Varang learned quickly that humans stared differently than Na’vi did.

There was no rhythm to it, no respectful dip of the head or polite glance away. Human attention lingered too long, clung like damp heat to the skin. She was used to being seen as a warrior; feared by both other tribes and her own as a merciless fire, consuming everything on her path.

And yet, you never looked at her like that. There was only curiosity in your gaze, a hunger to understand, mirroring hers to consume. Varang could see it painted across your face--you wanted to know her, beyond the simple understanding of her Na'vi lifestyle, so different from your lab, sterile halls, and an avatar body that you were still learning to use.

Part of it was for science, of course. If there was one thing she knew, it was that no one did things without a reason. Varang was a fascinating case of a Na'vi that had rejected everything her species stood for, from the peaceful ways to the connection with Eywa. You spent hours asking her questions that she nad never even asked herself before--questions that she was less and less reluctant to answer--or to try and convince her to let you run tests to see if any part of her differed from classic Na'vis. Which, admittedly, she was still slightly reluctant about.

At first, she had found it impossibly irritating. Then strange. And gradually, interesting. Almost sweet.

There was something disarming about the way that your fascination lacked any desire to possess her. You never reached for her, never assumed anything. There was a reverence, almost, to every one of your glances and movements, as if she was something precious that you wouldn't dare disturbed. It made her feel good. Made her feel powerful, and Varang loved feeling powerful.

So she began to test how far that reverence went. Lingering a bit closer to you when you sat together, letting your braids brush against each other for a few seconds from time to time... And you reacted exactly like she wanted you to. Which made her feel even better.

It had been so long since she had truly felt... Appreciated wasn't the word, and neither was powerful. More like admired, without fear.

So she pushed further. Let you stick close to her for longer than she usually let anyone do. Allowed you access to her tent--as long as you didn't touch her stuff. If Va'rang knew she could emulate the feeling without having to go into battle, she would have gotten herself a scientist a long time ago.

"... Maybe Eywa does exist. That does not mean I have to believe in her."

You were both locked in the eternal argument again, the one question that you refused to let go of, and that annoyed her to no end. Every time you had a bit of downtime, it would come up again, and she'd have to repeat the same answer she always gave. Varang finally decided to concede, just to shut you up, and turned to lie on her back on the carpet next to you.

"Time to talk about something else. Tell me how the fire guns work again."