Chief Tui had never believed in such things as magic and monsters before Moana's travels with the Heart of Te Fiti. To stand face to face with a creature of Lalotai, let alone one that tried to eat his daughter, was a lot to take in. But he managed to keep a stoic-looking exterior. Perhaps a bit hostile-looking, even, but that was to be expected.

The rest of the people (about forty had come down to visit) had gone up to their old village to prepare it for their stay, though they were reluctant about it. Moana assured them with full confidence that the crab was completely safe now, but they were… skeptical, to say the least. The only reason they were willing to leave Tui, Sina, and Moana with the creature was because Maui was present.

It took Tamatoa longer than he'd like to admit to fully calm down. Now that he had, however, he had been keeping his eyes on Moana's parents with a monotone, calculative gaze, not sure what to think of them. They were a teensy bit drab-looking, in his opinion, but this was probably not a good time to say so out loud. Moana had just explained to them everything that's gone on since she and Maui took him in, after all, and they seemed to be mulling everything over. Moana was studying her parents' reactions warily, and Maui stood off to the side, leaning on his hook as he watched things unfold. Sina looked more worried and uncertain than anything, but Tui's gaze remained stern and cold as he watched the crustacean.

Awkward silences are appearing to become a trend.

"… So, uh, you heard me when I said he saved our lives, right?" Moana said, mostly worried about her dad's opinion on all this. Tui nodded, but his expression didn't change, and he kept his gaze firmly on the crab.

"I also heard you when you told me he tried to eat you." Tui may not have believed in monsters before, but he did not like the sounds of them. Especially this one.

"Well hey," Moana continued, "Maui also trapped me in a cave, but everybody likes him fine."

… Fair point, he supposed. Maui also cursed the world, but that's not exactly something they're hanging over his head.

This is different, though. Maui redeemed himself, Maui taught Moana so much, Maui is a demigod that's devoted his life to the human race, Maui is basically human. This is some… giant monster crab that tried to eat his daughter.

"Dad," Moana said, voice taking on a surprisingly austere tone. "You know that I've grown. You know I have good judgment."

"You are also impulsive, stubborn, and overly trusting." Tui retorted, pointedly glaring at the crab at that last part. Tamatoa didn't seem to care; his attention was currently being held by the tattoos on the chief's arm. Not bad. But Maui's are better. He commented to himself, purposely distracting himself from the man's gaze.

"Dad- No, chief." The change of title immediately caught Tui's attention again. "Listen to me not as your daughter, but as your second-in-command." Moana held an air of professionalism and confidence about her as she spoke. "I've survived for many weeks with Tamatoa around. Isn't that proof enough that he's not a threat to my safety? To everyone's safety?" She raised an eyebrow slightly. "I trust him." Now that really struck a chord in Tamatoa. What a surprisingly nice feeling, to be trusted…

"I trust him, and you trust me." Moana went on. "So please, have a little faith that I know what I'm doing."

If door-to-door salesmen existed in this time, Moana would probably be a pretty good one. She could be very persuasive if she wanted to be.

Tui didn't trust Tamatoa, that much was for sure. But he did trust Moana. "… Fine. I hope you know what you're doing." He cast one last dark glare at the crustacean, but his gaze softened when he came closer to Moana. "Come see us at the village when you're done down here. Everyone's missed you." With that, he headed off to help the other villagers, but not before giving his child a quick hug.

"Real charming fellow, that one." Tamatoa commented jokingly after the man was out of earshot. "Lovely first impression."

"Pfft, like you're one to talk!" Moana joshed back, lightly nudging his leg.

"I don't need social skills! Haven't we been over this?" He scoffed in response, posing jocularly as he flashed a cocky grin and winked. "What I lack in personality I make up for in stunning beauty!"

Their little exchange earned a tiny laugh from Sina, who had been so quiet beforehand that Tamatoa had almost forgotten that she was even there. The woman cautiously walked nearer to her daughter, watching the crustacean with a wary gaze, but her eyes were much softer and kinder than Tui's nonetheless. Moana took after her mother that way, Tamatoa noted.

"So you're… sure he's safe…?" Sina asked carefully.

With a reassuring grin, Moana leaned casually against one of the creature's legs and answered, "Absolutely positive."

When Sina glanced at Maui for a second opinion, he gave her a confident thumbs-up.

Trying to keep an open mind, the woman nodded slowly. "Al… Alright…" Glancing at Tamatoa again, she continued, "It's, um… nice to meet you…?"

Tamatoa looked her up and down, unsure if she meant that or not. Normally he'd respond with something along the lines of Of course it's nice to meet me! You're so lucky to have the honour of knowing someone as wonderful as I! or something like that, buuut he figured it wouldn't be a good idea to get that cheeky with these ones. Yet, anyways. Instead, he tried to muster a non-threatening smile and replied, "Likewise, ba-" The crustacean stopped talking when Moana elbowed his leg and gave him a look that seemed to say For the love of Te Fiti, do not call my mom 'babe'.

"Ah… Likewise, Sina." He finished, correcting himself immediately.

"So Mom, did you all have any difficulty getting here?" Moana asked in an attempt to encourage a more casual atmosphere. "It's the first time anyone's sailed without me or Maui around, after all."

"Well, we're faster learners than you may think, my little minnow." Sina answered smoothly. She smiled proudly as she continued. "But we do have some pretty spectacular teachers." Glancing at the village path, she raised an eyebrow. "Should we…?"

"Oh, yes!" Moana exclaimed, realizing everyone was probably waiting on her. Her eyes lit up when she thought of catching up with them. Turning to Tamatoa and Maui, she said, "You two should probably stay here until I make sure everyone hears about what's going on with Tamatoa. I'll be back as soon as possible with an update!" With that, she and her mother made her way to the village, Moana waving at them as she went out of their view.

Leaning over to Maui after the girls were out of earshot, Tamatoa said, "How much you wanna bet that this is going to end disastrously?"

"Pff. Everything'll be fine, crab cake." Maui responded, giving the crab a confident smirk.

"Well, if you're so sure of that…" Tamatoa went on, smirking back, "Then you have nothing to lose with a little gamble, eh?" He was joking, of course, and he knew Maui was aware of that.

"Tell ya what…" Maui replied jokingly, humouring the crab, "I'll bet my very own fish hook that things will be fine."

"Oooo, very confident." Tamatoa crooned, laughing quietly under his breath. "It's a bet."

Though the two of them knew they weren't being serious with each other, they were both curious as to how this would play out. Maui and Moana had come to assume that Nafiira was bluffing when she said 'they weren't done with them yet', as no sign of an attack seemed to be coming from her end. Tamatoa wasn't so certain, and questioned the idea of having several puny little humans around while they were at a possible risk. But even if they were to be attacked, Maui had confidence in their ability to handle it.

"You know what, crab cake?" Maui said out loud, folding his arms. "Even if trouble does come for us? We can take care of it. 'Cause we're strong, you, me, and Moana. We can take on anything."

Hmm. Tamatoa's heard that one before.

… No, he shouldn't think like that. He should have some faith in his friend, not be thinking about all the negatives.

"… If you say so, Maui."