Wanting Memories

@alohailani

Ailani - Archeops Chief of Makuahine Manu Palekaiko Moku

46 posts

A New Day

"Yup!" Layla exclaimed. "And I’ve got you now! Friends are like family to me so I’m not alone you know?" She continued to sort the berries until they were all organized into the proper basket.

"Thank you Ailani, I’m glad to have met you!"

She nodded and dropped the last berry into her mouth. "Yes, I think I do understand." She placed her hand gently on Layla's shoulder and smiled. Her father and Aloiki might have passed on, but there were people that still cared about her, and people that she cared about.

"I'm glad to have met you as well." She looked out of a window. The sun was high in the sky, and it was no longer morning. "I should get going. Thank you for a lovely morning." She got up and headed towards the door. "I'm sure i'll see you again."

A New Day

"Thank you!" Layla replied happily as she began to separate the different berries from the basket.

Then Layla paused from her work. “I live with my grandmother and grandfather. My mother and father left when I was little. I’m not really sure why, I was too young to remember.” She gave Ailani a little smile. “I’m sure they’ll return someday though!”

"Oh.." Ailani watched Layla's face, but there didn't seem to be too much of a change. She seemed fine, at least on the outside. She pulled up a chair next to Layla and helped sort the berries. "Yes, I certainly hope that they'll come back soon." She smiled reassuringly. "At least you've got your grandparents."

A New Day

Layla tipped her head to the side slightly, wondering what Ailani was about to say. Instead, she focused on guiding her back to her little hut now that they were in the grass tribe.

"Ah right here!" Layla pointed out, skipping up just ahead and waved back at Ailani. "It’s not big really, but it’s my humble abode!" She opened up the wooden door that led her inside her small hut. "You can place the basket here." She said, patting at the small table in front of her.

Ailani walked inside the hut and set down the basket. "Ahh, your home is lovely, Layla. It's very cozy."

She looked around, appreciating the little details around the hut. "Do you live with anyone else here?"

A New Day

Layla was delighted that Ailani took some and that best of all, she was happy.

"Hm? Oh! Well it’s not so far actually! It’s just a couple minutes away from here… and if it’s no problem at all than thank you! I’ll lead the way~" She walked side by side with Ailani, passing the bushes with the berries and the small river until they could see the grass tribe just up ahead. It wasn’t surprising to see the residents up and about with their day.

"I haven't been down to the Grass village for a long time." She smiled politely at people as they passed. "In fact, the last time might have been when my father took me, before I became-" She stopped her own sentence, before she could finish it. There was no need to complicate a friendship by revealing that you're the Flying chief.

"Anyways, which one is your house?"

A New Day

"I’m glad!" Layla grinned cheerfully as she dusted off the dirt from her dress. "And you’re right!" She looked over to the basket of berries, and smiled. "Though I think this is quite enough… no wait we just need a few more!"

Layla went up to pluck a few more berries from a bush and put them inside the basket. “There, that ought to do it! You’re happy to take some if you want to Ailani!”

"Oh!" She looked down at the berries, trying to decide if she should take some or not. She was so used to being self-reliant, but today felt different. "Sure, I'd love to take some home."

She carefully shifted the basket in her arms. "Is your home far? I'll help you carry these back."

A New Day

"A-ah no don’t say that!" Layla said, blushing a bit. "I mean, I know we just met but I don’t like seeing anyone sad… especially if they are good, kind hearted people." She smiled at Ailani and squeezed her hand in reassurance. "Besides, I consider you my friend now! A-and that’s what friends do!"

Ailani thought for a moment, and smiled at the sentiment. "I'm glad you consider me your friend. I'm always glad to make friends with someone as sweet and caring as yourself. As much as bravery should be valued, kindness so too should be valued."

She stood up, with a bit of pep in her step. "And since we're friends, that means I don't want to see you sad either." She grabbed the basket of berries and turned towards Layla again. "Weren't we doing something?" She asked with a laugh.

A New Day

"I-it’s fine…" Layla sniffled as she wiped away at her eyes. She finally looked up from the ground and warmly smiled at Ailani. "I’m just so glad you didn’t do it and that Ailoki managed to reach you, even if he’s not entirely here."

"But see, that still means you’re strong and brave! Because despite what happened, you still pulled through. And that to me, is what makes you very brave."

