Perhaps That Can Be Additional Incentive For You To Make Sure Youll Be Able To Return.

“Perhaps that can be additional incentive for you to make sure you’ll be able to return.”

She smiled. If sharing this humble dish that she thought of in little time was enough to make him want to come back for more meals with her, then perhaps food made with more thought would really do the trick. The idea of it was also quite nice, and truthfully, being told that her simple meal was better seasoned than the chefs’ down in Lemuria really stroked her ego.

If Rafayel was trying to convince her to cook more, then he’s managed to succeed whether he’s aware of it or not.

The herbs were set aside once they were returned, and it made her wonder if there was a way for him to take some of the fruit she noticed he liked back to Lemuria. Perhaps she could enchant the fruit? But then that would run the risk of his handlers detecting her energy, and if they find the fruit to begin with, it would only serve as proof that he has been to the surface.

How… saddening, that she wouldn’t even be able to give him any parting gifts that could withstand the water and salt of the Ocean.

She narrowed her eyes at him for the teasing, but otherwise focused on eating the rest of her fish. The fruit was calling to her, and despite how flustered she was earlier, the thought to feed Rafayel another spoonful crossed her mind. It seemed to make him happy, so why not try again? Perhaps if she did it enough times, she’d get used to it? Maybe. The temptation to test her hypothesis was definitely stronger than she’d ever want to admit.

As she listened to him, she finally finished off her fish and resumed eating her fruit while she paid attention, chewing a few pieces of kiwi with a thoughtful look on her face as she pondered his plan.

“Considering the circumstances Caspian must’ve lived with, and the fact that he knew how your elders would handle his legacy… I doubt that he would’ve left his remnants of himself in places that your elders would be able to easily access. Which might mean that he really did hide away a few things meant for his successor… After all, he has very much shown that he’s capable of that up here.”

His following words of comfort and reassurance made her pause. There it was again—that look that made her feel as though she was being a little too clearly seen, like all he could see was her. Dolasach… very much needed to hear that vote of confidence, whether or not she was aware of it.

“If I do get to live that long, it’ll be because we’ve managed to finally escape the cycle of tragedy that befalls every Sea and Forest God,” she said. She scooped up a bit more honeyed fruit and held it out to him, a pink flush and gentle smile on her face that mirrored the tenderness in her tone. “Which I’m more than sure that I wouldn’t be able to do without your help.”

“So of course you’ll get to witness it. And I’d like to see how things will unfold for you too, God of the Tides. You deserve a long, happy life just as much as I do.”

₊❏❜ ⋮ 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."

“Oh, don’t tempt me into dragging you back in there for a rematch right now.”

She jerks her head back towards the arcade, playful grin and a determined glint in her eyes—though she was only messing with him, not wanting to back down from the bit.

Unaware of whatever specific concerns her had, she laughs and lightly punches his arm.

“You know that’s not what I meant! But sure, you can be side-gig-guy if you want. Everything you're offering just adds to the title.” She huffs out her amusement before giving him a more sincere smile.

"Okay, but seriously though... Thank you. I'm... Not too sure how much I'll need that kind of help, but it's good to know I've got a guy who's a lot of insanely complicated things all rolled into one on my side."

"... Actually." She holds her chin in thought. "The fact that you sew *really* sweetens the pot..."

(RE?)connecting; @jeremiahofphilo

Wednesday night. Cool, moderately windy, with the moon mostly blocked by the clouds.

Half an hour earlier than the agreed upon time, Dolasach arrived at the arcade—a flashy building with three floors of entertainment that ranged from the classic crane game, to a newly installed interactive holographic setup ‘that brought VR into IRL.’ Rolling up the sleeves of the beige and navy cardigan that her pouty lover insisted she wear lent her, she made her way deeper inside with a goal in mind.

Recalling that Jeremiah mentioned that he couldn’t figure out some of the machines, she made it a point to take some time to scour the place for anything that either looked like something Jeremiah would know about, or seemed like the right level of complexity for it to still be fun to figure out. Or maybe they could have fun with something they could both figure out together?

It crossed her mind that this was probably way more busywork than Jeremiah could’ve ever expected from her, but after how… Awkward? Some of their last meeting went, she just wanted to try and make sure things go relatively well. Or at least, they wouldn’t have that much dead air if it did get awkward again.

She pulled out her phone and quickly sent Jeremiah a text once she was satisfied with her findings, the time hitting close to their rendezvous.

->Mr. Philo-dendron: Let me know when you’re here, will meet you at the entrance. Take your time btw! No rush :>

Shimmering I and Ghostly Hand, Cecilia Reeve, 2023.

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