Chapter Text
“Astra, can you please get to the kitchen? Over.” The girl heard her brother’s voice from the walkie talkie she had in her room.
The siblings had been using them since they were younger. Raphael and Astra had been happily surprised to see spy gadgets as a Christmas gift from Santa, in Christmas 2152.
Now, they only used their walkie talkies for pranks or to communicate within the house without having to yell or get up from their beds.
Astra rolled her eyes in annoyance and grabbed the walkie talkie. “What is it now, Raph?”
“First of all, I’ve told you a million times. You have to say ‘over’ for me to know when you’re finished talking.” Raphael said. “Second of all, Chris isn’t feeling well and I don’t know what to do. Over.”
“Where’s Lola?” Astra asked. “Over.” She added after a brief moment.
Lola was the housekeeper. She managed to tolerate Christopher, so she was indeed a very nice and patient woman. She also cooked for them, since their parents were often away during the day.
“Lola has the week off, idiot! Her sister gave birth. Mom has told us like 50 times since Friday. Seriously, Ast, you’re living in another house sometimes. Over.” Raphael spoke.
“Oh, shut it.” Astra talked back, as she got up from her bed. “I’m coming over.”
“You’re what? Over.”
“Stop reciting old memes.” Astra wasn’t having it. “Over.”
“Fine.” Raphael said, and Astra could hear Chris whining over the walkie talkie. “Over.”
After two minutes she walked into the kitchen, Chris’s cheeks were red, as he held his head against the wall.
“What’s wrong with him?” Astra asked, as she searched through the medicine cabinet for a thermometer.
“I don’t know.” Raphael said. “All I know is that he was fine all day till now, which is a little suspicious to me.”
“I’ve told you a million times, Raphaello, my head hurts all day!” Chris whined.
“Oh, really?” Raphael asked. “So this has nothing to do with your Spanish lesson in 20 minutes?”
“No, it hasn’t.” Chris mocked his tone.
“Oh, shut up, Raph, don’t annoy him.” She moved her brother out of the way and used the gun thermometer on Chris’ forehead.
“It looks like your temperature’s normal.” Astra told her brother. “Have you drank water today?”
“Yes.”
“Have you eaten?”
“He just emptied the pan of rice, I think he has eaten a lot.” Raphael said. “Fatso.”
“Shut up, Raphaello!” Chris tried to kick his brother.
“Guys, now is not the time.” Astra stopped them. “I’ll give you a painkiller, because we can’t cancel your lesson again. Okay?”
“Fine.” Chris sighed.
“Looks like you aren’t skipping this time.” Raphael said continued teasing.
“Don’t you have like 20 unfinished assignments you need to complete?” Astra turned to him, fed up.
Raphael rolled his eyes and walked away.
“Thanks, Ast.” Chris gave her a small smile.
“Don’t worry about it.”
“You know, you actually look like you’re living in another world sometimes.” The young boy told her. “You should take your headphones off more often.”
“Oh, shut up.” She tickled him.
Astra’s eyes widened.
What the fuck?
Neteyam was standing right in front of her, trying to consol her.
“When did you hear that?” She asked him, pulling herself away from him.
“What?” He asked confused.
Her crying has abruptly disappeared, as she was now eyeing him carefully. Had he said something wrong?
“What you just said, about grief.” Astra explained. “When did you learn about it?”
What is it in a movie? I think I’ve heard about it before too.
No, you idiot. River used to say it. River.
“I guess I just thought of it.” Neteyam replied. “It makes sense doesn’t it? At least I think it does. My mother has talked to me many times about her father who died in the first war, and I always thought that her grief was the love she had for him.”
“Yeah.” Astra said, easing up to him again. “Yeah, you’re right. I agree.”
“Do you want to get back?” Neteyam asked her. “The others are looking for you too.”
“I don’t really want to talk to anyone right now.” She said.
Not that you ever do.
