seasonsrpg | Quest/General Catchall Jan-Mar

[As someone who can breathe underwater without any need for outside assistance at all thanks to a certain enchantment he brought with him from home, E’kayan doesn’t hesitate to take on a quest that involves swimming when the need arises. He makes his way down to the Siren Kingdom without too much trepidation and finds the description of moray to be… well, strangely familiar.

He is slightly relieved to learn that it does not have electrical abilities.

Still, the creature is large, and with water taken into account E’kayan needs to be careful about what types of magic he uses. He wouldn’t want to electrocute or freeze anyone else trying to take on these creatures, would he?

It’s why he hangs back at first. Thinking, rather than afraid of what lies ahead. What he wouldn’t do to be better with a bow or a gunblade at a time like this. He floats in the water on the edge of the territory where the morays are said to be, and one of his ears twitches as he hears the sound of shouting and battle in the near distance.]

Ah-- quickly-

[Someone who is with him would find themselves being ushered along by a small catboy carrying a rapier and a magical focus. Someone already fighting one of the undead creatures would be swiftly joined in battle by someone rapidly flinging magic from the sidelines, being careful to avoid anything that might cause harm to an ally.]

[Hythlodaeus swims into view, looking markedly different than usual. As soon as he realises it's E'kayan he's looking at, he grins, teeth jagged and sharp. Then he seems confused, because he's not sure how the other man is actually breathing under here... and then finally, he realises he's going to get shit for this, and purses his lips.]

Not a word, my friend.

[He's going to laugh anyway, isn't he? In any case, he doesn't have long to casually chat, because his merrow form has attracted a hungry Moray. His bow appears in his hands and he frowns.]

'Twould seem my current form is not as useful down here as I was hoping. I've simply made myself a target...

[Though perhaps that could be used to their advantage?]

[It does take him a few moments, between the murk and darkness and Hythlodaeus' different appearance, to realise just who it is that he's looking at...

Then he speaks, and E'kayan's eyes widen immediately, and the other man would no doubt notice the way his jaw tenses and how he presses his lips together as if to keep something from coming out.]

... You're a shark.

[Task unsuccessful. The verbal acknowledgement pushes a grin across his face. Yes, sorry, Hythlodaeus... he is going to laugh at you.

Later, though. No time for it now, since the man seems to have made himself a very tantalising piece of bait. So much for having time to make a plan.]

I'm limited on magic down here unless you're resistant to electricity. [The Miqo'te says quickly, drawing his rapier.] How fast can you move like that?

That I am.

[Yes yes, laugh it up.]

I can't say that I'd enjoy being fried, no, but perhaps it would be better than having my life force stolen by a giant sea creature. Who knows!

[In any case, he demonstrates his ability to swim quickly by swimming a lap around E'kayan. He's extremely fast.]

If this isn't fast enough for you, I can still teleport. It may be an effective way to manage the creature's attention, come to think of it.

[Teleporting behind it and taking pot shots, as well as being apparently delicious, should hold its attention...]

I promise I'll fry you as an absolute last resort. I can even heal you after.

[It's hard to tell how much of that is E'kayan joking, and how much is him legitimately warning Hythlodaeus of something that might actually happen. He watches the man swim swiftly around him and nods, turning his attention towards the approaching moray.]

All right-- uh, if you can try not to move it around too much. I need to concentrate for this.

[At least for the first shot. The second one always comes off easier.]

Not asking much, I know.

How thoughtful of you.

[He replies wryly, with a slight smile. Then he fixes his gaze on the moray, swimming away from E'kayan a little since the creature looks about ready to lunge- whether it grabs them both or not.]

Come, then- I'm over here, you great brute!

[Not that it can understand him, really... goodness, but how does Hades keep a creature's attention so well?]

[With Hythlodaeus on the move E'kayan concentrates on his magic. He can't move in the water like the other man can and is going to rely on the distance not being stretched too far so he can still strike the thing.

An unaspected spell gathers in his hands, around the focus at the top of his rapier, and he lets off two blasts in quick succession. The impact draws attention to himself immediately, of course.]

Oh, bugger—

[He ducks down, feeling the rushing current as the moray barely misses bodying him in the water.]

Hythlodaeus!

[Hythlodaeus fires at the moray again, which immediately draws it back to him. It opens its maw and lunges, but Hythlodaeus is fast even without his teleportation, using his strong tail to propel him out of harm's way.]

Well now, this is awkward...

[Since whoever hits the moray ends up taking its attention, he can't keep it wholly concerned with him. He calls out to E'kayan, firing at it again.]

