#farhorizons

[indirys-wp]

My oc Ruth Carson from my fic Far Horizons :) commissioned from guguwow on Instagram

[indirys-wp]

Far Horizons - Ch. 3 (Tsu'teyXfem!oc Avatar fic) regular posts on wattpad

WARNING: mentions of SA and abuse that might not be suitable for some readers.

JEALOUSY struck Ruth Carson in the strangest of ways. In the passing days that Jake's cot in the avatar hut remained empty, the second pair of brand new boots sat untouched just under the beds edge, she grew angry. One visit to the forest and Jake had somehow made contact with Omaticaya and survived, somehow gaining the chance to be instructed in their ways, to be taught as if he were one of their own. She would do anything to have his opportunity. In fact, she planned to find a way to join. If not to be trained, but to simply see those of the clan she missed so badly.

"Your anger is showing a lot today," Grace murmured from where she sat in front of a microscope, eyes full of the light it reflected.

Ruth shot her a look from where she sat in front of her own microscope. "Really? I wouldn't have noticed unless you told me." Her gaze looked off toward the link room, where Jake was currently in a session, doing who knows what outside of base.

Grace pulled away from her work and focused on the younger woman. "You can be upset with Jake for being presented an opportunity you wished for yourself," Grace stated simply. "Or you can be happy that we have a way back in with the clan again. Without his foot in the door, all those bridges that were burned would stay that way."

Ruth forced herself not to scoff. "They're teaching someone who has absolutely no knowledge of their culture, their beliefs or language," Ruth muttered while leaning back in the computer chair she'd been sitting in. She was starting to sound like Norm had when they'd first learned of Jake's opportunity.

"Perhaps it is best he knows nothing," Grace shrugged. "If he knows nothing, he has nothing to unlearn. It'll be similar to teaching a child to them."

Ruth rolled her eyes at the sensible thinking Grace was doing. She didn't want to hear reasoning. She wanted to complain about why she upset.

Here she was, a thirty-three year old woman upset that a jarhead marine with no qualifications got to experience and do things she'd trained years for. She didn't know how else to put more bluntly for Grace, but for the sake of her dignity the blonde haired woman stayed silent with her thoughts.

Grace had always been a kind hand with a good guidance. Sometimes she envisioned her as the mother she never had.

"I suppose so," Ruth conceded. She frowned after a few moments of silence. "Part of me wonders if the children will even remember me. If Neytiti will want to have anything to do with us after Sylwanin. . ." She quieted for a moment. Ruth often wished the deceased sister of Neytiri had not voiced her protests of the RDA's aggressive tactics for mining and the collection of resources. Destroying a bulldozer had led to her demise.

Neytiri's sister's death, among the few others that had perished in the attack on the school house, had been the sealing punch that broke any ties the clan had with the avatar teams. The severing of the connection along with the innocent lives lost had turned something inside Dr. Ruth Carson. Somewhere inside, a storm brewed.

"Sylwanin," Grace sighed. "She was one of the kindest of those students. I remember how much she and Neytiri enjoyed your company."

Ruth nodded. The early months of her life on Pandora had been filled with days in the school house, teaching children and adult Na'vi alike English. It had been everything she could have hoped for in coming to Pandora. It was simpler then.

Now, too much had happened. Things changed, as well as did Ruth.

Max Patel, one of Ruth's colleagues and one of the other doctors in the avatar program, interrupted their conversation as he made his presence known. He looked between them both, his glasses not hiding the evident trouble in his eyes.

"Grace, Ruth," he said by way of greeting. His voice seemed somewhat shaky. "We've, uh, got a problem."

"Well, spill it," Ruth exclaimed, now worried.

Max sighed, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "I went up to main deck and saw Jake debriefing the Colonel and the other officers on Hometree's structure," he told them. "He was explaining every detail he'd knew. From what I could gather, I would assume they have some sort of plans involving the clan but I have no idea what."

