Having successfully persuaded her parents to let the forest folk stay, Kailua must work on improving their skills to ensure their permanent stay.
~
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0ypdkGuQnq83SSSw5JmJzU?si=be44108f96d246ff
Lesson number one, La de dee & On my way
~
Kailua found herself thinking about the boy with golden eyes in her evening meditation. His name was Lo'ak, and he was her age, 17. He had an older brother, whom he'd called Tey-Tey. "Tey-Tey" elbowed him harshly in the side, smiling earnestly at the trio of siblings. "Neteyam," He said instead. Kailua found herself giggling at the crumpled form of the hybrid na'vi on the ground. He also had an older sister, Kiri, who was 18. At first, Kailua thought Kiri and Neteyam were twins; a rare occurrence in na'vi culture. But no; she was adopted shortly after Neteyam was born, apparently. He also had a younger sister, Tuktirey, though she protested loudly at that and insisted she be called Tuk or Tuk-Tuk. She was 10.

After she and Tsireya helped them settle into their pod, because Eywa forbid Ao'nung be helpful, they ran through the customs of their village. "Contribute what you can. Be it helping to care for the injured and sick, or helping the Tsahik prepare her ointments and pastes." Tsireya smiled. "You could also help hunt for food if you think you're ready to do so," Kailua added on. "Though I'd advise against it until you can hold your breath and swim properly," Tsireya said with a pointed look. Kailua shook her head softly. "What about us?" Kailua felt her ears heat with the intense stare the amber-eyed boy was giving her. "Did you hunt back in the forest?" She asked. He seemed to be confused with the question. "Uh... yeah? All of us did apart from Tuk,"

"Good, then you can be put to use in our mangrove area," Kailua smiled. "There are fruits and medicinal leaves up on the highest branches that only our most skilled warriors can get to," She stared into his eyes, a smile curling at her lips when he raised his... eye hair. She'd have to ask him about that one day. "You could also help cook if you'd rather not clamber up thorny trees," Tsireya smiled. "But we don't mind trees! They are like home!" Tuk giggled, showing her calloused feet. Tsireya smiled at the young girl but offered no further words.

Upon the slight awkward air in the hut, Kailua cleared her throat. All six pairs of varying amber colours turned in her direction. "My sister and I will be by on first light to begin our lessons. My brother may attend, though he is very fickle. Do not mind him," Kailua smiled. The Sullys waved her goodbye, and off she went.

~

The following morning, Kailua exchanged few words with her mother. "Did you meditate?" She rolled her eyes. "Yes mama," She answered. "Did you feel anything?" Ronal pressed. "No mama. Everything is fine," Kailua waved her goodbye, fleeing for the Sully hut. Tsireya was by the shore, gathering the Ilus and moving them to the side with another group in training by Alonia so they could focus their morning on teaching the forest kids how to breathe underwater and teach the basics of swimming. She rapped on the wooden wall, waiting for confirmation that she could enter. She tapped her foot, humming her songcord softly.

A dark blue hand jolted her out of her reverie. "I said you could come in," Toruk Makto stood in all his glory in front of her. "Are you ok?" He asked. Kailua shook her head with an inhale. "Yes, yes, I am fine. I fall into my mind sometimes. My apologies, Toruk Makto," He pulled a face. "Jake, please. I left Toruk Makto back in the forest. New year, new me," He chuckled. Kailua smiled as well, despite not knowing what new year, new me meant... perhaps it was a sky person phrase?

Jake cleared his throat. "Just go in. Everyone's awake... or they should be!" He called pointedly in the hut. There was a muffled scramble, bringing a snort to Kailua's lips. "Thank you, Jake," He ducked back into the hut, holding the leather cover open. Kailua thanked him with a head nod. As she watched the Sully siblings fight each other for food, she felt her mind drift off slightly.

She was in the ocean, swimming frantically to the surface. "Help him! Help him, he's dying!" Somebody screamed from behind. She swam faster, scrambling for purchase on the rock. "Help us!" She shouted, waving her hand in the air. "HELP US!" She screamed in terror as somebody dragged her out of the water by her queue. She twisted and snarled; fighting to be released. She was dropped.

Kailua screamed as she fell, falling for a good ten seconds. She hit the ground, rolling to a stop.

She sat up; rubbing her head. Somebody was sobbing quietly. Kailua squinted, trying to make out whoever was so upset. "-Sully was a good person. We are sorry for your loss," Her dad. Kailua ran to see him but found her feet wouldn't move. "Dad!?" She yelled. She was twisted violently in a circle. "You! It is your fault he is dead! My son! You knew! You knew and you did nothing!" Kailua screamed, dropping to the ground as Neytiri slashed at her throat, missing her by inches.

She fell, hitting the ground. But it was soft, comforting. She looked around. She was in the forest, but not the mangrove one near her, no. This was obviously Omatikaya territory; the trees stretched miles high, blocking out most sunlight. There was a low hum nearby, so Kailua ventured off. Only too late, did she realise she'd stumbled on a burial ceremony. "Who will be Tsahik now? Neytiri and Kiri are gone! They will not be coming back!" Neytiri's mother died? Mo'at?

She fell again, down a slope. She cried out, tumbling into a collection of wood sprites. "Kailua te Ateyo Ronal'ite," She turned. "I have been awaiting you," Kailua pulled her hand from her forehead. "Great Mother," She whispered. "Why are you showing me these things? I cannot tell anybody about them," She asked. Eywa cupped Kailua's cheek. "Because, dear child, you are the only person who can prevent these events," Kailua's eyes widened. "How? How can I stop somebody from dying?" Eywa placed her hand on Kailua's head. A sense of calm rushed through her body. "That, I cannot tell you, dear child. Only that you can,"

"Hello? Earth to Kailua?" She flinched, blinking owlishly. She found herself staring into greeny amber eyes. "Neteyam, right?" She asked, smiling. "Yeah. Are you ok?" She swallowed thickly; unhappy with the amount of attention she was receiving from the Sully family. "Yeah, I'm fine. My mama says my head is in the surf too much. My apologies," She ignored the strange look directed at her face by the mother, Neytiri. Perhaps, as the daughter of a Tsahik, she could sense Kailua's abilities. She bit her lip; rocking on her heels. "Are we ready? My sister cleared the teaching bay for us today. We do not want you to feel subpar to our younger clan members,"