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 Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 3:36 pm
"Sea urchin eggs," she said to answer his inquiry about the Uni. She grinned when she noticed he liked it. "Delicious, isn't it? My favorite, because you asked a few moments ago, is the uni."
He'd read her thoughts about the Void. "The term elements is broad and used for many things, however at the very basic level, there are elemental spirits which control all the elements in the world. The Water Spirit controls all the waters. And there is a Elemental core, which whoever possesses this item, can communicate directly with the spirits, and to an extent, gives control over that spirit. Only certain souls have the ability to contain all the power of the core." She explained, knowing all Ancients should have this knowledge.
"I am the Keeper of the Water Element, which is my title, and my job is to protect the core, which as you may have noticed, resides in the throne room. I can communicate with Water. But Water has been restless lately, and not willing to talk back to me."
"And the only thing I left out was the mysterious behavior that has been noted by the Void spirits lately. Void has always been rather eccentric though." She added.
"You are a half breed, that much even I can tell. What I can't tell is what your paternal blood might be, and unfortunately, it does matter. The Elements do discriminate under certain circumstances. However, I would not call you a freak of nature. No living thing is a freak. If you are different, celebrate it. I am different. No other Naiad has a tailfin as large as mine." She flipped her large fin out in front of her. "Females are supposed to have smaller fins than the males."
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 3:50 pm
"It's a good choice." He smiled, making note to figure out how to gather it for her. If they didn't have it often here it would be a challenge but something he'd love to do none the less.
"You're even more special than I thought you were." His smile continued, watching her with curiosity. He'd never imagined that someone would actually be able to communicate with the elements, let alone be on speaking terms with that person. It was kinda cool.
It was only when she mentioned that his father matter that he frowned. "I think your fins are gorgeous Queen Tariel." Ocie tried to change the subject, he did have a vague idea of what his father was. The problem with his vague ideas.. They were usually correct, and he didn't want to think worse of his mother for it.. He mentally shook his head clear of such thoughts, smiling as he looked her over. She was so very easy on the eyes, no one would ever think her a freak of any sort.
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 4:10 pm
Tariel smirked, noting his change of subjects. She'd not press the matter, not right now at least. She'd figure him out eventually, even though she had her suspicions. It was obvious it was a land pae, and not a Faun, which only left her enemies. Well, ancient enemies according to her tutor.
"Special, hmm?" She believed he was trying to flirt again, and while under normal circumstances, that would be welcomed and reciprocated, this was not normal circumstances. She still did not fully trust him, not till she knows more about him, at the very least. Although she did feel she knew him better, and knew him to just be naive, and not a worldly scholar with knowledge surpassing the oldest of Pae'il. That actually frightened her bit to think that he might have been such.
"Thank you. I don't consider myself a freak, or ugly. No one will ever be able to convince me otherwise either, because I'm the queen, and my uniqueness is a result of that. Who knows, if some land pae were queen, they'd probably have a large butt as a result." she joked, assuming the same sort of transformation would occur, if a land pae were made royalty.
"How are you fairing for air?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 4:19 pm
He chuckled, glad she'd let the subject drop. "I imagine they would." Ocie smiled, seeing the image in his mind. That would be a humorous pae to see.
The male noted that she didn't seem to return his flirting comments. She must not have that desire for him anymore. No matter, he would keep trying. Being what she was, it was entirely worth it. His thoughts were interrupted when she asked him about air.
He paused, eyes unfocusing as he checked his body's responses. "It would seem I need to start surfacing soon. I traveled under the water to get here, it was a bit easier than trying to fight the storm above.." Ocie frowned as a new thought occurred. "Will the top parts be safe from the storm?" He asked, curious. He would gladly stay near the upper levels any time he was invited if it was safe for him to stay up there.
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 4:32 pm
Tariel frowned slightly and shook her head. "No, the closer to the surface, the more dangerous it is. But the storm still has not gotten to the worst yet, so you may be able to re-enter the water from the temple entrance, so that you will survive being down here for the duration of the storm."
