#i gotta think of something to do for mermay!!!!!! | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

maddsmallow · 10 months

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finally!!! my month and a half late dutp mermay pic is DONE. i have a whole, like, story idea for this pic, which you can read here on my twitter! EDIT: fuck twitter, i deleted it, so the story idea is now under the cut if you're interested! i think signy and audwin from time princess' swan lake story can work really well with a mermaid twist on their characters. also i just want mermaid audwin and human signy to smooch a lot uwu

also. nothin' like drawing mermaids to kick your ass into figuring out how tf to draw water lmaooo

the story goes something like this: signy is the daughter of some rich guy and they've always been by the ocean (maybe the company has something to do with the ocean?), and i haven't quite figured out what he does, but either he or uncle arthur start getting into some shifty shit and maybe get into offshore oil drilling, or something that will hardcore pollute the water. she's expected to take over whatever the company is, but she doesn't give a shit and like, just wants to be a marine biologist. she has her own boat (bc rich people privileges) and often goes out into the water to just get away from it all and chill, and maybe she does some diving to look at the fish and coral n stuff. idk how any of this works irl lmao. but anyways, audwin has been watching her for a while, because humans are very interesting, before she finally spots him. after freaking out, she decides to keep him a secret because even as a marine biologist or whatever, she knows a find this big would be more dangerous to the merman himself than beneficial for any research. so she goes out to their meeting spot to hang out with him most days, and even though they cant communicate, she talks to him and he seems to understand. he brings her gifts and she brings him human stuff to look at. eventually she says something like, "i wish we could talk, i so badly wish to know more about you," and audwin's like. welp that's enough consent for me. so he uses his magic to turn her into a mermaid. and of course she FREAKS but then she's like!! oh fuck!! we can talk now! i can explore without needing air!! tell me and show me EVERYTHING. so they explore and they talk. audwin explains, a bit vaguely, about how he "doesn't belong with the rest of the mer people" even though they are a social species, so having to fend for himself for his whole life has left him a bit scrawny and, while he would have been riddled with scars from having to fight with other creatures on his own, has become very good at magic to defend himself. and now that they can understand each other and have an actual mutual conversation, audwin's like. oh heck. i like this girl a lot (assuming he didn't already consider her his mate because of the constant exchange of gifts).

just before she's about to be like okay this was fun but i gotta get back to my life on land, they spot a body floating in the water, and before audwin can pull her back signy goes to it and pulls the unconscious man to the shore and performs cpr and brings him back. he looks weirdly like audwin. she can't speak in any human language anymore (mermaids in this universe don't have the right vocal chord structure or whatever to speak human language), having taken the form of a mermaid, but he seems to understand what she's saying anyways? how could that be? she turns to audwin for an explanation and he's like, yeah so uh, the magic i used to give you a tail actually just swapped your human parts for another mer person's mermaid parts. so i guess this is the guy you swapped with and he's actually a mermaid, so he knows what you're saying. and signy is of course PISSED she's like this random other mermaid dude coulda died just for me to have a bit of fun?? that's fucked dude. and audwin's like, "why would i give a shit when i was cast out as a baby from the rest of mermaid society? YOU are my only friend." and then the other guy, who introduces himself as aldous (and i guess a side effect of audwin's magic is that he can fluently speak english or whatever now lmao), is like. yeah that's cool and all but, this is actually terrible fucking timing. some dude just came into my kingdom and is fucking everything up hardcore and i need to be there to fight him off. but even if audwin switched their tail/legs back, aldous would be too weak from, yknow, almost dying from drowning to actually fight whoever is fuckin shit up. so signy is like ME AND AUDWIN WILL DO IT and before audwin can even say anything, she grabs her cell phone from her shorts (let's just assume her clothes are on her boat and the boat is nearby lmao) and has aldous call her friend ben (the guard from the story!) and relay a message to him to meet her at the shore. he does and he sees the situation, and with aldous translating, signy tells ben to take care of this random dude she found on the beach. "dont ask questions its just REALLY IMPORTANT." and he's like. fuck okay sure. and just before signy and audwin go off to see what's going on with the mer kingdom, aldous gives audwin a pendant that will grant him access inside no matter what. every mer person has a pendant that has magic to allow them into their respective kingdom, but aldous had always had two of them, a gold and green one and a silver and purple one, and he feels that maybe the purple one belongs to audwin.

so aldous goes with ben to ben's place to rest and recoup, and signy and audwin go to the kingdom to see what their deal is. i dunno what's going on there, i haven't quite figured it out, but basically the king, aldous' (and audwin's) dad, is losing his marbles and made some kind of pact with a human who ends up being signy's dad or uncle, but then her dad/uncle was just going to betray the agreement and kill them all for access to an oil drilling spot? i dunno. but i have a scene in my head where they hide in what seems to be some kind of abandoned prison with one cell, and there ends up being one mer woman in there who ends up calling audwin's name when she sees him. audwin is shocked, and approaches carefully, and she cries while she explains she's so happy to see him alive and well. she tells him that his father separated him from his family just a bit after she'd birthed him and her brother because he was certain he was going to fulfill some kind of prophecy and overthrow him, and then he cast her into prison because she was so heartbroken that she was deemed "mad." the king brought up aldous as an only child with no memory of his twin brother or his mother, but always had an inkling that something was missing because of the second pendant he'd always had, which was given to him as a baby by their mother before she was taken away. audwin despairs at the fact that his mother and the life he should have had were ripped away from him by one man, and hugs his mother tight before swearing to take the king down.

