this is your ocean (an ocean of night)
Mar. 22nd, 2019 11:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Gabriel's mother used to tell him about the seawitch - the ancient creature, once a mermaid like them, cursed to never leave the ocean again and blessed with terrible but great powers - and he remembers every single one of her tales. He remembers tales about the seawitch powers and how frighten every single kid were when their parents told those stories - he remembers being frightened and he's not ashamed to admit it.
Then he grew up and he understood there was nothing real in those tales, he grew up and he understood those were only stories to keep the young ones away from the most dangerous part of their oceans. To keep them away from possible dangers.
And yet there were still people that went to look for the seawitch and never came back. Gabriel never thought someone could be so stupid to seek the seawitch for any reason at all. Why would someone risk so much without even knowing if the creature was real at all? Gabriel always thought those merfolks were just foolish.
That was until the man he loved drowned in the ocean. That was until Gabriel was still happy. Now he's willing to do anything.
the storm - mchanzo
Jesse McCree loves storms almost as much as he loves his ship. And there's that. There's something so breathtaking about the stormy sea, something so majestic about the way the waves crash against the ships. It's terrifying, really, and amazing at the same time.
He could watch the grey sky for hours, could watch the dark color of the ocean for days. He enjoys the wind howling in his face and the pouring rain and the thunders and the lightnings and almost anything about those storms.
And the fact that there's another person who loves storms as much as he does? It makes everything even better.
"This is a good one, I can already tell," Jesse murmurs as he smiles at the other man, now in a human form. The first time they met, he had a big, powerful tail and threatened to kill Jesse and it's honestly one of his fondest memories. But then again, Jesse is a pirate who owns a ship and enjoys being right in the middle of a storm. It's pretty much in character, everyone else would agree on this.
"I think so, too."
And Hanzo's eyes are the same color as the stormy ocean.
the humpback - mcreyes
"You're really going to swim with that thing?" Jesse sounds worried and Gabriel can't help but roll his eyes once again.
"That is a kind and gentle creature. You're the only thing I see here."
"Okay, I get it, I get it. But it's still really fucking scary," Jesse gestures towards the huge whale and even though Gabriel is used to swim with those creatures, Jesse does get a point. It would be scary for anyone not used to it. Those poor humans.
"I told you, it's a gentle giant. It's not going to hurt me."
"If you say so, Gabriel."
"Well, Jesse, I've lived in these waters for the most part of my life so yes, I do say so," there are few things Gabriel enjoys less than people trying to tell him he doesn't know what he's doing. Let alone if it's about his ocean and what he should do in his ocean.
"Okay, I get it."
"I told you, trust your mermaids."
"That's not a thing. It's not a thing, I've never heard that say before."
"If I say it's a thing then it's a thing. I make the rules around here."
"You make the rules everywhere.”
the sunken ship - reaper76
"We shouldn't be here," Jack sounds nervous and Gabriel can't really blame him. The sight, right in front of them, is really pretty terrifying. And that's exactly why Gabe loves it.
"Oh, come on, why are you afraid? It's just a sunken ship," he answers immediately, swimming a bit closer to the old ship. It's dark, around them, and everything looks eerie and almost suspended and Gabriel is already in love with that place.
"It's too far from home, Gabriel. And it's a sunken skip, I don't like it."
"But it's creepy!"
"Exactly, it's creepy! It's not a good thing, you understand that, don't you? Creepy is most definitely not a good thing!"
"... But I like creepy," he mutters, almost pouting, because Jack knows that perfectly well. And he agreed to do whatever Gabriel wanted, that day, and he's not going to forget his promise just like that. Besides, he really wants to go see that sunken ship.
"And I like walking on the beach, we can't always have what we want."
"But we went walking on the beach yesterday, Jack. So you had what you wanted. Now we can goo se the sunken ship."
"... Shit, I hate you're always right.”
the moon - mcreyes
"What do you like about this place?" Jesse asks, smiling softly when he sees that Gabriel isn't looking him in the eyes - and maybe it's blushing just a tiny bit. It took him a long time to realize just how much of a private person Gabriel is and Jesse loves every single bit of it.
