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bounty on my head - Vesper - 05-09-2025
The air tastes like salt and change.
Vesper emerges from the dense green heart of the island with a canvas satchel slung across his back, shadows clinging like humidity to his skin. The leaves overhead whisper secrets in a tongue only the Isles know, and the ground underfoot—muddy, blooming with roots and buzzing with life—feels just a little different than when he first landed. Which, given where he is, means exactly what it sounds like.
He pauses at the tree line, brow twitching as his eyes sweep the horizon. The bay he should be staring at—complete with the little cove and the rowboat Jack lent him—has vanished like a coin flipped into water. In its place is open ocean and a dark smear of another island drifting lazily in the distance, waves lapping at where the shoreline used to be.
[say]"Ah, fuck me,"[/say] he mutters, adjusting the satchel and glancing down at his boots, which are already damp from the first stretch of morning mist. He’s dressed for the heat: a sleeveless button-down left half undone and untucked, linen trousers rolled to the knee, his usual silver rings catching the light like small, deliberate suns. A pair of beat-up sandals are strapped to his feet, though one looks like it’s half-thinking about giving up the ghost.
The sun is relentless, pouring down in waves, and Vesper runs a hand through his hair, curls damp with sweat and the effort of not cursing Jack’s name out loud. The old bastard knew this would happen. Probably half the reason he sent Vesper in the first place.
Then, with a sigh, he sets off down the makeshift shoreline toward the speck of his boat, now bobbing far off in the cove of some neighbouring island like it’s taunting him. As he walks, the island hums. Beneath his steps, beneath his shadows, the ground almost pulses—faint, like a heartbeat in a buried thing. The Isles are alive in that eerie, shifting way they always are. He’s just hoping they don’t decide to drift again before he gets to the boat.
RE: bounty on my head - Hadama - 05-09-2025
The water was warm in the shallows, though still comfortably refreshing compared to the heat of the shore beneath the burning sun. It felt good on Hadama's back as he swam alongside his guards, the trio of Merfolk ranged around the great manta's broad wings with weapons held loosely and eyes looking sharply through the water that surrounded them. Echo sharks had been spotted in the Isles again, a common nuisance, and Hadama had taken the opportunity to join the patrol today.
He had a great deal on his mind, and perhaps he should not have taken this small selfishness of normalcy. There was much to prepare and more to arrange but--
It was important, too, to remember what they fought and risked themselves for. These problems that could be faced and overcome without the fate of a world hanging in the balance, to make the lives of his Torchers a little safer and more comfortable.
The manta's star-strewn back broke the surface as he rose to scan the horizon for triangular fins, but it was a human figure on a nearby island that caught his attention. Shadows in the light, a familiar step, and for a moment he thought it was a different man upon the shore. Continue without me, he murmured to the patrol, who saluted and swam on while the manta turned towards the slowly-shifting island nearby.
It was the upper half of a man, bare-chested and brown skin slick with seawater, that rose from the wavelets near to the stranger, and only then did Hadama recognize who it was. Not a captain but a demigod. And he inclined his head in greeting as his thoughts shifted with slow care to adjust to the revelation. "Hello, Vesper. Is your family well?"
RE: bounty on my head - Vesper - 05-09-2025
Vesper hears them before he sees them.
A ripple across his senses—calm, disciplined, like footfalls in a temple—and then the texture of thought: orderly, meticulous, familiar in the way glass is familiar. Hadama’s presence is unmistakable, even in the quiet hum of the Isles. The patrol shifts past the edges of his mind like shadows in a library aisle, hushed and respectful. No words wasted, no stray noise. Vesper’s brow ticks upward as he stops his slow trudge along the jungle’s edge, gaze flicking toward the water just in time to catch the sleek rise of something larger than a shark.
Still, he schools his face into quiet surprise when Hadama emerges—half man, half sea, the sun gilding the edges of his damp skin like a coin lifted from deep water. The demigod’s greeting lands like a stone in still tide, measured and direct.
Vesper inclines his head in return, casual but not disrespectful. [say]"They’re doin’ fine,"[/say] he says with an easy drawl, brushing his knuckles once along the strap of the satchel across his chest. [say]"Rowdy, mostly. But that’s their natural state."[/say]
He doesn’t elaborate—because Hadama hadn’t asked to know—but there's no malice in the reticence. Just the acknowledgment that family, in all its tangled gravity, doesn't require explaining.
