Shadows in the Sky - Based on James Cameron's AVATAR

[Ahgjan]

CHARACTERS & JOINING THREAD: http://dragonsturf.com/gamehall/index.php?topic=133.0


The early summer's day sunlight shone Pandora's shadow dark on the blue clouds of Polyphemus, as the mists rose out of the mountains and the thundering rocks became better visible.  The 'Hallelujah Mountains' as the skypeople humans had once called them were no different than they had been all those many years before when the battle to save the Tree of Souls was fought and Eywa called to the ikran, nantang and angtsik* to fight and die beside the na'vi peoples.  

Very few remembered the battle, but tales and legends were strong.  The Omaticaya were a proud people, having the wisdom to take in the dream walker Jakesully so that he could become Taruk Makto and lead the people to victory against the alien fire breathing metal beasts.  One hometree had been lost in the invasion, but now the people had twin hometrees, and the hunting was good.  The trees destroyed by the rusting metal machines slowly regrew, and Eywa had even returned the Tree of Voices to the people.  Relics of the war were strewn about the jungle if one knew where to look, and often times curious na'vi youth trekked for 'souveniers' to make into decoration or jewelery.

And as had been done in generations past, young Na'vi continued to prove their worthiness for adulthood through the dangerous climb to the nesting place of the ikran.  Today was one such day, and a day that would change the course of Na'vi history once more, as one pale green ikran watched from the edge of the rookery cliff with curiosity as four of the 'strange blue creatures' climbed a massive vine toward his home.

(Footnotes: *Mountain Banshee, viperwolf, and hammerhead titanothere)

[Shade Sirenwolf]

*Xenedra tried not to look down, she thought to herself that she was probly the only na'vi who was slightly nervous at the concept of heights, but she was too excited to let it get the best of her. she nearly slipped but she held her tongue, not letting on to the others. she jumped up the vines and followed the others up over the ledge to where the nests were.
leathery skin and wings of all colors moved about the cliff edge and hillside, accompanied by the growls and hisses of the flying creatures.  It was a wonder looking at the speed and size of the creatures that a meresh'ti cau'pla could be wrapped around their mouths without failing - but that is what the four were there to do.  To select, capture, and first achieve tsahaylu with one of these creatures.
she had seen her sister riding one of these, she had been there when her sister had broken her leg after falling from one in a battle with the humans, but she wasnt about to stop now, she volunteered to go first, walking ahead of them all towards the nests with a confidence that she wondered was truthful or not but the ikran  seemed to believe it, a blue striped male and a female snarled at her&
 jumped away and glided down to look for something to eat, but she soon came to one that snarled at her a bit more viciously than the others and she almost froze for a second but she slowed down and approached a bit more cautiously,her tail lashing as she waited*

[Ahgjan]

The curious green male eyed her and hissed.  This strange blue invader was moving too fast and too close for his comfort.  The other ikran could care less, they wanted to be left alone but decided not to fight.  But the green felt an urge to defend his ground and test this animal to see if she was worthy of being here.  He had known of the na'vi, and he had seen others try to fight them off of the flying plateau only to fail and be driven away...now it was his turn to try and defend the rookery.

He gave her a menacing snarl and flapped once to spread his wings to the sky in threat, hissing at her as he dropped back down to all fours and took a step forward.  She hissed back in response and the fight was confirmed.  She wouldn't back down, and neither would he as he eyed her closely, following her movements as she moved to go around to his side.  His tail whipped back and forth as his shrieked and hissed at her, waiting for her to make a wrong move.

[Shade Sirenwolf]

*Xenedra grinned as she stepped slowly closer, staying low to the ground, waiting for the right second she planted her feet firmly and growled, waiting for the ikran to strike, she didnt have to wait long as with a thrust of his hind legs the ikran launched himself at her, roaring his anger at her invasion of his space. she rolled to the side quickly, trailing the rope around its mouth. though she still felt a sting as his claws grazed her leg, she grabbed onto his wing as he went past and jumped onto his neck,wrapping her legs tightly around its neck to secure herself and pulled tight on the rope to tie his jaws shut before reaching for one of the antenna. he writhed and twisted fast, hissing as he tried to roll her off, his antenna practically flopping into her hand in the process, she grabbed hold of it tightly in her fist and wrapped both arms around his neck, trying to make herself a smaller target as he rolled around. soon as she got the chance she grabbed hold of both antenna and twisted, using her weight to drag him off balance and in the seconds he was on the ground she pulled her braid around and linked it with the antenna, suddenly reeling a bit as she thought it was from the effort of the fight or a sense of vertigo. it hadnt been that long of a fight but she ended up gasping for air, as if she were feeling something that wasnt coming from her, for a second she was confused but then the clarity came back with a rush, she looked at the ikran and loosened her grip a bit, still careful to keep hold, being wary*

