along the current

Deimos

walked from revelation to revelation
came back storm-drenched

Flowerbirth hadn’t permitted any of them to be idle – no slow birdsong at dawn to awaken them to the first light of morning after LongNight – just the crushed mantle of stone and a barbaric slate of sedition contorted deep in his bones. And from there, he’d traversed and met and planned, all to the, hopeful momentum bringing them here today.

Underwater – where maybe they wouldn’t be overheard.

To be fair, it’d been one of the first meetings he’d ever had in the fathoms, but given the state of things, he was simply content to have motion in their machinations. With some calculations in place, he’d given Evie overviews, cherished his family, and then set off – until they were amidst the Marketplace, and he was stretched out in Bakunawa form – features as nonchalant as ever.

Turning to his constituents, and making sure his tail didn’t hit any kiosks, the Attuned bond varnished over. It will be nice to hear good news, but perhaps that was too much of a presumption at this point.

through shattered mountains and aching famine
stronger than all of it

promise me you won't die

having never skinny-dipped

A request to be seen in the Underwater City was a new one, but Sunjata’d come mostly prepared. While he could travel as an orca for most of it and talk through the attuned bond, having hands available was quite important, he thinks. So he’d snagged a manta crystal before meeting the ocean comfortably, wearing it and testing it first of course – because it was the only way that could actually kill him and he’s a bit nervous, sue him.

Content with how it worked, he ensures its secured against his throat before he partially shifts and makes his way there, using his water magic to help speed up the process, until the attuned variant of a merman arrives at the Spiral Marketplace, finding Deimos and his massive shift almost immediately, drawn in but far enough away to not be sucked into the lull of Deimos’ shift. Gods, you could say that again. Sunjata exhales the mental sigh, his dark shark bite scarred tail weaving easily in the water to keep him still and upright.

in the moonlight

SuNJATA

Indeed.

The Mer King was in his most comfortable shape as he joined the great Bakunawa and the more casual mer-orca. And as he drew close enough, the StAer ring on his finger would help to bolster Sunjata's crystal, allowing the other demigod to breathe freely in the Tidebreaker's presence. Thank you both for coming.

The Marketplace was bustling around them, a constant chatter of deals and bargains being struck, wares being offered, and the ebb and flow of the voices of families and friends wandering through the shops filling the Attuned bond. Though neither Hadama nor Deimos were in any way stealthy, neither were they particularly easy to overhear among so many other conversations, and they were not making any particular attempt to hide.

Just three friends, meeting deep underwater to discuss the healing power of facials.

I have good news for all of us. And gifts for you both. If there was a tension in his mental voice, an overabundance of control that seemed to belie his words, he did not allow the emotions attached to it to leak into the Bond or his carefully neutral expression. He pulled a pair of boxes from the mesh bag at his side, offering them to the Flood and the Sword. Or at least, holding it out for the Bakunawa to inspect, with the intention of handing it over once they returned to the surface and Deimos had hands again. Flora and I found these facial masks to bring good fortune. And the floral scent is very relaxing. The boxes did indeed contain a pink facial mud, and the waterproof packaging had been imprinted with a small lily in the corner beneath the boutique's branding.

And Sunjata's box was distinctly heavier, containing in addition a black stone and a note explaining what it did, written in Hadama's careful, clean hand. When you are ready, perhaps we could try them together. The Tidebreaker inclined his head solemnly to his fellow rulers, who also shouldered a great deal of stress and burdens of responsibility in these violet-shadowed times.

Deimos

walked from revelation to revelation
came back storm-drenched

They all came together again, shifts and animals alike. He ignored the several startled looks from passing Mer. If he were in a more mischievous mood, he might have shifted his tail and seen how many he could scatter, but based on the particulars and specifics of the meeting, he opted to stay on his best behavior.

His focus and attention went back upon Hadama anyway, ears twisting and turning at the notions of better tidings. Eyes narrowing slightly at the word ‘facials’ (not a single soul would be surprised to hear he’d never had one), he half-wondered about the peculiarities of the arrangement, nares flaring as he smelled the heady floral scent, and the distinct portions of mud. His nose wrinkled slightly, head tilting in that very predacious way to trying to decipher information. Or if he could avoid this so-called relaxing session altogether.

And then spotted the lily, imprinted within corners.

For half a moment, he stilled entirely, striving to catch the meaning. Did you make a new discovery then? Uncertain and alluding too – never sure how far down within fathoms others could listen through machinating minds and communication.

through shattered mountains and aching famine
stronger than all of it

promise me you won't die

having never skinny-dipped

Gifts? Comes Sunjata’s immediate surprise, the Flood blinking through the water to look over at Hadama curiously. Because he does still have hands, Frey’s demigod reaches forth to take the box, inspecting it curiously before nodding to hear the announcement of facial masks. And while he was often quite daft with subtle cues, this is one that he gets quickly.

