Date: July 21, 1999
Place: Beach - Haven
Cast: Drusus, Eithne, Ianthe, Jalindu, Jana, Jasmine, Kalindi, Karijou, Kelis, Koralland, Kuronbo, Maat, Marik, Meira, Oriane, Polaris, Thenomain, Timin, Uneri
Emits: Atargatis, Drusus, Oriane
Scene: Kuronbo shares his vision -- one supposedly granted him by his goddess, Pasiphae -- with the people of Haven and Atlantis, though his speech is eventually upstaged by an even more monumental event. Does it lend credence to his words, or is it mere coincidence?

Beach - Haven:
      Soft sands from years of gentle ocean currents greet the feet of those who explore the expanse of beach that leads from the streets of Haven to the edges of ocean. The hushed roar of the waves can be heard, a lulling sound to the attentive ear. The sand stretches out for about a quarter of a mile and allows for plenty of space for pursuits of leisure. Depending upon the time, you may be graced by the awe-striking sunset, the peaceful glow of the moon, or the comforting rays of the midday sun. Several ocean birds fly overhead as if frolicking around and playing in the air, occasionally swooping down towards the ocean surface to retrieve a tasty morsel.
      The ocean itself seems to be calm and relaxing near the shore for several hundred feet before the sands slope harshly and drop. There, the water is safe only for experienced swimmers and boaters. There is a small path that leads towards the town that is paved with sand and lined on either side by flowers.

The beach, normally fairly empty at this time of year in this weather, is thick with the pilgrims that arrived with the Pandion fleet. Atlanteans of every imaginable shape, color, rank and custom mingle in the water and on the sand. The thick air-heavy hum of many minds all conversing at once buzzes in the heads of anyone sensitive to such things, and might even be felt by some non-telepaths, given the numbers.

A raised area, formed of a sandy hillock of seagrass, has been cleared to serve as the speech-giver's podium. Where he will stand, to address this gathering.

Angling over the sands of the beach and the cold, winter-tossed waters is a dark winged figure that looks curiously towards the people gathered below. Oriane tilts her wings so that she circles once more, and then with a curious expression on her face, the darkling girl lands on an open expanse of beach off to the side from the crowd. Once again, she seems to have eluded her escort from the Tritonis House guard.

Similar to Oriane, the Varati woman, Maat, is on the beach alone, having journeyed from Atesh-Gah without the usual attendance of male flesh that accompanies a woman of rank. She walks over the dunes and into the mass of colorful Atlanteans, then begins to roam through the crowd, looking the various people over is a polite sort of way.

The day is cold, and the crowd gathered here is putting out enough frosty puffs of breath that a silvery fog seems to hover over the beach. For the most part it is a quiet crowd, but that is to be expected from mass gatherings of Atlanteans. The colorful group are spread out over the sand, some sitting, some standing, all conversing silently via minds. The atmosphere is muted, some groups appearing more thoughtful, some derisive, and some simply patient. They are here for a purpose, a purpose which has not arrived as of yet. And so they wait, each of the pilgrims appearing to be silent warding statues against the backdrop of the winter-white ocean that continues its ceaseless movement without notice of whatever tension may grip those who live within it.

Thenomain is, likewise, alone. Thankfully, this is no surprise to anyone. Though most people don't know him, and his work helps hold up quite a few of the new buildings within Haven. He stays with the rabble, the place to be.

Out in Haven bay, the rails of the dark ships of the Orcinus are lined with all of the sailors of the Kurofune Sentai. They are facing inward towards the beach with stoic and impassive expressions. Their demeanor suggests that they are not here to hear a vision of joy, but a prophecy. The Fukakoku has rejoined the remainder of the Kurofune Sentai and the vessels are in a precise formation in the bay, arranged such that all the rails face the city of Haven. Between the dark ships and the beach is a dark cloud underneath the sea water, a cloud that appears to be a massive collection of fish... or Atlanteans. The cloud is heading at an even pace towards the beach.

More angels descend, a glittering line of white and brass leaf and scarlet and rich dark cuir boille. Drusus finds a place on one of the high rocks that, undecided, lies half in and half out of the sea. His guards settle around him and all are impassive, distant, watchful.

Eithne arrives only with her aide, Liona at her elbow to help guide the sun-blinded Lirite toward the beach. The pair pauses further back from the rest of the crowd with no intentions of joining just yet.

Thenomain rolls up his leather hat and pockets it, letting the salty sea wind whip at his face. No need for that anymore.

Male flesh. Y'know... no. Won't touch it. There's probably a throng, right? Just put this particular form towards the edge of it. 'course, it's warmer amongst the mass of people, and this one probably needs it. Skinny lad, all wrapped in that long, hooded thing of wool. Timin's generally chilly, once the fall decides to kick in with earnest. This is no different.

Like most beaches, a wind moves along the shoreline and ruffles clothing as well as hair. Oriane puts a hand to her hair and pushes dark bangs out of her eyes as she looks around at the assembled and assembling crowd. Furrowing her brow faintly, she once again straightens the palla held around her shoulders when the wind calms distinctly. Looking towards the sea, she spies the glittering white and brass that comprises the Emperor's contingent.

The dark cloud soon meets the shoreline, and the water begins to foam slightly at the disturbance... the tide advances just a little further. The first to emerge from the water is the dark Atlantean, Orcinus Kuronbo. He is wearing a loin-cloth and a wrapping of shark flesh, his coral daggers dangling from his side. His face is composed and his lips are turned into a slight smile as he takes several steps out of the water and towards the assembled pilgrims.

