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 Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2020 12:47 pm
☉ THE INTENTIONAL ☉
_________________________________________________________________________ Vaiarii could just barely make out the long, dark bodies of the nahiisa as they coiled toward him and his mother. The faded glow from patches of scales gave them an ominous halo of an outline as they slithered through the nearly-black water. Many of his kind would fear seeing more than one of these at a time. They could be dangerous, opportunistic predators, even if they didn't frequently make a meal of the Kawena, but Vaiarii's mother had tamed this pair long ago.
Perhaps 'tamed' wasn't quite the right word.
Teeth flashed as one of them accidentally bumped the other, and there came with it a chorus of sharp hisses that echoed and echoed around the walls of the cave, reverberating deep into Vaiarii's bones.
"Ey! Ey!" Vaiarri's mother darted fearlessly toward them, thrusting her arms between their heads and delivering a smack to the each creature's blunted nose as she tutted and bared her own teeth. The nahiisa were far from quelled, and they turned their faces toward her with mouths displaying rows of teeth as if in warning. They weren't creatures intelligent enough to learn commands or loyal enough to make good pets, but they could be taught to expect things.
They expected that Vaiarii's mother, Leinani would bring food with her when she approached them. They expected that in the inhospitable maze of caves, food would otherwise be scarce. They expected that Leinani was a means to survival, and that to appease this woman meant a longer life.
It didn't stop their teeth from flashing at her or their bodies from holding a stiff, coiled pose, as if to strike.
But when she tossed a full bucket of stari into the water, their focus shifted from her to them, and the usually still waters came alive with the hungry thrashes of two large beasts. Vaiarii looked on as they devoured clusters of helpless stari, and his mother gave a reassuring pat to a scaled body that thrashed too close to her before swimming back to Vaiarii's side. "Such ravenous creatures," she hummed fondly. "They'll want to go out again soon. You know how agitated they get the longer it is between trips."
"They can join me tomorrow," Vaiarii promised. "Our reserves of kahk meat are getting low, anyway."
The nahiisa may be far from pets, but they were adequate hunting companions. Viscious kahk could easily tear apart one lone hunter. Vaiarii would stand no chance. But Tui and La were good distractions, and so long as the kahk's mouth could reach them, the nahiisa's long, coiled bodies were capable of serving as restraints to keep the kahk from tearing into Vaiarii's much more fragile Kawenan body before he could deal the final blow.
It could, admittedly, be difficult to convince Tui and La to share the spoils of the hunt. But half a kahk body was still several meals for Vaiarii's small family, and since his father had sustained an injury that took his dominant arm during his last hunt, he was no longer able to participate in the more dangerous quests for sustenance.
Vaiarii knew it upset his father on a deep and personal level to be relegated to farming stari, but what other choice was there? Doing a task was better than doing no task, no matter how inconsequential it seemed...
That was how Vaiarii felt about it, at least. His father didn't seem to share those beliefs, as he'd started saying things like 'he wouldn't be around forever' and their family would have to be sufficient enough to get on without him. Vaiarii was a successful and talented young hunter thanks to his father's training and his mother's way with beasts, but having just enough to feed themselves and their creatures would only benefit them as long as they had the means to sustain it.
Once Leinani and Ahoeitu were gone, Vaiarii wouldn't be able to farm stari, feed his beasts, and hunt alone. There wasn't enough time. And the creatures would drain all his resources very quickly, despite being necessary additions to his hunting party. And if he was injured, who would find and tend to him?
Alone was not a good state of being down in the depths of Po'lua.
Fortunately, or not, depending upon perspective, Ahoeitu was not the only one to think like that. There were others who wanted to secure the well-being of the future of their families. The caves of the deep could be unpredictable and inhospitable. Sometimes it was only by uniting that they could hope for safety and comfort.
