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

Comments

[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.

[bythewaves]

But your arm, Nelyo!

[ Maglor frets at him worriedly ]

[castintoflames]

I have sustained worse and you know it. (He tries not to growl, but the pain is intense.) We likely cannot go back easily. Solve the puzzle so we may go forward.

(His tone softens, encouraging.) I know you can do it.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor bites his lip. Maedhros is right, but... ]

Tell me if the bleeding doesn't stop. [ But he turns back to the puzzle, forcing himself to concentrate.

Hurry

He has to hurry. He needs to stop the bleeding ]

[castintoflames]

It will. (He holds the makeshift bandage hard in place, forcing himself to breathe deeply.)

You know how to unravel puzzles. This one will not stand in your way.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor nods, frowning fiercly at the puzzle. He must do this quickly. No more mistakes. ]

Here. [ He murmurs, pushing the last piece into place, the door swinging open ]

Let me go first, Nelyo.

[ So that he can make sure there is nothing to bar their way ]

[castintoflames]

(He kisses the back of Maglor's head once the puzzle is solved.)

I knew you could do it.

(His brow furrows.) No, Kano. I won't have you hurt too.

[bythewaves]

[ He shakes his head ]

You are already injured, Nelyo. I am your shield - let me scout the path.

[castintoflames]

You are too precious... (He pales and moves to stand beside him.) Shield me by my side if you must.

[bythewaves]

I could say the same of you.

[ Maglor reaches to touch his hand ]

I will be careful, Nelyo, I promise. But I will not see you hurt again if I can prevent it.

[ A smile and he flips himself around and darts through the narrow opening ]

[castintoflames]

You would be mistaken.

(He glances down at the touch, paling.)

I will not see you hurt...ever.

(Quietly, he curses at his brother's agility. His movements are slower and his mind is not as focused as he would like. The room they enter is larger than the previous ones and there are three doors; each can be unlocked by solving a puzzle.)

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor has always been the dancer, lithe and viciously quick on his feet, and down here, the water carries him.

He pauses in the room and eyes the doors ]

A double puzzle - not just the puzzle to unlock the door but also to find the right one...

[ As Maedhros enters, the door seals shut behind him, and the walls begin, ever so slowly, to inch inwards ]