Welcome to Gaia! ::

It had been a while since they took the airships to Belrea and then sailed towards Kahi'kina, but while everything was full of excitement and adventure there were certain things that one simply did not forget. It was on that particular anniversary morning that Kaimana found himself wandering outside of the makeshift camp the group had made for themselves. The morning sun cast warm hues against the ocean, the sparkling depths even clearer than those found in Matori, but Kaimana was still reminded of his grandmother all the same. Even though her passing had been years ago the ache was still there in his chest, just faded as he found ways to cope with the loss as he had also done a long time ago with his parents' passing. Everyone else was probably sleeping and the Matori found himself simply roaming the shores, gathering some drift wood and other things that caught his attention. Perhaps he couldn't set a pyre like usual but he could at least send something out to drift in the ocean for his grandmother's spirit. He enjoyed imagining that she was with their parents now and always tried to cover the ocean offering in flowers that his mother would like or some amber shells that reminded him of his father's eyes to go with the gifts to their grandmother.

"I wonder if Devika remembers despite everything." He pondered with a sad smile as he continued combing through the beach for things that caught his interest. When they were in Matori the pair always shared their grandmother's favorite meal on this day and either burned incense or sent something out to sea in her honor, but this was Devika's first time adventuring and Kaimana could only imagine that her mind was otherwise occupied. Not that he would think their grandmother would be upset at his twin, but rather proud that she was seeing the world like she was.

Ah, well if Kaimana wondered that Devika had forgotten the anniversary then the appearance of his twin confirmed everything. Perhaps anyone else would have passed his notice but after years of spending day after day together the Matori was at least sensitive to his twin's moods. "Morning." He replied quietly as he pointed towards a piece of driftwood laying on the beach. The silvery wood was different from the amber hues of Matori, but it was still the same as any driftwood. His amber gaze swept over the piece before returning to the collection of shells and flowers in his hands. They would all be good pieces and he had even dove into the waters earlier this morning to gather some of the strangely colored seaweed and pieces of coral that had been in the reefs near the encampment, his wet hair a testimony to his earlier exploits.

"I know..." Kaimana began before stopping and clearing his throat as to get his words together. "This isn't Matori but the oceans are still connected so I thought that we could perhaps still send something out to sea." Surely the deceased could still receive their gifts and distance wouldn't stop them from honoring their memories, that much Kaimana had decided upon when he spent those many months back in Belrea several years ago.

[Kaimana 2]

Kaimana nodded as he placed his items on the sands so that he could pick up the driftwood. It was hollowed out with plenty of holes work into the sides of the wood so that they could place in items or tie anything to it. His hands paused at the sudden question and he took a moment to think about it before continuing on and moving the driftwood closer to Devika. "Honestly? I think they would be amazed that such a place even existed." Kaimana replied slowly before glancing up towards Devika with a small, sad smile. "Gramma was happy to see us venturing into the world outside of the village and if her stories hold true I'm certain our adventurous parents would have been proud as well. They fought so that we could have this freedom, this future without chains." Kaimana could only imagine his parents would want them to experience the world that they couldn't know because of their past in Oba. His gaze drifted down towards the sand again and he picked up a violet piece of coral that looked almost like a flower. "It is pretty amazing, right? That a world like this existed so close to our own."

[Kaimana 3]

"I know." Replied Kaimana with a pained smile. At least Devika had admitted that traveling was an amazing experience but even he could not bring himself to tease her currently. All Kaimana could do was finish tying some vines around the driftwood before standing and tucking an amber flower into Devika's hair. "At least we can honor their memory by enjoying this freedom as much as possible. Even grandmother would be proud, I think." Especially for Devika who was making so much progress with her fear of water. Kaimana smiled at the thought as he gave his twin's hand a comforting squeeze. "What do you think? Should I do the amber or blue flowers or both?" His gaze was thoughtful, his heart aching despite the smile on his lips as he studied the little makeshift ship with the silvery vines wrapped around it.

[Kaimana 4]

"Fair enough." Kaimana carefully weaved both flowers into the gift while Devika worked on her hearts. It definitely would be a more unique memorial in comparison to the ones they always held in Matori. Already the colors were much more diverse and vibrant to the blues, pinks and greens he often used. Kaimana had finished weaving in the flowers and had started working on placing the unique stones and pieces of coral when Devikaz next question made him toss a piece to the side in surprise. "Huh?" Kaimana blinked sheepishly before slowly moving over to pick up the piece of orange coral, his fingers wrapping around it tightly as he felt the back of his neck warm with a flush. "Then if you think that way I'm sure they'd think so as well. " He finally managed as he tucked the last piece of coral into place.

"I'm glad though that you get along well with her. It's nice knowing that. " Kaimana added after a moment as he held the decorated piece of drift wood out towards Devika for inspection. "Maybe when we return from this journey I'll see about inviting her to the village, our childhood home." The one that was tucked away out of sight to avoid Oba back in the day, the lush forest and hidden paths still so very dear to him. He could only hope that everything was still as he remembered it even though it had been years since his grandmother's passing.

"Enough about me. What about you? Are you going to pick up someone during this adventure to take home?" He teased his twin, hoping to lighten the mood even if only by a tiny bit.

[Kaimana 5]

"Well you'll never have to worry about me. Even if I travel here and there you know Matori will always be my home." Promised Kaimana with a smile as he reached over to pat his sister's arm comfortingly. "So no matter what happens you can't get rid of me that easily." Devika was his twin and they had been through so much together...he could never imagine leaving her alone. His expression did shift almost sadly at her response to his teasing and Kaimana found himself shaking his head. "I think you're fine. Sometimes things just come when you least expect them, right? I didn't think....well you know." He flushed as he thought about Sriina. "Either way our parents and grandmother would just want us to be happy doing what we decide to do." Traveling, honing their crafts, finding love or just enjoying life. All Kaimana knew was that he would do his best to live a good life to honor them while helping others when he could. Already Devika was doing far better than him! She was a healer after all while he just drew things! Pride swelled in his chest at the thought of everything they both had done so far. They were even in a foreign land now that their parents would have loved to see!

[Kaimana 6]

Kaimana tightened his arms around Devika so that he could hug her in return. "I think so too." He admitted softly with a tender smile. "I know I travel a lot lately but I never meant to make you feel like I would be leaving permanently. I just...wanted to try to do something meaningful that would help us." The pay he made from these new maps and journals about Kahikana should surely be enough to help them even upgrade their hut into an actual house along the shore if they wanted. He could try to get word out about not only being a fighter, but eventually as an artist too. Wouldn't that be nice? Kaimana smiled as he imagined his grandmother's reaction to such a plan. Would she be impressed or surprised at him for not being such a reckless child anymore?

His gaze softened at the thought as he glanced at the little gift they had put together. "I think so. Ready to put it out to sea?" Kaimana asked as he scooped up the basket and driftwood into his arms. The waves gently lapped at the shore as if waiting specifically for the twins to send out their gift. The changing tides would take it out to sea where hopefully the ocean goddess would help their relatives receive their gifts and well wishes for their spirits.

[Kaimana 7]