Under the trees, the water of a small stream bubbled over some rocks before sliding off the edge of sharp boulder and splashing back down into the stream to continue along its destined path. The wind blew softly in the trees, and the patterns of light changed, making the stream appear to glitter and sparkle.
A beautiful fuchsia flower from one of the overhanging plants floated down softly, dislodged by the breeze, and landed in the water, bobbing slightly as the slow, bubbling current carried it gently downstream. Passing through the patterns of light on the water, it was illuminated brilliantly, and the tropical grasses that lined the stream waved, shining elegantly in the breeze.
The plane of the riverbed angled downward and the water sped up slightly; and the flower, with a drop of water glistening from within its cup of petals, bounced merrily on top of the current, escaping from its imminent destruction by pure chance. Eventually the riverbed leveled and the flower spun around softly on the surface. It bounced off one of the banks and floated back out to the middle of the small pool, where it came to a rest in the soft palm of a girl's hand.
She laughed to herself and picked up the delicate blossom. Reaching up, she swept aside her beautiful dark brown hair and rested the flower behind her ear. She looked down into the calm surface of the water and smiled at the image that presented itself. The flower was a perfect match for the dress she was wearing: purple and embroidered with gold-colored floral patterns. She dipped her hands into the water again, disturbing its mirrored surface, and splashed her face, sighing from the sensation of the pleasantly cool water.
As she stood up, a zephyr played with her hair and dress, ruffling the soft folds of the cloth. She followed the direction of the breeze until she was looking out over the beach, not so far away. On the horizon, ominous dark clouds were beginning to form. It was obvious from the movement of the water that a storm was coming-but how could that be possible? Not ten minutes ago, the weather had been perfect. This new development lending urgency to her stride, she hurried back to town.
Having approached her town from the inland side, she was able to look out over the cliffs and see the waves swelling up around the docks and crashing back down, scattering spray all over the many people busy at work securing their watercraft for the approaching storm. She climbed up a small hill just outside the town and watched as the tiny figures of the people moved about down below.
Because the topography of the coast was so uneven, much of the town had been built over the water, supported by the boardwalk that led to the docks. She watched a woman as she walked across the boardwalk and into one of the houses, and then allowed her gaze to wander out to a ship at the far end of the docks. Spotting a familiar face, she jumped down from the hill and walked quickly into the town.
She climbed down the many flights of stairs that had been carved into the sides of the cliffs between the terraces, weaving between the homes that had been built on each one as she went. Upon reaching the bottom, she ran out across the boardwalk toward the ship.
When she finally reached the docks, she stopped running. Presently, the wind was blowing more frantically, as if the air itself was unsettled by the disturbing weather. Her hair was easily tossed around by the wind, and she tried desperately to keep it out of her face with one hand while using the other to hail her brother. Seeing that he was yet unaware of her presence, she called to him.
“Kamakani!”
At the sound of his name, the young man turned his head around and shouted over the din of the wind and the other frantic voices around him. “Lei!”
His hands were occupied tying a large white boat to the dock, so he was unable to wave, but gestured with his head for his sister to come closer. When she was close enough to hold conversation, she asked him what was going on, assuming that, as the older sibling, he would have some better idea.
His response held a concerned overtone. “We've been trying to figure that out. Whatever it is, it doesn't look good. After we've secured everything down here we're going to evacuate everyone inland.”
Lei was forced to move aside suddenly as a flustered dock hand fluttered past, searching frantically for the supplies his employer had requested. Kamakani watched him as he ran around collecting whatever he could. He could be heard muttering about not having enough rope around, and since it seemed everyone else was using more than their share, Kamakani lent the boy some of his excess. When the boy had calmed down somewhat and returned to his employer's dock, the siblings resumed their conversation, the noise from the wind and the waves becoming increasingly louder.
