[Menagerie Aquarium] Wonderous Lights [-open-]

[Ishara Dossari]

The 60th of Spring , Year 512 AV She really should be tired. But she wasn't. Ishara had been sitting in the same spot for the span of several hours. If there was any room beyond the wonder in her eyes, she might have thought to check beneath the seat of her breeches for roots. But all she could think about was the lights... At first, the idea of being beneath so much water put the quake of fear in her heart. She was desert-bred. The mere sight of so much water still astounded her. To think that there was a way to actually walk beneath it? What if a tunnel collapsed? What if a giant sea creature decided to claw his way through? Despite the myriad of fears stalking Ishara's good sense and handing out second thoughts, she'd been reassured by Seafoam. She'd then been coaxed gently down the steps and into the tunnels as she was fed tidbits of information about the various directions she could go, animals she could see, etcetera... Then she'd seen the lights. Anyone could visit an aquarium during the light of day. The knowledge that this place was also open at night had intrigued Ishara...for what could one even begin to see in water as dark as pitch and deep beneath the surface? She had her answer. Lights Bioluminescence. According to Seafoam, who had left her roughly an hour ago, it was a chemical reaction these creatures used to produce light. And such light it was! Ribbons of color danced through the dark waters, pulsating as whatever fins and tail propelled it through a weightless wonderland. Greens, reds, violets, blues, and a yellow-white that nearly stung the eyes... "This is...wonderous," Ishara murmured, wrapping her arms about her knees as her head tilted back to watch the lazy perusal of and eel-like creature, undulating slowly overhead. The hair spilling back off her shoulders brushed the floor in a dark wave. She'd unbound it after she sat down, as though she knew she was going to be here for a while and was decided upon being as comfortable as possible. What else would a stranger to a new planet do, but sit and watch that around them... And there truly was so much to watch. From tiny fronds no longer than her pinkie, to shapes of extraordinary size sporting an overwhelming display! Some of them made Ishara shrink back in uncertainty...and others called her to lean forward for a closer inspection, her nose nearly pressed into the glass barrier.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

There were still so many things to see in the city proper; he had been about the city during the daylight plenty of times. The last time he was in the city he had seen something spectacular but was unable to investigate further. He decided now that he would try his luck and see if he could find what he saw earlier. Glowing or at least that was what he thought he had seen. Sometimes he couldn’t be sure what he saw, however he believed that this warranted investigation. There weren’t many places one could travel freely during the night; not many places were open to the general public when the sun set.

However a small opening near the Blue Gem caught his attention. Did he see holding tanks beyond? A little bewildered footsteps carried him onward down underground…why would an aquarium have an underground area? Curious he continued down the stairs. It was dark in the tunnel but what else could he really expect? Then…suddenly he saw movement. But it was odd because he swore the dark figure he saw was on the OTHER side of the tunnel wall.

What is this? And his answer came sure enough when his footsteps leveled out from coming down the stairs…the tunnels were made of glass!

What he knew of glass was that if constructed right it was durable. However if done wrong a small tiny miscalculation could lead to nearly massive failure. Little impurities could crack, fracture, and cause irreparable damage. But, he also understood anyone that would undertake such a project would surely take all the safety measures. Riverfall wouldn’t put it’s people in danger willingly. He moved over to the glass and touched it gently with an open palm…it felt secure…sturdy.

Then it was now that he swore he saw the lights again. Somewhere off in the distance down a tunnel. The light was faint but he did indeed see it. Slowly, cautiously he walked down the glass tube toward the source of the faint light. This place was indeed well worth the visit to him, especially in the night. Now he understood why this place was open during the night as well as day. Seemed there was always something interesting going on when the sun set; you only had to be around to see it yourself. And he was more than happy that he was here, right now.

He walked slowly, making little sound down those glass tubes. He didn’t want to disturb any of the sea creatures that lived here; he already felt like he was trespassing somewhere very dangerous in this little air tube in the middle of where these animals lived; separated only by glass. A fact that made him nervous to say the least; but even with this fact ringing true he still found this place astounding. It was a marvel to say the least; even if he was a little uneasy about the entire facility. Slow measured footsteps took him through the tunnel toward the source of the light, and when it finally came into view…it was astounding.

Colors he never though could exist in nature were illuminated like a wondrous show for all those that would brave the underwater labyrinth. Yellow, blue…green…all kinds of wonderful illuminations he had never before seen with his own eyes danced through the water. And there…sat a dark figure on the ground looking up through the glass tunnel. It seemed they were as astounded as he was with the entire spectacle. Who was this figure? He saw long dark colored hair, that meant she was not Konti. Neon colors were the only real source of light here right now in the almost pitch darkness that swam through the tunnels. It did make him feel as if he was in a different world altogether.

