Because it's the first week of school holiday, I managed to type more. The story rolled quite a bit now... and wait, Maui's confession is just around the corner!
I appreciate your fave/follow/kudos/bookmarks/review... thank you! :-)
To Sky: I'll read your story, but the link you provide me seemed to be truncated. Thanks to Jenny for the beta.
Maui wasn't entirely sure what was happening after he and Moana plummeted down the deadly waterfall. There was an overwhelming amount of water and strong undercurrent tossing them around like rag dolls. He could only remember concentrating on clutching her body firmly to his, doing the best he could to avoid both of them ending up hurt. He was sure some sharp rocks and branches had scraped down his back, lacerating his limbs, but it was the lack of air that finally took away his consciousness.
If Moana hadn't been there, he would have transformed into something more water-friendly, escaped as a bird, or perhaps he wouldn't end up badly wounded, or perhaps even losing limbs? Or dead? He knew there was no use second guessing hypothetical situation. It was what it was, and he had no regret for what he had done, so as long as Moana was safe.
A long moment later, his awareness progressively returned, and the next thing he felt was his back screaming in vengeful agony, another throbbing pain on his side, his lungs were seconds from exploding and an oddly warm, soft, and wet thing on his lips. With his demigod superpower, Maui could mask those hostile sensations just to focus his attention on the inexplicable pressure on his lips. He opened his eyelids slowly to identify the culprit, just to see Moana's face practically an inch away from him. Something rippled in his mind.
Was she kissing him?
Apparently, she had fallen for me, Maui thought smugly. But he couldn't figure out why Moana looked conflicted and fearful, and not enjoying it at all.
Before Maui could conjecture any other thoughts, a sudden wave of water rose from his lungs and forcefully gush through his mouth. He retched in pain, spilling the extra contents of his chest, coughing and heaving violently.
"HAAHHHH….." He took a generous intake of oxygen.
"HAAHHH….." And another lungful.
"HAHH…." And another.
At his side, Moana was stunned for a few moments before feigning an annoyed look. She hadn't been kissing him, but rather trying to revive him.
"Ah, so you finally back to the realm of the mortal," she grumbled. "For a second, I thought you met the gorgeous god of the underworld and had forgotten to return."
"I know how much you missed me, but your wait is over," Maui taunted back, wiping his mouth ungracefully with the back of his hand. He took a moment to observe his surrounding. They were on the edge of an estuary, which current flowed sluggishly against some vegetation that grew around the shallow riverbed. In the distance, Maui could hear the sound of a crashing waterfall.
Moana paid him a faint smile and shook her head. "You never cease to amaze me, Maikai. No mortal could possibly be alive after falling from up there," she said tonelessly, but Maui caught an undeniable sense of fear and relief in her eyes.
In fact, were those tears in her eyes?
The realization that Maikai might have seen a moment of weakness, Moana hastily turned around and occupied herself with the rag in her hands―part of her skirt that she tore to clean the wounds on Maikai's arms and legs. She knew she could very well deceive him with her words, but not with her eyes.
"I don't blame you," Maui added with a haughty smirk. "I am pretty awesome," he preened, before biting back a sharp cry as Moana began to clean a deep cut.
"Sorry, it'll sting a bit," she cringed with empathy. "It's a miracle that we are still alive. I mean, my dad fell from a coconut tree once, and he broke his ankle. He had to stay in bed for at least two weeks. The worst for this wound will likely leave a permanent mark."
"Ah, that's because he isn't me," Maui replied, smiling proudly and milking the moment. But he didn't anticipate what happened next when without warning, Moana's face crumpled, and a sob tore loose from her throat.
"I thought I'd lost you," her voice quiet, "I… " Moana couldn't finish as another sob shook her lips. There was something warm, moving, tight and suffocating as she realized the extent of crazy things this man was willing to endure for her sake.
Maui froze. Suddenly his brain went blank; his motor skill cruelly forsook him and very confused feelings happening somewhere in his chest watching Moana sorrowfully wept as she knelt in front of him. He supposed to be sad, or at least feeling a strand of sympathy―but inexplicably, he didn't detect any aching in his chest, in contrast, he felt rather... elated.
