| Pandorafallz's new Primary blog |
(From the Ashes DLC does not apply to this user's canon due to personal disagreements with the ending involving Nor and the Resistance. )
Hello! Welcome to my new Primary blog. I originally had a previous blog for 3 years and opened a new side blog until I decided to remake it into a new blog entirely so people don't wonder too much of why an Encanto blog is liking content.
I'll be consolidating my Vampure AU blog into this one as well, so it's easier management but I'll tag those appropriately as those posts may contain blood, violence, smut, and other NSFW topics, darker topics included but each will be tagged appropriately for if and when they come up.
Masterlists and AUs
Beneath Stillwaters
Above Stillwaters
Ashes in Her Wake (om)
There are worst games to play (om)
Lest We Rest upon Our Graves
Pariahs under the surface
Unthinking actions (still have Consequences)
Hope in the Resistance
Can a heart still break (once it stops beating?)
Unofficial Soundtrack list
Alternative TAP Students
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
A week after Mercer destroyed TAP in 2154, and the RDA are expelled from Pandora, Alma gets visited by a creature that grew a deep hate for what the RDA became and what TAP did to the Sarentu, and so made sure Alma paid a hefty price for revenge on behalf of the dead clan.
Alma hid what happened long before she took the mantle of Resistance leader but... sooner or later, secrets come to light especially when the unnatural blood coats a Sarentu blade.
Chapter 6 snippet
Alma had been… softly ‘booted’ to low-activities to ‘rest’ after such an ordeal by Alex and Alma opted not to fight him on it.
She already replaced her bow string but arrows were what she needed now. At least they were easy to make. Yet, she could feel So’lek’s eyes on her when he returned but she felt his… shift of energy. It was no surprise really to hear his steps behind her as she worked, tossing on the leaves to the fire in front and set the new shaft to the side and picked up the next thicket branch to smoothen out.
“<I did not know you were combat trained.>” He said, a statement.
Alma chuckled softly. “<Not many people do.>”
So’lek moved joining her at the fire and crouched close to her pile of shafts. “<I would have thought you would have told me. I am part of the Resistance, am I not?>”
“<I would have thought you’d assume, given my position as Resistance Leader.>” Alma fired straight back. “<Perhaps I should have known better. Most Na’vi assume Dreamwalkers are useless or untrained because the Dreamwalker is not our native form or part of a clan>” Her tone soured a little. “<Being underestimated is… useful.>”
Can a Heart still break (once it stops beating) | C6
“Hajir’s gone to another camp too?” Dani echoed as Alma checked off the last bits and pieces of inventory. The Sniper in a field lab to look over one of their scientist, so she was on the video feed. “Why?”
“It’s our medical lab. Figured perhaps moving Okni there with some of the others to settle them away from humans and closer to Na’vi.” It was still in the idea stage, but she had hoped to at least move Okni, Nor and Yefti there to be more situated in the forest. Okni still needed medical oversight, Nor needed to be away from their human population and Yefti was… struggling a lot around humans. He kept thinking they were TAP guards or handlers which was not good. Away from HQ meant they were more surrounded by wildlife.
“Jin-young’s volunteered to help craft some external living areas. Hajir wants to make sure it’s stocked up should we need to move them sooner.” Alma carried on. “The kids need another space.”
Dani’s expression softened a little. “He’ll love to help with that.”
Alma smiled, nodding. “They need space that’s open, safe, away from possible triggers, close to familiar people but opens them to new faces.”
“Like the Na’vi.”
“Like the Na’vi.” Alma agreed. “So’lek lives away from HQ to it’s nothing too different.” Was she looking forwards to that? Perhaps. Less burden on her back and she’s be able to sneak from dyers bowl to hunt more efficiently. It was going to be tricky now that they can come and go all times of day.
“Are they gonna met up with the Aranahe today?”
“This afternoon. So’lek’s ran a patrol this morning to make sure the trail is clear before they make the trip and he’s currently out to gather a few new items for Okni’s clean food run.” Nor had… misused Okni’s personal mashing tools to ground up his new harvest thistle-bud seeds as the main set was being used by Telisi but in doing so, had cross-contaminated her tools but also her bowl of wet gluten-free flour mash that she had left out to dry from mashing and hour before.
He had been yelled at by Ri’nela for ten minutes and had gone off to sulk at Wanderer’s Vantage. Okni was also sulking inside but Raj was keeping her occupied by showing her now to sew to make some new clothes. Probably not too wise to have Okni and Nor at the same camp if this was a reoccurring issue.
“Alright. Though… I just… something feels kinda off.” Dani said, her tone barely masking the concern. “Can you go and check in on him? His radio’s on but he’s not answering. Both times on the pings. I’m too far to reach him here.”
Alma looked up sharply. “He’s only been there for two hours.” Which was concerning. They had check-ins for their external sites for a reason. He knew better than to ignore it. Missing one is one thing, but another? “I’ll check it out now then.”
Dani relaxed on screen, “Thank you.”
Alma ended the call, and set her the tablet down to carry on her work later and hurried out of HQ, detouring to pick up her bow and combat knife, which was a curved with a smooth, Tungsten steel blade, she had stolen it off an RDA grunt in an AMP Suit and wrapped the handle in hide for comfort. Much more effective to stab through the softer metals of the AMP Suits, her nails were stronger but she had to maintain an appearance for her Resistance humans that were there.
Her bow has been a gift. Mäzan had gifted it to her when they had started to sleep together to conceive Tsengì, to connect her with the people and so that their child was grow with connections in turn. It’s arrows were still there so, she was set.
Climbing out of Dyers bowl was easy work before she took off across the jungle, the sun was out so she couldn’t speed-run but she wasn’t sure if she should use her Vampiric abilities so out in the open during the day.
However, the sound of an Ikran pulled her attention up, squinting to see… Ìley descending fast before landing a few meters away. So’lek, though was frowning at her. “<What are you doing this far from HQ?>” He slipped off the Ikran’s back, securing the satchel of food.
“<Hajir at one of our camps. It’s gone quiet.>” Alma answered.
His eyes slid to both her weapons before he pulled off the staff sling from the harness. Oh, so he was coming. Interesting. “<Lead the way.>”
Alma nodded, not hesitating to get back to it. Her brisk pace was faster than his expectation, she could hear him try to keep up and while she didn’t intend to out-pace him, she needed to get to the camp.
But, she could hear heavy movement…. A rotator engine in the air too close. No! The RDA had found the spot!
Closer they got, So’lek finally seemed to hear the sounds of the RDA up ahead and his expression shifted. Becoming more focused.
Four AMPs, two ships and a fair amount of Soldiers, one or two in Skel-suits. But even she couldn’t get there in time before she caught sight of the Scorpion sending in a missile into the side of the camp.
“No!”
The two of them burst into the area. Alma tossed him her bow, not seeing him with one, melee her forte but didn’t pay So’lek any heed as he launched an arrow straight into the rotor of the Scorpion and it began to descend haphazardly but she turned her focused to the closets AMP suit, it’s back towards her as it scouted toward the entryway.
Her knife cut through the back wires and jammed it into the vent port which channelled the current straight to the piolet and she let him roast before slipping to the next AMP, cutting the throat easily of the Soldier what spun her away as the sound of the AMPs’ fall in passing before she jumped up and used the base of her palm straight into the AMPs screen’s weak spot and shattering the glass, mildly surprised how weak it was; a Na’vi could break into that! The pilot screeched in surprised, her massive blue hand yanked him out before she pierced the bastard once in the chest and dropped his body to the side.
Between the two of them, the camp was cleared within minutes, but her attention moved from the carnage to their allies.
There had only been three of them here. Two, she could hear were dead. One inside, one lay sprawled a few feet from the door. Hajir, thankfully was still alive; moving inside. Good. Alma heard So’lek breath heavily from the quick spurt of activity, kicking dirt over fire routes, his eyes to the air. In the distance, she could hear the fast steps of an approaching Na’vi. Tamtey? Why was she here?
Nonetheless, Alma dropped to one of her people, Andrew. Checking him over but it seemed the concussive force had killed him; she could see the winner layers of skin of seeped blood, the weight of it in odd places as she touched his warm, still back.. There was no point trying to start resuscitation attempts if his arties were split open. She might have tried, if she were human. To hope.
“Damn it.” She hissed, aware of Tamtey as she finally reached them. “How did they find this place? It’s not on any of their patrol routes.” Which was dangerous to think. Why change patterns? Were they scouting out places and crossing them off? She needed to get to an active RDA terminal and see. Maybe she could ask Alex or someone to program a Trojan worm to gain access to RDA systems without intervention but.. also make sure Resistance didn’t get effected. No matter, that was a later thought to examine.
So’lek’s tail swished uneasily. “They are looking for us now.”
Alma barely spared Tamtey a glance, as she heard the airlock open behind her, Hajir stumbling out but she smelt the blood on him before she saw him collapse a second later. Her eyes locked to the darkest patch, debris but it looked like some had come out so he was bleeding faster. Not good.
She moved to his side, vaguely aware as her bow was handed off to Tamtey and his Staff sling. “You’ll be fine. Okay?” She said, hoping to draw Hajir’s attention. He knew it was bad. “You hear me, you’ll be fine.”
“We need to get moving. We’ll have more on us soon.” So’lek urged.
“I need to stabilise him.” From what she could see and smell, he’d be dead before they reached the edge of dyer’s bowl. Yet, he was so small when she picked him up, she had to do something. Would… he agree?
“Don’t take too long.” So’lek said, attention turning from her to Tamtey. “Sarentu, there’s an oil refinery ahead, I’ll make sure the RDA come running to it. Keep the RDA off Alma and Hajir until then. Use the staff sling for traps.”
Alma stopped listening so directly, only passively as she set Hajir down onto the smooth, floor. There was glass everywhere from the shattered windows. Heat from the fires still going but she felt only mildly concerned about. In reach, there was a small medical kit but it wasn’t going to be brilliant. She’d need a better one.
“Hajir.” Alma patted his chest, the unwounded section to stir his focus from what haze he had fallen into. “This isn’t looking good.” She cut open his shirt, sharpening her claws to cut the fabric around the stable debris to not dislodge it and make it worse. “I can—“
“No.” Hajir grimaced, groaning through the effort of speech “No. Don’t turn me. Never… never turn me.”
Alma sighed but nodded. She had kinda expected that answer, but it felt wrong not to offer. She knew why. Vampires was not a life for everyone. He’d hate her truly if she forced him into that life. She couldn’t deny that will.
Outside, there were ringing explosions, the RDA attempting to land but failing. Tamtey was doing well. Wasn’t comfortable to hear. Two of the wounds were deep, one felt deeper than the other, he was bleeding into his chest cavity with each heart-beat. Alma pulled out one of the syringes and put the needle into her mouth.
“Gross.” Hajir mumbled, though didn’t fight her on it as she managed to extract only a little venom into it; a silvery blue substance.
Vampires produced two different types of venoms in their mouth, the teeth were coated with micro pours to deliver a type of venom to subdue prey directly from the bite and the pores allowed near instant biological intake before swallowing; to effect the venom going in to account for the prey’s size and demands needed to subdue the them easily. Kept the prey quiet, subdued and the blood didn’t coagulate. This was optional to use.
The second was a venom used to heal flesh sounds from minor lacerations and to cause coagulation to prevent prey bleeding out. This venom was found in where the Saliva glands used to be, allowing her to heal her prey from bites and shallow claw marks. It wasn’t capable of healing everything. But worked best around open veins and arties. It lingered long enough to encourage blood cells to reproduce faster but that was a side-effect.
Something she needed to get directly down into his chest without making it weird. Wasn’t like she was about to stuck her tongue down there. That would be weird.
Hajir didn’t object as she administered it to the wounds. Being quick and discarding it once it was used and began to press the dressing and gauzes to compress the bleeding while it kicked in to the worst parts of it.
“The RDA’s down for now.” Tamtey called.
