While others bundled up and huddled together inside for warmth, Lanakila kept to themselves outside in the darkness of the alleys and simply watched as the snowflakes fell. It rarely snowed in Kahi and many were not prepared for the sudden shift in the winds that brought the bitter cold that forced them inside. A few little ones did run about at first with some other adventurous Kahi to catch the flakes with their mouths and to try and snow figures before being ushered inside when their fingertips started to burn from the cold, their parents promising hot drinks to fight against the sudden change of weather. Lana did not mind that stinging pain as much and they rather enjoyed how the cold stung against their skin, the bitter feeling almost like the tip of a cold blade breaking their flesh. The very comparison made them tilt their head in contemplation. What would happen if Kahi froze completely and someone was cut while outside in this freezing weather? Would their blood simply turn to ice on their skin and stop the bleeding that way or would the ice spread through the rest of their veins in a very twisted punishment sort of way? Perhaps if it gets colder then we can find out. Lana mused, their fingers tracing along the stone wall of the alley. It was a shame that they had already chased out another hapuna who was trying to impose upon the family or else they could have found out by making them volunteer for a trial. The brightly colored Kahi with their blue hair and yellow skin had simply been an eyesore and made Lana’s mood sour every time they tried to “help” out by attempting to stir trouble and rat on those who were up to activities that were not to be shared with Kona. Despite their complicated personality the Kaha’iko didn’t want to cut out Kona just yet and sharing anything concerning their activities was forbidden amongst the children who were taking shelter within her home. And so the hapuna had to go. It was as simple as that, really, and Lana felt no regrets watching the nuisance flee away from the city and towards whatever waited them out in the islands. Of course Kona had been a bit disheartened to find a letter about the hapuna having reconnected with lost family instead of receiving a real farewell, but at least it was a bittersweet facade instead of the harsher reality. No matter what others thought they knew, Lanakila was their own puppeteer in the shadows who somehow managed to help twist things in their direction despite appearances. And with time they had even become the nightmare of younglings who didn’t dare look outside their windows at night for fear that something would be looking back their way. Lanakila enjoyed the thought, the very notion entertaining the Kahi who continued through the snow covered alleyways. Now that others had finished playing, making their snow figures that Lana left in pieces as if some winter storm had sliced through them, the Kahi was taking their time just exploring other parts of the city that might otherwise have more activity. It was a good time to trace through parts of the city that they wanted to explore and check out for a future home if they wanted to stay within range of Kona. They couldn’t live with the kind hearted woman forever, but part of Lana did consider staying nearby just so that they could watch over the hapuna on occasion. Not out of love or anything like that but rather simply because they did owe her a debt for keeping them sheltered for so many years. They were twisted, but they would prefer to stand on their own feet and not be a leech like others that they had chased away over the years. Only the useful would remain, that much Lana would make certain of even when they eventually left home one day to find their own lair in this city or the next area. It would all depend on what interested them the most and what location offered the most for their services. And if I can find somewhere decent enough. Lanakila sneered as they peered into an empty building, the snow falling behind them as they reached over to unlock the door and slip inside. They would check it out one building at a time and allow the falling snow to cover their tracks as they continued forward, venturing through the city while families kept indoors and stayed warm together against the bittercold raging about outside.

[770]