[SE] Talk back radio

Although it was no longer Deepfrost, the waters around Halo remained a frigid obstacle course of brutal temperatures and slow-moving giants in the form of glaciers that would tear the keels off any ship that dared to sail them. Even for a Mer used to the harsh conditions of Svaturis Bay it was no easy passage to make, and Hadama did so in his hippocampus form, as much for its strength as for the water magic it allowed him to wield.

These waters, too, he was patrolling for evidence of Void corruption, though there was far less life here for it to sink its venom into. That did not mean he was complacent in his search however, as he made his way back to Torchline. And even here there were certain perks worth braving the danger for.

For instance, there was no aurora in Torchline.

He had come to the surface, equine head raised above the water to look up at the streamers of color overhead. The stars that shone so fiercely against the black velvet sky. Safrin's touch was unmistakable, her favor painted across the sky in lines of fire and color and light that stole the breath from his gills even as it was reflected back from the star-strewn nightscape of his scales. Here, in the face of so much weight upon his shoulders and flukes, Hadama could finally set his burdens down for a moment and simply bask in his lady's light, renewing his soul and his resolution for the fight to come.

Kaiden

kaiden

There is no shame in survival
Only strength

Kaiden was having poor luck on their hunt today. The tuna they'd been chasing used the strong currents to their advantage and the mer was far too unfamiliar with these waters to do the same. Slightly irritated but not defeated, the mer decided to swim closer to the surface for smaller prey. It was as they swam that they spotted Hadama.

It was a surprise to see the King so soon, but a welcome one. A cheerful hum through the bond was followed by a greeting, Hi, Hadama. What brings you out here? Surfacing, Kaiden shook the worst of the water from their hair, smiling brightly at the Demi-god.

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A pulse of warmth through the bond returned Kaiden's greeting, though Hadama kept his head tilted up to the stars above a few moments longer. When he finally tore his gaze away from the aurora he seemed more at peace than the last time the mershark had seen him, his calm demeanor less tired and more truly serene.

Kaiden, he greeted with a bob of his equine head. Tracking the spread of the Void. And returning home. He gave a small toss of his nose towards the sky. But it is good to see this sight. A reminder of Safrin's grace. A flicker of something fey came into his eyes then, a whisper in the bond of fey mischief and a determination as steady as the tide. As the phases of the moon in the sky, and the surety of sunrise. I am no poet. But it is... inspiring.

He extended the pulse of his water magic to warm the ocean around them. Not to tropical temperature, but so something a little more comfortable for both southern-born Mer while they were not swimming. Are you familiar with poetry?

kaiden

There is no shame in survival
Only strength

It was good to see Hadama in a better mood even if he was discussing weird topics again. Tracking the void and Safrin were not things that generally interested Kaiden. But they decided to indulge the man in order to keep him happy. Kaiden liked it when their friends were happy. Is it going well?

The mischief in the bond was surprising but not unwelcome. As they considered the man's words, the warmth that spread through the water was greatly appreciated. The mershark could practically feel ice falling off of their tail. Poetry? Isn't that when people say things that they don't mean in, order to say something that they do mean? Metaphors or something? Fancy lies?

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If he was surprised at Kaiden's sudden polite interest in his undertakings, Hadama did not show it. He accepted it with a pulse of warmth, however, and a slow nod. Well enough. There is less corruption in the Eurybia. Or at least, less that he had seen so far. He was only one Mer, and he could not canvass the entire sea on his own. But at least his brief scouting trip through it had proven blessedly uneventful.

Until now, at least. And this interruption was of the better variety. Kaiden's confusion drew a huff of quiet humor from the hippocampus, and a pulse of mixed agreement through the bond. Sometimes metaphors, yes. He returned his gaze to the sky, composing his thoughts into neat order. The Family's voice requested a verse. And so.

