Completed Exploration and Meditation Among the Kelp

[Okara]

Summer 3, 516 Syna’s rays poked through the grey storm clouds irregularly as Okara surveyed the Sebakem Ocean that surrounded Konti Isle. The intermittent storms had subsided again though the respite was likely temporary. They had waxed and waned all day and the precipitation had made Okara long for the salty ocean waters. Her bare feet sunk into the sandy beach as she stood still, watching the ocean horizon that extended endlessly. She knew that if one continued far enough they would come to the Mizahar continent but the distance was too great to see the huge land mass. From Okara’s solitary perspective the ocean seemed infinite in its distance. The thought made her feel small but comforted by the familiar island at her back. The ocean called, and Okara desired to answer. She turned her eyes away from the horizon like snapping out of a stupor and retreated a few paces inland to one of the coniferous trees that predominantly populated the Silverwood around Konti Isle. The needles of the thick branches were the delicious green of summer that made her think of fertility and vitality. Okara slid her backpack from her slender shoulders and let it fall to the sand with a muffled thud. Okara glanced around her as she pulled her white shirt over her head. She did not mind other Konti seeing her nakedness. She had been around women’s bodies all her life and felt no shame in her own. But she was a modest woman and preferred to know whom she exposed herself to, particularly if the viewer was the increasingly frequent guest to the Isle. The beach was still empty of any presence save her own. After her shirt was removed she slid off her pale green trousers and folded both neatly before storing them in her backpack. Okara slung the pack up among the thick branches of the tree, away from any incoming rain or the prying fingers of laughing children. Dressed in only her underclothing, Okara’s naked skin prickled with the chill of the ocean breeze. Turning her back to the land, the pale Konti woman strode briskly towards the gently foaming waves that lapped at the sand. Her feet met the water with a splash as the salty liquid rose higher around her legs with each step. Higher, higher the ocean churned around her until she bent at the waist and fully submerged. The ocean soon smoothed and erased any visible trace of her submersion. Okara delighted at the sensation of her gills coming alive, working to process the water that flowed around and along them. As the gills began to work her chest ceased to rise, her lungs at rest. Okara’s legs worked diligently to push her against the strong current that longed to embrace the sandy beach she wished to leave behind. Her muscles contracted and released with each powerful kick that sliced through the water as her whole body warmed with exertion. The further she swam from the beach the easier her movements became. The tide changed from pushing her towards the land to pulling her out farther into the ocean, beckoning the willing Konti towards the deepening waters.

[Okara]

She swam along the sandy bottom as the sky seemed to draw away from her. Long, dark tendrils shot up from the ocean floor some distance in front of her. She drew closer and closer to the dark objects until the Kelp Forest, her destination, became more defined in her vision. Beyond the Forest lay Laviku’s Grace, and beyond that the dark depths of open waters. The Forest was far enough for her current mood. She hoped the rainy weather meant that she would be fairly alone within the thick, leafy towers. A few chimes passed as she drew nearer and nearer the tall kelp until suddenly she was within and among them. She ceased movement and let her momentum pull her slowly through the water. A blend of green and brown, the kelp rose around her seemingly as tall as trees. Truly it was a forest within the ocean. A movement at the corner of her vision drew her gaze away from the plants and she noted a dark grey ray gliding gently along the ocean floor. Moving her arms to swing her slowing momentum towards the ray she kicked a few times to match its speed. The manta ray was unbothered by the Konti’s presence, used to her gentle kind around it. Okara traveled beside the ray, watching its movements carefully. She observed the creature open and close its mouth, feasting on tiny creatures too small for the woman to see. Okara marveled at the creature, a link in the vast chain of the delicately balanced ocean biome. The ray glided on gently; tranquil and unaware of its own magnificence. Okara rolled softly through the water until she was gliding a foot or two above the ray. She did not wish to get too close and startle the creature or make it nervous. Many sea creatures were not bothered by the gentle Konti race but Okara was not Laviku marked and did not wish to overestimate the creature’s comfort with her. She knew the best way to respect creatures was to not force her presence too greatly on them. Only the foolhardy gave creatures a reason to be defensive. Okara slowly stretched out her arms as she glided above the ray, measuring its expanse with her body. The tips of her fingers appeared to reach a few inches longer than the triangular fins of the ray. This manta ray was perhaps young. Okara knew that some rays were massive and reached the width of two or three Konti’s full height. Deciding she had spent enough time bothering the ray’s tranquility she veered away from the creature and floated along the ocean floor. Floating in the silent, hazy ocean made Okara feel thoughtful and at peace. Her partially scaled body felt at home in the water and she had a personal affinity for salt water that made her even more comfortable. Okara rolled gently until she faced the sky and reached out to grab a thick and slippery length of kelp that slowed her float to a halt. She felt so peaceful, it was almost through a mental haze that she recalled an elderly human man that had come to visit the Opal Temple a few years ago. In her curiosity she had went to hear the man speak to the wise and friendly healers that gathered there. Distantly she remembered him speaking about the importance of meditation, the necessity to create a calm realm within in order to handle difficult situations and keep ailing patients comfortable.

