The former name directory can be found here.
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Chara: This entry is sort of "posthumous" as I have no way to contact her other than possibly dropping her a message, we didn't really have the chance to get closer even though we were on the way. 40, Martiniquais. First sergeant. Has a boyfriend, mom of two young children. Was a mentor figure to Esme, Caribbean sisterhood at play, and was a great cook, and incredibly sweet to the point I dearly regret not having talked to her sooner. Got her voice on a few of my recordings. Her nickname comes from the star Chara (β Canum Venaticorum), a solar-type star which is the second-brightest of the minor constellation Canes Venatici, the Hunting Dogs. But also, in Greek, χαρά means joy. And goddammit I'm mad that she didn't make it to my contact list. I wish I had the chance to at least say goodbye to her.
Argo - Not four, but TEN years of dance practice under her belt, on and off. Has a British first and last name combination, however she speaks with no accent, so I think she's likely part British. Very large (as in, plus-sized), and seems to have no problem about it. Appears to be in her 40s, was already old enough to plan dinners in 2009. Named after the constellation Argo Navis, one of the most ancient described constellations (and part of the southern sky), which is now divided between Vela, Puppis and Carina.
Argo Navis refers to the ship that Jason and the Argonauts boarded to find the Golden Fleece, and which was then dedicated to the god Poseidon. Fun fact, but her large size is what led me to assign her the role of the ship herself considering how enormous the constellation is in the first place: she's probably big enough to hold all three others, and perhaps I will find out that she indeed is the pillar.
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His nickname translates to "bee-wolf" and refers to a bear, which is kind of funny, and is also the name of a famous Scandinavian hero whose story is related in the eponymous poem. I almost named him Okami, but... nah. He just looks more like a Beowulf to me.
The ones who remain from the quarters
Cepheus' team:
Cepheus: The head of my father's former team. Lieutenant-colonel. 52 years old. Dad of a teenage son and a preteen daughter. He's friends with both my father and I, despite the fact that I don't talk to him anymore. Sort of an avuncular figure for me. He says a lot of platitudes, but he means well, and he cares. That's all I expect from him. He also loves comics, listens to a bunch of britpop, and the TV in his house is not in the living room. He's one of the few I could keep contact with. Named after the constellation of Cepheus, the king of Ethiopia, father of Andromeda.
Cassiopeia: Cepheus' deputy. 50 years old. Chief warrant officer. Mom of two teenagers (if I recall correctly). Thinks it's normal and ok to use apps such as Life360 on them for safety purposes. We had friendly relations before I confided in her about a suicide attempt I had hidden for months and she thought it would be a great idea to go tell Hopoe, leading to the incident that nearly cost me my life. We haven't had contact again yet, but her number's still in my phone. I think she's ashamed... she means well, but has loose lips. Named after the constellation of Cassiopeia, the queen of Ethiopia and mother of Andromeda.
Hopoe: Almost 40. First sergeant, though she may already have been promoted to warrant officer (if her career survived...). Is trying to become an officer via an exam but I'm pretty damn sure she doesn't have the skills and she certainly does not have the human qualities of one. We used to have something beautiful, but then she closed off and I spent a while trying to make things better, only to be accused of harassment. I don't recognize the woman I fell in love with a year ago. Her immature antics can exasperate the hell out of me, and even nearly killed me, but... in spite of everything, she's still my Hopoe.
I still consider her my aikāne. The way we met and the amount of synchronicity around us is so novel-like that I literally am not ever going to completely let go of this, unless something better comes, and the bar is high, because you don't encounter such things twice in your life, imo. I don't know whether she'll ever be fully back, but I'd take her back if she's changed.
So yes, dear, you're still getting an entry in here. Named after Hōpoe, my namesake goddess Hi'iaka's aikāne. Name means "the one encircled, as with a lei or with loving arms".
I still consider her my aikāne. The way we met and the amount of synchronicity around us is so novel-like that I literally am not ever going to completely let go of this, unless something better comes, and the bar is high, because you don't encounter such things twice in your life, imo. I don't know whether she'll ever be fully back, but I'd take her back if she's changed.
So yes, dear, you're still getting an entry in here. Named after Hōpoe, my namesake goddess Hi'iaka's aikāne. Name means "the one encircled, as with a lei or with loving arms".
