Fandom The Dragon Prince: Deep Trouble [Closed]

[cleopat]

Callum relaxed further when Lethe confirmed that she would never ask him to do dark magic. He didn’t know if he could. If his friends’ lives absolutely depended on it…he could see it. But it would be reluctant.

Hopefully he wouldn’t find himself in that position.

But he listened, and nodded, and absorbed what she told him. “Alright! I do want more practice than actual theory, I admit, but it can wait!” And he would eagerly wait for that practice for another time.

She was right. They needed to get the others up and ready to move on. He started by gently shaking Ezran awake, who in turn woke up Zym, before moving on to Rayla and Soren.

Once he saw Zym look around, no doubt for his mother, Callum sighed and knelt down next to the little dragon. “Sorry, buddy, but we’re moving on without her. She’ll catch up to us though, I’m sure of it.”

~~~

Upon coming back out on the deck, Willow made the quick decision to heed his earlier suggestion and stay below deck. She wouldn’t be useful in this fight, and only serve as a hindrance, especially if she did fall overboard.

She quickly ran off to find Pucca to bring her along as well. Poor Pucca didn’t deserve to go through this battle alone, but Willow certainly wanted something to hold.

The dragon stood tall and proud before the ship, scales glimmering despite the rain falling. The crew members stared and gawked at the archdragon, while some were already beginning to accept their death. It seemed inevitable with Domina Profundis looming over the ship.

“Captain Finnegrin,” the archdragon called out, sarcasm dripping from her words like the water dripping off of everyone from her rain, “I thought I made it clear that you and your ship are to be no more than a mile from shore. What have you to say for yourself?”

Willow, with Pucca now in hand, stared up at Domina in silent horror and wonder. As beautiful as she was deadly. Right. Get off the deck now.

 

[Lucyfer]

Despite the melancholy that followed the news of Zubeia, the group woke and moved. Rayla had an idea of where to go, and so they followed her lead, resting as needed. Lethe continued to help Callum with magic, and provided him with the book Aaravos had lent her centuries ago so he could read up on the arcanum, as well.

Study turned to mutual attempts to understand the ocean arcanum – Callum's love of poetry became obvious in it, and some of his art, in his attempts to figure it out.

Not quite enough for Lethe to share her atrocious poetry but enough to mention it existed.

Eventually, they reached a boat which Rayla was able to pay for with a special coin, and explained how it would take them to a place called Scumport.

A place that definitely didn't look too great as they got closer.

~***~

Finnegrin felt the tension in the air. The threat of violence was electric, but he could only grin up at the dragon, knowing this was her last day alive. "Aye, you did, and so I have for many years, Domina," he agreed, "but today, well, I got a wild hair. You know how it is," he shrugged, "you start thinking about revenge for someone killing a dear friend, and then you act on it."

Audacious statement.

Damning statement.

And he followed it up with action, rather than let her speak, forming the rune for his blood freezing spell, well aware it wouldn't work.

He just had to keep the attention off of Claudia who had returned to the deck, as she crushed coral and chanted her own freezing spell to freeze the area around Domina and bind her in place.

 

[cleopat]

Callum absorbed himself in the book Lethe gave him every night, eager to learn more about the arcanum every opportunity he got, even to the point of showing Lethe some of his artistic expression.

Eventually they reached a point in their journey to Scumport when Rayla summoned a dinghy, manned by a mysterious human draped in a dark cloak. He looked at Ralya with a raised brow, but didn’t question any further.

It got them to their destination, a dingy little town where they were warned of the criminals and outcasts that lived there. Great, this is making me feel great for being here.

“Soooo, where do we go for a ship?” Soren asked, looking around. It was foggy and a little dark, but people still milled about their day, though no one looked particularly inviting. Not to their mixed group.

~~~

Willow paused in her path back to below the deck, seeing Sir Sparklepuff look around in confusion as it was alone in the midst of all the confusion. Oh, fuck. She sighed, and ran over to him, Pucca still in one arm. “Come on, little fella,” she said, holding out her hand for him. Sir Sparklepuff stared at her hand for a second, before deciding to grab it.

“Blood of child?”

Willow sighed. “I have no idea why you say that, but let’s get out of here before blood is shed.” She led him down the steps and out of the way of the battle.


Domina could laugh at Finnegrin! “You should know that foolish spell doesn’t work on me.” Really, an ocean spell on her!

But then ice started forming around her form, in a surprise for her. “What is this?” she demanded, immediately breaking free from the ice. “You dare try to contain me?” she roared, splashing water onto the ship with a swish of her trail. Rain pelted down harder on the ship as her anger soared.

 

[Lucyfer]

“Weeell, that’s the tricky part,” Rayla said, “this is a bit of a criminal-y, pirate-y, town, so we can find plenty of people willing to help, but a lot of them are going to want something out of it,” she said, and sighed, “and we’re broke.”

Lethe couldn’t help but to steal a glance at Stella, and Stella chittered something, not that Rayla understood, but Lethe was pretty sure she did. She just didn’t verbalize that both she and Stella could probably steal and offer a fortune to anyone. “So we’re going to have to rely on, well, the goodness of someone’s heart!”

Lethe dropped her face into her hand. How did these kids get anywhere.

“Oh! Maybe we could just pretend to have something they want! Why, I could pretend to be Smort Longpockets!” Soren said, “Anyone will believe I’m a rich merchant and I can pay them back!”

“I…could just offer to pay them for the service later. I am King of Katolis.” Ezran pointed out. “Maybe that would work?”

“Mmmm, maybe, but people here are more likely to try and kidnap you, so, uh…you might want to lose the crown, Ezran.”

“…Oh.” Ezran reached to take it off quickly on that advice.

~***~

Viren was confused. Lost. One moment, everyone was in the room with him, rushed, anxious, and then his daughter kissed him on the forehead and was gone. The anxiety was enough to push him forward, even if he wasn’t clear enough to understand it. He stumbled in his steps as he walked from his room, unsure where he was going.

Unsure, really, where he was.

Ziard’s staff was a good crutch for when he stumbled, though.

It was the cry of “Blood of Child!” that drew his eyes to Sir Sparklepuff, as the creature fought to get away from Willow and to him, grasping one of Viren’s hands in both of his and pulling, “Blood of Child! Blood of Child!” such urgency, as he tried to pull Viren towards the deck, but Viren was, well, confused.

And that didn’t seem like the right way to go. Not that he knew the right way, as his questioning gaze fell upon the only other real sentient around, Willow.

~

‘Fuck!’ Claudia’s magic failed to contain Domina, but at least all the water that Domina attempted to splash on the deck also failed. Claudia launched it right back at Domina as ice, crushing more coral to do so, but Finnegrin could see her panic.

“Come on, girl!” he snapped at the mage, “you had better do better than that!”

“I’m trying!” Claudia snapped right back, as the ship shifted under them, and the other ships in Finnegrin’s fleet came in closer, each of them, a giant hermit crab. As Claudia was trying, Sea Legs reached up to try and snip Domina’s head off of her neck, no matter how foolish a thing that was to try.

