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 Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 3:13 pm
A cerulean sky. How lovely.
Naia smiled as she peeked her head out of the waters to study the sky above. It was a lovely afternoon and the sun was shining perfectly over the edges of cresting waves. If her brothers wouldn’t flip the girl would try to play a game and ride those very waves. Since her brothers would indeed flip and ruin the limited freedom that she had finally earned with age, Naia settled for just relaxing on the edges of the rocks that decorated the shoreline. The rocks were worn down from years of waves crashing into them and the surfaces felt smooth against Naia’s fingers. She enjoyed rubbing over the stones to feel out every dimple and curve that ran along their pebbled gray surfaces. It was relaxing and definitely something that she enjoyed doing on afternoons when she was feeling frustrated and worn out by her family and her own thoughts.
Ah, but today was slightly different. Naia pursed her lips before slipping from the rocks with a splash. As she dove beneath the waves and swam a bit into the colorful ocean world below the girl called out, “Pounamu? Are ya still here?”
[Naia 1]
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Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 3:13 pm
“I am!” Pounamu replied quietly before emerging from a twisting column of crimson and amber coral. The little hybrid was still shy but definitely feeling more comfortable speaking with Naia. The two of them had taken to hanging out and playing around while Naia’s family visited the market so they had become good friends. However, this was the first time that Pounamu had ever ventured so far away from her Aunty. It had been so long since she had gone to the surface and so was super skittish of everything and anything that moved. Ever since she had lost her parents the fear of the unknown had controlled her decisions and kept her close to their underwater home in the reefs.
While Naia had gone ahead to make sure the coast was clear the youngling had skirted behind the corals so that she could hide safely in the shadows. Now that Naia was back, Pounamu found herself drifting with the current towards the other girl, “Was everything okay up there?” Her gaze darted around fearfully almost as if making certain no other creature was trying to sneak up on them during this afternoon adventure.
[Pounamu 1]
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Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 3:13 pm
“Oh good.” Naia giggled teasingly, “I thought you would have swam away while I wasn’t looking.” Her gaze gleamed with amusement before she reached out to squeeze Pounamu’s hands, “I’m really glad that ya are stickin’ with me today.” Sincerity warmed her words as her own hands left a lingering heat against Pounamu’s fairly colder skin. It was nice having a friend to share one of her favorite spots with. Those brothers of her’s wouldn’t stand for her having any fun after all!
Watching her friend Naia made certain that Pounamu seemed to be semi-calm and not panicking. She seems centered enough this time. It was a bold move for her friend to come out here and Naia was so proud of her. In the last year or so since they had first met it seemed that Pounamu definitely had grown! Squeezing the girl’s hands once more Naia gently tugged her along, “Trust me once you experience this area you’ll just love it! The sun is great today and it’ll warm you right up!”
[Naia 2]
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Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 3:13 pm
Pounamu pouted at the teasing, “I would never!” Maybe at one point she would have ran away but not any longer! Even if the temptation was there… Her traitorous thoughts made her gaze dart about nervously once more before she stopped herself. She had promised Naia that she would come along and she refused to break a promise to a dear friend! It was just a little bit intimidating that was all. Not too horribly scary or dangerous or deadly or...oh my. Panic threatened to squeeze her heart once more but the youngling tightly closed her eyes and practiced calming her racing heart like Naia had taught her. You couldn't be brave unless you felt fear after all. You faced that fear to be brave. That was what her Aunty had always told her and she was determined to do that today.
Today I will be brave!
The sudden warmth of Naia’s touch made the girl’s eyes flutter open in surprise. Naia was always so warm and friendly, how could Pounamu disappoint her? A soft smile decorated the hybrid’s face as she slowly nodded her head and allowed Naia to lead her along. Soon enough the waters began to get clearer and clearer and rays of sunlight flickered through the openings in the coral reef that was slowly turning more and more from corals and into just open areas of sand with some gently waving kelp and similar ocean fauna. They were almost there. Pounamu swallowed nervously as Naia started to slow down. This was it. Her moment to finally break free from her fear and to see the surface again had come at last.
[Pounamu 2]
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Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 3:14 pm
Naia’s stomach felt like it was full of jellyfish. What if Pounamu thought that her special area was lame? What if she didn’t feel the exhilaration that Naia felt everytime she emerged from the depths of the ocean and into the light of the world above? For the first time in forever Naia actually felt nervous about something. It was enough to make her hesitate one final time. The sea current whipped her frosted bangs around her face as if urging her forward and after a long moment Naia inched forward.
Pounamu had to experience this! There was no way that she wouldn’t have fun! It was too beautiful to not like! Naia felt her confidence resurging as she quietly spewed confident thoughts about how much her friend would love the surface. If not for me she may have never come all this way. To think! Naia’s fuschia eyes glimmered with optimism as she glanced again towards Pounamu. Why would Naia dare to be nervous when Pounamu was shaking like a piece of driftwood caught in turbulent waves?
