Love Is In The Sea Air
Although many relationships in Emera seem to fall apart, some of them have stood the test of time.
Tano and Leia
Leia was the only heir to her tribe, which had faced many years of bad luck. She was stuck in the middle of her ageing mother and dying uncle, who both wanted different things for Leia. Her mother emphasised that Leia had to find a good husband, one from a strong tribe, whilst her uncle hoped for her to remain unmarried. If she were to marry, Leia would be expected to take her husband's name and integrate into his family, as per the societal norm of the time.
The constant arguments between her family members greatly tormented Leia. She would often go on walks, to escape it all.
On one particular rainy day, Leia came across a blonde man who appeared to be jumping in puddles. It amused her. The man soon noticed Leia in the distance, grinning at him.
This man was Tano Ea.
Tano: What's funny?
Leia approaches him, embarrassed.
Leia: It's just...well, I wish I had as little to worry about as you...
Tano: I have much to worry about, actually.
Leia: Oh, I'm sorry...I didn't mean to assume...it's just you're out here, in the pouring rain. Playing in puddles.
Tano: It's a rain dance. I am thanking the sky for the weather.
Leia: For rain?
Tano: Yes, it will water the crops on the island, after the heatwave we've had.
The man was fascinating to Leia. How had she never seen him before?
Leia: Can I...can I join?
Tano: Um...yes, sure...
Tano was the heir to the Ea tribe, one of the big five on the island. They were known for their neutral stance in conflicts, but they were often ostracised due to their asocial attitude. The Uila tribe especially ridiculed them, for they had opposing intellectual ideas.
However, Leia paid little attention to the lives of the other tribes, for her family gave her enough problems to deal with. Therefore, she had no prejudice when it came to talking to members of these tribes.
The pair spent roughly an hour dancing in the rain. It had been a long time since Leia last had fun like this, even though she fell into the mud a few times. When Tano decided to leave for home, Leia asked him if they could do this again, when it next rained.
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Tano: You...you want to do it, again?
Leia: Of course, I haven't enjoyed myself this much for a while
Tano: This isn't a game, it's serious.
Leia: What do you mean?
Tano: Do you know much, about how the weather works?
Leia: Um...maybe you can tell me?
Tano: Are you...you will need to keep an open-mind, otherwise it's pointless.
Leia: Sure, tell me everything!
Tano: Well, we'd have to organise lessons. It's too much to explain in one day.
Leia was unsure of what she had signed herself up for, but she didn't care. For the rest of that day, all she thought about was Tano. When she eventually slept, she dreamed of them jumping in puddles for hours on end.
Soon, it was the day of Leia's first lesson with Tano. They met along one of the beaches, where Tano explained how the sky influenced the waves. Leia found it interesting, asking her mentor plenty of questions, which surprised Tano. He had never met anyone from outside the Ea tribe who cared about his knowledge.
With every lesson, Leia grew more intrigued about Tano, whom soon became the priority over his teachings. She had grown too comfortable with sitting on the beach, listening to his words that were accompanied by the peaceful waves. If only she could do this forever...
Leia was on Tano's mind, too. She showed him how to experience the excitement in doing trivial activities; how satisfying it was to be in the company of another. But these feelings terrified Tano.
At some point, it got too much, and he told Leia that he had to discontinue their lessons.
Leia: I don't understand...
Tano: You have enough knowledge now, to figure things out on your own. To do your own research.
Leia: But...I don't want the lessons to end...
Tano: Then find someone you can mentor.
Leia: No...I mean...I want to keep seeing you.
Tano: Well, you can't.
Leia: Why not?
Tano: Because...I already told you. I can't spoon-feed you everything.
Leia: You don't have to...I just don't want to say goodbye. Not yet...
Tano turns to walk away.
Leia: Wait! Tano, I- you don't know how much you help me. I...I like you...a lot...I- I want to be with you.
Tano stops in his tracks, and looks back at Leia.
Tano: What do you mean?
Leia: I...I want to spend the rest of my days, on the beach. Listening to you. Dancing in the rain...
Tano was unsure of how to react, for he wasn't good with feelings.
Tano: I...don't know what to say.
Leia: You don't have to say anything.
Leia gently placed her palms on Tano's face, her thumbs caressing his cheeks in a circular motion. Her sapphire eyes stared deeply into his, while eclipsing Tano's lips with hers.
Dyami and Nami
Like Leia, Nami was part of an almost-extinct minor tribe. She was first discovered by Dyami's brother, Toni, who initially saw her one night staring at the sea near the Wai residence.
This is how she spent most of her nights, getting lost in the endless teal waves that gently slapped against the aurous shores of Emera Island. They were as alluring as she was.
Toni had to find her somehow. Nami wasn't hard to miss, for her hair burned as brightly as the anger Toni had for the Ahi tribe, and her eyes were as lush as the island's greenery.
So, Toni spent days hanging around the local market, hoping that she would eventually swing by. After all, it was the only place to purchase goods and mingle with other residents. Two weeks went by before Nami made an appearance. As soon as he saw her, Toni's feet approached her without any input from his brain.
After sweet-talking her a little, Toni asked if Nami would prefer to move their conversation elsewhere - to the shores, where he first saw her.
Toni: You know the one thing that is more beautiful than the sea?
Nami: Life?
Toni; No, it's you. I first saw you, right here. Looking at the waves.
Nami: I don't know...I don't think it's possible for any Sim to be comparable to the sea. It's too mesmerising-
Toni: So are you.
Nami: Ha...you're quite the charmer...
Toni: Not a fan?
Nami: It's quite amusing, actually.
