13919/A Night at the Shore

A Night at the Shore
Date of Scene:	31 October 2021
Location:	Coney Island
Synopsis:	While walking along the beach, Diana happens across Poseidon on a dock fishing. Shannon comes along to make an offering to him, but he seems in a solitary sort of mood.
Cast of Characters:	Wonder Woman, Nightingale, Poseidon, Liansong "Song" Qing

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Wonder Woman has posed:
The rides have all stopped for the night, and the vendors have all fallen quiet. The shore is peaceful, and all of the flashing and bright lights of the place have gone dim. Some would call it late at night while others might call it early in the morning -- it all depends on a person's perspective, really. For Diana? It's late at night, since she's not yet slept.

There are footsteps on the beach which mark the path she's taken. Some of them have been washed away by the ocean already while others linger for a bit longer. She wears a pair of sturdy boots, blue jeans, and a grey sweater. Her long black hair is loose, strands of it occassionally caught by the breeze that wanders in from the ocean.

Nightingale has posed:
     Ever since that summer, Shannon had absented herself from the lake, the little brook in the woods, and any major body of water she could think of in her immediate area. Her dive-bombing flight runs at the lake were no longer heard, no joyous laughter in the skies as she skimmed the surface of the water. But this couldn't last. Something had to be done, and soon. Leaving a note in her dorm that she'd be out for a while that night, she took off, not wanting to seem a fool in front of her friends, should she break down in the process of confronting her nightmares.

     So it was that the silvery moonlight upon the water found her at the same beach on Coney Island, with a double batch of orange almond pillow cookies, some hot cocoa, and hot cider in thermoses, in a bag she carried with her. Whether or no she wound up with company that night, as she found a dry spot on the sand to sit down--well away from the water--she was sure to get hungry.

     And if there was company? So much the better.

Poseidon has posed:
Poseidon is here already, on the island. Sitting on one of the docks, in fact, a fishing pole in hand with the line dangling into the water. He seems to be less fishing and more thinking, however, for his hands have not once moved the pole. Not once used the reel. Have not once made any attempt to make the baited hook, barbless of course, dance about in the water to attract a fish.

His expression seems to be rather distant. His blue eyes pretty well fixed out to the sea. It could be he's listening to something nobody else can hear. Or seeing something nobody else can see. Or maybe... maybe he's just thinking.

Wonder Woman has posed:
After a few more steps along the sand, Diana stops, and her gaze turns out towards the water. Admiring the rippling surface of it, perhaps. With her hearing being what it is, she hears the footfalls of another present here, and she tilts her head a touch to one side. Her blue gaze turns in the direction of the sound, and upon seeing Shannon there, she raises an eyebrow slightly, and a smile turns at the corners of her lips. She lifts a hand to offer a wave of greeting, which stands a fair chance of being seen for the ovenight lighting.

There's a moment of a pause, and then her gaze turns over towards the dock upon which Poseidon partakes of his pasttime of fishing. After a moment of consideration, she closes the last bit of distance to the dock and walks along it, approaching where Poseidon has settled himself, and if permitted, she places a hand upon one of his shoulders. "Good night to you, my dear friend," she greets him, a respectful and warm note to her voice.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon might as well have been made of the moonlight, for all the color that was in her face. One wing is raised in Diana's direction, as her hands are full of the rather well-laden bag in her keeping. She watches as the Amazon princess turns and makes her own way down the dock, pale azure eyes tracing the path she takes.

     It seems they had mutual company to keep this evening.

     With her feathers ruffled and little hope of them smoothing down anytime soon, she gets to her feet, her steps soft as she, too, heads for the docks. However, she keeps a respectful distance for the moment--and a healthy distance away from the water itself.

Poseidon has posed:
If there's one thing Poseidon might be known for, it's his habit of having either a fishing pole held in hand, or the tools to fix a boat and being elbows deep in an engine fixing said beasty. More the former than the latter.

