waiting. Maybe this was a spot for N’deh as well? When he was away; maybe to feel close to Neytiri when he was barred.

Neytiri returned, in her hands was something bundled up in beige fabric and bound by string, and she sat with a swishing tail and an excited expression as she held it out to him

“<Thank you>” he curiously set it into his lap and tugged the string until it unravelled and he unwrapped it, “<I’m curious, do you often wrap gifts or was that something Augustine taught you at school?>” He had seen a few people exchange gifts but… not wrapped so he was curious.

“<Grace taught us humans celebrations and gift giving. Like the celebration of your birth, we do not celebrate it but we acknowledge it as means of a passage of our age and rites.>” Neytiri said, “With gift giving, I do like the surprise of covering it; seeing the anticipation of the receiver and their joy>”

Jake continued to unwrap before he found himself looking at four pieces of hide that were clearly very crafted together. Nantang hide, if he wasn’t mistaken. He picked one up, uncertain of what it was as he examined it, unwrapping it further to see it was painted with a complimentary red and with soft threading, and the string was longer on this with a second larger piece that was separate but part of it….

“Oh!” he knew what that was! He excitedly slipped the hand cover onto his left hand first, hiding his last two fingers into it before her hands came to help, securing the string around his first but slipped the large piece around his forearm and wove the string into it; a combined piece of not just a glove but an archer's arm guard his other arm did have a guard but smaller as that was put on as well but more decorative and to compliment his attire.

The other two wrapped ones were simple foot covers as well from his toes up to his ankle with a thick wrap. With nothing extra to go on his legs but it sat wonderfully; while fabric visually covered his big toe, his middle toe was covered by a large, hollowed Ikran claw. His fingers traced over the claw for a moment, glad it was short and blunt to not cause issue when stepping. The fabric underneath keeps it secured.

“These are beautiful!” he complimented, “You must have put so much work into it! Thank you.” He gushed, “Oh, I can’t believe I forgot about these. Damn, Kim’s gonna be so jealous. Ha.” He could watch her envy… and no doubt watch her make her own but still, as a group, they had slacked in these regards: the main covers to hide their Dreamwalker attributes. This should definitely push the others into getting theirs together.

Neytiri’s hand came to his arms, touching softly at the guards and then his fingers. Her cheeks flushed happily and flipped them over to view it from the back.

“<How is your hand flexibility?>”

Jake tested that, wiggling his fingers and while his last two were more restricted, it didn’t feel too imposing. “<Good. They shouldn’t hamper my shooting. I’ll see with my other tasks later but I don’t foresee a problem.>”

Neytiri nodded. “”

“<Nope, perfect.>” He rose to his feet, taking a few testing steps.

“<Once you’ve got your Ikran, you’ll be able to have shin guards. You can work with the leather workers to match the foot covers.>”

“<Oh I will. I want everything to match.” He grinned. “Oh, this has made my week. I do have to ask, why did you put it here? I don’t mind the answer but wouldn’t it have been easier if you had brought it from Hometree or something?”

Neytiri’s expression fell a little before she looked a little flustered. “<I… it would have been easier but I wanted to give it more privately. I only had the time to make yours and I did not wish to make the other Dreamwalkers notice in case they believe in favouritism… and with this type of gift, there may be some people who may misunderstand this gesture of a gift.>”

“Misunderstand?” Jake’s smile dimmed. “<What? That they’d assume something?>”

Neytiri hummed. “<Gift giving carries weight. Gifts between friends are common but often small trinkets and beads, sometimes jewellery. As an unmated woman, bigger gifts like this can be… mistaken as a form of courting. I did not wish for unwarranted gossip.”

“Ah.” He could see immediately where her worry was from. “<What do we do? Or say when people see these?>”

“<If they ask, tell them N’deh made them for you. He will happily take that burden to spare me and as he carries no power in the clan, he will not be hampered by it and all is seen innocently>” Neytiri said, grasping his other hand intently.

Jake sat down nodding. “<Okay. But… I also made you a gift. I have it on me because I kept forgetting to give it to you>” Was this on the same level as this or would be seen as an innocent gift?

