Blackwater Islands sleeping with the moon and the stars

@Akantha

There was something about the way in which the evening lights bounced on the surface of the Sea. Kalika watched carefully, completely mesmerized by the show with Calypso sitting at her heels. She knelt down and nosed the girl's face, checking to make sure that she was asleep before sneaking away to finally handle her business. Motherhood seemed beautiful from afar, but only a day or two in and Kalika was already neglecting responsibilities. Despite this (and the slight waves of dizziness which she chose to ignore for her own ease of mind), she searched for the Monarch with only good intentions at heart.

Akantha, too, found herself in awe of the vibrant heavenly display that the Mothers put on for them tonight. She lay on the shore with her lower half comfortably submerged in the chilly water and the upper propped up by her elbows as the savage cut of her muzzle drifted to and fro to observe every inch of the star-smattered sky. Slowly, somehow, the Matriarch was feeling more at ease with the way the Nereides were settling in. The newcomers were showing great promise, and the Themiscryan pilgrims hadn't done much to warrant any concern. All in all, she was pleased. Not happy, because Akantha was rarely anything but neutral, but the overwhelming stress of the last few months was all but fading into the history books.

The sound of sand underfoot alerted her to an approaching figure, and she wasn't surprised to see Kalika. It wasn't often anyone but her had the boldness or the urgency to bother her this late at night, but Kalika was both brave and bold—traits Akantha respected. However, she still harbored some unease about how their previous conversation was handled, mostly from her own contribution. The trust required of her was a difficult pill to swallow when so much of her life was lie, after lie, after lie.

She offered the other woman a slow nod and motioned to her to join.

Kalika nodded in response to Akantha's invitation and sat herself just over the coastline, allowing the water to flow gently over her fur. The Sprite is progressing well. We've decided to call her Calypso. She smiled as she thought of the small girl and her playful desposition. Although they hadn't known each other for long, it felt as if they were connected in a way which only mother and child could understand. Spring is upon us, Matriarch. Have you decided what to do about the breeding rites? Kalika was incredibly curious about how Akantha was thinking, but she was more curious to her about who she was thinking.

For the time being, Kalika's own maternal thirsts had been quenched. Should Akantha ask and a great conflict would arise. However, Kalika doubted that she would be asked such a sacred thing during such a critical time in the pack's long-term success. Rather than suggesting such a thing, she decided to allow Akantha to share her woes as she see fit.

Calypso. It was one of the names she'd considered for Galateia, but it seemed to fit the young girl far better than her mysterious companion. Akantha tipped her ears back and lowered her nose to the surf to feel the cool waters upon her muzzle as Kalika spoke, informing her of the recent events, and asking the very question that was weighing on each Themiscryian's mind—the Full Moon would be upon them soon, and each day brought the hour closer at hand. Even the Mothers themsevles were prodding her relentlessly about it, chastizing her for dragging her feet, and scolding her about her reluctance. She felt like a child that no one was willing to listen to, and she was already at the end of her rope.

Akantha, frustrated, abruptly pulled her nose from the surf and sighed loudly. "No, I haven't." she growled as water dribbled over her lips. "No one is ready for Adept, and the Rites require a Siren who has proven their worth. We cannot perform the Adept ascension and the Breeding Rites in the same night." Her volume rose as she continued to speak and the anger in her voice grew more severe as she vented her thoughts about the trainwreck that was their current schedule. Aktaie would know what to do, her mind added helpfully to her great disapproval. She lifted a leg and slapped at the next wave to roll in over them.

Although she responded to the Matriarch's frustration with physical submission, Kalika knew that she would have to push on if they were to make any progress or find any sort of solution to this problem. Placing a paw near enough to Akantha that she knew of Kalika's support, but not quite touching her for fear of repeated offense, Kalika began to speak, Hey, it's okay. She cocked her head to get a better view of the Matriarch's face before continuing, I know that there's a lot of stress with this, but it's important to stay level-headed. I'm here to listen and to help, or whatever else you might need.

Kalika drew back into herself and took a deep breath. Now, if you need an Adept for the rites, then that would naturally take priority. Who are you considering?

Akantha bit back a snarl of rage when Kalika attempted to calm her, though her head whipped around and her eyes settled directly on the fathomless depths of her advisor's own. She flung her ears forward and bristled the small stretch of her hackles not submerged in the sea. But, still, she resisted the urge to lay into the younger woman, and allowed her words to settle in her mind. It wasn't often Akantha entertained her subordinates, especially those years younger than she, but Kalika's thoughts held merit. 

