Author: Lucielle, Posted: Wed May 3, 2017 9:54 PM, Post Subject: A Touch of the Depths [P, R]

He didn't know magick? She wasn't sure why that confused her so much. It wasn't all that long ago that she was left with no trigger to her own light. But for someone like him, a creature that had to have been born of magick, to not have a grasp of the power was something of an anomaly. Then again, most of the beings that she had any significant contact with had been creature of magick that actually practiced the skill.

She knew very little this Kuval. She didn't know if had tried to use his magick, which she was sure had to glimmer somewhere within him. Perhaps he had other skills that he was able to protect himself with. Her magick had been a defense mechanism. He memory shot back to the ease with which he had lifted her from the water. He was definitely strong. She supposed that could be the strength that he used to survive.

As he moved up on his own lily pad, her eyes could not help but to fall to the cascade of scales that adorned his bottom half. Out of the water, it was even more beautiful than she had assumed before. Part of her had thought that the flashes of blue that she had seen during the rescue were nothing more than after effects of her light burst, but seeing him like this she definitely had a different understanding of what had happened.

He definitely had the capability for magick. There was no way that a creature could be born of such beauty and not have other gifts.

"Well, like I said before, I wanted to adventure. This realm wasn't immediately kind to me during my first days here and I, unfortunately, secluded myself due to this fact. After spending some time under protection and growing my own durability, I figured it was worth giving it another shot."

It was a shortened form of what had actually driven to her to this point. In all reality, she felt as though she needed to see more of this world before really settling in anywhere. In her days with Naota, she had found a place that she wanted to call home. A place that she wanted to bring people to. Perhaps even join the clergy of light. But before she committed to anything, she felt as though she owed herself this.

"I chose the lake," she continued, "because one of the worshipers at the temple mentioned how beautiful it was. And despite my aversion to the element, I wanted to the see the water here. And now I have." Her eyes rested on him for a moment, the azure hues of her new companions scales grasping her attention more readily than she was prepared for.

"Anyway," she began again; Kuval's sapphire tail reminding her of her previous thoughts. "If you would like, I may be able to show you how to use some basic magick. Just enough to activate the guiding light if need be."

Author: oddender, Posted: Tue May 2, 2017 2:16 PM, Post Subject: A Touch of the Depths [P, R]

Though his excitement wanted nothing more than to start the journey now, Kuval tried to contain himself. After all, not everyone was as instantly ready as he. In fact, he’d learned that most weren’t always up for the jump as he was and maybe it was that which broke so many of his friendships. Hard to have friends when you’re constantly moving or putting yourself in danger.

Again, for just a moment, his mind went to the witch and the results of their last visit. Aside from Misu, Dorian was the only other creature that the Syreni really thought of as a friend… but that relationship was complicated, to say the very least, and right now wasn’t the time to go thinking on it… again.

With a sigh, Kuval shook his head, “I don’t know any magick. Not intentionally, anyways. Sometimes I can do stuff without thought, but I don’t know if it’s magick or just something I happen to be born with? It’s kinda confusing when I try to think of it from human eyes.”

Maybe it was an attempt to keep himself from trying to make her move, but Kuval turned and pulled himself up onto one of the nearby lily pads with a sigh. Though this pad was said to easily hold a human, he wasn’t so sure if it would has him in this form… but he wasn’t ready to change yet. As he stretched out on the soft warmth of the large leaf, he let himself revel in his primitive body before their journey began. The humans seemed to like his other form more, with its tightness and muscles and, well, that extra appendage he didn’t possess here… but he liked this one. It was comfortable, with its warmth offering rolls and movement forgiving skin.

The sun beat down on his tail, fins still lightly toying with the water like an oar off the edge of a boat. He liked, too, how the rays changed the colors of his scales. They were beautiful like this, he thought, shimmering and bright. Though his skin had darkened from exposure, he felt his tail had never been so beautifully bright. The shades of lapis shifted and changed, offering lighter tones that changed every time he moved.

Yes, even out of the water he still preferred this form… Most of the time.

