It is wondrous to fly on thought alone. To touch the mind of another. Your hearts beating as one. You must secure the bond with one final act of trust...
Something angsty with Tonowari, like an argument that later they solve and turns fluffy or smuty whatever you want! Lysm <3
I love you too anon <3 thank you for the request!
Iknimaya
You assume that Tonowari and Ronal have something going on, during the most important day of your life. Takes place far before ATWOW, as Tonowari, Reader, and Ronal are fairly young.
Word count: 2.3k
Genre: Angst, unrequited love (but not really), fluffy ending, no use of y/n
Your head hurts a lot.
Not just because no one is listening to you, and you’re getting increasingly stressed- but because the amount of flowers, beading, and seashells woven into your hair must weigh an extra ten pounds.
It’s ridiculous. It’s nothing like your usual headdress, which is usually just a clip fashioned out of coral, pulling your hair back, and you want to tell Tonowari that this is pointless.
But he’s not listening, either. Tonowari is off to the side, speaking to Ronal with those big, unblinking blue eyes, listening with a enraptured look that’s pissing you off.
You know she is the new, freshly made Tsahik- she gets the right to speak on spiritual manners before anyone else does. But you want Tonowari to come back to where you’re standing, all alone, waiting for comfort.
Why doesn’t he look at me? You wonder. Doesn’t he care? I’m going through this all alone.
It’s the final phase in your Iknimaya- the coming-of-age ritual- and Tonowari has been by your side for every part of it. You’re a bit late to join the clan as an adult- your peers had already done so about a year ago- but Tonowari had always supported you, even when you felt like you couldn’t do it.
When you first bonded with your skimwing, Tonowari was there, cheering in the water, saying that he knew you could do it.
When you first met your Tulkun Sister, Tonowari was the one who calmly had his hand on your back, because you were nervous she was going to reject you.
Tonowari has always been the one to be there for you. His presence is a comforting one for you, but you know that this isn’t an exclusive feeling. Many people love Tonowari- they come to him for advice whenever it is possible. And you know that’s why he’s been chosen as a successor to the Olo’eytkan.
Still, it bothers you. You want to keep Tonowari all to yourself- even if you know that’s selfish. It’s not the way of the people, but still, you want him to be by your side.
Ronal says something that you can’t quite hear- and you watch as her piercing eyes glance and stare right into you- and you feel judged. You feel small, tiny, as Ronal sizes you up. She turns back to Tonowari and says something with a hint of a smile- and you feel utterly sick to see it.
What could be so funny about you? What is so amusing that Ronal and Tonowari would gossip like this? It’s especially unlike Tonowari to do so. He’s usually such a fair, happy person, one that actually cares about others’ wellbeings, and here he is, becoming closer and closer to Ronal.
They both have some sort of understanding, you can see, by the way that they look at each other. Tonowari squeezes Ronal’s hand- and your face burns with jealousy.
It makes sense, you think. Ronal is a resilient, prickly person, she knows what she means and says it, too. Tonowari is kind of the opposite- as kind-hearted as he is, he also is incredibly strong, and always willing to do the right thing. They both are matched in their sense of justice- and you feel a lump swell in your throat as you think about it.
They’re meant to be. Surely they will be mated, working alongside each other to lead the clan, and you will simply be to the side. It’s so obvious.
Tonowari looks back to you. His eyes are bright, and he has a hint of a smile on his face. But he’s surprised to see your eyes glint with tears, and you look away from him, towards the ground. Icing him out.
He tries his best to get your attention again, eyes searching your face, but you’re still turned away. You refuse to meet his eyes, and Tonowari feels his heart sink, as he wonders what he’s done wrong.
/
The Cove of the Ancestors feels cold today. It’s not a great omen for your ritual, and Ronal tells you as much.
You nod silently. You see her squint, and then look impressed, and you don’t know why. It’s not as if you’re purposefully being stoic, you just can’t find the words to say to her.
You’re standing in the most shallow part of the water, and Ronal steps around you, as the clan watches on.
“Today, you have made yourself a part of the people, forever.” Ronal touches your arms, your collarbones, and finally, your face. She grasps your cheeks, staring deep into your eyes, and you stare back, numb, trying not to feel afraid.
“You are one of us. You will breathe, know, and believe the way of water for as long as you live.” Ronal murmurs, before wrapping the customary garment around you. It’s a special shawl, beaded with beads that have been painstakingly made by hand, by the women of the clan. Everyone has such a shawl.
