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Post by Demarion on Jan 6, 2010 0:47:09 GMT -5
Ne'shrin sat high up on an uncommonly used branch attached to Hometree. He lay on his stomach, long limbs dangling over the wood. There, he was simply watching. Watching the animals fly or leap around, watching the other Na'vi wander around on the ground, watching the plants light up as the sun dipped beyond the horizon.
He was a youngling when Great Hometree was destroyed. He had managed to escape with his mother, and they stayed back when the rest of the clans went to fight the Sky People. He climbed up to this branch to escape from the angst and depression of the older Na'vi. To him, what's done is done, there's no changing it.
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Post by Morndakiél on Jan 8, 2010 2:21:15 GMT -5
Ti'nalya felt like her head was on fire.
She stumbled through the forest, the voice of her brother echoing through her thoughts. How he stood before her parents, the clan elders, and said Ti'nalya turned and ran when she saw the Sky People coming. I chased her down; she fought me off, insisted that she needed to save her self. I tried to help her, but...we fought. And I told her what the clan did to traitors, the laws that she had recited since she could talk. He would show her the cuts her fingernails had slashed across his cheek. He would tell them that he had done what he needed to do, insured that she would never commune with the planet again for betraying it like that. She hissed just to think of her name coming from his mouth.
He had always been headstrong, never did what she asked. But it still hurt, this betrayal. So he really would do anything to be leader of the clan.
She didn't even want to think about her broken braid, swinging behind her, bleeding...
enough that her vision began to blur.
She needed to find help, and fast. She stumbled into a clearing where she thought she'd heard someone moving in the trees...
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Post by Cy Skywalker on Jan 8, 2010 2:49:55 GMT -5
Marsha sat among the Omaticaya, watching as they settled down in a pause on their journey. Without even thinking about it she knotted her hair into tight braids and set it down again against her blue avatar skin before starting the next braid. She'd have to start undoing them, soon.
Today, Jake had told her to investigate which plants would be most nutritious for both the Na'vi and her human body to eat. She picked up her pack that contained her sample bags and emergency equipment and set off toward the forest, telling a passing warrior that she would be sure to be back before it got dark. She set off into the jungle.
Finding a new plant species that didn't seem to want to curl up or luminescence at her approach, she tentatively knelt next to it, realizing as she did that it would tower above a human head while being just at Na'vi eye level. She started to pull a slide out of her pack before realizing that there was an easier way.
She smiled as she swung her queue over her shoulder and felt among the plant's bright salmon pink leaves until she found a spray of tendrils. She slid closer, her knees bared by her cargo pants pressing into the dirt, and communed with the plant.
And felt Eywa mourn.
She knew what this plant was, that its properties were not suited to humans--and also that it had a nasty defense mechanism if she tried to cut into it. But all that data streamed into her in a flash, replaced by something more important...something that she didn't quite know what it was, but it called her. She needed to run--now.
But her cold, scientific mind kicked in and she did not disengage from the plant. What was this sensation? She had no idea where to go--only that her feet would know as she began. Could she trust that?
She would have to, if she wanted to be like the Na'vi, to become one.
And besides, it was kindof cool.
Her tendrils slid away from those of the plant, and she snugged her bag over her shoulder and took off at a run in the direction of the cry felt through a sixth sense she was still not sure she understood.
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Post by Demarion on Jan 8, 2010 16:23:19 GMT -5
Through his watching, Ne'shrin noticed a red-painted Na'vi stumbling around, almost where the rest of the Omaticaya were settling down. Not wasting time, he leapt from the high branch, using the smaller ones to break his fall, and he landed with a soft thump. He carefully padded up to the female Na'vi and noticed that all the red on her wasn't just paint.
Her queue has been damaged. Ne'shrin did all he could to suppress his horror. To any Na'vi, even the thought of losing their connection to Eywa could be enough to cripple them momentarily.
"Oel ngati kameie..." He said softly. If she was in pain, she might not know he was there.
*I see you
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Post by Jedi Master Sar Sha on Jan 9, 2010 21:01:55 GMT -5
"Ah, if it isn’t our little warrior to be. How is the training coming? Are you still embarrassing yourself trying to impress Tingay?”
“What, you think a runt like you is going to be made a warrior before coming of age?”
“I bet those remaining Dream Walkers will become warriors before you do.”