“Alright, I hope you’re ready Pounamu.” Smiling with encouragement Naia ushered the other girl upwards. As her head emerged the hapuna’s grin only brightened. It really was a pretty day. Very few clouds in the skies and the ones floating above were so fluffy and white! The sunlight was shimmering along the surface of the azure ocean and the pearly sands were glistening in the daylight. Reaching out she grabbed one of the many larger rocks that dotted around the shoreline and after pulling herself up, Naia reached down a hand to help Pounamu to fully emerge from the waters, “Careful that you don’t slip and splash back into the ocean.”
[Naia 3]
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Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 3:14 pm
The moment had come. Pounamu took one last gulp before reaching for her friend’s hand. The whole experience of emerging from the water was interesting to say the least. It felt like a new weight was on her shoulders but at the same time everything suddenly became so much clearer. Colors that she had seen below the waves transformed into vibrant versions of themselves and the light - oh the light! It was bedazzling like some sort of god was before them. Pounamu’s bi-colored eyes shone with amazement as she took in the full sight. It was so blue, everything was so blue out here. The skies were blue and the waters were blue but at the same time they weren’t the same blue! There were so many different shades of colors! The coral reefs had a variety of colors and were so beautiful to behold but the colors of the surface held a beauty of their own.
As she grasped at the rock and allowed Naia to tug her forward Pounamu couldn’t help gaping, “Wow.” She spoke softly as she glanced over at everything once more. Their home seemed so vast from this angle, the ocean waves continued rolling far into the horizon. Their little beach was just a shallow area on an island which she was certain held many wonders, so many green things already had caught her attention. How could she have forgotten about all of this? So many trees and all the materials that others came to the surface for when they made homes and traded. Others live along the surface in their tiered homes but her Aunty had made their home far into the reefs so that Pounamu never really got to experience the surface quite like this before.
Pounamu knew that Naia had said this was a more private area without anyone really living here and it was fairly quiet. It was still so strange to see the surface after all this time. She had lived closer to Ka'lei while being with her parents and only had spent the last year or so with her Aunty near Lokelani. After losing her parents she had opted to stay at home more while her Aunty had taken time to raise her and not venture to the surface as often. “Aunty said my parents always loved to visit the surface.” Her eyes stung with tears. She had been too afraid to tell Naia that she had been too afraid to venture far from home since losing her parents. That fear she had conquered today by following her friend to this small stretch of beach. An innocent place really but such a huge step for the young hybrid in moving forward with her life.
[Pounamu 3]
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Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 3:14 pm
Well it looked like her spot was a success! Naia couldn’t help beaming as she watched Pounamu take in the sights, “I really love this area.” She confessed, “It’s quiet and sometimes you need quiet.” While she did enjoy the business of the markets or of the crowded sunbathing areas the little hapuna was thrilled to have some peace out here in the wilderness of the island. The seabreeze while being chilly against her wet skin was still refreshing in its own way and the rocks were warm from the sun’s caress. It was why Naia loved coming out here in the early afternoon the most. The mornings were a bit too chilly and the evenings a bit too creepy, even for the brave explorer, but the afternoon was perfect.
Patting a spot next to her the youngling stretched out, “Only my oldest brother knows about this spot. He shared it with me a few moons ago when he felt I was old enough to come here.” She grinned, “A perk of growin’ up!” It was really peaceful and she truly loved it here. The sound of the waves as they crashed into the shoreline and the noises of the birds as they flew overhead created a wonderful melody.
[Naia 4]
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Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 3:14 pm
Pounamu couldn’t help smiling at Naia’s enthusiasm. She could tell that her friend really had been dying to share this secret spot with her. I’m thankful she did. Carefully slipping into place next to Naia, Pounamu stretched out her legs, “It’s warmer than I thought. I’m glad your brother shared this with you.” She mused quietly as she settled into soaking up the heat from the stone and from the sun above. This felt so nice. The depths of her father’s home had always left her with a slight chill but out here she could see why the hapuna loved sunbathing so much.
Naia with her golden skin could even be part of the sun itself. Pounamu giggled quietly at the thought as she glanced between her friend and the bright skies above.
[Pounamu 4]
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Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 3:14 pm
And I’m glad I shared it with you, Namu.” Naia squeezed Pounamu into a hug, “It’s my favorite spot.” She commented as she let go and leaned back to relax on the giant stone surface, “The waves are so relaxing and it gets so warm.” Naia grinned happily, “I always try to come here to plot out any ventures I’ll have in the future.” She also liked to daydream and look at the clouds as they floated past. Speaking of which….the youngling pursed her lips as she studied the sky, “That cloud looks like a seahorse.”
