Breathing Underwater (Ch. 22: Hidden Gifts)

The sun cut into the cool ocean waters off the shores outside the small town of Araya.  The small waves on the beach lazily licked the soft white sands of the beaches, and the currents were just as lazy as always, and the aquatic vegetation lazily drifted with these currents, thriving in the shallows of the tides.  From the average-sized sea-grass, to the tallest kelp plants.  In the blue waters,a shape cut through the aquatic plants with ease.  The figure's face held a look of intense anxiety.

Aestus exited a kelp forest and began a descent down along the seabed. She kept swimming down as the water got darker, the sun no longer being powerful enough to penetrate the depths.  The darkened waters did not hinder Aestus as she swam deeper, as her eyesight was naturally evolved to see under the water and the dark.  And even if she didn't know where she was going, she knew the way to her destination.

She swam along a small oceanic cliff-face until she found  the cave in which her sisters sat.  Gratia held a tattered piece of paper and Aestus knew what it was.  She smiled a bit and said, “Sorry I'm late.” Aesus said, kicking into the cave.

Junius smiled and said, “Don't worry too much.  Sometimes, you gotta make sure everything is okay with your mate.” she said with a small wink.  Aestus gave a small smile, but Junius then asked a little more seriously, knowing the full seriousness in the relations with Vince, “Everything is okay though, right?”

Aestus nodded.  “Yes.  He got  in some small trouble further down up the shore, but he made it out okay.  No near death experiences.”

Aestus had actually just guided Vince home pretty much just now.  Vince could have easily slipped on the ring he had that he used when the store was out  of town, and transported himself through the portal in his room, but they enjoyed each others company.  After a study with the scientist he had introduced her to, the group parted ways.  South and the scientist, Fuuyuki went a different way, while Vince and Aestus walked closer too the shore toward Araya.  Fuuyuki likely would not return to Araya, and he ended up giving Vince and Aestus a proper farewell.  South gave a farewell too, but said he'd likely return to Araya...if Vince would still be there.  Vince honestly didn't know when they would be leaving, but they at least shook hands.  Aestus liked seeing them...at least on level ground.  Fuuyuki gave a very special thanks to them both for an opportunity to interact, let alone study a race only rumored to even be around, before giving one last vow of secrecy to the Merkuran race.  The way back to the both of them was more intimate and the time they wished to spend in the days Vince had off.  And they swam and walked the entire way back, until they had to part ways...once again.

She gave a small smile remembering the time they had spent.  It was mainly just swimming, but...it was wonderful.  She giggled remembering that he had basically jumped in wearing all his clothes.  She preferred him wearing little clothing...or even...no clothing sometimes for those extra special nights, but...she just giggled.  God she loved that otter.  And she was just as worried as she watched him walk out of the water and into the distance...she couldn't help but feel someone was watching him.  

She made herself scarce in case someone perhaps had spotted her and had since went to the cave.  She smiled to her sisters, and asked “Did you  have any success in reading the log?”

Gratia nodded.  They could not have waited for Aestus to return from her errand, due to the scroll's rapid deterioration.  It would not be long before the log would be rendered unreadable.  “It's a log that father wrote, strangely about our pendants.”

Aestus frowned.  “Our...pendants?”  They had a suspicion it was a log from their father, but...none of them would have guessed he would write about their pendants.  Though perhaps this would explain the incident her own pendant had given her...and apparently Vince.  Was this merely a coincidence that their pendants had reacted in such a way?

“Yes.” Junius spoke.  “To be honest, it's nothing too surprising.  He talks about the enchantments that originally showed our bloodlines showing us as sisters, and wrote that once we became...involved with another...it would show that, as your pendant shows your involvement with Vince.”

Aestus couldn't help but blush a little  at that.  Thank God the fur hid it.  

“But the strange thing...is this...” Junius said pointing to the log.  Gratia laid the log down on a stone and pointed to some strange symbols.  Aestus took one look at one and her eyes widened a bit.  “That symbol!”

The symbol to human eyes would have appeared almost like a small grass plant, with an upside-down C just to the left and above it.  Aestus pointed to the symbol.  Junius and Gratia looked to her.  “Yes?” Gratia asked.  “What about it?”

“I...saw this symbol glow in my pendant today!”

Gratia and Junius gave her a strange look.  “Aestus, our pendants haven't been much of glowing things since we've had them.  They just...show off color.  What happened?” Gratia asked.

Aestus looked to them.  “I was away because...well...I can't really explain.  My pendant began to...act up I guess.  It glowed brightly, and ferociously.  It even burned to the touch, to the point where I had to remove it.  But not before...I saw this exact symbol burning brightly inside of it!” she said.

Gratia read a little on the symbol.  “It doesn't say much, but I can tell you now...that symbol means...healing.”  

“Healing?” Aestus asked.  

Gratia nodded.  “If I am interpreting this right...our pendants are more than what they seem.  They seem to be...enhancers almost.”

“Enhancers?” Aestus asked.

Junius nodded.  “Each pendant dad gave us was blessed with a certain...well...ability for lack of a better word.  Perhaps yours is the gift of healing.  The thing is, the log doesn't point out which pedant is blessed with what.  Perhaps our father wanted us to find out  what our gifts were on our own.  It would seem you may already know your gift, Aestus.”  Junius smiled.

Aestus returned the smile.  “Thing is...I don't know what I would ever need with that.” she said offering a small smile.

Gratia winked and said, “Maybe to keep your boyfriend from bleeding to death after some Selaphari attacked him.”

Aestus groaned and said, “Gratia, please don't joke about that...”  She cleared her throat.  “Anyway, I guess Vince also had a similar experience with his pendant.  I wonder if he perhaps...saw the same symbol maybe?”

