Open For Love of the Sea

[Perplexity]

.
11th of Spring, 515 AV

Selene stood in the sands of the beach dressed in the flowing garments of her office. She was the High Priestess of Laviku, a motherly figure to the faithful of Zeltiva who loved their divine father so much. Three nights ago she had received a dream, an omen of what was to come. It had brought her great joy after the horrific events that plagued the season past. The dark locks that framed her face fluttered lightly in the winds that ghosted over the waters of Matthew’s Bay. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath reveling in the smell of the sea.

Memories of days when she was a younger woman sailing through the oceans of Mizahar to ports across the world filled her mind. Those were wonderful times and though she loved those memories she did not begrudge her present duties.

“My Lady?” Selene held up a hand for silence. She was accompanied by her entourage, the Acolytes of the Temple of Laviku and several of the Iyvess Dhani who had taken up shelter there. It was in that moment that the waters of Matthew’s Bay stilled. No more did the tide lap against the shore. The gulls that normally circled and called through the air went quiet.

“He’s here.”

A roar echoed from the depths of the bay. The sound of it seemed to reverberate off the peaks of the Zastoska mountains themselves. Not a corner of Zeltiva would be able to ignore the clarion call that announced the arrival of a truly mighty being. The ground itself shook with its ferocity. And though several around her stumbled back in shock, Selene showed no fear. The waters spanning the breadth of the beach came to life roiling not with anger, but with excitement. Selene stretched forth her hands and stepped forward, a loving smile upon her face. With eager steps she wade into the water of the sea rejoicing at the feel of the gnosis marks upon her body practically humming with elation.

A monstrous creature rose from the depths of the sea bringing with it another echoing roar that was soon followed by a humming echo of another great beast. Leviathans. Terrifying creatures to behold both in their enormity and bizarre appearance. Still, Selene continued into the water even as a wave came barreling toward her. Her hands still outstretched she showed neither fear nor hesitation. The wave, nearly a foot taller than she, was nearly upon her.

“My Lady!” The panicked cry of one of the Acolytes fell on deaf ears.

And then…Selene’s hands were not empty. Strong fingers encircled her wrists. The wave crashed down around her but not a hair on her head was soaked. The eyes of the High Priestess began to fill with tears. A joyful sob found its way to her throat which she released gladly. Hands moved from her wrists to rest firmly upon her shoulders.

“Hello Selene.” He called her name. Selene was overcome with happiness and threw her arms around her guide, her strength, her joy.

“You came.” A hand gently pat her hair before she managed to compose herself. Selene looked up into the eyes of the god who had shaped her life for so long.

“Of course. Come, now is the time to remind my children that I have not forgotten them.” Selene nodded wiping away a tear before turning to see the awestruck faces of those along the beach. The Iyvess as one dropped to the ground touching their foreheads to the sand. Others knelt, some began to weep with joy, others still began to shout with joy.

Laviku had heard Zeltiva's prayers.

Participants, Please Read! :

Each and every citizen of Zeltiva is welcome to come pay their respects to the God of the Sea. I, and only I, will moderate his responses. No Gnosis marks will be given during this interaction. He is accompanied by two Kalvikasi, the descriptions of which I have left vague because as of yet no actual write-ups exist in the lore detailing the specifics of these Alvina. Please do not add any detail beyond vague observation.

[Anouk]

The Konti touched charcoal to parchment, though gently, so when she swept her hand diagonally across the page, only a very faint black line followed. She drew another line - almost perpendicular to the first - that would become the forearm for the limb she was sketching. "A little crooked." She muttered critically, holding her parchment at arm's length to drink in her slow progress.

Charcoal met parchment again, and Anouk drew two darker lines on top of the first, building up the shading and outline of the arm. The left line featured a minute bump that, to Anouk at least, seemed to resemble a wrist joint. With a small nod, she continued sketching by tapering the two lines inwards at one end before opening them back out, flowering them into an open palm.

She was sketching the top curve of the third fingertip when a horrendously loud roar ripped through the air. Anouk's entire body jolted in shock: the hand holding the charcoal flicked wildly to the left, not only smudging her work but also scarring the parchment with an ugly black line. If she had not been quite so terrified by the sound, Anouk would have been mightily peeved.

"He's here!"

"It's true!"

"What're you waiting for? C'mon!"

