you know we're gonna be legends

aryan nakai//twenty one//chief of the omaticaya

When the princess stepped into the gardens, her smile as bright as the unforgiving sun above them, his heart felt like it was going to soar out of his chest. And when she whirled around, exclaiming that the gardens were beautiful, and that there had been none like them back home, one could almost see the hint of a smile on his features. She looked childlike and open in that moment, strands of her silvery white hair blowing back in the soft breeze, her lilac-blue eyes filled with love and hope, her cheeks rosy as the sun kissed them. She almost appeared as if she were some sort of goddess.

"I am glad you like it." Aryan said with his rough accent. "It is where I come to be alone and think."

Growing up, Aryan had little time to himself. Being the only son, and heir, born to Chief Priamos meant that majority of his childhood had been spent learning how to rule. At the same time he was learning how to walk, he was learning the best methods of killing a man. He had learned how to use each weapon, from stave to dagger to bow and arrow, by the time he was four years of age. He trained with them every single day, and when he mastered those, he turned to using his other form in battle. Once he was practiced in the art of killing, he took to joining his father on hunts - first watching, then joining, until one day he was able to lead one. Everyday he had spent with his father. While his mother taught Rozene how to knit and make poultices for wounds and interpret the will of the goddess, Aryan followed his father wherever he went - studying his behavior, copying his posture and tone of voice, taking over his stoic expression as time went on. And so whenever he was able, he liked to take time to himself.

There were a few places that were precious to him; places he went when he needed to be alone and brood, places for when the weight on his shoulders had become too much to bear. These gardens were one of them, and he wanted to share this place with the woman who was to be his mate. He knew all too well how it felt to carry the burden of being a leader, and he wanted to give her a place to be able to sit and think and just exist for a little while. He also hoped one day she would be able to rely on him to help with such burdens as well, and after seeing the way she reacted to the gardens, he was hopeful.

Stepping forward, Aryan reached down and gently took her dainty hand in his large one. He then began to lead her toward a back corner of the gardens, down cobblestone paths, twisting and turning, ducking his head beneath lemon tree branches that stretched toward them. Then they were in a secluded area, the thorny hedge wall before them, with a wooden bench placed before it, and red rose bushes on either side. The roses bloomed in abundance, crowded into one another, surrounding them on every side except from where they had come from.

Aryan kept walking until he reached the back, moving with purpose. He approached the rose bushes with a perplexed expression, as if searching for something. He began to move a few of the flowers aside, not even flinching despite the pricking sensation of the sharp thorns. Then he found it. A single white rose, not yet fully bloomed, hidden among the others. Aryan parted the bush to show Raenessa.

"It is called sacred flower. Very rare. One will bloom every thousand years." Aryan told her, moving aside to give her a better view. "It is said to smell sweeter than anything in this world."

aryan nakai//twenty one//chief of the omaticaya

Aryan straightened himself, standing over her with a face as hard as a bronze shield. If one looked close enough, they would see a glimpse of something close to affection, but his face did not often betray his thoughts. Still, he was pleased with her words. She had thought the rose to be beautiful, and had even thanked him for showing it to her. It had made his heart swell, knowing he could share such things with her.

The man let go of the bushes, letting them swallow the blossoming rose once more. He then turned to face his bride, looking down at her. "It reminds me of you."

The young chief had been careful with choosing a mate. His kind mated for life, after all, and whoever he chose would rule beside him and carry his heirs. It had been a difficult decision, and at first he had thought of mating with a woman within his own tribe. Anouk was a good hunter, and he often invited her on hunting parties with him; he had seen her take down an elk with little to no assistance. Renna had a beautiful singing voice, one that made everyone stop what they were doing to listen, entranced by her song. There were other fine women as well, many who would have been honored to be the next chieftess. Aryan had gone to the gardens to think on it, and that was when he saw the budding white rose - such a rarity, it must have been a sign. Not long after did a king from another country reach out, offering his daughter as a bride. And when he saw her, with the same white hair and sweetness to her, he knew that she was the one.