Behind him, the water foams again and Pallid Warriors begin to emerge from out of the surf... many Pallid Warriors. They are fitted with their armor and their weaponry, their normally dispassionate demeanor is now proud... a collective pride in this moment where they stand shoulder to shoulder in defiance against those that would stand before them. First a dozen emerge, then a hundred... many hundreds. They stand in precise groupings of three upon the beach before the pilgrims. In moments, five thousand of the Pallid Warriors stand silently upon the forward third of the beach behind their liege.

Drusus crosses his arms and then becomes utterly motionless but for the feathers that shift as they are tugged this way and that by the breezes off of the sea. His guards move slightly as five thousand pale white Atlanteans somehow manage to fit themselves on the beach; they don't like this, one bit.

Wow. The number of people alone here is staggering. Karijou is just one more, sitting in the sand. There is an empty circle around him, where none of the other Atlanteans seem to be going. I wonder why...

Uneri is somewhere in the throng of Atlanteans, one among many. With her are six guard types, a female and male trio.

Sounds from the non-Atlantean grouping off to the side:

"Whadja think's up?"

"Oh, probably another frilly speech."

"You'd think they'd get tired of it?"

"C'mon, they're politicians. What else do they know?"

"War."

"You know, Dak, I wish you hadn't said that."

Meira is standing, squeezed in between many of the other Atlanteans. She often goes up on tip-toes so she can see over some the taller Atlanteans' heads.

The dark Atlantean regards those that are assembled to hear him speak, paying no mind to those citizens that have expressed outrage at the presence of an entire legion of Warriors upon their beach. For perhaps the first time, the enormity of what the Orcinus have brought to Haven Bay is apparent. The endless rows of the Pallid Warriors stand silhouetted by the magnificent sails of the eighteen warships behind them... and yet, the dark Atlantean strides forward as if he has made no insult, no travesty against the citizens of the Ormani Decemvirate or the City of Haven. He walks forward alone, none of the Pallid Warriors moving forward to ward him. He soon stops upon a gentle incline of sand that has been prepared just for this occasion, the Pallid Warriors and Kurofune Sentai behind him... the pilgrims and citizens of Haven in front of him.

Maat finds a place in the crowd that is close to the dunes yet also near the raised area. Given her singular status, such a space is easily found and the woman claims it with all her height.

As the dark Atlantean ascends the hill, the sky darkens slightly... though there is not a cloud in the sky.

Clinging to the edge of the crowd, the halfbreed that is Kalindi manages to keep that position, even as the gathering swells. A step back here. One forward there. Ready to disappear in an instant should this turn into one of those 'Gads, why am I here' moments. Silently, curiously, she watches those around her for several long minutes before her gaze flicks toward the hilltop.

Realizing that she is going to be unable to see over the sea of people assembled to hear the dark Atlantean's speech, Oriane furrows her brow and tests her own dark feathered wings. Joining the Emperor would be presumptuous, but such a spot would be perfect. Seeing a smaller outcropping of rock near the Royal Schola, the Tritonides girl spreads her wings and takes a few quick steps to ascend into the air once more. A convenient updraft helps and soon she's landed on the shorter rock.

Kelis is taller than most there, but only by an inch. He watches this 'dark Atlantean ' closely. What is going on here, he thinks, squeezing into the crowd...

The pilgrims stir, their preternatural stillness broken by the arrival of the dark one and his guards. Still, no sound breaks their silence, beyond those made by a quiet shifting of position. Feet whisper against sand, beads click gently together, someone coughs softly. The sounds of a large hushed crowd, waiting with anticipation for the event to begin. The thrum of telepathic conversation falls to an almost undetectable level, all minds, all eyes focusing upon the Orcinus who intends to address them this day.

The Amarisian couple enters the beach with six guards. Looking around, they move close to Drusus' group. Nothing unexpected, when you consider that Koralland is the Empyrean ambassador.

The head-heavy buzz of unheard speech does not rise up to the stone upon which the Emperor stands, and there is a lack of... of anything up there for those who might stretch out their telepathic senses in that direction. A void of feeling except for a kind of chill waiting.

Thenomain mutters to someone, "This is probably their speech. I've heard better." He blows on his hands. "Wish I brought something to eat."

As if a kind of cue, someone in the very, very far back has shown up selling roasted nuts. A gathering's just a merchant's captive audience.

The dark Atlantean is silent for a great deal of time, one hand resting on his coral dagger while the other is clenched into a fist in the small of his back. His black on black eyes are unfathomable, nothing of what is about to occur is betrayed there. Finally, he opens his mouth to speak and his deep tenor voice floats along the beach to all that have come to witness. "Brothers and Sisters, both beneath the waves and above them... I offer you the Peace of Pasiphae." His voice is uncommonly eloquent for one who resides beneath the waves. He inclines his head in the direction of the masses of Atlantean pilgrims that have assembled in front of him and he raises his hand and extends it towards them," I look out before me and I see an assemblage of my Atlantean brethren, an assemblage that has not been seen since the days of the glories of Atlantis..." He pauses, "You have traveled here by the grace of the Goddess, traveling many thousands of leagues through perilous waters to hear the vessel of Pasiphae... for the words that I shall speak are divinely inspired."

Kelis is starved... Roasted nuts. Mmmm. His hunger is interrupted by the speaking. Pasiphae. What is this? It sounds like the ancient religion is back completely. He has no idea who or what he worshipped, since he knows not of his past, but he probably won't start again...

Nuts? Why stop there? But it seems to for the moment, though several merchants are kicking themselves for not thinking about it. Ahh, Haven. Seat of trade.

Balanced on her rocky perch, Oriane tilts a glance towards the Emperor, then to the darkening sky above. Furrowing her brow faintly, the dark winged girl looks back towards Kuronbo and the assembled Atlantean. The breeze that stilled just a short time before picks up again, helping to carry the Atlantean's words this far towards the edge of the crowd.