A match had been selected for Vaiarii: a young boy from a family who grew herbs and spices. It was decided that this was the most beneficial pairing they could hope for. Vaiarii was a hunter who could provide for his mate and defend him from danger. The other boy, whose name Vaia didn't remember, would be able to heal any injuries, manage their garden, and could surely keep up with their population of stari that Vaiarii used to feed his beasts.
They would be a solid team, both with their own strengths and contributing in their own way.
But Vaiarii was skeptical of being so entwined with a boy he'd never met.
As his mother glided from her beasts, empty bucket in hand, Vaiarii trailed after her more slowly. He shouldn't bring it up again, but his new arrangement was one of the few things constantly, worryingly on his mind of late. "What if it doesn't work out?" He prompted as he swam after Leinani. "We've never even met, and you and father just went and decided that this was how it was going to be..."
She didn't miss a beat. There was no preamble to the conversation, but there didn't need to be. Leinani knew what plagued her son's thoughts. "There's no reason it shouldn't work out," she said with a shrug. "And you'll have a chance to meet soon. We just wanted to give you both some time to acclimate to the idea and think on how you should behave..."
It wasn't meant coldly, Vaiarii knew, but he felt a well of frustration burst forth and gnaw at his throat. "It could not work out because we just don't like each other?" He retorted. "Or because we don't like these things being chosen without our say, behind our backs, and that they were might make us just a touch ornery."
"Vaia, my darling." She turned to him then, and rested one hand on his shoulder. "Your papa only chose this because it will mean stability for you in the future. You will like each other because if you don't and you can't cooperate, it will cripple the other's chances of survival. Surely you can like him enough to not want him to suffer, even if you find you can never love him."
"If the only goal is survival, we could just be friends," Vaia grumbled.
"Yes, well, friends don't have babies to pass on the wisdom of their practices to, now, do they?"
"Mama."
"Well, they don't," she asserted definitively. "Look. It's not just good for you and Pekelo. It's good for our tribe. Ensuring that there is a dedicated line to raise your hunting beasts or to tend the other boy's garden will make our family strong, and these resources can help sustain the rest of our tribe. Darling, if I could have more children to pass this role to in your stead, I would, I promise, but I waited much too long. The ole egg sac is good and dry, my dear."
He crinkled his nose, lips pulling down into a disgusted frown, which he knew was her intention. Despite not wanting to be distracted by it, Vaiarii couldn't help but let out a stuff, "Blech!" of sound, earning a bark of a laugh from his mother.
"Besides, you shouldn't complain until you've met him. He could be witty and charming. And very cute."
"Have you seen him?"
"Well, no," she admitted, the question making her stall a fraction. But only a fraction. "But I've met his mother, of course! She seemed like a bit of a fretter, kind of a nag... But attractive, still, I think! It must just make her as nervous as it makes us... to think of our boys braving the world without parents to protect them at their sides."
His blue eyes flicked to her sharply before darting away, suspicious. His father talked of 'not being around,' but Vaiarii couldn't think of what would make his mother say something like that... "Are you going somewhere?" He questioned, trying to keep his voice level.
"Oh, no, darling, of course not. But mama won't be around forever..."
Why did they keep saying it like that? He knew the truth of it. A lifespan down in these caves wasn't especially long, but neither should his father or mother be approaching the end of theirs very soon, and it always sounded something like a near-approaching threat, something his father foresaw happening soon. It was one thing for his damaged father, Ahoeitu to talk of his life ending soon, and another matter entirely for his mother to speak of it.
Vaiarii reached and took her hand, as he'd done so many times when he was smaller, and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I don't need forever, as long as you're there to help with this, uh... boy. I don't think I'll be able to do it without you."
"Oh, you will, my love," she promised. "I'm sure you'll come to adore him, as your father and I adore each other."
Until he could meet his intended in person, there was nothing to do except take Leinani's word for it.
