Forgive me: An Aonung story

The swim

"Nàlàni!" Tuk shouts loudly instantly waking me up from my sleep, "what! What is it!" I shout worried looking all around for the danger. "Nooo it's our first lesson silly!" She says full of excitement, "oh right, yes it is little Tuk" i say calming down realising there was no danger. "Come on Nàlàni. Get upppp" she whines, "I'm getting up Tuk" I say as I ruffle her hair, getting out of my hammock.

"Ready for today little sis" Neteyam asks, "no idea Teyam. You're all stronger swimmers then me." I say as I look to the floor. "That isn't the Nàlàni I know. Come on you never let something defeat you before you do it" he speaks reassuringly. I nod my head "you're right. I can do this" I say to give myself the energy I need. "Yeah you can!" He shouts as he ruffles my hair, "agh you skxawng!" I hiss as he just chuckles.

"Good morning" Tsireya says as she appears in the doorway of our pod with Rotxo and Aonung. I look at my twin as I see him eyeing Tsireya, I couldn't help the smirk forming on my face as a I nudge Neteyam's side gaining his attention. I subtly point to Lo'ak as we both let out a chuckle gaining everyone's attention "sorry.." I whisper.

"I thought we could just show you our reefs this morning" Tsireya says as she starts to walk out of the pod. We watch as her, Aonung and Rotxo gracefully dove into the water below, my twin and Neteyam were quick to follow. "Come on" Neteyam shouts to Lo'ak grabbing his attention as they let out loud cheers as they plunge straight into the water.

I stood on the edge with Kiri and Tuk looking into the water as both of them jump in with screams, I hesitated but then remembered what Neteyam had said earlier. I got out of my head as I carefully jumped into the water below, I was awestruck.

Arches formed beautifully in the water, beautiful corals covered the floors. Little schools of fish swam past us, a beautiful ray type of animal swam past my face as I gently extended my arm out to touch it. It was so smooth and swam gracefully away.

We tried to follow behind the three, to keep up with them but we soon all needed air. We swam back up to the surface taking in massive gasps, I wasn't used to this, I never had to held my breath for so long. We looked down into the water at the others as Tsireya done something with her hands, neither is us understood so we just shrugged our shoulders. She smiles as she then gestured her hand for us to follow, we take in one last gasp of air as we swim back down into the blue.

We didn't manage to stay under the sea for much longer as Lo'ak tapped me pointing to the surface, I nodded my head as we all swam up. The other three soon swam up to the surface, no where near as out of breath as us.

"Are you alright?" Tsireya questions nicely, "you're too fast! Wait for us." Tuk whines, I slowly swim to her side as I hold her hand trying to reassure the girl. "Just breathe. Breathe." Tsireya says trying to calm us all down. "You are not good divers. Maybe good at swinging through trees, but..." Aonung spike but was quickly cut off by Tsireya hitting him on the back of the head. I couldn't hide my laugh as a let out a chuckle as Rotxo did too, he gave me a friendly smile.

"Come on bro" Lo'ak says annoyed with the boys words, "we don't speak this.." Neteyam speaks waving his fingers in the air "this finger talk guys. We don't know what you're saying" Tsireya responds to the boy "we will teach you" she says smiling, mainly towards Lo'ak.

Aonung let out a chuckle "just like babies. God you're all clueless" he says rudely. I gave him a glare "I'd like to see you in our forests. See how well you do then" I say bluntly. He lets out a arrogant scoff at my words, "You'd probably get yourself killed." I say fed up of this conversation as I start to swim off. "Nàlàni" Lo'ak says trying to get me back, "no. I won't deal with that arrogant arsehole." I say. Aonung frowns his face at my words.

"Kiri?, where's kiri?" Rotxo asks, "who?" Aonung asks annoyed, I roll my eyes at him, "my sister." I say sternly, "I'll go find her" I say as I dove into the water. I was more that happy to get away for that lug head.