Chapter Text
Damn.
Fuck.
Shit.
What was the traitor doing there?
Why was Jake Sully in a clan so far from the Omatikaya?
And, more importantly...What was she supposed to do now?
These were the chaotic thoughts screaming through Celeste's mind as her eyes remained fixed on the family that had just arrived on the beach.
The wind, heavy with salt, blew through the reefs, carrying with it the scent of the ocean and the familiar sound of waves crashing against the coral formations. Around her, the Metkayina watched the newcomers with a mixture of curiosity and caution. But Celeste could no longer hear anything.
All she could see at that moment was Jake Sully. She would recognize him anywhere. The former Marine who had joined Dr. Augustine's avatar program, the one who had betrayed his own race. The reason hundreds of soldiers never returned home.
One of the reasons she was there, inside a body that was not her own. She could feel her stomach twisting, far worse than it had during the training she underwent before traveling in zero gravity. The arrival of that family changed everything, everything that had until then been going perfectly, years of trust and lies carefully built.
For years, the operation had proceeded exactly as planned.
Celeste had arrived at the reefs while still young, carrying an identity carefully crafted by the RDA. Her objective was simple: observe. Learn. Understand the Metkayina. No provoking conflicts, no attempting to influence the clan. Just live among them and send information.
Pretend to be one of them. And it had worked, for years.
The unbearable training she had received before even setting foot on Pandora had helped a great deal. Months spent memorizing words, accents, customs, and traditions. Endless hours of simulations and interrogations to ensure her story could withstand any questioning. The identity created for her was cruel precisely because it was based on something real.
A small coastal clan in the south had been destroyed during an RDA operation involving tulkun hunting. Very few details of that massacre had reached public knowledge, but enough for the corporation to turn the tragedy into an opportunity. When Celeste appeared among the Metkayina, injured, disoriented, and claiming to be a survivor of that attack, no one had any reason to doubt her.
Especially when she claimed to remember almost nothing. The amnesia perfectly justified her lack of knowledge regarding specific customs. She was welcomed without hesitation by the Metkayina, who gave her shelter and taught her “again” the culture she had supposedly forgotten. It also helped that the newer avatars had been developed to eliminate the differences that had exposed earlier models. No human eyebrows. No five-fingered hands. Nothing that distinguished her from the other Na'vi. Physically, she was just like all of them. And now it seemed that everything that had been carefully built over the years was about to collapse.
— We seek uturu. — Jake Sully said to Tonowari. — Please, a sanctuary to protect my family.
— We are the reef people, you are forest people. — Tonowari said. — Your skills contribute nothing here.
— No, but we can adapt, learn. — Jake looked at his family, seeking their confirmation before turning back to Tonowari and Ronal. — Learn your ways.
As Jake continued trying to convince the olo'eyktan and the tsahìk to accept them, Celeste remained beside Tsireya, silently observing the scene. Even though her face wore a neutral expression, inside her mind was working at a speed she could barely keep up with. This was a disaster.
A complete disaster.
They were planning to stay.
The Sullys were probably the most dangerous people who could have appeared in Awa'atlu. Not only because they were her enemies, but because they knew how to survive, recognize threats, and were undoubtedly experts in hating the RDA. If any of them discovered who she really was, years of infiltration would end instantly.
— They seem frightened. — Tsireya murmured beside her, drawing her attention back.
Tonowari's daughter watched the newcomers with genuine concern. Pure compassion.
— Maybe they are. — she replied.
Tsireya turned her attention back to Jake's children, particularly to the one whose hand Ronal was lifting to show that he carried demon blood.
— They must miss home.
Celeste silently followed Ronal's movement as the tsahìk examined the boy's arm. Besides Jake, two of his children carried the same traits that revealed their human heritage.
Eyebrows.
Five fingers.
Features inherited from their father. She had heard the Na'vi use countless words to refer to those traits over the years. Some curious. Others cruel.
How ironic.
The Metkayina were looking at those traits as something strange, different, a visible mark of their connection to humans. Meanwhile, none of them had any idea that there had in fact been a human among them for years, lying to everyone.
— They are different. — Tsireya commented, without any malice in her voice. — I'm not referring to the part connected to the Sky People.
Celeste shifted her gaze toward her friend. Tsireya continued watching the newcomers, her blue eyes fixed on the Sully family.