The Intentional Status ☉ Complete Solo Word Count ☉ 1628
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Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2020 7:50 am
☉ CLASS AFFINITY: RIDE OR DIE ☉
_________________________________________________________________________
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2020 2:38 am
☉ SMOTHER ☉
_________________________________________________________________________ When he'd been younger, Vaiarii had spent much of his time with his father. Not when he'd been a very small child stuck in the house with his mother, but for most of the activities he could remember, he'd been with Ahoeitu. The older Kawena had taught him- well, most everything of importance he knew, honestly. Vaiarii couldn't imagine having a fulfilling life without his father's wisdom. His mother loved and supported him, and he'd be foolish to take her for granted.
But how could he bear living if he didn't have the thrill that Ahoeitu's trade offered him?
His father had taught him to hunt, to be a warrior for their people, to survive in conditions that would see a weaker Kawena dead. He'd given Vaiarii a purpose, a reason to still be here, even though their world had opened to the possibility of a new future beyond the caves.
For so many years, Ahoeitu had been a pillar of strength and wisdom for their family. And then his accident had left him mangled, unable to move either of his legs. He could barely swim a short distance unaided, let alone actively hunt for their family, anymore. That wasn't the part Vaiarii minded. He'd been successful providing for them on his own. And it felt like his duty to tend to his aged father in his condition, as thanks for keeping Vaia alive this long.
That didn't mean it wasn't awkward.
Though he was, admittedly, ashamed at himself that it was.
"Darling, take your father's dinner to him, would you?" His mother prompted as she used a coarse coral to tenderize and flavor the meat Vaiarii had brought home earlier from the kahk. "It will so please him if you regale him with a tale of your adventure. And he will want to see that you're unhurt, as well."
A prickle of unease jabbed at the back of Vaiarii's neck, and not for the first time, he wondered if he should point out to his mother that he thought she was wrong. His father certainly didn't want to hear his stories. A story wasn't the same as a feeling. It wasn't a substitute for what Ahoeitu was missing now. And Vaiarii was certain that hearing about it felt more like a slap in the face from the tiniest thread of jealousy Vaiarii knew his father held for him now...
It wasn't ill-intentioned, Vaia was sure. It wasn't like his father wanted him to be afflicted with any such ailment. It was the risk they took when they faced creatures larger and more dangerous than themselves.
But nobody wanted to be trapped at home, unable to move or participate beyond throwing feed to the stari they farmed. Nobody wanted to be useless. Ahoeitu didn't say as much, but Vaiarii felt it in the water whenever he was near his father: Ahoeitu didn't feel like his life was worth living, anymore. And there wasn't anything Vaiarii could say or do to change that, no matter how he tried.
So being around him felt... uncomfortable.
And like a huge loss. Whatever connection they'd shared when they hunted together, like partners working toward the same dangerous goal, had eroded away. They didn't know how to communicate, anymore. They barely spoke to each other when they were together.
Vaiarii accepted the offered dish from his mother with a quiet grumble of acceptance. It was still his duty to take care of his father, and he shouldn't be so nervous at the thought of it, either! He just... was.
It didn't stop him.
He glided back into the deepest caverns of where they resided. In absence of anything else to do, Ahoeitu slept a lot. Even when Leinani had come up with any number of things to engage him (he could garden in the deep caves, or perhaps paint the walls with a stunning glow, or help Vaiarii craft his weapons, or perhaps prepare a poison to use on a particularly difficult creature...), he preferred to sleep. Vaiarii didn't hold it against him.
"Papa?" He asked in a soft, deep rumble as he entered the cavern. It was pitch as night. Any glowing moss had been scraped from the wall. With Ahoeitu's eyes and scales covered, the only light came from whatever Vaiarii's own eyes and scales offered. It was a very limited guide. If he didn't know where he was going, he may well have believed he was swimming into an endless abyss. "Mama asked me to bring you your dinner."
There came a rustle of fabric, and a moment later, a pair of soft purple eyes turned toward him. "Aye. Is that so...?"
It didn't matter how awkward it was, Ahoeitu had never been cruel to him. High expectations, maybe, but never cold. And he wasn't now. His old man sat up from where he lay, and Vaiarii could just make out the deep shadow of a hand beckoning him closer. "And when is this from? Smells fresh."