Jasmine arches an eyebrow. Divinely inspired. Somehow she finds that difficult to believe. But she's not really here to listen. She's here because Koralland is here. Nothing else could coax her onto this beach. And so she huddles against him, mostly keeping her eyes closed.

The dark Atlantean watches the various reactions of the people that have assembled, and his head inclines once more towards the pilgrims as he states, "Indeed, many of you have not come to hear of vision and prophecy... but to inquire as to the true purpose of the fleet that I have brought here, of the legions of warriors that have accompanied me." He turns his head towards the shell of the Korallion, and to the distant figures that are observing from the heights of the structure. He raises his hand again in their direction, gesturing towards them, "As we speak, four hundred score of my warriors stand before you along with the finest vessels of my Fleet... but what only the Ormani and Pandion know is that this is but a grain of sand compared to what lies only one week from here on the Salacian Border." His mouth turns up in a half-smile as he states in a matter-of-fact tone, "Over two hundred dark ships of the Orcinus stand poised... four legions accompany them, the largest collection of such since the days of Empire here for the single purpose of bringing us to the precipice of war." He pauses to let that figure set in and then states, "I assure you that your question will be answered as well."

Drusus continues to wait, silent and distant and somehow not-there, as if something else were riding around in his body to watch the very grand and impressive spectacle below. A cynic would suggest that the whole thing were staged, and might wonder why. But whether such thoughts are lurking behind the eyes of the pale man, it is impossible to tell: whatever watches from within him does not think, it only listens.

More chatter: "Inspired my arse."

"Shush. At least, not when yer standin' so close."

Behind Kuronbo, the Pallid Warriors stand in formation... their faces blank and their arms at their side as the listen to their liege, "To be sure, many of you will doubt the veracity of the vision that I am about to share... but the power of it is undeniable." His eyes blink once as he sweeps his hand from the Korallion to the multitudes of pilgrims that stand before him and he states, "It is a power that has compelled you all to risk all to be here to hear the sadness of the Goddess' words..." He pauses, "..and that is that the Atlantean race is heading for extinction."

The mention of Pasiphae should bring a smile to Eithne's pale face, but instead she remains neutral while Kuronbo speaks. Her form wavers every so often and Liona does her best to keep the older woman on her feet as Eithne fights for her balance. The aide's eyes turn toward the waters to observe the mass of Atlanteans, but the elder, whose eyes are sealed against the sun, keeps her attention on the Orcinus speaker.

Maat mutters under her breath, "As if any idiot couldn't have guessed the purpose of warriors."

As she listens, dark eyebrows furrow on Oriane's face. Ink-stained fingers slide into the edge of her chimere from one hand while the others hold her palla tight around her shoulders. Watching the crowd, she flicks her glance towards the Emperor as if anyone could read his expressionless face.

Even at the dark Atlanteans words, Uneri remains rigidly still within her little note of guards mixed in with the larger party of pilgrims. If she has anything to say, it is on an entirely private level. She keeps her face turned toward the speaker, never wavering in her stare.

Kelis looks at the bustling crowd of Atlanteans. Extinction! What? No way! He is shocked by the idiotic words. Extinction, yeah right. He pays his attention to the speech, maybe he grasped it wrong...

Thenomain buys some roasted nuts. He's certainly not buying the so-called prophecy. Then again, that's mongrels for you. Tossed out of every race and religion and what do they do? They get rude about accepting the beliefs of others!

Karijou pulls himself up from his sitting position, and stands there facing Kuronbo. He doesn't say anything. He stands. He waits. His lips purse as if ready to say something, but he remains quiet.

Fish folk seem to be doing all right. That huddled, hooded bundle of cold halfbreed? He's heading the vague direction of the nut salesman. Extinction. Riiiight. Five thousand warriors lined up on the shore and bundles more in the water. Yep, that's an extinction threat if ever one has been offered up.

"If that's just a fraction of his army then it'll be a while afore they all die out," mutters one of Drusus' guards to his neighbor.

"Quiet, Marco, just watch," is the rejoinder.

Meira's eyes widen as she listens, shifting her feet uneasily. She shuffles over behind a shorter Atlantean as tries to get a better look at Kuronbo.

Snatches of conversations float in and out of Kalindi's conscious awareness, steadily ignored as her attention remains focused upon the speaker. War, eh? And who benefits from war more than pirates? Not many. Exactly. So, maybe she'll be staying after all. After all, as a halfbreed, it's right up her alley. Doesn't mean the woman lets herself be swept further inside the embracing crowd however as she zealously guards her distanced position.

Kelis waves his hand for some roasted nuts. He needs some food. Of course this guy's lying, he mutters to himself, probably owns the merchants here. Making money off of the roasted nuts. Kelis still buys some nuts though...

The dark Atlantean observes the shifting of the crowd, and the murmured reaction is enough to summon a smile upon his features. He lowers his arms and he continues without making comment of their reaction, "Extinction? Many of you would doubt that... for we still number a multitude, the sight before you is enough to confirm that. I speak of the extinction of the morality of our race, as well as all that is vital within our race. I speak of the extinguishing of the truth of the Atlantean people." His eyes scan both the doubt and the rapture, "I wish to speak further of this."

Thenomain rolls his eyes, keeping the insult made by the dark Dolphin to himself.

Black wings flare open and then closed behind Oriane as she shifts slightly and listens to the words drifting on the breeze up to where she can hear. Slight arms slide around her middle and she frowns a little deeper, as if in concentration.

Kelis looks up to see Jana above. He waves to signal her...

Maat produces another mocking snort under her breath. This time her commentary is lost under the rumble of vague murmurs about her. Yet, two words break free, "...truth...liar..."

