A different drum
folder
1 through F › Avatar
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
2
Views:
9,430
Reviews:
5
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
1 through F › Avatar
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
2
Views:
9,430
Reviews:
5
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the characters or universe in Avatar, this is purely written for personal entertainment, i am absolutely not making any profit from this, nor is any copyright infringements intended.
A different drum
Title: A different drum.
author: azzy
fandom: Avatar
Rating: For this chapter, PG.
warnings: blood.
beta: century_eyes
Parring: Jake/Oc
type: WIP
!!!! SPOILER ALERT!!!!!
Summary: Jake finds that teaching is just as hard as learning.
AN: I realise that this plotbunny is stupid, i just had to write it out, cos it wouldn't leave me alone. So yeah i write smut, not canon! This takes place like some time after the movie ends, and one major inconsistency is that Tsu'Tey didn't die in the last battle, mainly cos i think he's an awesome character. :) - I also have to warn that one of main pairring is made up by me, live with it. I named him Stum for several reasons, a long name gets annoying to write, and as far as i could find out, it means 'almost' in Na'vi, and because i wasn't really gonna sit down and try and understand the linguistics of a made up language (Been there with elvish, and i sucked at that too), and lastly because Stum means 'mute' in my own native language so i thought that was kinda funny and fitting for the character. Oh yeah and i realise his name is Jake, but it just sounds like they call him schake'zuuli so i will just go with that.
Extra AN for AFF: I realise all the warnings is not sported in this chapter, but i have written more which is not beta read yet, that is why. I'm getting there, don't worry.
Part 1 : No fear.
For some months ago Jake had had everything he could ever have asked for, and suddenly he had nothing. Some had tried to console him, but he had withdrawn even further. Hunting alone, only in the company of his ikran, sometimes not returning to the others for night, choosing to spend his nights alone as well.
Sitting on a outcropping of a cliff, Jake stared out into nothing, his head filled with too many thoughts. It just seemed so pointless, everything he had dreamed off had been swiped from under his feet. Had he thought that life would not spit in his face again? Had he thought that just because he mastered the Toruk that the rest would be smooth sailing? In his heart he knew he should trust the judgement of Eywa the guardian of the balance, but how did taking Neytiri and their unborn child from him equal balance? Dangling his feet off into the abyss under him, he tried his hardest to trust the deity he trusted so many times before, but failed miserably.
”Goddamn you!” he yelled, his voice echoing off the mountains around him, scaring his ikran, who let out a startled screech.
Jake let himself fall backwards on the ground, staring off into the starlit sky. Why did Eywa let him survive the war, only to endure this? What was the point? If he served his part in what Eywa had chosen him for, then why this? It just seemed all the more cruel somehow.
________________________________________
”This is Stum.” Mo'at said, pushing a long limbed, visibly nervous young na'vi boy in front of her.
Jake just looked puzzled at Mo'at and at the boy. He understood that he had been summoned for a reason, but he was completely in the dark as to why she would push this whelp in his face.
”I want you to care for him.” she said.
”You want what?” Jake blurted out in English, before switching back to the na'vi tongue. ”Why me?” he asked, more collected.
Mo'at just smiled. ”Stum lost his teacher and his parents in the war, he has no one to teach him, and you have none to teach.” She stroked Stum's arm tenderly. ”Don't be afraid, child.”
Stum's head whipped around, staring at Mo'at, he was not a child, he was almost an adult! Mo'at just smiled motherly, amused. Stum gritted his teeth and turned towards Jake.
”What is it you think I can teach him?” Jake asked, looking straight past Stum, ”I am still learning too.”
Mo'at closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Now it was Stum's turn. ”But you are the Toruk makto” he said, barely audible.
”I am,” Jake said, ”but that doesn't mean I know how to teach you.” He smiled a little guarded smile. ”I am sorry.”
Mo'at just nodded as Jake turned with a polite gesture and left. She poked the boy, pushing him after Jake. ”Make him teach you,” she whispered.
