All Jake wants is a chance to prove that he’s good enough.
↦ Warning: Neytiri and Jake aren’t getting along. Slightly ooc Tsu’tey. Not sure what else rn.
↦ Note: Bold italics = speaking Na’vi.
↦ Part 1 of ?, mini series pending
“Again,” Neytiri demanded as she held up another arrow. His previous one soared into the distance, missing its target completely.
Jake reached towards it before his hand faltered, “can’t we take a break?”
Netytiri looked taken aback, offended by the idea of stopping.
“No,” she began, “I was told that I will teach you, so that is what I’m doing. You can stop once you’ve hit the target.”
Jake creased his eyebrows, his frustrations growing along with the Na’vi beside him.
“A five minute break won’t kill anyone.” Jake grumbled, snatching the arrow from Neytiri.
“Fine, then let us stop. I will not teach you any longer.” Neytiri’s words are firm. She had already decided.
“That’s not what I-” Jake started but Neytiri had already disappeared from his sight, “meant.”
Taking a deep breath, Jake tried to get his bearings, all he felt like doing right now was eating dinner and sleeping. Slowly but surely, Jake made it back to Home Tree, passing all of the clan members gathering to eat dinner. Some of the children had tried to stop him, begging Jake to eat with them but he declined stating that didn’t have an appetite but promised that he would eat with them next time, when that would be, he wasn’t sure.
Y/n dismounted her ikran, gathering her belongings and giving it a gentle pat on the neck before it took off again and she leisurely strolled towards Home Tree. Many clan members who passed greeted her enthusiastically which she reciprocated.
As she neared the centre, y/n spotted Neytiri entering, a scowl set deeply onto her face. Marching in the direction of the Healer’s tent. As she watched, Tsu’tey approached her, a pleasant look on his face.
“You have missed a lot during your time away, cousin.” He informed, resting his weight on his bow, “I almost felt the need to come and fetch you myself.”
“Is that so? And what is the big event I have missed?” She questioned, turning towards him slightly.
“Another sky person has come, he wants to learn the way of the people.” Tsu’tey’s voice was full of disdain as his eyes danced across the people around them. “And the Tsahik has instructed Neytiri to teach him.”
“Ah, I see. That’s why she looked so displeased.” Y/n hummed.
“I guess it is the result of another failed lesson. It is hopeless, he will not learn.” Tsu’tey scoffed.
“With attitudes like that around, of course, he won’t,” Y/n concluded, pointing a finger at Tsu’tey, which he knocked away.
“Well, we know how this will end, won’t we?” Tsu’tey questioned, his voice growing dark.
“Oh, stop it.” y/n said, rolling her eyes, “there’s no need to be like that. Not all humans are the same.”
“I’ll agree with you when I am proved wrong.”
Rolling her eyes at him again, Y/n bid him farewell. Not wanting to have this conversation with him. Again.
She walked through Home Tree, to the healer’s tent where she hoped her father would be so that she could show that she had returned in one piece and only one or two scratches. As she approached the tent, she noticed that a few healers were waiting outside trying to keep themselves busy.
Y/n slowed as she heard Neytiri desperately asking her mother to somehow change her mind about something, she also heard Eytukan being the voice of reason between the two women. Hesitantly, y/n entered the tent to see Neytiri standing before her parents with a look of pleading on her face but her mother looked unmoved. In the corner, she noticed her father tending to an unconscious hunter whose arm was bandaged from his hand up to his chest.
Y/n silently greeted the family by raising her hand to her forehead and moved out of their way over to her father whose back was currently facing her.
“I’m back, Father.” She announced, keeping her voice low to not interrupt the conversation happening.
In one swift movement, y/n’s father stood to his full height and brought his daughter into a warm hug. Which y/n reciprocated.
“I missed you,” He said into the crown of her head.
Y/n’s father ended the hug and held his daughter at arm’s length, his eyes scanning her body for any sign of injury.
“I am well, Father, I promise,” Y/n reassured, smiling at her father.
“I know but I need to see for myself.”
Y/n smiled again before pulling her father into another hug.
“Tonowari sends his regards.” She mumbled against his chest, “he is well also.”