You pull it around yourself, feeling warmer. There’s some embroidery on the shawl, and it’s intricate- you wonder who did such a thing.
Ronal places three beads in your palm. You close your fist around it, knowing that it is the beads for your songcord, and watch as the Metkayina begin to sing around you.
You listen, feeling pride despite everything, that you have come so far. Their hands all gather to meet around you- a sea of arms, making branches not unlike a tree- and you are at the centre of it all.
You look up, finally, and see Tonowari staring at you. He looks… pleased. Happy. Perhaps you can have that, at least. The contentment of a friend is better than nothing.
Ronal pulls out a small knife. You stiffen- but you’re not truly afraid. She dips it into a shallow well of ink, made from different animals in the sea, and begins the process of tattooing. The song heightens as she creates intricate swirling patterns on your chin, and you bear it, bear the pain as the blade pierces your skin.
Everyone gently pushes you, as they walk, past the shallow pools, and into the water. You sink under, and there are hands cradling you as you do. You see the bright light of the Spirit Tree- and think about how lucky you are to be here. The tattoo’s pain seems to fade away.
Finally, you are pulled back up, after being baptised.
Ronal raises your arm to the clan, who cheer and raise you upwards.
/
After everyone has moved past this, you are exhausted. You want to go back to your home, and go to sleep, especially after knowing that Tonowari is not yours to have.
You don’t know why you ever let yourself think that in the first place.
It’s too bad, though. You’re about to go to sleep in your marui pod, and when you enter through the opening, who else is already there, sitting, waiting, as if he owns the place?
Tonowari.
“Hello.” Tonowari motions for you to come sit next to him, patting on a pillow, but you simply stand in place.
“Why are you here?” You mutter, pulling your shawl around yourself a little tighter.
“Why would I not be here?” Tonowari stands up, and comes towards you, but you take a step back. Hurt flashes across his face as you do.
You look up at him, trying your best to swallow your sadness, your fears and anger, trying to just be as supportive as he was for you.
“I don’t know. Aren’t there other things you need to do?” You stare up at him, and Tonowari looks down at you in confusion. He’s quite a bit taller than you, but he’s never felt imposing, or scary.
He wonders if that’s why you’re pushing him away.
“What could be more important than celebrating the best day of your life?” Tonowari responds softly, and you can’t look at him anymore.
Not when you feel that this has been the complete opposite. It doesn’t feel very momentous when you know Tonowari doesn’t care for you like that, not the way you care for him.
“Seriously. You don’t need to be here. Everything special is over, anyways.” You retort, but Tonowari shakes his head at that.
“I… I thought you would be more happy. That you have come so far.” He sounds serious, and you feel guilty for a moment, until remembering how he looked at Ronal.
“I am, I just… I need to be alone, Tonowari.” You try, but he shakes his head.
Outside, a thunder storm starts, and a downpour of rain begins. Water ripples in the distance, and a pleasant drumming has started over your marui pod.
“No.” Tonowari shakes his head, and you hate him for this, hate him for how perseverant he always has to be, always having to know what happens so he can fix it.
This is the one time he can’t.
“Tell me what’s wrong.” He insists, and you find yourself wanting to run- you start to move backwards, out onto the bridge, rain droplets hitting your hair. Tonowari moves forward quickly, and grasps your arm, pulling you inside before you can resist.
“You’ll get drenched if you’re out there. You’ll catch a cold.” He’s holding both of your arms, and you have nowhere else to go. You stare up at him- and he doesn’t look angry, just concerned.
“Stop… just stop doing that.” You whisper, and he shakes his head.
“Doing what?”
“Pretending that you care, Tonowari.” You finally hiss out, and his eyes widen. “I know you’re my friend- but you don’t really care about me, not in the way that I want you to. I… I don’t think I can keep being friends with you since that’s how it has to be, and I’m sorry.”
He tries to cut you off, but you keep going.
“I know it’s selfish. But it’s all I can really say.” You stare down at the ground, and Tonowari’s hands come up onto your shoulders, trying to comfort you. “I wish you and Ronal nothing but the best.”
Tonowari’s eyebrows furrow in confusion. “Ronal?”
“Yes.” You sigh with a deep sorrow that only makes him more upset that you didn’t bring this up sooner. “I know you like her. I saw how you two were looking at each other.”
Tonowari exhales, glad that this was all it was, an easily fixable misinterpretation of events that he could correct, and that he wasn’t really at risk of losing you- and he pulls you in for a tight, bone crushing hug.
You gasp. “Tonowari- let me go-!”