Stum looked at Mo'at and then ran after Jake, out of the tree cave. ”Shake'zuuli,” he called, grabbing Jake's arm, making the other na'vi stop. ”Please teach me.”
Jake stared at the wide-eyed boy with the pleading look. Closing his eyes, he shook his head. ”I am no teacher.”
”Please,” Stum repeated, desperately.
Jake opened his eyes and smiled sadly. Na'vi and humans weren't so different after all, hadn't he also been eager to learn, both as a kid and later when he had first encountered the na'vi as a Avatar driver? "Fine," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. ”I will teach you what I know.”
”Will you make me a warrior?” Stum asked eagerly.
Jake laughed and ruffled Stum's hair. ”Depends.”
”On what?”
”On you, kid.”
”Oh.”
______________________________________________________
It was dawn, and for the first time in months Jake had slept in the village, and had awoken with a raging appetite, something he had not had in forever. So he got out of his hammock and strode across the clearing to fetch some food, when he suddenly heard a familiar voice speaking to him. Norm fell into step with him. ”So I hear you got yourself an apprentice, Jake,” Norm laughed, casually slinging a bag over his shoulder. ”It sure is good to have you back, though.”
Jake turned his head, frowning at Norm. ”What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
”You've been hiding from everyone since Neytiri died,” Norm stated. When Jake just glared daggers, Norm shrugged. ”It's true, man.”
”Shake!” Stum cheered, ”good morning.”
Jake stared at the kid, where ever had he picked up some English? Had he attended Grace's school? He could have, yeah that had to be the reason.
”And a good morning to you,” Jake replied in na'vi.
”Cute kid.” Norm stated.
Jake rolled his eyes, ”Keep it in your pants, Norm.”
Sturm looked, confused, from Jake to Norm and back to Jake again. ”What?” he said, not understanding that much English. Actually he had only understood 'Norm' and that Norm had apparently said something that Jake found stupid, judging from his expression.
”Nothing,” Jake said with a shake of his head. ”Come, I'm starving, what about you?” He intentionally did not look at Norm to let him know that the invitation did not extend to him.
Stum nodded. ”Famished,” he replied.
Jake turned to Norm and grinned, ”Toodles.” He chuckled in English, before walking off with Stum.
________________________________________________________
Wiping fruit juice from his face, Stum smiled at Jake. ”What are we going to do today?”
”Today we go diving,” Jake said with a secretive smile.
”Diving?” Stum asked, looking dissappointed down at the ground between his knees. ”But...”
Jake raised a brow and his smile widened. ”You asked me to teach you, remember?”
”Yes.” Stum said, lifting his gaze to meet Jake's amused one. ”But I already know how to swim.”
”I look forward to seeing that.” Jake just said, sucking the fruit juice off his fingers as he finished eating. Chuckling as he got to his feet, he held a hand out to Stum. ”Let's go then.”
Mo'at was standing beneath a tree nearby, listening to the two men, smiling to herself. It seemed to work, Stum had seemed to bring life back into Jake, and he into Stum. Those two benefitted more from each other than they knew, and Mo'at was sure that Jake would master teaching Stum so he would pass his warriors trials, after all Jake had had the best teacher himself.
_________________________________________________________
Jake stopped his pa'li and looked out over the steep cliff. Smirking as he saw Stum's expression, as he carefully dismounted his own pa'li and gingerly stepped out to the edge of the cliff. Jake dismounted too, coming over to Stum's side. ”See, Stum, diving isn't just diving, it depends on where you are diving from.”
”I... ” Stum mumbled, shaking his head. ”I can't”
”Of course you can.” Jake said, gently pulling Stum away from the ledge by his wrist. He took the visibly shaken Stum's face in his hands, holding the younger na'vi's gaze. ”Don't be afraid.” Jake whispered. ”It's just water.”
”It is not the water that concerns me,” Stum whimpered, ”it is the free fall to the water.”
Jake let go with his left hand and placed it over Stum's heart. ”No fear,” he said softly. ”If you hesitate or are frightened, you are dead.” He put gentle pressure to Stum's chest with his hand. ”What if it was a palulukan chasing you? Would you dare jump?”
