Here?( of course he sounds incredulous. where could one possibly live here? the seaside town hadn't even thought to start building houses down here because the grounds were so rocky.
he loses focus briefly at the sight of that tail and iseul can finally gasp on land, covering his mouth as he leans all the way back, plopping onto his rear in the sand. it is stunning. his bewildered expression says more than he can think to say at this moment. )
I am human. What are you ...? ( at least he asked the question first so it doesn't sound quite as rude as it does in iseul's head. )
[ namu repeats the word to himself a few times, rolling it over on his tongue to get a taste for it. human. a funny word. he likes it.
he giggles brightly, flipping over backwards back into the water. his tail breached fully and follows the motion, looking like an extravagantly fancy dolphin. he pops back up again, still smiling, and rests his hands on the ledge once more. ]
( his lips part in wonder, watching as he disappears and reappears, seeming to show off his entire self even if, as he said, he probably shouldn't. not that iseul would tell anyone... it isn't as if anyone would believe such a story anyway. )
A mer...? ( he automatically wants to add "-maid" but there isn't much "maiden" about it. him. even so, the entire sight is something to behold. he looks at back at him reverently. )
Up here, we're usually told creatures like you do not exist.
That's what we want you all to think, so it looks like we're doing our job!
[ namu pauses at that, his lips pressing together a little. ]
Except me, I guess. I should really be erasing your memory right now!
[ he hums quietly and eventually presses his palms flat against the ledge and pushes up, lifting himself upward so that he can sit on the sand, still mostly submerged. his tail coils with him, half on the sandy bank and half drifting lazily in the water with him. the scales continue following the major lines of his body, iridescent in their coloring and shifting from blue to green. ]
But I don't want to. You feel...
[ he closes his eyes and cants his head to the side, a small smile on his face ]
( the very thought makes him chuckle behind his hand. he doesn't mean to mock him but there aren't many people who would call him "pure." "unusual," maybe. but then again, he seems to be the first person to tell this mer what humans actually are. )
That's what's stopping you? You've only just met me! It isn't too late for you to do what is right. I would be sad for a moment but, well, that is that. ( he's sincere as always, shaking his head as he speaks. ) You shouldn't get in trouble because I was intruding on your home.
I haven't always thought it's what's right, really. Just that it's what's always been done.
[ he tips his head back and gazes skyward for a moment, eyes clear as he watches a seagull sail overhead. interesting things, birds. he wonders what it's like. ]
Namu. What a lovely name, ( he murmurs dreamily, unable to take his eyes off his face, only occasionally flicking up to watch the movement of his tail. while he does love his shipwreck history, he isn't quite as familiar with sea life and momentarily tries to figure out what the beautiful fins remind him of... )
Iseul.
( he extends a hand to shake his, not quite knowing the customs amongst the mer people but wanting to be polite anyway. saving face or something after so rudely intruding on his personal space. )
[ he lowers his gaze, eyes alight with a smile, though the glint in them turns confused as he gazes at the extended hand.
namu reaches out, the webbing between his fingers almost thin enough to not be noticeable at first, and he lightly takes a hold of iseul's hand with both of his own staring intently at the palm for a moment. waiting.
it doesn't do anything, but namu doesn't let go. he just looks up with a confused, questioning gaze. ]
( his hand is smooth compared to the webbed hand but he likes how it feels, how strange it is. while bowing his head, he slowly shakes it before gently releasing it and even resting it back on the sand. )
It is how many of us greet each other here. A handshake. ( he smiles and wiggles his fingers before pulling both his hands back into his lap, adjusting his legs so they're folded close to him. )
[ namu watches their hands shake (the name makes sense) before he withdraws his own back to him. he finally holds one palm up lets out a noise--a trill, really, is about the closest word to describe it--before he lowers his hand again. ]
We just-- we do that.
[ his gaze goes back to the water at the question and he shakes his head. ]
No. Well-- yes, actually, a box, but it's locked, and then you showed up and I dropped it. Oh! I could go back down and get it!
Oh. Goodness. ( he claps appreciatively, happy for the demonstration. ) You truly learn something new everyday. In my case, a new species.
I am truly sorry that I startled you – perhaps you should get it. You might find something valuable or magical. ( iseul leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, chin in both his hands.)
I'll go get it. Stay here! We can open it together!
[ namu turns back toward the water and shoves himself off of the bank, disappearing beneath the waves lapping along the shore with nothing more but one last flick of his tail.
it doesn't take him long to locate the box again and he clasps it tightly between his hands, smiling to himself as he takes a moment to simply bask in the absolute giddiness settling inside of him. this is fun. this is even more fun than his usual exploring is! iseul is so nice and... and pretty, and he has such a lovely aura that namu could find himself simply lounging around with it all day.
he breathes in deep before pushing himself back up toward the surface again, his arms breaking through with the box (small chest, really) first before the rest of him follows. ]
Tada!
