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 Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2024 6:51 pm
Lanakila was bored. It was an absolutely dreary day and not even Lana could find any shadows to slink around in. Or at least if they did there wasn't anything worthwhile pursuing in them. So for once the Kahi was simply swinging on a hammock at the back of the little manor they shared with the others living under Kano's roof. And honestly? They probably wouldn't even complain today if someone else bothered them, depending on if they offered something to ease their boredom that was.
[Lana 1]
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Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2024 5:42 pm
Kalua ran her fingers through her curls with a huff. On a day like today, when there wasn't much to do, she tended to drift toward self care. She'd taken her sweet time in the bath - despite the protest of everyone else under Kona's roof - and was currently in the process of running some scent oil through her curls. It wasn't the cheap stuff, either; it was imported. And when asked where she'd gotten the coin to afford it, namely from her brother's constant needling, she'd simply said it was a gift.
And kept it at that.
She'd been on her way outside to nap and relax when she spotted Lanakila. A part of her wondered if she should bother the Kaha'iko at all, but then, what else was going on?
"How good are you at braiding?" The Moakai scrunched her curls as she walked, head cocked just enough to let them hang.
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Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2024 3:12 pm
Lanakila raised a brow, the Kahi confused by the sudden question. They were wanting some form of entertainment, but didn't necessarily think that was going to be the solution offered. "It depends on what I get out of it." They replied after a moment, rolling over in the hammock so that they could get a better glance at Kalua. "I'm assuming you're speaking about your hair as well, or something else?" Could they be wanting to braid something more exciting? Ropes to be used later for tormenting some of the other residents at the home or for making more coin? Who knew? Either way Lanakila was at that level of boredom that they truly were contemplating at least listening to Kalua's request if it gave something in return, that was.
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Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2024 8:18 am
"I'm going out later and I'd prefer not to get it dirty." She said as way of answer. While Kalua did enjoy taking the time to make herself as presentable as possible she didn't enjoy repeating unnecessary steps just because she - or someone else - was careless. Blood, dirt, street grim, etc; anything that would ruin an hours worth of work was worthy of getting someone's teeth knocked in.
"Go on, name your price. What do you want in exchange for braiding my hair?"
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Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2024 4:41 pm
"Is that so?" Lana raised an eyebrow, amusement glinting like cold iron in the depths of their gaze. Based on what they knew about Kalua, considering their own involvement in extra activities around the city, it was fairly obvious that someone would be missing something by the end of the night. The revelation did not bring much surprise as a result, Lana actually preparing for such an event. "My price wouldn't be something too awful." They began with a small grin, the Kahi swinging their lanky legs from the hammock so that they could sit up and better study Kalua. "Just a simple request really. I have a trinket that needs to be dropped off somewhere within the city, preferably wherever you may be roaming tonight on your date."
Their fingers reached into the small satchel bag kept at their side, trinkets clinking quietly together as they found the one in particular that they wanted dropped off within the city. "Consider it a dare of sorts. A challenge to see how creative you can be with placing this so that the true owner gets credit for everything. That is as long as whatever you find tonight is exciting enough to stir some trouble for them." That crooked grin crossed their lips as they tossed the signet ring of a particular merchant towards Kalua. The b*****d had been eyeing their home far too long, his dirty gaze lingering way too often on Kona, and it would be gratifying for someone like that to be dragged away from their sight. The token had been an easy grab, a slight of hand as Lana slipped past in the markets earlier today and they doubted the Hapuna even realized what was missing. They had studied him enough by now to know that he would be gambling at a hidden den full of illegal activities, something that wouldn't be easily used as any alibi to authorities either. Damned if he did admit to it and damned if he didn't...a hard choice indeed. And it would save Lana from getting their own hands dirty, the Kahi learning more about how many options truly existed when enacting their own twisted version of justice instead of simply dropping a body off into the ocean.
Then they paused as Lana allowed Kalua time to process everything, the Kahi swinging slightly on the hammock as if offering nothing that complicated. Truly it was just a simple request, right?
