Legends of the Sunken City: An Atlantean Adventure

Suddenly both of the young men, putting on the amulets, ended up beelining for the water, with the skeptical one being considerably jarred by what I could only assume to be the amulet's effects, a speculation that Harper then confirmed mere seconds after the fact. I rushed to catch it on video, taken aback by the unexpected sight.

"Woah holy hell. Are you two alright?"

I looked at the doctor, holding the amulet up a bit. "This shit's safe, right!?"

Realizing my professionalism was slipping, I composed myself, returning to a neutral position and pointing the camera at the amulet. "Ahem. Should I be particularly concerned about any of the..." I glanced back at the two young men in the water. "...Side effects of this device?"

UNDERWATER

Loke sat on a rock, having shed most of her clothing to better get underwater. She was used to drowning herself so letting the water in came as no challlenge.

She looked at it. "It's...so...peaceful.." Shesaid, breathlessly in her shock at watching the fish circle around...Was this her reward?.

Fienna saw that three of the four had decided to take her up on it and try on the amulets. And indeed, all three had taken to the water like fish. Not always happily. Fienna giggled and swam back up to take a better look, looking at the three trying to adapt to the power of the amulet. Her eyes particularly lingered upon Jon, and she swam in a lazy, wide circle around him, smiling up at him. Then she swam up and surfaced nearby him. "Why are you distraught?" she asked. "Is the ocean's blessing not wondrous?" She looked up at Ally. "Come and swim with us! And why won't you come with us, Miss Janet?"

Dr. Harper shook her head. "I just won't." Fienna frowned, then looked back at Jon. "You'll love it, I just know you will. These amulets are yours to keep. You should enjoy the embrace of the ocean as you please. Come on, let's go!" She dove underwater, with a loud splash of her tail, then she stopped about 15 feet down and looked back up at him with a smile, waiting for him and the others.

Harper sighed, then looked at Ally. "The amulets are safe. Don't you worry. It's everything else down there that gives me the willies. But the amulets are the only thing keeping you safe down there."

edited 14th Jan '17 10:23:08 PM by AllHailThrall

Jon

Jon... wasn't really sure how to react to that. In fact, he blanked out for a moment there from all this confusion, and instead he stood there, being mesmerized by the mermaid that swam around him, even as she bewitchingly smiled at him as she dove under the sea, her flowing silver hair trailing behind him as she waited for him and-

Wait. FUCK. No. NO! He won't be fooled that easily. Oh, he could already see what games they're playing now. Well played, the hoax, that is. He won't fall for it this time.

Yes. YES! That's it! None of this makes sense! Maybe there is some cutting edge tech somewhere in the world out there that allows one to breathe underwater that haven't been marketed worldwide yet. Or maybe he's probably hallucinating right now. Yeah, that's definitely a very big possibility now.

Well, hah! You may be able to fool his mind, but you can't fool his cameras! Bringing it out with him even as he dive down back, he swam towards the 'mermaid'; determined to see through all this to the end.

... All the while chastising himself and trying to be mindful at where his eyes is looking at even as he make his way to her.

This whole situation was one of the most absurd things Jonah could imagine. He was breathing water and swimming like it was nothing. Absolutely incredible. And now that he was in the water he was able to focus again on everything else. For example, technological revolution.

He could keep this amulet apparently. Just the way Fienna was so casual about it led Jonah's mind to start wandering to what other 'magical' technologies could lie beneath. He could become a household name if he brought up what lies below. He could make his dad proud of him, for once!

Wait, what was the other guy doing? His eyes were... how vulgar. Well, no matter the strength of his companion's moral fiber/mental fortitude, Jonah was going to follow him down towards the mermaid. His opportunity slept somewhere under the surface of this water, after all.

Well, I suppose if I had the word of a professional...

I set my bag down at the edge of the dock, and laid the camera and amulet down next to it, still pointing the former toward the water where Fienna and the skeptic were...having a moment? Oh, that was rich. Soon enough, he was following her into the depths, with the other fellow following behind.

I should probably get going before I lose them.

Luckily, I'd had the foresight to wear my swimsuit under my regular attire, sparing me some time as I took off my shoes, socks, vest, etc., and stuffing them into my bag. I considered for a moment removing the ribbon, concerned about ruining it, but ultimately decided to leave it.

