#₊❏❜ �� i'll chase you to the ends of the earth. ⚬𓂂

[flamesque]

₊❏❜ ⋮ i'll chase you to the ends of the earth. ⚬𓂂

@dolasach

He is used to it; however, that didn't mean he accepted it.

Rafayel sighed as he let his head rest against his palm, the same thing being drilled into his mind by the endless sea of words spewing the history of Lemuria and the world on the surface repeated like a broken record from the elders. He seemed to be falling asleep and was immediately scolded for not paying attention.

Evidently, something came up that had the elders leave the vicinity for the time being and this served as an opportunity for Rafayel to escape. He had attempted in doing so a few times, but he was sure that this time he would be able to be successful. 

A blue fish swam around him and held his hand out, allowing the fish to swim over his palm. 

"Shall we head to the surface? It's a little boring right now and I'm tired of hearing the elders saying the same thing over and over again." 

The fish continued swimming over his palm before seemingly directing him toward an opening to which he was able to squeeze through. It was then he realized that he was out of the city walls of Whalefall City and was able to swim to the surface.

He thanked the fish before it disappeared back through the city walls and Rafayel didn't have to think twice as he turned away from Whalefall City to swim up to the surface; however, before he allowed himself to fully come out, he swam slowly as the damn words from the elders rang in his head. 

"The world on the surface is dangerous, even if those people worship our Sea God, there is a chance that someone will try to capture him."

"As the previous Lemurians have..." 

"Rafayel, you must never venture out to the surface world. Your people are here, that is all that should concern you." 

And the annoying part of all. "The Sea God will one day meet the Goddess of the Forest, and when that day comes, should he fall in love with her, it will be the beginning of the downfall of Lemuria."

Rafayel always thought it to be those stories to be something a parent would tell to their child to make them listen. And besides, Rafayel had always been, not only a rebellious soul, but one of sheer curiosity. 

Once he peeked out from the water, he spotted a woman by the shore. And he had seen a few other humans before, but something about her was different and he couldn't help but to swim towards the shore, closer to her. Who could she be? For some reason... he needed to know and while he doesn't know why he needs to, he simply just has to try; in a way, it felt as though there were residual feelings, feelings that weren't from him and that in itself baffled him.

So without thinking, his mouth opened to speak.

"Who might you be? You don't seem... human to me, although you do appear to be." He tilted his head briefly before letting out a laugh. "Ah, apologies. This is bold of me, I will admit."

[flamesque]

Rafayel blinked when Dolasach offered him a slice of the honey-drizzled pitaya and he leaned in, taking the offered fruit into his mouth by the spoon and hummed as he chewed on it. 

"Oh, this is also really good." He nodded as he continued chewing, 

He wasn't expecting Dolasach to reciprocate a simple gesture of feeding each other, but he wasn't against it either. In fact, it was nice to be the one being fed. He smiled at her as he eased back, "thank you..." He spoke softly.

Eventually he watched as Dolasach removed the fish, but felt alerted when watching her attempting to remove the fish without burning herself.

"Dolasach, be careful!" 

Rafayel moved a little too quickly. He knew the fish were pretty hot and so he watched her carefully before he gently took over, smiling reassuringly. 

"You've prepared the majority of our supper, so allow me." 

He took the rest of the fish off the makeshift arch and placed them on the banana leaves before settling them in front of Dolasach and him. He looked over at their supper and it was hilarious to him how it looked more of a casual feast than what he was offered in Lemuria by the servants of the palace.

He thought to himself for a moment that perhaps he preferred it this way.

Supper with Dolasach, as the sun gradually fell behind them. 

He gestured for her to take a bite first as he hummed in though to her answer.

He had to think thoroughly and logically, whilst he already knew the answer he wanted to give her. 'Tomorrow or the following day, depending if I were to leave now or a little later.' But Dolasach's words rang true as much as he wished it didn't. In a way, this was something he had to endure, and perhaps she as well, in order to keep their investigation and findings out of sight and out of mind to the unwanted.

In fact, the more he thought about it, he wanted to ensure that everything Dolasach and him were finding remained between them. Thus, he had to make sure that the elders never catch wind that not only has Rafayel uncovered more of Caspian's tomes and history, but that he met and had acquainted himself with Dolasach, Eolchaire's successor. 

"I often wander off, especially between lectures regarding my duties as the Sea God and so on. Cumbersome things, I dislike it. Of course the elders dislike when they turn around and realize the Sea God isn't around them anymore, but... I could care less." 

He nodded a few times, as if confirming to himself before looking at Dolasach. 

"It is a bit of a hassle to have to make sure that they never find out about us, or well, us now knowing and having acquainted with one another, but it's worth it—what I'm trying to say is that... I will return as soon as I can once the elders have recovered from my extended absence." 

Rafayel tilted his head, furrowing his brows as he tried to recall before the memory played back and he nodded slowly. 

"I believe that the next clue has to do with the area you and I first met..." Then he recalled what he read on the scroll. "Be calm like the sea as it meets with the forest..." He turned to look at the direction to where he believed they met the very first time.

"Maybe something is around that area... What do you think?"

₊❏❜ ⋮ i'll chase you to the ends of the earth. ⚬𓂂

@dolasach

He is used to it; however, that didn't mean he accepted it.

Rafayel sighed as he let his head rest against his palm, the same thing being drilled into his mind by the endless sea of words spewing the history of Lemuria and the world on the surface repeated like a broken record from the elders. He seemed to be falling asleep and was immediately scolded for not paying attention.

Evidently, something came up that had the elders leave the vicinity for the time being and this served as an opportunity for Rafayel to escape. He had attempted in doing so a few times, but he was sure that this time he would be able to be successful. 

A blue fish swam around him and held his hand out, allowing the fish to swim over his palm. 

"Shall we head to the surface? It's a little boring right now and I'm tired of hearing the elders saying the same thing over and over again." 

The fish continued swimming over his palm before seemingly directing him toward an opening to which he was able to squeeze through. It was then he realized that he was out of the city walls of Whalefall City and was able to swim to the surface.

He thanked the fish before it disappeared back through the city walls and Rafayel didn't have to think twice as he turned away from Whalefall City to swim up to the surface; however, before he allowed himself to fully come out, he swam slowly as the damn words from the elders rang in his head. 

"The world on the surface is dangerous, even if those people worship our Sea God, there is a chance that someone will try to capture him."

"As the previous Lemurians have..." 

"Rafayel, you must never venture out to the surface world. Your people are here, that is all that should concern you." 

And the annoying part of all. "The Sea God will one day meet the Goddess of the Forest, and when that day comes, should he fall in love with her, it will be the beginning of the downfall of Lemuria."

Rafayel always thought it to be those stories to be something a parent would tell to their child to make them listen. And besides, Rafayel had always been, not only a rebellious soul, but one of sheer curiosity. 

Once he peeked out from the water, he spotted a woman by the shore. And he had seen a few other humans before, but something about her was different and he couldn't help but to swim towards the shore, closer to her. Who could she be? For some reason... he needed to know and while he doesn't know why he needs to, he simply just has to try; in a way, it felt as though there were residual feelings, feelings that weren't from him and that in itself baffled him.

So without thinking, his mouth opened to speak.

"Who might you be? You don't seem... human to me, although you do appear to be." He tilted his head briefly before letting out a laugh. "Ah, apologies. This is bold of me, I will admit."

[flamesque]

Rafayel glanced at Dolasach, eyebrows knitting as he thought for a moment or two, arms crossed as he raised one, tapping his forefinger against his chin. 

"Would it change if... My flames were a different color?" He asked, snapping his fingers to show a tiny flame between his thumb and forefinger as he presented it to her, watching the flame turn from the red-like flames to something blue, like the ocean. 

As quick as he had made the small flame appear, he made it disappear as they approached the area where Eolchaire and Caspian had met each other for the first time. 

The feeling was bittersweet, a little tight feeling in his chest the closer they got. Yet, when he looked at Dolasach, the feeling gradually subsided. He supposed it must have been the presence of Dolasach, and not because Eolchaire was her predecessor. 

These feelings are mine and mine alone.

He peered over to where she pointed to the rock jutting out of the water and nodded, finding himself moving toward the said rock and there had been a frown that gradually etched itself across his lips when listening to Dolaach described the rock having been eroded over the years.

He wondered if perhaps he would be able to restore it, or if that would serve as nothing significant in the end. Perhaps he could ask Dolasach another time. 

Rafayel stepped onto the water then stopped before turning to hold his hand out to Dolasach with a soft smile and for a moment, Rafayel could see the previous God and Goddess's hands join one another and he had to wonder if for a moment Caspian had also walked along the surface of the water with Eolchaire.