Anouk looked wildly about herself in alarm, confused as to why all the people around her suddenly appeared so delighted. That roar had sounded like the city itself was collapsing into the sea, and yet the people of Zeltiva were... running towards it? Slowly, still concerned that the ground itself might tear open under her feet and swallow her whole, Anouk stood up from her cross-legged position. As she brushed herself down, a group of adolescent girls strode towards her, all giggling excitedly and complimenting each other on their fine dresses. "Excuse me," She called out, her gentile voice barely audible over the general excitement of the street around her. Even in moments of chaos, Anouk did not want to be intrusive or rude. "What's happening?"

The girls tittered at her confusion and obvious worry. One youngster eyed Anouk's outfit critically, sniffing haughtily as she came to some decision - the Konti was unsure whether she had passed the girl's evaluation or not.

"Laviku's here," The leader of their pack was a pretty girl in a blue silken dress. With a dismissive flick of her plaited hair, she finished her explanation with a final "duh."

Anouk had not yet grasped the subtleties of the Common language, but she had understood the girl's message perfectly clear. "Laviku." She whispered the name like a prayer itself, and an explosion of excitability racketed through her brain. Laviku! The father of her people! Without further thought, she joined the madness of the crowd, and it carried her to the beach.

In amongst the throng of people on the sand, Anouk managed to find a space where she could see down the length of the beach. She had clearly missed his arrival - and for that, the Konti would never forgive herself - but without a doubt, the Father of the Seas was here. She could see him greeting the people of Zeltiva, and their reactions. People were sobbing, cheering, kneeling in respect of the God. For the mild mannered Konti, it was all a bit overwhelming.

[Jaiden]

The statue gazed out over the serene waters with a palpable expectancy. As if her vigil alone kept the tatters of her world loosely together. The memory of her beloved provided the thinnest of threads to which her sanity hung. Lichen now clung to the statue and carpeted much of the rocky shoreline. Surrounding trees reached out with mossy branches as if to embrace the Black Lady of Maiden's Cape to attend her sorrow.

Avian twittering and the languid stirring of water formed a backdrop for sensual ripples of delight. A tangle of limbs camouflaged minimally by the verdant screen thereabouts were suddenly given pause in their present exertions when a great clamor arose. The sound was unlike anything Jaiden had ever heard. It shook the ground they lay on, shivering old trees to their very roots.

"What the petch was that?!" said Jaiden in alarm. He rose unsteadily to his feet and dashed toward the water's edge. He clambered up mossy rock outcrop, and clung to his perch, craning his neck to see whatever he could.

Jaiden heard first the deafening roar of the very sea itself, erupting. Before eyes could claim witness to such an event, he would have judged the sound to have been caused by some underwater volcano. Brown eyes widened in disbelief at what he saw. He felt the press of feminine body and her arm hook his waist. They both were silent for a time as they tried to comprehend the gravity of such tidings.

"Laviku's blessing be upon us," muttered the sailor in awed fascination. Jaiden had never been a religious fellow. He cursed the gods for misfortunes often enough. But if forced to pick between divine entities, he would not hesitate in saying, "Laviku". The sheer magnificence of the being he saw now only strengthened his conviction.

He felt the velvet touch of her lips upon his shoulder. "You should go to him," he heard her murmur. Jaiden pondered that as he noticed a throng of followers congregating to the deity. Even from this distance, he could see how they prostrated and worshiped the mighty Laviku with visible admiration and joy. A special memory bubbled up into consciousness then.....

Two days hence, he would leave Zeltiva for the very first time in his life. His maiden voyage, if you wanted to call it that. He tingled with a nervous excitement. He sat beside his father at the edge of Cerulean Pier, legs dangling over the side while they passed a silvery flask back and forth. The contents were strong, a spiced rum that his father kept for special occasions. The drink was doing a rather effective job at easing his nerves for the upcoming departure.

Peering sidelong at his father, he imagined he spied tears in his eyes. Or was it a trick of the moonlight? "Promise me one thing, son," his father said with a long pause after a longer swig. "First off, you keep your wits about ya and obey the captain's wishes."
"Of course father, I kno—"

"I know damned it! Just be silent and mind my words for a second, this is important. Second off, Laviku be our holy patron. If not for him, Zeltiva would be nothin'. All who ply his waters owes their fealty," his father intoned gravely. He held the flask up to the moonlight to show Jaiden the engraved artwork depicting the sea god. A turbulent sea storm appeared to wreak havoc on a bobbing ship. The waves were etched to form parts of Laviku's beard and the god's terrible visage looked to be part of the sky itself. "For your sake and your mother's , say a prayer to him before each trip. Give his proper due and cast a coin into his depths. You got it boy? Every trip," his father said.

Jaiden nodded his assent. They linked hands and his father said a prayer to Laviku. Afterward they both tossed copper mizas into the water. His father gifted him with the flask as a farewell present and they shared a tight embrace....