"You are a sweet rose." His face was a copper mask, but one could glimpse the shadow of a smile.

A soft breeze blew back strands of her pale hair, and he reached out to touch it. It was as soft as silk, flowing like water between his fingers. His fingertips brushed against her cheekbone, and he thought suddenly of how it had felt to kiss her.

Then he was pulling away, his hand back at his side, the hint of a smile vanished. He turned himself away from her, his gaze hardened and his mouth set into a frown. He stood like this for a little while, thinking to himself, wondering if he had taken things too far or made her uncomfortable. He did not want to frighten her.

The chief then began to walk toward the wooden bench, seating himself on one end, patting the place next to him. When the princess sat herself beside him, he avoided eye contact. His hands had balled into fists at his side.

"Apologies." Aryan began, his accent rough and barbarous, and difficult to understand. "For kissing you with no permission."

The man hung his head, strands of midnight black hair falling into his face, his shoulders drooping ever so slightly. He looked the way a dog did when they had been kicked and yelled at, filled with shame and regret. He did not often show this side of himself to anyone else, nor would he. He had to appear strong at all times lest another male catch a hint of weakness and challenge him. But if she were to be his mate, then he would have to get used to letting his guard down around her.

aryan nakai//twenty one//chief of the omaticaya

At her touch, his jaw clenched, even though her fingertips were soft against his cheek as she moved strands of hair from his face. Slowly, Aryan turned his head toward the princess, waiting for her to scold him for the kiss they had shared - or rather, he had taken from her. Though as she spoke, her voice was gentle and calm, yet sure, like the flow of a stream. It surprised him that she was not upset over the kiss, and even more so when she had said she liked it. She admitted that she was hurt, but only because he had taken off right after. His surprise had been washed away and replaced with guilt and shame. He knew how that must have appeared now, and he regretted his actions.

He watched her as she sat back on her heels, still lower than him, enough that he had to angle his head downward in order to meet her lilac gaze. Her pearl white teeth chewed at her bottom lip, and he made note of how she seemed anxious to speak her mind. He hoped as time went on, that she would not hesitate to tell him how she felt.

Her next words caused his usual hard expression to change, his mask slipping away, if only for a moment. He hadn't been aware of how he portrayed himself before, and he made a mental note to pay more attention to the way he acted. He had never meant to make her feel as if he were ashamed of her. In fact, he had showed her around the market, and to the people. He had given her an expensive feather cloak and golden necklaces as gifts, and had shown her one of his favorite places. He wanted her to feel special and wanted, for her to feel welcome in her new home.

When she spoke of how there were other options within his own tribe, he gave a small nod, showing that he understood. There had been many beautiful and available women, most of whom were talented and would have made good alphas. It had been thousands of years since their tribe had their alpha take a foreign woman as a mate, and his father, were he still alive, would have advised him not to - had always said the human kind were weak and fragile. But he hadn't wanted any of the women here, it had never felt right. And when he first laid eyes on Raenessa, he knew instantly that she was meant to rule by his side.

Whereas before he had always moved with purpose and dignity, he was now reaching for Raenessa's hands in a tentative manner. His large and rough hands held her small, soft ones as he angled himself toward her. His eyes were deep enough brown to appear black, but in the sunlight, one could see flecks of gold.

"I do not want other women. I want you." He said, his voice thick with his accent. His gaze slid down to their hands, his thumb rubbing against the back of hers. He then added, "I had thought you did not want me."

Aryan thought of that very morning, as he was preparing himself to meet her. Rozene had been helping him choose appropriate clothing, and Connall was going over a few english phrases with him so he could speak to the king without sounding too much like a 'savage'. Though the entire time, he kept thinking of how she would look, and more importantly, how she would look at him.

He imagined her screaming at the sight of him and his warriors, running up to her father, falling to her knees and saying, "Please, please, father, I don't want to, I want to go home."