The beauty of the forest was lost to Lu’ Taw as the mocking calls of his older clan mates burned in his flattened ears. His tail flicking and thrashed the air in his agitation. He’d left the new Hometree before his growing temper got the best of his ever-thinning patience and had remained to himself for the past hour. His mood didn’t go unnoticed by Night Song. She came to a slow halt and twisted her head around to nuzzle his thigh gentle, breaking him out of his glum thoughts.
“Sorry girl. Its just been a long day.” He replied as he rubbed the direhorse’s massive neck. “I’ll try to be in a better mood for the rest of this outing.” Night Song bobbed her head and started forward once more, this time in at a light trot. It really was a nice day for a ride. The morning rain had come and gone, leaving the forest smelling fresh and clean. Lu’Taw did feel his mood lighten as he let Night Song guide him down a new trail he hadn’t explored yet. Here giant flowers were in full bloom, some taller than he was, and the canopy above was alive with bird songs.
In the peacefulness of the new surroundings, he caught himself singing a song of his own. It didn’t have the same magic sung with his developing voice as it did when Tingay sang its melody. But it still calmed him, soothing the burning words echoing in his mind and restored his confidence. It was the lullaby Tingay had sung to him each night when the nightmares of mechanical monsters and exploding flame woke him to choking tears. She never scolded him for his fear of the Sky Peoples technology nor his desperate grip around her neck whenever she’d rushed to him after such nightmares.
The nightmares themselves faded with time, but his fear of technology still remained as vivid as ever. Sometimes he would come across the rusting carcasses of downed flyers or body suits, their pilots long decayed or eaten, but there always remained the fear that the iron skeletons would rise from their apparent state of decay to kill once more. Lu’Taw knew in his head that it was a ridiculous fear but in his heart it remained a valid dread. It was one reason he wanted to be a warrior as soon as possible. He didn’t trust the Sky People who had left to keep their word to never return.
Ducking his head out of the way of a low branch, Lu’Taw’s thoughts turned once more to Tingay. She’d been very kind to him over the years and filled the role of being his mother though they were of no blood relation. He wanted to give her something to show his appreciation of her time and care. Then the thought of kilvan (river) fruit can to mind. It was one of Tingay’s favorite foods but it only grew along the banks of the rivers and falls. With the migration to a new Hometree, establishing new territories, and hunting to supply the tribe for the barren months, Tingay hadn’t spent the time to go in search of the treat. It would make for a wonderful gift, Lu’Taw was sure! The sun would set in a few more hours so he had to hurry if he wanted to get back before it became to dark. He quickly turned Night Song toward the nearest falls and to the prize he was after.
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Post by Morndakiél on Jan 10, 2010 13:53:39 GMT -5
Ti'nalya sank to her knees, feeling like her legs were hollow and as weak as a newborn's. But she noticed and felt relief that might have contributed to her weakness when the young male spoke to her. "<i>Oel ngati kameie...</i>" she murmured, continuing in the Na'vi language. "Please, help me..." But he needed to know her story too. He might think differently of her--either better or worse. "These wounds are not honorable...but suffered after the battle, in betrayal..." she felt as if she were about to pass out, and clutched onto the youth's arm tightly.
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Post by Cy Skywalker on Jan 10, 2010 14:07:54 GMT -5
Marsha's long Na'vi legs took her through the paths nature made in the forest faster than she expected. She pushed aside a leafy plant that shook clouds of luminescing spores over her as she came out into the clearing where she saw two Na'vi, one on the ground and splattered with blood.
Marsha gasped as she came closer, realizing a moment too late that they wouldn't want her coming too close without introducing herself; that was a sure way to get bared needle-teeth as the only response. But she had to help. She took her emergency medical box out of her messenger bag.
Her Na'vi was accented and slow, but Jake and Norm had been helping her with it, and she'd studied the books on the long journey from Earth. "Greetings," she said. "I'm Marsha Sumac, friend of Jakesully; I have medicines that might help." She scanned the injured Na'vi, who looked from her markings like she came from a different clan from the Omaticaya. Most of the blood was tracked across her back... Marsha resisted crying out when she saw why. She literally could not know what the Na'vi was going through right now. "We need to bind her queue, see what nerves we can save."
