I'll tell you a tale of the bottomless blue

[mermaiding]

Who: mermaiding & you!
When: 2/24ish?, ICly
Where: Wherever there's still deep flooding
What: Oona struck a deal with Maris and got her scale back, meaning she can turn back into her mermaid form. She's finally taking it out for a spin.
Rating/Warning: Vaguely NSFW, because mermaids do not wear clothes.

---

[She hadn't expected it to go easily. The process of removing her tail had been painful and clumsy to begin with-- she had never used that magic before, and she had never had to replace said tail either. She knew, in theory, hwo to, but it had taken her a few times to finally get the magic right.

The process had been just as painful-- was it always going to be painful, or was she just inexperienced, doing something wrong? Every movement ached as her muscles got used to the familiar movements of swimming again.. or maybe it had something to do with this crash of energy? Who knew.

She did feel tired, but that wasn't important right now. She decided against going her full form (there was no need for someone to actually mistake her for a monster and try to kill her right off the bat), but the more familiar half-form that most people associated with mermaids was fine enough.

It felt like flying, twisting through the waters, her gills burning with unfamiliar use. It had taken more time than she'd like to admit to get used to using them and she'd spent far too long accidentally trying to use her lungs and choking herself. But now that she was getting used to it, she wasn't sure she'd ever actually leave...]

[Option A]

[She'd never get truly tired of swimming around, but the space isn't that large, so it isn't long before she gets bored--and that's when she takes to terrorizing poor passer-bys. She waits until someone's standing near the edge of the water and slowly surfaces, watching to make sure their attention isn't on the water itself and...

GRABS THEIR ANKLE.

And immediately bursts out laughing at their reaction. Maybe it's you she grabbed? Maybe a random NPC whose panicked screams make you feel like jumping in to help out or investigate? Either way, Oona's clearly having a grand ol' time.]

[Option B

[There's definitely something moving in the water. You might see a flash of golden hair, or light reflecting off blue scales. Maybe you see a light, glowing faintly deep below...

Either way, it entices you to look closer. If you kneel on the ledge and lean over the water to try and get a closer look, you're in for quite the surprise. Oona's stirred up the debris and dirt below to mask her ascent to the surface; male or female or anything inbetween, it doesn't matter; lean in close enough and you'll suddenly find a pretty mermaid breaking the surface to press a kiss to your mouth.

It's a quick one and she swims away a bit right after with a bright laugh and a grin]

[Option C]

[Okay, so maybe the drain on her energy was more than she was anticipating. She pulls herself up out of the water, only barely managing to get herself on land before she curls up on her side and promptly goes to sleep. Her tail dips into the water, occasionally swaying absently and causing ripples in the water.

She may even start snoring softly, but either way it's probably not a good idea for her to just remain there hanging out, right?]

[Option D]

[WILD CARD. Got another prompt you wanna try out? Maybe Oona manipulated the water to splash a nice wave at your character? Maybe you dropped something in the water for Oona to discover?

Go crazy it's all yours'!]

Comments

[aslyfox]

I can't disagree with that, but between random beings? It can be a little startling. [ Kogi definitely likes kissing. And it is fun! Still though, as he shakes his hair out, he's still a little red in the cheeks. ]

Mer-maid... [ Sound it out, Kogi. ] ... do all mer-maids have fishy-bits? Can you speak fish? Do fish have a language?

[ Great. Sorry, Oona. Welcome to Question and Answer Time for Curious and Dumb Fox Sword Spirits. ]

Oh. And is your name also 'mermaid'?

[mermaiding]

[She stares at him for a moment before sighing deeply. Oh boy. She moves to the edge of the water to pull herself up and take a seat, figuring that this might take a while to get through.]

All mermaids are based on sea animals, yes.Not always fish. My cousins are based on seals. Can speak with some animals-- dolphins and whales and octopus. Hmm, some others, maybe. [She tosses her hair with a huff] Of course there is language! Mermaids speak different too.

