Tag: masteroftheseas

An Overheard Fantasy

masteroftheseas:

“I do not desire him,” Ossë protested, scowling at the corsair. They were seated on a rocky outcropping not far from shore, and a bottle of rum was open between them. “That was– firstly, you saw nothing, but whatever you imagined you saw beneath the waves that day, it was little more than– a moment’s weakness, I suppose. You could not understand, but he is– he is fire, as much as I am water, in a way. When we clash, it is a battle of elements with no true victor– water puts out fire, but in the process, it is swept away into steam and ashes. And there is something about that chemical reaction that I cannot explain to you, a creature of bones and flesh, but when it is put into song, into spirit… I could be swept away by that flame if I allowed myself to be. He could consume my very essence if I permitted it.”

The Ainu seemed to snap out of whatever imagery, whatever trance held him, and he shook his head. He grasped the bottle of rum harshly enough to shatter the neck, glass tinkling onto stone. “But I do not. Because as exhilarating as that might be, I know that I could not trust him to put me back together. And I value the Sea and my power far more than I fancy any chemical high. So you can stop fussing about it, pirate king – I am not about to elope with my cousin.”

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“…. Was it not…? It was innuendo.”

Incorrect. 
*takes out glasses, rolls up sleeves, turns on powerpoint* 

Innuendo is primarily a form of insinuation alluding to, or suggesting, ribald behavior, usually by way of wordplay. What I said earlier was merely a statement of fact: I am desirous of having someone to entwine, bodily, with the intent of having passionate, snuggly relations. It would have been innuendo if I’d said, oh, “I’d like to wrap that up for later, if you know what I mean”. But I didn’t. So there you go. 

masteroftheseas:

Your muse sees mine begin to tip backwards. Send your muse’s reaction.

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“What a good thing I happened to be in a ten-mile radius of this near-tragedy! If my string quartet and I hadn’t stopped along the way to the ball to pick these dozen roses, you might have injured yourself!” 

I feel like your art would be one of those candies that changes flavors. Like gushers!!! No your art tastes like those gushers that were like a watermelon outside and a lime juice filling. The ones where you stuffed like ten in your mouth at once and looked like a chipmunk with puffy cheeks and it was a glorious explosion of one flavor, then you bit in and FWOOOO new flavor new magic.

WELL AS LONG AS THEY’RE NOT OFF-BRAND GUSHERS LOLOOLOl wow 

“Ji! Get me a boat.”

masteroftheseas:

ji-indur:

misbehavingmaiar:

“I see. So this is all you have for me, Cousin? A threat of battle and a call to arms?”  The dark maia frowned, a hollowness replacing excitement.

“I came here with the hope of truce. I brought weapons only because I do not know what terrors lurk here and how bold they might be.” His brow knit. “I wanted to swim with you, Ossë. This was meant to be a gift– like the serenades. Do you truly believe I would go this far only to tease you? To rob you of your lover’s bargain? I am… I would sink here and now if I let free this rope! I am helpless in your waters. You know I am! Why would I come here seeking war in this shape? You do not have to speak to me. You need not compromise your word. Only let me pretend for a moment that we are not enemies, that the world is ours to explore.  Ossë… please.”

@masteroftheseas

Whatever was happening underneath the surface, Ji Indur could tell that the Master of the Seas was not exactly welcoming the other Maia with open arms. Quite the opposite guessing from the way the water kept swirling. When the sound of the conch breached the waves it made the wraith shiver inside, hands clutching the wheel even tighter as he did not know what to do. He could not rush to the rope and abandon his spot on the helm as it would leave the ship without a hand to guide it. But if he remained up here he would miss any signals his master might be sending him already now and he might miss the one telling him to pull him back up to the surface. 

It never occurred to the corsair as the events started unfolding that he had no idea what Sauron’s fate would be if he would either be unable to rescue him or decide to abandon him to save his ship and himself. Could a Maia drown? He did not know and maybe it was best for him that he didn’t. Already now he had been forced to pick sides and as the whirling waters started to move the ship even with his struggles to keep it on a steady course he knew that maybe this was the one time when even Osse’s blessing would not keep his sheep afloat. 

It reminded him of the maelstrom he had face a century back and it had not been an experience he had wanted to relive. And yet here he was, with his master clinging to a rope that was still attached to the vessel that seemed like a little rowboat now as the elements played with it with ease. Ah if only he could catch a glimpse of what was happening down below. For a moment he considered jumping after the Dark Lord but…then what? What would he do once he found them? And even if he could not drown, his body would most likely be crushed by the pressure of the depths. So he had to ride the waves and hope for the best possible outcome. 

@misbehavingmaiar @masteroftheseas

The problem, as always, was that Sauron knew too well how to speak to him. He knew too well how to reason with him. It was as though his cousin could see into his own mind to voice his doubts for him. After all, Sauron was certainly too clever to think he could best Ossë in his own element. He would not come this far to meet his own demise.