— Then what are you referring to? — she asked.
— Their physique and coloring. — Tsireya looked back at Celeste.
Celeste followed her friend's gaze back to the Sully family. Now that Tsireya had mentioned it, the differences were indeed obvious.
The Metkayina possessed stronger, more robust bodies, powerful arms adapted for swimming, broad flattened tails that helped propel them through the water. Their skin carried blue-green tones, blending naturally with the colors of the ocean.
The Sullys were different.
Built for the forest.
Their bodies were more slender, with strong yet lean arms, thinner tails that aided balance across high terrain, and markings that resembled shadows and foliage.
— How interesting that Eywa created each of us to adapt to the place where we live. — Tsireya continued.
Celeste followed her friend's gaze for a few more seconds. The observation was innocent. Yet it still stirred a strange feeling within her.
— Eywa is wise. — Tsireya continued, admiring the newcomers. — Every people is exactly as they need to be.
Celeste simply nodded.
However, when she looked back at the newcomers, she found a pair of golden eyes watching her for a brief moment before shifting back to the conversation between Jake Sully and Tonowari. Her heart gave an irritating leap.
One of Jake's sons.
She immediately looked away, pretending to be interested in a coral formation near the beach. She was probably becoming paranoid. There had been dozens of other Metkayina gathered there. He was surely looking at anyone else in the crowd.
But the unpleasant feeling remained.
Maybe it was only because she was nervous. Ever since the Sullys had appeared, her mind had been searching for every possible threat... Or maybe it was because the way he had looked at her felt as though he had been analyzing her completely.
— Toruk Makto and his family will stay with us. — Tonowari finally announced to everyone. — However, they do not know our ways. They will be like babies taking their first breath.
While all of the Sullys seemed to finally relax, Celeste felt her entire body stiffen with tension.
Shit.
— My children, Aonung and Tsireya, will help them.
While, somewhere in the background, Celeste could hear Aonung complaining to his father, Tsireya instantly moved to welcome the newcomers with a smile.
— Manu, help me take them to their new home. — she said, looking at Celeste.
Celeste nearly let a curse slip out. Of course Tsireya would involve her in this. Because clearly that day was not bad enough already. Eywa apparently wanted her to suffer.
Celeste remained still for a second. Maybe, if she stood motionless long enough, everyone would forget she existed. Unfortunately, Tsireya turned her head.
— Manu. — Tsireya called again, her voice accompanied by the kind of smile that was impossible to refuse.
Ah, damn it.
— I'm coming.
☀︎
Her real name was Celeste Morgan.
Her human name.
No one there even knew that word. To the Metkayina, she was Manu. The young woman who had lost everything to the humans and found a new family among the reef people. A lie so old that, sometimes, even she had to remind herself where Manu ended and Celeste began.
It felt strange whenever she returned to her human body and people called her Celeste or Morgan. The names felt like they belonged to a complete stranger.
Because Celeste only existed inside a facility surrounded by metal, screens, and soldiers. Sometimes, during the rare occasions when she had to return to base for medical evaluations or in-person reports, she felt a strange disconnect. As if she were wearing the wrong skin.
The recycled air in the corridors felt suffocating. After spending years speaking only Na'vi, she occasionally needed a few seconds to reorganize her thoughts when someone started a conversation in English.
It was ridiculous.
☀︎
— This is your new home. — Tsireya said, presenting the marui to the Sullys.
While Tsireya continued showing them the basics, Celeste walked behind the Sullys carrying a military crate, her mind elsewhere. Before she could think about setting the crate down in a corner, the sound of something falling startled her.
Mrs. Sully had dropped some sort of rug or tapestry onto the floor with unnecessary force, a clear display of her displeasure at being there.
The noise made Celeste practically hug the crate to her chest out of pure reflex. But Tsireya interpreted it differently. She saw her friend startled by the loud sound, something that reminded her of her traumatic past, and quickly moved closer in concern.
— Manu? — Her voice was soft, filled with worry.
Celeste blinked a few times. It took her a second to realize she was gripping the crate so tightly that her fingers hurt.
Oh.
— It's fine. — she replied quickly.
But Tsireya did not seem convinced. She knew that reaction. She knew it because Manu's lie had been built specifically around things like that. Tonowari's daughter placed a hand on her arm.