"Take my hand. I want to show you something, if... You trust me enough to let me."

₊❏❜ ⋮ i'll chase you to the ends of the earth. ⚬𓂂

@dolasach

He is used to it; however, that didn't mean he accepted it.

Rafayel sighed as he let his head rest against his palm, the same thing being drilled into his mind by the endless sea of words spewing the history of Lemuria and the world on the surface repeated like a broken record from the elders. He seemed to be falling asleep and was immediately scolded for not paying attention.

Evidently, something came up that had the elders leave the vicinity for the time being and this served as an opportunity for Rafayel to escape. He had attempted in doing so a few times, but he was sure that this time he would be able to be successful. 

A blue fish swam around him and held his hand out, allowing the fish to swim over his palm. 

"Shall we head to the surface? It's a little boring right now and I'm tired of hearing the elders saying the same thing over and over again." 

The fish continued swimming over his palm before seemingly directing him toward an opening to which he was able to squeeze through. It was then he realized that he was out of the city walls of Whalefall City and was able to swim to the surface.

He thanked the fish before it disappeared back through the city walls and Rafayel didn't have to think twice as he turned away from Whalefall City to swim up to the surface; however, before he allowed himself to fully come out, he swam slowly as the damn words from the elders rang in his head. 

"The world on the surface is dangerous, even if those people worship our Sea God, there is a chance that someone will try to capture him."

"As the previous Lemurians have..." 

"Rafayel, you must never venture out to the surface world. Your people are here, that is all that should concern you." 

And the annoying part of all. "The Sea God will one day meet the Goddess of the Forest, and when that day comes, should he fall in love with her, it will be the beginning of the downfall of Lemuria."

Rafayel always thought it to be those stories to be something a parent would tell to their child to make them listen. And besides, Rafayel had always been, not only a rebellious soul, but one of sheer curiosity. 

Once he peeked out from the water, he spotted a woman by the shore. And he had seen a few other humans before, but something about her was different and he couldn't help but to swim towards the shore, closer to her. Who could she be? For some reason... he needed to know and while he doesn't know why he needs to, he simply just has to try; in a way, it felt as though there were residual feelings, feelings that weren't from him and that in itself baffled him.

So without thinking, his mouth opened to speak.

"Who might you be? You don't seem... human to me, although you do appear to be." He tilted his head briefly before letting out a laugh. "Ah, apologies. This is bold of me, I will admit."

[flamesque]

“If? No… I will be coming back more often.” He stated, though with a soft tone but without missing a heartbeat and leaving no room for doubts or arguments. 

Rafayel continued to stare at the flame that ignited in his palm, his gaze then drifted to Dolasach as he tilted his head when she mentioned Eolchaire, or well, nearly did. A smile then brought upon his face as he leaned in a bit, gazing at her. 

“Eolchaire… What? Now you’ve got me curious.” He chuckled with a soft smile. “Did she say anything more?”

His ears were red despite that, but he still was curious regardless and he couldn’t help the curiosity from growing the more Dolasach and him would talk about their predecessors. 

He let Dolasach’s words run through his mind, his eyes closing as he closed his palm briefly before opening it back up and a little red seahorse appeared. His flames would never harm the forest, that’s what he read in one of Caspian’s tomes, so when the red seahorse seemingly galloped around Dolasach, he smiled. 

“I promise. It won’t harm the forest, nor will it catch anything around us on fire.” He wanted to make sure that Dolasach at least knew that much and can only hope that she would believe him.

Rafayel’s head turned toward the sea once more. It wasn’t that he hated being a god, but there were times where he was annoyed by the responsibility and even the weight he carried being Lemuria’s God of the Sea. He chuckled but nodded his head. Of course the Sea listened to him.

“It does…” He paused, furrowing his brows as he continued watching the seahorse float around Dolasach then settled by floating over his shoulder. “I had to learn to control my emotions, be still as the calm sea and not to allow my anger get the best of me.” 

He might as well had stated that he wasn’t allowed to feel strong emotions for the sake of the Sea and the people of Lemuria.

₊❏❜ ⋮ i'll chase you to the ends of the earth. ⚬𓂂

@dolasach

He is used to it; however, that didn't mean he accepted it.

Rafayel sighed as he let his head rest against his palm, the same thing being drilled into his mind by the endless sea of words spewing the history of Lemuria and the world on the surface repeated like a broken record from the elders. He seemed to be falling asleep and was immediately scolded for not paying attention.

Evidently, something came up that had the elders leave the vicinity for the time being and this served as an opportunity for Rafayel to escape. He had attempted in doing so a few times, but he was sure that this time he would be able to be successful. 

A blue fish swam around him and held his hand out, allowing the fish to swim over his palm. 

"Shall we head to the surface? It's a little boring right now and I'm tired of hearing the elders saying the same thing over and over again." 

The fish continued swimming over his palm before seemingly directing him toward an opening to which he was able to squeeze through. It was then he realized that he was out of the city walls of Whalefall City and was able to swim to the surface.

He thanked the fish before it disappeared back through the city walls and Rafayel didn't have to think twice as he turned away from Whalefall City to swim up to the surface; however, before he allowed himself to fully come out, he swam slowly as the damn words from the elders rang in his head. 

"The world on the surface is dangerous, even if those people worship our Sea God, there is a chance that someone will try to capture him."

"As the previous Lemurians have..." 

"Rafayel, you must never venture out to the surface world. Your people are here, that is all that should concern you." 

And the annoying part of all. "The Sea God will one day meet the Goddess of the Forest, and when that day comes, should he fall in love with her, it will be the beginning of the downfall of Lemuria."

Rafayel always thought it to be those stories to be something a parent would tell to their child to make them listen. And besides, Rafayel had always been, not only a rebellious soul, but one of sheer curiosity. 

Once he peeked out from the water, he spotted a woman by the shore. And he had seen a few other humans before, but something about her was different and he couldn't help but to swim towards the shore, closer to her. Who could she be? For some reason... he needed to know and while he doesn't know why he needs to, he simply just has to try; in a way, it felt as though there were residual feelings, feelings that weren't from him and that in itself baffled him.

So without thinking, his mouth opened to speak.

"Who might you be? You don't seem... human to me, although you do appear to be." He tilted his head briefly before letting out a laugh. "Ah, apologies. This is bold of me, I will admit."

[flamesque]

Rafayel caught the smile on her face which kept his own from fading. The scene unfolding was much different than the first time he visited the forest. 

His attention drifted to the wolves that were slowly waking up and he couldn’t help the laugh that emitted when he watched one of the wolves completely ignore him and Dolasach and made a beeline toward the food and Rafayel could never blame the wolf for doing so.

Still, witnessing such a thing was quite the entertainment.

Rafayel looked over to where the sun shone and furrowed his brows. Dolasach was right, but today he didn’t feel like adhering to the elders, and perhaps staying up here on the surface for a while longer wouldn’t hurt too much. 

“Dolasach…” He turned to look at her, tilting his head with curiosity in his sunset eyes. “...do you prefer dusk or dawn?” 

He took a few pieces of meat that weren’t occupied by the wolf and cut up a few pieces, then placed them on his palm and held them out to the wolves that were peeking out from the den to investigate, though his eyes side-eyed the one who had ignored them and clearly was chowing down on the meat seemingly perked up by his actions. 

“Ah, ah… You already have a piece, these are for them.” He playfully wagged his finger toward the wolf before pointing to the ones easing out of the den, chuckling as he watched them; whether the wolves understood or not, Rafayel couldn’t help the smile on his face.

"Ah, right. I'm ready to continue if you are, goddess."

₊❏❜ ⋮ i'll chase you to the ends of the earth. ⚬𓂂

@dolasach

He is used to it; however, that didn't mean he accepted it.

Rafayel sighed as he let his head rest against his palm, the same thing being drilled into his mind by the endless sea of words spewing the history of Lemuria and the world on the surface repeated like a broken record from the elders. He seemed to be falling asleep and was immediately scolded for not paying attention.

Evidently, something came up that had the elders leave the vicinity for the time being and this served as an opportunity for Rafayel to escape. He had attempted in doing so a few times, but he was sure that this time he would be able to be successful. 

A blue fish swam around him and held his hand out, allowing the fish to swim over his palm. 

"Shall we head to the surface? It's a little boring right now and I'm tired of hearing the elders saying the same thing over and over again." 

The fish continued swimming over his palm before seemingly directing him toward an opening to which he was able to squeeze through. It was then he realized that he was out of the city walls of Whalefall City and was able to swim to the surface.

He thanked the fish before it disappeared back through the city walls and Rafayel didn't have to think twice as he turned away from Whalefall City to swim up to the surface; however, before he allowed himself to fully come out, he swam slowly as the damn words from the elders rang in his head. 

