Candleridge

[PsychoKath]

Neptune and Poseidon- the only two ancient Gods to have actually shown themselves to the world- resurfaced and began their great war once again in the year 2077. From that point on, everything changed.

It is now the year 6077, and the Earth is coated with water. Humanity had to adapt to living with the Gods and their terrible rages, so now life continues on under the oceans surface. Giant cities floating inside tremendous oxygen 'bubbles' roam the 7 seas- unable to be held into one place. In many cases some of humanity adapted to the point where they live out in the water themselves- unable to breathe oxygen with their new bodies. And there are even those who are able to live in water or air, a rare breed indeed.

The waters are split between the two Gods- Neptune claiming the seas of the East, and Poseidon claiming the seas of the West (while both vie for control of them all). Alliances have been made with some cities fighting for either one of the two ancients- so now their war is fought now only between themselves, but now the peoples whose lives they've changed.

The journey begins in Candleridge- a city constantly floating from the East to the West- that tries its best to remain neutral in the war. But the something changes- the gods 'disappear' and now rely entirely on their pawns to win their battles. Every city is now at war with everyone else- and someone has discovered a way to shut down the Bubbles keeping the Oxies alive.

Entire cities drown to death, but so far all knowledge points that the gods themselves are committing genocide against the population which hasn't yet adapted to their own lifestyle- and in the midst of a war, a group must decide to take on not only the war raging all around them, but the gods themselves.

In a place where Oxies and Gills fear each other and Breathers are trusted by none, where Neptune's and Poseidon's followers kill each other blindly, all must find a way to work together or else be exterminated by the gods they fight for.

[PsychoKath]

SPECIES:

The Oxies- Humans who depend entirely on the Bubbles to survive. They have no mutations and still resemble normal humans. They have plenty of technologies to allow them to travel from one Bubble to the next, and most are quite adept swimmers. Most of the Oxies are convinced that its the Gills who are destroying their cities- and are convinced that the Breathers are how they are doing it. To an Oxie, Breathers are traitors and are to be killed on sight- otherwise they'll steal the secrets of the cities defenses.

Although there are many ways of transportation between cities (bubble heads, community subs, and personal subs) an Oxie cannot be outside of a city bubble for more than 6 hours without starting to suffer extreme migranes, muscle spasms, and in many cases blacking out entirely until they are once again returned to a city.

The Gills: are only able to survive in water. Can resemble anything aquatic- here is where you can use your imagination to create them. They have cities of their own (minus the Bubble that the Oxies have) and they are usually made out of coral reefs. Gills are constantly plagued with the Oxies attacking them, not to mention the millions of other sea creatures who believe that Gills would be great for dinner. Most attempt to avoid the Bubble cities as much as possible (due to the near constant attacks) though many still try to make peace with the others. The Gills don't trust the Breathers because they think that it is the Breathers spreading the rumours that the Gills are the ones attacking the cities.

Gills have technologies and weapons just the same as the Oxies- though they have a few genetic advancements as well. Extreme speed while moving through the water and extremely advanced eyesight make them nearly impossible to hide from in the waters. However, they cannot be near any kind of oxygen bubble for more than a few hours without suffering from the same effects that Oxies are faced with while they leave their cities. Also prone to debilitating bouts of hunger if they do not eat every two hours.

The Breathers: are able to breath both inside the Bubbles and in the water. They can live in both climates, though they are hated by both of the other races. While in the Oxie cities, they resemble the Oxies almost exactly- with only two differences. Their eyes are a pure blue green than literally shines out on all they see, and their skin is extremely pale. Now, while they are in the ocean, they have a very distinctive appearance. Webbed hands and flipper legs, with gills coming from their necks (Think Harry Potter on Gilliweed), In water their skin is either a deep green or a deep blue- they've also got slightly sharper teeth than normal.

