Forum Thread

So I figure we could fill in other characters as need be, like usual.

Form:

Name:
Gender:
Age:
Human, mer, other:
Appearance:
Powers(if applicable):
History:


My Form:

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Name: Selinia
Gender: Female
Age: 63
Human, mer, other: A rare species of Mer
Appearance:

Powers(if applicable): Very strong, but that can be attributed to her species. Her parents tried to teach her the magical arts but she was never very good most of them. The only thing she ever seemed to excel at was Mugic, the art of weaving magic into songs. This ancient art can be used for great good, with beautiful notes healing hearts and flesh alike. However, it can also bring great evil as well...
History: She doesn't talk much about her past, though many assume she was involved in a traumatic event with humans. She despises the land dwellers above all, swing them as lower than sea scum. Though she is still quite young for her people, she has made a name for herself as a "freedom fighter", killing humans when she can, hoping to one day conquer the surface world. From the first day she met her, Selinia became infatuated with Leona, treating her as her sister and even referring to her as such. When it comes to Mer you would be hard pressed to find one more likable than Selinia, though she does have quite the ego as well


(I have a human character in mind, but as an interesting twist, I'm going to wait to put a form for him C:< All you get for now is an image)

---

Leona groaned, starting to wake up. She had a massive headache from that sting. But it was more then that. Something else was causing her head to hurt as well. Chlorine. Shifting, Leona pushed herself off of something rubbery and smooth. Her big green eyes blinked opened and she looked around her. What the hell was this? Where was her ocean? The sandy floor? The ever present currents? The noise of marine life calling to each other? Turning her head, she noticed a glass wall. Behind it, creatures milled about. Some stared at hers while others walked around, checking on things. A whirling sound in the water hurt her ears, not helping with her headache. Slowly, the facts fit together in her mind, telling her that she was now these humans prisoner. "Oh! No! No! No! NO!" Leona breathed, using her native mer. Angry, she swam over to the glass and pounded her webbed fist. Bad idea. The sound resonated though the water, further fueling her headache. Snarling, she pulled back, baring her teeth at the humans. "Stop staring!" she hissed, "It's not appreciated! Let me go!" Her long, powerful tail churned the water and her menacing spikes twitched at her sides. Suddenly, she heard splashing at the surface. Looking up, she noticed those strange things humans used on their feet when they swam in deep water. What were they called...Flippers! That's it! They wore flippers and metal air tanks on their backs. The thought that they were going to come and interact with her flickered through Leona's mind and she became angry. How dare they keep her in here like this? She was a mer! Not some...some...some lobster to be kept in a cage! Humans and their need to poke and prod things! She bared her teeth at them and hissed. Even humans knew not to mess with something that bared it's teeth and hissed, right?

---

The woman in the tank swirled through the water, thrashing and snarling, pulling excited claps and cheers from the crowd. As if she was some dolphin, or exotic fish. Pathetic. They could not fathom the value of the creature before them. He studied her from beneath his hood. Roughly nine feet, good coloring, gleaming spines along beautiful fins...... Shapely curves. An image of perfection. She deserved better than to be gawked at here. Turning, he moved quickly through the hordes of people. He soon reached the front desk, pushing ahead of a young couple. "I'm going to need to speak with the CEO of this establishment." The woman at the counter glanced up at him, speaking in a low monotone. "I'm sorry sir that won't be possible." He laughed, shaking his head. "I don't think you understand. Let's try this again. I'm GOING to speak with the CEO of this establishment." He pulled back his hood slightly, before passing an envelope across the counter. Glancing again the woman's eyes widened. "I umm... Oh dear. Y-yes sir, right this way sir." She pocketed the envelope before leading him down a series of hallways to a subtle looking wooden door. He entered, shitting it behind him. The woman stood close to the door, trying to hear the conversation inside. After a few minutes she heard the CEO's voice cry "Good lord man, how much?!" Another few minutes and the hooded man exited with a small folder. He smirked at the clerk. "I'd be expecting a nice raise in you future." He disappeared quickly down the hall. The CEO called to her from inside, "Mary! Close off the mermaid section quickly! Tell the keepers to grab the tranqs!"


