Family

Joey

The journey to the Metkayina islands was long. I'm exhausted when we arrive. We fly our Ikran along the borders of the village and yip to announce our arrival, and in return, someone blows a conch. Jake said that this island was Awa'atlu. The chief of the Metkayina lives here. 

When we land, people are already gathering. Many have never seen an Ikran. Now, six have landed on their shore. When we dismount, Neytiri and I immediately grab our bows, but Jake tells us to put them back. I don't like that.  I stand next to Neteyam, fearful of the encounter to come. Now that I have left my father, he is really my closest support. Someone is still blowing the conch. I don't know if it is supposed to be an announcement or a warning. 

"On me." Jake commands. We all fall in behind him. "Be nice."

Jake holds his hands out in a peaceful gesture, so Neteyam and I try to do the same. No weapons in our hands. That's what we're saying. 

As we approach, the sea people seem to surround us. They look different. Their skin is a lighter blue-green. Their arms seem enormous, and their tails are thick and flattened, probably for swimming. They're all examining us closely. I feel very self conscious. I lace my fingers in between Neteyam's, and he grips my hand tightly. I might show it more, but he feels the same as me. 

Two young boys approach us. Neteyam, Lo'ak, and I greet them by gesturing I see you, but they don't return our gesture. 

I hear Jake, very faintly, "Easy, just be cool."

In return, I hear from the boys. "Look, what is that?" They're pointing at Neteyam. "Is that supposed to be a tail?" 

They laugh at us together. Though we don't say anything, the three of us look at them. It's rude, really. Clearly, we're from the forest. We're going to look different. 

Behind them, a girl is riding some sort of fish thing. She dives beneath the water, and emerges a few feet away. She is super pretty. When I glance at Lo'ak, he is staring, before looking away in embarrassment. 

"It is too small. How are they supposed to swim?" One of the boys is still looking at our tails, which flick back and forth nervously.. 

"Do not." The girl slaps their hands away. "Roxto, Aonung." She is scolding them. 

"Hey." Lo'ak greets, making her giggle and look away. 

Our attention is drawn away from her, to the giant flying fish that are approaching. The one leading the others leaps over the water above us, making us all duck, then safely lands in the water again on our other side. That must be the chief. He smoothly glides up, and approaches from the shore. He's bigger than the rest of the people, with tattoos on his neck and face. I think Jake said his name was Tonowari. I use my other arm to grab Neteyam's, half in fear, and half protectively. 

After Tonowari greets Jake and Neytiri, he takes a look at the rest of us. I greet him with an Oel ngati kameie, and Neteyam does the same. Lo'ak follows suit behind us halfheartedly. He's not as good at the politics of leadership as we are, and I know he only did it because me and Neteyam did. Behind the chief, a woman approaches. 

"I see you, Ronal. Tsahik of the Metkayina." Jake greets, giving her the same gesture. 

"I see you, Ronal." Neytiri echoes. 

"Why do you come to us, Jakesully?" The chief asks in his deep voice. 

Jake looks at all of us hopefully. "We seek Uturu." 

"Uturu?" Ronal asks, as if she's offended. 

"A sanctuary for my family." Jake replies. I know he is grasping at straws. They don't have to do this for us. We are completely different from them.