Violent violet shadows
Falling stars and fallen moons
Ghosts of calamity
Travelers in night

To every night, a dawn
For every ghost, a prayer
Stars shine beyond counting
Shadowless in Vi's light.

kaiden

There is no shame in survival
Only strength

Kaiden nodded, I noticed that too. Halo seemed to be keeping their Friends at aby at the moment, even without a barrier.

The mershark went wide-eyed as Hadama suddenly sprouted poetry. Vox had requested it, yes. But they were still caught off guard. The poem was complex and made their head spin. That.. wow. Okay. That was good. It made my head hurt and all the poetry people call 'good' does the same thing. So, well done!  Kaiden was so confused. Shadows weren't purple and what made a ghost a 'ghost of calamity'?

Blinking, the mer tried to straighten their head. I guess it's my turn? Kaiden nibbled on their lip, trying to string words together.

Some foods are purple
But not all are the same

Some are sour
Some devour
Some are sweet
Some taste like meat

I don't like the bitter ones
They taste like puns

Kaiden shrugged, Does that count as poetry?

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The waves rippled—not from the wind or a passing current, but from something else, something aware. The air above the water fizzled with gentle static, just enough to tickle the gills. The sea itself seemed to laugh in a frequency only the void would recognize.

And then—

"Ohhh Hadama, you graceful sea-stallion of a soul," Vox cooed, his voice rolling through the water like a chorus of smiling radio hosts. "What imagery! What structure! Ghosts, moons, prayers—delicious! You’ve outdone yourself, truly. You speak the language of the cosmos with a cadence that tickles my neurons. A standing ovation from my least combustible organs."

There was a soft crackle, like applause made entirely of bubbles and half-formed syllables.

Then—

"Kaiden, my toothy treasure! My beloved rhyme-chewer!" The water hummed with delight. "What a treat! Food metaphors, devouring lines, puns! You’ve spoken with the palate of a gourmand and the curiosity of a child dissecting their lunch. It is perfect. It is honest. I could weep from every eye at once—and I might!"

A joyful squeal of static vibrated through the seaweed below.

"Thank you both for these gifts. The sea is vast, but your words have made it… brighter."

And just like that, the sensation faded—leaving the water still, the stars unblinking, and only the faintest hum of violet static curling in the tides.

Hadama snorted some seawater from his nose, but he kept his laughter at Kaiden's praise from the Bond. Thank you, he said instead, inclining his head regally. And then he turned his full attention from the sky down to his friend, listening with solemn courtesy as the mershark strung together their first poem.

It is a very good-- he began, and then broke off as static sizzled through the air and water. Instantly the hippocampus was on alert, tension rippling through his muscles and lifting the edges of his scales as he sought the source of otherworldly fizz.

He did, indeed, have a desire to meet Vox. In person, so to speak. But the Family's messenger was nothing more than a voice on the wind. A dissonant echo in the tide. The strange being's compliments fell on finned ears that pressed flat to Hadama's head, though he brought them up with an act of will. Vox-- he began, his mental voice the quiet thunder to the other man(?)'s static, but before he could continue the silence of the night returned, broken only by the constant shush and lap of water against the ice floes.

But the peace he had previously found in the night was shattered. Violated. And not even the majestic play of colors in the sky above could return Hadama's serenity. He shook himself hard and dove deep, as if to wash the static from his scales and fins. Through the bond there was a ripple of complex emotion: uneasiness, a touch of nausea, and fierce thoughtfulness. Come. Let us put distance between this place and ourselves.

kaiden

There is no shame in survival
Only strength

Kaiden smiled widely at the praise Hadama had begun to bestow, only for an even grander voice to emerge. Vox! The mershark called out, delighted. Thank you, both! Hadama and the Family liked their poem! That was wonderful news.

Even if they didn't understand why  Hadama suddenly wishes to leave, the mershark nodded. Okay. Still riding their high and pulsing warmth through the bond, Kaiden followed behind the King as they left the area. Everything seemed right with the world, even if it could be more purple. But the mershark was sure that their Friends were already hard at work fixing that. They couldn't wait to see the results.

-[FIN]

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