[b][u]Mahal[/u][/b]
[hider=Shipwreck Scavengers]
[h2][center][u]Shipwreck Scavengers[/u][/center][/h2][sub]Location: Shipwreck Bay, Ersand'Enise 
Date: 29th of Velles[/sub]
[hr]
Mahal's eyes glanced down the shore for odd colors among the dirty sands. Her bare feet navigated over the scattered debris washed up along the strip of white. Leaving footprints in her wake, she felt Diyablos tighten his grip on her waist. His main body hung from her hip and bounced with each step. It reminded her of his recent growth spurt. It was hard to believe how small he was when he and his siblings first hatched.

Ahead of her, Puno and Supok lunged at a small flock of birds. The avians scattered into the air causing Mahal to bring her fingers up to her lips. She gave a loud whistle. The pups stopped in their tracks and raised their ears, heads looking toward her. Mahal gave her thigh a sound smack to call them back. With panting tongues, they rushed back to her before eagerly hopping up then down. She tossed a chunk of dried meat to each.

To Mahal's surprise, a third dog approached her: a Dragonhound. It trotted up beside her, big and bold and not afraid of the other dogs. It wagged its tail intermittently, curious about Mahal, her jerky, and the octopus. Not quite wary, but not quite trusting, it kept a playful distance.

When the new dog appeared, Mahal stopped in her tracks. She eyed the newcomer warily. Was it a stray or someone's pet? Her hand reached into her pouch and pulled out another jerky chunk. When Diyablos noticed the canine, his tentacles scaled up her side and onto her shoulder.

Meanwhile, both her puppies turned their eyes upon the newcomer. Puno's lips curled back and flashed her teeth with a defensive growl. Her frame pulled back against the girl's calf while her eyes stayed on the invader of [i]her[/i] space. Supok, however, woofed for attention. Her front half dropped into a bow and showed off her lopsided grin. Another bark erupted from her chest before she pulled into a run and brushed past the Dragonhound's side. She circled about to see if the chase was on with a tail wag.

When Mahal grabbed another jerky, the dog sat and licked its chops, ready to spring when she threw it. It was a trained dog, alright. It paid the other two dogs only short glances of acknowledgement as they created commotion around him. Then, suddenly, his ears turned toward the water, and he let out a short, grunting woof. There was a light in the water, briefly, until it abruptly vanished.

A figure emerged from the water, and the dog took off to meet her. She—and it was [i]definitely[/i] a she—was dressed in an all black, form-fitting bodysuit, and wearing a mask over the lower half of her face. The suit and mask combo reminded Mahal of the talent show, and the girl with the escape artistry act.

Mahal continued to study the dog's behavior. It was definitely not a stray causing her eyes to cast around for the owner's whereabouts, but she saw no one. She gave a low whistle that started low, then shot up before falling back down. Supok froze up then shot looks at her potential playmate and then her master. With a yip, she darted back to Mahal's side instantly. A subtle heat radiated off her flank as she glanced up for an affectionate pet. Idly, the girl lowered her free hand and scratched at the firehound's ear. A long, satisfied grunt escaped her muzzle.

Before the girl could snap the jerky into two and toss half of it at the hound, its posture changed. Her eyes followed its gaze toward the water. A feminine form emerged causing Mahal to stare for a moment. With a deep inhale, she averted her eyes while the woman continued to walk out. Appreciating hints of beauty was one thing, but gawking like a fool was another. [color=#B8860B] "I guess you're owner of the dog?"[/color]

Slowly, the figure approached. Her gait was unfamiliar on the unstable sand, but soon enough it became clear who the figure was. She didn't just remind Mahal of the escape artist: it [i]was[/i] her!

[color=steelblue]"̶͒͝Ĩ̵͘ ̷̎̄d̴͗͛ì̷̈́d̶̈́̑n̴͠'̫̒t̶̂͗ ̴̖̑e̷̚ͅx̷̀̆p̴͘͘è̸ct anÿ́one ê̄l̸̅̂s̵e to c̷͂͛o̷̔̃m̶͆̃ḝ̶ ̴̓here."[/color]

A garbled voice came from the waterlogged mask. Quickly, she removed it. 

[color=slateblue]"Whoops. I forgot the voice modulator is broken."[/color] Xiuyang cracked a cheeky smile. [color=slateblue]"I didn't think anyone would come here this late. I like to look for critters and things in the shipwrecks. He's standing guard for me. Aren't you?"[/color] She regarded the dog with a coo. It lowered its front legs playfully, tail wagging. [color=slateblue]"Yesh you are."[/color] She ruffled his fur, and he responded by shaking off all the water, prompting Xiuyang to giggle. It was the most playful Mahal had ever seen the merchant, who was usually quite serious, even if she pretended otherwise.