some big climax happens and they take down the mer king and throw him in the cell that used to house the queen (cuz im not creative enough to come up with a non-prison sentence even tho fuck prisons and also acab irl), who then takes her rightful place back at the throne, and they also take down signy's dad/uncle or whatever, i dunno, i haven't figured this shit out yet lmaoo. but anyways, they sort it all out and they fall in love n all that shit. audwin speaks to his mother and tells her, he's never belonged to mer society and trying to integrate now would majorly suck, especially without signy at his side, who has to go back to land to give aldous his mer body back. he'd rather be by signy's side, separated by land and ocean, than not be near her at all. she's his one true friend. his mother understands, and bestows a new pendant to signy that, when worn, will allow her to understand the mer language even as a human, and allow her back into mer society should they ever return. they go back to the surface and they get ben and aldous back to the shore and audwin swiches signy and aldous' human and mer bodies back. it's a sad occassion. signy doesn't want to leave audwin behind in the water, and it's clear that aldous and ben have developed some kind of feelings for each other (do i have aldous and the guard fall in love in every dutp swan lake story i've ever thought up? YES). ben suddenly pipes up and is like, audwin switch with me!! and everyone else is like HUH?? ben explains that he doesn't really have anything in the human world to miss, he's not leaving behind much [insert some kind of tragic story for ben that i haven't thought up yet], and if they switch, they can both be with the people they want to spend their lives with. so they switch. audwin becomes a human and ben a merman, and then signy's like. welp, guess i don't need this anymore, and gives ben her pendant. they're all smiles and hugs, and then before they say goodbye and leave, audwin turns to aldous and says, "hey, say hi to mom for me." and aldous, who doesn't know they're brothers, is like WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED WHILE I WAS GONE--

and anyways. aldous gets to meet his mother (who will know exactly what happened with signy and auwdin the second she sees ben with her pendant and it makes her smile) and stay with ben who adapts to mer society fairly easily, and audwin gets to stay with his best friend and love in the human world. signy's dad's company tanks which she is glad for, and maybe she and audwin use the money she has to open up some kind of ocean clean-up project or something. standard cheesy barbie-like plot haha. wham bam, signy x audwin mermay story

will i ever write it? nope. if anyone wants to yoink this idea, go ahead! just credit me (and also @ me so i can read it hehe) !!!

i based the boat off of this pic of a greenline 39 yacht

consider supporting me on ☕ ! ko -fi. com / maddsmallow (without spaces)

#dress up time princess #dutp #time princess #dutp swan lake #dutp signy #dutp audwin #signy x audwin #mermay #my art #the blogger says words

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peepee-magee · 1 year

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When your 80 ft partner rushes off from the dreamscape without giving you goodbye kisses first so you’ve gotta put on the scuba gear to go collect to show them you mean business. 🙄 I mean HONESTLY, the nerve!

Day two of me clawing my way out of a slump with some art for Mermay. Featuring @naffeclipse Eclipse cuz all I do is sit and reread their works all day now I guess. I think it’s working to cuz I’ve got some of my creative energy back these last few days, so thank you!

Happy I finally managed to make something for mermay to, cuz I’ve had some iteration of this in the works since In deep dreams between the waves was released and haven’t been satisfied enough to post any of them until this warm up sketch somehow beat them all out.

Please enjoy another sacrifice

#digitalart #eclipseverse #mermay 2023 #in deep dreams between the waves #mer eclipse #fanart

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blinddreams24 · 19 hours

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Begrudging

A Mermay Prompt

Masterlist

Prev / Next

“Please!”

“No.”

“Pleeeeaase!!”

“Y/n, I said no.”

“Pretty please!”

“…”

“…Pretty please with a cherry on top?”

“What is a cherry?”

“It’s a candy that grows on trees.”

“Oh.”

“……pleeaaaas-!”

“Fine!” Cross snapped, throwing his arms over his head. “But you have to do anything and everything I tell you without question or hesitation or I will haul you back here myself and you’ll never leave again! Are we clear?”

You nodded furiously. “Yes! We’re clear! I will do whatever you say for as long as we’re out there!” You spun around him. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“Don’t thank me.” Cross grumbled. “I don’t want to. You’re just difficult.”

You gave him an innocent smile. “I don’t know what you’re talking about~.”

“Ugh. Let’s just go. Stay close to me.”

Cross led you out of the trench slowly. Like, really slowly. He went half his normal speed, obviously upset that you’d talked him into it. Instead of pushing him to go faster, which would most likely end in him moving slower, you just swam dizzying circles around him.

It was exciting! And you were sure Cross was excited too. He just had a thing about security and paranoia.

But it would be fine.

You’d met the townsfolk before. Surely they’d recognize you.

You had a plan. You’d just wait by the docks where no one could see your tails through the rippling water, ask if anyone could share their food, and get out of there before anyone questioned why two young adults were in the water for so long.

It was flawless.

You think.

“You’re sure about this?” Cross asked.

“Yep!” You whistled. “They should recognize me enough for us to grab something. It’ll be fine!”

“Don’t jinx it.” He grumbled.

“Well, I can’t jinx it if we don’t ever get there, slow poke!” You teased. “Are we close?”

He sighed. “Yeah. Just a little further.”

You trilled happily. “Can we go a little faster? I wanna see if anyone has some leftover pizza!”

Despite his grumbling, Cross moved faster after that, motivated by his favorite food.

You arrived at the dock in… not record time, but something. It took some convincing, but you finally got Cross to follow you under the docks to surface. Local chatter and footsteps filled the air as people hurried about their day. You could smell the bakery from here.

“I told you nothing bad would happen.” You splashed him.

He didn’t flinch, just glanced around suspiciously. “You say that now. Just don’t get too comfortable.”

“Relax!” You waved his suspicion away. “You just gotta be calm! Watch!”

“Wait! Y/n-!” Cross reached to stop you.

You drifted out into the open and spun a few times in the water. A few people glanced at you, smiled, and went back to their own business. You smiled back before turning to Cross who was barely glaring out of the water. “See? No one cares. Now come out here!” You shot water at him again.

He moved further under the docks, practically seething with caution.

You shrugged. “Suit yourself.” You spun a few more times, giggling and splashing in the water.

“Y/n? Is that you?”

You looked up at the man on the docks. He held a bag in one hand. “Oh! Hi, Ron! Water you doing?”

“Oh my stars.” Cross groaned at the pun, a smirk tugging at his face.

Ron looked worried and glanced down at the dock. “Are you okay? I haven’t seen you in town for weeks! Where did you go?? Is everything okay??”