[ he nudges the chest as close to dry land as possible before hauling himself back up into the spot he was sitting on before, triumphant. ]
I promise I shall wait here for you. ( iseul even crosses his heart while namu is still above water.
when he disappears, he takes a moment to lean back, pressing his palms against the sand and letting out a great exhale. there are a great many things he can take in stride, but to have met a mer ... he doesn't suppose they will stay in touch for very long, but this certainly isn't something he would like to forget. especially if he ends up waking up tomorrow only to find out that this has just been a wonderful dream. )
My, my, ( he croons when the chest is above water as well. ) It looks about two centuries old at the very least!
[ namu makes a little 'o' face at that, his eyes gazing at the chest with wonderment. ]
Ooh... that's almost as old as my dad!
[ just gonna casually drop that little bit of information out there. it's normal.
he drums his fingers lightly against the lid, head tipping to the side as he tries to figure out the best way to crack it open without actually cracking it open. he hopes the lock will break easily. ]
What do you think's inside? I bet there's a necklace.
( iseul doesn't finish his question, shaking his head with a short chuckle to himself.
the treasure chest is clearly the most important thing today. he switches his position again, laying on his stomach so he can get a closer look at what namu has uncovered. what good luck today! and he didn't even have to do much diving at all! )
I say ... gold coins. Perhaps that is to be expected but, ah. That is what so many of us picture when we imagine a chest rescued from a ship.
[ namu closes his eyes and lets out a breath, his hands on either side of the chest. his palms start to glow, just a little, the light almost missable under the sun. there are a few clicks of the locks opening a moment later and he opens his eyes with a bright smile as he swings the lid open. ]
( iseul furrows his brow, wondering how he intends to open this with so much damage done to the lock on the front that makes it difficult to pry open. but all that worry was for nought as he seems to open it without an issue. magic, of course. how could he be so silly to assume there would be another, more difficult solution!
he marvels at him before looking at the trinkets in his webbed hands, nodding appreciatively. )
She is tempestuous most days, isn't she? I suppose I should be grateful for my finds.
[ namu places the necklace and its gem, dulled by algae but he's certain that it's going to be brilliant once he can get it cleaned, back down into the chest before he reaches out and places the coins into iseul's hands. ]
But she's happy today.
[ he looks up at iseul briefly before flicking his gaze away again with a faint smile. ]
All the more reason to be glad of our meeting, I think.
I'm very grateful that you've spared me, ( iseul murmurs, curling his fingers around the cold gold coins in his hands. he isn't certain what he wants to do with them. perhaps frame them or keep them somewhere secret to remind him of the day he met namu. what could be more real than a solid souvenir? )
I was worried for what you would do when you ... well, when you grabbed me back there. ( admittedly, it felt thrilling at the same time, even fos someone who isn't quite an adrenaline junkie. danger and most outdoor activities don't suit him very well. )
[ namu pokes around inside of the chest, his head tipped to the side. there's a few more coins in there, a disintegrating ribbon that looks like it may have once held together some parchment, but nothing more. looks like the best part was the necklace, in his opinion.
his gaze lifts, maybe a little shy? it's a strange sensation on his part, at least. ]
Well... ( iseul would toe the ground if he wasn't laying onhis stomach. ) I need to go home before it gets dark out here, but with the sun so high in the sky, we should have all the time in the world today.
( he peers around the trunk, curious about its insides. a preservation team would have a lot of fun with that, he thinks. but the mer found it first so he probably should get first dibs. )
[ namu remains impassive for a few seconds before he finally bursts, letting out a quiet giggle as he covers his mouth. ]
It's beautiful. Not that up here isn't, either, from the little that I've been able to see, but... There are so many colors, and I love the aquatic life that lives with us.
[ he blinks and lifts his head as something sounds off in the distance, a siren of some sort that grows louder for a moment before fading away again in what sounds like a hurry. his shoulders scrunch up next to his ears and he makes a face. ]
It's also quieter.
[ even when the whales get chatty.
namu shakes himself out from that momentary panic and points at the things sticking out from behind iseul where a fin should be. ]
The noises up here can truly be exciting, though. ( he chuckles good-naturedly, the sound a sharp contrast to his generally gloomy disposition. how can he not be pleased to be in the company of someone who seems awfully sweet and shines as bright as the sun? )
These?
