Ma Neteyam

3

Neteyam tried his best to follow her while staying hidden, but he would be lying if he said he wasn't getting distracted by the beauty around him.

Despite being on an island in the ocean of Pandora, as Vareya travels farther into the island, his heart couldn't help but tug at the surrounding trees around him.

It was nothing compared to his home, but the feel of the tall mangroves shooting above the sky relaxed his body. It was almost eclipse, but the last remaining sun weaved through the leaves.

Insects flew along and island creatures he's never seen before crawled away from him. One of them shot off in the direction of Vareya, she whirled around to face him, but luckily he hid just in time.

She continued her journey on, and as eclipse set upon the island, he couldn't help but feel regret and guilt for what he was doing.

He was supposed to be the responsible older brother, he should be the one stopping Loak from doing something reckless, forcing him to dinner on time.

He shouldn't be following this girl who he's been warned about many times, who wants absolutely nothing to do with him or his family unless it involves putting a knife in them.

Yet the excitement that ran through his veins as Vareya froze in her spot, reminded Neteyam why he had done something so unlike him.

It was too late now, he continued reminding himself. He layed low behind a rock as the only thing that illuminated Pandora was the moons above them.

Especially her hair. Neteyam found himself gazing at her, the light was shining down on her hair as if it was a beacon in the night. As if Eywa herself took strands from the moon and gifted it to the girl before him.

He was in such a trance, he almost missed the brighter light that showed in the darkness. It was dim at first due to it's distance, but as it neared closer, he realized it was someone holding a torch, a small and controlled blazing fire set on top of it.

His eyes narrowed as he saw Vareya flinch slightly at the sight, before she looked towards the mysterious figure with her chin up.

A Metkayina boy came out from the trees, his figure wide. Neteyam was reminded of Aonung, yet the one approaching Vareya was bigger, stronger.

He was tattooed and looked like a warrior. He walked up to Vareya until he was only inches away, then gently tucked a strand of hair behind her pointed ear. Neither of them yet to say a word.

Neteyam suddenly felt uncomfortable at what took place in front of him. It seemed as if Vareya must have a relationship with the handsome Metkayina in front of  her, and he silently cursed himself for letting his curiosity get the better of him.

What did he believe would happen by following a stranger into mysterious land ?

He went to move from his hiding place until he heard the boy speak, and he froze in spot.

" How do you like my hair Vareya?" he spoke lowly but his voice was deep and rough, Neteyam barely heard.

Still Vareya only stared and said nothing. He couldn't help but become a bit suspicious from how stiff her body was, and he was only now seeing his almost mocking smirk.

The Metkayina spoke again, " I know it hurts my Mother, I heard her crying herself to sleep last night after she saw me. I felt bad, but it's all worth it at the end. Don't I look like him?"

When she still didn't reply, he bared his teeth and grabbed her chin in the next second. A grunt escaped Vareya as he squeezed his fingers, but she didn't resist.