A Plotted starter for @floytsam

A sermon and a few beatings.

If her parents thought that serving her that for today’s evening meal was going to make her stay away from the docks, then they were absolutely mistaken.

Jiyuu was so sick and tired of this house, of always following her father and mother’s rules; of always prioritizing the business; of always trying to make a decent living; of efforts never being enough. She didn’t want to serve people, or make anything for them, she merely wanted to escape the daily tolls of a mundane life-- so there was no way that they could keep her locked away in this lonesome old house, where not even the faintest sound of music could breathe life into the walls. During the evenings, her father would go out drinking, socializing with his fellows down at some high strung pub, the gathering place of those who had a little more money to burn than usual, but also hypocrites and posers who wanted to make a quick buck off of somebody. Her mother on the other hand would go to one of the missus friend’s house, taking her younger sister with her whose daintiness and youthfulness was all that she could brag about. This would leave the eldest daughter to her lonesome to keep watch of their abode-- of which she did no such thing.

Even for a little while, I just want to be free.

Having been locked in countless times allowed her to learn a thing or two about picking locks. Which now, she could do with ease. So with a small basket filled with food in hand, as well as an unlit lamp, she would make her escape to where she could be alone.

Alone? No, not alone! Surely, he’s bound to be there!

With a lightness to her step, The energy and the excitement that she had as she ran along the dark cobble-stoned streets would have been contagious to any who’d have seen. Jiyuu remembered another reason why no one could keep her away from the docks. Even if she was the only one to believe in his existence, it should be enough, right? Strange for a town who believed in superstitions about the sea, yet denying any claim made by a witness. Mermaids-- or rather, a merman. They existed. He existed. Because surely, that song and that laugh from when they first met was no figment of the imagination.

And yet. And yet..

“He’s not coming out…” Not with a song, not with two songs, no nothing.

She had lit her lamp then, just enough for her to see through the darkness and not fall into the waters. The basket of food was placed closely by. She wanted to share it with him, wondering if merfolk had the same taste as those who lived on land. And assortment of berries, a meat pie, some of the left over steak from the dinner that she was not allowed to have, she wanted to share it with her new friend, but he wasn’t there.

On her knees, she would lean over the edge of the wooden platform that she was on. What did she expect to see in waters both dark and deep? Next, she would lie down on her stomach, just to make sure that something like last time didn’t happen. Almost. She had slipped and almost fell in that one time-- so this time she was taking the extra precaution. Despite making her wince when it pressed upon a wound, a good half of her body was still exposed to the edge, if only so that she could tap at the water’s surface, as if to knock against a door which led to the unknown depths of the sea.

“Hey, won't you come out and play with me today?” Maybe she should have brought her book on catching merfolk after all.

(Floyd) His head's now resting upon hers. "Hey, Mrs.Grumpy Gills," He leans forward until he's face to face with her face upside down. "You know what ya' gotta do when life gets you down?" Aaaand, seconds after he disappears from Jiyuu's sights, up she goes like a cat hoisted under its pits from behind. He flips her over and catches her midair then shakes her a bit. " Anyway, you gotta come back. Azul wants to thank you for those pots. Heh heh he probably wants moreee."

Unprompted Asks [ Always Accepting ]

“...”

No one would be as adamant as Floyd when it came to invading one’s personal space. But because she took into consideration who this was, the additional weight that lumped upon her was hardly an issue. Nor was his usual name calling.

“Leave me alone, Floyd. I’m not in the mood to plaaaa---KGYAAAAAAH--!”

Jiyuu had been in a pretty bad mood lately, and was pretty much ready to ignore the much more mercurial Leech when so out of the blue did she find herself in Floyd’s grasp, dangling from the ground. If that wasn’t enough. Her smallness was no match for having suddenly been tossed in the air, as if she was some kind of ball. Granted she had been caught and shook-- it’s going to take time for her to recover from the yelp. Goddamn Floyd and his ability to just make her scream.

“Fine, fine! I’ll come back to the Lounge and listen to what Azul-senpai has to say. Just get your mits off'a me and put me down already...” Before he ends up feeling like flipping her over again. Her and heights without a harness just don’t go well together.

Grrrr--! I'll get your for this, Floyd! Ah yes. Nothing puts her to shame more than getting caught off guard like this.