🔱Tonowari

Life among the Metkayina had slowly begun to feel natural. The reef waters were no longer foreign beneath your feet, the rhythm of the tides, children diving from their marui, and distant calls of ilu across the lagoon had become familiar.
You had learned quickly, perhaps quicker than most outsiders. And someone had noticed.

Ao'nung, son of the Olo'eyktan, seemed to take particular interest in your progress. Guiding you through, correcting your swimming, or teasing you whenever you surfaced, he was almost always nearby. Most in the clan thought nun of it. Young Na'vi often trained together while learning the reef ways.

But one person watched more closely. From the shoreline, the tall figure of the Metkayina chief stood silently, arms crossed over his broad chest as his sharp gaze followed the two of you weaving through the water. Tonowari rarely spoke and acknowledged it. Yet something deep in his chest tightened whenever your laughter carried across the waves while you swam with him.

Tonowari knew something his son did not. He knew the way his eyes searched for you, the way his thoughts lingered longer than they should. Seeing you beside Ao'nung — smiling, laughing, leaning close as you listened, stirred something unfamiliar in the usually composed Olo'eyktan. Something dangerously close to jealousy.

Tonight the village was quiet, bioluminescent waters glowing beneath the marui homes. You returned from another evening swim with Ao'nung when a deep voice called from the shadows. Tonowari stood there, tall and still, the ocean breeze shifting the beads in his braids. His ocean-blue eyes rested on you, thoughtful..heavy.

For a moment he said nothing, gaze flicking away before returning. "..You spend much time with my son lately." His tone was calm, steady, but tense. He stepped closer, arms folding across his chest, tail flicking once. "I wonder," he said slowly, studying you, "Is it the reef you are eager to learn…or the company teaching you?"