[Naia 5]
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Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 3:14 pm
Flushing lightly Pounamu squeezed Naia back before settling down on the rock with her head laying next to Naia’s own, “It is really warm.” She agreed as the two girls laid there on their backs with their faces pointing towards the skies above, “A seahorse?” Pounamu nodded, “It’s one of those long ones with the leaves - that’s more like a dragon, right?” She found herself teasing lightly, “I wouldn’t want to see something that big beneath the waves.” Though there were rumors of giant sea creatures in the deeper parts of the ocean. It was another reason she was so wary of the ocean where her father had come from. It was so dark and deep in those trenches, who knew what was lurking down there?
[Pounamu 5]
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Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 3:14 pm
Naia tilted her head so that she could glance at Pounamu, “You mean you wouldn’t want to encounter a giant beast? I think that would be a fun story!” She teased lightly, “Talk about having an epic adventure if ya fought one of those. I wonder what treasures it would probably guard. Lots of sparklies right?” Gold, gems, anything that had some sort of glimmer and color to it. Naia could only imagine all the possibilities! Giggling she shook her head, “But I’m sure that’d be a bit scary for ya. Still! I would protect ya, Namu.”
She nodded, firmly believing in her promise to protect the young hybrid, “You’re like the sister I always wanted so it works out. I wouldn't let some monster take ya so easily!”
[Naia 6]
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Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 3:14 pm
Despite the warmth of the rock beneath her back, Pounamu felt a shiver go through her body. What if they did encounter a monster one day? Naia always wanted to go on adventures and Pounamu couldn’t imagine life without her best friend. Would the ocean depths take her next? Pounamu bit her bottom lip thoughtfully and tried to hold back the tears. She didn’t want to lose Naia! So sniffling she shook her head, “N-no. I would rather you protect yourself.” She replied quietly, “I don’t think I could take any more loss.”
It was a quiet confession, but completely true. While some held out hope of finding her parents, Pounamu had given up after a year had passed since their disappearance. She wanted to believe in them, truly she did, but at the same time she didn’t want to spend her life waiting for someone who may never come home. She had shed too many tears and didn’t want to keep lying to herself. Naia, however, had always said that one day they could adventure together and if her parents were out there that they would find them. A far fetched hope, but a hope none-the-less. What Pounamu truly knew was that because of the bright hapuna at her side, life had definitely brightened. Because of Naia, she was slowly starting to emerge from the depressed, quiet child that she once was.
[Pounamu 6]
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Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 3:15 pm
Propping up on an elbow, Naia frowned at Pounamu. Why couldn’t she protect the other girl? Did she not believe that Naia could do it? Surely Naia was smaller than some but she was super quick and that made her even harder to fight! At least she had always imagined that would be the case. She could just zip right past a monster and get to its weak spot and wear it out with a million lightning fast attacks. It was how she had worn her brothers down after years of them trying to tame her after all. In a way they were her first monster. The thought made her giggle quietly before she focused on Pounamu again, “You won’t lose me.” She whispered quietly before reaching out to boop her friend’s face, “Silly. I’m going to be an awesome fighter just you wait. If you wanna help me out that’s fine too, but I’ll definitely be a hero one day.”
Confidence and the conviction that she would one day make her dream a reality made her eyes shine. Naia could and would do this one day. Just you wait and see!
[Naia 7]
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Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 3:15 pm
Blinking in surprise at the sudden boop, Pounamu shook her head. This wasn’t a time to get all emotional! I have to trust Naia more. She told herself but it was so hard because the loss of her parents had instilled such a deep fear in her heart. Pounamu supposed it was fine to joke about things but when the day came she would be broken to see Naia go off by herself. Would she be okay being left behind? Maybe not. Pounamu knew she would have to make a decision one day but for now she just wanted to enjoy her childhood with her best friend. They had several years of growing to do before either of them did anything drastic!
“If you become some hero, I guess you may need support.” Replied Pounamu finally, “Maybe I can be a healer to patch you up and hopefully keep you out of real serious trouble.” She mused lightly. It was weird considering how her family was known for crafting but maybe, just maybe she would consider crafting potions instead of jewelry.
[Pounamu 7]
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Posted: Mon May 04, 2020 3:15 pm
“Look at you being all serious.” Naia teased and wiggled away so that she could sprawl out completely with her arms resting far above her head, “We’re still children so who knows? Maybe you’ll become an amazing warrior yourself, Namu.” She grinned, “But if you do become a healer I definitely would always have you patch me up!” She would trust Pounamu to be the very best healer around if that happened! She was really bright and good at memorizing things so it could work out that way.
As she stared at the floating clouds above, Naia could only imagine how certain clouds looked like mighty beasts. Maybe one day she would get a real good chance at whacking at a real one. Talk about a thrilling fight!
[Naia 8]
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