— It was only something falling.
Celeste almost felt like laughing. If Tsireya knew that what had truly frightened her at that moment was not a falling rug. It was Jake Sully's entire family living only a few meters away from her.
— I know. — she replied.
Tsireya studied her face for a few seconds before nodding.
— Alright.
On the other side of the marui, Neytiri had left the main area and stepped outside, with Jake following after her. Only Tsireya and Celeste remained with the Sully children, who were looking at them in confusion.
— Are you okay? — the oldest one asked.
Again.
His golden eyes were fixed on Celeste and the crate she was still holding tightly. Celeste could feel her body tense even more.
Wonderful.
For a few seconds, she simply stared into those golden eyes before feeling the weight of the crate shift. When she looked down, she saw that he had approached and was helping carry it.
She froze.
That had not been part of any possible scenario her stressed mind had imagined. She had expected their first direct interaction to involve an interrogation or something equally unpleasant.
Not help.
Her eyes slowly lowered to hands of a deeper blue, completely different from her own greenish-blue skin. His hands supporting part of the crate's weight.
— Manu, right? — he commented. His voice was calm and easygoing. — Thanks for helping bring everything.
Her heart gave another irritating leap.
Celeste stood motionless. For one absurd and completely irrational second, her brain seemed to forget how to function.
What kind of ridiculous situation was this?
— I... — she began, before realizing she had not been paying enough attention to formulate a natural response.
Excellent work, infiltrator.
After years of deceiving an entire clan, she was about to look like an idiot because a polite boy had offered to help. Fortunately, thank God, Tsireya could see the disaster her friend was becoming and immediately came to her rescue.
— I hope you'll feel at home. We'll give you some privacy so you can settle in comfortably. — she said quickly as she handed the crate completely over to the Sully son before dragging Celeste away.
Celeste let her friend grab her by the arm and practically escort her out of the marui.
— Tsireya—
When they finally reached what felt like a reasonably safe distance, Tsireya turned around. There was a dangerous gleam in her eyes.
— Tell me what that was with Toruk Makto's son??? — she asked quickly, a mischievous smile slowly forming.
Celeste stared at Tsireya for a second before realizing.
No.
No. No. No. No. No!
Out of every possible interpretation of that situation, her friend had chosen exactly the worst one.
— What? — she asked.
Tsireya crossed her arms.
— Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about.
— I really don't.
— Manu.
The accusatory tone was so exaggerated that Celeste almost felt like smashing her head against a rock.
— You practically forgot how to speak.
— I did not—
— And you kept staring at him.
— Because he appeared out of nowhere!
— Mhm, sure. — Tsireya narrowed her eyes as her smile widened. — And you were naturally admiring his strong hands.
— I was looking at the crate!
The response came out far too quickly. Quickly enough to make Tsireya raise an eyebrow.
— Of course.
— I was.
— Of course.
— Tsireya.
— Manu.
Celeste pinched the bridge of her nose.
Years of deceiving experienced warriors, hunters, elders, and even Ronal. Yet five minutes around Tsireya was enough to make all her manipulation skills disappear.
— You're making things up.
— I'm not making anything up.
— Yes, you are.
— I literally saw it.
— You saw it wrong.
— Oh, so you weren't standing there staring at him forever?
— It was two seconds.
— It was at least ten.
— Two.
— Ten.
— Two.
— Ten.
Celeste let out a frustrated groan while Tsireya seemed to be enjoying her suffering far more than she should.
— Besides, — Tonowari's daughter continued, — he's handsome.
— Tsireya.
— What?
— Stop.
— I'm only stating facts.
— You don't even know him.
— And you do?
For a few seconds, Celeste found herself speechless.
— You know what? I'm going back to my marui. It's been a long day and I need to rest. — Celeste said, raising her hands before starting to walk away.
— Haha! You can try to run now, but you can't escape the truth of what happened back there! — Tsireya called from where she stood as Celeste continued moving away.
Celeste kept walking without looking back.
— Nothing happened!
— That's exactly what someone in love would say!
— TSIREYA!
Her friend's laughter followed her for a good portion of the journey.
Wonderful.
Now, in addition to Jake Sully appearing out of absolutely nowhere and destroying years of planning, she also had to deal with Tsireya deciding she had discovered a romance.