Neytiri’s ears perked up a little. “<Me?>” but it seemed like she wanted it regardless.

From his pouch, he pulled out his gift, which wasn’t wrapped but he kept it cupped and hidden in his hands before she got impatient and pulled his fingers apart, making him laugh and resisted her attempts.

“<Let me see,>” she playfully slapped the top of his head.

He sniggered and released before she peered into his hand and gasped, pulling her gift free before he could shut his hands together.

Her eyes widened at the delicate piece, her fingers touching over the network of purple beads but her lips held a soft smile.

“<I was inspired after my first communion with Eywa. Purple is her colour, at least, I believe so. I… patterned the beads to resemble what I saw over the forest when we escaped the RDA; how the forest glows from above in this network-like pattern. As a tsakarem, I felt it was… fitting.>” he explained, growing nervous as she said nothing.

“<it’s… beautiful>” She held it to her chest, her hand moved and cupped his cheek. It took for a second like she wanted to lean in and close the distance but… she lent back swiftly as she started to much to his disappointment but that was made up quickly as she slipped it up her arm instead.

“<Come, you must make your kill>” She decided, renewed with energy and so, Jake nodded eagerly and picked up his bow.

Jake led the hunt again, the new additions to his wardrobe a little more forefront and took only some mild adaptation before his silence returned to his steps and he found the tracks of a lone yerik.

It wasn’t often they were alone, safer in herbs but it happened with a mature one was on its last legs or split off from the herb from an earlier interruption. Its head was down, munching away on from foliage and it had a nice dark hide with a white accent and slight matted fur from what he assumed was from sap. An adult, its head raised from its feeding and looking around nervously.

He raised his bow sideward to remain low to the ground, taking a quiet slow breath as he took aim and it was almost a blessing as it turned towards him, offering a direct view of its chest.

He drew back the string and exhaled as it lined true, and let go. The arrow shot forward and struck; striking the yerik down in a second; not even making a sound aside from the thud. Jake hurried forward, his hands coming to rest on its side as he offered her prayer.

“” He sat back, content in his heart but reached and retrieved his arrow.

Neytiri joined him as well, “You are ready.”

Mo’at’s Pa’li trotted easily through the foliage of the forest, far from Hometree but with purpose. She wore her gathering satchel for her herbs and she had been gathering some useful medicinal herbs that would benefit for Eliza’s care; weaker for adult Na’vi but a good strength for Humans or Na’vi children. She also needed a new strain of herbs to grow close to Hometree as a passing yerik had eaten too much of what they had been trying to cultivate naturally so they needed more to restart the cultivation and aid the plant to heal and regrow.

Some herbs were simply hard to get but also some were only best collected by the Tsahìk; a few herbs could have additive traces to them so it was necessary to gather few and far between as those gathering could absorb some of the herbs' properties when harvesting. She had been careful in gathering those and had washed her hands in the river and rubbed a cleansing leaf juice into her hands.

The gathering was only part of her purpose so far but one that sated Eytukan’s inquiry when she took her leave and she was not deceitful in it either but she had aimed to see more than just plants in this outing. Finding a sign was easy and so she followed it. The distinct smell of sky-people’s flying machines.

Their metal ships often left an unpleasant odour in the air that was very distinct and she could smell it was strong and consistent that seemed to tell her she was close to a recent drop-off of an RDA group. Mo’at quietly hoped it wasn’t a group of sky people searching for those humans on their lands but… she felt no fear or indication from Eywa she was in immediate danger so she kept on her travel.

Her efforts were rewarded as she heard voices not too far away and very distinctly English in language, the loudest and most common was an excited male but… she recognised the less intense female voice easily when she was close enough to a line of trees that acted like a curtain between them.

Graceaugustine.

Mo’at clicked her tongue, pausing her mount to get off and unbonded from it as she led on with a lingering hand on its neck and stepped through the treeline silently she saw the two Dreamwalkers.

They were set by a riverside and a collection of reeds and bast plants and a great vine that was a little upstream and offered as a natural bridge across; it was very open and quiet aside from the soothing sound of flowing water but Mo’at’s attention did return briefly to the stone formations around the water; hoping not to see burrows and thankfully, did not. They weren’t at risk yet.