“You want to stay here?” Neteyam asked, the girl nodding. “But I can’t leave you alone in your state.”
“It’s okay.” She said. “You can stay.”
Smooth .
“You want me to stay?” He questioned, and Astra could see a small smirk forming on his lips.
“No, I want to stay here, but you won’t leave so…” She said with a small attitude to crash his confidence, as she sat down on the sand.
I don’t think that will work, Astra. You’ve already practically fell on your knees and begged him to stay here with you.
I have not!
You have, and he knows it too. Your slutty habits never leave, do they?
“Yeah, sure.” He smiled at her, as he sat down on the sand next to her. “So what was he like? The person Eywa showed you?”
“He was amazing.” Astra looked up. “The best person you could ever meet. The kindest soul.”
“Was he your friend?”
“He was the love of my life.” The girl said. “But he died too soon.”
“I’m sorry.” He looked at her sympathetically.
I’m sure he is so sorry he’s gonna cry himself to sleep when he gets home .
Shut up! He’s being nice, at least. Unlike you.
I’m not nice, I’m honest. You should be thankful someone’s being bluntly honest to you. It’s your best chance to finally get a grip of reality.
“It’s okay.” She gave him a smile. “Now I can talk to him again, through Eywa.”
“He’s the only one you remember from your previous life.” Neteyam spoke. “He meant a lot to you.”
Oh, shit.
You’ve forgotten about that, haven’t you? The lie you told everyone. You still have a mission to complete, you know. You’re gonna betray everyone. Sell them out for your own benefit. To make your daddy even richer. That’s what he wants you to do. That’s why he sent you here. You have to do it.
Astra looked at the ground ashamed. “Yeah, he meant everything to me.”
Astra, you promised you wouldn’t hurt anyone. You promised you wouldn’t fulfill your mission. Don’t let him change your mind again. Think about what’s at stake. Innocent people’s lives for some money.
You’re right, River. As always. Thank you.
“Let’s get back.” Astra told the boy. “I don’t want to keep the others worried for too long.”
“Yeah, I guess it’s for the best.” Neteyam got up, and Astra could tell he was a little disappointed.
“We should hang out again sometime.” She said suddenly as they were walking, immediately regretting it.
“You think?” He turned to her surprised.
Tyler couldn’t let her think of an answer with his constant laughing.
She just looked at him with a smile.
“I’d like that.” He told her.
“So what did Eywa show you?” Astra changed the subject.
“My grandmother.” He responded.
“Your grandma is alive, isn’t she?” Astra asked.
“Yeah. She just had some advice for me.” He told her.
“What about?”
“My mentality?” He said it unsure. “She told me to loosen up and give second chances.”
“Oh, really?” Astra smirked. “That sounds a lot like what I told you.”
“Chill out and relax, man. I didn’t do nothing to you, yet.” He quoted her.
“I don’t talk like that!” She laughed.
“Yeah, you’re right, that might have been Lo’ak.” He smiled heartwarmingly.
He got you there.
“Oh, shut up.” She nudged him playfully.
“Don’t tell me to shut up.” He responded in the same tone.
Astra stopped walking and made intense eye contact. “Or what?”
Whore .
Shut up!
Your flirting needs so much work .
“Or, I’ll start treating you like I do with Lo’ak, since you two are so alike.” He talked in the same tone she used, moving a little closer to her, looking down into her eyes.
Ugh, you people are disgusting.
“Astra, there you are!” She heard Tsireyea’s voice and immediately backed away from Neteyam. “We got so worried!” She ran to the girl and hugged her.
Well this is awkward.
Didn’t need you to tell me, Tyler.
“I’m fine, don’t worry too much about me. I thug everything out.” Astra patted her on the back to end the hug quicker.
“What?” Tsireya asked confused, now breaking the hug to look at her.
She eyed Neteyam for a moment to see if he understood what she said.
“Don’t look at me.” The boy said. “Lo’ak probably knows though, we should ask him.”