“So tell me, Lucielle, what brought you all the way out here anyways? I don’t imagine you came to this lake in particular to almost drown,” he said with a small smile, crossing his arms underneath his head leisurely, but he didn’t close his eyes. No, best to be careful right now, just in case there was anyone else around that may want him. He really should change, he knew, but not yet…

Author: Lucielle, Posted: Tue May 2, 2017 12:54 AM, Post Subject: A Touch of the Depths [P, R]

"The guiding light could be quite useful. I was, unfortunately, not able to get craft one during Naota's time. Though the renewal was not without fruits." She spoke directly; trying to make decisions that were good for the both of the. She had heard of the power of the guiding light, but never expected that she would be in need of one; what with the ripid fire magick that she already held in the items on hand.

"And of course, if the item doesn't work for us we can simply use the map." She was excited to see that she would have a comrad in her travels. It had been quite some time since she had left the gem strewn temple and she was no longer well versed in the skills that it took to be alone with no incident. Kuval, however, seemed to understand the risks of travel and, judging from the fact that he had made it to this lake unscathed, he was more than able to defend himself.

Her mind ran over the possibilities in the moments before she spoke again. This was what was best, right? She was notorious for making incorrect or unhealthy decisions. Would this be one that would be celebrated at the time of their arrival, or would the god Naota be stuck correcting her mess.

Guilt and doubt were two other emotions that she had rapidly tried to get ahold of. Not because she wanted to, but because it was dangerous. If she ended up struggling through the emotions with no preparation, who knows what kind of power could have burst from her? Especially since they had been growing more and more pointed. That being said, she had them under control. She simply disliked having to process them.

"Most of the god items that I have seen are activated by the users intention. For instance, the Globe of the Northern Lights determines it's activation by your desire and mental picture of a specific place." She tried her best to explain the process without sounding pious. It has not been too long ago that she had been staring at the items with glazed over eyes.

"Better yet, do you happen to know any magick? You may be able to activate the light through your normal processes. Either way, I would say it should take no more than a few days on foot," she guessed with as much confidence as she could muster.

She wanted, more than she was willing to admit to herself, to know more about the race from which this being was born. But the fact that he seemingly tensed up when she asked before, she had no choice but to hope that he would end up trusting her enough to share. And in her experience, confidence, even if it was fleeting and somewhat ill placed, lead to some level of trust.

Author: oddender, Posted: Mon May 1, 2017 11:30 PM, Post Subject: A Touch of the Depths [P, R]

As the girl spoke, Kuval felt his expression grow brighter. It was a blessing, a miracle, that he’d run across her. He’d been trying in vain to find his way, but it would be so much easier with a guide! The brightest of smiles stayed on his lips as she spoke.

It was finally going to happen. He was finally going to meet Natoa, led there by one of his own angels in the water. It was like it was meant to be… Like something had sought him out in his own space to tell him it was time, at last!, it was time.

“I have a map,” he spoke up, an attempt at being helpful, “And I have a Guiding Light…! But I’m not entirely sure how to use it… It’d be a lot easier if I could have figured that out.”

All of his previous fear seemed to have washed away, dropped like a stone to the bottom of the lake, forgotten. She was one of his. Surely she was good… He hoped. Either way, the thoughts were long gone as he spoke again simply, “I can be human enough.”

For a moment, a sadness washed over him. Something that suddenly struck him, that he wished to ask Naota about… but he shook it away for now, focusing instead on the journey at hand. Smiling again, he continued, “How long do you think it’ll take us to get there??”

Author: Lucielle, Posted: Mon May 1, 2017 10:23 PM, Post Subject: A Touch of the Depths [P, R]

Despite the normal lack of emotion that graced Lucielle's demeanor, she felt her eyes grow wide at the sudden change in pace of the boy's words. He was excited; even she could tell that. She had seen this excitement before during her time in Suishō no Kyūden. The followers of the Northern light would appear with a smile touching their lips and leave with an even wider one. She had heard from these followers that the god had gained a great deal of love from the people of this realm, but this merman was the first one that she had met outside of the gods crystalline domain.