"Home?" her father would say. "This is your home now."

And then he would imagine her crying in the sand, and his heart dropping to his feet at the sight.

When he had finally first caught sight of Raenessa standing on the island, he had been relieved that she hadn't taken off running and bawling. She had stood there, her chin held high, but as he moved closer, he could still see the hint of fear in her eyes. This was why he had turned away from her so quickly, to speak with her father instead. Since then he had tried to make her feel like this place could be her home, but he seemed to be failing miserably.

Aryan looked to their joined hands once more, worrying at his bottom lip, which he did not often do. He understood if she was still wary of him and his people, or if she were homesick. But if she were afraid of him, or dreaded this engagement, he would not force her. He would call off the deal and send her back home with her father, somewhere she could be happy.

aryan nakai//twenty one//chief of the omaticaya

Aryan watched the princess as she spoke, watched her rosy lips move to form the words and her lilac eyes shining brightly. She told him that she had, in truth, been frightened of him, as they had been mere strangers just hours before. She spoke of only knowing his name, and imagining him to be an old chief who wished for a bed warmer. This almost caused his mask to slip, the corners of his lips tugging slightly upward. He understood her fear, but it only went to show him how little she knew of his people.

The Na'vi mated for life, every shifter did. Were he an old chief that had lost his wife, he wouldn't be able to take a young woman to bed with him even if he had wanted to. They were incapable of mating with anyone other than the one they had chosen, even after the other had passed.

He wondered if he should tell her this now, or wait until later. It was important that she knew what exactly was in store for her. Not only the change of becoming a shifter herself, but mating with one person for her entire life and sharing an unbreakable bond with that person. Should they ever come to loathe one another, which he hoped they would not, even then their bond would not break, and they would always find their way back to each other somehow. A few Na'vi did not want to be tied to anyone and chose never to take a mate, though very few. And an alpha had no choice but to continue the bloodline. Besides, ruling by oneself sounded lonely.

Her next words brought him out of his thoughts, and this time he did let a small smile grace his lips. It was slight, barely there, but it was still a smile. He decided he would try to smile more, if only for her. It had been such a long time since he had smiled, he could not remember when the last time was. Even as a child, he had appeared hard and cold in his father's shadow.

Aryan's dark eyes found searched hers as she told him that she wanted him, saying he wasn't as cold as she thought he would be. Then, without warning, she leaned forward and placed a simple kiss on his cheek. His small smile disappeared again as his expression took on one of wonder. He lifted his hand to his cheek, his fingertips brushing the place she had given the kiss.

"I will do this." Aryan said after a moment. He made another mental note to tell her how he felt when he felt it, and he hoped she would do the same in return.

It was then that he realized it had grown darker, the sunlight dimming, and he knew they should head back inside the palace. The chief stood, his hand still holding hers as he helped her from the bench. His large hand held her small one in his as he led her back toward the double doors, where Connall was patiently waiting.

Once inside, he turned to her and told her, "I come for you at dawn. Connall will take you to rooms, and slaves bring you dinner. Sleep well."

With a final squeeze of her hand, he slowly let go and headed back to his own rooms. As he sat by his bedside, picking at his dinner, he kept wondering what it would be like to have Raenessa sleeping next to him.

Even his dreams were filled with her. He saw her standing on the island, her back turned to her this time. He had just shifted back into his human form, was bare for the world to see. Her silvery white hair was loose in long waves, blending into the white feather cloak he had given to her at the marketplace. She turned just before he reached her, and he saw that was all she was wearing. She smiled, and he saw that she had a soul like the sun. Then she shifted into a silvery white wolf, the cloak falling down into the sand beside her. Aryan smiled back and shifted with her. Then she was howling, and he joined in on their haunting melody. They began to run across the island, so quick they hardly seemed to touch the sand, the trees blurring beside them. He could see the shore up ahead, but she did not slow, and neither did he. Just as they reached the water's edge, Aryan woke from his dream.

