Maybe @Akantha if you like? @Greyjoy and @Aktaie welcome as well. I just noticed @Atlas so if he would arrive with Akantha he can come too! This sort of fits with Psamathe's skills. Tried to leave this vague so you can join or not join as you wish!
They had taken time to rest near the rejuvenating water of Greatwater Lake, and though it was no ocean, Psamathe felt somewhat at ease at last. All water came from the Sea, just as all women came from the Sea. All life came from the Sea, as far as Psamathe was concerned, and returned to the Sea at death. Even the smallest body of water afforded the Nereides Adept a level of comfort that no other thing in the world could offer.
She lounged at the edge of the lake, her chest submerged in its silty shallows and her muzzle mere inches from its surface. Though the surface shifted and morphed and distorted her reflection, Psamathe was able to See a vague shadow. It was canine in shape and running, with a sliver of moon over its head. She Saw the creek they had travelled along, heard the roar of waves as though she lay upon Themiscrya Coast iself, and with a gasp blinked back to reality.
“We are discovered,” she announced, though she never did check to see whether or not her companions were within earshot.
If I need to change anything, let me know. :) Tagging @Acorn and @Leukothea!
When night gave way to day, Akanthe had not stopped to rest. She doggedly pursued her sisters, following her nose (the scent of sea salt and sun-bleached wood; of all things feminine and devoted) in the hope of catching up with them before Mother Moon rose once more. She cared little if Atlas stopped or not, but she would shoot him the occasional look to be sure he hadn't run off on her. He hadn't tried yet, as far as she was aware, but she could not be too certain with men. Slippery eels.
The pale hues of the coming night soon colored the sky a vivid spectrum of turquoise and blue. Soon enough the faint pinpricks of light began to break through and, oh, do they twinkle like Mother Sea; a pang of something resembling fear ricocheted through her rib cage, and she surged forward, bounding off a small hillock with a growl in defiance of it. They were not destined to wander indefinitely; Psamathe would lead them true. It is fate.
Guided by Her, Akantha follows a winding creek (and the imprints of her sister's paws in the soft earth) to a place where the air becomes almost permeable; her mind supplies Nereides, but it is not home. Over the soft sounds of night, she can hear the gentle lap of waves against a shore. It is not Her, but it is water, and it sings a sweet song to the Adept. She is driven forward with energy anew.
Casting another cursory glance back over her shoulder to the group, Akanthe does not hesitate when she spots Psamathe soaking in the shallows and bounds out into the open with her tail waving back and forth eagerly and paws splashing into the cool waters. "I've found you!" She cries with a bark of delight, grinning from cheek to cheek. "Thank Mother Moon and Sea."
The pale hues of the coming night soon colored the sky a vivid spectrum of turquoise and blue. Soon enough the faint pinpricks of light began to break through and, oh, do they twinkle like Mother Sea; a pang of something resembling fear ricocheted through her rib cage, and she surged forward, bounding off a small hillock with a growl in defiance of it. They were not destined to wander indefinitely; Psamathe would lead them true. It is fate.
Guided by Her, Akantha follows a winding creek (and the imprints of her sister's paws in the soft earth) to a place where the air becomes almost permeable; her mind supplies Nereides, but it is not home. Over the soft sounds of night, she can hear the gentle lap of waves against a shore. It is not Her, but it is water, and it sings a sweet song to the Adept. She is driven forward with energy anew.
Casting another cursory glance back over her shoulder to the group, Akanthe does not hesitate when she spots Psamathe soaking in the shallows and bounds out into the open with her tail waving back and forth eagerly and paws splashing into the cool waters. "I've found you!" She cries with a bark of delight, grinning from cheek to cheek. "Thank Mother Moon and Sea."
Blood is running deep
Some things never sleep
Teal dialogue is Greek. Uncolored dialogue is common/english.
Check out NEREIDESpedia for more information.
Some things never sleep
Teal dialogue is Greek. Uncolored dialogue is common/english.
Check out NEREIDESpedia for more information.