Cross glared up at the wood that separated him from this new person.

“I’m fine, Ron. Better than ever actually. I’ve just been… taking a break from everything. Some things came up at home.” You paused.

Cross came closer to you. When you looked at him, he offered you a smile. You smiled back.

“Is someone down there?” Ron asked, kneeling on the dock. Cross growled and backed up again.

“Yeah. He’s a friend of mine. He’s just shy without his shirt.” You winked.

“I’m not shy!”

Ron chuckled. “I can tell.” He sat and kicked his legs off the dock, inches from the water. “So how long have you known y/n, pal?”

Cross grumbled. “I’m not your pal.”

You winced. Maybe bringing the least social siren to see people wasn’t a good idea.

Ron didn’t seem bothered. “I’m sorry. I just don’t know your name.” He set his bag next to where he sat.

“You don’t need to.”

Ron’s face twitched. “I’m not going to hurt you, buddy.”

Cross growled again. “I doubt you could.”

“Cross.” You sighed.

He looked at you sheepishly and stopped growling. “Cross. I’m Cross.” He crossed his arms under the water.

Ron nodded. “And how long have you known y/n?”

“A couple months I guess? How long have you known her?”

“Since we were little. Her and her Pops would come down to the shop every now and then. Speaking of the ol’ cow, how is your Pops?” Cross flinched at Ron’s choice of words.

Oh… right.

“I… Dad is gone, Ron. About a month ago…” You sank a little in the water.

Ron’s eyes widened. “Oh! I’m so sorry, y/n! If I had known, I never would have brought it up!”

“It’s fine. You didn’t know.”

“Dang… I didn’t think he’d go so soon. That man was a fighter. What happened?”

“…I don’t know. I was disowned and mom won’t tell me anything. Wouldn’t even let me go to the funeral…”

Silence.

“Woah. I always knew your mom was a bitch, but like, disowning? Damn. What did you do?”

You scowled at how he’d phrased that. Like it was your fault. “I don’t know. She never said. Why don’t you go ask her if you’re so curious.”

Cross’s low growl accented your glare perfectly and made Ron scoot back onto the docks.

“…I’ll keep that in mind.” Ron said somewhat awkwardly. “When’d you and your friend decide to go swimming?” He changed the subject.

“Just like, an hour or two ago.” You lied easily as Cross stared at you, concerned and nervous.

Ron chuckled. “You always did love the water. I wouldn’t by surprised if you grew fins and swam away one day,” Cross’s eyes went wide and you hoped neither of them could see you sweating. “Have you had lunch yet?”

Bingo.

“No, I don’t think so.” You answered innocently enough. “I guess I got distracted.”

Ron sighed, a fond smile on his face. “You’re gonna starve yourself one of these days, you know that? Someone needs to keep an eye on you. You hear that, Cross?” Cross startled when Ron leaned forward to peek under the dock and locked eyes with the terrified skeleton. “If I can’t, I need you to make sure they’re eating. They get their head stuck in the clouds sometimes and need someone to reel them back into reality.”

“…What?” Cross looked dumbfounded.

Ron smirked and explained his analogy. “They get so busy they forget to eat. But! Lucky you! I just happen to have some tacos on hand. The taco guy managed to hustle me into buying more than I could logically eat. Here!” He pulled a taco out of his bag and offered it to you.

You happily accepted the food. “Thank you! Cross?” You offered him the taco.

Cross stretched himself as far as he could to take it and you pulled back.

His eyes locked with yours in cautious confusion. “Y/n?”

You smiled. “Come out here first. No one’s gonna hurt you.” Ron chuckled at your mischief.

Cross grumbled and slowly drifted over to you, keeping an eye on Ron the entire time. When he wasn’t under the dock anymore, you handed him his taco and took the offered second for yourself.

Oh my stars! Normal food was so good! You hummed happily at a smiling Ron.

Crunch!

Both you and Ron looked over in time to see Cross’s taco crumble and fall into the water. He stared at it, his hands still near his mouth where the taco had been seconds ago. You couldn’t help but laugh at his lost look of confusion.

“Yeah, tacos do that, Cross. Here, watch me.” You showed him how to bite the taco without it shattering in your hands. It was a delicate art but you did your best to teach him.

Ron offered Cross another taco which he took, too focused on you to be suspicious of Ron at the moment. He carefully copied your movements and took a large bite out of his taco.

His eyelights twinkled into stars and spun. The rest of the taco disappeared in his maw and Cross licked his fingers as you laughed at him.

Ron looked stunned for a second. “Woah. I mean, I knew monsters ate food differently but damn. You inhaled that sucker. Want more, big guy?” He offered another.

It was snatched and consumed as well. Over and over, as Ron would offer more, Cross would devour each taco without mercy or shame.

“You like it, Cross?” You giggled, careful to keep your taco out of his reach.

He spared you a glance and grinned between bites. “Better than your sandwiches.”

“Hey!” You splashed water on his skull. “I don’t see you making actual food!”

“Actual food? Is that what you call that stuff you fed me?” He teased back.

“Excuse me!! I’m sorry for feeding you!! Next time I won’t show you the wonders of fast food! See how much your uneducated tastebuds cry over something you can never reach!”

A small wave had you sputtering.

“Why, you-!”

“While I hate to interrupt…” Ron glanced between the two of you. “..whatever this is. I actually have to be somewhere. It was nice checking up on you, y/n. Keep them safe, Cross. Bye, you two!” He waved and yanked his bag away from Cross, whose hands were sneaking into the bag, before leaving the docks.

“Bye, Ron!” You called after him and sighed. That was really nice of him to share so much of his food with Cross. And nothing bad had happened, just like you’d predicted.

“…Your food’s still not as good.”

“CROSS!!!”

#undertale #mermay 2024 #cross sans

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marzipanrose · 1 year

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Mermay and Gender swaps in the studio

Its Mermay in the studio! I purchased the big Ariel and Sisters set from the disney store because I am super intrigued to have play line mermaids that can actually sit decently!