She paused for a minute; letting her thoughts settle before curling her lips into a smile. Happiness was one of the few emotions that she had learned how to control to some degree in the time since her first days here. It was the one emotion that she had actually began to seek out unsolicited. It was something warm. Something familiar.

"Well," she began with a soft inhale, "I do know the Northern Light. He was the one that taught me to appreciate my own light; and even how to control aspects of it." As if on queue, a soft glow touched her skin; as warm as the emotion that summoned it.

"He is kind. Quite kind. Almost as though he is a part of your family. He is to me, what I assume other people see their older brother's to be. An inspiration. A protector. And a teacher. I am sure that you would love him as so many of us do." Her smile softened gradually; not so much falling, but fading. Her emotions, while strong, were still somewhat feeling. Though the glow still wisped through her aura.

"Yes," she began again; her tone flat once more, "I would be happy to show you the way to his temple. I know the path fairly well. Though I generally travel through the power of the gods." She motioned to her satchel and the orb of swirling light that sat nestled inside it. The god items that were given this past winter had made her life a great deal easier in the way of travelling, but they only really allowed for one passenger at a time.

"I will do my best to recall the landmarks and maps that I have read to ensure the fastest route to Suishō no Kyūden." She paused; finding a twinge of pride in finally pronouncing the name of the temple correctly, "However, if I may ask, how do you travel? I mean, since there is not a safe waterway that leads to his temple. Are you able to walk, or do you require a kind of flying spell?"

Author: oddender, Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 5:41 PM, Post Subject: A Touch of the Depths [P, R]

Truth be told, there were many things that were lost on Kuval in the moment, though he would have had much to say about it. Adventuring, yes. That was something he himself was in the process of doing, well, basically always. The journey for adventure was a never ending one.

It was this desire that had led him to so many places, and people. Briefly his mind had wandered to the witch and their time together… but no, now wasn’t the time to get lost in these thoughts. It seemed too easy sometimes. This woman here seemed one after his own heart, but those words didn’t leave his lips either.

No, he was entirely lost the moment he heard of her time with the god, Naota. His eyes flickered open wider and he straightened up, suddenly focused and intent on that thought alone. In fact, all words spoken after that were completely given to the lake without regard.

“Y-You know Naota…?” He asked, almost reverently, “You’ve trained with him?? I’ve been trying to find his temple! Can you show me? I think I came up on the wrong side, didn’t I? Oh please show me! O-Or point me in the right direction?

“What’s he like?” Kuval continued without thought, finding himself rambling. It was a rarity for him, really. Though he spoke casually, it wasn’t usually quickly or without thought… but it was Naota who had encouraged him out of the ocean itself and he still hadn’t seen him! “Is he as kind as they say…??”

Author: Lucielle, Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2017 1:23 AM, Post Subject: A Touch of the Depths [P, R]

He became only more curious to her as he spoke. For the life of her, she could not figure out the lasting concern for her safety. She had sank, but she was better now, was she not? Perhaps she seemed more fragile in her current state than she had intended. She was already thin, which was something that the people of this realm could easily read as a sign of weakness, and the wet heavy clothes that clung to her now did her no favors.

She began letting her hair down as he issued his last warning of the water. At some point in her time here her hair had become a bit of security measure. It was not that she was uncomfortable with hair up, but she was marginally less uncomfortable with it down, and she had to take what she could get.

Her lilac eyes fell back on Kuval as he spoke about his reasons for being here. Why did he seem suddenly so guarded? Almost on the offensive? Was that what this response was? Then again, it could easily be her misreading the situation; it would not be the first time that she thought someone malicious when they were really just trying to keep an air of mystery about them.

"I apologize if I offended. Sometimes my curiosity gets away from me. There is just so little of this realm that I understand." Though her face kept the usual features about them, her eyes fell to her lap in her own version of an apology.

"I'm adventuring. That's why I'm here anyway," she began, "More accurately, I am doing my best to try to adventure. Like I said, there's not a lot that I know about things here, and since I have spent some time training with the god Naota, I felt that I was finally able enough to try to see new things in this world."