His shadows drift at his ankles, mirroring his relaxed stance as he nods once toward the waterline. [say]"And yours?"[/say] He doesn’t know if Hadama has siblings, or lovers, or anyone at all—but it feels like the expected thing to say. Reciprocity, as far as Vesper’s concerned, is a kind of currency.
RE: bounty on my head - Hadama - 05-11-2025
A child of Safrin, Hadama knew him as, but not the moonblessed optimism of Seren nor the dazzling light of Nova. Not even the smoldering sunset fire of Calypso. The mermanta studied the lines of the young man's face, the easy confidence with which he held himself, his quiet efficiency, so different from his sisters. Even sun-drenched in the morning light there was a sense of shadow about him, and the Tidebreaker considered Safrin's son and found reassurance in what he saw.
"I am glad," he murmured at the news of Vesper's family, quietly relieved to hear an indication of Nova's recovery beyond her public appearances. And if he was surprised at the small talk in return he did not show it, only inclining his head in gratitude for the young man's interest. "My parents are well, thank you. And my sister is... hmm. Not as rowdy as your own. But a bard is never far from trouble." That was where the stories were, after all. The inspiration for her songs and tales.
But it was not Hadama's intention to keep the young man from whatever task had brought him out to the Isles today. He took a slow breath of salt-laden air, settling the currents of his thoughts before he spoke again. "I would speak with you, Vesper Marin. On a task from Safrin." And because this was Torchline and not even Kings were above the region's traditions: "In exchange for your time, if I can speed your travel today I will do so."
RE: bounty on my head - Serendipity - 05-11-2025
In the wind you hear voices. It sounds like children playing some kind of game with laughter and mischief. Then one screams. There’s a call for ‘Mom!’ ‘Papa!’ and other adults as the laughter stops. Glancing towards the direction of the commotion, you’ll see fins cutting the water. A pack of echo sharks lurks, ready to leap up and grab any who fall for their trap.
You’ve encountered a pack of echo sharks. This counts as a common creature encounter for the purposes of levelling, but does not count as a Random Event for levelling or MP. There will be no further admin/re intervention. If you choose to follow this creature, you do so at your own risk, however, just having it in this thread is enough to satisfy your levelling requirements.
Echo Shark (common) - A dwarf species of shark known for hunting in packs, the Echo Shark can live in both freshwater and saltwater. They are able to mimic any sound they’ve heard and band together to increase their range of vocals. The sharks use the words and sounds they’ve learned to lure unsuspecting prey into the water, where the sharks will then leap up and drag them into the waves.
RE: bounty on my head - Vesper - 05-13-2025
Vesper nods, polite but reserved, taking the names and nuances of Hadama’s family and shelving them in the quiet corners of his mind. He doesn’t dig deep—just enough to etch out the shape of a bardic sister and steady parents, threads of insight spun from the edges of the Tidebreaker’s disciplined thoughts. Knowledge was a currency too, and Vesper never left a conversation broke.
[say]"You are,"[/say] he says mildly, a half-lifted brow and an even drier tone. [say]"Speak’n to me, I mean."[/say] There’s a smirk, faint and angled, the kind that curls like smoke instead of catching fire. Then he lifts his chin in a simple nod, the kind that says go ahead, eyes glinting in the half-light. [say]"If it’ll get me back quicker, I’m all yours."[/say]
The laughter catches his ear a moment later.
It’s too sweet, too thin, and the scream cuts like a rusted hook behind his eyes. Vesper glances out toward the water, already knowing what he’ll see: fins. Shadows. Hunger wrapped in nostalgia. He exhales through his nose, slow and unimpressed, the sound like wind slipping through shutters.
Then, deadpan, to Hadama: [say]"Shoot."[/say]
RE: bounty on my head - Hadama - 05-14-2025
Hadama's expression did not change from its stoic serenity, even as he inclined his head in solemn acknowledgment. His thoughts were another matter, a flicker of sly amusement flashing through them, silver scaled and brightly appreciative of the unexpected dry humor from Safrin's eldest living son before it disappeared back into the depths.