My former team:
Capella: Warrant officer. 44 this year. We were born a day apart. She used to be my direct superior, but we have since upgraded into friendship since we always got along well as people. Mom of two daughters, a ten-year-old and a three-year-old. I do hope they stop assigning her a bunch of tasks thinking she's just going to handle it. Used to have a rather fiery temper, but calmed down with age and motherhood. Loved traveling and going around on missions. Named after the star Capella (α Aurigae), the brightest star of the constellation of Auriga, the Charioteer. The name means "little goat".
Hera: 48 years old. Divorced, remarried, mother of two adult daughters. Civilian, but used to be my head of service. She can tend to slide into platitudes and lacks the ability to put herself in people's shoes, self-admitted (to the point I wonder if mine is abnormally high), but means well and cares a lot about her employees, even former like me. Not someone I could ever consider a friend like Capella: she's too pro for that. But still, I'm very grateful for her. She believes in me in spite of how I perceive myself, and she actually believed me about the Hopoe story. Named after goddess Hera, goddess of marriage, women, and family, also the protector of women in labour.
Esme: Soon to be 22. Corporal. Guyanese. Colleague turned friend. We were the youngest in the service and while she's always been a bit standoffish in surface, she has a massive heart inside her shell. Is a bit of a tough love type of girl, but you'll never hear her invalidate you intentionally. She was transferred to a regiment a couple of hours away from where I live. We text and send vocals (especially her) every now and then. That's how I see we are both Zoomers but she's a core Zoomer and I'm an early one lol. Name comes from Esmeralda, the emerald, referring to the colours the leaves take when the Guyanese rainforest is under the rain.
Sagitta: 47 this year and doesn't look her age. Ironically, Sagittarius rising. Warrant officer. Single mother of two. I've always had a bit of a crush on her, but she's a mom and she's old enough to be my mom, so a no-go, but that's okay. Works with major Vega at the chancery. Hugged me and gave me a cheek kiss when I broke down crying as I was saying goodbye to them. It was enough for me, really. I'll drop her an e-mail every now and then. Her name comes from the constellation of Sagitta, the Arrow, a dim but notable constellation of the northern sky.
Vega: Almost 42. Recently promoted to major. Works at the chancery office alongside Sagitta. Married, I reckon, mother of two or three children. We share a moon sign (Cancer). One of the people I truly loved working with because it was always fun when I had to look for a personnel in the database for her. She loved my fashion sense and always had a good word to say to me. Just like Sagitta, I will drop news every now and then. Name comes from the star Vega (α Lyrae), a well-known star which is the brightest in the constellation of Lyra, and which also... is a future North Star. If she ever becomes head of service somehow, I'd be proud.
Chara: This entry is sort of "posthumous" as I have no way to contact her other than possibly dropping her a message, we didn't really have the chance to get closer even though we were on the way. 40, Martiniquais. First sergeant. Has a boyfriend, mom of two young children. Was a mentor figure to Esme, Caribbean sisterhood at play, and was a great cook, and incredibly sweet to the point I dearly regret not having talked to her sooner. Got her voice on a few of my recordings. Her nickname comes from the star Chara (β Canum Venaticorum), a solar-type star which is the second-brightest of the minor constellation Canes Venatici, the Hunting Dogs. But also, in Greek, χαρά means joy. And goddammit I'm mad that she didn't make it to my contact list. I wish I had the chance to at least say goodbye to her.
Current workplace
404 - new workplace not found yet, but that shall come, eventually.
I HOPE. BECAUSE I NEED TO PAY FOR MY CAR'S INSURANCE AND FUEL.
I HOPE. BECAUSE I NEED TO PAY FOR MY CAR'S INSURANCE AND FUEL.
My dance school
Hikianalia: Our teacher, 31. Taurus. Tahitian, Mormon, missionary, married to Uriel. Has two little boys and a third child is on the way, due for February. Incredibly sweet and humorous. Used to be in the dance scene, though relatively unknown and discreet, and has now stepped down from the stage to teach. Compassion x1000, but don't you overstep her limits, because she can close radically (Despina has experienced this). I don't know if she has some sort of strabismus but I noticed that when she's looking at you, it always looks like she's looking above you and her eyes aren't exactly pointing at the subject. Self-described on an old profile as a psychologist for everyone, and I think she's unfortunately got overloaded lately. Needs a lot of control over her planning, but is very flexible when it comes to coming to class or not, proven you actually take the time to give her a heads-up.
