Much to learn... (open)

[xanderpenton]

The sun was rising after another wet night in the Na'ring jungle that the Omaticaya called home. It fought bravely to break through the cloud cover that still persisted over the forest, but here and there, the sun succeeded in its battle and dappled the vibrant foliage with a warm light, deepening the shadows and enriching the greens and many othe vivid colours that made up the jungle. One such pocket of cheerful warmth was currently gracing the Omaticaya with its presence, as the early risers of the tribe began to set about their daily tasks. One such earlybird was Ti'rea. 

Today he was taking on another student for the last stages before Ikinmaya. A young male who, according to his previous teacher had no outstanding talent, and a distinct dislike of killing. The pale Na'vi could relate to the youngsters feelings, not being fond of the kill himself but knowing it was a necessity for the welfare of his clan. It was one reason he was so spiritual with his kills, feeling they the great mother knew he would only take a life to feed his people, never in vain, and this was why Ti had agreed to take on the reluctant youngster.

 Ti spent a short while weaving the bright feathers and beads into his long white hair and raising his mohawked hair into its 3 strips before shouldering his personal arsenal of bow and blowpipe before stepping out into the sunlit morning. 
He breathed deeply of the fresh morning air, closing his strange eyes and enjoying the scent of the soil after the rain as he allowed it to fill his nostrils and even his lungs. It was a happy wholesome smell. It made him feel that the great mother was content. After a few brief seconds he opened his eyes and set out to meet the young one he would be taking under his tuition. They were due to meet for the morning meal with the rest of the clan before lessons began.

 As he picked His way through the village he could smell the ashes of last nights cooking fires being stirred and cleared, being made ready for that evening and hopefully whatever he and his young ward would bring in. As he walked on, his white tail twitching as he went, flicking the mornings dew from the nearby leaves with his tail tip as it swayed from side to side, is eyes fell on the weavers looms as he passed, but he stopped for a moment to admire the work in progress, even though they were currently unattended.
Finally he reached the area the community ate in and settled in to wait while he picked at the meal he was handed by a young Na'vi woman after thanking her. She simply smiled and went about her work , handing out the neatly wrapped food parcels that constituted the breakfast, and singing cheerfully to herself.

[KanokFelna]

Winsapi was up with the majority of the clan as the first rays of light fell gently upon the forest, going about his daily routine and preparing for the day to come. Unlike most of his peers he moved swiftly from task to task, always seeming to strive to be one step ahead of himself at all times. His family and friends accepted this as the way the young prospective warrior was, almost manic in his behavior, but never so much so that he neglected to get things done. He just surged through everything with such a desire to not miss an opportunity to do something else that he tended to miss details.

On this day he found himself loitering with his favored Pa'li, a stout and spirited female he had named 'Long Day', as she could run for what seemed like an endless amount of time. 'All day and all night' as he liked to brag. Indeed, she was one of the more cherished mount, sought by a number of the clan, but it seemed the Pa'li had a particular attraction to the energy shown by Zenke'winsi. Yol'trr was energetic and exhibited a certain manic energy as well, it was what made the two pair so well together. She was well known to dump less spirited riders, intentionally throwing those that did not meet her expectations or whom could not join in her high-energy excursions.

Winsapi had hurried through everything else and was enjoying his time with Long Day, caressing her haunches as she lapped the sap from the flowers, stroking her as he cooed to her lovingly. So enamored of the beautiful steed that he missed the first servings of the morning meal. It was only when he realized he was hungry that he came to realize what time it was. He hugged Yol'trr, whom only shrugged him off so that she might feed her belly, and then dashed off to join the clan for the communal morning meal. He was one of the last to receive his food and take his place among the others that had not yet climbed to the heavens and tame a wild Ikran. Totally unaffected by his lack of prompt timing, and happily engaging a close friend in rapid, and highly animated, conversation. Of course he did most of the talking, going over what he would do when he made tsaheylu, and how incredible his Ikran would certainly be, and how they would fly like the west wind and challenge the dominance of even the great Toruk, so swift would they be.

It would seem that either Winsapi had forgotten he had an appointment, or it was possible the young warrior did not even know.

[xanderpenton]

Winsapi’s entrance didn’t go unmissed by the Ti’rea and the group of hunters he sat with. They were his age group, he had passed Ikinmaya with most of them, others had gone before and some not long after. The white Na’vi watched as the young one made his way in with a noticeable spring to his actions. He also felt the elbow in his ribs from Olct’eya, Winsapi’s former tutor, as she said “This one. He is not lazy, far from it. But he has a mind like a wasp. Always darting. I cannot teach him any further. My patience is not strong enough to bear it.”