Perfect. Simply perfect.
When Tonowari's daughter's voice finally faded into the distance, Celeste let out a long sigh. The irritated smile that had appeared on her face vanished almost immediately.
Reality returned with full force.
Jake Sully was here.
No matter how much she tried to ignore it, it remained a massive problem.
She slowed her pace. She needed to think. She needed to send a report. The RDA needed to know. The unexpected arrival of the Sully family in Awa'atlu completely changed the region's strategic value.
Yet... She did none of that.
Celeste remained seated for several minutes in the quiet interior of her marui, watching the ocean through the woven opening while the sky slowly began to darken, the sun gradually disappearing beyond the horizon and painting the waters in shades of orange and gold.
It was strange.
Normally, she would have acted immediately and filed a report, following the protocol she had learned ever since joining the military. Simple and straightforward. There was no way she could get it wrong.
So why was she still sitting there?
With a weary sigh, she finally stood, rubbing her face in frustration, and walked toward her hammock to finally "sleep."
Her head was far too full. She could not bear the thought of attending the community dinner that evening. As she closed her eyes, she slowly felt her consciousness slip away from that peaceful reality and return to her original human one.
The world disappeared.
☀︎
Waking up in her human body was always strange, accompanied by a headache and the cold air of the connection laboratories. Her eyes burned slightly after spending so long without truly using them. She slowly opened the top of the link capsule. Artificial light, metallic sounds, and recycled air hit her all at once.
Bridgehead.
Her home. Or at least, it was supposed to be.
She moved, every muscle protesting as she slowly sat up.
— Welcome back to the world of ugly people. — A voice came from the monitoring station beside her.
Celeste did not even need to turn her head to know who it was. She had heard that voice every day since the infiltration operation began.
Dr. Amelia Hayes.
Or simply Amy.
She was one of the scientists responsible for the current avatar program and one of the few people Celeste could tolerate in that cold base. Amy spun around in her chair and looked at her.
— Wow, what's with that face? — Amy asked, raising an eyebrow. — Had to eat some weird exotic food again?
Celeste ran a hand across her face.
— I wish.
Amy laughed.
— Oh no. Then it's serious.
Celeste simply swung her legs over the edge of the capsule and sat there for a few moments, waiting for the world to stop spinning.
— How long were you linked in? — Amy asked while adjusting something on the capsule's control panel. — You need to start taking longer breaks or you're going to wreck your body.
— It was long enough—
— Twelve hours straight. — Amy cut her off.
Celeste closed her eyes for a moment. She had not even noticed the time passing. It had felt like much less. The days on Pandora always seemed to pass far too quickly, while the days in Bridgehead felt like they lasted forever.
— You make that face every time you realize how much time has passed. — Amy commented while studying a few graphs on the screen. — One of these days I'm going to start charging the Metkayina overtime fees.
— They don't have money.
— Then I'll accept fish.
— Good luck explaining that to the finance department.
Amy let out a laugh.
As a brief silence settled between them, Celeste looked around the laboratory. Everything was familiar... Everything felt wrong. She could see other link capsules connected while other people used their avatars, their consciousnesses living in another world. Another body. Another life.
— So? — Amy asked.
— So what?
— What happened today?
Celeste raised an eyebrow.
— Nothing.
Amy turned her chair completely toward her.
— Morgan.
— Hayes.
— You just spent twelve hours pretending to be someone else and came back looking like you've seen a ghost.
Celeste rested her elbows on her knees.
— Maybe I did.
— Oh, great. — Amy pointed at her. — That's exactly the kind of comment that makes me hate working on the planet of giant aliens.
Despite herself, Celeste let out a small laugh. Amy immediately smiled.
— There it is.
— What?
— A sign of life.
Celeste rolled her eyes and shook her head. Amy could be annoying, but maybe that was exactly why she liked her. The scientist never treated her like an intelligence operative or an important piece of an operation.
— It was just a weird day. — she finally said as she stood up.
— Hmmm... — Amy watched her for a few seconds. — Alright.
— Alright? — Celeste repeated.
— Alright.
— You don't believe me.
— Not even a little.
— Then why ask? — Celeste huffed.
— Because there's a small chance you'll eventually decide to act like a functional human being and talk about your problems.
