[center][b]Free Billy[/b][/center]

[u]Quartz [/u]

After Sleipnir’s comment in addition with Quartz‘s quick glance down, he noticed the scorched sand and glossy appearance as he realized the molten centaur couldn’t move. He feverishly wished Eowyn and Sleipnir had stayed back with the fish more than ever now because at least they would’ve been safe, not an open target waiting to be killed. He knew it was pointless to whine over it, what was done couldn’t be undone. However his irritation flared at Sleipnir’s words on a personal level as he realized the spirit had somewhat of an ego, or at least it seemed like it from the over complex words used, that his feathers puffed out in reaction. 

Nature was cruel and unforgiving, it killed without mercy or thought of the consequences creating a world where only the strong survived. Nathair’s scars proved that. The monster was only doing what was needed to survive, granted it was by killing humans which meant she had to be put down before more were lost. He felt a slight twinge of guilt over that fact. Mainly because he was one of the few who could sympathize with the animal’s baser instincts. Instinctively he sighed at the predicament then smoothed over his feathers before he risked a quick peek where Nathair was last seen. He was rewarded by the image of Remia shouting into his holder’s ear, causing them both to flinch from the pain. Immediately something felt different and a relief washed over the serpent. Nathair, on the other hand, looked confused and lost, which made Quartz quietly chuckle. Naturally he suspected this moment won’t last long. Mentally, he connected with Nathair to provide a warning and at least delay the spell’s effect. ‘Welcome back Nathair. I suggest you cover your ears with something or else we will lose you again. While you’re at it, tell Remia thank you for me.’

“That’s one problem down. Now to deal with the mot-,” Quartz started to say out loud before a familiar voice yelled and broke any farther thoughts. 

His feathered head snapped about to spot the PR member, Simon, now ensnared by the smaller fish. The man struggled and tried to rip away, only to be crushed under the larger animal’s weight when its wild movements overwhelmed his attempts. Quartz flinched at the sound of bones cracking as the fish left the corpse behind in its wake, Simon’s body flattened and his limps at odd angles. The last thing the spirit guiltily remembered was the PR’s last name. Getskilled. It was ironic he hadn’t notice then, but now it was so clear he wondered if it was possible it was fated to be. If so, Fate was indeed a morbid mistress. His mild epiphany was short lived when his eye caught more movement. A coral like arm lashed out at him just as another reached for Sleipnir and Eowyn’s combined form. Quartz acted impulsively to evade the grip. He ducked down while his wings popped open, his body instantly jerked into the air to avoid a second try. It was almost completely successful. The salt air swept him into safety until the breeze from the behemoth’s swipe tossed him off course. His body flipped over, diving back into the sand closer to the smaller fish. Grit and dirt flew right up his nostrils, causing him to cough, spit and hack it up. Wiping the sand out of his eyes with his murky eye lid, he turned to see the coral arms had ensnared Eowyn and Sleipnir. 

The serpent froze in place. He couldn’t attack without risking his ally’s safety, their form too close to the beast for Quartz to hit her without his ally being in the cross fire. He hissed in frustration then noticed his new position. He was closer to the smaller fish then before, which was still wildly tossing itself towards the water, when an idea formed in his brain. Quartz knew it was an uncertain chance he was about to take using the young as bait to lure the monster away but it better then nothing. However before he could act on, Eowyn and Sleipnir had shouted something which made him stop in his tracks near the smaller fish. If Quartz had a word for rage, he would certain replace it with Eowyn right then. Heat wafted off in layers, burning the creature's surface as she literally popped into what he thought was smoke and thin air. 

"I wasn't expecting that..." Quartz said with a hint of shock at Eowyn's disappearance, until he spotted a puff of smoke begin to form within the larger one's mouth. 

[u]Nathair[/u]

Nathair felt like he was floating. Light and dreamlike, his mind couldn’t understand why he was like this. Or really cared for that matter as water continued to splash about his pant legs, which left them farther soaked and slowed him down. Surprisingly he wasn’t frustrated but he knew he should’ve been, under normal conditions. Right now… he just didn’t care enough to be. He didn’t see Remia’s figure dart in close to him until his ear was filled by the sudden screams of her voice. Impulsively, his body jerked. His lips pulled up, his teeth bared and released a feral growl in the Rook’s direction. Nathair’s expression might’ve looked more like someone of surprise but in reality he was startled. He body had already hunched over, ready to lounge at her and shield himself from farther loud sounds, while he glared at his team member with a ruffled disposition. The song’s effect was silenced in his head for the moment. 

He blinked at her when he realized who he had been about to defend himself from. Slowly, he straightened himself upright but his look of confusion never ceased. Nor did the ringing in his ears. Tenderly he held his hand to cover his aching ear then spoke, looking at Remia.

 “W-what happened?” 

Quartz’s voice then came into Nathair’s head. The abrupt sounds mingled with Remia’s own result caused him to flinch from it, his eyes narrowed in painful face. ‘Welcome back Nathair. I suggest you cover your ears with something or else we will lose you again. While you’re at it, tell Remia thank you for me.’

“Okay… Quartz says thank you, Remia.” Nathair said without question, despite the need for answers building within him, before he began to peel off his tunic. 

His flesh made goose bumps when he realized too late Remia was beside him and could easily see the numerous scars which dotted his sun tan surface, about six years or more worth currently marred him. He forced that awareness aside to stay on his current task. The material was thin since the day was so blistering hot and the fabric easily tore. He snatched his knife from his hip to aid him as he cut off two strips from the bottom and made the sleeves into two much longer pieces, hopefully long if tied together to wrap about his head. Working quickly, he fashioned a sound muffler by stuffing smallest two strips deep into his ears then finally secured them in place with a band made from the sleeve pieces. It didn’t take too long, being crude in design. He had the rest of his shirt to create more if needed though it would likely only be at least one or two at most. He was pretty sure it should be effective in killing the song’s effect, even temporary. The bad part was he couldn’t hear anything around him, ally aligned or otherwise. It was a fact which made Nathair rather edgy. 

Noting his shirt had started to float away, he quickly snatched it back before his eyes darted about. They scanned the crowd, seeing some people put their fingers into their ears and run away, others still fixed in the siren’s song, and dragging themselves towards the shore’s end. [i]Where was Arlette?[/i] The question had surfaced to his thoughts and a panic sparked in his heart, making it heavy and twisted. The idea she might’ve not been safe rumbled through Nathair that he gently tried to take hold of Remia’s arm. If he succeeded then he began to etch with his finger across the forearm enough to be felt, writing out Arlette’s name a few times, still giving the Rook a questioning look. Once he was done he released his grip. He only hoped she had gotten the gist of his message, if he was able to deliver it.