mermaid shenanigans au

[occulthymns]

[This is stupid this is stupid this is stupid.

That's the mantra running through Euri's head as the western ocean comes into sight. This is stupid and dangerous and a plant isn't worth the trouble of getting this close to so much water, even if the tide is out.

... But damnit! If those rumours are true all she has to do is grab one or two plants. Then she can take them home and grow them herself and given how they're rare to the point of mythical she'll be rich.

Euri makes her way down the hill, swallowing thickly as the full ocean comes into view. It's a lot bigger than she imagined, and she tries to focus on the shallows directly in front of her. All she has to do is wade out to that little island - only a few miles - and then she'll be fine.

It takes her about an extra ten minutes to reach the edge of the water, and when she does she holds her breath for a few moments. But nothing happen, so she removes her shoes and stockings and ties the hem of her dress up high so it won't get wet. The feeling of warm water hitting her toes makes her squeak, but a few seconds later she's plowing into it and starting for the island.]

Comments

[occulthymns]

[The confusing movements certainly aren't helping her. Euri's struggling grows more frantic as she turns red, then bluish, then is finally forced to exhale.

Which is amazingly terrible when they're still under water.]

[showmeanguish]

[It is. But as soon as he feels the bubbles rushing by, and her chest contract as her lungs collapse, he ducks his head.

Euri will feel a pair of lips pressed against hers, as he forces her mouth open and releases his own breath directly into her. It's not air, just water--and she may feel herself choke, initially. But instead of drowning her, something happens... her lungs seem to absorb it, for whatever reason, and she'll find that exhaling a second time is easier.

Another inhale, and she's still not drowning. She can actually breathe, underwater.]

[occulthymns]

[For a few moments her struggling actually increases. She thinks - well, she isn't sure what he's trying to do, making out with her when she's clearly drowning. The poor thing shudders initially when it feels like he's just forcing her to drown faster.

Her eyes fall closed and she waits for whatever is supposed to happen next, but....

There's nothing. No dying, no drowning, nothing.

Her eyes open again and she looks incredibly confused.]

[showmeanguish]

[In response to her confusion, he just smiles back, mysteriously. In a moment or two more, they break away from the cave into open water. It's definitely oceanic, but it's not the shallow sand bar that Euri had initially come in on--this is the real, deep and vast blue of the ocean.

And once they're a good distance out, he takes them towards the surface and, stops, letting go of her as he lazily swims above. And with them back in the sunlight, she'll be able to see that his waist fades into a pale shark's belly, that swells then tapers into a powerful fin at the back.

His eyes follow her though, as he makes a circle and swims back to where she's floating. Watching to see how well she can swim on her own.]

[occulthymns]

[With the threat of drowning fading Euri actually relaxes, looking around and trying to figure out where they are. It's hopeless though, and she looks fearful when they enter the open ocean.

And if she had any doubts before as to what he is she certainly doesn't now. Her eyes hang on his tail as a pit of dread forms in her stomach. Even though she isn't drowning his kind are still incredibly dangerous, so she keeps her eyes on him warily.

Oh, and she doesn't even try swimming. With zero swimming skills she feels it's safer to just float there and try to not freak the hell out.]

[showmeanguish]

[When she fails to even try, just slowly starts to sink deeper into the water, his suspicions are confirmed. Circling around again, he grabs her by the wrists and pulls her up, so that their heads are level, even if he remains horizontal.

He's still looking at her, in amusement. But then he opens his mouth and speaks... and even though it's not anything like Witch language, she can somehow understand it.]

Cursing me was a mistake. I probably would've let you go, if it wasn't for that. [Which is a lie, but whatever makes her feel better...]

[occulthymns]

[She flinches when he takes hold of her wrists and makes the barest effort to kick her legs, but otherwise remains useless.

His comment just makes her shrink back, more fear welling up inside her. Oh god oh god is he going to eat her??]

[showmeanguish]

[That's what he was planning on, initially.]

In case you're wondering why you aren't drowning, I've given you the ability to breathe like me. It's temporary, and it'll wear off after a few days...

[And here, he smirks.] At which point I'd probably wanna be near land, if I were you. But, more importantly...

[He buzzes her close again, this time turning so that she can see the top of his tail. It's blue, with several darker stripes marking it's top. Right above where his butt should be, is a vertical fin, flanked by two smaller ones closer to the end of his tail.

And when he smiles at her, he shows his teeth, complete with sharp fangs.] Don't get on my bad side, again.

[occulthymns]

[At his explanation her hands move to her throat. So that explains it... does that mean she can speak under water, too?

She doesn't have much time to mull over that question though, because his next comments have her cringing and nodding her head vehemently. Yep, definitely not getting on a damn shark-merman's bad side. She doesn't have a deathwish.]

[showmeanguish]

[At her reaction, he just laughs and circles around, lifting her up again since she keeps sinking as soon as he lets go.]

What's wrong, catfish got your tongue? You seemed so vocal, before.

[occulthymns]

[Her response?

Her eyes start tearing up. Or try to, given that they're under water.]

P - please don't e - eat me...!

[showmeanguish]

Mm. [He doesn't look particularly concerned, but he does swim close to her again, brushing a hand through the side of her hair.]

Is that what you're afraid of? Don't worry--I'm not hungry. [For the moment, at least.]

[occulthymns]

[She doesn't stop him. Her hair isn't tied back in any way, so there's nothing to impede his fingers.]

Then - then.... [She isn't even sure she wants to ask, but his answer isn't reassuring.] Why did you kidnap me....?

[showmeanguish]

I've never seen a Witch, before. [His answer is honest, and straight forward, as he cocks his head slightly.]

My culture talks about your kind a lot, y'know. You're just... different from what I expected.

[occulthymns]

[Oh god that answer might be even worse.]

No I'm not...! I'm a perfectly normal Witch!

[showmeanguish]

[Well, he's oblivious enough to not catch on to that, immediately. Instead he just makes an amused noise and keeps floating near her.]

I mean, the stories made you seem weak and pathetic. Barely worth our effort.

[occulthymns]

Ah.... [Well then.]

Your stories are stupid. We're really powerful and dangerous, so - so take me back!

[showmeanguish]

...Uh-huh.

[He totally doesn't believe her. Because how dangerous could they honestly be, if she can't even subdue him for more than ten minutes?]

Why don't you tell me about yours, then? What do Witches say about us?

[occulthymns]

[She's sinking again, so she kicks spastically and tries to keeps herself at his level.]

That - ... that you're all really dangerous....

[showmeanguish]

[He flashes her another fangy smile, and watches her struggle to keep herself afloat. This time, he doesn't intervene, because she'll never learn unless she tries it for herself.]

Well, ast least one of us got it right.

[occulthymns]

[She's doing an incredibly sad job, sorry to say. But she does manage to kick a few feet away from him, even if it's inadvertent.]

I want to go home.

[showmeanguish]

[That admission makes him frown slightly, lips pursing.]

After all the trouble I went through? No, you're staying here.

[Until he gets bored with her, anyway. Merfolk are fickle, but she doesn't have to know that.]

[occulthymns]

[She glares slightly and manages another kick away from him.]

I don't care what you want.

[showmeanguish]

...

[There's that fiestyness of before. He likes it, even if he continues to circle her and mock her with his amused smile.]

That so? Then good luck getting home on your own.

[Because in case you haven't noticed, you can barely swim, dear.]

[occulthymns]

[His teasing makes her all the more determined, and in a flash of brilliance decides to try and kick her way upwards. If she can see some land then she can make her way towards it.]