Matilda
Melinoë catches Triton at one of his low points.
Erin
*When the day turns to night, and the sun no longer kisses the face of the world, that is when the shadows lurk.*

*The land of Poseidonia, often filled with life, remained a somber state in the darkness of nighttime. Trees branches swayed in unison with the gentle ocean breeze. The moon in all her glory reflected light onto the surface below, ensuring a decent visibility to those who ventured. Not that many dared to do so, of course. Not when a funeral had been held for one of the beloved residents earlier that day, signaling the arrival of a rather unwelcome guest. A guest who was rumored to curse any man who witnessed her with vivid, disturbing nightmares. Why would any mortal dare leave the safe refuge of their homes and risk almost certain wrath?*

*A bouquet of flowers rested atop a freshly covered grave and a newly created tombstone. Roses of red mixed with small white baby's breath flowers, carefully crafted with thorns cut and stems all one neat length. The bouquet glistened with dew in the moonlight up until a wisp of a shadow drifted overhead. A faint snort of amusement entered the air as a fully black hand reached out to grab the resting bouquet.* **"This looks as if it belongs in the hands of a woman on a romantic date, definitely not a tombstone,"** *The Goddess of Ghosts critiqued with a careful gaze.* **"I'll accept it regardless. Propitiations are propitiations. I can't be too picky with mortals."**

*Flowers in hand, Melinoë raised her figure upward to stand. Slowly her hand extended out as the wisps of souls pounced, surrounding the bouquet in a swirl of darkness before the bouquet itself dissipated into air. With a fond look plastered upon her pale features, her attention now turned to the glittering soul yet to be claimed.* **"You are found. Go home to the rest of your loved ones."** *A darkened hand now emptied of the bouquet reached out once more, grabbing hold of the familiar shimmer of life before it too dissipated into air. Another night,

Another job well done. That was until along the drift of the wind came the sound of songs, tumbling and turning over with the notes.*

*Melinoë, ever the lover of music, immediately snapped her head in the direction it came from with interest. She deserved a good song or two after her hard work, she felt it was justified! Thus with long, flowing steps she went with haste towards the carried tune. The train of shadowed wisps followed close behind her, almost matching her pace as she darted across the land. Past palmed trees and over sandy grass, the music carried until the goddess found herself under the cover of a darker shaded area. Keeping herself well hidden amongst the shade, with a little help from the dark wisps of souls that further blocked the light around her, she spied a weather-worn tavern just across the way. It was a quaint establishment built from a pirate ship that had been brought onto land. It was littered with drunkards just along the sea. She began to listen to the sea shanties that drifted from the large wooden doors.*
Dorothy
Inside the tavern, Triton sat with an air of regal nonchalance, a tankard of beer in one hand and a fan of playing cards in the other. The table before him was scattered with chips and coins, displaying his victorious streak for all to see. His companions—a pair of women and a man, all humans slightly rough around the edges from their sea-faring lives—were not taking their losses well. Their expressions were a mix of suspicion and irritation as they eyed the stack of winnings that Triton had accumulated. Triton, of course, was thoroughly enjoying himself. The salt air mingled with the smell of beer and the earthy tang of seaweed. He flicked his cards with a smirk, catching glimpses of his opponents' worried glances. "Come now, don't look so glum. It's all in good fun, isn't it?" He teased.

The woman directly across from him, a feisty soul with fiery hair, narrowed her eyes. "Or maybe you've just been lucky, Triton. Or cheating," She accused, her tone half-joking, half-serious.

"Me? Cheat? Perish the thought! You're just a sore loser, my dear," Triton laughed, the sound rolling like waves against the shore. But as he raised his tankard for another sip, his gaze wandered to the door. There, almost melding with the shadows, stood a figure that stole his attention away from the game momentarily.

Melinoë. Her presence was a sharp contrast to the rowdy warmth of the tavern. Clad in a presence that seemed to absorb the very light itself, she stood silently, her eyes—a hauntingly familiar color like the pre-dawn sea—surveying the room. Something about her struck a chord in Triton's memory, tugging at the edges of his mind. He couldn't quite place it though, and it gnawed at him. With a slightly slower hand, Triton placed his drink down, his usual cockiness faltering as he tried to place her. He had seen those eyes before, he was certain. He bit his lip thoughtfully, his eyes dancing with mischief as he looked back to his opponents as they nervously fiddled with their cards.

