Let's all hold hands and sing Kumbaya

[notzubats]

Who: Everybody! It's a planet mingle!
Broadcast: If You want!
Action: On the Holding Hands plant!
When: From June 23 until whenever we need a new mingle.

[At long last, the fleet has arrived to a new planet. This means it's time for a mingle guys! Get in! ]

Comments

[nerdeology]

I do! I can feel it in the water. It's sort of like seeing through a dusty piece of glass- overall, it's clear, but there's particles obscuring the view just enough to notice. It's fascinating, but a very odd sensation.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor laughs softly ]

Well at least it does not impede your vision, too much!

[ He sees Mikleo clearer every time they speak, and over and over, he wonders at how young he is ]

Well, I suppose one tied to the water as you are will not need to fear the tides, either. Are there coral reefs out there?

[nerdeology]

I'm still exploring, I admit, but there's a few along the shore, scattered here and there, and more further out. I didn't even know what it was until I got closer! Everything is so much more vibrant than the drawings I've seen in books, so recognizing what I find takes a bit of time.

[He doesn't seem terribly bothered by it, anyway, but maybe that's just part of the nature of being immortal. All you have is time.]

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor smiles to see his joy ]

I envy you, I think! I cannot venture so far out safely. What I know of the world beneath the waves is mostly theoretical as well, although in my youth, I swam amongst some reefs nearer to shore.

[nerdeology]

Why can't you go farther? Do you not know how to swim in deep water?

[Not that he's especially skilled with that, but not needing to breathe sort of makes that irrelevant as long as he can float.]

[bythewaves]

I can, but... the Sea and I have a ... tumultuous relationship. And if they are far out... it has been a long time, and I do not know if I could safely make it out there and back again safely.

[nerdeology]

What if you had some help?

[It's not that he wants to prod at someone else's discomfort, but it's pretty obvious that Maglor loves the sea. To love something and not be able to experience it- as a water seraph, so attuned to this place even after such a short time... it sounds like the worst thing in the world.]

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor looks out towards the deep longingly and shrugs ]

I... well. I cannot say that I would mind.

[nerdeology]

[Well. If his words before hadn't convinced Mikleo, that expression would've done the trick. He smiles.]

We should try it, then. It can't be that difficult to stay afloat when you can just tell the water what to do.

[He can't control all the water, obviously - the ocean's far too big for that, and he's too young to even dream of it - but a little bit of water around one elf is a simple task.]

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor looks at him in surprise (looks straight at him, no hesitation) and ducks his head shyly ]

Only if tis no bother.

[nerdeology]

[Mikleo scoffs very lightly - dismissive, not mocking - and climbs up out of the water, gesturing with his hands to summon a long staff in a burst of light.]

Don't worry about it. Actually, it'll be good practice for me. I've been trying to learn some new artes, but there are some things I can't test on my own.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor's shy smile is like the sun coming up ]

Then I would love to, if you think it would be alright.

[nerdeology]

I think it'll be fine. But since I am practicing, we should stick close to the shore, until we both get a feel for how it'll work. There are some shallow reefs a little further down to the west. How about we start there?

[bythewaves]

Probably a good idea. [ Maglor agrees wryly ]

Best not to tempt to fate.

[ Or capricious ainur, although Maglor assumes the Lord of the Waters and his subordinates are not actually here.... ]

[nerdeology]

What do you think could happen, anyway? Just in case.

[If they're going to face trouble, it's best to be prepared.]

[bythewaves]

Mm, well - the main concern is that we get caught in a riptide and swept out to sea, and we are separated. I can swim - but it has been a long time, and I do not know how long I could stay afloat for.

In my own world we might have to worry that Lord Osse or Lady Uinen, or even Lord Ulmo, their Lord, might take umbrage to me being in their waters, but that, I think, we need not worry about here.

[nerdeology]

Hah... no, I doubt that. I'm not sure I would be able to sense a great or ancient power that isn't of my world, but if it helps any, I feel nothing here but water. And if we happen to get separated, the water will tell me where you are.

[He's gotten better at reading between the sand and the salt, and living creatures are much easier to spot even in the dark.]

[bythewaves]

Hopefully so! [ Maglor laughs and then nods ]

Well, in any case, we will not know until we try, eh? Here - I will come in.

[nerdeology]

By all means. We can explore at whatever pace you're comfortable with.

[Mikleo steps back into the water, resting the end of his staff in the sand beneath the surface, waiting happily. It's been a joy to explore regardless, but he's always had more fun with company.]

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor swims out to him - and for all his hesitance, it is clear that he does, in fact, know how to swim, and was probably quite a good swimmer, if out of practice now. ]

I trust you, Mikleo - let us see how we do!

[nerdeology]

[Somehow being trusted in this makes it even more intimidating, but- well, Mikleo is going to have to trust both himself and the ocean to see them through this, and so far the ocean has yet to disappoint. So after a moment's pause he smiles brightly, gripping his staff, and plunges into the water after Maglor. He's determined to make sure they both enjoy this to the fullest.]

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor treads water while he waits for Mikleo, curious to see how this will play out ]

[nerdeology]

[Let's see... the west, didn't he say? Those reefs had a lot to offer, so Mikleo gestures in that direction and starts swimming, leading the way towards the areas he's already explored. It's harder to swim with the staff, but he'd rather have it out and available than lose a few seconds of time summoning it if an emergency happens. Even with it weighing him down, the water will keep him afloat.]

If you can set the pace you're comfortable with, I'll lead. Please let me know if you need to stop, okay?

[bythewaves]

Of course. [ Maglor orients himself and starts off, reminding himself that he needs to pace things and take it slow, for he is long out of practice. His endurance, he knows, is simply not quite what it was.

Sure enough, it only takes perhaps 10 minutes or so before he has to pause to tread water ]

A moment...

[nerdeology]

[Mikleo halts at once, turning back towards him and swimming closer. He holds the staff out flat against the surface of the water, hands near each end, and stretches it out between them in case Maglor needs something to hold on to. It's not a floatation device, but there's definitely some pressure beneath it that's keeping it from sinking.]

Take as long as you need. Would you rather rest on shore?