Graceaugustine was easy to see; despite seeing her from the back and she was dressed as she typically remembered her; the same beige sky-people clothing, those shoes and that multi-coloured headband. She was accompanied by another Dreamwalker, a male with a type of hat on his head, also primarily in beige and with a red shirt underneath.

They were both seated a few metres away from a txumtsä'wll which made her nervous; also hoping their ignorance of the plant wouldn’t lead to their harm. These plants were respected for their dangers, being filled with potent poisons that would spurt when either filled or threatened. The latter was a real possibility as she could see a coloured wire from the tablet in their hand and it seemed to lead directly into the root of the plant.

Mo’at was perhaps observing the two for a mere two seconds before Grace’s posture stiffened up abruptly, halting in the middle of her conversation and turned to face her with a confused frown. Mo’at heart fluttered a fraction faster in surprise. Did her senses heighten through this body as well? She hadn’t expected that; this body had its limits given its heart was beating. Or was it simply a matter of passing traits that made her more aware of her surroundings?

These questions hung in the back of her mind in the second that followed and neither broke it. As Grace moved to her feet, facing her properly but Mo’at couldn’t help but notice the… necklace the Dreamwalker wore around her neck. A necklace she knew all too well.

Sylwanin’s necklace.

The unexpectedness of that made her pause. She knew Sylwanin had mentioned she had gifted it sometime before her death; she had never mentioned to who and had been waiting to see who would get that honour. After… she had assumed it had been lost and none of the people had claimed it. Sylwanin had gifted it to a Dreamwalker?

“Mo’at?” the voice brought her back from her mind sharply, breaking their silence“” Grace added, becoming formal in an instant as she stepped closer, her yellow eyes wide and clearly surprised by her appearance.

The male Dreamwalker spun up and almost tripped over his own tail but neither spared him much attention as he blushed about it.

“,” Mo’at said, her eyes dipped down to their work, their alien tools set out from their bag, “”

“<No, not at all.>” Grace spoke, her attention clearly turning and taking note of her bag and the Pa’li that was sniffing about, finding a pitcher plant to feed on. “<It is nice to see you. I didn’t expect to see you this far out from Hometree?>”

Inquiry laced the remark. Mo’at knew Grace was far more subtle in her questions. It seemed that hadn’t changed. “< For the most part, I am herb gathering. The abundance is furthest from frequent gathering hands. Some gatherings must be more careful than usual with their properties. Medical herbs are easier to gain from the mountains or its surrounding forest and I was aware that you were now living in the mountains. I thought I would take the opportunity to see you.>”

Graceaugustine’s head tilted before she smiled softly. “<We’re almost done here and we’re about to head back to our home. Do you wish to join us? We could catch up far more comfortably there.>”

Mo’at eyed the txumtsä'wll and nodded. She’d rather not risk standing too close to such a volatile plant so causally. “”

It wasn’t longer than five minutes as the two Dreamwalkers hurriedly collected their things together, extracting some fluids from inside with a thing, a long needle, the moss on the outside and a bit of its root before they packed up and disconnected the wire from the tree.

“<Will you take the Samson up?>” Grace asked.

“<No, but I know a pathway up from the ground. It’s only a twenty-minute climb>” She saw little reason, aside from the convenience, to take a metal ship up. It smelled and she’d rather not leave covered in it either. “<You can follow me if you wish to know the way>”

Graceaugustine considered her words, eyeing the bag in her hand then turned to the second Dreamwalker who finished up securing his bag.

“Norm, why don’t you get these secured on the ship? I’d rather you take these since they’re a little more volatile than our typical samples?”

The Dreamwalker, Norm, looked momentarily deflated at the suggestion but nodded respectfully on the request. “Alright.” Norm took the bag and vanished off into the treeline.

