Ikaika had wandered out on a rainy day to purchase some hot fish soup in an attempt to banish the chill that he could feel deep in his young bones. Once he had the bowl of blissful heat secured he found a nice flat rock to sit on and started to stuff his face, concentratedly ignoring everyone and everything except his food.

Until of course, the talk turned to the latest news as someone brimming with energy pounced on some soup and promptly started talking about how the borders between the menehune and the Kaha'iko had been opened.
Ike basically choked on his soup, barely avoiding snorting it up through his nose. He stood and sidled closer to get a better eavesdropping spot where he wouldn't have to strain his ears. Yes so the borders were open! In reference to the blanket problem of the water starting to dry up. He was now vibrating with excitement. But why? What difference did it make to him? Well now he wanted to go visit, which kind of surprised him.

Normally he was more reclusive but the news filled him with some unprecedented hope. He could find out who if anyone would be compatible as a friend for him. He needed friends, it was just really hard for him to make friends, at least in his own home town. He was old enough that he should have had some by now, most of the others his age did. He figured his parents must be worried about him, he could see it in their eyes. He was tored of being alone, of having mo one to talk to, to exchange news and stories with. Something, anything he just wanted friendship, someone that he could depend on. It was time and now he had a new world to explore. The border town would be the ultimate place to start. He ate his soup and raced home.

There he packed clothes, a blanket, knicknacks he could possibly trade, and then proceeded to load up on food. He told his parents where he was going and they discussed why he was going and precautions to take. He listened for the most part, but in the end he would be alone and could do what he wanted. He wanted to check out their waterways for one thing, there were all these rumors about how their water was so different from theirs here. Not to mention he would be one of the first menehune to get a good look at the Kaha'iko and their blueness. He thought the descriptions were quite beuatiful but that perhaps in person it would be strange to see people so different from himself and everyone he had ever seen.

He wondered how different their culture was and what they ate, did they even use the same recipes? What about spices did they have some of those that were endemic to the riverlands?

Would they even like him? His steps faltered for a moment and he half turned around back towards home, only to shake his head. He had chosen this path and he would follow it wherever it led. To whichever fate awaited him. Liked or not liked he would meet them and see something new for himself.