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]

[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.]

[showmeanguish]

[Hahaha... jokes on her, because while the island isn't too far away? They're on the opposite side of it. There's no beach around the shore, only sheer rock facing, and that's a good fifty meters or so from where she's floating.]

[occulthymns]

[When she finally reaches the surface (after far too long because she's so bad at swimming) her eyes widen at the sight of the cliff.

She starts for it anyway. Maybe she can climb it...?]

[showmeanguish]

[Wow. Euri. You're definitely more tenacious than he assumed, and he approves. In the meantime, he just swims below her, keeping pace without a problem.]

[occulthymns]

[It's kind of embarrassing really. She's still clad in only her underwear, and him being right under her affords him a rather nice view.

She tries to ignore that though, working on keeping her head above water and getting to the rocks. Unfortunately, the waves push her around easily, so she's putting three times as much effort into just getting over there.]

[showmeanguish]

[He's not going to make it much easier on her. While trailing her from below's nice, he doesn't have all day to just watch her flail around in the water and move at a snail's pace...

So eventually he surfaces next to her, dorsal fin cutting the water first, before his head appears.]

Yeah, you're definitely gonna make it before tomorrow.

[Especially since there's clouds gathering on the horizon.]

[occulthymns]

[She comes to a quick halt, scowling darkly at him. She doesn't move to swim around him right away, making sure he isn't planning to do anything dangerous. When she seems confident he won't she resumes paddling.]

Shut up.

[showmeanguish]

[Fffff~]

Where'd you learn to swim, anyway? I've seen turtles with more coordination than you.

[occulthymns]

[That question makes her cheeks darken, though she doesn't stop.]

Witches don't swim, okay??

[showmeanguish]

Why? 'Cause you're that scared of the water?

[He chuckles, and moves a little closer, lids dropping a little more over his eyes.]

It helps if you kick your legs up and down, behind you. And your hands? Just move them out, then to the sides, instead of paddling like some sort of animal.

[occulthymns]

I'm not scared!

[She pointedly his advice, which isn't the smartest thing when an incoming wind is starting to make the waves higher and choppier. She's pretty much struggling now.]