Claudia, of course, reached into her bag for the abyssal whale’s tongue to move on to the next step, since it was obvious she wasn’t going to be able to hold the dragon in place like she hoped.

 

[cleopat]

Callum’s shoulders dropped, as if realizing the same thing as Lethe. Things were…not going well at all in Scumport. They had no money, and no one in the town was willing to work without it! Even as they still tried by knocking on a few ships, everyone immediately turned the kids away.

Of course they shouldn’t expect anyone to do anything out of their own kindness in a place called Scumport.

“Wait, maybe you don’t have to pretend to be Smort Longpockets after all,” Ezran started, squinting his eyes at something in the distance.

How anyone could see anything in the fog, thought Callum, but still, he looked in the direction Ezran was, and focused on a colorful creature that he could make out.

Wait, was that…

“Villads!” Ezran exclaimed, running over to the blind pirate. “Long time no, err, see?”

~~~

The Creature started to pull away from Willow, and she frowned, trying to keep her grip on his hand. “No, don’t go wandering off!” But he broke away, only to go to Viren who had started wandering off on his own.

And who appeared to be looking around before landing his confused gaze on her.

“Wait…you’re awake?” she asked, flummoxed. Why now? Well, why not now! If he was as powerful a mage as rumor suggested, he may be able to help Claudia. “Um, well,” she looked back at the deck, where the battle raged, and back at Viren. “Really long story short, your daughter, Claudia - she is your daughter, right? Well, Claudia is trying to kill Domina Profundis.”

She felt bad for the man, waking up only to hear that news. “And if she’s not successful, that spells certain doom for everyone here.”

~

Domina only crushed the ice that the dark mage tried to trap her with. “You dare bring a dark mage here?” Domina roared, splashing the water again to shower the desk with more water.

She saw the giant claw reach for her neck, and she quickly dodged, only to retaliate and try to hit the crab’s claw with her tail. The hermit crab managed to move in time to avoid losing its claw.

“You just doomed your ship and your crew!”

 

[Lucyfer]

Lethe certainly tried to convince people to help as she went to a couple of ships with Callum, offering their services as mages to speed ships along and help out, but it wasn’t enough. People didn’t care to let them on their ships to head out to the Sea of the Castout.

When they regrouped, they were about to breakdown and let Soren’s plan play out, when Ezran seemed to spot someone through the fog of Scumport. Then, Ezran took off running, and the others seemed to exchange a look, before hurrying after him.

To a blind pirate.

‘What?’

“Ahoy!” Villads laughed, “Is that Ezran I hear?” He asked, “Quite a while. What are you doing out here?”

“We’re on another dangerous and exciting mission,” Ezran said, before he dropped his voice to a conspiratorial level, “we have to go find a very dangerous prisoner in a prison and move it so bad guys can’t release him.”

“Ooh!” Villads said, “how exciting! Sounds like just the job for the Ruthless, eh?”

“Exactly what we were thinking,” Ezran’s smile could be heard in his voice, “do you have the time?”

“Of course I do!” he said, “just gotta get my first mate back, and we’ll be in ship-shape!”

“First mate, huh?” Rayla asked, “since when did you get a first mate,” though she was already making her way towards the ship.

“That you, Rayla?” he laughed, “still an assassin?”

“Nah, I found somethin’ else to do,” she said, and paused just before getting on the ship, hesitating. Afraid. “Oh, there’s some more of us this time,” she said to delay. “There’s—”

“Smort Longpocket, at your service,” Soren gave a bow.

Rayla groaned, “Soren, our friend who doesn’t need to disguise himself at all, Azymondius, Lethe, and Jove.” Jove let out a little trill, as Zym approached Villads and nudged his leg.

“Oh! Well hello there! Glad to see you’ve put together a fine crew, Ezran!”

~***~

Viren stared at Willow as she spoke. Like so many other times, he heard the words, but the part of his mind that could put things together didn’t work. He didn’t really understand them. He did, but not what they meant. Not really, even as Sparklepuff screamed ‘Blood of Child’ again, with urgency, as his daughter was mentioned.

The ship rocked violently, and moved, and Viren fell with it, though the homunculus tried to keep him up. It ended up rolling with him, but quickly scrambled back to his feet and tugged at Viren’s tunic. “Blood of Child!” so much panic was in his voice, but Viren just…didn’t register it, at all. He was helped up, and Sparklepuff continued to try and urge Viren towards the deck, rather than to safety.

Not that Viren really fought, but his footing wasn’t the best even with the staff, with that directionless uncertainty.

Sparklepuff continued chittering the warning and pulling, though.

~

Again, Claudia whirled the water that Domina tried to pour onto the deck, but at the cost of not being able to do what she really needed to do. That, added with Sea Leg’s rocky dodge, caused her to stumble, though Terry was quickly behind her, catching her under her shoulders and holding his ground amidst the movement.

Claudia, unfortunately, dropped the whale tongue she needed. “AH! No!” she tried to get it, but of course, another sharp movement prevented it, and she and Terry were both thrown against the railing of the ship.

Finnegrin maintained his stance the entire time, but he was aware of their struggles, and that the tongue was – well, thankfully – stabbed up by Seamore as the crab roamed the deck. Hopefully it was still useful stabbed.

But how did he keep Domina’s attention and keep things steady?

“That the best you got, Your Ladyship?” He taunted, “splishy splashing some water? Ha! You’ve grown pathetic,” he sneered, “Come, come, let Sea Legs give you a mercy killing,” he insisted, “at least then people may think you died with some dignity in tact.”

Fucking mage and her fucking imbalance.

 

[cleopat]

“And I’m here as well! Callum!” Callum eagerly greeted Villads.

Villads laughed. “Callum, eh? The whole crew is back together!”

Callum’s expression softened when he saw the hesitation with Rayla. He walked up next to her and placed a hand on her arm. “It’ll be alright. You know he’s a good sailor,” despite his limitations, or maybe because of them, “and we’ll make sure nothing happens to you.”

A sea rescue? Easy enough, Callum told himself.

“And it’s just a quick trip to where we need to go! It’s not that far. Nothing will happen!” He was sure of that.

“Ayy, that’s true! Ruthless is a fast ship, and she’ll get you to your destination in no time,” Villads assured them.

~~~

Willow huffed as she realized Viren wasn’t as lucid as she thought he was. But he was walking! And looking around! That had to mean for something, right?

The ship rocked, and Willow bumped into the wall rather roughly. “Oof.” The homunculus, despite the chaos of everything, kept trying to get Viren to go back on the deck. “What, you think he’ll be able to help? Is ‘blood of child’ some kind of clue?”

Sir Sparklepuff only looked at her, while he kept trying to pull Viren along.