Rambling. It was a habit that she disliked to some degree, but one that she had picked up nonetheless. When she was on the receiving end it seemed like such a redirect. As though the person really didn't care what she was talking about. She couldn't help but wonder if it came off that way to others too.

"I apologize if I speak too much. It tends to happen when I first meet new people," she added; more for his comfort than hers. She knew she was able to cover a variety of topics very quickly, but that was not the case with the majority of beings here. The least she could do would be to acknowledge the action and attempt to slow it down long enough to figure out if Kuval was one of the select few that could keep up with the birdlike bouncing of her thoughts.

Author: oddender, Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2017 3:13 PM, Post Subject: A Touch of the Depths [P, R]

“Alright,” Kuval said finally. With one hand, he pushed a mass of white hair from his face again and continued, “Just be extra careful, I suppose.”

As he stayed still, resting his chin down on folded arms, he searched her features. It was interesting, to meet one so… what was the word? Flat? Surely she had emotion within her, but everything she said seemed calm and premeditated. He wondered how it was exactly. Could she not feel emotions? Or did they have to be at an extreme to be actualized? Or was it simply that she masked them, guarding herself away from that honesty?

Despite this, he could see an almost curiosity in her eyes. It was a look he’d grown to recognize. One that brought caution. This wasn’t exactly a good place for him to be cornered. The waters did have an outlet to the ocean, but getting there could easily present a problem. Even if he went at full speed, a few humans or a large cart thrown in the pathway could easily bar his escape.

But the question was already there, the moment was already happening, and Kuval was never really one to stray away from danger. It was a fact that often got him into trouble. Trouble much, much worse than this.

“You dip your toes in deadly water,” he answered slyly, “Why should I not do the same with land? It’s an interesting thing, isn’t it? A draw to the unknown. Sometimes we just want things that maybe we were never meant to or should have. I may be the depths, but my heart is just as strong as any humans’.

“We’re pretty far out though. Are you headed anywhere in particular, or just passing through? I’m building up for a bigger journey. Soaking it all in now.”

Author: Lucielle, Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 2:18 PM, Post Subject: A Touch of the Depths [P, R]

A merman? What was that? She could decipher from context that it was someone that was part man, part fish. Well, part mer, but that didn’t make sense, so fish it was. In her time in this realm, she had read about a great deal of creatures, and even had some second hand stories about run ins with these creatures. Werewolves, vampires, demons, even angels were among the throng of stories, but never a merman.

Her eyes studied him, unwavering, as he moved her to one of the giant lily pads adorning the surface of the water. He wasn’t emanating anything that was threatening to her existence, but there was a light to him. A magick scent that her nose could decipher; even above the smell of the lake. He was a creature of magick; he had to be. She would have to remember to read up on this race whenever she returned to the library.

”I suppose,” she began with her normal emotionless tone, ”but I actually do not frequent bodies of water much anymore. They seem to something of a weak spot in my life. But I suppose not everyone has to have an affinity to every element.” She spoke flatly, but held a twinge of embarrassment in her light. She should know how to swim, but she didn’t. She couldn’t. The water was nothing but an entity that tried to swallow her up every time she touched it. It was an odd reality.

Had she the capability, she would have smiled at his teasing.

”I suppose that is true. You were definitely here at the right time. Though I am sure your presence alone was not what prompted you save me.”

He seemed like a happy person; one who actually understood the emotion. Perhaps he was truly kind. Maybe this was why he had helped her when he did not have to. He was her opposite in that, and made him all the more interesting. Were these creatures from which Kuval was born water bound? Could they gate travel from water to water? What abilities did their blood bore into them?

The questions were endless. But, finally, she settled on just one.

”But what does bring you to this part of the land? I would assume one such as you would prefer larger bodies of water.”

It was an attempt to be kind, or at least a mimic of actions that this realm considered to be kind, but really she was more curious than anything.