"Hey, don't worry. Not a big deal," Maui tried to assuage her baseless anxiousness. "I am a tough guy, right? Besides, I need to earn cool scar like―Ouch!" he tried to prop himself up with his hand, but his back protested caustically when his weight pressed against it. He made a sharp grunt and Moana instinctively screeched and pushed him back down.
"Stay there!" she commanded, biting and short between hiccuping little sob.
"It's nothing," he muttered.
"That doesn't sound like nothing!" Moana snapped tartly, though her eyes were skirting with guilt.
"Let me see," she insisted, reaching for him. Maui could only sigh, relenting, rolled unto his side and pulled his loincloth slight down to expose his entire spine. For a split second or two, Moana was captivated at the sight of the toned muscle on his smooth, bronze skin, but her admiration turned to horror when she saw how the bad the rocks had scraped his skin, and the impact of the fall must have bruised the ridges of muscle underneath.
Oh, Maikai..! Why did you have to protect me? You could've been killed! You...you annoyingly kind fool! She thought ruefully. Sympathetic fear flashed across her face as she watched him whimpered and his face contorted in pain. "Wait here, let me try to find something."
Maui was about to impede her intention, telling her that he would be fine, his demigod body would mend itself in no time, but he remembered to keep his secret safe.
With the corner of his eyes, he observed Moana whizzed past him, checking the plants and shrubs that grew in the vicinity, sending various branches, dirt and roots flying before extracting a few types of leaves and stem.
"Now, please let me help you." She gently placed her hand on his, pleadingly. Maui found no words to decline her offer and obeyed. Moana chewed the stem and the leaves, and carefully spread the concoction over the gash with her finger. She paused for a second when she heard the young man hiss in pain as the juice stung the open wound. She stroked the side of his forearm comfortingly, pressing a gentle kiss on his back as though it would make it better.
"Maikai, I'm sorry…. ―" she said with remorse strangling her voice, staring at the gaping wound that was still streaming with blood.
"Hey, I told you―I am fine. It's no one's fault." Maui turned his head as far as he could, looking up at her before smiling broadly.
That rough, thick voice, heavily accented with affection that suddenly eased the wretched memory of what they'd just been through. Moana dared herself to lift her face and met his sincere eyes with a lopsided, stupid smile on his lips.
And suddenly, she felt safe.
"Thank you," she beamed up at him. "for coming to my rescue."
The pure gratitude and unconcealed admiration that emanated from her eyes made Maui feel more like a chivalrous, badass hero than anything he had ever done.
After the herbs had numbed the screaming nerves on his back, both Wayfinder returned to Kabara. Knowing that everyone would make a big fuss over his injured back, Maui subtly decided to stay incognito. But of course, his interest piqued when Emere called Moana to her fale to discuss something personal.
Disguising himself as a gecko, Maui perched by the side of the window that left slightly ajar.
"The celebration would be tomorrow at sundown, a formal dinner followed by festivities games," said the voice, Maui crawled closer to the gap."Maikai can come too," he heard Emere suggesting. "As your escort."
Maui mentally laughed at her absurd proposition. Admittedly, he always enjoyed the village feast: the thrilling sensation of being surrounded by cacophony of sounds, the joy of festivities and plethora of mouth watering food. However, he was quite certain the banquet Emere mentioned was nothing like whatever crossed his mind―surrounded by rustic villagers, in casual, relaxed environment. They were the royal family. The kind of banquet they would host would be a formal dinner, in rigid, mannered setting where one wasn't aloud to talk when they chew or burp to display satisfaction.
To his surprise, Moana didn't antagonize the idea (well, she didn't squeal in delight either), but from his limited field of view, he could see a sudden spark in her eyes.
Despite his elation over Moana's response, Maui could only imagine how terrible the night would be, surrounded by a throng of flashy looking mortals who were going to scrutinize his table manner and public etiquette―the prospect was less than appealing. But he had a sinking feeling he may have stepped cross the line if he disagreed to one of the royal's proposal.
When Moana visited his fale that night to change his bandage, Maui confronted her.
"Me? On a formal dinner?"
Moana blinked, "Did you...did you eavesdrop?" Her brows began to draw in indisputable annoyance.
Maui rolled his eyes, didn't even bother to answer her accusation. "Tell me your aunt is joking." he snorted, sounding displeased.