"Thank ye sir. That'd be two kakini. Thankee." The nut merchant returns to his patrolling of the back, crying his wares, but not too loudly. "End-o'-the-world nut sale! Acorns gotta go! Chestnuts roasted on the last days!"

Without pomp or circumstance, and trying hard not to attract any attention, Jana flutters in from above. Her landing is a bit less than three points, but since it is on the fringes of the gathering, she manages not to collide into anyone. Catching sight of one in particular -- due to chance and a magical presence, perhaps -- the Oracle begins to creep her way closer to Kelis.

Maybe Timin can get the Shopkeeper's Discount. Y'know, one merchant to another. Do the secret handshake thingie. Then again, maybe all he wants are some of those Last Days Chestnuts. Mmmm. Anyway, the halfbreed's managed his way towards the back. He'll give up his spot to the zealots in the front, thanks. And the Empyreans can have their snooty lil' rock.

The dark Atlantean continues to speak, his attention focused on the Atlanteans within the throng in front of him, "There was a time in years past where the Atlantean people were among the most vital people on Aether... back in the days of the Atlantean Empire." He pauses and says, "I do not speak of the time when Atlantis held dominion over the land and the waves, but of the Empire that followed... the one that worked in partnership with the Empyre of the Empyreans, and knew relations with the Varati people." His eyes grow slightly distant, "It was a time when the city of Atlantis counted as one of the wonders of Aether, where a vitality surged through her waters and ALL of the people of Atlantis were joined in common purpose. There were no Decemvirates, no artificial constructs that limited us and segregated our people." He nods and says, "We traded and made war, brought compassion and vengeance to the lands... but always we were dynamic and never doubted that which we could accomplish."

It's a big rock, thankyouverymuch, and affords a good view, which is utterly secondary to the issue of security, which the Schola guards take terribly seriously.

Kelis looks at the dark Atlantean. By now he is convinced that the merchants are paying to be here for this event. He tosses the roasted nuts back at the merchant, "No nuts for me!" He turns to see Jana coming over...

The nut salesman looks down at the wasted wares. Well, it's not like nuts don't grow on trees and he continues about, his shouting dying down for now as he has plenty of customers for the moment.

Well, and a single darkling on a smaller rock. Much to the frustration of the Tritonides House Guard arriving at the edges of the crowd just now, Oriane tends to forget to take an escort with her when she goes on these sight-seeing jaunts.

Mumbled apologies and rustling feathers mark Jana's progress through the crowd, until she comes to a stop at Kelis' side. Sighing heavily, she mumbles under her breath. Then, squinting, she turns her attention to the dark Atlantean on high.

Orcinus Kuronbo's face then falls into a frown, his eyes narrow slightly, "And now look upon us... we are no longer one people, but ten different people divided between ten different agendas. Ten different purposes which are lesser than any single one." The dark Atlantean states, "We have grown hubristic... having created the perfect society, we have ceded the determination of our collective destiny to those who have no other interest than the maintenance of our 'perfect' society. And therein lies the danger."

Kelis whispers to Jana, "Nothing much, just some guy making money off of the nut merchants. He speaks of the extinction of Atlantean people's truth or something of the sort..."

Thenomain resists the urge to do pantomime. He murmurs for the crowd nearest him, "Shame shame. Let's not throw anyone out, except people we don't like."

And let me guess, Drusus thinks. Who among this august gathering would be the leader of the collective destiny?

Jana softly snorts, though she does not take her eyes off of the main speaker. "... one... He... quite... ... I... And it... not... one."

Meira just stares at the dark Atlantean, an eyebrow slightly raised and her lips held tightly together in a skeptical expression.

Arms crossed and feet slightly parted, Kalindi stands. Looking for all the world like she's balanced upon the deck of her ship, poised for stormy weather. And perhaps yet this will disintegrate to the mortal equivalent of such. It's not often that a crowd such as this can gather without someone starting trouble. That'd explain why she keeps as far away from the center as possible while still being able to hear. A passing merchant is waved down, a transfer of goods taking place and her attention shifts to the speaker once more. Ho hum. Ho hum.

The dark Atlantean continues his impassioned speech, "The paradox of paradise is that you are a slave." He allows that to sink in and then continues, "The unfortunate truth is that if you have everything, you are never forced to challenge yourself... to subordinate your own personal welfare for the collective good of your nation. You become a slave to fulfillment of your own pleasures and do not ever devote yourself to larger tasks... you have everything you desire, and you cannot see your way to sacrificing for anything." He smirks and says, "If you need proof of my words, I respond with a question... where are the great cities of the Atlanteans? Where are the crowning and honorable works of our race?" He nods to the pilgrims, "What other proof do you need that the fact that we have strayed from the Goddess in order to pursue the simple painlessness of the Water Faith?"

Kelis probably knows of him. He inhales deeply, trying to hear the reactions of the crowd and Kuronbo, "He must have a bad reputation... I know I should know who that is..."

The thought on Drusus' mind has surely occurred to others in the crowd. Maat shows no surprise at the direction of Kuronbo's speech. Perhaps she has anticipated some of the show.

Oh yes, that new cult that has swept up other Decemvirates while Lir has remained faithful to the Goddess. This, more than Kuronbo's words or extinction draws a frown to Eithne's lips. Liona's eyes spring open in surprise at something shared between Eithne and herself and those frightened orbs turn toward the dark speaker.

"If you do not know him now, you soon will," Jana quietly replies to Kelis. She briefly reaches up to scratch at the back of her neck, frowning a little as she listens to the renowned Orcinus. She adds something whispered much more quietly to her companion.

The flustered guard in House Tritonis livery makes his way to the edge of the beach and stands as close as he can to the rock Oriane's claimed nearby the Emperor's larger rock. At least she's in his line of sight now.