"The world on the surface is dangerous, even if those people worship our Sea God, there is a chance that someone will try to capture him."

"As the previous Lemurians have..." 

"Rafayel, you must never venture out to the surface world. Your people are here, that is all that should concern you." 

And the annoying part of all. "The Sea God will one day meet the Goddess of the Forest, and when that day comes, should he fall in love with her, it will be the beginning of the downfall of Lemuria."

Rafayel always thought it to be those stories to be something a parent would tell to their child to make them listen. And besides, Rafayel had always been, not only a rebellious soul, but one of sheer curiosity. 

Once he peeked out from the water, he spotted a woman by the shore. And he had seen a few other humans before, but something about her was different and he couldn't help but to swim towards the shore, closer to her. Who could she be? For some reason... he needed to know and while he doesn't know why he needs to, he simply just has to try; in a way, it felt as though there were residual feelings, feelings that weren't from him and that in itself baffled him.

So without thinking, his mouth opened to speak.

"Who might you be? You don't seem... human to me, although you do appear to be." He tilted his head briefly before letting out a laugh. "Ah, apologies. This is bold of me, I will admit."

[flamesque]

“You—wait, really?” 

Rafayel forgot what he was going to say when Dolasach stated she would help him the exact location of where Caspian met Eolchaire, something he never factored in his thoughts or plan (if he truly even had one in the first place).

Seems like things are looking up, Caspian.

Etching along his lips was a soft and thankful smile, briefly tugging at the corners as he nodded to acknowledge her words.

“I—” He chuckled and shook his head before slowly nodding. “Lead the way.”

He supposed it was his turn to be speechless after something she had done. Nonetheless, it was a pleasant surprise and Rafayel, with a surprised look evidently chuckled as he turned to look toward the forest as he peered at Dolasach. 

Gathering the meat once more, he followed her without a second thought, eventually catching up to her. “Thank you…” He uttered softly before his eyes scanned around the forest once they got deeper into it, looking for the wolves and furrowing his brows when he couldn’t find them. 

“Where—hmn, is there somewhere I can leave the meat for the wolves?” He asked, looking to her then to the meat and surveying the area to find a spot, perhaps on a rock or on the ground, near a den. “Are they hiding? Sleeping?” 

Rafayel could not wait to venture deeper into the forest, not only to see the spot where Caspian had met Eolchaire, but to simply see more of the beauty of the forest. He already know that Dolasach took good care of it, which is why he made it a goal for himself to make sure nothing and no one would come in to harm the forest, especially the goddess.

Then he scoffed, out loud, thinking he had done so in his mind to the thought of, well, someone truly trying to challenge the forest goddess. Albeit Rafayel can see the soft parts of her, there is that wall and perhaps just that shield she must have curated for her throughout the years of living and taking care of his domain. 

Regardless, Rafayel believed that Dolasach was more than capable than what he gathered from hearsay; one of the reasons he was not fond of the marketplace was through the notion they had about the forest goddess being nothing against the sea god.

He wondered if it had always been like this. Humans looked down on the forest goddess like she was some minor goddess in comparison to the sea god. Tch. Cumbersome. 

His eyes remained on Dolasach, following her every step through the forest as he kept a look out for the familiar place she had told him the first time Rafayel visited the forest.

₊❏❜ ⋮ i'll chase you to the ends of the earth. ⚬𓂂

@dolasach

He is used to it; however, that didn't mean he accepted it.

Rafayel sighed as he let his head rest against his palm, the same thing being drilled into his mind by the endless sea of words spewing the history of Lemuria and the world on the surface repeated like a broken record from the elders. He seemed to be falling asleep and was immediately scolded for not paying attention.

Evidently, something came up that had the elders leave the vicinity for the time being and this served as an opportunity for Rafayel to escape. He had attempted in doing so a few times, but he was sure that this time he would be able to be successful. 

A blue fish swam around him and held his hand out, allowing the fish to swim over his palm. 

"Shall we head to the surface? It's a little boring right now and I'm tired of hearing the elders saying the same thing over and over again." 

The fish continued swimming over his palm before seemingly directing him toward an opening to which he was able to squeeze through. It was then he realized that he was out of the city walls of Whalefall City and was able to swim to the surface.

He thanked the fish before it disappeared back through the city walls and Rafayel didn't have to think twice as he turned away from Whalefall City to swim up to the surface; however, before he allowed himself to fully come out, he swam slowly as the damn words from the elders rang in his head. 

"The world on the surface is dangerous, even if those people worship our Sea God, there is a chance that someone will try to capture him."

"As the previous Lemurians have..." 

"Rafayel, you must never venture out to the surface world. Your people are here, that is all that should concern you." 

And the annoying part of all. "The Sea God will one day meet the Goddess of the Forest, and when that day comes, should he fall in love with her, it will be the beginning of the downfall of Lemuria."

Rafayel always thought it to be those stories to be something a parent would tell to their child to make them listen. And besides, Rafayel had always been, not only a rebellious soul, but one of sheer curiosity. 

Once he peeked out from the water, he spotted a woman by the shore. And he had seen a few other humans before, but something about her was different and he couldn't help but to swim towards the shore, closer to her. Who could she be? For some reason... he needed to know and while he doesn't know why he needs to, he simply just has to try; in a way, it felt as though there were residual feelings, feelings that weren't from him and that in itself baffled him.

So without thinking, his mouth opened to speak.

"Who might you be? You don't seem... human to me, although you do appear to be." He tilted his head briefly before letting out a laugh. "Ah, apologies. This is bold of me, I will admit."

[flamesque]

A gift from another god can hardly be considered small. 

In truth, Rafayel didn’t think that his small gift would mean this much, especially to another god, but knowing those words came from Dolasach herself made something within him flare up in ways he might’ve thought his chest would burst.

Why can’t time stand still in this moment, so he could capture her smile and make it lst forever more, in his mind and soul. 

“I’m… thankful that you think so, Dolasach.” He whispered.

The Goddess never failed to amuse him. Did he say something odd? Something wrong? Perhaps he had been cursed by straight forwardness, but he couldn’t help it. If not for their godhood, is it truly odd for a god to want to spend time with another god?

He smiled when watching how she took care of the flower he gifted to her and he knew right then and there that she would cherish it. 

Something about knowing that Dolasach would cherish something he gave brought his own smile on his face. His facial features softening, like the soft gaze in his eyes when he simply looks at her, to the soft tug on the corner of his lips.

Once Dolasach had disappeared by phasing into the tree, Rafayel simply remained there, as if she was still standing there, holding the flower so delicately until he had to turn away, easing back into the water as he swam back to Lemuria once more.

—

Upon his return, the same thing happens. Another talk from the elders for being gone for too long and guards nearly hovering over him for the time being. He rolled his eyes when they asked what he had been doing, crossing his arms as an impish smile with a hint of annoyance in his eyes displayed as he spoke.

“Learning more about Lemuria’s history, of course.”

—

“By the way, Iris... you never warned me about the wolves.” 

“Wolves? Oh! Yes, the danger that I said I felt, they were a pack of wolves, so I couldn’t actually swim furthermore. Red and Blue said they can swim.” 

“They can and they will rip your tail to shreds.” He deadpanned, skimming through more of the forbidden text to which Iris invited herself to look around and explore. 

“Did you find anything when you were up there?” 

Rafayel turned to look at her before nodding his head slowly. “Caspian had a lover who was the Goddess of the Forest… Eolchaire. No wonder that name was showing up on his writings.” He tapped on a few pieces of Caspian’s writings to show the female Lemurian. "...he wasn't bewitched like what the elders have always taught us."

She had been quiet, furrowing her frows brows as she takes in the newly found information. 

“Rafayel… Caspian fell in love with Eolchaire, yes? Do you think… you’ll fall in love with Dolasach, too?”

There’s a twinkle of amusement in her eyes when Rafayel fell silent and seemingly continued looking through the other pieces that had confirmed his thoughts. 

Love. Is this what love feels like?

“How long has it been since I've been here? Serious question.” 

Iris huffed a laugh and shook her head. "Geez, sorry O' powerful and mighty God of the Tides. Just a day or two… why?” 

“I want to see her.” I need to see her.

—

Rafayel had to stop himself when he nearly jumped out of the water from the excitement when he heard a motorboat from a distance and as he focused further, he could see nets. Thoughts of when he had been caught in one of those when he was much younger had him shuddering as he looked around to find another place to get to the surface.

Eventually he swam near a cliff, thankful there weren’t any humans who had been cliff diving the last time he nearly swam toward one who had just plunged into the water. 

Perhaps the lack of sleep has been getting to him, all these reminders of how he had to be careful, because even as a Sea God, in his human form he is more vulnerable than in his Lemurian form. 