"I don't know."
"You asked me to meet here so I guess this place is somehow important to you? Or has something you like, at least," Jesse insists again because he really wants to know why this place is so important and why Gabriel insisted to meet here. Maybe he's not going to find out just now, maybe it'll take some more time. But Jesse is a patient men and he'll wait as much as he has to.
"It's just- I like the way the moon reflects over the sea. That's it. And I like that is private."
"You're right, it's beautiful. And the moon is also beautiful. Almost as you."
Gabriel groans with embarrassment and splashes him with his tail and Jesse laughs and doesn't really think about anything else anymore. The moon is shining right above them but Gabriel is really more beautiful.
the nursery - mccree
Jesse doesn't remember much from his childhood. It's mostly sounds and colors and feelings, nothing more, and it's okay, really, he likes it that way. It feels right, that way, and he likes the childhood he cam remember that way.
When he tries to think too much about what he can't exactly remember, his mind digs up memories he just wants to erase. Dangers and screaming and shouting and his father being angry and violent and the ocean and the water turning red and his heart feeling constricted and on the point of breaking.
He doesn't want to remember that, so he just remembers colors and sounds. The sun coming from above and the colors of the reef and every living creature swimming in those beautiful places he got to see with his mother at his side.
He remembers the ocean and the firs time his mother let him swim all by himself in the reef. He remembers the first time he experimented the true potential of his tail - and remembers the first time he understood what they were.
But mostly he remembers the deep blue and the calm and the warm feeling inside and outside of him.
the dolphins - mcreyes
There's a man in the water right beside their ship, screaming for help while being surrounded by a playful pod of dolphins. They sounds like dolphins and play like dolphins and looks exactly like dolphins and yet the man is screaming with terror and Genji doesn't really understand what's happening.
"So you told him if you make me angry I'll feed you to the sharks."
"Yes, Genji, that's exactly what I said."
"And you do realize those are dolphins, right, Gabriel? I mean, you know those aren't sharks."
"Yes, of course I know. I've been at sea for the most part of my life, I can recognize a dolphin when I see one."
"Oh, okay, so you were bluffing? And why is Jesse still screaming?"
"Nope, I wasn't bluffing."
"I don't get it. If you knew those were dolphins-"
"Jesse was being annoying so I told him I'd feed him to the sharks. And he laughed because he's a mermaid and he isn't afraid of sharks. So I throw him out and now he's screaming because he's scared shitless of dolphins."
"But he's a mermaid!"
"Yes, a mermaid scared shitless of dolphins."
"I can't fucking believe it.”
the necklace - mchanzo
"Do you like it?"
"Like it? I love it, Hanzo, it's stunning," Jesse is enjoying every minute of this, especially because Hanzo looks almost insecure - and it's quite something to see him insecure over such a futile thing. But the necklace is really beautiful and Jesse doesn't really want to see a pirate panicking. He's not really sure of what would happen, honestly.
"Are you sure? I can bring you another one, if you don't like this one," and yet Hanzo is already panicking and Jesse can tell. And he also knows that if he were to tell him he didn't actually like that necklace, Hanzo would go away and then come back with a chest full of jewelry. Hanzo is like that and Jesse knows it and loves him.
"I love it, Hanzo, I really do," he tries to reassure him and immediately wears the necklace to prove his point. Hanzo is smiling with such a dumb look and Jesse can't help but love him even more than he already does.
Jesse smiles again and with a single swing of his tail drags Hanzo down into the water. They end up laughing and smiling and Jesse has never felt better.
the treasure - mcreyes
"I thought we were after a treasure, Jesse," Ashe looks skeptical, that much is clear: Jesse isn't a fool and he knows the woman too well. She's not happy - and when Ashe isn't happy, things usually start going downhill.
"We are after a treasure. It's just not the kind of treasure we're used to," he tries to mediate because he doesn't really want to explain her his plan. Not immediately, at least. He'd much rather have his treasure on the ship, before, and answer later.
