RP format only! Worth 5 Growth Points RP minimum is 7 posts
The ongoing downpour of rain over the area has made things harder for the people of Kahikina. The influx of water has made sure that the underwater currents have sped up in spots and the elders of both areas have been warning the others to be careful when out; you wouldn’t want to get caught up in these dangerous water spirals! But as rotten luck would have it, something of yours has dropped into the current! It could be something precious or useful to you, but you know you should go get it back. What do you do? How do you get the item back? Is it damaged now, or stuck somewhere hard to get? Does it take teamwork, or does your friend just get in the way?
For all her eleven years, Nikora couldn't remember a time when her parents had actually been genuinely angry at her. Frustrated, perhaps, if she'd ever remained too persistent in something she wanted that they didn't want her to have, but never mad. Until she'd snuck from her home during the first days of heavy rain, that is. Her parents were good people, and wouldn't strike her, of course, but they had been so deeply upset enough to confine her to the lower level of their home without exception.
The world was too dangerous (especially during this time) for her to venture anywhere alone. How could she be so reckless? Did she want to be taken from them? Did their concern for her safety mean nothing to her?
Nikora wasn't sure it did. She hadn't been hurt or stolen from them and hadn't even been out but only barely long enough for them to notice. She'd met a friend and seen some more of the land. The experience had only been positive in her eyes, except her parents' upset afterwards, of course. She wanted to see and do more! Did they plan to regulate her so intensely even when she wasn't a child, anymore?
Nikora didn't know. But in some sort of attempt at reconciliation between them, her parents had decided they might brave the waters togetehr as a family and head to Noelani.
The trio made it a good distance, but by the time they'd arrived in Waipuka, things had become substantially worse, and any travel (either toward Noelani or back home) was advised against. Nikora didn't mind being stuck here, though. She'd never seen a settlement so large! Even though being so near to the waterfall and its currents kept most people in their shelters (including her and her parents, who were staying in an inn near the market), she could still peer from their room's window and out into the village center beyond, where many still bustled about despite the storm.
Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2018 1:20 am
Indigo_Plateau
The weather was not to Lala's liking. In fact it had him glaring a bit as the areas that were normally comforting, welcoming, and familiar were made to look far less so. The more rain that feel the more makeshift currents seemed to pop up... and they were absolutely ruining his hair! When one had hair that reached passed their feet having it tossed about in the current only meant that he was going to have a hellish trial ahead of him when it came time to neaten it up later. He'd have to some somewhere he could sit that lacked any current at all so he could take his hair out of its customary braid, comb it out, and then put the braid back in. It was always quite the chore but one he was willing to do since his hair was one of his many vanities. That a mere current thought to mess it up though... that was enough to make him grumble under his voice.
"I doubt any customers are coming any time soon, not in this weather. I think we should go home." He told his oldest brother Konah, shifting slightly closer to him as though he could use him as a break.
The older male gave a glance around then said, "We will give it little longer... but I feel you're probably right." The two of them being presently was mostly for show. Nobody in their right mind would really be shopping today but they couldn't seem as though they were going to let the rain win... even if it had been doing so of late.
Giving a rapid nod and a smile Lala said in a chirping tone of voice, "Good. Let's go get something to eat after we close up shop!"
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Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2018 6:45 am
Orpheus Solon
"Is there something out there, Nikora?" Came Pap's soft voice from behind her as she peered out the window. A sigh slipped from her lips, and her lashes dipped. She had her doubts that ey was genuinely curious. Lately she was starting to get the impression that both her parents would ask just to seem interested, but really, they didn't want her exploring too far... They didn't want her attention on anything they didn't know and approve of.
Had it always been like that? Nikora wasn't sure, and it felt almost impulsive to say 'No, of course not. There is nothing.' If she admitted to there being anything of interest anyway, they would find a way to dissuade her or to guard her from it.
But neither did she want to say 'no' only to remain trapped in the inn.
So she didn't. "There is a little market outside," Nikora replied instead, pointing a thin, delicate finger out the window to where a few small clusters of people bustled through the water in attempts to do their chores quickly and escape to shelter. "It's so much bigger than in Ukupaia! Can't we see if any of the merchants have something nice?"
