The growling came back but this time it was louder and held none of the purring it previously did. It was a low and gravelly sound that froze her to the bone and made her normally steady hands shake. It was familiar and she was drawn to the great beast in front of her, despite the sharp, shining teeth it was displaying to her in a wide, threatening grin. Its shackles had risen and the thin, armored tail posed straight up along with its sensory quils. Alva stared right into its dark, intelligent eyes and saw her reflection: she was shaking badly but was still reaching out a hand to the animal before her. It crouched low and the lean, yet very visible under the leathery hide, tensed.

"Shh" She whispered to it, paying no mind to how the lower part of the animal's body slowly rose and the back paws burrowed into the loose ground under them.

Alva took a step forward and held her hand straight and steady. The animal kept its gaze firmly on her, never straying away from her body. The beast's upper lip folded back and showed the teeth even more, showing why it earned the name dry mouth bringer of fear. She could smell the blood in its breath and see the satisfaction of it in its eyes that gleamed at her. There was a challenge in them where there had only been pain and fear last time they met. Saliva dripped from the massive mouth and formed a clear puddle under its head that grew with each passing second. This animal had changed since she last saw it stuck in the fence back on Hell's Gate- it was stronger, angrier, and it had found her. It snarled at her, making her jump and drop her hand down to her side in fear that it would bite it right off. Grace's words about keeping her hands away from hungry animals came back to her now but she refused to give in to the fear, it was after all the animal that she had saved and that hadn't attacked her yet, that had to mean something.

The animal took a slow step towards her in a feline fashion that was smooth and graceful. Alva stood her ground, refusing to show how scared she was of the animal that drew closer to her vulnerable figure. It opened its already gaping jaws even further and roared, making the birds and animals nearby fly from the sound that promised pain and blood. She flinched and closed her eyes, bracing herself from the attack the animal was hinting at. She felt a sense of peace wash over her, and strength that helped her force her eyes open and stare right into the eyes of the beast before her.

Alva took a deep breath as if to cleanse herself from all the fear and with slow, gentle movements picked up a long, spiky stick that laid on the grassy forest floor. She gripped it tight in her hands- she may have saved the animal once but it was still wild and coming for her like an ikran did for their chosen ikran makto. The spikes dug into her already wounded hands but she welcomed the pain that grounded her and stopped her head from flying into the clouds like it was always inclined to do.

With a ground shaking roar the animal ran at her, ripping up dirt and plants alike in its path to Alva who was still standing still, awaiting the first strike. As soon as the now quiet animal came close enough to bite her she placed one foot in front of the other and crouched, finding her balance in the uneven ground, and readied her arm for a mighty swing. When she felt warmth breath hitting her arm she spun away and delivered a blind hit to some part of the animal's large, lean body and felt a pang of satisfaction at the yelp it gave as the sharp spikes scratched the tough skin. Alva danced away from the slash of claws and swiped at the middle legs and she tapped her stick on the beast's armored tail and ducked when it took a swipe at her in return.

'Tsaheylu' a voice whispered at her, urging her in that same motherly and yet overwhelmingly authoritative voice. 'Tsaheylu' it barked at her and she spun around once to try and find whoever was trying to distract her during her time of battle with a creature much stronger and more lethal than she, a beast that everyone feared.

Her mind was torn- if she was to make tsaheylu with the beast she'd have to get closer to it and so far she had attempted to avoid that since that would mean that she would have to actually harm it to make it leave. Alva hated harming anyone, especially animals and she had formed a bond with this one when she helped it escaped the danger it was in. Had she not saved it it would have been shot by the guards, or worse.

A figurative light bulb lit above her head, there was one way she could get close enough to it and that involved careful planning, climbing and forcing herself to be braver. If she climbed up a tree, being mindful of the fact that this animal could also climb, and drop down on its back she could catch it by surprise and form the stronger bond. It was the only way.

Alva dropped the stick and rolled to the left when the beast snapped at the spot her figure had previously stood at before she skillfully, and slightly shaky, pulled herself up the closest tree with fast, rushed movements as if the devil was behind her- which it very well may have been with the way the animal was trying to get to her.

She was panting heavily by the time she reached the branch she had chosen to jump from and took a moment to stare down at the animal she was to make a sacred bond with, she had no idea if the animal would be like an ikran in the aspect that they have only one rider for life or if the animal was more like a pa'li and could have more riders. Nevertheless she trusted her gut and her gut was telling her to make the bond, a thought that hadn't even entered her head until that voice told her. It was unheard of. Alva stared down at the animal, watching how it lunged at the tree but not getting a good grip no matter how far in the wood it pushed its claws or hissed at her. It backed away from the tree and rose to a point that only the four back legs were grounded and tearing up the ground and roared up at her. She had only felt fear four times in her life and this was one of them, her normally bright grin and clouded, milky eyes were now sharp and shiny with fear being the dominant emotion and anticipation lurking in the depths.

She took one last shallow breath before she forced her feet off the branch and falling down towards the snarling beast waiting eagerly for her. With each meter a bit of her fear dulled away, leaving her in a comfortable blanket of peace and serenity. Alva hit the strong animal with a hard thud that made the animal whine and spin around in shock, she bit back a grimace at the pain coming from her lower body. Making sure she's not thrown of its back she released one hand from its frantic gripping on the tough hide of the animal, making sure not to scratch the operculas on the sides of its neck in her fight to find something to hold onto to remain seated despite the harsh bucking, and pulled her tswin forward. Alva hushed the animal gently, whispering an old song her grandmother told her her ancestors sung when taming a wild horse or soothing a wounded animal. The dreamwalker atop the mighty and feared beast grinned, despite the turbulence she had to endure that threatened to send her to her death as soon as she made a mistake, and with the same hand she held her tswin in she leaned forward to grab one of the upper sensory quils that perked beneath her gentle hold. Alva barked at the animal and lunged forward, shifting her weight so she wouldn't fall off, and connected the two tswins- making tsaheylu.

