The Regrets Of Yesterday
Laying down, face to face with her beloved escort, Moana closed her eyes.
Now if that wasn't a cheesy romance.
"Come, Pua! - It's this way!", a child's voice chirped excitedly, pointing at the top of the wooded hill. There still was some way ahead of them. In daylight it was easy to see that the thunderstorm of a few nights ago left it's despicable marks around the island. Trees had fallen over, musty roots sleeping on the floor like worn-out giants. Tamati patted the pig's furry head and laughed as it's snout tickled him "AHAHAHA - AHA XD *hugs* - I would NEVER eat you!", he chimed, assured by a happy grunt from the animal. A bright grin plastered across his face and the boy turned around to take in the view down the mountain, where his friends were following.
"HEEEEEEY!? WHY ARE YOU SO SLOOOOOOW?"
The big man let out a sigh.
"Didn't think he'd convince pork so easily."
She grinned at him. "Pua even grew to like you, so", Moana lolled,
trailing after the kid and her trusting little pet, who were stumbling through the light-flooded forest, "Aside from that, boy's having some charisma, I guess."
Balancing the oar sideways on her shoulder, there was a lanky pea-brained rooster tottering on the blade. For some reason Hei-hei hadn't left them alone ever since he had more or less been the cause for her wet cooling the day before.
To her side, with a firm tread, the demigod walked along, nonchalantly playing with his hook.
Still the sideway glances assured her Maui was smiling up at the tiny kid, that jumped around and flung his hand in the air as if to make them come faster. "Don't be SLOTHS!"
"A' we gonna' take it slow?", he asked casually and a content nod from her side assured him that there certainly was no hurry. More than this, they were simply looking forward for some alone time. - "Yup."
+Okay, okay, - first of all I will show them the lake! Then Oneone! Maui will climb up with me - I bet he will!^^+ Tamati was about to show them his island, his home - he was so utterly excited to have visitors that he was constantly laughing and grinning at the idea. + Then my toys! Itiiti would LOVE to meet a demibog - god - demigod - HE'S SO COOL! He even has a tiny friend that's waving at me!? - AND MOANA! Itiiti will LOOOOVE Moana! They can try on dresses and play together while we go climbing!+
Never in his life had there been real people around. Other than his parents of course.
When they finally reached the peak of the hill, Moana took in the sight of the glistering sun and an deep blue peaceful ocean surrounding the green speck of land. Her squinted eyes wandered along the ivory-like shore, with their canoe and the colorful spiral drawn onto their sail being the only remarkable thing that stood out. She couldn't wait to be back out there again.
However, Maui walked past her with a smirk.
"You tell me when sun's made you blind."
Moana rolled her eyes in annoyance. ~ Back to his normal self, I guess -v- ~
"What is she looking at?", Tamati suddenly asked, appearing right behind Maui's big foot. To him the daily sight of the endless ocean wasn't something stunning anymore.
Almost letting slip a girly cry the demigod jumped - but immediately maintained his composure.
"Girls have some weird complexes, you know", he said, looking over his shoulder at the female, now eying him suspiciously.
"No, *oblivious* I don't Ö-Ö
Why is mini-you doing such a weird dance?" Ö.Ö
Tamati tilted his curly head in confusion, pointing at the man's portrayal, who seemed to face-palm a few thousand times. - Fine, change of subject! -
Giving tattoo-maui a snip, that pretty much banned the poor guy to his butt - [Okay, just for a while], drew high-pitched laughter from the kid.
Like a lot of other children his age, Tamati had the adoring aaaaand sometimes EXTREMELY annoying habit to always state the obvious: "HAHAHA! You snipped him away! Haha!" XD
"Bagawk?!", came a questioning sound from Hei-hei, who's eyes were not fixed on anything particular and due to this she presumed he didn't understand what was going on, but simply wanted to make sure they knew he was existing. The young teine shook her head, smiling. Without scowling at the sheepishly grinning man she walked by them and further up the open meadow, one arm strongly holding the oar along with the rooster in place. ~ Those two really are something^^ ~
Then for some reason she felt an itching sensation - and she just knew she was being watched.
~ He... he isn't seriously starin' at ma' butt again, is he!? ~ And a swift glance assured her that yes indeed - his eyes were on her.
"Let me know when you stop drooling,",she deadpanned and raised an eyebrow at his surprised expression.
Instantly his shoulders shot up, making him look like some pepe caught in the act of stealing the last goddam' ponipopo. ~ Unbelievable...~
This caused a mischievous grin to creep up on her face.
- Kae! - Maui, who had only now realized he had been staring a little too intensely - when he actually shouldn't be the one staring at all!? - gulped. - How does she always know!? -
"Why are you drooling?" Ö-Ö Dumbfounded Tamati pulled at the leaves that cladded the man's waist.
" I'm NOT drooling!", Maui sharply insisted, eyes darting between Moana and the nosy toddler. As neither of them bothered to turn away he scoffed and threw back his head. Puffing up his chest the demigod flung his hook around to make his position clear and the girl finally devoted herself to the path ahead with a sigh. What was up with him these days?
Bit by bit though, the strong man's grimace turned into a vague smile.
- She's really gotten some damn curves... -
Suddenly another yank at the leaf skirt interrupted his thoughts. "Why are you grinning?" Ö-Ö
Moana didn't even have to eavesdrop on their conversation
- Maui's audible groan was answer enough. Satisfied she chuckled to herself.
Silently pouting the 'adult' stomped after her, grumbling, all the while Tamati bounced around him, giggling at each and every twitch of the man's furrowed eyebrows. To Maui's dismay the kid had made it his business to actively practise the imitation of his movements. And by now the grumpy earthshaking clomps of the boy "BAMM! - BAMMMMM! - BAMMMMMMMMMM!" reminded more of a grumpy gorilla than a glory warrior.