“<This way.>” Mo’at directed Graceaugustine to follow her towards the great vines as their point of reference. “<Is he new, the other Dreamwalker?>” She inquired after a moment of quiet walking, “”

“<Norm? Yes, he came here a few months ago.>” Grace spoke with fondness lingering in her tone, “<He’s a good scientist and pleasant company. That… does remind me, did your people perhaps run into a rogue avatar? We had a guy disappear off with a pilot into your territory and a few people followed after that.>”

Now, ever more grateful that Graceaugustine was in her avatar that she could not sense any… turn of words; lies or altered truths affected the body in a subtle way and while the Cold One in warm skin was bound by its limits, she was glad the subtleties could not be picked up the same way.

“<My daughter mentioned seeing a Dreamwalker run through the territories and investigated enough to tell them to move on or face the end of the arrow. They were intruders so they took their metal box and left our lands. To where, I have no idea.>” Mo’at spoke, which was the easiest thing to remember and stick to, after all, as it was their land, it would stand out more if they hadn’t noticed and hadn’t made an effort to keep the sky people off.

Playing ignorant would only work for so long before suspicions were aroused and she knew, with Grace and people like her, they’d pick up on that lie easily. While Mo’at distasted lies, she had come to learn that some had a purpose and more so when in dealing with sky people. The same reason the Dreamwalkers took on new clothes and appearances; was to protect the clan from unwanted attention. It was very little weight to do the same to ensure her people remained safe from the sky people and she had a duty to protect those under Uturu.

“<If more were located, they were probably turned away, it’s likely they went far from Omatikaya lands. I never personally have gotten involved. Why do you ask?>”

“<He and his buddy stole a lot of equipment and left. Theft is a crime for us so… his avatar, the module, the ship…. It costs a lot and taking it without permission can lead to serious trouble. Plus, abandoning the RDA is also a breach of his contract and also can be considered an offence. There’s… probably more to it but I only knew the guy for a week before he was gone.>”

It sounded like Jakesully’s absence weighed nothing to her concern either. She wasn’t sure what to make of that so she left it at that for now. “<Then he is of no concern or topic. Come.>”

Mo’at led the way towards the start of their ascent. Up ahead, she noticed the metal ship in the sky and high up and it disappeared. She instructed Graceaugustine to remove her shoes to make it easier but started up first.

The climb was familiar, but it had been a long time since she had made this sort of trip. Grace, surprisingly caught up despite clear inexperience, though struggled with her balance as they gripped the great vines and stalks as they climbed from one to another, using small floating rocks to stop and adjust to keep their strength and carry on.

By the time they reached the top and along towards the site of the metal home, Grace was heaving a little for breath and quietly grumbling by the time she took a few seconds up at the top to regain her strength.

On the front of stretched of grass and paywll trees dotted about, the metal ship was sat innocently and empty of Norm and its rider. The air was only dampened by the smell of its fuel still. Ignorable for now.

The small silver home sat connected with a few boxes on top and sat at an angle where the light didn’t shine so directly in but there were dark panels set facing the path of the sun. Not only were there the two metal homes but also there was a larger solid tent that was covered with a dark blue fabric cover over a frame, there were large triangular tarps with little rectangles on with wires coming down to connect inwards to some machinery.

Inside it was metal flooring but with lots of shelving set up, a few sky-person screens, and scientific tools; a few things looked familiar, like mortar and pastel. Plants were floating in liquid and a small living area beside the two hammocks on the far side for their Dreamwalkers.

Grace didn’t hesitate to go straight in and pulled out some water from the small cold box and downed it without another word.

Norm, the Dreamwalker was inside the large tent, and unloading their bags but had paused to watch with an amused expression. Mo’at looked around as she got close to properly look in but it was all oddly to scale which was mildly unnerving; she was so used to Sky people's technology being… well, small. All of this was large and meant for large forms.

There was a smaller table off to the side with small chairs and a squashy-looking seat, so it could cater to small bodies as well.

“You know, I thought I was gonna be annoyed about missing the climb… dodged a bullet on that,” Norm remarked cheekily.

Grace snapped the cold box shut and gave her companion a sour look before she dropped the empty bottle into a metal canister. “Tomorrow, we’ll go down and up.”

The amusement vanishes and his ears drooped in dread.

“<This… is new>” Mo’at interrupted, eyeing the new building. “<everything is to the size of your Dreamwalkers.”

