[ namu watches iseul's retreating form until he can no longer see it before he reaches over to gather the chest and its few remaining things (he has plans to clean the pendant and wear it, thank you) so he can dive back into the water. there's an absolute wave of giddiness running through his system as he reaches out to the sea to ask Her what that little nudge at the end there was about.
three days later and namu is practically vibrating out of his skin in anticipation of feeling iseul step into the water again. maybe he told his mother about the encounter, in hushed whispers in the privacy of her chambers. maybe he actually received encouragement (accompanied by a melancholy smile on his mother's part that maybe has namu slightly concerned but not enough to not go back and see iseul).
so he's been hovering near the shipwreck of their initial meeting all morning, waiting for that tug that will let him know that the human has returned. ]
( though iseul is a consummate professional - laurie in little women is a fun role and people seem to enjoy it when he steps outside of his usual parts - he is admittedly a touch distracted during rehearsals, frequently opening his bag to see those two coins namu had gifted him through the sea. they are real and he was real.
at the very least, it helps him step into the shoes of a young man full of affection for a young woman who may or may not return his affections.
it's another breezy morning when he makes his way to the beach from their lodgings for the season, donning deep green plaid shirt unbuttoned with plain black swim shorts. with his flipflops buried in the sand to keep them from flying away, he smiles when he approaches the spot - their spot - and gently toes the water with a bare foot. the gold coin namu had seemingly blessed is in the pocket of his shirt. )
[ namu finds himself laying on the floor of the ocean, staring up at where he can see light bouncing off the surface while he waits. he doesn't know when iseul will show up, but he's absolutely certain that he will at some point. he just has to be patient!
he's absently toying with the pendant around his neck (a lovely emerald set on a silver backing that he's become immediately fond of) when there's a sensation pulling on him, tugging just behind his ribs. he immediately shoves up off the seabed and rockets toward the surface-- though he makes sure to take at least a little bit of caution, just peeking above the surface to scan the shoreline to make sure it's true.
it is.
namu lifts himself from the water until his shoulders are above it and he lifts his hand with a wave. ]
Iseul!
[ he takes off, his tail propelling him forward with haste until he's come up to the sandbar he had sat upon before. ]
( he doesn't notice him until he is called, gasping at the sight of namu peeking up over the waves. he waves back. )
I was able to come earlier. ( and he is very grateful for the change in his schedule, especially when he watches namu approach the sandbar just as eagerly as he had climbed over the rocks to get here. iseul slowly sinks into a seated position, folding his legs and sitting where the water can touch him. with the day being warmer and brighter than the last time they met, he has lathered on quite a bit of sunscreen to protect is ghostly complexion, plucking the sunglasses out of the pocket of his shirt so he can see him without squinting. )
Ehehe. Well, you might be even more amazed by something else.
[ namu pulls himself up onto the sandbar and drags most of his tail with him, much as he did that first day. his body is practically thrumming with energy and thoughts and what-ifs. he twists his fingers together, almost nervously, before he leans forward to drop his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. ]
The Sea let me in on a little secret, you see. And it's gotta stay just between the two of us, okay? Or She'll be upset.
[ he looks around, as though someone is going to pop up suddenly at this more or less abandoned stretch of shore, and he motions for iseul to lean in closer so that he can whisper directly into his ear. ]
You must be very special to Her, ( iseul murmurs, leaning forward as requested. one hand hovers near namu's tail and he is about to casually touch his scales again until he hears this piece of very important and potentially life-changing news.
slowly he lifts his gaze to look at him owlishly again, curiously running his fingers along the side of his tail. well. iseul can imagine him with legs but it's a strange thought. )
[ namu nods, eager and excited, as he turns his gaze to look at his tail stretched out in front of him. ]
She said it's a very special gift, one not often granted even to Her most favorite children. There has to be a reason, you see. Something that would draw the mer who wishes to change to the shore.