Chased from the surface by laughter on the wind.
His head rose and turned slowly towards the source, an implacable stillness coming over him as he found the triangular fins that cut through the water amid the false cries coming from within triangular teeth. They were not so far that his magic could not reach them. But his guards were already shifting, coordinating their movements at the edge of the Attuned Bond. Whispers more than words at the distance they were at, but disciplined and calm. Satisfied that they had the hunt well in hand and trusting his people to their work, he turned his attention back to Vesper and his invitation.
Efficient. He appreciated that.
"What are you intentions towards the servants of the Void?" A pause and then an inclination of his head in invitation of his own. "And your ideas on how to eradicate it from our world?"
RE: bounty on my head - Vesper - 05-15-2025
Vesper lets the question hang in the heat, eyes fixed on the slinking fins a moment longer before his attention returns to Hadama. The shadows at his ankles flicker like smoke testing the wind—uneasy, but not alarmed. He skims the edges of the Tidebreaker's mind as he listens, catching the formality of the phrasing, the careful weight of every syllable. Everything in Hadama's head feels smoothed down and well-ordered, like stones laid for a temple path. It’s not that the question surprises him—only how it’s asked.
[say]"What are my intentions,"[/say] Vesper repeats dryly, one brow arcing as his mouth curves into something close to a smirk. [say]"You make it sound like I’m plannin’ to ask ‘em to marry me."[/say]
He gestures loosely toward the water, where the echo sharks are being dispatched with far more grace than enthusiasm. Then, more broadly, he sweeps a hand toward Starfall. [say]"Seems to me the path’s pretty clear."[/say] His tone flattens just slightly, dry giving way to iron. [say]"Plant some flowers, then send in the biggest and baddest we’ve got to kill whatever’s waitin’ at the bottom of that fuckin' island."[/say]
A pause, then a lazy shrug. [say]"Heard of quite a few flowers bein' used to cure folks rather than carve a way forward and if you're askin' me, that seems like a waste."[/say] Not that he wouldn't do it in an instant for his sister's, but that wasn't currently what was being asked of him.
[say]"Turnin' one of those flowers into a weapon doesn't seem to be anything that's been done yet."[/say]
RE: bounty on my head - Hadama - 05-17-2025
Marriage would be an unorthodox approach, but similar to one that had been tried by Flora twice now. It seemed unlikely that the Family would be fooled a third time, but Hadama simply raised an inquiring brow, not judging if that was, in fact, one of Vesper's plans.
However unlikely the near-smirk made it seem.
His gaze followed the gesture towards the violet horizon, past the efficient work being done by the merfolk guards deter or remove the echo sharks from the Isles. The words made it sound so simple. And perhaps it seemed that way. But Hadama had fought in the upper tunnels of Starfall against the Mirewyrm once already alongside some of Caido's strongest, and they had been unable to kill the guardian. He had hunted for Roses and Lillies for a year, and in all that time he had only found one.
Though he, too, had used a Rose to cure rather than carve.
Weaponizing, however...
The Tidebreaker tilted his head to the side slowly. Thoughtfully. "No... it has not," he confirmed. Not to the best of his knowledge. And perhaps there was something to that. If it was a weapon that could be used more than once...
He returned his gaze to the young demigod and inclined his head in respect. "Thank you. It is worth considering further." But he had not missed the deflection from his initial question, and he held Vesper's eyes with steady calm. "Have you decided your own path in this conflict?"
RE: bounty on my head - Vesper - 05-17-2025
Vesper’s brow arches at the question, head tilting just a touch like he’s deciding whether or not to laugh. He doesn’t. Not quite. Instead, his weight shifts to one leg, his shadows curl at his boots in lazy arcs, undisturbed but never fully still. [say]"My path?"[/say] he echoes, voice mild as a calm tide. [say]"Right now? It’s the one that keeps me breathin’."[/say]
There’s no mockery in the words, no flippancy. Just fact, dry and sandworn.