The sun was peaking over the horizon when he untangled himself from his sheets. Pale morning light spread throughout his bed chambers from the windows, causing everything to have a soft glow. A slave had brought him breakfast, a plate of buttered bread and raspberries. He hardly touched it, feeling nervous for the first time in a long time. He dressed himself in grey cloths with gold embroidery, a matching scarf around his shoulders. He made sure to wear riding sandals, tying them up to his calves.

When he left his chambers, he found Connall, who told him the horses were waiting in the makeshift stables. Aryan nodded and dismissed him before heading toward Raenessa's chambers. Upon reaching them, he reached for the door handle, but stopped himself. Remembering what happened the last time, he balled his fist and knocked softly on the wooden door. As he waited, he began to mentally go over his riding lessons. He had tried to learn everything in a short amount of time, and he only hoped he didn't make a fool of himself.

aryan nakai//twenty one//chief of the omaticaya

"Good morning." Aryan nodded respectfully, trying to hide his excitement. He knew that he was supposed to be more open with her, but it was difficult for him to be vulnerable. It would take time for him to adjust. He was sure once they were mated that it would be easier, once they shared that bond. Until then, he would be taking small steps in the right direction.

Looking her over, he noticed the way she was dressed. She was showing more skin than yesterday, and the dress itself fit her snugly. He almost wanted to look away, afraid of insulting her for staring too long. Instead he said, "You look beautiful."

Then he was walking down the hall, keeping at a steady pace so she could fall in step with him. He led her to a side door in the estate, out into an open field lined with hedges. There was a man waiting for them by the entrance, as well as a few slaves. His name was Cassius King, a horse breeder and tamer from their bordering country the Illyrian Isles. He was a stout and flat-faced man, with almond shaped eyes and milky white skin that looked as if it felt like dried leather. There was a wisp of striking blond hair atop his head, and a neatly trimmed mustache above his upper lip. He was older, well past fifty, but he was still fit and as sharp as a whip.

As they approached, he bowed deeply. "Chief Aryan, we meet again." Then, noticing Raenessa, "And this must be the lovely Princess Raenessa. A pleasure to finally meet you. The chief has told me much about you."

When the pair reached them, the slaves went to work. They came to the princess' side and began to slip her shoes off of her feet, replacing them with riding sandals. Then they went back toward the hedges and opened a narrow wrought-iron gate for them to enter. Cassius gestured toward it, saying, "They are just inside."

Aryan reached for Raenessa's hand and began to lead her into the pasture. It was once used for livestock and gatherings, but now he had another use for it. Inside were two horses, both grazing, their tails swishing at the flies that landed on them. Their ears swiveled at their entrance, but they did not look up. Aryan was wary, knowing how prey animals reacted to his kind. He took slow and careful steps toward the horses.

The first one was a black stallion with a few white splotches on its rear. It was tall and muscular, its mane and tail overgrown. As he reached it, it lifted its head and looked at him. His nostrils flared as he took in Aryan's scent, and for a moment he thought he would bolt, but then it lowered its head and went back to its meal. Relieved, Aryan placed a hand on his neck, patting it. He had never seen a horse up close, but he thought they were majestic creatures.

"I trained them myself. I assure you, they are not spooked easily." Cassius called, clearly delighted with his work.

The other horse had turned toward Raenessa, looking at her almost curiously. She was a young filly, spirited and splendid. Aryan knew just enough about horses to know this was no ordinary animal. There was something about her that took his breath away. She was gray as the winter sea, with a mane like silver smoke. Hesitantly, he reached out and stroked the horse's neck, running his fingers through the silver of her mane. He looked to Raenessa and told her, "Silver for the silver of your hair."

The slaves were on them again, placing saddles and reins on the horses, preparing them for their journey. They even attached small sacks of supplies for their trip, including grapefruit and almonds, should they grow hungry. When they were done, they lowered their heads and left.