And now, the amulet.

Hmm...

Seeing as I didn't regard the two young men's initial reactions to the device as particularly pleasant, I chose to experiment with putting the object on after I got in the water. I jumped in, grabbed the amulet from where it was just in reach, and put it on. No horrifying foreign sensations so far. That was a good sign.

I took my bag and zipped it up, hoisting the strap over my shoulder, then reached for the camera. "Glad I decided to pay extra for waterproofing," I said to myself.

"Do we meet you back here later?" I asked Dr. Harper, feeling it only fair to ask if she wasn't going to follow us.

Dr. Harper nodded. "Yeah, I'll be fine here. You kids run along and I'll be here when you get back," she replied. "Good luck down there. You'll need it." While she was in the water, Ally experienced comfort upon being in the ocean but experienced none of the uncomfortable side effects that Jon and Jonah had met.

Fienna continued to smile back up at Jon, then when he swam up to her she swam closer and drifted in a circle around him again, her infectious giggle echoing slightly. "You never told me your names, surface dwellers," she told the four of them as they swam. Now that they were underwater her voice had the same echo to it, almost ethereal in nature. "I would very much like to see if the melody of name can be compared to the beauty of face," she added, looking right into Jonaidi's eyes with her same bewitching smile.

With that, she began to swim deeper, giggling louder and smiling up at the four. "I am Fienna, daughter of Karyon," she introduced, twirling slightly as she lazily drifted down.

edited 16th Jan '17 8:53:28 AM by AllHailThrall

Jon

Okay, calm down. Calm down. The Not Mermaid is asking for his name. Simple enough. Might as well play along with it until they can get the expedition going. It's just small talk, right? Not like she's actually interested in him. Even if her eyes does seem to appear otherwi-

Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with him? Get your priorities straight, man! Just answer her and be done with it!

"Jon"

Now if he just left at it at that, it would've been fine. Wouldn't have made things awkward. And yet, being an idiot that he is, he continued.

"M-my name. That is, my f-first, umm..."

Oh god, he actually stuttered.

Yeah. Smooth. Real smooth there, Jon. Way to go! So smooth that he now instinctively feels like wanting to find a nearby rock and bash his head in till he's done for. That's how he's honestly feeling right now.

Jonah was swimming down towards Fienna and Jon when he heard her speak. This gave him more pause than the water breathing somehow. Voices should not work like that underwater. It was very disquieting to him. And now that he thought about it, he couldn't hear normal underwater sounds. Everything was way too clear. Bit odd that this was what was bothering him. He just didn't like the deviation from his normal experience with water. It was still another amazing property of the amulet, but it didn't excite him as much.

Oh wait, she was talking. OK, names. He completely forgot to introduce himself, even to the people he had shared a boat ride with for multiple days. He should probably introduce himself to... wait, was that just an excuse to flirt with Jon? He found that fairly creepy, to be honest. Well, about as creepy as Jon answering her. Sound should not work like that.

Well introducing himself would still be a good idea, even if he was reasonably sure Fienna had only been looking for one individual's answer. Just tell her his name. Easy as pie. Wait, should he introduce himself like she did? Should he say Jonah, son of Ned? He didn't want to cross some sort of social line, after all.

It must have been ten seconds of awkwardly following silently when he finally said "My name is J-Jonah, son of N-Ned." Two thoughts flashed through his mind, one after the other, after he stopped speaking. First, that somehow sounded even dumber when he said it aloud, and he immediately regretted saying it. Second, his voice was also messed up. The echo was even worse when combined with a better knowledge of how it was supposed to sound. He didn't like it.

Hah. It seems I made a wise choice waiting to enter the water before putting on the strange device. The sensations that accompanied it were nothing but pleasant.

"Well, best of luck to you, Doctor," I called back just before diving down after the rest of our motley guest party.

They were getting introductions out of the way, it seemed. This was a polite way of saying that both of the young men were tripping over themselves over the sheer act of giving their names to the alleged mermaid. Amazing, Jon. Were you already getting flustered talking to a woman you just met? You were going to have some editing to do when you got home.

As for you, "Jonah," it probably would have been easier if you just introduced yourself normally. Let me show you two how it's done.