But there had to be something in it for him. … perhaps he truly was lonely? It was plausible. But this was the first time he had ever dared to enter the waters by choice, so there had to be another reason. Perhaps he was setting his stage for another day.

The waters slowed but did not cease, allowing some freedom of movement but retaining the promise that they could accelerate whenever they chose. Shadows in the water emerged and formed wary Oarni with spears and tritons, circling with all the elegant promise of any predator, awaiting their lord’s command.

@misbehavingmaiar

Carefully, Sauron lowered his hands, making no swift gestures that could be viewed as a threat. He undid the sash at his waist, letting it and the daggers sink glittering into the darkness. Then he reached to his throat, where a small driftwood carving of a wolf hung.

“I have known enchantment for the sea
for coasts of citrine, emerald, lazuli,
in the countless bounty millions reap, 
and in terror of the deep.”  The dark lord repeated the rhyme he’d crafted, setting to a slow melody in his orotund voice. “Ošošai, will you swim with me? Will you teach me how?” His eyes were pleading, though black as volcanic glass. “It has been so long since I had the companionship of my own kind. The Eruhini… they do not see or love as we do. We are not like them.” 

The spears of the Oarni bristled as he haltingly swam forward, away from his tether. He was already less clumsy in the water, though tentative; his form was sleek and balanced, made for power and speed in equal measure. He held his webbed hands spread. 

“Let me accompany you for an hour, traipsing the whale-roads together– In silence if you choose! This would be your gift to me… I would ask nothing else of you for all time. Ošošai, Terror: I beg your leave to swim with you.” 

@masteroftheseas​ 

“Ji! Get me a boat.”

ji-indur:

masteroftheseas:

Ossë dove to the very depths of the sea to place his gift in his home for safe-keeping. That completed, he had actual work to be done. Sauron could amuse himself with Children’s toys if he desired, but it would not distract him any longer. There were tides to tend, seas to stir, bergs to ice and bays to balance. And while many were tasks he had been assigned by Ulluboz in ages past, it was pleasant work. It was good to have a purpose in this world.

And it was good to keep busy to avoid obsessing over idiotic and suspiciously self-assured cousins.

@ji-indur

With every word Sauron spoke Ji Indur grew more confused. Surely this had to be some sort of jest? After all his master would not expect to catch the Master of the Seas with a simple net or a fishing lure? What would he even use to lure him out of the depths with? A bottle of rum? A pearl necklace? ….Himself? The mere thought of that made the wraith almost burst out into laughter but he did not dare, too wary and confused to give in to the humor of the situation either way. “Everything will be brought on board as you command, my Lord. As for moving the ship alone…” 

That would be a much trickier task to accomplish. As long as the sea was calm he could move the ship a few miles if he stood at the helm but if the weather would change he’d need help to take down the sails and secure everything. After all the Kraken was not a rowboat. “I will do my best.” he finally offered, wincing at the firm pat on his shoulder, strong enough to almost go down on one knee, while his eyes met Sauron’s, his confusion still apparent. “And of course you may, my Lord. I am at your command.” There was nothing else for him to add to his words. He’d have his crew watch the ship from afar, boats ready to join them in case the sea would not permit the Dark Lord on it for long. 

That he was told he had free will in this sounded…ridiculous to his ears as he was sure that denying to do as Sauron wished would not bode well for him as he stepped on the rowboat with the Maia to bring him on board of the Kraken. It would be a very strange…adventure, that much was given. 

@misbehavingmaiar

As the vessel pushed off from the pier the maia struck a jaunty pose. “Good! We should make sail as soon as you’re able. I sense my Cousin has grown tired of my baiting him… he’s gone afield somewhere distant, his presence is muted. This is excellent timing; it means we will have the sea to ourselves, for a little while at least.”

 The waves and tug of oars rocked the boat beneath his feet, spoiling the galant pose as he jerked to catch his balance. Sauron promptly sat, chin held high, regally trimmed beard proudly aloft, though his hands gradually sought the sides of the boat and gripped them pale-knuckled, eyes flicking between Ji and the dappled rise of the waves. 

As they drew near the Kraken’s mooring the boat pitched slightly in the waves, and the dark lord grew rigid as statue. He cleared his throat, perhaps to disguise a nervous swallow. He looked distinctly relieved to climb aboard a sturdier craft. 

Between the distrustful glances at the water, his face betrayed his excitement as he looked over the ship’s railing; wonder at a wholly new element, and a glint of almost childish mischief at being somewhere he was not supposed to be. 

Mulling over the ropes and baubles he’d requested be brought aboard, his grin widened. It wasn’t every century he got to try something entirely new. 

@ji-indur

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