All In All It's Just Another Brick In the Wall

They banter back and forth and Keahi feels herself relaxing more and more as they talk. It has been difficult for her since her impromptu arrival and she has tried not to get too attached to the other’s in her pack, believing that will protect her from any heartache that is surely to come along. Yet… Ruga is reminding the red woman that is okay to be herself, that it is normal to have friends. She wistfully shares about her family being wayfinders before moving to begin mortaring the stones into place. The tall Master of Arms continues to dig and shares about his own family of blacksmiths. His statement is a surprise to the tropical wolf and she pauses a moment to lift her head and look at Ruga. As soon as he is done, he pauses and points a dirt covered paw at her, telling her that if she told anyone he will call her a liar.

A small smile appears on her lips as she shakes her head and says, “I’m not going to tell anyone Ruga. You have my word.” To her a word is binding, the highest form of a promise that cannot be broken. Turning back to her work, Keahi continues to lay her first row of stones as she says, “In Hawai’i, we value malama aina. Oh gosh how to explain it…” Her voice trails off for a second as she smacks some mortar onto a stone and spreads it, humming in thought as she tries to think of the correct words. After a few moments of humming, her voice once again fills the air, “We have a strong connection to our land and it is our profound kuleana… uh duty, to be the stewards of the land. We must ensure that everyone, including the future generations can thrive on the bounty of all that the island has to offer.”

With the last stone of the first row placed, Keahi puts the bucket of mortar back up on the edge of the lip and steps out of the hole. Moving to where the pile of materials is, she begins lining up more stones along the edge, while saying, “Since our people first settled on the island, it took care of us. It gave us food, nourishment for our body and our souls. It took care of us when we needed it and now the new generation will be taught how to respect and care for it.” A happy smile is on her lips as she begins to place and mortar the second layer of stones while she listens to Ruga.


"Keahi Mogotsi"