August 25, 2014, 03:38 PM
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They traveled through the darkness together, but not together. A great divide lay between man and woman - something he had no right to breach - and so he would protect in the dogged way he was taught to protect. Following diligently, silently, until his charge chose to rest. During their journey Atlas had been eager to call out, to sooth whatever itch lent itself to the woman's paws, but he knew better. If she wanted to continue, they would continue. His role was minimal at best; a test to prove his loyalty and spirit, which were both in great excess. He lurked just out of visible range for the majority of their journey. Atlas wanted to be the rock which the Adept could lean on, he wanted to be the perfect consort, and had fashioned himself thus; however, no manner of kindness or ample patronage to the sea-born would grant him this. At least not from Akantha.
So Atlas hurried along. When their paths converged he was granted a paltry glance of her tar-streaked figure, or the barest glance from her verdant gaze, and he was set swooning. The expression was never gleeful when they encountered one another. In fact, it seemed as if Akantha was positively chilled when their company was shared - but this too, he could live with. It was the way of things. Atlas was not about to fight against the natural order to that extent.
It was during one of his mindless, eager-to-catch-up charges, that he heard her voice: Not a first, but a rarity.
I've found you!
The Adept's voice rang true through the trees, and Atlas was upon her within moments. He slipped around the gathered pair in silent obedience, not wishing to interrupt their reunion. A deft nod was the only subtle welcome he granted to Psamanthe as it was expected of him.
August 25, 2014, 09:02 PM
She had enforced their speed, urging them on when it felt as if they could make no more pawsteps; Aktaiê was eager to make her ancestors proud, stretching their reach to a foreign shore. This was especially true when the terrain had forced them inland. It had cut like a knife to be so far from the Mother Sea, and she felt empty without the sound of crashing waves as a constant, comforting presence. It would do them all some good to rest on this shore, though it did their deity no justice — it was merely a whisper of the Sea's power, but it was powerful and rejuvenating nonetheless.
Aktaiê lay in the shallows of the lake, seeking comfort from the day's heat, bright eyes watching her younger sister contentedly. This would not be their claim, but it felt almost like home to lay thus. Greyjoy was an ever-present shadow nearby, prepared to take care of her every need. Psamathe, focusing on her scrying abilities, divining meaning from the images shown to her by the water. They had spent many days in Themiscrya like this, Aktaiê urging the young nymph to strengthen her talents, discussing the symbols brought forth in her visions.
Her ears pointed in alert at the Adept's sudden words, body tensing. Aktaiê's eyes lifted, scanning the shoreline, and she moved swiftly to her feet at the approach of several wolves. She bristled immediately, teeth pulling back in warning; Greyjoy was like to be doing the same. But as they came closer, they were more familiar, and the dark woman cried out joyously. The priestess relaxed, the aggression melting from her features as gracefully as it had come.
"Akantha," she greeted warmly.
Aktaiê lay in the shallows of the lake, seeking comfort from the day's heat, bright eyes watching her younger sister contentedly. This would not be their claim, but it felt almost like home to lay thus. Greyjoy was an ever-present shadow nearby, prepared to take care of her every need. Psamathe, focusing on her scrying abilities, divining meaning from the images shown to her by the water. They had spent many days in Themiscrya like this, Aktaiê urging the young nymph to strengthen her talents, discussing the symbols brought forth in her visions.
Her ears pointed in alert at the Adept's sudden words, body tensing. Aktaiê's eyes lifted, scanning the shoreline, and she moved swiftly to her feet at the approach of several wolves. She bristled immediately, teeth pulling back in warning; Greyjoy was like to be doing the same. But as they came closer, they were more familiar, and the dark woman cried out joyously. The priestess relaxed, the aggression melting from her features as gracefully as it had come.
"Akantha," she greeted warmly.
August 25, 2014, 11:09 PM
She stared into the water for what felt like millennia longer. Aktaiê had already gained her feet and bounded forward, and at long last Psamathe broke her stare from the water and lifted her head to glance in her sister's direction. She saw the silhouette of an approaching wolf, and somewhere far in the distance, a pinprick suggesting another followed.