In fairness to Winsapi, Olct’eya was not the most patient of women. She was strict, with little room for failure or insubordination from her students and was known for her somewhat short temper. The youngsters were known to dread being chosen as her students in the last few seasons. The spirit hunter chewed his lip thoughtfully as he observed the young Na’vi’s way of operating. Hi was indeed manic, but Ti was sure he could work with this energy in some way, and use it to an advantage. He watched as the meal was consumed rather quickly, as he finished the last mouthful of his own.

He then rose elegantly from his cross legged position amidst the hunters and gracefully made his way over to the youngster, bow in hand. He was an imposing site, between his height and his almost ethereal appearance and he stepped up behind Winsapi, almost silently. The youngsters looked up at him and fell somewhat quiet as his cyan gaze glanced around the slight discord. Some of them lowered their gaze as they thought they may be in trouble but those downward glance suddenly became curiosity when the pale hunter spoke, his melodic but strong voice saying “Winsapi, You are with me today… Olct’eya wishes for a break from teaching. Meet me outside by the looms when you are done eating.”

This statement caused a stir amongst the young trainees after the hunter left and headed out of the dining area to sit by the looms. The first of the weavers had arrived and started about their daily work. As he watched the hypnotic movements of the weavers his mind wandered as to how he could use the youngsters energy to his advantage. Bigger game would be out of the question, but perhaps the erratic and flighty Hexepede antelope would be a suitable quarry for the youngster.

[Jai'byrd]

"Kame ngat young Taronyuti'rea," a cheerful voice spoke softly behind the tall opalescent male, "See something in the weaving of the threads, yes? Or are you weaving your thoughts, hrm?"

Kilvan'mawey smiled a toothy grin as she looked him over with her sightless eyes, her pronounced crow's feet pinching up around those white orbs, accenting her mirth. The elderly Tsahik was something of a stark contrast to the younger, but far, far taller male in that where his skin was a glowing white with lavender waves for stripes and wore darker colors of indigo hues, the smaller, age-wizened female was a weather-beaten dark blue in complexion and was swaddled in the whitest of white clothing, from shawl to ornate loincloth covered in tiny crystal beads winking in the sunlight. The only thing the two had in common was their hair somewhat, although hers was more silver and grey due to age and she had more of it in hundreds of tiny braids that was traditional of the Omaticayan females.

She leaned heavily on her large wooden staff, a thing that if one didn't know any better would think it was still alive, still growing, yet with her holding it, it just very well may be. Her unblinking dead eyes gazing around as if they still had some sight left in them, but everyone in the Clan knew she had lost her sight a long, long time ago as a young child. Her aged ears twitched betraying one of the true ways she got around in this world, the large loops of flesh left over from years of wearing large ear adornments swaying as they moved, catching hundreds of sounds the others around her probably couldn't hear.

"I have heard you are go off with young Winsapi today, eh?" Her ears moved before she herself turned her head to look back up the path that lead to the dining area, "Ah, I hope you have woven your thoughts well, as here he comes..."

[KanokFelna]

Zenke'winsi came up almost in a stride, a bouncing gait that was just a hair under a jog, despite the patience implied by his name (Must Not Rush Something) and leading ample credence to why most refer to him in the clan by his nickname of Winsapi... a word meaning "Hurry".

He didn't even stop short as he approached the venerable Tsahik, but simply smiled at her and announced his presence with the traditional greeting all Na'vi used with each other. Knowing even before he spoke that she certainly knew him simply by his step. She had an uncanny way about such things, and he never questioned it or even gave it a second thought. She was their spiritual guidance, she spoke as the voice of Eywa, and he had no reason to question anything she said or did.

The respect garnered by his instructor that day also did nothing to give the happy young Na'vi any pause. Winsapi had never been intimidated by any of the clan, no matter how large or brisk or potentially dangerous. They were clan after all, and as he didn't question his Tsahik he also didn't question the bonds of clan. He trusted totally in the will of the clan and thus there was never any reason to feel cowed or grossly subordinate to anyone. In due time he would be a hunter, a rider of the winds, and then all status would be equal. In his head he was basically already there, just the details remained to be filled in. So he gave Taronyuti'rea a repeat of the greeting and a bow of his head in respect.

Winsapi was not as delighted to have a new tutor as others may have been. Olct’eya was a hard teacher, but she was also one of the best in the clan. She had polished what his family had taught him to a mirror shine, that he was not exceptional was certainly not a sign that she had failed with him. He was simply not an exceptional hunter. He did as Olct’eya instructed and took all that she gave him to heart... while they were on the hunt. It was hardly his fault that the moment his lessons were concluded he swiftly focused his attention on whatever it was that he had on his thoughts that day, or at least for that moment. He liked Olct’eya and had nothing but respect for her, so to have to mount a new Pa'li, so to speak, near the end of the race was somewhat disconcerting. However he would take it in stride and offer nothing as complaint or concern.