"Don't think she is," Moana replied calmly. "What's a matter, you don't want to accompany me? It would be as boring as it is for you as it is for me, I barely knew anyone there," she defended, trying to persuade him from another perspective.
"So why can't both of us abscond together instead?" he suggested casually. It was valid of course, according to Maui, it was merely how to solve the problem from a different angle. His angle.
Moana eyes widened. "What?!" she exclaimed, mortified."They are my aunt and uncle, how can I possibly disappear on the banquet they've hosted? They'll be disappointed! Outraged even!" she replied defensively, unaware that her voice began to rise in exasperation.
"Ok, in that case, I'll stay in my room, you go and enjoy the night," Maui retorted without much thought.
"All right," she spat, clearly stung by his words."Forget that I said anything."
"Good," said Maui complacently, felt relieved that Moana had come to her senses and given up such ridiculous notion."Now, could you undo this bandage, I looked like an inept fool with these things on my back."
"Oh! Whatever!" Moana muttered under irritated breath. "I am not in the mood anymore."
Maui looked at her in undisguised irritation. "Oh, come on!" he berated, rolling his eyes.
"What?" Moana scowled back provokingly."I'll do it tomorrow since you will be in your room the whole night anyway, no one will notice how ludicrous you looked," she countered with unmistakable resentment in her voice.
"Fine!" Maui said sharply."If you want me to chaperone you, I'll come!" he capitulated ungraciously.
"I don't need your favors," she snapped, flicking her sight and letting Maikai addressing her back instead.
He glared at her, patience running thin. "Listen, Princess. I'm doing what you wanted me to do!" he retorted, chest heaving." So, you should be….should be…" he sputtered, trying to fill the blanks with the right words.
"I should be what?" Moana pressed, voice piqued with challenge.
"You should be nice about it!" he yelled."I am going to do something I hate, just to make you happy. You should say: Thank you Maikai!" he retorted with high falsetto.
Moana stunned for a moment, despite herself, couldn't suppress a giggle. At that moment, he didn't look like an irate man, more like a whiny little boy grumbling 'It's not fair!'
Her anger subsided."Right...right… Thank you Maikai," she said in singsong tune before bursting another giggling fit.
Maui stared at her suspiciously. Was she making fun of him?
"Really," she assured him after her laughter faded."I appreciate your willingness to do this for me. Thank you, that so sweet of you."
Mollified, Maui sat down next to her. "Now, please…" he gestured towards his back.
After a spur of crazy adventures, Moana was relieved to find herself in a familiar setting, within the safety hand of her relatives, preparing to celebrate his uncle's successful reign.
"You look lovely, Moana," she heard an unfeigned gasp of admiration from the door. It was her aunt.
"Thank you, Auntie," Moana suddenly became all bashful and flustered.
There was something special about tonight. Moana couldn't explain it, but she could feel it as she admired her beautiful dress that seemed far too elegant, too feminine, yet looked so fitting for her. She felt different: mature and womanly, perhaps one of the thing she hardly pondered much while she was with her parents in Motunui.
Her mind flashed with the image of a boring night full of protocol and surrounded by dignitaries attempting to engage her in political empty-talk. Ah, if only Maui were here, it'll be more fun.
When she saw the glimpse of Maikai outside her uncle's fale, she felt an unexplainable sense of ease and happiness settled upon her. Considering she had only met her for less than a month, it was strange that she felt a definite familiarity and warmth towards the elusive bachelor. He was like a child that was trapped in a body of a towering hulk―powerful but impetuous. There was a constant, childlike zeal in him, on the way he leaped around, sang or invited her to join his stupid antics.
Moana remembered looking into his gentle eyes and feeling irrefutable comfort, wonderful and thrilling sensation in her stomach like she did when she sawTane, before he broke her heart. She felt like she could trust Maikai with her life.
That evening, Maui found himself dressed in flamboyant looking feather cape that pinched around his neck because the collar. It was resting awkwardly on his shoulder, about a few inches too small and futilely managed to cover his broad back (and the scabbing wound from the incident). As his bottom, he was wearing a matching color lavalava skirt that riding up in a very unpleasant way―but no one in the village had a skirt his size (and Anahera pointed out his current skirt looking drab and out of fashion), except he accepted the idea of wearing a tablecloth instead―which he was sure King Huatare would never approve.