She was as fierce as her siren brethren and gathered her paws quickly. She was tall and willowy herself, but Psamathe wasn't a pushover, at least not compared to ordinary wolves. Her sisters could best her in combat easily, particularly the more Amazonian of them, but that made her a Sea Nymph through and through. She was a scholar... But that didn't mean she couldn't mark a wolf's hide. She was as adaptable as the Mother Sea, and moved with the same coursing strength. She remained in the shallows, though, ready to move but presently fixed there.
When finally the High Priestess called out in familiarity, the salt-and-pepper Adept relaxed. “αδελφή,” she breathed lovingly with a wave of her tail. “You have felt Her pull here as well?” Atlas soon arrived as well, skirting the females and nodding. Psamathe, bitch that she was, returned his greeting with a disgruntled curling of her lip before fixing Akantha with a warm and curious stare.
She was as fierce as her siren brethren and gathered her paws quickly. She was tall and willowy herself, but Psamathe wasn't a pushover, at least not compared to ordinary wolves. Her sisters could best her in combat easily, particularly the more Amazonian of them, but that made her a Sea Nymph through and through. She was a scholar... But that didn't mean she couldn't mark a wolf's hide. She was as adaptable as the Mother Sea, and moved with the same coursing strength. She remained in the shallows, though, ready to move but presently fixed there.
When finally the High Priestess called out in familiarity, the salt-and-pepper Adept relaxed. “αδελφή,” she breathed lovingly with a wave of her tail. “You have felt Her pull here as well?” Atlas soon arrived as well, skirting the females and nodding. Psamathe, bitch that she was, returned his greeting with a disgruntled curling of her lip before fixing Akantha with a warm and curious stare.
She had learned a lot since becoming a Neophyte, but something Acorn was unsure she'd ever get used to was the ferocity with which some females treated their so-called consorts. The young woman certainly had some anger inside of herself she wouldn't mind expelling on a disobedient manservant, admittedly, but the newcomer found herself too fearful. Maybe whichever male she took her pent up rage out on, if and when it was appropriate, would act out. Maybe he would channel the males of the Thicket and send Acorn skittering for safety.
One day, the she-wolf would no longer be afraid.
For the moment, though, Acorn would just be hungry and tired. Akantha, who the younger she-wolf had forced herself to keep pace with so as to avoid their consort guard, refused to let them rest. Admittedly, this helped ease Acorn's nerves; if they didn't stop walking, the nightmares the female had learned to sleep through wouldn't come as quickly.
The cooler evening air was refreshing, and while Akantha grew frustrated, Acorn found herself reinvigorated. She had truly always been a child of the night, though midnight meandering had gotten her fuzzy butt in trouble on many an occasion. That was in the past, though. The future was as bright as "Mother Moon," who Acorn was slowly beginning to understand the concept of.
The religion of the Nereides was something that fascinated Acorn, but she'd stayed quiet for the most part on the matter. It was not her place to ask, the girl felt, even though things were different with the sisters. It didn't matter that this "Mother Moon and Sea" that kept being spoken of made her heart twitch in peculiar excitement. Acorn had picked up enough bits and pieces to begin to start understanding the significance of Her. Some of that knowledge had even been personally granted by the sisters themselves.
Speaking of the deity, Akantha's sudden exclamation brought Acorn out of her musings with a start. The girl's tail sneaked between snow-colored legs as twitching ears pressed themselves to her skull. Acorn expelled the breath caught in her throat with an off-tune tone from her vocal chords; the jittery humming started with a barely audible whine as the young woman forced herself to relax.
When she came back to the world a few seconds later, Acorn blinked and then jolted forward to catch up to Akantha. Her mind was still the slightest bit unsteady, to the point that the female genuinely couldn't tell if Atlas had appeared near the growing group before or after the Neophyte had closed the distance.
She smelled the heavy scent of sea salt on the females and their consorts; it was an odor that had just started to permeate Acorn's coat before the girl had begun journeying with Akantha's band. Despite the vaguely shared scent, the odd-eyed woman still felt incredibly out of place. Acorn pursued a rather dangerous trail of thought; maybe if she showed the initiative to learn about their culture, she'd feel more at home.
