this thing is so fucking dumb. merry christmas

+ closeup of just bow cause i really love how i drew her

Myōri’s Blessing

Here is a short story I wrote based on an idea I had penned in 2017. Yulia goes to a spirit festival with her parents, and she is punished by the spirits for her disobedience.

Content warnings: A child is harmed by supernatural beings.

“Myōri’s Blessing”

For one night every year, the world came alive in a dazzling foray of bright colors, cheerful music, and the mouthwatering aroma of deep-fried food to celebrate the spirits. Yulia had never been to the Spirit Festival before, and as she got out of her parents’ car, a hand in either of theirs, nearly tripping over her brand-new yukata, her excitement was palpable.

Never in her seven years had she seen a celebration like this. Her parents had always been too busy with their careers or social lives, and she often felt forgotten in the wake of their responsibilities. Now that she was finally here, she would never ask for anything again.

She wriggled free of her parents’ grasp and ran to a man welcoming people at the entrance gate. He wore a wide smile and a wider hat adorned with fox ears. He bowed in greeting, and Yulia replied with a chipper hello. “What does your shirt say?” she asked, pointing to the archaic symbols printed on the sleeve of his happi. She looked to the fox-shaped balloons he held. “How did you get them shaped like that?” She pointed to his hat. “Why do you have ears?”

Her parents caught up to her then, apologizing and trying to nudge her away from the greeter, but the man only waved them off with a chuckle. He turned his attention to Yulia. “Well,” he said, “this reads ‘Myōri.’ Do you know who that is?” When Yulia shook her head, he explained. “She’s the most beautiful and most powerful of all the spirits. She commands all the foxes of the forest, and she brings blessing and growth wherever she goes.”

Yulia looked on in fascination. “I want to meet her!”

The man smiled warmly. “You must be careful,” he warned. “Myōri is a kind spirit, but if you pull one of her tails, it is said that she will curse you for the rest of your life.”

The girl gasped. She tried to imagine why anyone would pull a spirit’s tail, but before she could ask the man, her parents were whisking her away. She waved the man goodbye and turned her attention back to the rest of the festival.

~~~

Yulia spent the night scampering through every cranny of the spirit celebration. She made her way to a stall and asked the vendor a million questions about the fried fish he was selling, where they’d been caught, if he’d caught them himself. She ran to another stall and asked the vendor there about her collection of uchiwa fans, what the patterns represented, how long they had taken to make. As she started for the festival games, her parents, exhausted from chasing her all night, caught up to her again, and they promised her cotton candy as long as she would just sit still.

The young girl poked at the pale green and blue sugary wisps, and she giggled when they evaporated to crystals on her tongue. When she had finished half of the sweet treat, she handed the cone back to her mother and wandered away. “Only where we can see you,” her mother warned, and Yulia obeyed.

She watched the festivalgoers all around her. Their yukatas formed an endless rainbow of elegant patterns adorning the fabrics. Many women wore their hair tied back with beautiful jeweled combs or silken ribbons. Yulia rubbed her fingers against the ribbon in her hair, the one her mother had gifted her that morning. She stroked it lightly, then tugged at it. It unraveled, and as she tried to pick her hair back up, the ribbon floated a little distance away.

She stumbled after it, nearly colliding with a group of university students. She grabbed her ribbon, and as she waited for the students to pass, her eye caught on something shiny. Behind a couple of stalls was a balloon, bright and yellow and all alone.

Yulia looked over her shoulder. Her mother and father were laughing with each other, ignoring her even here. She looked back to the balloon and, nodding to herself, padded towards it, slipping behind the stalls unnoticed. There, she realized the balloon was not tied down to anything; it was floating just above her as if by magic. She cocked her head to one side as she asked, “What are you doing here by yourself, Mr. Balloon?”

The balloon floated away from her, innocently beckoning the girl away from the festival. She tried to grab its string, but it jerked out of her grasp. Yulia tried again and again, following the string as it bounced just out of reach, giggling at the game it created. So amused, she didn’t notice the festival getting further behind her, nor the trees closing in around her, nor the malicious smile forming on the balloon’s face.

~~~

By the time Yulia stopped chasing the balloon, she realized she could barely hear the uplifting notes of the shamisen or the biwa that had filled the fairgrounds. She paused and looked over her shoulder. Behind her was a sea of trees and thick bushes, and she could no longer see the bright colors that had surrounded her before. Her parents were going to kill her for wandering away again.

The clearing she stood in was grassy, dark, with tiny, dull flowers blooming under her feet. Maybe, if she brought some back for her mother, she wouldn’t be as upset. But which way was the festival?

She looked back to the balloon, and for a moment, she glimpsed its intimidating face. It fell away, and she was left with a plain balloon once more. She took a cautious step away from her new friend, rubbing her eyes, knowing she had to get away.

A shadow stretched in front of her, enormous and haunting. The balloon shrunk under it and deflated into the trees, afraid. Yulia slowly turned around, and she saw a creature unlike any she had seen before.

Filthy golden fur, thick and matted, covered its bipedal body, tall enough to loom over her. It wore a man’s face save for the long, trunk-like nose curling towards her. A cheshire grin stretched beneath its nose, and its dark, vacant eyes stared through her. Its voice was low, grating, inhuman. “Hello.”

The girl tried to scream, but her voice was gone. The creature crept towards her, slowly, tauntingly. Yulia gasped, frozen in fear. When its face was mere breadths from hers, it smiled at her, and with impossibly long fingers, it reached into her mouth.

She lost consciousness in a blink, as if put under a curse. The demon followed her to her dreams, where it watched her greedily. Pain rumbled through her chest, seizing her heart, spreading through her limbs. Even in her subconscious, she was paralyzed and powerless while this creature haunted her. It laughed at her, a thundering sound that pierced her skull.

Yulia was ripped from her nightmare, and phantoms of pain turned to palpable agony. She tried to scream or get away from the creature, but her body was overcome with fatigue, and her voice was still gone, so she could only lay immobile and helpless. The demon made a deep sound like a laugh, tapping its feet in amusement.

She stayed there until the distant music died. She stayed until new darkness claimed the forest, then dull, filtered light, then dark again. Pain stole her movement, exhaustion stole her thoughts, and fear claimed her every breath. She dared not sleep, for her captor taunted her from her dreams, feeding on the fear it produced, making a feast of its reluctant prey.

The girl lost all sense of time. The creature came and went with the sun, but during the brightest hours, she still could not find the strength to escape. As the days went on, she gave up on ever seeing her mother or father again. She had disobeyed them, had wandered too far, and now, she was paying her price.

One morning, as sunlight trickled faintly through the leaves overhead, after the demon had left for the day, Yulia noticed a twinkling coming from between the trees. Even with the creature gone, she had no strength to move, so she only squinted, trying to make out the new light. Someone was approaching her.

The being was not human. Its skin was translucent, shining with an ethereal glow, and its hair, long and dark and iron-straight, was tied back with seashells and gems and delicate combs. A pair of cat-like ears poked from the top of its head, and they moved gracefully, taking in the silence of the forest. It wore a golden kimono wrapped in red silks. Its eyes were piercing, benevolent, the color of shimmering peridots.

The spirit approached Yulia and knelt beside her. As it grabbed her face in its soft, dainty hands, Yulia could see the fluffy, wavering tails behind its back. There were nine of them, black and tipped with silver, moving independently as if each had a mind of its own.

The tails brushed against Yulia’s cheek while the spirit looked at her. Could this have been the benevolent Myōri the greeter had told her about? The girl tried to speak, to ask the spirit for help, for anything, but her voice remained stuck in her throat.

The spirit lost interest, and she let go of the child’s face. She turned away, waving her nine tails tauntingly in front of Yulia.

As she started away, Yulia thought back to the man’s warning. If you pull one of her tails, it is said that she will curse you for the rest of your life. What, Yulia thought, could be worse than this?

She looked around the clearing. The long-nosed creature was still gone, but it would be back. It always came back. This was her only chance at salvation, her only opportunity to escape the evil demon. She had to take it before it was too late.