"Care to be a little bit more explicit?"
"I've heard rumors of a mermaid. A triton, really, but who cares. Right now he's living on an island nearby and there are a few well-paying buyers. So, he's a treasure, really. Trust me."
"So this is not just your usual thirst, I assume."
"I don't know what you're talking about. There's a merman living on an island nearby and he's a treasure because we're going to make money out of him. What thirst? I don't understand what you mean. Thirst? What thirst? Thirst, me. Ah."
"... Yeah, of course," Ashe doesn't look impressed and honestly? Jesse could've done a little bit better than that. "It's just the treasure we're after."
the human - akandriel
Hanzo has never been particularly fond of humans - or anything that concerned solid land and its inhabitants, really. He doesn't really get the appeal and he's really far more happy in his deep blue, with all of his species. He likes it, down into the water. Likes the dangers and the thrill and wouldn't change it for anything. He likes everything about it.
And doesn't like humans at all. He doesn't like their lands and the way they talk and move - even though he can do it too - and doesn't like the way the come on the water like they own all the oceans and the seas and all the creatures they can see.
Hanzo doesn't like humans at all. He likes to kill them, that much is true. And he likes to eat them, if the meat looks tempting enough. But he doesn't like humans.
That is until a particular human comes along, sailing on a ship in order to explore the oceans. His name is Akande and Hanzo suddenly has an interest in humans that goes beyond killing and eating.
And so he follows Akande without exactly knowing why.
the prince - akandriel
Akande is a prince and has always been a prince and there are honestly a few things he enjoys more than the power of being who he is. He holds the power in his hands and has the power because he's the strongest one in his realm. He earned the power and won't let go of what he conquered with his strength.
There aren't many tritons or mermaids who would dare to defy him - and the few that are still alive don't speak out loud of what they think because they're also afraid, in a certain way. And that doesn't mean he won't find them and end them.
And then Hanzo comes along. Hanzo, who is also a prince - from another side of the oceans and from a completely different culture. Hanzo, who is clearly not afraid of him or his power, Hanzo who is clearly not afraid of showing what he thinks about Akande or his powers.
And Akande can see Hanzo is interested in what he does and how he does it - and at the same time he's not scared as he should be, as everybody else is.
And Akande isn't mad as he should be, no. He's intrigued.
the koi - akandriel
Akande has always wanted a particular kind of pet. He has send envoys to the all known reigns, trying to claim exactly who and what he wanted - and it has been a difficult mission, really. But he offered a great reward and finally? Finally he has his triton. His koi triton.
The specimen is still looking at him with the same enraged look, even after all those days, and Akande admires him even more for his defiance. It's going to be even more entertaining, this way. Trying to break him and make him obey but keeping that fire at the same time. Akande likes a challenge - and likes a strong mate. And this is the first time he actually considers it.
Hanzo tries to bit him more time than he can actually count and Akande loves the challenge even more - Akande likes how well built the merman is, even though he's not half as big as himself. Likes those defying eyes and the way he almost snarls and yet start looking at Akande in a different way, as days go by. Likes everything about him, to be honest.
He chose well, of that he's certain.
the shark - reaper76
The first time Gabriel sees a species of mermaids so different from what he's used to it's a surprise really. Mainly because he's been told to stay away from mermen like him for the most part of his life. They all live on the reef because it's the safest place to be, but the outer blue? His mother used to tell scary stories about the predators who lived there.
And now, he's right in front of one of them. Big, sharp teeth, a dangerous smile and he looks like he could eat him alive any minute now.
"I'm Jack," the merman says and Gabriel is so fascinated it's almost scary. "And you shouldn't be here."
The triton in front of him has the tail of a great white shark and Gabriel finds out he's equal part terrified and intrigued by the way the other man swims and by his sneer.
"There's no one here, no one but you and me."
"What do you want from me?"
"You're interesting," the other man answers simply, even though he's still swimming in that predatory way around him. "Those are pretty colors."
"You mean my tail?"