"I am here brother," he stated brightly. "A vessel for you to fill with your knowledge."

[xanderpenton]

As the Tsahik greeted him he startled a little, but composed himself quickly and bowed his head and gestured his respects as well as voicing their greeting to one another.

“Oel ngati Kameie Tsahik” he said with a soft and fond smile and just as he was about to respond do her question, the youngster arrived for his training. The Hunter liked the Winsapi’s enthusiasm, but knew he would first need to learn a little of his students capabilities before taking him straight out into the jungle. If skills were not yet honed enough to make a clean kill, he would not be able to forgive himself for any pain the creature endured.

After greeting his student he turned his attentions back to the wise and calm Tsahik before answering her with “I was weaving my thoughts for the day ahead. I have a new student as Olct’eya needs a rest.” He grinned at Winsapi. It was a friendly smile, disarming in a way, but it was sincere with a hint of mischief. The hunter was quite looking forward to teaching another student and he got the feeling this one would be on his own wavelength. “I get the feeling I’m going to have some fun with this one.” He concluded to the Tsahik before once more turning to his young ward. “I am sorry my brother but I shall have to start from the basics at first, just to see what you know, So …first we’ll see your archery skills.” He suggested “And perhaps our Tsahik would like to join us for the fresh air? That is if she has not great duties weighing upon her mind?” he said offering her the same warm smile. He knew she couldn’t see it but she would feel it.

Before long they had made their way to the archery grounds, through the fluorescent foliage, which gleamed as the sunlight broke through the clouds finally and played over the dew speckled leaves, making it look almost as though the world had been covered in tiny gems. The pale hunter enjoyed the warmth of the sun over his shoulders and the damp earth underfoot and the water that dripped down his shins after it had been disturbed from the leaves they strode so carefully through. Ti’rea set up the gazelle shaped target and made his way back to Winsapi, standing back and observing the youngsters actions.

“When you are ready brother.. One shot, so I can see your aim and speed.”

[KanokFelna]

Zenke'winsi stood off of the pair as his new tutor made conversation with their Tsahik, as he wasn't about to interrupt, but then it was decreed that the young Na'vi would basically be taken back to before even Olct’eya took him on. He wasn't sure why he had to prove things that every Na'vi knew by the time they got to be his age, and that Olct’eya would have surely told the new tutor, but his was not to reason why.

Winsapi shrugged at the news and followed along as he slid his bow off of his shoulder and limbered the string. He didn't speak as they made their way to where the young ones trained in the bow, checking his single pair of arrows. Like most Na'vi during times of peace Winsapi only carried what he would need for the hunt. The most skilled hunters would need carry only a single arrow, as they would not need a follow-up shot to take down game that was the victim of a poor first shot. The venom they tipped their arrows with virtually assured a second would not be needed. So anything more that one was really only if another opportunity to use the bow presented itself. Any hunter worth his water would make more arrows as needed from the bounty of the forest.

When he was directed he notched an arrow, drew the string in a single and elegant motion (just as he had been taught), and then drew a breath. He held the arrow for a moment, took careful aim, and then held his breath at the end of the draw. When he let fly his follow through was effortless, with good form, and nearly perfect aim. The arrow flew sharp and straight, right to the heart of the stationary simulated target, making what would have been a clean kill.

It wasn't really impressive, as any of his peers could have made that shot with little difficulty; as the target was fairly large and wasn't in motion, and they were not even approaching range for the bow, but Winsapi suspected that wasn't the point of the test.

He smiled and shrugged non-nonchalantly at the 'clean kill' and waited for the expected reply from his mentor.

((OOC: just the fyi here, Jai gave me the goahead to skip her post, so this is not me being rude or anything.))

[Jai'byrd]

The elderly female Na'vi chuckled, "Heh, when does the Tsahik not have great duties upon her mind? Eh? Always and forever until Eywa calls me back... However the trick to being Tsahik, or even Olo'eyktan mind you Taronyuti'rea, is that one needs to know when not to think about those great duties and just be." She eyed the pale male for a brief moment as if diving if he understood why she stressed the words she did.

However she quickly seemed to become distracted as her ears swiveled about and fell silent to let the teacher and the student commune. She knew she was just an observer, and that it was a sacred bond that needed to form between the two males, thus they would find no interruptions from her unless they spoke to her first. There was nothing more annoying than trying to teach and have another constantly butt in, there was one teacher in charge here and that was Taronyuti'rea.

Unbeknownst to either male, the Tsahik had other reasons to stick around, weighing and measuring something in her mind as she seemed to consider the older male, then the younger male, then the older again. As the elder told the younger what to do, the ancient Na'vi closed her eyes and listened to Winsapi's breath as he drew his bow, nock an arrow and paused before he let it fly. The resounding thunk in the target resonated in Kilvan'mawey's ears...