As for the darkling girl herself, she stands quietly with the fidgeting of her wings behind her and a frown on her face. This is... interesting. And every single word is being filed away behind dark eyes to be written down later.

Meira now positively glares at the dark Atlantean. She is definitely not liking where he is going with all this.

Kelis has lost his memories but he hasn't lost common sense. He whispers in reply to Jana, "He probably is... A religious war. I can see it coming. I have heard bickering over racial issues since I've been here."

Maat murmurs softly, "Drown all those in his net of the sea." Or is it deceit? For once it does not seem that Maat is mocking the Orcinus heir, but is quoting from a different source, perhaps a vision by some Oracle.

The dark Atlantean sighs and states, "And thus we arrive here. The revelation that I have just shared with you was divinely inspired, but my reaction to it, the bringing of the Orcinus Fleet was my own action." He sweeps his hands towards the vessels and states, "For fifteen years I have labored with the burden of this vision, and I have known what I had to do in order to carry the message. It was my intention to frighten... to invoke this reaction. I ask you to appreciate the genius of it." He pauses and then continues, "In the last several months, we have seen an assembly of the largest force of arms that the Atlanteans have seen in a thousand years... more warriors and vessels, both Pandion and Orcinus, then anyone had ever suspected." At the last comment, he turns his head slowly towards the Emperor of the Empyreans and nods. The dark Atlantean then states, "This action has caused much distress amongst the Decemvirates, and more importantly... serious consideration. For the first time in a thousand years, the Atlantean people have had to face an issue other than the gratification of their paradisical existence and consider the fact that it may soon end by Orcinus force of arms." He does not smile, but looks dead at the crowd, "And thus, those that have had the courage to face that question have traveled here to hear me speak these words."

Thenomain mutters, "Or live here and have to suffer through them."

Jana slowly lays a hand on Kelis' arm, averting her eyes to the ground as she mulls over what she has heard. With a sigh, her shoulders begin to droop, wings following suit. Again, she mumbles something to her companion, intended for his ears alone.

Polaris walks down the winding path from Haven and steps onto the beach.

There is no response from Drusus, not in action nor in thought, to Kuronbo's statement or nod, but for a single raised eyebrow. More than he suspected? The Atlantean heir presumes to know what Drusus suspects in regards to the Atlantean people. But Drusus finds it only interesting, perhaps because Kuronbo has guessed wrongly. It is a good thing to know.

Maat is simply unable to control a snicker as Kuronbo says the word 'genius.'

Kelis thinks to himself, this is bad... very bad. "Why must he disturb the peace here?"

Polaris strides onto the beach, trident in hand. His face devoid of emotion. Sea- green eyes alert, keeping a constant vigil. He slowly moves among those assembled here.

Kelis looks over to Jana who is obviously distressed about this issue. He is in a loss for words. All he can do is stare at this idiot, and look with anger. "War it is... " He whispers taking his eyes off the speaker, and to the horizon..

Jasmine sits nestled in Koralland's arms, surrounded by six Amarisian guards. Any conversation that goes on there is silent.

The dark Atlantean stretches his arms outward and then says to the Atlanteans in front of him and says, "It is my hope that you take the vision that I have shared with you back to the waters of your respective Decemvirates and tell them these words." He pauses and gathers his breath, "...tell your peoples that they are on the path of decline, but the future is not written in stone. Tell them to question the Ephors who presume to rule over them in honest dialogue and inquire of them why we are not greater than what we are? To ask them why we turn our faces from the Goddess whom is so vital to us and worship the water in which we dwell? Look to them and ask them what noble purpose to the Atlantean's live and strive for?" He is silent for a moment and then he concludes, "Tell your people that the Atlantean people would be stronger unified than apart."

The sea of varied Atlantean faces watch Kuronbo with a mixture of responses. Some nod their silent concurrence and agree with what the dark man is saying, while many others grow deeply offended and visibly angry with the words being spoken. The crowd moves and breathes with subtle motions as his audible words reach their ears.

Thenomain says to the man standing beside him, "He's got a point. A unified force is easier to hit."

For those without the ability to hear their 'true' speech, the Atlantean crowd is eerily silent during Kuronbo's words. Though there are audible grumblings and agreements here and there, the true flurry of conversation is heard only by those with the telepathic ears to hear it.

Oblivious to her House guard that has arrived to watch over her, Oriane raises a hand to push through her breeze tousled hair, removing dark bangs from her eyes once more. Wings are spread to keep her balanced on her somewhat precarious perch, but her attention is completely on the scene below on the beach.

A laugh escapes Ambassador Koralland as he listens to the question Kuronbo poses of the gathered mass. His head shakes in amusement at the speech the dark Atlantean has given. He decides to be the decanting voice from the crowd that is long overdo in this farce. "You offer the freedom of slavery to you as you no doubt see yourself as this great leader for the people of Atlantis. Look at your free Orcinus Pallid Warriors, robbed of even the identity of their own skin color to show their subservience to you. I say to you now you can turn back your fleet and take this one home..." He pauses; like Kuronbo, his voice is well-trained in the surface tongue. "You are right that extinction is now an issue, brought about by the threat of war you bring to a peaceful people. I do see the 'genius' of such a plan, you have made all distrust and fear for your sanity. Your vision has a name Kuronbo, the surface dwellers call it megalomania. And there will be a unification of the Decemvirates as the Pandionites and Ormani have demonstrated, against your dream. Take your armies home and seek the true word of Pasiphae from High Priestess Okalani or others through whom she is more likely to speak." That said, he shakes his head again and falls into a silence born of sadness and disgust.

