Fendros spent a few seconds contemplating, then decided that Ahnasha was right. He leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss before standing up out of the water. "Right, I'll go and find him."
Making his way out of the water and towards the camp, Fendros picked up his belongings on the shore and kept his eyes open in looking for Lorag. He couldn't have gone far unless he was to find his quarry tonight. as soon as he would find him, he would approach him.
As soon as Janius broke the surface of the water, he drew in a constricted breath halfway, before closing his eyes and coughing the last of the water from his lungs. It took a few more coughs and breaths to almost recover, but Kaleeth didn't quite give him the chance. Once Janius had got over the initial surprise, he slowly brought his own arms up and returned the kiss in full. In that moment, the worries that were slowly wandering to the back of his head during their dive were all but unnoticeable. He had almost forgotten how good it felt just to be in Kaleeth's arms without needing to worry about her beast spirit, or travel, or some cult. Once they finally separated, he looked into her eyes with a renewed happiness. "We should do this more often." He cleared his throat of the last of the water and exhaled sharply in amusement, "Perhaps with more reliable waterbreathing."
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Let Slip the Corgis of War
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Dear Mr Curly,
I have done little travelling lately because I have been so dreadfully weary. Can it be true as the old Ecclesiastes said; that all things lead to weariness? Surely not. Perhaps the opposite is true: that all nothings lead to weariness. I have a peculiar feeling, Curly, that I am worn out from something I haven't yet done and the more I don't do it, the more exhausted I become. How strange. Could it be something I haven't realised? Perhaps it's something I haven't said? Something I haven't finished! It must be very large and true whatever it is and a lively struggle in the doing but I look forward to it immensely. I know I need it. First, however, I must curl up in my chair and sleep deeply with the duck. Perhaps I'll dream of this thing and wake up refreshed and do it. My fond wishes to you Mr. Curly, and to all Curly Flat.
Yours sleepily,
Vasco Pyjama
xxx
P.S. Not having breakfast can make you weary. That's for sure!
Most Recent Posts
Derpestein is playing the commanding officer here, so Angus and Luc are going to wait for his call. Might want to get the WREC trooper to make first contact with these new things, however.
With the covering fire from Rareth and Shuo locking down any more encroaching enemies, Shiva was clear to take Shuo's advice and get moving. She stood up and dropped into a sprint. All she could hear was her fast breathing and the occasional bullet or plasma bolt whizzing by, but otherwise, her focus was solely on the door ahead of her. She slammed her back against the wall to the side of the door Rareth had pointed out and whirled around into it, gun raised and looking for any enemies. It was only then that she noticed that a stray set of bullets had drained a fraction of her shield.
Shiva wasn't used to taking point, but given the circumstances, she was probably the best candidate if they wanted this done quickly and safely. She paced forward with utmost caution, but just felt too...exposed.
Shiva wasn't used to taking point, but given the circumstances, she was probably the best candidate if they wanted this done quickly and safely. She paced forward with utmost caution, but just felt too...exposed.
Since his parents started talking in a more serious tone, Rhazii's playing started to slow. He got to the point where he looked over to Ahnasha and began to reach for her while starting to whine and tense his face. He was probably tired or hungry. Maybe both. It was getting late for him.
Fendros lifted Rhazii up into his arms and passed him to Ahnasha while he answered her. "I can't say. I had to be very insistent the last time I got something out of him. He really doesn't like talking about these things." Fendros faced Ahnasha, but didn't look at her directly, "I'm not sure whether I should try and talk to him again, or just go straight to Meesei and let her talk to him. I think he would be more forthcoming with her, but I don't want to disrespect him by letting everyone know what's bothering him. He hates admitting to anything that could be seen as a weakness."
While the fish were in the vicinity, Janius wondered if he could try to pull something off that the last person he dove with showed him. He had only experienced it once, years ago when he was a teenager and visiting relatives in anvil. He shifted to place himself in front of Kaleeth and held one finger up in front of her, nodding to try and get her to stay perfectly still. Then he took her other hand and stayed as still as he could as well. Whenever Kaleeth shifted, Janius lifted a finger and tried to stay her movement. It took maybe half a minute, but the school of fish eventually turned in their direction and engulfed their lower bodies, the flow of the fish parting to avoid them.