"Another round, then?" Triton proposed, shuffling the deck with expert fingers. The others nodded, albeit reluctantly. The man beside him, a rugged sailor with a scar tracing his jaw, leaned in and muttered to one of his companions, "Just watch him, he's slippery like an eel."

As they delved into another game, Triton's attention returned to the woman, her appearance almost blending into the shadows. Triton was intrigued. There was something unmistakably otherworldly about her, a presence that spoke of realms beyond the sandy shores and salty tavern air. "Who might that be, I wonder? She has such a *Presence*..." Triton mused aloud, not expecting an answer. His companions glanced briefly at the figure, then shrugged off their unease, focusing instead on their dwindling stacks of chips. Triton dealt another round, his gaze darting between the game and the mysterious visitor. The sea breeze wafted through the open structure of the tavern, a familiar scent to the regulars.

As the game progressed, Triton's mind wandered through possibilities of her identity. She was clearly no ordinary mortal; he'd interacted with enough gods to be able to spot one of his own, but there was also something else... The eyes. He knew he had seen those eyes somewhere before. Distracted by his curiosity, Triton nearly missed the sailor's triumphant slam of cards on the table. "Ha! Beat that, if you can!" The sailor boasted, a wide grin breaking across his face.

Triton chuckled, his attention snapping back to the table as he laid down his hand, claiming another victory. "Full house!" His companions groaned, their frustration threatening to boil over. "Seems the tides are in my favor tonight," He quipped, gathering his winnings with a satisfied grin.
Erin
*Two could play the tango that was recognition. Except on Melinoë's part, as the God of the Sea met her own stormy gaze there was a distinct feeling of anger. The usually calm goddess kept her tranquil demeanor whilst the storm raged within— a storm in which she truly was confused on how it even started. There was something there, something truly bizarre and otherworldly about him, she just couldn't place her finger on what. Was he a God that controlled some form of anger, attempting to keep her at a distance? Or was it some form of curse, an aura that attached onto him forcing her mind into mental gymnastics to keep her temper at bay. She needed to be certain. She needed to figure out exactly what she was dealing with.*

*Thus, a trial and error was in order. The Goddess of Ghosts was certainly one to test the waters before diving in. She needed to observe without being observed back in a controlled environment. As he won his next match and became distracted, Melinoë took the opportunity to make her move. The cloaked woman backed into the full darkness, seemingly disappearing into the air as she began using the spirits to hide her. She moved out of complete sight, finding a new hiding spot atop the roof of the tavern. Shielded by lost souls, it appeared as a completely black void that those inside could not currently see. From this vantage point, she'd eavesdrop to get a better understanding of the happenings inside.*

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*Her second part of her experiment now went into play. The souls remaining where she had previously stood in view transformed themselves into a wispy raven, sitting along the sandy ground. It was a very real looking bird, but had an off feeling to it. The edges of it's form seemed to shift to smoke like it wasn't really solid. A bad omen, perhaps. It pecked at the ground up until Triton specifically would look at it. Then it would stare directly at him, never being the first to break eye contact. Melinoë wanted to see how the man would react to it, to see if he'd believe it was her.*

*Now with the stage all set for her to observe, Melinoë could use this time in the meanwhile to consider just what was happening with her mind. The uncontrollable anger did not seem to be her own, it didn't make logical sense now that he was finally out of her view. She didn't know the man, she didn't know his past or present, what had happened to warrant such a reaction from her brain? So often was she the one playing tricks and toying with the strings that connected people's thoughts that she hated being the one on the other side of the coin. And yet, whatever twisted her emotions had a tinge of... Homeliness. Small traces of a familiar embrace that she just could not fully comprehend at the moment.*