He eased onto the rocks as the water slid from his body, walking toward where he assumed to be the marketplace. He had to get meat for the wolves prior to seeking Dolasach once more and so he ventured further into the marketplace, asking around for the best meat to feed wolves.

Which gathered some odd looks from the people walking about. Was it not normal to feed wolves?

“I’ll take all of these.” 

The vendor looked at Rafayel up and down, even scrutinizing him and scoffing. “Do you even have the money for this—hey, get out of that! Damn, kids.” The man moved to shoo the kids that were sneaking some pieces of meet and Rafayel, watching it happen, figured he could just leave the pearls on the counter as he gathered the meat and walked off.

“...this should be enough for the wolves, I’m sure.” He continued walking and looking around the marketplace, his eyes fell upon a trinket of a fish and bird and if his hands weren’t full, he’d have plucked them off the display to let Dolasach choose which to keep, the fish or bird.

Deep in thought, he hadn’t noticed a very angry vendor charging right at him.

₊❏❜ ⋮ i'll chase you to the ends of the earth. ⚬𓂂

@dolasach

He is used to it; however, that didn't mean he accepted it.

Rafayel sighed as he let his head rest against his palm, the same thing being drilled into his mind by the endless sea of words spewing the history of Lemuria and the world on the surface repeated like a broken record from the elders. He seemed to be falling asleep and was immediately scolded for not paying attention.

Evidently, something came up that had the elders leave the vicinity for the time being and this served as an opportunity for Rafayel to escape. He had attempted in doing so a few times, but he was sure that this time he would be able to be successful. 

A blue fish swam around him and held his hand out, allowing the fish to swim over his palm. 

"Shall we head to the surface? It's a little boring right now and I'm tired of hearing the elders saying the same thing over and over again." 

The fish continued swimming over his palm before seemingly directing him toward an opening to which he was able to squeeze through. It was then he realized that he was out of the city walls of Whalefall City and was able to swim to the surface.

He thanked the fish before it disappeared back through the city walls and Rafayel didn't have to think twice as he turned away from Whalefall City to swim up to the surface; however, before he allowed himself to fully come out, he swam slowly as the damn words from the elders rang in his head. 

"The world on the surface is dangerous, even if those people worship our Sea God, there is a chance that someone will try to capture him."

"As the previous Lemurians have..." 

"Rafayel, you must never venture out to the surface world. Your people are here, that is all that should concern you." 

And the annoying part of all. "The Sea God will one day meet the Goddess of the Forest, and when that day comes, should he fall in love with her, it will be the beginning of the downfall of Lemuria."

Rafayel always thought it to be those stories to be something a parent would tell to their child to make them listen. And besides, Rafayel had always been, not only a rebellious soul, but one of sheer curiosity. 

Once he peeked out from the water, he spotted a woman by the shore. And he had seen a few other humans before, but something about her was different and he couldn't help but to swim towards the shore, closer to her. Who could she be? For some reason... he needed to know and while he doesn't know why he needs to, he simply just has to try; in a way, it felt as though there were residual feelings, feelings that weren't from him and that in itself baffled him.

So without thinking, his mouth opened to speak.

"Who might you be? You don't seem... human to me, although you do appear to be." He tilted his head briefly before letting out a laugh. "Ah, apologies. This is bold of me, I will admit."

[flamesque]

He chuckled when she answered his question and nodded his head briefly, noting down her answer. He would remember this for when he would return to the forest once more.

Sunset eyes casted towards the sun and he sighed. He needed to return soon before the guards or elders could realize his not-so-brief absence. 

“What are your thoughts about time, Dolasach?” He tilted his gaze toward her and for those moments when their eyes met, it was as if the two of them were seeing into each other’s souls. “...I have to return soon.” 

Returning to Lemuria felt a little different, or the thought of it anyways. It wasn’t that he hated being there, and he didn’t entirely dislike being the Sea God, but he got a taste of what it felt like having some civil conversation between someone that wasn’t Lemurian or human, another… God. And the longer he spent time with Dolasach, the more he came to realize that the void in his chest isn’t so noticeable. 

Slowly, but surely, it began to fill up with thoughts of her—if he dared to admit to himself, he even felt like he was gradually becoming complete. Throughout his life as the Sea God, there had always been this missing piece and when he looked at Dolasach, the tenderness and softness in her eyes, Rafayel allowed himself to believe that perhaps she truly was the missing piece.

He noticed that slight smile and he’ll take it, etch it into his mind and perhaps he’ll start some sketches of her. He understood then why Caspian had drawings of the Goddess of the Forest. He briefly looked away, but there was a gentle smile coupled with the gentle look in eyes as he trailed them around the forest.

“I suppose I can say that I got my curiosity from him.” He chuckled as he picked up a leaf next to him, allowing it to float in the center of the small whirlpool he conjured in his palm, watching as the leaf remained unharmed in the chaos of the small whirlpool.

Then it stilled and as the water disappeared, the leaf gently drifted back down to his palm as he continued listening to Dolasach speak about the writings from the previous Goddess of the Forest, the smile he had could have mirrored the same one Caspian must have had whenever with her.

His heart seemed to relax in the presence of Dolasach. He still didn’t understand the feeling, but it wasn’t something suffocating, in fact it felt welcoming.

With a wave of his hand, he conjured a bird and a fish made up of water, the fish swam around the bird as the bird flapped its wings before he brought the fish and bird closer to her. “Something tells me that if these were to burst like bubbles in your face, it won’t go the same way as with Caspian… ah, but.” 

The fish and bird remained seemingly playing with each other in the air and around them before his gaze drifted to meet with hers. “May I ask for permission from the Goddess of the Forest herself to venture deeper into the forest? Whilst the previous Sea God did it out of curiosity, you and I have already met… I believe it’s only proper to ask you rather than finding the area myself.”

Something tells him there may be clues where the Sea God and Forest Goddess first met that would help Rafayel piece more of Caspian’s history, especially with his beloved.

₊❏❜ ⋮ i'll chase you to the ends of the earth. ⚬𓂂

@dolasach

He is used to it; however, that didn't mean he accepted it.

Rafayel sighed as he let his head rest against his palm, the same thing being drilled into his mind by the endless sea of words spewing the history of Lemuria and the world on the surface repeated like a broken record from the elders. He seemed to be falling asleep and was immediately scolded for not paying attention.

Evidently, something came up that had the elders leave the vicinity for the time being and this served as an opportunity for Rafayel to escape. He had attempted in doing so a few times, but he was sure that this time he would be able to be successful. 

A blue fish swam around him and held his hand out, allowing the fish to swim over his palm. 

"Shall we head to the surface? It's a little boring right now and I'm tired of hearing the elders saying the same thing over and over again." 

The fish continued swimming over his palm before seemingly directing him toward an opening to which he was able to squeeze through. It was then he realized that he was out of the city walls of Whalefall City and was able to swim to the surface.

He thanked the fish before it disappeared back through the city walls and Rafayel didn't have to think twice as he turned away from Whalefall City to swim up to the surface; however, before he allowed himself to fully come out, he swam slowly as the damn words from the elders rang in his head. 

"The world on the surface is dangerous, even if those people worship our Sea God, there is a chance that someone will try to capture him."

"As the previous Lemurians have..." 

"Rafayel, you must never venture out to the surface world. Your people are here, that is all that should concern you." 

And the annoying part of all. "The Sea God will one day meet the Goddess of the Forest, and when that day comes, should he fall in love with her, it will be the beginning of the downfall of Lemuria."

Rafayel always thought it to be those stories to be something a parent would tell to their child to make them listen. And besides, Rafayel had always been, not only a rebellious soul, but one of sheer curiosity. 

Once he peeked out from the water, he spotted a woman by the shore. And he had seen a few other humans before, but something about her was different and he couldn't help but to swim towards the shore, closer to her. Who could she be? For some reason... he needed to know and while he doesn't know why he needs to, he simply just has to try; in a way, it felt as though there were residual feelings, feelings that weren't from him and that in itself baffled him.

So without thinking, his mouth opened to speak.

"Who might you be? You don't seem... human to me, although you do appear to be." He tilted his head briefly before letting out a laugh. "Ah, apologies. This is bold of me, I will admit."

[flamesque]

Rafayel let out a laugh, shaking his head as he peered at her. He parted his lips as if to say something, but decided to close them and instead presented a small smile.

She seemed to have misunderstood his notions, or so he believed and questioned if he had made it seem like he was adamant and not allowing her to refuse him. He furrowed his brows as pondered about it, replaying the words he spoke to her.

