The currents have changed.

At first, the only thing disconcerting about the quake had been its sudden appearance. She had been curled up in her undersea cave, hidden amongst the coral and rocky outcroppings of the reef that had long been her family's home - a home of privilege situated nearer to the royal family than most - when the earth began to shake. It had woken her from slumber; and though it was unexpected, the whole of Baltia was steadfast and strong.

It would continue on, unbroken, as it always had.

But upon investigation, there is something different. Siasxiu waited for only a moment at the covert entrance to her home cavern before her powerful caudal tail propels her forward to investigate. The expanse of Baltia that opens before her is a familiar and welcoming sight, but there is something in the water that does not greet her as it usually does.

There is a miniscule change, but it is there. Noticeable only to those who have spent the duration of their long lives within their undersea kingdom.

Siasxiu swims over her familiar home reef in wide circles, ascending with each orbit and allowing her black-and-silver eyes the opportunity to survey the area around her. There are noticeably fewer sea creatures out than normal, no doubt burrowed away or scurrying about with curiosity. She looks in the direction of where, undoubtedly, Queen Tsilutsuli had already called General Helice and Advisor Rezza to her side. She had never faltered, not for as long as Siasxiu had known the royal family.

She wonders if Mesarez has also been called to his mother's side. In time, the Queen would delegate greater and greater tasks to her son until finally he became the new Baltian King. Occasionaly blather said that she, Siasxiu, would be placed at his side, betrothed, and eventually, Queen Consort. She has lived long enough for this thought to not be stressful, though the implications of such a possibility force her into a type of royal diplomacy that can sometimes be exhausting.

Nevertheless, for the sake of her friendship with Mesarez and the pride of her family, Siasxiu smiles politely to the individual who nears her now, silvered eyes gleaming with uncertain intrigue.

“Good day,” she flicks her gold-striped tail to maintain her location in the crisp ocean water, “Do you feel that?” The change.