“<Our field lab.>” Grace unsteadily rose to her feet, her tail lashing a little. “<Oh… let me put my avatar down for a rest. That climb really took it out of me.>”

“You okay, Grace.”

“Yes, yes.” She waved her colleague’s concern away, tossing the shoes onto the floor beside a red hammock and clambered in and fell still, but it was only about a minute before the silver home door opened up and Grace came out in her native form and masked up.

Mo’at stared a little in her examination of Grace. In all honestly, trying to see detailed traits of a Cold One in was harder through the mask. Most was obscured by the reflection of light and the only real visual difference that Mo’at could see was… Grace was so very pale.

It looked like she had been bathing in milk. The only variance in colour was a slight purplish tint to her lips and under her eyes where her skin was thinner. The hue seemed to make her look a little tired. The paleness seemed to brighten not only her orange hair but also the dark open shirt with a red long-sleeve underneath. Her skin lacked warmth and a pleasant blush of life that humans had. Out of context, perhaps she may not have noticed… or assumed Graceaugustine was ill but… it saddened her a little.

“You good?” Norm asked again, looking down at her as she joined them.

“Reminds me I need to put more effort when exercising. I’ll be feeling that later for dinner.” Grace wrinkled her nose. “<As I said, our field lab. We can work in both forms out here. We originally had the lab inside the modules but I requested the field lab to be installed so we can keep some of our science more…separate from when we’re not working.>” She offered a gesture to the seating arrangement inside.

“<I’d rather sit outside if you do not mind.>” The metal flooring was unappealing but thankfully, there was little argument. Norm abandoned his bag and joined them, sitting down, and relaxing back.

“<How has everything been at Hometree?>” Grace asked first, stretching her legs out in the grass.

“<As well as it can be, I suppose. We’ve been very busy recently, the Great Hunt preparations have started so the clan is in an uplifted mood to ensure we’re prepared. Much of what I have collected will go towards those injured. Many medical remedies need time to be crafted and to become potent.>”

And so they fell into a pleasant conversation. Mo’at spoke more about the upcoming celebrations, rites of prospecting hunters and new site of Eywa the Omatikaya found and the upcoming birth of twins. Grace spoke in detail of her time up in the mountains, the plants that they had however did dip a little into those who had left the RDA; the notion of a woman of four piqued her interest; Quadruplets was what Norm had called them.

“<That’s an interesting necklace.>” Norm spoke after a moment, leaning a little to see after he noticed it.

Mo’at’s hand came to her chest with a tense chuckle. She had forgotten she had been wearing it.

“<This? Oh, this is a Zawɾ’fwefwi. It’s used as an animal scare.>” Mo’at said, taking it from around her neck to allow the two to see it. “<It got out of hand of its owner a week or so back and into the hands of children who enjoy pranking elders, and myself.>” She did have some regrets there but it had given Tsu’tey some joy.

Grace laughed a little. “”

“<We do not, but we’re hosting a clan within our territories at the moment. Your people do not know them. They’re… very reclusive. Even for the people.>” Mo’at spoke carefully, slipping it back on and under her shawl.

“<If you don’t mind me asking but why are they visiting if they’re reclusive?>” Norm asked cursiouly.

Mo’at considered his words for a moment. “In some part, cultural exchange, but mostly aid as their clan suffered a significant loss of people and sought travel from their lands to recuperate and to reconnect with the People. They crafted these Zawɾ’fwefwi to walk in peace rather than be forced to hunt or hurt creatures that may see them as prey.>” Her hand came and touched the palulukan whistle as she spoke.

“<Oh no, are they okay?>”

“<They will be, but they need our guidance through their grief. They no longer have a Tsahìk and Olo'eyktan and until we can aid in train one, they rely on us.>”

“<Oh, that’s terrible.>” Grace sympathised, “”

“<Indeed,>” Mo’at wholeheartedly agreed with genuine agreement, her mind touching onto Ruby in particular, “<A few of these people live with the clans but a few live in camps away to avoid being overwhelmed by the amount of our people. They are still reclusive at heart; it is their way. I do ask that you leave these people alone if you accidentally come across them in your outings; they may not take so well to Dreamwalkers or sky people expectantly>” Mo’at hoped that this would cover plausible reasons as to why there were camps outside of Hometree. It wasn’t as common for their people but camps in the West had more freedom and space to have more separated camps for ease of travel and resting points, even trading posts.