The Colonel was using Jake, then. Ruth had been curious what corporate planned on having him do on Pandora considering he never went through the avatar program or any lab training whatsoever. It seemed they were using him as an insider. For whatever reason, it was unclear. But they were currently in dangerous waters she was not ready to navigate.

Rage immediately took Ruth. Miles had done far too much to her already, she'd been damned if she allowed him to meddle with the avatar program now.

He was a narcissistic, control hungry monster she wished she'd never even tried being a friend with. That had been her first mistake, allowing him to think he had given him some sort of invitation to her. She'd show him exactly what he was entitled to: a literal ass kicking. Screw whatever corporate would do to her. Money meant nearly nothing on Pandora, only a promise that one would return to earth with an outrageous amount of cash. She could spend a week in a cell, as well.

Without warning, Ruth was on her feet and making her way through the bio-lab for the colonel's office. If she didn't get her threat through his thick skull, she would just go to Selfridge. She'd find a way to light a fire up under his Ranger Rick ass to prevent his influence over the avatar program from ever happening again. And if that didn't work, she'd take it higher. She had no fucks to give.

"Ruth—Ruth, wait—," Max could barely say as he made an effort to chase after her once noticing she'd taken off. She was nearly three quarters of the way down the hall before he finally caught up, trying his best to convince her to hold back.

"Ruth, seriously don't do this," Max almost pleaded. "We don't need this kind of flak between departments right now, especially if it has to do with the colonel."

"Fuck the colonel," Ruth muttered as he followed her. They were nearly to the wing that held his office. "I can say that, considering I'm not one of his mindless military mutts. He has no reign over me."

"Ruth, this is going to make everything worse," Max sighed as he finally conceded, peeling away as she barged through Miles's door.

The first thing her eye caught upon entering the office was the trophies he'd made sure to collect since being on Pandora. Artifacts and items from the Na'vi and not in the sense that she had them, as a gift and token of appreciation. He had a bow, same as Selfridge, mounted above his desk on the wall like a prize animal head. She hated the sight of it, knowing what she knew.

The Na'vi treasured their bows, as they they crafted them themselves and used them for everything. They were a tool that supported the way of life, provided and took. Yet Miles had one mounted above his desk, one he stole from a hunter. Likely from their dead hands.

Once her green eyes landed on him, he offered her a smirk, the crude scars a crossed the side of his head contorting with his expression. He set down the pen that had been in his hand on the paperwork he'd likely been working on. His camouflage jacket was rested on the back of his chair, his toned muscles exposed under his dark tank like a threatening display.

"And what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Dr. Carson?" He purred in his taunting way. His blue eyes raked her up and down.

"Getting your meddling ass out of my department," Ruth barked with venom, a sneer on her face.

"Whatever do you mean?" He asked her as if he truly didn't know. "I have no part in what you science pukes do. I simply keep this place secured and defended."

Ruth wanted to punch him square in the face, yet she knew the repercussions she'd face. Even for his age, early fifties she had to guess, he was still fit and well maintained. She supposed he had to be for a Marine Corps colonel. She chose that a rough handling and some hand cuffs at the hands of this man were not worth it today. Her previous thoughts on kicking his ass faded.

"You're using Jake Sully for information," she spat. "I have no idea what for or why you'd have any use of an avatar, but I'm here to give you your one and only warning. I will fuck you up."

His sly smirk turned into a grin. "Look at you, grown a pair of balls I see. You and I could've made a good team. Too bad you didn't use the opportunity when you had it," he reached forward and grabbed the glass of brandy he'd likely been working on. "I could've pulled a lot of strings for you, sweet heart. You would have to be fighting tooth and nail for anyone on this damned base to show you some respect. Coulda been living nice and comfy, not in that tiny shit room you call a home. There's a lot of benefit to being an officer's wife." He took a swig of the liquor. "Too bad you chose wrong."

