All the stars have fallen asleep

When the quest was done the Kuali'i Isles would be safe from the Void. It was a future that Hadama was very much looking forward to, even if it was still a month or two away. The usual dangers of Torchline would remain of course: orcas, echo sharks, storms, and the occasional monster or volcanic eruption, but at least they would not carry the danger of infection from a corrupting otherworldly influence.

In the meantime, however, the Tidebreaker still sent out regular patrols of Mer and human guards, and occasionally took a rotation himself.

He appreciated the opportunity to swim the peripheries of the isles and bask in the beauty of his region. He appreciated as well the simple distinction between the purple-tinged invaders and the native flora and fauna that he sought to protect. After a day spent wrestling with difficult decisions in the Court of Stars or the palace below the waves, the catharsis of being out and doing was as welcome as it was necessary for a change of pace.

The sunset was a fading fury of orange beneath clouds of dark grey that hid the stars and moon above when Hadama beached himself on one of the islands with its covering of dune grasses and scrubby bushes. His tail split into trousered legs and he stood to walk to the highest point, leaning on his trident as he looked out across the Arclight and the rest of the Kuali'i Isles scattered around his current perch. Invariably his emerald gaze turned towards Aumakua, seeking the light of its beacon before drifting further towards the violet darkness that crouched on the distant horizon: an enigma and a threat to all he held dear.

Jude

Jude

I was born and bred in flowers
Sun-kissed in my darkest hours

After being scared straight in the woods against a creature he’d been deeply unprepared to face, Jude is still rather rattled to say the least. The calm of a sinking sun is his comfort for the evening, and though he isn’t expecting company in any form or figure, it’s not unwelcome when it comes. Hadama doesn’t seem to notice Jude at first which isn’t surprising given how he’s huddled against the season’s colder air next to a large barnacle-covered rock. 

Jude considers remaining there, silent and unseen, if only for the King to have his moment of peace too. At least until the memory of their last meeting resurfaces. Wincing, Jude stands and zips his coat up to his chin as he walks barefoot toward the Tidebreaker, the sound of his movement in the sand surely announcing his presence without any of Jude’s trademark awkward commentary or noises. 

“It’s a beautiful night,” he comments in a quiet tone, as if speaking any louder might ruin that exact quality. “Or, it will be. Are you on patrol?” He stuffs his hands into his coat pockets, awkward and uncertain, but at least not drunk and angry. It’s a small improvement but an improvement nonetheless.

Lavender forever, hummingbird weather
Dewey like grass in the night

The only sign that Hadama was not expecting company was the brief tightening of his fingers on the haft of the trident as the sound of shifting sand reached his ears, but the Tidebreaker turned his head without hurry to regard the wind-blown young man who had emerged from the shadow of the rocks. From boy to man, he was still an unexpected sight in his gangly height and almost-adult face, but the twisted pain and temper that had last been so openly displayed on his face was not in sight today and Hadama relaxed imperceptibly, tilting his head in welcome.

"Mmh. Indeed," he agreed solemnly to the comment on the weather. The sunset was, indeed, spectacular, though it boded a stormy night ahead. "I have just finished. An enshadowed tumsea was coming too close to the Miana Pool. And the echo sharks have grown bolder near the Rainbow Road." He looked back to Aumakua, where Vi had briefly blessed him with His presence. His voice dropped to a low rumble of admission as he looked to the light that shone from the tower. "The ward on the Arclight cannot be completed soon enough."

Then he gave a single shake of his head and returned his calm emerald gaze to Jude. "Have you been well?" Better, at least, then he had been at their last meeting the King hoped.

Jude

I was born and bred in flowers
Sun-kissed in my darkest hours

Hadama’s subtle reaction slips right past Jude, so the impression of unflappability that Jude (and likely many others) has of the man remains perfectly untarnished for another day. 

It’s not surprising for Hadama to mention the void creatures - even if he hadn’t been patrolling, it’s all anyone seems capable of talking about. Jude, meanwhile, can only look out over the water in a vain attempt to conceal his discomfort. Living alone (cat aside) with no weapons, abilities, political or personal leverage, and no physical benefits to speak of means Jude has a painfully high risk of being victimized by any turns in the tense territory games keeping all the regions occupied. He is already an anxious individual; thinking about it for too long is practically crippling. Can’t some other big event happen soon so people will have something else to talk about? Where are all the drama stirrers when Jude personally needs them?

“Shouldn’t be too much longer, right?” He tries for an optimistic angle to his smile, but the truth is Jude has no clue where they are in the process. All he’d helped with was placing a bunch of rocks and then he’d happily stuck his head back in the side. “I’m glad you and Flora were able to get a response from Vi. It’s gotta be a good omen.” A show of support for their plans, right? The big three - oops, four - are infamously rare to see or summon so Jude assumes that means they’re right to be taking up arms against the Family instead of joining up. 

