A week later...

Today was the day that  Ao'nung would become Olo'eyktan, then there would be a ceremony for me to become Tsahik.

There was a lot of things going on today, the first order of buiness would be our Mating Tattoo. We would have a matching one.

We walked into the village hand in hand, until we made it to the tattoo hut. It was separated. One side for women, and one side for men. Ao'nung gave me a kiss on the neck as he went one way and I went to another.

An elder, that would be doing my tattoo spoke of the Metkayina mating tattoo as a symbol of commitment, fertility, and the continuation of the tribe's lineage.

Being an outsider I absorbed the elder's wisdom, understanding that the inked designs held stories of love, partnership, and the delicate dance of life. The elder emphasized the importance of forging strong bonds and embracing the responsibilities of family.

Beside a flickering of a fire that was burning. I felt the warmth of love intertwining with the weight of tribal heritage.

As the elder began the tattooing process, words of guidance were interwoven with the rhythmic tapping of the tattoo tools. "Your tattoo signifies the intertwining of souls in the dance of life, a union of spirits bound by love," the elder explained, her words echoing the heartbeat of love within the tribe.

In the midst of the intimate ceremony, I engaged in talks with the elder, seeking advice on love, partnership, and the nuances of family life. The elder shared stories of enduring love, offering insights into the challenges and joys of building a family within the Metkayina tribe. "Your tattoo is not merely a symbol; it's a pledge to nurture and protect the flame of love within our community," the elder conveyed with a gaze reflecting the depth of shared experiences.

As the tattooing progressed, I experienced a blend of physical sensation and emotional resonance. Each stroke of the elder's hand forged a connection between the young tribeswomen and the profound legacy of love within the Metkayina tribe. Conversations shifted towards my role in the tribe's future, the responsibilities of parenthood, and the importance of fostering a nurturing environment.

The mating tattoo, nearing completion, emerged as a masterpiece, embodying my commitment to love, family, and the perpetuation of the Metkayina lineage. The elder concluded the ceremony with a blessing, invoking the spirits of love and fertility to guide me on my journey towards building a family.

As I walked out I saw Ao'nung and Lo'ak talking. I grinned, happy to see them getting along together, for now. Atleast. She then dragged Ao'nung to go get changed for there ceremony.

I changed into my clothing. I had a neckpiece that went to the top and bottom of my neck. Feathers that were green with hints of yellow as my top cover. The bottom was pink with some other things weaved into it. It had a place for my knife and other tools.

Once Ao'nung and I were done changing, We  waited until it was time for the ceremony to begin, as we  heared a horn blow.

We walked out togther, hand in hand as they walked to the beach were the ceremony would be held.

Once they got to the center, where Ao'nung's parents were, Ao'nung went and stood up there by his parents while I stood on the sidelines. and standing on the side was my family. Tonowari and Ronal turned and faced the crowd, as Ao'nung's ceremony was about to begin. He was standing there tall with his chest out. He was standing there proudly of how far he  had come.

Tonowari was draped in ceremonial attire, along with his Olo'eyktan attire. He began the ritual, the air resonated with the solemnity of the occasion.

He spoke of the Olo'eyktan role as guardian of the tribe, a steward of nature, and a mediator in times of discord. He emphasized the importance of harmony and unity within the clan, weaving the intricate threads of Metkayina's cultural tapestry into his narrative.

During the ceremony Tonowari and Ao'nung talked back and forth Tonowari shared his own experiences as Olo'eyktan, recounting the challenges and triumphs of leadership. "To lead is to understand the delicate dance of balance in nature and within our community," Tonowari imparted, his words carrying the weight of years of leadership.

"Your decisions ripple through the roots of our existence, affecting not only the present but shaping the future of our people," Tonowari emphasized, his voice carrying the gravity of leadership responsibilities.

The ceremony reached its zenith as Tonowari anointed Ao'nung with ceremonial markings, symbolizing the union between leader and clan. The onlookers, silent witnesses to this pivotal moment, felt the energy shift as the Metkayina clan started embraced a new Olo'eyktan.

Tonowari took off the Olo'eyktan feathered drape, that he had worn years signifying that he was the Olo'eyktan and he put it on Ao'nung.

As the ceremonial fire flickered in the background, the atmosphere intensified. Tonowari symbolically passed the ancestral staff to Ao'nung, then kneeling, as Ao'nung took out his knife and raised it in the air, and yelling out as he brought it on his father's chest.

He brought it up again, as a line of blood came out. signifying the transfer of leadership. I smiled. Ao'nung was now Olo'eyktan.

Tonowari concluded the Olo'eyktan ceremony with a heartfelt blessing, invoking the spirits of the land to guide and strengthen.

Then it was time for my ceremony. Ronal and I stepped up. My  family looking on, proud on how far I  had come. Another momentous occasion unfolded. 

The ceremony, a fusion of tradition and spiritual awakening, was a testament to the Metkayina's deep connection with the land and the spirits that dwelled within it.

Ronal was draped in garments reflecting the colors of the sacred flora, initiated the ritual, invoking the spirits to witness and bless the budding Tsahik.

Ronal's voice resonated like the wind through the leaves, spoke of the Tsahik's role as a communicator between the Metkayina and Eywa, the guiding force of Pandora. She emphasized the importance of humility, intuition, and the deep spiritual connection that defined the Tsahik's essence.