Tears. She was fighting tears the longer she stood in front of him. Yet, she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her run. She was a doctor with a prestigious background in research and development with the avatar program, a feat not even two dozen humans in existence had done.

He'd wanted her as arm candy, to receive even the slightest bit more money from corporate and the DOD for having a spouse, particularly on a foreign moon. Those were the ulterior motives he'd have allowed for the outside world to see, to appear they'd somehow found each other in the most hostile environment to man. She knew he was truly and utterly obsessed with her from the moment he'd lied eyes in her. He wanted her to be his and no one else's.

"You act as if you wanted something real out of me," she uttered while trying to maintain her strength. "I show up to Pandora and within the first week you are trying to get into my pants, convincing me you were a good person when I merely accepted the opportunity to make a new professional colleague on this alien world," she was nearly screaming now. "Instead, you got me drunk and tried coerce me into sex, spouting these bullshit suggestions of a sham marriage that would keep your ass in the position it was: safe and secure. No one would question your whoring around if you had a wife." The tears finally spilled. "You are everything that is wrong with the military. With this corporation."

He didn't seem to care the slightest about the truths she spit, not even acknowledging any of the things she'd said about him or that he'd done. A typical gaslighter, she'd quickly learned he was.

"You made your bed, sweet heart," he shrugged, that disgusting, evil smirk on his lips. "Now lay in it."

She turned heel and left the room as quickly as she could, the tears she'd been holding back finally spilling onto her cheeks. Her ash blonde hair billowed behind her as she darted down the hall at a stride that almost sent her into a run. She hated Miles Quaritch with everything she had.

•••

JAKE arrived to the bio-lab early the next morning, his old military issued bag holding his belongings on his back as he wheeled himself in. He caught sight of Grace, who was gathering a few random items he had no idea the purpose for. Norm was assisting at her side, while Ruth stood solemnly nearby. The blank expression on her face as stared at the ground peaked his interest, but he didn't dare ask her what was wrong.

"Where are we going?" Jake asked Grace. He didn't quite understand the reasoning for leaving Hell's Gate, but he wasn't going to complain. He spent the majority of his waking time in a link unit.

"We're gettin' outta dodge," Grace told him, sorting through some lab supplies. "Way up in the mountains."

Norm paused for a moment, stunned. "The Hallelujah mountains?" When Jake shot him a questioning look, he rolled his eyes. "The legendary floating mountains of Pandora? Heard of those?"

Jake found out quickly what Norm had meant by floating. In Trudy's helicopter, with Ruth, Grace, and Norm's avatars precariously arranged in the cargo hold, the five of them crammed into the cockpit. Upon finally entering the mountains, Jake was confused as to why clouds and mist were the only things visible, until they finally broke through the haze and the mountains came into view. The awe of it all lasted far longer than he'd expected.

Trudy eventually landed the helicopter on a open space on one of the mountains where two trailer looking units resides, attached to one another by a tube like structure.

Ruth helped Jake into his wheelchair as the aircraft began to wind down, setting it on the ground and offering to help him down. Jake was still curious as to why she remained quiet the entire time since they'd left Hell's Gate, not uttering a word. From what he'd gathered since arriving, she was a chatty person.

"Ruth," Jake asked once the others had went ahead, leaving them in the middle of the distance between the modular buildings and the helicopter. She paused, looking down at him through her oxygen mask, shouldering her backpack further onto her shoulder. "What's wrong?"

Her expression didn't give away anything. "Rough couple of days," she replied loud enough for him to hear. "That's all." She continued walking, leaving him where he was.

Her reply most definitely sounded like a lie, but he wasn't going to force her to talk. He had far too much on his own mind at the moment, including the pretty native woman that was guiding and teaching him everyday. He pursed his lips before slowly following behind.