Grace’s face fell a little but she nodded. “<Alright, but what’s their clan name? I can see about getting my other teams informed as well>”

Mo’at resisted twitching but it had been something she had been thinking about in a need-be situation since Jakesully had told them of this option. While she had considered options that best fit the Dreamwalkers, she also needed to not indicate their sky-people past or hint. Otherwise, she may as well tell them they were Dreamwalkers.

“<Their clan is called Unilstìmä'nì. They’re a clan that specialises in bone shaping and weaving. They care little for unnecessary conflict but can be very… stubborn.>” To put it lightly. “<It can be frustrating but… it is a learning process for us all.>”

Unil was a word for dream, often tied to Dreamwalkers, Uniltìranyu or dream hunt, Uniltaron. But stìmä'nì came from the word catch, or in her use of phrase, it was used as a closed past tense; caught. The name roughly translated to Dream Caught Clan but there was a lot lost in the translation so it sounded less appealing in English. In Na’vi, it flowed easily from the tongue and had more mysterious connotations and was rich in possibilities, like the Trr'ong clan. They had a more literally translated name of Dawn (or Sunrise) Clan. So it wasn’t unusual either.

It wasn’t her first option in her consideration, Tanhì'Sopyu clan was another one she may have gone for, but the ‘Star travelling’ clan would certainly sell out to more creative thinkers like Grace to part to put the two and two together. Too obvious.

Grace gave a sympathetic chuckle, accepting her words with a nod. “” she reached forward and patted her knee softly.

“<As do I>” but Mo’at felt the cold touch and her stomach sank but glad her heart did not stutter. “<but enough of them. While it is nice to catch up, I would like to return often but… it’s become more obvious that your people are not leaving or intend to. More of your people arrive than leave and… I think it’s about time I learn more about your people.>” She directed this to Grace. It was a good enough excuse to learn more human things to learn about the Cold One. It was a two-for-one deal, even if Graceaugustine was unaware of that. She needed to be close to learn and it was hardly a smoke screen.

Grace blinked in surprise. “Wait, on humans? Earth?”

“<I did not partake of the school and while I may know and read English, I only ever answered your questions. I never considered asking my own. The children wished to learn more than I did when you first desired the school. Now I do hold regret in not allowing myself to grow and indulge my curiosity of the humans and their world”

Norm perked up.

Grace still looked conflicted. “<I… suppose I can. I have a lot of time up here.>”

“”

Grace’s jaw tensed up immediately with uncertainly which did surprise her a little.

“She’s not saying no avatars, Grace, just not as often. We should say yes.” Norm said, bending forward to the Cold Woman excitedly. “This is a good opportunity and why not?”

“Pandora is a very dangerous place for humans.” Grace started, eyeing him carefully. “Viperwolves, Thanators and even insects can kill you. Humans are more susceptible to venoms. I don’t need to remind you of that Slinth that practically chased Jake to kingdom come.”

Norm hummed. “But… we’re out and about up here in our human bodies.” He gestured to their camp as he said this.

“We take precautions out here, we’re high and away from common dangers and… excuse me while I say this; you’re skinny and barely got any muscle on you. Our size means we can’t outrun large predators. I’m not exactly in my prime either.” Grace gestured to him as she spoke then herself.

“You have masks and I am capable of keeping you as safe as possible out in the forest,” Mo’at spoke in English with a small smile, “I know more saps that can protect you from insect bites and I doubt Nantang will attack so freely. I do wear this Zawɾ’fwefwi.” She pointed out as a reminder. “I have been assured by one of the clan that animals will run.”

“See, Mo’at is very well equipped and she knows the forest and all the plants and where to find them. Old survey sites and data is one thing but I think we can trust the local Tsahìk to know what she’s on about and provide more information than just what we’re getting on our equipment” Norm said, very passionately

“Thank you,” Mo’at said, pleased with his respect.

