#theseaswept

“ another pawn to these island players, are you? or have you come only to save those that might risk their lives in pursuit of their tepid wants? “ he need not point his sword at the approaching stranger, the brief flashing lights of the distant meteors gliding over the alleyway allowing only the bare minimum of their appearance to bloom beyond the darkness; a masculine frame just notable beyond the dancing shadows. but it was never much in the way of importance who or even what might march his way, after all they were only ever prey. 

It was good timing that Faris arrived when she did, as the conversation between Maria and Crow was just winding down, the two of them idly sipping on their wine. Were Maria aware of the face she made when she spotted Faris, she was sure Crow would poke fun at her for it later. Her eyes widened some, and after the initial moment of recognition a smile took place on her features.

Yes, Crow was definitely going to bring it up later.

She gave a quick ‘excuse me’ to Crow and, grabbing another drink off the counter, made her way over to Faris

Not too fast. Gotta stay cool... gotta say suave. Don’t wanna spill your drink on your nice suit, either.

“Faris.”

“I wasn’t aware you were coming tonight, what a lovely surprise. And just in time—the weather seems to be getting worse, and I’d hate for you to have gotten caught out in it.”

It was then that she realized she was still holding two drinks, which would either make her look either foolish or selfish, she thought. She held it out now to offer it to Faris.

The castle and grounds were without most of the eerie ambience that had clung to them in the weeks prior, no longer did it snow only in this specific place and the garden had returned to a controlled and well arranged manner. Still, the black iron gates in the outer walls swung slowly open of their own accord as the guest approached.

The path to the castle was clear enough, winding to pass flower beds both of vibrant colours as well as ghostly flora off a soft light, fountains and stone monuments resembling cut runes.

Crow herself sat under a veranda on the front of the caste, in the shade but still under a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses. Reclined in her chair, she tilted her head as the guest drew closer.

“Faris. Thank you for coming.” The hunter stood up and placed a hand over her own chest bowing forward slightly.

Her form began to change, reverting back to normal. Her tail, inch by inch, disappeared as if quietly vaporized with a bright light. The scales on her body sunk back into her skin, as if they were never there, and her claws shortened back into normal nails. Maria could feel, too, the magical abilities she was given taken away, her mana pool reduced to nothing. Less beast-like did she become, something she accepted with quiet but significant approval.

Her powers returning to her, the rush she felt as it happened...not even she could keep from smiling because of it. It was a more sinister smile, for she knew that with all of her power at her fingertips, there was little this cosmic being could throw at her that she couldn’t handle. Of that she was very confident.

SEND ME A “👀 + A QUESTION” AND MY MUSE HAS TO ANSWER HONESTLY ( not accepting )      ( *ﾟ— @theseaswept

there had always been confidence. something born from the knowledge that his body was far more resilient than most others’. he was certainly stronger, faster and capable of much that took others years to master. he was regarded a hero, a saviour, a champion. looked upon like a celebrity, there was no doubt where that arrogance first originated. 

even back then, when his hair was shorter and was freshly an adult, his strength was unmatched. monsters fell at the mere stroke of his blade, shadows seeming to quiver as his brilliant silver light pierced through the darkness. he was a reckoning. a symbol of power and a pure kind of strength.

a rush comes with knowing you are that strong. knowing you are a harbinger of death itself. 

excitement for the whims of battle, for the challenge a true fight provides. it is addicting, especially for a creature so much more powerful than most. he craves it almost, yearning for the sweat and gruel of a difficult fight. the harder, the better. it is a chance to prove himself, to prove that his power is not equal to anything real or possible. that he is a dream-like spectre capable of things no-one else can replicate. pride, but taken to its extremities. 

as he learned more of his power, more of what he could do, he embraced it wholly. to bend the fabric of another’s mind was child’s play, really. with such ease he bent and moulded, a clay sculpture made with his sheer will for it. he summoned stars — planets — for his bidding and with their colossal might he did seek to crush his enemies. never mind the magic of meteor, he is an apocalypse. 

to rise that high above anything seemingly possible is ethereal. it is a boost to that already plump ego that sees him fat in confidence. overwhelmingly so. that rush, that want, merely enlarged. now it comes at the cost of lives, innocent or otherwise, for that satisfaction and hunger to be sated. he is not a bloodthirsty creature by nature, but rather longing for that reaffirmation of his ultimate power.

Of all the things she’d expect to happen to her, this was not one of them. Waking up and finding herself covered in scales and spikes, and an almost impractically long tail inhibiting the comfort of her clothing, becoming a mix of Hunter and Drake. She had to admit it—she was caught off guard, and without a plan of action.

At least she still had her blade, she thought, holding the hilt of it as she walked along the shoreline.

She did know—more of a feeling, really—that she was also given more magical ability. She could feel it in her veins, like a weaker version of the blood-based high she already knew. Weak, but not to be disregarded.

With the same uncaring attitude as she usually took things, she kept walking, even as the sand turned to water as the shoreline went further east. Water walking was one of her known spells, and she used it now to walk across the surface, above the ocean, towards the other side of this bay.

Maria noticed beneath her, under the water’s surface, the shimmering, shadowy figures swimming about. Half humanoid, half aquatic. She knows what a Siren is, and what dangers they could pose, and yet she still walked easily above them. Confidence only a Hunter like Maria could possess.

Even still, she kept a close eye on them, only slowing her pace, coming to a stop, gripping her sword tighter when she noticed one coming suspiciously close to the surface.

She picked up the hazes scent before she saw it, and maybe having such a strong sense of smell put her at a disadvantage for she felt her limbs leaden instantly. What was it this time? Was she under attack personally or was it the city once more? She’d resisted the mind numbing elixir, she could resist this; she only needed a few seconds of concentration and she could escape to The Dream. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the Hunter’s Mark.

Darkness.

When she opened her eyes the familiar white flowers and gravestones put her at ease, it appears she’d made it just in time. 

“Welcome home, Good hunter.”

Crow froze, she didn’t even breathe. That voice- it felt like her heart was being squeezed by a cruel claw. She was almost afraid to look but she couldn’t stop herself, eyes wide she turned and she finally felt that breath escape her; stood there as serene as ever was the Doll.

She must sense her absolute shock for her head tilted and that voice she had longed to hear for so long hit her ears like soft music. “Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s-” The words had escaped her before she could think. How? She shouldn’t be here- couldn’t be here, not if this was just the imitation. Yet still she stepped forwards, hand outstretched slightly.

“Ah, do you wish to channel the echoes? Very well, let me stand close-”

But before she could kneel Crow reached for her hand and the weight in her chest hurt when she felt them connect. Overcome by a crushing gravity of both sadness and joy she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around the Doll’s waist, holding her in a tight, silent embrace. She buried her face so the other might not see it so wracked with emotion. 

“Good Hunter-”

But Crow didn’t let go- couldn’t let go. Not yet. The warring feelings were compounded as she felt the Doll’s hands placed gently behind her head and back. They were both silent for a time. “Your presence somehow soothes... I sense the ancient echoes in your veins, and something deeper...”

Eventually Crow remembered herself and leaned back, breaking the embrace with difficulty. “I’m sorry, I-... I forgot myself. I didn’t think I’ve ever get to...” But the hunter trailed off, her head tilting slightly. Something suddenly seemed different.

“Hey Faaaarissss....” Memo called out as she approached again, rather sheepishly. “I know I said I’d get us some food, but, this is all I could find...”

In Memo’s arms were... coconuts. Many coconuts. Why-can’t-she-hold-all-these-drupes levels of coconuts. She really did do her best to find easily edible fruits and veggies first, but she came upon a stash of these, and... well, food is food, right?