Hikianalia is the sister ship to the Hōkūleʻa, which was built in the 2010s if I recall good. Smaller ship, contains a lot of electronics, but an indispensable companion to the other one. The name Hikianalia also refers to the star Spica (α Virginis), and while I haven't found any translation for that one, it can be inferred it means something like "the star that rises over the horizon". When you're in Hawai'i, the stars Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia rise together over the horizon. My original plan was to go dance with someone I nicknamed Hokulea back in my former city (and whose choreographies I loved!), but I unfortunately had to move.
Hikianalia is the sister ship to the Hōkūleʻa, which was built in the 2010s if I recall good. Smaller ship, contains a lot of electronics, but an indispensable companion to the other one. The name Hikianalia also refers to the star Spica (α Virginis), and while I haven't found any translation for that one, it can be inferred it means something like "the star that rises over the horizon". When you're in Hawai'i, the stars Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia rise together over the horizon. My original plan was to go dance with someone I nicknamed Hokulea back in my former city (and whose choreographies I loved!), but I unfortunately had to move.
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Argo - Not four, but TEN years of dance practice under her belt, on and off. Has a British first and last name combination, however she speaks with no accent, so I think she's likely part British. Very large (as in, plus-sized), and seems to have no problem about it. Appears to be in her 40s, was already old enough to plan dinners in 2009. Named after the constellation Argo Navis, one of the most ancient described constellations (and part of the southern sky), which is now divided between Vela, Puppis and Carina.
Argo Navis refers to the ship that Jason and the Argonauts boarded to find the Golden Fleece, and which was then dedicated to the god Poseidon. Fun fact, but her large size is what led me to assign her the role of the ship herself considering how enormous the constellation is in the first place: she's probably big enough to hold all three others, and perhaps I will find out that she indeed is the pillar.
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Vela - Part of Argo's group, the first woman to have talked to me at the open doors event of the dance school. Appears to be in her 40s. Looks like she is coupled up to a man and is a mom, too, even though that's just inferences from Facebook sleuthing. Likes cats, has a couple of years of ori experience under her belt. It also looks like just like me, frangipani (the symbol of immortality, mind you!) is her favourite tropical flower. She had one huge of those behind her ear.
Named after the constellation Vela, which represented the sails of the Argo Navis. One detail that I remember well is that she wore a pareu around her shoulders after the class. Pareu, sails...
Named after the constellation Vela, which represented the sails of the Argo Navis. One detail that I remember well is that she wore a pareu around her shoulders after the class. Pareu, sails...
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Carina - Part of Argo's group. I think she's probably late 30s to 40s. Works as a dental assistant as per her Facebook account. Forgetful, a bit ditzy, joked about by her friends. Appears to be of North African descent. Just like Vela, she appears to like cats quite a bit, and regularly reblogs missing pet posts to help them being found. Right now I don't know all that much about her, but that shall come eventually.
Named after the constellation of Carina, the keel of the Argo Navis. Given that out of the four she was the quietest one, I think this possibly fits well. The keel is the submerged part: by essence, it doesn't speak all that much.
Carina - Part of Argo's group. I think she's probably late 30s to 40s. Works as a dental assistant as per her Facebook account. Forgetful, a bit ditzy, joked about by her friends. Appears to be of North African descent. Just like Vela, she appears to like cats quite a bit, and regularly reblogs missing pet posts to help them being found. Right now I don't know all that much about her, but that shall come eventually.
Named after the constellation of Carina, the keel of the Argo Navis. Given that out of the four she was the quietest one, I think this possibly fits well. The keel is the submerged part: by essence, it doesn't speak all that much.
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Puppis - Part of Argo's group. Possibly the youngest of all four? Of mixed heritage, possibly Reunionese, but has some truly magnificent light green eyes on tanned skin. Looks sweet AF. Her social media hasn't been updated in years so I don't know whether she's still with her man, but she's the mom of at least one son, who must be around 8 years old today. I enjoy talking to her. Her name comes from the constellation of Puppis, the stern (or POOP DECK but obviously I'm not going to use this word, this ain't no Big Willy here) of the Argo Navis. From the stern, you look back at the sea behind you with bittersweetness.