Summoning every drop of malice in her frail body, with all the strength she could manage, Yulia grabbed one of those beautiful, silken tails, and she tugged with all her might.

~~~

A new pain burst through her, rippling agony through her bones. Her skull felt as if it were shattering into millions of pieces, and a severe pressure seeped through the cracks. Her body spasmed violently, throwing limbs against dirt and rocks. Yulia soundlessly wailed and shrieked in a blind fury. And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the pain ceased, leaving her broken and exhausted.

Silence settled over the clearing. Myōri was gone, and the long-nosed demon had not yet returned. For a blissful moment, Yulia was alone.

Then, a voice spoke to her. “Hey, you. Get up.” It sounded like it belonged to a girl not much older than her. “You can hear me, right? Get up.”

Yulia struggled to balance herself on her elbows, and she looked around the clearing. She was alone. “Hello?” she rasped. “Who are you?”

There was no reply until laughter split the silence.

Yulia startled. The laughter came from inside her own head, thunderous, painful. She flinched.

“You can call me Freya,” the other girl replied. “You shouldn’t have attacked Myōri, you know. Now it looks like I’m your curse.”

Yulia felt herself get up and walk a few paces, but she was not controlling her actions. “What are you doing?” she cried. “Who are you?”

“I already told you. I’m Freya. Just another rotten kid who thought to attack a spirit.” She laughed again, and the sound came from Yulia’s own lips, unwelcome. “We belong together, you and me.”

“No! We don’t!” Yulia tried to stop herself from moving, but it was as if someone else were controlling her legs.

“I can get away with anything I want now,” Freya mused. “You will take the blame. Oh, this is going to be so much fun!”

As Freya’s laughter filled her mind again, Yulia felt herself losing consciousness, leaving her life in a stranger’s hands.

Siren/Pirate!AU MC, Oliver & Loki - Secrets In The Fog

Guys....before you continue down this rabbit-hole, the original AU is by the absolutely amazing @chiefofpigs so you should definitely read her relationship chart and how this story begins !

SO! Once again, I am incapable of keeping a story brief but this AU literally breathes life into my veins and as soon as I saw Loki’s inclusion into this AU, I knew I had to include him so here we are I seem to love including Oliver as minor roles in my stories recently....huh  ANYWHO! Here is my first fic of 2019, and it’s using an amazing writer’s AU so all the better~! ;3

~

Another quiet night.

The thought passes through her head as the young woman moves through the tavern she works at with ease, her presence both soothing and uplifting to the patrons around her. The regulars know very well of the bubbly yet soft-spoken tavern waitress; how the curl of her lips as she offers you a drink is truly genuine, or how she will always ask you about your day, not from obligation but from interest. Newcomers or travellers passing by for a quick drink enjoy the change of pace, appreciating the somewhat rare expression of such sincerity in these trying times.

She hums to herself as she works, the loose waves of hair framing her face that are too stubborn to be tied back flowing freely with her seemingly effortless movements. The song she hums is a familiar one to her, one that holds a place deep within her heart and always reminds her of the beautiful, dulcet tones of the voice who she first heard the captivating song from.

“Excuse us, miss. Another round of beer for the table, if you would.”

“Coming right up, sir!”

She never notices the spring in her step whenever she thinks of him, her mind too enraptured to fully grasp how much he has a hold on her - a hold that she would gladly stay in, whether circumstantially forced to or not.

She glides to the bar over to where her boss is idly cleaning the glassware. The man, Oliver, hardly spares a glance at her, but this is in no way cold or dismissive. He grabs a few glasses and tops them with tapped beer, the foam falling smoothly over the precipice of each of the glass’ rims. He places them on a tray and slides it to her, the exchange between boss and employee complete. She simply smiles and nods, taking the tray in one hand before turning around to head towards the required table. She sets the tray of golden beer down on the table.

“Here you are. I hope you enjoy your drinks.”

“Thanks, dear.”

With a smile, she grabs the now unoccupied tray and moves to head back to the bar - she doesn’t make it very far.

“Oi, sweetheart. Come back here for a sec. I’ve got a question for ya.”

Despite the man’s gruff authoritative voice, she remains smiling as she turns back to face the man calling upon her, “Can I help you, sir?”

The man grunts, his expression as he assesses her the epitome of untrusting. “I’ve heard rumours ‘bout you ‘round here, love. People say you’re a nice young lass, always kind and helpful regardless of the folk passin’ through.”

Feeling slightly embarrassed by his remarks, she politely bows, “Thank you, sir. It’s very nice to know that-”

“Hold up, I ain’t finished yet.”

She uprights herself, meeting the man’s gaze swirling with seething contempt. “People say that, but that’s just because they don’t know what you really are.”

The calm merriment in the tavern is as good as dead, everyone’s attention focused on the conversation unfolding. Oliver keeps a steely eye on everyone, his movements tense as if ready to act if necessary.

The young woman’s gaze shifts to confusion. “I’m sorry, but I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“I’ve seen you hangin’ round the ports at night, thinkin’ you’re all alone so no one can see you emerge into yer true form, you sea witch.”

Her delicate eyebrows furrow at his words, “Sea witch? You compare me to something of myth?”

“It ain’t myth, sweetheart, so stop playing dumb! No sane girl would hang around the sea at night unless they wanted pirates to abduct them, sirens to suck the life outta them or….you were wantin’ to go home to the ocean you belong in.”

His voice grows colder as realisation dawns on him, the scraping of his wooden chair against the floorboards grating patrons’ ears as he stands, looming over her significantly smaller stature. He laughs mirthlessly, “That’s it, ain’t it? You’re just a fish outta water tryna go back. So why don’t you?! Go back home to the cold depths where you belong, you wretched sea hag!”

A lifeless metallic clink echoes in the still air. The man turns, any expression of anger he was ready to let out forced back by the sight of a barrel of a gun pointed directly at him.

“I think you’ve made your point. Now it’s time for me to make mine-” Oliver’s hand on the pistol is steady, his finger resting on the trigger, “-Get the hell out of my tavern. One more targeted remark from you at my staff and I’ll make sure you never speak again.”

The man’s hulking frame shakes in fear. He grabs a bag of coins from his pocket, carelessly tossing on the table before dashing out of the tavern. Everyone seems to breathe a collective sigh of relief, the atmosphere calming once again.

Oliver returns his pistol to its place under the counter and motions to his waitress to come to him. She swallows and walks slowly to the bar, the nerves built up in her throat from the tense accusations still yet to have dissipated. She meets Oliver’s eyes, their colour similar to the pistol he was just wielding, an involuntary shiver running through her.

“You alright?”

What is meant to be a “Yes” instead emerges from her lips as a strangled “Mm” noise, her throat still constricted. She nods to affirm her point and Oliver sighs.

“Is what he was saying true? Have you been going out to the harbour at night again?”

Her eyes break away from his own to stare at the freshly polished counter, her hands tightening in the fabric of her dress. Oliver keeps his gaze steady on her face, looking for the telling flicker in her eyes of her easily readable honesty. He says nothing, waiting uncharacteristically patiently for her to respond. After a minute, he turns back to polishing the glassware, his deep voice cutting through her thoughts.

“If you don’t want to tell me, that’s fine. I’m your boss, not your guardian. But just be careful, okay?” She nods with an affirmative sound and Oliver sighs again, more from relief than exasperation, “Take the rest of the night off, go clear your head. Be back before the fog sets in. I’ll be waiting.”

She blinks, unsure if what she just heard were her boss’ words. A smile breaks across her face, the thought that she has someone who cares for her putting her mind at ease. She dashes back to her room on the second floor, undoing her apron all the while. Removing the ribbon from her hair with a simple tug, her natural waves succumb to gravity and flow down her back. After a quick check in the mirror, she’s dashing down the stairs and outside, her hair tickling her exposed shoulders.

The lanterns light the linear path to the harbour, her light steps still causing the aged floorboards to creak underneath her as she walks. She breathes in the cool, salty breeze that she adores, her chaotic thoughts like the crashing waves instantly soothed to nothing more than a gentle ripple. She reaches the end of the dock, admiring the few ships anchored down as she walks without a destination. Reaching the edge of the wooden walkway, she closes her eyes and begins to sing, her voice resonating out to the vast nothingness of the ocean. She smiles as she sings, feeling accomplished at how much she has improved since when she first learned the foreign lyrics. She knows that she shouldn’t be doing this, that she should be inside in her room, but she feels beckoned to the harbour, to the deep ocean before her so close yet still so far away.

(I want to see you.)

Through her closed eyelids, she doesn’t notice the fog slowly creeping in and swirling ominously around her legs, nor does she notice the almost silent footsteps over her singing. She lets out a breath of satisfaction and solace, reopening her eyes to those of ruby and amber, seeming to shine without light. She stiffens and jumps back, her foot slipping on the edge of the walkway.

“Ah-!”

She squeezes her eyes shut, yet she feels no chill from the seawater running through her spine, nor the wetness on her skin. She opens her eyes again to mismatched hues, the man’s arms around her waist and a few feet from where she almost fell.

“My, that was awfully close. Do be careful out at night. Who knows what would have happened if you fell into the ocean.”

“U-um, yes. Thank you.”

His arms release her and she takes a precautionary step backwards. He smiles, an odd combination of innocence and mystery that has her curious. Before she can even ask, he speaks.

“You should head back home before the fog sets in. Wouldn’t want Oliver to condemn your actions, now would we?”

“Wait...how do you--?”

He chuckles, thoroughly amused by her shock, “You need not know anything about me, except that I am better than most at knowing what goes on around here. I have nothing better to do, you see,” His grin somehow widens, taking on a more knowing, fiercer edge, “For example, I know you come out here most nights to sing to the sea. And that you’re not always alone.”

She stiffens, opening her mouth to retort but is quickly silenced by his hand, the force applied enough to keep her quiet but nothing to cause harm. “Don’t try to lie to me, my dear. I’ve seen him. Or, I guess it’s more accurate to say that I’ve seen them both.”

She gasps, his hand stifling the sound. He continues, “Seems that man calling you a sea witch wasn’t too outlandish. If you’re conversing with the creatures meant to suck the souls from humans and are still living, then maybe you have something special about you,” He pauses, his eyes narrowing as he watches the quickly growing distress in her eyes, “You can even sing the siren’s song and feel no bewitchment...although, I guess your pirate friend can’t say the same.”

(What? What is he saying? What does he mean? How does he know all of this?!)

Her thoughts spiral, no answers and only questions. She breaks free of his grasp, ready to run until-

“A shame you haven’t seen your pirate friend in a few weeks. And I was going to tell you when he was next coming back to town.”

She freezes almost subconsciously, her feet still while her brain screams at her to run. She should know better, she should be back at the tavern by now, unconcerned with the man before her. So why isn’t she moving?

The fog settles deeper around the docks, creeping slowly around them, its presence near suffocating and threatening to leave the lantern lights redundant. She looks over her shoulder, meeting the man’s gleaming gaze.

(I...want to see him too.)

“What do you know?”

The man grins wide, his trap in place. “He’s a pirate on a ship called The Heart Breaker. New recruit, yet he has his sea legs. They like this town for its neutrality and good trading posts. I happen to have intel that The Heart Breaker will be back in port on the next full moon.”

Eyes wide, she racks her brain for the next time that will be. “That’s in….four days.”

“It is indeed. Is that all you wanted to know?”

She nods, “Yes, thank you. I won’t ask how you know this, but you have my gratitude.”

He chuckles, herself unsure if it’s the presence of the fog making him appear more sinister. “ You didn’t actually think I would just tell you what you wanted without an exchange, did you?”

She swallows hard, chills running through her spine. “I--I have nothing of value. I swear, please.”

He steps towards her, the fog seemingly parting for him. Her feet feel as heavy as lead, unable to run as he drifts within arm’s reach of her.

“I’m not asking for much. And what I want is something only you can get me,” He leans in, whispering into her ear, “I need you to get me one of your siren friend’s scales.”

“What?”

She baulks, in disbelief of his request.

“I want a siren scale,” He reiterates, “The rumours of their opalescent scales holding a myriad of colours intrigues me. Get me one of your friend’s scales and I’ll consider your debt paid.”

“But, I--”

“Haven’t seen him? Maybe not, but I know he’s emerged from the surface for you and that he’s been close enough to you to touch.”

She falls silent, her eyes transfixed on his own. He grins, stepping back from her but never once letting his gaze waver.

“You’re a pretty girl, I’m sure you’ll figure something out. Maybe you can beguile the beguiler.”