[ he turns his head just a little to peer up at iseul from beneath his hair, a tiny little smile on his face. ]
( is this what love at first sight is meant to feel like? iseul has sung about it. he's thought he's felt it in the past, but seeing namu look up at him with that very strong implication, well. well. )
You are very special. Something equally special must be drawing you to the shore, though I hope that means you're able to spend time equally in both worlds.
( he traces a fingertip around the outline of one shimmery scale and exhales, thrilled at the mere notion of actually being able to spend ample time with namu outside of their little meeting spot on the sand. )
[ namu covers his mouth as he giggles, that familiar sensation of his cheeks and ears warming up coming over him again. he learned that it's called blushing when he was doing his research into humans (what little they have gleaned from scholars past, ones who have been allowed onto the surface to study) and that it's an involuntary reaction to... well, a lot of things. but he's sure his is because of the giddiness that swells within him when iseul is near.
a caress soothes up his spine and he tilts his head, listening, before he nods. ]
She says the magic is only temporary, and that the more I use it the stronger it becomes. The more time I'll be able to stay on land at once. Though don't fret; if I change back before I'm near the water, I can simply get into one of those baths you mentioned. She says that enough salt in the water with me should keep me moistened long enough to gain back strength.
[ he claps and leans forward, reaching out to grasp one of iseul's hands in both of his own. ]
( iseul can't believe there's a simple-sounding solution, just like that. perhaps namu had truly had been blessed from the start. or the romantic side of him thinks, perhaps he just needed to find the right motivation. maybe it's silly to think he might incite such a change in him. )
So... if you stayed with me, I'd have to keep a bath of salt water ready for you? ( he lets namu take his hands, a soft if a bit flabbergasted smile on his face. )
I think you're just gorgeous the way you are, but... I admit that I'd like to see what you'd look like with a human form.
I mean it wouldn't have to be ready all the time. Just in case of emergencies! And if I stayed like this you wouldn't be able to take me around and show me all the neat human things that are out there.
[ and namu... can't show iseul anything underwater at all. unless he puts on one of those weird suits he's seen some of the humans wear with their strange mockery of fins attached to their ... whatever it is that's at the ends of their legs.
maybe he should ask him to do that sometime. ]
I'm gonna... I'm gonna try now though, okay? Just to... see. If I can.
[ namu clutches iseul's hand tighter and bites down on his bottom lip as he closes his eyes, turning his focus inward. he can feel Her, can feel how She dances around his still-submerged tail. She's encouraging, at the very least, somehow keen on letting him have this.
it doesn't hurt, at least, but he can feel it happening. the lower half of his body starts to feel lighter, less weighty and certainly shorter. he can feel the grit of the sand on parts of his body he never has before (because they've never existed) and when he finally opens his eyes he can see the glow that's been surrounding him finally start to fade away to reveal--
legs. real legs. very real, very naked legs, but he has no idea that's improper, and frankly right now he wouldn't care. namu gasps and lets go of iseul's hand to place his own on top of his legs, squeezing and caressing and he laughs. ]
( just when he thought he'd seen all the magic he possibly could for his human life, namu brings something new to the table. iseul has a feeling that if they stick around in each other's lives, he'll always be surprised by something else.
it's a wonderful feeling.
( he doesn't even stop to think about why he's sitting here imagining a future with someone he's just met. )
at the sight of magic, his vision starts to go hazy around the edges, brain and body unprepared for this. there had been a tail here a second ago. a beautiful tail! he almost feels badly that his gorgeous tail has to go, but there are two very lovely legs in its place. and a naked man. a very naked man, but they'll get to that in a second. awestruck, iseul takes the deepest breath possible as he had forgotten to do so during the transformation. )
Oh, Namu...! You're just as gorgeous like this!
( with shining eyes, he reaches to squeeze his ankle, not wanting to get too handsy. his eyes follow the line of his body as it had before but - oh. though he isn't embarrassed at the sight of another naked form, he does worry about things like public indecency, so he's scrambling to get his button-down shirt off and onto namu's front at least. hopefully the people coming down the rocky path nearby hadn't seen. ) I'm very sorry to do this...