Striding in awkward, tiny step to avoid tearing the skirt while regulating his breathing through constricted windpipe. He wondered whether he would dare to try to sit without accidentally exposing his butt-cheek.
But then, Moana's warm hand was pressing against his forearm, giving him a reassuring squeeze as if she knew his anxiousness. Cutting his eyes to the side, Maui saw Moana, beautifully arrayed in feather cloak lined with a handwoven gossamer fabric that had a subtle sheen of gold under perusal of campfire. A slight gap on the front revealed her body, clad in a fitting dress that contrasted nicely against her bronze skin down to her knee. Her eyes were shining bright, and his breath caught unwillingly in his throat (or perhaps collar?) as she flashed one sweet smile at him.
"You look wonderful," she complimented, eyes mystified. Maui nearly commented that he was positive he looked like Hei Hei. Not to mention the tiny, cautious step that he took made him looked like he just been circumcised. Just think of what I willingly suffered for you, Curly. This is utterly… utmost ridiculous and embarrassing thing I'd ever done. He thought in his head.
Maui bit his lips, bracing to contradict himself. "Oh, of course I am!" he grinned smugly. Moana smiled, amused with Maikai's limitless vanity. "But I am not so sure I can walk elegantly in this," he pointed out.
"Don't worry, you're going to be fine," she reassured.
Not in this tiny skirt, I'm not. Maui thought.
"One step at a time. You are doing great!" she encouraged. In his unspoken thought, Maui scoffed in despair. By this rate, he would reach his seat by next decade.
Maui felt awkward. After living a thousand years with try to make and do with whatever around him to create some illusion basic comfort, clothing, and shelter―he was astounded to be faced with a scene of unequivocal luxury.
A subtle touch on his arm woke him out of his reverie. Following the curve of the hand that clasped around his arm, Maui found Moana, smiling at him reassuringly.
Moana tightened the grip on his arms as he instinctively straightened his back and looked up straight ahead and led her led him forward to the front of the marae, standing next to her aunt, uncles, her cousins and their extended family.
It was easily the most excessive setting Maui had ever saw (not that Maui had seen plenty… mostly in his dream anyway). The clearing in front of the marae was ten time as big as the one he saw in Motunui, the makeshift fires were bright, scattered all over the clearing, bathing the whole place in a soft, warm, hazy golden glow. Instead of usual whāriki mat where people used to seat were replaced by a soft, rich-looking whatu weaved fabric which geometric design took decades to complete.
There was an ocean of food, colossal selection of drinks and there was kingdom's worth of people staring with their scrutinizing gaze, inspecting his manner while whispering behind their hand.
Maui wondered why.
People with raised eyebrows and disapproving look that followed the curved of his arm with Moana's right around it. Maui realized, at the moment there was no heroic deeds waved on his skin, no demigod awesomeness to flaunt, no superpower to brag about. At the moment he was a mortal with no identity.
"Isn't that the King's niece? The daughter of Tui of Motunui?"
"Who is that guy next to her? A peasant or something?"
Maui's usual confidence crumbled, and his stomach churned unpleasantly at the swelling tide of whispering voice.
"Moana Waialiki of Motunui," he heard King Huatare's regal and imperious tone announced the name of his guest. "and her acquaintances Maikai of…" Huatare flicked his sight to Moana, giving her a cue to fill him in. Moana shrugged dubiously and turned her head towards Maui who was now complete frozen on his toes.
...of nowhere. He had never had a home.
"Just curious, Moana," Tai began, clearing his throat and probing the drying ember casually with a stick to retain its fire."The guy who is traveling with you..." he said, pretending to be oblivious."The one that I chaperoned to the guest fale."
Moana's eyes absently prowled to the other side of the clearing, where Maikai was, looking out of place and awkward. Did he not like the food? Or was the music too loud? Or was the clothing made him uncomfortable? Whatever the reason was, Moana felt rather sorry for him.
"The cute one," Anahera butted in, winking mischievously behind her eye lashes. She laughed to see how her statement causing Moana jerked back from her mindless reverie.
"You mean Maikai?" Moana's brows ascended to her hairline. Moana wasn't aware that behind her back, Anahera and Tai had been intimately instigating Maikai to win her heart and busy tailoring events that would encourage the two of them to come closer.
