estoria | I'll tell you a tale of the bottomless blue

Entry tags:

I'll tell you a tale of the bottomless blue

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'!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[IT'S KAORU'S FAVORITE MERMAID EVER-- arriving in just as much of an explosive and surprising fashion as she ever does, good lord. It's not that Kaoru is easy to catch off-guard - far from it, really - but there are only so many things that people rocketing out of the water can do and kissing isn't really one of them?! No sane person would have expected this...

Luckily, she's distinct enough in appearance to recognize almost immediately, which is about the only thing that keeps her away from a reflexive punch.]

Oona-san—! [AND THERE SHE GOES... COME BACK. Kaoru sure as hell isn't getting into the water, but does lean forward a little further, like that'll help with mermaid-spotting at all.]

[She hums thoughtfully under the water, debating going in for another kiss-- she really should, honestly, with Kaoru leaving himself open like that!!

But no, she suspects she can only get away with so much even with people she considers close friends, and kissing attacks probably have a shorter tolerance span than others. Alas. So Oona surfaces again, slower this time, but she angles her face up towards him as if teasing for another kiss anyhow.]

Kaoru! You have come. Good. Am glad to see your face. [It's a nice face, after all, and she's pleasantly smug she got to kiss it. Mermaid: 1, Everyone else: 0.]

[A SHORT TOLERANCE INDEED, and Kaoru does seem to lean back a little when she resurfaces. Not moving away completely, though; apparently "will Oona be a little shit and pull me into the water or try some other prank??" isn't a top concern for the moment.]

My... What a greeting. [Only mildly exasperated, even! It's certainly not the worst Oona could do. Kaoru places one hand right before the edge of the water, brow furrowed.]

Ah— But, it seems as though you've had a busy time since we last spoke...? [IS THAT A MERMAID TAIL THERE IN THAT MURKY WATER.]

[She laughs again, too pleased with life at the moment to feel anything else even in the fact of Kaoru's exasperation.

But her eyes light up as the question is asked, eager to show off] Mm! [She moves to the edge of the water next to Kaoru and places her hands on it to hoist herself up and seat herself on it.]

I spoke to that man who came to destroy things, the one angry at CERES. He is nice, like him. [But she might be biased. She smooths her hand over her scales, proud beyond words to have her tail back] He gave me tail back. [She flicks the tip of it at Kaoru playfully to shake the water off]

Do you like?

[Maybe it's the elemental effect that pushes Kaoru into feeling more amused by her antics than irritated, but amusement is exactly what the following smile conveys.]

Ah, the one who was causing trouble for us? [WELL... Kaoru dislikes CERES to the point that allying with some random god-type mystery man wouldn't be outside of the realm of possibilities. Especially when he's already proven to be more helpful than CERES with the one singular act of returning Oona's scale.

As for the tail itself, there's a pause as Kaoru looks it over - really looks, because mermaids aren't a thing back in ye olde Japan despite the demons running around.]

—It's truly a beautiful sight. You look at home now that it's been returned to you.

Yes. [She looks amused, though.] He is angry, but for good reason. Can not blame him. Although, perhaps I am simply biased.

[She hesitates, however, when Kaoru speaks of how Oona looks regarding this situation.] It is true I feel...whole, now. Like I am finally me again. However...

I do not know what to do, now. Only had one goal, revenge. To kill and get my scale. But now that it is returned, I do not know, eh... [it's a bit difficult to explain, or at least more so than she thought it would be. Oona ponders a moment on how best to continue] I do not know what to do with myself or where to go. I did not expect to live on.

[She spreads her hands out and gives a helpless shrug]

If he's given you something that no one else has been able to, I would say the bias is reasonable.

[Kaoru wonders briefly if it might be possible to ask for Chizuru back, too, since only LILITH had been remotely helpful there and she's pretty dead or something now.]

Ah? [This isn't a situation Kaoru would know how to handle either, honestly, so at least it makes sense... What does one do after achieving revenge?? Set a new revenge goal, obviously.]

I see... Does that bother you? Do you mind it? Finding a new purpose would be a much simpler feat than sitting with nothing to stride toward, I would think.