[ oh, that feels weird! iseul's hand is warm against his skin, even through the water, and his brow furrows as he concentrates on moving his leg so he can wiggle against the touch. the idea is still the same as moving his tail, he thinks, and-- oh! he did it.
except his legs moved together, and if he remembers from watching iseul move the other day, they're supposed to move separately, right?
he's focused on trying to get just one leg to move at a time when there's suddenly fabric being draped across him. namu blinks and looks up, startled, looking back and forth between iseul and the shirt he's pressing against him. ]
Why are--?
[ and then he looks closer and he realizes that yes, ok, iseul has an entire layer covering his body and he's not entirely sure why he didn't notice that difference before. maybe he was too enamored with talking with him. but when he blinks down at himself he realizes he doesn't have any of that on, nothing but the pendant really, and he presses his lips together. ]
It will still be, ah. Very difficult to get you to my place, if you'd like to go. But I'd rather you not get into trouble while we're out and you've put in all this effort to come up here!
So, yes, we do cover up. I'm not entirely certain why it is a requirement, though I admit I enjoy fashion. You'll see soon.
( and iseul looks very apologetic. while he does want to really focus on namu's everything, it doesn't seem appropriate just yet. not when there are so many other tourists milling about! this is his mer-friend here! )
You really are very special and very lovely. ( he smiles and slowly gets to his feet, holding his hands out for namu to take. ) Here, let me help you so you can see the world!
[ his eyes lift toward the rocks that people have climbed on, the paths they've taken, and for the first time, he's struck by a wave of apprehension. what if he can't do it? what if he somehow gets iseul in trouble? what if he gets hurt and can never get back to the water like he needs to?
namu looks back at iseul again and takes in a deep breath before he brings his hands up to clasp both of his, using their combined strength to haul him upward--
and he immediately collapses forward with a yelp, arms flailing until they land around iseul securely to hold himself upright.
( iseul didn't think this through either. the shirt he had draped over namu comes tumbling down with him and he obviously opts to throw his arms around namu to keep him upright instead of looking after his modesty. iseul looks down at him bewilderedly
he's so... small and soft. even if iseul isn't a big guy by any means, he still wants to protect him. )
Hold onto me, around my neck, and I'll help you cover up and walk. We can do it. If not, I shall - well, I shall carry you.
[ namu peers up at iseul from where he's plastered against his chest, his eyes almost comically wide as he gets over the fear of the sudden shift in... well, everything. his equilibrium is certainly all out of wack now with his center of gravity drastically changing and he feels so heavy.
he shifts his arms, lifting them up higher around iseul's neck, and he uses the leverage to pull himself upright until he's-- yes, he's definitely standing now. with support, because his legs are still wobbling a little underneath him, but mostly on his own. mostly. ]
Okay I think... I think if I don't move for a moment, you should be able to do what you need to um... cover me up.
Oh, ah - ( iseul sort of... awkwardly leans back to help support namu before gently prying one arm away from his neck to work the shirt around him letting it bunch up before he stretches it out and swings the fabric to drape over namu's shoulders. )
We're nearly there!
( it's a shame he can't enjoy namu's new form more here. but perhaps when they're inside and safe! it takes a few tries for iseul to disentangle their bodies while the shirt keeps dropping down the naked mer's back. but eventually, he is able to repeat the motion, gently sliding the big sleeve over the opposite arm. )
Here, let me turn you around to button it for you.
[ they never have any reason to cover themselves up underwater, after all; the most namu ever wears is jewelry, after all, so all of this... stuff getting put onto his body is a strange new sensation. all of this is nothing but strange new sensations so it's just the standard for him right now.
namu lets his body be manipulated in whatever direction iseul seems fit to put him in, smiling the entire time as he's dressed. by the time both of the sleeves are on he's flopping the one that's been on him longer with a little giggle. the sleeve falls past his fingertips and it's making him laugh. ]
It's like a little tentacle arm.