"My name is Ally," I piped up, catching up to the rest of the visitors. "Ally Kikuchi. And this is how we normally introduce ourselves on the surface."

Fienna laughed more overtly, clapping her hands like an entertained child and twirling as she swam. "Ye gods, surface dwellers are so amusing!" She smiled up at them and continued to swim down. "Jon. Jonah, Ally... such different names from the names we have here. Now, we swim just a bit farther and the city should be coming into view."

Indeed, as they swam, four tall spires began to take shape, each surrounding a different side of a grandiose coppery-bronze dome. Getting closer, however, it was clear that the city was far past its prime. Various parts of the city were in disrepair. Algae, barnacles, and rock-dwelling sea life was beginning to crowd in on the austere rocks of the outer walls surrounding the dome. Along the seafloor leading down to the city, an old eroded stone pathway led out to a mountainside that was Koryfi Island, with markers lined with a glowing blue light, flickering and dying.

Despite the vastness of the city, very few people were traversing the outer reaches of the city area. Those few that were stopped and stared as Fienna led the three surface dwellers towards the walls. A guard that 'stood' outside the gates furrowed his brow at her, brandishing an ornate spear at the group. Like Fienna he had pale skin, light blue eyes, silvery hair that flowed around his head ending off at his shoulders, and a silvery-scaled tail that ended in spined fins. He had a chiseled frame, with a surprisingly youthful-looking face. On his torso and plated along the silvery tail was armor made of that same bronze metal. Fienna swam up to him and made a somewhat curtsey-like gesture.

"I bring those who would bring our fair city salvation," she told the guard. The guard raised an eyebrow, looking skeptical, then glanced at the three warily.

Jonah could tell he was being mocked by this "Ally". He hated being mocked. If it wasn't for the fact that he didn't want to hear himself speak right now, he might have started to yell in indignation. It always happened this way. He does something wrong and they jump on him like vultures. He was sick of walking on eggshells around others.

Thank god Fienna didn't comment on what he said. Well, the comment about being amused made him annoyed. But, once again, talking unnecessarily would mean listening to his voice more than he had to. So he silently stewed in anger as they went.

When he laid eyes upon their destination, though, his eyes lit up with excitement. A whole city full of lost knowledge and technology awaited him. He could almost feel the approval he'd get from unveiling such a find. Thoughts of the future filled his mind as... oh, a guard. Better not act suspicious. He didn't want to get barred from entering.

Wait, Fienna was saying WHAT?! Oh no, he definitely couldn't be part of some prophecy. He wasn't anyone special yet. But it seemed to him like this was the only reason he was ever going to be allowed through. Jonah might have tried to say something to defend his status as one who would bring "salvation", but he had already made it clear to himself that he was bad at words. Best to watch and let someone else take care of it. He would just be standing to the side, planning out what he wanted to do later on.

Jon

"Looks like someone haven't skipped leg day. Am I right, guys?" was Jon's response after they encountered the other 'mermaid' guard wielding a realistic-looking spear on his hand.

After having his mind calm down from Fienna's supposed advances and having his rationality back, he's now back into action, holding his camera upfront, recording everything around him. So this is 'Atlantis', huh? At least have the effort to actually make it a wondrous underwater paradise instead of a desolate place, though he's guessing that they're probably going for the 'ancient, what-could-have-been' look.

Anyways, back to the sorta intimidating guard. For an actor, he certainly seems well-built and is playing his parts well. And they even have the same. Damn, he really has to meet the one who designed all their props and makeup.

All right, then. Since he can't seem to tear down Fienna's act(with her stupid kind smile and her stupid white hair and her stupid soft wait no FOCUS). Let's see how far he can test this actor out.

"So, uhh, look, pal. What's your name again? Actually, nevermind. Not important. So, I don't know what this whole 'salvation' thing that Fienna has been going on about. I'm just here to see this so-called mystical land of 'Atlantis' and all, and boy," This time, he sweeps his camera to the city and then back at the guard. "Either you guys are on a quick budget or this place looked like it's seen better days."

"So, what's your role in all this cra- I mean, in this whole grand scheme of things, Mister...? Are we, like, here to go on an adventure and 'Save the whole world!' or something?"

A beat.

"... By the way, that's a very cool looking weapon that you have there. Mind if I ask where you buy it from?"