Toni: So you think I'm funny?
Nami: If it makes you feel better :)
The two would meet frequently, strolling along the golden coast of the island while discussing trivial topics. Toni would push Nami into the sea, and she would splash him back with great force. They built miniature structures with wet sand, and combed the beach for unique shells.
For weeks, all Toni would talk about with his brother was Nami, but Dyami had heard it all before with various other women.
Toni: You should see her...she is breath-taking.
Dyami: You say that about every woman on this island...
Toni: Yes, but Nami is not like the others. She has such unique hair, like fire.
Dyami: Fire...heh
Toni: She isn't very clingy, either. We can have a good time without worrying about love or anything like that.
Dyami: Then what is the point?
Toni: The point is, that she is beautiful, and fun.
Dyami: Is that really all you care about? One day you're going to have to settle down, you know.
Toni: And how's that working out for you?
Dyami: ...
Toni: Maybe I should bring her over, just so that you can understand.
Dyami: Sure.
The next evening, Nami arrived at the Wai hut for dinner. Just like every woman that Toni had brought over before, she was indeed attractive. When Dyami shook her supple hand, and looked into her bejewelled eyes, his body froze from Nami's warming appearance.
Nami's beauty seeped through into her personality. She was as serene as the calm ocean, as captivating as the summer sun, and as harmonious as the palm trees that swayed in the sea breeze. She was a breath of fresh air; a distraction from the turmoil of the Ahi tribe's fury.
At some point during the night, Dyami found himself alone with Nami. He felt the need to warn her about his brother. Perhaps it was because Dyami wanted her for himself, or because she was too innocent to suffer from the heartbreak Toni would eventually bestow upon her.
Dyami: There's something you should know about Toni. He's my brother, and I love him, but...he's not had a good history with women, if you know what I mean.
Nami: I...I don't think I could be with him, seriously.
Dyami: Oh?
Nami: When we first met, I got the sense that he...he's that sort of man who plays around with women's feelings.
Dyami: Then...why are you here?
Nami: I like him...just not in that way. It's nice to take a step back, and not worry about anything more permanent, before I have to think about marriage...
Dyami: I see.
Nami: And I know he feels that way, too.
Nami's words were a bit of a blow to Dyami. If she wasn't actually interested in Toni, and did not want anything serious at the moment, then what chance did he have?
Nami: If I were to get married, it would be with a man who was more...mature, more earnest.
These terms perfectly described Dyami, but he was oblivious; too caught up in Nami's eyes that he wished to stare into for eternity.
Toni: He likes you.
Toni had appeared from nowhere, with a smug grin on his face. He hadn't heard everything that the two had been discussing, but he knew his brother. Dyami didn't typically zone out of conversations, for he was a man of focus.
Nami: Hi, Toni...
Dyami did not know what to say, so he remained silent as his cheeks became a slight hue of red.
Toni: It's okay, brother.
Dyami: I- I don't know what you're talking about.
Toni: It was so obvious when you shook Nami's hand. Surely you noticed, Nami?
Nami: Um...I...
Toni: You know, a couple of weeks ago, Nami and I were on the beach. I was asking her about her type, and she didn't describe me at all.
Nami: That is true...but how is that relevant?
Toni: Because you basically said your type was Dyami.
Dyami: Huh?
Nami: Is...is that why you invited me around!?
Toni: Not at first. I just wanted to rub it in Dyami's face, but then-
Nami: You're awful.
Toni: I'm just looking out for my brother. He's had no luck with women, and he isn't getting any young-
Dyami: Because you've already got with them all.
Nami: Oh...Toni and I, we haven't done anything like...that...
Dyami: I'm not interested.
Toni had humiliated his brother, although this wasn't new. Dyami stormed off to the hut, leaving Nami and Toni to pick up the pieces.
Nami: It was a sweet thing to do, Toni, but you went about it in a very wrong way...
Toni: Eh, well, if he's not interested, that means I can still see you.
Nami: I...I should tell you that...I only see you as a friend, Toni.
Toni: What do you mean? You flirt with me all the time!
Nami: It's just fun and games...I could never actually be with you.
Toni: Really?
Nami: No strings attached, remember?
With that, Nami left the Wai property. Toni stood there for a while, shocked that a woman didn't have feelings for him. This time, he was the one going crazy over her.
A couple of weeks later, Dyami was at the market, delivering fish with his brother. As they were unloading the heavy bodies of mahi mahi and wahoo, Nami had arrived for a look around. Toni was the first one to notice her, and signalled at his brother.
Toni: You should talk to her.
Dyami: I'm good.
Toni: If you don't, I'll call her over. Make a big scene.
Dyami: Haven't you embarrassed me enough?
Toni: Hey, you told me after that night, that you DID like Nami. Time to do something about it.
Dyami: Fine...if it makes you shut up.
Dyami awkwardly approached the ginger woman, rehearsing a script in his head. But before he could get his words out, Nami greeted him.
Nami: Have you recovered?
Dyami: What...no, yeah, I'm...fine.
Nami: Wow...you really are the opposite of your brother.
Dyami: Uh...good?
Nami: After you're done with the fish, perhaps we could get a drink? Start over fresh...
Dyami: I- yeah...let's do that.
At first, Dyami was shy, but Nami didn't mind. She found it adorable. They began by talking about Toni, and as Dyami complained about the many gripes he had with his brother, he became more comfortable. Then, they discussed their love of the sea, which was something the pair very much had in common. Minutes turned to hours, and soon the sun was beginning to set.
Dyami: Should we...go to the beach...watch the sunset?
Nami: I'd like that very much.
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