- 95th tide | | embodiment -

[soulofocean]

[Audio]

[There's a gurgle and a loud splash, then the unmistakable sound of water churning rapidly. Maybe some dripping in between. Umi's startled voice comes from seemingly underwater, loud but still far away.]

---on't know what's happening... This-! ...Everyone: stay away from the terrace, you hear me?? DON'T COME into the apartment if you ---

Comments

at the beach || open action;

[lordofwaves]

[For the sake of keeping the apartment in one piece and also because something inside her simply craved the proximity of the ocean, Umi decided the beach was a safe bet for spending the rest of this last curse.

She still isn't used to experiencing the world through Celes' magical senses, but the waves soothe her remarkably. She's sitting on the shore, letting the tide rush against her large dragon body and enjoying how she can feel each of them grow, rise, then guess the exact moment when they'll break.

Perhaps this isn't too bad. She shakes her head and whistles loudly, a musical sound like nothing she's ever heard before.

It actually feels a bit like herself.]

action

[notrlyjesus]

[Setsuna had been searching for sand in other places than the beach, but ended up there when he hit a dead end. There seemed to be no other sand than what was presented at the ocean side, as far as he could tell. If there was sand elsewhere, he missed it.

But, of course, he can't miss the impressive, beautiful blue dragon resting out on the sand.

Was this one of the monsters Cain had talked about?

He paused in his walk, then got into a defensive stance, only to remember he didn't have Nanatsusaya, let alone another sword. So much for being prepared. All he can do is glare at it, worriedly. He's known plenty of nice dragons, but there's no telling what kind this one is. Especially without Kurai around.]

action

[lordofwaves]

[Relaxed as she was, Umi never felt anyone approach until something -- maybe a change in the sea air: she's become very responsive to that sort of thing in this body -- told her she wasn't alone anymore.

She reacts with a start, still very much unused to the way her dragon form perceives her surroundings. Turning around in such large body causes for the waves softly breaking against her to go up in a big splash. So who is this guy...?

...No one she's ever met, far as she can tell. And look at him, all wary and defensive! Not that she can blame him, considering how she looks like right now. Her wings rise without her notice, probably dragon-y body language for alertness.]

Huh??

1/2 action

[notrlyjesus]

[When her wings go up, Setsuna's appear from his back in a rush of white feathers, the rest of him preparing for battle. He clearly took the raising of her wings to mean alertness, and a higher chance for attack.

Then there was noise. Decipherable noise.]

action

[notrlyjesus]

[He calms a little, and looks confused at Umi.]

Did you just speak?

action

[lordofwaves]

What the--??

[I mean, WINGS?! Alright, so she's seen weird things in this City, but a guy with wings happens to overshoot the mark a little. Some kind of... angel?? And it looks like he's a bit not okay with how she looks, too...

Umi is getting nervous, which causes for her watery aura, now twice as bright due to her increased powers, to blaze around her. The air may be growing colder too. She tries to speak again, through her mind, but the sudden tension makes her get it wrong and she only lets out a roar.]

action

[notrlyjesus]

"I guess you didn't."

[He looks sad for a moment. He's known talking dragons before, but he's also known monsters. It's not something he takes pride in doing, but he readies himself to be attacked, considering the rise of Umi's aura, and her roar. Setsuna feels something is off, that intentions aren't want they might seem, but he isn't sure and misunderstands.

In defense, he prepares a ball of energy with his own aura.]

action

[lordofwaves]

[...No, no, this DEFINITELY not looking good. Why can't she focus and explain that she means no harm?? Damn her temper and how tough it is to control her magic in this body! Could this be what Presea and Clef warned her about? Does the newcomer believe she's one of the monsters attacking people??

Umi rises from where she's been lounging on the beach, waves still breaking around her, and strives to harness her magical energy. If she's going to take that energy ball, she's at least doing her best to deflect it without harming the guy.

Once again she tries to speak through her soul.]

I'm not---! CALM DOWN!

action

[notrlyjesus]

[Umi's not the only one with a temper, but Setsuna's curbs his, and his worry, hearing her speak once more. Though when she had been rising Setsuna had clearly been concerned.

The energy dissipates, though his hands stay readied.]

So, you did speak?

[That might be a smile growing on his face.]

action

[lordofwaves]

Whew! ...Yeah, YOU BET I do! What were you thinking, really??

[Ever seen a sea dragon throwing a tiny tantrum, Setsuna? Well, this is you chance. At least it looks like she's talking without problems again. Umi's talons dig deep into the sand, making her look rather hissy.]

Okay, so I know I look ODD. But do you think of flinging... energy... balls... at every dragon you see hanging on the beach minding its own business??

action

[notrlyjesus]

I thought you might be one of those monsters I've been hearing about.

[And he's amused to watch, smile back on his face. His wings even relax a little, though they stay in place.]

You're dealin' with an idiot accustomed to fights. I wouldn't throw them just at any dragon, no. But one whose aura is rising, and raises their wings like that? What'd you expect. With the monster talk, it's enough to put anyone on defense.

action

[lordofwaves]

...Huh. Okay, I give you that.

[This here dragon is looking self conscious now, head lowered, aura fading into nonexistence, even if the air around her remains cold and crisp. If the blue scales allowed it she'd be slightly flustered.]

But I didn't do it on purpose! ...Jeez, you wouldn't BELIEVE what trouble my magic's been giving me ever since I turned into this....

[She tilts her head as she looks at the wings in his back.] Uh. Those are quite the sight, too!

action

[notrlyjesus]

[He notices this and his smile softens.]

I see I've made a mistake, though. I thought for a moment you were just having complications. I should've given that more chance instead of being impulsive.

[Pauses.]

Turned into? You're not normally a dragon? ...must be a curse, then.

[Looks back at his wings, which fluff up a bit.] They aren't threatening, though. Are they?

action

[lordofwaves]

Not really! Though they sure looked so when you were about to attack me! They're just... ODD.

...Uhm. I know: look who's talking, right?

[The dragon makes a strange sound, a lot like a splash of water. This would be Umi chuckling a bit bitterly, then shaking her head.]

DEFINITELY a curse. I'm not sure what this one's about. But I ended up looking like my Mashin.

action

[notrlyjesus]

Odd?

Yeah, I guess you're right there.

[He chuckles, too, but to her commentary one who the odd statement came from.] Exactly what I was thinking.

If you're not normally a dragon, what are you? And what's a Mashin?

[Takes a seat by Umi, but where he can see her comfortably. A sign of trust, and a desire to learn more of her.]

action

[lordofwaves]

[That surprises her. This is the friendliest anyone's been ever since she took this form! What few people were at the beach when she arrived ran for the lives, for one!

Umi shrugs her huge shoulders, and folds her wings by reflex, staring down at Setsuna curiously...]

You're not... intimidated by me?

Uhm! I'm human! May name's Umi. And... 'Mashin' is what you could call a guardian spirit of sorts. I look like Celes right now. Though he's WAY BIGGER than this...