"Acorn," She said softly; it was an introduction and a personal reminder of her identity as a newcomer, "May I learn about Mother Moon and Sea tonight?"
The female resisted the urge to cringe at having asked that at all. That was so stupid. Acorn's mild submission, far less than the consorts displayed, didn't feel like nearly enough to make up for her mistake. The girl put all her effort into standing completely still, or at least trying to; if Acorn gave her body an inch to move, the shaking would start.
One day, the she-wolf would no longer be afraid.
For the moment, though, Acorn would just be hungry and tired. Akantha, who the younger she-wolf had forced herself to keep pace with so as to avoid their consort guard, refused to let them rest. Admittedly, this helped ease Acorn's nerves; if they didn't stop walking, the nightmares the female had learned to sleep through wouldn't come as quickly.
The cooler evening air was refreshing, and while Akantha grew frustrated, Acorn found herself reinvigorated. She had truly always been a child of the night, though midnight meandering had gotten her fuzzy butt in trouble on many an occasion. That was in the past, though. The future was as bright as "Mother Moon," who Acorn was slowly beginning to understand the concept of.
The religion of the Nereides was something that fascinated Acorn, but she'd stayed quiet for the most part on the matter. It was not her place to ask, the girl felt, even though things were different with the sisters. It didn't matter that this "Mother Moon and Sea" that kept being spoken of made her heart twitch in peculiar excitement. Acorn had picked up enough bits and pieces to begin to start understanding the significance of Her. Some of that knowledge had even been personally granted by the sisters themselves.
Speaking of the deity, Akantha's sudden exclamation brought Acorn out of her musings with a start. The girl's tail sneaked between snow-colored legs as twitching ears pressed themselves to her skull. Acorn expelled the breath caught in her throat with an off-tune tone from her vocal chords; the jittery humming started with a barely audible whine as the young woman forced herself to relax.
When she came back to the world a few seconds later, Acorn blinked and then jolted forward to catch up to Akantha. Her mind was still the slightest bit unsteady, to the point that the female genuinely couldn't tell if Atlas had appeared near the growing group before or after the Neophyte had closed the distance.
She smelled the heavy scent of sea salt on the females and their consorts; it was an odor that had just started to permeate Acorn's coat before the girl had begun journeying with Akantha's band. Despite the vaguely shared scent, the odd-eyed woman still felt incredibly out of place. Acorn pursued a rather dangerous trail of thought; maybe if she showed the initiative to learn about their culture, she'd feel more at home.
"Acorn," She said softly; it was an introduction and a personal reminder of her identity as a newcomer, "May I learn about Mother Moon and Sea tonight?"
The female resisted the urge to cringe at having asked that at all. That was so stupid. Acorn's mild submission, far less than the consorts displayed, didn't feel like nearly enough to make up for her mistake. The girl put all her effort into standing completely still, or at least trying to; if Acorn gave her body an inch to move, the shaking would start.
She hears Atlas file in behind her, with Acorn just a hair behind, and twists an ear back to acknowledge the girl. Atlas remains wholly ignored, as usual; like a shadow in the caverns, or a crab on the shore. Commonplace. The collective reaction of her sisters, however fleeting, was expected. She did not feel fear, and her smile grew as they sheathed their teeth and offered expressions of warmth that filled her soul with joy.
"Aktaiê; Psamathe." She murmurs, "I've missed you." Akantha approaches the High Priestess and bumps her chin with the bridge of her nose, casting a loving look towards her sight-blessed sister as well and nodding. "Yes, and—" Before she can continue, the shy girl pipes up, and Akantha falls silent to allow her room to speak. She blinks, and then laughs. "There will be plenty of time for that now, don't worry."
The Amazon takes a moment to scan the immediate area, spotting Atlas off to the side as was his usual place. Her expression is measured once more, but does not offer any insight to her thoughts on his presence.
