✦˚*𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 three* ˚ ✦

❝Swim❞

☀︎

Hana and her father walked back to their Marui beneath the high moon, their laughter filling the night air. As they entered, her mother greeted them with a warm smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement at their bright expressions.

"Did you have fun?" her mother asked sweetly.

"Lots, and she was very safe," her father replied, throwing a wary glance at Hana's brother, Zion, who sat moodily in the corner, sharpening his spear.

"Have you guys met the newcomers yet?" Hana asked as she started preparing for bed, pulling out her hairbrush.

"Oh yes, the ladies at the med shack have been talking about them all day. You know how they love to gossip," her mother said, shaking her head with a smile.

"Newcomers, huh? This island's crowded enough as it is," her father muttered.

Zion butted in, his tone sharp. "Surprised you even noticed, seeing as all you do is stay inside."

Her father shot him a glare. "Watch your tongue, boy—"

"Yeah, yeah," Zion muttered, rolling his eyes as he stood and headed outside.

Sensing the tension, Hana's mother swiftly changed the subject. "Ah, Hana, I almost forgot. Ronal stopped by earlier and asked if you could do a favor."

"What is it?" Hana asked, curious.

"She's organizing a welcoming for the newcomers and wants you to perform tomorrow night," her mother explained.

"A welcoming, huh? Sounds like an excuse to spy on the newcomers," her father joked with a chuckle.

"How am I supposed to perform?" Hana asked.

"Our family's traditional dance, of course!" her mother replied, her voice filled with pride. Hana smiled, recalling the times she watched her mother perform the same dance to welcome neighboring tribes.

"Haha! You dance, and I'll sing," her father teased, grabbing his ukulele and strumming random chords while humming nonsense lyrics.

"It's not funny, Kaito! This is an honor," her mother said sternly, though her pride was evident.

"Yeah, yeah," he replied, waving her off.

Her mother sighed dramatically. "There it is again! Zion's definitely your son," she muttered, making Hana laugh softly.

"Okay, enough of that. Let's all just get to bed, alright?" Hana said, still chuckling.

Her mother sighed again but smiled. "Yes, that sounds like a good idea."

The next morning, Hana woke to the sound of her father's loud snoring while her mother was already up, quietly chopping vegetables. The sunlight streamed into their Marui, casting warm rays across the room.

"Good sleep, honey?" her mother asked with a smile.

Hana stretched and yawned. "Yeah. What are you making?"

"Oh, just some lunch. I need to head over to Tsireya's early," she said, carefully packing the food into a woven container.

"You hungry? I still have time to make you something," her mother offered.

"I'm fine, thanks," Hana said, returning the smile as she got up and headed outside to the water to check her reflection.

"Ah, girl, your hair's a mess," her father remarked with a teasing grin when he spotted her.

"Kaito!" her mother scolded.

"Very funny," Hana said, narrowing her eyes at her dad while attempting to smooth down her partially dreaded hair, eventually tying it up.

"Well, I think you look very beautiful," her mother said softly, making Hana's heart warm.

"Thanks, Mum," she replied.

"I never said she was ugly. So dramatic," her father muttered, shaking his head.

Her mother chuckled. "You know, the other mothers are always talking about how lucky I got with you," she said, giving Hana a kiss on the head before turning to her husband. "I'll see you later, bye, honey," she added, giving him a kiss on the cheek before waving them both goodbye.

As she left, Hana's father turned to her. "And what are your plans today?" he asked while rummaging through one of their baskets, clearly in search of food.

"I—" Hana started but was cut off by Tsireya's voice.

"Hana!" Tsireya exclaimed, bursting into the Marui. "Come on, we have to go! The Sully kids need their lessons now," she said, grabbing Hana's hand and pulling her outside.

"Alright, alright!" Hana laughed, sending a quick kiss to her father, who smiled and waved her off.

Arriving at the Sully's Marui, Tsireya immediately grabbed Hana's hand, pulling her along as they dove into the water with a shared laugh. The cool rush of the ocean embraced them, its depths shimmering with an otherworldly light. As they swam, Hana's heart swelled with a deep sense of peace, her soul connected to the vast, living world around her. Every time she entered the water, it felt like coming home.

All around them, vibrant schools of fish darted between the coral, their scales flashing like gemstones in the filtered sunlight. Majestic creatures—mantas, glowing jellyfish, and sleek ilu—glided gracefully through the water. The soft hum of the ocean, the pulse of life, resonated within Hana, filling her with awe. She admired the delicate balance of it all: the way the creatures moved in harmony, the unspoken connection between all living things in the sea.

