Diarmuid
Tall and slender, this Atlantean seems like he should be more graceful, and he is...when he is not using his legs. It seems that such movement is strange for him, new even. His skin is a pale white, the only color, if one can call it such, are the speckled markings that run from his temple, down the sides of his jaw, neck, and body...outlining even his arms and legs. These speckles markings seem to catch the light on their own, and in the absence of light, they tend to glow faintly. The webbing between his fingers and toes, and the fins along his arms and calves are likewise phosphorescent. His hair is left long, to his waist, and bound in many braids and then a tail. While it is not glowing like the markings on his body, his hair is a pale, iridescent that seems to reflect whatever color he is near. Large pale blue eyes are the most arresting feature in his face, contending with the somewhat thin nose and lips. Lorelei
You see a petite young woman of, approximately, 21 years of age with a slender figure. Her long, slightly wavy, black hair is plaited, a few loose strands tucked behind her ears. Her sea green eyes glow softly with a hint of mischievous which serves to occasionally brighten up her smooth sandy white complexion. At either side of her throat small slits, barely visible, serve as gills. They, like her webbed fingers and toes, betray her Atlantean heritage.
Central Grotto - Korallion - Haven
This spacious chamber is well lit by an array of different colored algae spread across the ceiling. The algae is placed in a precise pattern which, upon closer inspection, depicts the great city of Atlantis itself. On the walls are delicate crushed shells that shine and glitter as you move through the immense chamber. Chairs, tables, and divans carved with ocean scenes ranging from mercouples in a tender embrace to porpoises springing from the waves litter the floor of the cavern. All the carvings are enhanced with algae and shells that manage to give them the illusion of movement. Even the floor has been painstakingly carved with more of the same murals.
Lorelei swims leisurely through the sea fronds, the tall trees of the ocean, quietly admiring them, a thoughtful look upon her pale face . . .
Diarmuid is closest to the first opening which is more dimly lit than the others. During the High Sun of noon, the light that enters the chambers is too bright for the Lirite. He does begin to think that he will never get used to the brightness and has been thinking of an alternative.
Lorelei sighs softly, thoughts of a happy childhood in Orman drifting through her mind yet tinged with these fond reminiscences is a sense of regret. She stops to stare absent-mindedly at one of the tall sea fronds, long braided hair gently flowing out behind her.
Diarmuid turns at the thoughts broadcast...a different childhood than he was used to, no doubt, His fingers close...they were open to feel the current as the fish swam by, and turns to watch the drifing Lorelei, offering an abstract greeting.
Lorelei's thoughts turn away from reminiscences, fond or otherwise, and, instead, offers Diarmuid a somewhat melancholy greeting, almost having to drudge it up *Blessings of pure water.* Indeed, her cheerfulness is more than a little forced today although pleasure at meeting with Diarmuid is still apparent.
Again, Diarmuid's facial expression doesn't change, but his mental emotion and mental voice is concerned. Is she all right? Has something bad happened?
Lorelei's thoughts express, after slight consideration, appreciation for the concern proffered by Diarmuid and faint amusement. *Yes, I am alright . . . *
Then why did she greet him with sadness? While one can facially cover what is truly felt, mentally it is nearly, if not completely impossible. And as the Lirite does not read facial expressions, he goes completely on the swirls of thoughts.
Lorelei regards Diarmuid for the space of a moment. She is one for facial expressions despite her Atlantean heritage and, without further ado, she allows him to relive through a portion of her life - that of being kidnapped by pirates whilst out exploring as a young girl. Although she took to the lifestyle and became the ship's cartographer she never again returned to Orman and has not seen her family since.
Diarmuid gets swept up in the other's past but manages to pull away enough to ask if the home is very far. Couldn't she go visit? Or take word to them? He can't go home easily, but others might be able to.
Lorelei's thoughts perk up at Diarmuid's suggestions . . . *Oh!* The young Atlantean woman seems to want to, suddenly, twirl madly about in the water, in some sort of giddy dance, but she restrains herself, scarcely. *Thank-you . . . I may try conveying a message*
Diarmuid swims back away from the dervish, watching with confusion emanating from him. She hadn't thought of that before? Even -he- did and his message no doubt has a much more difficult time of reaching his home.
Lorelei frowns somewhat anxiously, thoughts equally distressed. She had thought of that before but not seriously . . .
Diarmuid points to Lorelei's face...what is that and why does she do it?
Lorelei is thoughtful a moment. At last she says, speaking telepathically *It is what the other races call a -frown-* Facial expressions like it, even gestures, make up part of how the other races communicate. Lorelei needed some means of communicating with the other races . . . She found she could not speak to them, although she can understand their speech, and it became her main means of communication with them. It's become habit now.
His only articles of clothing, are a thin armband made up completely of black and white pearls and a deep blue loincloth that he is still getting accustomed to wearing.
She wears a jade coloured choli, a short-sleeved, tight-fitting top, and a matching sarong. A single pea-sized pearl affixed to a black cord encircles her neck while a sheathed bone knife hangs in a scabbard at her side.
Schools of fish swim freely in and out of three openings. The first is dimly lit and outlined in black pearls and seashells. The second opening is rimmed with more shells, and although it is less elaborate than the first, it is still tasteful and impressive. Elaborate carvings of ocean waves and animals circle the third opening, and the current seems to be slightly stronger from this one. Beyond it, the vast blue ocean beckons to you.