“Oh, quit it.” Astra rolled her eyes.
…
The next morning Astra woke up. She stared at the sky, too tired to get up.
You know you have to get back to the base at some point.
I’m not going back there. I won’t betray these innocent people and their families.
Oh my god, why do you listen to what the aliens’ fake god?
It’s not Eywa, it’s River.
Is it? What do you think the fake god would say? Exactly the same as your blonde ex. She’s just using your feelings for him to get your attention.
No way, how would Eywa know River?
She doesn’t, but you do. She has entered your head when you connected your braids to that tree. You’re being brainwashed, Astra, wake up .
But she’s right, Tyler, either way. I was going to let people die just to make my dad richer. It’s not moral.
Oh, Astra, what do you know about morals?
More than you, obviously.
“Hey, Astra!” She heard Aonung’s voice. “Wanna come with us? We’re going swimming.”
“Sure.” She yelled back, as she pulled herself out of her hammock and walked down the levels of the trees.
This conversation is not over.
It is. I decide for myself. Not you.
Don’t go against me, Astra.
Or what?
She reached the last level and was about to jump on the sand.
Or that .
Suddenly, she couldn’t see as she felt her body jumping on the air. She couldn’t see. She was falling.
TYLER, GET OUT OF MY HEAD.
Get out get out get out get out get out get out!
I warned you.
I’m gonna die, open my eyes!
She heard him laugh, as she opened her eyes, she was crouching down on the sand, her hands drawing something on it.
She wasn’t falling this whole time. She was safe.
You tricked me.
Tricked you? I saved you.
She stood up. She was traced the words ‘get out’ in English on the sand above her.
She quickly wiped it with her feet before anyone saw it.
But it was too late. Jake Sully, who was talking to Lo’ak had seen her writing. He acted calm in front of Lo’ak, and when he left to go swim with Aonung, he immediately walked to Astra.
She panicked.
He knows.
“Astra, are you coming?” Aonung yelled.
“You guys go without her. I have to talk to her about something.” Jake told the boy, who nodded respectfully.
Astra’s eyes widened, but she hid her panic. “What’s going on?” She asked the man.
“Follow me.” Were the only words he told her, as he lead her to the Sully’s cabinet. The girls were out with Tsireya and Neytiri had gone to Ronal.
He closed the door as they entered the wooden house.
You’re about to get raped, Astra. Run for your life.
Tyler, stop making those stupid ass jokes, you’re not helping.
“When did you arrive on Pandora?” Jake asked in English.
Astra looked at him dumbfounded. “I don’t understand sir.” She told him in Na’vi.
“Don’t lie to me.” He continued speaking in English. “I should have figured it out earlier. Even your name is human.”
Astra continued looking at him confused.
“Drop the act.” Jake insisted. “If you don’t give me an explanation, I’ll kill you with my own bare hands, I swear to god.”
Astra, I think he’s serious.
Astra looked at him intensely for a moment, before she gave in. “Fine.” She said in English.
“I knew it!” He raised his voice. “Now tell me why I shouldn’t kill you for endangering my family.”
“Wouldn’t you kill me for not explaining like a minute ago? You should probably decide on the reason why you want to kill me before threatening me.” Astra told him with a slight hint of sarcasm.
“A spoiled rich girl with an attitude.” Jake noted.
“Hey!” Astra said offended.
He’s not wrong, though.
“Why are you here?” The man asked.
“Because it’s either this place, or ten feet under.” Astra said.
“What?”
“Well, I don’t know how to explain this…” Astra started. “But I died on earth.”
“Drug overdose?” Jake raised his eyebrow.
“How did you know that?” Astra looked at him shocked.
“That’s how all rich and ungrateful kids die.”
“I’m not ungrateful!” Astra said defensively.
“I’ll decide that myself. Continue.” Jake told her.