Finally, she exhaled loudly and sucked in another breath while a forboding growl rumbled idly in her chest. "Salish and you." she snapped. "But we've not had the time for me to train, and I have yet to test Salish's skills." Akantha didn't feel the need to explain that her trust in them was fleeting at best, even Kalika who'd proven, time and time again, that her loyalty was unshakable. But, once again, her mind supplied her with the unanswered question of Gabe's own expectations, and her lips trembled. She was aware that she was beginning to sound like a petulant child, and that only served to infuriate her more. 

The Matriarch rose abruptly, sending seawater spraying, and stepped over Kalika, drenching her in the process. "Come." She grunted.

It was clear that Kalika had done something wrong (again), though she chose not to take Akantha's reaction to heart. She knew that the Matriarch's anger and frustration wasn't something that was always within grasp, so little offense was taken. Rather was full submission given; ears back, tail tucked, knees quivering in preperation for a fall. All of this made it easier for Akantha to make her stride over Kalika's head. Yes, she whispered in response, following dutifully behind the Matriarch. 

Although she marched on silently, the young advisor couldn't help but to think about her own possible promotion in the ranks. Akantha had mentioned it, right? And that meant that it had to have been on the table. However, it might not remain that way if she continued to piss the other off. I would be honored, but Salish does have more experience than I do. She might be the smarter choice.

Though Akantha was aware her moods were a fickle thing, she made no effort to control the reactions she had as a result. Restrain, yes, but she refused to completely snuff out her whims in favor of being politically correct. She was a paragon of the Sea; a violent, unpredictable entity that Akantha had emulated since birth. It was the waves themselves she trod through as they roared up the shore, swirling about her ankles, before retreating into the depths again. Kalika, as expected, followed.

The Matriarch led them northward but gave no indication of her destination. Her ear splayed towards the young advisor, but her face remained a mask of stoicism. "Neither of you are ready, in my opinion, but I don't have a choice." She rumbled. "The Mothers have requested that the Rites take place soon, before the warm season." Akantha lashed her tail to vent a bit of steam and it collided with Kalika's own rump. She made no mention of it, but did check the pale woman's reaction with a stolen glance. 

Upon reaching the familiar tributary, Akantha abruptly turned and began following the stream inland. She is silent for a few long minutes, allowing Kalika the room to either speak or contemplate.

Kalika made the same remark about the lashing of Akantha's tail as had been made before; none at all. Instead, she ignored it, for she could feel the Matriarch's eyes on her, studying her reaction. It seemed as if Akantha was right in saying that neither of them were ready, but Kalika couldn't understand why a born (and raised) Nereid could be seen on the same level as she was. Perhaps in the current dynamic they were equals, but surely Salish held some sort of cultural upper hand?

She thought carefully before speaking, as she knew how much of an effect words could have. She had Calypso to look after now and she wasn't sure if having more children would be fair on her part, but she did long for the divine process of creation. Kalika desperately wanted to know what it was like to have life grow within her though she knew that she had someone else to think of now. Someone tiny, but even still bigger than she.

I think, Kalika began after sucking in a deep breath, that Salish is a wonderful candidate. You know best in regards to her preparedness, but I think that she is bright. You could easily guide her in the proper direction. As I said, I would love to be chosen for such sacred rites, but the pack and the Mothers come before my own longings.

Akantha hummed a note of acknowledgement as Kalika continued to support Salish, but she did not comment on it further until they passed through the narrow canyon to the inner sanctum of Thetis' Grotto. The recent rains had filled the small tributary with elbow-deep water, but the sure-footed Amazon was able to navigate it with little issue. She waded through and her paws moulded to grip the slick, smooth stone of the stream bed until she clambered up out of the water and onto a flat stone slab, carved out from centuries of runoff. 

The initial frustration she felt towards the whole ordeal had worn off, for the most part, so she invited Kalika to join her with a subtle dip of her muzzle before, finally, responding. "Then Salish it will be. If she doesn't accept, can I count on you to take her place?" She asked as she seated herself upon the stone. Here, with the distant echo of the Sea in her ears, and the slumbering Moon in her thoughts, Akantha withdrew to consider her options once more. Though her Sister had been born of an entirely different place than Themiscryia, the Mothers still sang in her blood. She'd already shown undeniable merit in the face of everything that had occured during, and after, their settlement on Soteria.

So, Akantha was left with one conclusion. Her eyes hardened with resolve and she returned the full weight of her attention to Kalika, "When the Moon goes dark in a few days time, I want you to prove to me you're ready to become an Adept. I will ask that you perform a rite. I will show you only once how to complete it, and I expect you to fill in the blanks with your own perspective on what it means." Akantha revealed with a quirk of her brow, "There are only a few wrong ways to go about it, but I will judge you quite harshly on your knowledge and wisdom of our ways for reasons that should already be clear to you." The Matriarch exhaled and looked away. It was her intention to see Kalika to High Priestess, but it was not something she could so easily grant. So, for now, Adept would have to do.

