CHAPTER EIGHT: CARING FOR GALI
Kopaka draped a blanket over the unconscious form of Gali, praying she would last throughout the night. The Matoran predicted the storm would blow over by then, but Kopaka wanted to make certain she would be alright.
Against everything he liked, he managed to start a small fire in the center of the hut. Now was not the time to worry about himself, he reasoned as he put a pail of water on the flames, now was the time to worry about Gali.
He dipped a cloth into the warm water and placed it on her forehead, hoping it would help. In her unconscious state, Gali gave a slight shiver. Kopaka shook his head in despair. He wasn't a nursemaid – she would more than likely die if he didn't warm her up somehow. This was one of the few times he envied Tahu.
An insane thought crossed his mind, but he quickly pushed it away. If he had been any of the other Toa, using his own body to supply heat would have been a good idea. Unfortunately, the Toa of Ice radiates no heat – only cold. He filled a few containers with warm water and slid them beneath her blankets, hoping they would act like warming pads.
Committing himself to Gali's well-being, he pulled over a stool and sat down, resting his chin on his palms. Get well, Gali… the other Toa will kill me if you die in my care… he thought, dismally. Another voice, probably his Spirit-damned common sense, spoke up as well. Of course, Kopaka, that's not the only reason you want her to get well.
Kopaka dozed off, sitting next to Gali. He slept fitfully, waking up every few minutes to monitor Gali. Kopaka cursed his kinder nature. He stood up and stretched, looking into the sheet of polished ice he used as a mirror. Everyone thought he was cold – and granted, he was.
The reason he liked Gali so much was that she looked past his exterior. Hell, she did it with all of them. Lewa was not so much a true joker as he was an insecure person trying to come to grips with the fact that he was a Toa. Tahu's hot temper was the result of his defensive nature, and Pohatu was actually much smarter than most Matoran gave him credit for. She had revealed that Onua had a pathological fear of heights, and (most importantly to him) had been the first to see that he was not as cold as others believed.
Kopaka shook his head, going over to stand in one of the windows. He could see only about three inches of the outside, as the snow had built up almost to the top of the window. Gali had determined, once, that the reason he was cold was because he was afraid. At the time, he had become extremely rude and basically told her to go jump in the Mangai Volcano, but she was right. He had not exactly been… fortunate… with past relationships.
He closed his eyes, leaning against the wall. There would be time for him to relive his sins later, he thought, now was the time to check on Gali. He walked over to the bed he'd set her on, and felt her forehead. He sighed with relief when he realized that she no longer felt like an ice brick, but frowned slightly. Why hadn't she awoken yet? He mentally kicked himself: she was probably sleeping.
He sat back down on his stool and crossed his arms over his chest, watching her. His mind took in every aspect of her image, and Kopaka mutely realized that she looked like an Angel. He shook his head to clear the thoughts. He was thinking stupid thoughts now. He was a Toa for Mata-Nui's sake. He was not allowed to think like that.
How much, Kopaka, would you bet that Tahu thinks like that though… his mind asked him, snidely. Kopaka didn't realize that his chin was drooping toward his chest. Within moments, Kopaka had fallen into a deep slumber. Outside, the wind howled and shrieked with a feral noise, and Matoran huddled together in the towers for warmth. Inside Kopaka's house, however, two Toa slept peacefully.