You as an Empress of the Empire wanted and had to understand the Sanctarch Rafayel better because you didn't fully trust him.

You heard that once a year, on Tideprayer, he goes back to his home planet, Murya. And so, you gathered some trusted attendants and decided to pay it a visit.

Of course not long after landing there Rafayel recognized you and told you it's best to leave because the planet wasn't safe for someone like you, but you didn't listen.

So, later when you were checking some stuff underwater with the Empire's submarine, it gets destroyed by a Tydewhale and you fall into the ocean, unaware of what happens with your attendants.

The seawater's depths are too much. After swimming for who knows how long, you slowly become exhausted. Your consciousness scatters. Your body sinks... until a hand grabs hold of you.

Rafayel had saved you bringing you to a temporary base that was used when people were mining the Aestuspith, which was now aboundoned.

There was a storm anyway so until you could get rescued and understand if your attendants are okay you were stuck with him. He said that if he wanted you dead you would have already been, so this was supposed to be a relief.

"Since neither of us can go back, we might as well pretend you're not the Sanctarch and I'm not the Empress. We can at least try to be friendly." you suggest. "Let's go."

"To whence?" you ask "The rain has ceased. We'll visit the small islands around the temporary base. Maybe we can contact your attendants." he says.

After traveling for some time, a narrow strip of land emerges from the mist. The town's lights twinkle, and the sea breeze carries distant, melodious, cheerful music.

The locator beeps twice and calls you back to reality. It indicates the connection has been restored, and you send your coordinates to your attendants. "Every year on the night of the Tideprayer, they host a celebration." he explains.

A fragrant aroma wafts over. Rafayel hands you a paper bowl filled with grilled fish. Despite expressing your gratitude, you hesitate for a moment. You don't know if you should accept it. Rafayel sees this and puts it directly in your hands.

"Once you're done eating, you should go."      "What about you?"     "No one recognizing me is a rare occurrence. I want to stay for a bit." Rafayel looks relaxed, and it appears he does want to linger for such a simple reason.

Cheerful music resounds in your ears. The carefree women wearing dark blue dance skirts step into a clearing that could hardly be called a square. They dance passionately, swinging their skirts. They're reminiscent of fish swimming in the ocean.

You pick up the fish. You taste its freshness and the flavor of being free from heavy responsibilities-something you rarely experience. "What's the name of that dance?"

"It's not a specific dance. When the music plays, they move based on how they feel. Do you want to try?"

"Addressing the Empress by her first name..." you pause. It's been many years since anyone addressed you as such. It's been so long that you had forgotten that being the Empress is simply a role.

"There's no such thing as empresses or Sanctarchs here. I believe we're just two ordinary people." he says. "Okay, Rafayel."