uisgeannan | mermaid shenanigans au

[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.]

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[He gets a huffy scowl as she holds her hand close to herself.]

....

[It actually takes closer to thirty by the time he shows up again, head popping up out of the water with sudden force. But there's no alarm, he just likes startling her alkjflk.]

[She's curled up against the wall by then, having yanked some more roots down to try and help with the bleeding. It isn't doing too much, though.

The poor thing jumps when he reappears, scooting away from the edge of the water.]

-!!

[He smiles, showing his teeth, before he swims closer. And this time, he pushes himself up out of the water, climbing onto her ledge. There's not much room at all, between them, but he at least keeps his tail in the water since it'd push her off if he tried.]

Gimme your hand again. [And in one of his, there's a little bundle wrapped up in seaweed, that he starts to unwrap.]

.... [She's shifting over as far as she can, eyeing him suspiciously. Those teeth aren't doing him any favours.]

... You aren't going to cut me again?

Just do it. [Which isn't too comforting, but he adds a second later, after he finishes taking whatever he has with him apart. Inside is some white-brown mud looking substance, with a few flecks of green in it.]

I said I'd show you how it works, didn't I?

[Her eyes snap to the mud, and after a few seconds of examination she reluctantly holds her hand out. It looks benign enough....

Her hand is pretty bloody at this point, too.]

... Fine.

[He takes it in his free hand, drawing it closer. But instead of immediately applying the clay, he raises it to his lips and... licks the blood away.

It doesn't taste like human blood (which he's not that surprised at), but he is interested in the fact that it tastes pretty good. It's tempting to bite, but he holds his instincts in check, and draws back once the wound is cleaned.

Then, he takes the clay and smears it over the cut, making sure it's packed in tightly.]

It may sting at first.

[She visibly cringes but holds still, remembering what he said about attracting unwanted attention. So using water to clean her hand up wouldn't be a smart move, and she doesn't have any other options.

Euri is blushing fairly darkly when he finishes, giving him a small nod. It's stinging almost immediately, but she resists touching the clay.]

I can handle it.

[At least he doesn't have gross bacteria like a human's mouth. When he's finished, he lets go of her hand but doesn't back off just yet.]

Good. Just wait until it dries, then peel it off.

[Euri nods, pulling her hand close again. With that taken care of her eyes are moving to his tail.]

... How come I saw you with legs before? [And other certain body parts she is too tactful to mention.]

Ah, that? [He gives a little shrug.]

It's an ability of ours. If we're taken out of the water, we can turn our fins into legs. [Which was helpful especially for females who lured sailors and fishermen in by perching on rocks.]

We can walk on land, too, but not for more than a day.

[She is kind of blatantly staring at his tail now.]

Really? Only a day? What happens if you're out of the water for longer?

Edited 2012-11-24 02:18 (UTC)

[He notices, but he still doesn't do much more than rest there, with his fin swaying slowly in the water.]

We dry out, and the consequence ain't very pretty. It's... something we try to avoid.