[Ahgjan]

There was a sudden rush, something he had never felt before.  She had pressed her queue to his and in an instant he forgot all he was doing.   Confusion rushed through his mind as his eyes opened wide and dilated.  He clawed futilely at the ground as he realized there was something attached to him, like a new part of him suddenly appeared.   A second mind was with him, strange yet at the same time familiar.  It was unusual but yet welcomed.  he stopped moving as the strange feelings left him unable to think about why he was even pressed against the ground.

Moments felt like hours. Soon however, he found his mind clearing a bit and he calmed down, inhaling heavier than normal still.  He looked around, and found himself still at the nesting roost, several other ikran still in the rocks watching with curiosity as he had done several times.  He still had the odd feelings but the shock had worn off, though he felt as though he had an itch inside of his head so he began scratching at it*  <What...was that all about?> he thought to himself as he tried to figure out what happened and went to stand again.

[Shade Sirenwolf]

*she blinked as she thought she heard someone say something, the flight was supposed to come next but that comment made her a bit annoyed and she thought <ok if they're capping on me for my strategy lets see them try to catch their ikran in less than 2 minutes>*the creature's head suddenly swung back and forth, as if looking around as it heard something. she blinked again as the ikran looked back at her, her sister never said anything about something like this, she thought she could see something like recognition in his eyes, until she looked up at the others, they were staring at her and her rival Nethael grinned as if to laugh, she was getting tired of his attitude and wanted to get away from the staring. she was surprised when suddenly the ikran jumped towards the edge and took off, she tried to hold on to it more tightly with her legs and shift to keep her balance*

[Ahgjan]

He had felt a sudden urge to fly away from the other na'vi, and decided to just ignore the one on his back for the time being.  With a quick leap he found himself over the cliffside and diving down into the abyss below.  He felt as though he were in a daze, he was distracted by a cloudiness still in his mind, but yet somehow was able to concentrate on flying with his full attention, enjoying the feel of the air under his wings  After a few minutes of flying though, the ikran's mind slowly began to clear, and he began to somehow realize the odd feeling in his mind and the feeling of another part of himself were both the creature on his back.  He had heard tales of a unity between the races, but never really believed them.  It began to dawn on him that by his urge to fight her he had unknowingly made his decision to take part in that bond.  He remembered the fight, she was quick and had managed to subdue him with little struggle.  He could feel her fears, sense her pleasure at the flight, and understood that she had chosen him out of all of the others.  What anger and annoyance he had held against her during the fight was now suddenly replaced by a pride and feeling of honor for being one of the chosen ones.

[Shade Sirenwolf]

Xenedra tried to shift a bit to get a better hold, her sister made it look all too easy when she flew but this was new to her, still once she recovered her balance it was a bit easier, somehow she could sense the movements as they were about to happen and it helped, as she relaxed she started to really enjoy the feel of the wind and mist against her skin. she breathed in deep, this was one of the things she liked best, the air was so much clearer up here, as she looked down though she felt both vertigo and yet she wasnt afraid, she could sense the ikran knew what he was doing and somehow she got the sense he wouldnt let her fall, so she started wondering what other flight tricks it could do and as if he could sense her thoughts  he spread his four wings wide and arched his back, pulling up into a tight, fast loop, then spiraled down gaining speed, faster and faster, past the floating mountains until the distant ground became visible and rapidly approached. she tried to shift and lean with the maneuvers but was caught a bit off guard as he suddenly took off down a steep slope. she nearly fell off as he sped around trees and rocks,she nearly lost her grip several times but she wrapped her arms arms around his neck tighter, trying to move with the flight, but it wasnt easy, still the challenge made it more fun and she laughed as they leveled out, <dang my sister was holding out on me this is amazing>*she blinked though as he suddenly turned his head and looked back at her, a curious hiss accompanied by the thought <It is speaking to me?>*she blinked as she heard someone say something, which was odd given they were next to a loud waterfall and she could hear it clearly, she saw the ikran turn to look back at her<ok maybe im hearing things>