[say]"Next season makes a full year since I showed up into this mess. One year."[/say] His gaze flicks toward the water again, then back, pale eyes gleaming like sea-glass in the sun. [say]"So you’ll forgive me if I haven’t thrown myself onto the frontlines just yet."[/say]
His mouth curves—not a smile, not really, but something like acknowledgment. [say]"Still learnin’ what I can do and where I fit into all of this."[/say] His shadows draw tight around his ankles like a second tide, low and coiled. [say]"Might come as a surprise to you, but it ain't like Safrin kicks us down here with a how-to guide."[/say]
RE: bounty on my head - Hadama - 05-18-2025
He listened, quietly curious as to how the self-possessed young man, with his restless shadow and too-knowing eyes, would answer, and not simply because Safrin had tasked it of him. Though his expression did not change there was a flicker of what might have been relief in his thoughts at hearing such a sensible answer. There was pride there, in the young man's choice of words, but also the wisdom to recognize his current strength, and none of the bravado of Safrin's other son. Not, at least, in this.
Hadama inclined his head in acceptance of Vesper's response, though there was a gleam of bemusement in the wash of his thoughts at the small barbs beneath the other demigod's tongue, a rasp like sharkskin rubbed the wrong way. "I was not aware that my forgiveness was required." His low rumble was as solemn as his expression, but there was a hint of subtle humor in the troughs of his words alongside the implied acknowledgment in them.
"And I am not surprised. There is no... 'how-to' guide to being a demigod that I have found. either. Neither born nor made. Each of us is different." He inclined his head towards the shadows at Vesper's feet. He knew well that their powers grew in different ways. At different speeds. "And not all abilities are suited for battle." Seren's had not been, but that had not made her less loved or less important to those who had known her. "Some demigods have brought hope. Others seek information. There are many paths. And they may change over time."
He offered the young man a slight bow of apology for what seemed to have been a misunderstanding. "Thank you for your answers. Is there a place you wish me to take you?"
RE: bounty on my head - Vesper - 05-23-2025
Had Vesper not been a telepath, he might’ve missed the quiet rasp of humour in Hadama’s thoughts—might’ve mistaken the solemn cadence for censure, or worse, condescension. But as it is, he only lifts a brow, shadows flicking like the lash of a tail against his boots before settling again.
The catalogue of demigods earns a nod, slow and unsurprised. He knows there are many types—he just doesn’t yet know what kind he’s meant to be. Or maybe he does, and just hasn’t said it out loud. [say]"Paths change,"[/say] he agrees softly, gaze drifting out to where the sea breaks silver and soft against the reef. [say]"So do people."[/say]
The dinghy he’d beached earlier still waits like a stubborn reminder, and Vesper glances at it with faint disdain before shifting his attention back to Hadama. [say]"Tell you what,"[/say] he says, pulling a peppermint bark from his pocket and sliding it between his teeth. [say]"You’re the one with the better travel perks, so if you feel like takin' me all the way back to Haulani, I'd appreciate it. Can leave that boat there for someone who finds themselves in need of one."[/say]
RE: bounty on my head - Hadama - 05-24-2025
"Indeed." Hadama himself had changed significantly from the quiet, aloof seasmith who had come to the surface to observe the landwalkers, initially wary of them and content to maintain the traditional separations between Mer and humans. He had learned to appreciate their strange viewpoints and ideas, and their food. He had stretched himself to learn their ways and become a chef who wished to build bridges between land and sea, and had found the determination and courage to swim from the safety of the reef's shadows where he had once been content to support others and into the dangers of the light as a leader of his people. A defender. A protector, eventually, of all of Torchline.
And then more than Torchline, reborn in starlight to serve Safrin and all of Caido. Now he was no longer a simple breakwater, creating a safe harbor for others. The magic Safrin had granted him had been prescient. Uniquely suited to the threat against their world, and he stood in the vanguard of the fight now, the tip of her spear rather than the resilience of her shield.
He knew something of how strange life could be, and how greatly one's life could diverge from the paths one planned for it.
But when Vesper turned from the view of the sea and isles drifting with imperceptible slowness around them back to the Tidebreaker, Hadama focused back upon the young demigod in turn, listening to his bargain. "Accepted," he rumbled, flicking a glance towards the boat and then to the sea which was now empty of echo shark fins. It would be no hardship to catch up with them after returning Vesper to the city. He offered the man his hand to clasp and seal the bargain - and once he had firm hold of Safrin's son he teleported them back to the city in a twist of space and a cool wash of moonlight.
~Fin