It's confused, but still dangerous.

Confused but still dangerous? How relatable.

[He can still make dry jokes at a time like this, at least. Between the two of them this could last a while, but eventually one of them was probably going to slip up and E'kayan expects it might be him, given he isn't half as fast as the other man in the water.

They're going to need a different approach. E'kayan never considered himself the 'ideas man', tending to leave that to scions he considered more intelligent than himself, but he's going to have to come up with something.]

I have an idea. It's probably going to hurt. [It's a terrible idea. A couple of sparks of static pulse between his fingers. Hythlodaeus can probably understand what he's going for.] ... Me more than you, I expect.

[Well... he's taken worse and lived to talk about it. He makes a face.]

I'll need to get closer.

[Hythlodaeus snorts at the comment, despite everything. And then he sees the sparks between E'kayan's fingers, and sighs in a resigned manner.]

Oh, this is going to be unpleasant, isn't it?

[He swims over to E'kayan anyway to draw the moray closer, but not too close.]

Do it!

[He shouts as it lunges, the teeth almost scraping his tail- he just about manages to get out of the way, distracted as he is. He could teleport away, truthfully, and spare himself the electrocution. But why would he leave his friend here alone?]

Oh, definitely.

[The magic gathers power around the focus, and he can already feel the lightning-aspected aether sending tingles up his arms.

E'kayan would not have thought poorly, or even less at all of Hythlodaeus had he decided to make himself scarce. It would be the sensible thing to do, after all. Of course, the sensible thing to do would not be using lightning charged aether in the bottom of a large body of water.

When it comes to the two of them... he's sure few of their friends would think to describe them as sensible men.

And so, with the moray snapping by close enough to touch, he plunges his rapier into the creature and clings on with his other hand, sending a powerful current of electricity through the beast.

It does exactly what he expected and he feels the hairs on the back of his neck prickle up as the taste of metal fills his mouth and his teeth feel as if they're buzzing in his head. He almost yells out, but the muscles of his jaw are locked in place and he realises rather urgently that he can't seem to breathe.

That's probably fine.

Luckily, he does maintain control over his magic. The moray thrashes under him and after some long moments dislodges the Miqo'te and his sword, twitching and writhing in the water before growing oddly still and beginning to sink.

E'kayan, too, slowly sinks down, trying to piece himself back together.

Well, that sucked.]

[The shock disarms Hythlodaeus completely, and he floats downwards with the other two in a haze of pain, twitching every so often. He suddenly breathes, filling his lungs before exhaling a cloud of bubbles, coughing- and then he sees E'kayan, and swims closer. Perhaps he's simply recovering faster since he was further away, but either way he takes E'kayan in his arms and begins to use his healing magicks on the both of them.]

You did well, friend...

[Even if Hythlodaeus feels drained, he's sure E'kayan feels worse.]

Shall I take us back to land? Tell me where to go, and I will take us there.

[He supposes fast it's impressive that he remained conscious.

Being drawn into Hythlodaeus' arms provokes a twitch through his body, as if in anticipation of pain, but it doesn't come and instead he coughs and winces, curling the hand not still in a death-grip around his rapier onto the other man's arm.]

Did I get it?

[Typically, his first main concerns are not for himself.]

Are you okay?

It is dead. And I am well enough, considering the circumstances.

[He smiles, wincing a little as he does so.]

We should rest after this, though. I can't imagine my healing magicks will do much for the fatigue.

Ugh-- Good.

[He'll shake it off. He's shaken off worse, he tells himself, even without the benefit of Ancient healing magic. His hair might feel like it's standing on end for a while, though.]

Don't worry about me too much. [E'kayan shoots the man a smile.] But if you could give me a hand up - I think you're a much faster swimmer than I am.

[And his legs feel a bit weird.]

I left some supplies on shore, so I can at least thank you for your help.

Of course.

[He tugs E'kayan upwards with one arm, tail working to quickly push them up and to the surface. As they reach the shore he hauls E'kayan up first, before pulling himself onto land. The sun on his scales is quite a pretty sight, as he waits for his tail to shrink and dry. Slowly, he'll become more of his usual self- the whites of his eyes return, the fangs disappear, and all that's left when all is said and done is Hythlodaeus- in not a stitch of clothing, no less, but there's nothing he can do about that and he's learned not to care much. Especially when he can just create more robes and get dressed when he can stand.]

How are you feeling now? I confess, my legs will not be carrying me far for a while.

[Good thing he can teleport home...]

[He does try to help, kicking here and there, but he's exhausted after being zapped to within an inch of his life by his own aether and by the time they're half way to the surface he's more or less letting Hythlodaeus do all the work.