"Aktaiê; Psamathe." She murmurs, "I've missed you." Akantha approaches the High Priestess and bumps her chin with the bridge of her nose, casting a loving look towards her sight-blessed sister as well and nodding. "Yes, and—" Before she can continue, the shy girl pipes up, and Akantha falls silent to allow her room to speak. She blinks, and then laughs. "There will be plenty of time for that now, don't worry."
The Amazon takes a moment to scan the immediate area, spotting Atlas off to the side as was his usual place. Her expression is measured once more, but does not offer any insight to her thoughts on his presence.
Blood is running deep
Some things never sleep
Teal dialogue is Greek. Uncolored dialogue is common/english.
Check out NEREIDESpedia for more information.
Some things never sleep
Teal dialogue is Greek. Uncolored dialogue is common/english.
Check out NEREIDESpedia for more information.
September 03, 2014, 11:27 PM
Behind the dark form of Akantha, the priestess had not noticed the younger female at first. Her turquoise eyes furrowed, though not unkindly; the siren simply could not place the female. It was likely they had passed in Themiscrya, but as an Amazon, Aktaiê had little patience for quiet ones — and in her higher station, it was less of her responsibility to direct the teachings of youth that were not her own daughters (of course, she had none). Still, as they journeyed to discover a branch of their teachings so far from home, it would become her duty as matriarch to guide all of her acolytes.
A brow raised in surprise at the girl's outburst, and she offered an amused look to the dark warrior as Akantha began to laugh. She was good to have, here; fearsome as the woman was, she was no stranger to joy. It balanced the stoic, ethereal nature of Psamathe, and the stoic, determined nature of Aktaiê. It would be good to have someone in this land that would remind them to relax, to play, to find joy in all things.
"It is good that you are here," she told Akantha, every word exuding her sincerity. "And you have brought a new sister. She is...?" the priestess questioned, gaze returning to the eager student.
A brow raised in surprise at the girl's outburst, and she offered an amused look to the dark warrior as Akantha began to laugh. She was good to have, here; fearsome as the woman was, she was no stranger to joy. It balanced the stoic, ethereal nature of Psamathe, and the stoic, determined nature of Aktaiê. It would be good to have someone in this land that would remind them to relax, to play, to find joy in all things.
"It is good that you are here," she told Akantha, every word exuding her sincerity. "And you have brought a new sister. She is...?" the priestess questioned, gaze returning to the eager student.
September 10, 2014, 08:17 PM
Psamathe twisted a slim ear toward the newcomer in their midst, a strangely marked female. A Neophyte, unfamiliar to the Scryer, who almost always kept to herself rather than mingling with the new sirens. She had had a hand in the rearing of trueborn Nereides pups, but had never felt much need to spend her time with the Neophytes, and so Acorn did not ring any bells in her head.
It seemed that Aktaiê was similarly unfamiliar with the newest addition to their group. The Scryer remained silent now, giving way to her matriarch to speak with their Amazon sister, and as though to indicate this, she took a noticeable step back from the group. She had always preferred her space to the crowding of others, and it was especially true after her incident. A warm smile adorned her face as she glanced back at Akantha and flared her nostrils in a subtle, quiet chuckle, but otherwise, she was still.
It seemed that Aktaiê was similarly unfamiliar with the newest addition to their group. The Scryer remained silent now, giving way to her matriarch to speak with their Amazon sister, and as though to indicate this, she took a noticeable step back from the group. She had always preferred her space to the crowding of others, and it was especially true after her incident. A warm smile adorned her face as she glanced back at Akantha and flared her nostrils in a subtle, quiet chuckle, but otherwise, she was still.
September 19, 2014, 05:49 AM
Fading this, since it's old and some participants have gone inactive..
Akantha introduced the neophyte, her voice joyous and filled with laughter that bubbled beneath its surface. It was good to have her here, the priestess found herself thinking once more, for her ever-present happiness was contagious. Aktaiê was instantly at ease, content; in this moment, surrounded by other sirens, she almost forgot the aching place in her heart where the Sea belonged and was missing.
But not for long. Their conversation quickly steered towards the plans they were making, and the logistics of their journey's end. Eventually, they returned to the others where camp had been made, and each settled in to rest or further explore.
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