The last thing she sees are his eyes, blood and gold, staring at her until the fog inhibits her vision. She rushes forward hoping to catch him, but as she emerges from the fog, he’s nowhere to be seen. She frowns, looking around near frantically for him. She sighs silently, resigning herself to simply walk back to the tavern, ready for Oliver to rip into her.

As she walks back with the last of the sun setting behind her, the man who she was searching for emerges from the fog, watching her return to town with a wry smile gracing his lips.

“With her voice, she enchants; with her beauty, she deprives of reason - voice and sight alike deal destruction and death.” He chuckles under his breath as the fog engulfs him, his eyes glinting with the small shred of lantern light penetrating the deep fog, “A siren uses its voice and a pirate uses its sword, but all bring destruction and death regardless.”

Nova dnd logs

Writing some plot from my oneshot dnd campaign! It'll be a string of moments my char experienced.

-----

In front of me, is the following: a talking chicken wearing a knight helmet who just defeated an animated statue monster 20 times his own size with a greatsword that is 3 times his size, a dwarven rogue with a serious face and long flowy river-like beard who idolizes my friend Robin Hood, and a gangly half-orc wizard who’s hand is covered in blood. Well, the wizard is behind me since he’s usually frightful of most things, and only did the blood ritual on the stone altar because of sheer boredom of nothing happening.

“Are you cursed now?” I look behind me to cheekily taunt Greecle. Disgust and cowardice washes over his face and he pleads for me to stop.

After looking around more, it would seem that the only way to proceed forward the subterranean temple was to draw blood on the altar. All that arguing about what to do was futile.

The environment rumbles and the gates lower, motioning us to continue on our adventure. Nobody dares to say a word as Chase takes the lead. The irony isn’t lost on me, we’re following a 40cm chicken because he’s the strongest of us all and the hardiest. That fact will never not tickle me.

Excitement and anxiety stirs in my stomach, this is my first real adventure after all!! All the mystery and treasure awaits with every splashy, watery step I take. I’m doing it, mom!

---

Maybe that bad feeling buried in the last section of my spine shouldn’t have been ignored. I mean, it’s called a bad feeling for a reason, right?

I didn't speak up but deep down, I super hated that we glanced over the ominous prophetic plaque of words before we descended into this damp and rocky abyss. I have no idea why everyone ganged up on Rina about money and didn’t get enough information before jumping head first into the well entrance. It’s as if we raced down for the treasure without putting on our shoes first. (Well, this is kinda true for Greecle… Why doesn’t he have shoes? I can’t imagine sleeping somewhere so cold without covering up my feetsies.)

Everyone else is sound asleep on the first night of our real adventure. But I… ... ! I, Nova, am really sad !!!! Mixed feelings keep piling up inside of me. But putting down skeleton creatures with my bare hands shouldn’t upset me this much right? I’ve seen lots of things in my home forest after all.

I look around and admire the temple, crystals of red and blue softly glint in the dark, faintly illuminating the vast tunnels and spaces around us. The water reflects the hues and bounce the glow around as far as it can reach before stretching itself thin into the darkness. I hold up one of the skelly heads that wasn’t crushed with both my hands and wished for it to talk. “Why wasn’t I charming enough to convey my feelings of wanting to be friends? I could’ve saved all your skelly friends too y’know?” I frown.

Thinking about their cute heads and little swords that they swung against my neck, I wrote in my journal with mom in mind, and a poem before sleepytime.

I hope we get along tomorrow.

Whispers of my regret can’t reach you anymore

Please pass on safely without much sore

Floating in the abyss, the ripples, the splashes

Find salvation or peace after scintillating ashes

---

I have to crane my head up to look at Greecle every time he relays knowledge to us. Despite being a huge troublemaker, he's still a wizard who knows a lot more things about our world than I do. He studied the round plinth and ran around the hall to detect traces of magic to identify and to uncover. He’s super useful but it all goes unnoticed because our team members spend most of our interactions scolding him for his misdeeds. He tells us that the moss covered carvings on the stone plinth that may have lasted centuries make up some sort of calendar.

---

I pout as my sweet sentences get twisted up and interpreted in an offensive manner. There goes my chance to be friends with this fire creature. All I said was that they’re hot as hell, but maybe they’re from the realm of Tartarus and not Asphodel; I shouldn’t be too judgemental.

I try to think of more ways to befriend the creature but I’m instantly distracted as I spot an unconscious body under some singed rags.

Oh no, I have to help.

That was my main objective, my only thought. We didn’t initially agree to a rescue mission but what cycles my thoughts is one word: Survival. The rest seem preoccupied with battle, so it has to be me.

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me to the body. It’s sweltering in here, I’m glad I’m wearing shoes. My feet would’ve scorched if I touched this tiled floor, my fire resistance would not have negated the pain. My eyes dart around to examine the person, hoping for signs of life. Chocolate scales faintly rise and fall, carrying a golden undertone, revealing their mighty ancestry and potential.

Ah, great! They’re breathing!

I took out the only healing potion I have to help the dragonborn. I guess we have to defeat this creature if it won’t listen to reason and have already injured this being. I whine mentally.

But a huge smile spreads across my face as the person in front of me springs back up, brimming with life, as if their life force is reignited and flickers equally as bright as the melty lava creature behind us. Their fists clench and their eyes are filled with panic.

A new friend!

---

This is one of those times where my darkvision would burn things into my sclera and instill fear in my soles, bringing forth the imagery of the roiling mass that is a ceiling sea of bats.

I don’t know what to do. I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do.

I can NOT harm these animals, even if we wanted to we are easily outnumbered. But the more time we spend in this room, we will eventually be drowned in this vast sea. The bats won’t listen to us, they’ll continue to chip away at our constitution with relentless determination.

Damn it! Why is this lock so sturdy! My legs are chilled with fear, I hesitate and shiver as I mess up my aim.

The bats, they swoop down and claw us into shreds. Our skin but mere cloth for them to cut up into ribbons and string. All we can do is try to break open this chest and make a run for it. There’s no way we can face this many. We’ll get swallowed up and ground into bones if we don't hurry!

Hurry!

The acid misses.

Hurry!

The arrow misses.

Hurry!

The fists and greatsword connects.

Run!

---

In the magical darkness enshrouding us, a blue flame floats toward me, revealing itself while crackling the air softly with electricity. It reminds me of a quiet forest night watched over by the full moon. Spirits and spectres would come out and wander; some want satisfaction, some want salvation, some yearn for affection from forgotten loved ones or fallen comrades. In those quiet nights, every living being proclaims their existence, they take up space in our shared world with heartbeats or willpower. It's wonderful to be able to leave traces in the soil or the sky. Being alive is truly miraculous!

In this magical darkness, I don't see anything but a living creature that still blazes with life. It might have a past filled with joy, sorrow, frustration; it might still want to take steps out of this black void and write history. I wonder who imprisoned the servants that dwell in these desolate halls, which heartless soul would rob them of their freedom and force them to pointless bloodshed? Who is it that beckoned sturdy adventurers to plunge themselves down here and destined them to reemerge as carcasses to be cut down again? Whatever malevolent being that built this temple, whatever goal they serve, I want to get out of here without bowing down to their insolence on life.

I think about my mom who befriends the earth. Surrounded by warmth and love, she's nothing but being of kindness and nurture. Sometimes I believe she’s secretly an otherworldly guardian that looks after those around her. She wouldn’t let earnest creatures be trampled ruthlessly, she appreciates every little living being and would do anything for the needy. Ah, I miss spending time with her.

I pull out Harper and start playing a soft melody to declare my feelings.

Please let us continue with a bright future. Hear my plea and take in my wish for camaraderie.

Sharp notes from Her Sh’i’s bagpipes intertwine with my light tones. The willowy blues grow fainter and calmer.

I stumble on my words but I try my best to convey to the being that we mean no harm. I smile and sigh out of relief as the appeased creature gently places a token on my hand.

---

Somehow we have managed to take down the god and return it into pieces of bone and dirt. We ended the cycle. Rinah will remain in the temple with the community of reanimated skeletons and figure out a way to turn them back into living humans.

It should have been a triumphant win and we emerge with golden sun rays congratulating us when we climb our way back out to the surface. But it wasn’t. It was windy and gray. Various feelings mix in my belly leaving me feeling uneasy, the feelings I’ve not been able to shake away and will stay with me for a while.

I can’t help but feel swindled by fate, cruel and cunning. If I had known it was the humans who dared to anger Xibalba in the first place, I would’ve tried to appease them. Instead I felt the need to break a curse to save the ‘humans’. How foolish of me.

What’s done is done. I have unwillingly helped to slay a god that once lived to grant blessings for the people. In the same breath, I also freed some trapped souls and no more will unnecessary blood be shed.

I look to my shoulder where Shadow leisurely sits and I smile softly at him when he gazes back up to meet my eyes . At least I have you now, so it’s not a bad ending to this adventure.

Shadow gently boops my cheek, causing some numbness for a second.

I can’t wait to introduce you to mom!

Chapter 1 Part 2

               Ocean spray cooled Elizabeth’s face when she finally stepped out of her cabin, her hand ached from all the paperwork she had been forging. That was the one downside to doing semi-legitimate jobs.

               There was a general bustle on deck as the small crew made themselves busy. The captain glanced about the small ship, noting each person carefully. Thelly was finishing taking barrels down to the depths of the ship. Elizabeth’s brother John was securing ropes to the main mast. Cale was helping the minotaur. Standing just in front of her, a Scaronyd was at the helm. A human wearing robes was climbing the ropes clumsily at John’s behest.

A deep resonate male voice suddenly announced Elizabeth’s presence on deck. Cale had stopped his work, as did everyone else, the handful of eyes were on her now. A smile slowly spread onto the young captain’s face. Her hand went to her throat, where a deep grey glass teardrop pendant hung on a similarly grey ribbon that wrapped loosely around the woman’s neck. The necklace burst, an impossibly thick ring of water vapor took its place. Windlessly the vapor exploded out, covering the entire ship in a mild fog.

Elizabeth’s smile deepened into a broad grin when humanoid figures of thick fog materialized next to each crew member. The new crew members started when the fog-men began taking over their jobs.

“Magic, it does wonders doesn’t it?” The captain joked lightly.

“I think the fog can keep our heading for a moment, the sun is going down so the fog shouldn’t burn off in the sun. I’d like to talk to all of you.” The woman stepped down the few steps to the main deck. “There are some faces here I’ve never seen before, I’ll introduce myself. I am Captain Elizabeth Argall, as we are not a Realm ship, I would prefer if you would call me Captain, Eliz, or Argall. I’m not big on formality, we aren’t a big enough crew for me to give a shit about that.” She paced before the small gathering of crew. “My first mate is Johnathan Argall, Cale is our quartermaster, Thelly Whisperhooves is our… Cannoneer, I suppose. And who are the other two of you.”

“I am Hampshire Feenix, I am from the island of Stars, I was hired on by Mr. Cale as a helmsman.” The Scaronyd stepped forward, his dark green skin was dulled in the damp air. His eyes were large and stark red; the hair that sprouted from his leathery reptilian skin was wiry and black, un styled and laying in a natural mohawk.

“Mr. Feenix, what kind of experience do you have?”

“I was the navigator for my father’s war fleet. It was not large, but we did have a few successful campaigns.”

“Why join my ship?”

“The only people giving The Realm any hell is the Pirate Emperor and his pirates,” they gestured around themselves, “and the Sand Nomads. I’m not too fond of sand, so I looked for work aboard a pirate vessel.”

Elizabeth eyed him with her uncovered blue eye. “I see, Welcome aboard the Fallen Angel Mr. Feenix.” She turned her eye onto the other man. He was tall and wore a dark colored robe that hunt to his knees that covered simple clothes. His skin was pale, his hair dark and unkempt, and his eyes glistened a dark grey color. His face was a boyish shape, yet he wore a refined look on it. Had Elizabeth lead a different life, she would have sought for his romantic attentions.

“My name is Jason Bradwyr. I was hired as a deck hand.” The young man said, his voice was deeper than his face would suggest.

“Is there anything that makes you special?” The captain asked, raising a critical eyebrow. He must be the mage Whisper was worried about. She thought quietly to herself.

“I graduated top of my class at Shirahm University of Magical arts and Alchemical Studies.” Something flashed in the captain’s eyes as Jason spoke. “I figured I could blow wind in your sails and the like.”

“What brings such a highly educated fellow to our ship?” Accompanied a few murmurs from the other crew members.

