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]

[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.]

[showmeanguish]

[In response, he just shakes his head a little and dips back under the water. Fine, if she wants to be stubborn about it, then she can just figure out out on her own.

But he doesn't venture far away, of course.]

[occulthymns]

[The waves continue to pick up, but Euri doesn't stop. She is so determined to reach that land, and thanks to her motivation she'll eventually reach it!

Of course, by the time she has it's started to rain, and she's completely exhausted. The most she can do is cling to the rocks and catch her breath.

... And try not to get swept away by the powerful waves.]

wow, i can totally read

[showmeanguish]

[The setting sun's blanketed by storm clouds, setting the horizon a dark grey instead of gold and pink.

The merman's still nowhere to be seen as she reaches the shore, and clings to the rocks for dear life. But it's safe to assume that he isn't far away... waiting for the second her hope gives out, and she lets go of the rocky cliff. Otherwise, with the oncoming storm, she might not live to see the morning.]

pfff it's cool o/

[occulthymns]

[If she wasn't so tired she might have stood a chance, but as it is Euri's doing a terrible job of keeping hold to the rocks. She'll attempt to climb up a few times, but the rocks are too slippery for her to keep a good enough grip.

Eventually she'll be letting go, but not of her own volition. She lets out a terrified squeak when it happens, hands scrabbling to try and grab on again.]

[showmeanguish]

Feel like giving up, yet?

[The familiar voice calls out over the sound of the rain hitting the water, and distant thunder. The merman is watching her from only a few feet away, still lazily swimming through the water behind her.]

[occulthymns]

No!

[She really isn't ready to, and she lunges for the rocks again. Unfortunately a strong wave is helping her along... and smacking her right into them.]

[showmeanguish]

...Suit yourself.

[But he doesn't disappear again, head bobbing above the waves as he continues to keep an eye on her. She's really, really stubborn, but he kind of likes that. It's different from the humans he's run into, who begged and pleaded for their lives in their final moments.]

But I can take you to safety, if you want. All you've gotta do is ask.

[occulthymns]

[The wave pulls her away from the rocks, and she has one hand clapped against her forehead. There's going to be a nice bruise there thanks to the impact.

....... That happens two more times before she's shoved back out near him. Euri's tired and sore and her muscles are burning and the waves are getting so strong she's pretty sure she'll really hurt herself if she tries that again.]

F... fine...!

[showmeanguish]

[Finally. As soon as she agrees, he dives again. And his arms come up a second later, wrapping around her again and pulling her underneath the waves.

Beneath the surface, the ocean is much calmer, but also much darker thanks to the storm. All that's seemingly beneath them is a vast expanse of black... and it's there that Vanitas drags her towards, fin kicking for an extra boost of speed.

Once they're about half a mile down beneath the waves, a coral reef appears, but it's colors are still muted by the darkened sky. Fish still dart around in and out of it, though, most hiding once their presence is close enough. And it's here that Vanitas sets her down, in a protected aclove naturally made from the coral, and a giant clam.]

[occulthymns]

[The darkness makes her (unhappily) cling to him. The last thing she needs is for him to let go and lose her - after a few minutes she can't even tell which way is up.

Her eyes lock onto the reef when it comes into sight. It's strange and unfamiliar to her, and unconsciously Euri clings a bit closer. She's still looking around, even when he puts her down.]

What is this...?

[showmeanguish]

Somewhere safe, like I said. [That's his immediate response, and he's sticking to it. Even if she might be a little cool--sorry, his magic hasn't given her the same resistance to the cold.]

[occulthymns]

[She frowns, because it is a lot cooler down here. Moving to sit as best she can, she pulls her legs to her chest.]

I want to go somewhere dry. And warm. And I want my clothes.

[showmeanguish]

Clothes are useless here. [He says it matter-of-factly, because no aquatic species has a use for them. All they do is get in the way, or add unnecessary fluff.]

And I can't take you back to the surface, yet. But I can stay with you, for a while. To keep you warm.

[occulthymns]

Gross, no! I don't want you near me...! [Though she sounds more fearful than disgusted. What if he gets hungry??]