Tag: birthday

Lukas waited outside the lair after completing his new labor of six blue stones, a rare mineral for merfolk. In fact, he waited for an hour and was getting impatient. Thankfully, Calliope was convinced he accomplished the labor, but still! “Come on!” he complained. “What’s going on down-!” A portal then opened and Maria swam out of it.

“Hello, Lukas!” she said.

“A por…?” Lukas was puzzled. “Maria, what’s going on?”

“Oh, just a little surprise for you,” replied Maria. “Now, I need to blindfold you and-.”

“NO!” Lukas swam back. Maria blinked.

“…Erm, Lukas?” asked Maria.

“Not again! I can’t!” Lukas was hyperventilating now.

“Oh shoot!” muttered Maria. She then stuck her head into the portal and said something. Calliope swam out of the portal.

“Lukas?!” she asked, her voice tinged with worry. “Lukas, are you all right?”

“No sight means binding! Binding means whip! Whip for hours!” he whimpered, curling into a ball. “Scars! Blood! Shark teasing!”

“Lukas, look at me!” said Calliope as she gently placed her hands on his cheeks. “Look into my eyes!” Her eyes then swirled between black and white. “Look into my eyes. Let my hypnosis relax you. There will be no blindfold. There will be no bondage. You will not be whipped until bled out. You will not be used as bait to tease sharks. You are safe with me. As you sleep, you will have pleasant dreams. When you wake, you will see that you are safe with me and my staff.”

“Sssssafe…yessssss.” Lukas’ eyes became heavy with sleep.

---

Lukas woke up to see that he was in his room in Calliope’s lair. He looked around in disbelief, then looked himself over. “…She meant it!” he said.

“Lukas?” asked Maria’s voice.

“Y-Yes! Yes, I…I’m awake,” he replied. Maria swam in.

“Lukas, this might be a stupid question, but are you all right?” Lukas sighed.

“I…I’m sorry for freaking out like that,” he said. “I just…every time I wanted to…”

“Lukas, you don’t need to explain,” said Madame Calliope as she glided into the room and sat next to the bed. “All I worry about is that you’re okay. You can tell us in your own good time.”

“…Was…was there some sort of surprise for me?” asked Lukas.

“…Well, I think we can still give today a happier time,” said Calliope. “Just come to the commons level when you’re ready, okay?”

“O-Okay, Mistress,” replied Lukas.

“Rest up, Lukas, my lovely,” soothed Calliope as she and Maria left the room.

---

After he recovered, Lukas headed to the commons level, located just above the bottom of the lair where Calliope keeps her cauldron. When he approached, there were streamers, balloons, and a party table. “What in…?” he asked himself.

“Happy birthday, Lukas!” cheered everyone.

“Y-You remembered?!” stammered Lukas.

“Everyone living here deserves to have their birthday acknowledged,” replied Calliope. “And it’s a perfect time for making beautiful memories, hm?” Lukas hugged his mistress with everyone cheering for him. The party was a happy one with Lukas feeling safer than ever, even after the faux pas from earlier.