Puppis - Part of Argo's group. Possibly the youngest of all four? Of mixed heritage, possibly Reunionese, but has some truly magnificent light green eyes on tanned skin. Looks sweet AF. Her social media hasn't been updated in years so I don't know whether she's still with her man, but she's the mom of at least one son, who must be around 8 years old today. I enjoy talking to her. Her name comes from the constellation of Puppis, the stern (or POOP DECK but obviously I'm not going to use this word, this ain't no Big Willy here) of the Argo Navis. From the stern, you look back at the sea behind you with bittersweetness.
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Muriel - One of the older students, also a long-time student of Hikianalia's. I don't know very much about her but she's always joked about. She's probably in her 50s. Has been there for four years and still is in the beginner class, and doesn't seem to be happy about it. Still she comes to dance.
I chose her name rather randomly, and it may or may not be her actual name. Muriel is a name of Irish origin meaning "shining sea". Sea symbolism everywhere...
I chose her name rather randomly, and it may or may not be her actual name. Muriel is a name of Irish origin meaning "shining sea". Sea symbolism everywhere...
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Kore - Soon to be 29. Has been in Hikianalia's school for four years and, just like Muriel and (formerly) Despina, still stuck in the beginner's class. I don't know all that much about her yet, but she's pretty cute, pretty chubby, and it appears she's doing a formation of sorts to reorientate herself professionally. A good rural girl of the south, I wouldn't be surprised if she loves horses or has ridden in the past too. From what I could sleuth about her, she may be at least somewhat religious given the sheer amount of shit she reblogged about our Pope Leo XIV, cares a lot about what's going on with the rural people, gas prices and all. Seems very focused on real-world problems and defends freedom of speech, which is doubleplusgood. This entry is much of a placeholder, but I will eventually fill it.
Named after Kore (Κόρη), a daughter of Demeter and Zeus, but also... when she's not a vegetal goddess, she is none other than Persephone, wife of Hades... the god of the Underworld. Needless to say, I was drawn to her but I do hope she's not a girl of the underworld because I've been dragged there enough. I'll find out, but let's try not to find her too cute, alright?
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Virginia - Older than me, I think she's probably in her forties. I don't know much about her yet and sleuthing has given nothing, but I think she'd look great in Western attire. Wears her greyish hair (it's actually brown but can easily look grey in certain lightings) in a beautiful braid. If she's anything older than 45, she looks damn young then. Has a nice voice and I actually enjoy being around her. Gives me the vibe of the "lady next door" or "normal personality in Animal Crossing" introvert who I wouldn't be surprised if she enjoyed reading.
Named after the state of Virginia (also West Virginia? lol) in the US, because her actual name could very well be that of an US state. It sounds close to one, at least...
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Theia - PRETTY BLUE EYES!! Appears to be between 35 and 40 and work logistics at a sports store. She already had a Facebook profile in 2008 and looks like a teenager in those pictures. I don't know if she has any children but I think she's either married or engaged to a man judging from what I could find. Is part of the old guard and is often joked about by Hikianalia. It appears she may be a little talkative in class, which leads Hikianalia to separate her from the others and put her in first line. Appears to be pretty sociable.
Several Greek and Roman mythological figures are named Theia, but it was after the Titanid Theia that I named her after. She may or may not be the mother of moon goddess Selene (her actual name refers to the moon!), and if we look on the side of astronomy, Theia is a hypothetical planet-like object, about the size of Mars, that would've struck the still-forming Earth billions of years ago, creating the Moon with the debris that were flown into space... but also bringing water to Earth. Bringing life.
Several Greek and Roman mythological figures are named Theia, but it was after the Titanid Theia that I named her after. She may or may not be the mother of moon goddess Selene (her actual name refers to the moon!), and if we look on the side of astronomy, Theia is a hypothetical planet-like object, about the size of Mars, that would've struck the still-forming Earth billions of years ago, creating the Moon with the debris that were flown into space... but also bringing water to Earth. Bringing life.
