That was a big crash.

The sort of crash that usually signalled a particularly large ship bursting upon the rocky outcroppings of the island, or splitting apart in the sands. Big enough to interrupt the Chieftain’s speech, as everyone’s gaze instinctively moved in the direction. While most were content to dismiss it for now, the screaming of warriors brought a halt to that.

Kailani grinned.

A particularly frazzled guard – oh, she knew him, he was kind of a coward – stumbled into the large clearing that the Tournament was to be held, chest heaving. His eyes darted around before landing on the assembled, gesturing back.

“You – you gotta go help the others! There’s a – a demon in a woman’s form!” The Chieftain’s eyes narrowed, her muscles coiled.

“What do you mean?”

[color=DeepSkyBlue]”That’s probably my friend!”[/color] Kailani chirped happily, receiving an incredulous look from her mother. [color=DeepSkyBlue]”What? I can make friends!”[/color]

“Who is it?” Her mother demanded, causing Kailani’s grin to widen. It was practically shit-eating.

[color=DeepSkyBlue]”Oh, someone not from the island.”[/color] Now there was a whole group of people looking at Kailani with that same expression. Just as her mother’s lips parted to respond however, a distinct cry sounded from further down the village.

[color=Crimson]”KAILANI!!”[/color] Silence fell over the gathered mass.

[color=DeepSkyBlue]”... See?”[/color] Kailani rose up, stretching her arms above her head and stepping off the raised platform that her family’s seats were upon, stepping toward the commotion. [color=DeepSkyBlue]”I better go, you know, calm her down-”[/color] A rather pointy spear was abruptly in front of her – almost dangerously close to her neck. Her brown eyes flicked to the wielder, holding in her frustrated sigh at seeing Ywa’n glaring at her with a fierce intensity.

“First my sister, now you bring demons down on us, Kailani?!” Her teeth grit together, said girl finally returning his glare with defiance.

[color=DeepSkyBlue]”For your information, I’m trying to [i]leave[/i] with her, but you had to go and mess everything-”[/color]

“Kailani!” She flinched hearing her mother’s voice, muttering under her breath.

[color=DeepSkyBlue]”Seriously why do I keep getting interrupted?”[/color]

The Chieftain descended the platform after her daughter, eyes narrowed and her ceremonial staff put to the side – drawing a sword who’s edges, instead of being pointed, were made of serrated teeth. She gestured Ywa’n away, who seemed reluctant to do so, but finally drew back.

“No outsider has survived Ka Li’Ai, who is this?” Her mother demanded, and recognizing the importance of this moment Kailani straightened out, meeting her gaze.

[color=DeepSkyBlue]”An extraordinary woman. I’ve barely met her and I know that much just from her strength alone! If Ka Li’Ai lets a demon through for me, who are we to argue?”[/color] Okay, that was laying it on a bit thick, playing to the superstitions – but it worked out!

“Enough of this!” Ywa’n snarled, raising his spear and gesturing to the others. “We’ll dispatch this demon ourselves!” A cheer rang out, the thumping and moving of weapons. Crap, that wasn’t good.

“No,” The response had the movements stopping, even Kailani pausing in her rapid fire thinking of how to stop this ridiculousness. Ywa’n and Kailani’s gazes both turned back to the Chieftain, who continued to stare down at her daughter. “If it was sent to you, then so be it. It must be a sign the demon came on this day. Bring it then, let’s see how worthy it is to take my daughter from Pekelo’s grasp.”

... That was surprisingly cool of her mother, despite dripping in even more superstition about the great storm. Oh, and overconfidence.

[color=DeepSkyBlue]”Uh, right!”[/color] Kailani nodded rapidly, stepping back from her mother. She brushed by Ywa’n, by Lua and his sister, then ducked under another warrior. [color=DeepSkyBlue]”I’ll just... you know...”[/color] Darting passed the spectator seating to the mouth of the great clearing, Kailani called out into the village. Ouch, was that one of the warriors being flung into the air? That was kind of cool actually.

[color=DeepSkyBlue]”SIOBHAN!”[/color]