Poseidon doesn't even seem to be aware that he's been joined, for he doesn't react in the slightest to Diana's approach. He doesn't react at all until her hand comes into contact with his shoulder. And then, the reaction might not be as expected. He simply.. disappears.

When he can be seen again, he's standing at the other end of the dock, facing whoever had touched him, with his hands up in a defensive posture. He has yet to notice Shannon. He's too busy getting his heart back down his throat.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Perhaps the princess had been expecting to find company by coming to the beach, or perhaps she had not. Either way, it would seem that fate has provided it. She blinks out of surprise at the reaction that her touch had earned, tilting her head a touch to one side. What? But...? Her fingers retreat from the spot where his shoulder had been only a moment ago, and then her hand returns to her side. That was definitely not what she had expected!

Hearing sounds from Shannon's direction, Diana casts a glance towards her, and there's a bit of a smile that comes to her features as she watches the woman rise and start to approach. Yet her smile fades somewhat as Shannon comes closer, and she gets a read of the winged woman's body language, and her brow furrows a touch. "Shannon? What is wrong?" she asks softly, a note of concern to her voice. Her attention turns back to the dock when Poseidon reappears at the other end of it, and she lifts her hand to hold them palm out towards him. If he wanted to squish her, he very likely could -- he is a God, after all. She half bows to him, the movement respectful. "My apologies, Poseidon, I meant not to startle you," she says quite softly.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon stops dead in her tracks, as she witnesses the brief exchange between Diana and Poseidon, ruffled wings flaring out behind her to their full span. Her arms remain wrapped around the laden bag in her care, and she looks between the two upon the docks. Diana's voice brings her back to the present moment, the younger woman closing her eyes briefly and taking a few deep breaths. "Confronting nightmares," might be heard almost as a whisper, the winged one maintaining her distance for now. "Perhaps also thanks long overdue."

     What could have happened?

Poseidon has posed:
It's almost certain that Poseidon had come here for solitude. At least, judging from his reaction. He's usually a lot more aware of his surroundings than this! Slowly, he lowers his arms and blows out a breath. "My apologies, Diana. I was not expecting company." He grimaces faintly and reaches up a hand to run his fingers through his hair. "I should have been paying better attention to where I am."

Only now does he become aware of Shannon's presence, now that he's not off in his own little world. He tilts his head to study Shannon curiously. "Nightmares. From the sea?" She should know to which he refers. And if not.. well, he may not elaborate in front of Diana. Or he might!

Wonder Woman has posed:
As Shannon's wings flare out, Diana turns her attention towards the winged woman, studying her for a moment. "Nightmares?" she asks softly, a gentle tone to her voice. She doesn't request details about such things, though there is a touch of curiosity to her voice. "I am sorry that you suffer such things," she says softly, inclining her head slightly towards the younger woman. Indeed, what could have happened? No matter what her curiosity is, she doesn't pry into it, though.

Her gaze shifts to Poseidon, and she tilts her head a touch to one side before she gives a small shake of her head. "There is no need to apologize, Poseidon. My appearance was not expected, and you were lost in thought. It is late. It is entirely understandable," she says softly, a warm note to her voice and a smile touching at the corners of her lips.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon nods slowly, and for a moment, one is left to wonder if it is the mist from the water that lingers upon her face. "A journey went horribly awry," she offers by way of explanation to Diana. "My friends and I wouldn't be here now if it weren't for Poseidon." While she keeps her breathing measured, her color is not well.

     Still, while the Father of the Oceans is there, she does turn to him, bowing deeply, and taking a few steps closer. "If you've a night of fishing ahead, perhaps this bit of thanks will not go amiss. Those orange almond pillow cookies you enjoyed, two batches. Some hot cider, and cocoa, as I did also want to thank you for your help with the wee one and the water spirit in the vase." There's a faint hint of a smile, however brief, as she offers the rather well-laden bag to him.