— That chance doesn't exist.
— I know. — Amy turned back to her screens. — But I keep trying. One day you'll tell me something.
Before Celeste could respond, a male voice echoed across the laboratory.
— Morgan.
— Oh no. — Amy let out a dramatic sigh the moment she heard the voice.
Celeste closed her eyes for a second and offered a silent prayer to Eywa.
Wonderful.
Exactly what she needed as the finishing touch to the terrible day she had already endured. She didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.
Sergeant Ethan Ward.
Tall, immaculate uniform, blond hair cut precisely within regulations, and that constant air of someone who believed he was far more charming than he actually was.
Celeste had known him for years. Long enough to know exactly what to expect.
Ethan wasn't a stranger. Unfortunately.
Back when they had first arrived on Pandora years ago, when they were both younger and far less busy, they had briefly had something. Nothing serious. A few dates here and there. A few weeks spent trying to convince herself he might be better than he seemed.
She had been fooling herself the entire time. Ethan was like a large portion of the RDA's soldiers and executives. Arrogant. Self-important. Capable of turning any conversation into some sort of ego competition.
She ended things before it could even become a real relationship. The real problem was that Ethan never seemed to accept that decision. Years later, he still found ways to appear out of nowhere wherever she happened to be—unless she was linked to her avatar. He was like a persistent infestation.
— Ward. — she replied flatly and without enthusiasm before finally looking in his direction.
— Ah, so you still remember me.
— Unfortunately.
Amy immediately spun her chair around to hide a laugh.
— My God, she really doesn't make any effort to be polite to you.
— I've noticed. — Ethan replied.
— And you keep coming back.
— Persistence is an admirable quality.
— Harassment starts with that sentence too. — Amy commented.
— Did you two coordinate this before I got here?
— No. — Amy answered.
— Yes. — Celeste answered at the exact same time.
Ethan sighed dramatically.
— Alright. I'll pretend my feelings weren't hurt.
— Excellent choice. — Celeste replied.
For a brief moment he watched her in silence. Unlike usual, he didn't seem to be there just to annoy her.
— What do you want, Ward?
— Work. — He crossed his arms. — General Ardmore wants to speak with you.
Celeste's mood vanished instantly. Amy also looked up from her screen.
Fuck.
She had clearly thrown a rock at a crucifix or something for God to want her to suffer this much.
— Did she say what about? — Celeste asked.
— No.
— And you didn't ask?
— I enjoy remaining employed.
— Fair.
With a sigh, she fully climbed out of the capsule. There were only a few reasons Ardmore would summon her out of nowhere like this.
1. She was being fired.
2. She was receiving some sort of promotion.
3. Something related to Jake Sully.
Celeste had a very strong suspicion it was reason number three. Which made everything significantly worse than it already was.
Wonderful.
— We'll talk later, Amy. — Celeste said, grabbing the jacket resting on a nearby chair. — Duty is calling.
She started walking toward the laboratory exit. Out in the corridor, she noticed someone following behind her.
Ethan.
Ethan continued walking after her.
Of course he did.
Celeste didn't even need to look back to know he was there. The sound of military boots echoed behind her through Bridgehead's metallic corridors like an irritating second shadow.
— You know I can hear you following me, right?
— I'm not following you.
— Oh, so we're going to exactly the same place by coincidence?
— Exactly.
— Impressive.
— I know.
— You're unbearable. — Celeste shot him a tired look over her shoulder.
— Missed you too.
— Didn't miss you.
It was impossible to talk to Ethan without wanting to smash her head against a wall. The two crossed part of the complex in silence. Around them, soldiers moved through the corridors, technicians carried equipment, and screens displayed updated maps of Pandora.
☀︎
The day among the Metkayina began early.
After the meeting she had with Ardmore—and the delightful presence of Quaritch—Celeste had barely managed to sleep. Her own mind was her greatest enemy whenever she was alone. So after a short rest, she ate a quick breakfast and, without wasting time, connected herself to her capsule once again.
And there she was. Or rather, Manu. Listening to Tsireya greeting the Sullys as they approached along the beach. Tsireya practically radiated enthusiasm.
— Good morning! — she said, smiling and waving to the Sully family as if the previous day had not been a series of social disasters for certain people.
