Scenarios

Tidbit #24

April 6th, 2018
I circle the tank, checking the sealing. I take a step back once I'm confident it's sealed properly. This tank's ready for water. I look down into it once again. It's dark and I can't see it, but it supposedly leads to a lit pipe that then leads to the waterways outside. The naiad's waterways. This is the new council seat for the naiads. No one seems eager to let them have a say in Endromidus politics, but I believe in them. Once they realize what it means to have friends and allies, I think they'll appreciate it. This seat is near the end of the row, in between the centaur and dwarf seat. I gather my tools and begin to leave the chamber. My job is done.
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April 7th, 2018
I'm below Endromidus in the sewers. It smells rancid down here, but I'm used to it. A group of fireflies follows me, lighting my way. The little bugs never fail me. I'm glad I took a class in animal communication. As I walk through, I keep my distance from the water. There shouldn't be any naiads down here, but all this talk of them has made me cautious. I can't believe they're giving them a seat on the council. If they had what they wanted, the whole of Endromidus would be underwater. I sigh as I find the valve I'm looking for. I set my tool box down and begin work. Some unscrewing and the pressure is released. I hear water rushing through as the new tank fills up. The naiad council seat is officially open. We're all doomed.
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April 10th, 2018
I'm swimming as fast as I can. I enjoy the feel of the water flowing through my gills. I stop and turn back as I notice a new offshoot. "Where'd this come from?" I wonder aloud. I swim cautiously into it. It's small, not like the other ways the mortals built for us. It'd only fit one person at a time. I swim deeper into it, and it elbows up. I follow the path and come out into a massive room with all kinds of chairs and podiums around me. I'm in a glass container, and the rest of the room is dry. A knock on the glass behind me startles me. I turn around to see a human with purple eyes sitting there. I recognize him. He's the leader of the mortals here. Joey, I think his name is. "Hello, love. I was hoping you could find Madam Loraline for me?" He asks. What does he want Elder Loraline for? I don't speak, but simply swim back down. I wouldn't normally run errands for a mortal, but the Elder would want to know if someone wants her. I leave to find her.
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April 10th, 2018
I swim into the tank the mortals built for us. Protector Joey is sitting there. He stands when I arrive. "Elder Loraline. Good to see you. You're looking young as ever," he says. Flattery. "Get to the point, human," I order. Suddenly, he's all business. "You know how Endromidus politics work. Every species has a say. Not naiads, though. Naiads have never had a say. They've never even been allowed in the city until recently. Then we built specialized waterways for you and you're free to roam here as you please. Your place in our leadership is changing too, starting today. You're currently swimming in the new naiad council seat," he explains. I look at the tank around me and realize it's situated in the room among the other council seats. Naiads on the council? I have no care for what happens up here. I voice that right away. "We have no concern for the politics of mortals," I laugh. I promptly turn and swim back down. What a waste of my time.
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May-Jun, 2018
A pair of eyes peeks up every once in a while, another naiad, checking out the new tank. If someone is in the room, they're quick to retreat. One day a naiad, Darlene, comes up while a council meeting is in session. She rushes out and finds Elder Loraline. "There's a council meeting going on right now!" She exclaims. "Why are you wasting my time with this information? I have no care for their politics," Loraline responds. "I'm gonna see if we can order them around now," Darlene chuckles, swimming off. She rises into the tank again, and her presence draws eyes. Talking stops and everyone looks over. "I think we should turn all naiad waterways into mortal swimming pools," She says primly. A few chuckles ring out through the room and Protector Joey smiles. "That's not how this works, ma'am." The naiad flushes and swims out in a hurry. Weeks pass and Darlene often returns to listen to council meetings and learn what she can. She always hangs out just below where others would be able to see her, aside from the seats directly next to her. One day the council is struggling with a problem that they've been looking for a solution to for over a week. Each meeting goes by and little to no progress is made. Darlene hears it all, and spends her silence passively thinking of a solution herself, just for the fun of it. One day a brilliant solution comes to mind. "Ohmigosh!" She gasps. The whole room hears her and looks over. "Darlene? Do you have something to say?" Asks Protector Joey, having long since been told by the centaur and dwarf councilmen who is always listening in. She peeks over and meets his eyes, but only for a second before she retreats back out of the council room, satisfied that she figured it out. She returns to the next meeting, wondering if anyone else has come up with the same solution she has. They toss ideas back and forth, none of them close to the best way to handle it. She giggles with satisfaction, knowing she's the only one to have come up with it. "Darlene. You've returned. Anything to share?" Joey asks lightly. She quickly swims back out. It goes on like this for a few more days. She listens to them go on and on, unable to figure it out, but she knows. She knows and Joey knows she knows and she holds that above them with great satisfaction. He never demands it out of her, though. Each time he only politely asks if she wants to share. After another week, the novelty wears off and she finally decides to let them in on her genius. The rest of the council stares in awe. "That's a brilliant idea. How did we not see this before..." The goblin councilman leans in over the map and surveys the changes in his mind. The dwarf councilman looks at the naiad suspiciously, still untrusting. Joey smiles at Darlene. "I knew you had a good mind," He says. She flushes at his compliment, but covers it. "It was simple. It's not my fault none of you could figure it out." She quickly turns and swims out of the chamber. The Council begins discussing specifics. While Darlene acts dismissive, she did enjoy the problem and figuring it out, and being of help.
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Jul-Sep 2019
Days turn to weeks and weeks turn to months. Darlene finds herself coming to every council meeting. She no longer hides but lazes in her water up and where everyone can see. She become comfortable in the chamber, and they become comfortable with her. She voices her suggestions and concerns on different topics. She discusses strategy and logistics. She listens intently when others speak and others listen intently when she speaks. One day she's hit with a big surprise. "Good idea, Councilwoman Darlene," Joey says, in response to a solution she voiced. She's taken aback. "What?" She looks at him. "I said 'good idea.'" "No, after that. What did you call me?" A small grin spreads onto his face. "Councilwoman Darlene?" She looks thoughtful and then smiles. "Nothing. Sorry about that. Please continue." Time goes on. Darlene finds herself caring more and more about Endromidus as a whole and the people who live there. It's become common knowledge now, that she stands as councilwoman. She even begins to enjoy the others' company. She's always happy that, when she voices a problem, they're always so quick to help or offer solutions, and she's always quick to return the favor. She finds herself visiting the surface of their waterways and making conversation with the other species. She has no desire to leave the waters, mind you. She simply enjoys the company of people other than her sisters sometimes. Those naiads who had no care for Endromidus politics find them selves curiously asking Darlene for updates and information on how things are going above. One day, Endromidus falls under attack. Most of the time, naiads leave themselves hidden beneath the surface, staying out of the battle, but this time, Darlene jumps out of the water. She dashes over and picks up the weapon of a fallen enemy. With a splash, she turns to find ten more naiads have joined her on the surface. She grins at them and they nod in response. They fight their way through Endromidus, staying near the water as to not become mortal. By the turbulent water, it's clear they have an entourage of their sisters, following in wonder and interest. They fight in a unique way luring their enemies close to the water where they're promptly pushed or grabbed and dragged to the bottom of the waterways by the water bound naiads. When the fighting finally stops, Darlene and her sisters drop their weapons and retreat back to the water. Joey appears and stops Darlene before she goes. "I saw you girls out there. You were amazing. I won't forget this day, Councilwoman," He says. She smiles and thanks him, before diving back into the water.