“You are the Goddess of the Forest, Dolasach, whilst I am the God of the Tides… it was merely a deal I wanted to make with you; I know you don't want anything to do with me, but. Is it me not giving you a choice or perhaps… deep down, you are also curious about our predecessors’ history written by them and not by the tellings of the elders of Lemuria and the humans.” 

Dolasach’s words reminded him of the piece of writing he hid as he held his palm upright, flames ignited and manifested the writing he found from his predecessor. He closed his eyes briefly as if trying to remember his surroundings there. It surely wasn’t a tomb for the previous Sea God. He knew there were more missing pieces and rightfully so.

Still, it was frustrating, but the previous Sea God must have had some reason to do this, as if he knew what the elders would try to do to the writings he would leave for the next and final God of the Tides.

He opened his eyes and looked at the Goddess before gazing at the writing. “You are nearly there…” He mumbled out, his eyes shifting to the written text. “See the burnt edges? It seemed they had tried but ultimately failed to destroy this piece… Caspian, he must have made it so that records he wrote can never be destroyed.” 

Rafayel laughed, but he nodded his head. “It’s not a feeling, Dolasach. Not only have they been feeding me with lies, but they had painted the previous Sea God as a traitor because of the Forest Goddess.” 

His brow knit as he catches sight of the sun, remembering a certain Lemurian’s words, he cursed Time as he gazed out to sea before he let the writing disappear and turned his attention back to her. 

“Have you read anything about when she had met my predecessor? The first time—ah, wait… where did you find her writings? Were they easy to access prior to now?”

₊❏❜ ⋮ i'll chase you to the ends of the earth. ⚬𓂂

@dolasach

He is used to it; however, that didn't mean he accepted it.

Rafayel sighed as he let his head rest against his palm, the same thing being drilled into his mind by the endless sea of words spewing the history of Lemuria and the world on the surface repeated like a broken record from the elders. He seemed to be falling asleep and was immediately scolded for not paying attention.

Evidently, something came up that had the elders leave the vicinity for the time being and this served as an opportunity for Rafayel to escape. He had attempted in doing so a few times, but he was sure that this time he would be able to be successful. 

A blue fish swam around him and held his hand out, allowing the fish to swim over his palm. 

"Shall we head to the surface? It's a little boring right now and I'm tired of hearing the elders saying the same thing over and over again." 

The fish continued swimming over his palm before seemingly directing him toward an opening to which he was able to squeeze through. It was then he realized that he was out of the city walls of Whalefall City and was able to swim to the surface.

He thanked the fish before it disappeared back through the city walls and Rafayel didn't have to think twice as he turned away from Whalefall City to swim up to the surface; however, before he allowed himself to fully come out, he swam slowly as the damn words from the elders rang in his head. 

"The world on the surface is dangerous, even if those people worship our Sea God, there is a chance that someone will try to capture him."

"As the previous Lemurians have..." 

"Rafayel, you must never venture out to the surface world. Your people are here, that is all that should concern you." 

And the annoying part of all. "The Sea God will one day meet the Goddess of the Forest, and when that day comes, should he fall in love with her, it will be the beginning of the downfall of Lemuria."

Rafayel always thought it to be those stories to be something a parent would tell to their child to make them listen. And besides, Rafayel had always been, not only a rebellious soul, but one of sheer curiosity. 

Once he peeked out from the water, he spotted a woman by the shore. And he had seen a few other humans before, but something about her was different and he couldn't help but to swim towards the shore, closer to her. Who could she be? For some reason... he needed to know and while he doesn't know why he needs to, he simply just has to try; in a way, it felt as though there were residual feelings, feelings that weren't from him and that in itself baffled him.

So without thinking, his mouth opened to speak.

"Who might you be? You don't seem... human to me, although you do appear to be." He tilted his head briefly before letting out a laugh. "Ah, apologies. This is bold of me, I will admit."

[flamesque]

Countless questions and thoughts swam in his mind. They were endless. Did Dolasach see them as well? Was she thinking of anything pertaining to them, or rather, their past incarnation? He wondered for a moment: What did the Goddess of the Forest leave for the next incarnation to read?

There was a place in the Lemurian library that is strictly forbidden for him to read upon. He remembered asking if the past Sea God had left anything for him, but they stated no and if even if the Sea God had, triggering such memories may risk the foundation of Lemuria after they had managed to rebuild it once more. 

Rafayel hated anything to do with the elders. The secrecy made his blood boil. He should be able to command they tell, but they were adamant about making him believe nothing was left behind. 

What they didn’t know is that despite lack of physical evidence, his soul and heart can always counter all the lies the elders had fed to him and perhaps the entirety of Lemuria itself.

Rafayel did not stop her when she was rising from her seat on the rock. He simply watched her, as if he had been in this situation before. A beautiful Forest Goddess wringing her long skirt whilst her lover stared in awe, simply by her beauty alone.

Memory or not, Rafayel was undoubtedly enamored by such a sight that was just Dolasach.

“Do you believe this is our last meeting?” He countered, not even bothering to think before his mouth began moving. 

“Because I… do not.” He gazed at her, as if searching in her eyes the true answer she held within her heart, or perhaps even her soul. “So what will I do?” His eyes drifted as the waves crashed against the rocks with some force, but never around Dolasach. “...I shall wait for a time where our souls will bring us back to each other again.” 

₊❏❜ ⋮ i'll chase you to the ends of the earth. ⚬𓂂

@dolasach

He is used to it; however, that didn't mean he accepted it.

Rafayel sighed as he let his head rest against his palm, the same thing being drilled into his mind by the endless sea of words spewing the history of Lemuria and the world on the surface repeated like a broken record from the elders. He seemed to be falling asleep and was immediately scolded for not paying attention.

Evidently, something came up that had the elders leave the vicinity for the time being and this served as an opportunity for Rafayel to escape. He had attempted in doing so a few times, but he was sure that this time he would be able to be successful. 

A blue fish swam around him and held his hand out, allowing the fish to swim over his palm. 

"Shall we head to the surface? It's a little boring right now and I'm tired of hearing the elders saying the same thing over and over again." 

The fish continued swimming over his palm before seemingly directing him toward an opening to which he was able to squeeze through. It was then he realized that he was out of the city walls of Whalefall City and was able to swim to the surface.

He thanked the fish before it disappeared back through the city walls and Rafayel didn't have to think twice as he turned away from Whalefall City to swim up to the surface; however, before he allowed himself to fully come out, he swam slowly as the damn words from the elders rang in his head. 

"The world on the surface is dangerous, even if those people worship our Sea God, there is a chance that someone will try to capture him."

"As the previous Lemurians have..." 

"Rafayel, you must never venture out to the surface world. Your people are here, that is all that should concern you." 

And the annoying part of all. "The Sea God will one day meet the Goddess of the Forest, and when that day comes, should he fall in love with her, it will be the beginning of the downfall of Lemuria."

Rafayel always thought it to be those stories to be something a parent would tell to their child to make them listen. And besides, Rafayel had always been, not only a rebellious soul, but one of sheer curiosity. 

Once he peeked out from the water, he spotted a woman by the shore. And he had seen a few other humans before, but something about her was different and he couldn't help but to swim towards the shore, closer to her. Who could she be? For some reason... he needed to know and while he doesn't know why he needs to, he simply just has to try; in a way, it felt as though there were residual feelings, feelings that weren't from him and that in itself baffled him.

So without thinking, his mouth opened to speak.

"Who might you be? You don't seem... human to me, although you do appear to be." He tilted his head briefly before letting out a laugh. "Ah, apologies. This is bold of me, I will admit."

[flamesque]

"Cooked fish that could have burned you if you weren't careful." He corrected, though there was no hint of the intention of scolding her for it. 

Maybe he was too concerned, perhaps because he had seen people get burnt for not taking care of whatever they were cooking, whether transferring things into another pot or straining water from a pot; he watched servants having burnt themselves cooking for him and he didn't want the same thing to happen to Dolasach.

Perhaps he may be overprotective in that sense of simply just wanting to ensure that Dolasach was unharmed, even for small trivial things such as burning one's self.

He picked at the lemons and herbs, although he wasn't entirely sure what they were, aside from the lemon, he figured it had something to do with flavor. 

"These are used to add flavor to the fish, yes?" He did recognize them from the time he would watched the chef prepare fish.

Rafayel smiled, continuing to eat the food, and every now and then, he would take pieces of cut fruit to pop into his mouth. This supper was something he wouldn't forget and wondered if they can have another supper the next time he resurfaces as he has to leave.

The thought of having to leave plagued him in the back of his mind. In truth, whilst he didn't mind being underwater, he did find Dolasach's presence most comforting and relaxing; he just didn't want to it to end so soon and it felt as though time was beginning to go by a little too quickly.