( he looks suddenly behind him at the long, admittedly very pale legs stretched behind him. it's an odd question but iseul supposes that they day cannot g get any odder than this. )
My legs. You were referring to those, correct? ( he bends his knees and crosses his ankles for demonstration. )
[ he puts his hands together and makes his fingers wiggle in a way that looks startlingly very much like a crab. ]
Except yours are much bigger. Human legs!
[ he watches the various joints bend as iseul moves them, mimicking the motions with his arms since those are the only things he has that are comparable. his tail doesn't, y'know... bend, really. ]
That's so cool. And you can move around on land and in the water with them.
It does have its perks, especially when it comes to dancing. ( he gives a little flourish of his hand as if to demonstrate. ) But I certainly can't swim as well as you do.
Unfortunately, most of us cannot survive in the water for very long, unless we're in a vessel of course. ( it almost sounds like he is stating the obvious, but iseul is of the mind that namu might like hearing such explanations. maybe.
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he loses focus briefly at the sight of that tail and iseul can finally gasp on land, covering his mouth as he leans all the way back, plopping onto his rear in the sand. it is stunning. his bewildered expression says more than he can think to say at this moment. )
I am human. What are you ...? ( at least he asked the question first so it doesn't sound quite as rude as it does in iseul's head. )
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[ namu repeats the word to himself a few times, rolling it over on his tongue to get a taste for it. human. a funny word. he likes it.
he giggles brightly, flipping over backwards back into the water. his tail breached fully and follows the motion, looking like an extravagantly fancy dolphin. he pops back up again, still smiling, and rests his hands on the ledge once more. ]
I'm a mer.
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A mer...? ( he automatically wants to add "-maid" but there isn't much "maiden" about it. him. even so, the entire sight is something to behold. he looks at back at him reverently. )
Up here, we're usually told creatures like you do not exist.
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[ namu pauses at that, his lips pressing together a little. ]
Except me, I guess. I should really be erasing your memory right now!
[ he hums quietly and eventually presses his palms flat against the ledge and pushes up, lifting himself upward so that he can sit on the sand, still mostly submerged. his tail coils with him, half on the sandy bank and half drifting lazily in the water with him. the scales continue following the major lines of his body, iridescent in their coloring and shifting from blue to green. ]
But I don't want to. You feel...
[ he closes his eyes and cants his head to the side, a small smile on his face ]
...pure.
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( the very thought makes him chuckle behind his hand. he doesn't mean to mock him but there aren't many people who would call him "pure." "unusual," maybe. but then again, he seems to be the first person to tell this mer what humans actually are. )
That's what's stopping you? You've only just met me! It isn't too late for you to do what is right. I would be sad for a moment but, well, that is that. ( he's sincere as always, shaking his head as he speaks. ) You shouldn't get in trouble because I was intruding on your home.
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[ he's uh. kind of a big deal. ]
I haven't always thought it's what's right, really. Just that it's what's always been done.
[ he tips his head back and gazes skyward for a moment, eyes clear as he watches a seagull sail overhead. interesting things, birds. he wonders what it's like. ]
I'm Namu.
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Iseul.
( he extends a hand to shake his, not quite knowing the customs amongst the mer people but wanting to be polite anyway. saving face or something after so rudely intruding on his personal space. )
A pleasure to meet you.
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[ he lowers his gaze, eyes alight with a smile, though the glint in them turns confused as he gazes at the extended hand.
namu reaches out, the webbing between his fingers almost thin enough to not be noticeable at first, and he lightly takes a hold of iseul's hand with both of his own staring intently at the palm for a moment. waiting.
it doesn't do anything, but namu doesn't let go. he just looks up with a confused, questioning gaze. ]
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It is how many of us greet each other here. A handshake. ( he smiles and wiggles his fingers before pulling both his hands back into his lap, adjusting his legs so they're folded close to him. )
Did you find anything down there?
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[ namu watches their hands shake (the name makes sense) before he withdraws his own back to him. he finally holds one palm up lets out a noise--a trill, really, is about the closest word to describe it--before he lowers his hand again. ]
We just-- we do that.
[ his gaze goes back to the water at the question and he shakes his head. ]
No. Well-- yes, actually, a box, but it's locked, and then you showed up and I dropped it. Oh! I could go back down and get it!
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I am truly sorry that I startled you – perhaps you should get it. You might find something valuable or magical. ( iseul leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, chin in both his hands.)