“Well there’s not much left. I went into a coma and wouldn’t wake up so my dad sent me here to transfer my mind in an alien body. Then I woke up in an alien body, which is like the weirdest thing ever-“
“Woah.” Jake stopped her. “Your dad sent you here? Who is he, Steven Logue?”
Astra just looked at him.
“Of course.” Jake concluded. “You’re Astra Logue, firstborn of the rich scientist and the hot model!”
“Did you just call my mom hot?”
Jake cleared his throat. “Why can’t you go back to earth?”
“Something with the oxygen and me changing bodies.” She answered, as a gross expression was painted in her face after hearing the comment about her mother.
“So what? Are you here to spy on me and my family? Tell the new General all about us?” Jake interrogated her.
“I can’t.” She sighed. “That was the initial plan but I’ve lost contact with her as soon as I fell here. And well, a few things have happened since then and I changed my mind about helping Ardmore kill innocents.”
“Have you?” Jake asked. “How can I be sure of that? How do I know you won’t run off to the new base and tell them our location.”
“I don’t know, maybe keep an eye on me?” Astra replied with an attitude, immediately taking it back after she saw Jake’s hard stare. “Okay, sorry, please don’t kill me.”
The man sighed, as he paced around the small room. “I won’t kill you. You’re just a kid.”
“Thanks.”
“A spoiled and bratty kid, but still a kid.” Jake continued.
“I’m not spoiled or brat-“
“But you still pose a threat to my family.”
“No, I don’t.” Astra said. “I don’t want to exploit this planet and it’s magical paradise for money. I promise, I don’t want any harm happening to you and your family. I just want to spend the rest of my life peacefully as an alien.”
Jake looked at her for a minute.
I must admit your manipulation skills are unmatched. This poor guy bought your heart melting lie.
I wasn’t lying.
We’ll see about that.
“You realize that if anyone else finds out about this, they’ll have you hanged, right?” Jake asked her.
“Yeah.”
“So you can’t tell anyone. Not even Neteyam.”
“Why would I tell Neteyam?” She raised her eyebrow.
“Well, you too seem to be getting particularly close.” Jake said with a small grin.
“How would you know that?”
“He talks about you.”
“Really?” Astra’s eyes lit up.
“Yeah.” Jake smiled. “Although I don’t know how I should feel knowing my son has a crush on a junkie…” He said teasingly.
“I’m not a junkie!” Astra defended. “I’m clean for like ten years.”
“Weren’t you in cryo?” Jake asked.
“It still counts!” Astra said.
“Uh huh.” Jake nodded, unconvinced, but amused. “Why did you overdose anyway? Your pool was smaller than what you wanted?”
“I didn’t overdose!” Astra defended. “I was poisoned.”
“M-hm, sure.”
“I swear. That motherfuck-“
“Language.”
Astra visibly cringed at the comment. “Well, as I was saying, a stupid guy poisoned me.”
“Alright.” Jake laughed. “You surely had your own life back on earth. But that changed now. You’ve obviously adapted fast to the Na’vi lifestyle, since it took me some time to realize you were a human, but you still have some slip ups from times to times.”
“Really, like what?” Astra asked.
“Pop culture references.” He answered.
“No one even understands those.”
“Human slang.” He continued.
“Lo’ak speaks like that too.” She said.
“Because he watched educational videos in English when he was young, not because he used to talk like that with the rest of his bros.”
“Ew, don’t say ‘bros’, you make it sound like the cringest thing ever.” Astra said.
“And your spoiled kid reactions.” He completed. “Try to act like a Na’vi, Astra.”
“I am trying.” She said.
“Try harder.”
“Okay, jeez.” She rolled her eyes. “Can I go now? I kinda want to go swimming with the others.”
“Jeez?” He repeated.
“Okay, oh, Eywa.” She corrected herself. “Can I go now?”
“Alright.” He sighed. “Just be careful.” He yelled, as she ran outside.
“For all of our sakes.” He muttered to himself.