[ but ok. ok, let him hold still a moment loner so iseul can... button? him. ]
his lips twist into a fond smile as he tries to concentrate on buttoning him up. he's so... small. and adorable. and he looks quite fetching in his shirt. but he really has to focus here! no public indecency today! )
Well, there is certainly more where that came from, ( iseul promises, patting his arm. ) Take my hands now? I can - ah. I can attempt to show you how to walk. ( he pats his back reassuringly, slowly lifting one hand up for namu to take. )
[ the shirt is thankfully just long enough on namu's smaller frame that it hangs down over any bits that might be considered inappropriate for people to look at. now granted, he's not really going to be able to lift his arms, and he'll have to be careful with some steps when they're climbing up the rocks but, for the most part, he's covered.
namu smiles down at himself, his cheeks heating up for reasons he's unsure of. the shirt feels weird, rubs against him in ways he's never experienced before. it's odd, but he doesn't hate it.
he nods and takes hold of the offered hands before taking in a slow breath and exhaling slowly. ]
Just take it slow. I think I'll be able to get it quick enough!
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[ namu watches iseul's retreating form until he can no longer see it before he reaches over to gather the chest and its few remaining things (he has plans to clean the pendant and wear it, thank you) so he can dive back into the water. there's an absolute wave of giddiness running through his system as he reaches out to the sea to ask Her what that little nudge at the end there was about.
three days later and namu is practically vibrating out of his skin in anticipation of feeling iseul step into the water again. maybe he told his mother about the encounter, in hushed whispers in the privacy of her chambers. maybe he actually received encouragement (accompanied by a melancholy smile on his mother's part that maybe has namu slightly concerned but not enough to not go back and see iseul).
so he's been hovering near the shipwreck of their initial meeting all morning, waiting for that tug that will let him know that the human has returned. ]
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at the very least, it helps him step into the shoes of a young man full of affection for a young woman who may or may not return his affections.
it's another breezy morning when he makes his way to the beach from their lodgings for the season, donning deep green plaid shirt unbuttoned with plain black swim shorts. with his flipflops buried in the sand to keep them from flying away, he smiles when he approaches the spot - their spot - and gently toes the water with a bare foot. the gold coin namu had seemingly blessed is in the pocket of his shirt. )
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he's absently toying with the pendant around his neck (a lovely emerald set on a silver backing that he's become immediately fond of) when there's a sensation pulling on him, tugging just behind his ribs. he immediately shoves up off the seabed and rockets toward the surface-- though he makes sure to take at least a little bit of caution, just peeking above the surface to scan the shoreline to make sure it's true.
it is.
namu lifts himself from the water until his shoulders are above it and he lifts his hand with a wave. ]
Iseul!
[ he takes off, his tail propelling him forward with haste until he's come up to the sandbar he had sat upon before. ]
You came.
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I was able to come earlier. ( and he is very grateful for the change in his schedule, especially when he watches namu approach the sandbar just as eagerly as he had climbed over the rocks to get here. iseul slowly sinks into a seated position, folding his legs and sitting where the water can touch him. with the day being warmer and brighter than the last time they met, he has lathered on quite a bit of sunscreen to protect is ghostly complexion, plucking the sunglasses out of the pocket of his shirt so he can see him without squinting. )
I'm truly amazed at how your coin magic works.
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[ namu pulls himself up onto the sandbar and drags most of his tail with him, much as he did that first day. his body is practically thrumming with energy and thoughts and what-ifs. he twists his fingers together, almost nervously, before he leans forward to drop his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. ]
The Sea let me in on a little secret, you see. And it's gotta stay just between the two of us, okay? Or She'll be upset.
[ he looks around, as though someone is going to pop up suddenly at this more or less abandoned stretch of shore, and he motions for iseul to lean in closer so that he can whisper directly into his ear. ]
I can change.
