chapter thirty-eight
Chapter Thirty-Eight
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Ko’oä took off in a sudden sprint. Ao’nung screeched a giggle, elated at his sister’s sudden movement. Ronal’s stomach had started to swell again, so you took off after her. She hadn’t been pleased, the baby in her stomach had been an accident. Ko’oä was fully weaned however, and Ao’nung didn’t need as much attention as he had as an infant. He was rolling over now, and starting to swim on his own.
You scooped up Ko’oä, blowing a raspberry on her tummy. She shrieked, loud enough that you didn’t have any issue hearing her. Ronal had been so convinced she wouldn’t walk and was delayed—and now the girl could sit still.
Ìweii stood, coming over to take your child from you.
“Be nice to your mothers,” she said seriously. Ko’oä laughed.
.
“Is this comfortable?” Claire asked. Yates stood in front of you, typing on her pad. Claire was in her avatar. Her hair was braided back, shells in her hair and her clothes were distinctly Metkayina. She was integrating well—easily.
Your ears twitched. It was a little annoying, but you’d get used to it. You nodded. “It’s water proof?”
“Yup,” said Claire. “Only issue is it’s battery operated. You can recharge them here, though.”
“How often?” Ronal asked, leaning forward to look at your ears.
“Batteries should last 48-75 hours, it really depends,” said Yates.
“You do not need them,” said Ronal, resting a hand on your shoulder.
“I know,” you agreed. “I just… I want to hear them.”
Ronal’s face shifted between emotions so rapidly you had a difficult time sorting through them. She sighed, cupping your face. “If this is what you need, I will support it.”
You smiled gently. “Thank you.”
“You are not broken,” she said firmly, clearly.
“I know,” you reassured her.
Claire and Yates fiddled with the hearing aids for a little longer, giving you care instructions. Ko’oä quickly grew antsy, and Ronal took that moment to escape with the toddler and infant.
You lingered behind for a moment, Ko’oä’s hand in Ronal’s as she clumsily walked beside her. You glanced at Claire.
“Hey,” you said. “Do you still have that camera?”
Claire grinned.
.
Ronal’s smile was brilliant—and the photos she took were too. She took pictures of all sorts of things, you, Tonowari, the children. She took pictures of the people—of Ìweii making moon eyes at Taweäng. She took pictures of you and Ame, Roa.
You hung them up carefully, decorating your marui with pictures of your family and friends. The family picture was one of your favorites. Tonowari stood in the middle, Ronal holding Ko’oä and you holding Ao’nung. Ao’nung was blinking, and Ko’oä looked like a deer in the headlights. Tonowari’s smile was awkward, and Ronal looked like a super model. Your smile was wide if not a little goofy, a stifled laugh at Tsonu’e’s faces behind the camera as she tried to get a smile from Ko’oä. The water behind you was the same shade as the sky.
You treasured the few pictures of you and Tsonu’e, you sitting close to her as she told you a story. The extra pictures found their way to Claire and Yates, who had turned a link pod into a small home. It wasn’t exactly in Awa’altu, but it was within walking distance—enough that you saw the humans that stayed semi regularly.
Ava was back at Hell’s Gate, but made the occasional trip out. You liked those days, trading information and photos. She had a hefty stack of pictures of your small family, and in return she gave you updates about the other clans that were far away. You were shocked to learn that Jake was olo’eyktan, and that Grace’s avatar had birthed a child. Her name was Kiri, and they didn’t know who the father was.
You felt a little bewildered at the news—confused at how it had happened in the first place.
Ultimately, it made little difference in your life.
Between your growing family, and your duties to the people, you didn’t have much room to think about Jake Sully’s family.
You thought about it anyway.
“You want to see her,” observed Tonowari. You hated when he did that. He was kind of obnoxiously good at reading you.
“No,” you denied hastily. “I’m just curious.”
Ronal gave you a look. You sighed.
“I do,” you admitted. “Grace was my friend. I miss Ava, too.”
Ava had gone back to Hell’s Gate already, her trip to Awa’altu brief. You missed her.
“Claire is going,” said Tonowari casually. You blinked.
“You think I should go?” you asked, a little bewildered. Ronal rested a hand on your knee.
“You want to see her,” she said. “I do not want you to leave, but if you feel this is something you need to do…”
It was, as much as you didn’t want to admit it. Kiri was just a baby. But she was Grace’s baby. It felt a little bit like a surprise gift from a friend you’d lost contact with. Besides, you reasoned. The relationship between the Metkayina and the Omaticaya wouldn’t suffer from your visit. It would only improve.
Hell’s Gate also had better tech then the small base Claire and Yates had set up. You could probably get some stronger batteries for your hearing aids.
You glanced at your mates. You sighed. “The children—“
“—will be fine,” said Ronal. “We will not be going anywhere.”
You sighed. You hated when Tonowari was right.