Poseidon has posed:
Poseidon nods to Diana. Then he nods to Shannon, though this second nod is much more grave, more serious. "It was my pleasure." And he doesn't seem to be in much of a mood for talking. For, he accepts the gifts with only a nod of thanks. And then? He disappears. There's not even a puff of smoke to mark his passing. The fishing pole, folding chair, and small cooler remain where he had left them when Diana startled him.

Wonder Woman has posed:
The Amazonian princess turns her attention back to Shannon, listening attentively to what is shared. "I am so sorry, Shannon. I had no idea such a thing had happened," she says softly, a gentle note to her voice. "Was everyone all right?" she asks, her brow furrowing a little bit. There's worry in her voice, and she casts a brief glance towards Poseidon when he's mentioned. Diana tilts her head a bit to one side as she watches Poseidon, and one of her eyebrows quirks up a little bit when he accepts the offered gives before simply... vanishing. She frowns a little bit, and then she gives a small shake of her head. "I hope that I have not disturbed him too greatly," she says softly.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon smiles a little bit, wrapping her arms around herself for a moment. "It was a trip taken over the summer, some of my friends and I, celebrating my eighteenth birthday," she begins, by way of explanation. "We visited a good portion of the Mediterranean region. Tuscany, Pompeii, Naples... and it was on a yacht one of my friends enlisted to the purpose from their kin, bless them."

     Her feathers begin to ruffle even more, the younger woman closing her eyes tightly, crystalline droplets tracing a trail down her face. "The trip was going well enough that we were able to make good time towards the Gulf of Corinth, heading for Delphi. Poseidon's home waters, as it turns out."

     Her voice trails off, and she shivers hard, her head bowing. "I'd just left an offering of barley on the waves, and the water seemed ready to swallow us whole. The boat was sinking, and we were taken into the main salon to get our life jackets. But it was happening too fast... we were all going to die...."

Liansong "Song" Qing has posed:
Even high up in the air as he is, Liansong can hear the conversation on the beach easily enough. He's high enough up to remain invisible to normal human eyes, and out over the ocean away from where the grey haired man had been fishing. Curious, the presently coal black avian shifts his wings minutely, angling himself down and closer.

This turns into closer yet, and closer still, and ends with him landing on the beach some distance away from the two women. Perhaps this serves to announce his presence, and it was entirely intentional. It's rude to eavesdrop, afterall. "'allo, ladies," he says in an australian accent, beak gaping after in what is probably supposed to be a smile. His black feathery ear tufts are perked all the way up.

Perhaps this might make him look cute, but a black apparition appearing out of nowhere might be alarming anyway! He's dressed simply, in what almost appears to be a kaftan or kimono type affair. It's sapphire blue with burgandy stitching in neat little lines patterned after some sort of maze. The thing is loose enough not to interfere with his feathers or his tail, and has places cut out of the back for his wings.

Wonder Woman has posed:
At first, there is little more for Diana to do than to simply listen, and to do so attentively. And so that is what she does, her blue gaze holding to Shannon's features. She has a certain fondness for the winged woman, and has witnessed her bravery more than once. "It sounds like a number of lovely locations selected for the journey. And the summer is a good time to visit them," she says softly, a small smile touching her lips.

Stepping a bit closer to Shannon, Diana lifts a hand to lightly bring her fingers to rest on one of her arms, if she's allowed to. She'll lightly rub Shannon's forearm and give a faint squeeze of reassurance, if she's permitted to do so. Support offered, but not imposed further. She gives a little bit of a nod when Shannon speaks of Poseidon's home waters, which she's familiar with as well. "It is a good offering to make," she says quietly and in a gentle tone. She is mostly quiet, though, as there is more to the tale that's not yet been said, and she has the patience for Shannon to speak it in her own time.