"Scold me?" He questioned and arched a brow, chuckling to himself before gazing at her. "Well, we can't have that now can we? I'll need to be scolded by the Forest Goddess at least once every time I come up to visit you—and continue this little investigation we have going on."

Quick save. He was beginning to think that perhaps he was appearing somewhat desperate or even eager to just simply be around Dolasach. Though, why did that matter to him if he did appear like such? Perhaps he didn't want Dolasach to feel weird about the Sea God wanting more time with her, in the guise of discovering more of what Caspian and Eolchaire had left for them.

"Rest assured... They won't find out anything, not when we've just gotten started." He announced midchew, humming to the taste as he continued eating after.

He listened to Dolasach intently once more, his gaze fixated on her. He enjoyed this moment, them simply idly chatting whilst eating food. He frowned a bit from what Eolchaire stated, although he knew that the tragedy between the two gods was surely no brainer. It hit harder than Rafayel would expect coming from Dolasach's mouth, reciting what Eolchaire had written.

He quickly reverted his expressions to that of sheer curiosity, whether Dolasach had caught the brief transition from that of curiosity to that of disappointment? No... Hatred? He wasn't sure of the word. But those were the closest to what he could have been feeling.

Rafayel hated that throughout the generations of the Sea God and the Forest Goddess, it had always ended in some tragedy; too little too late, never having a chance to get to know one another. Friends being a distant word whilst foes were of the norm.

He wondered if Dolasach and him could change that, much like how Caspian and Eolchaire tried to. Could they be the ones to break that cycle?

"I feel they left quite a lot more than we think. This scroll being the beginning of it all... Hmn." He paused as he thought deeply. "Beginning with the sea meeting the forest..." 

The Sea God's gaze fell upon the Forest Goddess and he parted his lips as if to say something, but instead in his head resounds: Is there such a thing for a God and Goddess to rewrite history in their own way?

"And live, we shall." He noted, nodding his head. "Not just for them, but simply... For us. As gods... Surely we deserve that much, yes?"

₊❏❜ ⋮ i'll chase you to the ends of the earth. ⚬𓂂

@dolasach

He is used to it; however, that didn't mean he accepted it.

Rafayel sighed as he let his head rest against his palm, the same thing being drilled into his mind by the endless sea of words spewing the history of Lemuria and the world on the surface repeated like a broken record from the elders. He seemed to be falling asleep and was immediately scolded for not paying attention.

Evidently, something came up that had the elders leave the vicinity for the time being and this served as an opportunity for Rafayel to escape. He had attempted in doing so a few times, but he was sure that this time he would be able to be successful. 

A blue fish swam around him and held his hand out, allowing the fish to swim over his palm. 

"Shall we head to the surface? It's a little boring right now and I'm tired of hearing the elders saying the same thing over and over again." 

The fish continued swimming over his palm before seemingly directing him toward an opening to which he was able to squeeze through. It was then he realized that he was out of the city walls of Whalefall City and was able to swim to the surface.

He thanked the fish before it disappeared back through the city walls and Rafayel didn't have to think twice as he turned away from Whalefall City to swim up to the surface; however, before he allowed himself to fully come out, he swam slowly as the damn words from the elders rang in his head. 

"The world on the surface is dangerous, even if those people worship our Sea God, there is a chance that someone will try to capture him."

"As the previous Lemurians have..." 

"Rafayel, you must never venture out to the surface world. Your people are here, that is all that should concern you." 

And the annoying part of all. "The Sea God will one day meet the Goddess of the Forest, and when that day comes, should he fall in love with her, it will be the beginning of the downfall of Lemuria."

Rafayel always thought it to be those stories to be something a parent would tell to their child to make them listen. And besides, Rafayel had always been, not only a rebellious soul, but one of sheer curiosity. 

Once he peeked out from the water, he spotted a woman by the shore. And he had seen a few other humans before, but something about her was different and he couldn't help but to swim towards the shore, closer to her. Who could she be? For some reason... he needed to know and while he doesn't know why he needs to, he simply just has to try; in a way, it felt as though there were residual feelings, feelings that weren't from him and that in itself baffled him.

So without thinking, his mouth opened to speak.

"Who might you be? You don't seem... human to me, although you do appear to be." He tilted his head briefly before letting out a laugh. "Ah, apologies. This is bold of me, I will admit."

[flamesque]

“I would rather not meet with the man again, but that would also mean… I would have to figure out another way to get meat for the wolves.” 

He tapped his chin a few times, brows furrowing as he really thought about it, but the thoughts drifted away as he observed Dolasach. He didn’t try to convince her otherwise to think about her disdain toward humans; in truth, he didn’t have much of an interest in them either. 

He brushed through his hair, fixing the strands as he continued thinking before turning to her.

“You don’t have to trust me, Dolasach.” He started, his eyes drifting to her as he tilted his head. “But I can assure you that they will stay out of your forest, at least… the events that transpired today by my own doing won’t have them coming here.” 

And even then, I will do what I can to keep the forest... and you safe.

Whilst the forest was Dolasach’s domain, it was never said that another god could take care of the domain of another god’s from the outside; however, he couldn't voice that out yet.

He figured that it would take a few days or so—actually, Rafayel wasn’t sure how long it’ll take for Dolasach to feel like her forest won’t be intruded by angry village folk—for the whole event to die down but he was certain. He made sure of certain things.

They had been far away from the village people, if anything, it seemed as though it was just the angry vendor; he let out a chuckle remembering how the man had such a confused look on his face when Rafayel had left the note and looked around to see where Rafayel could be before Rafayel left to return to Dolasach.

He gazed at her when she thanked him for trying to right his wrongs and that brought a soft smile on his face, shaking his head after.

“The forest is quiet, serene and calm… relaxing, even. Do you sense any dangers?”

Perhaps Rafayel didn’t have much of a good sense of when there may be people around the forest, but through his observations during the time he left Dolasach’s side, he didn’t sense anyone else other than her and him. 

“Only time can tell.” He nodded his head as if to agree to her words. 

He was quiet for a moment, gazing into the forest then back to her. 

“Shall we go into the forest now? Unless—you’d rather I not come in today.” Please don't say forever.

"I… will understand, but if so… then can you give these meat to the wolves? A little gift for, you know, dealing with my sudden intrusion.”

He looked down to the meat then into the forest, using his freehand to rub the back of his neck. 

“There’s no rush when it comes to learning one’s predecessor’s history… and I’d like to think the same applies to learning about someone in general, yeah?” 

Then, he looked over to where the sea was and seemingly got lost in his thoughts, blinking a few times before he looked down and chuckled lightly.

“Perhaps another time.” And another, and another should fate and time allow us. He shook his head, toying with some loose fabric on his garb absent-mindedly. “Ah, I apologize. It feels as though I’m learning new things each and every day, pertaining to you… pertaining to our predecessors. Everything is… new.”

He doesn’t know what brought him to step close to Dolasach, nearly the same distance from when he had done his best to comfort her just moments ago as he reached over to brush her hair behind her ear as a small gloriosa was placed behind her ear before stepping back. 

The gloriosa can be poisonous to humans, but to gods, it was nothing.

“I’m still learning.” He stated, unsure of where this sudden vulnerability came from. “Tell me. If you wish for me to leave or if you wish for me to stay. No matter your answer, I will honor it.”

₊❏❜ ⋮ i'll chase you to the ends of the earth. ⚬𓂂

@dolasach

He is used to it; however, that didn't mean he accepted it.

Rafayel sighed as he let his head rest against his palm, the same thing being drilled into his mind by the endless sea of words spewing the history of Lemuria and the world on the surface repeated like a broken record from the elders. He seemed to be falling asleep and was immediately scolded for not paying attention.

Evidently, something came up that had the elders leave the vicinity for the time being and this served as an opportunity for Rafayel to escape. He had attempted in doing so a few times, but he was sure that this time he would be able to be successful. 

A blue fish swam around him and held his hand out, allowing the fish to swim over his palm. 

"Shall we head to the surface? It's a little boring right now and I'm tired of hearing the elders saying the same thing over and over again." 

The fish continued swimming over his palm before seemingly directing him toward an opening to which he was able to squeeze through. It was then he realized that he was out of the city walls of Whalefall City and was able to swim to the surface.

He thanked the fish before it disappeared back through the city walls and Rafayel didn't have to think twice as he turned away from Whalefall City to swim up to the surface; however, before he allowed himself to fully come out, he swam slowly as the damn words from the elders rang in his head. 

"The world on the surface is dangerous, even if those people worship our Sea God, there is a chance that someone will try to capture him."

"As the previous Lemurians have..." 

"Rafayel, you must never venture out to the surface world. Your people are here, that is all that should concern you." 