[xanderpenton]

Ti'rea cast a moments glance at Kilvan'mawey. Her words did not go unprocessed as he turned his attention back to the youngster as he readied himself for the shot, his stance perfect, his breathing well timed. His aim true and clean, as was apparent by the satisfying thud as the arrow found its mark, and he feintly curled the corners of his pinkish hued lips up in a small and secretive smile.He nodded for the youngster to retrieve his arrow from the woven target and as as he did so he turned to the Tsahik once more and spoke softly in a low tone. "I think it's time for this one to go out into the forest and hunt, with just observation. His aim is good, the end should be swift. I feel there may be a few to take the challenge of Ikinmaya very soon, and this one amongst them if he can calm his mind."

By this time Winsapi had returned and stood there, respectfully quiet as he waited for the hunter to finish his quiet words with the Tsahik and think for a moment. Ti'rea leaned gently on his bow as his mind raced through the lessons he had taught. He knew that the youngster was definitely ready for his "test" hunt. He looked the boy in the eyes ernestly, his cyan gaze peircing and calculating as he asked "You know where to find smaller prey and the methods? It's time to let me see how well you have really learned. No still targets, no marching right up close with all this noise. Just you, Eywa and the hunt, if you do not succeed, then we do not eat this night. You lead the way young hunter."

He knew pressure was essential to this test. To help keep you focused on the task at hand. The knowledge that you were responsible for feeding not only yourself but others had seemed so daunting when he had done his final trial. He had been threatened with the Tsahik going without a meal if he had failed. It was also a feeling you would carry from that point on as a hunter. The fact you were to provide for others and it always helped himself strive for a better hunt.

He smiled warmly to the Kilvan'mawey once more before saying "I think this is where our paths part for this day dear Tsahik, until tonight when young Winsapi presents his catch for the clan. Do you have any words for him to keep in his heart for this hunt?" he asked as he gestured his respects to her.

(( sorry its not hugely progressive, but I don't know how we would keep the tsahik with us on the hunt))

[Jai'byrd]

"Quite, quite," Kilvan'mawey nodded, "This old one would slow you down indeed, which is why I always get these young lads to do my hunting for me! Ha!"

She elbowed Winsapi lightly in jest as she winked at him with one of those translucent eyes (of course she winked at a tree, not entirely in Winsapi's direction).

"Hrm, words, words..." a gnarled hand reached up and stroked her boney chin as she 'looked' up and around as she muttered to herself for a moment, then a wicked grin bloomed on her wizened face, "Ah, just make sure you bring me a big fat thing. I like 'em with a ton of meat on their bones, yes? I just love fried jowls, I know they're probably bad for me, but bah. Although keep your wits about you around the utral utu mauti young Winsapi, yes indeed..."

The last part of what she said, it seemed like her voice changed slightly as the elder Tsahik looked off into the distance and seemed to get lost in her own thoughts. Yet, then she came back to herself pretty quickly as she shrugged it off and nodded to the duo before shuffling off back into the swirl of Na'vi daily life singing a traditional tune under her breath.

---

utral utu mauti = Push tree

((OOC: No worries, I was kinda concerned about that as she's no spring chicken anymore! She'll be waiting for ya both ))

[KanokFelna]

Zenke'winsi continued to listen and respect the words of his spiritual leader and his new tutor, smiling and nodding but saying nothing. There was the statement that Winsapi would actually hunt his own game, but there was no mention that this was his test to be allowed to make Iknimaya. There were words from the elder Tsahik, but these were (as was common) somewhat wandering and not particularly helpful. She was not one to do too much for any of the clan, at least not what they could easily do for themselves. Zenke'winsi took this as a bit of a compliment actually, it showed she had trust in him even though he was not yet a hunter.

The conversation concluded and the young warrior immediately made his way back to the pa'li paddocks, wasting no further time and moving in a steady gait. As he moved he unlimbered his bow and fluidly slung it over his shoulder and across his chest. Like a riti the youth zeroed in on his beloved Yol'trr, moving to her through the collection of other pa'li without pause or hesitation. She balked at his initial approach, somewhat startled by him, but his scent calmed her immediately and with a finesse that few others could use (with that particular mount) he joined to her and lept up onto her back. He carried only his two arrows, his bow, and a basic dagger.

He willed Yol'trr to wheel and waited as his instructor took his own mount, then the potential hunter brought Yol'trr around and set her out in a hard gallop toward the camp edge, riding her into the forest and toward the yerik feeding grounds. Winsapi knew what time of the year it was, when the mother yerik would be weaning their fawns and building up their own bulk on the fruits offered by the forest. They would have plenty of opportunities for fat females of the savory flesh of the adolescent offspring.