“I’m not done here.” Alma called in, “Hajir’s still bleeding. I need a medical kit. There’s storage nearby. Extra supplies.” She needed to pack the wounds more and control it before he could get proper surgery at the base.
“I’ll get it, hang on.”
Whilst Tamtey’s steps moved on, Alma radioed Priya to get the medbay ready to receive Hajir once they were clear. Sooner they were prepared for his injures, the better his chances were.
“Damn it.” Outside, another trooper seemed to land, her head darting to see two new AMPs and 3 soldiers jump out…. but suddenly detonate. Tamtey had left a last-second surprise, but one of the AMPs were still standing, trying to wipe of the red smear of their companion off their canopy.
Alma weighed her options, she could go out and deal with it, but her fingers were keeping a firm pressure against the wounds that were still bleeding. It would only take a few seconds to finish it off but was that enough time to get back to Hajir without revealing her nature to Tamtey?
Alma opted to wait, the walls were thick enough that they wouldn’t be immediately spotted, so they had time.
Thankfully, Tamtey’s steps were already on her way back, a distant sound of an Ikran but she didn’t think much on that before the girl appeared, rifle in hand and shot down the last AMP suit… and the distant sound of an explosion. So’lek had done it. The RDA should pull back to the site.
Hopefully.
Alma picked the human up again, glad to see Tamtey holding the kit in her hand. Her Bow over her shoulder and her new rifle in her hands, probably from storage. “That was close.” She said as she existed. Hajir’s eyes rolled back, falling limp. She set him down again. “They had plenty of AMP suits. More than I’ve been around here before. Mercer’s favourite toy.” Her tone dripped in annoyance.
Tamtey moved in the corner of her eye, holding out the kit. “Here.”
“Thank you.” She took it with a nod. “You were always quick. I’m sorry you had to face them alone.” She set it down, opening up to pull out the gauze.
Tamtey shook her head. “I wasn’t alone. So’lek distracted them… and did you see that Na’vi?”
The Ikran, not So’lek then. An ally?
“Ikran are fierce. Very protective of their riders. A Scorpion is no match for them.” She pressed the gauze in, wrapping the bandaged swiftly around to increase pressure. Soon, she heard that Ikran’s reutn on the wind, wings rustling tough she kept her focus down than on Etuwa; recognising the Na’vi’ scent, pushing her sunglasses up her nose as she felt the slight shift as she worked. Her venom though… she could feel was already working its magic to starve off the worst. He would be okay as long as he got back to HQ soon.
“<… I am Etuwa. Tsahìk of the Aranahe.>”
Alma rose to her feet, licking her lips as she turned het attention to the Tsahìk. The girl had down a lot in the last few months. No so much physically but her energy and maturity had sky-rocketed. The loss of her mother… her new position must have forced her to grow up.
“<I knew your mother. I’m sorry.>” Alma said, drawing the Na’vi’s attention from Tamtey for a second.
Etuwa looked at her, uneasy as always. Like So’lek, she sensed something, just not knowing what or why. Etuwa just nodded, accepting though her yellow eyes slid back to Tamtey. “<Our home suffers too. The sky people grow boulder and the land falters under their feet… And yet, My people;… our Hometree… We are not warriors but war has come.” Her eyes remained on Tamtey, jaw flexing as she made her decision. “<My father still needs convincing but he knew the Sarentu. He will listen to you. He must.>” There was an edge of desperation in the underlying tone.
Alma spared a look about, reaching for the bow which Tamtey handed back to her. The String was… frayed. Must had damaged it. Explained part of why she moved to the rifle. No arrows. She could see what she had was damaged or broken. New ones had to be made then.
“<I need to get everyone back.>” gesturing to both Hajir’s still form and the bodies. “<The others will need to know what happened here.”
Etuwa looked down, nodding swiftly. “<Of course, I’ll help with your wounded.>” She bent down, picking up Hajir’s form, settling onto the back of her Ikran within seconds. “<My Hometree isn’t far from here. Tell them that I sent you but… not all see as I do. So please do not mention my part in… all…this.>” her eyes flickered about the burned out chaos.
Tamtey seemed to brighten at the invitation. “<Yes, Of course.>”
“<May your spirits sore with the currents of the wind.>” Etuwa said before taking up into the sky, towards HQ.
Alma let out a sigh of relief. “The med team are expecting him so she’ll get him there faster than we can.”
Tamtey stared after her for a moment, then towards the Hometree. “We can go to Hometree now?”
“You can. And no doubt the other Sarentu.” Alma corrected, collecting up the kit and setting it aside. She could bring it in properly, but the other two bodies would need to be taken back and buried among friends.
Tamtey’s head tilted. “Can I go now?”
Alma hummed. “That’s up to you. I need to get back to HQ.” She stepped into the damaged structure, pulling out the still form of Penny and slung her body over her shoulder, collecting up Andrew over the other.
Tamtey’s eyes flickered to the bodies, debating for a second before she turned her attention to Hometree. “You won’t be mad?”
“No. It’s better if you make an appearance anyway. The fact it’s an invite is better.” A single Sarentu was probably a little better to accept than a group randomly showing up. They needed to go well. Why step in the way? Plus, she could handle the bodies, they were light weight.
“Okay.”
-
Alma sighed deeply as she ran her carving knife down the body of the shaft. Since getting back to HQ, things had been busy while Tamtey made contact with the clan. Most of the Sarentu kids were waiting back for her return but Alma opted to occupy her evening with making new arrows.
The mood in HQ was low, as it typically was in the wake of few funerals, so work was at a all-time low. People were sad but occupied with their own thing, with a handful of staff keeping order. Alma had been… softly ‘booted’ to low-activities to ‘rest’ after such an ordeal by Alex and Alma opted not to fight him on it.
She already replaced her bow string but arrows were what she needed now. At least they were easy to make. Yet, she could feel So’lek’s eyes on her when he returned but she felt his… shift of energy. It was no surprise really to hear his steps behind her as she worked, tossing on the leaves to the fire in front and set the new shaft to the side and picked up the next thicket branch to smoothen out.
“<I did not know you were combat trained.>” He said, a statement.
Alma chuckled softly. “<Not many people do.>”
So’lek moved joining her at the fire and crouched close to her pile of shafts. “<I would have thought you would have told me. I am part of the Resistance, am I not?>”
“<I would have thought you’d assume, given my position as Resistance Leader.>” Alma fired straight back. “<Perhaps I should have known better. Most Na’vi assume Dreamwalkers are useless or untrained because the Dreamwalker is not our native form or part of a clan>” Her tone soured a little. “<Being underestimated is… useful.>”
So’lek’s lip twitched a little, mildly amused though he still wasn’t satisfied. “<Clearly I have underestimated you too much. You fight well and… you’re faster and stronger than I thought. You broke through that metal walker easily. I did not realised how quickly they could be disabled.>”
“<Just exploited a weak spot. Most AMP suits have them. The ports along the back can funnel heat and electricity into the AMP seat and kill the driver if damaged. The glass canopy is under a lot of stresses and the common weak spot is the centre of the glass but older models have weaker frames from glass replacements.>” Alma explained. “<They also have cables that run along the inner leg, cutting those can slow and disable an AMP suit long enough to kill the pilot.>”
So’lek gave her a very dry side-eye. “<Why was I not informed of this? That is helpful information, Alma.>”
Alma continued her whittling, easily smoothing out all the knots to make s straight shaft. “<You’re not easy to educate on the matter. You like to try stuff out for yourself and you’re not been willing to sit down and listen to humans for long.>” Sure, some of it was their fault but he wasn’t easy to work with as he had been the last week or so since they got the kids. He was very intimidating for a portion of the resistance members.
She set the shaft down, leaning down to pull the bones she had to start shaping them, very aware of his eyes still on her. Assessing her now properly but she kept looking busy.
“<Why did you not tell me you were combat trained? I went with you expecting to keep you from dying. I did not expect to see you deliver so much death with so much ease.>”
Alma pursed her lips. “<Why should it matter?>”
“<I need to know who is capable and who is not so I can properly protect who needs it, not someone who I assume is going to get themselves or others killed.>” So’lek stated. “<For seven and a half months, you said nothing. Where is that trust?>”
Alma’s knife paused in it’s shaping, her eyes flickering up to him from behind her sunglasses. “<Trust? From the warrior who had made it blatantly obvious your presence in the Resistance is for the cause and your personal revenge and will leave when it is convenient for you.”
“<That is… accurate.>” So’lek allowed, “<but does not answer the question.>”
Alma tisked a second. “<I don’t trust freely.>”
“<Why not?>”
“<Because the last time I did, a lover of mine took our infant daughter and ran off into the wilds of Eywa-knows-where with her without so much of a discussion. Left me behind.>” She fixed him a steely glare behind her glasses, even though he could not see it through her sunglasses. “<Trust is a luxury that I cannot take for granted. Trust is layered. I will not blindly. Not humans, Not Na’vi.>” She was almost tempted to refer ace her wounds, but it did not feel right in this context to use it. “<You are here for a cause, but not the human people in it. What if you turned against our humans once the battles were done?>”
“<I would not have done that>” There was an edge of offence to his tone.
“<I don’t know that. When you joined, I didn’t know you. You did barely trusted us to start off with. I have to protect the people I was assigned. Even protecting them from you.>” She resumed her carving, “<It’s be foolish to trust every new person that comes through our doors. Especially the humans.>”
So’lek though glowered, he loosened up a little. Letting go of some of his frustrations as he watched her work. “<Where did that bow come from?>”
“<Mäzan gave it to me as a gift before our daughter’s birth. Wanted to make sure I could… provide for her.>” Kinda. It was symbolic more than anything as well given her nature. But he taught her how to use it as well. It burned a lot of nightly hours.
“<I want to see your style. Now that I know you are combat trained, I want to see how well you are.>”
Alma barely glanced up. “<I am thinking about targeting one of the larger RDA sites. Dani doesn’t think it’s a good idea but… I’m keen to take it down.>” She offered. Dani would certainly throw a fit but honestly, she was bored. It would be fun to show off without exposing her nature. So’lek might get off her ass a bit.
So’lek’s head tilted, considering. “<Which one?>”
“<Stone processor Bravo. North of Dyer’s bowl Daniela’s currently keeping an eye on their patrol routes and drop-off and pick-ups from the site. I looks very simple.>”
So’lek hummed softly in consideration but rose to his feet. “<Not yet. I want to see you in action without RDA involvement. Three days’ time, I expect to meet you by Braided River close to the external mountains of the Dyer’s Bowl. That should be enough time to make arrangements among the resistance.>”
I've suddenly realised why Alma's avatar hand were disturbing and it's not because she has one extra finger than the na'vi.
look at her knuckles. There's no curve across like normal Avatar hands should be like (with 5 fingers), it's a straight line across instead.
Human hands for comparison:
It's bc of the gameplay modelling and animation rigging for Alma's Avatar model.
Alma's Avatar model used mostly Na'vi NPC routes and animations. but bc they don't have an extra finger, so it's not perfect to modify for a sliggtly different NPC model.
i believe that the model has it... seated at lower angle and sometimes glitches out, blending the fingers every so often. So her hand as a result looks off.
Na'vi hands have a slight curve to them they they look awesome.
its like they couldn't decide what to do for avatar models lol
Can a Heart still break (once it stops beating) | C6
“Hajir’s gone to another camp too?” Dani echoed as Alma checked off the last bits and pieces of inventory. The Sniper in a field lab to look over one of their scientist, so she was on the video feed. “Why?”
“It’s our medical lab. Figured perhaps moving Okni there with some of the others to settle them away from humans and closer to Na’vi.” It was still in the idea stage, but she had hoped to at least move Okni, Nor and Yefti there to be more situated in the forest. Okni still needed medical oversight, Nor needed to be away from their human population and Yefti was… struggling a lot around humans. He kept thinking they were TAP guards or handlers which was not good. Away from HQ meant they were more surrounded by wildlife.
