Fantasy Howl's Flying Castle (Finished! ---Whoo! (*＾▽＾)／)

[Katsuya]

Chenglei winced when he heard Serena's violin screeching horribly. Looking pained and rubbed his temples to get rid of the headache.

Echo looked offended when Johnny claimed that she was the fake. She placed a hand over her heart, frowning as her green eyes looked pained. "...Are you serious, Johnny? You...You would believe that I would be bare in front of EVERYONE HERE?!" Now she is furious. "We agreed to having our first night together when we have time for ourselves and yet you-you..." Then she huffed.

"Serena...play your violin..." Echo muttered darkly at the violinist who flinched again from the fawn's tone. Though she didn't mind. After all...she gets to annoy the spirits who are trying to take them away.

"Sorry ladies, but this is our group of friends; Not a bunch of male candies for you to eat." Serena said with a confident grin and once again, she played another screechy note, this time a high one. That should make their ears ring.

Whoops-! She sort of forgot that Echo's hearing is sensitive...Oh well-! She did say to play and play she shall-!

...and run. She needs to run around because one of them is coming closer to her-! So she played her 'springen' spell loudly, hoping that this will wake them up even more while she escapes from this one.

Zer0

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Her body twitched slightly in surprised at James' reaction to her being there. She felt like she had just caught him doing something he wasn't supposed to be doing, or at least that's how his reaction made her feel. Her large green eyes scanned him sadly before they closed and she shook her head, placing her hands on his and removing them from her ears, "James. Look at me."

She drew James' hands together between her own and held them against her chest, "we are not in Dalaran. Ha... Hailey is not here... that is an illusion, you are bewitched," she spoke calmly despite the subtle wavering to her voice. Her hands released his and shakily cupped his face. Her heart ached and it showed in her actions, but she couldn't let her emotions take over now, she had to at least get James out of danger so he could help save the others before she ran off and hid herself away, "I am here. I am real."

Nothing he said at the moment really mattered to her because they didn't cover up the truth that she saw just by him seeing Hailey and not her.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Camp -
" Strange Grove "​

"No one is awake." said Johnny obviously, drawing out his wand. "Wait, how did you know what me and Echo agreed?" he added, suspiciously.

Meanwhile, as the spirits chased Serena singing their eerie song, James was coming to.

"I . . . " he blinked, looked around, as though something was happening to his surroundings that Lydia could not see, then shook his head closing his eyes as though trying to shake off a dream. When he opened them and winced as he heard Serena's screechy twanging, a look of dismay overcame him when he touched Lydia's hands and face and realized she was real. "Lydia ---" he looked around in alarm when a soldier yelled out as a spirit pulled him into the wooden carvings of the trees and he himself slowly began to turn into wood. " --- Lydia, can we talk?"

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle

 

[Katsuya]

"Can we not?!" Serena screamed at James, panicked that the spirits are chasing her and she continued to play. She didn't stop playing her violin as her tune went from screechy normally to panicked screechy. Fireflies glowing brightly as they swarmed around the spirits that are trying to get her.

"Help! Help would be good right now!" The violinist screamed at the pair who's obviously awake. She ran past Kenren. "Prince! Wake up!"

Echo folded her ears back. "...because we talked about this. We talked about how we were going to stay away from the group for a week's time here and just enjoy ourselves. Yo-you told me what I do to you ju-just by being looking at you." She smiled warmly as she clutched her hands tightly and walked closer. "Johnny...please...You're not what you think you're seeing with her. Do you honestly believe that I would be naked in front of you when I told you that I want to respect your boundaries?"

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

A relieved sigh escaped her as James seemed to snap out of his trance and her gaze lowered for a moment before she smiled weakly to him, her eyes glistening. Though an alarmed expression crossed her emotionally downtrodden features as the soldier cried out and she turned in that direction, lowering her hands from James' face and shrugging away from him slightly before she looked back to him for a moment before looking away again, "no... not right now... we have to help the others,"

There wasn't a whole lot Lydia could do about anything at the moment. She had managed to help James but she didn't think that she would be able to help anyone else, so the least she could do was try and help Serena. She slunk away from James hurriedly for multiple reasons before scooping up a sturdy branch to use as a club and lit the end on fire once she saw that the tree maidens were what was currently preying on their people. She then took after the spirits that were chasing after Serena, swinging and yelling loudly at them as she went, not really caring if she actually hit any of them as she just tried to hold back her tears and focus on the task at hand.