My name cannot be pronounced. But, you may call me 'Oona.' It is as close as can get. It, eh... It is enough. Is what others call me, anyhow. [She peers at him quietly a moment, expectant] And you have a name, yes?

[aslyfox]

[ Kogi's eyes glaze over at the mentioning of all these different concepts, like 'seals' and 'dolphins'. Oh, and 'octopus'. He has no idea what those are, but hey, she sounds pretty convincing and he nods (maybe a little too eagerly). ]

Oona... okay! Oona-san. I am Kogitsunemaru, but you can call me 'Kogi'. [ He seems certainly happy enough to shorten his name for Oona. ] I'm a spirit. I wish I had a special language like you do, but all I know is this one!

[ Kogi gives her a goofy grin, his hairears flopping to the side as he tilts his head. ]

[mermaiding]

Kogi, then.

[What a weirdo... But he's cute, and he's not human so hell yeah.] You are not human? Good! There are too many humans in this place. What are you a spirit of?

[aslyfox]

I'm a spirit of... well, this. [ And Kogi pats his side, showing off the white handled blade that hangs from his waist. The curved blade, roughly 31 inches long, hanging from a yellow strap. ]

Without it, I don't know what I'd do. [ Probably demanifest and not take a physical form, or die. Not exactly something he wants to experience. ]

What did humanity do to you? I've only met kind people here, even though this isn't always the most forgiving of places, like the recent floods we had.

[ It took a long time for Kogi's hair to dry without electricity. ]

[mermaiding]

[She tilts her head, wondering just how many people ask that question without knowing that Oona is always fully prepared to tell the entire story. It's one thing she learned-- people will ask, 'how are you?' and don't expect an actual full report on your current state. But she doesn't believe in lying, so she doesn't bother with nothing less than brutal honesty.

She rolls her shoulders and looks off, feigning indifference] They stole me from home, locked me up for many, many years. Experiments and poking and prodding and cutting me open. Will never forgive them.

[That's the suepr simplified version, if only because she doesn't think Kogi would understand if she went any more in-depth about her tail being stolen and all that jazz. This was straight-forward enough.]

Is that not enough reason to hate?

[aslyfox]

That sounds awful. I'm sorry that I cannot completely understand your hatred, Oona-san. If it matters, I would gladly show them the power of a sword tsukumogami. [ Of course, Kogi's power is purely based around using a sword. Not too many conclusions to draw what he could do with that.

Kissing seems like a much more fun topic now. ]

My master is human, but I promise that he's a compassionate young sage.

[ But he thinks for a second, pushing that subject aside. ]

... I envy your ability to swim, Oona-san. I fear that I will sink to the bottom and rust.

[mermaiding]

[Oona waves a hand as if to wave the offer away, but she's still a little touched by it.] No need. I have killed them all.

[She makes a face at the mention of his master, though.] Why would you serve a human? You are willing? [They can talk about Kogi's inability to go swimming later-- which is truly a tragedy, because everyone should go swimming in their lives!! Poor not!fox.]

[aslyfox]

[ So cavalier! Kogi's awestruck. Oona's so blase about killing. ]

I serve because he saved me. Only his magic can release and give form to spirits like me.

[ Kogi places his hand over his heart, tapping with his fingers. ]

He's even made our home available for any and all spirits. Not to mention, the former masters of some of my allies have come by.

[ He's sincere. In fact, unmovable, when it comes to his love for those who came from the citadel. ]

I hope you do not think poorly of me for this.

[mermaiding]

[Killing is just as fun as kissing. Or maybe more, because there's a winner, and Oona really likes to win.]

Why would you care what I thought of you in first place? [She raises an eyebrow and then scoffs, glancing away.]