Stum chewed his lip, ”I don't know.”
Jake smiled. ”I will jump with you.” He took Stum's clammy hand and squeezed it gently. ”Mo'at believes in you, I believe in you, do you believe in you?”
Stum's jaw clenched as he stared out over the cliff and down at the water far below them. ”I do,” he hissed out between his teeth.
”Excellent.” Jake said sing song, ”On the count of three?”
Stum nodded stiffly.
As Jake suddenly jumped without counting at all, he forcefully pulled Stum off the edge of the cliff too. Stum shut his eyes tightly, and held his breath, feeling his stomach knot as the free fall continued. He did not draw breath until he came up from the water with a loud gasp. ”You tricked me!” he yelled angrily at Jake.
”Seems like I did,” Jake said smugly. ”But look where you are.” He gestured out over the deep blue lake. ”You made it down and you are still alive.”
Stum's expression mellowed as he looked from the water up at the ledge high up above them, and then sought out Jake's eyes. ”You're right,” he said softly, and then he let out a relieved laugh. ”Woohoo!”
”I told you!” Jake laughed, as he started to swim towards the lake's bank. ”Now, do it again,” he said, wiping water from his face.
”Again?” Stum sputtered, as water got into his mouth while he swam.
”Yes.” Jake said sweetly, ”race you!” And then he suddenly darted up the narrow path towards the cliff again.
”Cursed be!” Stum growled, but set after Jake best he could.
As Stum reached the top, Jake was waiting, leaning casually against a rock. ”Took your time, kid,” he said, tossing his head haughtily.
Stum just panted and leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.
”Ladies first,” Jake said teasingly, gesturing towards the ledge. He wondered if the na'vi had a gesture similar to flipping the bird, because if they did, he was pretty sure that Stum would do it right about now.
But Stum just stood up straight and took three deep breaths of air, and walked over to the ledge. ”No fear,” he mumbled. ”Just water.” And then he jumped.
Jake rushed to the edge of the cliff and watched Stum as he descended towards the water. Stum hit the water, the splash echoing. Jake furrowed his brows as Stum didn't come back up with a victorious battle cry. He paced the ledge, where the hell was he? Something was wrong! Something was way wrong, oh lord! He had made the poor kid do this even if he didn't want to! Jake jumped off the edge, his eyes searching the surface of the lake for any sign of Stum. Jake hit the surface and emerged swiftly. ”Stum!” he yelled, turning in the water as he tried to keep his head out of the water. ”Stum! Where the hell are you?” Jake screamed in English, forgetting that Stum probably wouldn't understand a word.
Suddenly his eye caught movement, and his relief was audible as he realised it was Stum crawling up on the beach. Jake swam after him as fast as he could. Standing waist deep in the water, Jake's smile faltered, something was off. ”Stum?” he asked gingerly.
Stum groaned and used his last strength to flip over to his back, smiling exhausted at Jake. ”No fear.” He sighed.
Jake paled, if such a thing was even possible for the na'vi, but he clearly felt all blood leave his face and rush back up as his heart started pounding. ”Oh, Stum,” he whispered, kneeling at his apprentice's side. His hand hovering over Stum's forehead he tenderly brushed some hair away, getting his fingertips smeared in blood as he traced the deep gouge in the younger na'vi's head. ”You did great,” he said with a pale lipped smile. Probing gently he could tell that the wound was bad, he looked down at Stum, holding up a finger, ”Can you see my finger?” he asked.
”Yes.” Stum replied weakly.
”Now follow it with your eyes.” Jake said, slowly sliding it out to the right, watching as Stum's eyes followed, smiling relieved he slid the finger the other way and Stum still managed to follow. ”You'll be fine,” he whispered tenderly, stroking Stum's hair soothingly. ”Can you sit up?”
Stum tried to push himself off the sandy bank but fell back with a groan. ”No.” he mumbled. ”I just need to rest a little...”