Brilliant flashes of color slowly brought forth her features. A white yellow flash danced down her hair, confirming it was a darker color and indeed quite long. Another blue brought out her skin color, deep bronze kissed by the sun. No way in the world it is her. Could it be? A final green illumination called out her wonderful glacial eyes staring up curiously at the animals that floated above in the wonderful display…he was sure now.

“Wonderful creatures aren’t they Ishara?” He could hardly believe he had run into her again. It seems they were doing more and more of this these days. It was interesting and only reinforced that something was drawing them together; tangling their futures together and weaving a web that would only later reveal itself.

He stepped forward a few more steps and sat down beside her to join her little watching experience. She had the right idea; it seemed right here was the best place to be right now. Right here under the wonderful displays that he was sure most of the outside world was ignorant too. Maybe not the Konti…and other underwater races but he knew for sure this was likely the only place he would only see a display like this in his entire life. Unless he grew gills…what an absurd idea that was though.

[Ishara Dossari]

As Serriff's footfalls registered, she thought it might be Seafoam heading back to check on her. But as his familiar voice rang out softly through the dark tunnel, Ishara turned to face him, tearing her eyes away from the colorful display. Of all the people in Riverfall, it did not surprise her in the least that Serriff was the one walking down this corridor and settling down alongside her. Somehow he always seemed to know where she was...even if he didn't quite realize it himself. It was a good thing she enjoyed his company... "I've never seen anything that compare," she whispered reverently, unwilling to let her voice carry any louder for fear that the glowing, spiraling creatures would be whisked away. Her eyes rose up to study a fleet of frond-winged creatures no larger than her palm who were traversing slowly overhead. Their movements were punctuated by flickers of red-orange and gold, making it appear as though they were on fire. "I wanted to see what made this place so special that it would be open at this hour," that familiar half-smile crept across her features, and she gestured to the wall of glass separating them from the amazing world outside. "I did not expect to feel so...small," she murmured quietly, her eyes softened by the ambient light as she tossed him a sidelong glance. It was a funny statement, coming from the petite woman who barely topped five feet. All her life, she'd fought to be seen as taller, stronger and tougher than she appeared. For once, she felt overwhelmingly smaller than everything else around her...and was completely OK with it. "What brought you here?"

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

“Small…” He echoed her thought making it part of his own thoughts as well.

There were a few moments where there was nothing but silence as that single word reverberated within his mind. On Mura everyone was so connected, all daughters of Avalis and Laviku. A tight knit community of seers and healers dedicated to making a difference. They even had a ‘calling’ where they would be destined for great things away from the isle. He on the other hand was a child of mere mortals, and had no such hopes for a call being issued so clearly to him. Blessed and touched by no god by birth he had to suffer through an inner trial before being touched by Rak’keli. And yet even then he felt so far away from the isle of the Konti.

“Yes…small”

And now here he was in Riverfall, another city that was populated by a race that seemed to be god born as well. This made sense to him an all female race born of a godly union and an all male race born of a godly union. It did seem to follow the pattern he had seen in Mura. But the two cities were far from each other. Yet he didn’t really feel like he belonged here either. RIverfall was exotic, the things he saw here could likely never be replicated anywhere else. But yet…he didn’t feel like he belonged in Riverfall. If anywhere he belonged with The Sanctuary…maybe. That was still something he felt very unsure about in his mind.

“Unimportant…” The word barely a whisper and easily mistakable for anything, however it was quiet here in this glass air tube. Especially with no one else around them.

He didn’t even realize the word had slipped his lips, that thought belonged inside his mind. A slight almost embarrassed smile crossed his face as he looked up at the swirling mass of colors. Yes, he felt small and relatively unimportant. But in a way…he had felt that way for a very long time. Even after being humbled by the gift of Rak’keli’s mark he still felt so small; like he was only a piece of something much larger. He shrugged these thoughts off as he nodded some to himself. He was Serrif Von Chatlyn. No longer Seven, he was who he chose to be.

“But beautiful nonetheless.” As if those words were a recovery for his previous blunder.

