GALENE

[EXCISIO]

visiting galene

He was always taking risks being seen when he visited people inside the town. Especially in the more open spaces, although he tried to steer clear of those. Last time he had visited was inside a house, knowing there would be no one there but himself and the person he went to visit.

This time he wanted to play it a little safer. He was sitting on a rock far out at the least populated island, where he knew people rarely went. He knew, because he had eyes everywhere. And he also knew that a certain mermaid would be swimming by right about now.

The tall and dark figure of his was clear to make the mermaid stop and stare. His apocalyptic presence never ceased to stop anyone in their tracks, be it walking or swimming. He sat there, staring out at the open water, waiting for the mermaid Galene to swim by. And when she did, he would have a little chat with her.

[GALENE]

Hyacintho Island was unpopulated and not very interesting. It was flat, it was sandy and there wasn't much there. However, it just seemed to be dredged in mystery. There was something about that little island that was just so intriguing...

Galene normally didn't swim out that far. But something in her today became curious and she swam out, going past Lavendula, jsut to swim around Hyacintho. Maybe she would try walking. Hey, it was a deserted island and nobody would be there, it would be the perfect place to practice walking! Maybe she could get good enough to impress Luca, and maybe teach him. She blushed at the thought.

However, when she got closer to the island she could tell something was wrong. There was an ominous force that she could feel, and it was frightening. Still, she couldn't turn back...something told her that if she tried things would be worse.

Approaching the island, she swam towards the surface of the water, afraid to look out but yet feeling compelled to. She swam upwards just a bit more, the top of her head and eyes poking out of the water, everything from the bridge of her nose downward still submerged.

On the island there was a very tall, very frightening man. She had no idea who he was but just looking at him was terrifying and she felt it pierce her chest. Galene wanted to swim away, to go back to her little cove by the beach and hide, but she couldn't. She was locked in his gaze...but she was too afraid to speak.

[EXCISIO]

visiting galene

"Hello, Galene," he said in a candied voice as the mermaid popped her head up above the water. He already knew she had been drawn to the beach he was located at by the force of fear and enchantment, yet he sensed a form of .. was it fascination?

"Don't be afraid, my sweet nereid. You needn't worry." Even though there really was no need for him to act this cloying, he found it amusing sometimes. He loved to tease, after all. "I am Excisio. Have you heard of me, perhaps? Ah, but how could you, when you're so very far from home. So very far .."

The tall, dark man stretched out his legs and stood up, making himself appear even taller. His appearance would have scared even the toughest man, so he tried not to speak too harshly towards the poor mermaid. She was fragile, he could tell, but even she could be helpful to his plans.

"Say, Galene, wouldn't you like to find your mother?" The question was leading, of course, as he knew how to get inside the very souls of a being, human or not. He had not interacted much with merpeople, however, and found that quite the feat.

[GALENE]

The strange man began to speak and he got closer to the water's edge. Every part of her wanted to swim away, to dive under the water and never go back to that barren island, but she couldn't move. She was paralyzed, either by fear or some otherworldly force, so she continued to watch and listen.

She could barely bring herself to speak, lifting her head out of the water enough to shake her head at his first question. Galene had no idea who this man was and she didn't want to know. Something was terribly wrong here, she could feel it. Still, she was only able to stick her head out of the water to speak, not dart away to the safety of the sea.

But her eyes widened to the size of sand dollars when the man mentioned her mother. How did he know about that? Was he affiliated with the pirates? The maid couldn't tell that she was being manipulated, the only thought on her mind now was that maybe this guy knew something about where her mother was...and maybe she could rescue her.

"I-I would," she said quietly, voice trembling though she tried to appear strong. "I would like to find her. How did you know...?"

[EXCISIO]

visiting galene

He knew the moment he had mentioned her mother that the little mermaid was hooked. He had caught her attention, and had no plan on losing it. And no plans on revealing his identity at this initial meeting, as that would only scare her further. In the end, if his plans worked out like he wanted, the mermaid would serve him unfailingly. After all, he knew how much, and how long, she had searched for her dear mother.

"I know many things, Galene," he said, a tiny smile forming on his lips. "But don't be afraid, I won't hurt you. All I want is for you to find your mother. Your sweet, gentle mother .. Oh, how I wish for her well-being." Of course, the destruction god had no such wish and would've thought this all to be a waste of his time, if it wasn't for the fact that his imps had told him a certain goddess was stirring.

"Your reuniting would surely be of pleasure to you, I'm convinced. And I so happen to be of knowledge that would be helpful to you .." he paused for a few seconds, then added a, "however," followed with another pause. "I could sure use some help as well .."

He walked out into the water thigh-deep (while whatever life was under the surface fleed from his presence), extending his arm towards the near-trembling yellow haired nereid. "Your dear mother depends on you. Will you help me so I can help her?"