And the annoying part of all. "The Sea God will one day meet the Goddess of the Forest, and when that day comes, should he fall in love with her, it will be the beginning of the downfall of Lemuria."

Rafayel always thought it to be those stories to be something a parent would tell to their child to make them listen. And besides, Rafayel had always been, not only a rebellious soul, but one of sheer curiosity. 

Once he peeked out from the water, he spotted a woman by the shore. And he had seen a few other humans before, but something about her was different and he couldn't help but to swim towards the shore, closer to her. Who could she be? For some reason... he needed to know and while he doesn't know why he needs to, he simply just has to try; in a way, it felt as though there were residual feelings, feelings that weren't from him and that in itself baffled him.

So without thinking, his mouth opened to speak.

"Who might you be? You don't seem... human to me, although you do appear to be." He tilted his head briefly before letting out a laugh. "Ah, apologies. This is bold of me, I will admit."

[flamesque]

He smiled then and nodded his head, closing his eyes as the flame reverted to its original color.  The red wasn't that of a fire, but something like sangria. Rafayel wondered if this color was specific to only the Sea God.

Something within made him pay attention to Dolasach, as if something in his chest told him to watch her. As to why, he wasn't sure, but the furrowing of her brows seemed to alert him to something, or a feeling. Worry? Concern? He thought to ask if she was okay, but held his tongue for the time being until he seen a flash of light and it was if Dolasach and him weren't there.

His hand was outstretched, but he wasn't Rafayel and when he blinked a few times, Dolasach looked... Different. It appeared as though Caspian had done the same thing as Rafayel.

Was this a residual memory that Caspian and Eolchaire had left for them? He blinked a few more times before the vision cleared and Dolasach returned as did he.

Rafayel waited for Dolasach to take hold of his hand, though part of him did expect her to be wary, so when she had reached out to grab his hand, he held onto it firmly as a smile etched along his face.

He held onto her hand as he guided her to step onto the water's surface and once doing so, he walked over with her hand in his to the landmark stone. His eyes searched the area immediately as if he was sure there had to be something here that Caspian had left and then he gazed at the stone and reached out, placing his palm against it as he closed his eyes. 

This time as the memories of his predecessor ran through his mind, he wasn't left with a headache as a hidden pattern soon appeared with glowing lines and he furrowed his brows at it. 

"Has this always been here, Dolasach?" He turned to look at her, unbeknownst that behind him a floating scroll soon appeared.

₊❏❜ ⋮ i'll chase you to the ends of the earth. ⚬𓂂

@dolasach

He is used to it; however, that didn't mean he accepted it.

Rafayel sighed as he let his head rest against his palm, the same thing being drilled into his mind by the endless sea of words spewing the history of Lemuria and the world on the surface repeated like a broken record from the elders. He seemed to be falling asleep and was immediately scolded for not paying attention.

Evidently, something came up that had the elders leave the vicinity for the time being and this served as an opportunity for Rafayel to escape. He had attempted in doing so a few times, but he was sure that this time he would be able to be successful. 

A blue fish swam around him and held his hand out, allowing the fish to swim over his palm. 

"Shall we head to the surface? It's a little boring right now and I'm tired of hearing the elders saying the same thing over and over again." 

The fish continued swimming over his palm before seemingly directing him toward an opening to which he was able to squeeze through. It was then he realized that he was out of the city walls of Whalefall City and was able to swim to the surface.

He thanked the fish before it disappeared back through the city walls and Rafayel didn't have to think twice as he turned away from Whalefall City to swim up to the surface; however, before he allowed himself to fully come out, he swam slowly as the damn words from the elders rang in his head. 

"The world on the surface is dangerous, even if those people worship our Sea God, there is a chance that someone will try to capture him."

"As the previous Lemurians have..." 

"Rafayel, you must never venture out to the surface world. Your people are here, that is all that should concern you." 

And the annoying part of all. "The Sea God will one day meet the Goddess of the Forest, and when that day comes, should he fall in love with her, it will be the beginning of the downfall of Lemuria."

Rafayel always thought it to be those stories to be something a parent would tell to their child to make them listen. And besides, Rafayel had always been, not only a rebellious soul, but one of sheer curiosity. 

Once he peeked out from the water, he spotted a woman by the shore. And he had seen a few other humans before, but something about her was different and he couldn't help but to swim towards the shore, closer to her. Who could she be? For some reason... he needed to know and while he doesn't know why he needs to, he simply just has to try; in a way, it felt as though there were residual feelings, feelings that weren't from him and that in itself baffled him.

So without thinking, his mouth opened to speak.

"Who might you be? You don't seem... human to me, although you do appear to be." He tilted his head briefly before letting out a laugh. "Ah, apologies. This is bold of me, I will admit."

[flamesque]

He let out a chuckle with a certain mirth in his eyes, giving a slight shrug at her comment.

“The elders have failed to keep me away from the surface, and more specifically, learning about Caspian… None of that would have been possible if I didn’t have some confidence. Also…” 

He crossed his arms briefly, gazing to the side for a brief moment. 

“I’d like to think that knowing what I want or what I want to achieve plays a huge roll in it.” 

Rafayel tilted his head, listening to Dolasach with an amused look on his face. The tinge of pink on the goddess’s face did not go unnoticed, though Rafayel was silent about it for now. He took in her words before letting out a soft laugh. 

“I see… They must have been quite the read.” He playfully teased her before he continued walking along with her, his finger moving to play with the seahorse flame. “It’s okay, her skepticism is valid, you’ll have to go soon, unless…” 

He watched as the seahorse settled over her shoulder and he smiled at the sight. 

“I am careful and besides… The fire you have experienced are different from my flames, I am sure.” 

Eventually the seahorse vanishes into the thin air just as he watched Dolasach conjure what appears to be a flower and then when he noticed the shape of it, he smiled. 

Ah, a flame lily. 

Rafayel didn’t have to think twice as he took the offered flame lily into his palm. He held it as if it was as precious as the one who created it right before his eyes. He couldn’t stop staring at it. A gift from a god to another god truly is more than just a mere gift. Rafayel understood that now. He gazed at her and motioned at the flame lily.

“It’s beautiful. Thank you, Dolasach.” He whispered as he looked ahead to where she was gesturing. 

There, he could see the river emerging as some sense of relief welcoming as they continued approaching the place. Blurred visions gradually drew themselves into his mind the closer they got and he felt confident he would be able to find something here today.

He gazed about the forest in this scenery and he understood right then and there why Caspian was so in awe of the place. The beauty of the forest really does shine by the beauty of its Goddess. No one could ever say that the Eolchaire nor Dolasach gave love and took care of their domain and its beloved animals.

Just as the Sea listened to Rafayel, surely he knew that the Forest also listened to Dolasach.

₊❏❜ ⋮ i'll chase you to the ends of the earth. ⚬𓂂

@dolasach

He is used to it; however, that didn't mean he accepted it.

Rafayel sighed as he let his head rest against his palm, the same thing being drilled into his mind by the endless sea of words spewing the history of Lemuria and the world on the surface repeated like a broken record from the elders. He seemed to be falling asleep and was immediately scolded for not paying attention.

Evidently, something came up that had the elders leave the vicinity for the time being and this served as an opportunity for Rafayel to escape. He had attempted in doing so a few times, but he was sure that this time he would be able to be successful. 

A blue fish swam around him and held his hand out, allowing the fish to swim over his palm. 

"Shall we head to the surface? It's a little boring right now and I'm tired of hearing the elders saying the same thing over and over again." 

The fish continued swimming over his palm before seemingly directing him toward an opening to which he was able to squeeze through. It was then he realized that he was out of the city walls of Whalefall City and was able to swim to the surface.

He thanked the fish before it disappeared back through the city walls and Rafayel didn't have to think twice as he turned away from Whalefall City to swim up to the surface; however, before he allowed himself to fully come out, he swam slowly as the damn words from the elders rang in his head. 

"The world on the surface is dangerous, even if those people worship our Sea God, there is a chance that someone will try to capture him."

"As the previous Lemurians have..." 

"Rafayel, you must never venture out to the surface world. Your people are here, that is all that should concern you." 

And the annoying part of all. "The Sea God will one day meet the Goddess of the Forest, and when that day comes, should he fall in love with her, it will be the beginning of the downfall of Lemuria."

Rafayel always thought it to be those stories to be something a parent would tell to their child to make them listen. And besides, Rafayel had always been, not only a rebellious soul, but one of sheer curiosity. 

Once he peeked out from the water, he spotted a woman by the shore. And he had seen a few other humans before, but something about her was different and he couldn't help but to swim towards the shore, closer to her. Who could she be? For some reason... he needed to know and while he doesn't know why he needs to, he simply just has to try; in a way, it felt as though there were residual feelings, feelings that weren't from him and that in itself baffled him.