Janius' mouth slowly curled into a smile at the sight, this couldn't have worked out better. At least it would have been until his next breath caused him to suddenly cough a cloud of bubbles. The fish instantly scattered away as the water had almost entered his lungs. He knew exactly what this meant. He wasted no time in squeezing Kaleeth's right hand as hard as he could and kicked roughly away from the sea floor. They weren't especially deep, but deep enough for their ears to hurt as they ascended in the water.
Fendros lifted Rhazii up into his arms and passed him to Ahnasha while he answered her. "I can't say. I had to be very insistent the last time I got something out of him. He really doesn't like talking about these things." Fendros faced Ahnasha, but didn't look at her directly, "I'm not sure whether I should try and talk to him again, or just go straight to Meesei and let her talk to him. I think he would be more forthcoming with her, but I don't want to disrespect him by letting everyone know what's bothering him. He hates admitting to anything that could be seen as a weakness."
While the fish were in the vicinity, Janius wondered if he could try to pull something off that the last person he dove with showed him. He had only experienced it once, years ago when he was a teenager and visiting relatives in anvil. He shifted to place himself in front of Kaleeth and held one finger up in front of her, nodding to try and get her to stay perfectly still. Then he took her other hand and stayed as still as he could as well. Whenever Kaleeth shifted, Janius lifted a finger and tried to stay her movement. It took maybe half a minute, but the school of fish eventually turned in their direction and engulfed their lower bodies, the flow of the fish parting to avoid them.
Janius' mouth slowly curled into a smile at the sight, this couldn't have worked out better. At least it would have been until his next breath caused him to suddenly cough a cloud of bubbles. The fish instantly scattered away as the water had almost entered his lungs. He knew exactly what this meant. He wasted no time in squeezing Kaleeth's right hand as hard as he could and kicked roughly away from the sea floor. They weren't especially deep, but deep enough for their ears to hurt as they ascended in the water.
There really wasn't much Fendros could say to stop Lorag and question him further, so he just watched as he walked away. Ahnasha's question brought Fendros' eyes to her with a look of worry, but he pursed his lips until Lorag was out of earshot. "He's...he feels like he is getting old. He feels like he's just passed the peak of his strength." Fendros looked down at Rhazii again, "Back in Stormhold, he told me something along the lines of Orcs going out to find the best fight they can as soon as they reach his age. He said I wouldn't understand it, and frankly, I still don't. 'What's the point of living if you're just going to watch yourself die,' or something like that." Fendros looked at Ahnasha again, "He said he wouldn't go out to try and find death, or anything. He even said that he would be staying with the pack. With that, I thought it was going to be okay, but...with what he said just now..." Fendros tried hard to think of anything that Lorag might have in mind to fight, at least in the near future. "Ahna, I'm not sure what to do." Fendros' tone held a very real worry. If Lorag is sure that he's worked out what he was going to fight, that means that it could very well kill him.
Even Janius flinched at the speed at which the blowfish inflated to look more like a ball. Kaleeth's reaction was priceless. Janius tried to laugh, but couldn't under the water. He had to be satisfied with grinning like an idiot and looking like he was laughing. The blowfish itself was far easier to spot now, floating with its little side fins waving around frantically. It just added to the silliness of the situation. Perhaps Kaleeth would have acted differently if she knew that the fish was completely harmless unless you ate it.
Once they had recovered, Janius lead Kaleeth a short distance upwards so they could see better, then followed a direction along the outcropping until they found something interesting. Once again, it was initially hard to spot. Janius almost swam right past it until he saw it. He stopped in the water and pointed for Kaleeth to see. On one of the sand at the bottom of the rocks were two small starfish. Janius had seen dried starfish brought up by sailors on land, but not under the water before. Their nature as living creatures, slowly crawling along the surface of the sand, was probably the furthest removed from any creature Janius knew of.
The starfish held Janius' attention for a short while, until he noticed more movement through the kelp. The movement soon turned into a school of tiny striped fish, that swam around in some seemingly agreed upon direction. The school gave Janius and Kaleeth a wide berth, but something about the fish were somewhat entrancing.