Y/n’s father nodded again, a faint smile gracing his lips at the mention of his daughter's friend. “I am glad to hear it.”
On the other side of the tent, Mo’at could feel her patience wearing thin with her daughter's incessant pleas to not teach the human their ways.
“You brought him to us, Neytiri. It is your responsibility.”
“I bought him because there was a sign from Eywa.”
“Exactly, a sign from Eywa that can not be ignored and since it was you that brought Jake Sully to us. It is your responsibility to teach him our way.”
“But it is not fair Mother, please.”
“You are the future Tsahik of this clan. You should not be giving up so easily.”
“But if I no longer want to teach the sky person, I will have more time to learn all that I need to be Tsahik.”
“She is not wrong, my love.” Eytukan chimed in, “If Neytiri steps away from being Jake Sully’s teacher, she can spend more time learning how to be a Tsahik.”
Mo’at took a deep breath and looked at her daughter earnestly, “Very well, and who do you suggest will take your place?”
Neytiri’s back went rigid at the thought, “I have to choose?”
“Yes. You don’t want to teach Jake Sully, so you must choose who is taking over your responsibilities.”
Neytiri took a deep breath and started going through the list of names in her head but she knew none that she thought of would want to teach a human the way of the people. She momentarily stopped at Tsu’tey. He is the clan’s best warrior and is well respected but he has proven that he has a strong dislike for the humans and has been making snide comments at Jake every time he made a mistake in his lessons. Neytiri was sure if she left Jake in his care, there would be no more Jake Sully.
Reaching the end of the list, she got to y/n who was coincidentally standing across from her family, held in her father’s embrace. Neytiri knew the girl well enough. Her late sister's best friend, the pair would spend a lot of time together along with Tsu’tey and little Neytiri would beg to tag along. As the four of them grew up, y/n floated around the clan making friends. A social butterfly who seeks adventure.
After Sylwanin died, y/n seemed to be away from the clan more. Travelling to different parts of Pandora. She would return with a bag full of things she had collected and stories that the younger clan members would climb over one another to hear. She continued to be friendly with Tsu’tey, which was understandable since their families were extremely close but she had slightly drifted away from Neytiri but was still very kind. Although they weren’t particularly friends, her presence was missed.
Would it be appropriate to ask her to take over teaching?
Taking another deep breath, Neytiri’s eyes flickered to y/n before meeting her mother’s eye, “I’ll ask y/n.”
“Very well then.” Mo’at nodded, before turning to the father and daughter behind her. “Y/n, if we could have a moment of your time.”
Y/n nodded and stepped away from her father. Meeting her eye, Neytiri asked the question, asking if y/n could teach Jake Sully the way of the people. Y/n looked at the family in front of her and then back to her father before slowly nodding.
Neytiri nodded before making a quick escape from the tent but y/n was close behind. Once the pair were a distance away from any prying ears, y/n grabbed Neytiri’s wrist and made the younger girl face her.
“I feel like there is more to me just teaching our guest, I agreed but I want to know why you can not.”
Neytiri hesitated slightly, “I can’t do it anymore. I tried to follow my mother’s instructions, but he just isn’t learning. All he does is complain, he is slow, he-.”
“Is learning.” Y/n added, cutting off Neytiri’s complaint, “How long has he been here.”
“Seven days?” Neytiri mumbled, feeling shy. She felt like she was a child being scolded.
“Seven? Seriously? He needs more time.”
“I know but being around him makes me feel sad. Angry? I don’t know. Every time I look at him, I see them and I see her.”
Understanding Neytiri’s implications, y/n nodded with a sigh. Neytiri bit back a sad smile but still tried to express her gratitude, “thank you y/n. Truly.”
“It is no problem.” Y/n reached forward, taking Neytiri’s hand in hers and giving it a gentle squeeze, “so, what’s his name?”
“Jake Sully?” Jake’s head shot up at the sound of his name. He hadn’t made it into his hammock, just sitting on the branch above trying to figure out how to tell Grace (and Quaritch) that he doesn’t have a teacher within the clan anymore. He felt useless.
“Me?” Jake pointed to his chest, looking at the Na’vi woman standing above him. She nodded and sat next to him.