Look at em all sitting pretty!

My main complaints about this line is the lack of elbow articulation and that the fun patterns are half prints. The backs of thier tails are bare color plastic.

I have no particular fondness for the lil mermaid nor these characters inparticular so I'm planning on slowly customizing all of them. I at least want to add aditional elbow articulation ya know?

My first victim will undergo rather dramatic surgery tho as I've decided I want some mermen in addition to the mermaids.

So I'm gonna chop and swap the upper torsos of these two. Sorry purple girl I think your the ugliest outta your sisters so you're on the chopping block. (Something about the pastel hair and deep blue tail bugs me)

As for the BTS doll I have a few floating around and thier waist circumference is similar enough.

To the Guillotine!

I put a stick wrapped in epoxies clay in the middle and now I've just gotta wait and let it set. I think they look pretty good!

I'll get into the more detailed sculpting later on once everything had had a chance to firm up.

I'm also planning on keeping purple girls head around until I find a nice body for it (I dont think it's bad I just didnt like it on that body)

Tomorrow I'll see about getting to do the fun aesthetic bits, like repainting the tail (I wanna make him betta fish inspired!), replacing the fin (another victim of the dreaded half print), and redoing the face.

#custom doll #doll stuff #mermaid doll #mermay

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brick-a-doodle-do · 1 year

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I finally have thought bc mermay

How about something with a giant mer in an aquarium

You see tiny mer in fishbowls/tanks but how about the giant one...

MERMAY!!! i totally forgot about that. so now i gotta write for it today which was not rlly planned but ehhhh :D this is my first time writing on tumblr so let's see how it goes. also for this i'm making the titles a line from whatever song im listening to because im lazyyy

you live life above me, and i just can't get any higher

words: 846

cw: description of sharp teeth & claws? other than that it's neutral,,

—–—

Despite his fathers’ obvious attempts to drag him along the hallway, Sapnap stayed put, with his arms crossed tightly over his torso and a grimace on his face. He was not going to the small fish, he wanted the big fish; he sees small fish all the time, so what if these are a little more human than the last?

Bad and Skeppy looked back at him, already several feet down the hallway before they realized that Sapnap’s little pitter-pattered footsteps weren’t following them.

Sapnap stayed put, against Bad’s words of encouragement and Skeppy’s already-tired-of-him gaze.

“I don’t want the small fish!” Sapnap whines.

His parent’s share a worried look.

“Sap, we think you might not like the big fish,” Bad reasons, walking to him and crouching by his side. Sapnap looks into Bad’s eyes and frowns. His brows furrow and he tries to compose his anger. Why didn’t they listen to him?

“But why not? I can handle anything, and I don’t want the stupid smaller fish,” he explains, reluctantly letting Bad undo his angry arms to hold Sapnap’s hands in his own. The touch is warming, and it cools him down almost instantly.

“We’re saying we don’t want you to be scared of them. Do you remember the sharks last year?” Skeppy adds from afar. Bad nods quickly in agreement, but it only causes Sapnap to huff, half-scoffing and half-groaning.

“I was five last year, and I liked the sharks, I never said I was scared of them. And these are real mermaids,” he tries. He doesn’t want his efforts to be lost, but that’s what it’s looking like.

Bad, after a moment of consideration and a look back at Skeppy, sighs. “We can take you, but if you get scared, you tell us, okay?”

Sapnap’s eyes light up, nodding eagerly, his raven-colored hair falling over his eyes with the motion.

Easily, he leads the way and his parent’s follow close behind him, all the way to the end of the hall, then left into a much larger hallway with tanks that seemed to run all around them in one big pool. Everywhere he looks there’s deeply colored and isolated waters.

Sapnap is much more at ease here, with eyes eagerly looking around the giant tunnel-like tank to try and spot a mer.

The waters seemed quiet, for a while, where Sapnap grew easily disappointed at the silence, like somehow he wasn’t worthy of seeing something.

Bad and Skeppy talked quietly amongst themselves, and if it wasn’t for his divided attention, perhaps he would’ve heard about how supposedly aggressive these beings were.

He was halfway across the hallway before a shadow stretched over him from above, smothering him in darkness and a newfound hope. Eagerly, he looked up over him, a tail easily fivefold his size. And the top half of the mer slightly smaller but somehow the intimidation never leveling out, it was huge.

Another thing for certain was that his parents were foolishly wrong. Because as soon as the mer had come down over the side of the tank and settled in by watching the three in the tunnel, Sapnap was running to it, something of relief in him.

“Hello!” Sapnap greets it from behind the glass, putting a hand onto the exterior of the tank. It’s cold underneath his touch, but it somehow disperses when the mer behind the glass is returning the gesture with five harsh taps against the glass tank; it’s almost like touching the mer entirely with how warm it gets.

And easily, it obscures his view to where Sapnap has to move around the hand to look at it again. Its tail was almost glowing from the deeper waters, neon-green lacing the bottom of emerald scales. His ears were a similar color, with fins flicking as Sapnap smiles at it.

It looks young, probably just a bit older than him. As it smiles at Sapnap, it bares its sharp teeth which almost glow the same green as his scales. His eyes are neon, just like everything else. And although he can’t really tell, his hair looks both blond and brunet. It’s fluffy, even from under the water as it drifts around him.

His jaw nearly drops. It’s entrancing to watch how a creature could look so human, but so massive and alien.

The two stare at each other for a while, before the mer swims to where Sapnap stood.

Sapnap takes a step to the left so his worldview isn’t a predator. Because even though he wasn’t scared, it was nevertheless unsettling to see sets of predatory teeth grinning at him with neon eyes to accompany him.

But, as he moves, the mer follows him.

He frowns, shaking his head while taking several steps to the left to try and keep it away.

But, almost as suspected, it follows after him.

‘Stop,’ he mouths, running in the opposite direction.

Sure enough, the mer follows him, cutting through the water to chase after the little human who couldn’t help but smile as his new friend trailed after him.