The drawback? Their transition. Whenever they change from one climate to the other they suffer about an hour of complete debilitating pain- as soon as the change begins they are unable to defend themselves, which makes shifting extremely dangerous. Breathers have to choose where they cross over very carefully, otherwise they moment they cross they'll be killed on the spot. They also cannot remain in one climate for more than 5 days without their body changing on its own- thus meaning instant death if they aren't careful.

On the bright side, they are as fast a swimmer as the Gills, though their eyesight isn't quite as good as theirs (still better than Oxie vision), and they're strength is unparalled by either Oxie or Gill. They are superb fighters in either water or air- though they have difficulties operating technology.

Breathers hate no one, they are simply trying to live. Most live in sea caves scattered around the oceans or have managed to make a friend or two out of the Oxies and Gills and stay with them whenever they must.

[PsychoKath]

He saw your eyes.. he saw your eyes... put some spring in that step of yours Nea! It is not your time to die today!

She raced down the stars, pale skin luminescent and eyes casting a murky blue upon everything they looked upon. She'd spent eh last 5 days here in Candleridge attempting to gather information about who is causing the genocide. It had all been a bust until today- today when she eavesdropped upon that meeting of theirs and heard the truth. Oh, but great neptune she had heard the truth.

It was, however both a blessing and a curse that the man had spotted her. Her time was running short before her body would change; she had been too wrapped up in what was being said to notice the time. She had two minutes to get to the water.

However, the bell was now tolling the alarm- everyone in the city now knew that there was a Breather within their walls. The chances of her surviving when she reached the water grew less every second.

She ran faster.

Down the stairs, though the hall, past the market- thrity seconds left. Nea felt the change happening, a small reaarranging of her bodies chemistry. It was now a dead sprint to get to the docks, fifteen seconds until she changed. Nea could hear them now, the sound of running feet as everyone rushed to find her. Her lungs were screaming- a spear soared past her right ear. She could see the ocean, the bubble was just ahaead! Faster and faster, pushing with everything she had.

Five seconds, four seconds, three seconds, two seconds.

Through the bubble- water!

Zero.

The change began, pain screaming through her veins. She spasmed to rid herself of all clothing save for the loin cloth wrapping and her breast band. She floated through the water, sinking as she writhed in pain. Nea tried to keep her conciousness- she didn't see any of the Oxies following her into the water. She was safe. She then lost herself to the pain and blacked out.

One hour later

Eyes. There were eyes staring at her, the eyes of a gill. This wasn't good- was she captured? Nea felt for any ties or chains and found none. The gill staring at her stood completely still. She panicked. Fear raced hrough her again, and once more that day she feld. She swam for her life, unaware if the Gill was chasing her or not- she swam on and on, down farther into the murky deep waters before she reaced her cave.

The Luminfish greeted her warmly, the soft glow growing brighter in their greeting.

Nea collapsed on her bed, and prayed. Oh please let him not have followed!

[Aubs]

“I saw her! I saw it! A Breather!” A man shouted at the top of his lungs as he reached the town center. “There’s a breather in our parts!” Many people soon began rushing around with panic as mothers gathered their children and older men started to search every little corner of Candleridge. As the search continued, the deafening sound of an alarm bell rang loudly all over the sound system. Not one part of Candleridge had gone quiet. Every citizen was now well aware of the Breather on Oxie ground and Alisander Aliquot had been one of those people. Shopping with his grandmother in the market, the young man stared up at the sea outside of the bubble, not one thought processing through his mind.
Usually, Alva Aliquot had been used to her grandson offering nothing to the conversation. He’d grown up being extremely quiet with no friends what so ever. She was lucky if she was even able to get a word out of him he’d been so silent. “Alisander? Alisander?” she curiously called, turning back to check that he’d still been behind her. “Alisander Aliquot! What in Neptune’s name could be the matter with you?” Clutching hard onto her purse full of food, Alva slowly approached the boy. As she placed her hand softly against his shoulder, she noticed him staring into the beautiful ocean above them.

