Moana woke slowly, laying on a rocky beach half in half out of the water, stiff with cold. The sky was gray, pregnant with the threat of rain; but she could tell it was late in the afternoon. Moana looked towards the ocean. "Thank you." She said. No response. She sat up, groaning with the effort. "I mean it." She said, trailing her hand through the chilly waters. "You saved my life, again." She paused, waiting for a playful splash or even an acknowledging nod from the sentient water. But the ocean remained stoic in its continual lapping at the shore. "You're busy, no stress. Thanks though." Pulling out of the water, she stood and looked around, trying to get her bearings.
The island was rocky, not many trees to be seen. Giant cliffs soared up around her, jagged rocks churning the ocean into a white froth. The wind moaned incessantly, making her feel small and alone. Moana's throat was swollen and raw from thirst and the outbursts she had let loose over the past few days, had it really only been two days? Deciding that fresh water and food would be the best place to start, Moana struck out towards the cliffs, looking for the best way to climb up them.
The climb was arduous. Moana had lost count of how many times she had slipped, nearly tumbling down the the treacherous cliff face. The rocks were sharp, slicing cruelly into her feet and hands. Pebbles were strewn about making the going slow while she confirmed that each handhold wasn't going to shift out from under her. She was exhausted when she reached the top, head pounding with the exertion and from dehydration. Shakily, she got to her feet and looked around. The rocky terrain had flattened some, sparse trees dotted the landscape, stunted with their lack of nutrients and the constant torture from the gale forces. The wind howled and the first patterings of rain could be heard. Thunder rumbled ominously in the distance.
Ignoring her aching feet, Moana struck out towards a small copse of trees in hopes of slaking her thirst.
The copse was a lot bigger than she had originally thought. Partially sunk down into a protected bowl, the trees had found respite from the cutting wind. Hopeful that the large amount of trees was indicative of a source of water, she started moving again, wending her way through the underbrush and trees.
The small stream was like a river of silver in the dying light. Knifing its way through the trees, it's water was almost sweet to the taste. Moana drank deeply, gorging herself on the ice cold liquid. Her stomach cramped and threatened to refuse the gift. Moana sat at the edge of the stream, willing her stomach into calmness. When she was certain she wasn't going to throw up, she stood looking around, trying to decide what her next course of action should be.
An ear splitting crack broke the stillness. Moana could smell the lightning even as she was temporarily blinded by the intense flash. The storm broke with terrible ferocity. Buckets of water dumped from the sky, the wind shrieked with renewed savagery. Peals of lightning struck with deadly force. Moana stood in awe as nature unleashed its fury. A tree exploded into tiny bits as it was struck by lightning, jolting Moana into action. She dashed through the forest, running upstream, her only thought was that she had to find shelter.
She almost fell as she came around a bend and saw the cave. It was like a gigantic hole was punctured through the earth itself. The opening loomed ahead of her, stalactites littered the ceiling giving the impression of a great maw about to swallow her whole. After a moments hesitation she bolted for the opening. Anything was better than staying out here and getting fried by lightning or being swept away by a flash flood.
The creature stirred from its slumber. It had only been here a few months, holed up while it healed from an intensive battle that it had nearly not survived. Rustling its leathery wings restlessly; it cast about, looking for what had disturbed its sleep. A mortal was breaking a large hunk of deadwood into smaller pieces. Pe'ape'a blinked his many eyes and looked interestedly at the tiny mortal below him.