"Yeah, I don't usually see a lot of bright colors. Where I live everything is pretty dark and even."
the deep - mcree
"We shouldn't go there, Ashe," Jesse knows he sounds afraid and he doesn't care a single bit. He is afraid. He's not dumb, they're standing on the top of a cliff and under them there's the bottomless ocean and everything is dark and scary and he's a kid but he's not dumb.
"You're such a wuss, Jesse. It's the same ocean we live in, it's just... deeper."
"My mom says we shouldn't go there. My mom says we shouldn't be so far away from home. My mom is usually right."
"You always do what your mama says?" Ashe asks with a snarl and for a few seconds Jesse is tempted to tell her he does usually do what his mama says. Because his mother is smart and he's a kid and that's just how things should go, isn't it?
"... No? Yes? Usually?"
"You're such a wuss. I'm going there and if you're too coward to follow me, you can just stay here. I'll tell everybody what happened. The others will laugh so much when they hear you let me go all alone because you were too scared. Pussy."
"Okay. Okay, no, I'm coming with you, I'm coming with you.”
the sun - mchanzo
"Do you intend to stay here like this all day long?" Hanzo asks and he sounds annoyed and Jesse doesn't even bother opening his eyes. The sun is warm and bright and he loves every single minute of this. As merfolks they don't usually get this much sun, not without being disturbed almost immediately.
"You have something better to do, sugar?"
"Literally anything else, Jesse."
"I don't believe that, Hanzo. Look, the sun is so nice here. The reef is amazing and the sun is amazing and the water is amazing and I'm the happiest merman alive right now, right here."
"But we have been here for hours!"
"You can go, if you want. No problem at all. I'll just stay here, laying on this rock. Maybe someone else will pass by and enjoy the view," Jesse almost chirps because he knows those are the right words. He knows this is exactly what he needs to keep Hanzo right there, enjoying a few minutes of bliss. Hanzo loves duty and obligations but is also a jealous mess. And Jesse knows it. And Jesse uses it every time he can.
"... I'm staying right here. The sun is nice."
the sea turtle - mcreyes
"Gabriel? Would you take care of Fareeha for the next few hours? I'm going hunting and I don't feel like taking her with me, today."
"Sure, no problem. I'm a great uncle, you know that."
"I know, I know. Be good, both of you."
"Sure thing mom."
"Sure thing Ana."
"So... what do you want to do?"
"Why is your tail so weird? Why are your hair so long? Why are your arms so big? What are we going to do, uncle Gabriel? I wanna play with the others and I wanna to go explore and I wanna go see that island mom was talking about and-"
"This will be a long day, uh?”
"Look at that poor thing, uncle Gabriel!"
"Is that a- oh my God, it's a turtle. And is that a plastic bag?"
"We have to help her, uncle Gabriel, we have to help her!" Fareeha sounds really determined and Gabriel can't help but being proud of her. Who wouldn't be. So they try to get to the poor sea turtle, try to help her someway and everything is weird as it is.
And it gets really fucking weirder when a man comes up from the land and snatches the turtle away almost like he's trying to protect her.
the selkie - reaper76
"I need your help."
"Sure thing, tell me. You know I'll always help you."
"It's going to be weird, Jack, I'm already warning you."
"Weird how? Weirder than your usual, Gabe? Because I'm used to your kind of weird."
"Weirder than my usual kind of weird."
"Oh... okay, tell me."
"Long story short? I'm a selkie, always been a selkie since I can remember, but now someone stole my skin and I need to find out who the fuck did that so I can kill him and get my skin back."
"... What?"
"I'm a selkie but someone stole my skin and I need to find out who the fuck did that so I can kill him and get my skin back."
"... What again?"
"I'm a selkie but someone stole my skin and I need to find out who the fuck did that and get my skin back."
"... Come again?"
"Oh, come on Jack! Don't be ridiculous! You told me you'd help me!"
"Oh, I'm sorry, did you thought I'd just nod and smile at the idea that you're a fucking selkie?"
"I didn't say that but repeating the same words again and again it's not fun."
the siren - mcreyes
"So you're a mermaid," Jesse tries to reason with the voices shouting things inside his head. It's not everyday you find out your partner is a supernatural creature.
