#odyssey

Meanwhile...

Aoife has led Gwen out into the surf, and then into deeper water. "I haven't the magic to change your form, but I will guide you." A shy smile, and she offers a hand to the larger troll. "Take a breath, and dive with me?"

"I will" She takes the hand, armor off

The smaller, yet strong hand holds hers, and dives down into the warm waters!

Of course she's not wearing armor for this

and by now may havea swimsuit if loaned to her. She wore one for the test before discovering she'd be an orca

For a few steps, Gwen can still touch bottom. Soon, however, she finds that the sand falls away and she is floating. Not as naturally buoyant as a selkie or even a human, she starts to slowly sink if she stops treading water. However, Aoife is a strong swimmer and pulls Gwen in a direction, forward and downwards. If Gwen wanted to, she could break the grasp easily, and return to the surface with some effort. Or, she can kick along and ease the way.

She kicks strong and trusts Aofie but not wanting to be JUST a wait, so she swims strong

The water gets darker, and Gwen feels the pressure building, just a little. Aoife kicks along strongly, and doesn't seem to feel any need to stop for air.

Gwen knows she will need fresh air, but she is strong and filled her lungs well. A minute passes, two, and there is just the start of a twinge, a feeling that she must exhale and inhale. Aoife looks back at her - blurred in the low light down here, but seems to be asking a question with gestures - she touches a hand to her chest, and then to her mouth.

Gwen speaks sign, actual sign, and even if someone else doesn't know it, it does allow pantome to indicate she'll need air soon

But she's good, move quick please

Aoife looks ahead, judging, then pulls Gwen close. She touches her own mouth, then Gwen's - a pause, seeming to be waiting for assent.

A confused look. Utterly confused

Yup. Baffled

She smiles, leans in, touching her lips softly against Gwen's. The Troll may be surprised, but then - fresh air bubbles at her mouth, she just needs to inhale.

She inhales, quickly, and perhaps lets a few bubbles loose from surprise.

But she has a new supply

the kiss is quick. That confusion has grown

A nod, and the Aoife sets forward once more! They go deeper, and the water is dark.

...

Gwen may feel lost, blind in the water, but she can still feel the strong grip of Aoife's hand. Then... they start upward once more! Aoife kicks more strongly.

She needs air again soon, but the water is brightening above - light filtering through! She thinks they are returning to the surface!

Well it's either the surface, a glowing jelly fish, or a sub barreling down in them with lights on. Either way she heads towards it, kicking up

Her head breaks the surface, and she finds that the air is still and heavy, thick with humidity, but fresh!

A DEEEP Breath

An inhale "Okay, didn't know we were going THAT Far that deep" A look around

They seem to be in a cave, or a cavern - light filters in from the craggy domed 'ceiling' above, and glistening stalactites stretch down, dripping with water. A feeling of peace, and privacy - a hidden place away from the world.

There is a pebbled outcropping where they can rest, wide enough to climb out and explore - though the ceiling slopes in and Gwen may need to duck if she goes more than a dozen feet away.

She moves to the outcropping and takes a seat, looking abouot, "Oh my god, Aofie, this is... this is amazing"

A smile. "It is the secret behind the great inland sea. There are passages that lead out to open water. The sea breathes, fish travel, and it stays fresh and pure. We warriors, and those who travel to the other islands, know of these spots, where air can be breathed, and one can rest. Those who do not know - the tunnels and passages are a labyrinth, and easy to get lost within."

There is a feeling of glamour about this place - not the roar of a balefire, or even the steady pulse of the selkie grotto, but just enough to warm the air, make the walls glisten, and add a magical feel.

"It's like Mother nature is holding us in her cupped palm"

Aoife nods, climbing out herself and squeezing a bit of water from her tight braids. "Do not try to come through here alone - you will get lost." She warns, "But I wanted to share it with you. You have a connection, I feel, to the earth and sky."

"That is kind of you to say," She says "I'm flattered. Before now, I have never had much of a connection with the sea. Thanks to you sharing yours. I have a glimmer of what it must be like to know her as well" Gwen watches the light play over the water in this great cavern, "This is a haven"

She sighs, and says "I wish Chuck could see it"

Aoife tilts her head, curious. Then, a small, smile. "Ah. A friend? ...More than a friend?"

"Boyfriend" She says, finally suspecting that Aofie may be interested in her some way that would be unfairly one sided, "He's at college now. I miss him"

"You are lucky to have one you care about so." She says, a touch sad, but accepting.

"I am" she nods , not voicing her doubts. In a way she's a bit hurt on some level though was she just trying to make out with me? I thought it was real friendship but she hides it as best she can. Maybe it's not meant that way

Then, she smiles. "I am glad to have met you. Perhaps someday, you might bring your Chuck to the islands, and show him the wonders you have discovered. I would be glad to meet you there - perhaps Antigua, or Jamaica?"

She eases her silly fears, "Thank you, do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?"

"Someday, I will find one with which to pass on my bloodline. Until then, I am happy with companionship. Though, should any wish to court me, they must first prove themselves my equal." A flash of a grin. "When you asked me to spar with you..." A soft laugh, not mocking or hurtful. "I misunderstood your intention."

"Oh" Realzation Holy shit, maybe I'M the asshole! "For a bit I thought you were just trying to ... I'm sorry, looks like I sent out signals I didn't know about. It wasn't intentional." Relief "ANd I'm glad to see you just didn't want to get into my pants. Sorry, this troll is hetero to the bone. I do hope you find a nice girl though. You're pretty awesome and deserve some joy"

A few bubbles pop on the surface of the previously still water..

"Hey now, what's that?" SHe turns

"There are no patrols scheduled today, not on this passage." Aoife sounds certain.

She leans over the water, gazing down, and then draws back quickly. "Gwen, to the back of the cavern - hurry. Make yourself small."

A LOOK at the 'make yourself small' comment but she moves to the back of the Cavern where the shadows might protect her. If she can find something that blends with her rocky skin the better

There are some shadows, and once she crouches down, Aoife hunkers behind her - is she hiding? Not quite, as she whispers, "Stay still. Perhaps it is just a patrol, or someone looking for privacy as I sought."

A hand traces a pattern on Gwen's bare skin - her arm, that is, and with a shiver of glamour, her rocky skin alters hue a bit, and the bathing suit fades to match - a bit of Fuddle that makes the rock-skinned troll look like a rock, invisible to all but the closest inspection - if she doesn't move, speak, or sneeze, that is.

Well, she doesn't move, speak, or sneeze

The bubbles grow, and with a splash, a large seal hauls out onto the ledge. If Gwen didn't recognize the beast by the scars - one of which is on the tail, and fresh - she definitely recognizes the man who wriggles out of the skin and sits with it draped over his nude figure. Omario.

Eyes narrow, but she does not betray her location

A brow lift and listening

The sinuous Mer slides up onto the ledge and stretches - her fins part into legs with a wriggle, and she reclines, watching Omario with an appraising gaze.

He looks her over, his own gaze appreciative, then speaks. "The challenge will be tomorrow, as I thought. The drylander has been sequestered in a mud hut, scratching something out of water and dirt."