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Post by Demarion on Jan 10, 2010 19:59:04 GMT -5
"Stay strong," Ne'shrin urged the wounded woman softly, holding on to her to keep her steady, "I'll take you back to Hometree for help..." He trailed off when he heard rustling in the bushes and he positioned himself protectively around her. He relaxed ever so slightly when it was a Na'vi, although it was Dreamwalker. He knew they could be trusted now, but as with all the People, he was wary.
The youth dipped his head slightly in acknowledgment and motioned her over, forgetting to introduce himself. "We need to take her to Hometree." He said in heavily accented English, having learned a bit when Grace's school was open before the Fall. "They will know what to do there." He held the Na'vi close to insure she had something to lean on if she passed out and additional body heat.
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anaraskywalker
Jedi Knight Who Says Ni
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind
Posts: 124
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Post by anaraskywalker on Jan 10, 2010 20:26:37 GMT -5
Tanh'ite was following above and behind the clan, walking up in the trees as the sun sank down. This was where her mind was most at peace, her body at ease, and her spirit calm. She needed all the calm she could get-nightmares of the destruction of their home still plagued her dreams vividly. When she saw them take a break, she decided to stray from the path for a little while.
She leaped from tree to tree carefully. Her feet found their way without her controlling them. Suddenly, her ear twitched in the direction of talking. She quickly turned and followed the sound, and found a red-painted Na'vi with a younger male and a Dreamwalker. She jumped down and motioned to them in the traditional greeting.
"Oel Ngati Kameie." (I See You.)
She got a good look at the red-painted Na'vi and winced: she had to be in a lot of pain.
"What can I do to help?"
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Post by Cy Skywalker on Jan 10, 2010 21:33:57 GMT -5
Marsha smiled when she heard the male speak English. "Thank you," she replied in the same language. "Yes, we should take her back."
She turned to see another Na'vi come gracefully swinging through the trees. Marsha didn't think she would ever be as graceful as the natural-born aliens were; she still thought too much like a human, seeing the ground as roads and the trees as obstacles. This time she got in the traditional greeting in Na'vi.
She spoke to both of them; it would be time for introductions later. "Please, pick her up. I can see what I can do on the way to Hometree. Gently..."
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Post by Demarion on Jan 10, 2010 22:09:35 GMT -5
Ne'shrin recognized the newcomer as Tanh'ite, a fearsome hunter in the Omaticaya clan. "Oel ngati kameie." He dipped his head in her direction. He didn't know her personally, so the greeting was more formal then affectionate. He focused his attentions back on the painted Na'vi, carefully placing his arms around her and lifting her. He was young, but he was still taller and slightly stronger than the others, as all male Na'vi were. He made sure her damaged queue wasn't dangling behind her, but settled on her chest, as to make sure it wouldn't damage further.
"Can you tend her while we walk?" He asked Marsha, with slight difficulty as he recalled his teachings of the Dreamwalker's language.
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anaraskywalker
Jedi Knight Who Says Ni
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind
Posts: 124
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Post by anaraskywalker on Jan 11, 2010 17:37:29 GMT -5
[[Alright, thanks, Demarion! She is very nice]]
Tanh'ite bowed her head in return to the younger clan member. She recognized him, but didn't know his name. Her face strained as she filed through memories for the language of the Sky People. Linguistics weren't her strong point. She looked to Ne'shrin, concern etched on her features.
"Need...help?"
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Post by Jedi Master Sar Sha on Jan 12, 2010 0:06:16 GMT -5
Lu’Taw influenced Night Song to stop once she reached the main river. He could hear the roar of the falls just ahead and was pleased with the distance the dire horse had covered for his quest. He’d have just enough time to gather the fruit and return to Hometree before the stars came out. Lu’Taw smiled, patting dire horse’s shoulder approvingly before slipping from her back, allowing her to graze the various near by plant life.
Lu’Taw was glad he’d dismounted when he had. The river was swollen from the morning showers and the surrounding banks were now nothing but treacherous knee-high mud. He shuttered to think what could have happened had the beloved direhorse gotten stuck or broken a leg in the muck. Pushing the unpleasant thought aside he worked his way up the bank, hoping to spot the brilliant purple red fruit among the bank’s lining fauna.
His heart and spirits sank when it became apparent that the flood-waters had washed away any trace of his desired plant. In his frustration he picked up a stone to throw it out over the river, but as he pulled back his arm for the toss he caught sight of a small island at its center. The stone slipped from his hand when his eyes made out the points of reddish purple among the islands blue green plant life. There was still some fruit left!
