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 Posted: Fri May 27, 2022 10:34 am
Mene Eydis, in the seasons since she'd arrived in the Lake, had made a quiet life of service for herself. She'd found herself a home, away from the busyness of the Palace, and a job serving in the temple. She enjoyed the work, and even more enjoyed devoting herself to the Water. Did she miss the open ocean? Sometimes. The structures here weren't designed to accommodate bodies like hers. But, in general, she was happy and felt at-home among Naiad of all forms.
Today, she was working in the temple, and it was a rather slow day, and she was taking some time to meditate. Fable Lahar had been volunteered to visit the temple that mid afternoon. They’d been out hunting most of the morning and he was still feeling a bit of the adrenaline rush. By this point he’d be helping his other hunters clean and prep the catch of that day, but not so today. The usual Naiad who brought the portion to the temple was out sooooo he was the replacement.
As he slowly swam inside, carrying the bundle, he took a moment to look around. It wasn’t his first visit here, but it always brought him to wonder. These lake Naiad sure knew how to make something splendorous. Once he’d gotten an eyeful he glanced around for an attendant.
He was pleasantly surprised to see a familiar face. It had been a long while since they had spoken, but it was hard to forget someone from the past such as she. He neared, but noticed she seemed preoccupied so he politely looked around to see if someone else should attend to him. Mene A moment or so after he'd entered the temple, Eydis felt the disruption to the water and opened her eyes. "Oh!" she exclaimed softly, hurrying to him. She hadn't meant to neglect her duties! Then she got full sight of him and exclaimed delightedly. "Lahar!" A warm smile lit up her face. "My goodness, how long has it been? It's good to see a familiar face!" They were from the same blessing and had traveled here together from the sea, but like most of their group, she hadn't seen him since they arrived. The lake, it turned out, was huge. "How are you!" Fable He gave her a small smile, "I'm so sorry to disturb you." he apologized. "Its really great to see you, Eydis. I really wasn't expecting it." He rubbed his neck and chuckled, "Doing exceptionally well, actually. I wasn't sure what to expect coming here, but I feel like I've settled in well. I've been assigned to a hunting team and have learned the ropes." He held up the offering he had brought as if to prove his point. "You look great. Are you in service of the temple or just visiting?" Mene "That's wonderful," said Eydis warmly. "How lovely that you've settled in so nicely!" She tucked a stray strand of hair behind one ear. "Me? Oh, yes, I'm serving here at the temple. Here almost every day! I feel very fortunate to serve the Water." Her eyes lit up as she spoke. "Oh! Speaking of, I should probably take this off your hands," she said, motioning to the offering. "It's so lovely to see you. Would you like to have drinks or something after our work is through someday?" she asked. Fable The way she lit up talking about her work drew a smile to his face. It was a bit infectious, "I am glad to hear it. It looks to suit you well." He looked at the bag in his hands, "Oh, yeah." he held it out to her. "I hope these serve you well. They're fresh from today's hunt."
He was caught off guard when she asked him to get drinks. He nodded before he even thought it through, "That would actually be really nice. I'd really like to hear more about how you've been." It actually made him a little excited? He hadn't had a chance to really catch up with the others since they had arrived. Plus, he couldn't complain that it was Eydis that was asking. "Let me know when works best for you. I am happy to work around your schedule."
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Posted: Fri May 27, 2022 10:36 am
Mene Eydis smiled as she took the parcel. "What about tomorrow? I'm free after [idk naiad time]. Shall we meet at [Naiad Bar]?"
~~
At the time they'd agreed upon, Eydis swam into [Naiad Bar] and looked around to see if Lahar was already there. Not seeing him, she selected a table and seated herself where he'd be able to see her from the door. Not that she wasn't pretty noticeable, with her giant slightly-glowing horn.