[Ishara Dossari]

"Unimportant..." Ishara blinked and looked 'round, tearing her eyes from the underwater landscape to rake Serriff with a questioning glance. It was his tone that troubled her more than the word itself, as though the word had been carried on a constricted breath of air, partially smothered. There was an almost melancholy feel to it lingering in the silence that followed...One that was quickly washed away by the flash of a reassurring smile and Serriff's next statement: "But beautiful nonetheless..." She nodded softly, sharing in his smile and tipping her head back once again to marvel at the pendulous arms of another sea creature as it crept overhead, it's icy blues and greens igniting the darkness in rapid pulses. This was an unusual moment they shared, in the midst of this dark, underwater world, where the existence of so many wonderful animals kind of put one in their place. A little perception was a good thing, though...especially when it opened you up to new horizons. 'Small' was almost putting it too lightly. Serriff even seemed to be on the right track with 'unimportant.' This kind of perspective put so many new discoveries into focus, that it was difficult to not be overwhelmed. Absently, Ishara wondered if she would feel the same when confronted with the giant Eagles of Wind Reach... There is just so much of this world to see... "I still feel we are important," Ishara murmured as she pulled her knees in closer and tucked her chin upon them. Her glacial eyes were still trained on the wall of glass, through which another stream of gold and red glimmered...an eel? "Otherwise, why would this this exist?...except to make you feel human. We are just as real, and perhaps just as wonderous to the animals out there..." she tipped her head towards the glass, and stole a sidelong glance at Serriff.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

There were some things he really couldn’t hide…no he had moments of weakness where his thoughts escaped him and behind them were a rage of emotions that he swore he could control…but sometimes controlled him. He did feel unimportant in the scale of everything around him; something he was becoming more and more used to as the time carried on. Nevertheless he would continue to carry on like he did, because that was all he could really do. He was who he was, he would do what he did and by Rak’keli’s grace he would see another day. One at a time living each out as if he may drop dead the next. Life was a gift; he knew this fully.

One word stuck with him and he said it almost silently as he looked overhead. “human” A word that was almost a curse to him.

His own humanity was the reason he felt so small…so insignificant. The way he was belittled by the bigger oh so masculine Akalak and laughably smiled at by the Konti…He was human. In a way hardly worthy of their time because he was but a drop in the bucket to them. Nothing…So insignificant. How could he honestly expect to enact any kind of long lasting change anywhere with a life as short as his. It was tragic, if he had a life as long as an Akalak or Konti he would do something wondrous with it. He would try and erase disease, fully commit himself to Rak’keli. He would learn her medicine and maybe even in time forgive those that tortured him. But instead he was almost cursed with a lifespan a third of theirs. So he had to live in a way that was almost seen as irresponsible to them.

He had to live fully every moment of his life, because every breath was one he would never get back. Another startling truth about his life so far. He had been free but since then what had he really done with it? He had learned medicine, philtering, herbalism so that he could help others that none else could. He had been touched by Rak’keli herself and marked as one of her own. A reasoning he still didn’t fully understand…did she really know who she had marked? Did she really KNOW what he was? Gods did have limitations, and he wasn’t completely sure of Rak’keli’s.

“You are as wondrous as the animals out there…me…I am more like…” He searched the tank and pointed to a rather normal looking large rock. “that rock.” He said with a laugh, but there was a certain tone of seriousness behind it. Did he honestly feel that way?

“You see, I’m interesting yes. But compared to everything else around me, I’m just a rock.”

[Ishara Dossari]

Ishara turned her head and dragged her gaze from the wonderous creatures flexing through their world overhead and narrowed her eyes at the man next to her. A rock? She frowned softly, studying him...recollecting their brief history here in Riverfall. His past. His offers and efforts to help. His studies. His plans... "A rock," she murmured, canting her head to one side as her eyes caught the quavering light. "Yes, I think I see it," Ishara smiled then, reaching out to place a fingertip beneath Serriff's chin to turn his face. "You are a rock, Serriff. Just like that one," and she nodded towards the craggy face beyond the glass, "you do not dance and flail about with bright colors." Ishara dropped her hand and gestured...a fish with large jaws and beads of light running the length of it's body slowly churned by, and by the light it cast one could see pinpricks of effervescent, blue light coating the rock. They were coral fronds, unbelievably small. Around them darted little silver and green fish. Tucked within some of the crags were clusters of tiny, golden clams, their red mouths peeping as they filtered food from the surrounding water. "You are that rock that supports life, holds it up, helps it to thrive," she spoke softly, but vehemently, as if through speaking thus she could help him see himself the way she saw him. "And, when you can no more, you are washed away into fine sand and spread throughtout the sea," Ishara's expression softened into something that hinted as a smile as she watched the toothy fish undulate away into the darkness. "It is all we ever are, Serriff...just another grain of sand among many. But what is it that supports the rocks? What is it that builds the great dunes? The shores of all the worlds? More sand. Alone, we may feel as nothing. We may be so small. But you must look at the big picture, Serriff. You help a lot of people, myself included. You make a marvelous rock, one who many lives depend upon...most of which are not even born yet." Ishara fell silent, then, worried that perhaps she had spoken too strongly, or said too much that might have offended him. It was the kind of speech her parents would have found unsuitable and too forward. She pressed her lips into a thin line and dropped her eyes to the sandy floor where fluid patterns were cast by the dance of color overhead.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