“I am your new teacher. You can call me y/n.” y/n announced, holding out her hand for him to shake, remembering that that’s how humans introduce themselves.
Jake shook her hand awkwardly, “Jake Sully.”
Y/n nodded, retracted her hand and placed it in her lap, “We can start your lessons the day after tomorrow. I already have plans tomorrow. We can meet at the practice field at, uh, in.” Y/n stopped speaking and started to move her hands around, muttering to herself. Jake watched curiously, waiting to hear what the Na’vi woman was going to say next.
“At midday?” Jake corrected.
“Yes,” y/n beamed, “at midday. At lunchtime. Is that good?”
“Yes. Yes, that’s good for me. Thank you.”
“It is not a problem, have you eaten? I can get you something to eat if you would like.”
Jake was slightly taken aback by the question. In the week he had been here. Neytriri hadn’t asked if he was hungry or thirsty, Jake ate when she ate. “Uh, no I haven’t but it’s okay, I’ll eat when I go back.”
“Okay, if you are sure. I will see you the day after tomorrow, Jake Sully.”
Y/n flashed a warm smile at Jake and then she was gone. Jake stayed seated for a few moments longer trying to process the events of the day. He sat thinking about what to say in that stupid log Grace is going to force him to do the second his eyes opened. He also sat thinking about what to report back to Quaritch, as far as he knew, y/n wasn’t a core part of the clan. Jake hadn’t seen her before or heard her name in passing so would he be able to gain any information that would be beneficial to the RDA.
He also felt embarrassed. He wasn’t good enough so the chief’s daughter dropped him, not exactly something he wants the lab to know.
As the linkpod slowly opened, Jake lay still with his eyes tightly closed. He could feel eyes on him but didn’t dare to look.
“Wasn’t expecting you for a few more hours, Marine.” Grace voiced, bringing Jake’s wheelchair closer.
“Yeah, Neytiri had clan duties so I was let go early,” Jake responded, opening his eyes and allowing his eyes to adjust to the harsh lights above him. Once he felt ready, he lifted himself into his chair, Grace watched him settle.
“How did it go today? Learn anything new?” Grace questioned with a fond smile on her face. A sight that Jake was seeing more often which made the idea of confessing that Neytiri dropped him (and he had a new teacher) harder to admit.
“Yeah, yeah, it was fine. I’m gonna be here all day tomorrow though. I have a day off.”
“A day off.” The smile had vanished from Grace’s face, “what do you mean ‘a day off’? What happened?”
“What? Do the Na’vi not believe in rest days?” Jake questioned, lightheartedly, rolling over to his desk so that he could get the log out of the way.
“Not when it comes to teaching. Did something happen?”
“Nothing happened, Grace, don’t worry about it.”
Jake watched as Grace looked at him skeptically before nodding, “alright. Finish up your video and come and get something to eat.”
At dinner, Jake sat next to Norm who was asking every question under the sun about the Na’vi and what they were teaching him which Jake responded to with little effort and interest. Eventually, Norm got the message and started to speak to the other scientists.
Later the night on his way to his room, Jake was stopped by Quaritch, the last person he wanted to see.
“Sully, anything to report to me?” Quaritch questioned in his usual condescending tone.
“No sir, not today. I was away from camp.”
“Did ya hear anything? See anything?”
Jake paused to think, “Not that I can think of.”
“Uh-huh.” Quaritch didn’t believe him and it was clear on his face. “Okay. I’ll leave you to wind down for the night.”
Quaritch stepped to the side, allowing Jake to pass. As he did, he could feel Quaritch’s eyes follow him until he was out of sight only to be stopped by Max.
All Jake could do was nod and continue on his way, missing the way Max watched him suspiciously.
The next day, as soon as the sun rose, y/n was dressed and ready for the day ahead. She quickly ate breakfast with her dad and made her way through Home Tree.
“You shouldn’t be going, it isn’t safe.”
“You tell me that every time, Tsu’tey and yet, I come back unharmed.”
Tsu’tey stood in front of y/n with his arms crossed, y/n copied his stance until he relaxed.
“I tell you every time because I want you to be safe.”