"Mermaid, merman, triton, whatever you prefer," Gabriel is being quite patient with him, really. And honestly Jesse is grateful because he still has to process what he found out. And he has a peculiar way of processing things. It involves time and chocolate and right now they don't have neither of them.
"I've always thought mermaids were like the greek sirens. You're not like a siren. You don't have wings and you don't have a beak and honestly? You look gorgeous, not terrifying. And I'm guessing you don't lure sailors to eat them alive and all that jazz, do you?"
"No, I'm not like a siren. And thank you."
"And why? I mean, why you're not like that?" Jesse asks because he's still shocked and this is the one thing he can focus on right now.
"How the fuck should I know? You want me to try and eat you alive?"
"... I mean, that sounds like a nice offer."
the lake - mcreyes
Jesse doesn't even know how exactly did he end up there, laying on the side of the Black Lake and talking with a merman. He should be in class, right now. Potions, of all the things. And yet he's there and he doesn't really want to get back to the castle. Like, ever again.
"So... you're one of the merfolks who live in the Black Lake, uh? I've never seen anyone like you. I've never seen any of your kind, really. I mean, we know you're there, it's just-"
"Pretty perceptive, aren't you?"
Jesse is pretty sure the merman is fucking with him - something to do with that smirk and the way he's laughing at his face - but then again, Gabriel is so damn gorgeous he doesn't really care. He can't bring himself to care. Gabriel is so gorgeous he could punch him in the face and Jesse would just thank him.
And he's also pretty sure he shouldn't be on the bank of the lake, flirting with a merman. But then again, life is short and Hogwarts is already full of dangers, so again: who cares?
"Pretty gorgeous, aren't you?"
And the satisfaction of seeing Gabriel blush is really quite something.
the lillypad - mchanzo
There's a lake, right in front of them, covered in lily pads and beautiful flowers Jesse - nor anyone in his crew - has never seen before. t's a hot and humid day and there's nothing Jesse would like more than throw himself into that pond - he can almost feel the cold water on his skin and he has to repress the impulse to do just so.
They're exploring a new land - the ship is safely docked not too far away - but they heard rumors of the creatures that inhabits those forests. Jesse doesn't really want to have a close encounter to something that could kill him in less than a minute or so - and for some reason, this place is apparently filled with animals and creatures that could exactly do that.
So he resists the urge for hours and hours until the sun is scorching hot and everything around him seems to be buzzing loudly. He'll just dip a foot in the water, that's it, nothing more. A foot.
But the moment he does that he can feel something just below him.
"You shouldn't have done that," a human voice coming from the water. He's fucked.
the nightflower - mcreyes
There are few things of what Gabriel is positively certain. Vagueness is something that belongs to his world and he has learned to embrace that: he has learned about supernatural creatures all his life, he has learned how to face the weirdness that this world has to offer and he's fine with all of this, he really is. He likes the weirdness and he likes to know his stuff.
But there are a few things he knows for sure and he doesn't like those things to be challenged in any way.
"You can't be a merman. You can't."
"But I am," and as far as Gabriel can see, the creature right in front of him really is a merman. But that also can't be possible, can it? He's in the middle of the fucking desert, how the fuck there's a merman right in front of him?
"But we're in the middle of the desert."
"Yeah, but I live in this oasis and there's water so I don't understand why you're so shocked," the merman is almost smirking and Gabriel doesn't like it at all. At all.
"... But we're in the middle of the desert!”
the companion - reaper76
Being in the navy wasn't exactly where Jack always wanted his life to go. And it's wasn't exactly his decision, too, he might add. But he's good at what he does, he really is, that much he has to admit. It doesn't matter that much if this isn't what he wanted to do or if he's still dreaming about his farm and the life he could've had. He's good at what he does and his country needs him and Jack knows he has to put his duty before anything else.
And life on the sea isn't bad, really. He almost enjoy it. He gets to see new places and to do his job at the same time. He gets to witness the wonders of the ocean and the sea and the way the sky and the water almost come together during storms.
