13855/A Chat with a God

A Chat with a God
Date of Scene:	05 October 2021
Location:	Liberty Island, Manhattan
Synopsis:	To free a girl kidnapped by a spirit, Diana and Shannon and Kit venture to the water's shore to summon Poseidon to help.
Cast of Characters:	Nightingale, Wonder Woman, Poseidon, Kit Killovarras

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Nightingale has posed:
     In the course of the visit to the Themiscyran embassy from Xavier's students earlier that day, an incident with a vase of the aquatic persuasion had occurred. The aforementioned incident had resulted in one of the younger students, Mara, going for a little watery playtime with the spirit inside the vase. Yes, inside the vase, as her gifts were of the aquatic persuasion as well.

     This left Shannon, in the heat of the moment, helping the other students to expand their command of the vernacular in several different languages, before taking Jean aside and explaining her particular connection to Poseidon. "If there's an answer to be found, at this point, miss Grey, he'd be the first one I'd ask." It wasn't without some measure of misgivings that she was given the green light to remain at the embassy, to assist Diana with contacting the mighty Earthshaker himself.

     Down by an isolated stretch of sandy shore, she took a knee, lighting a stick of nag champa incense in a small wooden holder which was set upon the sand. Too, a small offering of barley grains was sprinkled upon the water, and she looked out over the waves. She glanced back at Diana, smiling lightly before turning back to the water, and calling out in a clear, surprisingly confident voice, "Father of Oceans, Earthshaker, god of the seas... Poseidon, please, we seek your wisdom and your help."

     Uh-oh. Formal titles? That was not good. It was like using all three names to anyone else.

Wonder Woman has posed:
After the incident in the Themiscyran Embassy, the vase had been removed from being on display. It was safely wrapped up to protect it and then placed into a satchel so that it could be transported. Sometimes, there were reminders that despite Diana's knowledge and intelligence, there were still things left to be learned by her. And this vase had created a sort of mystery, and she needed answers. She had promised Jean to do all that she could to bring Mara back, and she intended to make good on that very promise. She had done more listening than speaking during that conversation, as Shannon had also been there.

She had flown with Shannon to the beach, and she watched over Shannon as the young woman made her plea to Poseidon. And a smile turns at the corners of her lips as she gives a small nod in the wake of it. She takes a moment, drawing in a breath and letting it out again before she says, in Greek, "Poseidonas, palios mou filos... se kalome." 'Poseidon, my old friend, we call to you.' It's a simple choice of words, but she adds her own voice to the request. She stands near to Shannon, looking out over the waves as well. Her words are less formal than those that Shannon had offered, but she's worshipped Poseidon for a long time.

Poseidon has posed:
For a time, there's nothing. No response at all. Then a rumble comes, and the earth beneath their feet trembles. The water shivers. A great head emerges from the waves and moves toward the shore. The shape of the head is vaguely equine in nature. The ears are ribbed like a bat's, and it has catfish whiskers coming out in front, as well as a fin on the bottom. And it's blue, striped wiht pale gold, coral, and purple. The mane is likewise fins.

There is an impression that the legs have fins from the 'knees' down, but it can't be seen clearly for the water. The body is blue striped with crimson. And the tail is long, almost like that a dragon would have. Except it has a dolphin style fin on the end of it. All the fins are gold with darker stripes.

The head comes closer, closer. It's easily twice the size of any draft horse that resides on the planet. The eyes are dark and filled with intelligence. This is /not/ the Poseidon that Shannon knows. Nor the one that Diana has met. Formal titles get a much more spectacular appearance, apparently.