”NO!” Jake roared, seeing Stum flinch at the volume of his anger. ”Stay awake.” Stum's eyes fluttered open, watching Jake, slightly unfocused. ”That's right, stay awake,” Jake said with a smile, ”for me?” he asked so softly, he was surprised it was even his own voice.
TBC
author: azzy
fandom: Avatar
Rating: For this chapter, PG.
warnings: blood.
beta: century_eyes
Parring: Jake/Oc
type: WIP
!!!! SPOILER ALERT!!!!!
Summary: Jake finds that teaching is just as hard as learning.
AN: I realise that this plotbunny is stupid, i just had to write it out, cos it wouldn't leave me alone. So yeah i write smut, not canon! This takes place like some time after the movie ends, and one major inconsistency is that Tsu'Tey didn't die in the last battle, mainly cos i think he's an awesome character. :) - I also have to warn that one of main pairring is made up by me, live with it. I named him Stum for several reasons, a long name gets annoying to write, and as far as i could find out, it means 'almost' in Na'vi, and because i wasn't really gonna sit down and try and understand the linguistics of a made up language (Been there with elvish, and i sucked at that too), and lastly because Stum means 'mute' in my own native language so i thought that was kinda funny and fitting for the character. Oh yeah and i realise his name is Jake, but it just sounds like they call him schake'zuuli so i will just go with that.
Extra AN for AFF: I realise all the warnings is not sported in this chapter, but i have written more which is not beta read yet, that is why. I'm getting there, don't worry.
Part 1 : No fear.
For some months ago Jake had had everything he could ever have asked for, and suddenly he had nothing. Some had tried to console him, but he had withdrawn even further. Hunting alone, only in the company of his ikran, sometimes not returning to the others for night, choosing to spend his nights alone as well.
Sitting on a outcropping of a cliff, Jake stared out into nothing, his head filled with too many thoughts. It just seemed so pointless, everything he had dreamed off had been swiped from under his feet. Had he thought that life would not spit in his face again? Had he thought that just because he mastered the Toruk that the rest would be smooth sailing? In his heart he knew he should trust the judgement of Eywa the guardian of the balance, but how did taking Neytiri and their unborn child from him equal balance? Dangling his feet off into the abyss under him, he tried his hardest to trust the deity he trusted so many times before, but failed miserably.
”Goddamn you!” he yelled, his voice echoing off the mountains around him, scaring his ikran, who let out a startled screech.
Jake let himself fall backwards on the ground, staring off into the starlit sky. Why did Eywa let him survive the war, only to endure this? What was the point? If he served his part in what Eywa had chosen him for, then why this? It just seemed all the more cruel somehow.
________________________________________
”This is Stum.” Mo'at said, pushing a long limbed, visibly nervous young na'vi boy in front of her.
Jake just looked puzzled at Mo'at and at the boy. He understood that he had been summoned for a reason, but he was completely in the dark as to why she would push this whelp in his face.
”I want you to care for him.” she said.
”You want what?” Jake blurted out in English, before switching back to the na'vi tongue. ”Why me?” he asked, more collected.
Mo'at just smiled. ”Stum lost his teacher and his parents in the war, he has no one to teach him, and you have none to teach.” She stroked Stum's arm tenderly. ”Don't be afraid, child.”
Stum's head whipped around, staring at Mo'at, he was not a child, he was almost an adult! Mo'at just smiled motherly, amused. Stum gritted his teeth and turned towards Jake.
”What is it you think I can teach him?” Jake asked, looking straight past Stum, ”I am still learning too.”
Mo'at closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Now it was Stum's turn. ”But you are the Toruk makto” he said, barely audible.
”I am,” Jake said, ”but that doesn't mean I know how to teach you.” He smiled a little guarded smile. ”I am sorry.”
Mo'at just nodded as Jake turned with a polite gesture and left. She poked the boy, pushing him after Jake. ”Make him teach you,” she whispered.
Stum looked at Mo'at and then ran after Jake, out of the tree cave. ”Shake'zuuli,” he called, grabbing Jake's arm, making the other na'vi stop. ”Please teach me.”
Jake stared at the wide-eyed boy with the pleading look. Closing his eyes, he shook his head. ”I am no teacher.”