“A breather.” He deadpanned, continuing to stare up. hmm… I wonder what the hell they’re doing here? He silently thought, a small bit of hatred in his tone. He’d managed to spend a couple of minutes of ignoring his grandmother and the loud alarm signal before both had welcomed themselves back into his ear drums. Going from the calm relaxation of sheer silence to boisterous sounds of commotion made him feel quite uncomfortable. He’d very much preferred the quiet.

“Alisander, speak to me! I hate it when you get like this!” Alva pleaded, as she began to slowly pound on the boy. Thing was, she stood at only 5’2 so it appeared as though a child had been pounding on an adult when in fact it had been the total opposite. Sighing from frustration, Alva stopped. Hearing her grandson acknowledge the alarm and speak had let her know that he had indeed been thinking and most likely brushing her off.

“Grandmother,” he voiced in a monotone, finally glancing down from the ocean. “I’m fine.” As he’d began to move around again, the loud alarm had subsequently stopped, which had meant their search for the breather had ended in succession or a failure.
“Humph,” Alva snorted with contempt, as she turned around and proceeded to start shopping once again. “That I figured.” She replied, knowing Alisander had been following closely behind her. “You just know how I worry when you get like that Alisander. When your parents died, I vowed to care for you and your sister. You just worry me when you don’t talk Alis-”
“Can we please not get into this conversation again?” Alisander questioned, cutting Alva off from continuing. “Because I’m not as expressive as the other Oxies, people always assume that something is the matter with me. I’m perfectly fine and you know that.” Grabbing a piece of fresh coral from off a stand he stared at it, contemplating eating it. “As if I don’t have to hear enough of this from Altina, now you’re getting on me for it?” Even though he had meant for his words to have a bit of resentment in them, he’d still came off as sounding more bored than anything. That was just his natural way of speaking and evoking his feelings. Everything seemed nonchalant in a bored monotone even though he meant otherwise.

“You’re right..” the elderly woman spoke, adverting her eyes back at him fiddling around with the coral. “And speaking of your sister, I’m sure she means well. She, as do I, just want the best from you Alisander. You have the potential to be something very big in your life. It’s just that quietness from you that causes us to worry. We never know what you’re thinking unless you reveal it, but I’m sure it isn’t anything bad.” She smiled, putting an assortment of food into her bag. “Now, let us return home. I’m sure Altina’s waiting for us.”
Entering the door, the strong aroma of dinner seeped throughout the entire house. “Ah,” Alva spoke handing the groceries into Alisander’s hands. “I see Altina started dinner. Go put those in the kitchen for me please.”
Nodding the instruction, Alisander walked off into the kitchen. He walked past his sister, who had been preparing a soup over the stove. “Hey. Did you hear the alarm? They say there was a Breather in the city today.” Had been the most he had said that entire day and probably would remain the most he would say for the remainder of the day. Putting all the food away, he sat down in a chair and stared at his sister’s back at the stove.

[Eva]

Altina Aliquot stared at the bubbling soup in front of her. She hadn't cooked in a long time, in fact the last time she had was when...Well, never mind that. Altina dipped the ladle into the pot and took out some warm broth. She blew on it for a moment and then took a sip. It tasted...fine. The vegetables were grown from one of the newer projects. Apparently someone was trying to make them viable to grow outside, in the water- presumably so that their current 'greenhouse' could be removed in favor of housing or, more likely, some sort of entertainment area.

Altina didn't really understand it. She merely made it her goal to know that it was occurring. As she drained the soup through some sort of straining...thing, Altina wondered about the numerous messages that had been sent to her. Usually, she would answer them immediately, but right now she had given herself a serious assignment. She had cleaned, and was now cooking. Usually she did neither. Not that she really needed to. Everyone who lived in the place was tidy, and she was usually able to just buy something for everyone to eat. For three people, it wasn't hard.