“Oh fine.” She put Pucca down on the ground. “Go somewhere safe. Stay down here, okay?” The pichi blinked at her, but seemingly understood as it rolled up into a ball and…rolled away, to find a room to hide out in. She turned around and helped Sir Sparklepuff get Viren back up the stairs and onto the deck, all while wondering why.

~

Domina roared at the taunting. Finnegrin had gotten on her last nerve, and she was determined to make him watch her kill yet another beloved ship of his, powered by those hermit crabs he raised.

The tail rose once more and hit the deck, sending some of the crew members scattering to get out of the way as wood splintered under her weight, but the ship managed to evade the worst of the attack.

Scales gleamed as Domina focused on the water that surrounded the ship. Slowly, the water began to move in a circular motion around and around, and soon, there would be a powerful whirlpool that would trap anything caught in it.

 

[Lucyfer]

Rayla hummed, but nodded at Callum’s reassurance. She knew – Villads was great! But, she was still worried anyways. That was just what water did to her, though. “Well, we should go, uh, find this first-mate of yours then, shouldn’t we?” Rayla still tried to delay a bit, with that laugh.

“No need!” a too-familiar voice said, and then there was a quiet ‘thud’ on the deck of the ship and Rayla saw Nyx. Her eyes narrowed immediately in suspicion, “and it’s Commodore, thank you very much.”

“Nyx?” Ezran asked, surprised.

“How did you get to be captain of the ship?”

“Simple! I won it in a game of dice.”

The parrot was the one to chime in, “It was a two.”

“It was a four and – oh, nevermind,” she waved it off, “where are you going to be taking my boat?”

“My boat,” Villads came forward, and so Rayla had to scurry onto the boat to make sure she wasn’t in his way, “and we’re going to the Sea of the Castout,” he said.

Lethe thought to add in, “Er, it’s for Zubeia, Commodore. I’m sure you don’t mind for that reason,” most skywing elves heeded Zubeia. She didn’t know if Nyx was one, and found it a bit difficult to look at Nyx without flushing immediately. The way Nyx had just flown in and swaggered up to try and take control reminded Lethe a lot of Lark.

She hadn’t thought of Lark in a while. It was a pleasant surprise, but not one she really wanted right then, damn it!

“Commodore is a pretty cool title,” Soren added as he walked onto the ship, “Not as cool as, you know, Head of the Royal Guard – but cool.”

~***~

Viren was helped along by the woman and Sparklepuff, though he wasn’t sure where they were taking him, until he reached the deck, and saw before his eyes a dragon. Not just any dragon, either. Domina Profundis.

Something in the back of his mind clicked, as the crew was tossed about, and waves slammed into the ship from the whirlpool that was in the process of being formed. He saw his daughter get to her feet, corrupted staff in her hands, though all the fire it held was of little use now – still, he heard her try to chant some spell before her voice was stolen by a wave slamming down on her – on the deck.

Claudia was all but washed over the rails. It was only thanks to Terry, who managed to stay on the deck by manipulating the wood to sprout vines, that he stayed, that he was able to grab Claudia and hold onto her as well.

He’d seen Claudia face the wave before.

He’d seen it destroy her.

Viren’s mind slammed back into him, his awareness of the situation dropping him right into the moment with a gasp, and then, cold fury became his expression.

He saw the crab with the knife, and the tongue, and marched right towards it, picking the crab up and setting it on his shoulder as he took the tongue in hand and used the staff to balance himself. His eyes immediately began to glow that infamous purple of the dark mage, and his voice dropped an octave as he spoke.

“Dniheb gnihton evael, nogardhcra eht fo erutsiom eht lla pu kaos, tresed eht fo tsriht eht htiw.”

Despite the chaos, Viren stayed rooted, the staff seeming to imbue him with poise, and certainly, more power, as the stones also took on a light on their own, aiding in the process of soaking the water out of the dragon, channeling it out – water, blood, saliva – any and all moisture, to depart from the Archdragon of the Ocean.

“DAD!” Claudia cried, both in surprise and concern.

Finnegrin was also stricken with surprise as he clutched at the railing of the ship.

 

[cleopat]

Callum, like everyone else who knew her, had his thoughts about Nyx being there with them. On her ship, apparently, though he doubted the claim, given how the parrot responded.

That was hardly important though when they were offering free passage for the group to the Sea of the Castouts.

Nyx considered the new members for a second, especially their little Skywing elf. Quite a little group they had! “Eh, Head of Royal Guard is a mouthful, and doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as Commodore,” she waved off Soren, immediately pegging him as someone who wasn’t quite all there.

“Aye, now that we are all acquainted and reacquainted, we best be leaving now while the weather is fair and the wind is favorable,” Villads called from the ship’s helm.

Callum frowned, and looked to the sky. While the fog may not concern someone like Villads, there certainly seemed to be a lack of wind. Was this truly the best weather to sail in?

He wouldn’t question that and put his trust in Villads.