The supposed oceanic city came into view soon enough, and as the letter on the Harvard website suggested it would, it had seen better days. Boy. Their government must not have had enough money for a few decent public works projects. Perhaps it'd do them well to start trade with the nations of the surface.

Y'know, as soon as people figured out a good exchange rate between their currency and the US dollar. Assuming they didn't just use the barter system, of course, but hey, they were around when ancient Greece was and the Greeks had currency, didn't they?

Truthfully, it was more intriguing that this metropolis existed in the first place, regardless of this state. Because woah. I didn't imagine that even a university would spend the money required to build a structure of this scope just for a simple tech demo. Which meant that I had been in error to doubt this assignment after all.

Now this would distinguish me to cover.

Though apparently that would have to wait for us surface dwellers to save it from total collapse, if the letter on the Harvard website and the conversation transpiring were any indication. Nonetheless, I captured a very wide and steady pan of the cityscape on video for use later.

Ah, but if I wanted to get the chance to use it I should probably stop Jon from getting himself punched by the impressively built merman with the sharp weapon.

I elbowed Jon in the side, pointing the camera at said merman. "Yes, we were sent here by one Dr. Janet Harper. I'm not terribly clear on the details, though. Could you provide some more information, Mister...?"

The guard stared at Jon, even after Ally attempted to try and bring things back under control. There was a quiet, tense moment. Fienna's smile faded for a brief moment. Then the guard smirked.

"Well. I must admit. I'm impressed at your gall," he told Jon. "No one's spoken to me so brazenly before. You're a brave kid. A stupid kid, but a brave kid nonetheless." He lowered his spear and looked at it. "Actually I bought it from the blacksmith Ikos two months ago, cost eighty dramoi." He then pulled the spear away from the three. "You three are harmless. Stop staring at me like I'm going to gut you, boy, you aren't worth the effort," he stated at Jonah, who had been swimming there silently.

The guard sighed and looked back towards the city. "You're damned right that this city has seen better days. We used to sit astride the world like gods. Atlantis was the crown jewel of creation. Until the pretender gods of Athens cast our city to the depths. Now the only thing we stand astride is seaweed. Or we would, had we not been stuck in this fishy form with no legs to speak of," he explained. "Many of us still long for the days where we could be the masters of the world's fate, as we once were..."

He looked back down at Ally. "But where are my manners? Korthos, son of Philemos," he introduced. "Our powerful magic is the only thing keeping our city alive, otherwise we'd be dust in the depths. But that's starting to change. From what your Dr. Harper has told me, the surface world doesn't even have magic anymore. They think it's a myth. And I think the magic's bleeding away from Atlantis too. If we don't find out what's wrong and how to reverse it, all of us will die. The girl thinks she's found a way you surface dwellers can help. Personally, I don't understand, but she's been speaking with the Oracle and they've come up with a plan."

Fienna nodded and looked back at the three. "Yes! We must get inside and speak with the Oracle, she is the wisest person in all of Atlantis! If anyone can help us bring the magic back she can!" she exclaimed.

Jonah could feel the tension in the air. Surely, Jon was about to get skewered. Any second... apparently that deserved a back-handed compliment? Jonah could never understand how someone would just let something slide. And then, on top of that, he was called out for being wary?! The nerve. Jonah's patience was being severely tested here. Everything he did wrong was noticed. Just like always. He knew looking indignant would just attract more remarks, though. Jonah knew how to appear calm. Make it look natural. Scratch back of head while looking sheepish. Relax face into a neutral expression and... perfect. Just going through the motions.

Of course, his anger wasn't enough to keep him from dissecting everything Korthos was saying. The currency, or at least one type of coin or denomination, was referred to as dramoi. That was particularly important to Jonah. Also, on a more distressing note, he was taking part in a prophecy of some sort, apparently. It wasn't like he enjoyed the idea of leaving a whole city, though he didn't know exact numbers, to die from some sort of magic disappearance, but this didn't seem like something he could help with.

In the end, the idea of bringing back tons of valuable pieces of knowledge and lost technology was enough to keep him here.

He should say something. He really didn't want to talk, what with the sound of his voice creeping him out right now, but he didn't want to ruin his faked calmness with an awkward silence. He needed to sound eager to help, but not unrealistically so. Anything to prevent his real motive from being easily found out. No wait, he definitely should sound apprehensive but willing. No one would be eager without even knowing a single detail of what they must do.