His joy turned to caution when he also noted the body of water separating him from his goal. It was far too deep for even his long legs to wade across and the current would sweep him over the falls if he attempted to swim the distance…so how was he going to get across? Giving up wasn’t an option now, not when he was so close.
Then a thought stuck him. As a child, Lu’Taw had seen the native lemurs cross the flooded rivers by taking hold of downed vines; the group would enter the water in the shallows and pull themselves the length of the vine to cross the river!
Returning to the high ground, Lu’Taw retrieved his supplies. He climbed one of the nearby trees and cut a length of vine long enough to reach the island. Saying his thanks for the vine, he quickly attached the vine to one of his arrows. Taking aim for the island’s highest point, Lu’Taw let out a call of victory when the arrow sank deep between the muddy rocks. Testing the line and finding it safe, Lu’Taw made a loose harness to secure himself to the anchored vine.
A moment of hesitation crept up his spin as he waded into the cool water. If anything went wrong, he would more than likely be killed either by drowning or by the downstream falls. Swallowing his fear and telling himself it was just another test of courage, Lu’Taw made his way into the heart of the river. The water was colder than he first thought. He could feel his arms and legs starting to go numb.
Relief flooded the teenager when he finally pulled himself back onto solid ground. Shaking the water from his braid and shivering from his sudden chill he knelt down to pick the two palm sized oval shaped fruit. They looked perfect! The skin was soft to the touch by firm enough to resist Lu’Taw’s gentle pressure. Slipping them into his shoulder pouch, he made the trip back to the shore.
Despite the mud and cold, Lu’Taw felt like he was standing in the summer sun. He’d completed his goal and had the gift he wanted. He was surprised, however, when Night Song didn’t come to his calls. Worried something might have happened to her while he was preoccupied, he set out to track her by the fresh set of hoof prints. He soon found her unharmed, but pawing at a patch of sap reeds. The plants had been used in Na’vi medicine for generations, but Lu’Taw didn’t know anyone in his clan who was in need of such a potent aid.
“Come on Night Song. I have what I came for. Let’s head home.” The dire horse turned to look at him but didn’t move from the patch of reeds. Night would be coming on soon and Lu’Taw didn’t want to be out alone when the viperwolves went out for their hunts. “Fine I’ll take a stalk or two.” He muttered taking out his side dagger. If nothing else, Neytiri could dry out the stalks for later use. Apparently satisfied by him collecting the medical plants Night Song allowed Lu’Taw to mount and turned back to Hometree with a sense of urgency that took Lu’Taw by surprise. The animal must have sensed something amiss that he hadn’t. As selfish as the thought might have been, Lu’Taw hoped it wasn’t Tingay who was injured as Night Song speed up her gait to a gallop.
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Post by Cy Skywalker on Jan 12, 2010 23:49:31 GMT -5
Marsha walked steadily beside the unconscious Na'vi, sparing a moment to look up at the two around her as she extricated the base of the fallen warrior's queue from her tangle of hair. "I can work a little as we move. First thing is to stop the bleeding." She found the severance a foot from where the tip had probably been and pushed at the matted fur, moving it away from the wound and applying pressure. She could feel a weak heartbeat beneath the thin skin.
"Need...help?"
"Thank you," Marsha said to the other. "Please run ahead and have a place prepared where she can lay down." And then in Na'vi she said, "And thank you for speaking my language." She smiled before returning to her work, pinching the veins and examining the wound. Luckily it had been a clean cut.
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Post by Demarion on Jan 13, 2010 0:06:13 GMT -5
"I can translate." Ne'shrin said to Tanh'ite in Na'vi, noticing she struggled a bit more then him in the Dreamwalker's language. "She said to run ahead." He hoped he didn't offend the older Na'vi by translating, but any damage could be made up after. One of the People was injured and it was more important to see them to safety.
"You are welkome." The youth said to Marsha in English. "T'ank you for... healing." He began to walk, quickly but carefully, as to not jar the wounded female.
[]
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Post by Morndakiél on Jan 13, 2010 0:19:27 GMT -5
Ti'nalya felt strong arms around her and heard various voices. Some of them she couldn't understand, but she didn't know whether that was because they were speaking a strange language or her brain just couldn't process it right now. But they sounded friendly, and that was a relief, even if...
maybe Eywa took away her ability to understand speech...
she lolled her head around, trying to get a look at her rescuers, but the motion and a jab of pain at the back of her skull sent her slipping into unconsciousness.