“No, skxawng.” His chest rumbles with deep laughter as you try to fight him, and he picks you up easily. “You should have told me.”
Tonowari walks with you in his grasp, and sits down, where he was before. He wraps his arms around your waist, holding you close to him. He doesn’t care that you’re angry at him- he’s happy that he can finally tell you the truth.
“Why? So you could’ve rubbed it in my face, even harder?” You glare upwards at him.
“Do you really think I would be holding you like this if I was to mate with Ronal?” He comments, just casually enough, and you remember where you are, and how close you are to him. You turn a deep purple- and Tonowari cackles at your expression.
“So?”
“So.” He places his forehead against yours. “I’m sorry you spent however long feeling like this. That was not my intention- and I hope you can forgive me.”
You open your mouth to say something, but Tonowari shushes you.
His hand comes upward to trace your jaw, mouth, and chin where your freshly made tattoo is still healing.
“I asked Ronal if it seemed appropriate to ask you to… to mate with me, because it would be so soon after you finished your Iknimaya.” He admits, and you gaze softens. “She said yes, because you seem so sure of yourself already- except for just now, I suppose.”
You find yourself smiling a little. Even giggling. How could you be so silly?
Not that it matters now, anyways.
“Will you? Would you be okay with being my mate?” Tonowari asks, and you hug him especially close, your face nuzzling into his neck.
“Of course I would, are you crazy? That’s what I was upset about.” You beam at him. “I’m only sorry that I was being such a skxawng.”
Tonowari grins. “So, did you like the shawl?”
“Huh?”
His hand traces the embroidery in your shawl. You feel your chest turn warm at his contact.
“I did this- not well, but I did this. My mother showed me how.” He tells you, and you are taken aback, that Tonowari did such a thing and you had been wearing it this whole time, not knowing how important it was. How special it is.
How could you ever assume that he did not care?
“It’s perfect.” You say honestly, holding it close. “I’ll treasure it forever.”
Tonowari’s eyes suddenly turn a little darker- his lids are half closed- and he leans in, pulling you in for a kiss, except he first kisses your forehead, and then your cheeks, and then he kisses your chin, where your tattoo is still burning a little.
His kiss makes it feel better, though.
He leans in and kisses you for real this time, his lips being soft, chastely plying at your own, before you kiss him back, and lean into his touch. His arms embrace you firmly, not letting you move away from him, and you wrap your arms around his neck.
It is carried out on a strictly defined territory (in the younger volcano - this is the name of the smallest volcano from the spit). The participants of the ceremony themselves are not privy to its subtleties until it is carried out (adults keep the younger ones in ignorance and call it the "mystery of knowledge")
The rite itself consists in the fact that the subject is fumigated with herbs (to cleanse the body and the spirit), a mixture of intoxicating herbs and the juice of poisonous plants is rubbed into the gums in order to enter a trance state, and then the venom of the snake is rubbed into the areas that represent each sense:
• temples - vision
• nasolabial folds - smell
• earlobes - hearing
• chin - taste
• fingertips - touch
After that, the subject sits in the lotus position and plunges into a trance, in which an internal struggle takes place - with his fears and the dark sides of his personality
The result may be:
• the rite is passed - out of consciousness;
• the test has not been passed - he remained inside himself and will not come out of this state (such people are spared and mercifully killed)
I wonder why the ikran quest was so much less violent and thrilling than what was depicted in A1 and the comics? It was kinda anti-climactic tbh.
And i still feel like the language chosen to describe the bond was too objectifying and one sided. How can an ikran "make [themselves] yours" when the bond is a sacred and mutual relationship between two equals? I digress but I expected there to be more ... ig tussle and struggle to the iknimaya?
Not necessarily just for the thrill (as there was prolly a cinematic reason for it in A1 w the ikran and A2 w the skimwing), but bc it seems it would be congruent w all the language abt it being a relationship that you have to prove urself to the ikran to earn. Even Itu/Eetu said Zomey beat his ass before their tsaheylu and all Avatar ayso'yu, or fans should remember what Neytiri said about how youll know you've been chosen if an ikran tries to kill you. They have agency and are viewed by the Na'vi as autonomous.
Perhaps it would have been too prolonged of a quest for the player if there was an overly scenic pursuit and a skirmish with a frantic wild animal to aquire one of the most advertised and anticipated aspects of the game. Im def no game designer lol. But I do care abt the lore being consistent and Avatar is proving... quite notorious for inconsistencies. Lol
But idk.... was def an interesting choice of writing and interactions. 🤔