And he gets to meet Gabriel - even though the first time it happens Jack is a bit shocked. Gabriel who's a merman and decides to follow Jack and Jack doesn't really understand why but at the same time doesn't complain. Gabriel who decides to kiss him one night, when the moon is full and right above them, and Jack has never been happier.
the water spirit - mcreyes
"So... I get that merfolks are real, I really do," Jesse nods with a focused look that almost makes Gabriel laugh out loud. He doesn't, though, because he feels pity for that poor human who discovered a whole new universe in the matter of a few hours.
"Well that's a relief since I'm right here in front of you."
"But what about everything else? I mean, is there anything else? I didn't know about merfolks so I'm guessing there are a lots of other things I don't know about."
"Let's see..." Gabriel tries to decide if he should just dump all the information on Jesse's head or try something different. Something different would probably be better but Gabriel is dying to see that shocked look on Jesse's face - for the second time in a few hours.
"There are water horses - dreadful things, they'll kill you as soon as they get the chance. And then kelpies, selkies, undine and naiads. Auizhotl, miengu, kappa, adaro-"
"Well now, you're just saying names are you? It can't be possible, so many different creatures and humans never knew?"
"Well, humans are not exactly the brightest fish in the ocean."
"Hey, now!”
the orca - mcreyes
Jesse has spent his whole life studying and learning everything he could about ocean and its inhabitants. There are a few things he enjoys more than his work - and there are very few things he doesn't know about his field of study. He spent the last few years studying the behavior of orcas and orcas' pods and he has always been intrigued by everything that concerned that particular specimen.
So it comes as a fucking huge surprise when he finds out that not only merfolks exists but that they also have a wide variety of species, almost based on the other water creatures. There are dolphins-like merfolks and merfolks of the reefs and merfolks who looks and behave exactly like the creatures up in the northern seas.
But the best moment in his life is the one when he actually gets to meet a pod of orcas merfolks. The best moment in his life is the one when he meets Gabriel, who is the pod male, and who's also the most beautiful being Jesse has ever seen.
Beautiful and powerful and really fucking scary - especially when Jesse witness him hunting with his pod - and Jesse has never been happier.
the waterfall - reaper76
"You should join me," Gabriel says with a sultry voice and Jack is positive he's going to die soon. Really fucking soon. The exact minute Gabriel says something else with that voice, it'll be it. Jack is going to drop dead and there'll be nothing anyone can do about it.
Gabriel is swimming slowly in the fresh water of the lake and Jack is obviously looking at things he shouldn't be looking at. Like Gabriel's naked torso. Or Gabriel's everything else. Or the way that the water drops make him look ever better - and is that even possible?
"Join you," he repeats almost absentmindedly and Gabriel laughs and, oh, God. Even his laugh is making Jack's legs weaker every second that goes by.
"Yes, join me. The water is amazing," Gabriel replies using the exact same voice as before and Jack starts coughing. Gabe swim further with a single movement of his tail and just like that he's right under the waterfall, water dripping on him. Jack has never saw anything or anyone more gorgeous than Gabriel in that exact moment.
"Yes, I'll join you," he murmurs like the fool he is, just a second before launching himself right into the fresh water.
the lagoon - reaper76
Jack knows he shouldn't be in love with a mermaid. He shouldn't, that's all. Everyone always warned him about mermaid folks and the tricks they constantly pull on humans like him.
Everyone always warned about how wicked they are, how dangerous they are. About how they walk among humans and merge without being noticed so that they can attack.
Everyone always told him terrible tales of drowning and being dragged in the open ocean and being eaten alive and dying a terrible death and Jack isn't stupid, he doesn't want to end up dying in one of those ways. He doesn't want to end up dying, point blank.
But then he met Gabriel.
And Gabriel isn't scary or dangerous - well, he can be dangerous, of course, but Arthur supposes that's also very true for himself. Gabriel isn't trying to kill him with every single breath he takes. Gabriel doesn't want to kill him.