The animal bucked a few times before it sunk down to the ground, panting softly and a steady river of saliva ran down the sides of its still wide open jaws. Alva laughed and tilted her head back in exhaustion and success. She, a lowly human, had made tsaheylu with an animal that was feared and worshipped by the natives of Pandora. I did it, she thought to herself and patted the animal on the right side of its neck, she could feel the warm breaths that came out from the holes in its neck used for breathing.

"You did good" Alva whispered to it and laid down on its warm and leathery back, sighing contently and felt the same emotion through the bond they shared. "You did so good" She continued and then gasped when she saw the read coating her left hand that she had been resting on her left thigh. She looked down and discovered the gash that bled heavily in a bright red that contrasted with her soothing cyan. "Gave me a scratch too"

Every single one of her muscles ached with pain and were heavy with exhaustion, but she forced herself to sit up straight on the back, it was the first ride that sealed the bond with the ikran so she assumed it was the same for these animals. 'Walk forward', she thought, 'slowly' she added when she remember to be specific.

The animal she had just bonded with took a few steps forward before swishing its tail forward to gently smack her in the back, being mindful with the strength behind the limb. Alva chuckled, her smile brightening up her face in her normal expression, and urged the restless animal to go a little faster, if only to please it a little bit.

"Good girl" She breathed out when the animal started trotting around in the forest. Alva felt the lithe muscles move under her as it moved around and she was reminded of the sheer, potent power and lethality that she controlled and had bonded with.

Like a changed animal it purred its response and sped, changing the pace from a slow trot to an almost run that to Alva felt more smooth and comfortable than riding on a pa'li ever was. She ran a hand down the animal's long neck, ghosting over where the neck met shoulder before grabbing a hold of two sensory quils before telling the animal to run.

Alva clicked her tongue and then hooted happily as the two soared through the forest, jumping over fallen trees, zig zagging between heavy bushes and enjoying the cold wind flowing through her still majorly unbraided hair. If Alva had to pick one thing to represent what freedom felt like she would pick this- riding on the back of a mighty predator and feeling like the most powerful woman ever, like nothing could bring her down. For once in her life her head was clear as the sky above her and her thoughts and feelings grounded, a feeling she had only felt with Tsu'tey.

The two ran around the forest until the animal started slowing down and Alva had almost fallen asleep three times atop her newest friend, all previous feelings and happenings forgotten. They had chosen to stop in a clearing by a small stream where the animal, Kida, as she had named her, could drink and roll around in the cold water to cool down her already high temperature.

Alva whistled a merry tune as she splashed some water on her dirty arms and scrubbed away the mud that formed. Her eyes were droopy and threatened to fall shut at any given second, but she trusted that she would be safe with Kida even if she wasn't connected through their tswins at the moment, such was the loyalty already present between them. She reached over and rubbed the animal on the stomach, splashing some water to help clean her off.

Just as she was grabbing a giant leaf to help her scrub off some of the more stubborn dirt she heard a twig break behind them and her head whipped back faster than Kida rose to her feet and growled at the trespasser-already feeling protective and defensive of her rider.

"Tsu'tey? Come closer" Alva sat down, crossing her legs and giving Tsu'tey a gentle smile. "She won't bite", she continued and gestured to where Kida was still growling and showcasing all her big, sharp, shiny teeth at the male Na'vi hanging out just at the forest line.

"That is palulukan" He stared at the pair with wide-open eyes and tense body that was thrumming with adrenaline and a fight-or-flight conflict. "How can you be so close?"

"Tsaheylu, my friend, we bonded" Alva revealed with a self-satisfied smile and a wink. Her chest puffed, smug at her success where others had failed, and without proper training at that.

Tsu'tey brought out his bow and gripped an arrow in the other, ready to launch at her companion at even the slightest twitch of a muscle that he felt was threatening. Alva stared at him mutely, but her smile was still present and she was calm and collected. Kida on the other hand didn't like the fact that Tsu'tey had drawn a weapon on them and had taken a step forward, unleashing a loud roar that made Alva's ears hurt.

The dreamwalked stood up and stroked a hand down Kida's head before walking towards Tsu'tey. "I rescued her a few days ago." She revealed and threw a fond smile back at the defensive palulukan before continuing, "Never thought I'd see her again but just a few hours ago she literally jumped me"

"You are crazy, demon" He spat at her but she was not deterred.

"I'm not crazy, 'sey" The nickname slipped out before she realised she had done it and shrugged at the incredulous look he sent her. "I named her Kida after a powerful woman back on earth, a princess, fitting isn't it?" She asked him with a tilt of her head and wide, innocent eyes that stared up at him.

"Don't make any sudden movements" He growled at her and pulled her behind him, making Kida snarl and take a step forward. His eyes were focused on the animal growling at him and Alva could see his hands shaking and gently brought hers up and placed them on his.

"Don't worry, big warrior, she won't hurt us. I'm her chosen rider and you're my best friend"

She felt him stiffen in her hold but she didn't release his hand. "I'm not your friend, bug." Tsu'tey barked out the word 'friend' as if it was dirt on his tongue.

"Sure you are"

"No" The foreign word was rough on his tongue but she could hear that he had some training with the pronunciation even if he would deny it until he was yellow in the face.

Alva giggled and tightened her hold on his now steady hands, blinking up at him drowsily. "You're my best friend, silly." The dreamwalker perked up as a thought entered her mind, "Will you be my teacher? Oh please say yes, bestie, pleasee"

"No"