"Nikora, you know the elders have warned of danger-" Her Father's voice was much more strict than Pap's. Ey didn't like taking any risks. They were already trapped here with no way to get home. Wasn't that enough?
"But it's just outside!" Nikora argued. "Not very far! And I'm bored. There's nothing to do in this little room!"
"It is still in the village..." Pap tried to reason with eir mate.
The pair traded words briefly while Nikora kept her gaze on the activity outside her window. Eventually, with each of her parents holding ne of her hands in theirs, they slowly (and quite annoyingly hesitantly) swam out toward the market, with her Father dutifully ensuring that there were no currents ahead to pick them up unexpectedly. "You will stay near us, Nikora," he warned. "No running off." And as they made their way into the center where a few brave merchants still peddles their wares, she supposed that was fine. There was more stuff to see here than she was used to at home!
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2018 7:01 am
Indigo_Plateau
Lala set to humming to himself as the two of them set about packing things up slowly. Of course they had only gotten a couple of the outfits packed up when someone actually showed up, something that caused the long haired boy to go a bit wide eyed. There was actually someone here? More then one someone in fact and it had him sighing a little bit before he set the stuff down that he was folding up.
Resting one hand on the table before him he reached out with the other, waving rapidly, before he called out, "Hello there brave adventurers! Can we interest you in some pretty clothing? It's all hand made by our family and sold by the brave duo that we are!" He motioned to Konah and himself as he spoke, dubbing the two of them the 'brave duo' which they definitely were in his mind.
Looking to his brother he gave him a grin before looking forward once more, eager to see if those before them came over. If they could sell anything it would keep the day from being a total loss.
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Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2018 7:00 am
Orpheus Solon
Even though there weren't many people still swimming about, those that were still outnumbered even the largest crowd in her small hometown. A few peddlers, a few traders, a few shop patrons... Nikora had never been so pleased to see activity as mundane as selling market wares! But pleased she was. While Father and Pap held either of her hands, her silvery gaze flicked about. There were food stalls, jewelry stalls, clothing stalls, and if she craned her head around Pap, she thought she even saw a stall carrying sharpened stones and long sticks- weaponry for combating the large beasts that lived in the wider parts of the river!
She opened her mouth, gave a curious tug in that direction, and- was immediately tugged back, and her attention directed instead toward a young pair with a stall decorated in fabrics and designed grasses. "But Pap, I want to look over-"
"We can look this way," ey encouraged instead, as ey and eir mate gently guided Nikora over to the clothing stall.
It took all of her power not to pout. Even if it wasn't the direction she'd wanted to go, the boy doing the selling seemed like a happy guy, and he'd even called them 'brave adventurers.' She did like the sound of that, she supposed... So Nikora let herself be redirected with no more fuss. The garments of the large river settlement were even different than the somewhat more dingy stuff that they could purchase near the swamplands, so that was new in its own way.
"You can pick out something, if you'd like, Nikora," came Father's rough rumble. "Look how lovely and blue this fabric is..."
Her silver gaze found the boy that had called them over just a moment ago. He looked a bit young to be in charge, but if he was the one doing all the active selling, she may as well address him over the other. "I like green," she informed him blatantly. "Find me something green."
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2018 10:18 am
Indigo_Plateau
Lalaki gave a bit of a chuckle as the youngest member of the family group turned to him and declared that she wanted something 'green' in coloring instead of the blue that had been suggested to her. He couldn't help but to find her determination to be rather endearing. After a moment of inspecting what they had out he gathered a few things, showing them off to her, "What do you think of these?"
There were various shirts and dresses, some that had sleeves, some that didn't, some were tighter, some more flowing, "These were all handmade by my various family members. The more fancy ones are my mother's work. She does a lot in the way of bead work on her pieces." He said, motioning with one hand toward one of the dresses that had some of the intricate work decorating it.