Nyx looked over at the other member of the crew whose name she still did not know. “Hey, horns, what’s your name?”

~~~

The whirlpool slowed as Domina began to feel the effects of the spell. At first, the shimmer in her scales dulled. Then Domina panicked as she realized she was suffocating. The water was being drawn from her body from every crevice, and even as she forgot about Finnegrin to dive back into the water, she still couldn’t get the water back inside her.

She rushed back above the surface to let out a piercing wail as she felt her body weaken to nothing, and her energy depleted to nothing. Her body crashed back onto the water, sending a large splash onto the deck, but she didn’t surface again.

Sea Legs grasped onto Domina’s neck with one of its large claws. Domina fought no more.

Unable to survive without water in her body, she stood no chance to the unavoidable dark magic spell.

Everyone remained quiet and still on deck at first, waiting for her to surprise them with the finishing blow, but slowly they all realized she was truly dead. One by one, they began to celebrate the death of Domina Profundis.

Willow just stood there, unable to believe what she just saw. Viren finally woke the fuck up, only to immediately do all that? “Holy fuck,” she whispered, letting go of the rope tethered to the ship she had grabbed in the midst of the chaos.

 

[Lucyfer]

Everyone made their way onto the ship, and Villads went about prepping the ship to leave – Soren, easily, volunteering himself to do labor to help get them going, pulling anchor for Villads, and much else. Jove just flew up to the highest place he could, as Bait went to watch the water he couldn’t go into.

Zym and Ezran were the first to retreat below deck, although Rayla wasn’t far behind them, apparently not soothed by watching what happened above deck.

Lethe didn’t think to go down just yet. The wind wasn’t really there, and she was debating if she ought to offer to help when the other skywing called to her. She glanced up, lips quirking at the familiar nickname on an unfamiliar voice. It wasn’t exactly a long time since she’d heard it – it was the feature most took note of first – but it was the first time in a long while it didn’t sound, well, bad.

No hesitation, suspicion, or worry.

“Lethe,” she answered, and quickly moved by it – just in case, “do you need any help getting the wind in the sails, Commodore?” Callum could probably do it, too – she might even ask him to if it was needed, just so he kept up with his practice, but it was better to ask.

Nyx might be a mage and have it under control. That could be where Villads’s faith in the wind came from.

~***~

The silence stretched into almost eternity, even as Sea Legs pulled Domina into his claws and raised it up. That was when the silence broke into cheers, into hugging, into panicked laughter, as everyone realized they were going to live. It was when Claudia broke away from Terry to throw her arms around Viren, who only then stumbled, only then seemed insecure – and then, of course, hugged his daughter.

Finnegrin straightened up. ‘So, finally woke up, eh?’ What was wrong with him, then? Or did he just have random moments of lucidity? Thank all the elements he chose to wake up for this one! Claudia didn’t have her shit together, even if she was likely planning on using the same spell.

Finnegrin approached Viren with a grin as Claudia drew away and clapped a hand on his back, somewhat surprised that it seemed to almost topple Viren. “Well done, and well met at last, Viren. Don’t know if you have any reckoning of who I am, but I’m Captain Finnegrin of this fine vessel.”

Viren did not look happy, but it was evident that his memory wasn’t all there. “I—I don’t know who you are,” he said, straightening up and turning to properly face Finnegrin, “Forgive my lack of recollection, I have been…not myself.”

“Aye, so your daughter suggested. As I promised her, I’m taking ye now to the Sea of the Castout for some magic cure to your ails, so hopefully you don’t have another dramatic catatonic episode.”

Viren nodded, “Sea of the Castout?” No, he didn’t know why they were heading there.

His daughter, ever dutiful, clasped his hand in hers, “To find Aaravos, remember? So he can save you.”

“Right…yes….” A darkness took his tone at the mention, and Finnegrin arched a brow.

“Who is this Aaravos I keep hearing about?” he asked, shifting his weight, grin remaining, as he reached a hand out for Seamore to crawl onto.

“The most powerful mage in all of Xadia,” Claudia said, evident admiration in her eyes that was not shared by Viren. No, Finnegrin was fairly certain he saw immense dislike there, which was all the more curious.

Jealousy? No. “Claudia, I don’t—”

“—don’t feel good, do you? I know, that was such a powerful spell, we should get you back to the room so you can rest,” she interjected, and even Finnegrin knew that wasn’t what Viren was going to say.

“Well, you should all come on back, later. We’ll be celebrating on the deck!”

Claudia gave him such a look for that! “And moving,” he promised, “Aye, moving, just need to cut up Domina a bit and we’ll get on our way,” he promised. “You wouldn’t let such a creature just sink to the bottom of the ocean, would ye?”

No, on she wouldn’t. She understood the potential, and just huffed, “Make it quick!”

 

[cleopat]

Callum watched Rayla as she left to go below deck. He almost considered following her to keep her company, and distracted, but he stopped himself. She had Ezran and Zym. He was needed up there.

Nyx cocked her head in consideration. “Lethe…why does that sound so familiar?” She muttered to herself, all the while still staring at the other Skywing elf, before shaking her head. It’ll come to her. Maybe.

And Nyx was about to answer concerning the wind, when Callum piped up, “Wait! I can do that! I can give us wind!”

Nyx stared at him, unimpressed. “You? But you’re just a human.”

“And a mage! I know the sky arcanum.”

Nyx scoffed. “Baby mage,” she muttered.

Callum huffed. “I can prove it!” He turned to the sails, and made his sign in the air. “Aspiro!” He blew a gust of wind, a gentle one, enough to get the ship moving and prove his point that he did know it!

~~~

Willow stayed around long enough to hear the conversation between Finnegrin and the mage family. There was that name again, Aaravos, but she hardly concerned herself with it. She had other thoughts on the mind.

Thoughts related to her never-ending debt.

As she provided the dark mages, who succeeded, would she had been freed that day had she not fucked things up for herself?

To her, the death of Domina Profundis was a bittersweet day. Maybe more so bitter, as the only way she benefited from her death was having a cheerful captain. But that wouldn’t change her circumstances.

Willow made her way back down the stairs. “Pucca?” she called out. The familiar chattering of the pichi could be heard, and she followed the noise, finding Pucca hiding behind a couple of barrels. “It’s alright, Pucca. The fight is over, and we’re alright.” Willow sat on the floor, leaning against the wall, and Pucca walked over to her and climbed onto her lap.

No, she didn’t see any reason to join in on the celebrations.

 

[Lucyfer]

‘Oh.’ Nyx knew? Not immediately, but if she knew the name, then Lethe knew, she knew something more. And that was never anything good. That inward pull returned to hide, only to be temporarily snuffed when Callum offered up his own skill to get them going.

And, of course, he did so, despite Nyx’s insulting words.

Lethe laughed, clapping her hands together once. Soren ‘whooped’ from where he was. “With my muscles and your magic, we’ll keep this ship going!”

Callum knew that spell long before she showed up, but all the same, he was getting immensely better at controlling the power of it! “You’re doing so good, Callum!” She barely noticed the way the wind pushed her up off the deck, even if it was naturally called upon.

She hadn’t…enjoyed that kind of happiness in a while.

“I’ve been teaching him some, he’s really coming along! He can even do mage wings,” she moved her own arms out in a mimicry of wings.

Sure, she hated mage wings – but it was an amazing feat, even among their kind.

Nyx had no need of them.

Lethe was forever jealous. That never changed.

~***~

To the delight of many of the crew, the kegs were brought up and opened, with no consideration of expense. Rum poured freely with no one watching how much was drunk, or by who. Claudia and Terry did return to the deck, eventually, Claudia to negotiate some of the dragon pieces, and Terry to see what all the revelry was about.

And it was fun!

Even Viren eventually seemed to come out of his room, not to revel, but more to…well, figure out more of what the hell was going on, really. To reflect on being alive, and if he still wanted to be alive, although he wasn’t going to tell anyone that as he looked out at the moon and the stars reflected on the surface of the ocean.

They moved, as Finnegrin promised, and the sea was as dead as Domina.

‘This isn’t right.’ The dark magic felt heavy beneath his skin. ‘I have to stop this. I have to stop Claudia.’ How did he save his daughter and convince her this was bad, after what he just did? These were the thoughts that plagued Viren as he waved away Terry’s offer of a drink.

“Oh—something non-alcoholic? I haven’t been drinking alcohol, either.”

“No…,” Viren sighed, “yes, Terry, that would probably be good for me.”

“Okay! I’ll see what I can find, most of that is below deck,” everyone on deck was pretty much drinking, so down Terry went, eventually stumbling on Willow as he did so, “Oh! Sorry, didn’t see you there,” he’d nearly tripped over her, “everything okay?”

It didn’t look like it.

 

[cleopat]

Nyx rolled her eyes, even if a bit surprised by Callum’s display of magic, and Lethe’s added comment. “Yeah, yeah, pretty good for a baby mage.”

Callum didn’t let her comment get to him. He merely beamed at the compliments of Lethe, and the good natured comments from Soren.

