001 | Video

[queenoftheseas]

[Mera looks less than pleased as she stands in front of the terminal, arms folded over her chest. It's probably about time she spoke to people herself but she's not happy about it. Gotta try to be less grouchy than Arthur though]

I really do not appreciate being plucked out of the sea like some kind of fish. I don't appreciate being tossed into a cart after being plucked from the sea either. I'm not a trout waiting to be sold in a market. [She's really just complaining because this is weird. Better to complain than to seem lost]

Did if ever occur to anyone that I might be happier in the sea? No, of course not. Why would you ask someone if they would rather stay in the water than be brought up onto land.

[She lets out a calming breath, pinching the bridge of her nose]

I'm sorry. Being irritated really won't help anything and it's not the point right now anyway. What I want to know is how many people here are familiar with Atlantis, have heard of it or are even from there? I know my husband has already spoken to some of you but I want to speak to you myself. It's not all that important but I'm curious. [She considers asking about the Justice League too but she knows that some of Arthur's "friends" are rather secretive. That might not be received well]

That's it, I suppose. This is nonsense...

Comments

[video]

[littlecousin]

Oh, you must be Mera. Hi!

[Nita knows all about Atlantis! The gills are there, if Mera's looking closely.]

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[queenoftheseas]

[Mera smiles, somewhat amused that this person already knows her name. And she does notice the gills after a second]

I am. I take it you've already met Arthur? What's your name?

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[littlecousin]

Yeah, the whole "Atlantis" thing got my attention. I'm Namorita Prentiss.

[First name: Atlantean. Last name: Surface. Nita's just gotta be different.]

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[queenoftheseas]

Well I can imagine it's not something people talk about very often around here. [That first name is definitely Atlantean. This girl is blonde though and Mera is pretty sure it's rare for blonde Atlantean babies to be born. At least for blonde Atlantean babies to be born and survive beyond their first few hours]

Nice to meet you. Now this is just a guess judging from the name and the gills but...you're from Atlantis, aren't you?

action forever

[relentlesstide]

[Arthur comes up behind her chair at the console and lays a hand lightly on her shoulder, watching the screen for a moment. The first thing he did when he got to the city was look for her, so they've been in the same house since their arrival.] Here's hoping you find out more than I did. But so far it's looking like we should prepare for a lengthy stay.

[queenoftheseas]

[Mera looks over her shoulder and gives him a warm smile]

Here's hoping. How many of your friends in the Justice League did you say were here again, dear?

[relentlesstide]

Three that I've spoken to, and another that I've seen, but no Diana, and the others aren't... like me. [Meaning: not public figures with public identities that they don't mind sharing. Which also means they're generally pretty tight-fisted with information.]

I admit I wanted a vacation for the two of us, but this... was not what I had in mind.

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[iron_ego]

Funny that kidnappers never ask the kidnapee's permission before they act. Something about it ruining the taboo. [He dismisses the very idea with a quick wave of his hand.]

And, no. Pantheon of real Norse deities? In the bag. But, my world is fresh out of ancient mystical civilisations. The last verifiable clue we had went on about Atlantis being in a Spanish swamp. [A pause and a quick clearing of his throat.] No doubt the exact opposite of the branding you were looking for.

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[queenoftheseas]

Pantheons and all that are a bit out of my realm of understanding. [That's Diana's thing] But your answer was good enough. And it's actually out in the Atlantic Ocean. Underwater, of course.

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[iron_ego]

['Good enough' is not a result that Tony Stark is used to hearing. He cants his head to the side, pondering briefly that idle curiosity. Self-importance, but distant from the godlike pantheon; he pegs royalty as the close second.]

They don't care for our 'realm of understanding' as you put it. Thor, in particular, has a bad habit of just dropping in uninvited and amidst nonbelievers. Incredibly passé for a deity, not you can't expect much from a god that chews with his mouth open.

[A shrug. DEM CRAZY NORSE GODS, WHAT CAN YOU DO.]

Mind, the same goes for you Atlanteans then too. First you take a deep sea time out, then crop up as though nothing's happened, crashing the first party you see you see. [He takes a brief pause to consider.] You people are after my own heart.

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[andaway]

[WELL last time he'd known about Mera she was a red lantern so this is going to be a little awkward depending on how much she remembers.]

Mera, it's Kal-El. I'm really sorry you were pulled out of the sea, but I'm sure they will let you stay in it for as long as you want if you don't swim too far.

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[queenoftheseas]

[Oh. This is awkward. The last time she saw Kal was during the whole Black Ring nonsense. Not the best time for anyone involved] Hello.

There are limits on how far you can swim? Do you know what that limit is? I'd rather have someone tell me than let Arthur test it because you know he will.

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[andaway]

[A little laugh because he so would, wouldn't he? Disregard the fact that he'd done just that on his first day and ended fainting.]

There are, and I could show you.

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[kelpful]

[Percy grins] I know that feeling. Being happier in the water, I mean. You're from Atlantis too? That's pretty cool.

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[queenoftheseas]

I was born and raised in the water. Being on land feels so unnatural. [A little smile] I've been hearing a lot of different versions of Atlantis. What do you know of it?

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[kelpful]

There're canals and stuff. They're kind of boring, but it's something to do. [a beat] Oh, uh, I don't know if you can talk to sea animals or not, but if you can, don't try talking to the turtle. He's too old, it's kind of like getting smacked in the brain with a two by four.

Uh, not a whole lot? I don't even know if it's real in my world, but I met someone from there a few weeks ago. I just think the whole thing is pretty cool.

video; anonymous location and batcrypted 90%

[demon_brat]

[Mera, have a Robin.]

I suppose the relocation might have something to do with the fact that the means of communication are a six-hour cart ride away from the ocean. Also the fact that, under normal circumstances, the bottom of the ocean is likely to be unreachable, so making the sort of a residence you would be used to is difficult.

It might have occurred to them and they may have decided against it.

[... not a very nice Robin, sorry.]

[queenoftheseas]

Well, yes. When you're kidnapped you don't exactly expect to be accommodated. It was just a complaint out of irritation and then it passed. Do they limit how deep you can go as well?

[demon_brat]

There are more productive ways to channel irritation.

[Just a casual remark. He's weird like that.]

As far as has been established, other than the time when the turtle was docked against the mainland, the limitations as to how far from the shell one can move extend in all directions, like a sphere. I believe you can ask Superman how high it went, it's reasonable that the same would apply for depth.

[Because Robin was the one who got to fish out Superman when he fell from the sky. Ridiculous.]

video; JLA encryption

[imaginate]

[... welp. But he switches on the feed anyway, his right hand (with distinctive green ring) clearly visible, so she'll know who he is.] I'd say welcome to Keeliai, but [light shrug.] If there's anything you need, I'm right next door.

video; JLA encryption

[queenoftheseas]

[Oh a Green Lantern. Well, that's good at least. She's not...100% sure what his name is]

Thank you for the offer. I think for now we're just settling in but if there's anything you could tell me about, well, anything...?

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[imaginate]

What do you have questions about specifically?

[Aside from the one about where babies come from and why they can't leave. Kyle's not good at explaining those.]

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[sophos]

I'm familiar with Plato's Atlantis, but I'm guessing that's not exactly what you're talking about.

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[queenoftheseas]

No, not exactly. I was thinking more Atlantis as a real place or as a legend. Though I guess what you mentioned would count as a legend.

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[sophos]

Definitely a legend. Not sure if it existed or not, oddly enough. The story's usually taken as an allegorical warning.

[That's cute coming from a girl whose mother is a goddess.]