Even Janius flinched at the speed at which the blowfish inflated to look more like a ball. Kaleeth's reaction was priceless. Janius tried to laugh, but couldn't under the water. He had to be satisfied with grinning like an idiot and looking like he was laughing. The blowfish itself was far easier to spot now, floating with its little side fins waving around frantically. It just added to the silliness of the situation. Perhaps Kaleeth would have acted differently if she knew that the fish was completely harmless unless you ate it.
Once they had recovered, Janius lead Kaleeth a short distance upwards so they could see better, then followed a direction along the outcropping until they found something interesting. Once again, it was initially hard to spot. Janius almost swam right past it until he saw it. He stopped in the water and pointed for Kaleeth to see. On one of the sand at the bottom of the rocks were two small starfish. Janius had seen dried starfish brought up by sailors on land, but not under the water before. Their nature as living creatures, slowly crawling along the surface of the sand, was probably the furthest removed from any creature Janius knew of.
The starfish held Janius' attention for a short while, until he noticed more movement through the kelp. The movement soon turned into a school of tiny striped fish, that swam around in some seemingly agreed upon direction. The school gave Janius and Kaleeth a wide berth, but something about the fish were somewhat entrancing.
"I think I'll stay, but you can take over the sand eating watch for me if you like." Fendros replied to Ahnasha with a smile. When Lorag came about, Fendros looked upon him with a bit more concern than Ahnasha, for he suspected what the problem might be. Still, he answered Lorag's question. "He's been quite happy discovering what sand and water are like," Fendros looked down at Rhazii, who was looking between him and Lorag, "I think once he learned how to make splashes, he has had no end to his fun. Isn't that right, little one?"
Rhazii was fairly oblivious, and went back to grabbing at the sand. Fendros decided to try and bring up the topic that Lorag had dismissed, though a little more directly. "Lorag, how are you doing with the, um..." Fendros glanced away and made a repetitive gesture with his hands, as if trying to find the right word, "...those concerns you told me about a while ago. You being quiet hasn't been about that, has it?" Fendros wasn't sure how else to put it without straight up revealing the insecurity Lorag had about aging, but there shouldn't have been secrets in the pack in the first place. Lorag would have to let everyone know eventually, especially if it was going to be affecting him while hunting and fighting.
It took a moment for Janius to realise that Kaleeth was staring at him strangely. Once he realised, he looked back at her, then glanced away, then came back to her eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but swiftly remembered that even though he was breathing water, he still couldn't talk. What did she want? After a few awkward moments, Janius searched around and didn't spot anything that he might have needed to do, but he did spot an outcropping in the same which seemed to also be a break in the kelp. Janius pointed in the direction of the outcropping, then turned and began to swim towards it.
Once there, it appeared to only be an uninteresting formation of brown rocks, but more closer inspection saw movement. One of the rocks was wriggling and had eyes. It was actually bulbous looking fish that was rock coloured, but otherwise textured like most other fish. Its big, beady eyes didn't seem to be looking in any particular direction, but Janius suspected that it was keeping an eye on him and Kaleeth. This was something Janius recognised as a blowfish. They came in on fisherman's nets all the time and were too poisonous to eat. Janius wondered if it would puff up if they got too close or whether it would swim away.
Rhazii was fairly oblivious, and went back to grabbing at the sand. Fendros decided to try and bring up the topic that Lorag had dismissed, though a little more directly. "Lorag, how are you doing with the, um..." Fendros glanced away and made a repetitive gesture with his hands, as if trying to find the right word, "...those concerns you told me about a while ago. You being quiet hasn't been about that, has it?" Fendros wasn't sure how else to put it without straight up revealing the insecurity Lorag had about aging, but there shouldn't have been secrets in the pack in the first place. Lorag would have to let everyone know eventually, especially if it was going to be affecting him while hunting and fighting.