Bother? I do not know. A little, suppose. I simply feel... lost. [It'd be easier to just be told what to do, but Oona knows that she wouldn't be able to accept being given a direction, rather than just finding one herself.

She hums thoughtfully and leans back on her hands, trailing her tail lazily in the water.] Perhaps should just start killing humans who bother me enough, if I can not harm those scientists. [She... She's only joking. At least a little. Oona laughs.]

Do you have a purpose, Kaoru?

I'd imagine that would be a very normal thing to feel after obtaining something that you've sought after for so long.

["Lost" is a pretty good way to put it. "Empty", maybe, given certain circumstances. Kaoru's lips quirk upward into a brief smile at her AWFUL JOKE because of course this punk would find it funny (and honestly encourage it fully like a true shit), but doesn't make any verbal remark in return beyond a simple:]

It might be more trouble than it's worth. [What a normal topic to joke about...

As for her question-] I do. Being without purpose is a difficult thing to imagine, for me.

But would the fun outweigh the trouble... [She makes a comical little hand weighing gesture as if trying to decide and sighs.

Leave it to Kaoru to not elaborate on said purpose, which makes Oona wonder what Kaoru doesn't want to share. She tilts her head towards him curiously]

If I ask what that purpose is, would you tell me?

[Another smile for her terrible sense of humor! Help whoever manages to cross their paths on a bad day when this is what they consider light joking.]

A difficult decision.

[But that aside, Kaoru is just being infuriatingly vague as usual. It's not like her assumption is wrong; even if Kaoru speaks more frankly with Oona than nearly anyone else in the colony, there are still a lot of things to keep under wraps. In a mildly teasing tone:]

Perhaps. Do you plan on asking?

[Oona smiles back, but her expression becomes searching at the teasing question. She leans over and reaches for him, fingers trailing over Kaoru's cheek as she cups the side of his face.]

I do not think so. [Her voice is soft and vaguely curious, her eyes dropping to Kaoru's mouth and then back] Because I believe you might lie to me, unfortunate as it is. And I do not want you to lie. [A pause and she exhales a soft 'ha'] Not to me, at least. But, it is inevitable. Many lie. I do not expect you to always be truthful.

[Have they had a similar conversation before? It feels vaguely familiar] You would lie, and I do not want to hear pretty lies from a pretty face like yours'. So, will not ask. I can wait until you tell me on your own, if ever. And, if possible, would like to help.

[She doesn't even know what she'd be helping with but who cares about those details?]

[It feels a little familiar to Kaoru too, but it's still surprising every time Oona shows just how insightful she can be. Loud and brash doesn't always equate to stupid or unobservant, after all.

It's for that reason that a little more consideration is put into the answer that follows. Kaoru's hands fold together neatly, and the smile remains but fades until it's barely noticeable.]

It isn't unusual for one's purpose to be a very personal thing, I suppose. For me, it would be no different. [Which isn't a lie! But it's definitely a polite way of saying "yeah, it's not something I want to talk about".]

Someday, perhaps. ...Though it's sweet of you to offer assistance already. Your heart is very kind.

[Oona nods in understanding.] Then, will not pry. [For now, anyway. There's no real reason for her to do so anyway.

But she laughs at Kaoru's comment. Kind? Eh..] Perhaps. Or I am just easily swayed by pretty things. [A little of column A, a little of column B. Her thumb touches lightly at Kaoru's lips, and Oona represses a sigh.]

Can I kiss you again? [Time to change the subject to nicer things, clearly.]

[It's nice, at least, being able to more or less say "not gonna talk" and to have it met only with "okay". Lying by omission doesn't count in a situation like this either... Maybe one day Kaoru will tell a small part of the story, and it can count then.

As for the request, despite the lead-in, it doesn't seem to have been expected. Still - Kaoru's head cants to the side a little, and it's difficult to tell if there's anything but ambivalence for the question or gesture. Oona's always been touchy-feely, so that much isn't surprising, at least.]

Ah... Is that your fondness for pretty things speaking, Oona-san? Though I'm a little surprised that you would ask the second time rather than the first.