“Aye, is that so?” piped in Villads with a laugh. “Ye certainly came a long way since we’ve last crossed paths! If we need any help with the winds, I’ll certainly be letting ye know.”

“Yeah! I still have so much to learn, but Lethe has been a lot of help.” And maybe even one day, he could understand another arcanum! Learning the ocean arcanum next would be very helpful for their quest, but he didn’t quite hold his breath for that. “And there’s so much I want to learn!”

“Calm yourself there, baby mage,” Nyx said, flying up to the first beam of the mast.

~~~

Willow spent a good part of the celebrations stewing in her thoughts, before Pucca intervened and distracted Willow by…well, by being cute. And it did much to bring a small smile to her face, but it was still evident that a lot was weighing on her mind.

So much so, that when she was surprised by Terry’s sudden appearance, he could tell something was off with her.

“Oh, um,” she grabbed Pucca and stood up, “yeah, everything’s okay.” The pichi immediately protested her answer. She was most certainly not okay! Willow shushed Pucca. “Anyways, what are you doing down here?”

In her solitude, she could hear the celebrations quite well, and while a small part of her wanted to join in on the revelry, she simply couldn’t muster the motivation to keep up the happiness for too long, unless she got drunk. And on Finnegrin’s ship? She wanted to keep her sobriety.

“Came down here for more booze?”

 

[Lucyfer]

They all settled into place on the ship, helping out or staying out of the way. They didn't need to sleep in shifts anymore, not that Lethe had become a part of that. Still, it was nice to settle on a bed rocking on the ocean, instead on the ground.

Lethe's usual book was waiting for her at the chair, but she went instead to the shelf of the time before the Star Arcanum. As much as she knew she ought to avoid it, heading to the Sea of the Castout had her back in her feelings.

That and Nyx knowing her name, and the stray memories of Lark.

She should have picked a book on Lark, but instead, she picked one after she'd broken up. Right after.

'I should have stayed with her….'

~

Lethe instead went to Evenere all those years ago for their Festival of the Dragonfly. All of the city she arrived in was alight with lanterns of many different colors and designs. The scent of delicious food hung in the air around the boats that were decked out.

Lethe loved it - but how could she not, drawn to the lights of the stars as she was? This was all before dark magic entered her life.

Although she still tried to be somewhat unnoticed as she admired it all, head down and hood up. It was ineffective to anyone who gave her more than a passing look, of course.

Thankfully, the people were a bit more welcoming at this time of the year, and so Lethe wasn't harassed by any humans before she found Aaravos amidst all the pretty lights, and quickly lifted her head and let the hood fall back before rushing over to where he was, in the foolish hope she might surprise him with a hug from behind since he seemed otherwise distracted.

"This is beautiful! Thank you!"

But she was happy to be dragged from dwelling on the break up, even if she'd considered denying it.

~***~

Pucca definitely ratted on Willow but Terry pretended not to hear it as she answered him. "Actually, non-alcoholic!" Terry grinned, "I guess Viren isn't much in the mood to drink alcohol right now, and I can't really blame him for that. He doesn't seem to really recall anything on the ship so I looking for something tasty for him."

Terry didn't really know what favorites Viren had.

They'd all been in survival mode for so long, favorites didn't factor into much. Still, Viren should have something nice. He had just saved all of their lives.

"Do you think maybe you could show me to some? I'm sure Finnegrin won't mind, after all Viren's done…you know, killing a dragon, saving all our lives," Terry couldn't help the nervous chuckle.

They were…definitely criminals now.

And Domina never hurt him personally. He didn't feel good about any of what had just transpired.

 

[cleopat]

Of the human kingdoms, Evenere was one of Aaravos’ favorites, even if the climate was less than favorable most of the year. Although slightly reserved from outsiders, the people were kind, the food was good, and the festivals were enjoyable.

Especially Festival of the Dragonfly.

The lanterns of different colors and designs were delightful, and everyone worked together to put their individual boats together to form a dragonfly, the symbol of the kingdom. It was just many of the reasons why he asked Lethe to join him there that day.

And as he waited for her, Aaravos was distracted by the colorful lanterns and marvelous lights, that he didn’t hear her until her footsteps were right behind him. He was surprised by the hug, but he didn’t jump. Instead, he laughed and turned around to reciprocate. “I figured you would enjoy this. Thank you, for coming.”

~~~

Willow hummed as Terry explained it was Viren who wanted something non-alcoholic. She couldn’t blame him in the least. He had been in some sort of catatonic state for most of his time on the ship, and the moment he wakes up, he’s greeted by the sight of his daughter trying to kill Domina Profundis?

She would either want to drink herself into a stupor or not even think about having a drop touch her tongue while trying to figure out some shit.

“Yeah, there’s something in here, I think.” She carefully placed Pucca on the floor, who stayed nearby to the two Earthbloods, and she looked around at the kegs.

Willow looked over a few before she came upon one, where she could make out that the label identified it as something to help the dark mage. “Here’s some cider right here. I’m not sure what kind of fruit it’s made out of, but,” she shrugged, “it’s bound to be good!”

 

[Lucyfer]

There was no jump, but there was a laugh, which was enough for Lethe to know Aaraovs had been startled. Getting his laugh was always a goal, and she was happy for his embrace. She was still adjusting to the lack of touch again after the break-up from Lark. Not that it’d been excessive, but it had been a sort of promise at a day’s end.

This was nice.

For the moment.

And Lethe let it slide easily off as she broke from the embrace and stepped back, “I’m a bit easy, aren’t I? All you really needed to say was pretty lights, you know I’m infatuated with them,” Lethe chuckled, letting her attention be distracted from the star amidst all of it to the lights once again. She didn’t really understand it at all.

She knew it was the Festival of the Dragonfly, but why?

What did lights have to do with it?

Why a week?

“There must be other festivities besides pretty lights, though. I thought I heard some music – and the food – what’s the must-try food?” of course, she wanted to keep moving, keep exploring, and see what all of this was about.

Enjoy, if only because she hadn’t enjoyed in a little while.

~***~

Terry followed Willow the short walk to some kegs, until one was found that was a fruit cider. “Ah! Yes, this should work quite nicely.” And thankfully there were pints nearby, so Terry began to pour cider into it, “I hope he likes it. He deserves something nice after, well, everything he’s been through.”

And it was a lot.

Not to mention what he woke up.

“Do you want to come and join us? Viren seems to be, ah, relaxed, if you want to be with someone low energy while the festivities are going on,” Terry chuckled, “Claudia definitely isn’t,” nor did many of the crew seem to be, though this was likely one of the few times they got to cut loose and celebrate.

“I know it can’t be as fun down here as it is up there, but if you need to be away from it all, I understand. It’s a lot. And, uh, between you and me, Finnegrin isn’t the best singer when he’s drunk. I’m sure he’s better when he’s sober, though!”

Terry was not sure of that.

 

[cleopat]

“How can one not be infatuated with such pretty lights?” Aaravos wondered, gazing back at the colorful lanterns for a moment. They all had a bit of an infatuation with lights, didn’t they? It seemed that each of the human kingdoms, and even the elven realms, had their own festivals surrounding lights.