Jaiden blinked away the remembrance and carefully turned to embrace the woman. "Aye. You're right. This doesn't happen everyday. As it so happens, Laviku and I are old pals. Given him a proper fortune, I have," said the sailor with a wry smile. The woman laughed and they shared a kiss before the gathering of garments began.

[Perplexity]

.
Laviku it seemed made time for all who approached him with respect and reverence. The God of the Seas was not unkind. While he performed no miracles, the mere fact that he had manifested on the shores of Zeltiva was miracle enough for the weary people of the city. The Kalvikasi that lingered in the waters of Matthew’s Bay remained watchful but in the crowd of faithful, it would have been utterly foolish to attempt to disrupt the event. The High Priestess and the Acolytes of the Temple of Laviku were among the people as well offering guidance and comfort to those who needed it.

The relief among the people was palpable. Many broke out into prayerful song. Gifts were laid at Laviku’s feet. Some were grand, other were much simpler things from the heart. Every gift was taken with a blessing from the god for none would dare offer something that would cause offense. As it stood, Laviku was speaking to a group of children from those barely able to walk to the young men and women just entering adulthood.

Anouk

“You are Konti, are you not?”

A middle aged man wearing the ocean blue garments of an Acolyte of the Temple came to stand beside the Konti. He stared out over the people beside her leaning over to speak in a friendly manner.

“Some of these people are seeing the Lord of the Seas for the first time. The children will grow with this being one of the strongest and most beautiful memories of their life. Do you see the old?” The Acolyte gestured to several elderly men and women making their way toward the God of the Seas with patience. Some of them were being aided by their sons or daughters. Some walked by themselves soon to be helped by a stranger from the crowd or a servant of the Temple.

“I do not doubt that some of them will leave with Him this day, returning to the Father and Giver they love so much.” The Acolyte folded his hands before him. He was a thin man bearing the build and countenance of a scholar more so than a warrior of any sort. His hair was auburn with many streaks of grey. Green eyes gazed out over the people and the god with a great deal of fondness. His aside finished he glanced at the Konti.

“Have you been in Zeltiva long?”

Jaiden

People moved aside for the tall, broad shouldered sailor who waded his way through the crowd. If only for the sheer fact that most were not accustomed to seeing a man of his stature. However, in light of the grandeur that could simply be felt in the God of the Sea’s presence, that only lasted so long. The faithful would not be denied the chance to see Laviku, even if it meant waiting all day, even if it meant waiting a lifetime. In time there came a hush over the area where Jaiden stood as the High Priestess made her way to those who had gathered. She moved slowly, approaching any and all who seemed in need of her attention.

The woman herself looked not a day beyond her mid to late thirties though citizens of Zeltiva couldn’t truly recall a time when Selene of the Delving hadn’t been the High Priestess. It seemed she’d been a permanent fixture in the city for longer than even the elders could remember. With time eventually she came to stand before the giant of a man. Her eyes held ancient wisdom. Her bearing was that of a mother regarding her children. She searched the planes of Jaiden’s face for a moment before reaching forward to take one of his hands.

Wordlessly she began guiding him toward the edge of the crowd away from the God of the Seas but to overlook the shore. When they arrived to her destination they were still not far away, the glory of the event was still plain as day. Still holding the young man’s hand she gestured to the crowd posing a question seemingly drawn from nowhere.

“Tell me what you see.”

What was there to see? More important, what was it that Jaiden saw?

[Anouk]

"I am indeed Konti." Anouk's reply to the blue-robed man was accompanied with a warm smile that creased her eyes. Her eyes followed his gestures, landing on the wrinkled faces of men and women. Most were silently crying, though one woman in particular was wailing loudly, hands extended towards the God of the Sea.

"The faith and devotion here is outstanding." She agreed wholeheartedly. It was a touching sight, all these people united in their worship, "we are lucky that He has come to visit." The Konti clasped her hands together briefly in a quick thanks and prayer.

She replied to the male's earlier question "And no. I came to Zeltiva at the start of the year." Her gaze flittered from the beach to back the way she had come, towards the university, "I study painting and drawing at the university. I wish I had my paints here." These words were dripping with regret, and the Konti tsked at herself. And then her expression lifted, an her eyebrows bent upwards in clear relief, "although...."

After rustling around in her bag, the Konti withdrew a scrappy-looking sheet of parchment and a fractured piece of charcoal. Throwing her companion a sheepsih look, Anouk explained herself: "Something like this ought to be captured."