It took most of the day to ride to the most pristine hunting grounds, but Zenke'winsi did not stop where most other hunters would dismount and set off on foot. He hadn't been idle when Olct’eya had explained the habits of the yerik, and the tricks to a successful hunt, though his mind had been occupied with thoughts of activities (as opposed to simply listening to lessons). She might have mistaken his lack of attentiveness for a disregard of her words, but Winsapi still retained what was most important from that lesson. That being that the larger, stronger yerik didn't forage so far into the forest, as they didn't need to leave the flat ground of the grasslands for protection. It was one of the means that Eywa culled the weak from the strong in the species. The forest offered other predators, and the deeper forest did protect the weaker yerik from the mass of the plains predators, but it also robbed all yerik of their chief defense. The tightly clumped trees made it impossible for a yerik to rely upon their speed and agility to dodge attacks. The stronger yerik, those that could outrun the plains predators, didn't need the trees for safety, so they foraged closer to the edge, where they could swiftly dart back out into the tall grasses and seek safety in their natural agility.

Plains yerik were also larger than forests yerik as a result of this. They didn't have to be smaller, due to the limited space in the forest, and they yielded more meat. All hunters knew this, but it was a long ride, when plentiful herds of forest yerik abounded closer to the clan it was often inefficient to hunt the larger plains herds. Also most would hunt the smaller, younger yerik that penetrated deeper into the woods.

Winsapi had no such compulsion, to hunt the lesser options, and rode on to where the roots of the massive trees started to give way to the grasses of the plains. The sunlight grew brighter, as the canopy thinned, and the change in the life was obvious as the environments blended from one to the other. Here they would find his targeted prey. Here they would also find the most dangerous predators... as it wasn't only the Na'vi that knew the nature of a major prey species.

Winsapi eventually dismounted and set Yol'trr free, making no notice of the fact he was being followed, as his every fiber was set to the hunt and he had no time to acknowledge the presence of his tutor. They were far from home, far from healers, and deep into palulukan territory, so Winsapi did nothing now without paying attention to his surroundings and keeping an ear peeled for signs of the local fauna.

After stringing his bow he moved swiftly into the trees, getting off the forest floor and out of the more dangerous setting, as palulukan and nantang preferred to hunt the floor. The young hunter paused, sniffed the air, and then started moving in the direction of a sweet scent that hung lightly in the air. Moving in a sweeping pattern as he tracked the scent and let his nose hone him in on the large patch of berries that grew on vines wrapping themselves around the roots and trucks of several trees. Another hunter could have found the location swifter perhaps, and moved without even a sound, but Winsapi did what needed to be done.

Below them, nibbling on the juicy chartreuse colored berries, a family of six yerik. Two adult females and four sturdy fawn. Their size and coloring identified them easily as plains yerik. As Zenke'winsi approached he made some noise, from time to time, and this made the yerik tense up. To his credit Winsapi froze after every faint sound and hugged himself into the branches. Not looking, lest he give his presence away to the prey, and simply relying upon his hearing to indicate when the yerik had relaxed. For long, still, almost breathless moments the two warriors had to wait, neither of them moving, as the yerik calmed and moved just a little bit away to put some cover between them and the sound. But the prey were not about to abandon such a succulent feast, and Winsapi wasn't so clumsy that he made that much noise as he closed range.

After a torturous approach the youth stopped and slowly rose, his bow and a single arrow brought to bear all in the same motion. Again he drew a breath as he pulled back the string, taking his time but not too much, as now he was exposed and could be seen by his prey. As the string neared its apex, just before release, the sinew made a soft straining squeak and caused the yerik to spook once again. As he realized his target was about to bolt he simply unleashed his inverted grip and let the arrow fly. The snap of the string startled the yerik and all bolted, their sextuplet of legs powering an amazingly beautiful scattering as the small group dashed off in every other direction. Winsapi's target was already in motion before the arrow found a purchase, buried deep into the azure flesh of the strongest of the two doe. His arrow didn't quite hit home, missing an instant kill by mere millimeters, but Winsapi was in motion almost the moment after he had loosed his arrow.

The yerik cried out and stumbled but ran for several meters, darting through the trees, with Winsapi dashing through the branches above and trying to keep up with the victim of his weaponry. However the poison worked its magic and the beast fell after only a few moments of its blood surging and spreading the highly toxic venom through her system. She would have dropped sooner, but she was a very large and strong female, and the venom took slightly longer to work on such a beautiful animal.

After she dropped Winsapi followed and dropped to the ground close to the slightly twitching form. He looked around for a moment and then stood, readied to make the ritual words and token of his respect to the gift from Eywa, but was stopped short. Something stilled the normal sounds of the close forest, a hush seemed to fall over the land itself, and only a barely audible breathing could be heard. A slight whistling sound to the exhale of opercula, a distinct noise that every Na'vi of the forest knew by instinct.