He settled on his delivery and word choice. He said in an uncertain voice, with a hint of an added tremor to it, "I don't know if I really would b-be of any help for something like this... but I'll at least hear out this Oracle before I leave..."

Hopefully, it would be a good enough act to fool them. He would rather the guard did not know of his ambitions to take the secrets of Atlantis for his own gain. Jonah contorted his face into one of deep thought as he waited for a response.

Jon

"What? I'm just trying to see how far I can go." Jon whispered to Ally who'd suddenly elbowed him for no reason. Don't tell me that even you are starting to believe all this too? was his thought.

"So, Kortos, son of Philemos... If nothing else, at least your name sounds cool," Jon responded back to the 'guard', who decided to humor his 'brazen act'. Huh. Nice save there. And they even have their own money. And it's a word that Jon couldn't recognize at a glance, so it's either a new word or they take some meanings from the language of ancient Greek and decided to combine some of those words to make it sound legit and cool.

But enough about that. What's more important is the way their expedition is shaping out to be.

So, they have to go meet up with this Oracle and 'save all of Atlantis'? Well, that's just grand. Already, he can make guess as to how it's going to turn out. Go on a fetch quest, defeating the final boss, fixing the runes that's been keeping Atlantis alive that is very close to breaking via travelling through all faraway, seemingly dangerous locations, etc. etc.

... "Welp. Sure. Why the hell not? Might as well go through with it, now that I've come this far and get more material for my blog."

edited 18th Jan '17 4:35:30 PM by JustSomeGuy732

"Oh, so you're gonna be that guy," I muttered back. Apparently he was the guy who insisted on denying everything you put in front of him until maybe the last act of so. Fun. "If you're going to continue to doubt then at least be subtle about it."

This right before the guard praised Jon for being so bold. Well.

But enough of him. Back to the scoop of the millennium.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Korthos. If it's any consolation, there hasn't been widespread belief in the gods of Athens in nearly two millennia. Long story there."

I figured I could afford to put the camera away, not feeling the need to record the current exchange further. Just taking notes seemed sufficient. I shut it off and reached for my bag to put it away...ugh...oh well. I wouldn't need my usual clothes for a few hours anyway.

Once more I held my tablet in hand, to take notes at a ravenous pace. Their history. Their currency. Extensive documentation was nothing if not merited in this situation.

"Pardon if I seem distracted, sir. I feel compelled to document everything I'm currently observing at the moment. These are rather extraordinary circumstances on my part. Certainly I'd like to meet with your oracle when possible. Though I'm not sure how much help I can be with the whole 'saving a civilization' part."

Korthos grinned when Ally stated that no one had believed in the Athenian gods for over 2,000 years. And the fact that his name sounded cool. But indeed, these surface dwellers agreed to help. "As I stated, I'm not sure as well, but the Oracle is wiser than I," he stated. With that, Korthos swam to the side to let the four inside. "Enter, but be wary. Your Dr. Harper stated that dark forces stirred within these walls..." he warned them. Fienna nodded, then swam into the city, gesturing for the others to follow.

Immediately upon entering, it was clear now more than ever how past its prime the city was. The streets looked nearly abandoned, and there was very little upkeep being done on the place. Small fishes swam to and fro across the streets, with the occasional bottom feeding creature such as a ray passing over the dusty depths. Spires of blue light flickered on and off, barely maintained, and algae and seaweed covered many of the walls and other surfaces in the City. All in all it looked like a half-dead labyrinth of catacombs. The entire atmosphere was spooky and unwelcoming as Fienna swam close to the three in order to make sure they were safe.

Fienna swam the three to a large ornate door near the center of a large intersection. Fienna ran her hand along one of the patterns of the door, which glowed blue and slid open. On the other side of the door was a woman who looked not much older than Fienna, with wavy, silvery hair that flowed every which way, wide eyes that were so pale that she looked blind, and white scales. She had ornate blue face paint on her face and body, matching the patterns on the door. She 'stood' behind a pit that was releasing glowing blue light and blue bubbles that were filling the room with a light blue aura. On the surrounding walls were shelves that contained glistening trinkets of mysterious purpose, bottles of glowing substances that it was impossible to tell what they were, and large, shining crystals carved into unusual shapes.