Cassius was next to appear, his hand on his round belly. He looked like he wanted to laugh, but Aryan was not sure why. He did not trust men who laughed at everything.

"Have you ridden before, my lady?" He asked Raenessa, his hand lifted, ready to call the slaves back over to help her onto her saddle.

aryan nakai//twenty one//chief of the omaticaya

Aryan couldn't help but feel relieved at the fact that she hadn't ridden before. It made him feel a bit less embarrassed that he hadn't ever learned. He knew that horseback riding was common in other countries, but the tribes of Adarlan had never had a use for it. If they needed to travel long distances, they would simply shift into their other form. Besides, horses were prey animals and would run at the first sign of them. Which was why he had reached out to Cassius, who was a renowned horse trainer. If he couldn't train horses not to fear them, no one could.

"No worries. I have trained them to do most of the work, and to follow any and all commands." Cassius was saying, gesturing for the slaves to help them mount.

Aryan shook his head before the slaves could reach them. He then stepped forward and put his hands on Raenessa's waist. He lifted her up as easily as if she were a child and set her on the thin saddle. His hand reached out to touch her leg, and he looked up at her. Affection danced in his dark eyes.

He then moved to mount his own stallion, feeling uncertain as he sat atop the animal. It was an odd sensation. Shifters did not use horses or carriages, they relied only on their other forms. Except for when they traveled by boat, though that was still uncommon for them. This was all so new and confusing.

"Take the reins and ride. You need not go far." Cassius said with a toothy grin. The slaves hovered nearby, prepared to take orders.

Nervously Aryan gathered the reins in his hands and slid his feet into the stirrups. He gave the stallion the lightest touch of his knees, just as he had been shown to do. The black and white stallion moved with a smooth and silken gait, and he clutched the reins even harder. He found himself moving faster than he had intended, yet somehow it was exciting rather than terrifying. The horse broke into a trot, and he smiled. The slightest pressure of his legs, the lightest touch on the reins, and the stallion responded. He sent it into a gallop and he no longer felt afraid. The hedged walls loomed up ahead, but he dared not stop. The horse leapt over the wall as if he had wings.

Aryan pulled the horse up next to the gate, a smile gracing his features. His breathing was ragged, and his heart felt like it was going to pound out of its chest. He realized then how exhilarating it was to ride a horse, and he almost never wanted to get back down. It was a rare sight, but he seemed to have forgotten himself in that moment. It was freeing, to say the least. He almost felt as if he could fly.

Cassius was laughing - a loud, bellowing sound that filled the clearing. His chest had swelled with pride as he watched the scene; clearly pleased with his work. Then he turned to look toward Raenessa and told her, "Your turn, sweet princess."

Connall had come to watch and was standing off to the side. He had given Aryan some lessons as well. Granted, he was only a fair rider; he had spent far more time traveling by ship and wagon than by horseback. And now that he was a shifter, he had no use for a horse. It had been many years since he had ridden one himself.

The man raised his eyebrows at the sight of Aryan smiling, his gaze sliding toward Raenessa with wonder. It was as if he wanted to ask her how she managed to do it. Aryan understood his amazement. Since her arrival, something had woken within him. He felt like a boy again, with no burdens or responsibilities. He was anxious to get back out there and show her their world.

aryan nakai//twenty one//chief of the omaticaya

The smile lingered there on Aryan's features as he watched his bride-to-be ride her own mare. He had chosen the filly specifically for her, as her wild spirit and silvery-white coat had reminded him of the woman. He was ecstatic to see her enjoying herself, to hear her laughter like the tinkling of bells. The way she rode, with such enthusiasm and vigor, one would have thought she'd been riding all of her life. And she looked the way he had felt when he was riding: free.

