Meddlesome Gods: The Call of the Eighth God - Sorine's Test
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Unlike others Sorine's day was normal. Nothing was abnormal, nothing went wrong or right. It was simply a typical day for her. The only difference was she felt the call of the oceans far more than normal for someone from Choisi. They are after all, wanderers with preference for water travel. The rumours of Missiah wanting to go adventure and find an item 'important' to Choisi probably didn't help keep such things in check. So, eventually, Sorine feels herself wanting to help find the most exciting route tot he supposed island the artifact is said to be on. If she finds that, her Queen can have the best adventure possible. Who wouldn't want the favor of their ruler?
Indeed, once wind caught news of this artifact being somewhere in the Choisi's region, it did not take long to reach Sorine's ears. From then, she had spent some time studying maps and charts in order to determine which area would be the best bet as to where it might be. At this particular moment, she had three regions to choose, and was having a hard time deciding which of them to go after first.
As she often did when she couldn't decide on something, she went for a walk near the water, to hear the ocean waves and to help settle her indecision.
Nothing she finds is exact but the maps, plus comments from fellow Choisians, especially the older ones, she could find a high probability to where this island could be located. When she goes to the ocean her family ship is there. None of her family is nor are the typical crew but it is definitely a ship that belongs to her family. It bears the family crest. She just can't see the ship name from where she stands. It could very well be her ship, if she decided to have one. A sign towards the decision? A meddling God? It is up to Sorine how she interpets it.
Sorine spends a few moments trying to examine the ship, to see if maybe she recognized it further. After some rising frustation, the lady takes in a deep breath and takes a step onto the ship, calling out, "Hello? Is anyone there?"
Appearing on the front point of the ship is a figure. This figure waves. From the distance Sorine can't tell who it is. She is bid over to the boat and onto it by the figure. Someone must be controlling the boat for it moves to a dock for her to hop on. The side of it has the name of her ship written on it (whatever you want it to be since it is Sorine's ship). Her ship was brought to Tranquil city. Did something happen back home? Did someone figure out her plans? Should she look to the front of the ship, the waving figure is gone. PErhaps they went to await her arrival.
As the ship moves to the docks to allow her to climb on, Sorine feels a twing of concern. "What is the Albatross' Eye doing here?" Her ship, a gift from her parents, wasn't due. She hesitates for a moment more, seeing that the figure that had beckoned to her had gone. The lady takes in a deep breath, stepping up to the deck of the familiar ship.
Waiting for her is a person that looks exactly like what appeals to Sorine the most (AKA Sorine's 'dream person'. Can absolutely be a PC or named NPC). There is also a Godly feel to the figure. It is not the familiar one of the 7 current Gods, which means the God is not the known ones but there is no doubting that the person is a God. "You're my latest interest." says Echo with a laugh. Her hand lifts to push his hair back before they study Sorine, "So, I decided to also test you." She adds, after a moment, "You will only be able to talk about what is already known about me, which is merely that I exist and the other Gods know me. Maybe more. Sometimes, I enjoy throwing out random tidbits about me."
Sorine starts as she sees a figure in front of her, someone, or something, wearing the face of a man she had only met in her dreams. She blushes as she listens, tilting her head. "Me? ... A test?" The lady nods, then, after the God finishes. "Of course. It would not do well to upset One such as Yourself. What... what exactly would you have me do?"
"IT has already started." observes the God. IT would be /now/ that Sorine would feel the ship moving. Except Echo and Sorine there only seems to be echoes of people controlling the ship. Shadows, if you will. It makes wonder if they are in the 'real world' or some alternative place created by Echo. "Your Queen wants to adventure. Will you be able to find the route that most stokes her love of adventure? She has an end goal after all."
The lady peers about her as she notices the ship move under the shadows' work. Returning her attention to the God before her, she answers. "Will I be able to find what Her Majesty is after?" Sorine nods to herself as much as Echo. "That is the question, isn't it? I am confident in my abilities. If it is out there, I am fairly sure I can find it."
The God cants her head before he says, "You won't. You, as of yet, don't meet the requirements all to find it." Closer Echo steps, has hand lifting to curve along the cheek of Sorine, "Will that always be the case? I wonder." Back Echo steps, hand falling away, "However, you could narrow down the location. PErhaps even get close. Though, you're not as highly skilled in navigation as Taya, LArthin's current favourite Child, you are among the best. Taya has certain advantages over you due to who she is."
Sorine frowns as Echo approaches her, but returns to a more neutral face as the God finishes speaking. "Even if I am not...qualified...as one might put it to find it, being close is enough for me. Are you request I do so? Before Taya does?"