Blub....blub....

Something was wrong.

Hisssssss...........

"What is it? Tell me the secret..." A few soft hums echoed through the cavern. "Speak little one. Let me understand you whispers..." The water around Selinia shifted slightly, pulling against her body. "No need to be shy little one... I am your friend... You can trust me with your secrets..." A few more hummed bars and the water swirled gently, it's soft currents brushing against her ear. "Why do you still hide things from me child? Why do you call to Leona so frantically? I know you are greater than I, you understand so much more, but if you want help you must tell me what's wrong..." And she was given her answer. The stream of knowledge flowed in a jumbled mess, each piece pressing for her attention. "Apes.... Surface..... Leona..... Don't know..... Where Where WHERE..... Taken...... Lost..... Danger..... Hate..... WAR..... WAR..... WAR.....WAR!"The woman in the tank swirled through the water, thrashing and snarling, pulling excited claps and cheers from the crowd. As if she was some dolphin, or exotic fish. Pathetic. They could not fathom the value of the creature before them. He studied her from beneath his hood. Roughly nine feet, good coloring, gleaming spines along beautiful fins...... Shapely curves. An image of perfection. She deserved better than to be gawked at here. Turning, he moved quickly through the hordes of people. He soon reached the front desk, pushing ahead of a young couple. "I'm going to need to speak with the CEO of this establishment." The woman at the counter glanced up at him, speaking in a low monotone. "I'm sorry sir that won't be possible." He laughed, shaking his head. "I don't think you understand. Let's try this again. I'm GOING to speak with the CEO of this establishment." He pulled back his hood slightly, before passing an envelope across the counter. Glancing again the woman's eyes widened. "I umm... Oh dear. Y-yes sir, right this way sir." She pocketed the envelope before leading him down a series of hallways to a subtle looking wooden door. He entered, shitting it behind him. The woman stood close to the door, trying to hear the conversation inside. After a few minutes she heard the CEO's voice cry "Good lord man, how much?!" Another few minutes and the hooded man exited with a small folder. He smirked at the clerk. "I'd be expecting a nice raise in you future." He disappeared quickly down the hall. The CEO called to her from inside, "Mary! Close off the mermaid section quickly! Tell the keepers to grab the tranqs!"


Blub....blub....

Something was wrong.

Hisssssss...........

"What is it? Tell me the secret..." A few soft hums echoed through the cavern. "Speak little one. Let me understand you whispers..." The water around Selinia shifted slightly, pulling against her body. "No need to be shy little one... I am your friend... You can trust me with your secrets..." A few more hummed bars and the water swirled gently, it's soft currents brushing against her ear. "Why do you still hide things from me child? Why do you call to Leona so frantically? I know you are greater than I, you understand so much more, but if you want help you must tell me what's wrong..." And she was given her answer. The stream of knowledge flowed in a jumbled mess, each piece pressing for her attention. "Apes.... Surface..... Leona..... Don't know..... Where Where WHERE..... Taken...... Lost..... Danger..... Hate..... Hate..... WAR..... WAR..... WAR.....WAR!" The flow stopped as quickly as it had come. The water went calm, as the presence raced out into open water. "Leona... Apes probably means humans..." Selinia clenched her fists. What had happened? Had Leona really been snatched by the surface dwellers? The little one had been know to over react to simple mistakes before, so she would just have to figure this out for herself. But if she really has been taken... Then there would indeed be war.