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*There were so many questions she currently held, and yet she had no answers for them. Just several attempts at a hypothesis that needed to be tested. She was determined to get those answers, one eavesdrop at a time. She strained her ears to focus upon voices over the delightful tunes that came from the band.*
Dorothy
Triton leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile playing on his lips as he surveyed the table. The flickering light of the tavern's lanterns cast a warm glow over the scattered chips and coins, highlighting his winning streak. In one ring covered hand, he held a pint of beer, while the other drummed the tabletop lazily. "Another round?" Triton proposed, shuffling the deck deftly. The others nodded, grumbling. When he won yet another hand, tempers began to flare. The woman's eyes flashed with anger. "Luck like that doesn't come without a cost!," She snarled. The man with the scar growled his agreement, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the edge of the table. Triton remained calm, a placid smile playing on his lips. He glanced toward the door again, but Melinoë was gone, vanished like a whisper in the wind. His curiosity about her whereabouts nagged at him, but he knew he had more pressing matters at hand.

"Now, now," Triton said smoothly, "No need to get riled up. It's just a game," He smirked, gathering his chips and stacking them with deliberate care. His opponents' hostility was palpable, their suspicion growing with every chip he moved. The fiery-haired woman leaned forward, her voice dropping to a menacing whisper. "You're not leaving until we get what's rightfully ours." Triton looked up and met her gaze, his eyes dancing with amusement. "I don't want any trouble," He said casually, "But I'd be more than happy to kick all three of your asses, if that's how you want to play this.." He stood, sweeping the last of his winnings into a small leather pouch. The scarred sailor rose as well, blocking Triton's path with a menacing stance. "You think you can just walk out of here after cheating us?"

Triton remained unfazed, his demeanor as calm as the sea before a storm. "Those are some mighty serious allegations without any proof, big guy," He said. "But I've been called a lot worse than a cheater by people a lot more impressive than you." He pushed past the sailor, but the man grabbed his arm, his grip like iron. Triton grinned and turned slowly, his eyes meeting the sailor's with a warning glint. "First I took your money, now I'm about to take your dignity." The sailor hesitated. Unnerved by Triton's confidence. For a moment it seemed as though the situation was about to resolve itself peacefully, but then the woman of the group bashed her wooden chair of Triton's head from behind. The chair split into a half dozen pieces as Triton stumbled, kept up only by the grip of the scarred sailor. The third sailor of the group leapt up and ran at Triton, but he side-stepped and grabbed the man's head, bonking it against the scarred sailor's head like a coconut. They both let out a terrible cry as they crashed to the floor. Triton spun around now to face the woman, his shirt ripped in the scuffle. "You're next, Red," He said with a smirk, putting his fists up.

It was then that two Ace of Spades cards fall from beneath his shirt, fluttering harmlessly to the ground. For a second, time stood still as they both stared at the cards, then glanced up at each other, and then back down to the cards. "Oh, you *Mother fucker!*" He yelled, slamming her fist onto the table. Triton tsked, rubbing the back of his head where she had hit him with the chair. "Look, why don't you just consider this a lesson in trusting your intuition and not gambling with strangers?" Instead of verbally expressing her outrage, she charged. Thinking quickly, he tipped a nearby table over directly in her path, causing her to trip. He laughed and made a run for it, bursting out the front door and out onto the beach, gloriously bare-chested, with their money bouncing around in the leather pouch at his hip.
Erin
*The observation took place in tranquil silence— at least on her end. Inside she listened to the storm that seemed to brew from the man's gambling. He was a bit too cocky with himself, it seemed. Biting off far more than he could chew should he anger the whole building. Though on the other hand, Melinoë pondered, maybe that's what he was hoping for. Some sort of conflict, some sort of tension, the satisfaction of relentless victory to the point that it potentially endangered his life as well as everyone else's inside. Was he simply a walking mess of danger and destruction or a calculating, cold foe?*