Perhaps it is just my fondness for you. You are a bad influence, Kaoru. [Her tone is flirty and teasing, though she doesn't really expect Kaoru to give her permission. Kaoru's a bit... prickly like that. Distant. Like there's some wall between them that Oona smashes into but not quite through.]

The first time was just for fun, playing. This time, I want a real kiss. So, I ask first.

Ah, am I? I would hope to be a decent influence where it counts. [Except no, no, not at all. What Oona thinks is NOT UNTRUE...

And she's not wrong about that either, since the careful distance is maintained even now. Kaoru is willing to compromise with people like Oona more than almost anyone else, but there are still lines drawn that are better left uncrossed. Besides, since Oona is closer than most, she doesn't get the benefit of being coddled and humored for the sake of Kaoru's very fine and very false outward presentation. A downside of seeing more of the truth, perhaps, but maybe Oona values that sliver of truth more than placation.]

It's kind of you to ask, but I feel it would be cruel of me to say yes.

[Oona laughs and lets Kaoru go, leaning away comfortably again. She's not at all offended by Kaoru's rejection, seeming more pleased by it.]

Is there someone else? Ah, or... Are you not attracted to girls? [She tilts her head curiously.] Others view these sorts of things different, but such things matter little to me.

[Oona is so frank that it's honestly pretty refreshing, and inspires a little frankness in Kaoru, too. Poetically dancing around answers is something that takes a lot of finesse, but it gets boring after so many years. Dull, tired - stale.]

My refusal has nothing to do with either; I simply haven't the interest in expressions of that nature. Moreover, if you dislike lies, I wouldn't wish to inflict even a small one on you by treating a serious request as anything less than serious.

You know me well, Kaoru. [It's said with a noise of approval, and she really is impressed that Kaoru would, seemingly, think that much of her to try and accommodate her own way of living.

But she tilts her head curiously] You have never been in love? I cannot imagine having no interest. [In love or sex or otherwise, even if her own view run much more cynical nowadays.]

[The first comment is just met with a smile, brief and pretty and not giving much away. As for the question:]

Romance has never been a very high priority for me. I've always had a large number of things to keep my attention on, so I've never had much time to consider it... It takes quite a lot of time and energy to be a good clan head.

Ah, suppose that is true... But will they not expect an heir? That is how some clans work, yes? It is no so much for ours', except for the, eh... main family, suppose you could say. But even then, someone stronger could come and take the power. Most just prefer it stays with the family now. Is easier that way.

[Well that might not actually be true since she only has her family's word about it to go off of, and they'd bee pretty content to have the head mermaid stay the head and continue through her family line. It wasn't like Oona herself had any worldly knowledge beyond her family's opinions there.

And who really cared about politics anyway!!]

[Kaoru sure doesn't despite being deeply embroiled in them?! POLITICS, who needs 'em...]

It's certainly the easiest option in some situations. For me, it isn't much of a priority even so. Selecting an heir isn't as much of a priority when one has no need to worry about a deadline.

[Being a long-lived species sure is nice sometimes! Even if that definitely doesn't negate the importance of heirs, but it has more to do with shitty demon blood politics and Kaoru would rather stick his fingers into an electric socket than explain any of that.]

[Oona hums in acknowledgment. Sure, she can understand that, being from such a long-lived species herself.

So, with that curiosity sated, Oona moves on to the next topic.] Will you swim with me now, Kaoru? Or at least soon, before water disappears? [Her smile is quick and wicked]

Promise, I will not drown you! Made promise to someone else that I would stop that. [How... How reassuring.]

[THAT ISN'T REASSURING AT ALL. Kaoru just smiles the usual just-on-the-border-of-politeness sort of smile, though... Swimming with Oona sounds like it could be decent; enough so that there's no real reason to immediately try wiggling his way out, anyway.]

Before the water disappears, if you'd truly like for me to. I would join you now, but fabric like this is difficult to clean even with the modern conveniences here.

I'll tell you a tale of the bottomless blue

b for my trash heart tbh

be still my heart...

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