Drums echoed loudly around her, filling her heart with the beat. Alva spun and spun and spun as she danced to the Na'vi music. There was something very familiar about it, the drums, the singing and the energy of it all. It reminded her of home, of her family and her own history.

Her arms flowed around her as she twisted and turned. She was wearing a long, flowy skirt that bellowed out when she turned. She had made it just before the dance and had torn the fabric so as to move more freely. It was a soft pink that matched the equally as pink chest piece that she had woven together with the help of her aunt. The chest piece extended to her arms where the fabric turned into a see-through one that reached to her hips and when she spun around they looked like clear wings. Her hair had been partially braided with the top part braided into a crown and the bottom part of her hair flowing freely down her back. Alva had placed several pink flowers in her braid and to break up the pink, she had chosen all purple accessories that night. She had even tied a purple bow around her tail to finish off the look.

The first group of Na'vi teens had finally become ikran makto and completed their training. The ceremony, and party, of their becoming an adult was always a joyous affair. Filled with booming music, dancing, games, foods and drinks. It was Alva's first but it wouldn't be her last.

The Eytukan had announced them just a few minutes ago and now the celebration had begun. She had lost track of both Jake and Tsu'tey ages ago but she was fine without them. None of them would be able to keep up with her dancing anyways, and she needed to let out some steam that had been brewing inside her.

Alva had never heard this song before, it was light and soft, not like the harsh beat of the previous one. It sounded almost like her mother used to, a soft whisper of love and pride. Her movements turned into smooth, long moves instead of the short, rapid ones to match the beat. Now it was all about perfection and gracefulness, whereas the previous one was all about primal pleasures and energy. Alva prefered the previous song.

She breathed out a sigh of relief when the softness of the song transitioned into the heavy beat and loud singing that she was used to. Finally she was able to let loose again among her friends and foes. It was no fun dancing alone all the time, maybe one day she would meet someone who would dance with her.

Alva grabbed ahold of her aunt's hands when the tempo grew faster. Together they twisted and turned, laughed and chuckled, sang and screamed. Her eyes shone with happiness and her body shook pleasantly. Alva let out a loud yip followed by loud laughter.

"You dance long time, Alva." Tru'iel commented with a grin, showing her chipped canine. "You need drink and food. Now."

The Na'vi woman stopped Alva from twisting away from her and forced her over to one of the tables where a multitude of different meats, nuts and fruits laid. There were fresh rawps that many of the younger Na'vi had already begun eating. They were too salty for Alva and while she liked the vibrant blue color it wasn't enough. There were Tsu'tey's favorite: pxorna seeds. The bowl with the seeds was almost empty so the dreamwalker lunged forward and took a fistfull. Once she had seen one of the younger teens try to pluck some of the seeds off the tree but didn't get away in time before they exploded. Alva had never seen a Na'vi turn that particular shade of purple before.

There were lots of other fruits on the table that she didn't recognize, some of them had spikes, some of them had spiky hair and some of them had thick skin that Alva had trouble breaking most of the time. She stayed away from those. Alva's eyes lit up comically when she saw the many clusters of purple yovo fruits. Her favorite. Eagerly she grabbed a handful of those too, not hesitating to pop a few of them in her mouth.

"I love those!" She sighed. "Absolutely delicious."

Alva's aunt chuckled and grabbed a random harvest fruit from the slowly disappearing stack of food. "I know." Was her simple response. It was no secret that Alva was the biggest fan of yovo fruits, or the lengths she would go to get some.

Even though she had stopped dancing Alva's body still kept moving to the steady beat of the celebratory music. The girl had never been able to sit still, something that absolutely infuriated her much calmer brother.

She had seen the new hunters sit together in a circle by the roaring fire snacking on syaksyuk offal wrapped in fine food wraps. At first the idea had disgusted her but then once she tasted the food she hastily proclaimed it to be delicious. Not more delicious than her precious yovo but still delicious enough to desire.

Alva's eyes snapped over to the plate that held freshly steamed teylu and before any of the other Na'vi that were also crowding the table could get their hands on them she grabbed the whole plate and sauntered off, content with the food and fruits she had taken.

After a quick 'thank you' to Eywa, Alva eagerly dug into the steamed teylu, savoring the slightly sweet taste.

It wasn't long until a big shadow blocked the light from her. Her nose scrunched up and her mouth opened, prepared to tell off whoever interrupted her snacking time, when her jaw dropped to the ground and she hastily got up on her feet.

"" Alva stuttered and bowed her head. She wasn't sure why this Na'vi affected her this way, his mate never did and neither did his daughter. Maybe it was the age in his eyes that spoke of age old pain, or maybe the impressive size of him or maybe even the way he held himself. Either way the respect for the clan leader was instantaneous.

The clan leader inclined his head as he stared down at her. "." He greeted her in tow. His voice was softer than she expected given the demonstration he had held before. Still his voice held power and rumbled throughout the room.

Alva stared up at him mutely. Seconds of tense silence past without either one of them speaking, the rest of the celebration melting away.

"" He stated and a flash of disgust and mistrust flashed through his eyes.

She nodded.