*He only seemed to grow more cocky as the fighting went on, definitely pointing Mel towards the first option of the two. A disaster in the form of a living being just angering the mortals in his vicinity. Surely it was a possibility that he could have cheated at the game like these mortals suspected, or there was the potential for the unexplained. Perhaps he had been gifted luck. This thought lingered while she eavesdropped further. Now things truly had begun to get heated, like a volcano waiting to erupt until finally the spew of lava came in the form of verbal altercation. The scuffle she heard seemed evident that the verbal had mixed with physical. Her features contorted into a wince as the rough noise of a chair breaking hit her ears. She remained silent as the fighting continued relentlessly below her, a simple observer until the need to step in was absolutely necessary.*
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*Except that need never came, as the dark splotch above the tavern watched the arrogant victor make a mad dash out of the establishment. A small snicker left her lips as her distraction raven dissipated. Now, it was game on. With the mortals out of the picture she could be much more... Direct. Thus, Melinoë carefully scaled the roof to get back onto the shoreline and began a full sprint after him. Rushing across the sands she went, the spirits swirling around her to form a cloak and shield her from view. Instead of appearing as a woman, she appeared as an eerie dark smudge. The woman then purposefully made a very loud footstep behind him so that he would turn around.*

"You're quite the gambler, aren't you?" *A voice sounded from the dark smudge as the smudge began to dissipate into smoky, dark wisps of souls. The blue eyes emerged first, a mirror of Persephone's except more haunting and empty. Her mother was the woman of life, after all, and Melinoë was death. Pale skin and light red lips, now a woman stood from the smudge with constant black souls circling around her protectively. A black cloak clung to her figure, mixing with her dark brown hair that was littered with streaks of white. Her hands were engulfed with the same pattern of the wisps, simply tattooed a pure black.* 

"I have a few questions I'd like you to answer." *The Goddess of Ghosts mused, her voice taking almost an echoed effect.* "At least, before I potentially get too annoyed with you. You seem to have quite the infuriating aura upon exposure. I'm not particularly fond of the rage you induce." *One of her hands lifted to point toward him, a wisp traveling up to swirl around his head. After the second swirl it morphed into a chain, a nightmarish illusion that quickly faded.* "Tell me, what is your name? What are you the God of? Let's spare each other the trouble and not play pretend. I don't like running around in circles if I can avoid it."
Dorothy
Triton watched the strange shadow approach, quietly bracing himself for some kind of conflict. His eyes widened as he turned to face the figure emerging from the shadows — it was the woman from before, beautiful and intriguing, but what really caught his attention were her eyes. They were unmistakably the same as someone he knew well—blue, haunting, and almost empty, yet a perfect mirror to Persephone's. "Are you the daughter of the Queen of the Underworld?" He asked, his voice carrying a mixture of fear and defiance. The woman's ethereal presence, her command of the spirits around her, all pointed to the underworld. "As for who I am..." He began, eyeing her like a predator eyeing its prey, "I am **Triton**, eldest son of Poseidon, God of the Sea, cursed by your wretched mother."

Before she could respond, an angry mob burst out of the tavern, their voices rising in a chorus of fury. Over two dozen sailors, their faces twisted in rage, stormed toward Triton. These were men and women he had bested at cards not just tonight but over the past few months. "There he is! The cheating bastard!" One of them yelled, pointing an accusatory finger. Triton's expression shifted from intrigue to amusement. "Ah, my adoring fans," He quipped. "I was wondering when you'd all catch up." He watched as they approached, their anger palpable. "Come now, gentlefolk, no need to be sore losers. You know the sea favors the bold."

One of the sailors, a burly man with a beard matted with salt and sweat, pushed his way to the front. "You've cheated us for the last time, Triton!" He growled, brandishing a knife. Triton chuckled, unfazed by the threat. "Cheated? How you *Wound* Me. It's just a little showmanship, my good sir. Something you clearly lack." His words dripped with mockery, further inciting the mob's anger. Another sailor, her face flushed with drink and fury, shouted, "You think you're better than us? We'll see about that!" The crowd surged forward, ready to pounce. With a smug grin, Triton winked at Melinoë and then pulled out his conch shell. "Oh, I am indeed better." He lifted the shell to his lips and let out a mighty blow. The sound resonated through the night air, a deep, powerful note that seemed to vibrate the very earth beneath their feet.

For a moment, there was silence, broken only by the distant roar of the ocean. Then, a low rumble began, growing louder with each passing second. The sailors glanced around nervously, their bravado waning in the face of the impending threat. The ground beneath them trembled as the sea responded to Triton's call. A massive tidal wave rose from the depths, its crest towering above the shoreline. The wall of towering water glistened in the moonlight, a terrifying force of nature summoned by the god of the sea. Triton's eyes sparkled with a mix of power and satisfaction as he watched the wave approach.