And with that, she began frantically sketching a rough outline of the beach from her perspective; a chaotic line of faces, hands outstretched, the sea line foaming manically and finally, the blurred sketch of Laviku himself. Whether Anouk would be able to do this fantastical event any justice was unknown to her, but it was certainly worthy of an attempt.

[Ricky Maze]

We're he not there to first witness the appearance of Laviku afar, then sure enough the fatherly fisherman wouldn't have believed a word he heard once that word had spread throughout the city. Yet working as a fisherman at the docks held its vantage point and with the visual sight of Laviku's humble appearance from the sea, he like many other fisherman instantly dropped what they were doing to investigate the propaganda that rather suddenly burst onto the shore. There he saw it with his own eyes, the father of the Sea which stood an ever proud patron, one that Zeltiva cherished to no end thanks to the strong influence he held over it. To be here now felt like he'd stumbled into a completely different world the moment he arrived, an auspicious feeling grew greater the longer one decided to linger here and bear witness this day.

Laviku walked on Zeltiva's shores! He has come to grace his people with his blessing! Surely the God smiled down upon them today, for what other reason would he come here other than reassure his devoted city? Times had been hard after all and even Ricky's own faith towards the Father of the Ocean seemed to falter, now of course he could consider that faith reassured since Laviku stood here before him. The God did care for this city, he did care for Zeltiva's people even when it seemed far gone. The awe didn't seem to cease for Ricky but the moment started to feel more alive, if not surreal to be a part of now that he had finally been given the chance to witness Laviku's appearance for... the first time actually! Holy shyke! He's finally seen Laviku for the first time, which truly did make this day seem all the more auspicious! The first thing Ricky felt the desire to do after his sudden dose of stupidity slapped him on the face was kneel, kneel with a bow of his head before Laviku as well as the lady Selene. Though she appeared to be occupied by the others around her, that still didn't stop him from sending his best wishes of respect.

At last when he would finally rise he would take the time to humbly approach the father figure, wait for his turn in the chance to meet the figure in person now that the opportunity seemed present. Naturally Ricky wanted to be thankful and give his humblest of thanks to Laviku, as a fisherman it felt like both the right thing to do and the proper way to show appreciation to the God. For Zeltiva benefited from the sea and without it they would surely perish, the seafood source was no doubt His gift to them as a means of living. Without Laviku then where would Zeltiva be, if not on the verge of death from starvation. Indeed the city had been rattled plenty of times with its recent shortcomings, but the incidents proved the people were strong, and that the city could endure even the hardest of trials. Just be respectful, and mind yer self! He mentally noted as he facilitated steady breathing, the excitement of the moment finally brought a rush to his head. He'd never been so nervous yet excited to meet somebody, especially it that person turned out to be a living God! Sure he'd met a Goddess due to unexpected circumstance, but this had become an opportunity solely made out of its own chance. And only a fool would let this kind of chance slip between his fingers.

[Jaiden]

He could feel the buzz of electricity in such close proximity to an immortal being. Consequently he was robbed of the usual cocky grin that flirted over his features. It all seemed so useless to him now. Carefully crafted facades would topple like a straw house in the wake of a tempest. Having seen the spectacle from afar, at the Maiden's cove, the awe struck people seemed foolish to him. He would not prostrate before any god, even one he considered his patron. Though others probably thought him nothing more than a competent sailor, he saw a future much brighter than that. Jaiden Dafoe would stand tall and impress Laviku.

So much for that idea. His legs felt like jelly and his mind, a minnow in a vast ocean. A modesty enfolded him like the sails of some celestial vessel. Time seemed to stand still in Laviku's presence. His mind could not comprehend if he had been there a minute or a millennium. A woman he did not know was then before him. There was a beauty and agelessness about her. Normally he would probably tell a crass joke to confirm or deny her interest in him. But as before, such pleasures seemed trivial now. He felt like a child and willingly slipped his hand in hers, allowing her to steer him wherever she wished. It was as if he was a boy again, and his mother was tucking him into bed. There was no danger here. He was safe.

Her voice bubbled up to him as if from the depths of the sea.

“Tell me what you see."

He slowly shifted his gaze from her calming eyes to where she gestured. The faithful were all around them, if a short distance away. He could see their faces awash with love and devotion. Their praises intermingled as if part of some woven tapestry to the sea god. He could have sworn he heard singing as well. Jaiden shook his head, words not forming on his lips. Part of him wanted to tell her they were a flock of fools, blind to ambition. Another part of him laughed at his own shallow perspective of life. Were those tears running down his cheeks? Could not be.

"I see family," he said finally in a husky voice. He felt foolish for having said it, even if it felt 'right'.