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First Moment
"You've been busy." Ro'a gasps out as she puts the radio piece in her ear. Her heart is thudding away in her chest, trying not to panic. But the sight of this strong Na'vi warrior before her, calm and confident, helps ease her nerves.
He shifts a step back, his yellow eyes focused completely on her. "They were looking for you," he replies, a slight growl in his voice, "they found me."
Oh, but if that growl doesn't make her knees weaken. No, that has to be the adrenaline pumping through her body. Anyway, this is sure as shit not the time to be thinking about it. Ro'a shakes it off and focuses.
His deep voice rumbles out again. "You need to move. Now."
Second Moment
The last RDA soldier falls. She feels a moment of relief before she's lowering her bow and rushing over to where So'lek remains by the tree. "Here, a dapophet pod. It is a dapophet pod, right? I'm not about to poison you?" Ro'a says breathlessly, holding it out towards him.
He takes it from her, his face stoic despite the decent amount of pain he must be in. She envies that.
Ro'a had never been able to hide her own pain, even at the cost of Mercer's discipline. Aha'ri had been much better at hiding hers.
A strained chuckle leaves his lips. "Yes, this is a dapophet pod. You chose correctly. Now, watch closely, Ro'a. This is how we heal." he rumbles, and oh, her face begins to blush brightly as he bites into the dapophet pod, grunting. Luckily, he doesn't notice her idiocy and she has to look away before she makes a complete fool of herself.
The sound of a shoulder snapping back into place, plus So'lek's grunted noise of pain, has her head snapping back to face him. He really is strong.
Third Moment
So'lek slides the songcord he'd made just for her onto her wrist. He's so gentle, yet his touch makes her skin tingle. Ro'a knows that he also made songcords for Nor, Ri'nela and Teylan as well, so she isn't special.
But this moment feels like it is special.
"All Na'vi wear one," he says, "it is your life's journey for the world to see. For you to remember."
Ro'a swallows hard. "My mother's had more beads on hers. I wish they- well, it doesn't matter now. I'll never see it again. But... thank you, So'lek. This means a lot to me." she's sure her face is red as she looks down at the bare songcord, amazed that he'd do this for her.
His hand gently touches hers again. "You are already off to a good start, Ro'a. I have given you your first bead to commemorate your first steps to freedom."
Her face is going to spontaneously combust one day, she's sure of it. He's so kind.
Fourth Moment
"Keep them off Alma and Hajir until then." So'lek instructs.
He sees the obvious doubt on her face and he steps close, resting his hand on her upper arm. "You can handle this," his confident tone sends her pulse skyrocketing, "I'll be quick."
Then he stalks off into the forest like the shadow he is, and Ro'a only has moments to consider the forming crush she has on this 'dog-tag warrior'. Is it suddenly hot out here, even though she's standing under shade? Truth be told, she wants to panic, she's not sure she's ready for this-
But So'lek has every confidence in her. She straightens up and begins to use his sling to lay out the trap grenades.
Fifth Moment
Ro'a sits outside on the Resistance Hideout's top, staring up at the stars. The party beneath is nice, but it's getting a little loud for her liking. Footsteps sound behind her, pausing - and then So'lek is sitting down beside her.
"I thought you were showing Nor your knife tricks." she comments.
He scoffs and leans back himself, casting his gaze to the night sky. "My knives are not for tricks. I did show him a few... made up things, however. Enough to ease his curiosity. We'll be looking over the contents of Harding's box soon."
Ro'a observes him as he falls silent. His bioluminescent dots glow brightly under the moonlight, his yellow eyes bright and focused.
He's beautiful.
Suddenly, he's looking at her and her head snaps away, cheeks going warm again. The butterflies in her stomach flap like crazy.
Oh, she's definitely in over her head.