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[ namu turns back toward the water and shoves himself off of the bank, disappearing beneath the waves lapping along the shore with nothing more but one last flick of his tail.
it doesn't take him long to locate the box again and he clasps it tightly between his hands, smiling to himself as he takes a moment to simply bask in the absolute giddiness settling inside of him. this is fun. this is even more fun than his usual exploring is! iseul is so nice and... and pretty, and he has such a lovely aura that namu could find himself simply lounging around with it all day.
he breathes in deep before pushing himself back up toward the surface again, his arms breaking through with the box (small chest, really) first before the rest of him follows. ]
Tada!
[ he nudges the chest as close to dry land as possible before hauling himself back up into the spot he was sitting on before, triumphant. ]
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when he disappears, he takes a moment to lean back, pressing his palms against the sand and letting out a great exhale. there are a great many things he can take in stride, but to have met a mer ... he doesn't suppose they will stay in touch for very long, but this certainly isn't something he would like to forget. especially if he ends up waking up tomorrow only to find out that this has just been a wonderful dream. )
My, my, ( he croons when the chest is above water as well. ) It looks about two centuries old at the very least!
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Ooh... that's almost as old as my dad!
[ just gonna casually drop that little bit of information out there. it's normal.
he drums his fingers lightly against the lid, head tipping to the side as he tries to figure out the best way to crack it open without actually cracking it open. he hopes the lock will break easily. ]
What do you think's inside? I bet there's a necklace.
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( iseul doesn't finish his question, shaking his head with a short chuckle to himself.
the treasure chest is clearly the most important thing today. he switches his position again, laying on his stomach so he can get a closer look at what namu has uncovered. what good luck today! and he didn't even have to do much diving at all! )
I say ... gold coins. Perhaps that is to be expected but, ah. That is what so many of us picture when we imagine a chest rescued from a ship.
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[ namu closes his eyes and lets out a breath, his hands on either side of the chest. his palms start to glow, just a little, the light almost missable under the sun. there are a few clicks of the locks opening a moment later and he opens his eyes with a bright smile as he swings the lid open. ]
Ooooooh!
[ he holds up both gold coins AND a necklace! ]
The seas favor us today.
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he marvels at him before looking at the trinkets in his webbed hands, nodding appreciatively. )
She is tempestuous most days, isn't she? I suppose I should be grateful for my finds.
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[ namu places the necklace and its gem, dulled by algae but he's certain that it's going to be brilliant once he can get it cleaned, back down into the chest before he reaches out and places the coins into iseul's hands. ]
But she's happy today.
[ he looks up at iseul briefly before flicking his gaze away again with a faint smile. ]
All the more reason to be glad of our meeting, I think.
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I was worried for what you would do when you ... well, when you grabbed me back there. ( admittedly, it felt thrilling at the same time, even fos someone who isn't quite an adrenaline junkie. danger and most outdoor activities don't suit him very well. )
Will you be off now?
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[ namu pokes around inside of the chest, his head tipped to the side. there's a few more coins in there, a disintegrating ribbon that looks like it may have once held together some parchment, but nothing more. looks like the best part was the necklace, in his opinion.
his gaze lifts, maybe a little shy? it's a strange sensation on his part, at least. ]
Unless you've somewhere you need to be.
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( he peers around the trunk, curious about its insides. a preservation team would have a lot of fun with that, he thinks. but the mer found it first so he probably should get first dibs. )
What is it like, living down there?
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[ namu remains impassive for a few seconds before he finally bursts, letting out a quiet giggle as he covers his mouth. ]
It's beautiful. Not that up here isn't, either, from the little that I've been able to see, but... There are so many colors, and I love the aquatic life that lives with us.
[ he blinks and lifts his head as something sounds off in the distance, a siren of some sort that grows louder for a moment before fading away again in what sounds like a hurry. his shoulders scrunch up next to his ears and he makes a face. ]
It's also quieter.
[ even when the whales get chatty.
namu shakes himself out from that momentary panic and points at the things sticking out from behind iseul where a fin should be. ]
What are those called?
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These?
( he looks suddenly behind him at the long, admittedly very pale legs stretched behind him. it's an odd question but iseul supposes that they day cannot g get any odder than this. )
My legs. You were referring to those, correct? ( he bends his knees and crosses his ankles for demonstration. )
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[ he puts his hands together and makes his fingers wiggle in a way that looks startlingly very much like a crab. ]
Except yours are much bigger. Human legs!
[ he watches the various joints bend as iseul moves them, mimicking the motions with his arms since those are the only things he has that are comparable. his tail doesn't, y'know... bend, really. ]
That's so cool. And you can move around on land and in the water with them.
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Unfortunately, most of us cannot survive in the water for very long, unless we're in a vessel of course. ( it almost sounds like he is stating the obvious, but iseul is of the mind that namu might like hearing such explanations. maybe.
but the most important thing is: )
Your tail is lovelier.
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