”Please,” Stum repeated, desperately.
Jake opened his eyes and smiled sadly. Na'vi and humans weren't so different after all, hadn't he also been eager to learn, both as a kid and later when he had first encountered the na'vi as a Avatar driver? "Fine," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. ”I will teach you what I know.”
”Will you make me a warrior?” Stum asked eagerly.
Jake laughed and ruffled Stum's hair. ”Depends.”
”On what?”
”On you, kid.”
”Oh.”
______________________________________________________
It was dawn, and for the first time in months Jake had slept in the village, and had awoken with a raging appetite, something he had not had in forever. So he got out of his hammock and strode across the clearing to fetch some food, when he suddenly heard a familiar voice speaking to him. Norm fell into step with him. ”So I hear you got yourself an apprentice, Jake,” Norm laughed, casually slinging a bag over his shoulder. ”It sure is good to have you back, though.”
Jake turned his head, frowning at Norm. ”What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
”You've been hiding from everyone since Neytiri died,” Norm stated. When Jake just glared daggers, Norm shrugged. ”It's true, man.”
”Shake!” Stum cheered, ”good morning.”
Jake stared at the kid, where ever had he picked up some English? Had he attended Grace's school? He could have, yeah that had to be the reason.
”And a good morning to you,” Jake replied in na'vi.
”Cute kid.” Norm stated.
Jake rolled his eyes, ”Keep it in your pants, Norm.”
Sturm looked, confused, from Jake to Norm and back to Jake again. ”What?” he said, not understanding that much English. Actually he had only understood 'Norm' and that Norm had apparently said something that Jake found stupid, judging from his expression.
”Nothing,” Jake said with a shake of his head. ”Come, I'm starving, what about you?” He intentionally did not look at Norm to let him know that the invitation did not extend to him.
Stum nodded. ”Famished,” he replied.
Jake turned to Norm and grinned, ”Toodles.” He chuckled in English, before walking off with Stum.
________________________________________________________
Wiping fruit juice from his face, Stum smiled at Jake. ”What are we going to do today?”
”Today we go diving,” Jake said with a secretive smile.
”Diving?” Stum asked, looking dissappointed down at the ground between his knees. ”But...”
Jake raised a brow and his smile widened. ”You asked me to teach you, remember?”
”Yes.” Stum said, lifting his gaze to meet Jake's amused one. ”But I already know how to swim.”
”I look forward to seeing that.” Jake just said, sucking the fruit juice off his fingers as he finished eating. Chuckling as he got to his feet, he held a hand out to Stum. ”Let's go then.”
Mo'at was standing beneath a tree nearby, listening to the two men, smiling to herself. It seemed to work, Stum had seemed to bring life back into Jake, and he into Stum. Those two benefitted more from each other than they knew, and Mo'at was sure that Jake would master teaching Stum so he would pass his warriors trials, after all Jake had had the best teacher himself.
_________________________________________________________
Jake stopped his pa'li and looked out over the steep cliff. Smirking as he saw Stum's expression, as he carefully dismounted his own pa'li and gingerly stepped out to the edge of the cliff. Jake dismounted too, coming over to Stum's side. ”See, Stum, diving isn't just diving, it depends on where you are diving from.”
”I... ” Stum mumbled, shaking his head. ”I can't”
”Of course you can.” Jake said, gently pulling Stum away from the ledge by his wrist. He took the visibly shaken Stum's face in his hands, holding the younger na'vi's gaze. ”Don't be afraid.” Jake whispered. ”It's just water.”
”It is not the water that concerns me,” Stum whimpered, ”it is the free fall to the water.”
Jake let go with his left hand and placed it over Stum's heart. ”No fear,” he said softly. ”If you hesitate or are frightened, you are dead.” He put gentle pressure to Stum's chest with his hand. ”What if it was a palulukan chasing you? Would you dare jump?”
Stum chewed his lip, ”I don't know.”
Jake smiled. ”I will jump with you.” He took Stum's clammy hand and squeezed it gently. ”Mo'at believes in you, I believe in you, do you believe in you?”