---

Leona watched as they prepared to get closer to her. She had no problem with letting them know she was not to be messed with. Those long spikes were just as poisonous as any lionfish's spines. If they wanted to play, then fine! Let them come. There was a sound from beyond the glass and Leona turned, watching people be filed out of the room. Something was happening up above but she didn't know what it was. And there was no way she was going up there! Not unless she had to. Two of the three divers got out of the tank. But the third remained. Leona watched him suspiciously, not trusting him as far as she could throw him. And when he dove under with a strange object in his hands? Those spikes were fully extended, a warning and an attempt to make herself look bigger, more of a threat. But he paid very little attention to her. Then he pulled the trigger. Unsure of what he was doing and what it was, Leona tried to dodge. But he was too good a shot. Something sharp pierced her skin and she cried out in pain and surprise. Locating the offending object buried in her back, Leona hissed, trying to reach it, to pull it out. The man was surfacing and things began to blur for Leona. Her head hurt worse then it had and her limbs grew tired. In moments, she felt the blackness she was fighting overcome her. Feeling her body press against the floor of the tank was the last thing she remembered before blacking out.
When she came too, Leona kept her eyes shut. She wasn't sure she wanted to open them. Blessedly, the chlorine was gone and so was the whirring sound that had been the tanks filter.

---

Selinia blasted across the sea floor, throwing up a plume of sand and shellfish in her wake. Her mind flew through all the terrible scenarios conjured up by HER words. Images of sushi nearly caused her to vomit, pressing her to swim even faster. The speed she was going would have made sailfish look like a clownfish! She was rapidly approaching the large cliff face leading up to the Loe, with all its color and sunlight. She much preferred her dark quiet cave deep within the Hye. It was so much more peaceful... Shaking herself, she realized how close she was to the rock wall. She pulled up sharply, barely avoiding a mach speed face plant. She soared up into the warm sunlit waters above, basking in the warm glow of great yellow star. Her mind felt soothed by the light. Perhaps there was nothing wrong at all. SHE was known to make mistakes before... Yes that was probably it. Leona was fine. She would be in her home, engrossed in some new project of hers. She could see her now, whirling about doing whatever it is she did all day. You never could quite tell what it was, but she was always busy with something! Selinia smiled, her eyes closed. So peaceful in the ocean.

What she happened to forget was the fact that she was still moving at a frightening speed towards the surface. Within moments she broke the surface, flying high into the air. She gave a startled cry as she crested, falling swiftly back into the waves below. She drifted in the water for a moment, stunned, before a high grin plastered itself across her face. She burst out laughing, the thrill of the leap rushing through her, sending every nerve tingling. Those dolphins were really on to something with this! That had been amazing! She had to get Leona to try that. Turning quickly, she swam off in the direction of Leona's home.


He gazed out across the lake from the large window. He moved away, back to the large monitors on the wall. Each one was tuned to a different of the massive building. The place was practically a palace, and it had cost a fortune. It had cost even more to sink it. He looked out again at his salt water lake, and the hidden wonder beneath it. To anyone walking by, not that they would considering the 400 miles of dense forest surrounding it, it would appear to be nothing more than an unusually sodium rich body of water. But below those churning waves, 200 meters down, lay an exquisite mansion, complete with garden courtyard. Every last detail was sculpted for one purpose. The comfort and luxurious living of the mermaid...

---

After a while, Leona opened one of her eyes. Seeing nothing, she opened the other eye. A massive, very comfortable bed cradled her long body. But not her bed. This wasn't her room. Chills ran over her as Leona tried to comprehend what that meant. Someone had moved her. Someone with knowledge of mers and what they liked. "...hello?" Leona called, using common mer. "Um...I'm not sure what's happening but...if you can help me, that would be very appreciated." She rose from the bed, swimming out of the room and following the hallway. All the while, she called out for someone, anyone. She flipped through every language she knew, hoping to hear a response. The entire place was absolutely breathtaking. Corals swirled together, creating beautiful mosaic like art. Fish darted in and out, watching Leona curiously. But neither could speak to each other so Leona kept on exploring. Then she spotted something amiss. A strange black object half hidden by coral. Approaching it, Leona ran a finger against it. The texture was smooth and glossy, kind of like glass. What was it? Pressing closer, she brought her face near it, studying it intently. But nothing she knew properly described what it was. A bouncy ball came close but this was most definitely not that. ...Perhaps...one of their fancy knickknacks? Maybe...

---

He leaned back in his chair, gazing at the beautiful creature before him. She had found one of the cameras and was now studying it carefully. He smiled. What was she thinking? She obviously didn't fear man made objects, which was to be expected for her intelligence. Her eyes flicked back and forth, as the sun glinted off her spines. He briefly considered staying quiet, content to simply gaze at her. But no. He should at least let her know what had happened. That is, assuming she knew English. Leaning forward, he snatched up the PA mic and pressed the talk button. "Good evening madam. You need not be afraid. You are safe here. Can you understand me?"