She flattered him, perhaps telling the truth in ways he didn’t quite understand. He honestly didn’t understand what she saw versus what he knew. This man that he had chosen to be had a very troubled past. He didn’t really see himself as that valuable, he saw himself as more of a tool to be used to aid and help. Even though all that went against what he practiced and believed. Every life was sacred. What was important to him was his freedom, something he had only really started living a few seasons after stepping foot in Mura.

“I thank you for your kind words Ishara. But I’m afraid you speak to highly of me; I don’t think I am as magnificent as you see me.” And wasn’t that the truth, her words were heavy and the meaning hit home. But at the same time he just didn’t see what she did. For some reason he just couldn’t, it was odd.

“I do understand what you are saying though.” He was humble, and understood rightfully that he was just a mere man. A mere mortal man that would likely make minimal impact on the world as a whole; especially compared to the Konti and the Akalaks. They lived hundreds of years and he would be lucky if he lived another thirty…especially knowing his physical condition.

“I just can’t see in myself what you see, perhaps one day Ishara I will.” He said thoughtfully as he looked to her and put a gentle hand on the side of her face so he could stare into those bright blue eyes of hers. They were mesmerizing really…reminded him of the bright waters in Mura. “Thank you though. I’ll give it thought.”

He didn’t know what else to say to her besides to thank her. He didn’t see why he was so magnificent. She gave him exactly the credit he was due, but in his mind she was almost praising him; maybe holding him higher than he thought he was. But accepting her kind well spoken words of wisdom did make him feel better about his relative self. Yes, he would have impact but how much would be dependent on how viciously he lived his life. Now that it was his he planned to live it all. Do or die really.

[Ishara Dossari]

Ishara shrugged, fighting back the urge to sigh in resignation. He was too hard on himself, and there was only so much a body could do to combat that. Still, she hoped one day he would awaken to the realization that he was better than the 'rock' he saw himself as. He was a healer, and though he had a wealth of knowledge and a load of skills, there was something about confidence that empowered such knowledge. Perhaps he would gain more with experience in the field...

The touch of his fingers on her cheek made her blink, and a wary smile slipped out before she dropped her eyes. Why such a maneuver should cause her any discomfort was beyond her. Had not her brothers made similar gestures? Vaguely, she acknowledged her ears were a shade hotter than the rest of her face...but her thoughts didn't linger on the matter. Instead, she stubbornly shrugged the sensation aside, thrusting a hand through the crown of her dark curls and pulling them back from her face.

A change of subject was in order.

"I'm going to need a job, Serrif. I can't keep helping people clean up forever. They need me less and less each day...and if I'm to be ready for the end of summer..." she trailed off meaningfully, her tone carrying a more formal edge to it as she watched the darkness swallow a small pack of luminous jellyfish. Her lazuli eyes darted a sidelong glance to the man sitting beside her. Perhaps he had a suggestion...or even a credible solution.

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

“I agree, you will need a job here sometime very soon. Let me see what I can do for you.” It was a promise he intended on keeping; he could do something for her.

His gaze drifted to hers and met those deep water pools she called eyes. But they were absolutely beautiful; he had never seen a blue so deep and intriguing. If it wouldn’t be creepy or uncomfortable he could stare into them for hours at end. But he would have to settle for brief moments; he knew at times he did indeed cause her to be somewhat uncomfortable. That fact still puzzled him a little. She was a beautiful woman, exotically beautiful. But why was she so…shy at times?

“I may know some avenues that you can pursue.” He didn’t want to say much more than that right now. He needed to talk to some people and gather information. Plus he rather liked just being here with her right now.

“I’m glad I found you here…wouldn’t be the same experience if I came alone.”He was fighting the urge to kiss this woman, pull her close and really show her his affection. But even the slightest little brush caused her to be uncomfortable. So he had to exercise some sort of self control wither. Especially since he was not sure of her customs; he would hate to offend her.