"Of course! Who else? Moana, are you aware that he is devilishly handsome? Not to mention his smile is a total killer." Anahera remarked with inviting voice. "Also irresistibly charming," she sighed dreamily.
"Incredibly entertaining!" Tai piped in.
"Unimaginably funny," Anahera quipped in turn.
"Unforgivingly romantic," Tai added. Moana rolled her eyes, just when these two loonies would stop teasing her. But her derisive response only encouraged them to do more.
"You'd better be quick before someone else swept him off his feet." Tai grinned.
"I could imagine running my finger on those delicious biceps," she appended, wiggling her finger in a kneading motion."Ahh… how wonderful," she drawled, closing her eyes and made a contented sigh. "I bet his kiss would be..."
Moana glared. "You are most welcome to have him if you want!"
"Oh come on! He is quite fun to be with," Anahera coaxed her. Yes, Moana was quite grateful to meet Maikai on her way to Kailua, she could've imagined how boring her journey would be without him, not to mention a few time he had saved her.
But after what happened with Tane, Moana swore she wouldn't let her guard down that easily around men―especially charming ones. Tane had been nothing but incredible handsome fraud genius and a master of sweet talking. Moana was determined not to be easily beguiled by their flashy look and trusted their sweet lips anymore.
"I know. But, many handsome men are shameless rake and womanizer," Moana tried to give some logical explanation.
"But Maikai didn't seem to be any of that," Anahera persisted. "I mean. Despite the simpering girls around him at the dance, he clearly had his eyes on you."
Did he? Moana became thoughtful.
Maikai appearance in her life was welcomed surprise, and Moana had come to cherish their unexpected friendship. She smiled as she remembered wonderful weeks they spent together, how much she had enjoyed his company, filling her days with his dry jokes and endless bragging. Moana always thought she wouldn't be able to stand Maikai affinity to boast. But inexplicably, his constant narcissistic attitude and endless vanity became something of a joke between them. Moana loved his odd combination of self-confidence and vulnerability―the way Maikai would flaunt and talk about himself but the next second could be tongue-tied and drip with cold sweat when he asked her what did she think of him. Not to mention, the genuine worry that enshroud his eyes the first time he saved her, making Moana felt utterly special.
But, Moana reminded herself that inevitably, all her close male acquaintances would have to live under scrutinizing eyes of her future husband, and there always a nagging possibility it would tragically end if Tane foresaw it as potentially threatening his position.
"But… I am betrothed, Ana. There is no use of me thinking of any other men, there wouldn't be any chance for me to get out of this marriage contract," Moana replied, painfully aware of her unstoppable fate.
"Never say never," said Anahera. Her eyes became dreamy as she pondered about the endless romantic possibility. "Maikai somehow appears to be very secretive―like an elusive, mysterious persona you often heard in ancient folklore. Who knows he was actually a powerful god in mortal costume who was sent to break you free from this unwanted betrothal and to free your people at the same time?"
Moana laughed at her cousin impossible conjecture. "I think you've listened to fabled legend too much, Ana. There are no such things."
"Don't you see his magnificent strength when he fixed Roha's hut alone? And what did you tell me a few days ago about how he impressively survived falling bottomless ravine that practically would crush any mortal's bone into pieces?"
Moana muted, she admitted there was a lot of unanswered oddities with Maikai's physical capabilities.
Never say never, she echoed in her head.
A stone throw away, Maui was trying to eat within modest pace, employing enough social awareness at the sound of his chewing, exactly what politeness demanded. Sitting around the hearth adjacent to him, a few of Moana's other uncle, Tipene and King Huatare, enjoying their food in silence. With the tail of his eyes, he watched Moana, her eyes brilliantly gleam under the reflection of makeshift hearth as she twirled fluently according to the rhythm. She was elegant, beautiful, and lively.
He saw a few villagers dressed in their prestigious coat introduced their sons to Moana right after her dance concluded. Maui bet most of those insipid, testosterone driven young men merely beguiled by her look and appraised her as a set of reproductive organs with legs. She deserves better! He considered, thinking what kind of exceptional woman Moana was and those rich bachelors perhaps didn't understand a single thing about her. She deserved a man who can value her, appreciated her…. and be the helpmeet that she needed.