The dark Atlantean once again looks to the groups that are present other than the Atlanteans, looking towards the alternating looks of disgust and acceptance that echo the reactions of the Atlanteans in the crowd. He pauses and then states, "I have spoken my words, but I wish to add one more thing for you to consider... and that is that there will be no war today." He allows the inevitable reaction to pass, "I am merely the catalyst of that unity... my threat has caused you to come together at least partly and hopefully that will be the seed in which the glory of the Atlantean 'Empire' can be resurrected."

He lowers his outstretched arms and then states, "And with that, I have delivered my words."

The varying hued faces and heads of the assembled Atlanteans shift briefly from Kuronbo to Koralland and then back again. Dissent and agreement ripple through the crowd in almost palpable waves as the discussion the Orcinus' controversial words stirs up.

At the mention of the High Priestess, Maat moves her head around the area as if trying to spy the one who is the bearer of the true word. Yet, her eyes continue to search through the crowd, non-stop. But, surely, the High Priestess would be here supporting a prophet of the Goddess?

The nut merchant seems to disappear as the boring soliloquy becomes a debate. There is no sense to be around at the start of a holy war.

She had been told of the tensions between her people and here, on the beach, Eithne experiences it for the first time, much to her dismay. She still remains apart from the large, gathered crowd for she is only to observe for now, pose a few questions when the time allows and wait for word from home. Liona openly frowns at display between the Amaris and the Orcinus and its not the first time she wishes as well to return to her home in the depths of the ocean.

When the last word of the dark Atlantean's speech has faded, it seems to take the light with it as well. Or... the light seems to actually begin to fade. And yet, it is only afternoon, is it not? Though clouds are in the sky, none seem to come near to touching the sun. The silent crowd of Atlantean pilgrims finally begin to speak aloud -- soft, puzzled murmurs, while necks crane so that many can look up. And what can be seen, but the sun is shrinking. A black shadow is slowly beginning to slide across that golden disk, stealing the light, lending a hollow look to the sky illuminated completely only seconds before.

Kelis is angered at the words of this person, "Greed. The great leader speaks. Definite greed. It's disgusting." He turns to Jana. "Would you like to leave?"

Maat finds Jana in the crowd during her eye's search for Okalani. As the light begins to fade, the Varati woman continues to gaze at the Oracle and she can be heard murmuring very softly, "The Wrong is coming."

Dark eyes turn towards the sky as Oriane raises her hand to shade her eyes. Black wings flutter behind her while her arm still across her middle tightens in tension.

Jana lifts her hands, bony fingers pressing against her eyelids, then moving to her temples. She begins massaging, as if trying to ward off the beginnings of a headache. Her mumbled reply is a quiet, soft mezzo-soprano, "In a few moments, yes..." She turns her head, attention suddenly distracted, and she begins to scan the crowds.

Marco, one of Drusus' guards, makes a face. Oh, good timing. Back in Civitas Dei, his family is gathered on his House's estate's garden lawn, sharing a picnic meal and watching projections of the eclipse cast across the blanket through pinhole parchment. But no, he's here, listening to this disturbing... person. Creature. He glances out to sea, considering those great and grand ships.

As the afternoon sun begins to disappear from the sky, a pall is cast over the assembled masses of the Pallid Warriors. It is as if the very air around them has grown grey with the approaching darkness. Upon the gentle rise, the dark Atlantean does not raise his head to the sky above... but he smiles a wide open smile, a smile that reveals two precise rows of teeth that are very much like a shark's. He points a finger towards the deflating orb of the sun and he announces in a crystal-clear voice that carries out across the beach, "And witness the final verification of Pasiphae's vision!"

Drusus raises an eyebrow again, puzzled at Kuronbo's exclamation.

Jasmine frowns deeply. Even if she knew enough about Pasiphae to believe in her, she is sure Kuronbo is wrong. She fights the urge to shout out that he's a liar.

The murmurs slowly grow in volume. Those who listened most eagerly to the dark Atlantean's speech cry out in echo of his words, awe coloring their voices with thick emotion. "Pasiphae! The moon claims the sun! A sign!"

Others are more skeptical, their murmurs more mutters, some few also calling out, "Don't be fools! This is nothing!" And yet there is a hint of unease about their posture, a subtle shifting of feet in sand, tiny furtive glances being sent at their likewise skeptical brethren. For those who live in waters beholden to the movement of the tides, a thing such as this is rare, and eerie. And the moon's eating of the sun continues, the light fading... fading...

Thenomain cups his hands and cries out, "Charlatan! Witness prediction of the moon and sun! Anyone can do it!"

The jihads always start on some really strange notes, don't they? Hooded Guy will look up at the now-blackened sun. Hey now. That's a neat trick. 'course, with Kuronbo being happy and upbeat about this development isn't a good sign.

Koralland turns to Jasmine and begins to guide her back from the beach, debate, no. The ambassador as voiced his opinion of the 'vision' and its origins. Now, he will go home to the Korallion. The eclipse, nice timing, Kuronbo reads too -- who knew? The routine of still gray-clad Amarisian guards fall around their charges and the group leaves the beach.

Uneri looks up along with everyone else. Her own dark form fades into the shadows that creep over the land and sweep away the light.

He would not bring his warriors here for no reason at all. What is Kuronbo going to do? "This is a trick..." Kelis looks at the roaring crowd, not knowing what to think...

Glancing towards Kuronbo as well, Oriane furrows her brow in a frown. His words may have made these people ripe to believe his words that their god has made a statement, but she knows enough astronomy and astrology to recognize an eclipse. Right?

As the blanket of darkness descends, it seems that the Pallid Warriors come to life. No longer are they inanimate statues of dispassion, their faces dissolve into five thousand separate individual expressions... all of them expressing rapture and joy in their own individual fashions. They drop their weapons and raise their hands to the moon as their Pallid skin begins to glow slightly in the rapidly fading light. And as the sun fades, five thousand voices begin to sing.