The elder shared ancient chants and stories, unraveling the mysteries of Eywa's whispers and the symbiotic relationship between the Metkayina and the planet. "To become Tsahik is to become one with the heartbeat of Pandora, to hear the songs of the land and channel its wisdom," Ronal conveyed, her words echoing through the sacred grove.

As the ritual progressed, Ronal guided me through meditations and spiritual exercises, opening the young tribeswomen's senses to the unseen forces that governed Pandora.

Conversations delved into the responsibility of safeguarding the balance between nature and the Metkayina, with Ronal emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding.

The pinnacle of the ceremony arrived as Ronal bestowed upon me. My new head piece, the one she had worn and so many before her did, a symbol of the Tsahik's connection with Eywa. The elder guided Tsa'lu in performing rituals that bridged the physical and spiritual realms, signifying the acceptance of the Tsahik's mantle.

Ronal, marked me with intricate symbols denoting her spiritual journey. The energy in the grove shifted, as if the very essence of Pandora acknowledged the union between me and the spiritual legacy of the Metkayina.

The ceremony concluded with Ronal offering a heartfelt blessing, calling upon Eywa to guide me in his role as Tsahik. Just like how Tonowari did with Ao'nung

Ao'nung then went by me, as Tonowari and Ronal went by them. "Ma tsray metkayinayä, muwìntxuyu ohel Ao'nungit sì Tsa'luti alu olo'eyktan sì tsahìk metkayinayä!" (Metkayina village May I present, Ao'nung and Tsa'lu The Olo'eyktan and Tsahik of the Metkayina tribe!)

The crowd eyrupted in cheers. "Let us feast!" Tonowari called out. Everyone started making there way to where the feast would be. My parents came up to them.

"I'm proud of you Tsa'lu." father put a hand on my shoulder. I smiled they talked a little before making there way to the feast.

It was a little while later, and Ao'nung and I had to get tattooed again symbolizing that we  were the Olo'eyktan and Tsahik of the tribe.

this time I got one of her forehead. The Metkayina people believed that the forehead tattoo was a symbolic representation of one's connection to Eywa, and being a leader, of the tribe. The process was not merely a physical marking but a spiritual journey, a fusion of the individual's essence with the soul of their land.

(Not the girl the tattoo is what Tsa'lu has!)

Then it was the tears. Now Ao'nung and I had to move there stuff into our own pod. As they would move in togther. Tuk was crying, a lot. "I don't want you to go!" She said as I grabbed the last of my things.

"Don't worry Tuk I'll vist and you can visit me." I replied. I then gave all of my family members a hug, there was still  a lot of crying.

I left my family pod one last time and I  carried the last of my things into my own pod. Ao'nung and I  worked togther to put stuff away.

We worked for a while, putting away stuff where it could go then changing it. Arguing a little on where things should be. Like normal couples do.

A few hours later and the Final item found its place. We stepped back to look at our pod. "Our journey has just begun," Ao'nung stated, his hand gently resting on my shoulder, "and this pod is a testament to the synergy that will guide us."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting hues of orange and pink across the vast expanse of the Metkayina beach, Ao'nung and I strolled along the shore, the rhythmic lull of the waves accompanying their conversation. The beach, a timeless witness to the tribe's history, seemed to embrace the couple as they reflected on their journey.

My ceremonial attire billowed in the gentle sea breeze. The sand went in between our toes.

"Look how far we have come, Ao'nung," I remarked, my eyes tracing the horizon. "Our steps on this beach echo the steps of our ancestors, yet we forge a path uniquely ours, and when we first came here asking for Uturu."

Ao'nung nodded, his gaze fixed on the sun's descent. "The trials we faced strengthened our bond, and our commitment to the tribe remains unwavering. This beach has witnessed our struggles and victories, a testament to the resilience of the Metkayina spirit."

We continued our walk, pausing occasionally to admire the intricate play of colors in the sky. The conversation meandered through the challenges they had overcome, the wisdom gained, and the shared moments that fortified their connection. I spoke of the responsibility of guiding the tribe, and Ao'nung emphasized the importance of preserving the cultural legacy.

As the twilight deepened, we  found a secluded spot where they could sit and watch the waves. The beach, a silent witness to generations past, now bore witness to the culmination of their leadership. We shared anecdotes of their individual growth, acknowledging the unique strengths each brought to the union.

Ao'nung gazed at me with a profound understanding. "together, we have shaped a future that echoes the harmony of our traditions and the vitality of our people. Our journey is a chapter in the Metkayina's story."

As we sat in contemplative silence, the last rays of the sun casting a golden glow on their faces. The beach, the pod, the ceremonial artifacts—all interconnected pieces of a narrative that spoke of unity, resilience, and reverence for the land.

As darkness settled, Ao'nung and I stood, hand in hand, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead. The Metkayina Tribe, under their leadership, embarked on a new era, guided by the wisdom of the past and the promise of the future.

The stars overhead bore witness to the legacy they carried, and the beach, forever intertwined with their story, echoed the quiet strength of the Metkayina people.

And so, the couple, now unified in purpose and spirit, walked back to their pod, the soft sounds of the beach accompanying them. As they entered their dwelling and went to sleep. Ready for anything that goes at them. After all, they are Tsahik and Olo'eyktan now.

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