The waves surge around the Earthshaker, lifting him to rest in the water, above the heads of the two women who'd formally called him. With a ceremony and everything! Those waves move in a continuous cycle, splashing just as a wave would do, but holding Poseidon up without fail, and without changing his position at all. For a long, long moment, the being that is Poseidon simply stares at the two women. And not a single word is said.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon had long since lost her fear of facing Poseidon directly, looking straight up into those huge, dark eyes of the hippocampus before them. "I wish this were a social call," she finally says. "But it's not. We've got a bit of a tangled mess on our hands involving a vase and a strange water spirit, that has resulted in a small child going missing." Rising to her feet, she steps off to one side, grains of sand crunching softly beneath her feet. "Diana has the vase with her, and would be able to explain more." Diana is offered something of a sheepish glance and shy smile at the informal use of first names. This was going to take some getting used to!

Wonder Woman has posed:
There might be no immediate response, but Diana is patient. She has time, and so she will wait. She stands still, her hands resting lightly at her sides. Her left hand rests upon the satchel that she has slung over her shoulder, the satchel which holds the vase within it. She feels the rumble as it comes, and a small smile touches at the corners of her lips. The shivering of the water is noticed, and her gaze holds to the surface of it, watching. A smile turns up the corners of her lips as that head emerges from the waves, watching him approach. Her gaze lifts to his own dark eyes after takng a moment to admire the form that he's chosen to appear to them with.

"Thank you, Poseidon, for honouring us by coming to meet with us," Diana says softly, a warm note to her voice. She might not have met this form before, but she knows him and the feel of his presence. She looks to Shannon for a moment, and then turns her attention back to Poseidon. "We seek your counsel, your insight, and perhaps your help as well. There is a vase that was at the Embassy, and it was said to be in hoour of you. Yet within lies a spirit who called himself Dimos, and he took a small girl within. A girl named Mara," she says softly. She lifts the flap of the satchel in order to lift out the bundle, and then she unwraps it in order to hold out the vase.

Poseidon has posed:
Some part of him almost certainly knows this isn't a social call. Else Poseidon probably would have come dressed in work boots and a plaid knit jacket. Afterall, if it were a social call, Shannon would not have used his official names, but rather, the one he'd given her to use. Percy. That she hadn't.. well, that speaks volumes. Then again, this might simply be the form he'd been wearing at the time, and he was too lazy to change it.

The blue skin at his brow visibly wrinkles. "Vase? Water spirit? Missing child?" His voice is as big as his body is in this shape. And, he sounds.. confused. Poseidon's great head turns, his eyes seek out, and find, Diana. He seems to be waiting for clarification on exactly what the problem is.

All is quiet, calm, until the mention of a certain name. Dimos. The moment that name reaches his ears, Poseidon rears backward, much like any normal horse would. His front legs churn at the air. The land rumbles under the feat. The seas heave beneath him, splashing onto the shore. Splashing Shannon and Diana in the process, but not dangerously so. "Dimos!" he thunders! Clearly, this is not a name he is happy at /all/ to hear!

He settles, and lowers his head on its long neck to fix a narrow-eyed glare on the two women. "What trouble has that water sprite caused this time? Trapping a human? He's up to his old tricks again?!" Oh, less than happy!

Nightingale has posed:
     Salty sea spray flies through the air as Poseidon rages at the name of Dimos. Perhaps it is no real danger to the two women on shore, true, save perhaps to one's dignity. Within seconds, Shannon's face is doused, her hair now clinging to her head and lending the appearance of... well, of a drowned rat. Despite the dousing, however, Shannon does her best to help clarify the situation. "Mara's gifts are closely aligned with water. Dimos used this to communicate with her, and entice her to go play with him, as small children are apt to do. Currently, we believe both to be within the vase."

     As she drags her hand down her face, wiping it largely free of the ocean's spray, she draws sodden strands of hair away from her face with something of a rueful smile. "We're ever grateful and honored to know you, and glad for any light that could be shed on this matter."

Wonder Woman has posed:
If only it were a social call. Diana would prefer to be making a call of that nature rather than one for the purpose that she is here. The spirit in the vase had become angered at hearing Poseidon's name, so she supposes that it is a name that Poseidon is not likely to wish hearing of either.