—–—

#brickquiries #3d brickling #3d my beloved 🤗#mw #brickfic #drabbles #mcyt g/t #mcyt gt #dsmp g/t #dsmp gt #dream smp g/t #dream smp gt #t!sapnap #g!dream #mermay #the last scene is based off of something that happened to me irl. but instead of a mer it was a cougar :D #the pacing in this is very wonky to me so i hope it's not like that while reading 🙏#happy mermay btw!!! and thank u 3d for the prompt :3

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nin-twst · 11 days

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Yu and the Three Mers - Part 1

Part 1 - Floyd - As Yu tries to find some peace at the Mostro Lounge, a bored eel barges in and whisks her away. At least she was able to finish her work before she was taken...

A/N: Happy MerMay! I've always wanted to do something but I never had the right motivation... Now I have the Octotrio! There will be a total of three parts (I think that's pretty obvious,,,) so be on the look out!

for the title, I tried to make a "mer" pun out of musketeers but it wasn't working so i gave up and just left it as is lmao

**fyi, the yu in this (the one from my main fic) is afab and agender, so they don't really care about what people identify them as. so just some context for stuff that happens later: everyone thinks yu is a guy because of the way they act, but yu tends to refer to themselves as female. in all honesty, they just don't care**

have fun <3

“Shrimpy~!” Floyd pounced, landing square on her back. “Let’s go have some fun!”

Yu looked up from her assignment. She was currently finishing up translating an essay from Sam in the Mostro Lounge, wanting to escape the distractions that were the first-years. As much as she loved them, they had no concept of self-control, and they never notice when her stress levels are getting too high to deal with their level of energy. Instead of lashing out at them, she secludes herself in different spots, spending much needed time to herself as she cooled down.

Floyd continued to lean his body weight on her as she kept silent. “C’mon, Shrimpy~! We gotta hurry before Azul comes and yells at us again!”

“Us?” Yu raised an eyebrow, going back to her work so she could at least try and finish it before the ell dragged her off to who knows where. “Why would he yell at the both of us? I’m a paying customer right now, you know.”

He pouted. “Ah, who knows what goes on in that octopus brain of his! He’s always so strict and mean. Now hurry up and get up so we can go! Hurry!”

She opened her mouth to say something, but decided against it. Instead, she just poked his shoulder. “I can’t get up with this giant eel weighing me down.”

His eyes lit up and he grabbed her from the waist, hauling her body over his shoulder. “Finally!”

From her position, she caught Jade’s attention. Once they made eye contact, she shouted, “Watch my stuff for me, please!”

The other eel simply nodded his head, waving at her as she was pulled away from her planned peaceful afternoon.

<🦈>-~*~-<🦐>-~*~-<🍄>-~*~-<🐙>

They wandered around the campus aimlessly, Floyd occasionally picking a fight with passing students. Yu just looked the other way. Wow, look at these flowers on the side of the path! How pretty! Maybe she could pick some to give to Jade later as thanks for watching her stuff. Nah, he probably wouldn’t want these. Maybe she can check Sam’s shop for some mushrooms?

“Shrimpy, I’m done! Let’s go!”

Yu turned back around, ignoring the mess of bodies on the floor. Catching up with the eel, she took out a napkin, tapping his shoulder. “Lean down for a bit. You got some stuff on your face.”

“Hm?” Despite his mischievous expression, he complied, leaning down so Yu could reach his face.

There wasn’t much blood, but it was enough to cause some concern, especially on someone like Floyd. Once clean, she patted his head. “Alright, we can go now.”

Floyd hummed, taking her hand in his and swung their arms as they continued to amble around the campus. As they wandered, a sudden idea popped into her head.

“Hey Floyd,” Yu questioned. “How about visiting the beach?”

“The beach?!” He exclaimed. “Is Shrimpy going to swim with me?”

She shrugged. “If you want. I’ve never swam in the ocean before, though.”

“I’ll teach you!” His expression suddenly dropped. “Oh. We can’t go.”

“Hm?”

“We need the Headmaster’s approval to leave campus.”

“Oh,” Yu smirked. “I can deal with that. Do you wanna go?”

Floyd just returned her smirk. “What is Shrimpy up to now, hm~?”

<🦈>-~*~-<🦐>-~*~-<🍄>-~*~-<🐙>

“No,” Crowley crossed his arms.

“You’ve let me go before,” Yu mirrored his actions. “It’s only the beach.”

He pointed a finger at her companion, who stood just outside the door. “He just beat up a bunch of freshmen! Why didn’t you stop him??”

“The flowers caught my attention.”

“For ten minutes?!”

She glared at him. “Yeah, like how it’s taking half a year to give me the reward you promised me after dealing with Savanaclaw.”

That silenced Crowley. Even with his mask, one could tell that he was sweating.

“Fine,” he sighed. “Just come back before midnight.”

<🦈>-~*~-<🦐>-~*~-<🍄>-~*~-<🐙>

It’s been a while since she’s been to the ocean, even in her old world. The salty breeze passed through her hair as she took in the setting sun in front of her. She wished she brought the ghost camera with her; what kind of images would it project? If it was just her and her mind, she could disassociate to the sound of the waves for a long time.

If.

Sadly, she wasn’t alone, and said person wasn’t one to leave her alone.

Floyd grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the water. “Let’s go for a swim! I borrowed this potion from Azul so we can go under the water for a long time!”

“Borrow?” How do you borrow a potion? It’s not like you can give it back…

Oh.

“Whatever!” He shoved the opening of the bottle into her mouth. “Drink so we can swim together!”

Drinking the stolen goods, Yu took off her shirt and wrapped her phone in it, leaving it slightly hidden in the sand in case someone came by. It didn’t seem like this beach got much traffic, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

“Woah,” Floyd commented. “Is this why you didn’t swim with your friends?”

“Hm?” Yu glanced down at her chest. She had asked Sam for some swimming clothes, but all he could get was a wetsuit. “Oh. No, I just had stuff to do.”

He giggled, circling around her to give her a hug. “Wah~... So Shrimpy’s been a girl this whole time, huh?”

