The next few days I putter around in my Na’vi avatar near the base. I’m trying to get used to local conditions. It’s not easy, there’s a lot to watch out for, even if you’re twelve feet tall and have carbon fiber in your bones. I get swatted a couple of times, and my avatar is getting its share of scars, but I’m not dead yet, and I’m learning, and I can see where having a guide would make a tremendous difference. Jake was lucky to find Neytiri, or vice versa.
And speaking of guides, Jake Sully flies in again. He says, “We have been counciling. We have decided you should meet and talk with the Omaticaya.”
“I’m honored.” I say.
“This is a land of mystery, Mr. Stranger. There’s a lot going on here I don’t understand. There are many things going on here the Na’vi don’t understand. The difference is: The Na’vi think they know what they need to know. I don’t, and you don’t. In some ways this makes them very provincial, but... this is a land of great wonder, not of great change. They know what they need to know, and they are content... at least they were until the “sky people” -- humans -- started mucking around. What they are trying to do now is figure out how humans will fit into their world. I’m here to help them do that, and I hope you are, too.
“That sounds like a pretty good definition of what’s going on, Jake... and you can call me Andrew.”
“I will, but when you’re around the Na’vi call me Jake-Sully, one word, they don’t really grasp this concept of multiple names.”
We fly off to an encampment on a savannah that is three kilometers from the ex-hometree. There I meet with Mo'at, Neytiri and Kon’ga. Mo’at and Neytiri I recognize from Sully and Augustine’s records, Kon’ga is the new tribe head-man.
Mo’at starts off, “We have spoken with Eywa and she has recommended further talk. Augustine is a part of her, now, and Eywa tells us that there are sky people beyond counting.” Mo’at snorts in disbelief at that, but then continues, “She has felt you, slightly, through your words to Jake-Sully, and feels you are wise. She would like to feel you, too, but you must first learn, as Jake-Sully has.”
“I am honored,” I say again, “but there is an issue. I must give a report in sixty days. I think Jake’s-- Jake-Sully’s learning took three months, did it not?”
Mo’at looks at Neytiri, who thinks a moment, then says, “Eywa has learned much, and I have learned much. We will try.” She motions to a young woman who has been watching the meeting at a respectful distance. The woman comes up. “This is Shee’la she will teach you as I taught Jake-Sully.”