“I had heard that what we learn in our university isn’t real magic; that the mages on ships that taught themselves use truer magic than us learned men who simply memorize circles, sigils, and the names of spirits.”

After a moment of silence Elizabeth speaks again, “Mr. Bradwyr, your university is supported by King Tellamus the third, ruler of the realm of united peoples; an alumni, I’ve heard.” Elizabeth paced slowly, each step echoing in the fog. “I hope you understand that by boarding my ship, and announcing your experience, you’ve sowed doubt in me; while simultaneously spitting in the face of your school and the realm. That takes balls.” After a final cursory glance she turned her back on him.

The fog imploded around the captain’s neck, creating the necklace that hung there previously. The crew was dismissed.

 The first job a new crew does together is always stressful, until everyone has been paid there is an uneasiness felt by all. People want to know where they fit in with a group of people, especially if you are going to be stuck on a small ship for the foreseeable future with them. This could be felt in Eliz’s crew. It didn’t help that there was already tension between existing crew mates. Whisper was unhappy with Cale for hiring a mage that she knew nothing about, and John was eager to get the job for Mr. Leifson finished.

John was Eliz’s older brother. He went off to a school to learn proper magic among other things before joining the Pirate Emperor’s armada. He didn’t last long with the Pirate Emperor, so he returned home to help his sister with her new ship. He had the same brown hair and blue eyes that she did, but he was more immense in his size. He came up nearly to Whisper’s shoulder, and was nearly as muscular.

Cale, the quartermaster, was old for a pirate; his peppered hair was wiry and thinning, and his wrinkles created a facial expression that was nearly unreadable. His eyes were the strange part about him though. White orbs like watered milk are sunken in his skull. He was not blind, but he did not see like other people. He can see the soul of an object or creature, he can see the truth and the lies.

Whisper had served on the same ship as Eliz years ago, each of them have a tattoo on their shoulder blades labeling them as one-time crew members of the Branded Banshees. Whisper Bonded with Eliz and vowed to serve under her when she’d announced that she was going to captain her own ship.

These three, at least, knew where they were, for them it was just a matter of getting into rhythm with the other crew members. For Eliz, this first job was a nightmare.

 After several days of sailing Eliz stood in her quarters, looking at the plotted course. They would go dangerously close to a Sea Witch’s domain. She bit her lip, looking at the smooth durable pressed paper before her. Her eye scanned the lightly frayed edges, some of the colors of the map had faded, pulling out and dulling some details.

The captain jumped when her door was opened abruptly. It was John, a mixture of excitement and fear in his eyes. “Eliz, there’s a realm ship on the horizon, it looks like a Man-o-War.”

“Fuck, already?”

 The long-armed helmsman was standing stoically at the helm. He glanced back at his captain and scanned the horizon with his dark eyes.

“Of course, the wind isn’t behind us, the current won’t be helping much either.” Eliz cursed under her breath. She pulled a telescope from her pocket and scanned the horizon. Three large white masts broke the fuzzy line between sea and sky. “Okay, we are going to try to beat it to the drop-off point.” The captain’s voice quaked with insecurity, she knew that ship was going to be faster than hers.

Several tense hours later Elizabeth began readying cannons, watching the realm ship float closer. The sun began to fall when she declared battle stations.

Feenix coughed, a polite way to ask for his captain’s attention. When she turned he smiled warily and softly spoke, “Captain, I think that I have observed something interesting that could be of use.”

“Go ahead,”

“Thank you. It seems that as we get closer to the area controlled by the sea witch, the Realm ship alters its pursuit. It seems they will be reluctant to go into her waters.” The dark-skinned man paused a moment, looking like he had something extra to add, but decided against it.

“They have good reason to be reluctant. Sea witches typically demand a gift if you pass through their territory.” Eliz bit her lip, furrowing her brow.

BOOM

The sound of a single cannon firing from not too far away brought new life to the crew.

“It was a warning shot, I’d say it is harmless, but I doubt he cares much about our safety.” Eliz called out to her crew.

More shots went off, the booms echoing over the empty ocean. Eliz looked through her telescope again, “EMS Yespur” was carved and painted in faux gold filigree over the side of the boat. She scanned the top deck, a man in the bright red uniform of the Realm stood with a telescope to his eye looking in her direction.

“Feenix, aim us for the Sea Witch’s domain.” Elizabeth said over her shoulder, her hair stood on end. A flash of green at the bow of the Man-O-War caught her attention. “They’ve got a fucking mage.”

The Flying Angel lurched as the helmsman changed course, plunging the ship into waters protected by a sea witch. Another volley of cannon blasts boomed, the sound of splintering wood was more prevalent than anything. Elizabeth’s ship continued forward, a blast of fire shot from Jason’s hand, searing the side of the Realm boat, making the paint of the ship’s name curl and crack.

“No, you idiot, now they know we have a mage!” Eliz lurched forward tackling Jason; pinning him to the damp deck. A thunderous boom forced the Flying Angel to lurch again. For ten minutes the Realm ship sent volleys, some of the cannonballs hitting Eliz’s ship, others missing drastically.

Jason’s face went white when the cannon fire stopped and the current beneath the ship changed. Even a land walker like him could feel the change, and an articulated mage like him could feel the raw magical power that they suddenly entered. They were in HER territory now.

Elizabeth FINALLY hoisted herself off of the idiot university mage and looked up at the Realm ship. They’d backed off, but they had stopped shooting. “what the fuck?” Elizabeth liften her spyglass to her eye and looked toward the red speck on the deck “What… the… fuck… The fucking Bastards. THE FUCKING BASTARDS, Oh, of COURSE.” She passed the glass to Jason who’d finally gotten up, “Look at this shit, Fucking look. They were trying to send us INTO THE FUCKING WITCHES WATERS.” Elizabeth was yelling, her fist came down on the banister next to the helm as she walked briskly up to Feenix. The wood splintered under her fist.

“Eliz, calm down.” John spoke softly.

“Calm… Calm down? CALM DOWN? I am calm! Can’t you see? Fuck.” Elizabeth glared at the ship that now hung at the edge of the Sea Witch’s territory, where the ocean nearly imperceptibly changed shade. “If I wasn’t on a fucking run I’d show that smug fuck a piece of my mind.”

Elizabeth took a deep breath, a deep deep breath. “Jason, use your fancy schooling to put this boat back together. Feenix, put us on a more direct route to our destination, Whisper, go down under and grab one of the barrels, she’ll be sending someone to collect her offering sooner rather than later. John, Cale, you two get this ship going as fast as possible.” Glumly the captain trudged down the steps to the underbelly of the ship.

 The sky darkened before the crew heard claws scraping the underside of the ship. Elizabeth kicked a barrel off the side of the ship, it began to sink instandly before movement below the water brought it away.

At this point Elizabeth would have turned around and said, “Well, that should be it, let’s keep going”. After which she would have gone back to her cabin and rested.

But that didn’t happen, instead Elizabeth turned from the side of the ship and said, “Well, Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa” Sploosh.

The water wasn’t cold, it wasn’t warm, but it wasn’t cold. Their hands weren’t as rough as she thought they would have been. They weren’t being rough with her either. A light came from a seashell one of them wore. Elizabeth looked at their scales, their rough-looking pale green skin and their large, bulbous black eyes. Her heart beat hard in her chest, if she weren’t drowning she would have thought it was pure sexual attraction. But it wasn’t attraction, it was death. Were they leaning in? She felt water move around her face before she succumbed to the cold darkness of unconsciousness.

Archive

Mizuki Mermaid AU rp

// This is the thread of an rp with @crippledwingedbird and my OC @adelha-mathilde. Set in my main verse for their OC to be a gorgeous mermaid. //

The aquarium had been full the entire day. People visiting to see the dolphins and the sea lions and all the other exhibits. And none was more busy than the sea grotto with the ebony haired mermaid. Children waving at the maiden behind the glass. Several university students also entranced by the sight. With one lady watching from a corner to look very thoughtful. Her ice blue eyes not moving from the mermaid as the time passed. And whenever the mermaid saw her, she gave a wave and a smile. ***** Mizuki sat on a rock in her enclosure, the end of her tail fin in the water, and she waved lightly back at the children. At least none of them banged on the glass like at the last aquarium she had lived at. Her life was a simple one, dull, uninteresting, and at times depressing. The people thought of her as an animal, and those that were kind enough to actually talk to her told her that she was being “protected” since she couldn’t swim very well. It was true, she wasn’t the swiftest out there, but she wasn’t immobile by any means she just… She saw the woman with white hair and stared at her, never seeing anyone so young looking with naturally silver white hair before. Was she a model? ***** The lady kept to the corner until the sea grotto cleared out. The time getting close to closing as the people either headed for the exits or to the food court. And the woman didn’t move until everyone had left. Her steps taking her forward with much grace. As if she flowed from one step to the next. Like the river stream. And she stood in front of the glass with a frown. Her voice lilted as she raised one hand to press it to the glass. The other hand to her cheek to finger those silvered curls. “Yet another priceless treasure of the sea pilfered by human hands. Tell me lovely one, are you content to let them place you behind artifice and glass? Or do you long for the open waters and the free coves of the world?” ***** Mizuki watched the lady approach, and when that elegant hand pressed against the glass the young mermaid swam forward. It was clear she wasn’t as graceful as she could have been, there was something wrong with her tail, but she made it, pressing her hand up against Adelha’s. “…I don’t like it here,” she replied, her voice warped and echoed by the water, “But I can not swim well. I’m…safe…here.” Yeah, just keep telling yourself that. ***** The lady frowned further as she watched the water maiden swim. Yes it was clear she was not as adept in her enclosure as she should be. Which made the silver haired lady grit her teeth a little. She figured that whoever caught this prize did so with damage to their catch. Which left anger roiling in her stomach. But she brushes the thought away to look thoughtful once more. Her other hand reaching up to place to the glass. “I know of a place that would be better. A cove untouched by humanity that doubles as a shelter for others like your kind. On private land where no one would hunt you again. Fresh waters to glide through and much beauty below the waves. It is still penned in by the cliffs that line the shores. But it is better and a natural safe haven.” The lady then tilts her head to blink. And those iced blue eyes have changed to a silvered hue. One’s that glow with power and deep age. The white haired lady holding her gaze to the water maiden before speaking again. “We are not so different, pretty one. We are much like you. Though from different places. So this one offers a home. Among your own. My only question is this. Would you be brave enough to trust and try?” ***** Others like her? But she’d never seen any before. Well, there was her brother but he wasn’t like her. It did sound nice though, a place that was safe, protected but not like a cage, not like this. Still, the humans had said that too, when they found her washed up on the beach. She had almost died then, her bones to be picked clean by seagulls. She wrapped her arms around herself, remembering the horror she had felt. The ladies’ eyes were spellbinding and Mizuki turned away for a moment, looking up through her enclosure. To stay here and be stared at for the rest of her life, or to live in the clear waters again. It really wasn’t much of a choice was it? “…I’ll try,” she said, turning back to look at the woman, “My name’s Mizuki.” ***** Mizuki. How elegant. It suited her. So the lady nods to give a gracious bow. Her words full of regal notes to the tones. “I am Margaret Joanna Adelha Mathilde, Lady Mizuki. But most call me Adelha. So then. I shall start the process of removing you from this confining cage right away. Shall we say within the hour or did you wish to wait until tomorrow?” Adelha then looks to the right as the shuffling of feet can be heard. And with a glare in that direction the feet turn around and shuffle back the way they came. Her next comment in German for it to have an annoyed tone to the wording. ***** “Adelha, it is nice to meet you,” Mizuki replied with a nod of her head, her dark hair a halo in the water, “If you can, please do so as soon as possible. If we wait we may miss our ch-” She froze at the sound of footsteps, growing quiet but as Adelha glared and the footsteps receded, Mizuki breathed. A bit of true hope bloomed in her heart however. Maybe she really could get out of here. ***** Adelha gives a nod to then whip out a phone. Hitting a number to then bark into it, and she uses another language. German. The dialect rolling off her tongue like fire. Three sentences before she hangs up. And the moment she does the lights flicker all over the building. Adelha then kneeling down to then sit on the balls of her feet like a frog. Her eyes watching the corridor without blinking. “Then we will be swift. Means I owe a few extra favors. But it is of little consequence. You want out, we get the liebling out.” ***** When the lights flicker, seemingly at Adelha’s