“I guess. It doesn’t really matter to me.” She pinched the hand that was squeezing her breast. “Hey. You probably shouldn’t do that. That’s called sexual harassment.”

He tilted his head. “Huh? But I thought you said it doesn’t matter.”

“To me, yeah.” She let his wandering hands rest on her waist. “I don’t really care about my gender or whatever, but other girls do. You should be careful if you want to squeeze them. It would be like… squeezing their tails?”

It seemed the improvised comparison worked, his eyebrows scrunching in disgust. “Oh, ew. Okay, I’ll be more careful from now on.”

In no time, Yu was dragged into the water, pulled far from the shore by the fast eel. It took a while for her to adjust, but the moment she opened her eyes, she left behind any regrets she had about this trip. At first, she was just going along with Floyd and his antics so he didn't direct his frustration at her. She’s seen many kids act like him back in her old world, and she knew each kid needed to be dealt with differently. Yu hadn’t been around Floyd long enough, so she hadn’t learned how to deal with his mood swings yet. Picking fights with the other students, being too touchy, ignoring everyone else’s responsibilities to do whatever he wants… She turned a blind eye to his actions. (It helped that the freshmen were talking shit about her, he tends to show he cares through his actions, and it was about time for a break from all the work she had been doing. Sitting down for five hours straight was probably not good on her spine.)

She feels a little bad for ignoring him, but what could she do? She needed to focus on Azul and his impending doom, so the tweels got pushed to the side for their boss’s sake. Now that that was all done and taken care of, Yu had been avoiding the Lounge because, to be completely honest, she didn’t have the energy to deal with the two of them. If anything, she’s glad that Floyd is the one bothering her, since he’s a lot easier to read than his brother.

“Hello~?” A finger repeatedly tapped her forehead, snapping her out of her thoughts. “Anyone in there?”

“Oh, sorry.” She rubbed the spot where she was poked. “What did you say?”

He hummed, circling around Yu. “Nothing~. You were making a funny face earlier, but now I’m bored. Wanna race?”

She scoffed. “Uh- no? I’m definitely going to get lost if you swim ahead of me. How far out are we, anyways?”

The eel just shrugged, lacing their fingers together as he resumed pulling her along to wherever he was going. They probably weren’t that far from shore, right? They’ve only been in the water for…

“Hey, Floyd. How long have we been swimming?”

Instead of answering, a smile started to grow on his face.

“Floyd? You do know that this potion doesn’t last-”

“Why should I tell you? We can just stay here until-”

Yu held up a hand, expression becoming serious. “Name your price. What do I have to do in order for you to swim us back to the beach so I don’t die?”

“Hm…” He had let go of her arm and was now circling her again. “I dunno. What are you gonna give me?”

“If I ever cook with Jade again I can give you a mushroom-free dish.”

“Hm…”

“And make Azul’s extra mushroom-y.”

“Deal!”

Yu knew the eel was holding back when they first got into the water, but nothing could ever prepare her for the speed at which Floyd swam at. It took no time at all to get back to shore so they could resurface. With how fast they were going, Yu wondered how far out they actually were. (According to all of her math knowledge, pretty far, but there was no need to process that knowledge right now.)

As she waited for Floyd to gain his legs again, she checked her phone. It was definitely darker than when they first went under, but Yu could never instinctively tell based on just the sky. It was about three when they left… Take away five… Carry the two…

“How long was that potion supposed to last again?”

Floyd brushed off his pants as he stood up, his potion finally taking effect. “Um… I think Azul said those ones were five hours.”

Five…

“Holy shit I almost died.” There was one minute left until they hit the five hour mark. “Floyd, what the hell? Do you want me to die?”

“That would make things interesting, wouldn’t it?” He smiled at her, his sharp teeth showing.

Instead of answering, she picked up her stuff and swiftly left, heading towards the mirror back to Night Raven College. Floyd just laughed, chasing after her. “What’s wrong, Shrimpy? Wait up!”

“No thanks!” Yu threw over her shoulder. “I don’t want to die today!”

“Eh~? You wouldn’t have died! I had an extra potion with me!”

“You were an eel! You had no pockets!”

“Oh right. Whoops!”

As Yu passed through the mirror, she briefly turned back, a soft smile dancing on her lips. It seemed that Floyd was in a better mood. She could tell that something was bothering him earlier, but she didn’t think they were close enough where she could pry.

“Caught ya!” Floyd picked her up on the other side of the mirror with a twirl. “Where’s my little shrimp running off to? You owe me dinner, remember?”

Yu didn’t even try to struggle out of his grip. “Dinner?”

“Eh?” He pouted. “We made a deal and all! Man, maybe this is why Azul writes down all his contracts…”

“Oh.” She didn’t expect him to cash that in this early. “I didn’t know you wanted to do it today.”

He just smiled, walking towards the Octavinelle dorms. “C’mon, I’m starving!”

Yu huffed, ruffling his hair as she let herself get thrown over the eel’s shoulder. “Okay, okay. I need to get my stuff, anyways.”

#my art #my writing #twisted wonderland #twst oc #floyd leech #i literally did this on a whim and now im committed #i might put this on ao3 in the future #im just lazy rn LOL #jade and azul coming soon ✌️#yes it will be a continuous story #no it was not planned so we'll see how i can bring azul into this #also not proofread at all so there might be mistakes #oh well ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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candyfloss-esophagus · 21 days

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56, 67, and 27 (sorry if you've already answered these!)

Hello hello!!!