Zer0 Katsuya

 

[Zer0]

- Camp -
" Mysterious Grove "​

That snapped Kenren out of the bewitchment. "Chenglei, your left!" he commanded. There were three soldiers being turned into wood near the swordsman. The prince drew out his oriental blade and cut down the nearest trees the blackened spirits were pulling his men into. One of them wailed as it crumbled into dust and ashes. "Half of you destroy the grove and support Serena, the rest grab as many supplies as you can and retreat down the ridge, we'll rendezvous on the western side of that colossal bowl-shaped land in the north!"

"Yes, you highness!" gasped the soldiers who had come to from Serena's screechy music that sounded like grinding nails on chalk board.

Meanwhile, as the violinist was panicking, James agreed to Lydia's statement and summoned Pond who went about uprooting the trees to the dismay of the spirits. They seemed to not be strong foes, and at the sight of Lydia's fire they practically fled --- they relied mostly on their music and once they realized their singing had no effect they started to drop the men they were bewitching and resume their pretty, glowing blue forms speaking calmly in front of their respective trees protectively and desperately as though trying to placate the travelers they thought they could prey on.

On the other side of camp, Johnny lowered his wand, "No, you wouldn't." he said slowly, and kept glancing at someone beside him who wasn't there. He sniffed the air, his nose turning to the fawn. "Echo? --- Oh! Blimey, you're my real Echo!" he said, rushing to hug her, sniffing her hair and face and feeling her fluffy ears to make sure. "What's going on?!" he looked back at nobody behind him.

But he soon came to when Serena passed by and he cringed at her melody. Johnny pinched himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

In the end the spirits withdrew, hovering meekly in front of their respective trees, talking in that language Johnny understood was some dialect of elvish.

"They want us to stop attacking and are apologizing." he said, looking like he did not want to forgive them for tricking him. He looked frustrated again.

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle

 

[Katsuya]

Hearing his Prince's command, Chenglei quickly took out his sword and attacked to his left, not realizing that he just freed the men who's slowly turning to wood. Then he shook his head and despaired when he noticed that the woman in front of him was not Momochi.

"...Such a devious song. A temptation as strong at the devil himself." Chenglei coldly glared as he cursed at the spirits and continued to cut the men out of the trees with his katana that's burning them. He did not care; No one should ever take advantage of his love. No. One.

Serena, thanking every gods and goddesses out there, sighed in relief when the Prince snapped out of it. She would kiss him right now...but nah. He isn't Seth.

Echo's smile grew when Johnny hugged her, nuzzling and biting her bottom lip to not bleat. Now is not the time for that-! So she hugged him instead. When the spirits backed away, looking scared to saving their trees, the fawn was not merciful at the moment...

"...Ask them why we should forgive them? We left them alone this whole time, so what's the point if they will just attack us again?" Echo hissed, still remembering that one of those...those-! Aghhh!!!

"...Ever thought maybe it's because that's how they survive?" Serena pointed out, being the sane one despite being chased around and screaming like a banshee. Her thought process changed when she started to talk with Hisaya so she's probably going to see this like a scientist. A pretend one.

Echo's ears folded back in her agitation. "...Anyways...Tell them that as long they don't start chasing us, we'll leave them alone..." Was Serena's solution here. "Oh! and if they saw Seifer and Renee!" Maybe they know where the couple is.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

When the tree maidens fled from her flaming club, Lydia stopped her chase and sighed, her chest heaving gently as she tried to catch her breath while her eyes just stared down at the ground for a moment before she cast her gaze around the camp and noted the chaos that was ensuing as the soldiers began coming out of their stupors and started destroying the trees. She felt a little bad for the maidens as they pleaded for their lives, but at the same time, everyone in the camp had been there peacefully and hadn't harmed the trees and yet they had been attacked.

With no opinion to offer and the seeming surrender of the somewhat spectral women, Lydia carefully doused the flame on the tree limb she had collected and set it aside, her hands moving to cup her elbows as she stood silently and just listened to what the decision of the others would be.

Zer0 Katsuya

 

[Zer0]

- Camp -
" Eight hours later, Beneath the Bowl Rock "​

The spirit maidens were relieved someone understood their language, and one of them meekly came up to Johnny to speak ---- he withdrew a little to Echo, holding her shoulder just like that one time in the academy when he had been bullied by girls.

