Water and Oil Mix (Alti)

OoC: Another thread for us! Woo. Let's get it going.

BiC:

He played a slightly jaunty tune as he walked. The pan flute sounded lonely in such an expansive forest, echoing so softly, longingly like a lark without a mate. He chuckled when the comparison came to his mind. How convenient it seemed. He could smell the fresh pine around him when he lowered the pan flute from his lips, running his tongue over them briefly. It reminded him of his home in Lorderon. Not a good thing, really, since that always led in one direction- Rosalin. He sighed, scratching absent-mindedly at the increasingly-heavy armor covering his chest. Now that he knew it was spreading at its own rate, the only way to remove it was to find somebody to love him. Not likely.

He sighed, brushing a bit of hair back behind a pointed ear. He replaced the pan flute into his pack, swinging the light bag back over his shoulders. Times like this made him wonder if he’d feel love again, or what it felt like. He couldn’t really remember what it felt like… was it so pleasant as he imagined from seeing couples every so often holding hands with such blissful smiles on their faces? No, he didn’t think so. How could such a simple thing bring so much joy? He didn’t understand it. He had that feeling, somewhere in the back of his mind; he once knew love very well, probably with Rosalin. Nowadays, though, Arlen knew nothing but duty, solemn days, and a lonely feeling in the pit of his heart.

“Where are we going?” Chimeree asked in a twitter, hopping a little on Arlen’s shoulder.

“I don’t know.”

“Whaddya mean you don’t know!” the bird exploded, puffing up.

“I don’t know where we’re going,” Arlen replied, holding back a smile at the bird’s silly appearance. “Don’t puff up like that, Chimeree. You know it looks funny. Just relax. If it makes you feel better, we’re getting closer to civilization, I think. We’ll ask directions there.”

The bird nodded curtly. “Alright, but you make sure you ask!”

“I will. Don’t worry. I’ll ask for work, too. Since you know as well as I do we need something to do with ourselves,” Arlen replied, running a gentle finger over the bird’s feathered head.

"You mean besides gettin' the armor off you?" Chimeree chirped.

"Heh... maybe, Chimeree. Maybe." Not a chance.

Fish poked at the strange toe-like shapes in the water. Their forms looked like bits of bluish coral, but felt like water... curious guppies swam between them, and through them, until one of their own swam into one. That's when the shapes began to move.

Something... tickles...

Ancia rolled off her side and sat up from the riverbed, realizing when the drowsiness wore off and the sunbeams of morning reached her eyes that she'd fallen asleep and been carried away by the current in her travels. Always would she travel by water when she could--she didn't like to pass through towns much, especially not on her own, when humans would stare and children would laugh or scream. When it got too cold, too, frost would form in her hair and on her fingers and toes... when it got too hot, she could feel bits of her turn to vapor. But when around the water, she could always return herself to normal once again, and... well, the sort of people she would find hanging around the water typically liked water.

This, obviously, was always a plus.

The nymph had lost track of how far she'd come now, on her way to her father's temple. In some indirect way, she had always been traveling here, since the moment she lost her shrine at home. She didn't know why she expected her father to help... in all her life, he had only contacted her once, and even then it was only for a favor he needed, but... she had no one else to turn to. Deep down, she wanted to believe he cared for her. As a god's child, that sense of importance had been instilled in her... he just had to care. When she showed up at his temple, offered up her prayers... surely he would help her?

He is very busy, but... when I tell him of the story of my troubles, Father will come to my aid...

That was the hope grasped firmly in her mind as she trudged on now, after shaking a foot in the river to rid herself of a guppy that had been giving her the shivers. As she walked on, she marveled at the strange beauties of the land; the green leaves, the fragrant blooms, the lively creatures... all of it so unfamiliar. Somewhere on the other side of this forest was the land where Poseidon's temple stood, and... somehow, she believed she would find her way through...

OoC: Very bleh post, I know. <__<

OoC: I feel like my post is blah, too. But we have to start somewhere.

BiC: Arlen stopped. Something moved nearby. His instincts told him to remain still until he found the source. He crouched low and began to slink through the foliage as silently as the air itself weaved among the trees. Chimeree kept his whistling caged behind his beak and took off into the treetops.

