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 is a frustrated noise as she looks away, curling tighter so as to try and retain more body heat. It doesn't help though and within avfew minutes she's shivering pretty badly.]

H - hate y - you....

[showmeanguish]

For catching and punishing you? I'm well within my rights, brat.

[occulthymns]

I'm - I'm going to f - freeze to death! I want t - to go to dry land...!

[showmeanguish]

[For a moment, he doesn't respond. Just keeps watching her shiver with a sort of cruel amusement. But then,]

If I do, will you finally stop complaining?

[occulthymns]

[Of course not, but she nods vigorously.]

Yes!

[showmeanguish]

[He suspects as much... But since she's so fragile.

He floats a hand out towards her.]

Fine. Hold on.

[occulthymns]

[She's quick to latch onto his hand with both of hers. Fuck yes maybe she can even escape!]

[showmeanguish]

[HAHA. If only, Euri, but your optimism is cute.

When he's sure she's holding on, he gives a powerful kick of his fin that drags her forward with him, swimming back up a little. But they aren't headed for the surface--there's another tunnel entrance to the island, only barely big enough for them both to squeeze through.

And he being the considerate merman he is, makes sure she doesn't get clobbered by the tunnel walls. More than is necessary, anyway.]

[occulthymns]

[Her heart sinks when she realizes they're entering another tunnel. Not the surface? What the hell is he doing??

Of course she quickly becomes a little more preoccupied clinging as tightly to him as possible to avoid the rocky walls, even if that means pressing her body against his.]

[showmeanguish]

[That's slightly distracting (no really, the sensory organs on that side of his tail, that let him detect nearby movement and space are freaking out over being triggered), but he ignores it and focuses on finding his way. It's pitch black, which will probably make her feel even more claustrophobic, and with as many turns they're taking it's impossible to know what way's up or down anymore.

But it only lasts a few minutes, before a current pushes them out into a pool. It's similar to the lagoon Euri'd found, only once they reach the surface, it's clear that there's no way out, here. It's entirely enclosed in by sea rock, with a ceiling that stretches up about fourty feet, some of which is tangled up in tree roots...though from somewhere at the top, there's the sound of rain and a trickle of it down the wall. The entire floor space isn't huge, only about twenty feet in diameter, but there is a ledge of rock big enough for someone her size to lay down on, if she tucked her legs up a little.

And it's here that he swims to, and helps her hoist up. The air is considerably warmer than the water, even if it might still feel chilly against her wet skin.]

There, happy?

[occulthymns]

[It isn't what she was expecting and thanks to her circumstances she can't even appreciate the beauty of the place. Looks like escape is out of the question, for now...

She scowls but nods slightly.]

I need to dry off.

[showmeanguish]

[...Blank look. What, were you expecting him to have towels?]

[occulthymns]

I need fire, or something warm...!

[showmeanguish]

... S'there no end to your complaining? I thought you said you'd stop.

[occulthymns]

I don't want to die! [She's letting go of him so she can paddle over to the nice dry edge.]

[showmeanguish]

Is a little cold gonna kill you? [Maybe Witches are just as fragile as humans...]

[occulthymns]

If I don't get warm and dry I'll get sick, and I could die from that.

[showmeanguish]

...

[He should just eat her. This is too much trouble.]

...Fine.

[Sigh. His head disappears beneath the water, as he swims off.]

[occulthymns]

[Euri climbs onto the rock with a huff, glancing back quick enough to see him disappear.

Bah, good riddance. While he's gone she can find a way out. She starts feeling along the rock for anything useful, casting a small burst of light to give the place more illumination.]

[showmeanguish]

[There are handholds, but the cavern's walls are steep. It's practically a vertical climb all the way to the top, though a few roots hang low enough that if she scaled twenty feet or so, she could grab onto one and haul herself to safety.

Of course, that's assuming the opening at the top's large enough to fit her through.]

[occulthymns]

[Gusss who is going to try climbing!

Granted this is a dumb idea since she is still shivering and her grip is not that steady, but she is trying anyway.]

[showmeanguish]

[Wow, Euri. You really are stubborn.

...She has at least fifteen minutes to try.]

[occulthymns]

[The poor thing starts clambering up, clinging as best she can to the rock wall. She won't make it up very far because her shivering is getting worse - even her fingers are twitching.

She slips a couple of times, and unfortunately she's going to lose her grip and land on her rear with a surprised squeak.]

[showmeanguish]

[skljfljk omg babbu...you tried

At the end of the fifteen minutes, Vanitas' head reappears and he swims up to the ledge she's sitting on. Then, he hauls something out of the water and slaps it down next to her.

It's a... seal... skin. NOT FRESH THANKFULLY. But that is his answer to her being cold.]

Here.

[...At least it'll dry quickly????]

[occulthymns]

[By then Euri is curled up on the rock, shivering and rubbing her rear. She starts when he reappears, and the... seal skin makes her stare confusedly.]

Wh... what is that?