The Metkayina were taught from birth to respect the ocean, not just as a home but as a spirit that breathed alongside them. Hana felt this deeply. Every ripple in the water, every flick of a fish's tail, was a reminder of Eywa's presence, guiding and protecting them. She often found herself whispering silent prayers of gratitude to Eywa, offering thanks for the life that flourished beneath the waves.

As they swam through the coral passages, Hana's eyes roamed over the vibrant reefs, admiring the soft sway of anemones and the intricate patterns etched into the coral. The ocean was their lifeblood, its vastness holding ancient secrets, and Hana always took a moment to appreciate its beauty, its power, and its wisdom. She had spent countless hours listening to the elders speak of Eywa's song, how it was sung through the currents and carried by the creatures of the sea. To Hana, every dive was like hearing a new verse of that sacred song.

Tsireya, Hana, Aonung, and Rotxo swam closely together, their movements as fluid as the waves themselves. Tsireya turned back and noticed the Sullys rising to the surface for air, her serene expression faltering only slightly before sharing a perplexed glance with Hana.

Lo'ak looked down through the water to see Tsireya signing to him, "Swim together with us." Although Lo'ak and Neteyam looked confused, Tsireya smiled, urging them to continue.

Diving deeper, they passed through a coral archway teeming with life—tiny fish zipped in and out of the coral's crevices, while bioluminescent plants waved gently in the current. Hana took a moment to absorb the sight, her fingers brushing lightly against a piece of coral, careful not to disturb it.

The Sullys signaled to come up for air again before they surfaced.

"What's wrong with them?" Aonung signed, his face scrunched in confusion.

"They're bad divers," Rotxo signed, smirking.

"Stop," Tsireya signed firmly, her compassion evident. "They're still learning."

Hana nodded, silently agreeing. Everyone had to start somewhere, and to her, the ocean was patient, always willing to teach those who respected it. Aonung rolled his eyes as they surfaced.

"You're too fast! Wait for us!" Tuk cried out, her small voice carrying across the water.

"Just breathe. Deep breaths," Tsireya encouraged as Aonung popped up beside her.

"You're not good divers," Aonung said with a smirk. "Maybe good at swinging through trees, but—"

Tsireya angrily hit him on the head, cutting him off. Rotxo laughed, but Hana just smiled softly, her mind still on the ocean's rhythm, thinking of the lessons it held for everyone, even newcomers.

"They'll learn in time," Hana said quietly, her gaze drifting back to the water, as if Eywa herself was listening. She glanced at Neteyam, offering him a gentle, understanding smile, which he returned.

"C'mon, bro," Lo'ak muttered.

"We don't speak this finger talk, guys. We don't know what you're saying," Neteyam added, a hint of frustration in his voice.

"We can teach you—" Hana began eagerly, then paused, softening her tone. "If you'd like, that is..."

Neteyam chuckled, appreciating her sudden shyness. "We'd like that," he said.

"Where's Kiri?" Rotxo asked, scanning the water.

"Kiri?" Aonung echoed, confused.

Rotxo nodded, "Did you see her?" Tsireya asked, concern in her voice.

Hana's gaze drifted down through the water again, and she smiled, her heart swelling as she spotted Kiri below. Unlike her siblings, Kiri seemed completely at one with the ocean, her movements slow and deliberate, her expression peaceful. Kiri glided through the water like one of the creatures born beneath the waves, a true child of Eywa, her breath held far longer than the others.

Hana's admiration grew, watching Kiri blend into the ocean's flow, as if she too could hear the song of Eywa, resonating deep within her.

Aonung had decided, somewhat foolishly, that the best way for the Sullys to adapt was to learn how to ride an ilu—a necessity for anyone calling the Metkayina home. But it was clear to everyone that the Sullys still had a long way to go in mastering the ways of the water.

Hana, standing beside Tsireya, watched with concern as Aonung prepared the lesson. "Do you not think this is too much for them? They're already struggling with swimming," she asked, her voice carrying a note of doubt as she watched the Sullys gather, a mixture of eagerness and uncertainty on their faces.

"They must learn eventually. Now is better than never," Tsireya replied confidently, summoning her own ilu with a series of melodic clicks. Hana sighed but followed her lead, calling for her companion.

Narven, Hana's ilu, was known for his exceptional speed, faster than most. The water parted easily as he glided through, his form sleek and powerful. With a joyful trill, he curled affectionately around Hana's leg, causing her to laugh.

Neteyam, standing nearby, watched her with admiration. "I think you should teach me," he said, walking closer, his tone casual yet somehow intent.

Hana raised an eyebrow, patting Narven's head. "Really? And why's that?"