command into the phone, Mizuki pulled her arms close and sinks a little deeper down into the tank as if to hid, sort of cowering against the glass by Adelha. She thinks of the other woman’s promises and she wants out of here but she’s struck with a such crippling fear. What if Adelha had lied? What if people were coming to steal her away and turn her into sushi?! She sank lower, terrified. ***** Adelha noticed to place a hand to the glass with a thoughtful expression. Her words full of serious tones. Her eyes never leaving the hallway. “Fear not, liebling. These ones that are working with me are of my clan. And I am third in my clan to give the commands and for those under me to heed them. But let us get you out of this cage. It’s time to move.” Adelha then flicks her wrist for the glass to start cracking. The spiderweb of cracks soon branching out for water to start leaking. The little streamers popping out randomly as Adelha keeps her gaze to the hallway. Her eyes of silver unblinking as she keeps vigil. Until one young lady appears at the doorway to then give a thumbs up. This newcomer with vibrant green hair and several tattoos for her to grin wide. Her voice making it apparent that she is from the New York area. “Got the cameras on loop from yesterday and the guards and staff are all napping. It’s all running smoothly.” Adelha nods to this newcomer to then look to Mizuki. Her smirk making her eyes dance. “Mizuki. Meet my clan sister Verne. She is the one that told me about you and this exhibit.” ***** Mizuki watched as the glass cracked in spiderwebs, and she was both worried for herself and the others outside. If the glass fell towards either of them they could be cut to ribbons. She swam a bit away just in case, nodding to the woman named Verne. She had seen her before, as one of the guest. The mermaid bit her lip. “Hello,” she said, “Nice to see you again.” ***** Verne gives a grin as the glass keeps cracking. Looking very pleased to have been recognized. “Such a pretty sea anemone shouldn’t be in a dump like this. So I vote we steal you to take home to the manse. And everyone was in agreement. Plus it means Addy gets to flex her magic a bit.” Adelha smirks to twist her wrist the other direction. The glass that was breaking bursting apart to then turn to dust that falls to the floor. While the water is held in place. A shimmering wall of energy holding it back. The scent of lavender filling the room and the tank as Adelha stays knelt down. Verne clapping as she walks to the edge of the magical barrier. “I never get tired of this kinda show. Great job Adelha. Mizuki, you want to swim over here so I can carry you to the truck we got?” ***** Being a magical creature, you’d think Mizuki would be used to this stuff by now but it still was quiet amazing, watching the glass turn to dust and yet the water held there, a great tension. She was a little surprised that so many people had agreed to help her, and she blushed gently, sweetly embarrassed by the praise. She wasn’t that great but Verne and Adelha and the others could think what they wished she supposed. She swam towards where the glass had been and darn her tail, it never wanted to work just right. She reached out a hand, her fingertips passing through the water into the open air. “It feels very warm doesn’t it?” she asked, swimming closer and sticking her head and shoulder’s out so Verne could grab her. She didn’t know for how long Adelha could keep the water up and she didn’t wish to strain her, “The air, I mean.” ***** Verne reached both arms in all the way into the water before sweeping Mizuki right out of it. Holding the mermaid bridal style as she snickered. The green haired lady easily able to carry Mizuki as she spoke. “Well water does tend to hold in the cold better. Out we go, little fish. But we have a truck we borrowed from the marina side of this water dungeon. The one that has a built in water tank for carrying dolphins and such in the back. So we should be all good once Adelha does her little trick.” Verne turns to watch as Adelha lifts up both hands. Her eyes blazing silver to snap both fingers at once. The dust of glass from the floor piecing itself back together to form the glass wall. As if it had never been damaged. Then Adelha gets up with a hard huff of air. Looking very weary but determined to walk with Verne out into the hallway. Her lilted words sounding drained. “Time is a luxury. Waste not.” Verne smirks to follow next to Adelha down the hallway. Nestling Mizuki in her arms as if she is a prized treasure. Which to these two, she really is. Verne giving a comment in thick German for Adelha to roll her eyes. ***** Mizuki wrapped her arms around Verna’s neck as she was held, pressing close so she wouldn’t fall. If she landed on the ground she’d have to pull herself along and that was like walking on stones without your shoes, not a nice thing to feel. Plus Verne felt warm and strong, so she’d rather stay up here. She watched in amazement as Adelha put the glass wall back as if nothing had happened, and she didn’t bother to ask any questions as they began to leave, just thinking about the truck and the water tank. it sounded nice, better then those harnesses they put the dolphins or whales in. They always looked so worried. She stayed put in Verne’s arms, looking up at her curiously when the woman spoke German. ***** Verne gives Mizuki a bright grin as they walk past the security room. Every person in there fast asleep to snore on and off. Her green hair bobbing as they walked for her to speak with Mizuki. “All of them looked very curious when I walked in to inquire where the little fish room was. And they all went down with a mental nudge. Was way too easy really. But my big question is what mermaids eat. Do you eat smaller fish or just sea kelp or pixie dust?” Adelha rolled her eyes as they walked. Her own words more serious. “Heaven spare me from a sarcastic vampire child. Haven’t I told you not to let your humor run off with you?” Verne gives a chortle of a laugh to hug Mizuki closer. Her grin still there. “And the dragon is being a buzzkill. I’m going for casual. Which isn’t easy when your kidnapping a sea pearl with beautiful hair.” ***** As the passed the security room, Mizuki took a look, hoping the men where truly alright. Sure it was there job to guard her and some of them weren’t super nice, but the others were fine. It would be regrettable if Verne had pushed to hard, put them in a coma or something. “Well, we make things,” Mizuki said, “I mean, we can eat fish and sea kelp but it would like eating a head of romaine lettuce without any carrots or tomatoes or dressing. Not super tasty. There’s a lot of sushi and kelp noddles are good.” She flushed and bit her lip, embarrassed when Verne called her a sea pearl and complemented her hair. “I…I’m not,” she murmured. ***** Verne chuckles to turn the corner and head for the parking lot by the back entrance. While Adelha lingers at that corner to look behind them. Making Verne stop to look back. “We got company?” Adelha gives a nod for her eyes to change again. The blue overcome with silver as she sighs. “You missed two that were on lunch break. Get it in gear.” Verne gives a nod to then sprint to the parking lot. A young man with long black hair in a ponytail is leaning against the truck where the back is open. His redwood brown eyes looking to Verne for him to nod. “You’re late. By two minutes and counting.” Verne gives a grumble to hop up into the truck with Mizuki still in her arms. “We’re not going for punctual, you dork. Mizuki. Meet Yuji Hayashida. The science nerd of our group.” Yuji looks to Mizuki with a curious expression. His eyes warming as he chuckles. “Such a pretty one they stole from the waves. I vote we keep her around for a while.” ***** Mizuki fell silent for a little while, not wanting to bring attention to themselves as they went out the door and across the blacktop. She sees the truck and then man, and he’s handsome in a refined, mysterious way. She gives him a nod, trying to quash down her unease with a man being so close to her. The people who had…caught her, hadn’t been very nice and the men had… She shuddered, pressing her face into Verne’s neck as if to hide, her insides squeezing horribly. ***** Verne takes notice to hug Mizuki closer. Telling Yuji, “Oi. Get the wheel. We’re shifting jobs.” Which makes Yuji frown to then give a nod of his head. Moving to head for the driver’s side door as Verne moves fully into the truck with her cargo. Laying Mizuki into the tank of water that is just big enough to fit a large dolphin inside. Verne patting her head to sigh a bit. “There there, little fish. No need to get antsy. We’ll have you to our home soon enough. And then you can lounge in luxury. Adelha told our clan leader to make very sure you would feel welcome.” Yuji gets into the driver’s seat to look to where the back entrance is. Frowning when he says, “And now we wait for the dragon. Which makes me want to run in there and tug her out.” Verne chuckles to wave a hand in the air. “She did have to remake a whole glass wall, Yuji. She might have to heed to her vampire side and have a drink of one of the guards.” Verne looks back to Mizuki to assure her, “Won’t kill anyone. But whoever does get snacked on will probably take a day off for a 'mysterious flu bug’ as it were.” ***** “I’m sorry,” Mizuki whispered, seeing Yuji frown. She hadn’t meant to upset him or give him the wrong impression, but it seems she had. As she sank to the bottom off the travel tank, she stayed quiet for a moment in shame. These people were rescuing her and now one of them thought she didn’t like him. It was good that Adelha wouldn’t kill the person she needed to feed off of, but Mizuki hoped the other woman would hurry. Her stomach was starting to twist in that horrible way just before the floor dropped out from underneath you. ***** Yuji gave a nod to not look too upset. Waving one hand at Mizuki to reassure her he had taken no offense. With Verne giving a smirk to lean in and tell Mizuki, “No worries, little fish. Yuji isn’t the type to let things bug him. Unless it’s someone moving things in his room on him.” Which Yuji glares at Verne to state, “I knew it was you and not Jake. I’ll get you back for that you minx.” The conversation is then interrupted by Adelha sprinting for the truck. Her hair flying behind her as Yuji blinks in surprise. Verne moving back a bit so Adelha can jump into the truck. The doors close on their own for Yuji to start the engine. Getting them backed up and moving out of the place as Adelha shifts her hands to the floor. Lavender soaking through the truck for the color on the outside to change. Verne giving a whistle to look through a side mirror. “Nice touch, Addy. But a moving company truck? Really? You going for subtle?” Adelha gives a huff of air to then fall over next to Mizuki’s tank. Her air coming in hard drags as she states, “Stuff it pixie girl…” To which Verne bursts out laughing. Looking to Mizuki to clarify. “My name is taken from the fact that I love a certain drink that matches my hair color. Which is considered a drink for pixies and fairies to have made.” Yuji then adds in, “Her drink of choice is absinthe. Really hard core stuff.” ***** “I stil think you’re very handsome,” Mizuki blurted in her attempt to smooth things over, flushing and sinking down in embarrassment. Oh boy, that didn’t help. She watched as Adelha rush to the truck and got in, the truck quickly speeding away and she was worried. Adelha was breathing pretty hard. Was she alright? Sitting herself up, Mizuki flicked the water from her and to press it against Adelha’s shoulder, focusing in an attempt to help the lady breath easier. ***** Yuji seemed pleased at Mizuki’s compliment. His smile warm as he keeps his concentration on driving. While Verne frowns to place her hand to Adelha’s other shoulder. Her voice gruff. “Oi. Addy. You alive?” Adelha gives a nod to reach up and place her hand to Mizuki’s as she takes deep breaths of air. Her head lowered as she speaks. “Yes. We forgot to take the security cameras into account. Had to fry the feed.” Verne frowns to get her phone out. Sending a text on her phone right away. “I will tell Eugene to get the serum out for you.” Verne tells Mizuki, “Our leader found a substitute for us to use instead of donors. It is a trial serum, but it works well enough.” ***** Mizuki held Adelha’s hand, squeezing gently as Yuji drove and Verne made a phone call. “Would…would it help if you drank from me?” she asked, looking shy but concerned, “You did save me and it’s the least I can do. You are in this situation because of me.” ***** Adelha chuckled to squeeze Mizuki’s hand. Her words tired but warm. “I will be fine, pearl of the waves. I just need to rest for a bit. There is no need for me to partake from the one we are in the middle of saving.” Verne smirks to pat Mizuki on the head. Her own words full of good cheer. “And she can use the nap really. Addy tends to run full tilt into everything.” Yuji makes another turn to head for the ocean. The buildings going from city landscapes to more residential looking homes. His question asked with a bit of concern. “We will keep that option open to us, ladies. Especially if the dragon passes out on us. Mizuki. Please keep your eyes on Adelha for us. She tends to push herself past her breaking point as a habit.” ***** Mizuki nods reluctantly to Adelha and Verne’s comments, because she’s still worried,and at Yuji’s remark a determined look appeared on her face. Gently, she pressed against Adelha’s shoulder so she lay down. “Just rest easy, sister,” she replied, “You’ll be alright.” She can smell the change of the city to the budding country and father off the ocean calls sweetly, beckoning her home. ***** Adelha lays down gratefully to give a sigh of air. “Yes, Mizuki. I will lay here and not budge.” Making Verne snicker as she takes a rag and wets it into the water. Holding the rag over Mizuki’s head to wring it out. Keeping the mermaid more wet as she says, “You look like you need a localized rain shower. So I will provide.” Yuji sounds amused as he keeps driving along the coast. His eyes scanning the area as he drives. ***** “Good, you take it easy,” Mizuki said blinking as the water pours over her head. It didn’t bother her but she was a little distracted. It make her smirk a little though, flicking a bit of water in Verne’s direction. “Maybe you need one too,” she said, “For carrying a sticky fish around in your arms.” ***** Verne gives a snicker to pat Mizuki on the head once the shower is over. Her words full of mischief. “Maybe I like getting messy, eh? I know I tend to