Slowly, the elf peered through the brush, the intensive nights of his training filling his mind. The thing was drawing closer now. He unlinked his bow from his shoulder, threaded an arrow to it and pulled back, aiming carefully. Then she came into view. He gaped, his lips parting and bow solemnly lowering. This was a surprise. A nymph. Not just any nymph, but a water nymph. He straightened, rising from his hiding place and noticing he had visibly startled her. “Please don’t be frightened!” he exclaimed, extending a hand in a friendly motion. He loved water nymphs. “You took me by surprise…”

“I took you by surprise?” she asked in an innocent tone, looking quite human with her expressions.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I’ve forgotten my manners.” He gave a short bow of respect and polite. “I am Arlen, Miss Water Nymph. And your name might be?”

She smiled, seemingly pleased at his politeness. “Ancia,” she replied.

“How pretty,” Arlen truthfully commented. “Now, Miss Ancia, I must apologize. I seem to have lost my way. I am seeking a way to the forest of Elkrond, just before the land of Lorderon. Do you know, perchance, where I am now?”

“Now, Miss Ancia, I must apologize. I seem to have lost my way. I am seeking a way to the forest of Elkrond, just before the land of Lorderon. Do you know, perchance, where I am now?”

The names of these places were all gibberish to her--she didn't know a single place outside of her own river, and her village. Or... what used to be her river and village, might be more accurate. This elf seemed so nice and courteous though... she felt bad that she couldn't be of more help.

"For...est...?" she called back, "is that... a place with many trees, like where we are standing now, Elf?"

Her father's shrine had been said to be near a forest... and that was the first time she had heard the word. She realized now that what she'd said was probably already enough of an answer to his question. She, too, was a little lost.

"I... was supposed to come to this place of trees to find my father's temple, but... I've lost my way too," Ancia told him, and she hung her head a little sadly. She always seemed to get lost somehow when she was on her own...

Arlen offered her a small smile. He couldn't be angry. Most water nymphs didn't know much beyond their surroundings. When she mentioned her father's temple, he nodded briefly. "Your father's temple... you must need more help than I. I've never heard of such a temple anywhere nearby."

She bowed her head and nodded. She seemed a little shy not knowing what the elf needed help with, instead being lost herself.

The elf in return offered her a small smile. "But... because you seem more lost than I, we should find your destination first. It's not safe for a nymph to be wandering about this area alone. Chimeree! Come down here and meet Ancia!"

The bird rested on Arlen's wrist and inched closer to the water nymph. "She's a pretty 'un alright, Arlen. What're we lookin' for with 'er?"

"The temple...for her father."

"Which is?" the bird twittered.

Ancia smiled, clasping her hands. "Poseidon's temple..."

Although Arlen had never heard of the Greek god, he understood the importance and hope in the girl's voice and his heart began to wane towards her need. "You heard that, Chimeree. Why don't we help her find this temple? It can't be far-off. Give it a scout," he whistled, raising an arm to send the bird off above the canopy.

"He'll find it in no time, Miss Ancia. I would feel guilty if I did not help a woman in distress."

Ancia gave a little delighted cry as she watched the bird fly off, feeling her heart lift a little. "The feathered one... he is so pretty! So many colors..."

She didn't notice the elf chuckling a little as he watched her look on in admiration, her eyes following the bird until he disappeared beyond the treetops. "He's a bird, Miss Ancia, a type of... creature that lives on land and flies."

The nymph nodded, seemingly considering this new information and taking it in. Still, she looked like she had a question. The elf's stance relaxed a little when all she wanted to ask was: "His... name was...?"

"Chimeree--you pronounce it, milady, as Chi- as in chip, mer as in mermaid, and ree as in tree."

She tested this out for herself, having watched the way his lips moved to form the sounds, "Chee... no... Chi... mer... ree. Chimeree! I like it!" she gave a little laugh, very pleased with herself for mastering this new foreign word. She realized though, as the elf smiled back a little at her, that there was yet another she hadn't learned.

"And... and your name, kind elf...?" she asked, stepping a little closer.