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Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2024 4:59 pm
"A dare?" Kalua cocked an eyebrow as she opened a hand to catch the ring. The Moakai's gaze moved away from Kalua to the design and the machinations started to build in her mind. There was a lot of potential here; potential she could use to ruin her 'date' if she played things just right. "Consider it done." When she raised her eyes Kalua lifted the ring as well and tucked it neatly into her top where it would stay until the appropriate time.
"Since we've got a late night session of 'truth or dare' running between us, let me ask you a Truth. How often have you seen Hiapo here since he's moved out? Tasari tells me he's been snooping about." She didn't need to tell Lana the implications of what that mean should Hiapo garner any real evidence. Her brother was as morally good as he was simple and would turn them in to 'save them' if he thought it best. Kalua couldn't have that.
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Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2024 5:31 pm
"Come sit then." Lanakila didn't need to add any threats or the like about what would happen if Kalua didn't get the mission done. They had enough of a reputation and a relationship with the Moakai for her to know better. Years of fragile trust had been built, even more so Lana's faith in their own reputation to make certain those who worked with their requests kept true to their word. "Don't expect ribbons, but I'll do layers." Ribbons were too risky, one false move and should someone catch one then it could be used to track them down which was the last thing anyone wanted. Not that it mattered to Lana, they had plenty of experience braiding things tightly together with ropes and the like to know how to handle hair without such accessories. They would do a crown of braids around Kalua's head that kept her hair from the sides of her face before going into a larger braid down the rest of her back.
"A truth? Is it not enough that I'm braiding your hair?" Lana frowned. This was like on of those situations of what the younger girls at the house sometimes did, the nuisances giggling and playing around with each other's hair in their shared room before Lana's passing shadow caused them to hush and crawl quickly into bed. "Ah." The truth that Kalua wanted brought something like a look of disappointment across Lana's features. They had commitments to those who offered useful trades, relationships with those who benefited them, but someone who had left and appeared so weak yet was also so nosey? It was an unnecessary attachment and one that made Lana wary since it could harm their own work with Kalua. They hoped Kalua wouldn't let Hiapo cloud their judgment in the long run, the very thought making Lana's jaw tighten slightly. "He's still alive, to answer your request. His eyes don't go beyond the front door save for when he enters the parlor to greet Kona on the rare occasion." The Kahi admitted after a moment, the subtle temptation of wanting Hiapo to wander too far not an unfamiliar feeling. If his gaze went beyond the front door then things could get a lot messier, but far more amusing for Lana. "Others have greeted him when he lingers before reminding him that you're alive and we're too busy for those who aren't living here."
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Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2024 5:57 pm
She made her way over to the hammock and settled in. As she did so Kalua handed over a little brown jar filled with a waxy sort of paste. It was made for dancers who needed to ensure their hair stayed in place for the entirety of their performance; Kalua just wanted to make sure none of hers was left behind.
"You can ask me one if you want to repay it. Or give me another dare." She waved her hand as if annoyed by the whole thing. Of course it wasn't Lana she was pissy about, but rather the subject of her inquiry. If there was anyone she was going to be less reserved around it was going to be them, but only in spurts. They'd known Hiapo for nearly as long as Kalua herself had so it was their opinion she chose to 'trust'.
"After last week's screw up Kona sent work to Hiapo about the guard's being here." It wasn't so much the loss of payment or their reputation that had bothered Kalua. The exposure hurt so much worse; especially because it hadn't been her mistake. But because it had been their group the attention was drawn to their door and inevitably Hiapo had gotten himself involved.
"I warned him about what happened to people who stepped out of their bounds. If he comes around again-," She looked over her shoulder, those seagreen eyes locking onto Lana's. "-you know what to do." Kalua turned back around. "If I remove him myself it would be too obvious."
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Posted: Mon Oct 28, 2024 6:09 pm
"As if I ask things without reason." Lana replied, their fingers twisting at the lid and then skimming over the surface of the paste once the jar was open. They didn't ask for any directions, just went with what they wanted as they started twisting Kalua's hair into tight braids, their fingers only stopping to make certain no knots would be in the way before continuing on. "If anything I'll take something you find interesting tonight or a simple fruit to snack on tomorrow morning." They knew that Kalua would decide accordingly, as long as her requests kept going then the interesting token would have to be just as worthwhile to pay Lana back.
