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Out of all the places Akahi enjoyed visiting, Elikapeka was the one they enjoyed the most. There were so many different types of people there from all walks of life and they couldn't help but be drawn to the hustle and bustle of the largest city in Haukea. True, sometimes the young Hapuna preferred to explore less populated areas, but the less populated areas tended to have less people! If there was one thing Akahi loved most, it was meeting new friends.

Well...'friends'. They'd met lots of different people but they weren't sure they could really call any of them friends. Some of them were locals and Hapuna like them, but they never really sought Akahi out to do anything. Then there were other races that still were water-dwellers so Akahi could relate to them a bit, but they were usually on business in Elikapeka and didn't have time to chat. And last but certainly not least were the other species that could be found in the big city: they definitely intrigued Akahi the most, but they too were generally too busy to give them the time of day.

Still, Akahi wasn't discouraged! Today was another great day to visit the city, get some good food, see some new sights, and talk to new 'friends'. They'd already checked off the 'good food' item on their to-do list and were happily snacking on some street food they'd bought from a cart as they meandered down the bustling main road, purple eyes darting here and there as different sights caught their attention.

Akahi had just taken a big bite out of the fish on the skewer they held in their hand when someone called out to them. Akahi turned to look and had to tilt their head back and gaze up at a tall, dark hybrid who was carrying a rather intimidating trident. They quickly swallowed their mouthful, a few bits of fish flakes on their lips as they responded.

"Whoa! That's so big!" Of course they'd say the first thing that jumped into their mind. Clearly someone as tall as the person before them would need a weapon to suit their height, but to Akahi who had only ever been up close with much smaller versions of tridents it was hard to ignore.

Remembering they'd been asked a question, Akahi tore their gaze from the trident to look back up at the hybrid as best as they could. Standing at a little over five feet, Akahi barely came up to the chest of the other Kahikinan which caused them to take a step back. Their expression was delighted, however, indicating that they weren't intimidated or put-off by the size difference. This was a potential friend!

"You can keep your money, I'll help anyway! What are you looking for? I'm Akahi, are you from around here? I've never seen you before and I'm here pretty frequently. What do you use that trident for? Do you go on adventures or do you just fish with it?" The questions came one after the other in the same breath and they only ceased when Akahi had to take a breath, gills fluttering gently at their neck.

Too enthused about their new friend, Akahi completely missed the initial eye roll. The way the tall hybrid rolled with the punches only excited them further and it was all they could do to keep from bouncing up and down with excitement.

"How big is big? On land? In the water? What's the biggest thing you ever caught? Did you ever get hurt?" Akahi stopped talking long enough to inspect the tip of the trident - which was far larger than their head - and gave a thoughtful hum. They knew of a few places in the city that might be able to fix it, but there was one in particular that specialized in weapons that were more commonly found among Kahikinans.

"I can lead the way!" Akahi said after pulling the last of their fishy snack off the skewer in their hand, then promptly pointed back the way U'ilani had come with the now empty bit of wood. "This way! Oh, also," they said, peering up at U'ilani with a slightly bashful smile. "If I talk too much just let me know. I can tone down the questions. You're just so cool it's hard not to ask!"

Akahi was enthusiastic and curious but they weren't dumb by any means. It hadn't taken long for them to put two and two together, that talking non-stop often scared others off. They didn't want to be annoying or overwhelming but for some it certainly could get to be that way! With that said, Akahi started to head down the path, but quickly took a turn off the main road and down a side street. It was still busy, but the buildings were closer together and even though there was less people there was also less space to move around. Thankfully U'ilani was tall enough to keep an eye on and whenever the crowd got too tight for them to move, Akahi paused and waited for them to catch up before pressing on.

Akahi hunched their shoulders a bit, an apologetic smile on their lips at the request to tone down the barrage of questions. They got that a lot in less polite ways, though, so they'd try their best to put a filter between their brain and their mouth. Thankfully U'ilani seemed patient - or perhaps amused - enough to continue on their way with Akahi which the smaller Kahikinan thankful. They were used to annoying or scaring off those they tried to chat with.

"Whoa...that's amazing!" U'ilani's description painted all sorts of images in Akahi's head, probably far from what had actually happened as they cooked up thoughts of massive creatures the sizes of houses or ships being taken down by the lone hunter behind them.

The question made them laugh and they paused to let a few other passers by move before ducking down an even smaller side street. This one was devoid of other people and was really more of an alley than a road, the buildings only a few feet apart. It was quieter in here and a handy shortcut to the road the smithy was on.