And if there was a problem, her assistants would take care of whatever it was. No issue. Still... Altina let the soup cool and went to check the messages that she'd been sent. As she read through them, Altina bit her lip. A Breather? Spotted nearby. Well. That was just fine. Nothing bad, unusual yes, but not bad. She needn't deal with it.

Altina returned to her duty and started slicing chunky bread when she heard her family come home. Altina didn't say a word, and patiently waited for them to do whatever they needed to do. As she sliced the bread, Altina heard her brother come into the kitchen. For once, he had something to say. “Hey. Did you hear the alarm? They say there was a Breather in the city today.” Altina listened intently. "Landet sent me a message." she replied. She poured three bowls of soup and set them on the table along with the bread. She sat down and waited for Alva to come in. The silence that stood between the two siblings was nothing new at all, but for the first time, Altina actually felt bothered by it. "Ali." she said, looking at her brother. "Talk to me." Altina often gave her brother orders, usually work-related, but rarely this personal. "Did you see the Breather yourself? With your own two eyes?" she asked.

[Aubs]

As Altina began to question him, Alisander blankly stared back at her. The silence between them grew more and more by the seconds. Had he seen the breather? He’d remembered a lot of people standing there in the market place. Of course there was a slight possibility that he could have, but he couldn’t recall if he’d seen it or not. It was said that Breathers were able to transform out of water to an appearance that had been fairly similar to Oxies. If he had seen it he probably wouldn’t have known. “I..” he began, glancing between Altina and the cabinets behind her. He couldn’t bring himself to stare her dead in the eyes anymore.
Finding out more information about the other races had been such an important subject for Altina. From a young age, she’d vowed to learn more about them. Their parent’s had done plenty of extensive research on Gills and Breathers, but their death had left Altina with many questions left unanswered. The way she wanted to know about them had almost surpassed her curiosity about the bubble, but not fully. Alisander knew that this side of her he was seeing was Altina attempting to fuel her brain. He wasn’t sure how much concern was for him. She seemed more worried about the Breather than anything. “I.. don’t- I don’t know..” he spoke in the same tone he always did. “I don’t remember, okay? So… just stop hounding me.”

He rolled his eyes and began to slowly eat his supper Altina had placed onto the table. While he tried to overlook Altina’s questions, he couldn’t help but find himself wandering back to the scene from earlier today. Normally he could have cared less. However, with Altina wanting to know his every move he had to make sure his comment had been right. He had to remember if he had or hadn’t seen the Breather.
Did I see it? His mind thought as he began to replay images from the day. I remember lots of people wandering throughout the city. Alva hadn’t really wanted to leave; she was far more interested in the sells at the market and refused to leave despite the alarm. There were loads of people brushing past the two of us, but I don’t necessarily think any one of them were the breather. As he began thinking more, he had stopped eating and simply started staring at the wall across from him.

“No, what could it possibly be this time?” Alva asked, referring to Ali, as she walked into the kitchen. “He’s been like this all day today at the market I tell you,” She carefully took her seat across from where Altina had been and looked at her food. “This looks delicious Altina! You’ve done a great job!” She delightfully spoke, ignoring the fact that Altina hadn’t been much of a chef. Shifting her eyes back over in her grandson’s direction, the old woman sighed to herself. “Couldn’t get much of a word out of him today. His silence scares me sometimes. Did he say anything to you while I was in the other room?”

[GnomesAteMyCake]

"I can't believe this!" a brown-haired youth cried, looking down into the turbulant water that his quarry had just dove into. A gun hung from his left hand, and he ran a hand through his hair as an older male skidded to a halt beside him, breathing heavily.
"Did'ja...did'ja catch it?" he panted, pulling a hankerchief from a breast pocket and dabbing at his face. His round belly protruded before him, his own weapon slung across his back. Nika shook his head, turning his back on the water and resting his gun across his shoulder, a small smile on his face.