With her attention on Shannon, she's not facing quite right to notice the avian's approach with sight. Yet she does not him when he's angled down and closer to land near to them, her gaze briefly passing over the sight of him. He is unusual and yet she's not a complete stranger to things that are not human. A smile touches at the corners of her lips and she inclines her head towards him. "A good night to you," she offers in greeting to him, her own words touched with a bit of a Greek accent.

Nightingale has posed:
     Indeed, Shannon does not pull away, but rather, holds still and allows the contact. It seems to relax her a bit, her feathers beginning to settle into place. "I'm not sure... I must have called for help... there was nothing more any of us could really do... because the next thing I remember, the boat was rising up out of the water, and Poseidon was in there with us. By that miracle, we all made it out alive... though I'm certain a few of us likely needed a change of clothing afterwards."

     Her voice trails off once more, as she hears the arrival of another avian. First one eye, then the other cracks open, and she dips her head in greeting towards Lian. "Good evening," she murmurs, though she's not so inclined to smile at the moment.

Liansong "Song" Qing has posed:
Liansong bobs his head in a bit of a nod. He seems to be good natured, and his emotions reflect that. His ice blue eyes, however, look a bit odd in with the contrasted coal black feathers. He looks between the two women, mood turning a bit more somber as it becomes obvious he's interrupted something. "Is all well?" He takes several steps closer, and proves himself more avian than not. He has talons for feet, and his legs are shaped like a bird's.

Wonder Woman has posed:
There is a gentle squeeze given to Shannon's arm, and a small and reassuring smile. "Perhaps you called for help and do not remember doing so. Though it is likely that your offering, given in a time of need, is what drew him to you, and to the ship. I can only imagine how hectic it must have been, how difficult," she says softly, her tone gentle. "I am glad that you were all able to live through it, that you were all saved," she adds, giving a small nod to Shannon.

Her attention turns to the avian once again, watching him for a moment. She notices the physical differences in him, yet none of them seem to bother her. "All is well enough, yes," Diana says, a smile turning her lips. "Thank you for asking," she offers, inclining her head towards him. It's not her place to speak of Shannon's fears or nightmares. She gives Shannon's arm a bit of a squeeze, looking to her for a moment before her attention turns back to the avian. "My apologies, I mean not to be rude, but I must go. There is a situation that requires my attention," she offers in an apologetic tone. What she might have heard is something that she doesn't share. She steps back a bit from Shannon before easily, and quickly, pushing off the ground and into the air to fly off for another part of the city. Sometimes, her job doesn't follow typical hours.

Nightingale has posed:
     "As well as can be, but can always be better," Shannon murmurs in polite response to Lian. He wasn't such a bad sort, really, but she wasn't quite sure how much to relay to him of the summer's happenings. "Been a while since I saw you last... what have you been up to since?"

Liansong "Song" Qing has posed:
Once reassured that all is well, Liansong relaxes. And his feathers fluff out a bit with that relaxation. Much like an actual bird. His features are rather owlish, all told. He doesn't ask about the fears or nightmares, it's not his place. Really. And he really probably just doesn't need to know anyhow. "Good luck, mate," he says to the dark haired woman who then leaves. His crystal blue eyes follow her progress up and into the sky and for a distance past what other people might be able to see. An owl's sight, and hearing, helps there.

Once the woman is gone, Liansong turns his attention to the other woman. "Better is always what we strive for," he agrees, feathers fluffing out again. "At.. a church, yeah?" That seems to be the last time he recalls seeing this woman. "Not sure I caught your name, though." And then something from within the kaftan style jacket/robe thing he wears chirps. His ear tufts lie flat and he retrieves a cellphone from inside the thing. "Bloody hell," he mutters, typing a quick message in reply.

Liansong tucks it away and looks up again. "My turn to take care of a situation requiring my attention. Gotta go! See ya next time. Maybe we can have a barbie!" He spreads his wings, quite large wings too, and leaps into the air. The wings flap, and he rises fairly quickly, and soon disappears beyond the lights. Black against black, not so easy to see. Even the blue of his kaftan is hard to see after a certain point!