She started heading towards the door, but turned to him as she reached the threshold. "I know that whatever your blood is, it is part land-dweller, based solely on your need to replenish air in your lungs. And I will be forthright with you. You should keep that aspect a secret while you dwell in the lake." her tone was rather ominous, but she didn't want to give away the reason quite yet.
Before leading him out, she had one more question for him, on the subject of breathing. "Do your gills work at all?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 4:41 pm
"Well this is going to be a fun storm." He sighed, wondering what could possibly happen. He knew he wasn't going to make it through entirely unscathed if the top of the water temple wasn't protected.
Ocie stopped, frowning. "I know I'm part land dweller, I cannot exist in either place without needing to return to the other." He would have to tell her. She knew more about him than he had ever told anyone else. "You know of the fairies right?" The sprite offered, "I think my father is one of them. I've been on the surface long enough to see them, to look at their wings and compare my own. I don't know who he is, but I think that's what.." He shook his head, only to nod in agreement to her advice. "It's best no one else knows I need air.."
He chuckled a bit at her question. "Yes, they work. A little at least. Not as well as yours though." The thought was a little sad. Ocie would be happy to be able to live in the lake with the queen nearby. "Are there any more questions on my strange breathing habits? Or if there are may we discuss this while we work our way up?" He smiled, the need for air making itself a little more known than before
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 4:58 pm
"You have to understand, Ocie. My first and most important job, and the reason I even exist, is to protect my Naiads from all enemies, foreign and domestic. So I need to know as much as I can, in order to do my job. You are the first, and as far as I know, only Naiad half-breed, so you'd have to agree that learning more about your biology will help us understand better how to help you, and any others that may exist or be born. There was a reason interbreeding was forbidden in ancient times, and I would like to know what that reason is. I know you are not a test subject, but the more I can learn, the better prepared we can be for the future."
She knew Ocie had to surface, so she stopped herself before going into her next speech, "You need to get air. I cannot surface with you, but I will wait here for you to return. If you need to surface quicker than you can swim, the Aquatls can help, just ask them. When you return, I will finish."
She had her queen hat on now, as she tried to explain the importance of why she needed to know. She regretted that she couldn't be more social, or fun, or enthusiastic or flirty, but things have been so stressful lately, she didn't have time to be herself. Only time to be Queen of the Naiads.
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 5:08 pm
Ocie fell silent, listening to everything she had to say. He simply smiled, waiting for the pause where she remembered he need to breathe. "I'll speak when I've got a fresh breath." He offered, anything he knew about himself he would gladly offer it to her. He did feel more loyal to her than to the land pae.
When she offered the aquatls, he blinked. Ocie had not believed them to be a faster swimmer than himself, but then he forgot often that he was not as swift as other naiads. The male nodded at the dismissal. "Thank you Queen Tariel." Ocie bowed, swimming as quickly as he could to the surface. He'd made it in barely enough time.
Ocie sat gasping for air for a moment, looking around. The winds were whipping around the outside. He could feel them inside the temple as well. He sighed, taking in one last breath of fresh air before dipping his head below the surface to return to his queen.
The swim back seemed much quicker, perhaps it was because he wasn't racing for air. In any case he smiled as he spotted the increasingly familiar head of hair that belonged to Tari. He bowed for a moment, appearing in front of her. "I wasn't gone too long was I?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 5:52 pm
Tariel frowned slightly when he returned. "That was quicker than I thought. I see you opted to not get a breathing bubble." She shrugged and motioned for him to follow her.
She started swimming, rather slowly, towards the throne room. She was heading there, only because it was a place of peace for her, despite recent events, because of the presence of the Water Element.
"I know you must be scrutinized often. I make no apologies for doing it myself, because to be frank, I am not sorry. I want to ask more questions and keep on going. But, you do have rights, so if you don't want me to continue questioning you regarding your blood lines, I will stop." she was upfront honest. Because of his admission that his father was a faerie, it confirmed her suspicions, but it also confirmed that he's not being completely honest when she asks him things, because his story changes too often.