Shrugging stiffly, Jude laughs awkwardly under his breath. “Anything is better than you last saw, right?” Wait, crap, don’t give an opening to talk about all that. “Um I’m mostly just trying to do things Safrin assigned me. Oh, and my brother is in the Grounds now - I just got back from visiting him.” Unintentionally his tone lilts upward like a question as if uncertain whether either of those actually count toward answering the question. If Hadama meant to ask after Jude’s mental and emotional state instead of his to-do list then it certainly went over Jude’s head because the king should have no reason to care about a random citizen now that it’s clear Jude is no longer drunk and disorderly.

Lavender forever, hummingbird weather
Dewey like grass in the night

Come play!M

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 lucks, 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.

Torchline's leaders and many of its citizens were working to ensure that those like Jude could live in relative peace and safety within their region's borders. With Halo and the Hollowed Grounds undertaking much the same, Hadama was optimistic that the regular people would still be able to maintain a semblance of safety and normality while the demigods, leaders, and hero-types (reluctant or otherwise) put themselves at risk for whatever reasons moved them.

But the work was not yet done.

"Indeed. Only three tasks remain," he acknowledged with a tilt of his head. "And then the Arclight will be protected." Then only the Coast would remain, but he was certain that they would be able to pull together for that, too. Jude's optimism, whether forced or not, melted some of the tension from his eyes and his stoic expression eased to a more natural serenity as he considered the young man beside him.

The little laugh and the true words put a faint crinkle to the corners of Hadama's eyes and he inclined his head in silent acknowledgment of that truth - that the last time they had met had been a truly low point in the young man's life. He still did not look happy, but he was not falling apart in rage and frustration at the moment, and the Tidebreaker was content to count that as an improvement. "Edmund will be missed from Torchline," he confirmed with genuine regret in his voice. "I am glad you are keeping in touch with him." But his emerald gaze gleamed with interest at the mention of Safrin. "You have chosen Safrin as well?" he asked curiously. "May I he--"

The words were lost in the sudden cries from the water, and the ease left the King's face as his expression closed off again. He looked sharply to the ocean where several fins cut the water and a low, rumbling hmm emerged from the depths of his broad chest before he finally shook his head and looked back to Jude, nodding for the young man to continue. "Apologies. How was our Lady when you saw her?"

Jude

I was born and bred in flowers
Sun-kissed in my darkest hours

"I'm glad it's so soon," he offers, equally - privately - glad that he hasn't been tasked with helping any of the other teams. His painful loneliness always seems to war with his inability to operate properly around other people, and he's not sure it will ever be better than it is now.

Jude's smile turns down slightly with the sadness that always comes on the heels of mentioning his brother, and Hadama's gesture is so meaningful and kind but it doesn't make it any less painful. "Of course. He's my brother - doesn't matter where he goes, really, he's stuck with me." His smile is a lopsided reincarnation of Harper's, but his mother's eyes are lonely in his pale face.

The interruption of the echo sharks makes his shoulders climb toward his ears, uncomfortable but admittedly accustomed to such ominous pleas and cries. When you grow up between the Greatwood and Torchline it's practically a lullaby. "I was worried she wouldn't be ready for visitors but she seemed completely healed, and was as kind as I remember her being as a kid." He'd been worried that heralds could be infected when damaged too, but maybe that was just him having far too little faith in their celestial constitution and might.

Lavender forever, hummingbird weather
Dewey like grass in the night

They had only asked for volunteers to help with the tasks; willing hands were welcome, but there was nothing to be gained from trying to bully, bribe, or intimidate anyone into participating - at least, not by Torchline's King. Her Queen was the more socially adept of the two, and no one could deny the effectiveness of her methods.

But it was Jude who he was focused on now. The young man held echoes of both of his parents in his eyes, his nose, the wave of his hair, and the reminders of old friends were carefully tucked away to contemplate later. Jude was not them anymore than Edmund was.

"He is lucky to have you," the Tidebreaker rumbled quietly. He might have reached out, but Jude looked uncomfortable enough in his own skin that the Tidebreaker remained still and contained. At least until the topic of Safrin arose, and his eyes grew light with the quiet pleasure and adoration the goddess cultivated in him. "Mmh. And Safrin is lucky to have you, too. I would be honored to help, if you would like company." The offer was made with a simple straightforwardness as he inclined his head deeply to his fellow follower of the celestial lady, though his tone held the calm acceptance of whichever answer Jude chose: yes or no. "May I ask... why you chose her over Frey?" With his mother being that god's demigoddess it might have been the obvious choice.

But whether that played a role in Jude's decision Hadama could not say, and would not guess without the young man's own words to guide his understanding.

Jude

I was born and bred in flowers
Sun-kissed in my darkest hours

Jude flushes slightly, pleased with the compliment but equally inclined to instinctively disagree. Edmund has done more for him than the reverse in his eyes. Loyalty, devotion - those are traits he has never seen be rewarded, not by his fellow men and women. What fealty he has witnessed has always been temporary and misleading. Promised eternity that is never actualized.