He meant the meat, Vaiarii knew. "It is," he agreed. "It's just from two nights ago."
"Eh? Two nights? It's already been two nights since you went? And I hope your mother used the rest of last hunt's meat before she started on this one. Sometimes I worry she likes to waste-"
Vaiarii tried a laugh. "Not 'waste,' I don't think. She just wanted you to have a taste of this one before the salt seeped too much into it. It's better like this, isn't it?"
Ahoeitu only gave a begrudging nod before taking a chomp out of the meat. Silence stretched between them for several moments as his father ate, and Vaiarii wondered if it wouldn't be better for both of them if he went ahead and took his leave... He'd just opened his mouth to suggest that he should make sure his mother didn't need help preparing the rest before his father spoke again.
"Do you know yet when you're meeting the other boy?"
Heat shot up through Vaiarii's ears, and he wondered if his father could feel that in the water. 'The other boy,' his intended. Vaia spoke (and thought) about it as infrequently as he could. But he was sure Ahoeitu wondered over it constantly. Because once Vaiarii was well-taken care of and didn't have an immediate need for his parents to remain beside him, any longer...
He shook the thought away and tried to gather himself. "Uh. Right. Yes. It's in... just a couple days. Three or four. Mama knows better than me." And he was sure they'd spoken of it extensively. Ahoeitu knew the answer better than Vaiarii did, likely.
"And you think you'll like him?"
"Well, I don't know him. Or anything about him, to be honest."
"I'm sure you'll like him," Ahoeitu replied, and Vaiarii could just barely see his glowing eyes dip as if in a nod. "Your mother did good work of selecting for you someone that would accentuate your strengths and make up for your failings. I hear he's cute. You'll like him."
It was practically a demand. Not an aggressive one, not one built from cruelty, but one that left little room for argument. Vaiarii better like this boy because there weren't that many other options available to him.
He scratched the back of his head. "Right," he agreed quietly. "I'm sure I will." He wasn't sure if he'd ever doubted anything so strongly before now...
"Good boy," Ahoeitu murmured quietly, reaching to give Vaia's arm a soft pat. "Here, then. Take the dishes back to your mother, and help her tidy up everything. You should get her to help you pick out something to wear before then too. I think I'll take a rest for now."
There were a lot of things Vaiarii might have said. He might have offered the idea that his father could help him pick out appropriate garments. Or maybe that his mother might appreciate it if they all worked together on a task. He could have pointed out that his father had woken from a 'rest' not a handful of moments ago. Surely he had the strength to venture down into the main cave of their home for just a little bit?
He didn't say any of that, though. Vaiarii dipped his head, mumbled a quiet, "Yes, sir," and fled. They used to be so good at communicating when they hunted together, but now...
Now Vaiarii could barely get out anything he wanted to say.
Smother Status ☉ Complete Solo Word Count ☉ 1418
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2020 2:47 am
☉ AS THE ELDERS WISH ☉_________________________________________________________________________ Vaiarii meets his future mate for the first time. It turns out neither of them are thrilled at the situation, and who'd have thunk that would make them get along worse than anyone might have anticipated?
As the Elders Wish Status ☉ Ongoing PRP Post Count ☉ 10
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Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2020 3:34 am
☉ CLASS QUEST: GO FIGURE ☉
_________________________________________________________________________ "He hates me," Vaiarii stated simply as he helped his mother toss out specks of glowing feed to the stari they farmed. It was an easy task. She didn't need the help, but Leinani had wanted a reason to be able to talk freely with her son. She'd done a good job of leaving him alone after they'd returned from Pekelo's family's home, but after a day of hearing no further commentary on the subject, she couldn't help but press.
And he'd given an answer she wasn't pleased with.
"Oh, darling, I'm sure that isn't true! You know, his mother warned me that he may be a touch belligerent at first, but she assured that once you two got to know each other, he would lighten up! And she'll be there to help ensure that he behaves properly."