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Louise - I don't know her just yet, but she's probably in her late 20s or early 30s. A refugee from another dance community: alongside someone who has the exact same name as me and two others, she came from a ori tahiti association that she practiced in for a couple of years before their teacher had to stop due to health problems. She seems like a good person. I actually like being around her. I especially love seeing her performing the varu, which we practiced together lol. She wears a silver chain around her neck and it fits her well.
Her name is a relatively old but common name meaning "famous warrior". Now that I think of it, she does have a warriorly vibe to her, quite the solid energy. I just learned she's a voluntary firefighter, so I think that was on point!
Her name is a relatively old but common name meaning "famous warrior". Now that I think of it, she does have a warriorly vibe to her, quite the solid energy. I just learned she's a voluntary firefighter, so I think that was on point!
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Gina - One of the first women I noticed in this group. A florist. She's kind of attractive to me, but she has a daughter. I think she's either a single mom or coupled up. Oh well! That doesn't change that she gives me a good impression. A fellow beginner at ori, I gave her some pep talk at the end of a class once. And I do plan on giving her more of them. She has a bit of a regal look to herself that I really like, and she seems safe to be around.
Name comes from the diminutive of Regina, which means "the queen". But Gina, as a name, can also be a diminutive of Eugenia, Virginia (hello!), Luigina, Georgina... but I chose Regina as the source of her nickname. Not her real name by the way, though it could be. I could use someone's real name every now and then and you'd never guess. Mhahaha.
Name comes from the diminutive of Regina, which means "the queen". But Gina, as a name, can also be a diminutive of Eugenia, Virginia (hello!), Luigina, Georgina... but I chose Regina as the source of her nickname. Not her real name by the way, though it could be. I could use someone's real name every now and then and you'd never guess. Mhahaha.
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Tara - I think she's pretty young. Probably early 20s, but some people can be much older than that and look younger (like yours truly). Real name is the same as Juno's. About my height, is either a medical intern, a nurse in training, or doing something paramedical because I once saw her with a badge from the hospital and she's recently had issues coming to class due to, well, internships a bit far away. Has a Vietnamese last name. She's a bit dusky, not dark but yeah, a bit brown. Very muscular in the legs and it's kind of... really hot. Like I have to stop myself from watching her thighs too much. Her voice isn't that hot though. Is in her very first year of ori and stumbled across it in a synchronistic way: while walking her dog, she pretty much ended up right next to a show. How I love that.
Tara is named after the bodhisattva Tara (Ārya Tārā/Jetsün Dölma), popular in both Hinduism and Vajrayana Buddhism. Her name can mean "planet", "star", "saviouress", or "to make cross". The bodhisattva is pretty much a protective goddess: she hears the cries of the beings stuck in samsara and protects them against worldly and spiritual suffering. Fitting for someone in the medical field...
Tara is named after the bodhisattva Tara (Ārya Tārā/Jetsün Dölma), popular in both Hinduism and Vajrayana Buddhism. Her name can mean "planet", "star", "saviouress", or "to make cross". The bodhisattva is pretty much a protective goddess: she hears the cries of the beings stuck in samsara and protects them against worldly and spiritual suffering. Fitting for someone in the medical field...
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Juno - 20s, I'm not exactly sure how young she is, but I think she may be younger than I am. Short, pale, and chubby. Real name is the same as Tara's. Very cute. Attends ori tahiti classes with her mother Gaia. Has been to engineering school as per some Facebook sleuthing. Has a younger sister who couldn't pronounce her actual name when younger, so it ended up, coincidentally, sounding like a Tahitian greeting (not making this shit up rofl).
Named after Roman goddess Juno, the equivalent of Greek Hera. Goddess of marriage, women, childbirth,... also an asteroid sometimes used in astrology, and the name of several spacecraft, including one that's penetrating Jupiter at the moment (absolutely gross pun entirely intended). The name Juno itself may come from Latin iuvenis, which is youth. Could also be tied to iuvenescere (to rejuvenate), or to iuvare (to aid).
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Gaia - I am pretty sure she is in her 50s. Seems like she likes me a lot, and I honestly find her nice too. Often wears frangipani in her hair at dance class. Mom of Juno and another daughter. She's the one who notices when I'm gone from the room and the first time it happened I was actually surprised anybody would even get worried, when I actually went to compose myself and pee. She really loves my haikus and I think that she will only find them better as I post more of them.