"The embroidery is done by one of my older brothers. Not this one that is next to me though, but another one." Something that Lalaki chuckled about. Konah didn't have fingers nimble enough for embroidering or bead work. He could do a bit in the way of sewing but nothing like what their mother or brother could do.
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Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2018 10:48 am
Orpheus Solon
The merchants likely had some fairly broad ideas for things that may appeal to her: 'green,' 'pretty,' 'girly.' As the younger of the two traders moved forward with his selections to show her, Nikora wondered, not for the first time, if she was really as interested as she ought to be in 'pretty' and 'girly.' These were the things routinely given to her and what she dressed in, but as her cloudy gaze slid over the offerings, she couldn't help but think again about the hunting wares now several stalls away... Maybe it wasn't exactly 'pretty' and 'girly' she was interested in, but 'exciting' and 'new.'
And clothes and garments were quickly losing their 'exciting' appeal.
Pap still seemed interested, at least. Ey glided forward, taking a green beaded shawl into eir fingers and smoothing the fabric between them. "These are very lovely," ey commended. "Your mother is very talented. It is our hope that our daughter will be just as talented in her craft, one day."
'Craft,' ey said, as though Pap already imagined her molding clay or threading needles. She wasn't so sure about any of that, and Nikora tried not to grimace at the presumption of it. Instead, as Pap offered the garment to her, "Try it on," she slipped forward. What else was she supposed to do? Say no? Unlikely. Besides, it was a pretty shawl, and the Waipuka materials were different- 'newer'- than what she was accustomed to.
Pap wrapped it lightly about her shoulders and tucked it in around the sash at her waist. Both her parents were gentle with her as they they feared she might break, and she'd often heard the word 'fragile' cross their lips as either of them described her. But the beadwork on the shawl glittered in even the dim overcast lighting. "It's... very beautiful," Nikora relented after a moment.
Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2018 11:18 am
Indigo_Plateau
"Thank you! I will let my mother know all about your kind words." Lala said, his ears giving a happy little twitch. It was always nice to hear compliments given to the hard work that his mother did. It always took so long for her to get her designs done. After all that work knowing it was appreciated would please the woman, of that he was certain.
He watched as the younger girl was made to try on the things that he was showing off, a sign he hoped meant that the two were going to trade for said items. It would look really well for his brother and himself if they were able to sell the two pieces of beaded work.
"Not sure if you're interested but there are these pretty pieces that were a collaboration between some of my family members that match with those two pieces." Lalaki said, looking around for a moment before he produced what were some matching pieces that mimicked the look of vambraces. Only instead of fighting they were for fashion, made the same pretty green cloth and had the same beat work on them in floral patterns.
He opened his mouth, about to explain more about them when the water around them seemed to whirl just a little bit faster. It took a bit of scrambling on his part to keep the decorative wrist pieces from escaping his grasp though much to his dismay in his flailing he lost one of his glimmering silver bracelets. Lalaki went a bit wide eyes, mouth falling open, "Ah! My bracelet!" He squeaked out.
Pressing the pieces into his brother's grasp he said, "If you would take over, brother?" With that he pushed himself over the counter and went rushing after the piece of jewelry, not wanting to lose one of his decorations to the currents. He was certain that his brother would be fine! He was a better merchant with far more experience after all. Not as though he needed Lala's help. He was just being nice by letting Lala take the lead this time around.
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Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2018 7:39 am
Orpheus Solon
It was in that moment that Nikora decided she didn't actually care all that much for merchants. On some level, she understood the necessity for them to make conscious efforts to peddle more of their wares- having people buy what they were selling was how they made a livelihood, and the more their customers wanted to trade for, the more supplies merchants would have at home to tend to their families. However, even though she knew it was a job, Nikora still felt a vein of disgust.
She was only just barely interested in the first piece that had been presented to her, and it felt as though it were a blessing that she and her fathers were available to make any purchase at all, given the weather. So to have anything else pressed upon her felt presumptuous.
Nikora's nose crinkled, and her mouth fell into a grimace. She wanted to tell this boy as much, that she wasn't interested in anything beyond the shawl at very most, and there was hardly even any reason for him to bring anything else over for her inspection- But Pap was already there, nodding agreeably and cooing soft, pleased sounds at the idea of 'matching' garments for his 'precious, delicate angel.'