[indirys-wp]

Far Horizons - Ch. 2 (Tsu'teyXfem!oc Avatar fic) regular posts on wattpad

FLIGHT excited Ruth Carson so much so that she insisted to be hanging from the door gunners position mid-flight, the wind battering against her face and sending her braid billowing at her back. Four avatars cramped into the SA-2 utility helicopter had been a challenge, but with Ruth and Jake willing to hang from either gaping window, sitting space remained available. This left Grace and Norm secured in the middle. Going about ten or so clicks outside of base, they were in search of particular samples.

Choosing to dress herself in cargo pants similar to that which she wore as a human, a green tank top embroidered with some random patterns and a backpack latched around her hips and shoulders, Ruth was ready to spend the late morning and afternoon in the forest.

More than once since they'd loaded into the aircraft did she notice Norm's gaze lingering on her a little longer than casual observance, ears perking anytime he thought she might be turning to speak to him. He'd been more timid upon their arrival but now had gained a sense of boldness she had no desire to deal with. She and Grace had shared a few looks after the instances during the flight, an unspoken understanding that the new doctor had already taken a liking to Ruth.

Far too many men had pursued her since arriving to Pandora, whether it be the military grunts or fellow scientist. Colonel Miles Quaritch, the marine senior officer at least fifteen years her senior, a prominent figure on the base, had made a move on her fairly early on into her arrival to the moon.

Since the interaction that had involved her vehement rejection of him, despite his willfulness, she'd made every effort to avoid the man since. No matter what his proposition was, not with his willfulness to accept her wishes.

She had learned quickly that he did not handle rejection well. Perhaps it was he innate desire to have control over anyone and everyone, possibly the reason he chose the military life. Or worse, he saw women as a conquest. That thought alone had left her with a particularly sour taste for the colonel at any given time. Regardless, the men in Hell's Gate pined for female attention.

Eyes squinted to bare against the wind, Ruth Carson gazed over the lush terrain of the forest. Her heart thudded with excitement, as it had been quite some weeks since they'd went to field.

With her focus of study primarily on the fauna of Pandora, the animals for simpler terms, one of Ruth's biggest goal was to finally spot and document the Thanatora Ferox — the apex land predator on the moon. Thanator, a word derived from the Greek word of death, she'd once read.

Perhaps best that she had never seen one in her three years of being here, some would consider it lucky. For her, the beast was a challenge. Not much was known of its anatomy, it's behavior except a few notable rituals that could be observed from a safe distance. Part of her never believed she'd get the opportunity. The Great Leonoptryx was a dream of every scientist on base to study. That flying creature was considered harder to find, let alone observe safety.

Upon finding a proper landing area under the canopy of the jungle, Trudy, the pilot that was designated to fly the avatar teams for research, brought them to a an area teaming with life. Animals called off in the distance, likely the primate-looking creatures known as Prolemurus that howled like earth's monkeys. Ruth hoped out from the gunner's window, head ducked down as she braced against the harsh window of the propellers.

Luckily, Grace told Trudy to cut the engine since they were staying a while, allowing for the forest to resume its natural ambience that was like music to Ruth's keen hearing. She glanced around at the area, a smile on her features as Jake wandered up to her side with Norm close behind.

"This is what I live for," she stated as she drew in a deep breath. What sunlight managed to slip through the canopy warmed her cyan-striped skin, the feeling comforting.

Jake and Norm gazed around, Ruth noticing the large machine gun grasped in the marine's grip as if it's mere presence was going to protect him indefinitely. "Try not to use that," the doctor teased him before stepping off, a swagger in her step and tail.

Soon enough, Ruth, Grace, and Norm we're beginning to run a few tests on the roots of the trees, studying the transduction on their hand held monitors. Ruth allowed Grace to teach Norm, as she was the leading doctor within the program. Her eyes wandering over to where Jake had begun to wander away and explore a bit, she grinned to herself to see his tail twitching in curiosity, head on a swivel. The body language of the avatars and Na'vi were fairly readable in one's ears and tail movements.

