#songcords

[sweetxion]

My next songcord to a Riff-Na'vi Oc who belongs to a still unnamed clan from one of my stories.

[prettyacademia00]

padawan cords > padawan braids

i always thought it odd that padawan braids would only be for jedi that have hair, which stands out when looking at the removal of the braid when padawans are expelled; it's one thing for jewelry to be ripped off, an entire lock of hair is completely different, and what do you do for those with piercings, tattoos, or body mods to display their rank as padawan?

the same thing for undercover or stealth missions. wouldn't it be better to have something that can easily be removed and hid? with the amount of people in the galaxy that don't like jedi, it doesn't make sense to have something so obvious to draw attention to padawans

the solution? cords of beads similar to the songcords from avatar but short-term, used only throughout your time as a padawan, and maybe without the song aspect unless it is a lineage thing and can be kept either on their person like a bracelet or necklace or attached to their belts

for anyone that isn't familiar with the concept, the people in avatar have a cord that represents their life's major events or achievements, beginning in birth and is extended and added to as the person grows

they can use beads or other items to represent a certain event and the same thing can be done for padawans. here's some concept art of the cords:

when a jedi and initiate are officially recognized as master and padawan, the first thing they would gift the padawan is the plain cord with one bead to represent them becoming a padawan, whether that is an item representative of either of their species or home planets or maybe a bead with the symbol of the jedi order

they could use wooden beads, feathers, scales, rocks, crystals, pieces of metal, coral, shells, buttons, fabric, amber, glass beads, dried or pressed plants, and so many other things from different planets they visit for missions, added on as the padawan learns and grows, sometimes being gifted by the master or added together by the master and padawan

they could also have some other material shaped into beads in specific colors to represent courses of study and major skills learned at the temple, for example purple for pilots, red for healers, white for archivists or lore keepers, black for shadows, blue for guardians, green for consulars, orange for sentinels, yellow for temple guards, on and on in whatever color you can think of, and maybe different shapes of beads represent different things

when the padawan is knighted, they could gift their cords to their former master, like how in canon they keep the braids. i just thought that it would make more sense to be more open to different species and work according to their roles as jedi in a way that displays their accomplishments and experiences while also keeping them safe and have the ability to pass on their cord

[asfateentertwines]

Songcord

Tuk was the one who realized that Spider didn't have a songcord

He had been around for a while at this point, having become a constant around the time Kiri learned to walk. She doesn't understand why her Mama hates him and says to stay away - Lo'ak and Kiri like him a lot and they have more fun chasing him then Neteyam! Neteyam is too fast and Spider is her size.

He's nice and lets her climb him and carries her even though her big siblings say she's getting too big - which, if Spider can carry her she is most certainly not too big - and plays her games while the others go to their training or apprenticeships

Sometimes he even brings her feathers and pretty things for her hair!

So yeah, when she gets to have her ceremony and holds her songcord for the first time, she's beyond concerned to find out that Spider doesn't have one

While they’re little, the cords hang in their hut until they're old enough to decide what to do with them. As it is, Lo'ak wants to braid his in his hair and Neteyam wants to put it on his bow like his mother. But there's a gap, one thats probably accidental, and she knows Spider should have his there

So she makes it her mission to be the best little sister ever and make one for him

After-all, if no one else is gonna do it then she, a craft master, is most certainly qualified

Grandmother makes most of the cords in the early stages so she inconspicuously asks for the twine to start it and how to make a bead. She asks why she needs it and Tuk tells her it's for her mother. Grandmother looks hopeful at that and gives it to her easily so Tuk knows she agrees with her. It's not till years later that she'll realize that Grandmother thought her mother had a realization...or another pregnancy. But she likes to think the first.

But...making beads is harder than she thought

She uses bone she found near the cooking fires - which, gross, Spider better like it - but whittling it is hard with only sharp pieces of the bone and rocks she found

The bead she makes is jagged and not very round and she almost cut herself a dozen times cause it's sharper than it looks but finally she has something that resembles the first beads on her cord. The knots are easier and she adds it to the start with pride. She adds a little of his blue paint cause it's his and that way it starts with him and her. Right as it should.

But even her cord has more than one bead.

Making this one was hard but Spider is her big brother and she can do it - besides, the look on her siblings faces when she presents his gift will be worth it.

So she starts wandering the outskirts of high camp with the cord on her belt. While she searches, she hums the first chords she can add. A happy little tune with a dramatic flourish; perfect so he remembers her when he sings it.

However, finding anything of use near the camp is proving futile. Nothing she finds is strong enough for a bead and the feathers are muddy and gross.

With her fathers determination, she sneaks past the bushes lining camp and into the forest

She makes it approximately 5 feet before Neteyam scoops her up.

Neteyam groans and Tuk finds herself propped up on chest, legs locked around his hips. She whines and squirms but unfortunately Neteyam is a seasoned big brother and there's no success in her attempted escape.

"Tuktuk, what do you think you're doing? You know you're not allowed outside of camp." The look on his face is disappointed and her tummy twists at the sight, but she has a good reason!

"I needed better bead stuff, the stuff in camp is yucky or is too hard." She whines but it isn't until he responds that she realizes her mistake.

"Bead supplies? Tuk what do you need bead supplies for?"

And so the surprise is busted

But...maybe she could get help

"..Spider doesn't have a songcord. I have one, you have one, Lo' has one, and Kiri has one...but he doesn't...so I'm making it. But I only have one bead."

And Neteyam doesn't know how to respond to that

Spider has been around since he could walk, they were together while Jake and Neytiri visited Kiri in her incubator, he realistically should have several beads by now. His chord should have his birth, his family, his first bow, the feather of his first kill...but Spider isn't Na'vi. He's not of the People...but it's Spider

Mom really wouldn't like it

But...it's Spider

And so he finds himself snatching Kiri's arm while she leaves her lessons. Covering her mouth when she shrieks and Tuk grabs her leg. Which, he doesn't really know why she did that, but it's Tuk. He pulls her between the huts while the other kids move on and mumbles his apology.