Selinia slowly approached Leona's quiet home. The light from glow rocks shone through the open windows. She flew forward suddenly, straight through the nearest window, hoping to startle her friend. Silence. "Leona?" She called, her heart sinking in dread. "Leona where are you?" No answer. The building was empty. So SHE was right. Leona was missing. Her nails bit into her palms, as rage flooded through her. Stinking apes! They would pay!

---

Leona jumped, having been so focused on the object of her study. Looking around, she didn't see anyone in the water around her. They were using English to boot. Such an odd, harsh language. Nothing like the beautiful range of mer she was used to. But she knew it none the less. Language fascinated her and she'd begged a mer who'd learned the language to teach her. Clearing her throat, Leona called, "Good evening, sir. I do indeed understand you. I speak your language, but only basically. I don't know what a lot of things from the surface world are. Can you understand mer? Where am I? Who are you? Where are you? Why was I in that strange, shallow water with the divers? Did you get me out of there? Why am I here now? Where is here? Is there access to the sea?" She rambled on, her curiosity getting the better of her.

There was a strange noise as Leona's pet lionfish, Leo, swam out to meet Selinia. He pushed his head against her hand, making a strange, almost whining sound as he looked for a treat or his mistress.

---

He immediately felt bad for making the poor woman change languages. Her diction was terrible for one, and she didn't seem at all comfortable with the tone. Pulling the mic close again, he spoke. "I just realized how rude of me it is to have you, my guest, speak anything but your native tongue. Please forgive me." Clearing his throat, he began to speak fluent Mer, though with a distinctly "human" accent. "Now then. I will answer your questions very soon, but I have some business to attend to before we can speak properly. For now, please feel free to explore. Everything is yours to do with as you see fit." And with that, the mic went dead.

Selinia scooped up the lion fish, stroking his spines gently. "Leo I'm so glad to see you! Leona has gone missing, and SHE said that humans took her, but I don't know if I cant tust HER, but if humans did take her than she could be in a zoo or worse, and I'm so worried about her..." Black tears were forming in her eyes, and soon she was sobbing a great cloud of ink. She cried and cried for a long while, letting all her stress and worry wash away in the cleansing flow. When she was finally able to control herself, her body felt new and fresh. She had to be strong. This was the kind of thing she had always trained for. All the fighting and killing... This would truly mean something. A Mer had been taken away by humans, and she would be the one to rescue her. War was on the horizon. And she planned to win it

---

"Wait! Where are you? Can I help?" Leona called, thinking he was mer and in the lake with her. When the stranger with the human accent didn't reply, Leona continued her exploration of the mansion around her. It was so incredible. But she missed Leo and Selinia. The lake was a massive improvement from when she'd woken up earlier but still wasn't the same. She wondered if there was something she could fix up to eat. Now that she thought about it, Leona was starving. Finding a kitchen, she explored the various cabinets, pulling out this and that to put together. Eating fish wasn't bad, but it depended on what fish you ate. She was thankful there was tuna and lots of kelp. This would do. Eating quickly, Leona cleaned up before continuing on her exploration. There were plenty of bedrooms, each as grand as the one she'd woken up in. What she really liked was the massive ballroom. She didn't know the purpose of the room, but she thought the mirrors were lovely. And she'd be lying if she didn't spend a few moments checking herself out in them. Her scales weren't too worse for wear. But that sting from the jellyfish needed to be looked over. She wondered if she could find anything in the this palace to help.

Leo nuzzled her, licking her cheek. He didn't want her to be sad. Frilling up, he tried to make her laugh like he make her and his mistress laugh when they got together. He could understand the feeling behind what she said but not exactly what she said. Leo could tell she was upset and it had to do with his mistress and the people on land. He'd protect his mistress and Mistress's friend! Puffing up more, he looking around for the threat, trying to figure out why Selinia had cried.