"Is that so?" There was a gleam in Lana's gaze as they considered their options with the new revelation. "We'll see what happens." If they were in the mood to do as Kalua wanted or if they would take things a step further...well that would just depend on how Lana woke up that day and how much was truly at stake with Hiapo nosing around. "There can be other distractions. I doubt one little fish will be enough to disturb the river, but maybe a migration can happen." If anything Lana was still enjoying twisting the limbs of the one who had messed up, the true culprit behind making this a bit messier than originally desired. Though they wouldn't be opposed to taking care of a nosy fish either...they just weren't certain of how disconnected Kalua truly was from him.
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Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2024 1:06 pm
Maybe she was just being paranoid. Hiapo had always been a sore spot for Kalua, whether she cared to admit it or not. Up until now she could push him away, pretend as if he weren't around, but after that evening...She couldn't ignore him any longer.
If he was going to watch her she needed to watch him, or have him watched. Now there's a thought. Maybe she could slip a few coins to someone he didn't know and keep an eye out? It wouldn't be hard; there were deckhands a plenty in the port. It would hardly be suspicious if someone new showed up.
A noise from within the house drew her attention. She couldn't hear much, but it sounded like a few children having a squabble over something, then someone started to cry and the timber of Kona's voice joined the frey.
"I can't wait to get out of here."
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Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2024 5:05 pm
Lanakila simply kept braiding, the Kahi nearly done with the upper rows of braids as they allowed Kalua to think over things in silence. Well, for as long as that silence lasted before the ruckus from the house made them frown. "Is that so?" They asked, not surprised by the disdain towards the home that they shared. It was still a free place to live, and despite their conflicted feelings about charity work Lana did at least have some shred of concern towards Kona for her help during their younger years. It didn't stop the newcomers from being annoying though. The very thought made the Kahi's fingers twist a bit tighter at the hair, the final braid being woven without a strand daring to escape. "Nothing lasts forever. It might be time for our own migration soon." They mused quietly, tugging at a strand as they forced it into place. "Enough coin can make a new home and more coin could also send any worries you have overseas." A new boat for a cartographer. They could find someone willing to take more onto their crew, as long as no one was too concerned about the dignity of the ship. Though who knew? Maybe there could be a couple of good crews out there if Kalua truly wanted to get rid of the nosy one.
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Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2024 11:04 am
Being under Kona's care could be chafing at times, but Kalua truly had no issues staying except for the latest batch of kids. Kona herself wasn't a threat; she'd been as kind as she could and stern when she needed to be, which was often. The kids themselves weren't terrible, just active, and space was becoming limited.
She needed space, both for herself and for her machinations to bear fruit.
"Mmm. Tonight's date will help with that." Lifting a hand, she idly picked at some dirt underneath her nail as Lana worked. "I just have to look my best and bat my eyes like a pretty little flower."
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Posted: Tue Nov 05, 2024 12:55 pm
"I see." Lanakila replied, their lips twisting slightly as they finally let go of the braid and allowed it to fall against Kalua's back now that it was finished. "Then I wish you the best." They wiped their fingers together, satisfied with their work, and then twisted back into the hammock to relax. "I'll just be here, enjoying a quiet evening." And if they were needed, well they could always prowl the streets later. But they would prefer to avoid that option tonight since it would place them here if anyone asked questions, Lana preferring to deal with the annoying children running rampant inside since they could all vouch that the Kahi was truly here at the house tonight. They would rely upon that for a little bit longer despite the crowded space, Lana simply waiting for the right moment to finally pack their bags and find somewhere new to truly begin their work within the city.
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Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2024 12:04 pm
Kalua reached up to run her fingers along the braided crown against her scalp, then pulled the braid over her shoulder to inspect it. When she was satisfied she gathered herself and stood, briefly looking back to the Kaha'iko before nodding her satisfaction.
She had a dare to complete and sticking around any longer would benefit no one. And now that she had her own information Kalua could move forward on two fronts, which was as pleasing a turn as she could have hoped for.
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