...No, do not think poorly. Think it is...unfortunate, that you must rely on a human so much. [Oona leans against the edge, resting her chin on her hand and elbow on the ground as she watches him]

Have met a few good humans here, so will not deny that good ones exist. But they are rare. Hope you will not come to regret the nice words you say now about your human.

[aslyfox]

[ Kogi shrugs with a smile. Good question. He leans back on his hands and closes his eyes. ]

I suppose I have no reason to listen to your opinion, but your caution toward humans makes me think you as honest. And honesty is invaluable.

[ He opens his eyes, giving Oona a tender and soft smile. No need to guard any feelings. Of course, he knows he may seem too naive, but that's just the way he is. He's a good not!fox. ]

I hope you will meet him one day. Then, you will understand. Haru is indeed one of those rare ones, as you say.

[ Kogi nods to himself enthusiastically in affirmation, hair fluttering as he does so. ]

[mermaiding]

[Oona watches him a little while longer before giving a soft huff, cheeks puffing out childishly. It's almost comedic how reluctant she is to admit not all humans are terrible, or that she doesn't really mind talking to them or anything. Comedic, or maybe a little sad.] ...Perhaps you can introduce me. If he is a sage, like you said, then he is at least better than most humans on that alone.

Besides, of course I am honest! I do not lie. Refuse to. If there is one thing you should believe, it is that fact.

[aslyfox]

[ Well, that's a start!--- and Kogi beams. At the least, Oona's made the fox-sword pretty happy. If he had a tail, it'd be wagging like crazy. Unfortunately, he has none, so please enjoy some wiggling of his hairears.

It's a little hard for him to keep a straight smile when Oona makes that face, but he tries his best. ]

As long as you're honest, I'll be honest too. A fair trade, right? [ At least one thing is true--- Kogi would be hard pressed to lie about anything. ]

[mermaiding]

[Her eye flick to those ear...hair.. .things?? Even as she nods in acceptance, she's clearly distracted.

She scoots closer, shamelessly reaching for one]

Are these real? What are they? Want to touch!

[aslyfox]

[ He lowers his head for easier access to those particular tufts of hair with a chuckle. ] Go ahead! Just don't tug on them or anything, they're a little sensitive.

[ As in, pulling hair hurts... obviously. ]

[mermaiding]

[Looking delighted she (gently!) grabs at his hair, feeling the hair tufts curiously. She pets him rather unabashedly like he's some kind of pet and tilts her head this way and that way curiously]

Looks like ears, why? They are not, are they? They are cute... [Super cute she loves it.] Like animal!

[aslyfox]

[ Being pet like this--- how can Kogi not blush and make grumbly, pleased noises? He's like a fox, after all, so Oona's gentle treatment is a blessing. Not many get the chance to give the not!small fox pets like this! ]

Yes, like a fox! It's said the one who forged me did so with the help of a god, but who really knows? [ Not even Kogitsunemaru knows. He's just a sword spirit, that's all.

A very curious one, naturally. ]

Are there more mermaids here?

[mermaiding]

[What a weird way to say that, but Oona supposes it's not much stranger than the other nonhuman creatures she's come across. Forged with the help of a god? Sure, okay.

Oona frowns lightly and tugs at Kogi gently so she can sort of nuzzle her face against his hair. Partly it's just because it looks fluffy and nice, and partly to comfort herself]

In city? No, have not met any. But, there are others outside city. In the oceans here! Saw them, in a vision. One day, I will meet them. [It's said like a promise and Oona sighs, deflating somewhat] One day... We will get out of this city. We have to.

[aslyfox]

In the oceans? There must be many things we haven't seen out there, beyond this city.

[ Kogitsunemaru feels a little guilty. In a way, he's grown accustomed to Cerealia but that's only because having so many of his allies being here. So if Oona has seen others like her, then... well, surely he can offer his help?

Of course, he's also happy to help by being fluffy and soft! ]

I don't know if it'll be easy for me to leave, at least not without the other spirits. However, if it means finding those similar to you, I hope to help any way I can.