---

The lionfish's antics brought a small smile to Selinia's face. "What would I do without you little buddy?" A plan flashed through her head suddenly. It was... Certifiably insane, and had no chance of working ever. PERFECT. She scooped the fish under her arm before taking off towards shore. "Let's go save her Leo." She approached the sandy beach rapidly, noting the presence of humans all along it. No matter. She would think of something surely. She stopped about 100 yards from the beach, releasing Leo. "I'd just like to apologize before I do this. I would have asked permission first, but... well you know." She moved back a few feet. "This might sting a bit. Just... swim up when it's done." And with that, she began to sing. A soft gentle melody echoed through the water, each note appearing as a glowing bubble. They shone a vibrant blue as they swirled around them, but they changed to a deep red as the song took a darker tone. The sound was harsh, angry even, and grated the nerves. Selinia felt her body growing uncomfortably hot, as her skin was bombarded by the mugic. Soon, real pain raced across her bones as they shifted, rearranging to fit her knew body structure. A moment later and the song cut short, her Mer vocal cords shrinking to a near useless range. Her underwater vision had become nearly zero. Her small body began to float upwards, signaling that the transformation was complete. Breaching the surface, she gasped for air, a strange sensation for sure. She bobbed in the cool water, trying to find the shore. As she swirled about, she realized that she had forgotten on VERY important detail.

(Nothing on the mystery man for now. He's busy doing stuff, and... things CX)

---

Leo felt like someone was stretching him. Had taken hold of his fins and spikes and flattened them in some places and was trying to rip them off in other places. He was afraid for Selinia. Why had she started this song? Was she okay? Was she in danger? Gasping, his mouth opened and closed as he fought to breath through his gills. Then it stopped. They just disappeared! Truly frightened, Leo remembered what she'd said. Swim for the surface. So he did, trying to use his fins. But those were gone too. He had what looked like long, ghostly kelp stands in place of them. Flailing them, he made his way up, surfacing next to Selinia and gasping for air. Oh! that was really, really weird! Looking at Selinia, he gasped, trying to flail his arms to get back. It was a human! Why was there a human there?! Where was Selinia?!

On shore, away from the other humans, a tall, blonde haired boy stood. He had been admiring the ocean when he saw her appear. One moment, no one was swimming over there and the next, the woman surfaced. Shortly after, a boy, a little boy, appeared. Where had they come from? He noted a strange humming in the water but...that had been a boat, a gas leaking, ocean destroying boat, right? This...was this woman...she had to be! Not the same girl who'd saved him, but maybe this one would let him explain and beg forgiveness for what he'd done to the oceans before he became aware. Grabbing his driftwood surfboard, he ran out, paddling towards them. As he drew near, Seger called out to the woman. "Miss! Miss, are you alright?" he asked. "You guys look like you could use a hand. (I had an idea for someone new.)

After a long while, Leona returned to the bedroom she'd woken up in and crawled into bed. She'd weaved together a blanket from some kelp and wrapped it around herself. She wasn't cold, but she liked to sleep cocooned. Her bed at home was actually a giant empty clam shell. Inside, pillows and blankets created a nest for her. Here, she would make do with this blanket.

---

A human! He dared, not only to approach her, but speak to her as well? Selinia opened her mouth to snarl at the stupid ape, immediately swallowing a quart of sea water. She gagged, choking on the salty liquid, before being tossed beneath the waves by the newest swell. She tumbled through the water, unable to control her swirling in this form. Bobbing back to the surface, she instinctively clutched at the wooden board. She glanced up at the human above her. She tried to speak, but her throat twisted strangely. All that came out was a harsh, scraping noise that she couldn't understand. Her words, in actuality, were a very broken form of Russian, a language which she ironically could not understand. "vzyat' nas k beregu obez'yanu!" She gagged out. Her free arm wrapped around Leo's pale wriggling body, hoping to keep him from drowning himself. She felt so... Strange in this form. Fragile. Weak. Almost... Diseased! Her beautiful crest, off which she had been so proud, had been reduced to nothing more than a mat of blue tangles. Her body... This pale shrunken form, so weak and lumpen. But she would bare it for Leona. Hopefully this monkey would get the message and pull them to shore soon.