Upon hearing the odd speech, Mahal's eyes shifted back. Her frown deepened until the woman pulled off her mask and spoke again. By now, Diyablos had scrambled onto her shoulder and settled in. His attention drifted to her long strands of black hair as he twisted his tentacles into them. She gently discouraged it with a touch of her hand. Actually hearing the voice confirmed her suspicions. She recalled the escape artist had purchased a cephalopod but she didn't see it anywhere. Supok gave a needy whine when she spotted the playfulness of the other canine. Puno remained dismissive as she huffed, not willing to leave Mahal's side. [color=#B8860B] "He is well trained. I've been meaning to contact you to see how your ground octopus was adjusting."[/color] She snapped the jerky into three pieces before tossing one to Supok, one to Puno, and finally to Xiuyang for hers. [color=#B8860B] "He was licking his jaws over it earlier."[/color]

Xiuyang lowered herself, hands on her knees as she looked down at the dog. [color=slateblue]"Have you been accepting jerky from strangers?"[/color] she interrogated her dog playfully. He replied with an indignant whine-grunt noise. Xiuyang grinned and fed him the jerky, resulting in many tail wags.

[color=slateblue]"Training a dog is nice and easy. Hui's in the water. I think she likes the tide. Gets antsy in her still tank water and pesters me to play in the middle of the night by blowing bubbles."[/color] She grabbed a bunch of her hair and tugged a bit to emphasize her frustration.

Supok greedily swallowed the chunk down while Puno worked diligently on hers. At the mention of the name Hui, her eyes darted over to the shoreline. The odds of her finding the white cephalopod was slim, but not impossible. Her other hand continued to rub Supok's ear. A low, happy whine erupted from her muzzle. The canine pressed harder into Mahal's calf forcing the girl to tilt her balance accordingly. [color=#B8860B] "It's only easy if you know what you're doing. Supok needs more discipline and Puno still has her moments."[/color] Mahal stated as she continued to watch the girl and her hound.

Diyablos had started to slide down then stretched out his tentacles toward Xiuyang. [color=#B8860B] "Ground octopi tend to be more active at night because the air is cooler. However, they are adaptable. I suggest getting her a toy for night time. Diyablos' favorite is a small, odd shaped bottle I put dried fish in."[/color] She took a breath than added, [color=#B8860B] "I can design one for you if you wish."[/color]

[color=slateblue]"Hohoh? Trying to sell me something?"[/color] Xiuyang challenged playfully. [color=slateblue]"You know, I just might go for it. I moved back into the dorms hoping I'd spend less time commuting and more time sleeping, but in true Solari fashion, I've only used that time to get busier."[/color] She sighed. The dragonhound perched his chin on her knee, whining at his master's drop in enthusiasm. She ruffled his ears reassuringly.

There was, indeed, a white blob camouflaged amongst the sea foam, pale skin reflecting the remnants of evening's twilight. She clung to the seaweed as the waves rocked her to and fro, for the tide was low and starting to come in. [color=slateblue]"After all that pestering to take her with me, I'll bet she's sleeping,"[/color] Xiuyang remarked as she also caught sight of her.

Mahal inhaled and then frowned at the accusation. Her arms crossed over her chest and she tilted her hips against Supok's pressure. Diyablos, seeing no engagement to his wiggling arms, started to trail down her leg. [color=#B8860B] "No, but I suppose it sounds like it. Diyablos has worn a few of his toys down from playing with them so much."[/color]

Noticing the octopi had started to crawl down her calf, Mahal tsked. She shifted her balance as her leg lifted up and she snatched up the small cephalopod. His tentacles tried to pull himself out of her grasp. With a small sigh, the girl pulled close to the water's edge then lowered him down. In a blink of an eye, he darted underneath the water toward the small white blob. [color=#B8860B] "I know Diyablos is also a handful when he doesn't get what he wants. I think he's a bit spoiled like Lunara."[/color]

[color=slateblue]"Hah. The lengths us responsible sisters will go to, huh?"[/color] Xiuyang remarked unconvincingly, as she wondered if she really was the reliable sister between herself and Desi. [color=slateblue]"I'm looking into something for her, actually. Mind if we walk and talk?"[/color] Xiuyang began pacing in the direction of the two octopi, her dragonhound following faithfully and amusing himself by jumping over the waves.