Grace let out a heavy sigh, not reluctant in nature but almost tired as she debated the merits of the request and Mo’at could see why she wasn’t for it but that was why she had asked; she needed to see Grace honestly despite her desire to appear human. Norm clearly knew nothing of her true nature and Mo’at didn’t want to upset that image either.

“Alright,” She answered with, “we can debate the use of avatar depending on where we’re going.”

“” It sounded reasonable; some terrain would be too hard for small bodies so in some cases, the Dreamwalker bodies would be more useful. They could shed the skin when at their metal home. She had plenty of opportunities now in front of her and… despite wanting to learn more of the Cold Ones through Grace, it would be nice to actually rekindle their friendship.

Mo’at returned to see Hometree alive with joy as the afternoon closed in, taking the time to return to her den and set her herbs to dry out beside a bowl of embers and descend down to observe the clan. She sat with Eytukan as Na’vi, humans and Dreamwalkers sat around cheerfully exchanging stories and work tips but her eyes followed N’deh as he appeared. She noticed his eyes lingered on her mate so she reached down and waited.

“” N’deh addressed first, echoing to her in greeting but his attention was to their clan leader, “<Since Jakesully and the other hunters are to get an Ikran, I must once against request to join them>”

Eytukan’s jaw remained tense, “”

“<I am aware of your reasons, Olo’eyktan but I am willing to negotiate an option that will suit us both. I am willing to stick to a select path and will agree to be guarded on the trip if you fear I will go too close to the Tree of Souls. Once I have an Ikran, I do not need to go to the mountains again. If your heart is too set, then I have another option that you cannot control. The Tawkami clan may allow me to claim an Ikran from the rookery on their lands. While you do have the power to decide if I am to go to the Omatikaya’s rookery, you have no ground to rob me of an Ikran from another clan or unclaimed territory. Many options are still open to me.>”

Mo’at’s head tilted as she let her brother’s words pass over her and she was… surprised at his words and how forceful he sounded. Not demanding, but informing. N’deh was providing more options to showcase his options; he wanted the close option of the Omatikaya’s rookery but was willing to go far for a new one. This was his last request before he would take the second option.

In all honestly, Mo’at hadn’t considered another rookery as an option either but it made sense to N’deh’s drive for it. There were always other options but he was offering a sense of control on it.

Eytukan’s eyes narrowed and she could see the tension in his face. But he was in deep thought now as he considered this unexpected option.

Mo’at touched his arms soothingly.

“<Brother, remember you are still an exile and no longer Omatikaya Do not push where force is unwelcome.>”

N’deh chuckled very dryly. “<I know, sister and I do respect the way of our people to ask than simply do. I could have claimed a new Ikran months ago when the idea occurred to me but I did not. I wished to have the blessing of Eytukan and the familiar of a rookery I once climbed when I was fifteen.>”

Which was a good point, their agreement with him was complicated but there was only punishment and revision of their agreement if N’deh went to the Omatikaya’s rookery without permission of the clan leader. They had no power or control on that and the fact was, N’deh left in exile with his Ikran so it wasn’t forbidden to claim a new from somewhere else.

“<Perhaps we should allow this one time,>” Mo’at suggested to her mate, carefully “<Maru can keep a close eye on him when he takes first flight and steers him away from undesired areas until he’s clear of the mountains. If he comes from another clan, we have no way of knowing where his returns come from.>”

Eytukan faced her with a more scathing frown but she had a point he could not refute and N’deh himself was allowing them to control the situation more with his request. Unguarded was unpredictable.

“<Maru can be your shadow once you’re there. Join Tsu’tey and his warriors and take the path of Iknimaya.>” Eytukan decided, “<Do not stray from Maru’s path.>”

N’deh looked tense but only in constraining his emotion as he swiftly nodded. Joy filled his yellow eyes and a weight looked to have shifted from his shoulders. “<Of course, Olo’eyktan.>”

With that, N’deh practically skipped away and went directly to Jakesully

Masterlist

#avatar #avatar au #avatar james cameron #grace augustine #jake sully #mo'at #neytiri #neytiri te tskaha mo'at'ite #eytukan #n'deh #trudy chacon #avatar rda #norm spellman #vampire #vampire au #vampire grace

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