Current Affairs

Though he would have welcomed Maeve at his side for this petition, her life was busy enough with wedding planning and searching for her missing son.

And besides, though this request would benefit both humans and Mer, it primarily involved the ocean and Hadama couldn’t help but feel a deep connection to it. That was why he had sought out the underwater shrine to make his prayer, coming in the twilight hour after sunset when the stars were newly risen in the sky and the plankton in the water glowed their brightest.

His offering was a bracelet of seed pearls and obsidian woven through a silver filigree, bringing land and sea together in harmony. He used his magic to sweep the sand from the altar, smoothing a broad hand over the rough stone fondly before setting the bracelet in its center and bowing his head to his chosen goddess and the divine patron of Torchline.

Safrin. I ask your help to bring the humans and Mer closer. To make the travel between our people swifter and easier for us both. We would speed the journey to and from Haulani and the Underwater City, with your blessing. His words were slow and respectful, and there was a small but resilient seed of hope for the future in his prayer.

sweet dreams till sunbeams find you, sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you

The stars lean down as if to press their light upon the mermanta's face, twinkling out a greeting as he makes his plea. Only moments later the warmth of midnight swells and coalesces around Safrin as she slips from the ether and into this moment that Hadama has chosen for them. Dressed simply, the goddess's barefeet slip across the silvery sands as she makes her way toward the edge of the water. Only briefly do her eyes gaze down at the king's offering before she finds his face and her smile widens.

"You always bring the most thoughtful things, Hadama." It was true, too. Once there had been another whose cleverness in fits had won over the goddess's heart, but now...well. No need to muddy the waters.

"Such an undertaking seems wise, especially given the renewed relationships across Torchline." Dropping to her knees at the water's edge, Safrin leans down that Hadama might hear exactly what would be needed to complete such a task.

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Tasks. There is no time limit. There are currently 14 active Torchers. This means 7 unique characters have to participate. Characters can participate more than once. Hadama and Maeve must participate in at least 2 threads each. Ray, Jack, and Harper must participate in at least 1 thread.

1. A ME led by Hadama and Maeve discussing any rules or social norms to be observed while in the underwater city
2. Gather rocks from the Rainbow Road to serve as an indication where the bubble-stream should go.
3. a PQ with at least 2 merfolk marking out the bubble-stream's path, keeping in mind the surrounding wildlife.
4. A thread with at least 3 Torchers compensating for any displaced wildlife.
5. A thread with at least 3 Torchers creating an entrance/exit for the bubble-stream on both ends.

but in your dreams whatever they be, dream a little dream of me

Warmth and light accompanied the goddess, and Hadama lifted his head in welcome as she appeared and brightened the twilight waters in which he swam. She brought with her, too, kind words that settled a satisfied glow of pride and pleasure in the mermanta's chest, and he tilted his head in gratitude for the compliments. He took joy in creation, whether at his mother's forge or in the meals he prepared for his friends, but his duties as King kept him busy enough that he rarely was able to indulge himself anymore. The offerings he made for Safrin were both a sacred undertaking and a quiet personal joy made all the sweeter by her appreciation of them.

That she welcomed his prayer and approved of the request for merging the currents of Torchline's air and sea halves was all that he had hoped for, and he listened carefully to her words.

When she finished he considered the tasks thoughtfully, making sure that he had memorized them word-for-word to take back to Mer and humans alike before he nodded. Thank you, Safrin. I will speak to Maeve and we will tell the others. There was a human council to notify and volunteers to gather, but once that was done they would be hard at work.

The merman looked up at the goddess and the stoic lines of his face eased to a small, peaceful smile. I will see you again soon, I hope. A promise and a question, knowing that not every prayer could always be answered but knowing, too, that he would continue to pray regardless.

~Fin for Dama~