enjoy making messes.” Yuji gives a laugh to head for the area where there are mansions dotting the landscape. Adelha staying on the floor to not move an inch. While Verne turns to look to Yuji. “That was quick. You take the not scenic route?” Yuji gives a nod to note, “Plus traffic was not anywhere to be seen.” ***** Mizuki just shook her head in an amused way and turned all her attention back to Adelha, taking hold of the woman’s hand to make sure she was alright. She had been tasked with taking care of one of her saviors and she wouldn’t fail. She’d patched Daisuke up enough in the old days after all and she’d never lost him. “You know,” she said, resting her cheek on the rim of the tank, “My brother is probably worried about me. He travels but if he made it back to where I was he’ll have seen that I was gone. I hope he’s alright. He worries.” ***** Verne and Adelha instantly still as Yuji blinks a few times. Then Verne gets her phone back out to text with lightning speed. Her frown setting in. “Then we will get in touch with him. And since Addy isn’t great with phones I’ll send the alert.” Yuji nods to then say, “We’ll be able to let him know, Pearl. Worry not. If anything we can have the twins go and find him and bring him to our place.” Adelha however hasn’t moved a bit. Looking like she wants to say something. But is choosing to simply not comment at this moment. The fact she’s having a hard time staying awake might be a key factor as well. She really was exhausted from doing all that magic. She needed to brush up on her stamina. ***** Mizuki nodded, her attention taken in by Adelha’s silence. “Is there something the matter?” she asked, reaching to pat Adelha’s cheek, “come on, my savior, don’t fall asleep. Bite me if you have to. I’m tougher then I look, I promise.” ***** Adelha gave a long sigh to simply close her eyes and lace her hand in Mizuki’s. Verne still texting as Yuji drives. Then she speaks to the pretty mermaid. “I am contemplating the irony of this. Since I have a suspicion I know of the one whom you you wish to contact.” Verne goes ram rod straight for Yuji to look equally stunned. Yuji putting the truck in park to swivel around in his seat. His words full of shock. “Do not tell me that the brother to this very fine Pearl is that bluejay you cannot stop talking about!” Adelha says nothing for Verne to burst out laughing. Her head tipping back as she holds her sides to continue her gleeful laughter. With Yuji smirking to put a hand to his face and chuckle. The both of them very amused as Adelha sighs. Her words tired but pointed. “Mizuki. Remind me later two vampires need a good dunking in the ocean when it is prudent.” ***** “Oh dear,” Mizuki said softly, holding Adelha’s hand. They did seem to be in a rather sticky situation, as Mizuki had no idea her brother even had a lover, let alone that it was Adelha. They all had seemed surprised though so at least she knew Adelha hadn’t saved her just because Daisuke had asked. “I’ll remind you,” she said as the other two laughed, “Are we almost there? I’m starting to feel a little ill.” ***** Yuji nods to get the truck going. The drive taking only five more minutes as Adelha growls at Verne in German. The words returned in German by the green haired vampire. Until they pull up to a very well kept manor on the edge of the road. Verne opening the door in the back to grin. “Last stop. The coast of seclusion and current vampire den of the Currier clan. Welcome to you Mizuki. We will get you into the cove straight away.” Verne then turns to Mizuki to smirk. Asking the mermaid, “Did you want Yuji to carry you or should I?” ***** Mizuki watched this all quietly, not interrupting the growls or looks between Adelha and Verne since they both seemed like good friends. She looked out the front window of the van when they reached the manor, wondering where the ocean was. She could smell it but at this angle she couldn’t quiet see it. Then Verne asked her about Yuji and she blushed, looking down shyly at her fingers for a moment. Yuji seemed nice so… “Y-Yuji please,” she whispered. ***** Yuji looks very surprised as he stands by the back doors to the truck. But then he smiles to climb into the truck. Giving Mizuki a formal bow, sitting on his knees to then touch his head to the floor. Then he gets back up to carefully take Mizuki from the tank of water. Nestling her in his arms to then speak with warm words. “As you wish, beautiful pearl. I will take you directly to your new home.” Yuji then hurries Mizuki through the gardens along the side of the manor. Yuji being very careful with his cargo. Until he gets to the backyard. Where there is a very well kept pond that connects to the open ocean. The back porch directly leading up to the pond. The moon hanging in the night canopy with stars aplenty. Yuji literally walking his cargo into her new dwelling to sit her down. “There we go. A new throne for the queen of our ocean.” ***** She’s a little surprised when he bows so low, blushing daintily until he straightens and comes to her. He’s strong as he lifts her up and she wraps her arms around his neck to make carrying her easier. Her stomach is still doing these funny little flops but she glances back at Adelha and Verne, knowing that they wouldn’t let her get hurt. Least she hoped not. She stares at the beautiful gardens, the flowers and plant life, it’s so beautiful and she’s happy that the pool is within the garden, so she can still see the flowers sometimes. When the sea ended in most places at beaches and cliffs, there wasn’t many land flowers to look at. “Thank you,” she says to Yuji as he places her within the water and she looks up at him, not letting go yet, her cheeks infused with a soft pink. ***** Yuji gives Mizuki a warm smile. His redwood brown eyes looking to Mizuki’s with kindness. Words full of understanding. “You are most welcome, shy one. I am glad I volunteered to give my aide to a good soul such as you. And I do hope you will feel at ease in this new place once you have gotten used to the changes.” It is then a few voices can be heard inside the manor. All in German for Yuji to chuckle a bit. “And that would be our clan leader and his second scolding a dragon for overtaxing herself. Which is a habitual thing from Lady Adelha. If you like, I will go and fetch them for introductions. At least when you are ready, Mizuki. Lord Gaugain may look intimidating since he is a built man like a sturdy tree. But Lord Currier, our leader, is a refined gentleman of much charisma. And he is a kind man with much consideration for all within our clan.” ***** “It certainly is much nicer then the aquarium,” she says, loosening her grip and looking out towards the sea. She could just swim out there if she wished, come back when she wished or needed rest. It was nice. She listened to Yuji talk about the others and Adelha getting chewed out for overdoing it, but it helped Mizuki relax. She was sure the other men wouldn’t have been lecturing Adelha if she was in danger. She nodded. “It would be nice to meet them,” she said. ***** Yuji nods to then get up from his knelt down position in the water. Stepping out to then head for the back door to what looks like a ballroom. Yuji opening the door to wave at someone and tell them something in more German. That someone literally throwing a towel right at Yuji to have it slap him in the face. His squack muffled as another steps past him. A very broad man with darker skin and an orange hair. His eyes looking to Mizuki with a thoughtful expression as he walks himself over to kneel on the edge of the porch. His words thick and deep, and it’s clear he was doing something strenuous since he’s sweating a bit. “So then. You are the one the humans thought to keep behind glass. Thoughtless of them to do such. You will not find such treatment here, little one. Of that you may be assured. I am called Claude Gaugain. Second in the clan. I welcome you to our nesting grounds.” ***** She was quiet surprised at the large man that approached her, his shoulders were very wide and he would have even dwarfed her brother if he was there. She tried not to stare or get nervous, instead giving him a grateful nod. “Yes, thank you for you’re assistance,” she said, hoping that Yuji was okay emotionally after being beaned in the face with that towel, “It seems very nice here and it’s nice to meet you Mr. Gaugain. Is Adelha alright? Are..you alright? You seem a little flushed.” ***** Claude gives a deep chuckle to wipe at his forehead with one hand. The droplets soon cast into the grass as he speaks with good humor. “I was busying myself in my workshop. Since we make things of refinement to bolster our finances. So I have been working on making a cherry wood dresser. Such is needed for an old one like myself. Wasted time leads to melancholy for us.” Claude then smiles as he looks back to the ballroom. His words warming. “Adelha is well enough to have been the one to throw the towel at Yuji instead of to him. And Eugene will make her eat actual food and have her lay in a bed soon enough.” Claude looks back to Mizuki to really concentrate on her tail. His frown appearing as he speaks of a more reserved thought. “I have seen others of your kind in my long life. One would visit me with gifts of driftwood and fish for me to guard her cove from the humans. But her tail was not so vibrant in color as yours. A faded grey was her coloring. That was long ago when I lived in Rostock, Germany. It is good to see she was not the last of your kind.” ***** “Mm, I can see that,” Mizuki agreed, “Since you have such long lives, not doing anything productive would be a waste. I work with my hands too, although not with as something impressive as wood.” She thinks about the mermaid Claude mentions, realizing that the siren must have been a good friend of Claudes’. “The warmer the water gets, the brighter our colors,” she said, “It helps us blend in, like the fish do.” ***** Claude gives a nod of understanding before he speaks again. Weighing his words with great care. “We have been a solitary clan for much of our time. Taking in the vampires and other called Fae that we find that need shelter and guidance. Everyone in our clan is of vampire descent. Though Adelha is the only one with a mixed heritage to her blood. But in our clan such matters little unless we observe the fact others hold to ancient formalities. We see when those that are not human need help, and if it is in our power to help we do so. That is part of our way of living. And we do not outwardly show ourselves to humans. It is better to let the mortals busy themselves in their cities and bustling streets.” A chuckle from the ballroom notes another has been listening in. That of a white haired man who is leaning against the wall. His eyes gazing at Mizuki with sheer wonder and delight. And so he walks himself forward for Claude to look to the newcomer. Claude giving a bow of his head to then look back to Mizuki. “This is our clan leader, little one. Eugene Currier.” Eugene takes a knee to give a more formal bow like a knight of olden days. His words silken in quality as they wash from his lips. “I give you greetings and welcome you to our humble nest, my lady. And what a lady indeed. Such beauty I was not prepared for. We are made paupers by comparison.” ***** “That’s very kind of you all,” Mizuki said, “I guess you snatch merfolks out of human hands a lot then, hm?” She was sort of joking, although if Claude said yes she wouldn’t have been surprised. “You said that you’re the descended of vampires, so does that mean that you all were born as vampires, not made?” She didn’t know quite that much about vampires, considering they were more land creatures then sea, although she’d heard tales. Dracula, for instance, and that funny little story about the girl the vampire and the werewolf… While she was waiting for an answer, Eugune had come out and while she could have mistaken Verne, Yuji and Claude for humans, Eugune clearly looked like a vampire to her. She was a little shocked and not sure how to feel when he looked at her. She blushed when he bowed however, flushing lightly. “N-Nice to meet you, sir,” she said quietly, “And I’m not so g-great. So…” ***** Both men give chuckles of amusement for Eugene to take the mermaid’s hand. Placing a kiss to her knuckles as he stays bowed before her. And Claude is the one that answers Mizuki’s questions. “We have not seen any merfolk in eight years. And that was a man that was able to shift and walk among humanity. But I will let Eugene explain about our heritage. He is better at such than I.” Eugene nods to sit himself down on the edge of the porch. Removing his shoes and socks to then dip his feet, and long pant legs, into the water to look more casual about this. His words well chosen as he gazes at Mizuki with his hand still holding her own. “It tends to be an enjoyable story to tell, Claude. So I do love to tell it. Long ago, sweet child, there were more than just humans in the world. Elves, dragons, werewolves, gargoyles, and vampires were abundant. Fairies and dwarves and others that are deemed as supernatural also lived among the mortals and were able to dwell with them in peace.But the humans began to grow fearful of those that held to magic and to longer life spans. An influence of hard living and religious prejudism that was spread during those darker ages. So it was decided by those that are Fae, that are not human, to live in seclusion. Making ourselves into fairy tales and legends. But vampires are just as alive as any being of flesh.” Eugene then places Mizuki’s hand to his heart. A strong pace there against her fingers as he smiles. “See? No undead creatures of soulless evil here.” ***** When Eugene kissed her hand, Mizuki blushed deeper, pink spreading over the bridge of her nose, and he was quite a charmer. No wonder he was the leader. She watched him get settled and didn’t pull her hand away, she just listened, nodding to show she understood. “It was like that in the sea too, before we started being hunted,” she said, “Sailors would kill us on sight, thinking we meant them harm like the stories said. But not all of us were sirens, just a few bitter ones and… We had to head into the deep, or the thickest jungles, where the humans couldn’t follow. Now, no one believes in us.” She spread her fingers over his heart, feeling it beat under her palm and he was warm, so warm. Part of her just wanted to cuddle up against him, as there was a chill in the air. ***** Both men listen to give nods of agreement. Eugene actually climbing into the water to smile and hug Mizuki closer. Sensing that she might need the contact as Claude speaks again. “It is