It took a moment for Janius to realise that Kaleeth was staring at him strangely. Once he realised, he looked back at her, then glanced away, then came back to her eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but swiftly remembered that even though he was breathing water, he still couldn't talk. What did she want? After a few awkward moments, Janius searched around and didn't spot anything that he might have needed to do, but he did spot an outcropping in the same which seemed to also be a break in the kelp. Janius pointed in the direction of the outcropping, then turned and began to swim towards it.
Once there, it appeared to only be an uninteresting formation of brown rocks, but more closer inspection saw movement. One of the rocks was wriggling and had eyes. It was actually bulbous looking fish that was rock coloured, but otherwise textured like most other fish. Its big, beady eyes didn't seem to be looking in any particular direction, but Janius suspected that it was keeping an eye on him and Kaleeth. This was something Janius recognised as a blowfish. They came in on fisherman's nets all the time and were too poisonous to eat. Janius wondered if it would puff up if they got too close or whether it would swim away.
"Oh, Ahnasha, I'm sure you would have managed," Ariel put her hand on Ahnasha's while it was on her shoulder, "But thank you all the same. I couldn't agree with you more about how things have turned out." Ariel grinned and lowered her hand. Looking out around the water, Ariel's expression became neutral. She only spotted Lorag nearby. "The others must have gone further out to swim. Sabine, how about we dry ourselves off. They'll probably reappear before we go."
Sabine considered swimming for a while longer, but there wasn't much light left. She nodded and accompanied her towards the shore. They both passed by Fendros, who was sitting cross-legged and holding onto Rhazii. Rhazii seemed to be entertaining himself for the most part by running his little hands through the wet sand from where he sat, occasionally trying to bring some to his mouth. He only succeeded in tasting some of the sand, but no large clumps entered his mouth as long as Fendros was around to stop him.
His head perked up when he heard the sisters stepping through the water past him. Upon seeing Sabine, he let out an excited shriek and began to make splashes in the water. Fendros was concerned at first, but realised quickly by Rhazii's nearly toothless smile that he was not upset. He didn't normally make noise like that unless he was crying. Fendros smiled that he was having such fun.
Under the water, Janius' eyesight was not nearly as clear as Kaleeth's, but he could recognise the kelp when he saw it. Most of the time, kelp was fairly uninteresting when compared to the colourful fish and coral that Janius had seen brought up from the sea before, but Kaleeth wanted to experience it to the fullest. Janius was startled when she suddenly surged into the kelp with no heed. The texture was interesting to say the least when run across his entire body, but Janius was more concerned by the fact that he could no longer see clearly where he was going. Once the initial fear had passed, Janius found which way was up again and trusted Kaleeth's guidance. He just hoped Kaleeth wouldn't panic if one of the kelp fronds accidentally wrapped itself around her arm or leg. Not that it would be a big problem to get unstuck.
More frightening was the sudden plume of sand ahead of them, heralding a panicked flat ray flapping away from the two big new creatures in the sea. It didn't look like it was dangerous as it swam away though, just alien, like most things in the ocean. Still, it was the first time Janius had seen such a fish before, so his heart was pounding for a short while.
Sabine considered swimming for a while longer, but there wasn't much light left. She nodded and accompanied her towards the shore. They both passed by Fendros, who was sitting cross-legged and holding onto Rhazii. Rhazii seemed to be entertaining himself for the most part by running his little hands through the wet sand from where he sat, occasionally trying to bring some to his mouth. He only succeeded in tasting some of the sand, but no large clumps entered his mouth as long as Fendros was around to stop him.
His head perked up when he heard the sisters stepping through the water past him. Upon seeing Sabine, he let out an excited shriek and began to make splashes in the water. Fendros was concerned at first, but realised quickly by Rhazii's nearly toothless smile that he was not upset. He didn't normally make noise like that unless he was crying. Fendros smiled that he was having such fun.
Under the water, Janius' eyesight was not nearly as clear as Kaleeth's, but he could recognise the kelp when he saw it. Most of the time, kelp was fairly uninteresting when compared to the colourful fish and coral that Janius had seen brought up from the sea before, but Kaleeth wanted to experience it to the fullest. Janius was startled when she suddenly surged into the kelp with no heed. The texture was interesting to say the least when run across his entire body, but Janius was more concerned by the fact that he could no longer see clearly where he was going. Once the initial fear had passed, Janius found which way was up again and trusted Kaleeth's guidance. He just hoped Kaleeth wouldn't panic if one of the kelp fronds accidentally wrapped itself around her arm or leg. Not that it would be a big problem to get unstuck.