OoC: Kind of a meh post, I'm sorry. <__< Nothing really happens in it. x3

"Oh. I didn't introduce myself. I'm sorry, Miss Ancia. My name is Arlen. Arlen Drago Asterling. At your service," He deeply bowed, a hand sweeping back in a flawless motion of smooth respect.

"Arlen! Arlen!" Chimeree flew back, twittering in short pants. "Oi found a town neah heh!"

"You did? Well done, Chimeree! We can ask for directions there! Don't you worry, Miss Ancia, we'll have you back to your father's temple in no time. Follow me." Arlen moved lithely as a deer in the forest, making sure Ancia was able to follow easily, but not staying close enough so she could touch him. "Ah, there..." The town emerged from beyond the forest boundaries. "You see, Ancia? The town is before us, and then your father's temple. You shall be home before you know an hour is passed," he said in an encouraging manner.

When he began to walk down the hill, he noticed out of the corner of one eye she did not follow. "Miss Ancia? Is something wrong?"

"I... do not like going in towns normally..." the water nymph timidly admitted. "The people there do not like me."

Arlen paused for a moment. He had never dealt with company not considering nymphs to be anything but blessings to even be in the company of, much less help with a favor. "Do not worry, Miss Ancia. I have sworn myself to help you, and I shall. My bow and arrows are at your command, even my very life." Though he said this, Arlen certainly did not mean it. It was code for the elves of Lorderon to say such things when pledging safety to another. "I shall protect you..." He made brief eye contact with her. "I promise."

"I shall protect you..." he said, looking at her for a moment, "I promise."

And she believed him. She had never encountered a situation where she couldn't fully believe every word someone told her; the idea of lying, or just simply saying a little more than you truly meant when tested was foreign to her. People spoke earnestly to nymphs, and Gods' daughters. So when Arlen promised her, she placed her trust in him one hundred percent.

She gave him a warm smile that said as much and trudged through the grass and brush with some difficulty to come and stand by his side. "Don't... don't go too far ahead, okay...?" she told him, glancing around at the buildings ahead that she knew would be full of humans, most that had never seen a being quite like herself before. "And... thank you, Arlen." She attached no title to the name, as one might do out of courtesy to someone they've just met. The idea of showing formality or respect towards a mortal was another foreign notion to her... but nonetheless, she felt... safe around this one. And grateful for his presence. She'd be quick to even admit that she might have been helpless had he not come along.

Part of Ancia wanted to reach out for his hand for added safety while they walked through town, but he seemed... withdrawn, and kept some distance between them even though they were roughly moving at the same pace. The nymph shrunk back a little as they started to near a market, and she could already hear murmurs starting up when she came into the villager's view.

"Is she made of water...?"

"What sort of omen is this... does this creature tell of a coming flood...?"

While Ancia fidgeted and kept moving, Arlen remained calm. He listened. He caught some pricks of anger, some curiousity, and of course some fear at their presence. He noticed Ancia had slowed a great deal and in fact stopped altogether before they entered the market. Ahead, the whispers were spreading like wildfire and many shops were closing temporarily until the two strangers had passed.

He strode back to her, gaze slightly softening with the clear signs of her discomfort. He slipped his hand inside hers, linking his fingers within and not seeming to mind the wetness. "Hold my hand."

At first, as they trode through the market, nothing seemed to go wrong, apart from a few gasps and whispers, or the occasional rude remark towards Ancia bringing a curse with her.

This continued until a child, particularly inquisitive, came up to Ancia and touched her. "She's water, she's water!" the child squealed, more in excitement than fright. But it was then a man approached, swooping the child away behind him and drawing a sword. "You curse of the gods! Leave us, siren, and let us to our own business! You bring nothing but violence and hostility with you!"

"Pardon me, sir." Arlen slipped in front of Ancia so quickly the man stumbled back, his accusing finger dropping. "I should think, based on the fact you are drawing the first weapon and disturbing the peace, you are the cause of the hostility. Please, put away your sword. We mean only to find Poseidon's temple. Can you give us directions?"

"I know the way!" A shy, young man no more than twenty pushed his way through the crowd, adjusting some glasses on his nose. "Poseidon's temple, past the sea. There's a boat docking now that may give you passage. Once you get on it, it will take you to the land."