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slowly he lifts his gaze to look at him owlishly again, curiously running his fingers along the side of his tail. well. iseul can imagine him with legs but it's a strange thought. )
You can? Your -- ?
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[ namu nods, eager and excited, as he turns his gaze to look at his tail stretched out in front of him. ]
She said it's a very special gift, one not often granted even to Her most favorite children. There has to be a reason, you see. Something that would draw the mer who wishes to change to the shore.
[ he turns his head just a little to peer up at iseul from beneath his hair, a tiny little smile on his face. ]
Well... She knows that something draws me.
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( is this what love at first sight is meant to feel like? iseul has sung about it. he's thought he's felt it in the past, but seeing namu look up at him with that very strong implication, well. well. )
You are very special. Something equally special must be drawing you to the shore, though I hope that means you're able to spend time equally in both worlds.
( he traces a fingertip around the outline of one shimmery scale and exhales, thrilled at the mere notion of actually being able to spend ample time with namu outside of their little meeting spot on the sand. )
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a caress soothes up his spine and he tilts his head, listening, before he nods. ]
She says the magic is only temporary, and that the more I use it the stronger it becomes. The more time I'll be able to stay on land at once. Though don't fret; if I change back before I'm near the water, I can simply get into one of those baths you mentioned. She says that enough salt in the water with me should keep me moistened long enough to gain back strength.
[ he claps and leans forward, reaching out to grasp one of iseul's hands in both of his own. ]
Should I try it now?
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So... if you stayed with me, I'd have to keep a bath of salt water ready for you? ( he lets namu take his hands, a soft if a bit flabbergasted smile on his face. )
I think you're just gorgeous the way you are, but... I admit that I'd like to see what you'd look like with a human form.
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[ and namu... can't show iseul anything underwater at all. unless he puts on one of those weird suits he's seen some of the humans wear with their strange mockery of fins attached to their ... whatever it is that's at the ends of their legs.
maybe he should ask him to do that sometime. ]
I'm gonna... I'm gonna try now though, okay? Just to... see. If I can.
[ namu clutches iseul's hand tighter and bites down on his bottom lip as he closes his eyes, turning his focus inward. he can feel Her, can feel how She dances around his still-submerged tail. She's encouraging, at the very least, somehow keen on letting him have this.
it doesn't hurt, at least, but he can feel it happening. the lower half of his body starts to feel lighter, less weighty and certainly shorter. he can feel the grit of the sand on parts of his body he never has before (because they've never existed) and when he finally opens his eyes he can see the glow that's been surrounding him finally start to fade away to reveal--
legs. real legs. very real, very naked legs, but he has no idea that's improper, and frankly right now he wouldn't care. namu gasps and lets go of iseul's hand to place his own on top of his legs, squeezing and caressing and he laughs. ]
It worked! I... I can't-- I have legs!
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it's a wonderful feeling.
( he doesn't even stop to think about why he's sitting here imagining a future with someone he's just met. )
at the sight of magic, his vision starts to go hazy around the edges, brain and body unprepared for this. there had been a tail here a second ago. a beautiful tail! he almost feels badly that his gorgeous tail has to go, but there are two very lovely legs in its place. and a naked man. a very naked man, but they'll get to that in a second. awestruck, iseul takes the deepest breath possible as he had forgotten to do so during the transformation. )
Oh, Namu...! You're just as gorgeous like this!
( with shining eyes, he reaches to squeeze his ankle, not wanting to get too handsy. his eyes follow the line of his body as it had before but - oh. though he isn't embarrassed at the sight of another naked form, he does worry about things like public indecency, so he's scrambling to get his button-down shirt off and onto namu's front at least. hopefully the people coming down the rocky path nearby hadn't seen. ) I'm very sorry to do this...
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except his legs moved together, and if he remembers from watching iseul move the other day, they're supposed to move separately, right?
he's focused on trying to get just one leg to move at a time when there's suddenly fabric being draped across him. namu blinks and looks up, startled, looking back and forth between iseul and the shirt he's pressing against him. ]
Why are--?
