in tune [★] 500th

[daniel]

Unlike Keona, the sea did not call to Danny. Maybe that was an interesting statement to make, given how he ended up in the Typhoon of all places, but it was also the sea that raged and announced his fate that stormy night he arrived cold and alone. Something like that made for very poor first impressions. He had since gotten on better terms with the waters, rest assured, but he still felt no pull to it. Somewhere else called to him distantly, and while he would not leave the Typhoon to venture out on his own and find where that was and why that was, it would not be the depths of the ocean.

He had been out doing...whatever it was that needed to be done, perhaps collect firewood for the hearth of the tavern, when he spotted Keona in the distance. Finding the Dealer by the water's edge was no surprise to him and he thought nothing of it. Continued on. He felt somewhat uncomfortable by her swimming out farther, even more so when her head was no longer visible above the waves, but still told himself the same. Did what was on his mind, completed his tasks. The nagging would not subside unless he had proof that there was nothing to be worried about, he knew himself well enough on that front, so it was decided that he would check the water after delivering the wood to be burned. It was a bit of a walk for some, and gave him plenty of time for Keona to reemerge. So he told himself, and when she was still not present upon his return, Danny did begin to worry. Immediately. The fear managed to banish the realization that Keona had elementals that she could use at will, and was perhaps well versed in using, but his nervous behavior was not always rational. Usually it was not at all rational.

He waited some more, just to be sure. Worked up the courage to ask around a tiny bit to make sure she hadn't exited the waves while he was gone and he just happened to miss her. Paced back and forth by the edge of the sea. Had she drowned? Had she been eaten alive by one of the terrifying creatures that lurked beneath? Danny waded out himself until the water rose to his shoulders, stuck his head beneath the surface and tried to peer downward. All he got was salt in his eyes and increased anxiety. A wave threatened to knock him over and into the water completely, and that was enough to scare him out of the water combined with everything else.

When the sun had reached the middle of the sky, Danny had given up his search. Miserable, fur sticking up in every direction and carrying a heavy scent of salt water, and bordering hyperventilation, his eyes were watery and burning far too much to focus. He was sure Keona was dead. She had been gone for far too long, and the last place he saw her was in the ocean. Of course, Keona was not dead, and the distinct sound of someone shaking off their fur was unmistakable. One half of his brain insisted her demise had been met, but the other would not rest until it was investigated, perhaps hope was a good enough label. Harland had beaten him to it this time, meeting Keo and verbalizing what they both were thinking, which he would not complain about in the slightest. Danny blinked, which was rather relieving when some of the salt was washed away, staring at Keo and yet, staring through her. He then, of course, did what any emotionally stable individual did when they were face to face with someone they thought would not be seen alive again.

Danny, albeit rather quietly as always, began to cry. Very mature.

[glow=black,2,300]— ❤ —[/glow]