Ailani fought back tears. "I'm very glad as well. Even if I ever went through with it, he would never let me hear the end of it."

She nodded slowly. "Yes, I suppose so. Thank you very much for saying so." She reached her hand out and placed it on Layla's. "And thank you for listening. You had no reason to comfort me... we are strangers. Yet, you've done me such an amazing kindness."

A New Day

For a brief moment, Layla felt the world go silent. Ailani looked so lost, vulnerable in front of her and her voice sounded like it would break. The Bellossom quietly sat down across from her friend, trying to take in the news that the Archeops just told her.

And for a minute, Layla did not know what to say. She couldn’t think of the right words to say, so she fell silent for a few minutes. Ailani, Layla thought and felt her own eyes brimming with tears.

"I don’t… I don’t think he would have wanted that." She replied after, eyes still focused on the ground in front of her. "I know I never met him before b-but Aloiki, he sounds like he’d never want that from you."

Ailani nodded, looking determined, although her eyes weren't focused on anything. "It's been a few years now, since all of that happened." She lifted her head and straightened her back.

"In fact, I believe he sent me dreams during that time of darkness." She looked up to the sky and smiled softly. "At first I thought that the dreams were trying to hurt me." She shook her head. "But that's not true. They hurt, of course, but because I was reminded of him. But every night he was trying to tell me to carry on. For our tribe. For him... For myself."

She finally looked away from the sky and to her new friend. She was taken aback by what she saw. "L-layla! Please don't cry.. I didn't mean to upset you."

A New Day

There it was again. The way her expression changed, recalling those terrible memories. Layla felt another twinge of guilt and quietly looked at ground. However, she looked up again once she heard Ailani speak.

"What…" Layla didn’t want press the issue but she felt compelled to listen to Ailani and to comfort her. "What do you mean?"

Ailani set down the basket of berries and leaned backwards on the closest tree. She slid down to the floor and covered her face with her hands. Ailani always stood and sat with perfect posture, no matter how tired or sore she was. But now, she slouched, trying to make herself smaller, hiding behind her knees.

"I am not brave at all, Layla." She looked up for a moment. "I haven't shared this with anyone.. But you do not depend on me, as others in my tribe do, so.." She laughed quietly. "I suppose I can burden you with this."

"Shortly after I lost Aloiki.." A lump formed in her throat, as if her own body were forcing her to keep her shameful deeds a secret. "I tried to take my own life, so that I could see him again."

A New Day

"Well…" Layla glanced down at her own hands, a small frown appearing on her lips. "Brave… despite what happened to you, you still continue on living. I’ve read some legends in my scriptures… where people lose their loved ones and in return they take their own life."

"A-ah.." Ailani bowed her head, trying to hide her face. She remembered the first few months after she had lost Aloiki. Those times felt as though she were flying through a never-ending storm, and she would never again see clear skies.

She closed her eyes and took a slow deep breath. The memories of what she had done came flooding back. She would often jump down from the tallest trees, plummeting down towards the forest floor, not even bothering to spread her wings. As the ground rushed towards her, she felt nothing, not even a twinge of fear. At the last moment, she could swear that she heard his voice. She would pull up, often too late. She always had scrapes and cuts and occasionally broken bones. But she could never do what it took to rejoin Aloiki.

She shook her head. "I am not brave, child. Far from it."

#ooc: SEE WHAT YOU MADE ME DO

A New Day

She wanted to pull Ailani into a hug but stood still instead as she listened to Ailani describe him. Layla returned her smile and nodded. “You’re a very strong woman Ailani. I’m glad that your days with him were spent with happiness.”

"Still…" Layla bit her lip worryingly. "I’m sorry I brought it up. I don’t like seeing someone as brave as you so sad!"

Ailani smiled and placed her hand on Layla's shoulder. It was nice to confide in someone. "Thank you.. And yes, I'm glad too. I hope he enjoyed being with me just as much."

She laughed lightly and waved her hand, dismissing the thought. "Don't worry at all. You couldn't have known." She tilted her head. "Brave? What makes you say that?"

A New Day

Watching Ailani’s bright smile disappear from her face and being replaced with a heartbroken expression yanked at Layla’s heart. Somehow she’d hit a sensitive topic and she immediately felt guilty.