“Jin-young’s volunteered to help craft some external living areas. Hajir wants to make sure it’s stocked up should we need to move them sooner.” Alma carried on. “The kids need another space.”
Dani’s expression softened a little. “He’ll love to help with that.”
Alma smiled, nodding. “They need space that’s open, safe, away from possible triggers, close to familiar people but opens them to new faces.”
“Like the Na’vi.”
“Like the Na’vi.” Alma agreed. “So’lek lives away from HQ to it’s nothing too different.” Was she looking forwards to that? Perhaps. Less burden on her back and she’s be able to sneak from dyers bowl to hunt more efficiently. It was going to be tricky now that they can come and go all times of day.
“Are they gonna met up with the Aranahe today?”
“This afternoon. So’lek’s ran a patrol this morning to make sure the trail is clear before they make the trip and he’s currently out to gather a few new items for Okni’s clean food run.” Nor had… misused Okni’s personal mashing tools to ground up his new harvest thistle-bud seeds as the main set was being used by Telisi but in doing so, had cross-contaminated her tools but also her bowl of wet gluten-free flour mash that she had left out to dry from mashing and hour before.
He had been yelled at by Ri’nela for ten minutes and had gone off to sulk at Wanderer’s Vantage. Okni was also sulking inside but Raj was keeping her occupied by showing her now to sew to make some new clothes. Probably not too wise to have Okni and Nor at the same camp if this was a reoccurring issue.
“Alright. Though… I just… something feels kinda off.” Dani said, her tone barely masking the concern. “Can you go and check in on him? His radio’s on but he’s not answering. Both times on the pings. I’m too far to reach him here.”
Alma looked up sharply. “He’s only been there for two hours.” Which was concerning. They had check-ins for their external sites for a reason. He knew better than to ignore it. Missing one is one thing, but another? “I’ll check it out now then.”
Dani relaxed on screen, “Thank you.”
Alma ended the call, and set her the tablet down to carry on her work later and hurried out of HQ, detouring to pick up her bow and combat knife, which was a curved with a smooth, Tungsten steel blade, she had stolen it off an RDA grunt in an AMP Suit and wrapped the handle in hide for comfort. Much more effective to stab through the softer metals of the AMP Suits, her nails were stronger but she had to maintain an appearance for her Resistance humans that were there.
Her bow has been a gift. Mäzan had gifted it to her when they had started to sleep together to conceive Tsengì, to connect her with the people and so that their child was grow with connections in turn. It’s arrows were still there so, she was set.
Climbing out of Dyers bowl was easy work before she took off across the jungle, the sun was out so she couldn’t speed-run but she wasn’t sure if she should use her Vampiric abilities so out in the open during the day.
However, the sound of an Ikran pulled her attention up, squinting to see… Ìley descending fast before landing a few meters away. So’lek, though was frowning at her. “<What are you doing this far from HQ?>” He slipped off the Ikran’s back, securing the satchel of food.
“<Hajir at one of our camps. It’s gone quiet.>” Alma answered.
His eyes slid to both her weapons before he pulled off the staff sling from the harness. Oh, so he was coming. Interesting. “<Lead the way.>”
Alma nodded, not hesitating to get back to it. Her brisk pace was faster than his expectation, she could hear him try to keep up and while she didn’t intend to out-pace him, she needed to get to the camp.
But, she could hear heavy movement…. A rotator engine in the air too close. No! The RDA had found the spot!
Closer they got, So’lek finally seemed to hear the sounds of the RDA up ahead and his expression shifted. Becoming more focused.
Four AMPs, two ships and a fair amount of Soldiers, one or two in Skel-suits. But even she couldn’t get there in time before she caught sight of the Scorpion sending in a missile into the side of the camp.
“No!”
The two of them burst into the area. Alma tossed him her bow, not seeing him with one, melee her forte but didn’t pay So’lek any heed as he launched an arrow straight into the rotor of the Scorpion and it began to descend haphazardly but she turned her focused to the closets AMP suit, it’s back towards her as it scouted toward the entryway.
Her knife cut through the back wires and jammed it into the vent port which channelled the current straight to the piolet and she let him roast before slipping to the next AMP, cutting the throat easily of the Soldier what spun her away as the sound of the AMPs’ fall in passing before she jumped up and used the base of her palm straight into the AMPs screen’s weak spot and shattering the glass, mildly surprised how weak it was; a Na’vi could break into that! The pilot screeched in surprised, her massive blue hand yanked him out before she pierced the bastard once in the chest and dropped his body to the side.
Between the two of them, the camp was cleared within minutes, but her attention moved from the carnage to their allies.
There had only been three of them here. Two, she could hear were dead. One inside, one lay sprawled a few feet from the door. Hajir, thankfully was still alive; moving inside. Good. Alma heard So’lek breath heavily from the quick spurt of activity, kicking dirt over fire routes, his eyes to the air. In the distance, she could hear the fast steps of an approaching Na’vi. Tamtey? Why was she here?
Nonetheless, Alma dropped to one of her people, Andrew. Checking him over but it seemed the concussive force had killed him; she could see the winner layers of skin of seeped blood, the weight of it in odd places as she touched his warm, still back.. There was no point trying to start resuscitation attempts if his arties were split open. She might have tried, if she were human. To hope.
“Damn it.” She hissed, aware of Tamtey as she finally reached them. “How did they find this place? It’s not on any of their patrol routes.” Which was dangerous to think. Why change patterns? Were they scouting out places and crossing them off? She needed to get to an active RDA terminal and see. Maybe she could ask Alex or someone to program a Trojan worm to gain access to RDA systems without intervention but.. also make sure Resistance didn’t get effected. No matter, that was a later thought to examine.
So’lek’s tail swished uneasily. “They are looking for us now.”
Alma barely spared Tamtey a glance, as she heard the airlock open behind her, Hajir stumbling out but she smelt the blood on him before she saw him collapse a second later. Her eyes locked to the darkest patch, debris but it looked like some had come out so he was bleeding faster. Not good.
She moved to his side, vaguely aware as her bow was handed off to Tamtey and his Staff sling. “You’ll be fine. Okay?” She said, hoping to draw Hajir’s attention. He knew it was bad. “You hear me, you’ll be fine.”
“We need to get moving. We’ll have more on us soon.” So’lek urged.
“I need to stabilise him.” From what she could see and smell, he’d be dead before they reached the edge of dyer’s bowl. Yet, he was so small when she picked him up, she had to do something. Would… he agree?
“Don’t take too long.” So’lek said, attention turning from her to Tamtey. “Sarentu, there’s an oil refinery ahead, I’ll make sure the RDA come running to it. Keep the RDA off Alma and Hajir until then. Use the staff sling for traps.”
Alma stopped listening so directly, only passively as she set Hajir down onto the smooth, floor. There was glass everywhere from the shattered windows. Heat from the fires still going but she felt only mildly concerned about. In reach, there was a small medical kit but it wasn’t going to be brilliant. She’d need a better one.
“Hajir.” Alma patted his chest, the unwounded section to stir his focus from what haze he had fallen into. “This isn’t looking good.” She cut open his shirt, sharpening her claws to cut the fabric around the stable debris to not dislodge it and make it worse. “I can—“
“No.” Hajir grimaced, groaning through the effort of speech “No. Don’t turn me. Never… never turn me.”
Alma sighed but nodded. She had kinda expected that answer, but it felt wrong not to offer. She knew why. Vampires was not a life for everyone. He’d hate her truly if she forced him into that life. She couldn’t deny that will.
Outside, there were ringing explosions, the RDA attempting to land but failing. Tamtey was doing well. Wasn’t comfortable to hear. Two of the wounds were deep, one felt deeper than the other, he was bleeding into his chest cavity with each heart-beat. Alma pulled out one of the syringes and put the needle into her mouth.
“Gross.” Hajir mumbled, though didn’t fight her on it as she managed to extract only a little venom into it; a silvery blue substance.
Vampires produced two different types of venoms in their mouth, the teeth were coated with micro pours to deliver a type of venom to subdue prey directly from the bite and the pores allowed near instant biological intake before swallowing; to effect the venom going in to account for the prey’s size and demands needed to subdue the them easily. Kept the prey quiet, subdued and the blood didn’t coagulate. This was optional to use.
The second was a venom used to heal flesh sounds from minor lacerations and to cause coagulation to prevent prey bleeding out. This venom was found in where the Saliva glands used to be, allowing her to heal her prey from bites and shallow claw marks. It wasn’t capable of healing everything. But worked best around open veins and arties. It lingered long enough to encourage blood cells to reproduce faster but that was a side-effect.
Something she needed to get directly down into his chest without making it weird. Wasn’t like she was about to stuck her tongue down there. That would be weird.
Hajir didn’t object as she administered it to the wounds. Being quick and discarding it once it was used and began to press the dressing and gauzes to compress the bleeding while it kicked in to the worst parts of it.
“The RDA’s down for now.” Tamtey called.
“I’m not done here.” Alma called in, “Hajir’s still bleeding. I need a medical kit. There’s storage nearby. Extra supplies.” She needed to pack the wounds more and control it before he could get proper surgery at the base.
“I’ll get it, hang on.”
Whilst Tamtey’s steps moved on, Alma radioed Priya to get the medbay ready to receive Hajir once they were clear. Sooner they were prepared for his injures, the better his chances were.
“Damn it.” Outside, another trooper seemed to land, her head darting to see two new AMPs and 3 soldiers jump out…. but suddenly detonate. Tamtey had left a last-second surprise, but one of the AMPs were still standing, trying to wipe of the red smear of their companion off their canopy.
Alma weighed her options, she could go out and deal with it, but her fingers were keeping a firm pressure against the wounds that were still bleeding. It would only take a few seconds to finish it off but was that enough time to get back to Hajir without revealing her nature to Tamtey?
Alma opted to wait, the walls were thick enough that they wouldn’t be immediately spotted, so they had time.
Thankfully, Tamtey’s steps were already on her way back, a distant sound of an Ikran but she didn’t think much on that before the girl appeared, rifle in hand and shot down the last AMP suit… and the distant sound of an explosion. So’lek had done it. The RDA should pull back to the site.
Hopefully.
Alma picked the human up again, glad to see Tamtey holding the kit in her hand. Her Bow over her shoulder and her new rifle in her hands, probably from storage. “That was close.” She said as she existed. Hajir’s eyes rolled back, falling limp. She set him down again. “They had plenty of AMP suits. More than I’ve been around here before. Mercer’s favourite toy.” Her tone dripped in annoyance.
Tamtey moved in the corner of her eye, holding out the kit. “Here.”
“Thank you.” She took it with a nod. “You were always quick. I’m sorry you had to face them alone.” She set it down, opening up to pull out the gauze.
Tamtey shook her head. “I wasn’t alone. So’lek distracted them… and did you see that Na’vi?”
The Ikran, not So’lek then. An ally?
“Ikran are fierce. Very protective of their riders. A Scorpion is no match for them.” She pressed the gauze in, wrapping the bandaged swiftly around to increase pressure. Soon, she heard that Ikran’s reutn on the wind, wings rustling tough she kept her focus down than on Etuwa; recognising the Na’vi’ scent, pushing her sunglasses up her nose as she felt the slight shift as she worked. Her venom though… she could feel was already working its magic to starve off the worst. He would be okay as long as he got back to HQ soon.
“<… I am Etuwa. Tsahìk of the Aranahe.>”
Alma rose to her feet, licking her lips as she turned het attention to the Tsahìk. The girl had down a lot in the last few months. No so much physically but her energy and maturity had sky-rocketed. The loss of her mother… her new position must have forced her to grow up.
“<I knew your mother. I’m sorry.>” Alma said, drawing the Na’vi’s attention from Tamtey for a second.