"They promise to leave us alone, and they haven't seen Renee nor Seifer. They are asleep during the day." he told everyone.

Most of the camp had been taken by the retreating soldiers, Kenren ordered the women to stand guard while the men finished packing up everything that was important. He decided not to destroy the entire grove, and once the men have retreated down the ridge, hollered at the women to do the same.

The group was scattered in the giant forest that night, as they all hiked and cut their way through the thick undergrowth towards the rendezvous point.

"What about Renee and Seifer?" Johnny asked James under the light of their will-o-wisps.

"I left some of my bees behind. We'll resume the search tomorrow." James had taken their tent and things, including Renee's sketchpad, and was now lugging them on his back. He glanced at Lydia, not knowing what to say to her.

In the end he did not know what to say at all and as the soldiers finally reached their new camp, he was exhausted from the long hike and search earlier, that he fell asleep trying to stay up waiting for Renee and Seifer to come back to the edge of the grove.

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle

 

[Katsuya]

Oh, the girls were guarding all right or well Echo was. It's rather scary how she kept glaring at the tree spirits, snorting angrily at times while muttering about how women need to keep their paws off of her man.

Serena took a step away from the fawn, laughing awkwardly. Then she sighed. This is really bad. The group is now down to twenty and the two people they lost are archers who has an evil dragon in their souls; One of them possibly turning into a deathknight. She sighed again.

"Stay safe you two...wherever you are..." Serena prayed, azure colored eyes looking up at the stars. When the Prince hollered for the girls to come back, the blonde stayed a bit more, hoping to see any sign of the pair...but nothing. So she walked back, now playing her violin in a hopeful but slow tune.

Chenglei offered to help James carry the missing pair's stuff or at least half of it as carrying their items with his own is too much for one person. So when the older Pendragon fell asleep in their new camping grounds, Chenglei took more then half. If he woke up and asks why, the blond oriental would say: "It's the least I can do...to repent for my lack of duty and responsibility." He was supposed to watch over these kids-!

The blond swordsman laughed but it sounded void. "No worries, Young Jams. I'm sure we'll find Ren Ren and Sei-kun again. After all, they are stubborn when it comes to surviving the odds...." He looked over with a grim grin. "I'm sure we will find them...one way or another..." So he hoped...

If anyone checked, they would notice the missing pink gems from her bow.

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

A thoughtful though melancholy expression graced Lydia's doll-like features as she continued to look at the ground, though at the same time she wasn't looking at it at all, her gaze drifting upwards as Johnny made mention of Renee and Seifer. Lydia had wholeheartedly believed that they had left of their own accord, and perhaps she was still correct in that assumption since the tree ladies evidently told Johnny that they were asleep during the day, so in her mind they couldn't have spirited the two away, though knowing that things like these creatures came out at night to evidently hunt, she wondered what else could be out scouring for a meal and her eyes shifted towards the deeper woods beyond.

Silently and dutifully, Lydia helped the other women guard the camp as the men packed everything up and collecting her own things somewhat distractedly when Kenren called for them to retreat as well after the men had already left. She kept to herself and didn't so much as say anything to anyone else, nor did she even look at anyone, for a change her face was not so easy to read as there was no furrowing of her brow, tears in her eyes, nor did she look angry. She just looked like Lydia.

She didn't try to talk to James so it was just as well that he just went to sleep, she found her own space where she could be alone and did so.

Zer0 Katsuya

 

[Zer0]

- Floating Islands -
" Next Day "​

Because they spent most of the night hiking, most of the soldiers awoke in the afternoon, though there were some who looked like they didn't have a wink of sleep --- the prince for example. For some reason, the talk that late breakfast revolved around the precious people they had left back at home and how they missed them.

Most had wanted to destroy the groves as it was beyond rude what those spirits had done to them, though at the sight of the baggy eyes and bad mood of the prince, they did not complain as once again he had thought of them first before his own wishes.

Nobody wanted to go into the grove again to look for Renee and Seifer as after hearing that the spirits slept during the day, they came to the conclusion that the two went gallivanting off on their own without telling anyone on purpose. They thought them irresponsible too, though many of the ladies were earnestly worried about Renee and volunteered to go look for her.