This was the most excitement she'd had in several tides, and she'd found herself putting more effort into her appearance than usual. Which, for her, really just meant she'd added a shell comb to her hair. She was curious to know more about how Lahar had been settling in. She hadn't really seen or talked to any of their blessing since arriving and they all dispersed. And secluded in the temple as she was, Eydis didn't really have a chance to. Until chance had happened to her. Fable Lahar hoped he wasn’t late. He hated that feeling, especially after she had invited him. He ducked his head slightly as he swam in, something that had become second nature to him at this point. He felt relived as he noticed her pretty quick and made his way over, “I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”
He settled in and smiled, “You look great.” He complimented. “I really appreciate this. It’s been awhile since I’ve gotten to go out and relax.” He’d hang with a few guys from his hunting group, but it was definitely different with someone from your past. It didn’t feel like he had to swim around delicate coral with her. Mene Eydis brightened when Lahar entered and smiled as he joined her. "Thank you," she said with a little blush and a sort of dismissive hand motion, as if to say it's nothing really. "And I'm glad we got to meet. I haven't been out in forever either." She put one elbow on the table and leaned her chin on her palm. Their horns touched briefly as she did, which made her smile again. If he were anyone else, she'd feel compelled to apologize. But not with him, not when they had the same form, the same challenges navigating structures not meant for their shape, and the same expectations--if you're in close conversation with someone, you're going to touch occasionally, and that's normal. "It's really lovely to...reconnect." Eydis tried to think of topics of conversation, but the truth is that she was just content to share this moment with him. Fable Lahar couldn't help his own smile as her cheeks warmed. How had past him not noticed her more? Granted, he'd been way more subconscious back then so perhaps he had, but never felt anywhere near her league. Even though their journey here had been a challenge, in a lot of ways it had grown him. Battling to find his place in this new 'home' had really forced him to come out of his shell more.
He didn't even seem to notice the soft clank of their horns. It had been a long while since he'd talked to anyone from his blessing, but it was so home feeling. So natural. He just kept his eyes on her. She wasn't just beautiful, but her mannerism were pretty adorable as well. Guess they had both grown since their time in the ocean. "Agreed. I've felt like I've been needing to prove myself that I haven't taken the time to reach out to anyone." he motioned for someone to help them, "This will be on me, so please, order whatever you want." Mene Eydis nodded her agreement. "I think I've been so focused on making this place feel like home I haven't really....kept up with the old one." She gave sort of a sideways, almost guilty smile. "So this is....just what I needed."
"Oh goodness, you're too kind," she said, touching his hand briefly before putting it back under her chin. "Guess the next time will be on me, yeah?" She crinkled her nose at her little joke, hoping it made him smile. "Eesh, I don't even know what to order," she added with a bit of a giggle. Fable Lahar gently waved off her guilty smile, "Don't worry about it. I think that goes for everyone. So its not just you." he gave her a half smile. He wish he could put it into words. Like he could finally decompress, feel like himself, all with a good view. He wasn't sure he could say such things though. She was clearly being adorable, but that didn't automatically open the door for him to open his big mouth.
He didn't let any emotion pass his face as she touched his hand briefly though he did clear his throat softly in surprise. He was trying not to lose his cool, but her company was shaking him up a bit. It was odd, he was so comfortable while also unsure of himself at the same time. He was trying to let his reaction be natural, but at the same time he didn't want to mess this meeting up. He chuckled at her, "I wouldn't complain to a next time." he sounded hopeful.
"They have these squid bites that go nicely with this one bubbly drink... I don't recall what its called, but apparently it comes from the surface somewhere." He was also kinda proud of the fact the squid was something him and his Hunting group had brought back recently.
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Posted: Fri May 27, 2022 10:38 am
Mene Eydis, conversely, fully felt like she could be herself, without any reservations. It felt good. "I do like squid," she said thoughtfully. Truthfully she liked everything, especially fish and shellfish. Vegetation was nice, sure, but there was nothing better than meat. "Maybe we can get a few things and share?" she suggested. "Have some variety that way." Fable "I think that would actually be a lot of fun." he replied. He lifted his hand to call someone over. "Do you have anything on your won't eat list?" he asked as he waited for them to come by. "Otherwise, if you trust me, I have a few things in mind we could try." Mene "Oh, no," said Eydis, making a dismissive hand motion. "I love just about everything." The idea of him putting together a little "menu" excited her. "I do trust you," she said, touching his hand casually once again. "And I can't wait to see what you choose."