"Nope. She got away," he said, not sounding too displeased. But then, Nika Apostolos never really seemed to have a day where he was displeased. "Looks like she gets to live another day, right?"
"Wrong, Apostolos," his fellow soldier said stubbornly, trotting to the end of the wharf and looking down into the water. "Now that it's gotten away, it could come back. Or more likely, it's got the info it needs and it's planning our downfall right this minute. We better begin evac of Candleridge..."
"Oh come on Carl!" Nika said, patting the elder man on the shoulder. "You worry too much! We'll be fine. Why don't you go back to the barracks and get a drink? You look a little unsteady. I'll do some recon around here and meet up with you soon!" Carl looked up at the youth's face and smiled, shaking his head; he always liked Nika. Such a kind kid, so full of life...and untouched by war. Carl always felt Nika wasn't cut out to be a killer, but it had nothing to do with him.

"Alright, my boy," Carl weezed, patting Nika on the back before turning to dissapear back into the city. " Don't be too long now; You know how the Bubble effects people..."
Nika nodded before turning back to the water, which flowed out to the skin of the Bubble and out into the ocean, where it covered them all. It was a chlostrophobic feeling, being this close to the Bubble-edge, but even so, Nika liked being out here. He liked to watch the schools of fish, the sharks and rays that often cut past them, like great birds. Or at least, he compared them to birds; he'd never seen a real one, and the likelihood was he never would; being so rare, only the rich could afford them as pets.

Sitting down on the edge of the wooden platform, Nika laid his gun beside him and lent back on his palms, staring out through the bubble and into the vast seas. Neptune had surely graced them with such a beautiful world around them...though he would always be curious to see what dry land looked like. But it was another of his wistful fantasies, another thing that would never come about. Sighing, he felt the tickle of the on-coming headaches one associated with the Bubbles. Just five minutes, then he'd go back to the barracks.

"Hmm...what did you want with us, Breather?" he muttered under his breath. "Neptune knows you need killing on site...but I wonder..."

[Bryden]

"DAMN IT FREY WHY ARE YOU SO INCOMPITANT SOME TIMES??" thus raged a young Gill as his sluggish brain finally caught up to the world around him.

Frey was a handsome youth. The very model of a healthy young man in his prime. Graceful, powerful, handsome, strong, intelligent... and also thicker then whale blubber when he was trying to be.

It had been a normal, quiet day so far. Just routine perimeter walks... dull strolls, nothing more. Frey was bored to tears. And he'd been letting his mind wander.

Soldiers should never allow their minds to wader. It breeds idleness and laziness. Bad habits for one with such a job and such a life to get into.

And as if to prove this, as if Poseidon himself was sending a test, there she fell. As if from out of nowhere, the unconscious girl fell directly before him. A Breather.

She was out cold, and still as anything. And not even two feet in front of him.

And Frey... froze.

His mind and body locked up, trying to process what the Hell just happened. Before he could pull himself together enough to take her prisoner, she woke. They stared at each other for a moment, eyes meeting in the blue haze of the water. Then she was off, swimming like a flash. the crack of water she spun out his him like a whip.

That kicked him into gear, but by the time he had it together enough to give chase... she was gone. He had no idea where she went.

So, feeling like a loser, he began to swear to himself angrily.

[Fallendire]

"Trigger, we shouldn't be doing this." Harrison glared at his younger brother, throwing a quick look over his shoulder at the military base they'd just left. "We're supposed to be doing supplies inventory . . ."

"Oh, psh." Trigger rolled over on his back as he glided away, giving his rounded tail fin a few lazy flicks to propel himself forward. Linking his slender hands behind his neck, he threw his head back and giggled. "You worry so much. We're just taking a swim is all . . ."

"Taking a swim . . ." Harrison echoed derisively, grumbling. "What do you think this is, some kind of resort? We've been sentenced to work here, Trigger. Because of your recklessness!"