Moana grunted as she kicked at a dead limb, trying to break it off. She could barely feel her fingers for the cold. She had found the dead tree, blessedly dry, a little ways into the cave and had been able to pull it deeper into the cave to a spot more protected from the wind. Using some rock chunks that were strewn about the cave, she bent to the task of starting a fire. Hands shaking and aching from the impact of striking the rocks over and over, she ground her teeth in frustration. Had she not been so distracted by Maui she wouldn't even be in this mess. She was tired, cold, hungry and more than a little scared. She had no boat, nobody knew where she was, and this forslugged fire was being stubborn! Angry, she slammed the rocks together. The sparks lept from the stones, scattering into the kindling. Startled, Moana almost let the sparks die. Quickly she crouched over them, puffing gentle currents of air, coaxing them into life. The embers smoldered, quavered, dimmed, then flared into life. The deadwood burst into fire, exploding with light and warmth. Moana lurched back to avoid being singed, just in time to see a colossal bat screech and pull out of a deadly dive. Flames licked along its furry belly as it struggled to stop its headlong swoop at her. Immense wings beat the air, whipping up sparks and dust. Its many eyes squinting and blinking in the bright light.
Moana screamed and dove to the side. Scrambling to get to her feet, she fled to the wall of the cave. A few sizable boulders had fallen sometime in the years past, creating a shelter of sorts. Squeezing through a slim opening, Moana crouched, terrified in the small space.
"Come out, my dear. Don't be afraid." The rich voice was smooth, deep and soothing. Echoing faint whispers in the dark.
Moana curled into a tighter ball. Great. Huge and intelligent. I'm screwed.
A large shape blocked the entrance to her small space, eyes stared in at her, glinting in dark. "Come, sweetling. I mean you no harm." His voice was coaxing, smooth and gentle. Quite at odds with his monstrous appearance.
"Yeah right." Moana said, trying to sound bigger and more brave than she felt.
"You startled me, was all. I'm afraid I have behaved most distressingly. Forgive me. I did not mean to frighten you." The creature disappeared from the opening. Moana heard its rustling as it paced around, looking for a way in.
"Mm. I'm sure it is distressing when your food sees you coming."
His laughter rolled around the cave, the dissonance of mirth filling the cavern. "Fruit bat, darling. I don't eat meat."
"Why should I believe you?" Moana strained to hear where he was. Frantically searching her space both for a way out and to confirm there was no way for him to get in.
"A fair question." The bat conceded. "Perhaps we should start over. Everyone deserves a second chance, no?" Once again, he was at her opening. Crouching so his eyes were on level with hers, he slid his long fingered hand through the opening as far as he could reach. Moana shrank back. "My name is Pe'ape'a." He softly rumbled.
Moana stared at the hand. Does he honestly think I'm going to shake his hand? Pe'ape'a waited patiently. "Uhm..." Moana deliberated. What harm could come from providing her name? She was tired and confused by the situation. She just wanted a moments rest, someplace safe where she didn't have strange creatures trying to lure her into traps. "Moana." She said, and slapped Pe'ape'a's hand in a high five. The slender fingers swiftly closed, momentarily catching her finger before she could pull away. Moana shrank further back, he was quicker than she had thought.
"Moana." Pe'ape'a whispered her name, tasting it, and seemed to find it to his liking. "I am very pleased to make your acquaintance, Moana." He withdrew his hand, but stayed by the opening, four of his eyes staring in, blinking in turn. Moana shivered and stared at him. The silence stretched for a very long time. She was just about to blurt out a question when her stomach gave a mighty rumble, horribly loud in the silence.
Pe'ape'a chuckled. "I hear a rumbly in your tummy, dearest. Would you care to dine with me?" His voice was honey smooth, dripping with charm.
"I'm good. I, uh... Recently ate." She finished lamely.
"Tsk, tsk, dearie. Lying does not become you."
After a while it was obvious Moana was not going to respond, Pe'ape'a withdrew. "Suit yourself." He whispered. "You can't stay in there forever, little blossom. Sooner or later, you will have to leave. And I will be here. Watching. Waiting."
Moana remained silent, huddled as far back as she could get. How am I ever going to get out of this? She wondered desperately.
*Note*
Thank you for reading. I appreciate the time you spend on my musings.
I do not mean any disrespect to the legends and tales of Maui. I enjoyed reading the story of Pe'ape'a and wanted to do a bit of a spin on the tale. I mean it as a nod or in a way homage to the original story.
Criticism, critiques and thoughts happily accepted.