"Stop that", the man mumbled with the expression of lemon.
"BAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!" XD
Laughing brightly Tamati dodged the man's halfhearted try to grab him.
"I'll get you anyways!" he affirmed, which caused the boy to yelp in excitement and run after Moana, wildly gesturing around like the chipper guy he was.
Humiliated the demigod followed after, alone with his thoughts. And even though he felt mocked by each teasing swing of her hips, he enjoyed the sight of the two young people and even the pig accompanying them - not to forget about the stupid chicken. It was honestly more than he had ever dared to wished for. Maui's smirk grew wider.
Yeah. He pretty much just kept on watching.
- No can do... -
After maybe another ten minutes of walking they reached a nice clearing with a tiny "lake" - though it was more some kind of big puddle, the demigod figured. Moana also couldn't make out much more than a few berry-bushes covering the place. Occasional shadows and specks of light that shone through the trees danced across the ground, but other than that the earth was a bit dried-out. Maui had been right. The island didn't provide much for living. Tamati however impatiently waved them over, pointing at something at the end of the arid meadow. "There! See!?" A prideful grin revealed the small tooth gap and he enthusiastically nodded his curly head. "That's home! *takes Maui by the hand as if to lead* Come, Moana you come too, I'll show you!"
Bending down the hunk of a man was uncomfortably dragged towards a weather-beaten shack. She suppressed an amused giggle at that sweet scene. Him, being the oversized bloke he was, the demigod just had to follow with incredibly smallish steps.
Hidden beneath dozens of twines and tendrils of beautiful vines, there were the rundown ruins of a wooden fale. It's roof was broken in and besides the elaborate entryway, which consisted of huge timbers with carved in symbols, one wouldn't have recognized this place as a home. But a 'home' could have man different shapes and forms.
With curiosity they approached the sunken hut, Tamati proudly talking and blabbering about this he wanted to show them and that he wanted to show them.
Only a few feet from the entrance there was a clattering sound coming from within. Moana stopped dead in her tracks, but the demigod went on, oblivious to the noise - that was until hurrying steps were heard, nearing with a breakneck-speed. "TAMATI!?" /+ Ö-Ö OKA FEFE!? - forgot all about mommy!?+/
A young women with a terrifyingly furious face stood in the doorway, gleaming red; her eyes were narrowed at the boy, who now jolted back, slipping behind an enormous foot that belonged to
- Maui.
In shock she stared at the heavily tattooed man, her body frozen in fear.
Tamati instantly ducked down behind his legs and the oversized warrior was slightly overcome by events - !? The women's angry features lightened within a blink and she seemed to tremble a little, one hand firmly pressing against her pregnant belly.
Strains of hair had broken lose of the long fishbone braid, that oscillated behind her. A young mother, Moana noticed as she watched in awkward silence. Though the bags beneath her eyes made her seem a whole less friendlier. The women's tired lids fluttered open as she gazed at the demigod in disbelief, emotions hidden behind watery eyes, that he simply couldn't place. Did she know him? Had she somehow recognized him as the hero of ancient legends!? His fingers were eagerly twitching around the handle of his hook.
Slightly irritated Maui rose a hand, more to keep her swaying body at a distance than anything else. Not really knowing what to say.
"Um, *bestows her with a deliberate nod* Talofa!"
As if she awoke from a trance, the women blinked bewildered at the young man, who now offered her an unsure smile; then she spotted the girl standing by his side. Instantly her face darkened.
She didn't bother to return the formal greeting, instead she full up ignored him and reached for the yelping boy. "YOU!", she barked, violently yanking at his ear.
The unamusing memory of this very action unwillingly directed his look to Moana, who now was assured the women had to be no other than Tamati's mom. Due to that it was on her to give her boy a good piece of her mind. For a pregnant lady she was quite troubled - or she was troubled because she was a pregnant lady, Maui guessed. Either way one could clearly see they were family.
"I've been worried sick, you little brat! You know exactly I can't keep track of youlike this! *points at her bloated belly* - I told you not to go, I TOLD YOU, TAMATI! *hysterically*
You want uso to die - DO YOU WANT THAT?! - Just keep on upsetting me and you will see what happens! You will just see!"
Her tone was sharp, but her anger was only the cover up for something deeper, something way more sad. Aching worry-lines on the women's forehead confirmed that.
Tamati didn't say a word. He didn't deny it.
Eyes shut tight he hadn't even winced at his mother's awful bickering, which left her even more helpless. "Tamati!," aggressiveness seized from her voice and she went down oh her knees, shaking the little boys shoulders, "You can't just run off, *gritting her teeth, angrily blinking back tears* what am I supposed to do if you are no longer there? - TELL ME!? *sorrowful rests her forehead against her son's. Hugging him close* Tell me...
what am I supposed to do..."
The boy did not speak, not move a muscle, tiny palms firmly pressed against his ears, a strained look on his face.
Maui clumsily shrugged at Moana - Are... are we expected to interfere? - But the girl shook her head at him, mouthing to ~ Just get back here! ~
"I don't want that", exclaimed a stifled voice.
Tamati still squeezed his lids shut with such an effort his whole face seemed twisted. And so the kid began blubbering. "I don't want uso to dieeeeeeeeeeeeeee *gulp*,waaaaaaah, *high-pitched hickup* I don't want him to dieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!?"
Maui cringed at the sound of snort being sniffed back up one's nose.
Watching lil' Tamati cry his little heart out really wasn't a pleasant sight.
Feeling somewhat bad for the kid the huge man nervously fumbled around with his weapon.