And then, some rightfully connected their light festivals to the stars above.

Aaravos simply chuckled at all the questions Lethe asked him. Naturally as curious as ever, which was why he was so endeared to her. She was always so eager to learn, so malleable in her knowledge and understanding, especially of human culture.

So many elves were easy to dismiss it.

“I heard that Evenere is renowned for their crawfish stew dish,” he told her, leading her to one of the food vendors. “It’s crawfish served over a bed of rice, and it’s a delightfully warm dish they make during their cold, rainy seasons.

~~~

Willow could only hum her agreement. “I only know a fraction of what that man has gone through, and I agree,” she chuckled. Sure, that could be seen as an invitation to hear more of what they were doing, but she recalled the look Claudia gave her. The group seemed pretty close, so she wouldn’t blame him for not divulging more information.

When Terry asked her if she wanted to join, she hesitated at first. She was enjoying her silence, sort of, but when he asked, she realized how lonely she had been. Even Pucca seemed to understand, squeaking at her to accept.

She sighed, and smiled. “Sure, I’ll come and join you.” Willow grabbed a pint for herself and filled it up. “Besides, I can’t let you suffer alone with his singing. I’m sure alcohol is actually making him better.” She doubted that, but she hadn’t been around long enough to hear him sing at all.

“Thank you, by the way,” she said, leading them back upstairs. “For, well, everything.” She wouldn’t clarify exactly what it was. For being so nice, for helping with the dragon, for being a friendly face. Really, everything.

 

[Lucyfer]

It was hard to imagine Aaravos infatuated with anything, but Lethe supposed he may have once been infatuated with even this, the first time he arrived. Perhaps it was why he invited her out? Or perhaps it was just the timing – she needed something to do other than stew in her feelings and get worse.

This was something new.

Something that easily dragged her out of it, as Aaravos led her on towards the food vendors and mentioned one thing she ought to try, a warm dish. The night was only a little chill, and certainly not rainy, but she nodded. If it was a staple, she had to try it!

So, of course, when they reached the vendor, that was what she asked for when she was greeted with a pleasant, but somewhat confused, expression, “What will you have?”

“Ah – the crawfish stew dish, please?” Lethe asked, and he nodded, before he’d look to Aaravos for his order. Aaravos, at least, was a somewhat more familiar face to all in Evenere – it wasn’t too strange he had some elf friends he’d bring around, so the man remained respectful, despite being caught off guard.

He listed off a price after, and Lethe internally panicked. Money! She hadn’t thought to bring human money with her! She still looked for coin or something that would suffice in her cloth back she had tied around her waist.

~***~

Terry didn’t attempt to divulge. It wasn’t his story to divulge, not in full, even if he liked Willow. He knew Claudia was very wary about these people, so he’d refrain. He was glad that Willow was going to join, though, and his smile brightened at that. “Well, I’m not alone – but I appreciate the additional company, all the same,” he chuckled. “And now I can introduce you to Viren proper! Ah he’s not – not much of a fan of our usual greeting.”

Terry chuckled as he walked back towards the stairs, “Though I suppose I wouldn’t have been very impressed, either.” Not when Viren just came back from the dead. He and Claudia had overwhelmed him.

When Willow thanked him, he smiled, “You’re welcome.” He wouldn’t ask for what. He’d just accept it as they came back onto the deck.

Finnegrin wasn’t currently singing, but he and Claudia were laughing together over stumbling dance steps, which was an odd enough sight for everyone – Terry included – but he gave a relieved sigh, “It’s nice to see her smiling,” he said, more to himself but also Willow as he made his way to Viren was.

And Viren was at least looking out at the deck now, and not the sea. “I’ve found you a drink, Lord, uh, Viren.”

Viren still gave him a bit of withering look over the stumbling, but he took the cup, “Thank you,” he said, curt.

“This is Willow,” Terry barreled on, “she’s the one who connected us to this ship, and—”

“—almost got us all killed by a captain who didn’t know what he was doing.”

“Well, she didn’t know about all that,” Terry said, “but she is going to be to thank once we get that, uh, medicine for you!” He said, and Viren sipped his drink in clear judgment. Thought. “Speaking of, um, how are you…ah, holding up?”

“Fine, Terry. Fine,” he sighed, and Terry could see his eyes were on Claudia.

Terry smiled, “It’s nice to see her happy again, isn’t it?”

Viren didn’t respond to that, but he looked...pained. Not that Terry saw, looking out at Claudia in that adoring fashion instead.

 

[cleopat]

Aaravos ordered the same thing, decided that the incoming chill of the dark season deserved a warm and hearty stew, and that if he recommended a dish to Lethe, it would do well to eat it as well. Not that he didn’t want to. He most certainly did.

Humans were always coming up with such delicious creations.

He chuckled at Lethe’s inward panic that she no doubt felt at having no money good in the human kingdoms, seeing as she looked around her clothes for any money on her. “Here you are,” he said to the vendor, handing him enough for the two stews, plus a nice tip.

“Thank you, sir!” he said with a light bow of his head.

“You think I would take you here and not treat you?” Aaravos shook his head. “Shame on you, Lethe. Do not worry. I will cover the cost of anything while we are enjoying this celebration.”

~~~

Willow made note that Viren didn’t appreciate the Earthblood greeting. Not that she ever really did it either, except to other Earthbloods. And to Finnegrin, which he definitely did not appreciate.

The sight of Finnegrin laughing and dancing, or an attempt at it, with Claudia, caused Willow to feel something weird deep inside. For a brief moment, she imagined herself by his side, laughing and dancing in Claudia’s place.

She smiled at Terry, as he was clearly captivated by Claudia, even from a distance. And so when he stumbled over his words when addressing Viren, she raised a brow. Nerves over talking to the girlfriend’s father? Or was it the title of ‘lord’ that tripped him up? And Viren was a lord? That she didn’t quite expect.

Though, nothing about him screamed lordly, with his distressed robe and haggard look, though maybe in the way he presented himself, his posture, could scream someone of status. And she hardly took offense to how he nearly blamed her for getting them killed by the pirate captain who didn’t know what he was doing. That may have been true, but Terry was desperate for passage, and no one else in Scumport would’ve helped.

She kept silent on that matter.

While Terry looked on at Claudia in adoration, Willow noticed the pained expression on Viren’s face. What was going through that mind of his? What all have they experienced that they were keeping quiet on?

“If that cider is that bad, I can always find you something else,” she chuckled, speaking softly as to not alert Terry.

 

[Lucyfer]

Aaravos covered it, clearly expecting to as he noted she should have also expected it. Lethe scowled, but it was entirely playful, “I can’t always expect you to be around to help. I should be better prepared when I travel in the human kingdoms,” and yet, she never was. Mostly, because she never paused anywhere to buy things.

Mostly, because she was always showing up in them to see Aaravos. Occasionally, she had other business, but it never required buying things.

