News on the Wind... (open)

[Nayunva]

As the hunters mounted on Ikran descended to land, Zayna caught sight of Sempul'tsyal. She couldn't help but to allow for a breath of relief to escape from her chest. She was thankful, of course, that their Olo'eyktan was alive. But she was more thankful, that she would not have to make any hard decisions now. As far as choosing a mate went, Zayna knew that there were many warriors and seahunters in the clan that would be worthy of being the next Olo'eyktan, but she had not found anyone quite to her liking, yet. Of course, if Sempul'tsyal had not come back from the hunt, she would put her personal feelings aside, and choose the best male for the clan.

Zayna watched Sempul'tsyal approach Zera'que with a hard face, one he seemed to wear all the time. Zayna was then reminded that all his years of fighting and hunting over the sea had probably made him that way.

Zayna switched her focus from the clan leaders back to where the Seahunters were now beginning to arrive on shore. It took her only moments to spot her father. Once she had seen him, that was all that mattered. Her mother left her side to go and see him, but Zayna turned her attention back to the more important matters of the whole clan's well being.

She turned to see if Zera'que and Sempul'tsyal had returned to the Churning Waters hut, yet, and saw Zera'que heading back toward the hut. Zayna began her walk, also. But when she saw her Tsahik begin to bend over, harsh shakes filling her body, Zayna quickly rushed up to the older woman's side. Zera'que took her medicine, but that did not quell the fear that had suddenly reared it's head in Zayna's chest. "Are you alright? Should I fetch you some water?" Zayna flicked her tail-tip nervously as she felt the rain sting against her back. Zera'que may be alright from her attack, but the rain and cold could do several days worth of damage to the old woman's body. "We need to get out of this rain." Zayna said quickly. She knew that Zera'que wouldn't be able to move very much until the attack passed, but this rain wasn't doing the old woman very much good.

[Jai'byrd]

Ni'awtu nodded solemnly at Bila'reu's explanation of what had just happened, which explained why the Tsahik and her successor had just rushed outside. Thus she went back to the fire, squatting down next to Bila'reu's younger brother and gave him a small, yet reassuring smile as she took a piece of fish and chewed on it thoughtfully.

As the salty flavor spread in her mouth she reflected on the fact that hunting in the Jungles wasn't all too different from hunting in the sea then. She repressed the urge to reach up and touch her own scars across her face and head that marked her as a survivor of a Toruk attack as not many really lived to tell such a tale. With the Toruk prowling the skies and other just as dangerous predators below stalking the earth, just as many Omaticaya went back to Eywa as she surmised were taken by the sea every year. Such was the way of things, the way and will of Eywa, but it didn't make it any less sad really...

A loud fit of someone coughing outside the tent made Ni'awtu look over her shoulder back at the entrance as her good right ear perked a bit. Who was that? The elder Tsahik? However Ni'awtu said nothing and remained silent until spoken to as she really didn't want to put her foot in her mouth here. She was here to do a job, not become a busy-body in this Clan's affairs. If they told her, they told her, and if they didn't, then they didn't. It was as simple as that, thus she waited for the Clan Leader to arrive...

[HorusRe/Bila'reu]

Ni'awtu listened and ate in silence, lost in her own thoughts apparently. The veneer caught on like a virus, as each of the siblings fell silent in turn. Looking into their food, at the walls, virtually anywhere but at each other. They were Txampay’awkx, they endured, above all other things. None of them needed a shoulder to sulk on, nor would any of them seek solace in kind words. They may have lost relatives on the hunt, they may have lost siblings or parents; but to them, in the Txampay’awkx way, relation actually didn't matter all that much, as all clan were father and mother... brother and sister. Every loss diminished them slightly, just as every birth strengthened them.

Nobody spoke, even as the sounds from outside carried over the shrill scream of a merciless wind. As Txampay’awkx would, they waited, until there was a reason to speak or to act. Each one eating calmly.

***************************

On the beach Wing Father listened to his mate as she spoke.

"Eywa has been kind to me..."

He nodded shallow and gravely, for he didn't share her relief. They had lost good hunters, and good friends, on that late-season hunt. He knew this was always a possibility, it was part of the risk one took whenever going out to sea, and in fact the sacrifice was a part of the ritual of that particular hunt. That all aside he still felt a sadness in his heart for those friends and companions that he had lost. It was his hunt, as the duty of the clan leader was to lead such a hunt, and that he lost hunters hurt his heart.

