video | un: zing zang voombah

[spiritwalks]

[Vyng's a mess: Wet, gray hair plastered to his face. Black sand clinging to his clothing and neck. Gills flaring in and out with exertion, while his expression pinches with pain. Observant Sleepers might notice pieces of wool sticking out of his pointy elven ears.]

Orpheus needs help. Eurydice, she...

[He takes a breath, giving himself a moment to collect his thoughts.]

She's moved on. Like many of us will someday.

But as soon as they separated, he turned into a large beast and flew off. Somewhere toward the Rocks, south of the Farthest Shore.

[With some shaky maneuvering, Vyng points the camera so it's overlooking the magnificent Pthumerian Ocean. In the distance, a large bird-like creature circles over the water. From offscreen, Vyng continues.]

Four wings. Antlers. Difficult to miss. His songs are like a mermaid's — I think...I think they lure people into the ocean. Be careful, everyone.

[The image lowers toward the wet sand. Vyng's last words before the feed cuts off, almost too quiet to be heard over the sea wind, filter through:]

I'm sorry.


((OOC: This is a lead-in for the Sirens Mini-Plot. Beast!Orpheus is grieving his wife and luring people to their deaths. Check here for more details and plotting.))

Comments

[onerthes]

They couldn't drink my blood, which was what they wanted. It meant that I wasn't prey, so I had more time not defending myself to calm down. We had time, and I wasn't in the middle of a fight.

But that was because they were trying to drink blood.

[spiritwalks]

Which...isn't something all beasts do.

[As much time as he's spent learning about the local flora and fauna, he hasn't paid as much attention to beasthood. Surprising, maybe, considering how much he privately misses turning into animals...but he always knew it wasn't the same as his Druidic shapeshifting. These days, he's starting to understand what a highly-personal transformation it can be, and how it varies from person to person.]

I'm not sure if any blood types are immune to Orpheus's song. Probably not, but...

[onerthes]

Being brutally honest? I am almost certainly not immune. It was a mere fluke that this worked out the way it did. Their mind was not entirely gone, and they couldn't feed. We were both supremely fortunate. I doubt that will happen a second time.

So if I draw near, or hear even a hint of singing, I will be cautious. Beezwax seems in order.

[spiritwalks]

Good idea. Cassandra's Odd End should have some.

[onerthes]

Hmmm. Yes, I'll make a point to backtrack and stop in, in that case. If they have that, it might just save my life or another's. I'll buy two if I can.

1/2

[spiritwalks]

If the price is too steep, just tell 'em it's to help somebody who went beast.

[spiritwalks]

They might give you some freebees.

[onerthes]

Clever. They might just do that. At the very least it's worth the price, but nothing wrong with managing to get something for nothing, mmm?

[spiritwalks]

Exactly. And I know you can be very persuasive when you need to be.

[onerthes]

A proper smile and being useful can do quite the wonders, especially when I'm growing rather fond of the locals. That's been a nice change.

[spiritwalks]

[Vyng's expression softens. He's glad to hear Vira-Lorr is settling into their new world.]

One more reason to keep the beaches safe and bring Orpheus back home, right?

[onerthes]

Exactly. [She smiled back at him.] I'm going to get to that. I'll let you know if there's anything of immediate concern, ok?

[Thankfully, while she wasn't able to help much, she wouldn't end up in more danger from this event.]

[spiritwalks]

Please. [Spoken warmly, despite the shitty situation.] Take care, Vee.