As the stew was given over, she held it close and glanced around for a place to sit. Sure, she could carry it and walk, but with the people moving about in close quarters, she was likely to end up getting bumped or jostled, and spill it all over herself.

Thankfully, there were some tables nearby where humans were mostly standing around, rather than sitting. Well, they were up a bit high. It likely made it easier to facilitate movement, considering the music was also nearby, and there were humans enjoying some of the cleared space that having tables sans chairs created.

Lethe fluttered over to one of the tables, eyes watching a couple as she tried to figure out the dance – or if it even was some sort of dance that required learning and not just the enjoyment of moving to a beat.

But her gaze was fickle, and was back to Aaravos in a moment, “How many of these have you been to?” and of course, she took a huge bite of the stew – forgetting it was hot – and regretted that immediately. That, and the spice of it – not bad, but the extra heat was unexpected. Not that she spit it out, but she swallowed it quickly and winced, pressing her tongue against the top of her mouth before laughter spilled at her own error.

It was far too hot – but, well, nothing a little patience wouldn’t fix. And listening to Aaravos would do that. ‘Or dancing.’ Yes, maybe. Could she drag Aaravos out? Maybe. ‘You could be dancing with Lark.’ No, no, bad thought. ‘Not that you could ever focus on her when you were thinking of him.’ Worse thought. Burning food was almost a better distraction but she refrained.

~***~

Viren was a bit startled to be addressed in the way he was – about cider. Was his expression that obvious? He looked to Willow, that naked surprise there a moment, gone the next, as he shook his head, “No, the cider is…fine. There is simply much on my mind,” much he had no business discussing with a stranger, no matter how much they may or may not have helped.

He wondered, then, had his appearance turned to that of the mirror? No, he didn’t think so, or Willow likely wouldn’t still be here. Despite how powerful a spell that was, he didn’t think his appearance had changed at all to reflect that…true nature.

‘It’s not true yet.’ He reminded himself. ‘You still have a choice.’ And so did Claudia…could he ever turn it back for her? Could he ever remove what had been done by dark magic? Would she ever listen?

And how could he even suggest it after what he had just done? ‘It’s always a choice. Every step forward. You can change your path at any time.’ He didn’t know how to talk to her. He didn’t know how to tell her to accept his death.

What if it didn’t involve dark magic? What if it was some Star thing? ‘Yet, Aaravos….’ Aaravos was going to encourage further and further use.

Did he even want to give it up? It was just an appearance….

Yes, his mind was too full of thoughts, so he covered it with another sip of cider. “See? Fine.” No reaction. It was just juice.

“Oh, I’m glad that’s good,” Terry drew himself back into the conversation as Viren’s words were a bit louder than necessary.

“Terryyyyy!” Claudia’s voice, of course, drew him away again and he turned as she came rushing over to him, and all but draped her arms over his shoulders as she leaned into him, “The bees – Finnegrin – he doesn’t believe you about the bees.”

Finnegrin, of course, followed.

“Ain’t no ways bees communicate with dance,” Finnegrin insisted, and though there was a bit of a lilt in his tone that suggested he wasn’t sober he wasn’t slurring or quite as gone as Claudia.

Viren just looked annoyed, and confused.

“Of course they do!” Terry said, “You can say a lot with body language. There’s even several languages amongst humans and elves devoted to it!”

 

[cleopat]

Aaravos didn’t feel the least bit guilty for covering for Lethe, even if yes, she should be more prepared when traveling the human kingdoms by now. But even if he wouldn’t mention it, she was getting over a heartbreak. And he was the one to invite her there. It wouldn’t hurt his pocket to pay for her meal. Or two.

He followed behind Lethe as she seemingly scouted a place for them to sit, fluttering over to them. He smiled and shook his head, following after her and joining her at the tables, not at all bothered by the crowds as she seemingly appeared to be.

Aaravos pondered over her question for a moment, trying to think exactly how many he had been to. “It’s hard to remember, exactly. I’ve been coming to these for many years now, enough to know all the traditions and ongoings of the festival.” It may not have been the answer she wanted, but Aaravos has been hanging around the humans since their kingdoms formed. He saw how the festival shaped over the years.

He’s been to far too many.

Lethe forgot about the heat of the stew, and Aaravos chuckled at her reactions, blowing on his own stew before taking a small spoonful. “Hot?” he teased, eating his own bite without the same reaction as Lethe.

Something else plagued her mind, which only their years together as master and apprentice could allow him to read her better than he could already read most others. He wondered if he should ask her…knowing that the recent breakup would not doubt enter her mind and sadden her for some time to come.

“Is there anything you wish to do while we’re here?” he asked. “There’s so many things to see and do, I’m sure something has already caught your eye.”

~~~

Willow’s gaze softened at Viren. Yes, she could tell there was much on his mind. Whatever left him in that catatonic state, waking up to see his daughter trying to kill an archdragon, his killing said archdragon…and whatever they were looking for in the Sea of the Castouts.

A story could be written about that alone!

So no, Willow didn’t believe him when he said everything was fine, but as they were talking about the cider, she just hummed her agreement as others joined in.

And, apparently, they were talking about bees.

Willow snorted, shaking her head. She took a sip on her cider before piping in, “The bees do communicate with dance.” She recalled her mother telling her all about the language of the bees., and showed her how it worked. “Just like us, the bees can say a lot with their body language!”

 

[Lucyfer]

Lethe grinned as she rolled her eyes at Aaravos mocking her a bit. And eating his own spoonful without issues, of course. He remembered to blow on it, but no, her mind was far too many places at once, while being in one. She couldn’t stop thinking about Lark – so she tried to think of anything else, which only led her to being aware she was trying not to think about Lark.

Terribly circular.

‘I just want to not think about her.’ But she could imagine Lark and her dancing. She could imagine all of Lark’s snippy little comments about the crowd as they people-watched from a table. Lark was never too comfortable with humans, but she had been warming up. She had to, in order to follow Lethe around in some places.

She could imagine Lark also mocking her for the bite, though she made sure to blow on the second one and try it. Still spicier than she seemed to anticipate despite that first bite, but the rice helped.

Forgetting about Lark for a night wasn’t going to happen, and Lethe didn’t know what there was to do – couldn’t really think of what she wanted, other than distraction, so she sighed at Aaravos’s question. “Nothing in particular,” she said, then, “well, dancing, but I always like dancing. I was trying to figure out what the couples were doing, but I don’t think it’s any traditional dance,” she laughed and shook her head. “But the music is good, and with all the lights…,” she sighed, wistful. The environment was lovely.

And of course, that took her mind right to the fact she was there without Lark. “But I’ve barely seen anything yet! I’m sure there’s other things to do. I don’t know any of the traditions, and dances are just – so common!” As if that was any reason to avoid it, or put it down as something not to do – that she could do it anywhere.

~***~

Bees dancing! Finnegrin shook his head at the ridiculousness of it. Sure, there were some things he understood from a dance alone, and from body language alone, and he was aware entire systems of language existed for those who couldn’t speak, or hear. That didn’t mean he thought bees were smart enough for all of that.

“This is bull!” Finnegrin said, “Prove it, how’s a bee dance!”

“Well, mostly, by shaking their body around in certain patterns. Different patterns say different things,” Terry said, matter-of-fact, before of course, he did oblige and try to show Finnegrin how a bee danced by waggling his tush at Finnegrin, “See, this is how a bee would tell another that there’s a bad flower that eats them nearby!”

Finnegrin wasn’t thinking that at all, and snorted, “Kid, I’m pretty sure that’s how you tell someone you want them to stick something up there.”

Terry went immediately scarlet, but tried to laugh it off in good humor, even if Claudia immediately wrapped her arms around Terry’s neck in an almost protective fashion and pulled his back to her chest as she scowled at Finnegrin from over his shoulder, effectively hiding Terry's tush so nothing could get put up there, “Well—yes, it doesn’t translate well to, uh, to us! But I promise you, that’s how bees communicate.”

Mostly to see if he could get Willow to do it, he looked at her, “You understood that dance to mean something else?”

 

[cleopat]

Aaravos looked out at the humans dancing. As the festival was meant more for friends and family to gather, with budding courtship only a side effect of the gathering, the dancing amongst them was relatively innocent.

Even if Lethe quickly backed away from dancing, claiming there was so much else to see, Aaravos hummed as he ate his stew. “Yes, there’s much to do, but fortunately this festival lasts more than one night.” Suggesting that they would be there longer, if Lethe desired to see everything of the festival.

“So that means after we finish eating, we can enjoy ourselves with a dance.” He couldn’t remember the last time he’d danced in any capacity. Decades, maybe. Maybe longer. He would be so rusty, but he could see her wandering mind as she thought back on her ex-lover. He wanted to distract her with something pleasant and keep that smile on her face.

If he showed a rare moment of gracelessness, then so be it.

“Maybe you could even teach me a few moves. I’ve never been the best dancer, but it does look fun, doesn’t it?”