“Don't jump the gun, Aestus.” Junius said.  “You don't know it all yet.  There's something that applies to your pendant in an area that isn't like ours.  Father wrote about a vision he had which involved you.  Your pendant...and the pendant you gave Vince came off the same crystallization of...ether.  There are properties that both of your pendants...share I guess.  Like...it's kinda hard to describe.  Your experience you just told us about...could have been triggered by something Vince was undergoing.”

Aestus took that in.  Was it possible that the collapse of the temple, had somehow signaled her that the wearer of the other pendant was in danger?

Gratia spoke up.  “Another thing is that father does mention, that each pendant had it's own separate symbol.  I guess it's safe to say that you have this...healing symbol.  How you activate or use it...the log is very vague.”

Junius spoke, “My guess it's activated much similar to magic.  You just kinda...think it...perhaps some sort of...physical touch. And even if that were so...our pendants have showed no signs of these things in the years we've had them.  Something happened that activated his pendant...and yours...”

Aestus said nothing.  She just looked at the symbols.  Gratia spoke.  “The other symbols represent motion, adaption, and sight.  Who has these symbols, he doesn't even hint at.

Aestus looked at the symbols, “I...I hope Vince has this one...” she said pointing to Adaption.  Junius and Gratia smiled and said, “Well it would certainly make sense perhaps, but we're not even sure what the adaption would imply.  Adaption to certain habitats, cultures, thoughts...it doesn't say.  So...Aestus...I'm hoping it would mean what you hope it means...but don't get your hopes up too much, okay.  This is just speculation.  We don't even know how to activate the gifts.”

Aestus smiled and said, “Well, you can only learn.  I...I'll find something out soon!  If Vince does have that gift...I intend to find out what it means...”  She looked outside the cave.  “Father was so wise...he had reasons for giving us what he gave us...if he had a vision...about me...and it involved these pendants...I can't help but wonder if he at least...knew something about what would happen.”

“Father was always gifted with foresight...but for now Aestus...let's just be thankful we learned a little about what father has truly left us.”

Thankful?  Aestus was beyond tankful.  She had a lot of questions to ask Vince...and she could not wait.  She had to see him!

-----

Vince had been walking in Araya for a while, his clothes still damp from the swims.  It had been quite a couple days off.  Temple collapses, near drownings, Aestus giving strangers a complete rundown of her body, inside and out...dang...even Vince learned a couple things in that little session.  And of course...the swims were always as intimate as ever.  Pity he would have to wait another week or so before-

“Hey otter...” a voice said.

Vince stopped in his tracks at the voice.  He didn't recognize it, but it sounded cold.  Menacing.  Threatening.  And Vince felt intimidated by it.  He turned and in a small street alley, leaning against a building was a black wolf-like creature about his size...though much more buff.  Vince didn't know this guy.

At all.

“Can I help you?” he asked, not really taking a liking to being called “otter” by just anyone.  Though he had gotten used to it.

“Yeah you can help me.” the guy said.  “I'm looking for someone, and I believe you know who it is.”

Vince crossed his arms, “Oh really?”

The wolf-like creature walked toward him.  “My name's Shadow...I'm looking for a human who goes by the name of South Williams.  Don't play dumb with me, I know you know him!”  

Vince backed up, now knowing exactly who this was.  This was that Lupar that had gone nutty trying to get to South or whatnot.  The guy with the strong grudge for humans.  “Look, even if I wanted to help you out, I couldn't.  South and I parted ways, and I haven't seen him since yesterday.”

The Lupar without warning swiftly grabbed Vince by the lapels of his shirt and raised him above the ground.  “Watch your words with me, otter.”

Vince was a bit taken off guard, but...he really wasn't intimidated.  And perhaps the Lupar sensed this because he then slammed him against the brick wall of the building next to him.  “Talk...or I promise you you will be sorry.”

Vince just grunted, and said through gritted teeth, “I've already told you what I know...and if you think you can intimidate me into telling you anymore...it won't get you anywhere.  Not only do I not know where he went...but frankly...you really don't intimidate me that much at all. I've had my own ribs ripped from me before.  I really don't think-”

“You want me to go worse on you?!” Shadow growled, and brought him to his knees, before raising a clawed hand.  “That can be arranged!”

“Hey!” a voice called out, and Shadow looked up.  

Angelina herself was standing there, not looking amused.  “I don't know who you are, but if you don't let go of himin the next few seconds, I will make you regret you even touched him...”

Angelina's words were as cold as ice, and her stance was firm.  Shadow simply growled at her, teeth bared, before his grip on Vince's shirt weakened.  Vince got up and walked to Angelina's side.  Shadow just sniffed and said, “Your oceanic trips cannot hide your path, otter...I will find South...whether you are trying to hide him or not...and once I'm done with him...I might just make you regret your words.”

“Beat it.” Angelina simply said cold.  Shadow gnarled at the human, but Vince guessed he could sense that Angelina was no ordinary human.  Vince knew Angelina was a powerful witch, and Shadow likely got the hint too, because he simply turned and walked off.

Vince gave a small chuckle.  “Thanks for that.”

“And just who was that?” Angelina asked.

Vince dusted himself off.  “You got me.  Never met him before now.  Didn't say a word to him.  All I know is that he's got some grudge against humans and is dead-set on finding one in particular.  One I guess I crossed paths with.”

Angelina managed a small chuckle.  “That where you've been all this time?  Not under the sea with your little mermaid?”

Vince laughed as he walked with Angelina back to work.  “Well...I can't say I wasn't with her at all...”

Angelina just laughed at him, and he joined in with her.  It had been a while since he had been able to laugh at much of anything...