Welcome to Gaia! ::

Atla sat on the pure marble rail of a high balcony that overlooked the magnificent kingdom of Atlantis. His long, light-colored hair swayed in the wind along with loose clothing and hanging gems. He turned to look back as the footsteps of his elder Tarus and his cousin Roan approached from behind. “Elder and my military genius of a cousin…have you come to summon me already…?”

A sour glare from the elder resident was enough to answer. “If you miss an audience with the merfolk of the collapse of a large portion of the reef south of your kingdom, they will start to become irritated and could consider rioting at the shipyard.”

Roan rolled his eyes as he leaned against a nearby pillar. “And we all know what happened last time they decided to riot.” He said, crossing his arms and adding under his breath. “The aqua squadron hasn’t been the same since.”

Calypso arrived in the council chamber and looked around at the gathering politicians and leaders, her expression less than amused. She flipped her long, flowing hair over her shoulder and glanced over at her bodyguard. Well, if she had to be at this meeting at least she would have something pleasing to look at and he’d be stuck here too so at least it wouldn’t only be her.

Atla swung his legs over the rail and stood, walking over to the two. “The riot took place before my reign if you remember, cousin of mine. As tragic as it was, my late sister’s judgment was lacking on that situation.” The gem hanging on his chest jingled a bit and he put his hand over it, the shimmering shard of the last Atlantean firestone. “This discussion will not linger over the Frozen Flame, will it…? I recall YOU having quite the say on it last time, Roan…” Very few know that the shard completed the Frozen Flame itself, unleashing unimaginable energy.

Tarus stared at the gem hidden beneath his fingers then up to Atla’s calm smile. “Unknown, my prince…” His voice was quiet as he exchanged a glance with Roan. He bowed slightly then stepped back. “I’ll see you both in the council chambers.” He turned on his heel and left down the maze of stairs to the extravagant mosaic-decorated chambers below.

Kalei came up to the surface next to Calypso and looked around. He hated being around humans. Then again, he hated being around anyone, mermaids included. He spoke quietly among the mass of others all in their own conversations. “Why am I here? I’m not needed to protect you here, the human prince would see no violence in the palace.”

Roan offered Tarus a quick glare as he turned to watch him go before shifting his weight away from the pillar. “You’re one of the few people who can get him to leave.” He said and vaguely wondered if it was really a good idea to go against Atla, but decided that ruling the world was more important. “The southern defenses are lacking and the merpeople aren’t ones to give up an opportunity…”

Calypso sighed. “Kalei, what if something happens to change the prince’s mind? It’s better to have you here then to risk it. Look, I know you don’t want to be here, Kalei, but neither do I. So just stick it out with me, okay?” She smiled at him.

“Land will do the merpeople no good, the worst they will do is hinder our sailing and fishing but that’s easily handled. I’ll merely have to explain again that our ships do not sail within range of causing destruction to their reefs. However, I can’t really explain that reason. The priests have been calling it an omen…that the gods are angry with us. But since my taking the throne…I can’t imagine what would infuriate them. For the past 9 years, Atlantis has done nothing but prosper.” Atla was unlike the kings and queens of the past, his free-lance decisions and alliances with the merpeople take many council members by surprise.

Kalei’s ears flattened back slightly and it was noticeable that his body tensed by his wings twitching a bit. “Whatever you say, princess…”

“Of course, you are perfect after all.” Roan said as he turned to head down the stairs.

“It’s horrible!” Aku screamed as he burst through a door to the right. “Venus is aligned with Pluto in the house of Cortez, and, and - we’re all gonna die!” His tail flicked from side to side and his ears flattened dangerously low.

“Er…right, good luck with that…” Roan said with a sympathetic glance to Atla before exiting down the stairs.

Calypso gave Kalei a sympathetic look and put a hand gently on his shoulder. “Kalei… just calm down. We’re only here for a little while and then we can go home, okay?” She rubbed his shoulder, giving him a comforting smile. She just wanted him to be more comfortable here, though she wasn’t really all that comfortable herself. She wanted to get out of here just as much as he did. When was this meeting going to start anyway? Couldn’t they just get it over with already so she and Kalei could go home?