Painted Faces ~ Don't Mess With The Maori

[Im Yong Soo~!]

((New Zealand))

It was a warm day, the sun, shining brightly through thin clouds. A nice breeze was rolling over the deep blue sea, caressing the peaceful sandy beaches, and flowing across the ready lands of the island. The place of which Aiden is taking refuge. Judging by the direction and power of the wind there must be some sail ships coming into port sometime today. Trading ships perhaps, carrying goods to buy and sell. Knowing that there will be some sort of visitors coming due to the wind, most likely traders or maybe even some settlers or so they thought. Aiden along with the Maori people where setting up for the Powhiri ritual.

The Powhiri is a welcoming ceremony that everyone in the village takes part in. It consist of singing, dancing, chanting, and obviously welcoming people to the villages. Their villages are fortified within the Centre the Marae, which is an open space on which the Whare Hui, or the meeting house, is located. This building is the symbolic body of the ancestor and normally where most of the important things happen, spiritually.

Aiden was busy helping with the preparations, but was then told that it was his turn to be on standby patrol to look for any incoming ships. Being told this, Aiden heads toward the pier. Before he can arrive at the docks to stand his look-out, he had a better idea which included him climbing up onto the roof of the canoe shack. Which he did. This gave him an advantage of sight. He could see the docks, beaches, and even the area of which the ritual will be preformed.[/color]

[Im Yong Soo~!]

James had been up since the sun rose, watching it rise from his place on the mast. He was anxious again, just like he got whenever the Grim was near Australia. Though right now they were closer to New Zealand. He just felt anxious, but in a good way. He couldn’t stop fidgeting, grinning even more then usual. He wanted to get moving, to get off the ship. It was like something was close by, something he needed to find. It was an odd feeling, but it wasn’t unusual. He’d had it before.

Shifting he stood up on the pole, covering his eyes with his hand to block out the sun as he stared ahead. They were getting close to an island. Though he had no clue what island. But it had a port, which was good. They’d dock there for the evening to restock, and James could finally get off the boat.

But his anxious was getting the better of him. And when he deemed that they were close enough to the island, he climbed down the mast. Not even giving it a second thought, he braced his foot against the railing of the ship before diving in. Laughing as he resurfaced and heard Arthur’s furious shouts. But really, was anyone surprised? He always did this when they were in this area.

“Race you guys there!” He shouted up to them before kicking his legs and swimming towards the dock. The ship was faster of course. They would beat him but James could hardly care. It felt good to swim again, and especially to be off the ship.

(@@; Well, hope this wasn't total fail for you!)

[sinningenvy]

The sails of the ship blowing in the breeze catch Aiden's attention. He lifts his hand up to his eyes to shield them from the sun while looking out at the ship heading to port. This didn't look like the usual trading ship that would come to the island every now and again, he though. Either way, someone was here. Ready as he'll ever be, Aiden jumped down from his lookout spot and grabs the Pukaea that was resting up right on the side of the small canoe shack. Bringing the instrument to his lips he blows out a long low note to signal the arrival of the foreigners in the harbor.

Aiden had a feeling that his help wouldn't be needed down at the bay with the incoming sail ship. He followed the only mossy stone path over to the open field right outside the Centre the Maraea.

Once there, Aiden was greeted into an area filled with drums, different style pukaea, and many other types of musical instruments. All the men had the traditional Moko marks painted on their face and the most of the women had their festive ta ngutu painted over their chins and lips. Tiki torches lined the field and there are little tiki blocks between each, these are decorated with carvings of mythological designs on their wooden base bodies.

The lighting was perfect and everything seemed to fit into place. Aiden adjusted his Wahaika, short-range battle club, that hung from the fur sash resting on his shoulder and stands by one of the larger pillars, that was marking the entrance. His Taiaha sticking up from the ground was leaning against the wooden pillar while Aiden stood guard and waited for any arrivals.

[[ Please do pardon me for the delay. Also, I hope this is good enough ;; ]]

[Australia]

Predictably the ship docked before James reached the shores. Pulling himself onto the dock he all but sprawled out on the docks. Chest heaving as he attempted to catch his breath, his brown hair plastered to his face. Around him he heard a few of the crew disembarking; murmuring to one another about the island and such. From what he heard, a few were curious to the inhabitants, a few wondered if there was anything to steal. A few that passed by even chuckled at him, commenting how foolish he could be. James flipped them off in response.

It was only when the flow of the crew had lessened that he pushed himself up into a sitting position, and then into a standing one. His clothes were still soaked, but in this sun they would dry fairly soon. Content with that knowledge he ran a hand through his hair, following straggling members of the Grim off the docks.

The anxious feeling, that had never vanished, returned full force. James came to a sudden halt, eyes looking around. It felt like he was being watched. And it turned out he was, his eyes landing on a teenager around his age standing near the large pillars people were filing through. The Australian blinked, a feeling of familiarity coming off the stranger. Picking up his pace, he jogged forward, ignoring someones comment that their was no rush. Only to come to an abrupt halt in front of the other youth, a bright grin on his face. "'G'day mate!"

(Ahaha, don't worry about any delay. I took a whole month @@; Hopefully this is alright!)

[sinningenvy]

There was a vast number of people Aiden had never seen before filing through the pillars. Watching them curiously he tried to see if there were any familiar faces, perhaps from the last shipment that came in. No luck. There was no one he'd ever seen before. As a matter of fact, the longer he stared at them he couldn't help but notice that these people didn't look like much of the delivering kind. Not one of them even had a vaguely familiar appearance, none, not until his eyes landed on the brown-haired teen in the group.

For a while he stared blankly at the crowd of people. It wasn't till the brunet came toward him that Aiden even realized that he was staring right at the guy the whole time. "G'day, mate?" Aiden repeated looking at the other youth with a slightly confused expression.

[Australia]

"Means hello," James laughed at the confused look, grin ever present. Lacing his hands behind his head, he took a step back, balancing childishly on one foot for a moment, before standing on two again. He couldn't help but blink as he looked at the blond. The grin faded for a moment, a frown replacing it. The anxious feeling was still there, gnawing at his stomach. Almost like it was trying to remind him of something. But what?

Shaking his head to dismiss his thoughts, he looked back at the other, offering his hand. The grin was back in place, like it had never left. "Names James! What's yours kiwi?"

He wasn't sure why he called the other that. But it seemed oddly fitting...

(fff I'm sorry for the fail)