By now the boy's voice was all hoarse and jarring. "I DON' WAN'IM TO DIEEEEEEEEEEEEeEEee!"
He sounded so very miserable that his mom instantly regretted mentioning the baby.
But why did he always have to buck then!? Life was hard enough without the toddler getting scraped knees or falling onto his head, being left with a manger brain damage due to his recklessness - [she had stopped counting these after about the twentieth time]; for her it was such a relief to see he had come back in one piece just for once. No scratches, no new bruises. Relieved she stroke the back of his head. Not dead.
"Then promise me you won't go there anymore!", she insisted with the shaky growl of a mama-bear. Silence.
Sniffling he wiped tears and the remaining snot away (accidently smearing it - aaaah, too much detail...). With a look of guilt Tamati stared at his toes. But he didn't oblige.
"Tamatiii?", his mother's voice rose a few octaves higher.
Sulky words were hushed, but no less accusing.
"Don't want him to die...*sniff*", the kid mumbled, not looking up.
She sighed. This boy surely was a handful. Handful of surprises.
One second, he had left her sight for one second and stayed away for a night and a day, returning with two foreigners, that could've easily killed him if they had wanted to.
But instead they had brought him back home.
Swiftly brushing the tears away she shot up, towering between the strangers and her child. Brows furrowed to an inimical grimace. "And who are you?", she barked, stemming her hands to the sides of her hips.
Caught off guard the fearless voyagers winced in unison.
"Ah, um, Talofa!,", Moana blurted out, followed by nervous gesturing, "My name is Moana Waialiki- aaand this is Maui!?"
"Hey,", he added brusquely.
[The teine elbowed him in the guts.] A forced toothy smile appeared on his face, looking extremely untrustworthy and creepy. Tamati's mother wasn't convinced.
"'Maui',", she repeated rather contemptuously, if not disgusted. Undoubtedly pregnant women could be just as terrifying as normal ones, he reassured. - What is up with this lady!? -
Offended the powerful young man wondered what he had done wrong (aside from... well... a lot?).
"We - ", Moana stepped in front of him, trying to draw her attention away from Maui. Something told her a staring-contest wouldn't be the best way to solve this. "- have come from far away! We are explorers and we -" /
"And that's where you can head off to: Far away", the grumpy lady deadpanned, crossing her arms in front of her chest, "thank you for bringing back my son *shoots the demigod a suspicious glare* but I can't provide anything for your journey, I'm sorry. Good day!"
The 'Good day!' was more precisely pronounced like a 'Fuck off', even more so was it directed towards Maui instead of her - but the young chief-in-training wasn't a newbie to diplomacy.
"We are not here to take anything away from you," Moana said kindly, giving a warm and honest smile, "we just wanted to know him safe." Her nod was directed to the quietly pouting boy.
A surprisingly well-conceived answer. This girl appeared to be pretty mature for her age - though the young mother couldn't wrap her head around the weird relationship those two people shared. Maybe they were siblings?
Again, a brief glance at the musclebound hunk by her side told a slightly different story.
It really was rare to have people over, she told herself. The angry looks she shot at both of them slowly faded. There was silence as she considered whether she could trust them or not.
A huge, tattooed warrior with wild hair, wearing a leaf skirt, in his ripped hands a sharp, bony hook - and a young girl, probably heading into her twenties, carrying an oar with some kind of bird sitting on top. Seriously, something really seemed off about this chicken. Ö.Ö It simply blinked - and that was all it did!? (First left eye - then right eye Ò_Ö)
Unexpectedly high-pitched giggles drang to her ear.
She whipped around to see her son happily hugging a small pig, that cheered him up by nuzzling his face with it's snout. "Hehehe, XD PUAAAAA!", Tamati cried out and threw himself at the animal. He really had come to love the furry friend. [Doe this critter also belong with them!?] Soon after a squealing Pua was pretty much chased in circles around the three adults, with the boy laughing full-throated at his victim. His tears had dried.
"Tamati!", she yelled after him, but the kid simply overheard it. "TAMAT/ -Ah!?"
Suddenly her foot snapped away - losing balance the pregnant women already felt herself making contact with the hard ground - unless
Strong arms were preventing her from kissing dirt. "Suga," a man's voice mumbled.
Moana watched in relief as he carefully lifted the women back to her feet. This was one thing that amazed her about him, the fact that he always seemed to be there just in time - reflexes like a hawk.
Still in shock the women found herself being placed on the dry earth like a doll.
"There!", he added when she finally stood on her own legs again.
Immediately she snatched her hands away from him, feeling a little too flustered.
Brushing of unseen dirt she shook her head. Again she didn't thank him.
"GOTCHA!" Tamati had finally caught the pet and together they rolled over the dusty ground.
A deep sigh drew from the stressed women. She had missed out on some sleep the days prior.
Tiredly Tamati's mom brushed some brownish strains behind her ear, taking a long look at the weird man, who was smiling widely at her kid wrestling with the pig. Then she addressed his mate.
"The piglet's also one of your's, I presume?" This time there was no mockery in her words.
The girl gave a slight nod, standing her ground besides the obviously sulking man. The young mother chuckled at the sight of that. "As you can imagine, plucking coconuts is a stiff subject at the time *smiles sarcastically, one hand placed on her belly*, however, there are some palms growing down that path and a huge breadfruit tree. *cocks her head into the direction*
Can't hurt if you go take a look. Should prevent enough for the next few days, if your little friend over there doesn't get too hungry."
She was talking about Maui.
Moana thankfully bowed. "Thank you very much."
