It was the dead of night. Or so we had been told. Frankly, I found it difficult to keep time without the bright, scorching clock in the sky above me. The lights of the city glowed unendingly, making time in this mortal realm seem endless, like our unageing home. It created a feeling of comfort and discomfort intertwined, both reassuring me of my position, yet reminding me of the stakes.

The thoughts of todays or yesterday’s ordeal—depending on the actual time—had made settling in my new bed impossible. No matter how many times I look at it, I just can't see it.

“Daughter, welcome home” was the trigger for my angst-ridden state.

I tossed over, looking down at the bulk of broodiness huddled beside my bed. “Hey, sea-man? You awake”?

Sea-man, since entering my lodging, uttered not so much as a peep, but instead opted to lay grumpily beside my bed.

“Come on, I know you aren't actually asleep down there”.

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After the tearful pleasantries were out of the way, the infirmary lit up with laughter and reminiscent chatter. Tales of the noble princess and her clingy attendant were exchanged all around. We had only arrived an hour ago and it felt as if we had learned a year's worth of intel in a day's worth of time.

“You know it's impolite to ignore a lady, don't you? Especially seeing as this lady is currently disguised as the princess of the nation you're covertly lodging in” I threatened. Although, it only seemed to fuel his uncooperation.

“Fine, hide away beneath your eyelids. It's not like you can actually sleep after all”.

I decided to withdraw for now, since something more pressing was beginning to dawn on me.

Reaching beneath my blanket, I took out a crescent shaped stone with blue lines coded around it. I channeled the force from my body into the device, causing a bright radiation of light to settle over my bed. The ray shot upward, forming a flat, holographic screen with a familiar navy-haired figure shown through it. Her brilliant ember eyes flickered at the sight of me.

“Greetings!” I spoke cheerfully toward my former appearance. “My apologies for making you wait so long. Your people were rather unrelenting in allowing us to retire for the evening. Understandable, given the circumstances”.

I took in her frantic expression and the hesitance in her quivering lips. “Anywho….Where shall we start, Lady Yukina?” I began twirling a lock of the hair she would recognize. “Or would it be more appropriate to call you…Princess Korrin, god of the Ocean realm, Oceanos”?!

…