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

[mermaiding]

Haha! What a funny noise! [Gosh what a good day today is. Oona grins and tilts her head, as if daring him to try his lecture-- surely it must be coming, right??]

It is, indeed! A good day, I mean. If only this water would stay forever.

[prosecutory]

[He clears his throat and tries to regain his dignity - which is surprisingly not difficult. (Un)fortunately for Oona, a lecture is not forthcoming and it shows in how serene and content his next expression is.

Edgeworth watches her, clearly enjoying the water...and he notes that those aren't legs he sees there. She had said she wasn't human, didn't she?]

If Maris has his way, it might. [He should be concerned, but somehow...it's okay. It's not like the entire colony was underwater now, right?] I imagine it would be very convenient for you, since the swimming pool is probably a pile of rubble, and the fountains in the gardens are quite unsafe.

[mermaiding]

Would not mind that, so much, no. [She hums, pleased, and tilts her head]

The pool needed to go, so I am not sad it is. Did not mind the fountains, much. Perhaps CERES can be talked into building a lake, or something else.

[It's just a fantasy, she knows, but hey! Everyone needs dreams, right??]

...You are in very good mood.

[prosecutory]

[Hmm. A lake - a non-alien-infested lake - would be a good idea. Then again, Edgeworth is at a point where he's not picky with the ideas he considers good.

But at Oona's observation, he cannot help but smile slightly. Almost in amusement.]

I feel...calmer, nowadays. [Edgeworth nods, emphasizing that.] But I could also say that you're in a good mood yourself.

[mermaiding]

[It's actually freaking her out a little. Oona gives him an uncertain look]

Suppose... It is weird. You are never in good mood, you always look ready to scold.

[But his comment about her own good mood perks her up again] Of course! [She raises her tail and splashes it against the water] Have my tail back! Could not be happier about that, I am whole again!

Ah, of course, can not stay once water is gone... But! It is here for now!

[prosecutory]

[That comment about him always looking ready to scold doesn't faze him. It slides off him like a water droplet on a raincoat.

He watches her splash her tail against the water with mild interest, only stepping away a touch to avoid getting splashed instead of leaping or striding well away from the splash zone.]

Ah, yes, You mentioned to me that you weren't human. What do you mean by...getting your tail back? You had to assume a human form here?

[mermaiding]

Of course. Am mermaid, tail is not good for land. [There's a Duh!! tone in her voice]

Was stolen from me, but have been given it back. [More or less.] That man who destroyed things, flooded the place? I like him. He gave me tail back.

[prosecutory]

["Stolen"...Edgeworth had thought that Oona could assume human form at will and whenever she wanted, but it looks like that isn't the case if she claims that her tail was stolen.

Edgeworth nods slowly.]

I see. I was of the impression that you could transform your tail into a pair of legs at will in your home world.

[He doesn't particularly like Maris after the spirit flooded the whole place and endangered countless lives, but...for some reason, he doesn't tell Oona off about her choice in company.]

[mermaiding]

Could. It is...eh, complicated. [SIGH. She's gone over it enough times she honestly just doesn't know who knows what at this point.]

Tail can be removed, yes. Every mermaid who has gone on their journey knows how-- or, most do. [Whatever details don't matter] But, have to keep one scale from tail in order to put tail back. My scale was stolen. But, that man gave it back. Or, one similar enough.

[Oona tilts her head, frowning lightly at him] ...You are sure you are alright? You are taking everything too well. It is strange.

[prosecutory]

[Edgeworth listens intently to her explanation. At least he gets it now and hums in thought.

When she asks if he's all right, he nods promptly.]

Yes, I am. I've seen many strange things long before I arrived here. Learning that mermaids exist in other worlds should no longer be a surprise to me.

[mermaiding]

[Well that makes her curious now.] Before you arrived here? Like what? You are only normal human, yes? Thought you were from normal sort of world. Is that not correct?

[Quite a few questions there, though at least it all boils down to one goal: Learn what weird shit Edgeworth's had to put up with before]

[prosecutory]

[The stories he could tell you, Oona. You might want to pull up a chair.]

Oh, that is correct. But I was sent to yet another world before I came to this one.

[mermaiding]

[Wait... What??]

Another world!? What do you mean? [Seriously what]

[prosecutory]

It's an alternate version of Earth, where different kinds of monsters exist, magic is real, and people are given certain powers.

[Yeah. He wouldn't be spouting all that nonsense if it weren't real.]

[mermaiding]

Sounds like my world.

Did you have powers, then? Do you have them still? [Suddenly Edgeworth is becoming much more interesting than he was previously]

[prosecutory]

[Her world, eh? So, it's probably not just merpeople that can be found there...]

I did, and I still have them. [He opens one hand. Blue sparks crackle and leap from fingertip to fingertip. This tiny fireworks display is soon over, however, and Edgeworth closes his hand again.]

I can use the energy in my soul to create an offensive attack and incapacitate an enemy. My other power is an amplified form of persuasive speaking...I can bend others to my will, make them do what I command them to.

[Edgeworth was about to add that this may all sound strange - before he remembers that he's talking to a mermaid.]

[mermaiding]

Oh! [Edgeworth is SO MUCH MORE INTERESTING NOW. She even goes as far as to clap her hands in delight at the little fireworks display, grinning brightly.]

Can do something similar, eh... Well, can hypnotize fish. Can speak to them, too, but often they do not say things that are useful.

[She looks mildly suspicious though] Can command anyone? That is power easily abused.

[prosecutory]

[That sounds like fish; Edgeworth can't help but grin a little at that statement. It's a useful power, but sadly it doesn't make the fish any smarter.

He isn't surprised to see her look mildly suspicious. Edgeworth is well aware of the possible abuse, and he keeps explaining.]

Anyone who is sentient and has a soul, yes. [Robots are out, animals are out.] And it is indeed very susceptible to abuse, which is why I only use it in dire situations...diversion tactics, or to warn people, or ensure that they don't panic.