It's a fitting sour note to aid in the response to Hadama's question, expression becoming slightly twisted. "People follow Frey because they encourage individual desires and goals, even if they don't serve Frey's. They don't want much of us. And that's great." For some. Jude's eyes go past Hadama's shoulder to the waters beyond, beginning to turn purple as the sunset fades away. Soon Safrin's silver light will be the only light to lead them home."But I don't want that. I want to follow a herald who will appreciate my devotion. If I'm going to serve someone, why shouldn't it be with all my heart?" He could surely do so for Frey, but it wouldn't mean as much to Frey as it would to Safrin. "Humans don't care about loyalty enough. I do. I think Safrin does too." If Jude can't trust his heart in the hands of mortals, he'll lay it on Safrin's altar and let her choose what to do with it.

Physically shaking himself to try and banish the strange gloom-and-doom settling on his shoulders, he offers a wan smile. "I'd appreciate the help, but I'm not sure you can. I have to hurt someone with my words, and lie to help someone. I don't want to do that to you." It would also feel particularly wrong given Hadama's status as his King. Nevertheless, he appreciates the offer.

Lavender forever, hummingbird weather
Dewey like grass in the night

Only the gods could give Jude eternity, but if that was what he sought then Hadama - biased and not inclined to pretend otherwise - was pleased that he had chosen Safrin for his loyalty and he stood easier while they spoke. Rewards there would be and in plenty so long as he was true in return, as the Tidebreaker had experienced for himself.

Frey was not a god that he was familiar with on any personal level, and Hadama listened with quiet interest as Jude laid out his thoughts. He nodded gravely in agreement to serving with one's whole heart and there was a softening of his expression at the jadedness - not without reason - that the young man displayed and his trust in the goddess. "She does," he confirmed, his voice a deep rumble of certainty. "And she will return your devotion."

The light was failing but a few breaks had appeared in the clouds overhead and several stars shone down as if in benevolent counterpoint to their conversation. That, combined with a smile that though wan at least was a smile, lifted Hadama's spirits so that when Jude explained his conundrum the King considered it without concern. "I am glad for that," he said quietly, inclining his head in gratitude for the young man's kindness. "But if it will help your quest then I do not mind if you lie to me." Emerald eyes twinkled faintly as the sun finished its descent. "Tonight, or another day if you would like time to think of one." A lie did not have to be harmful, after all. It could even be a prank or a falsehood born from kindness.

"Would you like company back to Haulani?" he offered, now that the darkness was growing only deeper as the minutes passed. And perhaps this would be a chance for a small lie, one way or another, if Jude took him at his word.

Jude

I was born and bred in flowers
Sun-kissed in my darkest hours

Hadama’s certainty takes the stirred up, emotive air out of Jude’s sails, but it’s not a negative feeling. He hasn’t talked about Safrin with another person since Ronin, but it had been so brief compared to everything else they’d done that it scarcely counts in his memory. He’s not sure he’s even told anyone aside from Hadama about visiting her except Zavien, who had similarly helped with his quest. It makes his chest ache with a strange mixture of gratitude for the King, and painful loneliness over having nobody but his cat to tell these momentous stories to. The balm of it all is Hadama’s certainty - that Safrin will return that faith, and reward it similarly. Coming from her demigod, it feels like a promise echoed down from Safrin herself, and Jude’s riveted and heartbreakingly open expression in that moment - even when turned upon Hadama and not the herald herself - is appropriately worshipful. 

“Thank you,” he murmurs faintly, clearly affected. And maybe a bit enchanted, Hadama’s objective handsomeness and the thematic light of the moon rather unfairly powerful against a young bisexual boy’s minimal defenses. 

Lying to him, therefore, seems rather hilariously off-color. The offer stands for a few empty moments, and Jude quite visibly continues to consider even after Hadama makes his offer for company. It’s another moment of backwards gratitude - because Jude doesn’t want company, or to even return to Haulani yet. Danger aside he’d been planning to wander more or perhaps even sleep on the isle they stand on. But Hadama has been working and patrolling for however long. Maybe this is where the helping part of the lie comes in? If Jude can help pull him from his path of rather literal pacing, maybe the Tidebreaker will rest sooner tonight, or at least remain closer to the heart of Torchline where people with better morals than Jude can reach Hadama with their words and gestures more readily than these open waters. 

Lying and swallowing down his discomfort with socializing for Hadama’s benefit - more than just the benefit to his quest - makes that same moment of realization wash over him that he’d experienced with Zavien. Safrin has been steering him this entire time and Jude is overwhelmed with gratitude for both her and her demigod in this moment. It makes it easy to smile when he replies, content with this kind of lie. “Yeah, I would. Let’s go.” Jude pulls his hands from his pockets to better sell his willingness, but his smile is genuine and the most relaxed it’s been all night as it brightens up his face. It lingers the whole way back to Haulani with Hadama at his side. 

- Fin!

Lavender forever, hummingbird weather
Dewey like grass in the night