Named after earth personification and goddess Gaia. Ironically, in mythology Gaia is not the mother, but the grandmother of Juno. But I thought Gaia fit her way better than Rhea. Rhea is actually the alias of a high school friend of mine.
Named after earth personification and goddess Gaia. Ironically, in mythology Gaia is not the mother, but the grandmother of Juno. But I thought Gaia fit her way better than Rhea. Rhea is actually the alias of a high school friend of mine.
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Kohana - 60s, looks kind of Asian, hence the name. It would be nothing sort of ironic if she had any ties to Polynesia on the Chinese side, because there are a bunch of Chinese and Chinese-descent people there! Old guard member, she's been here for a hot minute. I haven't been able to find a social media profile so no sleuthing, but I'd be willing to bet she is a mother and a grandmother. Wears frangipani, as well. This flower seems so popular among us. She actually noticed when I wasn't here as well, and seems to want to include me in the events.
Name was chosen kind of intuitively, but it's a Japanese first name that means "little flower". It overlaps with several other languages. In Sioux languages, it may mean "quick", and in Zuñi, it means "white". I also know it's the name of an orca... but apparently... it's also the name of a rare Hawaiian hairless cat breed.
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Paula - 50s, I believe. Probably a mom. Not very pretty, tall but fat, a bit ungraceful, wears a neck fan to cool herself down during classes. At first, I was hella annoyed with her, though I tried my best to not let it show because I don't want to bring anyone's self-esteem down (and plus, Hikianalia wouldn't allow that). But recently, probably because I went to class drugged on a pill, I actually found that she's pretty sweet. I felt even tender towards her. I think she is the incarnation of everything I'm afraid of being, and this is why I get those disgust pangs. Besides, the others love the neck fan lmao, so maybe that means I should be less of a stuck-up piece of human garbage.
Paula is the feminine form of Paul (obviously), which is from Latin paulus, meaning "small". She isn't small, but to be small is to be vulnerable. Paulus shares the same Indo-European root to pauper (poor), paucus (few), puer (child)... so it's small either way. Something small and vulnerable.
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Amber - 30s (born year of the goat, and the most likely candidate seems to be 1991 given her actual name, making her 35 years old), plus-sized, a very sweet classmate I met at the very beginning. Wears glasses that make her eyes look enormous but they're normal-sized really. Has probably dyed copper-ish hair. Appears to have been a student of Kohola's. Her boyfriend/husband is a black guy I don't know the name of. I'll have to write more about her but she's really nice to be around.
Her name comes from, well, amber, and the colour of her hair. Sometimes names just drop like that. Y'know. Lol.
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Malia - One of the most mysterious people on this blog so far. I originally would refer to her as Vanuatuan girl due to the fact I saw her (or think I did) in a "I love Vanuatu" shirt on one of the school's reels, but looking up what I thought was a nickname, I ended up on some Wallisian grandma's obituary. So, she's probably actually Wallisian! Or partially so. Plus-sized. Always places herself in the last line, appears to have been here for a while. I don't know her age, but I'd give her early to mid 20s. Have yet to talk to her, but I ended up naming her because I was sick of writing "Vanuatuan girl" all the time. I do hope she's not the type to commit the major sin of wearing socks in flip-flops/crocs and that she has at least a bit of brains.
Name is a common Wallisian name that is the transcription of "Maria", but is also a Hawaiian name meaning "calm, serene". Also in Wallisian, when someone has done well, you say "malie, malie". All of this circus just to drop the most common name on her lol.
Name is a common Wallisian name that is the transcription of "Maria", but is also a Hawaiian name meaning "calm, serene". Also in Wallisian, when someone has done well, you say "malie, malie". All of this circus just to drop the most common name on her lol.
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Lily - Voluptuous beautiful Samoan lady, not sure about her age but she is not very old, married for about a decade, mom of a little daughter. Dancer, advanced and even taught Samoan dance alongside Kohola (who teaches Tahitian and Marquesan), but also one of Hikianalia's "aunties", who help a lot with the dance school, even though it looks like they are literally just a few years apart. Went to a church college and poses with her husband and little girl in front of a Christ statue so I can deduce she's pretty heavily Christian. When I'm around her, I feel like Issun in front of Tsuzurao lmao.