Could he be that person when just a mere thought of seeing Moana wilted with age and died really petrified him to the core? She deserved someone who willing to give himself for her, someone who wasn't a coward and afraid of little ache and tears, someone who understood her problem and related to her physically and emotionally.
"So, where is your home young lad?" Huatare asked, breaking Maui's train of arduous thought. The King's features between grave and inscrutable. Maui hesitantly brought his eyes meeting his, just for politeness sake. The guy wasn't even big, but his punishing glare almost made Maui morphed into a ladybug and hid under the banana leaves that served as his dinner plates.
"Not very far from here. It..it's just a small island," Maui replied, purposely leaving the word 'uninhabitable' to smoothen the context.
"Small you say?" Huatare repeated, his piercing glare sized Maui up, determining, appraising and judging. Maui felt his heart dropped somewhere to the vicinity of his knee.
"Yes, uhm. I don't usually live there; it's just. I, er… recently I have to move. Yes, that's right, I have to move out from my uncle's house, because ugh, his son just had a baby." Maui was trying to make up a believable story as he went along.
"What kind of house is that?" the King asked suspiciously. That was the most dreaded question.
Thankfully, his savior came. A distraction.
"More fish?" offered Emere, smiling resplendently. The towering giant hesitated, twisting the leaves that served as a plate in his hands. Maui was hungry, and the little leaves barely could contain anything close to a decent portion for a guy his size, but Maui didn't want to appear greedy.
Emere chuckled softly, threw in a large portion of fish nonchalantly overflowing Maui's microscopic plate. The mock-politeness to impress, the awkwardness and trepidation of a young man in love seeking approval from the family of the girl he fancied.
"Thank you," the warrior muttered.
Emere smiled, amusement and desire to tease at war within her. Despite the preconceived notion after the misunderstanding in Moana's fale, Emere had gradually become fond of Maui. He might come across as boastful and narcissistic; it was his way to cover his insecurity. But underneath, Maui was a good, brave gentleman who wasn't afraid to admit his mistake.
And he was helping Moana whole-heartedly, that in itself was a big positive.
"So, Maikai, I understand that you are going to accompany Moana to Kailua?" Emere asked. Maui replied to her with a silent nod, his mouth busy chewing.
"I hope Moana will manage to discuss a more peaceful solution to the generation of hateful history between Akoni and Tui," the woman sighed. "I heard Ngaire would be back soon."
Maui suddenly became interested in digging more information. "Is she a pirate too?"
"Well, yes. No―no… I don't mean that." Emere amended, looking her surrounding cautiously as though she wasn't keen to share the next piece of information with anyone."You see, Maikai. The people of Kailua don't loot for no reason," she explained. "They have to do it."
"What do you mean by 'they have to do it'?" Maui eyed her confusedly.
"Ngaire told me they were cursed."
"Cursed―?" Maui slipped into another bewilderment.
"Yes, by the gods," retorted Emere. "Their ancestor committed a despicable crime, and gods punished them together with their descendant that the land that they lived will be at war with them, it won't bear fruits, harvest and other produce, therefore…. ―"
"They have to steal… ―?" Maui piped in.
"Well, they didn't steal to begin with," the woman went on again. "Long time ago, they used to spend most of their time in the ocean, only mooring to the dryland to trade their harvest from the sea. In exchange for their valuable pearl, whalebone, and fish―they got vegetables, grains and other supplies they couldn't grow in their islands. Then, come the time when it wasn't possible for them to do so." Her countenance dropped with her voice.
"What do you mean?" Maui hesitated, had a sinking feeling he wouldn't like to hear what came next.
"What I heard is it had something to do with Demigod Maui. He woke the lava demon Te Ka, and in turn the sea to rage. A simple fishing trip becomes a serious gamble of life and death. And after thousand years past, numbers of Kailua's people had receded from tens of thousands to a handful. With such a small number of people, they couldn't gather enough harvest from the sea to be traded as usual―so they had taken another route."
It was then Maui understood why Tane and his men, probably even the whole island ―hated him for the accidental genocide he had committed, unaware. And just think about numbers of people of Kailua he unknowingly had killed, was enough to make him feel sick.
Notes: I contemplated to include the reason for the curse in this chapter but figure out it would be a little too much. So, I shall keep it for the next chapter.
Snippet will be posted in my Tumblr as usual : 3431jessica dot tumblr dot com