Author: oddender, Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 6:16 PM, Post Subject: A Touch of the Depths [P, R]

As they approached the giant pads, Kuval tried to figure out how he kept letting himself get in these positions. He knew, very prominently new, that his people were sought after. Their scales alone sold at a high price and, honestly, he’d used the ‘rarity’ of his own features for gain more than once. Still, if he was captured or killed the fun would be over.

That being said, he was currently in his primitive form and there didn’t seem a point to trying to pretend he wasn’t. Instead he just smiled proudly and spoke in an unguarded tone. Worse came to worse, he could always go back to letting her drown.

“I’m Syreni,” he answered and then, thinking better of it, found the human word to offer instead, “A merman.”

Gently he moved the girl up onto the pad, cautiously to ensure that it would support her as he thought. He was grateful to realize that it was more than willing to hold her small frame. With her there, he stayed in the water and crossed his arms on the top of the plant, “You should really be more careful. I’m surprised you don’t know how to swim. Shouldn’t everyone?”

He said it simply. For a moment he thought maybe the same should be said of his people, but then it’s not often you find his own kind falling into land. Likewise, most didn’t seem as called to it as humans seemed to be to the water.

“I won’t always be here to save you,” he teased, smiling a bit for her again.

Author: Lucielle, Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 3:15 PM, Post Subject: A Touch of the Depths [P, R]

The beings strength was sound enough; proven in the small measures that were necessary for him to keep them steady. For the first time, she let herself actually look at him. He was very different than anything she had seen in this realm thus far; not that she seen a particularly large amount of creatures. The bottom half of the being moved as a fish, but with so much purpose.

What was he?

Her mind was only able to search the texts of her memory for a moment before she registered his words,

”You are correct. There is a great deal of water in this land, but for some reason the element is not a fan of me. However, you are incorrect in your thinking that I do not have to thank you. This water would have taken my life if you had not intervened.”

She glanced back at the water, her eyes squinting only slightly. Some, had they really been able to observe the face, would have believed it to be the precursor to anger. As they moved into the sun more, however, she found herself lighten as the burden of a budding emotion returned from whence it came.

”Hello Kuval. My name is Lucielle de Olapireta. It is a pleasure to meet you. Also, and forgive me for my forwardness, but may I ask what you are?” She motioned to his fin tail. She was sure that he would know what she was referring to, but thought it important to point the statement a bit.

She was curious, and not ashamed; as one could tell by the absence of her glow. However, she knew enough about this world to know that some things needed to be said directly, but with softness. Though she was realizing now, too late, that the softness may not have been very prominent.

Mental note. Make sure to lighten your statements. She would crack this code one day…

Author: oddender, Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 1:59 AM, Post Subject: A Touch of the Depths [P, R]

Kuval’s tail moved fluidly beneath the surface of the water, ensuring they stayed above it with ease. Truth be told, the girl was light to him and it wasn’t a difficult task. He felt her arms wrap around his shoulders and heard a familiar voice in the back of his head remind him how vulnerable he could sometimes let himself be.

Still, her fear felt honest enough, however fleeting it may be. He gently locked his arms more around her, trying to assure her that they were safe no matter what shifting she felt she needed to do. They weren’t going under.

“You don’t have to thank me,” he said dismissively, ignoring the soft nips of fish below the surface. It felt like a tease. They were playing with him, teasing him for saving the human. He dismissed with with a swish of his fin and spoke again, “Swimming lessons might be in order though, I’d say. Lots of water between those big stretches of land. Especially if you have a tendency of ‘dipping your toes’.”

That being said, he started to gently move them forward in the water. In the distance, he’d seen the large lily pads from under the water. It seemed a good place to rest her down to catch her breath. He’d been curious about sun bathing on one himself, but simply got lost to the coolness of the water.

“My name’s Kuval,” he told her simply, attempting to blow a water logged lock of hair from his face. It remained unmoved against his dark eyes, “And yours?”

Author: Lucielle, Posted: Sun Apr 23, 2017 1:14 AM, Post Subject: A Touch of the Depths [P, R]

It was a blur of panic and blue and light. It had all happened so fast, even for someone like her who was able to slow down the most minute moment to create a thesis of wonder. She had been sure that the water would fill her; destroy her. She had known beyond a shadow of doubt, that she would be one of the cautionary tales, but then he was there.