The imprint of the lily in the corner has his gaze immediately shooting up to Hadama and to Deimos in turn, searching for the larger creature’s expression, before hearing Deimos’ question. He takes a slow and deep breath as if testing the water again, before he nods. I would like that. Sunjata says, by means of the box in his hands. He feels something rattle within it that confuses him, but he glances back to Hadama with a tilt of his head, questioningly. Is there anything else I can get for the spa day? Now that he’s sure they’re all on the same page when it came to what exactly the spa meant.

in the moonlight

SuNJATA

Yes. Hadama met the much larger gaze of the bakunawa and held it for a moment before inclining his head in a slow, deep nod. Towards the box, and the packaging upon it. New. But much needed. They could not lead their people if they did not take of themselves. They could not protect them, either, without stepping outside of their comfort zones. Challenging expectations.

Among other things they could challenge.

Hadama tilted his head at Sunjata, meeting his eyes next and repeating his nod. Mmh. Bring what I have given you. And a way for us to remain hydrated. I have been told that it is important at the... spa. For demigods who drew power from water, especially.

His tail moved slowly through the water beneath him as he lapsed back into quiet, but before they could suggest they end the meeting he drew in a deep breath of seawater through his gills and then expelled it in a controlled hum. I have a request, Sunjata. Though a flick of his eyes included Deimos in the moment, a witness to what came next. You know what it is to be Safrin's demigod. The... limits of her patience. But I would like to give my respects to Frey, as well. Would you do so for me? When next you make an offering at the alter in your Refuge. Again his hand slipped into the bag at his side and withdrew a box. It was smaller, inconspicuous. Wrapped tightly to protect it from the water and weighing almost nothing.

But it held a note of thanks for the gods of nature, and an offering of seeds gathered from the most beautiful seaflowers on the reef. Frey - and Rae - would know why.

Deimos

walked from revelation to revelation
came back storm-drenched

Though the trepidation would eventually start again, the Sword couldn’t help the pleased snort from rumbling through, pervading amidst the water in a series of bubbles. A spark, an ignition, a kindling of progress – he wasn’t the most optimistic individual, but these notions were far more than what they’d had in seasons.

At the request towards the Flood, his bakunawa head turned and tilted, pondering over the complexities. Though it wasn’t said out loud, anything for the Refuge was likely going to be a massive necessity. Quite a find, he ventured, curious to the how it had been acquired, but leaving that open for Hadama to explain, if he felt it was warranted under the fathoms.

The other item Sunjata would be carrying though likely required some finer details. The stone is useful as well – a different sort of mask. It may seem familiar, based on your prior circumstances.

Turning to them at large, he pondered further, eyes flickering briefly towards the surface. We should probably take these moments as soon as possible.

through shattered mountains and aching famine
stronger than all of it

promise me you won't die

having never skinny-dipped

Nodding decisively toward Hadama, the gears in Sunjata’s head start working. He could certainly do that, even though he had the ability to conjure from nothing. It never hurt to have a back up, he supposes. But when it comes to the request, his brows pinch, head tilting slightly as he focuses on the words, reading between them the best he could, shark bite scarred tail carrying him forward enough to snag the second package.

Nodding, there’s a moment of hesitation in him before the realization sinks in and he snaps his attention to Hadama. He doesn’t know what’s in it, but imagines finding favor from any of the old gods at present was a good idea.

Of course. I’m happy to do that for you. He confirms, securing the smaller one amongst the larger one. His gaze flits to Deimos next, nodding, because if he had to guess what it was, based off of what Deimos has implied, it’s irreplaceable. I’ve worn one like it before. He agrees, unsure how all of these things have happened but is certainly not complaining.

A crooked smile blooms on his face in the sudden relief in his shoulders, though, a nod given to both men. Sounds good to me.

in the moonlight

SuNJATA

A personal request, only, he explained to Deimos with a stoic shake of his head. For the Refuge - or the Citadel - they would need to do some hunting of their own. But perhaps it was time to consider such an outing, once they had finished putting themselves in hot water a little closer to Torchline.

He bowed deeply with gratitude to Sunjata, his hair floating in the water behind him, and then fell silent as Deimos offered more direction as to the proper application of the masks that the Flood had just collected. The Sword's recommendation was met with a quiet indication of agreement in the Bond as Sunjata spoke the words aloud, and so Hadama finished with.

Would you be available two days from now? I have set the afternoon aside as a... personal day.

Deimos

walked from revelation to revelation
came back storm-drenched

With information and offerings extended, the last few plans could settle into place. There was always more to be done, and all the allusions in the world couldn’t mask the onslaught they’d be facing in a few days time. He twisted his massive head in a forbearing nod, but granted the same notions through their bond just the same. Yes. I can make that work. It’d give him time to warn and ensure things were in accord, should he not be able to return to his post in Halo. I will let you both know if I hear anything else before then as well. He worried about the state of letters nowadays, if Vox was reading them alongside all the poems – but they could figure out an alternative.

through shattered mountains and aching famine
stronger than all of it

promise me you won't die

having never skinny-dipped

Hopefully there was enough time to work on every other endeavor once this portion was done. But for right now, with a plan already in place, the Flood nods. He makes the mental note of when to be available – as if he had anything else going on other than his endless search for roses or lilies. This was still part of that, a relaxation for any ears listening to any internal thoughts.

I’ll let you know, too, but I should be good then. Again, without much of a plan other than what he could do, Sunjata was more than capable of doing his best to make sure he would be available when needed for this, wondering for a moment whether some kind of code for their letters would be beneficial.

But that was a problem for another day.

- FIN

in the moonlight

SuNJATA