Author's note: Just came back from watching the Beauty and the Beast. I'm a big fan of the original and I have enjoyed this one, although I don't like how they toned Le Fou. I don't care if he's gay or whatever, that means little to me, the problem is he's too mellow, too soft in this version. The rascal I loved is Gaston's right hand, hunting dog, parasite and makes a living out of keeping his master's spirits up. He was an idiot, true, but there was something naughty and sweet there that I miss. Well, anyway, I did enjoy the movie and that's it. I loved Celine's song and the opening scene. Let's move on and thank you so much for the reviews!
Lyrics belong to Celine Dion.
4. Le Miti
Moana could swear that she was lying on her bed when the air began to fill itself with a delightful music. It was just like at home. All sitting around the fire, telling stories and dancing till late. She smiled. Those evenings on her father's knees, watching her mother probing how graceful she was and smiling. Moana could stay in those memories forever but her curiosity got the upper hand and the young woman followed the strange music till she found herself watching the fale tele, the great meeting place, embed in a great party. They all seemed so happy. The girl suddenly felt a little afraid, overcame by all that joy and stood back, unsure if it was a good idea to step in when she noticed someone standing behind her. A man that was clearly the great matai, the leader and chief, and who was beaming towards her.
"Hina, child" he spoke and Moana was clueless. Was he talking to her? "Are you ready for your debut?" yes, he was talking to her. "I don't want you to feel pressured" the man motioned her to turn around. "I want them all to be proud of you" he gently embraced her and lovingly rocked her in his arms. Moana somehow knew then who this man was.
"You'll be proud of me, Father"
"I'm already proud" the chief helped her turn and they shared a hongi, one forehead gently touching the other. "Rangi says that he has a big surprise for tonight but I'm sure that you will be the one to surprise him"
"What do you think he has brought?"
"I don't know, child, but knowing him, it must be something he has been keeping from us gods" he giggled and they looked at the crowd. "Go out there and take their breath away. Go" the matai smiled and watched as his people went quiet and watched in awe as the young woman danced like a flame. Moana felt happy, like back in her village, when something captured her attention.
"How does a moment last forever?
How can a story never die?
It is love we must hold onto
Never easy, but we try
Sometimes our happiness is captured
Somehow, our time and place stand still
Love lives on inside our hearts and always will
Minutes turn to hours, days to years and gone
But when all else has been forgotten
Still our song lives on"
There was a young boy, about her age, watching her from the shadows of the night outside. He was a bulky, taller than most of the youngsters in Motonui, but his brown eyes shone with a shy smile. He was wearing a lava-lava made out of leaves and he seemed to be afraid of stepping into the fale tele. Even so, a light had appeared in his face when he saw her dancing. She seemed to be the only reason why the boy hadn't run away from that place. Something passed them. They were both scared and yet happy to have find each other. When their eyes met, he gave out a little smile and so did she. For a few minutes that seemed eternal, their world was empty of the others. It was just him and her alone.
"There you are, my boy! Where have you been hiding?" said an older man appearing beside the youngster. The moment was broken between the pair and the teenager could only withdraw away. "I feared you have run away. Chief! He's here!" he motioned and the matai joined in. "Told you he would appear! Tanga, this is my son"
"Only you could have concealed such fine young man, Rangi. Maui, isn't it?"
"Yes, sir"
"You are a good boy. This is a party in your honor, after all, but I hope you don't still the spotlight of my daughter"
"No, sir"
"Good lad" Tanga went back to the celebration and Rangi was finally able to push his son into the fale where Maui almost tripped unto Moana.
"Oh, oh, sorry. Sorry! So sorry! Here, let me help you" the young man helped her up and they looked at each other. They both smiled and Maui rubbed his nape without knowing what to do next.
"Maybe some moments weren't so perfect
Maybe some memories not so sweet
But we have to know some bad times
Or our lives are incomplete
Then when the shadows overtake us
Just when we feel all hope is gone
We'll hear our song and know once more
Our love lives on"
"You are a great dancer" he muttered and she giggled.
"Thank you"
"I wish I could dance like that but I'm way too big and clumsy. My brothers keep making fun of me"
"That's not true. A little practice could do the trick"
"I wish"
"If anyone calls you clumsy, tell him that you had personal classes with the best dancer in the village"
"I will" they both smiled. "Say, hu… When our parents ain't looking, would you like to walk by the sea with me? I hate crowded places"
"We're two. You read my mind" Moana whispered and he smiled. The youngster spent the rest of the celebration getting to know Tanga's family and the rest of the guests before sneaking past the bushes with his new friend. They walked beside the ocean, played with the waves, splashed each other and finally rested on the sand to watch the stars. "This is the best evening I ever had" they shared a glance.
"Me too. Father is great but after spending so much time with my mother, I had almost forgotten what it was to be here. I have four brothers and they are great but they'll be soon chiefs of their own tribes and I´ll be alone again"
"That's horrible"
"I know but I'm not worried" his voice suddenly became proud, a little sly.
"Why not?" she giggled.
"Cuz I swore that I'm going to be up there, with all those stars so nobody forgets about me" he motioned with his large hand.
"And how will you do that?"
"Hu! Wait until I get my big gift from Father. He has told me that once I come to age, he has something very special just for me. Then I'll show everyone how great I really am. You'll be amazed!"
"Ok, then I'll wait for that big moment but you have to promise me that you will show it to me as soon as you get it. Deal?"
"Deal" they shook hands.
"How does a moment last forever?
How does our happiness endure?
Through the darkest of our troubles
Love is beauty, love is pure
Love pays no mind to desolation
It flows like a river through the soul
Protects, persists, and perseveres
And makes us whole"
"Just one thing though" Maui said after a few seconds.
"What?"
"If I show you my gift, will you be my friend?"
"Aren't we already friends?" Moana whispered as they shared a hongi and smiled. They were so close from each other that they could kiss but before that could happen; Moana felt a sun ray in her day. A new day was breaking and the entire scene before her, vanished into the night.
"Minutes turn to hours, days to years then gone
But when all else has been forgotten
Still our song lives on
How does a moment last forever:
When our song lives on"
So happy to be back with this story.
Who were these characters and what happened to the two friends?
Will Moana find out?
More soon!