He would have traded his life for theirs in the beating of a heart, his heart, as he was at the end of his days, and some that they lost were only just beginning theirs. Eywa reclaimed what she gave, and he did not begrudge her that claim, nor did he feel any animosity toward T'weu for her capricious nature. They were all parts of a single whole, living and dying for the greater good... but he did wonder why he was not called to go into the deep in place of younger warriors.

As she continued, in a whisper, his face grew darker and decidedly more grim.

"We have a guest, a 'upxareil of the Omaticaya. She has brought a message to us from their Tsahik. Bila'reu's family has taken good care of her, but I do not wish to keep the girl waiting."

Then his mate turned on her heels and walked away from him. That left him standing for a moment nonplussed. It was he that the message was intended for, as he lead the clan, and it would be for his eyes alone (unless he felt like sharing the written message and not just calling the clan together to inform them all of his decision regarding the message)... and yet she seemed determined to dictate to him the time the message would be relayed.

He strode after her, staying slightly behind her, and totally ignoring the gesture to take her hand. He was more than a little annoyed with her at that moment, for her presumption and her foolish behavior when she should have been staying inside in such environmental conditions. He didn't smile, he just walked along behind her, at least that was until she collapsed in a coughing fit. The increasingly powerful winds, and the chilled rain, were not good for her. She should have used better judgement before stepping out into the weather.

Without a word he scooped her up into his still powerful arms, cradling her as one might an ill child, and spun on his heels. Walking away from the hut where the Omaticaya guest was said to be staying. Heading in as straight a path as possible to return her to the warmth of their living space.

"I will see to the 'upxareil, you will rest."

He said this sternly, without a note of compromise in his tone, as he would not tolerate any disobedience in this matter. She knew him well enough to know that he would certainly tie her down if she thought she would do otherwise.

He turned his head to the next Tsahik and gave her a cool, hard stare, a look she had seen a million times before. The look of the unforgiving Olo'eyktan, not the gentler face of the elder Sempul'tsyal. He was about to issue an order, one he would expect to be followed.

"Make our guest welcome, inform her I will be there when I am able. I have four other families to visit before I come to the Churning Waters."

He said this as that was part of the traditions of the clan. The leader always told the families that had lost a member, as soon as was possible, and these visits would be for that reason.

With that said he turned his back to Zayna and strode off through the gale and the rain.

"The Churning Waters lost one of their own," he continued, for the ears of his mate, as he fought against the unpredictable cross-winds that whipped about them and blew his top-knot about like a small lash. "As the outsider may take more time I shall visit them last."

He was making the message clear that, like it or not, he would have to see that family that night. So the 'upxareil would have her time that night as well... but that would hardly be his sole motivating factor. Indeed, it would have been unfair to forsake those other families that had lost loved ones for duties that could wait until the next day, or the day after that. The 'upxareil would not be flying home in this weather, so she would have to wait out the storm, which meant there was plenty of time to attend to this message from a distant-outsider clan. His clan would always come first, and in this situation they were no exception.

[Zazu]

She heard the voice of her heir over the winds howling, but did not understand what she said. Her coughing had caused her to be unable to comprehend the young woman's words, and was unable to ask her to speak again or to even wonder what she had said. Strong arms scooped her up, and her first instinct was to fight back, but her pushing was weak.

She calmed and looked up into the face of her mate, his eyes stern and calm, showing no torment or anger. She gently laid a hand on his shoulder, a soft protest that he clearly ignored. She coughed a few more times, and between the time her eyes closed and opened, she was back at their hut. She was set down inside, and given stern orders to stay put. She nodded her head, knowing that theer was no way to get around Sempul'tsyal's command and that if her mate had to keep her here by force, he would. She simply shook her head and settled herself by the fire, focusing on fixing her mate a warm meal for when he returned.

Zera'que's surroundings soon became her prison as she stayed in the hut, the wind outside screaming its disapproval. She stirred the pot of warm seaweed soup on the fire, adding pieces of fish from time to time to add meat to the watery food. She had clams cooking on a hot stone and had to flip them often to keep them from burning. Even though the atmosphere was cheery in the hut, her soul was far from it. In the hut's warm interior her soul was brewing on her naive actions and she was unable to push the thoughts away. Hopefully tears were good flavoring.

[Nayunva]

Zayna was busy fretting over Zera'que when she felt a presence come behind her. She twisted her head around and looked up to see Sempul'tsyal. He scooped up Zera'que in his arms, and Zayna rose from her crouch. He made his quick statement to her, and Zayna nodded her head once to show that she understood before heading back in the direction of the Churning Waters home.