"I’m so sorry." Layla told her, her voice genuine and full of sympathy. Layla had never experienced the loss of a loved one so she couldn’t possible know how it felt yet Layla still knew it was all too painful. She placed a hand on Ailani’s shoulder and whispered, "I’m sure he was amazing." She then added quickly, "And I’m sure he was very lucky to have you!"

"what?" Ailani was pulled back to the present moment when Layla's hand touched her shoulder. She smiled weakly and shook her head.

"I was the lucky one, to be sure." She sighed, happily remembering her amazing fiancee. "Aloiki was the perfect man. Strong, brave, adventurous.." She gave a genuine smile now. "He was amazing, and every day, I feel lucky to have spent a bit of his life with him."

A New Day

"True, true." Layla agreed, admiring Ailani as she watched her spin around. Suddenly something piqued her curiosity. "The island itself is beautiful! And it’s even more wonderful sharing her beauty with someone close to you, be it family, friends, or beloved." She smiled at Ailani. "Right?"

"Ha.." Ailani stopped in her tracks and drooped her head a bit. "Right.." She said weakly, with a sorry excuse for a smile to match.

Ailani always tried very hard, but some days, it was just too hard not to think about her beloved. Her Aloiki was perfect, and once she lost him it seemed as though the island lost its beauty.

"I miss him.." She whispered to herself. She looked up to the sky, feeling the wind surround her, with a sorrowful look.

A New Day

"The flying tribe! It’s thanks to everyone in Makuahine Manu that our grass tribe is safe!" Layla grinned, appreciating the help the flying tribe offered to everyone surrounded in the forest area.

"Mm, well I usually like getting up this early in the morning! I tend to my garden and make sure it’s taken care of." She bit her lip. "And what about you? You certainly look like a morning person!"

She laughed and waved her hand as if it were nothing. "Don't mention it!" She said with a smile. In fact, Ailani and her tribe's warriors worked hard to keep not only the Flying tribe, but the surrounding areas safe as well. She was glad that her efforts were appreciated.

"Oh yes." She nodded slightly, careful not to drop the basket of berries that was balancing on her head. "I hate to sleep in, no matter how tired I am. I feel as if I've wasted the day if I do." She spun around and inhaled the morning air. "Besides, the island is too beautiful when it's being kissed by the morning sun to sleep through it."

A New Day

Layla giggled as she continued picking berries. Ailani… she repeated in her mind. Layla nodded and replied, “My name is Layla. From the grass tribe! Though I think that’s quite obvious right?” She smiled again. “It’s really nice to meet you Ailani.” Layla glanced at the adornments on Ailani. “I really like those feathers!”

"Oh?" Ailani looked at her own feathers and smiled. "Thank you, you're too kind. And I'm sure you can tell that I'm from the Flying tribe." She neglected to add that she was the chief. It was nice to not be burdened with responsibility all of the time. Just strolling through the forest without a care made her feel young again.

"Layla, why are you up so early? I thought that everyone except myself would sleep in after that festival."

A New Day

"Pecha berries are usually best when ripe!" Layla piped up cheerfully as she took a bite into her own fruit.

"Oh!" She exclaimed as she shifted the weight of her basket. Well it was a bit heavy… Layla looked at her sheepishly. "You don’t mind? I just need to gather a few more berries!"

"Of course I don't mind." Ailani took the basket from her, placing it on her head, and holding one side to balance it. "One condition though... You have to give me a few more berries!" She said with a smile.

As she followed the Bellossom as she picked berries, then she spoke up again. "I realized, we haven't properly introduced ourselves. I'm Ailani."

#ooc: huehuehue so sweet smooches layla's forehead

A New Day

Layla looked up from where she was picking berries and spotted a beautiful Archeops.”Oh hello!” She greeted back, hoisting her basket of berries against her hip and waving with her free hand.

"Beautiful day isn’t it?" Layla then took a berry from her basket and offered the lady a piece. "Berry?"

"It certainly is!" She walked a bit closer to close the gap between them. "Oh, thank you so much." She took a berry and popped it into her mouth. "Mmm, that's delicious."

She eyed the basket that Layla was holding and held out her hand, palm up towards it. "Do you need any help? That looks heavy."

#ooc: beautiful ehehehe ty ty

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