LEGENDS OF HAWAIKI - Prologue

[Tonguez]

As the broad arc of the rainbow settled overhead Rongo-matua father of song, flowers, crops and peace grinned broadly casting his benevolent favour over the day, and joining with Tane to sponsor the festivities. Even their brother the fierce and cantankerous Tu atua of War was happy for though the week would be given to Rongo still the challenges and competitions would honour him in his aspect as atua of Strength and Physical Prowess - the lesser atua aboard the visiting Vaka had no option but to remain silently aboard their respective craft

The Vaka landed in accordance with the rank of their Masters and soon the many feet of the crewman and champions aboard were splashing into the water along the shore. A huge chorus as each participated in the exchange of challenges and war dance with the warriors lead by Maeharoa Takanui.

Finally they formed a procession behind Puna Tani and with the keen of the old women calling them they moved forward towards the entrance of the Marae

The delegation brought by Te Reiokura from Tafitinui were at the head of the procession, their sacred Ariki Maurata carried in a litter high upon their broad shoulders. His supporters ranked behind him bearing fine gifts of woven mats lined in kura feathers, pearls and shell treasures from Tafitinui, high quality carved bowls and other valuable goods.
The other visitors were not so high ranking as to be carried but each was dressed in finery and bore gifts for Takanui and for other individuals of the clan. Most were human and from the other islands of Nukutea, but their were also Urukehu and O'punga amongst them along with visitors, as evident in the design of their tattoo, from further afield than Nukutea, even from as far as distant Hiva beyond Tafitinui in the north and Paumotu in the Southwest.
*****
Within the enclosure of the marae the Ritual of Welcome continued with the exchange of speeches and supporting song first from Tineiafi and the hosts of Takanui, and then from each of the visiting dignataries or their appointed spokesman.

The day proceeded far into the afternoon to be followed by feasting and dancing through the night as old friends and relatives were reunited, and old rivalries rekindled with the exchange of boasts and challenges to compete in the upcoming events - wrestling, running, dancing, hunting and surfing.

Makea Takanui and his family remained apart as they entertained the Ariki Maurata-no-Tafitinui and the other visiting dignataries. The Lady Matava'ine had retired early to her quarters and was scheduled to leave the next day to return to her home in the mountains.
*****
It was late when Maeharoa was able to slip away and join the festivities in the Fare tapere

"Lani, Tatiki!" Maeharoa grinned as he spotted th two Urukehu sitting with others around their shared food basket
"So what did you think of Ritual of Welcome?" he continued as he came up beside them "have you seen Puna Tani?, his uncle Tineiafi was very proud of his performance, and is sure that the Lord Rongo-matua has shown us special blessings.

Big days tomorrow though and I know you two will be eager for the surfing - are you going to compete?"

(ooc So ends the Prologue - next competitons

Wai, Tu-Ru, Afa-ruru haven't forgotten you - the others around the foodbasket - Lani is Maeharoa's cousin and Tatiki son of the Master Fisherman of the village and thus the two he is most likely to address first. Still as basket-sharers you are welcome to join in the conversation too)

 

[Seonaid]

Lani grins back, and nods. "It was wonderful. He is doing such a good job." She pauses and looks around the festivities. "I think I saw him somewhere over there, but it was a little bit ago." She waves vaguely behind her. "As for the surfing . . . I'm looking forward to watching, but I don't know if I'll compete this year. I'll have to see." She shrugs and drinks some wine.

 

[Mirth]

"I think I saw him somewhere over there, but it was a little bit ago." She waves vaguely behind her.

After the procession, Puna Tani was able to slip away, amidst many slaps on the back and wide grins from the others. He knew his uncle wanted to speak with him and he should have gone, as was custom, but the young shaman feared his heart couldn't take it. The beasts within him were wrestling for control and Puna Tani didn't want either his uncle or especially Matava'ine to know how close he was to losing it.

So lost in his thoughts was he that, as he crossed the festival grounds headed for the beach, he made no notice of Lani and Tatiki calling to him from the Fare tapere.

The cool sand between his toes and the warm water caressing his ankles relieved some of the stress Puna Tani felt as he stood at the water's edge staring out across the wide ocean.

It is always calm before a storm, boy. Didn't your father teach you that? He was probably too busy showing you how to split a sweet potato in two. Much like we will do to you soon.

Tears welled in Puna Tani's eyes as he thought inside, Can't you give me one moment's peace? It's all I ask... all I ask...

The dead are the only ones truly at peace. Don't worry, you'll join them soon...

Turning from the surf, Puna Tani ran back to the festival. By them time he had found the others at the food basket, his tears had dried. Maeharoa was the first to spot him. Smiling he said, "This one doesn't sprout rainbows, but it tastes like it does," and cut a sweet potato in two, offering half to the young shaman.