Diana holds her gaze to Poseidon, and she listens as he makes inquiries of his own before she gives a single nod. "The girl who was taken, Mara, she has an affinity for water. She is a student at a school that had come for a tour at the Embassy. I promised the headmistress of the school that I would do what could be done to return the girl back," she says softly, giving him at least some additional information on the matter at hand.

Diana shifts her footing slightly when the earth trembles underfoot, and she keeps her feet even as the sea splashes across them. She hadn't quite expected to get soaked, but she doesn't seem to mind that it did happen and she bears it well. "He was not pleased when I spoke your name, either. My apologies, Poseidon, for causing you anger by speaking his name. To help the girl, it needed to be spoken," Diana says softly, her tone genuinely apologetic. "He was spilling forth water from the vase, in addition to what Shannon has shared," she says.

Poseidon has posed:
Poseidon huffs out an angry breath, dark eyes blazing. "Show me this vase," he orders on the heels of the further explanations that have been granted to him. "Dimos," he mutters, still very clearly unhappy with whoever the hell Dimos happens to be. He takes a breath and calms himself as Diana goes further to explain.

Visibly calmer, he inclines his head ever so slightly to Diana. "It is not your fault." The waves calm, and carry him lower, toward the land. As his front hooves settle there, his form shimmers and shifts until he's back into the shape of the man both of the women know best. A fit man who's skin shows the health and bloom of youth, but who's hair and beard as as silver as the stars. Both are long and full. "Show me," he says in a much calmer voice. "Dimos has ever been one of mischielf. I shall retrieve your Mara for you."

Kit Killovarras has posed:
A little late to the party, but the Yeen has made it and and unlike his normally rather cloak and dagger look, he's got his hoodie open - revealing the bandages beneath it - and with his hood lowered to reveal what he is. For some reason, there are thin lines of blood along the bandages where his ribs would be, though he doesn't seem bothered in the slightest by them.

He's standing at his full height too, a little ways off from the rest of the group, having stuck back for a little while to study the vase closer. "So what exactly is this, Dimos? Other than a spirit, I mean." he asks, his voice carrying to be heard easily and his ears perked forward, waiting for a response. He's decided to forego the introduction for now it seems.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon offers Poseidon a smile of gratitude as he expresses willingness to bring Mara back from the watery Limbo in which she was currently trapped. Without even a heartbeat's hesitation, she offers the Earthshaker a brief but fierce hug. "Thank you." There was little more that needed to be said. She doesn't let the hug linger too long, however, stepping back to let what will be, be.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Gods can be unpredictable, and perhaps even more so when their tempers have been stirred to flare. Yet Diana remains standing upon the shore, watching Poseidon in his divine ire. She gives a small nod to his request, and she finishes unwrapping the vase before holding it in her right hand and offering it forth. "This is the vase. The spirit within called to Maraand her alone, telling her he wished to play, and she touched it before any had a chance to know to stop her from doing so. He took her just today," she says softly.

Whoever Dimos happens to be, Diana now has more than just a little bit of curiosity on the matter. Yet she doesn't ask anything about it, in this moment. She watches as he calms and comes to the land in order to become the figure of the man which he typically appears to her as. A smile finds the corners of her lips, and she tilts her head a touch to one side before inclining her head towards him. "After a fashion, it is, for I spoke the name that angered you, my friend," she says softly. She steps forward to meet him, and she offers the vase to him. "The vase was on display at the Embassy. I do not know from whence it came, and what I know of it indicates it is to honour you," she says. Her attention holds on him rather than turning to elsewhere, at this moment. She half bows to him as he agrees to retrieve Mara. "You honour me by doing so, and I am ever grateful to you for doing so, Poseidon. I will prepare an offering for you for when I next come to visit you," she says softly, a warm note to her voice. What that offering might be, she doesn't say.

There is a brief look that Diana casts towards Kit, though she had heard his approach before he arrived. She doesn't say anything after his question has been asked, though her attention readily returns back to Poseidon. At least she's not the one who spoke the name this time. A glance is cast towards Shannon when she seeks to claim the God in such a hug, and there's a smile that teases at the corners of her lips.

