One would assume that the colorful city of Elikapeka was a paradise, many of those traveling through the area for the first time saw only life and amusement in the city streets full of artisans and venders. The brightly colored coral that decorated the clear ocean waters along the edges of the capital city for the Hapuna only enhanced the natural beauty of the area which entranced the foreigners who visited those shores. But with all light came more shadows, just like how any flickering candle flame cast dancing shadows along the walls of a home so did the light of Elikapeka cast shadows through all of its twisting alleys that were just behind the more colorful venues. It was there that Lanakila thrived and it was here now that Lana took advantage of it to drag out a hapuna who they had decided would take the fall for a broken vase. It had been the matron’s favorite vase and while Lana was technically the one who had broken it by tossing it against the wall after this little hapuna, Kainalu they thought was the name from what they had gathered since the annoying hapuna joined their home a week ago, the Kaha’iko was not about to take the blame for it. “Bu-but I didn’t do it!” Kainalu cried, cowering in the corner of the alleyway that he had been backed into. “You threw it!” But none of those that had followed them outside acknowledged the fact, the majority of the younger ones turning their gazes away as the panicked hapuna looked around.

“Really?” Lanakila’s lips twisted into that terrifying grin, their expression warping with a mixture of amusement and malice. They hated newcomers to the home, they barely tolerated those already living in Kona’s house and especially despised those that came in without helping out the family. Kainalu had made the mistake of asking for an extra serving after coming in without having brought anything to contribute to dinner first. It was perfect fodder for Lanakila who was dealing with some frustrations as of late, the Kaha’iko delighted to have someone volunteering for their wrath. “In all honesty, the vase would have never broken if you hadn’t entered this house. I think that suffices for who should take the blame in this situation.” They leaned forward, their taller frame making the hapuna shrink even more in the corner. But after a moment they pulled back, giving a slight shrug. “If you truly can’t then I suppose I will be forced to replace the vase.”

“Re-really?” Kainalu managed after a moment, swallowing down their anxiety as he looked towards Lana with hope. “So there’s no need for this situation, right?”

“Hmm.” Lana tilted their head again as they studied the hapuna, the motion cracking their neck. “Perhaps. But it would be a shame if the new vase broke as well. We might have to ensure a broken vase can’t happen again by breaking some fingers or rather ripping out the tongue that pissed me off in the first place though.”

“I’m sorry?”

“I’ll need to rip that tongue out of your mouth.” Lanakila smiled warmly as they moved closer again, their fingers gripping the hapuna’s jaw tightly. “It’s a shame that your mouth works better than your ears. Maybe if you had learned to listen in the first place that would have saved us both the hassle of this moment.” It was the solution to so many problems. If Kainalu couldn’t talk then he couldn’t annoy Lanakila and then he also couldn’t tell the matron the truth about the broken vase. “You know, this is actually working out. Without your tongue, who can hear your side of the story? Not that they would believe you as it is.”

“Pl-please don’t.” The hapuna cried, his gaze full of tears as he shook in Lana’s grip. There would probably be finger imprints along his jaw, the pressure so strong that it stung his jaw as he was forced to stay there until Lana let go. “I’ll make it up by getting a new vase, I’ll take the blame, anything. Please!”

“Hmm. I suppose if you bring back a new vase and leave the house within a week, we’ll consider this option.” Lana kept their grip as they stared intently at the hapuna, watching him grow more and more anxious before finally letting go. “Deal? I simply don’t think any vase will survive in this house with you loitering about unless you want to lose your tongue. Here’s hoping I don’t see you within a week.” They waved their hand, leaving the poor hapuna to sob in the corner before returning home to have someone else clean up any remnants of the broken vase that would be replaced before Kainalu ran away to the next town. Not that Lana cared where the hapuna went, as long as he wasn't taking up space in their home as useless as he was.

[827]