He watched the woman on the monitors silently. So graceful, each twist and motion so elegantly fluid. Truly a masterpiece of nature. She seemed to be resting now. Time to have a closer look at his purchase. Standing, he moved to the door, pausing for a moment before opening it to the crisp mountain air. He walked swiftly to the sandy beach area, staring at the flat water before him. Slipping out of his robe, he dressed himself in a wetsuit and flippers, minus an air tank. Instead, he slipped on a dark purple mask, designed to look like the face of a male Mer. Soon he was in the frigid water, barely making a sound. The icy temperature urged him forward, down deep to the bottom. He made his way through the large mansion, quietly seating himself near the Mer woman. And he waited. For what he did not know. Only that he would wait a lifetime for it.

---

Seger couldn't understand what she was saying, but knew she was in trouble. Leo stopped fighting Selinia and now clung to her, not wanting to make his throat sting by drinking more salt water. He was busy trying to spit out what he'd already drank. Shivering, Leo's eyes were huge as he tried to process what had happened. He felt awkward and too big. Seger slipped off his board and gently but firmly pushed Selinia onto the board, moving her hands so that she could hang onto it better. Then he helped Leo cling to the board as well. "I have no idea if you can understand me...so...please forgive me for butchering your language," he told her before clearing his throat. Then in heavily accented mer, he said, "If you can understand me now, my name is Seger. I know what you are. I just don't know how you have taken on the form you have. I'm going to tow you both back to shore. What I need you to do is to hold on tight and just relax your body. I will help you both of you have trouble. For a human, I am an excellent swimmer. I'll get us to shore in a few minutes. But not towards them. They won't understand and they might hurt you. We'll go towards where I live."

Leona woke sometime later, feeling rested. Something was different. Stretching, she opened her eyes and paused, staring up at the stranger. At first, she had no clue who he was or why he was in her home. But then she remembered she wasn't home. She was in the strange underwater mansion. So then this must be the mer who'd spoken to her earlier! Excited, she sat up and smiled at him. "Hi! I'm Leona. You must be the man I spoke with earlier! So...um...how did I get here? How did you get me out of there?" Slowly, she took in the wetsuit and flippers. Okay...maybe not mer... "May I ask why you need those?" she asked, pointing to his flippers. She knew something was up, just not what. Studying his face, she noticed small imperfections. So...he wasn't mer. Then who and what was he? She'd let him explain first. So far, he hadn't hurt her. So far, he'd been kind. She'd give him the chance to explain things.

---

Selinia lay silently on the board, gripping Leo's small hand as he clutched the wood. Her skin tingled in the warm light of the sun, a pleasurable feeling radiating through her. She stared upward as they moved, watching th clouds pass by. So this was the surface... Her mind wandered along with the clouds, as she drifted in and out of consciousness. The spell had taken nearly all of her energy, leaving her drained. For some reason she felt... Safe. She didn't fear that this would hurt her while she slept. Soon she was fast asleep, soft waves lapping against her bare body

"It's very nice to meet you Leona." He stayed seated, inspecting her from behind his mask. "You were brought by plane after I purchased you from that aquarium. It didn't seem right for someone as beautiful as yourself to be ogled by stupid tourists, incapable of understanding your true intelligence." He still spoke in his accented Mer, though it was warped slightly by the water. "And these," he gestured to the long black flippers. "A crude replica of you species tail. They serve their purpose, but not nearly as well as the real thing." He drifted out of his seat, giving the woman plenty of space. He didn't want to frighten her by moving closer. "Frighten. Who am I kidding? She 's more likely to break me in half than run away!" Gesyuring for her to follow him, he moved down the long hall leading to the bedroom. "I hope you slept well? I tried to make this place as comfortable as possible, but I never was sure about the bed"