56. What’s something about your writing that you pride yourself on?

I like trying to convey atmosphere and I like to think I'm good at it as well! Sometimes it takes a bit of tweaking and working around to find the perfect words and phrases and all that

67. Do you prefer prompts and challenges, or completely independent ideas?

Hmm I think they both have their places. Prompts are nice for when you're a little void of inspiration or want to write a lot very quickly, like with the monthly challenges like whumptober and mermay and such. Completely independent ideas allows for more creative freedom to go off and do whatever, but sometimes are a little harder due to the whole no guidelines thing, which is definitely a plus but can get make me very tired. Gotta say independent ideas for most of the time because of how much I get to go buckwild and do my own thing

27. What is your most and least favorite part of writing?

My most favourite part of writing is when I first come up with an idea and I get that sweet sweet rush of all those sweet sweet brain chemicals as I allow it to consume me. The least favourite part has got to be depressive adhd burnout that occurs while I'm like. halfway through any given piece. It's actually infuriating lol

Thank you so much for the ask!!! Here is the masterpost for anyone interested!!!! This was a joy to get and answer <3

#ask game #kadekeys #behind the scenes with esophagus #esophagus speaks #ask answered

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deberiaestarescribiendo · 10 months

Text

I've been thinking about this idea that came to me after Florence and the machine released Mermaids and then I watched The Lighthouse. I wanted to write a dark Mermaids story and my protagonist was a solitary man, dealing with grieve, sounds familiar?

Even if I didn't planned as a fic but an original story, Joel Miller inspired it (maybe also the fact that I've been playing tlou part 2 and there's a ton of scenes dealing around the coast) and I think the sea is a great setting to explore pain. I got stuck, you can figure that out just knowing I wanted to be done for merMay and well... it's August. So in order to bust my ass to write, I wanted to share some snippets with you. I want to publish it here and Ao3 sometime this week. If by next Monday I haven't, you can come scream at me (thank you).

Themes and what to expect from it: this is weird story, dark and eery sea vibes, grieving lots of pain, tension, smut (duh), and very important, Joel Miller continues to be little spoon on this.

The siren will be described( as fins and tail and color and her not human features), but the "girl" version of her will not, she will be nameless and addressed as "she, girl, siren etc" but it can be read as as a f!reader.

"They say the sea has some power over the souls. It understands something that lies underneath flesh and bones and it sings a song that appeal to those who are wounded.

The sea is a welcoming mistress for lost souls. At land, all he did was bury himself in pills and alcohol. He numbed his head so his thoughts would stop being her fast breathing, her cries, his shirt wet, warm and sticky over his chest.

(....)

I know, baby, I know.

I gotta get you up, babygirl

He remembers getting her corpse up of the ground, and all he was, was left in the puddle of her daughter’s blood on the grass."

(....)

"They were so far away; the radar never showed any passing ship. The sky was so bright, Joel saw the Milky way for the first time. That white spur of cosmos full of stars brighter than any artificial light he had never seen before. The sea was so calm the light draw silver lines over the soft waves, the soft push of them crushed against the boat, when he saw it. A shadow, barely a head above water. If it weren’t for those silver lines, a glitch on the reflection of the sky above, he wouldn’t have seen it."

(....)

"She cradled his head on her lap, her sharp nails combing his greying hairs, again and again. And she sings.

Her voice is soft, and deep. She hums sometimes, or just vocalises, others she speaks in a language he does not understand. Long syllables, soft words. Even if she does use unknown words or just her voice, Joel understand. She sings about longing, death, lost and love. Sometimes he cries and she shushes him like a baby. With her voice and her hands, she caresses his wounds and his heart.

In the night, they lay, and she tangles herself to him. She's warm and soft and smells like salt and sand. It's like she keeps the warmth of the beach on her. Her heartbeat is steady. If she notices that sometimes he touches the skin on her leg, from her ankle to her thigh, the one leg she tosses over his hip, she does not say.

Sometimes she turns and grabs his arm, cuddling herself with him, as if he was a blanket over her. She keeps his hand between her breasts, her slow and steady breath should calm him. But she pushes against him, her back on his belly, her hips between his hips.

If she notices that his painfully hard and cannot sleep, she doesn't say.

But when he does eventually fall asleep, the nightmares start.

"do not cry, Joel" she kisses the tears running down his cheeks. And she sings, and he cries more. Until he's empty and exhausted, until he can fill the sea and drown.

The siren sings every night and he begins to forget why he's crying or that he should try to get back to the land"

Let me know if you wish to read it once I upload it 🥺

#joel miller #joel miller fic #joel miller x reader #Joel Miller AU #TLOU AU #pedro pascal characters fanfiction #pedro pascal #Creepy Mermaids yeah

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incorrectshantaequotes · 7 months

Text

REVERSAL AU - Mermaid Falls

So the Reversal AU talk yesterday reminded me: a few weeks ago I actually had an idea for another transcript for this AU, and just...kinda forgot to write it down afterwards? Whoops. In any case - here's a transcript for how Mermaid Falls would go in the Reversal AU!

NOTE: If you're new or need a refresher for how these work, take a look at these earlier transcripts

[With a flash of purple light, RATTLE, RISKY, and BLAST appear at the beginning of Mermaid Falls]

RATTLE: And here we are! Mermai-HRRK!

RISKY: Rattle!? Are you-

BLAST: Wow, I didn't know bones could look that green!

RATTLE: I'm fine, I'm fine! URF. Mostly. Long range teleportation is a bit of a new one. Really takes it out of me.

RATTLE: I just...might need another second to keep my head from spinning or spilling my non-existent guts...

RISKY: "Another second?" You look one bad step away from death's door! And you're already mostly bones!

RATTLE: That...might be a contributing factor to your assessment there, Risky-

RISKY: You're sitting this one OUT, Rattle. Just get some rest and wait until we need to be teleported out of Scuttle Town. This mission might be better off solo, anyway.

BLAST: Hey, don't forget about me!

RISKY: Like I said. Solo.

BLAST: Aw, don't be so down on yourself, Risky! I'm sure you can do...something important, probably. You just gotta have confidence! Like me! BLAMMO!

RISKY: Is that what you call it? Well, if it helps you sleep at night...

BLAST: Well, enough chit chat! We're already here! Mermaid Falls! Home of mermaids! Maidens! Uh...seashells...? Can't think of a fourth thing...

BLAST: ...what are we doing here again?

RISKY: SIGH. Alright, from the top:

RISKY: The queen of the mermaids is being held hostage by Huntress Baron. None of the locals know what she wants, just that she captured the queen a few days ago and dragged her off to an unknown location.