"I don't mind the crowds," they said as the paused to turn and face U'ilani. "There's so many potential friends to meet! Sure, it can get kind of loud and busy, but I'm not here all the time. I like to go off and explore in the wilderness too. But there's not that many friends to make out in the wild." In the water there was, but Akahi was pretty familiar with most of the waters in these parts. The land was where the mystery and fun was.

"I get to hear lots of awesome stories in town, too. Like you and your Nahiis! I'd never hear that back home."

Akahi had met lots of others - Earthlings, Aishans, and Kahikinans alike - who shared similarities and differences. Generally the ones they'd met in the cities didn't mind crowds and enjoyed spending time there, but on occasion they'd meet someone like U’ilani who was only there because they had to be. They gave the taller hybrid an understanding nod before pressing on, the end of the alley way drawing closer with each step. They could sense their companion really wasn't comfortable in the narrow space so they kept their stride quick to get out a little faster.

"I want to!" they replied as U'ilani suggested going out on their own. "My parents think I'm a little crazy for the little bit I travel already," they added with a slightly sheepish laugh. It wasn't common for Hapuna to have even a drop of wanderlust, but Akahi seemed to contain every bit that the rest of their kind lacked.

"I just need to find someone to travel with. I'm a quick study and love to learn new things so I'm sure I'd be a good companion to have on adventures! But...convincing someone to take me is hard." Akahi's fins on the side of their head drooped just a bit, their posture changing to one of mild defeat. They'd been trying for a while now to join a group of travelers but they all had said the same thing: Akahi needed to be useful if they wanted to travel. Akahi wanted to be useful too! It was just hard to pick a skill and truly become a master of it. There were so many things they enjoyed doing it was hard to pick just one to focus on.

"I gotta get good at something before I go. Then others will want to take me with them. I'm not great at fighting," they admitted, looking up at U'ilani as they finally exited the alley and returned to a more normal-sized street. It was just as busy as the larger one they'd been on before, unfortunately, but Akahi was moving through the crowd like a fish through water.

"But maybe if I practice that I can start to explore further." They really didn't like the feel of a sword or other weapon in their hand, but they did enjoy helping everyone. Maybe they could work on healing skills or become some sort of performer to cheer everyone up!

Akahi tilted their head as U'ilani apologized, not too sure what it was for. Just because someone was a thief didn't mean they were a bad person, after all! They were sure there were some pretty nice thieves out there. Maybe even one that would tolerate having the curious Hapuna around long enough to teach them a thing or two. Akahi didn't think the life of a thief would suit them, though. They weren't very good at being sneaky.

"Magic?" they echoed as the sign for the smith came into view. "Oh...I don't know! I've never really met anyone that uses magic before. Have you?" They paused outside the door of the smithy and looked up at U'ilani with a grin, motioning to the door.

"After you!" It was pretty evident Akahi wasn't going to leave now that they'd reached their destination, too interested in their conversation and definitely not aware that this would be the point a normal person would excuse themselves.

The shop might have been overwhelming for some, but for Akahi it was exciting. The smaller of the two bounced lightly on the balls of their feet, violet eyes darting around to try to take everything in at once. The smells, the sounds, the sights, it was all so much but so interesting!

When they were addressed rather than U'ilani, they had to laugh softly and shake their head. A dagger might be fun to have, but they weren't here for themself! And, as much as they didn't like to say it, they didn't think U'ilani would hang around them once they got their trident taken care of. The taller of the two didn't seem to be the chatty sort and as much as U'ilani had been a good sport allowing Akahi to lead them around, the Hapuna wasn't completely oblivious to the fact that the hybrid probably was ready to get out of the city and be on their way.

"I'm all set, thanks. But they need some help with their trident," Akahi said helpfully, motioning to the large weapon. "It's got a crack I think? Right?" They looked up U'ilani, a hesitant smile on their face.

Akahi stood on their toes to see the trident as it was handed over to the other Hapuna, lavender eyes bright with curiosity. But the palpable frustration that their new friend showed when hearing that they'd be without their weapon for a week made Akahi look up to their taller friend with a frown.

"Work? There's always someone looking for a hired hand around here," they said, nodding back to the streets where they'd come from. "Especially for some muscle! I don't think you'll have a hard time finding someone who wants some help." They tilted their head a bit, a thoughtful expression on their face.

"But you said you don't really like crowds...oh!" Akahi's expression brightened as they thought of an idea. "My parents were going to re-do the platform where they rest when sunbathing, it's been in need of repairs for a while now and they just keep putting it off. Maybe I can convince them that you'd be the perfect hired hand!" They doubted U'ilani had ever built a Hapuna platform before but they were big and strong and could probably handle the lumber much easier than the far shorter Hapuna.

"I don't know how much they have to give, but it would be away from the city at least."