Celeste, on the other hand, was seriously considering throwing herself into the ocean and letting the tides carry her away. The four young Sullys approached across the sand, still carrying the air of people who did not quite know what to expect.
— Today we'll begin teaching you about life on the reef. — Tsireya announced cheerfully. — My father said we need to help you learn our ways.
— Or keep you from drowning. — Aonung added.
— AONUNG. — Tsireya scolded.
— What? I'm being honest.
Tsireya completely ignored her older brother before turning back to the Sullys.
— I think we should start by introducing ourselves properly. — She pointed to herself. — I'm Tsireya, daughter of Tonowari and Ronal.
Then she pointed at her brother.
— This is Aonung, my brother.
Aonung muttered something under his breath while rolling his eyes.
— And these are Roxto and Manu. They'll be helping too. — she said with a smile.
Roxto raised a hand in greeting.
Beside him, Celeste felt every gaze turn toward her. She tried to maintain a neutral expression as she waved, attempting to ignore the stare of the eldest Sully. Tsireya immediately pointed toward the newcomers.
— Now you.
For a moment, the Sully children exchanged glances among themselves, silently deciding who would speak first. The eldest stepped forward.
— I'm Neteyam. — His voice was calm and steady.
Celeste felt her jaw tighten slightly. So his name was Neteyam. Now the face had a name. And unfortunately for her, it was a face she would be seeing every day from now on.
— These are Kiri. — He pointed to the older girl, who raised a hand in a calm greeting. — Lo'ak. — The slightly younger boy beside him. — And Tuk.
The little girl standing next to Kiri immediately waved both hands enthusiastically.
— Hello! — she chirped.
Tsireya's smile widened dramatically.
— Very good. Let's begin. We need to see how you swim so we know where to start. — She clapped her hands together and began leading everyone toward their first lesson on the Way of Water. — This way!
As Celeste walked behind the group, her mind remained in chaos. Ardmore's and Quaritch's words echoed in her head whether she wanted them to or not. They had asked— No. Ordered. Ordered her to report anything she learned regarding the Sullys in the waters of the region.
She was so lost in thought that she only felt the impact when she collided with something solid. Or rather, someone. The collision snapped her back to reality as abruptly as plunging into freezing water.
For an instant, her feet completely lost their balance on the damp sand. Fortunately, before she could fall, a hand caught her arm. Firm but gentle.
— Careful.
That voice.
Of course.
Because apparently Eywa had decided to turn her life into a terrible joke. She slowly raised her eyes. Blue met green-gold.
Neteyam.
Of course it was him.
Damn it.
For a few seconds, neither of them said anything. His hand remained lightly on her arm, just enough to make sure she regained her balance.
— Are you alright? — he asked.
Celeste blinked a few times before answering.
— I am.
— You sure?
— Yes.
She answered quickly enough to draw an amused spark into his eyes. Neteyam finally released her arm once he was satisfied she was steady.
— Alright.
Celeste immediately stepped back.
— It was just a distraction. Nothing serious.
— Mhm. — His tone clearly said he did not believe her.
— It was.
— Sure.
That sounded dangerously similar to Tsireya. Celeste narrowed her eyes.
— What's that supposed to mean?
Neteyam's expression shifted slightly, as if he were deciding whether he should answer. Unfortunately for her, he decided he should.
— It means you've been walking around for the last half hour without actually looking where you're going.
Celeste opened her mouth to argue. Then found nothing to say. Because he was right.
— I was paying attention.
— You weren't.
— I was.
— Manu.
She froze for an instant. The use of her name did something strange inside her. Maybe because it was only the second time she had heard him say it or because he said it with such natural ease that it was irritating.
Extremely irritating.
— You almost tripped over your own feet.
— I didn't trip.
— You literally just did.
— I ran into you.
— Because you were distracted.
Celeste pressed her lips together. She caught the brief moment when his eyes dropped from hers to her lips before returning to her eyes. A faint smile appeared on his own lips.
— Whatever is taking up so much space in your head, maybe you should leave it for later.
— What?
— The thoughts.
He made a vague gesture with one hand.
— Because if you keep this up, you're going to end up tripping over your own feet like a yerik calf learning how to walk.
For a few seconds, Celeste looked genuinely horrified. Then her brain reminded her that she was supposed to *not know* that species—a creature that lived in the forests, not the reefs.