Gabriel wants to kiss him and make love with him and spend the rest of their life together and how could that possibly be wrong? It can't.
And Jack doesn't care if he'll have to fight two whole worlds in order to be with Gabriel.
the net - genji&hanzo
"Can you help me out?" Genji sounds afraid and that sound alone manage to scare Hanzo to death. It's the first time in their whole life together Genji sounds scared and Hanzo doesn't like it one single bit. There's something in his eyes and in the way he's almost not moving at all - and Hanzo would do anything in his power to stop this thing.
He doesn't even answer, he just squeezes Genji's hand lightly and looks one last time at that damn net that has captured his partner, before swimming swiftly to the bottom of the ocean to find something to cut the net with. There's a voice inside his head that tells him he shouldn't have left Genji alone - but he ignores that voice because he has to hurry and he can't stop looking for a sharp piece of coral or something that could help his brother.
It takes Hanzo a lot more time than he'd liked but finally he finds exactly what he needed and almost smile when he thinks about how Genji will love to tell this story, once they're home safe.
But when he swims back, the net is gone and Genji with it.
the forbidden place - mchanzo
Jesse can't even see the creature who's talking: the ocean is dark and deep and it's night and he's still alive only because he's strong and he's under the diving bell. But there's something right in front of him, that much he can tell. Probably the same creature he went down looking for. So, all things considered, he should feel quite lucky.
"Can we talk?"
"What are you looking for here, so far away from home?" the creature answers and, unexpectedly, its voice is far more gentle that Jesse thought it'd be. Much more kind and human. It doesn't sound like the voice of an ancient creature of the sea.
"I need something from you."
"Are you offering me an exchange, human?"
"I guess you could say so."
"And what are you offering in exchange for my help?"
"Anything you want. I need you to save my mother. She's on a ship, right above us, and she's dying and I need you to save her. I'll give you anything you want."
"If I save your mother... you'll give me anything I want?"
"Anything."
"I'll save your mother and you'll come back to me. And you will remain here with me."
"... Deal.”
the protector - talon
"I think we shouldn't eat humans."
"Are you going soft, Gabriel? Humans are delicious. Also, an important source of protein in our diets, of course we need to eat humans."
"I get that, I just think we shouldn't eat humans. I like eating humans just like your average merfolks, Moira, it's just- I don't think we should eat every humans that we can find."
"You're definitely going soft."
"Yeah, you're definitely going soft."
"Oh, don't you start too, Akande. Like we didn't know you let that man go without eating him."
"He was... interesting. I don't eat interesting."
"Excuses excuses. You agree with me. You let a human go so you also think we shouldn't eat every single human we can find. Or every single human that comes into our water."
"But we need them! We need the proteins!"
"Oh, I'm sure we could find the proteins we need somewhere else, Moira. You are good with these kind of things."
"You're siding with him? I can't fucking believe this!"
"I'm not siding with him, I'm just saying-"
"You're siding with me! I can't believe you're siding with me, Akande. What did that human do to you? It's fucking incredible.”
the playground - genji&jesse
"I can't believe what I'm hearing. I can't. It's too dumb, even for you. I can't."
"It's not dumb, Genji! You shouldn't dismiss other's fears like this, you're being very rude."
"You're a mermaid. You can't be afraid of the ocean. You can't, Jesse. I refuse to believe that."
"Refuse whatever you want but I'm still gonna be afraid of the ocean. And who cares if I'm a mermaid? I can be afraid of whatever I want to be afraid of."
"But you live in the fucking water!"
"The ocean is a different thing!"
"But it's still water, Jesse, for fuck's sake!"
"It's not just water! It's deep fucking water! I grew up in the reef, I don't like the ocean because it's deep and terrifying and full of dangers. I like my corals and the pretty colors and all the nice things I have home. I don't like the fucking ocean."
"You said you're afraid of the ocean."
"I am. I'm afraid of the ocean. I believe you humans call it Thalassophobia?"
"How should I fucking know? I'm not the fucking mermaid terrified of the fucking ocean!"
"You should really stop being so angry. It's not good for your blood pressure."