When she had first arrived, he had seen the fear in her eyes, had noticed the way she'd bow her head and avoid eye contact. But Aryan saw no fear there as she brought her mare next to him. All he could see was her windblown hair and bright smile. Hope ignited deep within him in that moment. He could see her being happy here in his village, and happy with him beside her. He hoped he wasn't wrong.

Cassius clapped his hands together as the princess approached. He moved to stand before the pair, looking up at them with a proud smile. The slaves continued to hover, watching, waiting. The horse trainer's eyes were full of intensity in a way that one can never be sure whether its good or bad.

"You are both natural riders." He said, stroking his chin. "I see no reason for you to waste anymore time practicing. I believe you are ready to venture out into the land on your own."

Satisfied, Cassius stepped aside and bowed to them both. Aryan dipped his head respectfully before lightly digging his heel into his stallion's side. The horse started forward at a slow pace, heading in the direction of one of the few entrances into their village.

Almost everyone used the main gate, but the chief and his closest allies were allowed to use their own, hidden in places only for them to find, should an emergency arise and they ever need escape. Aryan decided to lead the horses down this pathway instead of through the village. The horses were not easily frightened, yes, but he did not want to risk it.

Connall dipped his head as they passed, his expression pleased as he watched them go. The man had offered to accompany them on their journey, but Aryan had instructed him to stay in the village instead. Not only did his people need someone to answer to in his absence, but he wanted this trip to be only the two of them. He hoped it would be a way for them to connect, and for her to experience her new home.

The entrance up ahead was shielded by hanging moss, and to the untrained eye, it looked like part of the wall that surrounded their village. As they approached, Aryan lifted his arm and moved it to the side, above their heads. On the other side was a ridge, and beneath them the plain stretched out immense and empty, a vast flat expanse. In the far distance, one could see dots that indicated trees, and a few small hills a bit before that. To their left, they could see the Amren Mountains, and dense forestry surrounding it. To their right was the seashore; too far to see it, but one could still hear the crashing of waves, and taste the saltwater on the air.

The grass surrounding them was bright green, the tall blades rippling like waves when the winds blew. The island of Adarlan did not experience cold seasons, it was warm all year round. Though they did have a dry season, where it was hot enough to cause wildfires and there was little rain. During that time, the world turned the color of old bronze.

When he saw the way the princess was looking at their home, his gaze softened and he told her, "Beautiful, is it not? There are hundreds of other grass out there, grasses as yellow as lemon and as dark as indigo, blue grasses and orange grasses and grasses like rainbows."

Aryan clicked his tongue, sending his horse steadily down the ridge and into the sea of grass. As the pair waded through the plain, he glanced toward Raeneesa and quietly asked, "Is there place you want to go?"

aryan nakai//twenty one//chief of the omaticaya

Aryan nodded his head in response to her, clearly pleased with the idea. The rainbow grasses were quite a sight, and he had no doubt she would enjoy them. Though they were a bit far off, and by the time they reached them, the sun would be setting. This meant that on their return, the stars would be coming out. The island of Adarlan was a hauntingly beautiful place, wild and chaotic, and with the natives being just that. But it was a dangerous place at night, especially for a lone wolf and his defenseless, human companion. Still, he wanted her to see the place that would be her home, and for her to witness the rainbow grasses while the sun was still in the sky.

They rode out together across the plains in near silence, simply enjoying their surroundings. Up ahead were thin woods, and he could hear a tinkling stream nearby. The mountains were father off in the distance, and above them were the rolling clouds. Aryan kept his gaze on the blushing sky, watching the sun, as if daring it to move without his permission.

Once they reached the thin woods, Aryan spoke no word to her, but drove his stallion at a hard trot, just as the horse trainer had showed him. They would need to get there, and soon, if they wanted to reach it before dark. Eventually they reached the summit, and Aryan led her onto a trail that led upward toward a ridge, slowing his pace. They would need to be careful, especially since neither of them had ever ridden before.