The women nodded, putting up her chest with regained composure. A worn out reddish cloth was wrapped around her torso, held together by a self-made fastener and raffia. Below, the slightly stained siapo covering her hips had similar patterns printed on themas Tamati's lava-lava and at least three or four necklaces with different colored seashells adorned her neck. The long braid merged with pink flowers now hung from her shoulders, leading up to graceful tattooed hands, reminding Moana of her own mother, Sina. It seemed no matter you far you went around Samoa, everything reminded you of home.
Large nacreous-rings dangled from her ears, halfway hidden behind curly strains of hair.
Just then Tamati doodled around the Moana's feet, grinning up at her. "Yeah! Come, I will show you! *babbles* Will show you where the coconuts are!^^" He grabbed the girl by her hand and wandered off into the wrong direction.
"The other way, Tamati,", his mom remarked with a sigh and the kid turned on his heels.
Blurting back: "I KNOOOO-OOOOW!"
With an excusing smile towards Maui, Moana followed the narrating little guy, who was already in the middle of telling another story about how it would be better to call them boo-boo-nuts instead of coconuts, since they hurt quite a lot when falling on somebodies head.
Giving a low chuckle, the large man remained behind, arms crossed.
"Don't you wanna' follow them?", the women asked, less sharp this time, but not a slightest bit friendlier. Maybe he could change that though.
"I've come to notice your ceiling collapsed," he cocked this head in the direction of the hut, her eyes followed along. She wondered why men always had to state the obvious, starting at the fledgling age. His look drew back to her. "Mind if I lend a hand?"
She was mentally taking aback from his offer.
Sure, he looked strong, massive that is to say, heavily tattooed with weird images such as a sun, what resembled to be fire, a palm tree, a bird - all the things she could make out by a swift glance truly reminded her of the old legends she had often listened to as a child. Maui, the demigod of the wind and sea.
A dull pain seemed to cloud her dark pupils, as her look rested on the huge fishhook he carried.
The remorseless thief, who stole the heart of Te Fiti and brought death and perdition to the world. But that's what it was. Just a legend.
Give a ripped Polynesian guy a huge toy and plaster tattoos across his skin, then call him Maui - he would still not resemble an immortal. So she probably didn't have to worry about that for now...
Simply ignore it... just... keep a cool mind...
On top of it all, a good mother had to think of their children first. Soon rain-season would start and not having a dry place to warm up could end deadly under certain circumstances. With the mere agility of a waddling chestnut due to her pregnant state, she wouldn't be able to figure something out all on her own this time. In fact, these strangers were sent by the gods - even though she hated to admit it.
"So?", Maui's deep voice rumbled, eagerness hidden behind tensed up muscles.
Facing the fale with crossed arms she chewed. Another thing she really couldn't stand was having to swallow her pride. "Fine."
A Little Later
"HOW DO YOU DO THAT?",
Tamati shouted up at Moana, who now dangled her feet from the top of the tree.
"Practise,", she laughed, because the height of this very palm tree wasn't anything comparable to the plantations they had back on Motunui, "it's not that hard really, if you do it all day.
*hols up the last coconut* Ready?"
Tamati nodded and down it fell. He literally flew after it, before slumping face down onto the ground with a CLONK. "Got it!" XD
Kid's skull was a hard one.
"Good!", Moana replied, relieved he wasn't hurt, so she made her way down the stem.
By now they had plucked about five coconuts, some breadfruits and a hand full of berries, which they ate on the way back to the fale. Pua was rolling one of the 'ulus with his snout, while Tamati demanded to carry the rest all on his own.
"Are you sure you don't want to hand me at least one of them?"
"Nope! Ö-Ö I have to grow muscles!" The boy assured her from behind the pile. Moana found he looked like a random greenish rock, that wandered beside her, only his curls were protruding. "Why?", she asked casually, though she already knew the reason.
This kid had full up and entered the Maui-fanclub, no doubt there.
"I have to become as strong as Maui!" Ò-Ó
*nonchalantly* "And why is that?"
~ Oooooh, what did the 'personification of awesomeness' tell the boy this time... ~
"I am not what you look for in a man - so I have to become stronger and defeat Maui in battle, so you are amazed and fall in love with me. Ö-Ö So I can marry you", the five-year-old said. Sounding as if these were the natural plans for the upcoming days. Moana was flustered.
"You want to marry me?" The curls behind the pile of coconuts swung happily up at down.
*amused* "And he said he knows what I look out for in a man?"
"Mmhmm^^,", kid continued nodding," he said I need to become older and grow muscles - and get tattoos *pause for thought* How do I get tattoos?" Ó_Ò
"Well, to get a tattoo..."
Smirking to herself the young teine sped up a little, only slightly, not realizing it. ~Now, that is something, demigod. Since when would you know what type of men I like? - I bet he thinks of himself as my adonis or something, this puffed up brawny swank! ~
Absentmindedly her thoughts ran over and over his imaginary expression, what his face would be like when she confronted him with it. ~ Now's my turn to get a good laugh^^~
Gloating she moved onwards. Humming happily.
"Why don't you ask him? He probably knows best *picks up the coconut Tamati had dropped without realizing* and he enjoys bragging about himself - I bet he will gladly tell ya'." :)
When they eventually neared the clearing, it was afternoon by now, Moana could see from far, that something about the place looked different. Logs, branches and scrubs were neatly piled up beside the hut, on another stack there was moist wood and parts of dried out clay. She immediately recognized this to be the fragments of the broken ceiling, since even from a hundred feet away she spotted a new line of intertwined cover material firmly attached to the timbers. Improvised and not very breathtaking, okay, but it surely would be weatherproof for the longest time.
Especially if made by a demigod.
"Hey!", she yelled up at the man, who kneeled hunched down on some kind of halfway rotted ladder. Caught up in his work Maui didn't really notice them. "HEY, demigod of the wind and sea!?"
"HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY!", Tamati shouted with a beaming smile and Moana was almost sure the kid didn't even see anything from behind the coconuts.
Puzzled the buff man gazed off to all directions before acknowledging their presence. "Oi!", he greeted them and instantly turned his attention back to what he was doing. His hair was pulled into a tight bun, hands fumbling around with a bunch of thin branches.
Moana set down the fruits she was carrying, the boy did just alike. "What are you doing?"
"YEAH! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" ÖvÖ
"What kind of stupid question is this?,", he replied in a joking manner. Wiping sweat from his forehead the man's hands grasped onto the bundle he was holding, "E 'ese le vevela..."
The sun was burning down on him quite mercilessly. - So hot... - A part of him though about ripping off his leaf skirt and 'feeling the breeze', but with people around this wasn't a considerable option. (Not that he had ever done something like this before -)
Shielding her eyes from the blinding sun, the girl looked around for Tamati's mother, but she didn't seem to be around. "Come down and take a break with us!", she suggested, a cheerful tone in her voice. Light and easy. Maui felt his muscles giving in on her offer instantly. With a sigh he rubbed the back of his head. "Can you guys get me some water?"
As he gazed down at her for a brief moment Maui was presented a wonderful warm smile, that made his head spin in circles / a-anyways, it was probably just the sun getting to him.
"Water's on the way!"
"ON THE WAAA-AAAY!" XD
Shortly after they sat in the shadow of the trees, leaning their backs against mossy stems. Noonday sun could really be intense at that period. Tamati had brought him a can filled with refreshing, crystal clear water, which he thankfully gulped down with relish; the rest he poured over his head, eyes closed in enjoyment, letting the cooling sensation flow down his skin. His admirable chest was heaving in calm amplitudes and Moana was simply glad he hadn't put up a fight, but instead joined them right away.
"You really want her to like you, don't you?", she joked, giving him a knowing smirk.
- Welp. She knows me! - "Eh, maybe", he replied genuinely. Eyes closed he relaxed.
Of course he wanted to be liked! There was nothing unlikable about him, right!? [Set aside this and that] he was awesome - and even Tamati's mom would realize this sooner or later. Probably later.
"Tama?", he addressed the boy that sat beside them, watching something very interesting, "could you do me a favor and get my hook? It leans right beside the entrance."
Feeling honored the kid leapt to his feet. [Before that, he had been giggling enormously at a certain rooster, who also had a bowl of water in front of him. Each time Tamati had put up Hei-hei's head and then dropped it, the chicken slumped right back into the bowl. Entertained to the core the boy had simply continued this. He pulled the rooster's head up - let go - dropped into the bowl. Up - let go - dropped into the bowl. Up - let go - dropped into the bowl...]
"Uh-huh! Will bring it!"^^ And off he went.
"That was a remarkable proposition of you, to offer fixing their hut", she then said out of nowhere, her voice so soft and warm it made his heart go loopy.
"You think so?"
He seemed a little surprised at her compliment. Other than himself there hadn't been someone approving of his actions for the longest time. Moana realized this and made the slightest hint of doubt within his words fade into oblivion as she feistily affirmed it once more. "Yup," her eyes were fixed on the rows upon rows of lashed up bundles, completing a part of the still gaping hole in the ceiling. There was still some work ahead of them. "Really wouldn't have thought that of a self-absorbed guy, who left an innocent girl to die in a musty cave with nothing but a giant statue of himself *smiles* ) " She chuckled when he rolled his eyes at that.
"So 'innocent'", he teased back, watching her from the corner of his eye. However his cracked voice and restlessly twitching hands told her something was off.
"I pulled islands from the sea. Harnessed the breeze. Lassoed the sun.
Of all brave deeds and feats I achieved, you praise me doing something ordinary like this..."
She wasn't sure why the confusion within his words sounded so disappointing. ~ I can't believe this douche is capable of taking such an obvious compliment the wrong way, ughhhh ~ How could one just be so thick-witted.
"Sometimes it's the small things, that mean the most. An on top of that -," Moana replied with a line her grandma once taught her; and this time she was sure to look him straight in the eyes when she said it
- and oh did she have his attention -
"I don't cherish you, because of your heroism, Maui."
He... he still didn't seem to get it though.
Staring at her for what felt like hours his shoulder unwittingly rested against hers, not even aware of the touch.
Awesome, she thought to herself and whipped her head around. So he isn't only gloomy but also hard of understanding. ~ Why do I have a crush on this jerk again?! ~
But she knew why. And she had each and every reason to.
Everything concerning feelings, this young sole seriously had never left the sate of a four-year-old and in a mocking way she wondered, why his body then had turned out to be so fine - when in reality she just knew he was a kid at heart as well. Loving and soft - and very easy to upset.
So yeah, what if he was slow on the uptake? What mattered - really mattered, were his actions once realization kicked in. - She cherishes... me -
Unsure if he just imagined these words coming from the tough girl that was Moana of Motunui, he had to mouth the syllables one more time. And one more time.
- She said she cherished me, didn't she!? -
Did he get that right? He had interpreted that right, right?
- Actually it's kinda' obvious, since... she said that already. Back then...
Girl taught me that no matter what, I am still me.
I am still Maui, with powers or without - hook or no hook - and of course she was right.
For some reason though... this was different... she basically told him that...
- I... mean something to her... -
Yup. She knew why she loved him.
The way his inked upper arm met with her skin, she could feel radiant heat emitting like energy, though she really tended to hope he simply had a sunburn. According to his tightly shut lips the message must have finally had gotten to him. Maybe this was too much honesty for the musclebound hunk, but the girl figured he deserved a little honor on that part. After all there would be plenty occasions to scowl at him for other things, so it wasn't a big deal. At least not for her.
