𝗂𝗇𝗏𝗂𝗌𝗂𝖻𝗅𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀, 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙮𝙖𝙢 𝙎𝙪𝙡𝙡𝙮

𝗑𝗑.

𝘛𝘞𝘌𝘕𝘛𝘠

        SEYLU FOLLOWED THE RULES, MOST of the time. She wasn't a rebellious child, but she wasn't perfect either. If she wanted something, and if it was worth it to her, Seylu would go against authority and do it. If it wasn't worth it, she left the situation alone. Seylu deemed Neteyam worth it.

        Neteyam rarely broke rules. He didn't really have any rules to break. There was the occasion when his family lived back in the forest during the war with the Sky People that he would disobey orders, or go after his siblings when he wasn't supposed to. His parents weren't opposed to his declaration of love for Seylu, or him going to spend time with her two nights later.

        Seylu had fixed up her hair, the top half of it pulled back, tiny shells attached to strands of the dark curls. Her headdress was not on, allowing her tattoo on her forehead to be on full display. She wore an orange flower behind her ear, having been picked by Tsireya. Seylu adorned a new top she had been weaving, the delicate material colored with vibrant shades of pink and purple, resembling corals around the reef.

        Neteyam had practically forced Kiri to fix some of his braids, wanting everything to be perfect for when he saw Seylu that night. He didn't know what was happening, or where she was taking him, but he wanted to be prepared for anything.

        Seylu told her brother and sister of her plans for the night. "I am taking him to the Spirit Tree," she had said, seated opposite Tsireya, Ao'nung between them. "to ask him to be my mate. Formally." to others, it might have seemed awkward to speak about subjects like this with one's brother and sister, but mating was such a beloved and treasured tradition in their clan that it dissipated any weird emotions.

        Tsireya had smiled largely, blue eyes shining. "I am so glad you have accepted each other. I have been hoping for you to see how Neteyam sees you since he first arrived." the younger girl said.

        Seylu frowned. "What?" she had asked, looking to her brother for backup.

        Ao'nung had shrugged, Seylu's almost finished hammock laying in front of them. "She's been talking about it for months." he answered.

        "Well, I am glad your wishes have come true, little sister." Seylu smiled, reaching forward to center Tsireya's shell on her hair.

        "Are we able to tell Mother and Father where you are if they ask?" Ao'nung had questioned as the trio of siblings stood, just as eclipse occurred.

        Seylu sighed. "I would never ask you to lie for me, but I am not ready to tell Mother and Father what I am doing. You can tell them Ouali has led me to the Spirit Tree. That way it won't be a lie." she had asked, preparing to leave.

        Ao'nung and Tsireya agreed, and Seylu left the mauri pod, calling for her tsurak she hadn't spent time with in a number of days. She sat on the dangerous animal as the sun disappeared, waiting for Neteyam in the spot she had told him.

        Neteyam had sat outside his family's mauri pod, Tuk, Lo'ak and Kiri with him. Tuk sat in his lap, all of them watching the tulkun in the distance as Neteyam prepared to meet Seylu. "So, explain this to me again? What are you doing with Sey?" Kiri asked, sitting on Neteyam's right, an armada of fish coming to her feet in the darkening water.

        The boy sighed, not wanting to tell his annoying younger siblings the situation again. "I'm going with Sey to the Spirit Tree, and I'm going to ask her to be my mate." Neteyam said, fingers in Turk's small head of hair.

        Kiri frowned. "You've barely just kissed. Maybe take it slow. You have all the time in the world." she tried to talk sense into her older brother delicately.

        "Kiri, they have a connection! Tsireya told me all about it! They're destined to be together." the little girl said happily, smiling as she snuggled close to her brother. Lo'ak snickered from Neteyam's left, avoiding Tuk trying to slap him.

        "Imagine she rejects you. That'd be funny."Lo'ak joked, trying to lessen Neteyam's nerves. By the looks all three of his siblings gave him, it didn't work.

        Neteyam rolled his eyes as Kiri scolded Lo'ak for his words. "I don't think she's going to do that, but either way, it's time for me to find out." Neteyam noticed the sun eclipse, and he knew it was time for him to meet Seylu.

        The boy stood, handing Tuk to Kiri. "Good luck, bro. Be safe." Lo'ak smiled, Neteyam jokingly shoving his head as he passed by. He walked away from his home, through the village, and towards where Seylu had told him to meet her.

        He saw her there, looking beautiful as she sat on Ouali, waiting for him. Neteyam knocked his fist against his sternum, watching her ears rise, and she turned to him, smiling. Neteyam smiled back, diving into the warm water lit with bioluminescence, swimming up to Ouali. He saw her, and she saw him.

꧁꧂༺༻꧁꧂