James was grateful Chenglei helped him, but took back some of the things so that they shared half instead. It was back to business as soon as everyone finished their meals. Kenren assembled them before him and briefed them on their missions for today. A small squad of the best lady spotters were to look for Renee and Seifer, while everyone else began the climb to the top of the colossal bowl rock to search for the Sea King's shrine.

The older Pendragon was on communications duty again, but he quickly caught up to Lydia before she left. There was no time to have a heart-to-heart talk, but he was determined to make time later, hoping that she wasn't too mad or sad.

"Lydia, um, if you're not busy tonight, would you like to talk together after dinner? --- Though you don't have to give me your answer now." James added hastily, rubbing the back of his neck.

Roleplay Skittle Katsuya

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Somewhere "​

Deep in the woods, underneath the soft rise and fall of a green cloak moist with dew and water spray from a hot nearby falls, were two archers happily entwined as they slept on the forest floor. One of them, the one underneath, stirred and hugged the one on top more snuggly as if she was his teddy bear. His stormy grey eyes sleepily opened, blinking to the cheerful morning light shining through the gaps of the leaves.

Seifer looked down and blinked, smiling at his sleeping Renee. He gently caressed her back, tucking away a strand of hair so he could see her peaceful face, and nuzzled comfortably in her hair, kissing a wing. He liked waking up to her . . . the smiles, the half-sleepy complaints, the jokes, and the morning kisses that were better than coffee had become a permanent wonderful start to his days.

Carefully, so as not to wake her up, he felt his hair as she'd usually play and make braids with it while she waited for him to wake up. They had made love all night long and boy was he satisfied.

"Morning, Renee." he whispered, smiling at her the moment she woke up. "Loved the way you danced last night."

Katsuya
OOC || Characters || Moments in Time
​

 

[Katsuya]

Serena, noticing how the soldiers felt that afternoon, started to play her violin to ease their nerves. Though she almost squawked when she saw Prince Kenren's face, her fingers itching to play his bad mood now but didn't as she rather not be at the other end of his sword. So her soothing tune continued until everyone finished eating. Then she volunteered to help Echo with finding herbs, not realizing that she sighed herself up on being a test dummy to taste them.

Chenglei went back to being a watchful eye on the rest of the kids while doing his job for the tired Prince. When no one was looking, however, the blond oriental soldier would shove a full plate at the moody Kenren, pleasantly scolding him for not eating and sleeping...again. He would not leave him alone either until he finished everything on that plate while smiling that very creepy smile. It's like he's hiding his annoyance by being pleasant...

Once again, Serena wished that she would stop coming in without 'knocking' on the tents as she didn't want to have nightmares of the normally very bright Chenglei chasing after her or let Kenren be embarrassed that he's forced to eat by one of his soldiers...

"I deny that just happened! I deny it! I DENY IT!!" Echo shushed her for being too loud.

Roleplay Skittle

***

He would find a few braids, some becoming undone on it's own when he felt them.

When he hugged her, she mumbled something about honey and the bees are trying to steal a Queen James. When he kissed her wing, it fluttered lightly. Humming quietly, Renee woke up, fluttering her eyes slow to hear Seifer's voice and she sighed happily. Smiling a warm sleepy smile.

"Morning, Seifer." Her wings stretched wide open for a moment as she placed a kiss where his heart is, then they flapped once before folding again."Love that you love it...Love that we made love..." She whispered back as she nuzzled at the nook of his neck and shoulder before sighing again.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Somewhere "​

"I know, right?" said Seifer, stretching happily. "Better than trying to keep quiet as much as possible in that cramped tent and then stopping, or being forced to suddenly do it sloooowly when someone passes outside, though it felt agonizingly good sometimes."

He rubbed her head and back, then kneaded her bottom absentmindedly. "How's your bottom?"

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Renee giggled softly before blushing red and letting out a quiet gasp.

"I-It's a bit..achy because of how much we...made love." She squirmed in place, her face turning redder and redder. Just because they have been going Woah~ on a few occasions, doesn't mean she'll stop blushing like a virgin-! Especially when they message each other. For her, when he does it, she melts into a puddle of goo and wouldn't stop with the mewling-! She had to bite onto a pillow every time someone passes by their tent. Her wings gets really excited too and just goes all over...

Until he messages them too...and that's when the world never rotated in the first place...in her melted brain.

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Seifer Rathmore -
" Somewhere "​

"The hot water can help with that while our clothes dry." he smiled, liking her squirming and blushing. "If you like, I can clean you with a warm cloth too before breakfast --- or lunch, is it afternoon?" he squinted at the sky. His stomach grumbled.