There was a short pause until unexpectedly his low voice added:
"Same here..."
Looking up at the scary warrior, with all his intimidating tattoos, the bone-necklace flaunting on his chest, Moana realized he was smiling. Delightful and happily smiling.
It was different from a mischievous grin, not a cocky smile, nor a bragging sneer - and it made her heart beat with joy as she tried to remember the first time she had seen him smiling at her like this.
Dimples forming on his cheeks, his brown eyes were gazing right into hers, a lovable distraction, preventing her from forming a clear thought at all - even making her forget how to breathe.
As always he never broke a stare.
According to that Moana couldn't put a finger on it at the moment and as she saw the chattering bundle with and enormous hook coming their way, a glimpse of hope stayed within her heart. Wishing to get to see this wonderful expression on his face a lot more often from now on.
Refreshed at both mind and bod, Maui rose to his feet, achieving his magical weapon.
"Thanks, boy *rests the hook on his broad shoulder* Penina is still asleep?"
"Yeah!", Tamati chimed with a grin as Moana joined them.
When he noticed the girl's questioning look, the demigod filled her in. "His mom. Pregnant women had to lay down for a bit. *clears his throat* I'm gonna fly up there and take a look at the fale from above. *shrug* Never fixed a roof before, you know."
Then, swinging his hook, Maui walked a few feet away into the centre of the clearing. It was an unspoken deal that Moana was going to help him with fixing the roof, no question in that. They watched as he got ready for shapeshifting, keeping his distance.
"What are we supposed to do?", Moana yelled over, willing to receive some tasks to work on.
All the while the boys eyes were fixed on the sharp, bony weapon.
"See these piles over there?", he called back, gesturing towards the branches and scrubs in front of the hut. And there it was again, the cocky smirk.
"Yeah?"
"Make sure they stay in place ;) "
Before she could blurt something equally stupid back at him, his tattoos started to glow and there was a bright flash of light, drowned out by an all-too-familiar:
"CHEEEEE-HOOOOOOOO!"
Tamati's curly head shot up in aw as the giant hawk leapt off into the sky. Big sparkling children's eyes following the unreal creature, that claimed the wind and sea to be it's home, falling and rising with the ocean breeze. Moana wondered amused, when the kid would finally close his gaping mouth again. "WOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAH! " *_*
(This was just too cute.) Never in his whole life had he seen a man transform into a hawk - and who other than the young chief's daughter really did? "WOOOOOOAH..." *_*
Shaking her head, she watched as the shapeshifter rushed through the air, his caws resounding from the mountain's heart, carrying strength and power within them. He put up a bit of a show, of course he did, otherwise it wouldn't be him. And she was glad he did so, because the way he shot straight up like an arrow, to let himself drop down to the surface of the sea far below - only to rise again and cut through the air with lightening speed, truly was amazing.
The stunning performance of his flight bestowed her with a freedom she knew she didn't have.
But this was no time to drown in cheerlessness.
"MOANA - MOAAAANA, HOWDOESHEDOTHIS!?" *_*
Excited about all norms the kid pulled at her skirt, his head kept on following the enormous bird that circled high above the wooden shack. "WAAH! WaH - HE IS A BIRDIEEEEEEE!"
"Not only that," the girl laughed and from the corner of her eye she noticed a hurrying shadow rushing down towards them. Right before his feathery frame crashed into the teine and the boy, they were hit by the shockwave of his wings - then there was another bluish /flash/ and suddenly a green lizard quickly scrambled around them - "OOOOOOH! LIZARD!" *-*
The slithering shapeshifter then froze motionless in front of Moana - putting out his split tongue. An unpleasant feeling crept up her back. ~ Don't tell me he's grinning just now!? ~
- FLASH -
"SPIDER!" XDDDDDDD
Tamati yelled happily, scaring her even more than the the sight of the familiar blackish glowing arachnid. "YIKES!?,", jumping back like a terrified chicken, the girl scowled at the eight-legged creature, "HEY!"
And after just another blinding /flash/, there was deep full-throated laughter filling her ears.
"YOU'RE FACE! - YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN YOUR FACE! - HA!", being the most immature and childish prick she had ever come across, the thousands and thousands and thousands of years old moron pointed a shaking finger at her, holding his tattooed belly from laughter, "OOOOOOOH, that expression: PRICELESS! - Just priceless!"
Moana stood there, arms crossed, narrowing her eyes at the dork, that was her friend.
She could literally watch the dimples bestowing his face with character, the unintended goofy charm conferred by a striking tooth gap. ~ This guy... ~
"Glad you're having fun," she deadpanned. It was really hard to believe a man like him could be a serious listener in one moment - and a humorous idiot in the other.
"Pricleeeesssss", he sneered with a girly voice, wide toothy grin splitting his face in two.
"MAUIIIIIII!", the boy suddenly shouted right into his ear, appearing on his back (how the hell did he get up there without him noticing!?) and causing the demigod to flinch. - What the!? -
"YOU - you were a bird! An then - you weren't a bird anymore *-* and then there was a LIZARD! - I don't like lizards Ö.Ö they are creepy / but I like you, so that's okay!^^ - and then you were a SPIDER! I LOVE spiders! - Moana doesn't like spiders Ö-Ö"
Hyperventilating the kid babbled until his mouth felt fuzzy "My mouth theelth thuthy?!" Ó-Ò
and Maui decided it was time for them to stark working again.
"Ohokay now, the wrecked part of the ceiling isn't that small and due to that the material I gathered won't be enough,", he cocked his head at a slightly smiling Moana, figuring she was even prettier when embarrassed. He should remember that. "If you guys stack more of these, while I intertwine the supplies we have, we can make it in no time!"