Neteyam's grin was quick and confident. "Oh, I learn a lot quicker when a beautiful girl is teaching me."

Hana nearly laughed at his boldness, placing a hand on her hip. "And just how many pretty girls have taught you to ride an ilu?"

"None yet. You could be the first," he said with a smirk, reaching out to pat Narven. But it was a mistake—Narven, protective as ever, nipped at his hand, causing Neteyam to stumble back in surprise. Hana burst out laughing as his cheeks darkened to a shade of blue in embarrassment.

Before Neteyam could respond, Aonung approached with a scowl. "You should find someone else to teach you, forest boy," he said, his disdain evident.

Neteyam rolled his eyes at Aonung's interruption, his confidence undeterred. "Oh, I doubt anyone else could teach me as well as her," he shot back, his gaze never leaving Hana.

"She doesn't want to teach you," Aonung said sharply, his words more a command than a statement.

Hana raised her brow at Aonung's assumption. "I don't remember saying that," she retorted, crossing her arms. "In fact, I'll teach him now. Lo'ak looks like he could use some help, so you might as well be on your way."

Aonung scoffed in disbelief, shaking his head as he walked away, muttering something under his breath.

Neteyam turned back to Hana with a grin. "So, you do want to teach me?"

"Why not?" Hana said with a shrug. "Just don't regret it when you fall off Narven. He's fast."

"I can handle it," Neteyam replied, though he took a cautious step closer to Narven, eyeing the ilu warily this time. His confidence remained, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in his movements.

Hana smiled to herself. This would be interesting.

"You also need to be gentle with him," she began, her voice quiet yet firm. "Narven is fast, but he's also... temperamental. If you're not calm, he won't be either."

Neteyam crouched down beside her, his expression curious and focused. "How do I make the bond?" he asked, watching her every movement with intent.

Hana took his hand and guided it to the back of Narven's neck where the neural connection would take place. "You have to trust him," she explained. "And he has to trust you. You can't rush this."

Neteyam nodded, though his brow furrowed slightly as he glanced at the ilu's fin, which twitched impatiently. "He doesn't look like he wants to trust anyone," he remarked, half-joking.

Hana laughed softly. "That's because he's testing you," she said. "He wants to see if you're worthy of the bond. Narven doesn't just follow anyone." Her fingers guided his queue to meet Narven's, and she could feel the slight tension in Neteyam's grip as their bond was formed.

The instant the connection was made, Narven's body jerked slightly, his energy surging as if he wanted to take off into the water immediately. Neteyam stiffened, his grip tightening instinctively. "Whoa... this is... intense," he muttered, trying to adjust to the sudden flood of Narven's emotions.

Hana, observing closely, placed her hand on Neteyam's shoulder, grounding him. "You have to breathe with him," she said softly. "Feel the water. Feel him. Let go of your need to control, and just... be."

Neteyam turned to look at her, admiration flashing in his eyes. "You're really... spiritual," he commented, his voice quieter now, as if he was trying to absorb more than just her words. "I like that. It's... different."

Hana chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. "I'm just trying to teach you how not to get thrown off," she teased, though her smile was warm. "Now go. Swim. He'll listen to you if you listen to him."

Neteyam gave her a lingering look, his smile lingering before he took a breath and urged Narven forward with a hesitant command. At first, the ilu hesitated, his usual rebellious streak showing in the way he flicked his tail. But Neteyam, to Hana's surprise, adjusted quickly, his focus sharpening as he synced with the creature's movements.

Within moments, Narven was gliding through the water, fast and smooth, with Neteyam holding on tight yet moving in sync with the ilu's energy. Hana watched in quiet amazement as they sped around, weaving through coral formations and darting past other creatures with surprising grace.

From the corner of her eye, she noticed Aonung standing off to the side, his arms crossed and an annoyed scowl plastered on his face. His irritation was clear, especially when Neteyam circled back with ease, looking far more comfortable than anyone had expected.

Hana couldn't help but smile. "Well, I didn't expect that," she muttered under her breath, half to herself.

Neteyam surfaced near her, his grin wide and triumphant. "How's that for a first-timer?"

Hana shook her head, a bit in awe but mostly amused. "You're a fast learner, forest boy. But don't get cocky yet. Narven's only testing you."

Neteyam laughed, his confidence never wavering. "Maybe, but I think he likes me."

"He hasn't thrown you off yet, so maybe," Hana conceded with a grin. But her gaze softened as she watched him, a hint of admiration forming. "You did well... really well."

Neteyam looked at her, the same admiration in his eyes that had lingered before. "It's all thanks to my teacher."

☀︎