Poseidon has posed:
Poseidon doesn't immediately respond to the aardwolf. He raises a brow and studies him. His expression changes not a whit. The creature before him might as well be an ant as a person, for how Poseidon looks at him.

With the incoming hug, Poseidon doesn't avoid it. He even pats Shannon on the back. She can feel the tension in his muscles when she's hugging him. He might look calm, but he's still angry. "Dimos is a hippocampus with a talent for controlling water," he finally says, blue eyes moving back to the unknown aardwolf. "One who likes to cause mischief, mayhem, and chaos. He was sealed away two thousand years ago for damage he caused to the cities on Greek coastline."

Diana gets a narrow-eyed look. He points a finger at her, and shakes his head. "Stop. Dimos angered me, not you." As the vase is shown to him, Poseidon's eyes widen. "How did you wind up with that?" He sounds curious. A thread of water swirls beneath the vase and lifts it from Diana's hands, bringing it to Poseidon. He looks it over and blows out a breath. "Dimos, you should know better than this foolishness by now."

The vase shakes in his hands, but nothing further happens. He waves a hand at the mention of an offering. He lifts the vase in his other hand and stares at it for a moment. Then he squeezes. The vase shatters, shards of beautiful glazed pottery raining down to the sand at his feet.

Kit Killovarras has posed:
The shattering of the vase gets a slight twitch from the ears of the Aardwolf, a soft violet energy suddenly crackling up the fur along the back of his head and doubtlessly, throughout the fur on other parts of his body, but they're hidden from sight by the bandages.

To the explanation of what Dimos is though, he just nods, keeping his ears perked forward. He might not seem to be in a pleasant mood at the moment, but at very least he knows the general rule of: have patience when dealing with spirits or the divine. So for now, he just watches, watches the vase shatter, watches the pieces hit the ground and watches the gods every move. Maybe this is why he's not standing as close as the others?

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon can feel the tension in the hug, holding the embrace just a moment longer as if to try and offer a touch of her own calm to the Earthshaker. But eventually, she does step back, her wings flicking a few droplets of water free and settling neatly at her back. There is talk of offerings, to which she adds a wry smile, inclining her head. "I think I've some extra baking to do when I return home," she adds. "And also make you a particularly good batch of hot cocoa."

     The shattering of the vase, when it happens, is sudden, the young woman lofting her brow. It was one step closer to freeing Mara, at least, destroying the prison which held her and the impish water spirit within. She steps back, roughly between Diana and Kit, watching events unfold.

Wonder Woman has posed:
A God's anger is not necessarily easily set aside. Gods themselves are immortals and that generally gives them plenty of time to stew on past transgressions that have been committed against them. Diana listens as Poseidon speaks of who Dimos happensto be, and what earned him the fate of being sealed away. It doesn't seem to surprise her that it was a creature of mayhem, mischief and chaos. That is what it sought to cause in the Embassy, after all.

Diana inclines her head towards Poseidon as he speaks of Dimos being the cause of his anger rather than her, and a small smile touches at the corners of her lips. "Yes, he did," she affirms. Her gaze turns to the vase in her hand, and she willingly allows Poseidon to claim it from her. "It arrived perhaps a month ago in a package that was addressed to the Embassy. It bore no name or address as to where it was from, and there were a couple of other pieces within the package as well. This one found its way to being on display within the lobby of the Embassy," Diana explains. It's not the first time that an unknown benefactor has sent a package with such things in it. One of her eyebrows quirks up a touch at his words spoken over the vase, and she watches him. Though he waves off the offering, it is something that she will honour, for it is customary to give something in exchange for a God's assistance.

And she still watches him even as he shatters the lovely vase into naught but shards that fall to the sands. Gods are mysterious sometimes, and there is always a reason behind their actions. And there is often an unseen method, for they are often powerful beings. He had said that he would retrieve Mara, and she trusts in him, and so she waits. And she watches, seeming endlessly patient.