Maat sits down on her rump and her shoulders begin to shake. For a long time, her action is unnoticed due to the dramatic nature of the eclipse, but finally it becomes apparent that the Varati woman is laughing her fool head off. She is laughing so hard that tears have run out of her eyes and darkened the opaque veil that hangs over her mouth.

Thenomain rolls his eyes. He turns to leave before he becomes ill. No wonder people fight. They're so ... so ... stupid.

Polaris just shakes his head, not impressed by any of this.

Jana briefly glances up towards the sun, but her eyes do not linger there. After all, she treasures her vision. Crossing her arms over her chest, she begins to mumble to herself again, "But the spider's workings will be left torn asunder, ripped apart from its own weight, left to flail in the slightest breeze."

Restraining the urge to glance upward at the sky, the motionless form of Kalindi finally shifts. The woman lowers folded arms to her side and begins to wend her way through the crowd that has somehow gathered behind her while she wasn't looking. As silently as she has stood, she turns to stride away.

Hesitantly, the Lirite's lids flutter open, now that the curse of the sun's light on her eyes is subdued by the blackness that covers the sky and blankets the city. For the first time, she can actually view those around her with her own eyes rather than Liona's. Those teal orbs settle find and then settle on the black figure among her people, marking his image for remembrance so that she might find him again. Yes, Eithne will wish some words with him.

Fear, unease, confusion, even panic all begin to grow. So slow is the moon's progress, but with every blink more and more of the sun is eaten away, leaving a glowing black disc in its place. By now shadows have fallen deeply, like spider webs drifting from the ceiling to curl about whatever lies below them; just as soft, just as embracing this growing darkness is. Even those who echo whispers of omens fall silent, hearts seeming to stop in their chest, frozen by breaths that are no longer drawn. A hush falls among those not lifting their voices in song...

And the world is dark. The sun is conquered, the moon -- once gentle, a steady, precious glow in the night -- is now a black sphere surrounded by a nimbus of silver-gold light. Time seems to have stopped, trapped in this eerie place between worlds, between minutes, between light and dark.

Kelis is angered at the crock of an event. Wow! An eclipse! And a perfectly timed event. It impresses him not. "But the spider will try again..."

Huge sections of the Atlantean crowd fall to their knees as the sun begins to disappear as Kuronbo's words fade. Some of those closest to the ocean rush back into the embrace of the waters, fearful of this sudden drama in the sky. While the Atlanteans are an educated people, the sun is a relatively unusual sight to them... and for it to disappear... no matter that the Empyreans and some others understand the true nature of what's happening... all most of these people understand is sudden fear.

"Hm," Drusus says.

Ianthe's arrival is very quiet and discreet, consisting mostly of a faint fluttering of wings as she descends from the sky along the path and walks towards the edge of the beach, eyes widening at the sight of the bizarre gathering along the sands of Haven Bay. Her eyes find Kuronbo's black form and her expression changes a bit, a faint narrowing of the eyes and a curious tilting of her head.

Thenomain tries again from a higher vantage spot, "There are charts available in the Empyrean libraries! Look it up!"

Announcement: The sky begins to darken, not the darkening of a cloud passing over the sun but of something else. Something has started to obscure the sun, eating it away and leaving only a dark disc in its place. An eclipse has begun. And with eerie slowness, it continues, gradually conquering the cold winter light with an odd sort of negative darkness. When fully claimed, all that can be seen of the sun is a black disc, surrounded by a nimbus of watery silver-gold light. Shadows rule where light lived a short time ago.

Jana gently reaches up to push a few stray locks of hair out of her eyes, and she briefly shakes her head at Kelis. "I do not know that," is her reply, though it is doubtful that it was heard beneath the singing of the Atlanteans.

The Tritonides guard that was standing near the shoreline to watch over Oriane suddenly finds himself caught in a throng of Atlanteans rushing back for the sea. Dragged halfway into the cold waters so that up to his waist is soaked, the man shouts and shoves until he gets back up on shore and takes flight to get out of the way.

Thenomain mutters and turns to go.

Kelis would love to leave, but there must be something else that this person has planned.

It is a song of incredible beauty, a song that is strange in the sense that it has never been spoken by voice... but by telepathy. Yet, it is appealing in its supplication to the skies and the dark Atlantean nods appreciatively. "Behold, Pasiphae, Goddess of the Moon, has spoken... and with that, the circle is complete." At the word 'complete,' the sun disappears completely and the black skin of Kuronbo hides him completely from view in the darkness. There is nothing but a voice emanating from the darkness now, "The task that was bequeathed upon me has been fulfilled and it is time to remove myself from this coil, for I have completed what Pasiphae has willed me to do. Remember the words that I have spoken to you, convey the truth that you have witnessed here to your brothers and sisters."

Uneri ducks her head away from the darkened sun and drifts along with the flow of the Atlanteans about her.

As darkness settles fully upon the beach, Jana reaches out, seeking the arm of Kelis to grip. She bends her head, shutting her eyes tight against the darkness, though she is educated enough to know better about being afraid. Her free hand raises to half-cover her face protectively, effectively muffling her whispered words.

Liona is frozen, paralyzed with fear as she cannot pull her eyes from the image in the sky. Eithne, on the other hand watches with a sense of reverence in her pale features. She sees her goddess in the sky and that image along causes her to fall to her knees, finding enough strength to pull herself free of Liona's contact grip.