Trigger rolled his eyes and ignored his brother. He was always such a joykill. The younger Gill grinned and did a somersault, raising his arms above his head as he reveled in the feeling of leisure. Halfway through his spin, however, he caught sight of a familiar figure. "Hey! Hey, Harrison, it's Frey!"

Harrison groaned, reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nose. He loathed Frey. Though he'd only been here about a month, that had been plenty enough time for him to decide the soldier was a pompous jackass. Trigger, on the other hand, absolutely idolized him. He quite literally wanted to be Frey.

Before Harrison could stop him, Trigger was speeding enthusiastically towards his role model, not even thinking about the fact that he wasn't supposed to be outside the base. "Hey! Hey, Frey! Freeeey! Remember me?!"

[Eva]

Altina sighed. She didn't answer Alva; her questions were more or less solved simply by what she was about to say. "I'm not going to stop hounding you." Altina said simply. "I don't see why this question is bothering you so much." She looked down at the table and then back up. "Could you at least LOOK at me while I'm talking to you?" Altina snapped, noticing Alisander's staring at the wall. Her face softened slightly and she leaned forward so only Alisander could hear her. "I'm trying to do this right, Ali. Please, make this a little bit easier for me." she pleaded.

[PsychoKath]

It seemed as if the Gill didn't follow her- the relief bubbled up inside her. Too many times she'd almost not survived a transformation. This was no way to live- constantly fleeing, fearing everything about herself. But there was nothing she could do; she was doomed to live like this until someone killed her. Gills, Oxies, creatures of the deep; it truely didn't matter anymore.

"Oh, shut it Nea! You're just lonely is all..." Nea looked longingly at the bed that had now been empty for 3 years. It still made her die a little more inside each time she thought about how long she'd been alone. How long her twin had been dead.

Her thoughts drifted over to that Gill, the one hovering just abouve her. Their eyes had met- why did he not kill her? The curiosity nearly killed her. Could he possibly be a sympathizer? If so, it would mean that she'd no longer be alone... well, not entirely. The chance was too big to pass up, against her better judgement Nea fled her cave to go back to where she had last seen him.

Momentes later, she was quite the able swimmer, she spotted his blue hair and scales. He was now joined by others of his kind, more Gills, all with the capability to killl he rin an instant if they knew she was there. Her ears strained to hear their words, catch a name, anything. And she heard it! The hyper one bounded up and down saying his name.

Frey.

Nea itched to swim closer, to learn more, but she was a coward. It was just as she was about to return home when she heard it. A passenger sub, they went in and out of Candleridge all the time, was abouve her. At first she paused, hoping to blend into the rockhe hid behind. But then something else struck her..

"A passenger sub down this low? They don't ever go below the city limits," she exclaimed to herself. Nea darted around to get a better look, and she saw it. The blades were broken, the sub couldn't propel itself upward anymore. If the sub didn't get help soon the Oxies inside it would die in Gill territory- war would certainly ensue. But the sub was behind the reef, hidden from the Gills she'd been watching.

Nea was strong, but not quite strong enough to push an entire sub upwards to the city by herself- if her sister was alive they could have managed it easily; minus the problem that the Gills would most certainly kill her on sight.

"Dear Neptune, help me!" Her slightly sharpened teeth bit into her lip as she debeated what to do, fear making her small shoulders tremble.

If war breaks out down here they're going to find me anyway. If I can jsut get the sub to a point where the Gills can see it... maybe they'll take care of it and I'll have enough time to run! It was a fools plan, but there was no other option.

Nea got behind the sub and pushed it upards with all her might- hoping desperately that she hadn't just sealed her death.

