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]

[Euri narrows her eyes at him, crawling over and snatching it up quickly.]

Uh huh.

I'll still need some way to cook this. [But she can at least process it. Gutting a fish isn't as easy as other animals, but she works quickly at it and is doing a decent enough job.]

[showmeanguish]

[He watches her, honestly a bit interested in her use of the knife. It's a skill he doesn't have a need for, but it's an interesting process.]

Don't you have a curse to make fire?

[occulthymns]

[There are a few, actually.

But they're all curses, and Euri's never been able to reach that level of skill yet.]

... I don't have any memorized. [Total bullshit she has like three running through her head right now.]

[showmeanguish]

You could try.

[Sounds like wussying out, to him.]

[occulthymns]

[Yeah, not trying would make her look weak. Trying would just end in failure.

There's no good way out of this.]

Ugh...! Give - give me a few minutes to remember one!

[showmeanguish]

Take your time. Your meal's not going anywhere.

[And he is starting to suspect she's stalling because she doesn't know any spells. So we'll see how this plays out.]

[occulthymns]

[She makes an irritated noise and screws up her face, as if she's thinking deeply.

Well... it couldn't hurt to try, right? Maybe?]

... Um. Well....

[She takes a deep breath, then starts humming softly. She'll work her way up, until she's reached a point where she feels the curse flowing within her.]

[showmeanguish]

[In the meantime, he just lazily swishes his fin back and forth in the water while he watches, body stretched out behind him at it's surface.]

[occulthymns]

[Once she feels a tiny spark of confidence she'll start in with the actual lyrics. They're quick and powerful, as flames should be.

... But nothing's happening.]

[showmeanguish]

[Chin in hands. Well, this is absolutely thrilling.]

[occulthymns]

[She isn't giving up quiet yet, though. She'll keep singing, putting more and more effort into the curse. Come on, she can do this. She's seen plenty of Witches cast this curse. She has enough magic in her to do it, too!

Except she doesn't, and the most she's getting is a tiny flicker of a spark midair. Then nothing.]

[showmeanguish]

[... There's a faint snort, at that tiny flame. One that he doesn't really try to cover up, or look less amused.]

Maybe the sea water dried out your throat.

[occulthymns]

[His comment gets a frustrated growl.]

Shut up! I'd like to see you try it!

[showmeanguish]

[His smile turns a little wider.]

That a challenge?

[occulthymns]

Yes! Yes it is!

[showmeanguish]

[He knows she thinks she's tricking him into cooking the fish for her, but he's more than willing to give a demonstration for her. Fire curses aren't something he has need for often, but he knows one that's come in handy to set fire to sails, before.

Backing away a little in the water, he takes a breath and starts singing. And unlike Euri, it doesn't start off as just a hum... the words come quick and effortlessly off his tongue.

Then, he reaches his hands out and fire explodes out of them, forming an arc into the air that blazes hot, before it dies down into something more manageable. A ball that he swims forward with, and sets above the snapper. Soon it's skin is cooking and sizzling--it doesn't take long.]

[occulthymns]

[Euri has nothing but scowls and envious looks for him, but at least her fish is cooking. She's even getting up with the knife, stepping over to some low hanging roots. With a few quick swipes she's cutting them off, then returning to the fish.

Those roots are quickly peeled and chopped, and she'll place them overtop the fish.]

[showmeanguish]

[He can keep it up for as long as he needs to, or at least until the spell wanes down. But considering how powerful his magic is, that won't be for a while.

Still, he blinks at her when she cuts up the root, head cocking slightly.]

And those're for...?

[occulthymns]

A side dish. [Both the fish and the roots will let off a tasty aroma as they cook. The fish smells roasted, of course, and the roots smell starchy, kind of like potatoes.]

Don't you have those kinds of things?

[showmeanguish]

[They may smell good to her, but all she's getting from him is a wrinkling of his nose.]

No. Most of us don't bother with plants.

[occulthymns]

[She licks her lips as she watches the fish cook.]

Well... you can try some, if you want.

[showmeanguish]

I already ate.

[Which is a little more polite than 'why would i put that shit in my mouth'.]

[occulthymns]

Your loss. [She carefully starts flipping the roots and fish over.]

[showmeanguish]

Not really. We're what you'd call 'carnivores'. Anything except meat's just roughage.

[occulthymns]

[She makes a slight face at that.]

What about mushrooms?