Chapter 25: Alert

Neytiri's POV

As the day went on and the celebrations to welcome Jake as a member of the tribe, my little sister isolated me to discuss the outfit. She took me upstairs to the place where there were several types of clothing.

Lutsey: Neytiri, I've thought about your request and I already have several ideas in mind. But I think one would be better for you.

Me: I trust you, little sister.

With these words, she turned and went to search for a few moments, before coming back with an outfit... Quite revealing, I had to say. But it didn't bother me, although I seemed to have seen it before.

Lutsey; I think you'll like it.

On his left hand, a top are the ornaments that covered only my nipples, leaving the rest of my chest uncovered. Two covered armbands decorated with silver threads and an accessory for a wrist were held in his right hand.

I couldn't help but smile, imagining myself in this strange outfit and I was already enjoying it.

In other words, if someone saw me like this, there wouldn't be a lot of guesswork. Especially for Tsu'tey. Wait....

Lutsey: So?

I looked away in shock, finally realizing why this outfit was so familiar to me!

Me: But...This is what I had to wear for my union with Tsu'tey!

Lutsey: So what? You don't want to unite with him, don't you? You shouldn't mind, should you?

It was cold, but she was right.

Me: What about my hair? I can't see myself wearing it with my usual hair!

She gave me a big smile in response, showing that she had thought about it.

Lutsey: Of course, we're going to have to free up your hair, in order to enhance your face. Then we'll add a little accessory to add more charm.

I was a little nervous about that. I've never laid out my hair like that before. However, I was curious to see my sister's idea in application.

She immediately took some accessories and started the heavy task of loosening my hair to unfold it. I didn't know how long it would last, but it seemed like an eternity. I could feel my hair spreading out, covering my back. Afterwards, I felt a kind of feather being added to my hair at the back of my right ear.

Lutsey: That's it.

Me: Thank you, little sister.

Lutsey: I haven't done much, to tell you that. Now hurry up and get dressed and get Jake to your appointment.

I could tell by the look in her eyes and the sound in her ears that she didn't want me to do it. I could have followed her advice, normally. However, I had a feeling that I had to do it tonight or I would never get a chance to confess my feelings to the one in my heart again. I was getting up and walking away to get dressed when I heard my little sister's voice, this time in a worried tone.

Lutsey : I wish you all the best, Neytiri. And...good luck.

With those words, I bowed my head and went back to my side. This confusion of energy still worried me. However, it could wait.

The next morning,

Lutsey TOP

After communicating my decision to my parents, I immediately flew away to join my clan. I didn't want to risk compromising our relationship, as I was aware of my sister's plans.

I couldn't stop thinking about her and praying that everything would work out for her.

Suddenly, as I flew over one of our shrines, an area where the voice trees were resting, I witnessed a horrible sight.

The Sawtute machines were digging into the earth and destroying everything in their path, including our ties to Eywa and our ancestors. I clenched my fists and trembled with rage at seeing such desolation, tears streaming from my eyes. How dare they ?????

In my meditation of pain and rage, Tahni's voice in my head brought me back to reality.

Tahni: We must return, young huntress.

Me: You are right, Tahni. But I intend to take the necessary steps.

Tahni: As a young hunter, anger is often a bad counselor.

She suggested that I should leave this act unpunished?

Tahni: I'm just asking you to think it over. Little people are very smart and powerful.

Me: I will think about it in the clan.

I had no other option, for now, than to continue on my way to my second home.

Ben's POV

I went to the connecting room, my mind contorted by the last conversation at the last breakfast with my friends.

Flashback

They were in the refectory, having breakfast. After my union with Lutsey, I didn't know what to think. How could I face them after that? I would just greet them with a smile, albeit forced, before sitting down next to Gaël.

Gaël : You're making a funny face lately.

Me : Huh?

Sted : You should sleep more, Ben, instead of being in your box doing whatever it is you're doing with those damn ninnies.