Etuwa looked at her, uneasy as always. Like So’lek, she sensed something, just not knowing what or why. Etuwa just nodded, accepting though her yellow eyes slid back to Tamtey. “<Our home suffers too. The sky people grow boulder and the land falters under their feet… And yet, My people;… our Hometree… We are not warriors but war has come.” Her eyes remained on Tamtey, jaw flexing as she made her decision. “<My father still needs convincing but he knew the Sarentu. He will listen to you. He must.>” There was an edge of desperation in the underlying tone.
Alma spared a look about, reaching for the bow which Tamtey handed back to her. The String was… frayed. Must had damaged it. Explained part of why she moved to the rifle. No arrows. She could see what she had was damaged or broken. New ones had to be made then.
“<I need to get everyone back.>” gesturing to both Hajir’s still form and the bodies. “<The others will need to know what happened here.”
Etuwa looked down, nodding swiftly. “<Of course, I’ll help with your wounded.>” She bent down, picking up Hajir’s form, settling onto the back of her Ikran within seconds. “<My Hometree isn’t far from here. Tell them that I sent you but… not all see as I do. So please do not mention my part in… all…this.>” her eyes flickered about the burned out chaos.
Tamtey seemed to brighten at the invitation. “<Yes, Of course.>”
“<May your spirits sore with the currents of the wind.>” Etuwa said before taking up into the sky, towards HQ.
Alma let out a sigh of relief. “The med team are expecting him so she’ll get him there faster than we can.”
Tamtey stared after her for a moment, then towards the Hometree. “We can go to Hometree now?”
“You can. And no doubt the other Sarentu.” Alma corrected, collecting up the kit and setting it aside. She could bring it in properly, but the other two bodies would need to be taken back and buried among friends.
Tamtey’s head tilted. “Can I go now?”
Alma hummed. “That’s up to you. I need to get back to HQ.” She stepped into the damaged structure, pulling out the still form of Penny and slung her body over her shoulder, collecting up Andrew over the other.
Tamtey’s eyes flickered to the bodies, debating for a second before she turned her attention to Hometree. “You won’t be mad?”
“No. It’s better if you make an appearance anyway. The fact it’s an invite is better.” A single Sarentu was probably a little better to accept than a group randomly showing up. They needed to go well. Why step in the way? Plus, she could handle the bodies, they were light weight.
“Okay.”
-
Alma sighed deeply as she ran her carving knife down the body of the shaft. Since getting back to HQ, things had been busy while Tamtey made contact with the clan. Most of the Sarentu kids were waiting back for her return but Alma opted to occupy her evening with making new arrows.
The mood in HQ was low, as it typically was in the wake of few funerals, so work was at a all-time low. People were sad but occupied with their own thing, with a handful of staff keeping order. Alma had been… softly ‘booted’ to low-activities to ‘rest’ after such an ordeal by Alex and Alma opted not to fight him on it.
She already replaced her bow string but arrows were what she needed now. At least they were easy to make. Yet, she could feel So’lek’s eyes on her when he returned but she felt his… shift of energy. It was no surprise really to hear his steps behind her as she worked, tossing on the leaves to the fire in front and set the new shaft to the side and picked up the next thicket branch to smoothen out.
“<I did not know you were combat trained.>” He said, a statement.
Alma chuckled softly. “<Not many people do.>”
So’lek moved joining her at the fire and crouched close to her pile of shafts. “<I would have thought you would have told me. I am part of the Resistance, am I not?>”
“<I would have thought you’d assume, given my position as Resistance Leader.>” Alma fired straight back. “<Perhaps I should have known better. Most Na’vi assume Dreamwalkers are useless or untrained because the Dreamwalker is not our native form or part of a clan>” Her tone soured a little. “<Being underestimated is… useful.>”
So’lek’s lip twitched a little, mildly amused though he still wasn’t satisfied. “<Clearly I have underestimated you too much. You fight well and… you’re faster and stronger than I thought. You broke through that metal walker easily. I did not realised how quickly they could be disabled.>”
“<Just exploited a weak spot. Most AMP suits have them. The ports along the back can funnel heat and electricity into the AMP seat and kill the driver if damaged. The glass canopy is under a lot of stresses and the common weak spot is the centre of the glass but older models have weaker frames from glass replacements.>” Alma explained. “<They also have cables that run along the inner leg, cutting those can slow and disable an AMP suit long enough to kill the pilot.>”
So’lek gave her a very dry side-eye. “<Why was I not informed of this? That is helpful information, Alma.>”
Alma continued her whittling, easily smoothing out all the knots to make s straight shaft. “<You’re not easy to educate on the matter. You like to try stuff out for yourself and you’re not been willing to sit down and listen to humans for long.>” Sure, some of it was their fault but he wasn’t easy to work with as he had been the last week or so since they got the kids. He was very intimidating for a portion of the resistance members.
She set the shaft down, leaning down to pull the bones she had to start shaping them, very aware of his eyes still on her. Assessing her now properly but she kept looking busy.
“<Why did you not tell me you were combat trained? I went with you expecting to keep you from dying. I did not expect to see you deliver so much death with so much ease.>”
Alma pursed her lips. “<Why should it matter?>”
“<I need to know who is capable and who is not so I can properly protect who needs it, not someone who I assume is going to get themselves or others killed.>” So’lek stated. “<For seven and a half months, you said nothing. Where is that trust?>”
Alma’s knife paused in it’s shaping, her eyes flickering up to him from behind her sunglasses. “<Trust? From the warrior who had made it blatantly obvious your presence in the Resistance is for the cause and your personal revenge and will leave when it is convenient for you.”
“<That is… accurate.>” So’lek allowed, “<but does not answer the question.>”
Alma tisked a second. “<I don’t trust freely.>”
“<Why not?>”
“<Because the last time I did, a lover of mine took our infant daughter and ran off into the wilds of Eywa-knows-where with her without so much of a discussion. Left me behind.>” She fixed him a steely glare behind her glasses, even though he could not see it through her sunglasses. “<Trust is a luxury that I cannot take for granted. Trust is layered. I will not blindly. Not humans, Not Na’vi.>” She was almost tempted to refer ace her wounds, but it did not feel right in this context to use it. “<You are here for a cause, but not the human people in it. What if you turned against our humans once the battles were done?>”
“<I would not have done that>” There was an edge of offence to his tone.
“<I don’t know that. When you joined, I didn’t know you. You did barely trusted us to start off with. I have to protect the people I was assigned. Even protecting them from you.>” She resumed her carving, “<It’s be foolish to trust every new person that comes through our doors. Especially the humans.>”
So’lek though glowered, he loosened up a little. Letting go of some of his frustrations as he watched her work. “<Where did that bow come from?>”
“<Mäzan gave it to me as a gift before our daughter’s birth. Wanted to make sure I could… provide for her.>” Kinda. It was symbolic more than anything as well given her nature. But he taught her how to use it as well. It burned a lot of nightly hours.
“<I want to see your style. Now that I know you are combat trained, I want to see how well you are.>”
Alma barely glanced up. “<I am thinking about targeting one of the larger RDA sites. Dani doesn’t think it’s a good idea but… I’m keen to take it down.>” She offered. Dani would certainly throw a fit but honestly, she was bored. It would be fun to show off without exposing her nature. So’lek might get off her ass a bit.
So’lek’s head tilted, considering. “<Which one?>”
“<Stone processor Bravo. North of Dyer’s bowl Daniela’s currently keeping an eye on their patrol routes and drop-off and pick-ups from the site. I looks very simple.>”
So’lek hummed softly in consideration but rose to his feet. “<Not yet. I want to see you in action without RDA involvement. Three days’ time, I expect to meet you by Braided River close to the external mountains of the Dyer’s Bowl. That should be enough time to make arrangements among the resistance.>”
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
A week after Mercer destroyed TAP in 2154, and the RDA are expelled from Pandora, Alma gets visited by a creature that grew a deep hate for what the RDA became and what TAP did to the Sarentu, and so made sure Alma paid a hefty price for revenge on behalf of the dead clan.
Alma hid what happened long before she took the mantle of Resistance leader but... sooner or later, secrets come to light especially when the unnatural blood coats a Sarentu blade.
Chapter 6 snippet
Alma had been… softly ‘booted’ to low-activities to ‘rest’ after such an ordeal by Alex and Alma opted not to fight him on it.
She already replaced her bow string but arrows were what she needed now. At least they were easy to make. Yet, she could feel So’lek’s eyes on her when he returned but she felt his… shift of energy. It was no surprise really to hear his steps behind her as she worked, tossing on the leaves to the fire in front and set the new shaft to the side and picked up the next thicket branch to smoothen out.
“<I did not know you were combat trained.>” He said, a statement.
Alma chuckled softly. “<Not many people do.>”
So’lek moved joining her at the fire and crouched close to her pile of shafts. “<I would have thought you would have told me. I am part of the Resistance, am I not?>”
“<I would have thought you’d assume, given my position as Resistance Leader.>” Alma fired straight back. “<Perhaps I should have known better. Most Na’vi assume Dreamwalkers are useless or untrained because the Dreamwalker is not our native form or part of a clan>” Her tone soured a little. “<Being underestimated is… useful.>”
So'lek: Be careful about succumbing to these sorts of destructive... urges. Addiction can be a powerful thing.
The Sarentu, drunk, making arrows: So am I. Bow down before your new supreme overlord, bitches.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
What if Tamtey thought, some time after Nor's body was found, if thing were better if Alma was dead? Another Sarentu lost needlessly, that justice could be delivered if she wielded that blade against her throat, to end a story in the place where her people died. What if… despite that, Alma survived?
How would Alma survive with what was done to her? How could she return through the fog?
Chapter 3 snippet
Finally, he saw her.
Her feet at least first peeking out from behind the Sarentu mural before he saw the rest of her and for a second, he almost thought her spirit had passed on. Her eyes were staring ahead, despondent and face paint washed from clear tear streaks but also blood. Her hands were limply on her lap, dried blood most predominantly in the creases of her fingers and under her nails, blood has even had made it up her left arm. But she let out a shallow breath, revealing life still within… but the blade that sat beside her, bloodied that made him weary to approach.
Alma was not here.
Blood was.
The twisting coils of unease only grew but he could put together the context clue quickly and… he felt the plummeting disbelief and regret sit in his stomach. He should have investigated sooner. Not wait.
“You killed her?” So’lek’s voice whispered, carried through the wind. He wanted to be wrong. Wanted to hear anything but confirmation. Alma would have gone with the Sarentu willingly, if she thought they were going to talk. She had been tricked to leave the safety of the Resistance.
So’lek’s eyes washed about the field lab as he landed, taking note of how quiet it was. Alex hadn’t said anything had changed and that her tech signal was still strong. But he silently climbed in anyway but he couldn’t see her. Her scent lingered, so she had certainly been here.
His eyes caught sight of something sitting just out of the beam of light, close to the monitor. So’lek peered to it… to see it was the SID tool. She had left it here. That was not good. The Resistance no longer had means to track her. Her radio was also beside it, it’s casing cracked as if she had held it too tight. Her human weaponry abandoned on the rack, standing out simply due to the size and personal cosmetics she had added to it. But.. the SID pulled his attention more, pulling it out and held it in the light.
A light red seemed to stain it. Not that it looked like anything had dripped on but had been transferred from a near-dry surface. The smell was all too familiar. Blood.
His stomach turned uneasily. No sign of Alma here either. Not that scarf, not even her jacket. He did not like the implication… if it was an implication. The blood could have come from a hunt.
He set it down quickly, though ventured out the other side before he caught wind of her scent from the field lab, going across the shallow swamp to the far tree. He stepped quietly and cautiously, the water barely making sounds as he ventured through it, Tamtey’s scent almost lost in the murky, and muddy odour.
Finally, he saw her.
Her feet at least first peeking out from behind the Sarentu mural before he saw the rest of her and for a second, he almost thought her spirit had passed on. Her eyes were staring ahead, despondent and face paint washed from clear tear streaks but also blood. Her hands were limply on her lap, dried blood most predominantly in the creases of her fingers and under her nails, blood has even had made it up her left arm. But she let out a shallow breath, revealing life still within… but the blade that sat beside her, bloodied that made him weary to approach.