The ridge was covered in wildflowers, and just below it, one could see the valley between this mountain and the next. There were a few scattered trees, and a pond in the center. A flock of starlings flew overhead, swooping and spinning in the air. A mink sat atop a fallen branch near the pond, watching the birds.

"We call this place Starling Valley," he told her in the common tongue. It was a breeding ground for the birds, though not an ideal place to be. There was no use in hunting the small animals there, and being caught in the valley by any rivals could be deadly, with little to no means of escape. Though it was relaxing to sit and watch the birds flock from time to time.

After giving her a moment to take it all in, Aryan started back down the ridge, following the dirt path. A few rocks tumbled beneath them, but the horses held their own, making their way down to the other side with a surprising amount of balance. It didn't take long for them to be on the other side of the mountain and enter another wood, one with thick canopies above them and twisting roots covering the ground.

Deciding this would be a good time to rest, Aryan tugged on the reins and brought his black and white stallion to a halt. They stopped at a grassy place beside a small stream. Aryan swung off his horse and lifted her down from hers. He towered over her as he towered over everyone. Taking her lightly under the arms, he lifted her and seated her on a rounded rock beside the stream. Once she was settled, he went to secure the horses and he grabbed the satchel attached to the filly's saddle. He grabbed a grapefruit and a fistful of almonds, bringing them back to his bride.

While she ate, Aryan cupped his hands into the stream and brought the water to his lips, relishing in the coolness. A canteen of water had been brought along with them, but he preferred to drink from nature itself. After drinking his fill, he came to sit beside Raenessa. Even sitting on the ground, and her sitting on the boulder, he was still eye level with her.

"You like?" he asked, his gaze curious.

aryan nakai//twenty one//chief of the omaticaya

Aryan's heart swelled at her words. He was pleased to know that she liked her new home, and that she was able to see its beauty. He wanted to tell her it was even more beautiful in their wolf form, but she wouldn't understand, not yet. For now she was only human, it would take time for her to learn their ways and become one of them.

Oddly enough, after just one day with her, he was already looking forward to their wedding ceremony. She was nothing like any of the women on the island, who were tough and hard-headed and not afraid to kill. She was kind-hearted, soft-spoken, and fragile like glass, and she had never known the feeling of hunting beside the ones she loved. But she was willing to learn, to open her mind, and that meant a great deal to him. He could tell that there was an inner strength to her, and that given the opportunity, she would make a great alpha female. He felt this closeness to her, one he couldn't explain. He felt this need to be near her at all times, and he had never felt that way before, not with any of the women in his tribe. It was intoxicating.

Without saying a word, Aryan reached forward and touched her hair lightly, sliding the silver-blond strands between his fingers and murmuring softly in Na'vi. He knew she would not understand the words, but he hoped that she could tell by the tone of his voice that they were terms of endearment. He then held her face in his hand, his dark eyes searching her violet ones. Her complexion was white and illusive pink, her lips full and rounded over even teeth, and her lashes swept down across her cheekbones. She was gentle, serenely wise, and beautiful. He wanted to kiss her then, but he wasn't sure if he should, so instead he dropped his hand and stood.

Towering over her once more, Aryan began to unravel his clothing - first discarding the scarf, next his shirt. His chest, back, and arms were littered in pale, faded scars. Some were thin and long, a few were thick and jagged. His muscles rippled as he removed his clothes, his body lean and toned. He began to remove his trousers, but then he recalled how her people saw nudity as obscene, and he decided to leave them on.

The man moved toward her, only to walk past the boulder she sat on and instead wade into the river. The waters were cool and sent a shiver down his spine. And even though the waters were crystal clear, they were still deep enough that his feet would soon no longer be touching the bottom. When he reached that point, he turned back toward Raenessa and smiled. He hoped it came off as friendly, he was a bit out of practice.

"Water feels nice," Aryan told her before submerging himself. He appeared a few moments later, sputtering and moving his now wet hair from his face.

It had been a rather warm day, and cooling off in the water really did feel nice. He began to paddle out, though any further and he'd reach the other side. It wasn't a very wide river.