"I also want you to know, the more you help me, the more I can help you. If war really is our future, Pae'il will be choosing sides, fighting and even dying for their beliefs."
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 6:20 pm
"There's breathing bubbles?" He blinked, having no idea those even existed. Well, even if they worked he had a feeling they wouldn't do much good for him.
Ocie swam with her, not minding the direction. In truth he didn't know where they were going, though he didn't care too much. And again with the lectures. He was beginning to wonder if she cared for him as anything more than a subject to study. He frowned a bit, but he agreed with most of what she was saying.
"I'm sure you think I've lied to you. Really, I haven't." He admitted, rubbing his neck. "I tell you what I know when I know it. The story will change as I come to new conclusions.." He knew his story was never consistent. "I'll answer your questions as often as I can.. But some of it is a bit touchy. If you ask a question like that I'll let you know." Ocie offered. Really, he wanted to be honest with her. He was as honest as he could be already.
The male nodded, quiet now. She wanted to help him, but only if he helped her first. Did that mean she wanted him on her side in this war? Or was she trusting him a bit more now that he seemed to be more open with her about his bloodlines? She was giving him a lot to think about right now. "If we are destined for war, I will side with you over the rest. It's only right, even after I've already declared myself for the naiads."
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 6:53 pm
Tariel stopped abruptly and looked to Ocie, disregarding his first question, for now. "Okay, I have to tell you this, but the mind reading is incredibly unsettling. If you have a way to stay out of my mind, I would appreciate if you could. If you can't control it, I would like to recommend that you see my Lady in Waiting, Aeroniel. Her special power is telepathy and she's very good with control. She's the one that taught me how to shield, but you are perplexing and seem to be able to penetrate my mental blocks." It had become a little too much for the Queen and she was feeling too exposed every time he'd speak out loud using the exact words she'd just thought to herself.
Coughing and straightening herself up a bit, she started moving again. "I thought I mentioned the breathing bubbles you get from entering the water via the temple's land-level room. If not, I apologize."
"I'll be honest, Ocie. I am scared of war, given the last time I was involved in a war, I did not survive. And I don't even know why we'd be fighting or what we'd be fighting for. My goal in everything, is to only keep Naiad safe, and try to preserve our way of life. If I have to go to war for that reason only, I will." She spoke as if she remembered the last war, when she had no memories at all of it. Her tutor and that strange little faerie thing named Diana had told her of her past life. In truth, she wished she could remember more of that past life, because so often, she felt like a fish out of water with this leading an entire race thing here.
"I'm not recruiting people for "my side" I just want to protect my kin, my Naiads. And I can protect you, if I know how, because chances are if this does become a war of the elements, you being born of two different ones, will likely get you shunned in both worlds. You are half Naiad, which to me, is as good as full, so you are entitled to my protection. But if I am labeled as a traitor for protecting you, I have a right to know what I am getting in to, right?"
She stopped, realizing how long-winded she was being and that she was projecting all of her worries and stress on the first innocent bystander to let her. It just happened to be one of the sources of her stress and worry: the first known hybrid.
She put a hand on her forehead and sighed. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to take my stress out on you. I don't know you well enough to dump my problems on you. And no, it's not alright."
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 7:06 pm
Mind reading? "I'm not. I wouldn't intrude that way even if I could." Ocie ran a hand through his hair, looking at the queen. He'd no idea that he was doing that, even if it was something he could do! Ocie shook his head, letting her move onto the next subject. It really was an unnerving thought, that he was in her head...
"It's alright, next time I go up I'll try them." He shrugged, hand still in his hair. His mind was elsewhere, still trying to figure out the telepathy thing. It was entirely new to him. It was only when she spoke of not surviving the last war that he returned to where they were in the conversation.
"You make a good queen." Ocie smiled at her, glad he had a place here. Though he knew he'd leave if she was in danger of being labeled as a traitor for keeping him safe. It was not worth the mess she would have to go through for him to be accepted by anyone.