"Fienna, welcome back," the Oracle told Fienna with a distant, almost otherworldly-sounding voice. "Jonaidi. Jonah. Ally. You may enter. I have been expecting your arrival," she then greeted the three surface dwellers with the same distant voice, seemingly staring off into space as her hands moved towards the bubbling pit, waving them gently in that general direction.

By The Oracle

Jonah already hated pretty much everyone around him. Not like he wanted to see them hurt or anything, but he wouldn't associate with them under any other circumstance. Well, he'd at least have to share credit with the others for whatever they find down here. No sense in trying to claim all the glory of bringing back world changing discoveries for himself. Everyone who deserved credit should get it, after all.

The place did look very much past its prime, though. No doubt that there was life here, but it all made Jonah anxious. He was biting his nails as they moved onward, trying to abate his worries. At least, they had reached their destination fairly quickly. As the door opened and he walked into the relatively well-kept room, his eyes fell upon something captivating.

Those shelves were completely filled with things of unknown worth! Bottles, crystals, trinkets, something here had to be valuable! Oh, and there was a mermaid here. Presumably the previously mentioned oracle. She looked fairly creepy to Jonah. It was probably the eyes, he concluded. Looking at a person's eyes had always been uncomfortable, and it was even more so by unusual eyes.

As the oracle started speaking, Jonah had to force himself to not scrunch his face up in disgust. Her voice sounded even more wrong than all the other ones he had heard so far. Of course, that wasn't enough to distract him from the fact that she knew his name...

It struck Jonah that this oracle might have actual divination. Not a comforting thought. Who knew what a person could see with that? Perhaps, just to be safe, he should distract his mind from money and focus it on a more innocuous part of his motivation. Divination might be able to read minds, for all he knew on the topic. He focused on how proud his father would finally be if... when he became rich from this.

As he approached the bubbling pit, Jonah asked, with expertly faked interest as opposed to the fear of mind reading he was actually experiencing, the oracle "H-How do you know our names already?" Wow, he was worried. It's a good thing they were underwater, because he'd be sweating bullets normally.

Jon

No amount of convincing would change Jon's mind that this place reminded him more of ancient ruins rather than the so-called grandeur of Atlantis as depicted in modern media today. If they were aiming for the desolate, archaic feel, then they definitely succeeded in his mind.

Then, they got through the a fancifully ornate door to the Oracle. Within, there's another 'mermaid'(surprise, surprise), yet this one seemed more regal. More... mysterious, somehow.

Well, she certainly got the role of mystic right. And she even knew their names beforehand. Huh. She either has installed listening devices somewhere during their whole trip to the island or are extremely Crazy-Prepared if they

"Yeah, I second that," Jon spoke up when the Jonah questioned how she knew their names. "Though, let me guess, knowing how this will all go, your answer is totally going to either be 'prophecy', 'future vision', 'mind reading' or some other cryptic message about how you see all and know all, right?"

The oracle swam from around the bubbling pit and looked at the three, with the same blank stare she had been giving, almost as if she was looking beyond the three. "Fear not, Jonah, I see not your mind but your place in the tapestry of destiny, who you are and who you strive to be." She swam towards the three humans, swimming around them and looking deeper at them. She stopped in front of Jon, looking at him intently. "Jonaidi, the prophet, born of nobility, dispeller of falsehoods, risen from prior darkness to seek the truth. Your destiny is grand. I see your search for the ultimate truth, but how far are you willing to search?"

She then swam to the side at the worried-looking Jonah, and again looked at him intently. "Jonah, he who lives to sustain life, haunted forever by the specter of death, he who wishes to leave a golden legacy. I see your legacy leading on to grand things, but what are you willing to sacrifice for your dreams to become a reality?"

Finally, she swam in front of Ally and nodded. "Ahh, Ally, the scribe, the chronicler, she who wishes to distinguish herself from the legacy of her kin. You wish to prove yourself to your superiors, to bring to them a story for the ages. I see you weaving a monumental record into the tapestry of history, but what will you endure to make this destiny a reality?"

Next, the oracle swam back behind her bubbling pit and waved her hands over the glowing depths. Fienna swam up to the pit and looked inside it, then swam back over to the surface dwellers.

