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]

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?

[showmeanguish]

Mush... shrooms?

[He thinks for a second, if he's heard of that before. Maybe, but nothing's coming to mind.] What are they?

[occulthymns]

[Euri pauses, staring at him in shock.]

You're... you're joking, right?

[showmeanguish]

[Mushrooms don't grow in salt water environments, unless we're talking coral.]

...Why would I be?

[occulthymns]

Because that's - that's ridiculous! In fact, I could go for some mushrooms right now!

[showmeanguish]

[eye roll] If you told me what they look like, maybe I'll know what you're talking about.

[occulthymns]

They have different appearances, but the most common ones tend to be white or beige. They're kind of shaped like tiny trees, but instead of a canopy they have caps.

If you've ever been near the shores of Fuggum you'll have seen giant mushrooms mixed in with the trees.

[showmeanguish]

[The only thing he can think of are fiddle-head ferns, but he's never seen any that are white or beige. But besides those...]

...You're sure you don't mean oysters?

[Her second statement gets a small shrug though, while he finishes cooking her fish and roots. The fire extinguishes, afterwards.] Nope; never been that far.

[occulthymns]

No. [She shakes her head, then pokes a bit at the fish. It looks done, so she'll give it a minute or so to cool before starting on the roots.]

They kind of look like oysters. Soft ones. And some of them have stems.

[showmeanguish]

[He's unimpressed by her choice of first bites, but whatever. It's obvious he has no clue what she's talking about, after ruling all other options out. So he just gives a small shake of his head.]

No idea then. But if they're anything like those, I'll pass.

[occulthymns]

[That makes her snort as she munches away.]

No, no. Mushrooms taste meaty. Sometimes we use them in place of meat.

[showmeanguish]

...Now I know you're making things up.

[occulthymns]

I'm not! When the rain lets up I can show you! Heavy rainfall really gets them growing.

[showmeanguish]

Fine, fine. Just eat your food, Witch.

[Before he gets hungry again and eats it, himself. Cooked or not.]

[occulthymns]

Hmph. [She will, and it's surprisingly edible. It could use a few more spices, but she can't really complain. She'll devour all of it hungrily, sighing in satisfaction when she's done.]