Winsapi had never heard the huff of a thanator before, had never encountered the fiercest predator that walked the lands of their world, but he knew the huff of a palulukan anyway. He froze and looked in the direction of the soft sound, seeing the head of the massive predator creep stealthily around between two trees. It didn't take more than that and the young Na'vi broke into a dash to get back into the trees. There was a roar and then an explosion of activity as the palulukan surged forward, laying claim to the kill before the prospective warrior could dare to try and take the fallen yerik away from claimed hunting grounds.

Winsapi wasn't a fool. The palulukan had staked its claim to these grounds, he knew that was always a possibility, and no Na'vi with two active brain cells to rub together would dare challenge the mighty 'dry mouth bringer of fear' over something that could be so easily replaced.

The beast did chase the fleeing Na'vi for a time, treeing the skittering youth (as Winsapi made it his duty to clamber into progressively higher limbs), and snapping some of the lower limbs nearly out from under Winsapi's feet. Massive rakes of powerful claws, and the spine-shivering snap of lethal jaws, made short work of the lower limbs as the beast made sure that he cleared the area of the kill to its approval. In time the chase ended and the palulukan returned to inspect its prize. Leaving Winsapi panting and alternately horrified, then elated to be alive, and clinging to the trunk of a tree up into the canopy.

[xanderpenton]

tires followed Zenke'winsi to where they kept their pa'li. The youngster sought out one in particular from the herd but Tirea went for one that was closest, he hadn't ridden the pa'li for a long tome, but once you got the hang of it, it was hard to forget. They rode long and hard through the day, his own horse struggling to keep the pace of Winsapi's swift steed. However the pa'li hurtled on, urged on snd soothed by its pale rider, stumbling occasionally through the flora as it made its way through unfamiliar territory. Tirea knew the area well. He had hunted here with on many occasions in the past as they both knew that this was a good place and an easy flight away by Ikran. He was impressed the youngster had the initiative to come out this far for the better hunting spaces, but he was also far to aware of the dangers that lurked in these areas along with the yerik they sought.

It was obvious to Ti that Zenke'winsi had indeed learned well from his previous mentor, drinking in all the knowledge she had offered forth, however he believed it was the teacher whom had misinterpreted her students lack of attention to lack of interest. His issue had been boredom. However she had taught at the pace of her slowest ward so as not to leave any student behind. The pale hunter almost wished he had been the one to take on this youngster from the start, but was simply thankfully that he got to take the boy through the hunt to prove his potential.

When the time came to dismount and leave the pa'li behind, he allowed winsapi to lead the way, holding back and taking as much care and attention not to be noticed as the youngster leading this hunt. He could tell winsapi was focused solely on his quarry, and the stealth that would be needed to creep up upon the creatures. They wove their way up into the branches of the surrounding forest, up out of reach from the local predators, and soon they came across the family of plains yerik. The hunter did everything perfectly, his breathing, his aim, but the squeak of the bow had been his downfall. The creatures bolted and the shot wasn't a clean kill but the arrows toxins worked and the beast succumbed after only a few bounds, finally staggering and then falling to its knees and then finally down onto the soft loam of the forest floor. Ti followed closely and quickly as the young hunter went after his downed victim. Tirea followed swiftly to gauge the last part of the test Hunt, the Respectful words tone spoken to the creature but before they could begin, he thought he heard the slightest rustle of the forest flora ahead of them.

He heard the great palulukan before he saw it, as was common. The low guttural growl echoed through the trees like a death rattle and Tirea strained to. Spot it through the foliage. He didn't have to look too far, for within moments the beast burst forth and gave chase to the hunters, who in turn bolted strait for the safety of the trees. The chase was relatively short for the predator merely wanted an easy meal, and the two Na'vi were quick one would have just required more effort to hunt as they progressed higher and higher onto limbs the beast knew would not support its weight.

They huddled among that the foliage and watched as the predator went back to Winsapis kill. He was almost sure he could could sense dismay from the young hunter at the loss of his kill, but if indeed Winsapi had felt this dismay, his body language hid it well. He debated using his own skills at mimicking the sounds of the forest to attemt scaring the beast off the fallen yerick but the moment the creature had gotten back to the carcass it had begun to tear it apart. He watched in dismay as the creature was swiftly stripped by the predator, and whispered to the younger hunter "There was nothing you could do, it is not your fault. If you still wish to say some words for the creatures life we will return home past the ultral aymokriyarä. I'm sure the great mother will understand. But for now do you want to move on and try once more?"