"Ah, the wonders of nature. A deep valley between two lofty peaks."
"Ah, the wonders of nature. A deep valley between two lofty peaks."
Name comes from her actual nickname, but a lily is a... well, you know what a lily is. It can be a water lily, it can be a tiger lily, it can be... just a lily, it's a flower. A very pretty flower.
Fellow students to be added. I'm not bad at getting along with people, at least in surface, so I should find some connections in no time...
Fellow students to be added. I'm not bad at getting along with people, at least in surface, so I should find some connections in no time...
Others
Tane - My tattoo artist turned friend. Soon to be 42. Mentor of Beowulf. Former military personnel (master corporal), quit due to PTSD from injuries in Afghanistan. Dad of a teenage son. He's Marquesan, from Ua Pou, and a Virgo sun. Still in good terms with the mother of his son, who is a tad overprotective to my taste. He's the kind of guy not to say much, but with whom silence feels incredibly safe. He's dating a girl twenty years younger than him who dances ori tahiti and will be teaching to teenagers, and she's actually only been with women prior to him. Kinda hoping to get to know her better one day.
Tāne is both the god of forests and birds (if we're in New Zealand) or... the god of grace and beauty, if we're in the Society Islands. For sure, dude has added beauty to my life, and to my skin. He has a cousin living around here so I guess I can see him every now and then.
Tāne is both the god of forests and birds (if we're in New Zealand) or... the god of grace and beauty, if we're in the Society Islands. For sure, dude has added beauty to my life, and to my skin. He has a cousin living around here so I guess I can see him every now and then.
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Beowulf - Tattoo artist friend back in my former city. Reunionese, married with two children. Mentee and close friend of Tane. Almost 39. Scorpio sun, rising, and Cancer moon (again, just like me). He LOVES Japan, Japanese pop culture, and folklore, and I do share this interest with him. Former military personnel: he left at the rank of first sergeant. I knew him back when I was in my former service, because he and Steph (another former colleague of mine) were getting along really well. He worked several floors up. He considers the wolf to be his spirit animal. His nickname translates to "bee-wolf" and refers to a bear, which is kind of funny, and is also the name of a famous Scandinavian hero whose story is related in the eponymous poem. I almost named him Okami, but... nah. He just looks more like a Beowulf to me.
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Rose - A friend I've had since middle school. She's a year older than me, married briefly then divorced, has a four-year-old son. We didn't talk for a long time but never forgot about each other and periodically bumped into the other, until I got back in touch with her on social media. Rose is an emotionally intelligent woman. She's been through a terrible lot, herself, had a forced abortion and bullying at age sixteen, and has attempted suicide three times. Her ex-husband is a proper asshole who always gets on her case for a reason or another when it's about their son.
Her name comes from the Rose of the Little Prince, she loves everything about this book. And what a sweet perfume a rose has...
Rose - A friend I've had since middle school. She's a year older than me, married briefly then divorced, has a four-year-old son. We didn't talk for a long time but never forgot about each other and periodically bumped into the other, until I got back in touch with her on social media. Rose is an emotionally intelligent woman. She's been through a terrible lot, herself, had a forced abortion and bullying at age sixteen, and has attempted suicide three times. Her ex-husband is a proper asshole who always gets on her case for a reason or another when it's about their son.
Her name comes from the Rose of the Little Prince, she loves everything about this book. And what a sweet perfume a rose has...
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Lehuakona - I think she recently turned 30. The very first teacher I had, at that workshop in February. Has three children, is married, and competing at the Heiva i Paris with six others. I haven't named her til then but I actually had this name in her for a while. She's Tahitian, but you wouldn't guess. Her traits are so fine and almost Mediterranean that I suspect that she's got some white admixture somewhere up the family tree. Notably those beautiful hazel eyes. If I ever make it to prestigious competition, I will not fail to give her thanks.
Lehuakona is the Hawaiian name for the star Antares (α Scorpii). Antares itself means "opposite of Ares", and the thing she told me was the most important in ori was sharing. Very opposite of warlikeness. Lehuakona itself means "southern lehua flower". Goddess Hi'iaka was known to have danced in the lehua tree forest alongside Hopoe... all comes full circle...
