DarkWaterEmbraceDark Water Embrace Although a poor substitute for the ocean depths, the warm silence of the university’s pool did possess a strange calmness; a welcome relief after the dizzy heights of Kolvir. And after Fifth Bell, Joao had the large facility completely to himself, an added relief. Joao relaxed immediately. A pool to himself. Sweet, sweet water. It wasn't a saltwater pool, but that was fine, Joao thought. It more than suit the bill. But this peace did not for long. "I hold my breath far too long." Joao said aloud in a soft tone as he maneuvered through the water toward the edge of the pool. "You didn't have to turn off the lights. Joao stopped his progress part way through the trip to the edge. He regarded the deepening shadows doubtfully.The restless quiet. Why did he think he was either not alone, or was being observed? "Hello!" he added, raising his voice. To be the hermit crab was not going to work here, Joao thought. If someone or something wished to encounter him, Joao would meet them head-on. Joao could hear water drip somewhere in the darkened shower room. Or perhaps a careless foot disturbing a puddle. Or perhaps something oily slithering into a deeper shadow. Whatever the sound, it reeked of stealth and malice. Joao frowned. He was far more angry and agitated than afraid. The thought, however, that he *should* be afraid did come, and was dismissed, in his mind. As he drew closer to the archway to the shower room - and the lockers beyond that – he noticed a playing card floating on a wet patch of tiles. No, not a playing card. A Tarot card. The Hanged Man. Joao knelt, not quite touching the tarot card just yet. He looked at it, trying to remember,recall or decide just what this message meant. Fragments of class studies came to mind. Sacrifice for knowledge. Things revealed. Enlightenment. He growled slightly as he took the card with his left hand. He held it up so that it obscured his left eye, and he could only see the archway with his right eye. Temporarily, he was a one eyed man. As he was so arrayed, he spoke aloud. "Your message is at best obscure. And if you were trying to threaten me, you picked the wrong card." he said to the menacing quiet. "Better you should plague Miss Talbot with such things." |