[Ahgjan]

<...am I?> he thought, thinking perhaps the voice in his head was just himself thinking.  But it didn't sound like his thoughts, it sounded like the creature on his back.  He looked her over as he flew, examining her with all four eyes to try to figure out what was going on.  Suddenly here eyes grew wide and she shouted to him "Look out!" <fly down!> and he turned his head forward just in time to avoid the bottom of one of the flying rocks.  He felt her have to duck to avoid hitting it herself.  <that was close, I am sorry> he thought, directing the thought at her to test a theory.  He heard her sigh and then laugh, before replying with <ok this is odd but we're gonna have to watch where we're going now.> <I will be able to now that I know what the strange voice in my head is.>

The ikran saw a rocky peak below and circled it, looking for a landing spot.  <Is my voice really that strange?> his new makto asked him, to which he replied <You speak as a strange creature to me, but in my head I understand all you say both thought and vocal.  I have never understood the cries of your kind before today.> and with that he descended toward the rocks to perch and continue the conversation in safety.

[Shade Sirenwolf]

*she smiled as she heard him hiss in amusement, as he circled a rock outcropping he had decided to land on* <You speak as a strange creature, yet I understand you>*she just rolled her eyes a little*<aha yeah i can see how that might seem strange, but what am i to call you?>*she scratched lightly along the back of his head and rested back a bit as he made an odd combination of quick growls and hisses as he descended for a landing and she couldnt help blinking again*<ok im not quite sure i got that, can you repeat that?>*as he did it again, the same sounds came into her mind at the same time.  A name without a translation, but sounding a little like 'Va'gre'*<hmm thats a good name, wheres your favorite flying spot?>*she scratched the back of his head again at the base of the antenna and he curled his neck a bit, seeming to enjoy the scratching* <anywhere the wind takes me.>*she ran her hand over his head and patted it lightly*<thats a great spot, but for now maybe we should go get your new nest settled>

<new...nest?>

<well yeah, you get your own nest back at the village, we start training soon>

<oh.  I suppose that will be fine.  Guide me there.>

<ok, sorry by the way, i know this is probly a lot to deal with all of a sudden>*she pulled lightly to the left and sat back a bit, guiding him downward, back down towards the canopy and trying to shift with the movements of the flight as he followed her direction obediently, very sensitive to her pulls on his antenna.  He glided down to the treeline and leveled out*<I'm Xenedra by the way>*she guided him slowly down into the canopy and through the trees, heading back towards the village*

[Ahgjan]

<Nice name> he complemented her, as she guided him toward the village.  <I like mine too, thank you>  He narrowly missed a few trees as he weaved back and forth, up and down, avoiding thick branches and vines as they sped through the forest.  <Your welcome> She replied, as she pressed herself to his neck to avoid being hit by any of the branches they were trying to avoid.

Soon enough she guided him to the tree where the tribe's ikran stayed.  <Do you want to stay here, we could find you another nest if you wanted?>  She asked him as they circled the tree.  <I trust your judgement> he answered, and she guided him down toward a wide branch that split in to several.  <Well your nearly the only one...find a place you like.>  He landed at the point where the branches split off <here, I like this place.>

She smiled and scratched his neck as she hopped off of his back.  <great spot, its got a good view of the floating mountains from here,..will you miss living with others of your kind?>  <There will be others here, I can smell a few already.  This nesting area will be used more soon, correct?>  She replied him with a nod and looked around while standing next to him. <we start flight combat training tomorrow, do you need to rest?>  <I would like to, this experience has drained my energy from me today.>  <alright i'll leave you to it then, i'll call for you in the morning...> she smiled to him <...hope your up for some fast flying tomorrow.>  He hissed amusedly and pressed his head against her shoulder, looking up at her with two of his four eyes <Fast flying comes natural to me.>  She smiled back at him and scratched under his chin to say goodbye <we'll need your flying instincts, try to rest easy alright, we'll both need it>

As she pulled away and their queues separated, he could feel it.  He suddenly felt empty, almost dizzy, and hissed quietly to himself in confusion and weakness, resigning himself to reluctantly lay down and watch her go.