I couldn't yawn, but it was hard to stay awake. I was having trouble sleeping lately. My dreams were overwhelmed by that village that burned down years ago. I thought I could get rid of it with the Avatar program, but again I was naive.

Dyle: You look really bad

Me, sighing: I've been having trouble sleeping lately.

I looked at my cup filled with the black liquid with a certain disgust, thinking back to the Earth and its overpopulated and polluted cities before taking a sip.

Dyle: If I can give you some good news, you can ask for a transfer. I'm sure your skills would be useful elsewhere.

The coffee woke me up a little more and I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by this word. I had a bad feeling about what was going to happen next.

Me: What do you mean?

Dyle : Quaritch thinks it's impossible to negotiate with the blue monkeys. So I don't see how the Avatar program should still exist afterwards.

Gäel: Come on! The return of the shock team!

Damn it! I was starting to see the threads coming out and it was very bad! I suspected the source of the Colonel's certainty about the intentions of the Na'vis and the target tribe but I wanted to be certain.

Ben: How could the colonel be so sure? I mean...there's no one from the program who gave him information, right?

The three looked at me with an astonished expression. Why were they looking at me like that. Wait...Is it possible...

Sted: I thought it was you, Ben!

I frowned, slightly annoyed, thinking I had made myself clear.

Me: I'm not interested in this fight. I thought I made myself clear, didn't I?

I had a dark thought about Jake while taking another sip? This jerk is making me relive what I wanted to forget at all costs.

Sted: In any case, it's only a matter of hours before the Avatar program is disbanded. It's really time for this waste of time to end.

I remained silent, finishing my coffee. I had to warn Lutsey of the danger she was in of throwing her clan out.

End of Flashback

I was greeted by Max, whose smile on my face faded as he saw my perplexed look.

Me, whispering: Listen, Max. Quaritch is going to provoke a war with the omatikayas.

His eyes widened in amazement and anguish, suspecting the ravages of such a possibility on the People. But also, that the program was going to be stopped.

Max muttering: Are you sure?

Me: Unfortunately, yes. I must waste no time in warning Lutsey and the clan. If I don't, she'll run headlong into the trap and I must avoid that.

He nodded his head but I could see from his sad expression that his heart was no longer there. I could understand him, given that he had invested himself in this program.

With this unpleasant thought, I went to my chamber so that I could start the connection.

I had to wait until the end of the morning before my love returned from his journey. I was so preoccupied that I could not concentrate on my musical notes. The rehearsal had been a disaster and that worried my blue friends. But my thoughts were focused on Lutsey.

When I saw the look in her eyes and her tail wagging, I knew she was witnessing a GDR success story. And the feelings I had for her reinforced this impression. Nevertheless, I had to calm her down, before she did something stupid.

Lutsey: Your people have done one too many things wrong! I can no longer stand their arrogance and disrespect!

Of course, her anger did not go unnoticed and I did not need to turn around to see the crowd gathering around us. Super.... As if it wasn't complicated enough!

Me: My tigress...

Lutsey: They will pay for this destruction!

I raised my voice to get his attention, not seeing any other alternative with the time I was running out.

Me: Lut, listen to me! I know what you witnessed and I understand your anger. But you have lives in your hands, I remind you!

Lutsey with contempt: You're contemplating me staying hidden for...

Me: Please don't interrupt me! I don't know how much time I have left so I want your attention!

I looked down with sadness at the thought of not being able to see her again. The second woman who pierced my heart

Lutsey, anxious: What do you mean, Tsylan?

I took a deep breath before answering.

Me: Lutsey, I know this kind of procedure, because I saw it at work in my life in the GDR. This destruction is a provocation, the objective of which is to incite people to attack. Thus, it makes legitimate, a punitive action.

Joltsyn, panicked: But the sawtute don't know that we survived!

Me: Precisely, Joltsyn. Lut...What I'm trying to tell you is that they are the om....

Unfortunately, the dark invades my consciousness before I can finish my warning.