And that was the plan. Explaining the details, Maui had his broad back turned towards the fale, so neither of them noticed a young women leaning against the entryway. She had been standing there for a long while, witnessing the whole event. "A shapeshifter...", her broken voice mumbled. Hair put up into a beautiful fishbone braid Penina watched the three wildly gesturing around.
"...so it is true..."
After a long and nerve-wrecking afternoon in the blazing sun, our friends were merely tired.
Tamati, whom they had told to take a seat beside his mother, was watching as Maui and Moana pulled the final strings, bundled the last scrubs - a hard day of work neared it's end.
Ever since he had called her up to get onto the roof as well, Moana had felt his intimidating shadow looming over her, ripped body covered in a thin layer of sweat being so very close for hours. Eventually she had grown used to it though (or so she thought) and the bright red blush she had worn in the beginning had slowly faded into only slightly reddened cheeks. Glad the raffia beneath her skirt shielded her knees from the rough surface of the roof, it was her job to firmly press the bundles together, so his brawny hands could complect them with the others.
"There weren't any twines or fibres, so I hope /- hrrk! / improvisation will do,", he pressed out while lashing together another pack of dried out stalks, "Braided and with the wedges *He was talking about the stakes he had carved out of some tough branches, which now clamped the scrubby bundles into the wooden framework* it should resist the elements for the next time!"
Moana watched as he tightly tied down the intractable material. Curls had freed themselves from the firm bun, sticking to his soaked neck and forehead, while others kept on falling into his face, forcing him to blow them away every now and then. His muscles were showing of quite intensely, playing beneath the detailed artwork that were his tattoos. Not keeping track of how often she had admired his handsome body that day, Moana wondered if she had only imagined Mini-maui winking at her with a knowing smile. But this had been quite a while ago.
~ Damn Moana, Ò-Ó stop being a flustered little girl!? ~
It truly was a memorable day though, watching the hero of ancient legends work with a thin layer of sweat covering the sun-kissed skin, caused her heart to beat faster each time their hands unintentionally touched. Gulping, the enamored girl had to admit, that the highly focused man amazed her so much more when proving his crafts than when flexing his muscles on purpose.
Strong hands carrying out quick solid movements and within the blink of an eye the last gap of the new ceiling was affixed. They had finally finished it.
"There," he leaned back with a sigh, "took us longer than I thought."
He looked a little worked up, but other than that very, very proud of himself.
The appealing side-effect of an act of kindness, the warmth spreading through his heaving chest, brought him just the peace he longed for. Knowing he did something good.
Revealing the cute tooth gap Maui's lips parted as his cheeks pulled up, smiling absentmindedly at their work. Then he held out a hand to her, ready for a high-five.
"'A we amazing?"
/CLAP!/ "We are amazing!"
She happily slammed her palm into his.
Giving a low chuckle the demigod laid down on his back. If the roof carried even his weight, there was nothing to worry about. The sun had already began to set by now and purplish, fluffy clouds rested on the orange sky high above. Far at the horizon the ocean glistered in all it's wonderful colors, orange and gold, but also a deep dark blue and specks of pink. Beautiful, he thought to himself,
as his face was turned towards Moana. - She's so beautiful... -
Her pretty brown eyes were drawn to line where the sky meets the sea and he knew, if she was watching the ocean her mind was drifting far, far away. Off to new adventures.
He had caught her staring at him quite a few times during that very day, always avoiding his gaze and even blushing when their hands had touched. It made him wonder... even though this was only wishful thinking... if she had also felt a change in their relationship. Probably - PROBABLY there was nothing to worry about. Her behavior was untypical, but not unwelcome.
In fact Maui wished she would only have eyes for him the entire day. These gorgeous chestnut-brown irises. Long eyelashes.
Masalo... the warmth emitting from his chest had something to do with her. Just a little.
He cherished her as well. Not only that - he adored her... a lot...
Golden beams of light played around Moana's frame and soft facial features. Long, marvelous curls flowing down her back and to her waist, slightly swaying in the cool breeze. Taking in the heartwarming view of her female lines, his lovestruck gaze wandered to her bust and collarbones - it literally took all his self-control to keep his imagination from running wild about her. Cutting off his thoughts once they reached the oh-so-desired momentum of his lips tenderly bathing the crouch of her neck with hot kisses...
- Okay!? So what if I do find her attractive? There's nothing wrong about that, so far... she's a pretty young lady, every man would love to - I mean she's... ugh... -
If he was ashamed of his fantasies... then he most certainly didn't want to be.
She was beautiful with each and everything she had, peaking a man's interest with ease, not even knowing it herself. Still so young and sweet, untouched. And for a moment he forgot she was the girl of an island far from his reach, about to get married with another man, that was not him.
Maui simply had to accept, that all these thoughts, as pleasant and wonderful as they were, would never become reality. All fantasizing would bring him in the end, was an awfully broken heart.
It still was the same old song - even if he could get her to like him in a romantic way, if he really tried hard enough with all his charm and she would fall for him - it would never work.
Because of one tiny word, that carried the weight of his entire, damned existence: immortality.
And if loving her only ever lead to unbearable pain on her side...
he would quietly swallow down his feelings to afford her story a happy ending.
- A stupid crush is not worth ruining a whole life, you idiot! Stop acting like a freaking teenager and man up! -
But then how come, his selfish heart wasn't strong enough to release his eyes from the most beautiful curve of her body...
... her smile.
"What are you looking at?", she asked once she had realized he wasn't watching the sunset at all.