On shore he crawls up a little away from the water and then flops down on his stomach, laying there for several minutes before slowly rolling over onto his back.]

That was terrible. Let's never do it again. [He says, his voice a soft, slightly dry croak before he clears his throat.

E'kayan sits up, glances over at his companion, and–]

Oh, gods— [—immediately covers his eyes with a small squeak of embarrassment.]

Hythlodaeus.

[Hythlodaeus laughs and shrugs. He's long since gotten used to the indignity of having no clothing immediately after his legs return.]

Forgive me. I should have warned you.

[He stands, wobbles, but forces himself to dress in the robes he conjures up. Then he sits back down, groaning.]

Perhaps Emet-Selch would assist us...

[It's easy to want to turn to his lover when he feels so completely exhausted... he knows he would complain, but if nothing else they'd be in good hands.]

[That's going to be a sight burned into his brain for a while. Goodness.

He doesn't peek until Hythlodaeus is clothed and then peels his own shirt off to wring the water out of it. Creation magic feels like it would be incredibly handy right about now.]

Hades would lecture us both, and then hang me upside down for electrocuting us. And I'd deserve it!

[His eyes go a little wide as he looks out at the water.]

What in the name of the Twelve was I thinking? [And then, to Hythlodaeus, playfully accusatory.] And you let me do it!

I'd take a lecture from Hades if it meant getting home in one piece! Ah, but I suppose I am more used to them than you are.

[He chuckles, which turns into a laugh when E'kayan goes on to accuse Hythlodaeus playfully of going along with his scheme.]

Of course I went along with it. You surely didn't mistake me for the responsible kind, did you?

[This is the man who casually retrieved Ifrita from the restricted section of the Bureau for Azem, knowing he was about to rush headlong into danger. Of course he'd let E'kayan electrocute them.]

[He is relatively sure he could weather a scolding from Hades but that doesn't mean that he wants one! Still, with Hythlodaeus there to serve as a buffer...

E'kayan shakes his head quickly. No, no, what is he thinking. Clearly the electricity fried too many of his brain cells. He flops onto his back and spreads his arms and legs slightly, his pupils narrowing to slits as he looks up at the sky.]

I could never mistake you as the responsible kind, Hythlodaeus. [He looks over at his friend with a grin.] I wouldn't dream of insulting you like that.

[Then his nose scrunches, and he laughs, and his ears wiggle slightly in a display of good humour.]

My stuff should be... somewhere. I left it with my chocobo. You don't see a large black bird standing around anywhere nearby, do you?

Full glad am I to hear it!

[Hythlodaeus giggles before looking around for the chocobo and pointing to it.]

It's over there. Could you call it to your side?

[He certainly isn't getting up and chasing after it, he can't muster the energy.]

Ugh—... yes, hang on.

[He has to pull himself back into a sitting position, but he lets out a sharp whistle to get the creature's attention and soon enough the sound of chocobo feet thudding along is more than audible from where they are sitting.

And he doesn't really want to get up but after a little grumbling does so, retrieving water and some snacks from one of the bags attached to the saddle. The former, he offers to Hythlodaeus first.]

Not needing any equipment to go that deep is useful... but I do keep finding myself in predicaments.

[Hythlodaeus takes the water and sips on it gratefully- he isn't in any danger of drying out since he was just underwater, but his current mer-form does need more water than he used to need, and he'll take it if it's offered. He leaves plenty for E'kayan, though.]

Thank you.

[He hands it back, and sighs.]

Is that what we're calling it now? A predicament?

[Chuckling, he lies back on the ground. Ugh.]

I mean--

[He sits back down with a little 'uff' sound and two apples. After a moment of consideration and a mouthful of water he lies back down as well, the side of his head lightly touching Hythlodaeus' arm.]

I've fought dragons, primals, primals we thought were gods, ascians, ancients and extradimensional beings. I've travelled back in time over twelve thousand years and I defeated a literal embodiment of despair trying to destroy the entire universe. And I had to fight four different interations of Hermes because he wouldn't stay down.

[That last one is important. He lazily lifts a hand to rub his nose.]

My judgement of dangerous situations might be a bit off.

🔥 Diluc Ragnvindr	🐈 E'kayan Tia	💮 Guizhong	🌱 Alhaitham
💎 Edmond	🌊 Neuvillette	🐍 Baizhu	💀 Thanatos

Quest/General Catchall Jan-Mar

In the Deep

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tank bard is real

tank bard meta!

spinning the boss here

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