Chapter 35: A New Life (Part 2)

Tsylan's POV

I watched the Valkyrie fly to the sky, taking my life as a human with it. I didn't know if my old friends were inside. But now a page was being turned.

My life was now here, with Lutsey and the menariyä tunti. And take... the status of Tsahik. It was far from what I had originally planned. Added to that, a home, with the coming of our child.

While waiting for the omatikayas to find a Kelutral, Lutsey had decided to welcome them, within the clan.

But tonight was the feast to thank Eywa and this new period of peace. All the surviving warriors danced and drank. And of course, I was no exception to the rule. I had a reputation to uphold, after all!

Jake: Hey Ben! Are you coming to join us?

Me with a smile: Sure!

With those words, I joined Jake and some other warriors for a drink. We made a big toast, to the deceased and to the bright future that was opening up to us, before we took a sip.

Jake: I heard that you are going to become Tsahik. Is it true?

I was giving him a black look.

Me: Who told you that?

Jake with a big smile: Did you choose your dress?

Me: Be careful, sailor. Or I'll drop the fawn!

I saw him fade to my great satisfaction and that of our comrades, before taking another sip. We continued to drink a few more sips before resuming. I could already feel my mind drifting and my body temperature rising, under the effect of the drink.

Jake: Hey...You know...I'm going to be a father! Hips! Can you believe it? Me, father!

Me: It's...hips...Grace must be laughing...hips...er!

We were starting to laugh uncontrollably. I never thought their alcohol was that strong!

Jake :Yes...she's...a girl. ..hips...I hope...she...hips...her mother's beauty. And you...you're...going to...start a home?

I laughed loudly, not being able to control myself anymore.

Me: It's already...on its way! Hips!

Jake: Seriously?

Me: For sure! Yeah...I'm not waiting!

Jake: You...don't have that much of a head start!

Me: Yeah! Hips! But I do, sailor! Ah ah!

Neytiri's point of view

My sister and I had been talking about settling in, until we found a new home.

Mother: You should take this opportunity to train Jake for his new role, my daughter.

My sister sighed and looked at our mother with pity.

Lutsey: Really, Mother?

She kept her bossy look on her face.

Me: Mother's right. With Tsu'tey gone, you're the only one who can teach her.

Lutsey cursed, but did not protest further. She knew we were right. We are still discussing the details of our settlement. Then we went to join the other members of the People, to enjoy the party.

Lutsey: Jake should have negotiated for you, big sister.

Me: He has already done a lot, little sister. Leave him alone for a while.

We were walking, in silence, when we heard the cries of drunken and enthusiastic na'vis. We looked at each other, wondering what was going on. When we arrived, we hadn't returned from the show taking place before our eyes.

In front of us, our two companions, arms on the shoulder of the other, laughed hard and made a dance of the most ridiculous, while singing "Tata Eywa put a big kick in their ass! Whose? To Selfridge and his clique!"

By Eywa! Shame! And to think that he's a chef... As for Mother, she held back laughing, seeing our partners doing their shows.

Mother: I knew that Jake Sully had a way of partying. But I didn't know Tsylan was the same!

Lutsey, red: Please, Mother! Don't encourage him!

Finally, the two stopped, continuing to laugh loudly with the other natives. I had hoped that it was over, but it was not knowing my partner well.

Jake: Hey Ben! Hips You've seen some country, haven't you? Hips

Tsylan : uh... Yes. Hips!

Lutsey : By Eywa! How many did they drink?

Jake: I bet... Hips... That you've never done... Hips...Venezuela! Hips! I'm sure... Hips... That you'll be back to see mom... Hips... If you were there...

Tsylan : Pff... Amateur! ... I have...hips...The Ivory Coast...hips ! Your little... Vene... Hips... Zuela, it's pro...hips.... Menade next door...hips!

I had a bad feeling about this ego contest. We had to intervene, before it could degenerate. We didn't need a fight!

Jake: Yeah but I was...in the middle of the scrum ! Like today ! Hips ! Where were you ?

Tsylan : I was...with mummy Eywa !! Hips !

I couldn't stand it anymore. Jake was olo'eyktan and kept on behaving like a child !

Tsylan: Oh! I'm dreaming... Or I see trouble...Coming? Hips!

Jake: Hips, huh?

He barely had time to turn his head when he got a slap from me.

