DoA - Winter Solstice Event: Collecting Driftwood

The tall reed's gently swayed to and fro with the soft currents through the waters. Colourful fish peaked out from their hiding place, swimming between those long leafy greens, trying to find some delicious food without becoming food themselves. The bright sunlight from the high noon sun broke through the surface of the rippling waters, creating playful shadows on the ocean floor, illuminating a few beautiful gems and stones. 

 

However in the dancing shadows resting against a warm pile of sand, a very familiar spikes orange Aqrion laid down, soaking up the heat, her small sea slug lazily sleeping next to her. She didn't feel very well, but she supposed that was to be expected. Her rest was interrupted as she felt a flipper gently poke at her nose, a soft rumble coming from overhead. Did she have to engage in conversation...? Really, was the world going to be that cruel to her when she wanted to be left alone?

 

"Spessy..? You okay?" Malachites voice was gentle, concern riddled through it as she inwardly groaned. Yup. Her day was utterly and totally ruined by that one single question! Why would he asked that of all things?

 

With a sigh of titanic proportions, she opened her magenta eyes and rose her head to look up at him. "I'm as fine as Eien with a sore nose would be after she got too close to a crab." Spessy knew how much Eien whined for the next several days about the little nip the baby crab gave her, and she genuinely felt about the same.

 

Malachite instantly looked around, on edge, incredibly aware of his surroundings as he also shushed Spessy, looking around with wide eyes. That particular singer had the ears of a hawk, she'd hear her name from several miles away. As much as he appreciated the spontaneous, innocent nature of the Singer, he had a feeling that she might be a little bit too much for Spessy to handle at the moment...

 

Movement happened overhead and the green giant gave Spessy a look, "You did this." Was all he said as the shape of a Phin singer drew closer, Spessy just giving Mal a great grin. She didn't mind the spontaneous, loving Singer, she was just very vocal and fun!

 

However as the shadow drew closer, its colouration began to differ from their friendly squeaky friends, a frown appearing on Mal's face as Spessy slowly raised an eyeridge. She pushed herself off the warm sand, her flippers quickly snatching up the still sleeping sea slug, placing it on her back before she paused, Mal giving a warning growl.

 

That wasn't Eien, the shape coming towards them shimmering in an array of greens, a gentle song reaching their ears. Mal, a bit more on edge, moved in front of the smaller female, growling a bit louder, "Stop, who are you?" His voice boomed our as the singer hesitated for a moment.

 

"I'm Jade, I wanted to ask if we could have a bit of help setting up a stage! We have some special guests coming later for a show and we need some help collecting some driftwood to make seats and a stage." She called back, to which Malachite gave another rumble. He didn't trust them and with Spessartine looking a bit unwell and out of character... He looked down towards her, not wanting to force her to make a decision.

 

"Well, what do you think..?" He asked her gently, "Do you think they're telling the truth?" 

 

Spessartine looked up to the female singer, who was waiting patiently, hovering in the water above them. "Their reasoning seems genuine enough... Maybe we can see what they need help with?" She offered, Mal nodding towards her.

 

"What exactly is it you need help with, we can come and have a look?" He offered, to which the singer trilled a very joyful noise.

"Oh splendid, splendid! You see, we are a bit behind! This is amazing news, please, come with me!" Jade chirped in delight, quickly beginning to move away. 

 

Spessy gave a small groan, beginning to swim after her, Mal staying near her as they followed the shimmering green singer. 

 

They seemed to have travelled for quite a while before they managed to even get to the place, so far that Spessartines companion had fallen asleep on her back, snoozing happily. It was an incredibly large area, the place itself being a very run down ruined area, built eons ago by those pesky humans on the surface. But admittedly, Spessy was already worn out from the tour of the bare bones of the place as well as the swim they had to get there, doing her best to hide the fact from Mal. They were given a series of crash course instructions by Jade on the way as to what to look for so they had some idea for when they went out again in search of the driftwood they were so keen on having. 

 

The duo decided quickly with what to do, Spessartine moving to gather some unwanted kelp from around the place, awkwardly using her flippers and mouth to tie it into a sturdy rope, creating great big coils of it to loop around Mal's neck, which that sea slug helped pulling it over.

 

After that, they quickly moved away, searching the coast for loose wood, trees which had fallen down or looked about ready to give up with life. Eventually, they found a small group of dead and dying trees, Mal beaching himself and quickly using the loops and coils of rope to throw over the tree. When he'd finally managed to hook it in place, he threw the other end to Spessartine, the dragon grasping the end and tying it over her chest. Mal moved behind that great big tree, giving it a great shove. Spessy yanked on the rope, the little slug pulling it as hard as it could. Without the little, tiny bit extra help that it offered, they wouldn't have heard the satisfying crack as the tree fell, crashing down onto the shore. 

 

The duo quickly moved, Mal wrapping more rope around the tree and hooking it over himself, joining Spessartine as they dragged the tree back to the construction site. 

 

Jade was absolutely thrilled when she saw those two giants appear again with the large tree, quickly indicating to where they wanted it

"We just need nine more trees like that and we should be good to go! We will have EVERYTHING we need!" Jade exclaimed in excitement, Mal and Spessy giving each other horrified looks.

 

9 more?! But they were already so tired after just 1.

 

With their heads hung, a small groan of frustration leaving Spessartines mouth, they began to swim back towards the shore. One thing was certain; they all would sleep quite soundly and likely crash when they finally managed to get home!

 

~~~~~~~~~

 

Characters included;

Mal - https://www.deviantart.com/aquella-imports/art/Malachite-0309-854488522

Spessy - https://www.deviantart.com/aquella-imports/art/Spessartine-0317-857139841

Jade (Starter) - https://www.deviantart.com/aquella-imports/art/Starter-Jade-0354-861516571

 

Word count - 1152