Poseidon has posed:
To be fair, the other two have at least some trust in the god that is Poseidon. Poseidon's blue eyes alight on the violet energy that plays along the aardwolf's fur, that which he can see with both his eyes and his magical senses. He notes the patience displayed, and nods once, seemingly pleased by it.

Poseidon's attention, and his eyes, return to the shards of the vase, now. From within, a glittering mist of blue forms. It grows. Larger and larger. For those who can sense magic, they would sense that it's Poseidon's doing. He's focused on what he's doing, and not on Shannon or her mention of baking and hot cocoa, so he doesn't respond to that aspect of things.

The blue mist grows to the size of a horse, a large one, and solidifies into something that looks very like he'd looked a few minutes ago. Though half his size and not nearly as colorful as he had been. And then a bit of mist detatches from the sea horse's forehead. It too grows in size, until it's the size of a small child. It solidifies just like the other had, and soon Mara stands there happily bouncing on her toes. She immediately runs to Shannon and hugs her leg.

Poseidon glances to Shannon at that moment. "We'll talk about the lack of cookies this time later," he intones, though his lips curl up ever so slightly, showing his general amusement. Dimos tosses his head, looking unhappy that Mara had gone away from him. But he remains where he is, restrained by his god's magic and will.

Kit Killovarras has posed:
Kit's ears twitch again and fold a little to the sides as Mara forms and runs over to hug Shannon, a thin smile playing over his maw for a moment. He studies Dimos as well, tilting his head ever so slightly before letting his ears perk forward again, listening. He might have some confidence when dealing with spirits, but with everything that's happened today, he's further out of his element than he'd probably care to admit, so for now he still just watches and waits.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon chortles softly as she first hugs Mara, then scoops the little girl up to help her climb onto her shoulders. Pale azure eyes twinkle as she peers over at Poseidon, her tone deadpan, but her lips curling upwards in a smile. "Of course, over a fresh batch of them." With Mara astride her shoulders, she rocks back and forth on her feet, standing near to Kit. Her entire posture spoke of relief, glad that the wee one was safe--and her friends were near. Yes, this was a good night.

Wonder Woman has posed:
The Princess of Themyscira turns her gaze towards the shards of the vase as well, watching as the mist rises up from them. She remains standing where she is even as that mist grows larger and larger. A flicker of curiosity shows in her blue eyes, and her attention holds on him and what he's doing rather than turning towards any of her companions. As the mist takes form, solidifying into the form of Dimos, Diana gives a small nod and faintly inclines her head towards the figure of the spirit. And then, Poseidon fulfills his words, pulling Mara free of the spirit and setting her free from her entrapment. For a moment, she watches the little girl hugging Shannon's leg, and then her attention turns back to Poseidon.

"Thank you, for bringing Mara back," Diana says softly, a warm tone to her voice. The headmistress of the school will be grateful for it as well, no doubt. "She seems quite happy for the experience that she has gone through today," she says, a thoughtful note coming to her voice. "It is good to see her well and unharmed," she adds, her gaze easily returning back to Poseidon.

One of her eyebrows quirks up at the mention of the lack of cookies, and her gaze turns to Poseidon, a smile quirking at the corners of her lips. "Perhaps I ought make the offering a fresh pan of baklava," she says with a touch of amusement, a sparkle touching her blue eyes.

Poseidon has posed:
Shannon isn't the only one who gets a hug, either. Mara runs over to Kit next and all but tackles him, happy to see people she knows. Even Diana gets a big sunny smile. Clearly, she had fun with Dimos! Dimos snorts and tosses his head again. Perhaps the child had more of an influence on him than he had on her?

Poseidon watches the water spirit for a time before he shakes his head. "I think it's time you had a change of scenery," he says, half under his breath. The water horse flicks an ear toward him, but his eyes remain on Mara.