He got the feeling that the young hunter would indeed want to try again while there was still light and so they very carefully and quietly made their way through the branches, stalking and padding along the moss covered bark runways that led them to another hunting ground, with another herd, this time one stag, three does and only 2 plump adolescents. They were grazing on some of the broad fibrous leaves and vivid pink flowers that sprouted from the mossy soil amidst the roots of the great trees. The pale hunter squatted in the canopy above them, completely silent, watching to see how he did this time.

He wouldn't orally have offered a Second chance so soon after the first hunt but seeing as the Palulukan had beem in the area the yerik could have already been on the alert, making them more easily spooked by the noises in the forest around them, hence why the creak of the bowstring and caused them to bolt. He was sure Winsapis aim would have been perfect if they had not bolted, and the kill would have been clean. So.. .given these factors he would allow the youngster a second chance that day to earn his right to face the Ikinmaya and claim his Ikran. He waited with baited breath for the young hunter to make his move.


(( sorry this is so late... I had family here the last 4 days and getting online has been near impossible))

[KanokFelna]

The young hunter-to-be was practically vibrating with the adrenaline that coursed like hot fire through his arteries. The thrill of facing certain death and surviving was something Winsapi had never before experienced with such stark clarity. To say that he wasn't ready for the reality would have been an understatement as stark as his realization that he very nearly faced the mighty dry mouth bringer of fear and lost. Yet his instincts proved invaluable, and he was clinging high in a tree to savor the joy of living. There was no particular dismay, only the frightening truth that his flesh came quite close to the planets top predator. He was a bundle of shivering Na'vi inexperience, at once horrified and exhilarated.

His tutor must have confused the profoundly moving energy of the moment, because before Winsapi could compose himself (which would have been highly unlikely even in the best of situations) he was cast back into the role of hunter. Thrust back into a role he was not even pondering, as all he could think of was getting back to their home and relaying this tale, something that only one other of his peers could relate to through personal experience.

His head was simply no longer in this, he was already back around the clan fire and telling his story of the day, and it showed clearly in his motions. His stalking was clumsy, his motions jittery, and when it came time to attempt another kill he was so frazzled that his one remaining arrow flew wide and totally missed his target. He barely aimed, simply drawing his bow and letting fly. Gone was his focused breathing, absent was any concentration, and a moment after his arrow embedded in a root with a resounding 'THUNK' gone too were the small herd of plains yerik. It hardly helped that the endorphins had not ceased to surge through him, as he was now nothing but a bundle of anticipation of the next time he would be fortunate enough to survive a meeting with Palulukan. Unable to relax his nerves his arms shook slightly as he drew the bow and fired. Even the best hunter would be hard pressed to hit anything in such a state of unrest.

The hunt was over, he was rushing through it now and it was obvious Winsapi just didn't have his mind on the hunt, so there was nothing left to do but head back home. The day was all but over and it would be long after dark by the time they returned to the home-fires.

Zenke'winsi was talking to himself by the time they returned to where they had left their Pa'li, and it took a long time for him to track down his errant mount. Yol'trr refused to come when he whistled and called for her, she was busy sucking down the succulent nectar yeilded by some particularly plentiful groups of pa’liwll. Being as spirited as she was there was no Na'vi that would call her away from the feast. Winsapi had to track her down and virtually pry her away from her meal.

They rode hard to get back to their home, and the pa'li were exhausted from the days efforts when the duo finally returned the mounts to the corral. The riders were also tired and ready to feed themselves from whatever remained of the clan dinner, which they missed by several hours. In spite of his day, and his exhaustion, Winsapi was more than ready to regale his friends with the telling of the events with Pandora's top land predator.

((OOC: and we can bring Kilvan'mawey back into the mix now. I think this is a sufficient interlude, yes? heh heh And its just too soon to catapult my character into being a hunter. ;D If I move him ahead that far then there really is little point to have made a character that was not yet a full hunter. Gotta keep him off an ikran for awhile yet. Play him up to that point and keep him a nice counterpoint to the plethora of other characters that exist/will-exist that just keep this whole phase of Na'vi life as nothing more than a note in the characters history. ))

[xanderpenton]

The hunter could only watch in slight disappointment as the youngsters exhilaration lost them their nights meal. He should have really known better than to try again immediately with a student he had only spent one day with. He suggested Winsapi retrieve his arrow from where it lay, imbedded in one of the massive trunks before they set off on search of their Pa'li, simply for the fact that resources were resources, and if they didn't need to be replaced, why do so.

Throughout the entire journey back Tirea mused the situation in his mind. How could he help this youngster, with so much potential, achieve his goal. He spent the journey humming gently as he pondered his students energy, and as he promised, they returned home past the tree of voices. There he dismounted his exhausted pa'li and said to Zenke'winsi " I feel something needs to be said, you go ahead if you wish, I wont be far behind brother." before he smiled to his student and walked off between the softly glowing fronds.