“I can keep myself safe. But if you’re so concerned, you should come too.”
“No.” Tsu’tey objected flatly, “Very well, if you are not back by eclipse, I’m coming to get you.”
Tsu’tey sighed before pulling the girl into a hug that was very unlike him. Y/n stood awkwardly for a few moments, “Hug me back, skxawng.” Tsu’tey mumbled. So y/n complied, patting the older Na'vi on the back, “Stop that.”
The pair jumped away from one another at the sound of the Tsahik’s voice.
“Be safe,” Tsu’tey muttered before disappearing.
Y/n skillfully climbed through the hole in the fence behind the longhouse that she made many years ago. The nature surrounding it had grown enough to hide it from view. Over the years, y/n had come accustomed to the human’s routine. Learning where to go and at what times while being safe. That’s why she sat down, legs crossed by the locked door of the longhouse. She knew that soon, someone from the avatar program would come and unlock the door and hopefully tell Grace of her arrival. And soon that moment arrived. An avatar scientist slowly walked up the stairs, yawning and stretching his arms out to the side, he hadn’t noticed y/n just yet but y/n still stood up and made space for him. At the movement, his eyes snapped to her rising figure and he froze before raising a small black box to his face.
“Tell Dr. Augustine that she has a guest.”
A voice crackled back and the scientist unlocked the door slowly and walked in. Y/n peered around the doorway, spotting Grace’s avatar at the far end ‘asleep’, y/n waited for any movement but the avatar stayed completely still. The scientist walked back over and motioned y/n to follow him.
“Dr. Augustine is finishing her breakfast and then she’ll meet you in the link room. I’ll take you there.” The scientist paused once he finished explaining, he had an uncertain look on his face but as y/n nodded with a soft ‘okay’, the scientist seemed to relax. “But you can not bring that in with you.”
The scientist motioned to her hip. Y/n nodded understandingly before spinning on the spot and walking into the longhouse, removing her knife and placing it beside Grace’s ‘sleeping’ avatar.
Y/n looked down at the woven bag hanging off of her shoulder and shook her head, “It is a gift for ma sa’- Grace. A gift for Grace.” The scientist looked at her suspiciously, y/n following but trying to keep a distance. All around her, Hell’s Gate was waking up, she could feel eyes on her as she passed groups of humans. Finally, y/n and the scientist reached a doorway that was big enough for her to fit through without bowing her head. As they walked through the door, lights above them turned on one by one until they were finally inside a brightly lit room.
“Wait here, I’ll get you a mask.”
Y/n followed the scientist's instructions and watched as he walked through a smaller door, and out of sight. Looking around, y/n looked at the two empty tubes that she knew the avatars came from. She heard a crackle and turned to look at the window behind her, recognising a familiar face. Which brought a wide grin to her face.
“Good morning, y/n. Long time no see.”
The scientist came back through the door and handed y/n a mask, he quickly explained how to use it, instructing her that she would need to use it about every five minutes or so. Y/n nodded along, not listening fully, she was just excited to see Grace. Once the scientist was satisfied and with the approval of Max, y/n entered the link room where she just about fit. Inside she saw all the scientists getting ready for the day, some whom she wasn’t familiar with giving her a scared, questioning look but y/n didn’t care one bit. As she watched them all stream in, y/n clutched her bag tighter.
“Y/n! What a lovely surprise.”
Y/n stood up straight and turned towards the voice. She quickly spotted Grace’s auburn hair through the small crowd and a tall unfamiliar man stumbling behind her.
Grace approached the na’vi with a steaming mug in her hand and a fond smile on her face, a rare one to see around Hell’s Gate.
Grace’s eyes trailed up and down the na’vi, just as her father had done the day prior
“Y/n, this is Norm, he came to work with me.”
“Nice to meet you, Norm.” At the sound of his name, Norm seemed to snap out of his trance, clearly his throat brushing off any dust that may have settled on his clothes. “It is a pleasure to meet you, y/n.”
“How does he sound?” Grace questioned, taking a sip from her mug, “he’s been practicing.”
“He speaks well, a bit formal but it is fine.”