Piranhas and water snakes were common in rivers, but he knew that this one was clear of any threats. Especially since he could see through the water, and see all the way to the bottom.

Moving closer to the shore, Aryan could once again feel the sand between his toes, and he saw the way Raenessa was watching him with curious eyes. He wanted to reach out and touch her again, but he also did not want to disturb her. He was soaking wet, and he was certain she would not appreciate it if he got her wet as well.

"Tell me of where you come from," he told her, curious to know of the place she had once called home.

aryan nakai//twenty one//chief of the omaticaya

Aryan watched the princess with dark eyes as she stood from the boulder. To his surprise, she began to wade into the cool water. He found it a bit odd that she chose to keep her dress on, as surely it would weigh her down once it was wet, but he knew how her kind felt about nudity. The chief moved backward to give her room, now floating in the middle of the river, his bare feet no longer touching the bottom. Once she was deep enough, she inhaled deeply and submerged herself. When she emerged from the water, her silvery blonde hair was sticking to her face and neck, and it made her look a bit more wild than before. This caused him to smile back at her, and this one came naturally to him.

Even though he knew a good amount of the common tongue, Aryan was having a bit of a hard time understanding Raenessa's answer to his question. From her facial expressions and tone of voice, he could only guess that her home life hadn't been the best. He hoped she would enjoy her life more now that she was in Adarlan.

The shifter understood a few words and phrases, and he was able to put together most of what she was saying. From what he could tell, women had been oppressed in her country and her father had asked too much of her without giving enough praise. This didn't come as a surprise to him, he had heard tales of the lands beyond his own. Women were not treated as equals to men, and they destroyed the place they called home, harming their spirits in the process.

The tribes were vastly different from the humans. Not only did they take care of their homeland, creating balance in nature, but men and women were equal among their people in every way. Gender was not how you determined your rank, but rather a mixture of birth, skill, and strength. The alpha female held just as much power as the alpha male, and they were to work as a team in all matters; whether it be the tribe, their marriage, or in child rearing. It was survival of the fittest there. They didn't have any silly rules like the humans did - they had very few laws, only what was necessary to keep the tribe in order, and things such as public nudity and intimacy were not seen as obscene. A shifter was not embarrassed by their skin, whether it be human or wolf. Mates were not chosen for you, but rather you would pick who you wanted and often fought for their hand in marriage.

In fact, Aryan's father had done so with his mother. The previous alpha female, Quida, had become the new chieftess and was seeking a mate. She was beautiful, and many males had tried their hand at courting her. In the end, it was between his father and another male. His father, Priamos, challenged the other man and came out victorious. He became the new alpha male, and was undefeated.

When Raenessa asked him about how he grew up, Aryan stared into the water with a vacant gaze, thinking back. "I learn to fight and hunt from young age, soon after I can walk. Fought many battles, always training, using fang and blade. Father much like yours, I was not enough. He was far away, never really there. He was challenged and won, but one of his wounds became-" It took him a moment to think of the word. "Infected. Too prideful to go to healer. One day he did not wake. I was made chief that night."

Aryan clenched his jaw, and changed the subject. "Mother was kind and sang to me. She told stories by fire, taught me our ways and histories. She showed me the beauty in our land, and in our people. We spent a lot of time in the gardens. When I am child, she was sick, always weak and coughing. It worried father, and he never left her side. Until one day the sickness took her away from us. After that, I take care of Rozene. Sister was so young, I had to protect her."

Bringing his gaze back up to Raenessa, he forced himself to smile and said, "Enough of sad talk. We enjoy river."

As soon as he finished speaking, he splashed her in the face and laughed. He then swam down the river and away from her, still smiling. He ducked his head under the water and lifted it back up, shaking his head, sending his hair flying and spraying water everywhere. He lifted his hands to move the dark hair from his face, and he waited to see what Raenessa would do.