~*~*~*~

Zayna opened the flap of the home and stepped inside, eager to escape from the wind and rain that was buffeting outside. She pushed Zera'que far away from her mind. She was in good hands. Zayna dipped her head at the occupants of the tent, before opening her mouth to speak. "I apologize for our sudden disappearance." Zayna said to Ni'awtu. "Sempul'tsyal will be with you very shortly."Zayna knew that he had to first attend to his mate, and then to all of the families that had lost members today. True, it was Eywa's will that they were taken. But that did not change the fact that people still felt sorrow when someone they loved was lost on a hunt.

Zayna didn't want to linger her mind on who had been lost, and instead focused on what Sempul'tsyal had ordered her to do. "So, Ni'awtu. I'm afraid I've never been to your clan before. What is it like?" Making conversation would pass the time more quickly, and it was following the orders Sempul'tsyal had given her.

[Jai'byrd]

Ni'awtu felt totally out of place, not because the Churning Waters family had done anything wrong - not at all, they were the pinnacle of being perfect hosts - it was just a bad day to come it seemed and the Omaticayan Na'vi felt rather awkward. She hoped the Olo'eyktan would arrive soon, thus she hoped to just sit by herself and stay out of the way so that she wouldn't be too much of a bother all in all.

However it didn't turn out that way as the Tsahik's apprentice came back in the hut and walked back up to Ni'awtu.

"So, Ni'awtu. I'm afraid I've never been to your clan before. What is it like?"

"Uh," she started and then caught herself as her question startled Ni'awtu out of her current line of thinking, how did one explain what it was like to live in another Clan?

"Well, um, we're not used to such large bodies of water I guess, like the sea. I mean, we have lakes and rivers, but nothing like the vastness of the ocean..."

She paused to collect her thoughts further on the subject, "We don't live in buildings like these, instead we live in the giant trees there, they have everything we need as Eywa intended. Shelter, homes for our Ikran... We usually stick to the canopies of the jungle as its somewhat safer there, but then when its your time, its your time I suppose. Whether is be a Palulukan below or Toruk from above, all energy is balanced, even in the Jungles."

Then she shrugged, "Other than that I do not suspect we are all too different. We are all Na'vi."

[HorusRe/Bila'reu]

Bila'reu maintained his composure, his sturdy grace, as he ate in silence. His closer-to-orange-than-yellow eyes watching their fire as he held a face that mixed equal parts concern and calm. He wondered who had been lost, prayed silently to Eywa for any that went into the deep, and said nothing.

Iheyu’ong held a similar expression on her slender face. Every bit the sturdy warrior in spite of the fact she was as much a healer as a hunter.

Only young Alaksi’iawn, whose name translated to "stay ready", seemed to express higher levels of worry and sadness. His tail twitched about behind him, a sure sign of his anxiety. He loved his parents, in his eyes they were paragons of the Na'vi universe, and he couldn't imagine a world without them. The strength and determination of his father Niwintawng. The humor and spirit of his mother Yomtingtu’ir.

Then Zayna returned and the conversation was restored to the hut. All gathered perked up a bit, listening with reverence and a subtle intensity that was already evidenced that evening.

Moments after Ni'awtu had responded the flap parted again and a quartet of strong Na'vi slid within the hut of the Churning Waters family. The two in the lead, a male and a female, showed not only their age but also their esteemed status. Hair faded, a light blue-gray for the male, and a lavender white for the female. Bodies decorated and adorned with small displays that marked each as high ranking hunters in the clan. Of particular note, in a room where virtually all wore leathers that lacked anything other than a tanned coloration of uncolored hide, the male sported hardened leather shoulders of a lacquered black, and leggings of a similar color. One could only guess this marked him as and elite even within the elite of the clan. A Sea-Hunter that stood out among even other sea-hunters. Their movements were deliberate, refined, and commanding. Each took only a glance about the scene within and had the situation gauged within a nano-second.

Behind the lead pair a younger duo, again a male and a female, with the male lacking the signs of rank, and the female being of such an exotic natural appearance that she must be someone of moderate import.

As the lead pair sauntered within the families eyes took on a distinctly relieved sheen, for these were obviously the families patriarch and matriarch. The pair behind certainly being another sister and brother; the warrior Tukrutxur, and the artisan Ayoeng'awliefifya. Only the female with the mass of braided violet hair seemed less the worse for wear. The other three looked a bit haggard, soaked by the hard sea waters, and bearing a beaten aspect that told of a time spent on the most recent hunt.

