In the dark ocean below, shadows swam and danced, their forms made grotesque by churning water. Fish of many different shapes and hues mingled in huge schools that seemed to wander aimlessly before swirling violently at the approach of larger predators. Rays glided smoothly through the water like daggers through fabric, their wings flapping slowly like birds in slow motion. The ocean seemed to hum with activity between the bubbly gurgling and the crashing of waves above. A shadow passed over all though, like a lumbering giant it slowly blocked the light of the sun and a silence seemed to spread in the water as if every creature was collectively holding its breath. As the ship passed, everything breathed a sigh of relief and resumed the cycle of predator and prey except for one creature that left, travelling in the wake of the ship.<br/><br/>The creature, shrouded in black water, was persistent in its pursuit. Always staying in the shadow of the ship, only straying from the path to catch and devour some unlucky fish. Clouds of red sprouted in the water like flowers, seemingly from no source, chumming the waters to draw more prey in. Despite the ship's slow progress, its size would drive away food and if not for the predator's attempts at drawing in creatures, surely it would have started to starve. Although it was stealthy, it wasn't perfect in its hiding. At night, it would excitedly scratch at the wood of the ship's hull, finding the best places to get a good hold. The scratches could be heard from the lower decks, echoing shyly within the walls. It could easily have been attributed to imagination or some rocking of the ship but the uniform sound and its repetition every couple of nights would be disconcerting to any who knew the waters of the area.<br/><br/>That following day, the ship finally stopped near a cave or grotto of some sort. Apprehensively waiting for the crew to leave, the predator circled the ship. Straying off and returning bloodied, eventually the wait became too much especially with a familiar and intoxicating scent wafting down from above. Heavy scratching could be heard from below before Sonorien started to ascend the side of the ship. Shirtless and shoeless save for a pair of trousers that only seemed damp at best, two things could be seen strapped to his back. The first was a shiny trident, shining brilliantly as sunlight danced on its surface and those droplets that clung to its surface. The second was a strange looking device that seemed to be be made of bone.<br/><br/>Climbing up agilely, Sonorien peeked up over the side of the ship to see a group of women standing up at the sky, unmoving. The smell of lust was thick and a quick sniff was all it took for him to zero in on the two emitting the aroma. A long tongue darted from between his lips before he brushed his black hair away from his face. He recognized one of the scents as human but the other was completely unknown to him. It reminded him of ash and fire yet he thought he could get the smallest inkling of elf. It was strange, it was exotic and so, so alluring. Climbing in an almost serpentine manner over the railing he brushed off some persistent droplets of water before looking across the way and spotting an old ally, clopping his way up the ramp. A spark of anger lit up in his head at the interruption but to Sonorien, a friend was always a welcome sight.<br/><br/><span style="color: Teal">"Fate always finds a way, I'd say."</span>, said Sonorien in a enchantingly melodic voice that seemed to carry a palpable weight while he opened his arms welcomingly to his friend.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>