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+---- Thread: [SE] Dangermeal (/showthread.php?tid=10948)
Dangermeal - Hadama - 03-23-2025
He had been spending a great deal of time in the Greatwood lately, seeking Roses. After the hunt with Maea and Thalassa, where they had killed several enshadowed delphinids and only barely prevented the bodies from flowing downstream to spread their corruption to the ocean he had chosen to do some patrolling through the waters around the forest's coast. Many others were also hunting there these days, and not all were as conscientious about cleaning up after themselves, after all.
He cut through the tall stalks of a kelp forest in his hippocampus shift, quietly but pleasantly surprised to find little evidence of the Void lingering in the calm waters of the Spillwave. The cool rain pounded down on the ocean's surface above, turning the water a dim grey, but a dozen feet down the currents were calm and gentle.
The forest that was not as robust as he remembered it being the year before, however, and emerald eyes searched for a cause that he could deal with.
Soon enough, he found it.
At the edges of the forest the ocean floor turned spiky and bright purple. Not the purple of the Void, but a vibrant color fully natural to Caido. The sand was mostly hidden beneath a carpet of sea urchins that had overgrown the local area and were devouring the kelp. In a timely manner, the Tidebreaker's stomach rumbled, reminding him that it had been hours since breakfast. There was a gleam in his eyes as he folded his hooves to his chest and dove down, his water magic already forming blades of ice around him that lanced forward to strike a dozen urchins, shearing away the spines on one side of their shells. His magic lifted them in a small vortex, spinning them so that they banged into each other until the rest of their spines broke off, and then he moved in to crack their shells with his thick molars, beginning to dine upon their succulent flesh.
RE: Dangermeal - Kaiden - 03-23-2025
Kaiden swam along a sandbank, singing quietly under their breath as they searched for brunch. A ripple in the water below caught their attention. Turning sharply, the mershark scanned the depths, unsure of what in the kelp had caused the disturbance. Falling silent, they swam closer, speeding up as they spotted a familiar form. [say]Hi, Hadama![/say]
Much to Kaiden's delight, the man had found brunch already. The mershark didn't often stray from meatier prey but the purple color of the urchins was tempting. Purple was such a nice color. Glancing at the King, they tilted their head, [say]May I have some? Please? [/say] They didn't want to steal their friend's meal out from under him.
RE: Dangermeal - Hadama - 03-23-2025
Kaiden. Good afternoon. Hadama paused in his crunching to curve his arched neck and tilt his head to get an eye on the mershark, a wave of quiet welcome washing through the Bond. It was good to see the Mer looking well and still sounding so cheerful...
Though the unexpected courtesy gave the King pause.
Albeit in the best way possible.
Of course, he agreed. Good behavior was to be rewarded, after all. Especially after some of the reports he'd gotten about his friend's behavior at recent festivals... How have your travels been? True, they had seen each other recently, but on Caido a lot could happen over the course of a few days, much less weeks.
As he spoke he paused in his meal, sending his magic rippling through the water to shear and then spin another dozen of the spiny menaces, shattering their needles so that Kaiden could crunch them in their shark form or break them open with their hands at their leisure.
RE: Dangermeal - Kaiden - 03-23-2025
[say]I'm good! How are you?[/say] A pulse of warmth went through the bond as Hadama prepared the urchins so that Kaiden could enjoy them too. [say]Thank you![/say] Grasping at the de-thorned snacks, the mershark took a bite. The creature made an odd squelching sound but the taste made up for it. Kaiden had never realized that urchins were tangy. It was interesting. Or were they having an allergic reaction? Probably not.
Swallowing, Kaiden nodded. [say]They've been good. Peaceful.[/say] The mer had been staying out of trouble, exploring the edges of Starfall. The island was fascinating, and it made the mer wish that they could walk on it.
RE: Dangermeal - Hadama - 03-23-2025
Mmh. I am well. If tired, Hadama admitted to his friend with a wry snort that sent a small cloud of bubbles streaming upwards towards the surface. Oddly, Kaiden's cheerfulness was lifting up his spirits. The food was undoubtedly helping, too, and Hadama cracked the last of his urchins and used his agile tongue to suck the soft, tangy flesh out from inside.
He turned his power on another group and then sent half of them towards the mershark. He had never known Kaiden to be truly full, and if he could feed his friend it brought him quiet satisfaction to do so. He missed having time to devote to his culinary training, but heavy was the head, as the humans said.
Hearing that the shark, of all beings, had been having a peaceful time was more relieving than he had expected to hear. I am glad, he rumbled sincerely, working his way through the rest of his snack. They had only put a small dent in the urchin population, but it was enough for one day, and now that he knew it was here he could send some of the local Mer to keep an eye on it. I will be heading back to Torchline soon. I hope I will see you there. He swam closer, not touching the independent young Mer as he went past but offering a pulse of warmth and welcome through the bond before he continued past, ready to return to his patrol. Take care, Kaiden. Safe currents guide you home.
RE: Dangermeal - Kaiden - 03-23-2025
Kaiden nodded, [say]You should nap then. Naps are good.[/say] The second wave of urchins had the mershark perking up and reaching for more. It was true. Kaiden was rarely full. And when they were, they were already thinking about where they'd get their next meal. The mershark didn't go hungry anymore, but the habit was far too engrained to shake now.
They returned the King's pulse of warmth with one of their own, turning on their tail with a wave, [say]You too, Hadama![/say] They weren't sure if they'd be heading to Torchline just yet. It always made them sad to see how far their friends had been pushed from its shores. Throwing back one last urchin, the mershark went on their merry way.
-[FIN]