better for the humans to not have faith that we exist, really. They are very short sighted and cannot humble themselves to accept anything that might be above them. Unless such is considered divine and immortal. Which we are not. Even if many of us are full of pride and power. Those ones tend to flaunt their superiority. And then spell trouble for us who wish to remain as myth.” Eugene gives a long sigh as he laces his old brown jacket over Mizuki’s shoulders. Removing his red tie soon after to toss it onto the porch. “Dracula has always been a being that enjoys the attention. Or the fear his legends tend to invoke. It doesn’t help he has demon in his heritage. Hence why he is so overly powerful. I wish he had not met that drunkard Bram. They polished that story too well. It was a blight upon keeping ourselves hidden. And was so dramatized it made me inwardly groan.” Claude then gives a deep laugh to comment, “Adelha still can’t read that novel all the way through. She says the writing style is so boring and poorly executed she falls asleep.” Eugene laughs with much warmth to rub his hands over Mizuki’s shoulders. Acting much like a father tending to a daughter. “You need not fear being hunted here, little one. We own the lands here and the waters along the coast. Such reaches out for a hundred miles. So though this might be considered a caged shelter, it is a vast cage to be sure. And you may leave it whenever you want. you need only ask.” ***** She’s not quite sure what to do when Eugene climbs into the water with her, possibly to apologize for him getting wet, although it had been his choice to do so. Then he’s hugging her and he’s so warm, she curls up a bit against him like a child, holding his coat around her when he places it on her shoulders. “Thank you,” she says with a smile, “I think I will stay here for a while. You all seem so nice and I sort of need to build my strength back up. The food they had at the aquarium wasn’t very good or healthy for merfolk.” She listened to what Eugene said about Dracula and her mouth did sort of fall open at that. “You mean he’s real?! As in, really, really real?” ***** Both Claude and Eugene give a nod of their heads. Both frowning for Eugene to hug Mizuki a little closer. While Claude speaks with a deep rumble. “Indeed he is. And tends to visit us on many occasions over the decades. He took a shine to this area of America years ago. And he is a very elegant kind of monster.” Eugene cannot help but agree as he scowls. "Vlad Tepes. A man forged in hate and war and death and slaughter. He is what he was made into. A warrior that is fierce and wholly unforgiving. His life and death was a hard and burning testament to human cruelty. But he was world renown for his combat and power even among the Fae. And so the human man was made into a vampire by one of another clan. It took a lot to pull off. And the result was that the half human and half demon of war was made into a powerful entity of shadow and crimson. But he is not one to forget his manners to others. He can be as charming as a true nobleman of his former stature. And is such to others that are Fae.” Claude then smirks a bit to note, “He was very cordial to Verne and to Adelha. And the dragon was very terrified of him at first. But over the years he has won her favor. And tends to converse with her via letters. So he can be reasoned with. Unlike others of the Fae that are very prone to violence and power.” ***** Mizuki was kind of glad Eugene held her a bit closer, as Dracula sounded just as terrifying as he had been in the stories. Plus she was sure he only liked Verne and Adelha because he wanted to make them his queens, unfaithful bloodsucker. She frowned and burying her face into Eugene’s shoulder. Dracula was probably only kind to other vampires and would eat her up like sashimi faster then she could blink. She shuttered. “I-I’d rather not meet him if it was all the same,” she said. ***** Eugene nods to hold Mizuki close. His one hand nestling her head as he agrees silently. Claude noting, “Then we will have him stay inside the manor if he decides to visit. He may be powerful, but when he is here he must adhere to the laws and conditions of our clan. Though he may have us bring you a few gifts should he realize you are so shy.” Eugene sighs to say, “He tends to enjoy stepping through loop holes. But to my knowledge he would send a rose with a black ribbon. He did that to win Adelha’s favor over the years. Though she loves gladiolas.” It is then Verne steps onto the porch with a tray in hand. Her words full of good cheer as she walks over to the pond. “Food is ready! We have sushi made fresh by Yuji and some soup along with steamed veggies!” Claude chuckles to scoot himself over to allow Verne room. Verne literally sitting herself down to swing her bare feet in the water. “And our esteemed leader is being a snugglebat again. I do so enjoy how you act all refined until a shy child is around. Then you go marshmallow goo.” Eugene chuckles to lead Mizuki over while still held close. Turning to face the others with a smirk. “I remember what it was like to be uprooted, Verne. And we have a beautiful child of oceans before us. I cannot help myself when the child before me is so lovely yet uncertain. So I will gladly be a snugglebat.” Claude gives another rumbled chuckle to reach up and rub Verne’s head. Making her wrinkle her nose at him. ***** To Mizuki, all the rose would mean was that Vlad was being selfish and inconsiderate, so she frowned, her expression very much like her older brothers. The food looked good however and she was glad when Verne brought it over, taking a piece of sushi quickly. She was a little too hungry to be polite right now as the aquarium staff had decided that keeping her hungry was the best way to make her do stupid tricks. She took another sushi and ate that quickly too, both angry and depressed at the thought. “Thank you,” she said after she swallowed. “You are all very kind. I am not a child though, Eugene sir. I’m almost 300.” ***** All three vampires go wide eyed for Eugene to burst out laughing. Verne sitting there with her mouth hanging open as Claude gives a rumbled laugh in turn. Verne exclaiming, “WHAT?! YOU MEAN YOU- I THOUGHT THAT- CRIPES!” Claude then ruffles Verne’s hair more to look very amused. Eugene sliding the tray closer to Mizuki to give warm words. “We apologize then for our slight, little lady. But you are still younger than Claude and myself. But this means a change in our hierarchy so to speak.” Claude nods to look back to the manor with thought. “Adelha will not mind having Mizuki as third in our clan. She does not care about titles too much. But this means you have more authority than she does, Mizuki. As such you will have more control over our decisions than she will.” Verne looks very mad to cross her arms and give a growl of a noise. “If the pearl even wants to be IN our clan to begin with. Which she might not want to decide on yet. Seriously. What is with you older Fae and looking like you’re fresh out of high school?” Eugene chuckles to tell Mizuki, “Even so, should you wish to be one of our clan we would welcome you. And such means you are more than just a simple guest here. But first eat your fill, little lady. I am sure you are famished.” ***** When Claude and Eugene started laughing and Verne started yelling, Mizuki just looked at them, confused. She hadn’t realized Adelha and Verne were younger then her and she felt a little sheepish. “The..the ocean isn’t like the land,” she said, “There are more people on land more social experiences. I’m long lived but I’m not as dignified as Adelha or Verne.I thank you for your offer, but I don’t quite see how it would work. I am only a mermaid, I am not part vampire.” ***** Eugene clarifies with a smile. “You are one of us in that you are of the supernatural. Or as we deem to call ourselves, Fae. Any that is not fully human can be a part of our clan on a ruling basis. Though I am leader, I do not make decisions on my own judgement. I rely on everyone’s input to make a choice in any matter. Claude does so as well and is my second in command. Should I be unable to lead, he does so in my place. And if both of us are gone or unable to lead, Adelha takes the reigns. But we all hold council for big decisions so everyone is included. And should you wish it, you may join our clan on a permanent basis, little lady.” Claude nods as Verne smiles. Her voice full of warmth. “We are not just a nest of bats, Mizuki. We welcome anyone that wants to be here. We even had a werewolf here a few years back. He is the one that taught me how to make fudge. But he left a few months ago to marry another shifter in a clan down in Kansas. So he is now a part of their clan.” ***** “It sounds nice,” Mizuki replied, thinking it over, “Well balanced and you all seem very happy. I think I might…want to be part of your clan, although I should probably wait for my brother to get here. He might not be happy to hear I joined a clan he didn’t know about.” She smiled sheepishly before eating another piece of sushi, boy was she hungry. ***** Both Claude and Eugene look surprised for Verne to whip out a cellular phone. The green haired lady waving it to address the men. “She just told us to get into contact with him when we were in the truck. And apparently, he’s the bluejay that Adelha has claimed.” Claude goes wide eyed while Eugene looks stunned. The two soon chuckling as Claude shakes his head. His words deep and rumbled. “If the world is not vast yet small at the same time. What are the odds that our Dragon would claim a soul that has ties to another we bring into our nest?” Eugene grins to pat Mizuki on the head as he answers. His voice full of amusement. “Incalculable. But I have never believed in chance or coincidence. We were meant to save this little lady just as Adelha was meant to lay claim to this other.” Eugene looks to Mizuki to comment, “She went from a bold and wandering traveler to a very infatuated teenager the moment she met your brother, Mizuki. And he gave her a diamond necklace that she wears every day when she is here at the manor. This brother you have makes her very happy. Something that we have enjoyed with her as the younger of us have teased her constantly over.” Verne grins to add in, “Oh yes we have. Was fun to watch her squeak like a church mouse every time the subject gets brought up. But if you know his digits, we can call this Jigen guy right now if you like.” ***** Mizuki listened to them intently and it was nice that her brother had finally found someone he could love and trust, especially a woman as nice and strong as Adelha. Having a sister in law and maybe even a niece or nephew would be so nice to, she could almost see it. She smiled until Verne asked for Daisuke’s phone number and Mizuki had to blush. “He’s uh…he’s a merman, he doesn’t have a cell phone,” she said sheepishly, “Unless he’s walking around on land, but then I still don’t know the number.” ***** Eugene takes the tray of food to hold it in front of Mizuki so he might feed it to her in entirety. Claude frowning to think on how best to contact Mizuki’s brother as Verne grumbles a bit. Then Claude leans in to murmur something in Verne’s ear that has her up and sprinting into the manor. Her shouts very loud as more people can be heard answering her inquiries. Claude looks back to Mizuki to say, “It would stand to reason he is on land. Since Adelha does not tend to swim in the open waters. She has had to play at being human for quite a few years in the fact that the Irish mob has it’s eyes on her.” Eugene scowls as he hands Mizuki more of the sushi. His words hinted at ire as he continues the narration. “She landed smack dab in the middle of a bar fight. Four humans were killed as a result. And since the mob saw how good she is in a fight, they decided to turn a profit on her. So they make her fight in underground clubs. And as such she has no choice but to comply. Unless her Fae heritage is discovered or her life is under threat, we as a clan can do nothing. It infuriates me to no end. But that is how things are.” Claude nods in agreement to give a long sigh. “But we will ensure we find your brother. Adelha will know how to find him well enough.” ***** “That sounds horrible,” Mizuki said, her brows pulling down and a frown forming on her face as if she preparing to go give the mob a piece of her mind, “She shouldn’t have to do that. They’re only humans.” She turned to the tray, the frown still on her face but busied herself with eating to distract herself. She hated it when someone was treated unfairly. “He was always a rebel,” Mizuki replied after she swallowed, “I won’t doubt he’s walking around like some land walker.” ***** Claude nods as more shouting inside the house can be heard. With Eugene looking very sullen. His head lowered as Claude watches his comrade to give rumbled words. “At the time the bar fight took place, there were more in this clan that were old and hard as flint. And it was set up as a democracy. The other elders ruled that since Adelha took from the mob when she killed those four souls, there was a debt that she owed them. Eugene and I had little to change this since all the rest voted against us. Even though those elders are departed from this world, the ruling still holds sway.” Eugene gives a hard growl of a noise to practically spit out his words. “Accursed conjurers sealed the ruling with magics! So even though the old fools are dead, she is still paying their price!” Claude doesn’t look very happy about such either. Yet he seems calmer about the situation than Eugene. Looking to Mizuki with a smile. “We have time to rectify that. For now we shall see about bringing this Jigen to the manor. And it will be good to have this promising soul here to pair with our queen of the seas.” It is then the back door opens for Verne to hold up a land line cordless phone. The lady tossing it to Claude for him to catch. A piece of paper with a phone number there on the bottom. So Claude nods to Verne before dialing the number. Setting the phone on speaker to then hold it out for Mizuki to talk. Though he keeps hold of the phone so it doesn’t get wet. ***** Mizuki sort of flinched at the shouting, wondering what was wrong, and she was saddened by the fact that Adelha couldn’t be free. Maybe she could do something to help her? Hmm… “Maybe I could…” she began, lapsing into thought for a moment until the phone was brought. She could hear it ringing and suddenly her brother picked up. So he was wandering around on land. “Daisuke, it’s me,” she replied, “Mizuki.” They talked for a few moments, Jigen’s voice rising into