And then the pieces were produced, some kind of flowery, girly armlet, and Nikora couldn't suppress a huff and roll of her eyes. "Isn't the one enough? I don't want to be wearing that much when we climb to Noelani."
Pap blinked, confused and clearly not expecting the snappish remark from his 'precious' daughter, but after a moment, Nikora's father's more strict voice added, "The journey is already more treacherous than we'd intended... We don't need to add any larger packs to our trip. Perhaps on our way back through-" The current shifted as if it were wind in the open air, and Nikora's father gripped her shoulder and tugged her near as if frightened the current might pluck her from her feet.
Instead, it succeeded only in making the younger merchant boy scramble as one of his accessories went washing away. Nikora's silver-blue eyes lit immediately with amusement and excitement. The young merchant darted away, and as if inspired by the thrill of a chase, Nikora slipped from her father's hold and followed.
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2018 7:53 am
Indigo_Plateau
As Lalaki suddenly went rushing off after his escaped bracelet Konah couldn't help but to sigh, turning his attention to the customers. He was quick to apologize for his brother who was 'still young' and then started to talk with the man about him possibly returning later and if he wanted Konah to hold the beaded pieces back for him. The usual merchant speak though Konah couldn't help but to fret over his younger brother, wanting nothing more then to rush after him... especially when the girl followed along after him.
"Shall we conclude our business at another time, Sir? It seems that the little ones are racing off toward trouble." He wanted nothing more then to yell after his brother to come back but couldn't drop his calm facade in front of a customer.
Lalaki might not have heard him as it was. He'd put a good deal of space between himself and his older brother fairly quickly in his attempts to keep up with his braclet though it didn't seem as though he was making any headway. The glittering piece seemed to stay a steady distance ahead of him at all times, bouncing off things here and there, and as it got to a cross roads a secondary current hit it. The bracelet swirled around for a moment in a vortex caused by the meeting of two current and was dragged off at greater speed away from him and out of sight.
The boy came to settle on the ground, eyes squinting in the direction the bracelet had gone, and he found himself grumbling under his break about the rain and how it really needed to calm down. It was bad enough when it caused customers to stay away but now it was encouraging the currents to steal from him? He was just not having any of it anymore!
If it weren't for the fact that they were in the middle of town he might very well scream! Instead he settled for grumbling and stomping one foot.
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Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2018 10:05 am
Orpheus Solon
"Nikora! Nikora!"
Though the older merchant boy they were with didn't seem particularly alarmed, neither of Nikora's parents could've bothered to care about wares of any sort once the young girl had slipped away from them. Pap in particular had a way of becoming so frightened of 'what if's that he approached near hysteria, and the older Kaha'iko was chasing after his daughter the instant he fully processed her departure, with Father darting right at his heels.
There were few things that mattered more to them than this child, their only child, for all the efforts they'd put forward into making more. And in this storm, with powerful currents sweeping this way and that? She could be stolen from them in an instant, whisked away by waters too powerful for her to combat and smashed against stone and rubble.
She wasn't meant to leave their sights. Hardly ever.
But Nikora cared so little for all of that. She'd grown bored with being sheltered and secluded. She wanted more! Excitement, maybe some danger, companionship. She wanted experiences, and chasing after a boy as he darted after a bit of jewelry was the most adrenaline she'd ever had course through her.
As teh merchant boy stopped and settled and watched his accessories be snapped away by the current, Nikora felt no such inclination. She pinned her arms to her sides, kicked her feet and propelled herself hard into the rushing waters. She wasn't frightened, of course! There seemed little reason to be. The river was her home (though not this part in particular, she hardly knew where she was going at all), and she'd spent her whole life in it. If the waters wanted to claim her spirit, they could've at any time. So what was the fear?
The current grabbed her thin frame and surged her along after the bracelet. Her eyes were as wide as the smile that stretched her face as she speed along faster than she ever had before. She would catch it for the boy! If he didn't want to come this far, that was fine, but it wasn't going to stop her!
Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 8:46 am
Indigo_Plateau
Lala let out a little squeak, looking thoroughly surprised over the fact that the younger girl seemed determined to continue the chase after his bracelet which was likely long gone. He watched her go for a moment, sighed, and pushed off the bottom of the water where he stood so that he could follow along after her. For whatever reason she seemed determined to find his bracelet and he supposed that he shouldn't just leave her to deal with it on her own.
As much as he thought it a lost cause at this point, one he'd complain about to his family later, the girl didn't seem to think so. As such she was chasing after the item into what could be dangerous waters. He'd have to follow or else he risked a heck of a scolding from his older brother later.
"Hey! Little girl! You can let it go!" He called after her, hoping both that his voice would reach her and that she'd give up. Better a lost bracelet then a lost child if you asked Lala. Just in case his voice didn't reach her though he did his best to try to catch up with her. If nothing else he should be able to out pace her being older and if he could he'd try to catch hold of her. If nothing else she was a bigger target then the bracelet.
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Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 2:36 pm
Nikora had always loved things, items that she could touch and carry and own, so obviously a part of her wanted to reclaim the bracelet for the simple fact that it was something. But this, in particular, would be even greater than anything her parents could simply buy and hand to her. If she caught up with the trinket, if she reclaimed it, it was basically her trophy. She'd braved currents and dangerous waters and captured it when the older boy couldn't! It would be proof of her daring and talents. She wanted it! She wanted it.
The merchant boy was behind her again. Nikora could hear his voice calling out to her, beseeching her to let the trinket be washed away.
Nikora's eyes narrowed, and she squinted in the direction the waters carried her. Even if she couldn't see the bracelet, she was bound to end up in the same spot it had been whisked away to, so long as she followed the tug of the river. And why shouldn't she? It was all just water, rapidly moving or not. Nikora couldn't be bothered to care about 'dangerous waters.'
But the merchant wasn't the only one after her. Her father cared deeply about dangerous waters, particularly when his daughter was so eager to swim into them. Maybe his purpose wasn't any greater than hers (they were both after something, after all: Nikora after the bracelet, and her father after Nikora, herself), he was larger than her and a much stronger swimmer, well built from his work providing for the family.
There was little Nikora could do to escape him once he caught up to her, and with a quiet reprimand, her tugged her from the current and back toward the river bottom. "It's just water-!" She tried to argue.
But her father's patience was thin, and he held her hand tightly as he guided her away. "I knew it was much too dangerous to bring you all this way from home. We never should have left Ukupaia with the weather like this. You will be quiet and be good until we're able to travel home. No more outings!"
She wanted to argue, but there was little point. Instead, all she could do was slip the merchant boy's bracelet back into his hands as she was guided past him.
The bracelet was small enough to be caught easily in any of the currents twists, so small that it shifted direction without much prompting. On luck of the gods, it must’ve been caught in a backdraft that washed it back Nikora’s way just as she was pulled from the flow. An easy snag when it was right before her, and a trophy, indeed, surely worthy of the upset of being confined to her home for who knew how long, now...
Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2018 5:28 am
Indigo_Plateau
There wasn't a lot that Lalaki could do as the girl was caught by her father and lead off. It would appear as though the guy was really displeased with all that had happened and he wasn't about to allow her much in the way of getting in a word edgewise. Even more surprise was that as the girl passed him she was quick to hand off his bracelet, something that he'd lost for good.
Lalaki looked down at the bracelet, over to the girl, and then back and forth a couple times before he gave a little humming sound. That was... odd. Here he'd thought the bracelet was gone for good... but it would appear as though he was wrong on that account.
He opened his mouth, about to call out to her... and then quickly shut it. No, no... best not to make her father anymore angry then he already seemed to be. It might upset him if he set to calling out to his daughter as she was lead away. As such he merely clutched onto his bracelet and swam back to where his brother was waiting for him, looking less then pleased himself. Swallowing hard the long haired boy moved to join his older brother, helping him to pack everything up in silence.