"Tuk, 'Teyam, what in Ewya's name are you doing?" She hisses, ears bent back, and eyes narrow. Her tail swishes angrily behind her and Neteyam realizes belatedly he could have done this better.

"We need your help. It-It's for Spider, we're making him a songcord. Tuk made him a bead but...we need help making more. You work with Grandmother, can you help us?"

And if Neteyam knows anything, its his sisters weakness for their oldest friend.

It's a long pause while she processes but soon, she relaxes, and he feels the tension leave his shoulders. Her tail slows and she takes a deep breath before she replies; "..fine. But if we do this, we all do this. Get Lo'ak and meet me behind Grandmothers. Quietly. She's out with Mother but I don't want to explain this before its done...you know Mom will be pissed, right?"

And Neteyam does...damn he does, but he nods.

With determination, they're off.

And so that is how he finds himself in a clumsy circle with his siblings surrounding him. Bone and wood are in the center of their circle, small paints with them, and a jumble of small blades. Kiri has seen Grandmother do this before and so she leads them through making their beads with a different ease than Tuk found by herself

Tuk spends the time weaving feathers into the bottom of the chord and adding bits of paint to the finished beads. They make a bags worth, albeit a small bag, for Spider too. He'll need more. Their beads by no means look to par with their own but they try their best. Each painting and carving with as much patience as they can muster.

It takes them the rest of the day but soon they have a small pile ready. Kiri takes the pieces and spends the next day tying the knots and attaching them as secure as a 10 year old can.

It's time consuming but in a few days of work between apprenticeships, meals, and whatever else may keep them within sight of the adults, they have a songcord

Its messier than theirs and small, the knots aren't as tight and the symbolism in it is meager. They wanted to keep it happy but without parents to record his beginnings, its small knots of Spider growing up in basecamp with the first beads being the familial bead they each made of themselves. They added feathers from some of their favorite varieties to the bottom and, in place of training memories, added times he won a game or did something cool. It's different but so is their brother.

They decide to present it to him together, since it was something they all made. Normally he would have a ceremony for it but they decide that his could be them.

They steal him away in the evening, right before it's time for him to head back to camp. They want him alone so the adults can ruin the moment; while some of the younger adults have accepted Spider into their ranks, they don't know how the older warriors would respond.

Tuk is the one who catches him and pulls him into the treeline. They settle into the clearing where they usually play and, anxiously, they give Tuk the cord. She walks forward and nervously holds it out. The older trio sit in nervous silence as they wait for Spider to respond.

"I...guys what is this?" Spiders face is bright red and they'd worry if it weren't for the smile trying to win over his face.

"It..its your cord, Bro. Tuk said you don't have one so...we made it." Lo'ak responds first and scoots closer, Tuk at his side. "I-I made the first one and then I got the feathers and the pretty rocks on the bottom. Kiri and 'teyam and Lo' made most of the beads but I helped paint 'em. The bag has more for later cause Kiri knows how to knot 'em in. And...And we made the song too.." Tuk grins, nervous but clearly excited. She turns and runs to her sister who begins to hum

Kiri closes her eyes, humming softly the little song her siblings made for him. Spiders grinning at this point, 12 years old and teary eyed. He scoots closer and pulls the siblings into a hug as she finishes.

"Thank you, thank you-" He cuts himself off laughing, the others joining in. There they stay until eclipse is waning over their heads and time is up.

Spider braids the cord into his hair and it's with him when Quaritch catches him. They don't know its significance to take if from him but he clings to it in his cell, humming the song to himself as he waits for help thats not coming.

[whxre-bxby]

I made Songcord's for my friend's birthdays✨️🌸

Left was my first attempt. It's a little more messy and ✨️glam✨️.

The right one is my second try and it just looks cleaner.

(I know they're both very colourful😭 I couldn't resist)

[pandoraavatarfan]

Made Tey'ik's Songcord. Not official but a close idea of it

Part 1 and Part 2. let me know if you have questions or something isn't clear enough to read. 😁😁😁😁

[makoodles]

im gonna have the best time reading ur fics omg. thank u for the meal <333

omgggg skdgjkdsg pls enjoy !!! i hope you like them ahahahha!

[sweetxion]

New Songcords~

The first will belong to Ryn'tarok.

Although he has already experienced many things as a guardian of Eywa's sanctuaries, his songcord is quite short compared to some other Na'vi warriors. He lives in a cooler region of Pandora and is also noticeable because of his unusual size.

Part of his song is made of something that could be compared to fur. (The sections between the large beads are made of "cuddly wool.")

The second belongs to Sol'Nu.

A young warrior of the desert region with a mark on his chest that resembles the sun.

I don't have many story elements for him yet, as he is still a new character.

This songcord belongs to Ryn'tarok's sister, Ayla.

(Although they aren't actually siblings. Fate-wise, yes.)

The black and silver beads serve as a small symbol of her duty to protect Eywa's sanctuaries.

Ayla also harbors a certain hatred for Kina'va, as she is detrimental to Ryn'tarok in her actions and only distracts him from his responsibilities.

This song belongs to Jo'Ona, who is a traveler and hasn't yet collected many memories she wants to preserve.

Plus, an update on all my song records 😅🙈

[sweetxion]

This time, I've brought you the songcord of Päivi, who belongs to my fan clan, the Taron'pay.

This clan evolved long ago from a few Anurai members.

The Taron'pay specialize in crafting beautiful red pearls from Palulukan blood and resin.