[Okara]

She remembered the man speaking of rhythmically inhaling and exhaling, focusing on one’s breath. That was out of the question down here. Trying to do so would cause her to choke, perhaps, on water her gills absorbed just fine. She smiled briefly at the thought of attempting to breath underwater but she pushed away that ridiculous and unnatural mental picture. Okara wound her hands around two long kelp leaves until they looped around her wrists and held her loosely in place so that the current did not cause her to float away. She stared up at the surface far above her, it had darkened slightly, perhaps rain was approaching again. Okara sought to find something to concentrate on, to latch onto in order to clear her mind. The current rolled her body in a soft rhythm so she decided upon that sensation. In her stillness her blonde hair had begun to drift gently around her face so she closed her eyes to the distraction. All she could sense was her body rocking amongst the towering kelp. The current bobbed her gently, gently. She focused her mind on that movement and tried to empty her thoughts of the day. Her endeavors, the intermittent kisses of Makutsi upon the land, her observations of the manta ray. She tried to imagine it all drifting with the current. Letting go of the day was more difficult than she thought. Each time the current pulled away her thoughts a picture of the manta ray’s mouth opening and closing appeared in her mind or she could suddenly smell again the delicious products of that day’s work on the hearth. Each time something came to her she tried to send it away on the current. But the grey mouth kept coming back to her. Even the pitter patter sound of the day’s rain seemed to haunt her ears. Again and again she pushed it aside. The current rolled her body with a little more force and she thought of the weather systems that must be moving above her. She realized that she had lost herself in thought again and chastised her mind fiercely. I am the ocean. I am the current. I am driftless and open and nothing can settle within me. She repeated the thought to herself a few times and slowly her mind quieted. The thoughts began to slide away and with her eyes gently closed the only sensation she was aware of was the bass roar of the ocean’s current moving her loose body and the rough texture of the kelp against her wrists. Solitude settled within her; she was peacefully alone in the protective confines of the Kelp Forest. A few blissful moments of emptiness passed when Okara felt something nibble on her big toe. Her eyes flew open and her body flinched in fright. Looking toward her feet she saw a frightened little beige fish dart away from her suddenly flailing limbs. She smiled in astonishment and relief. The poor little fish had likely thought her still, floating body a lifeless morsel to begin feeding on. It had given her quite a start and shown her for drifting so stupidly with her eyes closed at the bottom of the ocean. Still smiling, her concentration utterly broken and unlikely to return, Okara tugged and worked at her wrists until they were free of the slippery kelp that had kept her from drifting away. She had been able to empty her mind for a few moments which felt quite successful after her struggle. The sentient mind clings so fiercely to thought it is difficult to let go of, or so Okara had found. With her mind now free to wander she was able to consider her next move. She had been still long enough drifting within the kelp giants she now desired a little more lively pursuit.

[Okara]

Okara’s stomach gurgled sharply which helped make up her mind. She turned her body towards the direction of the shore and began to swim vigorously, spreading her fingers and toes to take full advantage of the light webbing located there to propel herself through the water. The water parted around her body and her hair streamed behind her as she picked up speed. As she neared the shoreline she noted that the tide was rather high though that mattered little to the water breathing Konti. Using her hands like rudders she turned her body until she ran parallel to the shore. She scanned the ocean floor until she located a long outcropping of rocks covered in small, uneven bumps. Drawing closer to the rocks the bumps were soon more clearly seen to be an oyster reef. Okara smiled, she was hungry and oysters made for a delicious meal. She knew oysters clung fiercely to their rocky homes and their shells were far too sharp to grab and rip away with her bare hands. Okara fought to steady herself in the water, the current was strong here so close to the shoreline. The recent rains had whipped up some sediment in the water which made her vision cloudy. She moved her hands carefully around the rocks searching for a loose one that would comfortably fit in her hand. A few chimes passed until she found one that would that work well enough. The small rock was wedged between two larger ones and Okara had to struggle with both hands to free it. The crude implement in hand, she turned to the task of dislodging some oysters from their moorings. Okara carefully placed her feet into the mud at the edge of the rocky oyster reef to keep her from being off balanced in the current. She was careful not to step directly onto any oyster shells, the sharpness of which would most certainly cut her feet deeply. She held onto the edge of a slippery rock with one hand and held the small rock she had found with the other. Taking aim at a large cluster of oysters she swung the rock against the edge of the nearest oyster and knocked several free. She removed her hand from the slippery rock and grabbed at the oysters before they floated away in the ocean current. Swinging the rock and dislodging a few more, she dropped the rugged tool and grabbed the freed oysters. Holding two oysters in each hand the Konti determined that to be a plentiful number. Okara did not wish to take more then she needed and waste the precious resources that Laviku provided the island dwellers. Pleased with her success, Okara turned towards the shore and kicked her legs only to find her feet still firmly lodged within the mud. With irritation she tugged her feet but they were firmly stuck in the oozy mud. This mud surrounding the oyster reef was thicker and stickier then she had realized. She struggled some more and the woman began to panic. She was not worried of drowning, of course, but she had no desire to wait at the edge of an oyster reef until low tide when she might be able to call out for help. Forcing herself to stop and calm her panicked mind she considered her options, the strong current whipping her hair around her face.

