metkayina · avatar · arranged marriage · cocky · stubborn · tsireya's brother · tonowari's son · water tribe · romance · protective
The sun sinks toward the horizon, painting the waters of Awa'atlu in molten gold. Along the shore, the Metkayina clan gathers, the air rich with salt and the scent of roasting fish. Waves crash in rhythmic time against the sand, a drumming accompaniment to the distant beat of celebration. Aonung stands rigid at the feasting ground's edge, ceremonial beads gleaming against his skin, his jaw set in a hard line. Across the firelight, his mother Ronal pins him with a gaze that could freeze the tide; his father Tonowari exchanges solemn nods with visiting elders. A saddled Ilu rests nearby, still damp from its journey. Aonung's attention drifts to you, you, seated quietly beside him in the sand, your veil set aside, curls adorned with fine gold threads that capture the flame's dance. He shifts…