LOG-010.Getting Grace and her field team out of the school and back to Hell's Gate took a bit of time.Now, could I have spent that time interacting with the children of the school? Building early positive relations with the youngest members of the Omatikaya in preparation for my meeting with their elders?Yes.Did I do that?No. Mostly because the lot of them were rather clearly still wary of me, staring at my mutant form from across the school as I went about my business.Said business of course consisted mostly of fucking around with some of the sec ops operatives that had arrived with the pair of Samsons sent to pick up Augustine and her assistants. Because apparently a fucking bird had accidentally divebombed one of the bigger, mechanical birds' rotors, and they needed to do some quick field checks before actually concluding that it was safe to take off with a bunch of high value science personnel aboard.So yeah. Fucking around with sec ops. Namely one of them, while the rest of her squad barely restrained themselves from bursting out into laughter from where they were standing nearby, or followed her lead in ogling me slightly."...Okay, seriously, how are you even doing that?"I smirked at the astonished woman's persistent stare, continuing the small, almost rhythmic motion of my waist and hips."It's just a basic dance, not that hard to learn.""I can genuinely feel the heterosexuality leaving my body.""It's just hips!""I feel like a female bird, being danced at by a larger, bluer female bird."The words earned a giggle from the one child brave (or stupid) enough to get close. Namely the little shit that had annoyed me for the past half an hour until I'd finally let her touch my damned kuru of all things."Hey Z Dog! If I paint myself blue will you let me hit!?"Neytiri was persistent, I'd give her that much."Fuck off Wainfleet! You don't have the hips to handle me!"Still, as silly as the whole situation was, it did serve a purpose. Namely, the sheer absurdity of the interactions between the weird freaky Na'vi and human soldiers causing everyone to relax as sec ops, Kyra'meta hunters, Omaticaya children, and Grace's band of science geeks all watched me shake my hips at a still somewhat blushing marine, who was currently in the process of flipping a cackling Lyle off.—Eventually, the humans had to leave. The sound of rotors echoed through the forest, rapidly beginning to fade with distance until, at last, all was silent again."So…are you going to talk to my father?"Breathing in as a familiar yet distinct voice turned my attention back towards the children, I stared at what mostly just looked like an older, more mature Neytiri, before crossing my arms and nodding, that same mental click in my head heralding the return of speaking in Na'vi.Sylwanin. Strange, to be looking at someone who was supposed to be dead, according to my memories at least."As Tsahìk, I'm the only member of my clan in a true position to do so, yes. The humans have asked me to speak on their behalf, and if possible, I'd like to speak to them on your clan's behalf as well."That seemingly earned a blink from the young woman, alongside a slight scoff from one of the boys next to her, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the wrong thing entirely."Tsahìk? You're barely older than us!"Shooting the teen an unimpressed look, I rolled my own eyes as a few of the hunters idling with their Ikran behind me let out a few chuckles."And yet I seem to be doing much better in life. How bizarre."The words earned me a hiss from the boy, and a few giggles from Neytiri and two other girls, before I finally turned around and began moving towards Alfa."Now, I imagine your parents wouldn't be very happy if you led a foreign clan's hunting party straight to your home, so I'd like to ask you a favour…Sylwanin, was it?"The Na'vi in question nodded, before (amusingly enough) crossing her arms in a parody to my previous pose.Cute."Yes. What do you want, pale one?"Pointedly ignoring the possibly unintentional jab, I ran my hands along my Ikran's jaw and gave the good boy a light scratch on the back of his head, before letting out a sigh."Please go back to your clan and tell them that I'd like to speak to them. I'll be waiting here if they want to meet in somewhat neutral ground. If they'd prefer to have me visit your hometree, then I'd be happy to do that too, but will only go there under invitation. Understood?"There was a long moment of silence as the teenager processed my request, before she finally nodded, relaxing a little as she did so."...Fine. We'll go and-"Only to be promptly interrupted by Neytiri raising a hand from atop the small rock she'd elected to use as a seat, calling out as she did so."Can't we just ride back on your Ikran instead? I don't feel like walking!""No." "Absolutely not."Both Sylwanin and I stared at each other's similarly timed responses, before simultaneously smiling as Neytiri began to complain.—In the end, the Omatikaya either wanted the home field advantage, or didn't like the idea of sending out some of their leadership into a potentially compromised space.Some might call that unfair, but I was an effective unknown in these parts, which meant dealing with unfairness from time to time."You will follow us, Tsahìk of a nameless clan. Your hunters will have to wait here."Part of the unfairness was having to ditch my leotard before my escort arrived. A pair of warriors garbed in concealing paints and hues.Was it necessary? Maybe not. But likely the only reason the Omatikaya were even deigning to allow me an audience was the fact that I was an actual Na'vi, rather than an RDA dreamwalker. Getting weird looks for wearing sky people clothes could ruin that, and wasn't a risk I needed to take. So off the clothing went, given to one of my subordinates to take care of until I hopefully came back unharmed."Opal, of the Kyra'meta. Your terms are acceptable, lead and I shall follow."It was with a light kick to Alfa's sides that the trip began, though calling it that was a bit of an overexaggeration. Flight ensured that just about everything within the clan's territory could be reached within a few minutes, including their hometree.I'd seen it from a distance, usually on the occasional flight out with other members of my own clan, since keeping them all collectively cooped up within Hell's Gate was liable to get them genuinely climbing up the walls, but the sheer scale could only be truly appreciated up close.The fucking thing towered over everything else, an entire settlement unto itself, holding hundreds of Omatikaya, some of whom I could just barely make out within a few of the building sized branches, watching me and my escorts descend towards the middle of the enormous plant.Breathing in deep as Alfa settled down on the wood, with the two escorts doing the same just behind me, I stared back as dozens upon dozens of Na'vi watched me, most silent save for a few whispers or murmurs here and there."Alright Opal…maximum effort."Small whisper of my own given, I raised a hand and waved politely, locking eyes with an older woman who I actually recognised."Hello!"Namely, the Tsahìk of the Omatikaya.Mo'at.