More frightening was the sudden plume of sand ahead of them, heralding a panicked flat ray flapping away from the two big new creatures in the sea. It didn't look like it was dangerous as it swam away though, just alien, like most things in the ocean. Still, it was the first time Janius had seen such a fish before, so his heart was pounding for a short while.
I'm still here.
Eh, I don't think the site will die any time soon. I should probably bring by backup up to date as well now that I think about it.
"Okay," Sabine responded. She wasn't sure whether she wanted to fall in love or not, but it seemed to at least make people happy. With how much she still had left to really discover about the world, Sabine concluded that such an experience could wait for now.
The seemingly final silence that Sabine ended with gave a window for Ariel to stifle another laugh.
Sabine looked up, a little confused. "What's funny?"
"It's just, well I've pointed this out earlier, I think, but Sabine," Ariel shook her head incredulously, "I am just amazed at your confidence in all of this. You never would have asked such questions, or much of any questions, the last time I saw you." Ariel waded towards Sabine and gave her a hug, "I'm just so proud of you."
Sometimes Sabine completely forgot about how she might have acted in the past. It really wasn't until times like these that she realised how much she had changed. She returned the hug for as long as it lasted.
Once they pulled away, there was a short silence in absence of another topic of conversation. After a short while, Ariel looked across to the slowly dimming horizon. "I think I'll stay and enjoy the water for a little longer, then I think we should head back. The dark isn't much of an issue, but it still wouldn't do to be walking the streets during the night."
Janius felt the familiar sensation of alteration magic coursing through his body as soon as Meesei channelled her magic. Janius had taken waterbreathing potions before, so he knew how it would work, but he was still cautious as he lowered his head under the water. He tried breathing in through his nose slowly, and rather than immediately beginning to cough and splutter, the water simply felt like air in his lungs. He exhaled and brought his head back up with a satisfied smile. "It's working. Thank you, Meesei, we'll be careful." Janius looked to Kaleeth at his side, "Shall we?"
Making sure to keep Kaleeth's hand in his, Janius dipped under the water and kicked off further away from the beach. If there was anything interesting, like a reef, they shouldn't have to wander too far out. Given the estimated duration of Meesei's spell, they might not even have the time to wander too far anyway.
The seemingly final silence that Sabine ended with gave a window for Ariel to stifle another laugh.
Sabine looked up, a little confused. "What's funny?"
"It's just, well I've pointed this out earlier, I think, but Sabine," Ariel shook her head incredulously, "I am just amazed at your confidence in all of this. You never would have asked such questions, or much of any questions, the last time I saw you." Ariel waded towards Sabine and gave her a hug, "I'm just so proud of you."
Sometimes Sabine completely forgot about how she might have acted in the past. It really wasn't until times like these that she realised how much she had changed. She returned the hug for as long as it lasted.
Once they pulled away, there was a short silence in absence of another topic of conversation. After a short while, Ariel looked across to the slowly dimming horizon. "I think I'll stay and enjoy the water for a little longer, then I think we should head back. The dark isn't much of an issue, but it still wouldn't do to be walking the streets during the night."
Janius felt the familiar sensation of alteration magic coursing through his body as soon as Meesei channelled her magic. Janius had taken waterbreathing potions before, so he knew how it would work, but he was still cautious as he lowered his head under the water. He tried breathing in through his nose slowly, and rather than immediately beginning to cough and splutter, the water simply felt like air in his lungs. He exhaled and brought his head back up with a satisfied smile. "It's working. Thank you, Meesei, we'll be careful." Janius looked to Kaleeth at his side, "Shall we?"
Making sure to keep Kaleeth's hand in his, Janius dipped under the water and kicked off further away from the beach. If there was anything interesting, like a reef, they shouldn't have to wander too far out. Given the estimated duration of Meesei's spell, they might not even have the time to wander too far anyway.
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