[SE] undercover

Chrys

Word had spread quickly about the unnatural ice in Torchline. And with something so special happening, how could Chrys not go and check it out? She had even heard of the landpeople walking on ice.

And as such, the young mermaid was on her way to the city to take a look not only at the mysterious ice but also at what the people did with it. On the last stretch of their way, she grinned. Wanna see who's at the city first? she asked Hadama, anticipation and curiosity rippling through the bond along with it. She readied herself so she could speed away if he agreed.

Code base by Sky

Ice was a thing of rumor and near-myth in Torchline. Something that happened to other places and people. Water, colder than the depths of the Maw, hardened to be like glass or brittle stone.

Hadama was fascinated by the concept, though he hid it well behind his stoic mask.

Chrys hadn't needed to work very hard to convince him to check it out, once word filtered down to the Underwater City, and he followed gracefully beside her as they navigated the canals into the human city. At the suggestion of a race he tilted his head, pretending to give it his usual thoughtful consideration before nodding slowly with mischief in his eyes. Indeed. And with that single word he flattened himself beneath the water and stroked forward with his broad manta wings, racing towards the place where Rae's touch had transformed liquid water into a tropical winter wonderland.

Chrys

At the moment confirmation came from Hadama, Chrys darted off with a pulsating movement of the bell. And surprisingly fast at that. Once almost at the city, the first spot of ice was already visible and she adjusted course to reach it. Even without turning her head, she knew Hadama was close on her trail.

In an attempt to win the race, Chrys didn't slow down until the last moment, more or less crashing into the ice from below, startling a few people who had looked at it from the surface. Still, she had a wide grin on her face as she looked around to check on Hadama.

Code base by Sky

He was a strong swimmer, but Chrys - younger, eager, and hungry to win - shot past him with a surprising turn of speed. He redoubled his efforts, staying close behind her, but he wasn't able to make up the distance between them before she reached the first slab of ice floating in the canal.

He was able to twist, avoiding crashing into her or the ice by skimming by below and then swimming back around to check on her, concern showing briefly through his stoic expression. "Are you hurt?" he asked, coming up to tap his knuckles on the ice from below, startling the people above afresh. It was hard as crystal, and frigid as the depths, and he spread his fingers to press his hand flat against it. "It is like glass, but so thick..."