"So I hear fauna is more of your focus, Dr. Carson?" Norm asked Ruth, looking up while waiting on the test to run its course on the translucent tablet. Turning her attention away from the direction Jake had wandered in, she nodded.

"Yeah, I prefer it. Biology is fascinating in all of its areas, but the wildlife here intrigues me."

"She sat on one dire-horse during a visit with the clan," Grace grinned, teasing Ruth. "After that, her focus shifted." Ruth rolled her eyes at Grace's jab.

Norm seemed intrigued by the mention of the clan, looking between them both before asking, "Do we not have contact with the local clan anymore?"

Immediately, Grace and Ruth shared a look. Choosing to let her senior do the explaining, Ruth crossed her arms, ears pinned back. Grace sighed, pursing her lips before speaking.

"We had a school. We were teaching the Omaticaya English. Things happened. . . Terrible things. Since then, we haven't been welcome. They will not make contact with us. Reasonably so, unfortunately."

"The school isn't far off from our current location," Ruth added in. "We haven't been back since."

Norm's expression turned crestfallen, likely realizing he pushed a touchy subject. Before another word could be said between the three, an earth shattering roared jarred them to their feet. Ruth was the first to run in the direction Jake had likely disappeared.

"What has this jarhead got himself into?!" Ruth exclaimed fearfully, running. Rounding a tree, she suddenly skidded to a stop. Jake stood defensively, gun raised at the massive Hammerhead Titanothere displaying its chitinous fan-crest. It was a bull and a he was ready to defend his territory.

"Don't shoot— don't shoot you'll piss him off!" Grace was quick to tell Jake from where she, Ruth, and Norm stood behind the cover of the tree.

"He's already pissed off!" Jake's fear screamed in his tone. His eyes were wide, canines bared as he poised himself to take action.

"It's a territorial threat display," Ruth warned him, wide eyes darting back and forth between the bull and Jake. "If you shoot, he'll charge."

Jake scoffed, ears pinned to the sides of his head. "What, you want me to do the funky chicken with it?"

"Just hold your ground," Ruth ordered him. Almost instantly, the bull began to charge, sending Ruth nearly unleashing a cry before Jake offered his own challenge, raising the gun high and letting out a battle cry as he raced forward to face the massive beast.

Skidding to a stop, the Hammerhead's crest dropped as it let out a surrendering huff. Jake, victorious, let out a laugh. The bull turned, running back toward the members of its herd in the near distance.

"Yeah! That's what I'm talking bitch. Run your little punk ass back to mommy," Jake taunted the Hammerhead as it retreated.

Jake's enthusiasm might have been amusing, causing Ruth to blush in attraction if it hadn't been for the dread that immediately fell over her once her eyes landed on the black figure menacingly stalking it's way into view behind the marine. Flaring it's sensory quills and lip flaps, a low growl rumbled in its throat.

Jake's expression turned to pure terror once he turned to see the Thanator at his back. Ruth flinched once the beast landed on the forest floor with a thundering boom after leaping over Jake. The feline-like animal let out a defining roar at the Hammerheads before ultimately turning its attention to Jake, prowling with its large, swaying tail.

"What about this one— run, don't run?" Jake quickly asked as the predator inched closer.

"Run," Ruth quickly told him. "Definitely run!"

Jake was sprinting off into the forest within moments, the Thanator trailing after him in a deadly pursuit.

Ruth, Norm, and Grace remained quiet for a few very long moments, the three of them stunned. Ruth's initial reaction was to chase after him, find his dumb ass before he found himself dead. Yet, she had hardly any experience with weapons, having taken the mandatory class on the firearms that all personnel on Hell's Gate had to learn to handle.

She stopped herself in the middle of the clearing he'd been standing in, tail twitching anxiously.

"We have to go after him," she stated immediately, turning toward Grace and Norm with her tail flicking. She was confused when she saw Grace's frown. "What?"