He took a step forward. ""

The Olo'eyktan's words shocked her. Tsu'tey was impressed by her? A grin grew on her face and suddenly the imposing aura of the clan leader lessened. Alva dried her hands on the fabric of her loin cloth and gulped before meeting his eyes again.

"" Her na'vi had improved a lot since they began but she still had a thick accent.

He could see the hope in her eyes and nodded once, regarding her carefully. ""

Alva knew he was speaking slowly and simply on purpose and her respect for him grew even more. He claimed to hate them but here he was making an effort for her. "" She bowed her head before giving him a shy look.

"" He huffed the warning at her, leveling her with a glare. ""

With that he turned on his heel and stalked off, leaving a stunned Alva behind. She was speechless, for once in her life. Tsu'tey had talked about her? To the clan leader? Not only that but he was proud of her? The grin widened. Oh, she would never let him live that down.

"You can come out now, auntie." Alva giggled, feeling all the tension fade away again. Maybe with time he'd be less intimidating. "The big bad olo'eyktan is gone. Unless it's me you're afraid of..." She glanced behind her and laughed once she saw the look on her aunt's face. ""

"Oh." Tru'iel chuckled and walked up to her niece, holding her plate of food protectively. "Fun joke."

Alva popped a yovo fruit in her mouth and beckoned the Na'vi woman closer. "You didn't even understand it." She pointed out with a grimace. "Na'vi is not easy to learn, ya know. I'm still more comfortable with english." Alva looked a bit sheepish.

"It is okay, Alva. You have surprised many, do not worry so much. Today is great celebration." Her aunt reminded her after placing a kind hand on her shoulder. "Now is no time for that."

"You're right." The dreamwalker nodded with a determined look on her face. "I need to stop doubting myself so much. I'm doing my best and that's good enough. I'm strong and I can do this. I belong here."

Tru'iel didn't respond, knowing that the last part was aimed at herself.

"I have never spoken to the olo'eyktan." Tru'iel told her niece after a while. "I have seen him many times but never spoken."

"Oh?" Alva asked, turning around to face the Na'vi woman. "You haven't? Why not?"

The Na'vi laughed and ruffled Alva's hair. "He is clan leader. It is great honor to speak but he cannot speak to all. We are many and he only one. It is like... Earth king or president. You see, hear but don't speak."

The human leant into the Na'vi's side with a tired sigh. "He scares me." She admitted with a tired pout. "He gave me this stare and all I wanted to do was run away and hide. But he did tell me that Tsu'tey talks about me." The last bit made her perk up with wide eyes and a gentle smile. "He can pretend all he wants that he doesn't like me but I know he does."

Tru'iel sent her a look before slowly pulling the dreamwalker closer. "You are very tired, Alva."

Alva pouted again and crossed her arms over her chest. "No."

"Yes."

"Am not."

"Am too."

"Am not!" She protested and weakly hit her aunt on the arm. "You're the tired one and you're trying to put it on me!"

Tru'iel looked at her and sighed. "You are acting like a child, Alva. Maybe it is time to sleep. Go find Tsu'tey, I will protect your food."

Alva was disappointed to be ordered off to bed the way she was and no matter how much she wanted to stay up and dance she knew she was tired from the long day she had had and needed to sleep. Knowing her she'd make many embarrassing mistakes if she stayed up longer, like falling on top of people or tripping into the fire. She shuddered at the thought.

She nodded gratefully to her aunt before getting back up on her feet and walking in the general direction that she thought her warrior would be. She hadn't seen him all night and she was beginning to miss him a bit.

It took Alva a good ten or twenty minutes of tired stumbling around in the large hallow before she found Tsu'tey. He was sitting with his back leaning against one of the wooden pillars, surrounded by his many friends.

"'Sey?" She asked him and grinned at his friends. "I want to go to sleep now and Tur'iel says you have to go with me so...." Alva trailed off and swung her arms at her sides.

Said Tsu'tey tensed before turning around. "Demon!" He barked at her with a glare in his eyes. "You can go sleep alone."

She snickered and took a few steps forward. "I'll get lost and then it'll be all your fault." Alva half-threatened him, knowing that he wasn't as against the idea of her company as he wanted it to seem like. "Then you can explain to Tur'iel and the Tsahìk why I'm gone." She smiled smugly at him.

He flew to his feet and stalked towards her. "I do not care. Leave me alone!" Tsu'tey snarled, his tail swinging sharply behind him. He tilted his head as he stared her down. A battle of wills.

"No." She softly replied and took yet another step forward, placing a hand on his arm.

Tsu'tey ripped his arm away from her touch as if it burned him. "Do not touch me!" His voice dripped with disgust and she faltered, but then put on an even stronger smile. She wouldn't let him intimidate or bully her.

"Then come with me. I just need you to show me the way to the hammocks and then you're free to enjoy the rest of the night." Alva sighed softly and rubbed her left eye. "Please, 'Sey. I'm really tired."

He mumbled a few chosen words under his breath before gripping her arm and pulling her away from his friends. Alva winked at his friends before leaning into her strong warrior's warm body, enjoying the closeness that he had for once initiated. With him she felt untouchable and unbreakable, in control and grounded. Something she had grown used to not feeling, but somehow this cold and angry pandorian native gave her all that.