He let the branches tendrils swathe over his outstretched arms as he walked through looking for a good place to sit and listen. He chose a spot between 2 of the large roots, where the moss and lichen glowed faintly as he placed his weight upon it. He sat with this legs crossed like so many did when they connected to the world and still he hummed gently as he let the voices fill his mind and he, mentally, joined his voice with theirs in a silent prayer for the life they took and then had taken from them. True to his word, he didn't stay too long, but he felt as though a great burden had been lifted from his mind by his prayer.

He returned home quickly, as promised, and picked his way quietly through the village, so as not to disturb any who had already retreated to the comfort of their hammocks or slept together in family units. after stopping by the looms and admiring the work there again once more he went in search of something to to eat, as his stomach reminded him loudly and indignantly that he hadn't eaten since that morning. after arriving at the dining area He picked over some of the remains of what had been the communal evening meal. He was a little ashamed of himself that he had not been able to contribute but, he knew that there were many other very competent hunters in the clan that must have provided for the day, and he knew that even the very best hunters didn't always bring home a kill, after all they nobody was perfect.

He slunk over to the hunters who remained in the area, some still picking at morsels of food, others just there for the communal chatter. He joined them with a beaming smile, and happily answered their questions about his long day with the youngster. He also sang the young hunters praise, despite the second attempt. He was impressed with Zenke'winsi's choice to go further afield to get the larger plains yerik, the hunt itself and the hunters handling of the whole situation of losing his kill to the fierce palulukan and was again more than happy to tell his companions so. He was pretty sure that it wouldn't be long before the boy would be going for his Ikran.

[sorry about the wait, I was waiting for Jai, and I have left it, hopefully so that we can all regroup?]

[edit: Half of this post was missing! I often type my replies on the iphone notes app, and to avoid accidental deletions of entire posts while i compose i select all and copy, so its save to my paste option should i lose it. my epic fail for not selecting all and copying properly this morning. I am So sorry!! I would also like to apologise now to Kanok for comments that may have seemed like character control, this was not ever my intention to ubermod/godmod etc so again you have my profuse apologies.]

[Jai'byrd]

Kilvan'mawey hobbled her way into the communal dining area, fashionably late as usual, but then again, at her age; one, being able to move under her own power was a blessing from Eywa in and of itself and two, she was an Elder and a Tsahik, she could darn well show up whenever she pleased and it wasn't like anyone was going to say a thing to her. Ah, the advantages of rank and age had its moments, even though it came with a heavy burden - especially currently with this return of the new Sky-People. She was still at her whit's end trying to figure out what to do with them now they were making more and more excursions into the forest. Gah, she was too old to deal with any of this, why couldn't Eywa send her that sign so she can find and train her replacement!

She sighed bitterly as she leaned on her huge staff heavily, feeling suddenly so drained as she paused in her tracks. The Tsahik couldn't lie to herself, she was too old for this job and all she wanted was one to train so finally she could get the reprieve she was looking for. To join with Eywa, her blessed mate who had gone on before her, her eldest daughter whom she had also outlived, parents, and even her long-gone Ikran... to be a part of the whole once more, as this body was wearing so thin she wondered if a stiff wind could blow her away one day. It certainly blew through her enough to chill her bones even on the warmest of nights these days.

Shaking her head, she continued on, Eywa had chosen her for a reason, and this was it. She wasn't going to give up, she was an Omaticaya through and through and she was going to go down fighting no matter what. Plus she was just too damn stubborn for her own good. She smirked at that last thought as she finally appeared for dinner as several of her relations moved instantly out of her way to let her pass and take her customary seat at the 'head' of the circle under a canopy of several skulls mounted to the tree behind them, one being the huge skull of Jakesulli's Toruk.

She sat with a groan and smiled as she was brought a bowl of steaming stew and a cup of a strong-smelling tea from the bark of a tree that was known to relieve pain - she drank this once in the morning and once in the evening, it helped keep her joints from swelling up and stiffening to the point she couldn't walk at all. Plus she always took long walks to keep herself moving as well, one couldn't just rely on drugs alone, such would be foolish.

"Please find young Winsapi and Taronyuti'rea and invite them to my side, I want to hear of their exploits this night, eh?" she asked one of her youngest Granddaughters, Ali'uah who had been sitting next to her.

The young female Na'vi who was much younger than Winsapi gave her a toothy grin and ran off to find the two males.

She found them both easily and said to them privately (making sure she wasn't interrupting any ongoing conversation), "The Tsahik invites you to her fire. She wants to know how your day was." With that said the girl ran back to her Grandmother's side as Kilvan'mawey rewarded her with a pat on the head and a couple of stewed fish eyes, which were a favorite they shared.