Ignoring that his mother had knowingly paired him up with someone 'belligerent' who needed help to 'behave properly,' Vaiarii pressed on. "No, I don't think so," he retorted. "We're too different. Want different things. Have different expectations." He shrugged and tossed a handful of nibblets out to the small, waiting creatures that scurried quickly in their shells to snatch up the newly deposited morsels. "I'm not too worried, though. It'll be a long time before I have to concern myself about 'being alone,' as you fear, and-"
She snatched his arm, her nails pinching at his skin as Leinani yanked him closer to her. "I want to make sure you have someone just in case it isn't a long time, my dear." Her blue eyes blazed brightly in the darkness. She stared at him as if willing him to understand, to grasp fully at why it had to be this way.
And he thought he knew... But he didn't want to think about it.
"If you really don't like him, I can try and sort out something with someone else... But I really think in an ideal world, you would be with this boy. He can be taught to tend the creatures when you are unavailable, and he already knows how to farm herbs and spices for meals or clothing... He is a good match for your skills, Vaiarii."
He could admit to his mother that he didn't think it would work. That would buy him more time to himself while she sought out someone else. And Pekelo would be free of him, which was what the other boy clearly wanted... But Vaiarii wondered if it would get him in trouble, if Vaia were to complain about him. He had specifically mentioned that he wasn't scared of Vaiarii 'telling on' him, but what an odd thing to mention not being frightened of...
"I could... maybe meet him again," Vaiarii grumbled noncommittally. "That first one, it really wasn't great. But I guess neither of us knew what to expect, besides just being shoved together with someone we didn't know."
"But you could get to know him," Leinani encouraged. Her eyes shown. Hopeful and pleading and desperate. Vaiarii couldn't look at them for long. "And he cold get to know you. I would be hard-pressed to believe someone wouldn't like you if you were trying to get along with them. You are a sweet boy, Vaiarii." She patted his cheek. "You never cause us any trouble."
It set his stomach churning to even try and think about all of... everything that was going on. So much seemed so unpleasant, and it felt like things were moving somewhere he didn't want them to go.
He swallowed. "Well, I'll try," he promised. "But it wasn't even like I was mean to him, or anything. I guess I just didn't do it right?"
"What do you mean, darling?"
Vaiarii's gaze darted to her, then, briefly pondering, curious. He could test what he was capable of getting away with. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "Maybe I just didn't know what to say or- or how to act with him. He wasn't like you or Papa, y'know? I didn't know what to.. to do with him."
"It'll come with time-"
"Not if it keeps ending up like this. Not if he keeps hating the situation and me and everything about it. I don't know how to help him or what to say to him, but you seem so sure." He eyed her and wondered if he would be able to convince her not to act rashly. "Maybe you could help me. I can try and get him to like me so long as you're there to- I don't know, just help me. Help me figure him out, I guess."
She blinked her wide, blue eyes at him as if mulling it over. "I can help you," she agreed. "Until you're familiar enough with him to manage on your own."
"That's all I ask," Vaiarii retorted with a shrug. And it was enough for the time being. He still felt nervous relenting to her whims. His parents were so eager to ensure he wouldn't be alone 'if they weren't around anymore,' and he had a bad feeling something sinister was on the horizon. Something that he absolutely didn't want to face.
Class Quest: Go Figure Status ☉ Complete Solo Word Count ☉ 861 Growth Description ☉ Vaiarii recently met the boy he is to be mated to, only to find that they absolutely, one hundred percent do not get along at all. Though the meeting didn't end on the worst of terms, Vaiarii felt certain he would confront his mother about not needing her to find anyone of that nature for him. Here he tries to do just that. He's not a very social boy, and he thinks he would be content just doing his own work by himself, even after the rest of his family is gone. But his mother's desperation (for reasons he doesn't want to think on), makes him reconsider just accepting life alone, and he agrees to try and be more forgiving to his future mate, so long as his mother promises to be there to give him instruction.
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