Something smells fishy

[put_a_ring_on_it]

Who: Lunafreya Nox Fleuret
What: Prayer #35
Where: Off the coast of Okinawa
When: July 9th, morning
Warnings: Rotten fish

Are you ready, You? It's our first prayer together.

[The fisherman they'd talked to had shown them his last haul - pitifully small, and full of deformed and rotten fish. Even Luna could tell there was something wrong. She'd promised they would help him, although she's honestly at a bit of a loss as to how.]

...You wouldn't happen to know how to drive a boat, would you?

Comments

[swimteamidol]

[You nods, feeling rather excited, even if the prayer was sad. To love all those fish, not have something to bring home, having their livelihood affected... it wasn't nice to think about. But that is what You and Luna are here for as a god and shinki duo.]

I'm ready!

[....] I don't know. I can always try, right? It's just buttons, right? [She doesn't give Luna a chance to reply before she jumps into the boat and heads straight for the controls. Hmm... Her hands seem to move on their own, flipping a switch here and there before one pushes on a handle. The boat in response sputters a little before coming to life.]

... I guess I do know how to drive a boat. I don't remember that!

[put_a_ring_on_it]

Wait, You-!

[Luna hurries into the boat after her, worried about what might happen if she doesn't manage to operate it correctly. But to her amazement, the boat's engine turns over and starts running smoothly. She's left speechless for a moment before she breaks out into a smile.]

That's amazing, You! I wonder what other hidden talents you have.

[swimteamidol]

[You waits till Luna has caught up before checking to see if the anchor is up and that they are untied from the dock. It's as if this was a normal, everyday occurrence for her. It feels as natural as breathing to her.]

Mmmm... There are a few people who think I'd make a good idol. Apparently I'm good at dancing and singing.

[Which doesn't matter right now as she takes the controls again.] What direction should we go in first?

[put_a_ring_on_it]

[Luna is thankful for that, because she wouldn't have had any idea of where to start.]

An idol?

[She blinks curiously for a moment, but seems to concur.]

Well, if it's something you're interested in, you should give it a try.

[Everyone has to have hobbies, after all.]

Let's just take it out into open waters for the time being. We'll keep an eye out for anything odd.

[swimteamidol]

Really? You won't mind?

[This is a hobby that would eat up a good chunk of time...

Nodding, You pushes a handle up enough and the boat moves forward with a slight lurch. She'll go straight for now until Luna tells her otherwise.]

At least we have a full tank.

[put_a_ring_on_it]

Of course not. I trust you'll be there when I need you.

[Even though they've just met, but You seems like a sweet and forthright enough girl. Luna has no reason to think she'll shirk her shinki duties.]

Oh... over there, in the distance. Do you see that patch of dark water?

[swimteamidol]

[You would be there no matter what. Being a shinki came before being an idol to her, even if she falls in love with her future hobby. Luna was more important.

She nods, then nods again, changing their heading.]

What do you think it is? A whale?

[put_a_ring_on_it]

I'm not sure... it looks like a large shadow.

[It's hard to see from here, though.]

Let's get closer. But slowly, just to be safe.

[swimteamidol]

[As long as it's not moving around, it should be easier to track. You nods, slowing the boat down.]

I hope it doesn't attack. I don't want the boat to be ruined.

[put_a_ring_on_it]

[As they approach, the black patch turns out not to be a creature at all, but rather a thick inky substance spreading throughout the water. Luna reaches out briefly, but quickly thinks better of it and pulls her hand back.]

Is this... blight?

[swimteamidol]

[Stopping the boat, You looks over the side and wrinkles her nose.]

It looks like oil. Is blight supposed to look like that? It's really gross...

[put_a_ring_on_it]

I wonder where it's coming from.

[She's not sure exactly what it is, but something about it just feels wrong.]

[swimteamidol]

Maybe... there's something underwater that's leaking? Like an octopus?

[They have ink, but this is close enough to it, right?]

[put_a_ring_on_it]

An octopus...

[Luna frowns, shuddering a bit.]

...Well, at least I've fought one of those before.

[swimteamidol]

You've fought an octopus before?

[That is so amazing!

But also kind of scary sounding. Luna, how did you do it?]

[put_a_ring_on_it]

Yes... a rather large one. It's not an experience I'd recommend, but if there's one here causing trouble, we can't let it continue.

[Luna's face is determined as the sea breeze whips through her hair.]

We'll be able to do it together.

[swimteamidol]

[You watches her god with a mixed expression of awe and concern.]

I'll do my best.

[put_a_ring_on_it]

All right. Let's get ready, then.

[She holds her hand out to the side.]

Suiki, to me!

[swimteamidol]

[The change still feels strange, but You figures she'll get used to it eventually. As soon as she's in her vessel form, something clicks in her mind and she starts singing very softly. It's as if she was singing to whatever was in the water itself, trying to lure it out for her god.

The tune goes on and it slowly picks up in volume till it's loud enough to be heard over the water. Seems You doesn't know how to control her ability in this form on her own just yet, so letting it run wild might be a semi-bad option at this moment.]

[put_a_ring_on_it]

[Luna's a bit surprised when the song starts on its own, but she trusts You's judgement, and she holds the trident out toward the water to let the sound carry. As the music wafts across the surface, the inky pool floating there begins to bubble.]

It's working, You! Get ready!

[Luna spreads her wings, ready to take off at a moment's notice. The mobility should help in the fight.]

[swimteamidol]

[You wants to answer with something affirmative, but the song is all that she can get out. It's not like she can do much in this form other than let Luna wield her.

She has the utmost faith in her god.]

[put_a_ring_on_it]

[The song is plenty. It helps draw the beast to the surface - a great mass of inky black tentacles that lash out in every direction. And as soon as it does, Luna takes to the skies to dodge the blows.]

Keep singing, You! I'll need a distraction while I find its weak point!