[Okara]

Shifting the oysters so that all four were clutched against her chest with one hand, she bent towards her feet and used her free hand to carefully push the mud away from her right foot and wiggled it until it was free of the murky suction. With one leg free she turned toward the shore and with a few strokes from her arm and kicks from her leg she was able to break the suction on her other foot and shot towards the shallow waters. A few more kicks and she was able to set her feet beneath her in beachy sand and stand upright, her torso emerging into the air and her chest rose as her lungs took over once again. She trudged slowly through the rolling tide; hints of exhaustion began to claw at her body from her struggle against the thick mud. Once she was free of the water Okara picked up her pace and approached the tree she had hidden her backpack in. She gently set the oysters down on the sand and then reached up to pull down her pack. Carefully digging her hand around, she found and pulled out the long slender knife most ideal for cracking open oyster shells. Feeling a slight stinging sensation Okara looked down and noticed several cuts on her chest from where she had clutched the sharp oysters. Frowning slightly, she touched her gnosis marked right hand to her chest and the shallow cuts closed quickly. Removing her hand she examined the pink, healed skin with satisfaction and plopped down on the sand beside her hard won oysters. She turned her gaze towards the oysters for a more thorough examination then she had been able to afford underwater. Three of the oysters were the bumpy, oblong shape of miyagi oysters that were delicious for eating. With a smile of delight she noticed the fourth had the smooth white shell of a windowpane oyster. These were also edible but the beautiful shell was the better prize. Grasping a miyagi oyster and bringing it closer to her face she observed several tiny oysters moored to its shell. Careful not to dislodge them, Okara slid the slender oyster knife into the tiny line where the upper and lower shells met and carefully moved it back and forth, seeking to sever the muscle the oyster used to seal its shell together. After a few moments the upper and lower shell parted slightly, letting Okara know the muscle had likely been severed. Next, she gently applied pressure to the upper shell until it popped open. Moving the knife carefully against the shell she scraped away the oyster meat and then tipped it against her mouth, slurping down the delicious meat raw. Okara grimaced as she felt a few sand grains grit between her teeth. The oyster had taken in some of the sediment the rains had stirred up, no wonder she had often heard more experienced Konti women advise waiting for clear weather days to collect oysters. Okara settled back against the sand and watched Syna’s light begin to dip down towards the ocean over the Western horizon as she carefully opened and ate each of the oysters. As deep oranges and purples began to streak across the horizon and Okara’s skin and hair had dried she pulled on her trousers and shirt. Holding the miyagi oyster shells carefully the Konti woman padded towards the swirling ocean water. With a prayer of thanks to Laviku for providing the meal and hope for the young oysters moored to the shells to grow big to feed her sisters in future days, she placed the shells in the water to be returned to the ocean. Returning to the tree, Okara carefully placed the beautiful white windowpane oyster shell in her backpack. It would make a lovely decoration to add to her home. Glancing one last time at the ocean with a smile of farewell the slender Konti woman began the walk back towards Mura and her longed for bed.

[Maro]

Okara Skills +Body Building: +2 +Endurance: +1 +Foraging: +1 +Land Navigation: +1 +Meditation: +3 +Observation: +3 +Wilderness Survival (Sea): +4 Loot +One white windowpane oyster shell Lores -The Relative Endlessness of the Ocean -The Desire of Shallow Tides to Embrace the Shore -Tides Farther from Shore Pull One Out -Location: The Kelp Forest -A Konti's Presence: Welcomed by Underwater Wildlife -Survival: Keeping One's Distance from Wildlife -Kelp: An Anchor in the Ocean -Meditation: Letting Go of Unnecessary Thoughts and Distractions -Focus on Breath: Unwise for Underwater Meditation -Using Rocks to Harvest Oysters -Freeing One's Self from Mud -Opening Oysters with a Knife -Don't Harvest Oysters after a Storm Notes : Great job, Okara! The descriptive detail in this thread was fantastic. The whole world felt alive. Please make sure to edit your request to 'graded' in the queue. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or concerns about your grade. I am very new to grading, so if you have questions, they are legitimate. If you'd like anything rephrased or if you think I missed a skill or points for a skill, please let me know. Also try to remember, only one grade request per post in the grading queue.