"Your time will be well-rewarded, and your destiny will be marked by a magnificent legacy, the salvation of a great city-state and the return of magic to the realm. I am aware of the more material desires of many folk and I am prepared to compensate you in that manner as well if you will help. There is a section of the city blocked off to us. Being that we are creatures of the sea now, we cannot travel into the underwater caverns that connect to our city, filled with air and land but inaccessible to us. You, however, are able to enter these catacombs. These lead to the inner sanctum of our city, the center of our realm. Will you aid us?" she asked.

edited 21st Jan '17 9:08:36 AM by AllHailThrall

Jon

... Okay. Whoever's behind this must have some serious intel on the three of them beforehand. How else could the Oracle speak and know about his backstory in a cryptic manner. He made sure to bury that part of his high school life way, waaaay down. Can it be that they got the info somehow?

Gaaaah!!! The memories! They're back! No, no, shoo! Shoo! Go away! Don't remind him. That was a dark, dark times for him as president of the Occult Club. No, shoo! And the less said about the rituals, investigation and myth hunting activities that he'd done years back, the better.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," said Jon blankly, who knows perfectly well what she's talking about. Crap, he's gotta be more careful around her now, lest she exposed his horrendous, horrendous past to the others. Or wait, could it be...

Is this blackmail?! That's just cheating!

Then, she asks for their aid. Oh. Oh, sure. He can already see how it is. Ally is looking for the scope of the century(poor reporter must be already tricked by now. He can't have that), while 'leaving a golden legacy' probably means that Jonah expected to get something and repaid out of this. As for me...

"Yeah, yeah, sure, whatever. I'll help." Whatever it is to make you guys keep quiet about me, I quietly mumbled under my breath.

I jotted down everything as the two merfolk guided us The general state of the city, a short bio on the others here, some personal thoughts of my own. Every once in a while I stopped here and there to take a picture, such as at the ornately decorated entrance to the Oracle's chamber and the inside thereof. I spent most of the time silently listening to said Oracle as I made my written and visual records.

That was until she approached me directly and recited exactly what I was doing here.

"Okay, I know you're probably psychic but that's still a bit creepy that you know all that. But, sure, I guess. I suppose there can't be too much harm in agreeing to these tasks, though maybe I'm Tempting Fate by saying that."

I noted down the scant information about the task she provided to us, for further use.

She didn't read minds? She said that in answer to a question he hadn't said aloud! Sounded like mind reading to him. Wait... maybe his act had worked and she had just inferred the question from his demeanor? He hated having two choices that seemed equally likely. He could never decide.

So this Jon was a prophet. Well, that was a grandiose way of describing a skeptical blogger. What a farce, this overly eloquent manner of speaking that was being demonstrated by the oracle. And if all that he wanted was the truth, only a truly stubborn person could deny the verisimilitude of this whole experience.

And then this oracle opened her mouth about him. She knew. How did she know about grandfather? This was so wrong. No one was supposed to know just how afraid he was of the end. Of leaving behind nothing that would remember him. He needed to go further with this. If he didn't do this he wouldn't be remembered. No one cared about grandfather when he died. He was just a piece of property to be divided up after he died.

Jonah was willing to give up everything to be cared about for something. A legacy of descendants, a place in history, anything, all just so he wouldn't feel unwanted. Be perfect and be a doctor and be a kind soul and be rich and be recognized. If they weren't underwater, one would be able to see he was crying through the unfazed persona he quickly started putting up. He was glad he didn't have to try to hide the tears behind his hood for once. What a convenient side effect of the water.

And Ally apparently wanted to prove herself in some way. Most probably by writing a story on this. Irrelevant to him, what she wanted.

So the deal was help and be rewarded? Jonah liked that idea a lot more than just stealing some technology and books on his way out. There was nothing more despicable to him then obtaining achieving one's goals without putting in an equivalent effort. This was better than expected. He just needed to calm himself down before answering. He couldn't let a tremor, from his tears, ruin his statements.

After a moment, Jonah said "I guess I can go. But don't just assume I'm only doing it for a reward. Letting a civilization die by inaction is purposeful genocide in my books. I have a conscience." Well, none of that was a lie. Even if the reward did play a big role.

edited 21st Jan '17 7:46:18 PM by pillowmantis