Stum's jaw clenched as he stared out over the cliff and down at the water far below them. ”I do,” he hissed out between his teeth.
”Excellent.” Jake said sing song, ”On the count of three?”
Stum nodded stiffly.
As Jake suddenly jumped without counting at all, he forcefully pulled Stum off the edge of the cliff too. Stum shut his eyes tightly, and held his breath, feeling his stomach knot as the free fall continued. He did not draw breath until he came up from the water with a loud gasp. ”You tricked me!” he yelled angrily at Jake.
”Seems like I did,” Jake said smugly. ”But look where you are.” He gestured out over the deep blue lake. ”You made it down and you are still alive.”
Stum's expression mellowed as he looked from the water up at the ledge high up above them, and then sought out Jake's eyes. ”You're right,” he said softly, and then he let out a relieved laugh. ”Woohoo!”
”I told you!” Jake laughed, as he started to swim towards the lake's bank. ”Now, do it again,” he said, wiping water from his face.
”Again?” Stum sputtered, as water got into his mouth while he swam.
”Yes.” Jake said sweetly, ”race you!” And then he suddenly darted up the narrow path towards the cliff again.
”Cursed be!” Stum growled, but set after Jake best he could.
As Stum reached the top, Jake was waiting, leaning casually against a rock. ”Took your time, kid,” he said, tossing his head haughtily.
Stum just panted and leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.
”Ladies first,” Jake said teasingly, gesturing towards the ledge. He wondered if the na'vi had a gesture similar to flipping the bird, because if they did, he was pretty sure that Stum would do it right about now.
But Stum just stood up straight and took three deep breaths of air, and walked over to the ledge. ”No fear,” he mumbled. ”Just water.” And then he jumped.
Jake rushed to the edge of the cliff and watched Stum as he descended towards the water. Stum hit the water, the splash echoing. Jake furrowed his brows as Stum didn't come back up with a victorious battle cry. He paced the ledge, where the hell was he? Something was wrong! Something was way wrong, oh lord! He had made the poor kid do this even if he didn't want to! Jake jumped off the edge, his eyes searching the surface of the lake for any sign of Stum. Jake hit the surface and emerged swiftly. ”Stum!” he yelled, turning in the water as he tried to keep his head out of the water. ”Stum! Where the hell are you?” Jake screamed in English, forgetting that Stum probably wouldn't understand a word.
Suddenly his eye caught movement, and his relief was audible as he realised it was Stum crawling up on the beach. Jake swam after him as fast as he could. Standing waist deep in the water, Jake's smile faltered, something was off. ”Stum?” he asked gingerly.
Stum groaned and used his last strength to flip over to his back, smiling exhausted at Jake. ”No fear.” He sighed.
Jake paled, if such a thing was even possible for the na'vi, but he clearly felt all blood leave his face and rush back up as his heart started pounding. ”Oh, Stum,” he whispered, kneeling at his apprentice's side. His hand hovering over Stum's forehead he tenderly brushed some hair away, getting his fingertips smeared in blood as he traced the deep gouge in the younger na'vi's head. ”You did great,” he said with a pale lipped smile. Probing gently he could tell that the wound was bad, he looked down at Stum, holding up a finger, ”Can you see my finger?” he asked.
”Yes.” Stum replied weakly.
”Now follow it with your eyes.” Jake said, slowly sliding it out to the right, watching as Stum's eyes followed, smiling relieved he slid the finger the other way and Stum still managed to follow. ”You'll be fine,” he whispered tenderly, stroking Stum's hair soothingly. ”Can you sit up?”
Stum tried to push himself off the sandy bank but fell back with a groan. ”No.” he mumbled. ”I just need to rest a little...”
”NO!” Jake roared, seeing Stum flinch at the volume of his anger. ”Stay awake.” Stum's eyes fluttered open, watching Jake, slightly unfocused. ”That's right, stay awake,” Jake said with a smile, ”for me?” he asked so softly, he was surprised it was even his own voice.
TBC