Eydis was loving how easy this was. It wasn't a date, necessarily, though she'd be open to that too to be honest. But Lahar's company felt refreshing, and though they hadn't been super close when they lived out at sea, he still felt like catching up with an old friend. Fable Lahar looked pleased at the idea and turned to the Naiad who’d stop by their table. They chatted a bit before it seemed the menu was set and the Naiad took off again. He then turned his attention back to her.
“How did you end up at the temple?” He asked. He couldn’t recall if she had always been spiritual or not. He found it an incredibly respectable line of work, especially after what they had been through. The pull of the water bringing them to a new home? There was no denying the spiritual strength in this place. Mene "Hm, well, it took me quite a few tides to get my bearings here at first. I thought about a few things, maybe as a palace custodian, or farming algae--I hear there's always a need for that--but like....after the Waters brought us all here safely, it just felt right." She shrugged cheerfully with a smile. "What about you? Hunting is such an important role." Fable "Wow." he said with a head shake and a smile, "That's incredible. I really don't blame you though. I feel like we owe the Waters more than I could put into words." More than he could ever work towards he figured, but he didn't feel the need or guilt to work off the debt, he just knew that he had arrived and that was enough. So he'd continue with the contributions and thankfulness.
"I didn't realize it until I joined." he admitted. "I get a bit stir crazy being stuck inside so I knew I needed to look for something that would get me out. Even better, the times we get to Hunt out at sea..." he sounded a bit wistful at that. "Its not every day that I miss it, everything is so provided for here, but the space. The openness. That's what I miss." Once against their horns clanked softly as if to make his point.
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Posted: Fri May 27, 2022 10:40 am
Mene Eydis got a bit starry-eyed. "The sea?" she repeated. "Oh, that sounds lovely..." she said with a wistful tone. She definitely knew what he meant by it feeling much more contained than they were used to. "I haven't been back out since we arrived. I wish I could go with you sometime." Fable Lahar seemed surprised by that, "Have you not?" he paused a second thinking about it. "I don't believe they'll let me take you on a hunting party, but I am sure I can find a way to sneak you out there." he said with a mischievous grin. "If you'd let me."
The Naiad returned with a few bladders in different shapes in an attempt to fancy up the drinks. They got them spread out and explained each one. Like Lahar had said, seemed one was light and bubbly, another a bit richer and from a village on the surface called Koehaira, then some more home grown items that would taste more familiar.
It came with an assortment of small bites like squid poppers, shrimp kebabs, and kelp wrapped cod. He looked over the spread before smiling at her, "Enjoy." he held out the platter of squid to her. Mene Eydis raised her eyebrows appreciatively at Lahar's tone. She thought she might be picking up what he was putting down. "I'd love that," she said, crinkling her nose and touching his hand earnestly. She let it linger just a few seconds longer. She might have said something else, but then their food arrived, a feast of delights for the eyes and the tongue.
"Thank you," she responded, taking one of the small pieces of squid and, as the name suggested, popping it into her mouth. "These all look amazing, you have such good taste!" Fable Lahar's eyes followed her hand and this time took special notice of it. He felt a sense of warm hope flood his chest, but he brushed it aside. Hope? Hope of what? He tucked it away to think about later. He had come here to reconnect with a friend- was he hoping there was something more going on here?
He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. Was the hunter actually acting a bit bashful? "I appreciate that. I just honestly like to eat. Helps I know what we picked up recently so I know what's fresh." he popped open a bladder and took a small swig before trying one of the squids himself. "Sounds like you don't take much time off." he continued the conversation. "So I am supposing you haven't had a chance to go to one of the Naiad's famous palace parties?" Mene Eydis chuckled and shook her head, settling into the motions of eating and drinking. "I haven't spend much time in the palace at all," she responded. "I've found it a bit...cramped, y'know? But it's a shame, I love a good party." She smiled and fondly remembered how their blessing used to gather for dancing and music. What a good time that had been! "Have you been? I'd love to hear about it." Fable Lahar joined her, ensuring he passed the plates to her and offered a selection with a drink she chose. He kept glancing up at her to see her reaction to it hoping he'd nailed it, "You're preaching to the choir." he replied. "Some times I take on extra hunting rounds just to get out."
