The Silence Beneath The Reef

It's quiet today. Usually this little oasis is full of children's laughter. Sent here to fill buckets with fresh water, they gather to splash around in my waters instead. Instead, the only sounds echoing off these moss covered walls are the roar of the falls and the buzz of insects.

I would normally hide at the bottom of these turquoise depths, waiting in the muted serenity for the children to leave. After the last of their giggles fades into the distance, I emerge to resume my duties as a mo'o guardian.

Alone, I tend to sprawl out on the stony shore and let the rays warm the delicate fins of my tail. Let the sun evaporate every bead of moisture on my skin until I can feel myself grow darker layer by layer. With so many little ones in this village, it has been a while since I've had a moment's peace without them.

As I begin to settle into the crook of my arms, the rustle of palm fronds and thwack of a machete disturb my midday bask. I have no history of ill will with this village and so I am not perturbed by the appearance of an adult.

As they near, I lazily pry my eyelids open. Still trying to traverse the last of the jungle, I have plenty of time to enjoy the sun.

When the swing of the machete stops, I hear the slow, timid steps of the intruder near. One eye lazily opens.

To my surprise, it is not a male, but a young female who has come to visit. My other eye opens and I drink in the beauty of such a youth before me. Her thick black curls fall just below her waist and she is wearing only the traditional lavalava wrapped around her waist and thighs, leaving the entirety of her full breasts exposed to the elements.

Out of respect, I lock my eyes on hers. I can tell by the way her big brown eyes keep trying to drag down the length of my body, that she is forcing herself to do the same. Truth be told, I wouldn't mind if she does look at me a bit.

I can't help but taunt her a bit, so I fan out my tail just a touch. To my disappointment her big almond eyes don't budge at my sudden movement.

"What can I do for you mortal?"

Her eyes dip down and for a second I think she's going to throw herself to the ground, but then I see her jaw set and her spine straighten, "I have come to make a request."

Fascinating. I prop my head up on my hands, challenging her with my smile to continue with her plea. She does not disappoint and does just that.

She clears her throat, "The air is thick with moisture and your waters can fill many buckets, but we need rain to fall in order to survive. Without your help, I fear my people will starve."

I look up at the sky and try to remember the last time rain had come. Three? Four weeks? And before that? I cannot recall. "What will you give me if I grant this request?

Now she falls to her knees, curls tumbling forward as she bows, "I give my hand."

"And who are you that your hand should interest me?"

There is a pause as if she's contemplating how to answer my question, but once again, she surprises me, "I am the daughter of the Matai."

An impish grin spreads across my face, "And what am I to do with a mortal hand? Drag you to the bottom of the ocean to drown?"

Her head dips and I can see the twitch of her eyebrows as she winces, "If you save my people, am yours to do whatever you wish."

This proposal has me intrigued. I wouldn't mind a mortal play thing to warm my waters, but I cannot trust her to keep her word forever. She must be bound. So I leave her in her prostrated form and throw myself into the lagoon. I have no fear that she will be right where I left her until I return, but I still need to be quick.

Jolting myself into a shimmer kick, I race to the depths of the waters to find a tunnel that connects to the sea. Once there, I only need one shell. The color and shape matter not, it just needs to be large enough to hold a mouthful of water.

I grab the first one I can find. Chipped and sun bleached, the shell will do its job. I race back to her, scooping water for her to drink as I ascend.

She is exactly where I left her, just no longer bowing. The mortal gives me a curious look, uncertain of what I have done.

"You must drink if you wish to make this deal," I explain, extending the shell towards her.

She says nothing, but determined to save her people, she begins to wade in the water until the water laps at the tips of her breasts and she is right before me. I can see her brow crease ever so slightly, as if she is re-evaluating her choices; but in the end, she receives the shell from my hands and drinks.

I brush a tendril of curls out of her face and she looks at me with those beautiful almond eyes, "Is that it?"

"Offer the terms once more," I say in a low voice.

The vein just under her jaw begins to throb," If you summon the rains and save my people from hunger, I, Alaula, will give you my hand."

I inch forward, my breath keeping me afloat, We are nearly shin to shin. Her breath fills the air between us. "I, Kaikoa of the Kainala, accept your terms."

A smirk is all she gets before I dip my head forward and plant a kiss on her full lips. When our mouths part, I hear her gasp right before my arms wrap around her torso and drag her to the bottom of the lagoon.