---

Leo clung to Selinia's hand and the board, wide eyed. He didn't know what was happening, yet, but Selinia hadn't let him go. He hoped she was Selinia like he thought. Her face was more rounded and she had hair. But she acted the same. He wasn't leaving her side! Seger had moved the rope on his board so that he could keep it horizontal to the way he wanted to swim. He kicked hard, keeping his legs clear of theirs. After fifteen, twenty minutes, he was able to touch the bottom. Reaching for Leo, he tried to hold him in his arms as he walked so he could set the boy on solid ground. Leo wasn't sure. He didn't want to go with this human. He moved, letting go of the board and wrapping his arms around Selinia, waving the too long fin that was his arm at Seger in an attempt to ward him off. Seger stopped, but gently pulled the board closer to shore. He needed something for them to wear. "Stay," he told Leo, hoping Leo would understand. He didn't think they would float too far while he got something for them to wear. Then he'd carry the woman and hope the boy followed. Perhaps a treat would help keep the boy following him. Seger made sure Selinia was mostly laying in the shallow water before heading up to shore. Snatching up his towel and shirt, Seger cast around for something to eat. Seeing his half finished pb and j, he grabbed it before hurrying back. Leo eyed him wearily as Seger neared. Then Seger offered him a bit of sandwich. Leo moved closer and Seger slipped the shirt over the boy's head and let him have the piece of sandwich. Leo was too focused on the tasty treat to really care. But then the shirt was on him and he began to investigate. He didn't like it. It was itchy! Fussing, he made disapproving noises at Seger. "I know. It's weird, isn't it?" Seger asked, pulling Selinia against him. He threw his board up on shore where he could get it later. Then he wrapped the towel around her, averting his eyes to try to give her some privacy. Pulling her into his arms, he began to walk, showing Leo he had more sandwich to get the boy to follow. Leo ignored the shirt to follow the peanut butter. "Come on, buddy," Seger said, walked along the shallows to where he'd built his home in the shallow waters. It floated just at the surface with a little help from support beams. Walking up the stairs, he carried Selinia into the building, more of a hut, really, and laid her down on the hammock. Turning, he looked for Leo. Leo stood in the doorway, not so sure about this. But after some coaxing, Seger got him inside with the rest of the sandwich. . He took the shirt off Leo so Leo wouldn't complain. Once free of the itchy fabric, Leo curled up in the hammock next to Selinia and fell asleep. There, Seger waited.

She followed him slowly, confused on a few things. "Wait, a plane? Those are the loud things in the sky, right? And...you...thank you. My coloring is pretty but they way you say it, I sound exotic and enticing," she told him, unable to think clearly around him. "So...you are not a mer? Are you human?" Leona asked, hurrying after him. "I slept well. I like the bed. But I am weird and like to be covered when I sleep. I have this large clam shell I sleep in at home. Oh...oh no! Leo! He's all alone and no one is there! He needs someone to look after him! And then there is Selinia! She's probably besides herself right now thinking I've been killed or worse. I've got to make sure they are okay! Do you know how to get to the ocean from here? I want to talk and we can chat for a while. But I have to check on them sometime. Perhaps Leo and I can come visit you! Selinia probably won't...if you are human, she doesn't much approve of them. But I think she might like you." She hurried on, running mostly on impulse at the moment.

---

He listened to the Mer woman chatter, studying her movements. Subtle fin motions, nearly undetectable, propelled her sleek form through the water. Her colors shimmered in the dim light, flashing brilliantly across his eyes. She seemed to be finishing her panic rambling, so he stopped. Drifting a few feet closer, he spoke softly and calmly. "Am I human?.......Yes, but I much prefer your people to my own. As for your friends, I'm sure they are fine. Though it may not seem so, when you were taken you were injured quite badly. Your external wounds were minimal, but internally you took a heavy hit. I would like to keep you here, at least for a few days, so that you can recover fully." He moved closer, drifting in a circle around her. "While you are here, please don't hesitate to ask for anything. Think of this as a home away from home, and I your humble servant." He gestured outward in a wide sweep, everything here is your, and I have kept the waters stocked with many familiar sea creatures to help you feel more at home." His next gesture was accompanied by a 180 spin. "I don't know what you above water capabilities are, but there are several wonderful beaches for sunbathing if you'd like." He turned back to face her. "Everything here is designed for your comfort." He was secretly hoping for her approval, against his usually serious and reserved nature.