Arlen turned to Ancia. "Can you find it from there?" After a short nod from her, Arlen sincerely bowed towards the man. "Thank you..." He stood up, turned around, and a reverberating clang resounded in the city square. The man's sword, which he had attempted to plunge into Arlen's chest, snapped like a twig in two pieces upon contact, a small glimmer of silver visible where it had slashed through the elf's shirt.

The man staggered back. "You... you demon... you can't die... then this incarnation of evil beside you... I'll kill her if I have to!" Despite his sword being broken, he headed for her, the remains clutched in his hand.

Thwock! The arrow made no sound as it flew from Arlen's fingertips until it smacked into the man's chest. He gasped a few times, and fell backward onto the pavement, making the crowd shriek, filing back as if Arlen would do the same to them. The child tore from the grip of his mother, bending down before the man. "D-daddy?" Tears began to well in his eyes.

"Ancia. Come, we must go. Now." Before anything else could occur, the elf had vanished from the market, heading towards the harbor with the water nymph beside him.

The little boy... he had cried "Daddy"? He'd just lost his Daddy, because of them coming through the village, and causing trouble? Could that be true...?

Stormclouds began to brew overhead as Ancia dwelled on the look on the boy's face, and Arlen led her along towards the docks. She had seldom felt... guilty before. But... now there was a child without a father, like her...

"Perhaps I am bad..." she muttered quietly, as they trudged through some cattails and weeds growing around where the cobblestones of the town ended. She didn't know if Arlen heard her, but that wouldn't keep her from talking. She was used to having no answer. "...the human boy would have a father... if we did not go into the town. It was... my fault... I'm bad..."

Rain began to patter down, as the sky overhead darkened. Ancia hung her head and began to shiver.

Arlen's lips parted slightly when he turned to glance at Ancia. He returned his gaze towards the docks, trying to distinguish, mostly based on the activity around them, which would be the best for Ancia's needs. "...It was...my fault... I'm bad..." Something wet hit his hand, which was still gripping Ancia's. It was raining. Was a storm brewing? If so, the men might not sail and Ancia might not be on her way. Honestly, Arlen didn't particularly care about when she got home, but he figured the quicker, the better, then he could get on his way.

"She looks a bit down," twittered Chimeree, landing on the elf's shoulder.

Arlen nodded after a moment, not wishing to speak of it if it made Ancia sad. He didn't mind killing; his heart had grown far too cold for that weakness. There was also always the fact he had been raised in the army of Lorderon, where fighting and killing to protect those things you cared for had been a way of life. When he was home, he felt he'd do anything to protect his land. Now he felt the same way towards Ancia. Obligation, of course.

"Ancia..." he attempted a soft voice. "It wasn't your fault."

She merely looked at him, shaking a little. The guilt shining behind her eyes impacted him harshly.

"It was my fault. I acted too quickly. I am used to killing, not injuries. I could have only wounded the man and we still would be on our way... there was no other way. Now that I think on it, more than anyone, it was his own doing. If I had not stepped in, he would have killed you. I could never let that happen. Perhaps the boy will find a better role model in the future. Do not let your heart be troubled."

Daddy... Though his thin lips were curved upwards in a smile, inside, he was puzzled, but moreso remorseful. What was having a father like? Arlen's father had died in the war before he had been born. All he had to go on for information was the stories from his mother and his sister, the latter of which was not trustworthy. She said he looked like him, though his stature had been harder, more rugged. Arlen inherited his mother's calm, soft features both of face and heart. That is, he would, if he had a heart. Briefly, he reached a hand up to his chest, pretending to scratch an itch, but grazing instead against thousands of miniscule chain links. He sighed.

"Oi, Oi, Arlen! Over there! That's the ticket!"

The elf glanced towards the large ship. They were preparing to cast off. Perhaps, instead of making them fear Ancia, he should employ a little reverse psychology. "Pardon! Yes, you! Sir!" He waved toward a man loading the last of the goods on the ship. "Can I speak to the Captain of this vessel?"

"You're lookin' at him, boy." The voice sounded not at all friendly, but Arlen was determined.