Her arms gripped around her shoulders as she took her first full breath. It was a relief. Such a relief. In fact, had she the ability, she would have broken down into tears at the relief. She was alive after all. This man, she assumed by the voice, had chosen to save her life. People of this realm never ceased to amaze her.

She finally leaned back to see her rescuer; her lavender eyes studying him quickly. Her face was void of emotion, but she was certain that one may have seen a glimmer of thanks in her eye; or as close to that feeling that someone like her could get.

"Thank you," she mumbled as she leaned forward again; shifting her weight to keep them in balance.

It was an odd situation. She had very few instances with people of this realm in which she had to thank them. In fact, the last time that she had rested in water like this had ended quite differently. It was true that the god Naota had been able elicit thanks from her, but he somehow knew what emotion she was searching for before she was even able to remember the name of the feeling. But he was an anomyly. Maybe he just understood her light.

"Swimming isn't in my book of skills. I appreciate the assistance." Her voice was flatter this time; calmer. She wanted to make sure that her savior knew that wasn't some fool that skidded into something that she was not able to handle; though that was, if she were truly honest with herself, exactly what happened.

"I had only wanted to feel the cool water. It seemed like it would have been nice. I-" she paused for a moment; trying to find the words. "I thought that i was about to die. And you saved me. I believe that is enough precursor for me to ask your name."

She was switching subjects rapidly, and not very well. It was a habit that she had picked up from people in this realm. A habit that could certainly help her avoid facing her own foolish decisions.

Author: oddender, Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 1:48 AM, Post Subject: A Touch of the Depths [P, R]

It was at the bottom of the lake that he finally found darkness, cold. This land was unlike any he’d seen yet, wrapped in eternal autumn. It was cool, bearable, but it was the water that called to him. Though he hadn’t been too far from the ocean, only a few days from the last time he’d touched, it still felt an eternity.

The dryness, the tightness of his skin had become almost agonizing until he stumbled across this paradise. Instantly he’d discarded it all, robes and staff and anything cumbersome, and plunged into the water. With the first intake of water to his lungs, his body began to shift into its rightful shape. The rigidity eased, gently expanding to add the weight required for much needed warmth. The remaining legs had kicked once, twice, before the familiar sensation of the scales spread. The shimmering lapis pieces interwove together like the tiles of a well shingled roof, encasing his lower half protectively into a single beautiful tail.

And here, in this form, with his back pressed to the mud at the bottom of the lake, is where he first saw the light. He’d noticed the girl before, in part. The ripples the came from her. The way the creatures beneath moved curiously close and then rapidly away again. He hadn’t thought much of it. She wasn’t the first human to rest in the waters since he’d arrived, and she surely wouldn’t be the last. He’d let it go, closed his eyes, and went back to his rest.

Then the light came. The quick piercing light through the darkness of his water, casting down against his face. His dark eyes opened in a narrow against it, transfixed on her form in thought. She’d spoken first, above water, muffled. He couldn’t hear it. Maybe she was calling to someone on land, he thought… but then she started to move more, her voice rose louder still. Though it seemed to take her a moment, there was obvious panic starting in. This he recognized well.

She was trying not to drown. He’d seen many humans succumb to the waters, but none in something so peaceful as a lake. Then you add to the fact that she was alive with the light all her own… How odd, he thought. His head tilted for just a moment as he considered this strange feat, but then it struck him.

This, of course, would kill the human.

Quickly Kuval whipped upward, casting the earth away with the shock of his movement; a ripple to the earth itself. Upward he rocketed, white hair cast behind, until finally he was under her. He stretched out his arms and leveled them under her form, carefully and easily lifting her to the surface of the water as he urged them up.