Me: Jake Sully, you're olo'eyktan now! What's this show you're giving?

Jake: Neyt! Chill out, hips! It's a party!

I heard Tsylan laughing in the back, as well as other members of the People, under the effect of the drink.

Tsylan: What's up ...with Toruk Makto, hips? Are we being scolded...by his wife? Hips!

Lutsey: And he won't be the only one.

Tsylan: Huh? Ouch!!!!

I could see my sister pulling Tsylan's right ear. Even I couldn't help smiling in front of the stage.

Lutsey: What's this image you're giving us !?

Tsylan: Hey, calm down! We're celebrating...Our victory as it should be! Hips!

Jake: Yeah! Otherwise...Hips.... Where's your dress?

I saw from my sister's partner's eyes that she didn't like that remark.

Tsylan: What? Hips... You're jealous, the ma... Hips... rin? I can make you some... Hips... a custom one... Hips... if you want !

I felt that it was getting worse. So I immediately cut Jake off in his stride, pulling his left ear before he could open his mouth.

Jake: But... Neyt!

Me: That's enough! You got drunk enough tonight!

Lutsey: That goes for you too, Tsylan.

Tsylan: Yeah, yeah! Hips!

He took a violent slap in the face. So violent that I grimaced when I heard it, as did the other members attending the show.

Tsylan rubbing his cheek: Are you sick or something?

Lutsey : If I don't see you going to sleep in a few seconds, I'll make you regret not staying with Eywa !

Tsylan : Sorry, my tigress... Hips... but you know very well that...

With those words, he collapsed and started snoring, causing the hilarity of the crowd and the shame of my sister.

Lutsey: For the future, never let him drink.

Jake: Yeah! I gagged...

He soon collapsed too, making everyone laugh except me, who was blushing with shame.

Me: You're not the only one, sister, who has to remember this detail.

I've never been so ashamed in my life.

One month later,

Joltsyn's POV

Everyone went home the day after the People of Heaven left. Our clan welcomed the omatikayas, until they could find a new Kelutral. My sister reluctantly began teaching Jake how to be a good leader. As for me and Mo'at, we teach our role to Neytiri and Tsylan. The eldest already had a good foundation to prepare herself. However, my sister's partner did not. Especially since he was far from thrilled to take on this role. Added to this, my sister's belly was beginning to round out, showing the growth of her child inside her.

I was taking advantage of a relaxing moment with my sons to take a breather. Tsylan's teaching was far from obvious, especially with her lack of willpower. I would have to remind her every time that this was the price I had to pay to help my sister.

Voice: May I speak to you for a moment, my Tsahik?

I turned my gaze towards the source of the voice, to see Vylia who seemed disturbed. From her, I could feel the energy of a new little being growing inside her, despite her barely perceptible energy.

Me :Of course, Vylia.

She gave me a sad smile while Siwey and Roltyun were playing with my tail and ears.

Vylia: My Joltsyn...I would like to know....

She lowered her eyes sadly as she tenderly caressed her belly where her child was growing up.

Vylia: Am I...

Me: Yes, Vylia.

I saw her shed tears at this revelation.

Vylia: Then...My child will grow up without knowing his father.

Me: I am sorry.

Roltyun: Why are you sad, Mommy?

I am smiling, seeing my sons' concern for me. I could understand Vylia, to share this same sorrow. Having to raise children without their father and my love, taken away by fate.

Vylia: I...am thinking of leaving you. I need to be alone.

Me: I understand, Vylia. Just one question.

She turned around and looked at me with sadness.

Vylia: It had already been several cycles, my Joltsyn, that we had a relationship. But, we both knew it couldn't end and we separated. Then Jake came along, disrupting the whole future he had set for himself. We had resumed our relationship, before the Battle of the Soul Tree.

She knew how to anticipate my question. On the one hand, it wasn't difficult to guess, since I had often seen them together when Tsu'tey visited the clan.

Me by lowering my eyes and ears: I understand your pain, Vylia. Your story reminds me, unfortunately, of my own.

Vylia :Can you answer a question, my Tsahik?

Me : Please.

Vylia : Is... Can we recover from this? The pain...Does it pass with the years?

I lowered my eyes and ears sadly, the pain of the loss of Twilo returning immediately to the evocation of his death.

