(ENG) Lapis the Child of Sea

Chapter Eleven: More Than What Is Seen

Even though someone was talking about something, Poseidon couldn't concentrate on anything that was being said in the meeting. Even though he was here in body, his mind was with Lapis and David. I shouldn't be here, Poseidon thought. He should be with Lapis.

Poseidon was startled when the cold hand of Njörd sitting next to him touched his arm. "What's wrong?" Njörd asked softly. Poseidon tried to brush him off by saying it was unimportant. "I'm thinking about what was said," he lied. Before Njörd could ask a question about the conversation, Poseidon looked around, searching for a clue as to what they were talking about.  

As he looked around in panic, he met Amathaunta's eyes, reminding him of fiery deserts. This caused him to panic even more. Poseidon was sure he would be scolded for not paying attention to something so important. He tried to pretend that he was always listening so that this would not happen, but the goddess had already noticed his inattention.

"What troubles your mind, my lord?" said Amathaunta. "I was just... I was thinking about what had happened," Poseidon dared to lie. He was digging his own grave with those words, but there wasn't a better lie he could tell.

Ao Guang, sitting across from him, laughed mockingly from behind his fan. "You wonder why you are here rather than in a woman's arms, hm?" Poseidon wanted to talk back, but Njörd stopped him and spoke in a gentle tone. "Don't say that. I wouldn't want to be here either when I could be somewhere else. We all came here suddenly from our homeland. Don't talk like that without knowing what happened." Ao Guang shook his head in offense. He kept his sarcastic tone as he smoothed his silk dress. "Of course we've gathered so suddenly, but that doesn't mean I'm wrong in my opinion. We are all aware of his fondness for women."

"Guang, this is neither the time nor the place. Either shut up or I'll stick that fan somewhere..." "I didn't call you here to argue like children, gentlemen!" Amathaunta's booming voice brought silence to the room again. "You are sitting here at my table to discuss and resolve a situation that threatens everyone. Please act accordingly, or else."

Poseidon got grumpy and leaned back. Njörd told him not to be so angry. 

Njörd politely raised his hand and spoke. "Goddess Amathaunta, can we please take a break from our meeting? We are all tired that we have been talking about this for so long." Amathaunta accepted this suggestion and took a break for a while. Using this break as an excuse, Njörd asked Poseidon what was keeping him distracted. Poseidon wasn't sure whether to talk to him about Lapis or not. He didn't want to burden his mind any more by sharing family matters with Njörd.

Instead of forcing him, Njörd told him not to mess with Ao Guang. "Don't let him make you angry." "I'm already angry and now he's getting on my nerves even more!" Njörd laughed and told him not to be a child. That's how Ao Guang was.

Ao Guang and Poseidon were actually good friends. They used to argue a lot, but now they bullied each other like children. It had happened like that during the meeting, but what Poseidon had in mind didn't seem like something to joke about. 

"Let's get this sorted out so I can go home."

Njörd smiled and patted on Poseidon's shoulder. He assumed he was grumpy because he missed his daughter. Njörd said, if he could focus they could find something together and go home early. 

It would have been easier to send a messenger instead of talking among themselves about what they were asking for, but it was very difficult to get together and choose someone. And Njörd had a feeling that whoever they sent, they would get his head as a reply.

Until the break time was over, Njörd tried to talk about different things and distract Poseidon. He didn't think he was very successful. His mind was completely with Lapis. "She will be fine," Njörd said, "Little goddess is like a glorious Viking ship, crossing the oceans and fighting giant monsters." Poseidon smiled at the analogy. He knew how strong his daughter was, but he couldn't help but worry. "Of course she is. But...." "Bad things have happened and I know it scared you, but don't let that discourage you. In this life there is getting up as well as falling. How will Lapis learn to get up when she fall if you are so discouraged?"