- Something much prettier...-
"Nothing particular", he lied with a sorrowful heart, but before she could examine the fake smile he had given her any closer, Maui stood up. "Lets get down."
She regarded his warm, big hand for a moment. Considering whether she should ask him of what was wrong or not. "Okay."
She decided not to.
Leading her down the musty ladder, he shortly followed after.
They had totally forgotten about their two onlookers.
"I guess you will stay the night then?", Penina determined, tough it sounded more like a demand.
Tamati looked up at both of them with expectant big eyes. "Will you!?" ÓvÒ
His mother had actually intended to make it seem like an offer, a thank-you for their hard work. She truly was thankful for the help of those people - aaand she pretty much came to like their pets. The pig called Pua was such a cute little fella. Come to think of it she had no clue where the rooster had wandered off to!?
"There's some falaoa and breadfruit-porridge waiting for you guys. *eyes the demigod's pleased face* But don't crow too soon, *smirk* my husband always said I was a horrible cook!"^^
So that's what she had been doing for the past few hours, Moana thought, remembering the sweet smell they had witnessed coming from within the hut. A swift glance at her musclebound friend assured, that he also enjoyed the idea of a warm meal - mostly because Penina hadn't uttered the small "Thank you!", he was waiting for, just yet.
Aside from that the boy, who was pulling at the leaves around his waist, trying to drag the huge man into the shack, worried him so much more. Maybe it hadn't been a good idea to stay for any longer than they really had to. - God, he looks so happy... -
It almost broke his heart, thinking about Tamati's reaction when he would realize, his friends had to go. That they would have to leave in a very soon future, which was about to begin with the early morning sun. Maybe a demigod simply wasn't meant to have any friends.
Not as mighty as a god
- not as vulnerable as a mortal.
Not part of this world, nor of the other. Forever trapped in between. A creature, damned to be lonely for eternity. Not worth of taking part in another human's life...
Maybe the desire to be with them was a wish, that was just not meant to be. Just like himself.
- Not meant to be... -
Dejected by his own thoughts Maui risked a brief glimpse at Moana. Just a glimpse at her warming, dear smile, his worried look not unnoticed by a knowing mother, who hurried them inside.
And Penina wondered. She wondered, what this man really had in mind when he regarded that girl in this very special way. "Food's not getting any warmer, guys!"
His look, impossible to fake with the love it held. A look,
she missed so dearly ever since he had left.
- Simply not meant to be... -
Intending to follow them inside, Maui was the last to enter the hut. Well, he was about to enter the hut, but Moana stopped him. "You look worried?", she said, her voice a hushed whisper, "wha's bugging you?"
His eyes fluttered open, before blinking at her in surprise. She had realized it?
Knowing it was no use to lie to her, the pain he carried within his big, dull heart grew a little more bearable. He was glad fate had given him the honor to meet the beautiful girl that was Moana Waialiki. Truly and genuinely glad.
"Tā'ua...", he said with a crooked grin, his warm palm resting on her shoulder. Holding on to her just a moment longer. Moana furrowed her brows at him in concern, knowing exactly he was bothered by something. But as always he wasn't in the mood to tell her. According to that the young women raised a brow at him, obscuring his way. "Maui!" Her voice containing a message similar to: ~ Don't you dare conceal it!? ~ Ò_Ó
The stubborn young man however just rolled his eyes at that - "Wah!? MAUI!?"- and swung her tiny body over his shoulder, effortlessly carrying a struggling Moana inside.
"Maybe I'll tell ya' later, curly."
And so, even if the ageless creature felt meaningless within this very world,
he could still mean the world to somebody else...
Don't forget to drop by on deviantart for the art: SKYDRATHIK
[Part 1/3]
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
People...
firstof all this was planned to fit into one damn fiction, but this is simply way too horribly LONG. So the Tamati-chapters are (HOPEFULLY!?) ending within chapter X...
In all honesty, do you guys think (who always bother to comment for me, thank you very much!) that I waste too much time with details!? Because I myself always enjoy many details when reading, because this makes it seem like the author knows, what he is talking about!? [When seriously, the food they're gonna get is just bread and some puree, man XD] huff...
- also, I really need to know if you think the two are acting off character, because what destroys a fanfic for me as a reader is, if they are TOTALLY NOT acting the way I think they would (such as being too perverted or cheesy or something like that.) Welp. So here goes that one, people ~
Also guys, I might be weird for thinking this [NO! A person having a crush on a 3D-charcter is totally not weird, pfff], but I think guys, if hard working, they are very handsome. Not when having a neat hairstyle, not when wearing boyfriend-pants, not when being dicks - but when they show they can handle some damn work! (And due to that crafting sweaty men can look pretty sexy I think... *hides under her bed*)
Okay, here something really stupid and I almost put that into the text, but I figured it was just too stupid - *SPOILER* DON'T READ THIS IF YOU DON'T WANT YOUR MAUI-CRUSH TO BE (halfway) DESTROYED XDDDDDDDDD
I had actually wanted Tamati to say the following when he watched Maui turn into a giant hawk for the first time: "WAAAAH! WAH - he's a bird AND a man!? He is a BIRDMAN!? Ö-Ö OR A MANBIRD!?" - but sadly, XD there is this very episode of Ugly Americans... I don't know maybe this would ruin all of our Maui-crushes XDDDDDDDDDDDDD /I bet you curse me now, don't you?/ XDDDDDD
lg, Sky
teine - girl
oneone - gravel
tiiti - klein
ponipopo - sweet dessert (similar to Buchteln XD )
kae - shit
fale - hut/house
Talofa! - Hello!
uso - brother/sister
sapo - bark cloth
E 'ese le vevela - It's damnhot
masalo - maybe
Tā'ua... - We two...