Alma was not here.
Blood was.
The twisting coils of unease only grew but he could put together the context clue quickly and… he felt the plummeting disbelief and regret sit in his stomach. He should have investigated sooner. Not wait.
“You killed her?” So’lek’s voice whispered, carried through the wind. He wanted to be wrong. Wanted to hear anything but confirmation. Alma would have gone with the Sarentu willingly, if she thought they were going to talk. She had been tricked to leave the safety of the Resistance.
Tamtey let out a shuddering breath, swallowing loudly and shifted her hands to stare at them. “I thought it was what I wanted.” Her voice barely carried, thick and hard to get out.
So’lek moved, walking closer now before he took the knife from her reach, eyeing the dried blood. One side mostly covered in dried blood. Not a stab would, as the whole thing would have been saturated. A cut. From… the splatter on her other arm, seemed to suggest a left to right action. He closed his eyes for a moment, sensing what she had done to the human. He never thought he’d pity Alma but… here he was.
“Why?”
Tamtey didn’t look his way at all, head bowed in shame than shook her head, closing her eyes as a fresh bout of tears dropped.
“Where did you leave her body, Sarentu?”
Tamtey didn’t answer immediately, taking a few minutes to gather her strength to speak. “C-Circle of Songs.” Her voice cracked. “It seemed… poetic at time. She didn’t wanna go in but I dragged her there anyway.” Her eyes opened. “So small and light….” There was an incredulous snort next.
The Circle of songs. In the yavä. So’lek’s jaw clenched. A place where the Sarentu clan died. In a way, yes poetic. But also the perfect place for her to take her revenge upon the human woman without anyone finding her. Her body would be consumed by the Yavä within days. If… Tamtey here had truly wanted to, she could easily get away with her murder. Others might have assumed Alma just got taken by wild life…. Or ran away. Her past that came to light had burned so many bridges within the Resistance that had her removed from her place of power. To become distant. To become invisible and unnoticed that no one would notice her absence at all. Not for a while, at least.
“They’re gonna hate me.” Tamtey breathed, “I… I keep replying it in my mind. I thought… thought it was a good thing to do. That I would feel relief as I did with leaving Mercer to blow up. It just… felt wrong instead the moment it was done. She just… lay there so still in the dirt.”
“She was our ally.” So’lek remained distant, but knelt into her line-of sight. “I… I knew it would be complicated living with her. I understand your pain and your loss… but she had been punished with the death of her Dreamwalker and the removal of her seat of power. She could not hurt you again, nor manipulate you further.”
“I wanted her gone.” Tamtey admitted. “For good. I thought I wanted her dead to achieve that….” Her mouth opened and closed, “She… was willing to leave the Resistance if I spared her…” Tamtey’s hands shook. “I should have just let her go when doubt crept in.”
So’lek stared at the Sarentu for the longest of moments. “Are you planning to leave?”
Tamtey shrugged, sobbing a little. “I don’t know.”
His eyes flickered to the Kinglor treeline, noting the top of the Aranahe’s Hometree before he put the weapon into his waist cloth, called for Ìley and picked up the Sarentu, tossing her over his shoulder. She didn’t wiggle or try to get off his shoulder as his Ikran landed and he took them to the sky. She lay over his shoulder like a limp fish, devoid of energy. The trip was short, but felt longer than it should before he landed but didn’t remove her as he bypassed Itu and ventured into the heart of Hometree and down wards.
“<So’lek? Tamtey?>” by no surprise it was Nefika.
“<Get me a private space and a guard for Tamtey now.” So’lek demanded, his expression serious.
Nefika’s usual jolly attitude shifted, though it was more obvious in her eyes that this was nothing but a serious matter. Something was wrong. He had to be obeyed for what reason he had.
Kitangi was called to get Neyan and Nefika led him through the deeper roots to a more private sector but surprisingly to himself, a vine-covered way to an underground sector. A space he did not know about. It was a winding tunnel down and it lead to a split- tunnel. He was led to the right one what opened up to an empty chamber with a mat on the floor and a bladder lantern above.
“<This one is private and away from the clan. One way in and out.>” Nefika stated, her voice lacking warmth but was carefully concerned. So’lek didn’t hesitate to step in and set Tamtey down. The Sarentu just sat where he put her, her head bowed and lip quivered. She did not fight him he removed her weapons entirely, the sling staff, stun grenades, the weapons magazines she had and anything long enough to be used as a rope. He did not trust her mind. She could harm others, but she was equally a danger to herself. Nor had died and he could not risk Tamtey doing something out of remorse or guilt.
“<What is going on?>” Etuwa’s voice was distant and echoed faintly but getting closer.
This was no place for that talk.
Thankfully, Neyan got here first.
“Sarentu, you will eat when you are fed, drink when given water, wash when you can and listen to the healers.” He said. “I will visit shortly once I have spoken to the Resistance.”
“Y-You’re gonna tell them>” her eyes welled up.
“I cannot hide your actions. She was one of them, people are expecting her scientific input.” He said, then turned to Neyan who was watching this exchange with a stern expression, he did not know English but he didn’t need to know to know something was so terribly wrong. “<Do not allow her to leave, or let her hurt herself. Her spirit is sick and is not thinking straight. If she goads you or tried to get you to attack her, call for aid to sedate her.>”
Neyan’s eyes widened a fraction but his jaw squared. Good. He knew what he needed to do. He spared Tamtey another look before he left her to it, and Neyan to his duty and headed out. Nefika had clearly gone to meet Etuwa and So’lek met the clan leaders and head weaver at the vine way.
“<What has happened?>” Etuwa demanded, her eyes sharp as she glanced over his shoulder down the winding tunnel. “<What is wrong?>”
“<Not here, Pease.>” So’lek directed to the Tsahìk. His eyes flickering to Ka’nat. “<This is private but important.>”
Etuwa’s jaw was tight but after a nod, lead the way up to the top of the tree. The few people tending to the Kinglor were asked to leave and soon, it was just the four of them.
“<What has happened? Why did you bring the Sarentu us in a poor state?>” Etuwa said, tail swishing. “<That space is only where we keep people who are a danger to the clan. To be away from the people.>”
“<She is a danger to herself.>” So’lek thankfully put all of Tamtey’s belongings he took off her into a basket Nefika held out to him. “<She has… done something that is cruel and will damage her standing within the Resistance. Her mind is still reeling from her actions with heavy weight and remorse. Leaving her alone… is unwise.>”
“<What did she do?>” Ka’nat said tightly, his jaw tense.
So’lek paused for a second. Debating but… if they were to keep her here, they needed to understand the scope of her actions. “<You remember the Dreamwalker Resistance leader, Alma Cortez?>”
Ka’nat’s eye twitched, “<I do.>”
“<She lost the Dreamwalker form, I heard.>” Etuwa said, “<What has happened?>”
“<Tamtey killed her.>”
“<She killed the Dreamwalker?”
“<No, her true human form. She took her away and slit her throat, believing it was the right thing to do.>”
Nefika and Etuwa exchanged a look, completely surprised and shocked by his words. This was not the Tamtey they knew. Extreme, unprecedented behaviour.
“<Why?>”
So’lek considered the answer, “<Alma bared reasonability to the death of the clan and hid her part in it. Nor, one of the other Sarentu killed her Dreamwalker and fled when the other Sarentu did not agree with his actions. Alma lost her position as Resistance leader which seemed like a suitable punishment on top of her avatar’s loss. But… Nor died shortly after. Tamtey’s mental health did decline in her grief in the wake of his funeral. I believe that she become disillusioned about the punishment and thought her death was the answer. She took Alma under a pretence to the site of where her people died and killed her there. She fled to one of the field labs here after when the reality of her actions hit her.>”
Ka’nat looked rightfully troubled, Etuwa uneasy. Nefika though seemed… sad. Of course, this was troubling news.
“<She needs help. I cannot help her alone. I cannot take her to the Resistance, they are a danger to her and when they learn what she has done… I cannot risk her safety either. Humans are vengeful. Your clan was the closest. I am sorry for putting you in this situation.>”
“<We can take her. She has done much for us already, we can attend to her spirit.>” Etuwa agreed, “<We’ll get a guard rotation to ensure she’s not alone day or night. Kayì can tend to her with me.>”
Kayì, the clan’s death doula, also a healer of both body and mind. Etuwa was a spiritual leader for the clan, but she was still young and no doubt needed his guidance on the matter of this.
“<Can you recover Alma’s body? Closure may be possible?>” Etuwa asked.
So’lek shook his head. “<The site is polluted with yavä. Tamtey is inoculated against it. Alma had been studying the antidote to reproduce and was successful, but she had not shared her findings before her death. She had the finished vial on her, I believe. I cannot enter to see.>” Which was both ironic and frustrating.
“<Do Sky people not wear masks to breathe our air?>” Nefika pointed out.
So’lek hummed, a possibility. “<I can look into that later.>” He needed to talk to Alex about getting something his size and safe. For now, he had to prioritise Tamtey here for now. “<Is it possible to keep this as discreet as possible? I must leave to the Clouded forest soon.>”
“<We can try.>” Etuwa allowed, “<Go, and let your allies know she is safe with the Aranahe.>”
-
Getting back to the base, So’lek felt sure of his decision to leave Tamtey under the watchful eye of the Aranahe but he dreaded what he had to do now. Ri’nela, she would struggle with this news. Nor’s death was one thing but this… this might be too much.
So’lek let out a heavy exhale when Ìley touched down outside, taking a second to stall by feeding Ìley a treat and give a soft pet to gather his strength. Going up against Sky people were so much easier than it was for this.
The Kame’tire were renowned as healers, he was not dissuaded by taking her to the Aranahe either. The Kame’tire were still in their own darkness and were reconnecting with the clan. It would take time. The Sarentu were still a delicate topic. He would let Anufi know, of course, and he knew she would no doubt visit to talk to both Etuwa and Kayì on options if they were open for her input. The Zeswa… did not seem like a good option, given how vast and open the space was; it wasn’t secure enough. Tamtey had a knack for escaping and tents were easier to get out of than a closed off cave system under a Hometree, or in the rocks of the clouded forest.
So’lek gave one final pat to his Ikran before he turned his attention to the base and squared his jaw.
Inside, it was quiet and busy with the Na’vi side of things. No sign of Teylan or Ri’nela, so he went straight inside, his steps brisk and took the Co2 Canister as he went and set it on his side before the other doors opened.
“So’lek.” His head turned down to see Alex heading his way, steps fast and urgent. “Please tell me something good. I’ve been trying to contact Alma’s radio but she’s not picking up.”
“Go outside to the grave site. I have much I need to discuss with you and the others privately.”
“Oh… Okay?” He sounded confused, and mildly cautious but headed out the back of the airlock anyway. Clearly not waiting.
He found Ri’nela getting frazzled by the supply team but So’lek dispersed them and directed her out as well before finding Teylan in the living area, on this tablet. The younger man followed him at his encouragement and soon enough, the four of them were soon outside, a few feet away from the mound of dirt that contained one version of Alma.
“Why have you called us out here?” Ri’nela said, licking her lips. “I’ve got a lot to need to do. New sites have cropped up.
“Alma is dead.” So’lek stated, with sympathetic tones to soften the statement.
The three of them stared at him for the longest of moment.
Ri’nela’s jaw slacked a little, confused. “…What?”
Teylan’s eyes just turned wide, his lips pursing together though the colour drained from his face. Alex’s eyes narrowed though looked like he still was sucker punched.
“Tamtey… is not well. She took her away to the Circle of Songs and killed her there. She fled to the Kinglor forest after.” So’lek said, being brief.
Teylan’s knees shook. “Why would.. why would she do that?” his voice nearly a whisper.
“Where is she now?” Alex’s voice shook, though there was more steel in it.