So without thinking, his mouth opened to speak.

"Who might you be? You don't seem... human to me, although you do appear to be." He tilted his head briefly before letting out a laugh. "Ah, apologies. This is bold of me, I will admit."

[flamesque]

Rafayel notes down the reactions from the wolves, how they were approaching and how some weren’t. He didn’t expect all of them to be open to his presence, still he’s content with knowing that they all have been enjoying the meat he offered.

He eases down and scratches behind the wolf’s ear and chuckles at how much his tail was wagging. He never knew of any other species other than the animals he was acquainted with under the sea, so getting to interact with ones on land was a majestic experience to this Sea God.

Rafayel watches one particular wolf who approaches Dolasach and given the energy and vibe of this one, he figures this must be the leader of the pack. He smiles at the sight and how beloved these beautiful animals were by the Goddess of the Forest. He lets out a laugh when one wolf appears playful and even nearly knocks the Sea God onto his back until he manages to regain his balance.

As the day continues on, he catches Dolasach beckoning him, so he says farewell to the wolves and the wolf pups before falling into the rhythm of her steps. 

He hums as he looks around the forest before smiling to her when she answers his question. 

“Ah, well, that’s because… While I did see the sunset once—" He doesn't include with you, "I have never seen the sunrise on the surface."

There’s a question that sits on his tongue, but perhaps he can ask it another time. 

He pauses for a brief moment, tilting his head as he chuckles softly. “To be honest… The sun in Lemuria… Is fake. But, we seem to pretend it’s real just to cope with how dark it would be without it.” 

₊❏❜ ⋮ i'll chase you to the ends of the earth. ⚬𓂂

@dolasach

He is used to it; however, that didn't mean he accepted it.

Rafayel sighed as he let his head rest against his palm, the same thing being drilled into his mind by the endless sea of words spewing the history of Lemuria and the world on the surface repeated like a broken record from the elders. He seemed to be falling asleep and was immediately scolded for not paying attention.

Evidently, something came up that had the elders leave the vicinity for the time being and this served as an opportunity for Rafayel to escape. He had attempted in doing so a few times, but he was sure that this time he would be able to be successful. 

A blue fish swam around him and held his hand out, allowing the fish to swim over his palm. 

"Shall we head to the surface? It's a little boring right now and I'm tired of hearing the elders saying the same thing over and over again." 

The fish continued swimming over his palm before seemingly directing him toward an opening to which he was able to squeeze through. It was then he realized that he was out of the city walls of Whalefall City and was able to swim to the surface.

He thanked the fish before it disappeared back through the city walls and Rafayel didn't have to think twice as he turned away from Whalefall City to swim up to the surface; however, before he allowed himself to fully come out, he swam slowly as the damn words from the elders rang in his head. 

"The world on the surface is dangerous, even if those people worship our Sea God, there is a chance that someone will try to capture him."

"As the previous Lemurians have..." 

"Rafayel, you must never venture out to the surface world. Your people are here, that is all that should concern you." 

And the annoying part of all. "The Sea God will one day meet the Goddess of the Forest, and when that day comes, should he fall in love with her, it will be the beginning of the downfall of Lemuria."

Rafayel always thought it to be those stories to be something a parent would tell to their child to make them listen. And besides, Rafayel had always been, not only a rebellious soul, but one of sheer curiosity. 

Once he peeked out from the water, he spotted a woman by the shore. And he had seen a few other humans before, but something about her was different and he couldn't help but to swim towards the shore, closer to her. Who could she be? For some reason... he needed to know and while he doesn't know why he needs to, he simply just has to try; in a way, it felt as though there were residual feelings, feelings that weren't from him and that in itself baffled him.

So without thinking, his mouth opened to speak.

"Who might you be? You don't seem... human to me, although you do appear to be." He tilted his head briefly before letting out a laugh. "Ah, apologies. This is bold of me, I will admit."

[flamesque]

If Rafayel stares for too long, then he does, and if Dolasach is to call him out for it, well, there is really no reason for him to deny it.

Dolasach’s smile brings upon warmth in his chest that he doesn’t feel whenever he’s speaking to Iris or others in the palace and Whalefall City, it was as this particular feeling he gets whenever seeing Dolasach smile was one reserved for her and only her.

He keeps a decent hold on the meat and looks around as they continue walking. His gaze falls upon the fresh greens, the little forest animals until he hears her speak and he turns his head to look at her. He nods a few times, showing that he’s listening to her before he watches her approach the wolf that appears to be on watch. 

Rafayel remains where he is, allowing himself the moment to simply watch Dolasach interact with the wolf; he clearly enjoys the scene before him. It was almost like out of a fairytale, something about a woman who can communicate with wolves—though, in Dolasach’s case, Rafayel knows she can communicate with all living things in the forest—and the sight was pleasant.

His smile never falters and his gaze turns softer by the moments.

He steps slightly closer, peering into the den, but he has a hard time discerning what is in there, though judging by how the excitement of the wolf’s tail wagging when Dolasach approached her. He knew that Dolasach takes good care of them.

How adorable…

Rafayel listens to Dolasach and nods his head, though he stops before he moves to leave the meat near the den entrance, but taking care to make sure it isn’t too close to the den entrance. 

“You’re up, so would you like one now?”

He smiles as he manifests his dagger away from the wolf’s sight as to not frighten it before he cuts up a piece of the meat and holds it in his palm, outstretching his arm towards the wolf, but remains in his spot, awaiting for the wolf to move closer if she so wishes to before he tilts his gaze up to Dolasach.

Interacting with forest animals was a lot different than interacting with sea animals, but also, at the same time, not so different at all. When the wolf moves closer to him, taking the offering, he tilts his head and wonders if it would be alright to… 

He reaches over to gently pet the wolf’s head. He saw a glint of curiosity in the wolf’s eyes before it snatched the meat and returned to her original spot and Rafayel couldn’t help but smile. He figured that the wolf accepting his gift meant the interaction was a success.

He eases up and fixes his garb as he returns to Dolasach and looks around the wolf’s den. 

“These wolves… they are majestic, beautiful and I can tell you take great care of them. Shall we continue? I wouldn’t want to disturb their sleep—oh?” He tilts his head down to look at the wolf he was just feeding and lets out a chuckle, reaching down to pet her head. “Guess she liked the meat, mh? I’m glad…” 

₊❏❜ ⋮ i'll chase you to the ends of the earth. ⚬𓂂

@dolasach

He is used to it; however, that didn't mean he accepted it.

Rafayel sighed as he let his head rest against his palm, the same thing being drilled into his mind by the endless sea of words spewing the history of Lemuria and the world on the surface repeated like a broken record from the elders. He seemed to be falling asleep and was immediately scolded for not paying attention.

Evidently, something came up that had the elders leave the vicinity for the time being and this served as an opportunity for Rafayel to escape. He had attempted in doing so a few times, but he was sure that this time he would be able to be successful. 

A blue fish swam around him and held his hand out, allowing the fish to swim over his palm. 

"Shall we head to the surface? It's a little boring right now and I'm tired of hearing the elders saying the same thing over and over again." 

The fish continued swimming over his palm before seemingly directing him toward an opening to which he was able to squeeze through. It was then he realized that he was out of the city walls of Whalefall City and was able to swim to the surface.

He thanked the fish before it disappeared back through the city walls and Rafayel didn't have to think twice as he turned away from Whalefall City to swim up to the surface; however, before he allowed himself to fully come out, he swam slowly as the damn words from the elders rang in his head. 

"The world on the surface is dangerous, even if those people worship our Sea God, there is a chance that someone will try to capture him."

"As the previous Lemurians have..." 

"Rafayel, you must never venture out to the surface world. Your people are here, that is all that should concern you." 

And the annoying part of all. "The Sea God will one day meet the Goddess of the Forest, and when that day comes, should he fall in love with her, it will be the beginning of the downfall of Lemuria."

Rafayel always thought it to be those stories to be something a parent would tell to their child to make them listen. And besides, Rafayel had always been, not only a rebellious soul, but one of sheer curiosity. 

Once he peeked out from the water, he spotted a woman by the shore. And he had seen a few other humans before, but something about her was different and he couldn't help but to swim towards the shore, closer to her. Who could she be? For some reason... he needed to know and while he doesn't know why he needs to, he simply just has to try; in a way, it felt as though there were residual feelings, feelings that weren't from him and that in itself baffled him.

So without thinking, his mouth opened to speak.

"Who might you be? You don't seem... human to me, although you do appear to be." He tilted his head briefly before letting out a laugh. "Ah, apologies. This is bold of me, I will admit."