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rylevao
Jedi Knight Who Says Ni
"Avatar" is the future.
Posts: 191
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Post by rylevao on Jan 13, 2010 15:44:42 GMT -5
John sat cross-legged on the floor of the compact field base in front of on of the computers, staring at the holographic screen. On it was a map of the continent with many coloured dots littered across it, each marking the location of one of the avatars that were out right now. John would have given anything to be out with them, rather than monitoring the three "link beds" while Marsha and Norm were using them. He would rather be out with the Omaticaya Clan, learning the ways of the Na'vi. It won't be long before he can go find his Ikran and be recognised as a man in the eyes of the Na'vi. But everyone had to have a turn at the computers, and today was his.
Lucky devils, John thought as he adjusted his mask over his blue face, eyeing the link beds enviously. He had not needed to use the beds since that accident three years ago, an accident which had killed John's human body, leaving him in his avatar's body forever.
John pressed some buttons and the screen changed to the information about the avatar drivers, their vital signs and blood pressure, etc.
"All normal," John said drearily, switching back to the map. But here something caught his eye. One of the small dots, a light blue one, was flashing red: the distress signal. John quickly pushed the dot and a list of options appeared. He pressed "Contact" and said into the headset attached to his breathing mask. "Marsha, your blinking red. Are you alright?"
P.S. If I did anything wrong, I'm really sorry, I'm a bit new to the RPG front, and I'll change any errors I've made.
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anaraskywalker
Jedi Knight Who Says Ni
An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind
Posts: 124
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Post by anaraskywalker on Jan 13, 2010 20:25:22 GMT -5
Tanh'ite smiled at Marsha with her reply in Na'vi. She looked at Ne'shrin as he spoke and nodded. Quickly, she turned and ran to find a spot for the injured Na'vi to rest.
She set it up quickly, placing a few plant leaves over a patch of soft ground. She thanked Eywa for these helpful things, and was grateful to help another of the People.
Suddenly, her ear picked up a sound-a...Dire Horse? She turned towards the sound and saw the creature approaching. Quickly. And another Na'vi was riding it. Her mind quickly raced-get back to the others, or wave down the rider? They seemed to have things under control. Perhaps a rider would be able to run ahead and get help from other Clan members. She ran towards the horse and waved her arms frantically.
"Help!"
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Post by Jedi Master Sar Sha on Jan 13, 2010 23:44:07 GMT -5
“Help!”
Lu’Taw was startled by the Na’vi woman who bolted out of the thick foliage. He hadn’t heard her approach over the rush of wind and Night Song's rapid hoof falls. He feared that the direhorse might rear up at the suddenness of her appearance but quickly found that not to be the case at all. The mare merely shifted to a slower gait and brought him calmly beside the alarmed Na’vi female.
Mud streaked and hair wind blown, Lu’Taw looked down at the woman bewildered. He knew who she was. He’d seen Tanh’ite go out on hunting parties and later helping with the relocation to the new Hometree, though he had never spoken with her in person. What problem would she have that it would require his help? Then the wind shifted and the strong scent of blood reached his senses. It didn’t smell like that of native game either. Tanh’ite didn’t look injured so maybe one of her hunters had been wounded out here in the jungle. Night Song sent him a quick mental picture of the sap reed and snorted beneath him.
“Hmm…Tanh’ite?” He said turning back to his shoulder sling. “Is a member of your hunting party in need of some sap reed? I have two fresh stalks with me if you have opened wounds that need mending.” He pulled out the tender leaved plants. “They’ll help with pain too.”
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Post by Cy Skywalker on Jan 14, 2010 0:01:35 GMT -5
Marsha heard her commlink beep and pulled the tiny microphone from around her neck to her mouth. "Hey John. We've got a wounded Na'vi here, just trying to keep her together. How's my blood pressure?" She hoped her borrowed avatar body wasn't reacting badly to both the stress and her occupying it. She still didn't know whether it would work permanently.
She lifted her face from the comm to say in Na'vi, "Put her down," looking at the quick but welcoming-looking bed of leaves.
She heard hoofbeats in the distance and wondered if this new arrival would keep any of the Na'vi who hadn't known she had a comm from being too surprised.
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