Of course you can. Anything Akantha wished of Kalika would be completed, no matter how rigorous the task. If offering to go through an entire pregnancy and rearing a litter for the sole benefit of the pack wasn't enough of a show of Kalika's dedication, then she wasn't quite sure what would be. Then, as she climbed up to sit at Akantha's side, she listened intently to the next order of business — she was to be promoted to Adept. To fight the smile that threatened at the corner of her lips, Kalika cleared her throat and gave a nod. It would be a privelege to have you oversee such a ritual. You have prepared me well, I believe. To show her gratitude, Kalika lowered herself into a bowing position and lowered her ears back, only partially to hide the incredibly widespread grin she now held.

Akantha bit back a reply that could have sounded slightly disparaging, and instead nodded. She looked away and crossed her legs at the ankles as she lapsed into a thoughtful silence. Kalika's subservience was proving to be far more than a game, and it was becoming clear to Akantha that she could, in fact, call upon her ambassador-in-training to oversee tasks that the Matriarch would otherwise not relieve herself of. The pressures of leading the coven while answering the requests of the Mothers, was becoming a burden far too heavy to bear on one pair of shoulders alone. 

She cleared her throat, "If you would like, I will teach you more now before we part for the evening so that you will be better prepared when the time comes." Akantha said as she turned her gaze upon Kalika again and gave a flick of her ear.

Kalika nodded her head readily, now lifting from her lowered position. Whatever Akantha could tell her would come at great value, especially if it was something which might aid her in her advances. I would like that, yes. It was a strange thing, this affection that Kalika held for her Monarch. What had begun as a selfish game of social climbing and manipulation had quickly transformed into a love akin to that of a daughter to her mother. It almost felt as if Mother was becoming more appropriate than Monarch, though Kalika would keep this idea to herself for the time being.

Anything you can tell me. I want to succeed.

Akantha was unawares of the budding emotions Kalika harbored for her, but she, too, felt her bond growing stronger and stronger as time went on. She no longer suspected the pale ambassador was plotting anything beneath her nose—the day she'd confronted Kalika was a painful enough memory, and one that never settled well in the pit of her stomach. It hadn't been right to accuse her so brashly, even if the truth of her suspicions never left her mouth. The intent was there and, truly, Kalika had every right to deny Akantha the knowledge and even defend herself. But she didn't. She simply admitted the truth no matter how much it might have brused her ego. 

She chuckled and looked away towards the nearby waterfall. "You remind me of myself," when I was your age. The unspoken words brought her mind to a brief, but jarring, standstill. The last time she'd laid eyes upon Ankyra Sound, she was not much older than Kalika herself. Now she was four, nearing five. Soon time would begin to reclaim her vigor until, inevtiably, there would be nothing left to give. Akantha inhaled slowly and shot a glance to Kalika. She realized that, without children of her own, Kalika was the closest thing she'd ever had to an heir. 

"The prayer varies," she began to quickly change the focus to something other than the crushing realization of her future, "and some Sisters choose to put their own spin on it, but the one I was taught goes as such:

I am bold and strong. I am confident. I am the Mothers' daughter
I am Her Fury and Her patience. I am Her, as They are me
I follow my heart's desires fearlessly but I am grateful for the lessons I have learned
I embrace the new beginning, and the unfolding path ahead
I am reborn with this New Moon

Akantha finished and smiled Kalika. "You aren't obligated to use my own, but it gives you an idea of what They expect."

Kalika listened intently to Akantha's recital of the prayer, silently repeating the words to herself. It would be something she would have to work to remember, though she was confident that with enough practice in the coming days that she would be able to perfect it. That's beautiful, she cooed, praising the tradition. Sure, she might be able to find her own words if she had more time, but it seemed that Akantha's prayer would have to do.

Now wondering what exactly Calypso must have been getting herself into, Kalika thought it wise to excuse herself. I will practice, thank you. But I think I should be getting back to Calypso and making sure she isn't causing too much raucous. Kalika gave a bow of her head once more and stepped down from the platform before making her way back to their sleeping site.

Akantha watched Kalika carefully, judging her reaction even now to properly assuage her worth. It wasn't a task born out of malice for the young Nereid, but necessity. The Matriarch had to know that her chosen Initiate was ready for the trials ahead. The task of ascending to Adept was simple compared to what lied ahead should she succeed. It didn't thrill her to think of but there was no simpler way to prove her merit to both the Mothers and Akantha herself. 

But she didn't dwell on that now as Kalika gathered herself and made to depart. Calypso hadn't been a persistent flicker of thought for some time, but now she was reminded of her duty as Matriarch to formally introduce herself and induct the young Sprite. She made a note to seek out the girl after Kalika completed her rite. 

"Of course," she grunted. She watched the pale woman descend with a faint smile. "and get some rest yourself. I'll see you in a few days time."