“I took her to one of the Clans once I located her. She is safe there and everyone is safe from her. She will be tended to.” So’lek said.
There was a simmer of relief that resonated through Ri’nela’s face but… she did not look better. “Why did… she kill her? I thought we were over cold-blooded killing?”
So’lek sighed deeply. “Truly, I do not know. I did not press her for answers, and I can only draw up assumptions based on context clues. She… regrets having done it. Deeply. She is still processing her actions but is aware of me informing you and the Resistance of Alma’s death.”
“A-Are you sure she’s gone? Alma, I mean.” Alex asked.
“Her throat was slit and her body left to the Yavä. Tamtey confirmed she remained still before leaving the scene.”
Alex’s hand come to his own throat, looking queasy. “I think I’m gonna be sick.”
“We can’t even check.” Teylan said quietly. “The masks can work for a bit but the Yavä clogs the filters up.”
Which shot down any chance to actually get to the site. A mask was useless if it didn’t work long-term. It was not a short trip.
“I… I was finally gearing myself up to talk to her.” Teylan sniffled a little. Eyes welling up a little. “I… wanted to get in the right headspace to do that.”
Ri’nela’s hand touched his shoulder. “Cry if you want, Teylan.” She encouraged.
So’lek had a hunch that… Teylan was more foraging than the others. He needed his time to process it and while Alma’s actions were unforgivable, it was easier to accept and “forgive” in smaller ways to move on. To work with her. Alma probably would have been relieved that one of the Sarentu had ‘forgiven’ her in some way that it might had stated her a while to lay off forgiveness of the other two. Now, they would never know.
“What happens now?” Alex stated, swallowing his own feelings for now.
“For now, we keeping going on. Tamtey will be with the Aranahe for the foreseeable future. When she is safe to leave, that will be a discussion that will happen close to that time.” So’lek suggested.
Alex spared a glance to the Avatar’s grave then back to So’lek then Ri’nela. “Doctor Spellman in the East will need to be informed of her death and surrounding situation. He and Jakesully will decide our next actions before Tamtey is released from Aranahe care.”
“Very well.” So’lek would leave the humans to Toruk Makto’s discretion. He sent them here after all. Alma did technically fall under his management, even this far out.
So’lek’s eyes washed about the field lab as he landed, taking note of how quiet it was. Alex hadn’t said anything had changed and that her tech signal was still strong. But he silently climbed in anyway but he couldn’t see her. Her scent lingered, so she had certainly been here.
His eyes caught sight of something sitting just out of the beam of light, close to the monitor. So’lek peered to it… to see it was the SID tool. She had left it here. That was not good. The Resistance no longer had means to track her. Her radio was also beside it, it’s casing cracked as if she had held it too tight. Her human weaponry abandoned on the rack, standing out simply due to the size and personal cosmetics she had added to it. But.. the SID pulled his attention more, pulling it out and held it in the light.
A light red seemed to stain it. Not that it looked like anything had dripped on but had been transferred from a near-dry surface. The smell was all too familiar. Blood.
His stomach turned uneasily. No sign of Alma here either. Not that scarf, not even her jacket. He did not like the implication… if it was an implication. The blood could have come from a hunt.
He set it down quickly, though ventured out the other side before he caught wind of her scent from the field lab, going across the shallow swamp to the far tree. He stepped quietly and cautiously, the water barely making sounds as he ventured through it, Tamtey’s scent almost lost in the murky, and muddy odour.
Finally, he saw her.
Her feet at least first peeking out from behind the Sarentu mural before he saw the rest of her and for a second, he almost thought her spirit had passed on. Her eyes were staring ahead, despondent and face paint washed from clear tear streaks but also blood. Her hands were limply on her lap, dried blood most predominantly in the creases of her fingers and under her nails, blood has even had made it up her left arm. But she let out a shallow breath, revealing life still within… but the blade that sat beside her, bloodied that made him weary to approach.
Alma was not here.
Blood was.
The twisting coils of unease only grew but he could put together the context clue quickly and… he felt the plummeting disbelief and regret sit in his stomach. He should have investigated sooner. Not wait.
“You killed her?” So’lek’s voice whispered, carried through the wind. He wanted to be wrong. Wanted to hear anything but confirmation. Alma would have gone with the Sarentu willingly, if she thought they were going to talk. She had been tricked to leave the safety of the Resistance.
Tamtey let out a shuddering breath, swallowing loudly and shifted her hands to stare at them. “I thought it was what I wanted.” Her voice barely carried, thick and hard to get out.
So’lek moved, walking closer now before he took the knife from her reach, eyeing the dried blood. One side mostly covered in dried blood. Not a stab would, as the whole thing would have been saturated. A cut. From… the splatter on her other arm, seemed to suggest a left to right action. He closed his eyes for a moment, sensing what she had done to the human. He never thought he’d pity Alma but… here he was.
“Why?”
Tamtey didn’t look his way at all, head bowed in shame than shook her head, closing her eyes as a fresh bout of tears dropped.
“Where did you leave her body, Sarentu?”
Tamtey didn’t answer immediately, taking a few minutes to gather her strength to speak. “C-Circle of Songs.” Her voice cracked. “It seemed… poetic at time. She didn’t wanna go in but I dragged her there anyway.” Her eyes opened. “So small and light….” There was an incredulous snort next.
The Circle of songs. In the yavä. So’lek’s jaw clenched. A place where the Sarentu clan died. In a way, yes poetic. But also the perfect place for her to take her revenge upon the human woman without anyone finding her. Her body would be consumed by the Yavä within days. If… Tamtey here had truly wanted to, she could easily get away with her murder. Others might have assumed Alma just got taken by wild life…. Or ran away. Her past that came to light had burned so many bridges within the Resistance that had her removed from her place of power. To become distant. To become invisible and unnoticed that no one would notice her absence at all. Not for a while, at least.
“They’re gonna hate me.” Tamtey breathed, “I… I keep replying it in my mind. I thought… thought it was a good thing to do. That I would feel relief as I did with leaving Mercer to blow up. It just… felt wrong instead the moment it was done. She just… lay there so still in the dirt.”
“She was our ally.” So’lek remained distant, but knelt into her line-of sight. “I… I knew it would be complicated living with her. I understand your pain and your loss… but she had been punished with the death of her Dreamwalker and the removal of her seat of power. She could not hurt you again, nor manipulate you further.”
“I wanted her gone.” Tamtey admitted. “For good. I thought I wanted her dead to achieve that….” Her mouth opened and closed, “She… was willing to leave the Resistance if I spared her…” Tamtey’s hands shook. “I should have just let her go when doubt crept in.”
So’lek stared at the Sarentu for the longest of moments. “Are you planning to leave?”
Tamtey shrugged, sobbing a little. “I don’t know.”
His eyes flickered to the Kinglor treeline, noting the top of the Aranahe’s Hometree before he put the weapon into his waist cloth, called for Ìley and picked up the Sarentu, tossing her over his shoulder. She didn’t wiggle or try to get off his shoulder as his Ikran landed and he took them to the sky. She lay over his shoulder like a limp fish, devoid of energy. The trip was short, but felt longer than it should before he landed but didn’t remove her as he bypassed Itu and ventured into the heart of Hometree and down wards.
“<So’lek? Tamtey?>” by no surprise it was Nefika.
“<Get me a private space and a guard for Tamtey now.” So’lek demanded, his expression serious.
Nefika’s usual jolly attitude shifted, though it was more obvious in her eyes that this was nothing but a serious matter. Something was wrong. He had to be obeyed for what reason he had.
Kitangi was called to get Neyan and Nefika led him through the deeper roots to a more private sector but surprisingly to himself, a vine-covered way to an underground sector. A space he did not know about. It was a winding tunnel down and it lead to a split- tunnel. He was led to the right one what opened up to an empty chamber with a mat on the floor and a bladder lantern above.
“<This one is private and away from the clan. One way in and out.>” Nefika stated, her voice lacking warmth but was carefully concerned. So’lek didn’t hesitate to step in and set Tamtey down. The Sarentu just sat where he put her, her head bowed and lip quivered. She did not fight him he removed her weapons entirely, the sling staff, stun grenades, the weapons magazines she had and anything long enough to be used as a rope. He did not trust her mind. She could harm others, but she was equally a danger to herself. Nor had died and he could not risk Tamtey doing something out of remorse or guilt.
“<What is going on?>” Etuwa’s voice was distant and echoed faintly but getting closer.
This was no place for that talk.
Thankfully, Neyan got here first.
“Sarentu, you will eat when you are fed, drink when given water, wash when you can and listen to the healers.” He said. “I will visit shortly once I have spoken to the Resistance.”
“Y-You’re gonna tell them>” her eyes welled up.
“I cannot hide your actions. She was one of them, people are expecting her scientific input.” He said, then turned to Neyan who was watching this exchange with a stern expression, he did not know English but he didn’t need to know to know something was so terribly wrong. “<Do not allow her to leave, or let her hurt herself. Her spirit is sick and is not thinking straight. If she goads you or tried to get you to attack her, call for aid to sedate her.>”
Neyan’s eyes widened a fraction but his jaw squared. Good. He knew what he needed to do. He spared Tamtey another look before he left her to it, and Neyan to his duty and headed out. Nefika had clearly gone to meet Etuwa and So’lek met the clan leaders and head weaver at the vine way.
“<What has happened?>” Etuwa demanded, her eyes sharp as she glanced over his shoulder down the winding tunnel. “<What is wrong?>”
“<Not here, Pease.>” So’lek directed to the Tsahìk. His eyes flickering to Ka’nat. “<This is private but important.>”
Etuwa’s jaw was tight but after a nod, lead the way up to the top of the tree. The few people tending to the Kinglor were asked to leave and soon, it was just the four of them.
“<What has happened? Why did you bring the Sarentu us in a poor state?>” Etuwa said, tail swishing. “<That space is only where we keep people who are a danger to the clan. To be away from the people.>”
“<She is a danger to herself.>” So’lek thankfully put all of Tamtey’s belongings he took off her into a basket Nefika held out to him. “<She has… done something that is cruel and will damage her standing within the Resistance. Her mind is still reeling from her actions with heavy weight and remorse. Leaving her alone… is unwise.>”
“<What did she do?>” Ka’nat said tightly, his jaw tense.
So’lek paused for a second. Debating but… if they were to keep her here, they needed to understand the scope of her actions. “<You remember the Dreamwalker Resistance leader, Alma Cortez?>”
Ka’nat’s eye twitched, “<I do.>”
“<She lost the Dreamwalker form, I heard.>” Etuwa said, “<What has happened?>”
“<Tamtey killed her.>”
“<She killed the Dreamwalker?”
“<No, her true human form. She took her away and slit her throat, believing it was the right thing to do.>”
Nefika and Etuwa exchanged a look, completely surprised and shocked by his words. This was not the Tamtey they knew. Extreme, unprecedented behaviour.
“<Why?>”
So’lek considered the answer, “<Alma bared reasonability to the death of the clan and hid her part in it. Nor, one of the other Sarentu killed her Dreamwalker and fled when the other Sarentu did not agree with his actions. Alma lost her position as Resistance leader which seemed like a suitable punishment on top of her avatar’s loss. But… Nor died shortly after. Tamtey’s mental health did decline in her grief in the wake of his funeral. I believe that she become disillusioned about the punishment and thought her death was the answer. She took Alma under a pretence to the site of where her people died and killed her there. She fled to one of the field labs here after when the reality of her actions hit her.>”
Ka’nat looked rightfully troubled, Etuwa uneasy. Nefika though seemed… sad. Of course, this was troubling news.
“<She needs help. I cannot help her alone. I cannot take her to the Resistance, they are a danger to her and when they learn what she has done… I cannot risk her safety either. Humans are vengeful. Your clan was the closest. I am sorry for putting you in this situation.>”
“<We can take her. She has done much for us already, we can attend to her spirit.>” Etuwa agreed, “<We’ll get a guard rotation to ensure she’s not alone day or night. Kayì can tend to her with me.>”
Kayì, the clan’s death doula, also a healer of both body and mind. Etuwa was a spiritual leader for the clan, but she was still young and no doubt needed his guidance on the matter of this.