Seifer never taught Renee anything in bed as he preferred her natural desire to want to touch him lead the way, but after their first time, he taught her the things to do to after woo hoo to have a healthy bottom, and one of them was cleaning it with a warm cloth and letting it dry, and then rubbing oil to ease any areas that felt raw. Seifer always wanted to do it, but at first, since it just turned him on and have him want to go at it again, he let Renee do it.

He helped search for their discarded clothes and passed two key chains to Renee, which he disenchanted, turning into a small bottle of oil and a bottle of body wash.

Then jumped gleefully into the hot pool to clean himself up, talking about something random, about how he used to fart near the bubbly parts of Jacuzzis in hotels so that no one would know.

Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

"I-I got it." Renee quickly answered before kissing him, taking the oil and soap.

"Thank you though." She needs to focus now and Seifer cleaning her up will just make that soreness worse-! Oh she still remembers that first time alright. How could she not?! It's still embarrassing because of Ken-chan and the other soldiers who kept looking at her with awkward smiles and it just-!

Sometimes she wished she had Seifer's whatever attitude. It would make her life much easier if she didn't care and just moved on like no one's business.

Once she got herself cleaned up and less sore, giggling at some of the things he did before telling him of what she hears. Like her brother eating a booger covered pocky stick from Lydia...Oh yea, Serena told her that before and Renee could never see her brother the same way ever again.

Then she got out, letting herself air dry as she searched in her discarded clothes her gems and the little coin purse the Madam gave her. She still has some herbs and dried meat in here, so they should be fine for now before going back to the camp...If they are still there.

Renee looked down to her wrist and smiled gently as she remembers what her brother has told her. "After we eat, let's try to go back to camp. If we don't see them or get lost, then we should let out a smoke signal to let them know where we are and build a lean-to or a debris shelter before nightfall." She mentioned to Seifer as she lit a fire with tinder, blowing gently to let the fire grow a bit and smiling that she got the fire going so she can start cooking...

Once she puts on clothes first. It's not good to cook bare.

Zer0

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

After a night of much thought and little sleep, much as held true for the men folk of the group, Lydia prepared a small pack for the climb up the bowl rock. She had eaten that day meagerly and mostly just disappeared for small stints, but one thing that could be said for sure whenever someone looked at her, her eyes were red and puffy and it wasn't just from not sleeping.

She visibly tensed up when James approached her as she was closing her pack, her motions pausing for a moment. She didn't look up at him, her jawline stiffening slightly and she suddenly missed having her long bangs to hide her face. She only gave him a nod and finished closing her pack before she turned from him to follow the others that were leaving.

So maybe Lydia's facial expressions may be hard to read, but her body language wasn't, though as she turned from James she tried to walk away confidently despite the tightening of her stomach which she covered with one hand, a grimace on her face as silent tears slid down her cheeks.

Zer0 Katsuya

 

[Zer0]

- Sea King's Shrine? -
" Floating Islands "​

James' shoulders drooped. 'But Lydia nodded so, we can talk it out after dinner. Okay.' he took a deep breath as if to steel himself for that moment, then feeling more hopeful that she wasn't going to dump him, strode back into camp to get to work.

The climb up the side of the colossal bowl rock was breath-taking. The ascending soldiers were all roped together as the lead climber navigated up the mossy rock face, around the hot areas where lava flowed, the air shimmering in the heat surrounding it, and stuck the pegs attached to their safety lines between the most secure nooks and crannies.

It took them most of the afternoon just to get to the top, and when they reached it many flopped kissing the grass or just whooping in triumph as they admired the fantastic view. They were so high up that they looked down at a sea of clouds, and in the fluffy horizon, the sun was beginning to set.

The groups began their search. Lydia saw something in the north, where there was a dip in the land and red grass carpeted the floating jagged cliffs --- it was a white square structure, floating in the sky.

Everyone was excited and the prince immediately gave them permission to explore it the moment Lydia brought it to their attention.

It was more thrilling than the climb, having to reach that structure. Serena had to be brought up and have her use her Springen spell to allow them to jump high, and Echo too to toss them across the remaining distance. Johnny cast his spell Featherfall, so that in case they missed they fell slowly back down like feathers until their safety ropes went taut and they had to climb back up again.

