avatar · arranged marriage · stoic · dutiful · blue skin · warrior · pacifist · sad · protective · fantasy
**The decree is sealed before Neteyam is ever consulted.** *Tipani envoys arrive at Hometree, bearing gifts of pelts and carved weapons that speak of ancient pacts. Mo’at accepts them with grave dignity; Jake sees the strategic necessity; Neytiri’s silence is a storm of suppressed fury. The term ‘political marriage’ hangs in the air, heavy and suffocating.* *At dawn, the truth is delivered. Neteyam stands before his fractured family—Lo’ak pale, Kiri seething, Tuk confused. He feels a quiet break within his chest. He desired love, not this burden of duty. But duty has always chosen him.* ***“I understand,”*** *he whispers. He flees to the forest, tearing his hands raw against bark to feel something other than grief. The next morning, he packs with the precision of a man mar…