(Untitled)

[it_has_teeth]

There is ice on the lake; winter always brings ice, though the cold of the water here is far less than that of the crushing deeps of the Sea.

Ed knows.

Ed remembers.

And, as always, Ed circles.

There is little enough else for him to do.

Comments

[alorn_bear]

Ed is not the only one in the lake, although he's bigger by far than the dark shape that cuts through the upper waters in places where the ice has broken.

[it_has_teeth]

Even novelty, such as it is, holds little interest for the Master Shark--and an orca swimming nearby is not truly new.

But this one--well. Not every shape is as important as what lies behind it.

So he swims closer to the surface, bone-white shape shadowing the orca, circling.

Circling.

[alorn_bear]

It's a big circle. The orca is only orca-sized, for now, so when the echoes come back it hesitates a moment.

Okay. You, I totally didn't notice before. Are these your waters, dude?

[it_has_teeth]

"Dude? You would call the Master Shark, the Pale Slayer, 'dude'?"

The voice is very dry, and backed by a deep and fierce hunger that never fades.

It certainly doesn't sound affronted.

[alorn_bear]

Only until I knew what I ought to call him instead, the orca answers. In the waters I usually swim, the sharks aren't big on giving names.

[it_has_teeth]

"Most never have the time to ask. Or the inclination."

He circles again, drawing closer to the orca.

"Those of my Mastery are inclined to quick action."

[alorn_bear]

Yeah, I noticed that, says the orca. They're good at their work.

He surfaces a moment for air, then drops down again.

My name's Belar. I think I'd remember if you were ever in my world.

[it_has_teeth]

"I know that I would not have forgotten."

He continues to swim, staying a constant distance away.

"I am ed'Rashtekaresket."

There are teeth in it.

[alorn_bear]

Pleased to meet you, then, ed'Rashtekaresket.

Of course he uses the full name. Belar is a god with many flaws, but his manners are legendary.

[it_has_teeth]

"Are you. It is something of a rarity, that."

He keeps swimming, tail moving deceptively lazily.

"Though less so now."

[alorn_bear]

I'm easily pleased, says Belar with the orca equivalent of a shrug. And all things have their purpose.

In his universe more than most, maybe.

[it_has_teeth]

Maybe.

It would not be wise to count on it.

"The wizards and their ilk would much agree with you. I can speak only for what I have seen."

He circles again, even more slowly than before.

"And what I have eaten."

[alorn_bear]

Sharks eat, Belar agrees.

It was Chaldan, in his world, who came up with the idea of sharks. His brother was always fond of relentless things.

[it_has_teeth]

"We were made so."

It is fact, not excuse.

[alorn_bear]

I know, Belar says. What do you eat here? It's kind of a small lake.

[it_has_teeth]

"Little. I am dead."

This helps, at least with some things.