Pele, in this scene... I think mostly is amused by Steve and Danny, and sort of curious and interested in the presence of a couple of haoles in the ‘akua world, but all in a very detached sort of way. They're only puny mortals, after all. I think she's especially amused by Steve, who knows exactly who she is and what he's supposed to do and sort of falls all over himself trying to be respectful and follow protocol. She thinks it's a bit impudent of him to suggest that she should help them, but is amused and impressed by such a ballsy move, especially since she knows he knows who she is, and she knows he's TERRIFIED. Ultimately, it's the fact that Danny fed her dog that tips the scales in their favor (people are funny about their pets like that), although I'm not sure if she makes her mind up then or later.
Danny, malihini that he is, is aware of Pele and who she is in a vague sense, but he's not intimately familiar with the details of her mythology, so he doesn't recognize her dog and he doesn't recognize her, at least not right away. He's nice to the dog because he likes dogs (and can I say, I was thrilled when canon stood behind my characterization of him). I'm... not entirely sure why he decides to offer hospitality to Creepy Lady In The Woods Who Is Probably A Ghost Anyway, and I don't think he's entirely sure either. I think he just had no idea what to do, and fell back on Be Nice To It Maybe It Won't Bite Me. Also the brindle mutt wasn't growling or freaking out, so maybe on some level he took courage in that. Anyway, he figures out pretty quickly that Something Important Is Happening Here based on Steve's reaction. He gets an inkling when she lights her own cigarette, and figures it out when he sees that bit of fiery glow in her eyes.
Steve... growing up here, he knows all the Pele stories, even if he doesn't believe. When Danny finds the cigarettes and gin (items she is known to be fond of), Steve immediately knows why Maka packed them. As they approach the part of the island ruled over by Pele, I think a part of Steve is half expecting to meet her. When he comes back to the camp and sees a Hawaiian woman and a small white dog, he knows immediately who she is. He knows exactly what to do, but he is SCARED SHITLESS because he also knows that Pele is the Hawaiian deity that you most want to avoid pissing off, and also that she is temperamental, so pissing her off inadvertently is not at all hard to do. I kind of can't believe he got up the nerve to ask her for help... I think it came out of his mouth before he knew what he was doing, and I think he had a bit of a heart attack when she reminded him that SHE IS THE MOTHERFUCKING GODDESS OF THE VOLCANO, TINY HUMANS DON'T TELL HER WHAT TO DO.
So yeah, I just love this scene, Pele all detachedly amused, Steve and Danny DEEPLY TERRIFIED but still compelled by their personalities to act in certain ways despite their terror, and then that rush of giddy, adrenaline-fueled hilarity when Pele took her leave of them.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2012-08-10 09:47 am (UTC)Danny, malihini that he is, is aware of Pele and who she is in a vague sense, but he's not intimately familiar with the details of her mythology, so he doesn't recognize her dog and he doesn't recognize her, at least not right away. He's nice to the dog because he likes dogs (and can I say, I was thrilled when canon stood behind my characterization of him). I'm... not entirely sure why he decides to offer hospitality to Creepy Lady In The Woods Who Is Probably A Ghost Anyway, and I don't think he's entirely sure either. I think he just had no idea what to do, and fell back on Be Nice To It Maybe It Won't Bite Me. Also the brindle mutt wasn't growling or freaking out, so maybe on some level he took courage in that. Anyway, he figures out pretty quickly that Something Important Is Happening Here based on Steve's reaction. He gets an inkling when she lights her own cigarette, and figures it out when he sees that bit of fiery glow in her eyes.
Steve... growing up here, he knows all the Pele stories, even if he doesn't believe. When Danny finds the cigarettes and gin (items she is known to be fond of), Steve immediately knows why Maka packed them. As they approach the part of the island ruled over by Pele, I think a part of Steve is half expecting to meet her. When he comes back to the camp and sees a Hawaiian woman and a small white dog, he knows immediately who she is. He knows exactly what to do, but he is SCARED SHITLESS because he also knows that Pele is the Hawaiian deity that you most want to avoid pissing off, and also that she is temperamental, so pissing her off inadvertently is not at all hard to do. I kind of can't believe he got up the nerve to ask her for help... I think it came out of his mouth before he knew what he was doing, and I think he had a bit of a heart attack when she reminded him that SHE IS THE MOTHERFUCKING GODDESS OF THE VOLCANO, TINY HUMANS DON'T TELL HER WHAT TO DO.
So yeah, I just love this scene, Pele all detachedly amused, Steve and Danny DEEPLY TERRIFIED but still compelled by their personalities to act in certain ways despite their terror, and then that rush of giddy, adrenaline-fueled hilarity when Pele took her leave of them.