There is a soft sound, the sound of many feet entering the surf and the diminishing of the song as voices begin to sink beneath the waves. No sign of the dark Atlantean can be seen, but there is a sense that he is moving towards the surf... following the singing of his Pallid Warriors into the waters, and then there is one final murmured comment. It is a comment that is infused with tremendous meaning and it carries through the panic of all of the Atlanteans and the Land-Dwellers alike and speaks to each personally...

"Peace of Pasiphae, Brothers and Sisters."

Kelis believes the words of Jana's. "Aether gives life and touches the souls of everyone... He should even know that..."

Maat simply continues to laugh into the darkness, though out of courtesy for the Atlanteans who believe that Kuronbo is the true prophet of Pasiphae, Maat is attempting to laugh as quietly as possible.

Karijou walks the opposite direction of Kuronbo, back into Haven, without a single word. Once again he is part of the crowd, but only until he breaks free and disappears up the path.

Karijou walks down the winding path back to Haven.

It takes a lifetime, one filled with the terrified shouts of the majority of those on the beach, but this victory of lunar over solar does not last, nor does the world end. The nimbus of light becomes a sliver concentrated on one side of the disc. The sun has not chosen to abandon the world after all, though the moon has surely made its point in whatever astronomical battle was just fought. Yet the panic among the Atlanteans, and those surface-dwellers not educated in higher astronomy, does not abate even while more and more of the solar being creeps into view. Rare, these things are, and even while some know the feeling they give the air is so eerie that many cannot just brush it off as a natural phenomenon. Those not yet in the water seem to care little about shoving others out of the way, in order to reach the safety of the waves. The beach has become no safe realm.

Kelis looks to Jana. "Let us be off. I have seen enough."

Staying on her rocky pinnacle, Oriane is thankful that she's not on the beach with the panicking crowd below. Catching her breath as she watches so many people disperse so quickly, she looks towards Drusus and his Schola with a hesitant expression on her face.

Jana relinquishes her grip on Kelis' arm, slowly lowering her hand and peering around. She gives a great sigh of relief, perhaps not at the reappearance of the sun, but at something else. "As you wish," she murmurs, squinting now as a full-fledged headache throbs in her temples and in her eyes.

Drusus only watches. "Hm," he says again, thoughtful. His Schola close about him slightly, in unconscious reaction to the teeming, panicked throng again. Disgust shows on the faces of a few of them: they may be soldiers, but news of eclipses is always brought to the Empyreal household, so they know about these things. And make no attempt to hide their disdain for those who surge in fear below. Yet another reason why the Empyreans should be ascendant over the ignorant masses, yes? Despite the fact that most common Empyreans probably wouldn't have known about the eclipse either... such details are conveniently left out.

Maat chokes back the remainder of her laughter, indeed the Varati woman is an odd duck, and raises her head out from between her arms where it had fallen during her plight. Sand covers her clothing from head to toe as various denizens of Haven had rushed past her in panic even as the Atlanteans had run in the opposite direction. Seeing that the beach is emptying, she falls back into the dune and simply allows her laughter to ring out in its anonymity. The sound adds a faintly macabre tone to the scene as it chases after those leaving the area.

Marik makes his way down to the beach from the south, his eyes up on the sun that should be there, but seems to have been swallowed. A look of awe mixed with a little trepidation on his rugged features, he just stares at the sight, apparently wanting to get a look at it from a more wide-open place, free from any buildings cluttering the way.

When enough watery light returns to see -- a thing that takes a great deal of time to occur -- the dark Atlantean and his Pallid Warriors cannot be spotted on the sands nor in the water. The ocean has become a churning mass of Atlanteans, hiding from their panic in welcoming waters, the sand a torn up patch of running footprints broken by the occasional malingerer. Calm, in addition to light, will be a long time in returning. Only when the sun reigns in the sky once more can those who feel the chill of unease relax. And, with the slow pace of light reforming in a crescent next to the passing moon, that will take a great deal indeed.

Kelis can see the grief and sorrow on the Oracle face. Her dreams, her experiences, and now this? It must be hell on her senses. "You must get some rest. Kuronbo is all talk. Pay no attention to him..."

"Marco," says Drusus. "Domina Tritonides has become separated from her guard. Please aid her while there is tumult on the beach."

"Aye, Deus." Marco salutes and leaps, his wings fanning out to slow his descent so that he lands lightly near the dark noblewoman. His expression goes impassive, hiding whatever he may be thinking at such a distasteful assignment.

The goddess' gift only lasts for so long before the evil sun makes itself known again. Still on her knee, Eithne struggles to keep her lids open as long as possible before she can no longer stand the cursed light that assaults her eyes meant for darkness. Again, she is left blinded, at the mercy of the younger woman to guide her. Unfortunately, the younger woman is still acting as a statue and hasn't moved since the eclipse began.

A corner of sand is all that Jalindu requires, a patch of beach to call his own for the time required for him to stand and stare and assess the situation transpiring. Toward the sky he looks not at all, for the notion of what is aloft is disquieting to the extreme.

Caught up in watching the sea of humanity that's quickly dispersing on the shadow caught beach below, Oriane blinks to find someone else on her rock with her. Turning to face Marco, she offers a deep bow of her head, "Optio..." So caught up in the display that was below, she still hasn't noticed Enrikos on the beach below trying to keep out of the way of people and dry off.

Marco bows politely. "Ave, Domina. The Emperor has trusted me to keep you safe, considering the panic." He cups his wings so that the sound carries cleanly to her and is insulated from the shouting and splashing below.

Trust that the majority of Atlanteans would not remain on the surface for this. Though the taste of panic still lingers in the air, the ocean becomes calm once more even before the sun returns. They have retreated, gone beneath the waves to whatever sanctuaries this odd race resides within in this area. In a matter of minutes, the beach is quiet again, the shouts fading away to stillness and hushed shadow.

FIN  

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