Damn.
For one absurd moment, she became so focused on the indignation of being compared to a clumsy little calf that she almost answered automatically.
Almost.
— I don't know what a yerik is. — she finally replied, crossing her arms.
Neteyam blinked. Then a look of pure embarrassment crossed his face.
— Right. That's true. — He ran a hand through his hair. — Sorry. I forgot for a moment that you don't have the same animals here.
Celeste should have been satisfied. After all, she had corrected the mistake without raising any suspicion. But, for some irritating reason, his embarrassed expression gave her an absurd urge to laugh.
Terrible.
Because she did not want to find anything about him even remotely pleasant.
— Then what's this yerik supposed to be? — she asked before she could stop herself.
Neteyam looked surprised by the question, his ears lifting attentively for a moment.
— Oh.
— You already brought it up.
— Fair enough.
A small smile appeared on his face.
— It's a forest animal. About this size. — He raised a hand to demonstrate. — Not very big. It comes up to about the chest of an adult Na'vi.
— And I look like one? — She raised an eyebrow.
— Right now? — Neteyam tilted his head, clearly considering the question. — Yes.
— Unbelievable.
His smile widened.
— You're the one who asked.
— That was a mistake.
— Probably.
She shot him a murderous look.
To his credit, Neteyam at least looked a little sorry.
— They're herbivores. — he continued. — They live among the trees. They're fast when they need to run, but what really helps them is how quickly they can change direction. Sometimes they panic and take off running without looking where they're going.
Celeste crossed her arms tighter.
— You're still comparing me to that animal.
— I didn't say that.
— You just did.
— No, I simply described a yerik.
— Sure.
— Sure.
For a moment they simply stared at each other. Then, to her immense irritation, Neteyam let out a quiet laugh.
— When you get the chance, I'll show you one someday. — he said.
— I'll survive perfectly well without that experience.
— You didn't sound very convinced.
— I'm completely convinced.
Celeste felt an absurd urge to push him into the ocean. Unfortunately, that would probably raise difficult questions. Before she could think of a sufficiently sharp response, Tsireya's voice echoed from farther ahead.
— You two! What are you waiting for?? — she called from where she stood on a platform between the marui.
Tsireya had her hands on her hips, a huge smile on her face as she watched them.
Celeste felt her stomach sink. It was the same expression as yesterday. Beside Tsireya, Lo'ak wore a similar smile, though far more mischievous, raising his eyebrows as he looked at his brother.
The two hurried to rejoin the group.
Lo'ak watched his brother approach beside Manu and immediately that irritating grin appeared on his face.
— Don't. — Neteyam warned in English before his brother could even open his mouth.
Lo'ak looked offended.
— I didn't even say anything yet.
— Exactly. I'd like to keep it that way.
— Wow. Defensive.
Neteyam let out a heavy sigh.
— Lo'ak.
— What? I'm just saying... you disappeared for like five minutes and suddenly you're walking back with the pretty reef girl. Get a room already and sort whatever this is out.
Beside them, Tsireya continued chatting excitedly with Kiri about the reefs while also explaining to Tuk what animals they would see.
Aonung was distracted, complaining about something to Roxto.
No one seemed to be paying attention. Or at least that was what Lo'ak believed. Because, at that exact moment, Celeste had to use every ounce of willpower she possessed not to react.
Celeste heard it. And understood every single word. For a full second, she was absolutely convinced she had misunderstood. Her brain simply refused to process the sentence.
Years pretending to be Manu. Years being careful with every word, every reaction, every expression. And now she was standing in the middle of the reefs, listening to a conversation she supposedly should not understand.
— Lo'ak...
— What? — his brother replied, sounding far too innocent to be genuine. — I'm helping.
— You're not helping.
— Pretty sure I am.
— You're not.
Lo'ak seemed to be enjoying himself far more than he should. Neteyam, on the other hand, looked moments away from personally drowning him.
Lo'ak had barely finished speaking when Tsireya dove into the water with the energy of someone incapable of walking when swimming was an option.
— Come on! — she called, already several meters ahead.
Thank you very much, Tsireya. Celeste was one step away from pushing Lo'ak into the water. This day is going to be long, she thought before following the others and diving into the water as well.