Hui lifted an eyelid as Diyablos approached. She let go of the seaweed, letting the tide drag her out as her brother got close. She let him chase her, engaging in a kind of dance. [color=slateblue]"Do you know anything about Raffaella? The one with the pink hair. Isn't it weird?"[/color] she added, as if she'd just now thought about it.

Mahal listened, her eyes surveying the beach. She caught sight of a large, half buried log in the sands. Her arm stretched out toward it as she spoke. [color=#B8860B] "Let's take a seat over there. It will make it easier for the octopi to find us when they are done playing."[/color]

She started to move, mindful if the woman followed her or not. Her hounds kept close even when Supok attempted to nip at Puno. The smaller hound gave a warning growl and snorted in the firehound's direction. Upon hearing mention of Raffie, Mahal was quiet for a moment. Her hand rubbed her neck as she spoke. [color=#B8860B] "Truthfully, I'm not sure what to think of her. At first, I thought she was a child that refused to grow up. Now, I'm not so confident about that."[/color]

Watching the octopi skirt along the shallows, she then added. [color=#B8860B] "Why do you ask? Has she offended you or something?"[/color]

[color=slateblue]"She's definitely putting on a show. I just don't know what her aim is,"[/color] Xiuyang replied as she followed Mahal. [color=slateblue]"Well, she insulted Ciro, but that's not really the point. My sister Desi was curious about her, but she's been told by her husband not to ask, which is really out of character for him. Apparently there's some controversy in Virang that didn't quite follow her here to Ersand'Enise. I wondered if you knew what it was—if there's anything more to it than baseless rumors."[/color]

Mahal thought back to Kiluaho. A part of her wondered why Ren believed the students were lying. Being with him the whole time, she knew he didn't step foot onto the wreck though there was a confrontation on the beach. She didn't know until it was revealed. A part of her suspected Raffaella had informed him for his favor.[color=#B8860B] "I can't say I do. Palapar is mainly a colony of Virang, not directly tied to it. However, Lunara’s mother is part of the noble circle and I could possibly root up something. What that is, I'm not sure."[/color]

[color=slateblue]"I'd appreciate it,"[/color] Xiuyang replied, seemingly a little disappointed. [color=slateblue]"A Solari not being able to dig up anything is unheard of. Never mind two. ...It's just not right,"[/color] she added after a pause.

Mahal's gaze lingered on her companion a bit. Most of Raffaella and her interaction seemed to side on shallow rather than meaningful. Not a surprise since she rarely let others in. Her attention turned back to the sea as she leaned back. Diyablos had managed to reach the albino, flicking out a tentacle tip and then darting away. Daring her to chase him. [color=#B8860B] "It is odd, but dwelling on it will only cause stress. If I find anything out, you will be the first to know. "[/color] Taking a breath, she continued. [color=#B8860B] "There's one positive thing. Hui seems to be more active."[/color] She pointed out to the water.

[color=slateblue]"There's too much political uncertainty. Letting things slide is something I can't do anymore,"[/color] Xiuyang replied, giving her dragonhound another round of headpats. [color=slateblue]"I have so many companions now. I wish I had more time for them,"[/color] she said as she looked off into the water, watching Hui follow the current with her brother. Xiuyang appeared conflicted, like she really had to go, but was stalling for Hui's sake.

Mahal let movement outside her peripheral distract her. She tilted back to spot Supok stroll closer. The fire hound's tongue hung out at the side before she flopped down, her form lounging in the hot sand. She then laid her larger head onto Puno's smaller frame before she gave a shrill yawn. They were cute when they were exhausted.

Her eyes shifted back to the water as she spoke. [color=#B8860B] "Sadly, we can't barter for more time. Instead, I was told a bit of wisdom once. Spending what little time I have on what I value most or my regrets will weigh me down when I stand for judgment before the Gods. "[/color] She let the words settle for a moment. [color=#B8860B] "I don't understand what he means by it. One thing I do know is if something or someone matters to me, I will find the time. Even if there's consequences for it later. If I don't, what's the point of it all?"[/color]

Xiuyang seemed to fall into silence. Though she mentioned earlier her need to go, she stayed and seemed to reflect on something. Mahal thought maybe her words stirred something, but she didn't dare break the spell. Instead, they sat there as the midday sun gradually made its trip across the skies. Their eyes watched the two cephalopods bob in the waters and among the debris. Their minds blissfully oblivious of the world around them.[/hider]