Puna Tani paused for a moment, then smiled back and said, "Thanks."

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Tatiki was nervous. He had met the chief before on many occasions but never before had he been gifting the chief with one of his works. Puna Tani's opening was breathtaking and Tiki figured that if the chief was in a good mood form the opening than he had nothing to loose.
He waited for his moment of apointment and when the time was right he offered the shark's tooth staff to Makea Takanui. unwrapping the sharks skin cloak first and allowing the others to marvel at the fine workmanship of both the cloak and the staff.
"My Chief. I gift to you the power of the shark. May the spirit of the shark in this staff guide you."
Tatiki blushed at his own words thinking them to flowery.

 

[Seonaid]

Lani looks up at Puna Tani critically. "Is something wrong? You look like someone just died, and you did so well today! Sit down, eat!" She smiles and gestures to the potato he had been offered.

 

[Mirth]

Lani looks up at Puna Tani critically. "Is something wrong? You look like someone just died, and you did so well today! Sit down, eat!" She smiles and gestures to the potato he had been offered.

"Oh, thanks. It's nothing, just lost in thought, I guess," Puna Tani said distractedly as he sat down and started to eat the sweet potato. Looking up at everyone else, he realized by their faces that they wanted him to elaborate. "Um, I guess I wish my father could have been here, that's all," he quickly said to cover his uneasiness. "Was my uncle upset that I didn't join him after the ceremony? I know I should have gone..."

 

[Tonguez]

Tatiki

Makea Takanui sat alongside Matavaine and the other dignataries accepting the many personal gifts which would be offered this day. With Tineiafi standing alongside advising the Chieftain.

"My Chief. I gift to you the power of the shark. May the spirit of the shark in this staff guide you." said the young man who had approached and unwrapped a shark skin to revealed a most exquisite weapon

"You, blush child" Makea Takanui spoke in a low and cultured tone "your words show you have the makings of an orator, and that is a gift, do not blush but stand proud."

He takes the weapon then and examines it, noting the array of teeth and the skillfull binding holding it together.

"You are are the son of Wuhari are you not?" Makea Takanui asked "I hope your father is doing well after the attack, I will need to ensure he has the best care.

If you are the one that killed the shark and made such a fine weapon as this then I am truely honoured to carry the 'Power of the Shark and such will this weapon be named 'Te Hau o Mako'"...

Lani

"A pity you not competing" Maeharoa shrugs as he too takes a drinking bowl and scoops the 'kava' from the trough-like kumete bowl "you are so skilled on the water that it would be a waste not to see you compete against the visiting clans. Still perhaps others of Takanui will prevail"

Puna Tani
"No, not upset" Maeharoa replies to Puna Tani's concern "though he did look for you, he looked more sad than anything.

But your lucky the Old Aunty Matava'ine is leaving tomorrow, you'd best avoid her tongue until then!" he grins having endured her scoldings or more than one occasion over the years

(ooc the beverage of choice in Nukutea is KAVA not wine, possibly Niu (coconut milk) or water if your a non-drinker)

 

[Tonguez]

And so the night goes on with dancing and song and talking. Old friends and family reunited and reminiscing, new loves beginning to flower, old rivals standing up to boast and challenge each other in the upcoming competitons - wrestling and boxing, spear fighting, dart throwing, archery, dancing and drumming, swimming, running and surfing.

It is past midnight by the time he village once more goes quiet, and even then the occasional laugh or call can yet be heard....

(ooc continue your conversations and do whatever you want for the rest of the night. Competitons start next day (ie next post). Surfings up - anyone going to enter?- and if you want to enter any other competiton let me know.

PS I've been having problems connecting to Enworld - so if I'm slow sorry (looks like its better now anyway...)

 

[wolff96]

Wai looks around the circle, his face slightly flushed from the Kava he has been drinking all evening.

"Well, Lani may not be competing in the surfing, but I am. I'm also going to try my hand at the Dart Throwing... I may not win, but I'm not going to let our visitors get away with no competition!" He laughs.

Lurching a bit unsteadily to his feet, Wai excuses himself from the group. "I have to go see how Grandmother is doing and perhaps find some relief from this," he says, indicating the Kava mug in his hand.

As he heads off into the night, everyone around the circle can see that he is headed in entirely the wrong direction for his grandmother's hut... and anyone that knows Wai can easily deduce that he is headed off in hopes of catching a glimpse of Ru-Hina.

 

[Seonaid]

Lani shrugs. "Maybe I'll do it. Who else is going to be there? I might be forced to surf, depending on how good the competition is. Of course . . . I wouldn't want to embarrass anyone." She laughs a little.