[Aubs]

Alisander had desperately wanted to avoid listening to his sister plead with him, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t ignore the hurt he had heard in her voice. He immediately glanced over to see a look on her face that he had never seen before. She’d looked quite dispirited and he never in his life had seen her look as so. Altina always had been the confident sibling, while he was more so the gloomy one. Since their parent’s death, Altina had taken the role of an adult to fill in for her parents. She’d began working at the lab, to follow in their footsteps while Ali had started his final years at the academy. He never truly understood why she had did it because their grandmother, Alva had been there to tend to them. He didn’t see that she had cared for him.
She was less likely to break down, but Alisander was seeing a new side of her at the dinner table. A side that he wasn’t so sure about. Had she really cared about him as much as Alva had talked about? Or was she just trying to milk him for as much information as she could? He wasn’t sure, but he had to say something.

Breaking his silence, Ali finally spoke. Shifting his eyes back from Altina to the wall across from him, he gained the courage to talk. “I.. I saw the Breather.”

Gasping loudly, Alva reached for Alisander’s right arm which had been on the table. “You saw it? Is this why you have been bothered, Alisander?”

-Flashback-

The market was very extravagant that morning. With loads of people surrounding the shops, stand, and eateries, there had been more than the average number of people there. In the town square, there had seemed to me a mini concert as to why the large numbers had occupied the space. Loud sounds of music and chanting from excited people filled Alisander’s ears as he and Alva, well.. mostly his grandmother had proceeded to shop the market.
While the two walked further down the sidewalk, Alisander’s eyes wandered off into the crowds of people. Examining the people, Ali’s eyes met with a rather beautiful woman. Her blueish-greenish eyes had single-handedly been the most beautiful eyes he’d ever seen. even more than his grey ones. Continuing to glance back and forth at each other, he could tell from a distance that she hadn’t been from Candleridge as not only had her clothing been pretty tattered compared to the residents of the city. The one thing he knew that had been differently hadn’t been her clothing though. It’d been her porcelain toned skin that she has covered with long sleeves and a heavy hood.

“Wow,” Alisander remarked as he stared at her from a distance.
“Wow, what?” Alva questioned, turning back to check on her grandson. “What are you looking at Alisander?”
Snapping out of his trance, the young man glanced back to his grandmother. “Nothing..” he somberly replied as he looked back into the crowd of people to look for the woman again. She hadn’t been standing in the same place any longer, causing him to give his hopes up of ever seeing her again. She was beautiful. She couldn’t have been from around here though. I wonder where-

“I saw her! I saw it! A Breather! There’s a Breather in our parts!” The man Ali had remembered from earlier had run out of an alleyway shouting. Not soon after, as the clusters of people began to scatter away in fear the bell had gone off alerting those around that a dangerous predator had been in their mists.
"EVERYONE GET TO SAFETY!"


“And that was what happened.” Alisander finished, removing his eyes off their position to glance over at Altina. “I saw her and that was it. Nothing more than that.” Sighing, he rolled his eyes.


“So it was a woman?” Alva questioned, slowly standing up from out of her seat.
“That’s what I said, right?” Ali harshly responded as he continued to stare at his sister, who he was sure had been in utter shock. “So..” He began. “What do you have to say Al? Any snarky response you have? Any scientific evidence you have to prove that the woman I saw wasn’t the Breather, that I’m making up everything I said on the spot? Or do you want to whine on how you should have been the one to witness her before I did considering you’re the oldest and the most intelligent.”

“Alisander! You apologize to your sister now!”

“Why should I? It’s not like she cares anyway.”

[Bryden]

"Huh? What?" Frey had thought himself alone, and the sudden calling of his name caught him by surprise.

There you go! Off-guard, caught be surprise, startled... more unprofessional conduct! By the Lord of the Sea, he was losing his grip! Such a slip up would never have been tolorated in the acadamy. He could have kicked himself (he didn't, though, as that would make him look even more ridiculous then he felt and besides, that was more or less impossible underwater; attempting to kick onesself usually ended in a half hearted sort of 360 flip- NOT graceful nor masculine).

