#odyssey

The mer smiles languidly. "Simple. A nereid- a child- could do what you ask. But I will do it, flawlessly. Effortlessly. I will be your champion, as agreed."

"And then, you will deliver what you have promised. If you can. How do I know that the shell you offer has pearls, and not just slime and grit?"

He nods. "You must have patience, lovely one. When I am the Redfin, things will change. I will have what is owed to me, my legacy, my birthright. And you may have the territory that has been denied your people. And more. Together, we will expand both of our power and influence. Too long we have been isolated on one paltry island, when the entire Caribbean should be our oyster."

Gwen may wonder, but does not recognize the term. Meanwhile, Omario has reaches out and is stroking the merlady's arm.

"Antigua... Guadeloupe... Nevis..." He says, as though sweet nothings dropped from his lips. They spend several long moments moment entwined. Aoife exhales, tense - but they are too distracted to notice her or Gwen. Before too long, though, the mer slides easily out of his grasp.

"We will have all that, and more. Soon." She says, in a tone laden with innuendo and promise. She slides back into the water, and with a flip of her finned tail, vanishes.

Omario watches after her with clear desire burning in his gaze, then he too returns to the water, disappearing from sight.

After a LONG time... she whispers "What's going on?"

Aoife listens, then stretches, and the disguise fades from Gwen. "Nothing good." She says, with a frown.

"Are your people at war with the Mer or something?"

"No, but it is an uneasy peace. They respect our autonomy, and the seas around our island - and they do not bother the travels of those we allow to and from our neighbors. The neighboring islands have their own treaties - or not, I am not certain, as it doesn't directly concern the Redfin. If Omario is conspiring to break this faith, though... we might soon be at war."

Her frown deepens. "None of what he promised may be done without The Redfin's permission, and I know well enough that she will not grant it, even if the prize is her granddaughter's presence here. He is planning a coup."

"And he means to use the baby to gain regency"

"We have no proof." A deep scowl.

"isn't your word good enough? of what you heard here?"

"He outranks me, and... I fear I have already publicly placed my lots with your own. Accusing the Redfin's own son is not something that can be done lightly. A schism formed in our clan is just as dangerous as any plot he may have."

"The schizm is already here. Did you see those that followed him?"

"Challenge-Right is sacred. If I call my word against Omario's, it would be seen as an attempt to disrupt his rightful challenge against Thistlethwait, and weaken her case - as though I had no faith in her success, so must use underhanded tactics."

She shakes her head.

"He has only spoken plans with a would-be lover in a place of dalliance - he may even claim it was a plot of his own to sus out potential threats or treachery. I put nothing past him."

"I must speak to my fellow warriors and guardians, and find out where loyalties lie."

A nod "I understand. I fear he will find a way to cheat. Tell me.... we've won two out of three. We have to win all three, is that right?"

She nods.

"That is correct. Come, I need to speak to my people. That is, if they are still ours, and not Omario's." She offers a hand to Gwen. "We will swim swiftly. Breath deep."

A breath or two, then a deep one and she plunges in the water with her friend. SHe can gauge better how long it will take now

This time, glamour ripples, and they swim at the speed of quicksilver!

No arguement here!

Soon they are returned to the shore, and Aoife waves. "Sorry to be abrupt. I'll see you at the challenge, if not before!" She turns, and dives straight back into the waves, heading out again without pause.

"Becareful" She waves and moves to find Thistle

Thistle is working.

Nervously she hovers out of the work place. She doesn't wnat to ruin anything

The nocker's emerald green hair is twisted up, out of the way in a bun. She's stripped down to a tank top and shorts under an apron, and there's clay in her hair, clay on her clothes, clay up to her elbows...

"Hey, Thistle. Sorry to bug you, but can I talk while you work?" She kens AND looks about for spies or eavesdropping

"Huh? Yeah...."

The nocker is deeply focused, those gnarled hands proving strong and dexterous as she guides the clay into an elegant curve.

She moves closer and waits for a moment that won't.. screw things, then says softly, "I saw Omario in a cave... discussing things with Mer."

"He's getting a champion?" She snorts. "Figures. He's only good at fighting and chicanery."

The clay appears to be... blue? Does clay come in blue?

"The mer said it was simple and she would do what he asked... 'as agreed' then but it goes on beyond that" She repeats word for word what was said by Omario and the Mer, about 'a delivery' and how Omario plans to be Redfin and that they both talk of expanding into the entire Caribbean.

"That barnacle is entirely self-centered, yeah."

"And... okay.. " She some how thought there might be more of a reaction, "Aofie thinks this is definitely a coup attempt, but we don't have proof"

"Of course, he wants to be in charge and doesn't give a (^*%^$ about anyone else. And we're outsiders."

"I need to make sure I can take my sister home."

"Yup. Thought you should know about the new news. I'll leave you be" She says

Grog gives a satisfied belch.

"Thanks, yeah. I can't fix that right now, I have to finish this..."

Dayana, bringing a fresh “load” of clay to set beside Thistle, bites her lip.

"Yeah?"

She tilts her head, leaning to the side in an echo of the sculpted wave.

“Just- here's the blue-green you asked for. You were right about the ratio.”

"Thanks, Dayana. You're alright."

"This *&^$ is amazing."

“No kidding.” Grog leans on Thistle’s leg, which would be more charming if he wasn't a solid few hundred pounds.

She hesitates, and asks, “Am I distracting you?”

"Nah?"

"You hear Shamu about Omario?"

"Bullshit he wins it all if his mermaid wins one." Snort.