An Innocent Bystander
Conflicts between the Emera tribes affected every individual on the island - some more than others. One of these were Hinto Uila, the younger brother of Yuma and Onida.
While he cared deeply for his brothers, Hinto often felt as if these feelings were not reciprocated. He was always the odd one out, being the last to find out about anything the other two discussed. When he learned of what they did to Kala Honua, Hinto did not know how to react. He never imagined that his brothers would be capable of ending another's life. Perhaps his naive loyalty to them clouded their true personalities.
Then, he discovered that there was a fourth Uila sibling, mothered by the very same woman Yuma and Onida murdered, something they had known about since their father's death. How could they keep such a secret from Hinto?
He was beginning to lose trust in his only remaining tribe members.
The Betrothal
After the death of Kala, the Uila brothers were determined to get rid of Hana next. But now the much larger Honua tribe were wary of them. They could not achieve this alone, and so they devised a plan.
Yuma: If we want to deal with Hana and the rest of the Honua tribe, we need help.
Onida: From who? The only other tribe nearby is the Ea
Yuma: Exactly.
Onida: Aren't they neutral, though? They'd never get involved
Yuma: Perhaps if we scare them a little, make them feel as if they need protection...
Onida: We'd need something to guarantee our "protection", though
Yuma: They have a daughter
Onida: She's quite young though, certainly not ready to marry yet?
Yuma: Which is why we will betroth her to Hinto.
Consequently, the trio paid a visit to the Ea residence. On the way, Yuma explained to Hinto that he will be marrying Urika Ea, something he was less than enthusiastic about.
Tano and Leia Ea greeted the brothers with welcoming arms, unaware of why they were visiting. While Leia prepared a meal for the group, Tano spoke with Yuma, who told him of the dangers of the Honua tribe.
At first, Tano did not believe Yuma's words. After all, he was on friendly terms with several Honua members. Then, Yuma told him about the affair between his father and Kala, and how the Honua blamed him for her death. Of course, Yuma was the culprit, but he did not need Tano to know that. He just wanted to paint the idea that the Honua were bubbling under the surface, ready to explode.
But what did any of this have to do with the Ea tribe? Not much, but Yuma stated that, if the Honua were to attack the Ea for some reason, he'd be willing to protect them, in exchange for a betrothal. Tano was unsure about all of this, and wanted to learn more about Hinto first if he was to marry his daughter.
Fortunately, Hinto was much less intimidating than his brothers, and his seemingly unwavering loyalty to them assured Tano. This resulted in an agreement between the two tribes. Yuma knew he could always count on Hinto to win over people on his behalf, even if he was unaware of it.
Before the Uila brothers departed, Tano introduced Hinto to his daughter, Urika. She was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, already dreaming about her future wedding. However, Hinto was not really interested.
This is because he already had feelings for another woman...
Withered Petals
Unknown to Yuma and Onida at the time, Hinto had been secretly paying visits to the Honua tribe. It all started when he bumped into Enola and Sommer at the community market. He felt guilty for the death of Kala, and wanted to express his sorrow. Sheepishly, Hinto approached the sisters, not really sure of where to start.
Sommer: Get lost you piece of sh-
Enola: Sommer...
Hinto: I just...wanted to see how you were...you know...
Sommer: Came to rub it in?
Hinto: No I...feel so guilty about what my brothers did, it wasn't right
Sommer: You should feel guilty. If we weren't in a public space right now, I'd hurt you so bad-
Enola: Sommer, enough!
Sommer: How are you not disgusted to see this Uila animal before our eyes!?
Enola: We could at least hear him out...
Sommer: No, I don't want to speak to him. I want him to leave us alone. I don't want to see his face!
Hinto: I will leave you alone...but can I ask you one question, first?
Sommer: Are you serious-
Enola: A question?
Hinto: Yes...is it true...about Hana?
The two sisters exchange glances, before Sommer leans into Hinto's face to whisper.
Sommer: Have you looked at her? Everyday I wake up, and I see her. She looks just like you, and your brothers. She is a constant reminder of that day that I saw my aunt's lifeless body.
Enola places a comforting hand on her sister's back, and the pair begin to walk away.
Hinto: Wait! Is it possible...for me to meet her?
Sommer pushes her sister off her, and continues to exit the conversation with a brisk pace. Enola turns back to Hinto, noticing the desperation in his voice.
Enola: We could...arrange something
Soon, Enola and Hinto came to an agreement. She would ensure a secret visit to see his long-lost sister at the Honua residence, but she would need her sister's help - something that she was reluctant to give. All Sommer needed to do was to distract their brother Nara, while their mother went for an afternoon nap. Eventually, she agreed, as long as she didn't have to see Hinto.
The big day finally came around, and Hinto was nervous to meet his sister. He didn't know where to begin, or what to say to her. Should he apologise for what his brothers did to her mother?
Enola reassured him, as she had already had a conversation with Hana. At first, Hana was hesitant to meet one of her brothers. After all, she had been ostracised by the Uila tribe, and her mother died by their hand. She wasn't sure why it took this long for one of her brothers to come forward, to speak to her. However, this was because Hinto was none-the-wiser to her very existence, until the news of Kala came into circulation and his brothers had to explain everything.
It turned out that the two siblings had much in common. Both felt as if they were more like slaves than actual members of their tribes, each with their own gripes with their kin.
Hinto: Yuma and Onida, they get me to do all of the dirty work. I have to cook, clean, garden...
Hana: Don't get me started! I've always been looked down upon here, especially since my mother's death.
Hinto: I'm sorry...
Hana: It's okay...I mean, some of my family here are nice, like Enola. Sommer on the other hand...
Hinto: She blames you.
Hana: Yes. She was quite close to my mother, you see...
Hinto: It's not your fault.
After a few more visits, Enola told her mother everything. At first, Kohana was furious. But then she realised that Hana seemed to be doing a lot better lately, and it was likely due to her newfound relationship with her brother. Kohana always believed that family was the most important thing in a Sim's life, so she agreed to allow the visits to continue.
Sommer's Dream
After some time, Sommer was the only Honua who contested it, for understandable reasons. One day, Hinto gathered enough confidence to approach her on the Honua farm, to talk to her properly. To begin with, Sommer ignored his presence.
Hinto: I know you blame Hana, for everything
Sommer: ...
Hinto: It's not her fault, you know. Even if she wasn't born...my brothers would have found out eventually about our father's affair with Kala.
Sommer: ...
Hinto: Going around, pointing fingers, it doesn't help. That's what made my brothers do what they did...
Sommer: Are you really trying to defend their actions!?
Hinto: No, not at all. I am just saying, blaming Hana for all this, when she wasn't the one who did any malice, is unfair.
Sommer: I can't- she, she looks just like you lot.
Hinto: Yes, but she is also half of your aunt, who I know you cared a lot about...
Sommer: How...how are you so different...from your brothers? You're not cunning like Yuma, or aggressive like Onida...
Hinto: Well, I was always a mother's boy, and my mother was kind. A bit like Kohana and Enola, I suppose.
Sommer: I guess I am more like my aunt Kala...
Hinto: I heard that she was quite beautiful, and intelligent...it's no wonder my father fell for her, I guess...if only he went about it in a different way...
Sommer: She was amazing. I miss her everyday.
Soon, Hinto's visits to the Honua residence was not just for Hana, but for other members of the tribe, too. He became an ear for Sommer's problems, and it wasn't long before they started falling for each other.
But Hinto's brothers could never find out, as who knows what they would do to him. They were murderers, after all. Fortunately, his secret was safe with the Honua, who became like a second family to him. Their care for each other was something he truly envied.
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