Longing. . . Rusted. . .

Be Your Guide

An ATWOW fanfic (fem!reader insert)

Note: reader enters the story as “Rayti”, the daughter of a strong healer of the Omaticaya clan. The fic begins after the abduction of Spider, and the reader is worried for her friends upon hearing about the sudden targeting of Jake Sully and his family.

“Leaving?”

“Yes, ma child”, the mother replied as she combed through the unruly locks of her eldest daughter. Aside from the occasional tug on tangled strands, she weaved her fingers to calm her troubled youth. The youth, in question, simply bowed her head in disheartenment. ‘Had they decided to stay, they’d be in danger’, she bit her lip in further dismay, ‘then we’d all be in danger’.

Though hidden away from the turmoil of the constant attacks and resistance between Na’vi and Sky People, she, among many, was not oblivious to the situation of the Sully family. Especially after news of the recent attack reached the ears of their community. She was hopeful, but reality surged to strike at their hearts, already torched alight by the violent operations against their foreign counterparts. Now Spider, her friend, had been taken; the rest spared and brought back safely. They needed a new plan, to guarantee safety for all of them. To save their stronghold from further peril. Of course, it was an eye for an eye, and a price was to be paid.

“So, it is agreed, then?” She was certain that a new Olo'eyktan was to be chosen. There would be a ceremony, and they would all have to see the family off…and then..

The mother, Nao’yri, held her daughter’s distraught face. She could easily read the mind of her beloved in one glance, and she never held any doubt if not in the current moment. No, today she knew what her daughter was thinking, and she didn’t like it. But it was not so easy to halt these gears turning in her head, nor wipe away the determination in her eyes. So, she held the smaller fist of this troubled youth and as their eyes met, it was as if their minds had connected.

“I hope you know what you’re doing, my Rayti”

~*~

The fire drew sprightly glows on the barren ground as Rayti and her mother drew closer to the tent of the Toruk Makto and his family. She could hear the adamant yet flourishing voice of her tribe’s Tsahìk from inside the weaved shelter as an accompanying Na’vi soldier stood by the entrance. He announced her presence and the voices died down. A friendly face popped from inside to greet her, and she couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

“Neteyam!” She scurried to the entrance as the Na’vi soldier turned away.

“Rayti! Come in!” The taller adolescent guided her inside with a pat on the shoulder, as his sibling rushed past him, eager to see her friend.

“Tuk! How are you? All okay?” Rayti stooped down to inspect the youngest, who was already laughing at her antics.

“I’m fine, sister! Mom and dad looked me over,” her voice dropped to a whisper,” It was really scary, though”.

Rayti could only manage a smile at the others, Kiri and Lo’ak, as their father drew closer. “I understand you requested a talk on serious terms?”

“Yes.” Came Nao’yri’s reply. He gestured to the covered floor as the family sat once again, along with their guests.

~*~

The fire flickered and cackled under the heavy stares of its masters.

“I see, so you’d like to join us”, Jake frowned uneasily.

“Simply as an accompanying navigator,” Nao’yri continued, “My daughter believes that her acquaintance with traveling could be of use. She has flown many a time to distant regions in pursuit of the herbs needed for my remedies. She knows of a faraway tribe that could provide sanctuary. And additionally,” she turned to her daughter, eyes soft and smiling.

“I’d like to help, sir,” Rayti cursed the small waver in her voice yet continued, “We are indebted to you and your family, for you among many warriors have ensured the safety of this tribe,” she paused to make eye contact with each of the members of the family, which only strengthened her resolve.

“…it is only right that we as a community should see to yours as well.”

Jake eyed the girl’s eager, swishing tail as his Tsahìk spoke, “And, you can ensure this?”.

“It will not be easy, but I have trained Rayti well in my ways of herbs and medicine. She will be able to provide additional aid with this training. It will take many days and nights to get to this secluded region, away from the forest.”

‘Away from…your home’ Rayti held no doubt what this would mean for Jake and his family, especially Neytiri, who had already gone through so much before becoming Tsahìk. How much more hurtful would it be, to then be ripped apart from home in pursuit of a singular solution, to untangle your heartstrings from the vines of the Earth, and to set flight to a place where no one else could follow? But if she could do something for her friends…to hasten their escape… It would be indeed be painful for each of them, but she was willing to do what she could to help fortify their plans.

Crackle, pop

Neytiri and Jake exchanged a look. Less anxious now, Rayti intervened.

“I will be staying shortly to ensure your settlement goes smoothly, and after-“

“-After she does my work” Nao’yri emphasized tenderly, earning a swift nod from her daughter.

