Move down by the ocean

Iskra

The platform sways faintly beneath them when it first jostles into motion and descends them into the world of the depths. Iskra’s gaze lifts to the rising blue tucked behind magic barriers, water rising in a way that feels terrifying given how much there is and how all it would require is one misstep of the system to send it all rushing in. It’s thrilling, honestly, and his smile grows wider the further they drop. As a child they’d spent days swimming and exploring the seas, but never like this.

”Wow!” he breathes as they step off into the ocean level, various habitats unfurling around them. ”This is definitely an upgrade.” Granted he hadn’t explored the Celestine heavily before, but this feels like a new level, literally.

Currents sway aquatic plant life too and fro. Smaller crustaceans and fish scurry around the edges, dark shapes of larger things moving behind them visible, but too distant to make out. ”I think the Tumseas are up ahead,” he points out, followed swiftly by an, ”ooh! Kid having a tantrum!” Almost more exciting than the rare animals, and definitely more amusing. He stickers off that square on his bingo card.

---

You and me belong together, like cold iced tea and warmer weather
Where we lay out late underneath the pines, and we still have fun when the sun won't shine
You and me belong together all the time

The excitement and ebullience intermingled with her movements, feet bouncing back and forth from heels to toes as she watched the water rise. The alterations to the Celestine had come at a price, but gods, was it ever amazing, and her gaze rounded as the glassy edges and crystal depictions reminded her of a place back in Helovia – where one could have wandered and wandered down into the depths of the sea, without ever having to worry about drowning. Her grin was wide and expansive, beyond Cheshire, nudging him with her elbow every time she spotted another fish darting in their periphery. “I love it,” she whispered, as if not to break the impact, and then they were out of the platform, and into the expanse.

Not unlike a young child set forth into an amusement park and too torn in which direction to turn, she had to rely on Iskra’s notions about the map. Distracted by the plant life and scurrying crustaceans, she nearly missed the ‘tantrum’ portion of the bingo, absentmindedly adding the sticker to her board.“I hope so! I know they’re pretty rare, even in Torchline,” was a quick murmur, like she wasn’t pinning a lifetime of fortunes on the present. Well, she could consider Iskra one of the many; the rest would come as they warranted.

But before she could pinpoint any tumseas, another commotion unfurled nearby, and her attention darted back and forth. Chuckling to herself, she announced “Kid on leash!” in the best stage-whisper she could provide near Iskra’s ear, trying desperately not to point at the shrieking child at the end of a long line and a parent desperately trying to pull them past a score of jellyfish.

melita

then I became the fire

Iskra

There is a breathtaking quality to stepping into a world that doesn't belong to them. Alien in so many ways, yet familiar enough from childhood frolics and quiet moments of study. He marvels at all of it, almost unsure where to look as his gaze sweeps back and forth, afraid to miss any moment. It's why when Mel suddenly leaned in and notified him of a spectacle, he immediately froze in place and glanced all around, ridiculous umbrella hat spinning to a fro as he whipped his head around. He soon became aware that she didn't mean a sea creature, but still a different sort of sight, and his features immediately deepened from wonder into a smirk. "Oh, good eye." He proudly stickers off his own card, and though it's looking less naked, it's nowhere close to Bingo.

Absently, his hand searches out hers after pocketing his stickers, fingers brushing against her palm and creeping up to curl and quietly claim around her hand. Thankfully, the lighting down here is kept minimal, allowing the exhibits to shine, so his blush is not as visible as it might be otherwise. He keeps his eyes peeled as they pass one enclosure and another. "Echosharks," he comments as they pass that area, slowing to watch the familiar shapes cut through the water. "Y'know, I kinda like them, to be honest."

You and me belong together, like cold iced tea and warmer weather
Where we lay out late underneath the pines, and we still have fun when the sun won't shine
You and me belong together all the time

Placing her a sticker on her own board, hers seemed scattered haphazardly, but that was no bother. Maybe it meant they’d stay longer, see each and every sight. Tucking the portions back into her pockets, she was only mildly surprised when his hand found hers, glancing down at it, then up at him, before granting a large preening grin in his direction, and letting her fingers close around his. Feeling indulgent, she pressed a kiss against his shoulder, then looked at the enclosure they passed by, letting all of it pass as normal. Foundational. Things they should’ve had and carved for themselves.

Her head tilted at the echo sharks though, watching as they basked and roamed around their makeshift pool. “I like them better when they’re not screaming like victims of war,” as were the highlights with some of them around the Grounds, even years after. One wouldn't need to wonder how life had been during LongNights or when the Sparkbird descended one final time. Determined not to make that as any less cheery, she chirruped back with a growing smile, a conspiracy blooming and looming. “Do you think we could teach them swears?”

melita

then I became the fire

As you follow a winding garden path, the stone beneath your feet gives way to rich soil and creeping moss. A low wooden fence marks the edge of an enclosure dense with young trees, flowering shrubs, and tangled roots that rise and fall like breathing earth.

Within, a cluster of spriggans moves slowly through the undergrowth. Some are half-emerged from tree trunks, others perched atop roots or stones, bark-skin blending seamlessly with their surroundings. They murmur softly to one another, a sound like leaves brushing in a breeze.

The space feels alive in a way that is deeply comforting rather than unsettling. New growth curls eagerly wherever the spriggans linger, and small flowers bloom at their feet. They pay little attention to passersby, absorbed instead in coaxing the forest back into balance.

This is not a place of wild magic, but of patient healing — the forest, and its guardians, mending together.