"His chances of escaping the Thanator are slim to none as is," Grace stated grimly. "And given the chance he does survive, he knows nothing about survival here. We're risking our own lives while still remaining on the ground as is. We need to get back to the aircraft. We can continue our search in flight."

As much as Ruth wanted to disregard Grace's orders as the senior member, she shrugged off her anxiety and followed them back to the equipment to begin quickly packing before they'd return to the helicopter.

Nearly three hours of them searching for him, binoculars from both sides of the window as they scanned what they could in hopes of catching sight of the marine. The chances of finding him were looking slim to none. Until eventually time ran out.

"Is there no infrared on these things? Nothing to pick him up from under the canopy?" Ruth asked Trudy over the radio, the worry heavy in her time. "Was he not given any sort of comms?" She asked rhetorically.

"It's getting too late. Colonel ordered no night ops. He's gonna have to wait until morning," Trudy told them over the radio. Ruth sneered at the mention of Quaritch, ears pinned back.

Grace let out a heavy sigh as the path of flight began to change back towards base. "He won't make it till morning."

•••

RUTH was immediately at Jake's link unit the moment she was able to leave her own. Grace was already there, Norm and a few others of the avatar team waiting anxiously as Grace tried to wake Jake, a flash light moving a crossed his vision. He appeared unconscious still, eyes open yet unmoving. Ruth shoved her way to the side of the link, peering down at him.

"Jake," Grace kept saying over and over in hopes of producing some sort of reaction out of him. "Jake, wake up."

Impatiently, Ruth waited until the life came back into his eyes and his breathing seemed to catch up. She helped Grace lift him up into a sitting position. "Is the avatar safe?" She immediately asked him.

He grinned like a fool, looking between them both. "Yea, dog. And you're not gonna believe where I am."

"Apparently you're not dead, then," Ruth muttered, rolling her eyes. "I told you to not let that five billion dollar body go to waste."

"I think I put that price tag into good use," Jake smirked at Ruth. "The clan. They found me. They're gonna teach me their ways, apparently."

Ruth froze, realizing the opportunity she'd been praying to happen had finally come. A way back in with the clan, with the people she's grown to love. The change in pace coming so fast.

"How even...?" Ruth muttered half to herself.

"Chiefs daughter found me. Neytiri," Jake pronounced her name wrong but sent Ruth's heart leaping regardless. She'd missed Neytiri dearly. It'd been over two years since she'd last seen her. "She was gonna kill me, I guess. But took me to their tree instead."

"Holy shit," Grace exclaimed, accentuating each syllable. Her brown eyes looked to Ruth, who held the same opportunistic expression. "It appears we can finally try to rebuild our relationship with them."

Once Jake had recovered enough, dinner was being served so they made their way toward the cafeteria. Ruth was still beaming with excitement as she imagined getting to return to Hometree, where she could visit those she'd missed over the passed two years. She'd only gotten to be present for the schoolhouse for a little over eight months after arriving to Pandora, but she'd built remarkable relationships with some of the clan members. Notably Neytiri. And her sister.

"The last thing we see is this marine's ass disappearing into the brush with the angry Thanator after him," Grace told the other scientist as they all ate, intrigued by the day's events. They huddled around the chow table, excited to hear what had happened.

"I'm still on the fence with reasons why the Omaticaya chose you," Ruth jabbed at him as she took a bite of her food. Either way, she was grateful. Jake provided them with an opportunity they had previously thought would never occur.

"And not only that, Ruth was ready to run in after him," Grace exclaimed, smiling. "You two are a diabolical duo. You're gonna get yourselves killed."

Those in attendance to the story all laughed and chattered about the excitement and thrill of it all. Ruth hummed a laugh at her mentors joke about her persistence to save Jake before she caught his gaze from a crossed the table. She diverted her attention away, heat filling her cheeks.

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