The boy chuckled, smiling. "It's not alright, but you've given me plenty to think about. You needed an outlet, it just happened I'm right here and making it worse right?" Ocie would have been blind to not notice how stressed she was. "Why don't we do something you enjoy? Get your mind off everything that's happening right now. Even if it's only for a little while."
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Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 10:33 am
Tariel smiled a genuine smile from slight relief. "Thank you, I try to be."
She continued on her way towards the throne room, and his offer to go do something fun made her chuckle. "I appreciate that offer, Ocie, I really do. I would love to just break out and go do something, but unfortunately with this storm lurking, I must stay here and make sure the palace and its inhabitants remain safe. I'm afraid 'fun' is not in the cards for me for a while now."
She wondered what he thought she'd want to do. What he assumed would be her idea of fun. She wasn't going to ask, because it'd only further tempt her to do something she shouldn't. The lives of all the Naiads wasn't worth a brief adventure in turbulent waters. "Thank you. Perhaps the offer can remain open to redeem at a later date?"
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Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 3:31 pm
He blinked, watching her for a moment. Tari's smile was breath taking. Her real smile at least. Ocie couldn't help but return it.
"Would you like some company then?" The male offered, still smiling. "I could get you more Uni if you'd like." If she couldn't do anything fun, he could at least keep her company right? He was sure that she wouldn't mind a bit more of that.
He smiled, kind of glad she didn't think him a total fool. Well, maybe she did but at least his chance with her wasn't entirely messed up. "As soon as you want Queen Tariel." Ocie was ecstatic, though it might have had something to do with the fact that she would want to see him more than just to question him about whatever it is she wanted him to answer. "I'll gladly accompany you anytime, anywhere." Even in battle he added with a mental grimace. He couldn't fight and he didn't want to either. But if push came to shove he would.. Until it was discovered he was an air breather.
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Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 1:15 am
Tariel remained quiet for just a moment, unsure to how to react. Not because what he said was difficult to understand, but just because it seemed odd what he asked when they were just in the kitchen snacking already. "No thanks. I only had my snack, which was all I wanted. Supper will be served in the Great Hall soon, so I don't want to spoil my appetite. You can come to supper if you like. Everyone in the palace is invited to sit and join us each evening. There will be more in attendance today than is usual though, because of the call for shelter from the storm."
"As for the company, that's up to you. I just have some business to attend to, so you are welcome to tag-along, but you aren't obliged to. It can be boring being in charge of everyone." she chuckled before swimming into the throne room.
She swam up to her throne to meet a small, fancy, pink Aquatl that was sitting in her seat. As the small water-fairy spoke to the Queen, Tariel glanced behind her towards where Ocie was to see if he was still following.
There was something endearing about him. She wasn't blind, and she wasn't stupid, so she knew what he was trying to do. She knew the game all too well. But it would take more than a suggestive phrase, or a few small gestures to sweep her off her fins. She found it rather entertaining however, watching him try. Normally she'd find such things appalling and offensive, because it was insulting to be thought of as 'easy' and this kid flat out implied as much with the first meeting and his comment about her bed. That comment nearly got him killed by her captain.
Still, she found him amusing, and he had potential. He might prove to be valuable to the court as an ally and a friend.
The little Aquatl pointed at Ocie a few times while talking frantically to Tariel. All she did was nod and mumble 'mhm' occasionally as he spoke of obviously important things with as much arm flailing he did. It would be hard to tell what he was talking about and if it was good or bad news.
Tariel motioned Ocie over with a wave of her hand. She hoped he wasn't able to read her mind from across the throne room, because it would be embarassing if he knew what she was thinking. She also hoped Tua, her mellon tutor, didn't know she kept zoning out and not listening to what he was saying about half-breeds and faeries.
"Ocie, this is my tutor, Tua. He knows everything about everything that happens in the waters of Telrunya. So if you have questions about Naiads, or anything really, he's the one to go to."
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