---

Spriggan Areas Found: Greatwood — Uncommon Spriggans are tiny woodland folk no larger than a human palm, their forms a delicate blend of insect and plant. Thin, twig-like limbs extend from a bark-textured body, moss and lichen clinging naturally to their frames. Their translucent wings—resembling petals or leaves—whisper softly when they flit through the undergrowth. Faces are expressive yet plant-like, with fine antennae and gem-bright beetle eyes that glimmer in dappled light. Shy but curious, Spriggans are often glimpsed darting between branches or peering from knotholes. Folklore holds that those blessed by a Spriggan’s visit find their fortunes improved, though they are known to vanish without warning. Challenge Rating: Easy | Mythical HP: 38 | To Hit: +26 | Dmg: 9 Movement: Walk 15 ft.; Fly 40 ft.; Climb 20 ft. SPECIAL SKILLS Earthen Spirit: Corporeal but tied to the natural magic of the land; Nature’s Whisper: Able to subtly influence small plants, causing blossoms to open or vines to curl; Uncatchable: Near-impossible to snare unless they choose to linger; Fortune’s Touch: A brief landing on a person or object is said to draw luck to it

TRAITS Tiny Stature: No larger than a human palm, able to slip through the smallest gaps; Woodland Camouflage: Bark-like skin and mossy colouring make them nearly invisible in forests; Expressive Features: Faces convey clear emotion despite plant-like form; Lightfooted Flight: Delicate wings carry them quickly with minimal sound; Luck Bringers: Said to bring good fortune to those they favour ACTIONS Dart and Distract: Flits rapidly around a foe’s head, drawing their attention and breaking focus; Pollen Puff: Releases a harmless burst of golden pollen that clouds vision briefly; Wing Flurry: Beats wings rapidly to stir leaves, dust, or petals into a visual cover;

Iskra

Content with the feel of her hand in his and the lack of resistance behind it, he breathes easier, unaware he'd tightened it on the plunge that ought to be ordinary compared to everything else they've managed so far. It doesn't come so simple, outright affection just for the sake of it, but he's daring to try more to hold her in all the ways he's wanted, because it seems at every turn she's happy to meet him there. Or in this case, blow right past him, as the surprise kiss leaves him beaming.

"And here I thought that's the part you'd enjoy about them," he teases lightly. "Or is that just your foes you like to listen to that from?" Her potency is no unknown factor, amplified further by her devotion to Ludo, in as much as her trickery has been. Although he supposes she lays waste mostly to vicious creatures, but he assumes they wail just the same, in different tones and frequencies, but still the echo of defeat in some form. Victory, more than pure suffering, is what she seems to crave, and if they happen to cross paths on occasion, so be it.

Glancing from the tank back to her, mischief curls in answer immediately. "The sharks, or the children?" he wonders, schemes already whirling behind his eyes. "Because I think yes to both. Although, probably Speaking Squirrels could manage it better." As they pass by another map, one that helpfully directs them through this level but also displays ones that shouldn't be missed. With a magical glimpse of areas beyond them, a flash of the Spriggan enclosure pops up, showing the spritely creatures mingling with one another. "You ever seen those before, in the wild?" he asks Mel as he pauses briefly to peer at the display, figuring by this point she has seen a great number of things for herself, other than Tumseas.

You and me belong together, like cold iced tea and warmer weather
Where we lay out late underneath the pines, and we still have fun when the sun won't shine
You and me belong together all the time

There seemed to be much to learn in the wake of all these new nuances; but she snickered just the same as he beamed back in her direction, her head tilting as if she’d just caught a recently discovered reaction; covered and hidden until unearthed. Pleased with herself, she held herself higher, throughout plotting and charting courses of curses for sharks and experimental ways to unravel Iskra. “Listen, if I didn’t cause it, then where’s the fun?” she winked; pretending like war crimes were easier sentiments to slide across, humming a little under her breath as her gaze went from him and the ridiculous fish and back again. “I’m on the ‘why not both’ range.”

So she slid closer to the enclosure, hoping to be in range of both little kids and echoing parameters. “Heeeeeyyyyy douchecanoes,” she grinned, waiting to hear if she’d receive a worthwhile answer, not bothering to glance any parents’ way. Would that be a useful lure for some hunting dickhead meandering through the water? Would they make faces back if she pressed hers against the glass or…?

She was momentarily distracted by the map though; mentions of upcoming areas drawing her attention. Like a bull in a china shop or a kid in a candy store, the appeal and zeal of so many things left her both restless and fervent, eager to go in all directions. The Spriggans though, in rapt details, seemed like pocket-sized fun, like miniature Fae. “Oooh, I haven’t. How cute!”

melita

then I became the fire

Iskra

Her clarifier earns a swift chuckle of understanding and appreciation. ”Oh, so nothing but annoying if it’s not well earned, I get it now.” Much like a crow’s obnoxious caw could be maddening, especially when it ruins a well-laid nap, but boy is it fun to caw over a bridge and pester random passersby.

Unsurprised to find her double-fisting chaos, he steps in with her as they press in on the echoshark exhibit. His immaturity flashes immediately at the word douchecanoe, shoulders riding up with a snicker, a sneaking glance cast about the area for some offense to enrich the experience further, an uppity mother hen stalking away with child in tow perhaps.

It’s with that look that the spriggans snared him, and easily drawn towards the newest shiny when there’s so many things to marvel at (and more Bingo squares to fill amid new crowds). ”C’mon, let’s go!” he urges, tugging her alongside him with a purposefully long and exaggeratedly silly stride, trying to grab a disapproving glance from everyone on this level before they booked it back up. Grinning, he sweeps her in with a tug of his hand to the platform, just making the cut off for this group as it begins to raise.

[FIN]

You and me belong together, like cold iced tea and warmer weather
Where we lay out late underneath the pines, and we still have fun when the sun won't shine
You and me belong together all the time