"Yes, greetings. We would like to gain passage across the sea. Is that possible?"

The man glanced at Ancia and leaned back, thoughtfully rubbing his graying stubble. "How much can you pay with?"

Arlen had hoped this wouldn't come up, but it wouldn't prove a difficulty. "As much as it takes." He retained his stare at the man, though attempting not to be intimidating.

"I don't think so, lad. The good ship Bounty don't need no bad luck, and that girl you're carryin', much as I hate to say so, looks like she brings a heep of bad luck with her. See that storm brewin' overhead? I can't risk it."

"No, no, you see..." Arlen was quick to react. "She would be good luck. You're looking at a genuine water nymph. She could keep the storms at bay, and who knows, you'll get there sooner, maybe even a day earlier than planned."

The Captain again paused. He was late already. If this boy told the truth, despite their strange appearances, they might prove invaluable to getting the shipments there early. "Oh, alright. Come aboard. But if you cause any trouble, I'm not going to hesitate from tossing you overboard."

Arlen froze. Overboard. Into the ocean. His heart sank, just like he would. The armor he wore already weighed a ton. Having it on in water... he would certainly... die from air pressure, depending on where they got tossed over into the sea.

"Son? You comin' aboard or what?"

Arlen snapped out of it, nodding. "Yes, of course."

A few bars of sunlight broke in through the clouds, parting them and shining down warmth on the little vessel. The crewmembers looked to the skies in awe, remembering the elf's words as they set sail--the nymph could keep the storms at bay. It had been true...

It really had. As Ancia watched the waves churn under the great ship, she wasn't aware of the pull she had on the weather. The storm before had come about because of her feelings of guilt... the rain pattering down to make things as dreary as she felt. But... thanks to Arlen's words, she'd brightened up. The elf was very much a gentleman... he cared for her feelings, she thought, and looked after her... she liked being around him. Part of her hoped this boat ride would be long.

The nymph began to look around for him, wanting to stand with him and watch the light glinting off the waves. A silvery sheen caught her eye as she glanced around, just as radiant as the water, and she hurried over, walking as naturally over the rocking boat as she would the shore.

With the way she glided, he hadn't heard her coming, but if he was surprised at all, he hid it well. He nodded a greeting as the nymph simply beamed up at him.

"Arlen, I wished to thank you for helping me gain passage here," she told him, her eyes shining as the sunlight shone through her watery little body.

The elf merely shrugged, answering her with a polite, "You're quite welcome, Miss Ancia."

The sky overhead seemed to grow even brighter as the nymph leaned closer to him, wrapping her small arms around him in a hug. "No one has ever looked out for me so much before, Arlen," she squeezed him a little, still smiling. Thanking someone was a big deal to her--as someone who was worshipped before, people often showed gratitude to her, but so rarely was it the other way around. Ancia had to mean it from the bottom of her heart. "Thank you."

He stared out to sea, keeping an eye on the waves as they rose and fell in crests, exploding into the hull of their ship much like fireworks, spatters of water shimmering as they fell back down into the vastness of the ocean. He faintly felt an added pressure around his chest, though it wasn't enough to make him react. For only a moment he took his eyes off the sheen of the water to look at her. "Any gentleman would do the same for you, Ancia. It is my greatest pleasure and highest honor to escort you home."

He returned his gaze to the sea, when he heard her speak up. "It's beautiful."

The perkiness in her voice did not affect him. "Yes. It is very pretty." He didn't understand the attraction he held for the water. It was as if he feared it, yet he loved it. Even when he had been a child, his mother found him near grottos or the other water nymphs. Of course, they had been either too stuck-up to talk or too carefree to carry a conversation. He had never talked with one long enough to see the personality he found in Ancia. His mother had never liked him near the water. Said it was dangerous...

A shrill, echoing bubbly laugh snapped him out of his thoughts. He stared over the edge of the rail. Dolphins. They lept among the crests the boat made as it split the waters, chattering joyfully to one another. At first it seemed only one or two, then a pod appeared. "Ancia..." Arlen smiled and took her hands, helping her in front of him and leaning with her over the edge. "Look." He had a feeling she would enjoy seeing them.