Breathe deep

In trying to find a way for the humans of Haulani to spend more time beneath the waves - without the wholesale slaughter of cloud mantas - the Mer King's search had brought him back to the Greatwood. Rumor had it that there was a type of algae here that might solve his problem, and as he swam through the sunken forest he contemplated the air-filled spheres that gathered beneath the roots.

But he had no way to test them himself.

Plucking one from its perch, he rose to the surface to look around, hoping to spot one of the Fae. His skin was dark as he lifted himself partway out of the water, contrasting with the metallic steely glint of his long, bound-back hair. His torso was muscular and crossed with scars that had been tattooed over with gold ink that spidered across his body like living kintsugi. Emerald eyes peered across the Stonesong as he moved slowly towards one of the shores. Across his back was slung a trident with tines of starlight, though his brow was marked only with a silvered headband set with an emerald jewel the same shade as his eyes.

Lilitu

LILITU

Lilitu walked along the river's edge, being careful to not fall into the deep-water beside her. She wasn't looking to go for a swim anytime soon. The rushing of the water was a calming sound, but if she fell in... that wouldn't be very calming at all.

She enjoyed long walks out in nature, perhaps it was due to her shifted form, the Maned Wolf, or in general she just likes long walks. She doesn't particularly know, nor care about the why at this moment in time.

It would have been more enjoyable, walking alongside the water as a maned wolf, but she didn't want to take the chance and falling in, seeing as she couldn't swim particularly well. A very weak swimmer she was... doggy paddle in human form doesn't really count as good at swimming anyways.

Lilitu noticed someone in the water, swimming towards shore. If they drown, they'll drown. Lilitu isn't going to risk her life saving someone... Lilitu squinted her eyes to get a better look at the person only to see some type of fish tail.

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He had been looking for a Fae, but it was a human who caught his eye first. After a moment's consideration he changed course and headed for her. In his estimation, Fae wings might not do so well under water but a human should have no such trouble. He ducked beneath the surface so that he could move more swiftly and easily, and rose again near the dark-haired woman with his bubble of Ringing Algae still in tow.

He pushed his wet hair back in one habitual motion as he studied her for a long moment from calm green eyes. His expression was serenely stoic and a little bit thoughtful as he contemplated his greeting and then he inclined his head briefly.

"Greetings." His voice was deep and low, like the quiet rumble of distant summer thunder. "I am Hadama." His tail moved lazily beneath the ripples of the Stonesong, just enough to hold him steady. "Do you know this place?" The Mer were primarily denizens of Torchline and the Arclight Ocean. The great War of the previous year, however, had changed the world drastically and the Greatwood had become far more accessible to his people, though they were still a rare sight in the recently-drowned woods.

LILITU

The man submerged under the water, and Lilitu shrugged. She wasn't sure if what she saw was true or not. Did he have a fish tail, or did he not? Or was she hallucinating or was she not? Personally, she hadn't ever seen a Mer before, so she wasn't entirely sure. That man can drown for all she cares. She isn't saving anyone today. Lilitu jumped as a head emerged from the water, followed by his voice in greeting.

"Shit! You scared the flying fuck— ooh! You are a fish person afterall!" Lilitu beamed. "I do live in the Greatwood."

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Green eyes simply watched the woman as she was startled by his reappearance. Strange, he'd thought she'd noticed him before...

Her words were rough but Hadama was used to dealing with the merchants of Torchline and Kaiden as well; neither of which were particularly known for their refined conversation. He simply tilted his head in acknowledgment of her statement. "I am Hadama, of the Mer," he confirmed in his simple, unadorned way, introducing himself as he did so. "It is a pleasure to meet you. Are you familiar with these?" He brought the patch of ringing algae and its air bubble to just below the surface where the woman could see it from where she stood.

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Ringing Algae (common - Greatwood) - A species of massive algae that grows in the underwater caverns of the Stone Symphony. Due to its size, the air bubbles it produces are large and sturdy enough for a human to stick their head into and breathe for a time, however doing so will cause a period of tinnitus to follow.