Finally, they made it. And in that place it seemed as though there was a silent tranquility, as though all the world hushed and time was still.

There on the edge of the square structure that seemed to be made of polished white stones was a pool, and in that pool there was a ring of mossy, grass strewn rocks around the clearest pool of water anyone has ever seen. It was so pure it reflected the sky above like a perfect glass mirror. Not a ripple stirred even though a passing wind ruffled the grass, and all those who cast magic could sense, that an ancient power slept here.

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle

- Seifer Rathmore -
" We're Lost? "​

"Baby, I think I've seen this grove of giant red flowers before." said Seifer, wiping the sweat off his brow.

They were lost. A blue mist had crept into the woods hours earlier and they found themselves hiking through an unfamiliar part of the forest. Though they climbed up the giant trees to see if they were going the right way, they always somehow ended up going in circles.

"How do you make the smoke signals?"

Katsuya

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

When she felt she was far enough away from James and confident that he had walked off in his own direction to attend his own duties, Lydia absently and briskly wiped her eyes with the base of her palms and her forearms, drawing in a deep shuddering breath before bracing herself and preparing for the climb.

She was actually pretty grateful to be scaling the the monstrous bowl rock. She had opted to make the climb without her shoes because she had learned from her brothers a long time ago that it was often easier to climb with bare feet, it was easier to grasp a hold of the mossy stones with her toes and she enjoyed the feel. The whole of the climb was a good distraction because she had to focus on what she was doing and not falling. She didn't kiss the ground as they reached the top, but she did lay in the grass and look up at the sky, though she felt sad after a moment and shook her head, putting her stockings and boots back on before she joined in the search.

Upon the discovery of the floating structure, Lydia immediately brought it to Kenren's attention. It might have been slightly serious circumstances, but Lydia tried to enjoy the effort in getting atop the structure and she was in awe when they had reached the top. A smile began making its mark on her features, something she hadn't done since the incident with the tree maidens and it dissipated quickly when she thought of what James would say of the area.

Zer0 Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

Oh how Serena played her violin in mirth of finally reaching the top, spinning in place as she laughed. "Sorry Hisa-chan, I know you hate cheery songs but-! Augh! We're finally at the top! Wooo~!!" She just had enough with climbing and is happy to play her 'Springen' spell when they had to reach the structure.

"Come on, Lydia!" Serena cheered as she watched Echo toss a person up.

When they arrived the area, the blonde is so surprised with how peaceful it is up here and the pool water...it's almost like it was a mirror...but it's not.

She didn't even want to play her violin...Serena didn't want to disturb the ancient spirit that is living here...

Echo, who got up by Serena's spell at the end, took a deep breathe and enjoyed it thoroughly. The air is so fresh and the environment is so peaceful. The moss grass looked really healthy, unnaturally so as she took a closer look at the pool with the rocks.

"I wonder...do you think we're in the Sea King's shrine?" Echo asked to no one in particular.

"...I don't know but I don't want to go near that pool. Echo, you should step away from it just in case..." Serena whispered. The fawn nodded and stepped away to look around the building.

Roleplay Skittle

***

Renee sighed, not minding the sweat as much. Yep, they are lost. The carved women trees slowly changed into large red flower trees and she knew they can't eat that...

But they can use it for smoke signals.

"Like this." Renee grabbed a few wet branches and climbed up the red flower tree to pluck a petal and slid down. Then she piled up the wet branches, used her gems to light them up, and when she sees the smoke, she puts the giant petal over it. As the smoke is collected enough from under, she pulled away the petal to let the smoke leave before placing it back over and repeat.

"Let me know if you see anything, Sweetheart."

Zer0

 

[Zer0]

- Sea King's Shrine -
" Floating Islands "​

"If this is the place, let's try and present 'that', Echo." said Johnny. Mildpine had said to present a gift to summon the Sea King, so he pondered with her, Kenren, and Chenglei who as usual was trusted with the prince's secrets about what to give.

They had it in their packs just in case they found the shrine this week: Kenren's own articles of the finest gold wrapped in intricately embroidered silk that the women and Johnny had been working on, myrrh, incense and sweet smelling spices aside from the other treasures Chenglei and Echo suggested.

There was also one more thing. A song for the Sea King, made by Echo and Serena, though the violinist had been told it was for the majestic oriental god of the sea, simply called the Sea King.