“-Yes, after I retrieve some plant samples. I will return to the Omaticaya clan without a trace of where I arrived from”.

Crackle, sputter

The silence felt suffocating, but Rayti held her gaze. Beside her, Nao’yri reached out to nestle her hand atop her fingers. ‘Would they be convinced?’ she wondered.

“We will discuss this. Your offer is appreciated and will be taken into consideration,” Jake nodded. Rayti’s shoulders relaxed, and she smiled in quiet thanks, oblivious to the siblings’ small grins and looks of amusement from seeing her fervid and curved tail movements. Yet it wasn’t a lie that they were shocked by her proposal and even thankful for her stepping up. Knowing her, she couldn’t stay away for long, but like a true friend, she’d always deliver.

~*~

“Whatever I’ve done, I did it for them”

-Rayti

| Next

CHAPPELL ROAN

Attends the 2024 VMAS

@snarkyship much thanks for your sweet comment!!💕Your support is deeply appreciated and I will remember this♡(๑′ᴗ‵๑)♡

I aspire to reach your level as well someday, such gorgeous drawings with accurate anatomy and personality that I can interpret through the screen from the expressions and details- agh it brings tears to my eyes!!

the silly

Leave me and my weird names in peace

but tf is a capybara

i see a capybara and my brain goes “capybapy” and there’s nothing i can do about it

using therapyspeak but exclusively in utterly ridiculous situations where it makes no material difference because it's funny

Maybe this is the wrong platform to pose this question given the average tumblr user but

Is it just me or did our generation (those of is who are currently 20-30 ish) just not get the opportunity to be young in the 'standard' sense?

Like, everyone I talk to who's over 40 has all their wild stories about their teens and 20s, being young and dumb, and then I talk to my friends and coworkers and classmates, and we just... dont.

₊˚⊹ ♡ . JUST SHOW UP AND BE PRETTY.

“Mr. and Mrs. Robertson are the ones whose daughter just went off to college… she’s a hospitality major, I think… or maybe it was nursing—argh!” You drop your head into your hands, your notecards crinkling at the edges before you toss them down onto the dresser, giving up on your studying. “I’m never gonna be able to remember all this.”

Bruce rounds the corner, shrugging on his shirt casually. He isn’t even dressed, and the gala starts in twenty minutes.

“No one expects you to.” He hums placidly.

“You’re the CEO, it’s gonna look bad if I’m with you and I don’t know anyone’s names.” A frown starts to tug your mouth downwards, your teeth digging into your bottom lip anxiously.

As he finishes buttoning his shirt, looking entirely too handsome in plain, crisp white, Bruce crosses the room and joins you in front of his dresser. He brings a hand up to cup the side of your face, his thumb brushing against your lips in an attempt to smooth your growing frown. You lean into his touch automatically, his hand warm against your skin.

“Sweetheart, this isn’t work. Tonight’s supposed to be fun—at least a little, I’d hoped.” The baritone of his voice is so soothing, your concerns practically melt at the first comforting word that leaves his mouth. Bruce has always had a way of doing that, of saying things with such resolute calmness that they had to be true.

“Just don’t wanna embarrass you.” You mumble, though you knew he had already suspected as much.

Bruce lets out a slow, quiet sigh, his hand drifting down to rest on the crook of your neck. He tugs you gently forward, and you let him, as he makes you turn to face the mirror. You’re in the cobalt blue gown he picked out, throat and ears studded with matching sapphires. As you look in the mirror, your eyes don’t stay trained on your own reflection for long—rather, they flick to Bruce, who’s looming over you like some overly handsome and comforting phantom. He squeezes your neck reassuringly.

“Look at yourself. How could you embarrass me when you look like this?”

Despite yourself, you feel the corner of your mouth start to tip up into a small smile. Bruce catches it and grins, flashing his teeth in a way that’s equally as intoxicating every time he does it. Secretly, you spend most of your time together trying to coax those from him.

He dips his head to brush his lips against the shell of your ear, and you shudder lightly at his breath against your skin. “Just be there, and be next to me, and be gorgeous. Everyone will love you.”

Your eyelashes flutter as your eyes start to drift shut, lulled by his voice in your ear, like he’s hypnotizing you. You nod numbly, suddenly very agreeable with whatever he had to say. He lets out a small, deep laugh into your ear, hands smoothing over your shoulders as he pulls back from you.

“We’re gonna be late.” You point out, a whine at the edge of your voice from the sudden absence of him against you.

“Yes, definitely.” He replies.