an angry tone when he learned that Mizuki had been captured, but the young mermaid was able to calm him enough that he promised not to do anything rash. Besides, she was safe, that was what matter. Eventually they hung up. “He’s coming over,” she said, “He’ll probably have a lot of questions.” ***** Eugene nods as Verne puts the phone down a good ways away from the water. Claude getting up to then hurry inside. Verne chuckling a bit. “We figured as much. That was why there was shouting in the house. The others are getting food ready for our guest. And drilling Addy with questions. Which she told them all to shush.” Eugene chuckles a bit to lace a hand in Mizuki’s hair. Looking much happier than before. “So we will roll out the red carpet as it were for your brother, little lady. And we will make sure he feels welcome. Now then. Are you still hungry, Mizuki? It must have been a long time since you have had any proper food.” Meanwhile, Yuji is getting the lights to the front of the house turned on as the others hustle about the manor. With Adelha standing out by the front gate to welcome Jigen to her clan home. Her eyes looking to the stars as she fidgets in a nervous gesture. Since this was like having your betrothed meet the parents instead of just a simple rescue mission. ***** She didn’t mind Eugene’s hand in her hair, in fact it felt comforting, and she kind of wondered if this was what having a dad felt like. Daisuke had taken care of her since she was a little fry and she never knew her father. he had apparently skipped out as soon as she was born due to her ..tail fin problem. She sighed. “It should be alright,” she said, “My brother has bedded down more or less anywhere, so you all don’t really need to go through all the trouble. I am fine for now though, thank you Eugene. I’d rather not eat to much in case my stomach doesn’t like it. I’m... Out of practice.” She smiled weakly and shrugged, kind of leaning against Eugene again to soak up the warmth and comfort he was giving. “Thank you.” Meanwhile, Jigen pulled up towards the house, looking at the address he had written on a small pad. He looked at the manor, then back at the paper, surprised by the size of the place. When Adelha had talked about her clan he hadn’t been expecting a mansion. Maybe like a small village. The sight of it made him want to slink into stealth mode, considering he was always sneaking into places like this. With a curious frown and trying to beat back his first reaction, he drove up to the gate where Adelha was standing. ***** Eugene nods in understanding to simply hug Mizuki close. Verne smiling as she chuckles a bit. “Eugene the cuddlebat. And he enjoys the title. Such a great leader we got. It’s why I stuck around really. I got sick of not really having a home pad. And Eugene and Claude are the best at making us feel like a family instead of a traditional vampire nest. Plus, Eugene loves having so many ‘children’ around.” Eugene nods to place a kiss to Mizuki’s forehead. Looking very content. “I have always wanted a big family. And now I have so many children I am beside myself. Truly, such is the greatest form of bliss to this old one. It gives my heart purpose to tending to such wonderful souls.” Adelha sees Jigen as he’s pulling up to reach one hand up and wave vigorously. Her smile more settled as she motions for him to stop in front of the gate. Soon enough she’s standing by his window to rap on the glass. Looking very happy to see him as she purrs a bit. She did so love seeing her king. So her nervous jitters were mostly gone as she leaned down to smile at Jigen. “Greetings, Daisuke. I welcome you to the home of Clan Currier. We are glad to have you and your sister here with us. All of the clan are here tonight to make you feel at home. I hope you didn’t have any trouble finding the place.” The clan had decided on this particular area because of it’s more secluded location. The homes all good sized beach houses or older style manors that dotted the coast. The whole point was for the more wealthy to be tucked away in their own little corners of luxury. So it stood to reason Jigen might have had to hunt for the right road. But Adelha was very glad to see him. Which showed in that her normally blue eyes were silver in hue. Those eyes looking to him with much warmth and joy. ***** Mizuki listened to all this and smiled lightly. Her own father had vanished after she was born and Jigen tired his best, although he had still been a child himself. She loved her brother, and was grateful to him, she just wished… that her father had stuck around too, so Daisuke could of had his childhood. To late now, she supposed. “To bad you couldn’t have been our dad, Mr. Eugene,” she said softly, “It would have been nice…” As Jigen parked his car and got out, he immediately gave Adelha a firm hug, almost desperately. He was frightened for his sister, having no idea that she had been captured and he felt awful about it. She was safe now, or at least he hoped. “Adelha, please, my sister,” he said urgently, needing his love to lead the way. ***** Eugene gives a nod for Verne to swish her feet in the water where she sits on the side of the new home for Mizuki. her words full of factual confidence. “You have Eugene here and Claude and all the others in this clan to call family now, Mizuki. All of us here were orphans or ran out of our original homes. I left my bum of a dad when I was fifteen. Just hot wired his motorcycle and drove off with all his saving before the cops showed up twenty minutes later. I made my way to New York and got a job under the table at a biker gang bar. Fixing motorbikes in their chop shop next door. By the time I hit twenty, I was the bouncer at the bar and going nowhere. Then Claude happened. He brought me to the clan and the rest is long history.” Verne looks over to Claude for him to simply cross his arms and say nothing. Eugene chuckling to note to those present, “Claude is not one to usually bring strays home with him. At least back then. But over the years we have found those who were unwanted to forge for them a place to belong. Family in the truest sense is where you are loved and cherished. And that is what we offer to you and your brother, Mizuki. A family in this clan and a home to seek shelter in.” Adelha meanwhile hugs Jigen close to purr in his ear. Those blue eyes now more silver as she chuckles a bit. Then she takes his hand to walk him through the yard on the side of the house and right to the fountain pool that is Mizuki’s new grotto. Adelha calling out to the others, “Eugene. Claude. I have my claim with me. He is anxious to see his sister.” This gets Eugene to smile and place a kiss to Mizuki’s head. Then Eugene moves away to simply lounge in the pool, clothes and all, as if it is a luxurious hot tub. Verne calling out to Adelha, “We’re over here, Margaret. Though Eugene decided to jump into the pool.” Claude rumbling out a deep chuckle to note, “I cannot blame him really. It is rare for any of us elders to let ourselves relax when hosting new clan members. Usually in is a formal black tie gathering.” Adelha leads Jigen right over to the back porch and the pool. Escorting him like she would a prince to say to her family. “May I introduce Daisuke Jigen, my first claim and my future. Daisuke, the young woman is called Verne. The broad one with the mohawk is Claude Gaugain. And the white haired man in the pool with your sister is Eugene Currier. Leader of the Currier clan and cousin to my father, Elias.” Eugene gives a casual wave to state, “We welcome you to our fold, as it were. Feel free to jump in and skip all the formalities.”

Story I

A huge thank you to Alexandros, who gave me a link to his char. This helped me developing Carice further.

We go back in time, back to when Carice was just a child enjoying a life without troubles. It's a summer evening, two butterflies make their last dance around the deep red flowers before making their way home. It is an important evening, even the nine year old Carice knew. It was Midsummer Eve, a time of magic, a time to celebrate. The house looked like a fairytale, the large marble white pillars in the garden, were decorated with crowns of yellow flowers. The rectangular pond that divided the terrace and the garden was filled with lilies and floating candles. And the evening sun was making sure the yellow bricked house was glowing as if it was made from gold. Carice was in her favorite tree, looking at the staff making the last preparations as if she was merely a member of an audience. Although she loved the scent of the flowers and candles, and to see her mother even more dressed up then normally, she never liked the posh behaviour of the noble people that were invited. Even her father seemed different around them, and when the first guests arrived she saw the change again. Her father normally so quick on his feet and really just as much as a rascal like her, transformed into a Lord, walking as if he had swallowed a broom. From this distance it was safe, safe from expectations, and out of view for everyone. As the next Lord and his followers arrived, Carice stands up, firmly clamping her bare feet around a branch. Placing one arm on her back, while she waved with the other and takes a bow "Ohh Lord Valero, how excellent to have you join us in our humble abode and what does your wife look beautiful this fine evening". She snickers as she sits down. But then approaching footsteps revealed that her private theater show was over, she looked down and beneath the tree was her father, wearing his most expensive attire. "Carice, it's time to get dressed and join us.." the man said in the same exotic accent as she had. Carice looked at her white cotton dress, sure it had some stains, and it did not hide her bruised knees, but it was her favorite dress. It gave her ability to move, climb trees and fight. As she slides down the tree and grabs her fathers hand, the maid already lifts her up, bringing her to the dressing room. As Carice looks over the maids shoulder at her father, he would be able to see how she pulled on the hair of the young maid, she was nine, far from a toddler that needed to be carried. After a scrub with sea salt and perfumed water, she started to look less like a wildling. And after the au pair braided her dark hair, lifted her in a long light yellow silk dress, placed her feet in pearly white shoes and finished the look with a red flower behind her left ear, Carice looked like a young lady but felt like a piece of decoration. "Your father is waiting young Lady Carice" the woman hums and before Carice could find a way to escape, she was already guided to the main plaza, the terrace next to the pound where the festivities would take place. As she looks around at the pretty ladies in dresses made from the finest fabric, she suddenly feels a hand on her shoulder. It was her mothers hand, she could tell without looking, as only her mothers bracelet made that specific sound. Her father joined them, and for a moment they looked exactly as her mother dreamed, like a perfect family, one that gets immortalized on a canvas, and is used as a centerpiece above a fireplace, stuck in a golden covered baroque style frame. Then House Turail arrived, they were easy to recognize by their distinguish colors and armed cortege, one would say they were traveling to a battlefield, but little of that was true. Carice's house knew them for many years, going back to Lords who passed away before Carice was born. Having House Turail visiting your house was the crown on a party, and her fathers sudden submissive behavior towards the Lord showed that, just a little too much for Carice her taste. As the broomstick behavior started again while the Lords met, Carice feels a push in her back, by her mother, towards the young soon to be Lord Alexandros. Even as the girl tries to place her heels in the floor she can't prevent moving closer to him. He was just a year older then her, with golden colored hair and eyes as blue as the ocean, but he was also everything Carice abhorred. Parents always have this urge, to let kids play with each other, to place them together as if they were some kind of less human creatures that only were able to have a conversation with each other. And maybe that was true, maybe most kids were like that, that they longed for company their own age, but not in this case. Carice was not a typical girl, she did not like to brag about possessions, and especially disliked to show others how she had more then them. And this boy was the opposite, he liked his place in society, and every time they had met it was clear that they were different. She was a free spirit, while he was a small copy of a posh Lord. As the musicians start playing, everyone made their way to the middle of the plaza, and soon a large dance started. Females holding a large white ribbon standing in a line, while the men all choose a Lady to their liking and made a line on the other side. Carice did not know what it exactly meant, it had something to do with an old tradition, but due her age she never had joined. It was the perfect moment to walk away from the gathering, to find a silent spot but while she could escape from everyone's supervision, Alexandros saw her, and as Carice sat down in the grass she heard his voice behind her "A lady should not act like a peasant, you are a disgrace to your house" with those words he turned around and walked away. Carice rolled her eyes and grabbed a pebble and with a firm grip she threw it towards him, but missed. Immediately being relieved as it would have been drama if she had hit him. She met Alexandros before, as both their fathers were on good terms, one would even say they were friends. Every now and then she would meet the boy and although she seemed to dislike him, somewhere she respected him. She respected the way how he could live to the future Lord standards, where she failed in. Maybe he felt the same, would he like to have the wild side she had, but that thought alone made Carice chuckle. As the party slowly came to an end it was time for one last tradition, the burning of bones (where the name bonfire comes from). Everyone gathered on the field behind the house and as the servants set fire to the remains of the hunting trophies it was time for her to go to bed. She gave one more glare towards Alexandros, seeing how he was telling stories and everyone seemed to be interested. "Show off" she mumbles. Little could she know that years later they would meet again, under circumstances she could not imagine. Following the route of starving candles towards the home she closed the door, leaving the guests and her family behind her.