After the gifts have been laid on the ring, the incense lit, and the music began to play, the ancient power sleeping in the well stirred, and the waters took a life of their own, droplets flying upwards with the melody until it seemed as though it was raining from the ground.

A man not quite a man, for his skin shimmered and reflected like water through a glass rose dancing from the well. The ancient power that thrummed from within him was like the weight of the oceans. Looking at him was like looking at the depths of the sea and not knowing where it ended. If he wished he could swallow them all like a tidal wave and leave no trace of their passing in the world. Yet like the rain, the droplets running up their skin was refreshing and the waves that surrounded him were playful.

He was so engrossed in the music that it seemed that he did not notice them as he danced the way only water could, and when the song ended he laughed, the sound like a cheerful bubbling brook and looked at them all with so much trust it oddly felt like they've been friends for a long time, they just didn't know until this moment.

He had been the water that carried them up when they were swimming in the sea when they were kids, heard their laughter as they splashed around. He was the river that flowed into the fields, and the rain that fell from the sky to refresh man. He was a god, a god who's been part of their lives all this time.

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle

 

[Roleplay Skittle]

Serena's happy mood made her smile again and she shook her head, urging herself to stop acting so morose and tried to enjoy the scenery and such. She watched the others as they prepared the offering with intent curiosity, stepping back as their call was answered. One of her hands went to her heart instinctively as she gasped at the sight of the being before them. She wasn't really sure how she should act, though she supposed since he was the Sea King, she should treat him as his name would suggest and she soon bowed her head in respect, though not without sneaking peaks at his dancing.

The Sea King's laugh was infectious and she felt some of her tension ease at the sound of it. She felt comforted in a way that she couldn't really pinpoint, but she didn't care to and just smiled admiringly to him

Zer0 Katsuya

 

[Katsuya]

When it was time for the offering, Echo and Serena took a moment to start their song offering, counting silently before beginning it. The fawn stomped on the tiles lightly and provided claps and snaps whenever she stopped singing to help keep the beat for the violinist who's spinning around and dancing with the music. She made gestures while singing the song, especially when she sang about wanting to dance as if she was alone, wiggling around with her arms up.

The musical duo didn't notice they were sort of dancing with the Sea King who came out of the pool of water. Immersed with the song they created together to impress a god of water. Their reason for this song? Well Serena always thought that love is just like water: Really fickle and sensitive. One moment it's calm the next there's a tidal wave coming down to submerge a boat. Echo didn't really see how that's connected but she followed the blonde's idea for the song.

When the song finished and Serena rested her violin, she blinked. "...You are the most beautiful man I have ever seen."

"...Serena..." Echo was close to face-palming herself, unable to hide her disbelief that her blonde friend would outright say that to a very powerful being.

"What? It's the truth."

Echo just sighed. She didn't bow like Lydia, not because she didn't want to show respect but because of that weird feeling. It's like she knew and is friends with the Sea King...Which is weird because she never met him...physically and personally until now. Then she felt like he was always with her through water it seems.

She guessed Serena felt the same way and that's way she said her comment by the way she's looking at the effeminate Sea King.

Though they both wondered...who's going to ask the Sea King what they wanted to know?

Spoiler: Serena and Echo's song

Zer0 Roleplay Skittle

 

[Zer0]

- Sea King's Shrine -
" Floating Islands "​

The waters splashed Serena and that laughter like the sound of a bubbling brook came and faded like the waves of the sea. She'd notice that she was clean, all the sweat and grime from the climb to the top was gone as the water pulled away leaving her dry.

'I am beautiful.' said a voice in everyone's heads as the Sea King smiled without speaking, and the waters mellowed. 'I have been called many things, but you are first to call me man.'

The other soldiers and Johnny followed Lydia and bowed at the spirit. The spirit bowed at them in turn. With a wave of water he swept in his well the gifts they presented him, and must have thought Echo and Serena were part of the offering, for he swept them into the pool too!

Johnny looked up in alarm and started forward.

The waters buoyed the two up as his form melted away and blossomed up around them, encasing them as though a cocoon, though he did not cover their heads. 'And the first to gift me with yourselves! I am well pleased.' The waters were cool and refreshing, and parted to create a hollow that led to the sandy bottom of the pool where he slid Echo and Serena to walk, surrounded by a wall of water.

"Erm, E-Echo and Serena aren't part of the gift." said Johnny anxiously. "Echo is mine."

Katsuya Roleplay Skittle