Suddenly, Dimos starts to shrink! There's a startled squeal that sounds half between something a dolphin would put out and something a horse would put out. Smaller and smaller the hippocampus gets, until it's the size of a chihuahua. It's colors shimmer, shifting and changing until it's scales change to fur of a soft champagne color. It's form shifts then, and soon, it really is a little chihuahua.

"I have bound his powers. He can help you learn to control your powers, Little One," he says to Mara. Now released from Poseidon's control, the Dimos dog leaps forward, dashing to Mara's side and rubbing up against her legs. "You are bound to the Little One, Dimos. What befalls her will befall you. Choose wisely what you do." Mara looks up at him and beams a smile at him. "Thank you!" She reaches down and gathers the little dog up to cuddle it in her arms. As she's hoisted up onto Shannon's shoulders, Dimos squirms a little bit. He's not used to being held. He winds up sitting atop Shannon's head.

Poseidon inclines his head to both Shannon and Diana, and then to Kit as well. May as include him, he's there. "You're welcome. Perhaps this will be a better fit for Dimos to keep his enthusiasm curbed. And with him away from the ocean, his powers will be greatly reduced anyway. As for cookies, cocoa, and baklava, I look forward to whatever is offered." He might have a bit of a sweet tooth!

Poseidon watches them for a moment longer, and then turns to retreat back to the sea. One moment he's a man walking above the water, the next he's a hippocampus twice the size Dimos had been, and diving into the waters from whense he had emerged.

Kit Killovarras has posed:
Yup, Mara practically tackles the Aardwolf and there's a little wince for a moment before he crouches down and returns the hug. "So, did you have fun with your new friend?" he asks with a little grin. Then he'll gently ruffle her hair and stand back up, studying the childs new familiar for a moment before he just gives a little nod.

When Poseidon's form switches to one of a massive hippocampus, Kit winces and turns his head, almost looking like something had blinded him for a moment before he shakes his head and sighs quietly, his ears folding to the sides a little. After a moment though, the spirit turned canine gets a look at Kit just quirks a brow before stating, "If I catch you trying to gnaw on any of my study materials, you'll learn what newspapers are really for." with a little chuckle.

Nightingale has posed:
     Kit gets a hug from Shannon as well, with both Mara perched on her shoulders--and Dimos-doggo using her as a hat stand. Her eyes cross in rather comical fashion as she tries to look up at the pooch perched onher head. "Don't you dare douse my hair, it's already been soaked tonight," she intones. "Because, unless I miss my guess, you're due to visit the vet for an elective procedure."

     Ouch.

     Chortling softly, she looks over to Diana and smiles, eyes twinkling. "Are you certain you're not a telepath, Ambassador? I was thinking of baklava as well, in addition to cookies...."

Wonder Woman has posed:
There's a smile that's given to the little girl, and Diana offers a small nod as well. She's pleased with the girl's safe return. Sheglances from the girl to Dimos and back again, realizing that they have perhaps influenced one another during their time together. And time, perhaps, may not have passed the same there as what it does here. One of her eyebrows quirks up as she looks to Poseidon at his words for Dimos, and then she chuckles softly. And once the water spirit has been turned to a chihuahua and gifted to the girl, Diana gives a small nod. "Perhaps they will be good for one another," she says softly.

She watches him retreat back towards the sea. "We will see each other again soon, Poseidon," Diana says, inclining her head towards him. The she watches him become the hippocampus once again before he dives into the water to head for other parts of the ocean. She'll watch for a lingering moment more before her attention turns to the others. To Shannon, in specific, and she chuckles softly before shaking her head. "Ah, no. I am no telepath, I assure you of that," she says, a smile touching her lips. "Come, I will see you safely back to the school before returning to the Embassy," she adds, giving a nod. And she'll see to exactly that, getting them back to the care of Jean. There is an explanation for what happened, but the important thing is that Mara was safely returned. Then she flies from there to the Embassy, returning home herself.