Norm’s face lit up at the compliment and Grace gave him a knowing look. Behind Grace and Norm, y/n noticed a man pass through the door, seated in a chair with wheels. Once he made eye contact with y/n he quickly disappeared. Y/n didn’t think much of it.
“I got you this.” Y/n handed Grace, anticipation clear on her face. Grace reached into the bag and pulled out a parcel. She placed it gently on the metal table behind her, Norm looming over her shoulder to get a peek and what the colourful wrappings were hiding. Grace slowly pulled the wrappings away to reveal a large shell that she had to hold in both hands. “Wow.” Both Grace and Norm voiced as Grace moved the shell around under the light causing different colours to show
“I found it while visiting Awa'atlu, I went swimming with Ronal,” Y/n explained proudly. “It reminded me of a picture from your Earth books. She told me what it’s called but I don’t remember.” She confessed.
“It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“Phenomenal.” Norm gasped, which made y/n laugh, even though she didn’t know the exact meaning of the word.
Grace and y/n spent most of the morning together in the lab, Grace showed her the different samples she had found with Norm and y/n explained what their properties were. Selfridge had heard of her presence in the lab and came to ask questions about her life. They had only ever met once when y/n was younger, she didn’t like him then and she certainly didn’t like him now but y/n didn’t see him as a threat. To y/n, the biggest threat to her and her people was Colonel Miles Quaritch, just by looking at him, y/n could tell that he was plotting something but she wasn’t sure what.
Y/n and Norm, still in his human body, walked out of the lab and towards the longhouse. Grace said that she needed to speak with Max and then she’ll meet them there. On the walk, y/n watched all of the avatars run around the courses and y/n was quite amused. Some of them were struggling which told her that they were new to this.
“So… You and Grace are friends?” Norm started, trying to catch up with her.
“She is family. I have known her for a long time.” Y/n explained, watching as two avatars threw basketball between one another, missing Norm’s astonished face, “my whole life.”
Soon, Grace joined y/n and Norm outside of the longhouse in her avatar form, holding y/n’s hunting knife. Y/n exchanged a few more words with Norm before he rushed off, Grace informing her that he’ll probably record their meeting in his log.
“I missed you. I have so much to tell you about my trip.” Grace pulled y/n into a tight hug, resting her cheek on the younger girl's head, “I wish you could’ve joined me.”
“I wish I could have too,” Grace admitted, pulling away from the girl and allowing her to take a step back. The pair sat on the stairs of the long house catching up. Again, different scientists would walk passed and watch y/n with unease in their eyes. Y/n told Grace about how her father was doing along with her trip to the reef, “Tonowari is to be Olo'eyktan, he invited me to the ceremony.”
Y/n prepared herself to leave, stating that she had planned to have dinner with her father. “Before you go, I’m moving my team to the lab in the mountains tomorrow. Hopefully, I’ll get to see you more often now.” Grace confessed, hope evident in her voice, “It has been so long since I’ve spent time with you.”
Grace watched as y/n’s eyes lit up at the idea, “That is good! But, I don’t know. Neytiri and Mo’at asked me to teach, uh, Jake Sully? I said yes. Is he your friend?”
Grace looked at the girl with slight confusion on her face before nodding, “I would not say friends but he’s on my team.”
The answer seemed to be good enough for y/n as she nodded along and continued with her stories, occasionally adding in how much Tsu’tey annoys her.
Once y/n had left, Grace unlinked with her and walked briskly around Hell’s Gate until she saw who she was looking for.
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me that Neytiri wasn’t teaching you?” Grace questioned without greeting the man before him. Jake looked stunned opening his mouth to speak but Grace beat him to it. “You better not mess this up.”
“You seem to be taking this personally, doctor.” Jake joked, trying to ease the ever-growing tension.
“I am. Don’t mess this up, Jake. I'm serious. Don’t waste her time.” Jake nodded awkwardly, and Grace’s shoulders dropped as she sighed, “Don’t forget, we’re out of here tomorrow. 9am, you have somewhere to be at 12.”
Grace stared at Jake a few moments more before turning on her heels and left, muttering under her breath. Jake let out the breath he was holding and wheeled himself towards the vehicle storage where he knew Quaritch would be waiting.
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