Me: No, Vylia. You never recover from the loss of a love. It is a wound that never heals. All we can do to pay tribute to them is to live our lives, in spite of everything.

Vylia: But... It's so complicated and painful...

Me: Being a mother is never simple, especially after the loss of a companion. But your child will need you and will know how to give you moments of happiness. I want you to know that if you need me, I will be there to help and support you.

Vylia: Thank you, my Tsahik. I will leave you now. I need to be alone.

Me: I understand.

With these words, she walked away, caressing her belly but tears streaming down her cheeks. It saddened me to see this kind of show, but I couldn't do anything about it.

Then another energy came and I had a smile on my face as I recognized it.

Na'vi: So? Are we bothering his mother?

Roltyun: Kil'wey!

The two boys immediately went to the horseman, who immediately took them in his arms with a big smile.

Kil'wey: You've grown up a lot!

Roltyun: Yeah! And as strong as you are!

Si'wey: More, for me

He laughed and took them in his arms.

Kil'wey : We'll have to wait for that again.

Me: How long are you staying?

Kil'wey: I think I'm going to stay here for a while. Just until we get to know each other better.

Kil'wey was a young horseman I met after the Battle of the Souls' Tree. I liked his kindness and his joie de vivre, which brought cheerfulness to my aching heart. I hadn't felt such emotions since Twilo's death and I wanted to give him a chance. At least my sons already liked her and I hoped that this would continue.

Me, smiling: We'll see if you'll hold

Kil'wey smiling: I love a challenge.

My instincts told me that the next few days were going to be interesting. It would never replace Twilo in my heart, but it could at least ease the pain of her emptiness. And who knows? Maybe he'll be the father my boys couldn't have. Only Eywa will tell.

Lutsey's point of view

Sitting down, I took advantage of a break to rest my mind. Teaching Father's knowledge to Jake was tiring. However, I had to admit that this tawtute was putting the will to be a good leader for the omatikaya.

I was caressing my belly beginning to round, with tenderness, when Tsylan arrived and sat down beside me with a sigh.

Me: I suppose that makes you angry, judging by that sigh.

Tsylan: You have no idea how annoying it is! If it wasn't for you, I would have stopped a while ago!

I would have stuck to him with a smile on my face.

Me: I know that and I thank you, my love. If it makes you feel any better, I'm not better off with Jake. This tawtute has a hard head!

Tsylan laughed at this reflection.

Tsylan: What did you expect from your sister's partner?

I sighed in frustration, while my love kissed my right cheek tenderly.

Me: I don't have Neytiri's patience.

Tsylan: And do you think I'm better? I would have done without this Tsahik training, you know?

Me: You're not wrong, but that doesn't diminish the unpleasant side.

Tsylan: Tell yourself that it's for the omatikayas.

Me: It's thanks to that that I'm holding back from gutting him.

He smiles in response.

Tsylan: That's my tigress.

Me: Otherwise, have you thought about our child?

He had a little break, where he tenderly caressed my rounded belly.

Tsylan: There's still time for that.

Me: You're not wrong.

With these words, I stuck my head to his left shoulder and closed my eyes, savoring the calm between the two of us and the tender caresses of my beloved.

4 years earlier, on Earth,

A young girl was observing a blue planet, but covered with thick clouds that could be seen from here, giving it a darker appearance.

The seventeen-year-old girl, with long black hair, stood for a long time admiring it before a voice intervened.

Voice: Please go to your designated rooms. We will soon begin the journey to Pandora.

The girl sighed before putting on a blindfold to cover her eyes and hurried to fly to a staff member who was in charge of group distribution. She waited patiently for her turn, unaware of any curious or distrustful looks.

Finally, she was guided to her room where she quickly lay down while she was restrained with harnesses.

Personal: Close your eyes and relax. You won't feel anything, don't worry.

Finally, the room closed and as soon as the door clicked shut, the cold invaded the room.

Girl: Okay, I'm five years and nine months old and empty.

Suddenly another voice crossed her mind.

Voice: Enough to train you, little one.

Girl moaning: I was hoping to get some rest!

Voice: You have to be ready when we arrive.

Girl: You make a good point. It's true that Pandora is not a place for sightseeing.

And she was hoping, too, to rebuild a new life. Far from the tears and blood of the previous one.

Girl: That life is over.

Voice: But you will build another one soon.

That was the last thing she thought, before the darkness invaded her mind.