The parents introduced themselves to Ni'awtu as Niwintawng and Yomtingtu’ir. The children that entered followed suit, and then all took a place around the fire and helped themselves to a small portion of the meal. In any other clan it would have been common to engage in talks about the hunt, even on such an occasion as a hunt that saw the death of several clan members, but these warriors didn't seem intent on engaging in such deliberations around an outsider. They took up the circle and promptly assumed a stoic silence. Differing to the status of their future Tsahik and the respect of the independence of their clan. No one dared inquire of the family head as to the events of the hunt, and the powerfully built male that held that position didn't seemed even remotely disposed toward talking about it in mixed company.

So it was for a time...

*****************************

Sempul'tsyal made his rounds diligently, taking his time but aware of the needs of his position in regards to the message that awaited him. Fortunately the families he was required to visit took the news as most of the clan would, with a knowing acceptance of the nature of their lives. In short order he came to the hut of the Churning Waters and entered without announcement or hesitation.

He cut a strong image, his muscles long and hardened by a full life of survival and combat. His attire still very simple, but delicately adorned with distinct signs of his rank. The black lattice that wrapped about his tail, a tail tuffed in white hair that contrasted elegantly with the dyed color of the leather webbing, was unique among his clan, for it was an article of attire that only the Olo'eyktan could choose to wear.

He didn't bother with waiting for recognition. The entire family bowed their heads to him as he entered, his mere presence would tell the outsider of his rank. He simply walked to where all gathered could see him and spoke.

"On this night of the Late-Hunt the Churning Waters family has been chosen, by blessed T'weu, to mix their blood with those that have gone into the deep before them. I'wasi, brother to Niwintawng, has gone into the deep and has become one with T'weu, and has become one with Eywa."

The family watched their leader make the announcement. All bowed their heads and said a silent prayer, a personal prayer, for the warrior that had gone out to the sea and would remain a part of the waters. None made any comment. Moments passed in silence.

After the respectful silence Sempul'tsyal walked directly up to stand beside Ni'awtu and steeled his unusual blue eyes upon her.

"What message from our cousins of the trees?"

Straight forward. No fanfare and no need of dressing the moment up in unnecessary ritual. He was obviously not a Na'vi of many words... rather he was a leader of action. He was not demanding, however he was neither going to waste any time, his or Ni'awtu's, playing games. She was the messenger, he was the recipient, and he meant to get to the heart of her mission within the shortest frame of time possible. She had already been welcomed, lodged, and fed. He would only be repeating what had been accomplished by making gestures that reinforced the idea that his clan were not merely battle-hungry Ikran warriors. Now was the time to reinforce the idea that his clan didn't waste time with words.

He was always one to put that spear-point home, with an almost brutal honesty no less.

[Jai'byrd]

((OOC: Sorry folks, I'm skipping a head in turn order a bit so we can get the next part of the story going, which I hope will involve more people!))

Finally the Olo'eyktan arrived as an Elder male walked into the tent like he owned the place and the way everyone around her bowed, Ni'awtu was on her feet, doing likewise. The aged male Na'vi spoke, his words grave...

"On this night of the Late-Hunt the Churning Waters family has been chosen, by blessed T'weu, to mix their blood with those that have gone into the deep before them. I'wasi, brother to Niwintawng, has gone into the deep and has become one with T'weu, and has become one with Eywa."

Ni'awtu bowed her head in respected silence as she looked around to see how the family was taking such horrid news. So the circle of life continues, a member of their family had gone back to Eywa, but it still didn't make it easy to those left behind.

Then the Olo'eyktan sighted her in his strong gaze and suddenly she felt like a yerik caught in the sights of a hungry palulukan.

"What message from our cousins of the trees?"

She rose to the occasion meeting his gaze confidently as she stepped up and handed him the message container made of horn and beads. Ni'awtu then touched her forehead in greetings and respect to the Elder Leader of the Sea Clan.

"I see you Olo'eyktan Sempul'tsyal. The Omaitcaya has been recently contacted by the new Sky People. Thus in our Tsahik's wisdom she wishes to call a meeting between the Clans at the Tree of Souls to discuss what is to be done in regards to these Sky People as a whole by all the Clans. She invites the Olo'eyktan and Tsahik of the mighty Txampay'awkx and as many warriors you wish to bring to the Tree of Souls on the Day of Ikran Hatchings in one moon's time."