"Taya meets the conditions closer than you but she doesn't fully either. She lacks some of what you have and you lack some of what she has" IT would not be amiss to piece together it has to do with Sorine's Kingdom and Taya's blood. "I just felt like you interested me and I wanted to see how far you could go in a task you are unlikely to be able to fully succeed at. Does that make you want to quit? Or is the thrill of the 'hunt' more appealing? Or perhaps it is the possibility of gaining the favour of your Queen?"
After centering herself, Sorine responds, "As I've said, I am fully confident in my abilities. That I am unlikely to succeed at it alone is hardly relevant.I am determined to see this through. I will not quit. Any accolades are extra." The lady allows a faint smile to grace her lips. "Not that I would turn down favour from Her Majesty, or any others that see fit to gift me with such."
THe God humms a moment then says, "You might be able to do it alone were you to have all that you need but, as of yet, you do not." Echo shrugs her shoulders then says, "Sail your ship then, Lady of the Gallants. Seek what you are to seek and show me that my interest does not fail me."
"I will do just that." Sorine nods once more. "I hope it will be an interesting watch for You, whatever happens." The lady curtsies, then.
"Those that know of me, the 'hidden' God, call me Echo. Larthin decided that would be the name of his partner and I liked it just fine." OVer to a seat Echo moves to plunk her bottom down. His hand lifts in a 'get to it' type motion. When Sorine starts the sail she will find that it is, for now, easy. She just need to get the most exciting and adventurous line that will entertain the Queen the most when she decides to adventure.
"Echo." The lady tries out the name, before nodding. "I am Sorine Gallant." After the hand motion, Sorine goes to the helm, noticing it's ease. After a few moments, she says as much to the God as to herself, "The winds of destiny are at my back. They drive me forward to victory. My course has been set and I will stray. Follow me."
Sorine will find herself running into hostile sea creatures that she can dodge quick enough if she doesn't want to fight. Choisian ships are, after all, some of the fastest in all the world. Being a seafaring nation has its benefits. At least when it comes to water travel. She will also find she takes several wrong turns that don't seem as such until something feels 'off' or Echo says or does something that makes it clear they are off course. It can be a giggle from the God, a scoff, a word or two, whatever strikes his fancy to do when 'mistakes' are made.
The lady grimaces as she comes upon the sea creatures- but maneuvers around them as they come to attack the ship. As the water calms, she relaxes, though it does not take much to realize that she had gone offcourse, especially with the God's "guidance." Sorine frowns again but remains quiet as she sails through these obstacles, a grim determination taking hold of her person. After a particularly harrowing course correctly, Sorine mumbles under her breath, "Attia, remove this pain." She starts for a moment, and speaks again, this time more loudly. "Ah, apologies."
Looking at the God it seems she heard what Sorine said but he seems more amused than bothered. So far, it seems fitting for how Echo has behaved thus far. Finally, Sorine makes it to the island she is suppose to find. Well, more specifically, it comes into view but she can't get very close, it stays a 'dot' in the distance. However, something about the island once it comes into view strikes a cord within Sorine. A glance at Echo would reveal the God has nothing to do with the feeling she gets. It is a good bet, at some time in the past, this island was dear to those of the Choisian people. Why it is no long as such is uncertain.
Once they have come to their destination, Sorine spends a fair amount of time studying the speck. "This feels like... hmm." She leaves the thought unfinished, instead turning her attention to Echo. "Well, this is...it. I cannot get closer. But, I am here and...I can get here again."
"You did well." observes the God to Sorine, "Just an amusing note, you did better than I expected. It was not as entertaining as it could have been for me but I find that you kept me well enough entertained." Echo looks to the island then to Sorine once more, "Don't you wonder, though, if you made this trip or did you dream it? I am, after all, a God. I can do as I want." When Sorine looks around she will find herself in her bedroom once more as Echo talks. Echo is still there. Should Sorine decide to go to the docks to see if her ship is there, she will find it is. It still lacks a proper crew but it does have the echoes that were set up by the God that will likely disappear whenSorine gets her crew to her ship or, should she decide it, once she returns to her home.
"Thank you, I think...?" The lady answers, looking confused as she ceases to be on her ship and instead is in her room, with the God. Her expression softens as she continues to speak. "There are answers even in dreams made by Gods." Sorine stands, and begins writing her experiences down.
The God smiles to Sorine before they turn to walk from the room of the Lady. Echo is out of sight very quickly, likely due to her Godly magic. Sorine must have done something right for Echo for he doesn't seem upset with her.