The pale locks of his hair clung to his rounded cheeks, making the shock of dark blue eyes all the more startling in contrast. He transfixed her with a curious stare as he held her there and, in as soothing a voice as he could manage, he spoke, “Whoa, whoah, hey… I got you…”

With that, he attempted a reassuring smile, lips tight to mask the occasional points of sharp teeth fixed into an otherwise human looking set. As if the smile was the most startling thing he’d done in the past few seconds and not emerging from the darkness of the lake beneath her.

“No more screaming; you’re scaring the fish…”

Author: Lucielle, Posted: Wed Apr 19, 2017 12:26 AM, Post Subject: A Touch of the Depths [P, R]

The lake was beautiful and more wondrous than she had ever expected of a place so easily accessed. LIght shone off the surface with such grace and, just for a moment, she felt at home; at peace. This was one of those moments where, had she the capability, she would have been in true awe of the realm in which she now resided; of the nature that thrived here.

It was always this nature that drew her attention the most; it was a power that had not been familiar to her before her existence in this realm. For a moment, her thoughts shot to the light of the god Naota. He had been so familiar to her, somehow linked to the past that she knew so little of. But he was nothing like the life that sprung from the land here, yet somehow just as powerful.

Lucielle pulled her hair back into a loose bun; a style that she shared with the world very rarely. The light shone white from the highlights in her hair and if passerbys, had there been any, could have sworn that they saw a smile. She was in her element; light and slowly, but surely, she began to glow. In her time with the god Naota she had come to realize that this was simply her casting protect; though it was somewhat uncontrollable whenever an emotion crept into her heart. Even something as simple as true contentment.

She removed her shoes and dipped her feet into the edge of the water. The Lake’s waters were cold, but so soothing. It had been quite the long walk to get her to this place, and her feet were definitely telling the tale.

She looked around a few times before shrugging off her cloak and sliding into the water, making sure to keep her feet on the bottom of the lake; common sense ringing true for a change. She was not well versed in the ways of swimming.

She allowed herself to sink deeper into the water, letting it flow over her shoulders and cover her ears to bring quiet upon her. Everything was silent. Peaceful. It was a complete calm in the chaos of this world, a calm that she found herself needing more and more as time went on. This realm, as wonderful and powerful as it was, took a great deal of endurance to survive in.

Her lilac eyes fell closed in the light of the sun as the warmth of her own light grew stronger. She was weightless in the water and the void where her memories once lived began to ache. There was something familiar about this. Something that made her feel even more at home. Something that let her escape from everything at least for a moment.

SPLASH!

The girls eyes flew open at the sound and for a moment the shield that was around her ran the risk of being used, but the glimpse of a fish escaping the ripple in the glasslike surface of the water put her at ease. For a moment.

All at once she realized that she had drifted away from her safety zone; nearly 20 yards from the shore. How had this happened? Had a moment of freedom just landed her in more trouble?

Panic surrounded her and her light began to change; growing more aggressive with her emotion.

Her head bobbed under the water and her breath escaped her. This was drowning. This was what the people at the temple had warned her about. Though they had spoken to her as though she were a child that they had to remind to put on a shroud if it was cold outside. She had expected it to be hard to be put in this position; something that she never thought she could have simply stumbled into.

”Help,” she said as her head popped above the surface; her voice still flat and emotionless.

She needed help, but how would she be able to communicate this need properly? Emotions, worry, tone, yelling. None of them were her forte, and if there was ever a moment where she needed the skills, it would be now as her chest began to ache and her limbs became more frantic in their fight against the water.

”Please help,” she said a bit louder as she breached the surface once more. The depths pulled her under again before she was able to gain a full breath.

Is this how her time in this realm would end? All her items of the gods were too far from her touch; resting snuggly in her shroud. Her light, or magick as this realm called it, was too weak and unrelated to help her out of this bind. This is how she would end. Where would she go? Would she fall to another realm, or would she be gone forever?

For the first time, fear touched her heart. True fear. The fear of death.

She moved above the surface one last time and her voice finally found resonance.

”HELP ME!!!!”

Her light, having changed completely now, burst from her body; sending beams of light into the depths of the lake and into the sky above.

It wouldn’t help her, as powerful as it may be. She was lost to the water. And still sinking.