Feeling like a loser was one thing, however. SHOWING it was quite another indeed. Frey refused to show weakness. PArticularly not around lower standing armymen.

Such as these.

He turned, blue hair floating around him, stirred by the bubbles released from his sudden swirl, to see the two new recruits- forcible, criminal recruits, he might mention.

Frey detested the criminal sort. So undiciplined. So hasty. So... like... himself... that being why he detested them, of course.

These two were related. Brothers or something... Frey hadn't really bothered to check into it. The little one was fine. seemed willing to lick Frey's armor clean for him if Frey suggested such a thing. The older one, though, he was trouble. Much too surly and not at all properly respectful. It irked Frey.

But at least there was the younger one.

A put on a smile, knowing smile. "Ah, Hello," he greeted the eager clownfish, "Of course I remember you ...Trigger, wasn't it?"

[Fallendire]

Trigger nodded enthusiastically, barely supressing a squeal of delight. He remembers my name! he thought to himself, thrilled. "Yup! Trigger Loft, at your service, sir!"

Harrison gagged and crossed his arms over his broad chest, his brow furrowed in disapproval as he watched his younger brother fawn over the soldier. He wouldn't give his name unless asked, he decided. The less contact he had with Frey, the happier he'd be.

Trigger felt just the opposite. "What'cha doin' out here, Frey? Are you on a super-important mission? Are you gonna kick some mouth-breathers to kingdom come? Can I help?" His questions shot out rapid fire, but he was thinking of new ones faster than his mouth could form the words. "I could totally help you! I may not look it, but I'm strong, I swear! Or - or I could polish your armor, if you want!"

Harrison turned away, delicately covering his mouth with his hand and resisting the urge to vomit. Honestly. He couldn't belive Trigger was making such a travesty of himself. Sometimes it was hard to believe they were even related. "Perhaps we should be getting back, Trig," he said slowly. "We haven't finished inventory. You'll have plenty of time to kiss Frey's flippers later," he added drily. It wasn't smart, but he couldn't help himself.

"Aw, but Harrison -" Trigger was about to turn around so he could whine at his brother face-to-face, but before he could do so, he caught sight of a huge, dark mass over Frey's shoulder. "Whooooaaa!What's that?"

Harrison recognized it instantly and grabbed Trigger's arm, yanking him away. "Oxies," he growled. "Now we're definitely going back. It's not safe."

Harrison's warning only made Trigger more eager. "No way!" he exploded, struggling to break his brother's death-grip on his arm. "An Oxie craft? For real?! Oh, my gills! Frey, are you gonna go bust 'em? Can I watch? Nonono, can I help?"

Harrison rolled his eyes, sighing. Poseidon, give me patience . . .

[Bryden]

He went across a range of expressions and emotions in a matter of moments.

Firstly- A high and mighty 'tragic hero' look. Oh, yes, he was the tops. The best of the best. EVERYONE wanted to be him. So perhaps he could bestow a few craved words and gain a pawn ally: "Trigger, do relax. I'm an officer, but that doesn't make me anything particularly special. Perhaps if you work at it and redeem yourself of whatever got you here in the first place, you can-"

Secondly- This was when he caught the other sibling's words. "What was that, private?" he asked, tilting a face featuring don't fuck with me eyes towards Harrison. Frey could be scary when he was like that. REALLY scary. If looks could kill, the water would be boiling. "Would you do me the favor of repeating that comment on my fins?"

Thirdly- The shadow interrupted all other thoughts and actions. Off his game though Frey may be that particular day, he did know how to behave in such situations.

"Trigger, this is a direct command. Go back to the base and tell the highest ranking officer you can find about this-" he gestured upwards "-thing. Tell them Frey sent you, then bring them back here. On the double!"

He shot a glare to Harrison, then, and murmured: "I will deal with you later. It would behoove you to remember how to speak to your betters in the meantime."

With that and a curt nod, he turned to investigate on his own.