Just Keeping Swimming | March Planet Mingle

[thespaceopera]

Who: Everyone!
Broadcast: If you want!
Action: Anywhere on Mafik
When: The month of March



[Welcome to Mafik, the water world! Hope you brought your best swimming gear and don't have a paralyzing fear of water, because that's all that's here! So get out those wet suits and enjoy life under the sea!

In other words, it's a mingle! ]

> System Information

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[castintoflames]

(He rises and holds out his hand.)

Come, now. We have a temple to explore.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor blinks up at him and then smiles, bright and brilliant, accepting his brother's hand ]

Just the two of us?

[castintoflames]

Yes. Just us. (He blushes at the sight of that happy smile, tugging Maglor to his feet.) Do you think we can manage it?

[bythewaves]

I know we can. [ Maglor says staunchly ]

We can do anything, so long as we are together.

[castintoflames]

I agree. (He squeezes Maglor's hand and leads the way into the temple.) The beliefs of this world are not wholly different from our own. They are at least elemental of nature.

[bythewaves]

Mm - the songs are different here, but they are still familiar.

[ Maglor follows him easily, pausing at the entrance ]

They say it is full of traps and puzzles, brother! I hope you are ready to think hard!

[castintoflames]

Why do you think I keep you around? Yours is the intellect that will rescue us!

(No pressure or anything.)

Leave the traps to me.

[bythewaves]

You place high expectations on me, brother!

[ Maglor shoves at him fondly and then drifts inside ]

You are lucky I cheat. This way - the currents say there is danger in the other two corridors.

[castintoflames]

Yes, I do. I know you will not disappoint me.

(He ruffles the dark hair in revenge.)

Shhh do not tell the temple you cheat! It might take offense.

(Nodding, he brings out a blade; carrying guns in the water seemed like a problem.)

[bythewaves]

Then it shouldn't sing to me.

[ Maglor says cheerfully.

In the temple, there is no maze that can trap him, for he follows the songs of the currents unerringly down the right paths. But listening closely enough to lead them both leaves him vulnerable in other ways - he is all but blind to approaching danger until it is too close ]

[castintoflames]

Fair point. We will see if it holds up. (Maedhros is his shadow this time and when danger approaches, he cuts into it or shields Maglor with his body. He has armor under his tunic and though the fabric tears now and then, he is not injured.)

Keep following the currents, brother.

[bythewaves]

[ The puzzle rooms give him more pause, because although he knows where he needs to go, the Song doesn't tell him how to answer a riddle or solve a puzzle ]

You will always find me in the past. I can be created in the present, But the future can never taint me. What am I? Hm... what do you think, Nelyo?

[castintoflames]

(Riddles were once an amusing pastime and Maedhros calls any ability he has left to decipher this one. Humming, he lets the words sink in and slowly answers begin to float to the surface of his mind.)

I would say memory, but the future can taint our memories. What we were once fond of can be darkened by pain, anger or hate.

Perhaps history is a better answer?

[bythewaves]

[ When Maedhros says that a light blinks and a door slides open on the wall ]

I would say you are right, Nelyo! [ Maglor laughs softly ] It is a good thing you remain good at these.

[castintoflames]

(He smiles faintly, feeling a momentary rush of pride. But he is cautious with such emotion, so it is quickly tucked away.)

I do not know who is truly good at riddles. There will always be some that are beyond me.

[bythewaves]

There will be some beyond all of us, I am sure.

[ Maglor says distractedly, eyeing the puzzle in front of him. ]

Mmph, if I push here...

[ Silently the door they entered through slides shut, and an alcove above and behind them opens, eyes glinting in the darkness. Maglor does not see, occupied by the puzzle ]

[castintoflames]

We will cipher them together. (He too focuses on the puzzle until he hears the movement. Quickly, he turns, blade drawn. The eyes have him adopting a battle stance and moving between the creature and his brother.)

Attack if you must, but know that I will strike you down once you do.

[bythewaves]

Who is there, Nelyo?

[ Maglor hums distractedly ]

Push here...no...ah, pull here, twist there...

[ the long muscular body of an eel like creature slides out, many-fanged teeth bared ]

[castintoflames]

A beast. Nothing of your concern. (He answers distractedly, gritting his teeth at the sight of the monster. Well that is distinctly unpleasant! But fitting for a world of water.

Maedhros chooses to attack first, not willing to wait for those teeth to sink into his arm or his leg. He tries to treat the eel like a serpent, wrapping his arms around it to hold it still. The fangs bite deep regardless and he is unable to stop a small yelp of pain before he breaks the creature in half.)

[bythewaves]

Mm.

[ Maglor frowns at the puzzle and mumbles thoughtfully as he pokes at it, only to freeze and spin at the yelp ]

Nelyo!

[castintoflames]

(Blood drips on the floor from a nice set of teeth marks on Maedhros's side. He covers the damage with his hand, applying pressure with a small growl.)

I'm fine. It just...

[bythewaves]

[ A snarl and Maglor moves to aid his brother, shooting a poisonous glare at the serpant ]

Forgive me, I didn't see! We should wrap that.

[castintoflames]

(The serpent is in pieces and thus immune to glares. Maedhros at least had his vengeance. But there is something keeping his blood from coagulating - venom, perhaps - and he nods distractedly.)

It has a nasty bite. We should remember that.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor frets over his arm, wrapping it tightly ]

The bleeding worries me, Nelyo. Should we go back?

[castintoflames]

(He breathes out roughly, feeling dizzy.)

Give me a moment. Focus on the puzzle, Kano.