“<Can you recover Alma’s body? Closure may be possible?>” Etuwa asked.
So’lek shook his head. “<The site is polluted with yavä. Tamtey is inoculated against it. Alma had been studying the antidote to reproduce and was successful, but she had not shared her findings before her death. She had the finished vial on her, I believe. I cannot enter to see.>” Which was both ironic and frustrating.
“<Do Sky people not wear masks to breathe our air?>” Nefika pointed out.
So’lek hummed, a possibility. “<I can look into that later.>” He needed to talk to Alex about getting something his size and safe. For now, he had to prioritise Tamtey here for now. “<Is it possible to keep this as discreet as possible? I must leave to the Clouded forest soon.>”
“<We can try.>” Etuwa allowed, “<Go, and let your allies know she is safe with the Aranahe.>”
-
Getting back to the base, So’lek felt sure of his decision to leave Tamtey under the watchful eye of the Aranahe but he dreaded what he had to do now. Ri’nela, she would struggle with this news. Nor’s death was one thing but this… this might be too much.
So’lek let out a heavy exhale when Ìley touched down outside, taking a second to stall by feeding Ìley a treat and give a soft pet to gather his strength. Going up against Sky people were so much easier than it was for this.
The Kame’tire were renowned as healers, he was not dissuaded by taking her to the Aranahe either. The Kame’tire were still in their own darkness and were reconnecting with the clan. It would take time. The Sarentu were still a delicate topic. He would let Anufi know, of course, and he knew she would no doubt visit to talk to both Etuwa and Kayì on options if they were open for her input. The Zeswa… did not seem like a good option, given how vast and open the space was; it wasn’t secure enough. Tamtey had a knack for escaping and tents were easier to get out of than a closed off cave system under a Hometree, or in the rocks of the clouded forest.
So’lek gave one final pat to his Ikran before he turned his attention to the base and squared his jaw.
Inside, it was quiet and busy with the Na’vi side of things. No sign of Teylan or Ri’nela, so he went straight inside, his steps brisk and took the Co2 Canister as he went and set it on his side before the other doors opened.
“So’lek.” His head turned down to see Alex heading his way, steps fast and urgent. “Please tell me something good. I’ve been trying to contact Alma’s radio but she’s not picking up.”
“Go outside to the grave site. I have much I need to discuss with you and the others privately.”
“Oh… Okay?” He sounded confused, and mildly cautious but headed out the back of the airlock anyway. Clearly not waiting.
He found Ri’nela getting frazzled by the supply team but So’lek dispersed them and directed her out as well before finding Teylan in the living area, on this tablet. The younger man followed him at his encouragement and soon enough, the four of them were soon outside, a few feet away from the mound of dirt that contained one version of Alma.
“Why have you called us out here?” Ri’nela said, licking her lips. “I’ve got a lot to need to do. New sites have cropped up.
“Alma is dead.” So’lek stated, with sympathetic tones to soften the statement.
The three of them stared at him for the longest of moment.
Ri’nela’s jaw slacked a little, confused. “…What?”
Teylan’s eyes just turned wide, his lips pursing together though the colour drained from his face. Alex’s eyes narrowed though looked like he still was sucker punched.
“Tamtey… is not well. She took her away to the Circle of Songs and killed her there. She fled to the Kinglor forest after.” So’lek said, being brief.
Teylan’s knees shook. “Why would.. why would she do that?” his voice nearly a whisper.
“Where is she now?” Alex’s voice shook, though there was more steel in it.
“I took her to one of the Clans once I located her. She is safe there and everyone is safe from her. She will be tended to.” So’lek said.
There was a simmer of relief that resonated through Ri’nela’s face but… she did not look better. “Why did… she kill her? I thought we were over cold-blooded killing?”
So’lek sighed deeply. “Truly, I do not know. I did not press her for answers, and I can only draw up assumptions based on context clues. She… regrets having done it. Deeply. She is still processing her actions but is aware of me informing you and the Resistance of Alma’s death.”
“A-Are you sure she’s gone? Alma, I mean.” Alex asked.
“Her throat was slit and her body left to the Yavä. Tamtey confirmed she remained still before leaving the scene.”
Alex’s hand come to his own throat, looking queasy. “I think I’m gonna be sick.”
“We can’t even check.” Teylan said quietly. “The masks can work for a bit but the Yavä clogs the filters up.”
Which shot down any chance to actually get to the site. A mask was useless if it didn’t work long-term. It was not a short trip.
“I… I was finally gearing myself up to talk to her.” Teylan sniffled a little. Eyes welling up a little. “I… wanted to get in the right headspace to do that.”
Ri’nela’s hand touched his shoulder. “Cry if you want, Teylan.” She encouraged.
So’lek had a hunch that… Teylan was more foraging than the others. He needed his time to process it and while Alma’s actions were unforgivable, it was easier to accept and “forgive” in smaller ways to move on. To work with her. Alma probably would have been relieved that one of the Sarentu had ‘forgiven’ her in some way that it might had stated her a while to lay off forgiveness of the other two. Now, they would never know.
“What happens now?” Alex stated, swallowing his own feelings for now.
“For now, we keeping going on. Tamtey will be with the Aranahe for the foreseeable future. When she is safe to leave, that will be a discussion that will happen close to that time.” So’lek suggested.
Alex spared a glance to the Avatar’s grave then back to So’lek then Ri’nela. “Doctor Spellman in the East will need to be informed of her death and surrounding situation. He and Jakesully will decide our next actions before Tamtey is released from Aranahe care.”
“Very well.” So’lek would leave the humans to Toruk Makto’s discretion. He sent them here after all. Alma did technically fall under his management, even this far out.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
What if Tamtey thought, some time after Nor's body was found, if thing were better if Alma was dead? Another Sarentu lost needlessly, that justice could be delivered if she wielded that blade against her throat, to end a story in the place where her people died. What if… despite that, Alma survived?
How would Alma survive with what was done to her? How could she return through the fog?
Chapter 3 snippet
Finally, he saw her.
Her feet at least first peeking out from behind the Sarentu mural before he saw the rest of her and for a second, he almost thought her spirit had passed on. Her eyes were staring ahead, despondent and face paint washed from clear tear streaks but also blood. Her hands were limply on her lap, dried blood most predominantly in the creases of her fingers and under her nails, blood has even had made it up her left arm. But she let out a shallow breath, revealing life still within… but the blade that sat beside her, bloodied that made him weary to approach.
Alma was not here.
Blood was.
The twisting coils of unease only grew but he could put together the context clue quickly and… he felt the plummeting disbelief and regret sit in his stomach. He should have investigated sooner. Not wait.
“You killed her?” So’lek’s voice whispered, carried through the wind. He wanted to be wrong. Wanted to hear anything but confirmation. Alma would have gone with the Sarentu willingly, if she thought they were going to talk. She had been tricked to leave the safety of the Resistance.
So’lek’s eyes washed about the field lab as he landed, taking note of how quiet it was. Alex hadn’t said anything had changed and that her tech signal was still strong. But he silently climbed in anyway but he couldn’t see her. Her scent lingered, so she had certainly been here.
His eyes caught sight of something sitting just out of the beam of light, close to the monitor. So’lek peered to it… to see it was the SID tool. She had left it here. That was not good. The Resistance no longer had means to track her. Her radio was also beside it, it’s casing cracked as if she had held it too tight. Her human weaponry abandoned on the rack, standing out simply due to the size and personal cosmetics she had added to it. But.. the SID pulled his attention more, pulling it out and held it in the light.
A light red seemed to stain it. Not that it looked like anything had dripped on but had been transferred from a near-dry surface. The smell was all too familiar. Blood.
His stomach turned uneasily. No sign of Alma here either. Not that scarf, not even her jacket. He did not like the implication… if it was an implication. The blood could have come from a hunt.
He set it down quickly, though ventured out the other side before he caught wind of her scent from the field lab, going across the shallow swamp to the far tree. He stepped quietly and cautiously, the water barely making sounds as he ventured through it, Tamtey’s scent almost lost in the murky, and muddy odour.
Finally, he saw her.
Her feet at least first peeking out from behind the Sarentu mural before he saw the rest of her and for a second, he almost thought her spirit had passed on. Her eyes were staring ahead, despondent and face paint washed from clear tear streaks but also blood. Her hands were limply on her lap, dried blood most predominantly in the creases of her fingers and under her nails, blood has even had made it up her left arm. But she let out a shallow breath, revealing life still within… but the blade that sat beside her, bloodied that made him weary to approach.
Alma was not here.
Blood was.
The twisting coils of unease only grew but he could put together the context clue quickly and… he felt the plummeting disbelief and regret sit in his stomach. He should have investigated sooner. Not wait.
“You killed her?” So’lek’s voice whispered, carried through the wind. He wanted to be wrong. Wanted to hear anything but confirmation. Alma would have gone with the Sarentu willingly, if she thought they were going to talk. She had been tricked to leave the safety of the Resistance.
Tamtey let out a shuddering breath, swallowing loudly and shifted her hands to stare at them. “I thought it was what I wanted.” Her voice barely carried, thick and hard to get out.
So’lek moved, walking closer now before he took the knife from her reach, eyeing the dried blood. One side mostly covered in dried blood. Not a stab would, as the whole thing would have been saturated. A cut. From… the splatter on her other arm, seemed to suggest a left to right action. He closed his eyes for a moment, sensing what she had done to the human. He never thought he’d pity Alma but… here he was.
“Why?”
Tamtey didn’t look his way at all, head bowed in shame than shook her head, closing her eyes as a fresh bout of tears dropped.
“Where did you leave her body, Sarentu?”
Tamtey didn’t answer immediately, taking a few minutes to gather her strength to speak. “C-Circle of Songs.” Her voice cracked. “It seemed… poetic at time. She didn’t wanna go in but I dragged her there anyway.” Her eyes opened. “So small and light….” There was an incredulous snort next.
The Circle of songs. In the yavä. So’lek’s jaw clenched. A place where the Sarentu clan died. In a way, yes poetic. But also the perfect place for her to take her revenge upon the human woman without anyone finding her. Her body would be consumed by the Yavä within days. If… Tamtey here had truly wanted to, she could easily get away with her murder. Others might have assumed Alma just got taken by wild life…. Or ran away. Her past that came to light had burned so many bridges within the Resistance that had her removed from her place of power. To become distant. To become invisible and unnoticed that no one would notice her absence at all. Not for a while, at least.
“They’re gonna hate me.” Tamtey breathed, “I… I keep replying it in my mind. I thought… thought it was a good thing to do. That I would feel relief as I did with leaving Mercer to blow up. It just… felt wrong instead the moment it was done. She just… lay there so still in the dirt.”
“She was our ally.” So’lek remained distant, but knelt into her line-of sight. “I… I knew it would be complicated living with her. I understand your pain and your loss… but she had been punished with the death of her Dreamwalker and the removal of her seat of power. She could not hurt you again, nor manipulate you further.”
“I wanted her gone.” Tamtey admitted. “For good. I thought I wanted her dead to achieve that….” Her mouth opened and closed, “She… was willing to leave the Resistance if I spared her…” Tamtey’s hands shook. “I should have just let her go when doubt crept in.”
So’lek stared at the Sarentu for the longest of moments. “Are you planning to leave?”
Tamtey shrugged, sobbing a little. “I don’t know.”
His eyes flickered to the Kinglor treeline, noting the top of the Aranahe’s Hometree before he put the weapon into his waist cloth, called for Ìley and picked up the Sarentu, tossing her over his shoulder. She didn’t wiggle or try to get off his shoulder as his Ikran landed and he took them to the sky. She lay over his shoulder like a limp fish, devoid of energy. The trip was short, but felt longer than it should before he landed but didn’t remove her as he bypassed Itu and ventured into the heart of Hometree and down wards.