~~~

Willow could only shake her head in amusement at Finnegrin’s and Terry’s antics, before turning her head away as she tried to fight off laughter at Terry’s embarrassment from Finnegrin’s comment. His comment was completely inappropriate for the poor kid, but Terry’s reaction was just too precious and innocent.

Finnegrin of course turned the topic to her opinion. She knew what he was trying to get out of it, so she just shrugged. “In the language of the bees, I understood that dance as exactly what Terry described it as. Body language, including wagging the tush, is used by many different species of animals for communication.”

Which, of course, also included them. A language not explicitly taught, but picked up by observation.

“Yes, that dance may be construed a certain way if we were doing it to someone else, but an entirely different meaning for the cute little bumble bees.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Lethe knew the festival lasted more than a night, though admittedly, she hadn’t considered attending another day. ‘I suppose I could.’ It wasn’t as though she had any great plans with anyone…anymore. Aaravos seemed willing to humor her whim.

Even if he wasn’t much of a dancer.

‘That’s right, I’ve never seen you dance before….’ Aaravos did plenty of things, and all of them well. It was hard to imagine teaching him much of anything, let alone something as simple as, well, dancing.

“It is fun,” Lethe agreed, “that’s all it needs to be,” perhaps it was why she did actually get adequate at it. She enjoyed it. She wasn’t worried about looking like a fool. Probably her best talent, really, with everything – she let curiosity guide her, and didn’t worry so much how she looked in the process of learning, be it magic or dancing.

She could be better at magic, though.

“But I can definitely help you learn some things!” Although she was hoping to learn a bit from watching the humans, too. “Do you like dancing, though? I don’t want to make you if it’s…not something you like.” If he hadn’t done it in a while…he might not like it.

~***~

Nope, no little dance from Willow.

Shame.

She just defended what the other earthblood elf had to say about the dance. Which, maybe was right. Maybe they did know something, the way he understood what fish had to say, even when that wasn’t verbalized. Still, he scoffed at it. “What other animals use it the way bees do?”

“Hmmm,” Terry put a hand to his chin as he tried to think about it, and Viren turned away, deciding to tune out the conversation entirely and look back at the water.

Which, Finnegrin simply couldn’t abide, “What, no thoughts from you on this?”

“I don’t talk to animals,” Viren stated flatly. “But earthblood elves do. You should learn to listen to others who are experts in their fields, it might take you further.” Not at all a subtle cut, either.

“Maybe, maybe. A lesson hard-learned, eh, King Viren?”

Viren flinched – but didn’t rise to the bait.

“Hey—my dad knows what he’s doing!” Claudia immediately jumped to his defense instead, “And so does Terry! It’s you who’s been…not…making the best decisions,” words eluded her for a moment.

Finnegrin shrugged, “Maybe. Maybe I made the best decision of my life trusting you lot. We’re all alive and well. Can’t see that I’ve lost anything,” he grinned, “so tell me I’m doing things wrong, eh?”

Claudia couldn’t.

Viren didn’t care to.

“Feathered spiders!”

Everyone stared at Terry a moment. “Oh, oh, another…another animal that communicates with dance.”

 

[cleopat]

“I actually do not know if I like dancing or not,” Aaravos admitted. “It has been far too long, simply because the opportunity never arose, so do not worry about thinking if you’re forcing me.” He chuckled and shook his head.

“Perhaps for tonight, the apprentice shall become the master, and the master, the apprentice,” he said with a gleam in his eyes. He had taught her much during their time together, and while occasionally she would tell him something new, this would be unfamiliar territory for them both.

Aaravos, actually learning something new! Dancing!

“But before that, we must finish our meal.” His crawfish stew was nearly halfway gone, and he looked over at Lethe’s bowl in curiosity. “How do you find it?”

~~~

Willowed frowned at the exchange, rising tension evident, undoubtedly no thanks to alcohol. Finnegrin was always an asshole, but it seemed that alcohol made him a more careless one. These people just killed Domina for him. Clearly they were capable of much, like even killing Finnegrin.

Terry broke the tension for a minute with his out-of-the-blue answer to a forgotten question. Willow smiled and shook her head. “Many birds can as well,” she added, in hopes of making Terry feel less awkward with his outburst. She understood birds less, unless they were some flightless bird that developed a connection to the Earth arcanum.

But now she focused on getting Finnegrin away from them. Claudia was fiercely protective over them, and Viren didn’t deserve any cruel teasing Finnegrin wanted to dish out. And Terry…just didn’t deserve any further embarrassment from the pirate.

“Well, it was nice seeing everyone in high spirits,” if that could count as high spirits for Viren, “but I need to steal Finnegrin away for a minute.” Willow began to walk away, headed in the direction of her temporary quarters, but not before bidding the group a good evening. “I just need to talk to you in private.”

Not really. She wanted to get him away, and she wanted access to her temporary sleep quarters. It was a good reason in her mind.