LEGENDS OF HAWAIKI - Prologue

[Tonguez]

Sharp black eyes watched from the rainforest as Tu-Ru made his way forward into the village to finally be welcomed by Wai-Tu-Mata. Statisfied the large green lizard tilted its ugly head, flicked its tongue twice to taste the sunlit air and then withdrew away into the undergrowth uninterested in the excitement of the day.

the Ritual of Welcome was scheduled for noon and so everyone was getting ready for the quickly approaching zenith.

"There you are Lani!" came the call of her 'cousin' Mania as she came running along the sand "quickly the family is heading for the marae and we should be there."

Others were making there way there too, Warriors ready for the ritual challenge, bards to join the singing and chants, clerics, druids and shaman in their ritual finery and the common folk to watch and participate in the spectacle...

 

[Argent Silvermage]

"Mania!" Tatiki yells to her and waves. "we're on our way." To the rest of his friends Tiki says "I'm got to go get Roamu. Mother and Father would never forgive me if I didn't watch over him."

Tatiki runs back into the hut his family share and gets his older brother. To his parents he says "We're off to the celebration. I promise to take good care of Roamu." and they were off to the celebrations

Along the way Roamu making all sorts of comments about how pretty everything is and how pretty Lani is.

 

[wolff96]

Casting about for a topic that might draw out the taciturn O'Punga, Wai asks "So, Tu-Ru, are you competing in the ritual challenge this year?"

While waiting for an answer, he suddenly spots Tatiki and his brother walking along. "Hey, Tatiki! Wait up!" Dashing forward, Wai easily catches up to the shorter Urukehu.

"You sure you're going to be okay this far from the water all day, Tatiki?" Wai jokes with a smile. "I could run down and get a bucket. After all, we don't want your gills drying out..." Suddenly, the humor falls away from Wai's face. "How is your father doing, Tatiki? Is he going to be okay? I just heard about the accident this morning from Grandmother. You could have come out to the plantation and told me, you know!"

 

[Guest 11456]

The large O'Punga is silent as he tries to comprehend the question. Then as he has formulated an answer he starts to answer, "I will....". It is about this time that Wai heads toward Tatiki. Tu-Ru sighs as he is left alone.

 

[Argent Silvermage]

"Wai.. The world does not move by your whim. I had to stay with Father and Roamu while mother fetched the healers. My magics are strong but the Sharks mana was strong as well. Father will be good in time." Tatiki says to his friend. "I'm more worried about you being away from your tree you old coconut, than me away from the water." he laughs.

 

[wolff96]

Wai chuckles along with his friend. "The sun on my face, the sand between my toes... who is farther from their home, my friend, you or me?" Wai grins at his own joke.

Realizing that Tu-Ru has yet to join them, Wai calls to the grim-looking figure, "Come on, Tu-Ru, why don't you join us. We don't want to miss the Ritual of Welcome."

Wai turns to Tatiki once more and adds "And you're mistaken, Tatiki. The world DOES move by my whim. It's just that no one realizes it yet!" Before his friend can come up with a suitably stinging response, Wai darts off into the crowd with a smile.

 

[Seonaid]

Lani smiles at Roamu as he talks. When they near the crowd, she dips a nod to the group and slips into the massed people, weaving her way to where Makea and his family would be waiting. As she walks, she tugs on her clothes, knowing that they look fine but still not being able to rid herself completely of a slight feeling of constriction. She smiles or nods to those who acknowledge her presence, but does not stop to speak with any of them until she reaches Tanafa Rongua.

"I hope I am not late," she says to the woman. "I was walking with Tatiki and Roamu when Mania found me."

 

[Guest 11456]

Tu-Ru lumbers over to where Wai and Tatiki are just as Wai darts off into the crowd. He smiles a big toothy smile at Tatiki. Then he turns to look for Wai.

 

[Mirth]

Puna Tani sprinted along the sandy beach towards the village, barely noticing Tatiki as he passed him. Who is that O'Punga with him? Well I can't worry about that now...

Seeing Tatiki's look of recognition, the shaman called back to his friend as he ran on into the crowd, "Sorry, can't talk now or I'll be late for the ceremony. If I am, Matava’ine will surely have my head. You know how the Chief's aunt can be. I'll catch up with you after the procession."

 

[wolff96]

Wai comes out of the crowd on the other side and spots a good spot to watch the ritual. Moving back far enough to see his friends, he waves to Tatiki, Tu-Ru, and Roamu.

"Over here! I found a good spot. There's even a bit of shade."

Wai walks over to his spot and waits for the ritual to start.