[ and then he looks closer and he realizes that yes, ok, iseul has an entire layer covering his body and he's not entirely sure why he didn't notice that difference before. maybe he was too enamored with talking with him. but when he blinks down at himself he realizes he doesn't have any of that on, nothing but the pendant really, and he presses his lips together. ]
I see. Humans cover themselves up?
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So, yes, we do cover up. I'm not entirely certain why it is a requirement, though I admit I enjoy fashion. You'll see soon.
( and iseul looks very apologetic. while he does want to really focus on namu's everything, it doesn't seem appropriate just yet. not when there are so many other tourists milling about! this is his mer-friend here! )
You really are very special and very lovely. ( he smiles and slowly gets to his feet, holding his hands out for namu to take. ) Here, let me help you so you can see the world!
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namu looks back at iseul again and takes in a deep breath before he brings his hands up to clasp both of his, using their combined strength to haul him upward--
and he immediately collapses forward with a yelp, arms flailing until they land around iseul securely to hold himself upright.
sort of. ]
I didn't think this through.
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( iseul didn't think this through either. the shirt he had draped over namu comes tumbling down with him and he obviously opts to throw his arms around namu to keep him upright instead of looking after his modesty. iseul looks down at him bewilderedly
he's so... small and soft. even if iseul isn't a big guy by any means, he still wants to protect him. )
Hold onto me, around my neck, and I'll help you cover up and walk. We can do it. If not, I shall - well, I shall carry you.
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[ namu peers up at iseul from where he's plastered against his chest, his eyes almost comically wide as he gets over the fear of the sudden shift in... well, everything. his equilibrium is certainly all out of wack now with his center of gravity drastically changing and he feels so heavy.
he shifts his arms, lifting them up higher around iseul's neck, and he uses the leverage to pull himself upright until he's-- yes, he's definitely standing now. with support, because his legs are still wobbling a little underneath him, but mostly on his own. mostly. ]
Okay I think... I think if I don't move for a moment, you should be able to do what you need to um... cover me up.
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Oh, ah - ( iseul sort of... awkwardly leans back to help support namu before gently prying one arm away from his neck to work the shirt around him letting it bunch up before he stretches it out and swings the fabric to drape over namu's shoulders. )
We're nearly there!
( it's a shame he can't enjoy namu's new form more here. but perhaps when they're inside and safe! it takes a few tries for iseul to disentangle their bodies while the shirt keeps dropping down the naked mer's back. but eventually, he is able to repeat the motion, gently sliding the big sleeve over the opposite arm. )
Here, let me turn you around to button it for you.
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[ they never have any reason to cover themselves up underwater, after all; the most namu ever wears is jewelry, after all, so all of this... stuff getting put onto his body is a strange new sensation. all of this is nothing but strange new sensations so it's just the standard for him right now.
namu lets his body be manipulated in whatever direction iseul seems fit to put him in, smiling the entire time as he's dressed. by the time both of the sleeves are on he's flopping the one that's been on him longer with a little giggle. the sleeve falls past his fingertips and it's making him laugh. ]
It's like a little tentacle arm.
[ but ok. ok, let him hold still a moment loner so iseul can... button? him. ]
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his lips twist into a fond smile as he tries to concentrate on buttoning him up. he's so... small. and adorable. and he looks quite fetching in his shirt. but he really has to focus here! no public indecency today! )
Well, there is certainly more where that came from, ( iseul promises, patting his arm. ) Take my hands now? I can - ah. I can attempt to show you how to walk. ( he pats his back reassuringly, slowly lifting one hand up for namu to take. )
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namu smiles down at himself, his cheeks heating up for reasons he's unsure of. the shirt feels weird, rubs against him in ways he's never experienced before. it's odd, but he doesn't hate it.
he nods and takes hold of the offered hands before taking in a slow breath and exhaling slowly. ]
Just take it slow. I think I'll be able to get it quick enough!