“<So’lek? Tamtey?>” by no surprise it was Nefika.
“<Get me a private space and a guard for Tamtey now.” So’lek demanded, his expression serious.
Nefika’s usual jolly attitude shifted, though it was more obvious in her eyes that this was nothing but a serious matter. Something was wrong. He had to be obeyed for what reason he had.
Kitangi was called to get Neyan and Nefika led him through the deeper roots to a more private sector but surprisingly to himself, a vine-covered way to an underground sector. A space he did not know about. It was a winding tunnel down and it lead to a split- tunnel. He was led to the right one what opened up to an empty chamber with a mat on the floor and a bladder lantern above.
“<This one is private and away from the clan. One way in and out.>” Nefika stated, her voice lacking warmth but was carefully concerned. So’lek didn’t hesitate to step in and set Tamtey down. The Sarentu just sat where he put her, her head bowed and lip quivered. She did not fight him he removed her weapons entirely, the sling staff, stun grenades, the weapons magazines she had and anything long enough to be used as a rope. He did not trust her mind. She could harm others, but she was equally a danger to herself. Nor had died and he could not risk Tamtey doing something out of remorse or guilt.
“<What is going on?>” Etuwa’s voice was distant and echoed faintly but getting closer.
This was no place for that talk.
Thankfully, Neyan got here first.
“Sarentu, you will eat when you are fed, drink when given water, wash when you can and listen to the healers.” He said. “I will visit shortly once I have spoken to the Resistance.”
“Y-You’re gonna tell them>” her eyes welled up.
“I cannot hide your actions. She was one of them, people are expecting her scientific input.” He said, then turned to Neyan who was watching this exchange with a stern expression, he did not know English but he didn’t need to know to know something was so terribly wrong. “<Do not allow her to leave, or let her hurt herself. Her spirit is sick and is not thinking straight. If she goads you or tried to get you to attack her, call for aid to sedate her.>”
Neyan’s eyes widened a fraction but his jaw squared. Good. He knew what he needed to do. He spared Tamtey another look before he left her to it, and Neyan to his duty and headed out. Nefika had clearly gone to meet Etuwa and So’lek met the clan leaders and head weaver at the vine way.
“<What has happened?>” Etuwa demanded, her eyes sharp as she glanced over his shoulder down the winding tunnel. “<What is wrong?>”
“<Not here, Pease.>” So’lek directed to the Tsahìk. His eyes flickering to Ka’nat. “<This is private but important.>”
Etuwa’s jaw was tight but after a nod, lead the way up to the top of the tree. The few people tending to the Kinglor were asked to leave and soon, it was just the four of them.
“<What has happened? Why did you bring the Sarentu us in a poor state?>” Etuwa said, tail swishing. “<That space is only where we keep people who are a danger to the clan. To be away from the people.>”
“<She is a danger to herself.>” So’lek thankfully put all of Tamtey’s belongings he took off her into a basket Nefika held out to him. “<She has… done something that is cruel and will damage her standing within the Resistance. Her mind is still reeling from her actions with heavy weight and remorse. Leaving her alone… is unwise.>”
“<What did she do?>” Ka’nat said tightly, his jaw tense.
So’lek paused for a second. Debating but… if they were to keep her here, they needed to understand the scope of her actions. “<You remember the Dreamwalker Resistance leader, Alma Cortez?>”
Ka’nat’s eye twitched, “<I do.>”
“<She lost the Dreamwalker form, I heard.>” Etuwa said, “<What has happened?>”
“<Tamtey killed her.>”
“<She killed the Dreamwalker?”
“<No, her true human form. She took her away and slit her throat, believing it was the right thing to do.>”
Nefika and Etuwa exchanged a look, completely surprised and shocked by his words. This was not the Tamtey they knew. Extreme, unprecedented behaviour.
“<Why?>”
So’lek considered the answer, “<Alma bared reasonability to the death of the clan and hid her part in it. Nor, one of the other Sarentu killed her Dreamwalker and fled when the other Sarentu did not agree with his actions. Alma lost her position as Resistance leader which seemed like a suitable punishment on top of her avatar’s loss. But… Nor died shortly after. Tamtey’s mental health did decline in her grief in the wake of his funeral. I believe that she become disillusioned about the punishment and thought her death was the answer. She took Alma under a pretence to the site of where her people died and killed her there. She fled to one of the field labs here after when the reality of her actions hit her.>”
Ka’nat looked rightfully troubled, Etuwa uneasy. Nefika though seemed… sad. Of course, this was troubling news.
“<She needs help. I cannot help her alone. I cannot take her to the Resistance, they are a danger to her and when they learn what she has done… I cannot risk her safety either. Humans are vengeful. Your clan was the closest. I am sorry for putting you in this situation.>”
“<We can take her. She has done much for us already, we can attend to her spirit.>” Etuwa agreed, “<We’ll get a guard rotation to ensure she’s not alone day or night. Kayì can tend to her with me.>”
Kayì, the clan’s death doula, also a healer of both body and mind. Etuwa was a spiritual leader for the clan, but she was still young and no doubt needed his guidance on the matter of this.
“<Can you recover Alma’s body? Closure may be possible?>” Etuwa asked.
So’lek shook his head. “<The site is polluted with yavä. Tamtey is inoculated against it. Alma had been studying the antidote to reproduce and was successful, but she had not shared her findings before her death. She had the finished vial on her, I believe. I cannot enter to see.>” Which was both ironic and frustrating.
“<Do Sky people not wear masks to breathe our air?>” Nefika pointed out.
So’lek hummed, a possibility. “<I can look into that later.>” He needed to talk to Alex about getting something his size and safe. For now, he had to prioritise Tamtey here for now. “<Is it possible to keep this as discreet as possible? I must leave to the Clouded forest soon.>”
“<We can try.>” Etuwa allowed, “<Go, and let your allies know she is safe with the Aranahe.>”
-
Getting back to the base, So’lek felt sure of his decision to leave Tamtey under the watchful eye of the Aranahe but he dreaded what he had to do now. Ri’nela, she would struggle with this news. Nor’s death was one thing but this… this might be too much.
So’lek let out a heavy exhale when Ìley touched down outside, taking a second to stall by feeding Ìley a treat and give a soft pet to gather his strength. Going up against Sky people were so much easier than it was for this.
The Kame’tire were renowned as healers, he was not dissuaded by taking her to the Aranahe either. The Kame’tire were still in their own darkness and were reconnecting with the clan. It would take time. The Sarentu were still a delicate topic. He would let Anufi know, of course, and he knew she would no doubt visit to talk to both Etuwa and Kayì on options if they were open for her input. The Zeswa… did not seem like a good option, given how vast and open the space was; it wasn’t secure enough. Tamtey had a knack for escaping and tents were easier to get out of than a closed off cave system under a Hometree, or in the rocks of the clouded forest.
So’lek gave one final pat to his Ikran before he turned his attention to the base and squared his jaw.
Inside, it was quiet and busy with the Na’vi side of things. No sign of Teylan or Ri’nela, so he went straight inside, his steps brisk and took the Co2 Canister as he went and set it on his side before the other doors opened.
“So’lek.” His head turned down to see Alex heading his way, steps fast and urgent. “Please tell me something good. I’ve been trying to contact Alma’s radio but she’s not picking up.”
“Go outside to the grave site. I have much I need to discuss with you and the others privately.”
“Oh… Okay?” He sounded confused, and mildly cautious but headed out the back of the airlock anyway. Clearly not waiting.
He found Ri’nela getting frazzled by the supply team but So’lek dispersed them and directed her out as well before finding Teylan in the living area, on this tablet. The younger man followed him at his encouragement and soon enough, the four of them were soon outside, a few feet away from the mound of dirt that contained one version of Alma.
“Why have you called us out here?” Ri’nela said, licking her lips. “I’ve got a lot to need to do. New sites have cropped up.
“Alma is dead.” So’lek stated, with sympathetic tones to soften the statement.
The three of them stared at him for the longest of moment.
Ri’nela’s jaw slacked a little, confused. “…What?”
Teylan’s eyes just turned wide, his lips pursing together though the colour drained from his face. Alex’s eyes narrowed though looked like he still was sucker punched.
“Tamtey… is not well. She took her away to the Circle of Songs and killed her there. She fled to the Kinglor forest after.” So’lek said, being brief.
Teylan’s knees shook. “Why would.. why would she do that?” his voice nearly a whisper.
“Where is she now?” Alex’s voice shook, though there was more steel in it.
“I took her to one of the Clans once I located her. She is safe there and everyone is safe from her. She will be tended to.” So’lek said.
There was a simmer of relief that resonated through Ri’nela’s face but… she did not look better. “Why did… she kill her? I thought we were over cold-blooded killing?”
So’lek sighed deeply. “Truly, I do not know. I did not press her for answers, and I can only draw up assumptions based on context clues. She… regrets having done it. Deeply. She is still processing her actions but is aware of me informing you and the Resistance of Alma’s death.”
“A-Are you sure she’s gone? Alma, I mean.” Alex asked.
“Her throat was slit and her body left to the Yavä. Tamtey confirmed she remained still before leaving the scene.”
Alex’s hand come to his own throat, looking queasy. “I think I’m gonna be sick.”
“We can’t even check.” Teylan said quietly. “The masks can work for a bit but the Yavä clogs the filters up.”
Which shot down any chance to actually get to the site. A mask was useless if it didn’t work long-term. It was not a short trip.
“I… I was finally gearing myself up to talk to her.” Teylan sniffled a little. Eyes welling up a little. “I… wanted to get in the right headspace to do that.”
Ri’nela’s hand touched his shoulder. “Cry if you want, Teylan.” She encouraged.
So’lek had a hunch that… Teylan was more foraging than the others. He needed his time to process it and while Alma’s actions were unforgivable, it was easier to accept and “forgive” in smaller ways to move on. To work with her. Alma probably would have been relieved that one of the Sarentu had ‘forgiven’ her in some way that it might had stated her a while to lay off forgiveness of the other two. Now, they would never know.
“What happens now?” Alex stated, swallowing his own feelings for now.
“For now, we keeping going on. Tamtey will be with the Aranahe for the foreseeable future. When she is safe to leave, that will be a discussion that will happen close to that time.” So’lek suggested.
Alex spared a glance to the Avatar’s grave then back to So’lek then Ri’nela. “Doctor Spellman in the East will need to be informed of her death and surrounding situation. He and Jakesully will decide our next actions before Tamtey is released from Aranahe care.”
“Very well.” So’lek would leave the humans to Toruk Makto’s discretion. He sent them here after all. Alma did technically fall under his management, even this far out.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
What if Tamtey thought, some time after Nor's body was found, if thing were better if Alma was dead? Another Sarentu lost needlessly, that justice could be delivered if she wielded that blade against her throat, to end a story in the place where her people died. What if… despite that, Alma survived?
How would Alma survive with what was done to her? How could she return through the fog?
Chapter 3 snippet
Finally, he saw her.
Her feet at least first peeking out from behind the Sarentu mural before he saw the rest of her and for a second, he almost thought her spirit had passed on. Her eyes were staring ahead, despondent and face paint washed from clear tear streaks but also blood. Her hands were limply on her lap, dried blood most predominantly in the creases of her fingers and under her nails, blood has even had made it up her left arm. But she let out a shallow breath, revealing life still within… but the blade that sat beside her, bloodied that made him weary to approach.
Alma was not here.
Blood was.
The twisting coils of unease only grew but he could put together the context clue quickly and… he felt the plummeting disbelief and regret sit in his stomach. He should have investigated sooner. Not wait.
“You killed her?” So’lek’s voice whispered, carried through the wind. He wanted to be wrong. Wanted to hear anything but confirmation. Alma would have gone with the Sarentu willingly, if she thought they were going to talk. She had been tricked to leave the safety of the Resistance.
