strong - neteyam x oc

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Kireyi

The morning became easy for the Omatikaya, as they would eat breakfast together, then head out to their lessons. They would like to say the humidity was becoming easier to bear, but it wasn't. The morning was quiet for the family, although calmer than the day before there had been a hint of lingering tension- guilt. However they worked together, trying to move past it.

Everyday around the same time Kireyi would come to retrieve the children, either giving them a ten minute warning, or leading them with her to the beach, "What are we doing today?" Tuk was in the girl's arms, messing with the shells braided into her hair.

"We are going to play some games with the Ilu, it'll help you all move smoother together," Kireyi made sure to look to all of Tuk's siblings, checking that they all listened.

"So no actual lesson today?" Lo'ak stepped forward confused.

Kireyi chuckled as he almost fell forward, his younger sister shamelessly pointing and laughing, "No, you can count today as a type of free day. We also want to take you somewhere later."

He glared at Tuk for laughing, yet didn't catch as Kiri stifled her laugh in the background. The youngest girl stuck her tongue out at her brother, receiving a "skxawng" in return.

Before they had fully reached the beach Kireyi stopped them, Neteyam must've realized what she was going to say as she nervously looked to him for reassurance. He nodded, encouraging her to go on.

"So.... my brother will be joining us from now on. He realized how much harm bringing Lo'ak to the Brother's Rocks caused and wants to make up for his past behavior," The silence made her tread back and forth.

"Why could he not speak of this himself?" Kiri questioned.

"He is going to, it's just-" Her eyes met the ground, then Neteyam's. She was visibly tense, "I guess I was hoping that coming from me, you all may understand some more.... so you'd understand his change."

Her eyes kept trailing and her ears were low, she didn't want them anymore upset, "Well he can't make up for what he did, especially to Lo'ak," Neteyam started, and Kireyi's ears pressed even harsher against her head, not expecting him to be the one to speak, "But, if he is willing to change for us, we can give him a fresh chance. Right you guys?" 

Kiri and Lo'ak looked to their brother, then to each other. The two were contemplating their answer, "You swear he is going to be better?" Lo'ak was hesitant, and Kireyi couldn't blame the boy.

"I swear."

"Alright then...." Lo'ak looked to his older siblings for any different signs, but Kiri agreed, "Yeah, we can see how he acts this time," She said.

"I'm with them," Neteyam added, playing along like he didn't hear it from Kireyi the other day. He softly pushed his siblings to start walking again, standing next to Kireyi he helped her taking Tuk from her arms. Her eyes were on him, full of gratitude.

"Thank you...." She whispered, his help had been comforting to the girl, she was more than thankful for his actions.

Neteyam leaned down to where his siblings wouldn't really notice.... maybe except Tuk, "Of course," He whispered back, like it was their own little secret. 

They reached to beach to find the rest of Kireyi's siblings, including Rotxo. The tension between the Aonung and his friend was evident, but they stayed quiet, not wanting to ask.

"Did you explain what we'll be doing Reyi?" Tsireya asked, and her sister nodded.

"Not the specifics, just that we'd be playing games with the Ilu."