---

Leona listened to him speak, letting his calm tones sooth her nerves. He was unlike any human she'd encountered and certainly not like the ones who had hurt her friend. What was his story? Why would he creature such an amazing underwater home if he himself couldn't enjoy it? She stilled when he circled him, not wanting to hit him with one of her deadly barbs. When he mentioned sunbathing, she cocked her head to the side. She hadn't done that before. It seemed interesting. Smiling, her teeth not bared in defense but in happiness, Leona reached out, taking his hand gently. "I couldn't think of you as a servant! After all you've done to help me? I'm a guest in your home. Or an acquaintance at least. This place is amazing! I don't think I could want for anything. You're right on the sting. Most damage is internal. I'll stay for a few days, but then I must go to check on them. I will come back. You are so unlike anyone I've met and I must admit, I'm curious! I don't believe all humans are bad. I just think that they are more inclined to not think about how they effect us. Sadly, our kinds have drifted apart and we're too upset about past mistakes and concerned about being hurt like other sea creatures that we just don't feel the need to let you know we're here," she said, sadly. She hadn't meant to go into why their species were so at war. It just kind of came out. Taking a breath, she calmed herself before continuing. "So...how did you learn about mer existence? I don't think I was captive long enough for you to create all of this...splendor! It's much to finely made to have been built in a few days! It's gorgeous! You must have had help from some mer knowledge. If not, wow...you did an amazing job getting things just so," she added, her eyes drifting back to admire the hall. Leona had forgotten she'd took his hand and was still holding it. Her skin was soft and smooth. Her grip was gentle, not revealing the strength she possessed. While she wasn't super humanly strong, she was strong enough that she could fend off attacks from both wild life, humans, and other mer if need be.

---

The man smiled behind his mask. "Not so far apart as you think my dear..." "I've known about Mer since I was a child. My mother used to tell me wondrous stories of Mer men and woman when I was small." He noted that the woman kept hold of his hand, effectively hindering his movements. "Those stories cemented my obsession, causing me to devote my life to learning more about Mer's life and culture." He gently eased his hand away, hoping not to give her the wrong impression. "I've only met a few Mer in my time, and none as exquisite as yourself. The males don't seem to be blessed with the same beauty as the females do they?"

Selinia drifted in a half waking state. Something soft was wrapped around her body. Some kind of cloth. A warm body shifted next to her, nestling against her skin. Heat radiated from the presence, soothing her frazzled nerves. Leo. She could feel his tired mind against her own. He was safe. They were both safe. Her eyes fluttered open. Soft orange light filtered through cracks in the ceiling. Where were they? She inhaled slowly, tasting the salty water. No not water. Air. She was surprised how similar the two felt. She started upright. Air! The spell had worked! Glancing around at her surroundings, she found they wet in a sparkly furnished hut of some kind. A small boy with a shock of orange hair snuggled up next to her, partially covered by the cloth thing. They were both resting in a net of some sort. Fear raced through her, as thoughts of capture flew across her mind. But no. This net wasn't a fishing trap. It was hung up like Afro use as a bed of some kind. "How typical of humans to use their own evil tools for sleeping" She thought disgustedly. Gazing out a nearby window, she saw that it was late in the evening, with the sun slowly sinking beneath the distant waves. Moving slowly, she slipped out of the netting, careful not to wake Leo. The boards squeaked gently under her feet, making her freeze. A soft breeze blew her hair down into her face, masking her vision with blue. Pushing the hair aside, she took in the room as a whole. It wasn't home, but it was sufficient for now. The wind brought chills to her pale skin, giving her strange bumps along her arms. "Such strange bodies these apes have." She took a moment to study her new body. Terrible for aquatic travel, that's for sure. The thin spindly legs seemed so unbalanced, as if they were made for falling over! "What are these even for?" She poked her chest in confusion. Sure she had plates on her Mer chest in a similar shape, but they were strong and tough, meant to protect her vitals. Flotation maybe? She shook her head. They were just a nuisance for the moment.

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