"Run!" One of the sailors screamed, but it was too late. A dark shadow enveloped them all before the wave crashed down with a thunderous roar, sweeping over the beach and engulfing the mob, including Melinoë herself if she didn't have any tricks up her sleeve. Triton spread his arms out wide, embracing the moment as the the water engulfed him. The force of the wave sent sailors tumbling and flailing, sweeping them away, their screams lost in the crashing water.

The force of the tidal wave ripped through the tavern, leaving behind shattered wood and debris. It now lay in ruin. Triton surveyed the destruction, a satisfied smirk on his lips. "Looks like the house doesn't always win," He quipped after surfacing from the roiling water. The ability to breath underwater and his enhanced swimming make him virtually invulnerable to the pains everyone else was suffering. If they wanted him to be the bad guy, fine, he'll be the bad guy. Some of the sailors, struggling against the powerful current, were pulled out to sea, their cries for help growing fainter as they drifted farther out. Some clung to debris, their eyes wide with terror as they were dragged further from shore. Soon the water receded, and he looked around, thinking it felt nice to finally get some of his frustration out.
Erin
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`As she finally trudged up to the safer zone, she turned to face the ocean with her hands on her hips. A water drop rolled down the length of her pale face as she blew strands of damp hair away from her mouth. Her blue eyes landed on the satisfied smirk across the sea God's face. Melinoë was far less satisfied and amused.` "Do you bring down waves upon everyone you've just met, or am I just special?"
Dorothy
Triton stood at the edge of the water, his gaze fixed on the carnage he had wrought. The moonlight glinted off his damp skin, highlighting the smug satisfaction etched across his features. The once bustling tavern now lay in ruins, the result of his power and capricious nature. Debris littered the shore, and the cries of the struggling sailors filled the air, though they barely registered in his mind. His eyes sought Melinoë amidst the wreckage, his expression a mix of triumph and disdain.

As the dark, wispy shark formed by Melinoë's spirits cut through the receding tidal wave, Triton watched with mild amusement. He knew she would not be easily swept away; after all, she was the daughter of Persephone. When she finally emerged, soaked and angry, Triton chuckled. Her hair clung to her face, and her eyes burned with an intensity that only fueled his amusement.

Triton shrugged nonchalantly, saying "Oh, you're special, all right," He replied, his tone sarcastic. "But I did it on purpose. I wanted to see if the daughter of the Underworld Queen could handle a little bath." He had dealt with gods and goddesses far more formidable than this specter of the dead. "I am Triton, son of Poseidon. I am the fury of the sea, and I make no apologies for the chaos I cause. Reconsider the next time you start demanding answers from someone you don't even know."

He turned away from her then, his gaze sweeping over the devastation once more. Then, with a final glance at Melinoë, Triton began to wade out into the surf. The cold water lapped at his legs, a familiar and comforting sensation. This was his domain, where he was strongest, where he was free. He felt the pull of the ocean, calling him back to the depths, to the place where he truly belonged. As he walked deeper into the sea, he felt a sense of satisfaction wash over him. He had reminded the mortals of his power, and he had sent a clear message to the daughter of the Underworld Queen.
Erin
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`A tattooed, damp hand was raised as her blue eyes flickered toward a wisp of shadow that swirled in circles. Her voice lowered to a whisper as she spoke to her beloved spirit.` "He deserves a less than welcomed visitor, go watch over him. Let his nights be sleepless and his dreams be his ever waking fear." `The spirit darted off after the man, losing the wispy dark form and disappearing into the waters. Melinoë remained, watching him leave back into the depths.` "Do enjoy your oceans, Triton." `The Goddess of Ghosts and Nightmares uttered out to the departing man.` "I hope your chaos is as satisfying as you'd like it to be." 

`Then, as hidden as she came, the spirits surrounded her once more. The once pale figure shifted to a pure black smudge of darkness on the horizon. Off in the other direction, deeper inland, she walked. There was much more work to do in the night in a time of war. She had new ghosts to collect into her ranks of the lost and despaired. Melinoë wished Triton well on his own soon-to-come struggles. She personally would not be around to witness them.`