"Yeah, it really was." he signed a little sad. "You know, we should really reach out to the others. See if we can't get them to come with us on our little adventure. Make a party of it." he grinned.
"A few." he admitted. "Everyone was incredibly nice and great dancers, but I didn't usually last long. Either early morning hunts or like you said, just wasn't comfortable. But wow the food. They know how to prepare a feast let me tell you."
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Posted: Fri May 27, 2022 10:42 am
Mene Eydis laughed a little at his grin. His energy was so contagious! "That sounds fun," she agreed. Though, she thought privately, two could be a party as well... "I wonder what everyone else has been up to?" she wondered aloud, then sipping the sparkling drink thoughtfully. Fable The food disappeared before their very eyes and soon Lahar found himself stuffed and the conversation waning to a comfortable silence as he sipped the last bit of his drink, “That was perfect.” He sighed happily. “Thank you again for the suggestion.”
He paid for the food and drinks before swimming with her out of [Naiad Bar] before pausing, “Do you mind if I swim you home?” He wasn’t sure if he was wearing out his welcome. Mene "And thank you for choosing the menu," responded Eydis. "And for taking care of the bill. That was wonderful. I'd love to do it again sometime," she said. Then, to his next question, she smiled warmly. "I'd love for you to swim me home," she responded, taking his arm unprompted. That way he'd know where she lived, and could call on her again if he chose. She'd also be amenable to him coming inside for a while~. Fable Lahar looked beside himself with joy at her comment, "I would too." he replied. "Guess this means we will have to start taking our days off, hmm?" Finally, something much more interesting to do with his time. He was already looking forward to it and it wasn't even planned just yet.
He looked absolutely pleased when she took his arm. He patted her hand lightly as they headed out. He couldn't say this is what he had imagined for their visit, but he certainly wasn't complaining. "Do you have any other plans for your day off?" he asked politely. He then realized he'd learn where she now took up residence. He wondered if it was working out for her or not, he knew it had been a bit of struggle for himself... Mene Eydis laughed at his comment. "I guess so," she agreed warmly. She noticed his pleased expression and returned it with one of her own. How long had it been since she'd had a real connection with someone else like this? Especially not someone who understood her so well. "Other plans? Oh no," she said with a dismissive hand gesture, shaking her head. Their horns clinked gently. "I've got nothing planned, no. In fact, if you're not busy, I'd love to continue catching up?" She ended the sentence as a question. With the transition to a quieter, more private location, surely they could have more intimate conversation. Fable Lahar seemed to perk up at her reply to his question, though he was not prepared for the next part. He didn't even hesitate nor could he stop himself from answering, "I'd love that." Hmmm, no it was a good answer. He meant it. There was something addicting to being around someone you were enjoying, he had been kinda dreading the separation, but if she was offering... "I was assuming I'd have to wait until next time, but I'm ready for my after dinner entertainment. I am sure you have riveting stories about what you have been doing." he teased. Mene Eydis laughed with a quiet snort. "I wouldn't say riveting," she said, shaking her head again. In fact, she'd done nothing even remotely interesting since she'd arrived at the Lake. Like all of their kind, Eydis was easygoing and didn't like to make waves. "I just found myself this little home and my work with the Oracle at the temple, and I've been doing that ever since." She gestured to the entrance to her home, a cave set into the wall of the lake, and led Lahar inside.
Her cave was clean, but perhaps not because of any inherent tidiness on her part, but because her furnishings were sparse. It lacked many of the touches one might consider to make a space feel like "home". "It isn't much," she said apologetically with a bit of a shrug. "But it's comfortable enough. I try to think of it as cozy." Her cave had a bed in the corner, a round stone chair, a reflective glass hanging on the wall, and a few algae lamps to give the space light. She looked around. "Would you like the chair or the bed?" she asked.
They got settled and began to chat again, enjoying the quieter space to have more in-depth conversation. Being Naiacorn, they were comfortable with depths, and they continued to reminisce about their past in the sea and their longing for wider spaces. Remembering their earlier conversation, they made plans for a picnic near where the Lake met the ocean. Bringing the past into the future created a spark between them, and they spent the rest of the afternoon and into the evening...reconnecting.
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