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Nalani - Paumotu, 24 years old. Is a twin. Has a boyfriend who plays the to'ere. Second teacher I had on a workshop that I had a lot of trouble reaching back in late March, came late to, and on top of that, blew a tire. I don't know all that much about her but she is very passionate about her art and wanted to open a dance school in Toulouse. Appears this didn't happen, but maybe in the years to come, who knows?
Her name is not that of a star, but of a direction (or rather, two opposite directions) in the Hawaiian navigational system. Also literally means "the heavens". One Nālani is southwest, the other is northeast. I didn't realize this tied in very well with the fact she is a twin...
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Kohola - 33 years old, Marquesan trans woman, plus-sized and proud. Could've been my teacher as she is the head of the other dance school that is near my place, but I chose Hikianalia and I'm glad. I have talked to her occasionally on Facebook, but given the proximity, we're probably going to meet eventually. It takes just one event, or just one thing that straddles both our schools, and boom. She's similarly dramatic to Hokulea but doesn't nearly feel as feisty. Passes so well I would have never guessed that she was trans up until I ended up on a reel/live of hers, though on some older pictures I can see remnants of where there used to be facial hair. But really if I didn't know, I would've just assumed she has more masculine facial traits and that's it. She makes some sick outfits that are reminiscent of South American styles. Also has a very satisfying fa'arapu to watch. Oh also I think she's also a Cancer moon like me.
Her name comes from the constellation of Cetus (the Whale) in the Hawaiian system. Koholā means "whale" in Hawaiian (tohorā in Tahitian). Obviously not a stupid joke about her massive height and weight, but I really love whales, too. And she's got a bit of a goofy appearance too, not unlike Cetus himself in the older entries.
Her name comes from the constellation of Cetus (the Whale) in the Hawaiian system. Koholā means "whale" in Hawaiian (tohorā in Tahitian). Obviously not a stupid joke about her massive height and weight, but I really love whales, too. And she's got a bit of a goofy appearance too, not unlike Cetus himself in the older entries.
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Manu - A girl I met at the festival back in late May. 23 years old, her birthday is two days after mine. Married, one toddler son and one other baby on the way (which we both intuit to be a girl). She's studied a whoooole lot more than me, appears to manage a posting aid business kinda, and also works as a graphist. I reckon she's from Mo'orea, her husband is from... Punaauia? Either way, it appears she did not forget after me, so this might very well be a friend in the making, though we live far away now.
Manu, in many Polynesian languages, is the word for "bird" or at least is referring to some kind of bird.
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Despina - Friend, 19, formerly a long-term student of Hikianalia's. After four years, especially since Despina was stuck in the beginner level, their relationship has grown strained and she decided not to come to dance class anymore after some drama occured. Started out as a kaikamahine. Hikianalia helped her out of some really bad habits years ago. Part of a band. Quiet, nice-looking, Virgo sun and moon with a Gemini rising. Pansexual. Obsessed with Life is Strange. Seems to have temperature regulation issues: she can go in a tee shirt in the cold. Always dances in socks even if it's hot, which is surprising to me, to say the least. Frequently wears headphones. Is a dancer in general, not just a 'ori tahiti dancer.
Named after the third moon of Neptune, which is named after the nymph Despina (also spelled Despoina), goddess of winter and frost, daughter of Poseidon and Demeter, the latter who is tied to the constellation of... Virgo. Note that I had no idea that she has some temperature issues AND that she loved winter when I named her that lol. The name itself means "the mistress".
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Uriel - Hikianalia's husband, thought I would give him a name even though I haven't had the chance to mention him much. Am guessing he's also in his early 30s, and a LDS missionary, but what I know is that he works as a carpenter and looks like a nice guy. Strawberry blonde. He and Hikianalia have been together since 2018, married since... probably around that time. Dad of two, soon to be three little boys! But he seems rather private on social media. I'll probably get to know him better with time.
Named after Archangel Uriel, because his actual name is also that of one (won't say which though), patron of wisdom, arts, illumination, sciences, and poetry (among a few other things). The name of the angel itself means "God is my flame".
Named after Archangel Uriel, because his actual name is also that of one (won't say which though), patron of wisdom, arts, illumination, sciences, and poetry (among a few other things). The name of the angel itself means "God is my flame".