[Shade Sirenwolf]

*she felt odd when she felt the link disappear, her head started hurting as if her mind were trying to compensate for something that suddenly wasnt there anymore, her foot slipped a little on a branch but she managed to get down to her spot, she wanted to be back up there to at least sit with him but it was getting late and they both needed their rest, she didnt want to bug him too much in one day. she tried to relax in her hammock, but the pain in her head wouldnt stop, she found herself disliking all the closed space and her tail began lashing anxiously and she sighed a bit, wondering if this was a normal thing for other na'vi as well, her sister was away visiting one of the other villages so she couldnt ask her, she sighed and got up and started climbing back up in the tree again, she thought she could hear something moving up in the branches and tried to stay quiet, she saw he was restless as well and tried to stay quiet to not wake the other ikran, tho she couldnt stifle a quiet yawn, it surprised her when she saw Va'gre climbing down the tree towards her. she smiled and jumped lightly onto his back and settled back a bit, holding on tightly but she couldnt hold back another yawn as she linked up with him again and she felt the pain in her head lessen a bit, she smiled and breathed in the night air*<im sorry i think im feeling exhaustion for the both of us now>

[Ahgjan]

<I missed you> Va'gre said, as he settled back into his spot.  <i really missed you too, thanks for the lift> she rested against him <this is so much nicer than being stuck inside i can see why you love the skies>.  He looked up <It is beautiful>  Looking around the forest and distant mountains were visible, lit by the bioluminescence of the plants and vines, and the glow of the gas giant Polyphemus overhead.  Even the specks of light on Xen's face glowed bright in the night like distant stars beyond the parent planet. <all is beautiful> 

He could feel her again.  The pain and the restlessness he had felt as they were separated was but a distant memory now that they were together again and he could feel her thoughts and feeling surging through his nerves.  He looked back at his na'vi rider and saw she was laying on his back with her eyes closed, relaxed.  <you're right, all is beautiful, makes me glad im here instead of just inside a tree.>  <Yes, I too am glad.  We can sleep now.> He settled flat against the branch, and watched as she shifted and cracked a smile before laughing a bit.  <yes please lets sleep before i pass out, but we cant sleep in tomorrow.>

[Shade Sirenwolf]

*it seemed like only moments later she felt him pressing his head against her shoulder* <wake up?>*she batted her tail lightly across his face and sighed a bit*<ugh i wish i had 5 more minutes, you put up a crazy fight yesterday you know>

<You were a threat then.  Now I see you.  But the sun is over the horizon, and I am restless>

*she laughed a little and sighed again, peeking over her arm at the sun just rising over the mountains, she didnt want to leave this nice bed of moss, but she stood up and brushed herself off, smiled at him*<i see you as well, alright lets go get geared up> *she jumped easily and settled onto his back as he lept down over the edge of the branch and glided toward the ground, she guided him in a slow spiral around the rookery before breaking off in the direction of the cliffs where the other ikran were trained, it was away from the mountains and took them out over the forest, it was so different during the day but it was just as awe inspiring. she steered him just over one of the waterfalls to a large crevace hidden in the cliff*  <is this it?>

<yeah, my sister brought me here one day when she had to watch me when my parents were away>

<Your are close to your sister.  She is bonded?>

<...sorta...im not neccessarily what our people consider normal. she used to understand me, but ever since she was mated to a male in another tribe shes been a bit...less so>

[Ahgjan]

He felt her sadness as his own and crooned a bit.  Then with a screech they landed inside the tunnel near where other ikran were gathered.  Va'gre watched as she  called to the other na'vi gathered there, putting a smile on her face as they landed <I've gotta go get our gear, i'll be back soon alright> He lowered his body as she patted his neck a bit and then disconnected.

The trainer looked at them with a bit of a frown and a lashing tail, and spoke to her angrily as she approached him.  Va'gre couldn't make out the conversation but he didn't sense much in the way of danger so he decided to not get involved and worsen what problem there might be.