RISKY: She's also, apparently, been cutting down all the trees in the area - I can hardly imagine what for, but it can't be good for the mermaid queen...

BLAST: You mean the GIGA MERMAID?

RISKY: Okay, honestly, why does EVERYONE keep calling her that? She's not some sort of comic book character! "Giga" is not a proper royal title.

BLAST: It is if you're big enough!

RISKY: And...how big is she?

BLAST: KAPOW! No idea! Gotta be pretty big though.

RISKY: Uh huh.

RISKY: In any case, our first priority is to save the mermaid queen-

BLAST: Giga Mermaid.

RISKY: Ugh, fine! Our first priority is to save the..."Giga Mermaid"...and after that, we can ask about the Eternal Seafoam Mimic needs for the insulation of his machine.

BLAST: Oh yeah, that thing! That big thing that'll generate a shield to keep out all the pirate and monster attacks on Scuttle Town! The thing that'll effectively do your job but better for the rest of all time! That one!

RISKY: ...

BLAST: You know, now that I say that out loud - why are you helping Mimic with that, exactly? Like, personally I wouldn't mind the vacation, but uh, you kinda sound like you're getting a raw deal here-

RISKY: It's not about ME, you OAF! This is a matter of Scuttle Town's SAFETY! Yes, this...does mean that I'll be...giving up my one true goal and drive in life...but if THAT'S what it takes for Scuttle Town to have PEACE and COMFORT, that is a sacrifice I'll GLADLY take!

RISKY: VERY. GLADLY.

BLAST: WOAH, mayday, MAYDAY! Entering hostile territory! Going down...kaSPLOOSH!

BLAST: Alright, message recieved! Help Mimic build the device to replace you! Got it!

BLAST: ...I mean, sure, if I was in your position, I'd tell him to shove it up his-

RISKY: BLAST.

BLAST: Shutting up now! Shutting up. Yup! What were we talking about?

RISKY: Huntress Baron.

BLAST: Right! She's got Giga Mermaid captured, yeah? I'll handle that no problem! She'll be no match for my PERFECT PLAN!

RATTLE: You already have a plan? That fast?

BLAST: Yup! I'm just that good! Here's how it goes:

BLAST: Step one: I introduce her to my two boys here - KABOOM, and KERBLAM!

BLAST: Step two: she LOSES!

RATTLE: ...is that it?

BLAST: Well, I was considering adding a third step where I do a victory dance, but that seems like a bit much.

RATTLE: Blast, it's going to be a lot harder than that - she may not be a traditional Baron, but Huntress Baron is no joke.

RATTLE: Not to mention, the mermaids in this area must be tense with their leader so vulnerable. If you act rashly instead of taking the time to explain the situation to them, they might-

BLAST: Alright, we've spent enough time talking! Time for some ACTION!

RATTLE: Blast-!

BLAST: Here we go!

[BLAST charges off-screen into Mermaid Falls]

BLAST: BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAASTTTTTTTTT...

RATTLE: ...wait...

BLAST: ...OFFFFFFFFFFFF! SHAPOW!

RATTLE: ...

RATTLE: Oh my gosh, he just ran in.

RISKY: Yup.

RATTLE: Did he forget how Huntress Baron was hired to headhunt the king of Sequin Land?

RISKY: Yup.

RATTLE: And how she was NEARLY ABLE TO SUCCEED!?

RISKY: Yyyyyyup.

RATTLE: I-How-WHY is he like this?

RISKY: Honestly, I don't know what you were expecting. It's BLAST. Subtle is not his middle, last, or first name.

RISKY: Or even on his family tree for that matter.

RISKY: He was never going to agree to any plan you or I put together.

RATTLE: ...I guess you're right...but at least I can be confident that YOU'RE going to take a few minutes to carefully form a plan, Risky.

RISKY: ...

RATTLE: You are going to take a few minutes to plan, right, Risky?

RISKY: ...

RATTLE: Risky.

RISKY: Well, I'm not charging in BLINDLY-

RATTLE: RISKY!

RISKY: Will you relax? If there's one thing Blast is good at, it's being a human - or, well, cyclops - wrecking ball. I doubt I'll have to deal with much opposition here.

RATTLE: And HUNTRESS BARON?

RISKY: Dangerous, and Blast has more hot air in his head than brains for thinking she'll be that easy to fight, but you already knew that, and unlike you, I've MET her.

RISKY: The woman's an utter loon! I hardly imagine her demands are anything we need to worry about. I'll see what they are, and if they're harmless, it will be no trouble to fulfill them at all. If not...well, ideally, it'll be easy to talk her down.

RISKY: I'll still prepare for a fight if necessary, of course, but while this is a serious situation, I highly doubt it'll be as dangerous as you think.

RATTLE: Right. Not as dangerous as I think. Like that one time when we were kids, and you-

RISKY: WELL, WILL YOU LOOK AT THE TIME! Places to go, mermaid royalty to save, I'm sure Blast caught himself in a net somewhere- see you later, Rattle! Don't move from that spot!

[RISKY runs off-screen into Mermaid Falls.]

RATTLE: ...SIGH...I should hang out with 'Pod more. At least he PRETENDS to listen to me when I warn him about danger.

~~~~

[RISKY runs into scene to see BLAST, strung up in a net. He's notably crying his singular eye out, but RISKY doesn't notice yet]

RISKY: Huh, what do you know? I managed to call it.

RISKY: So, Blast. How's that perfect plan of yours working-

BLAST: BWUH-HUHHUHUHUHUH!

RISKY: Huh?

BLAST: BWUHUHUH-WUH-WUH!

RISKY: You're...crying?

BLAST: *incomprehensible gibberish*

RISKY: This is...I think this is the first time I've seen you break down since...well, as long as I've known you.

RISKY: ...

RISKY: Is this about earlier? I...Look, I'm SORRY, okay? I shouldn't have snapped at you like that; frankly, you're not nearly as bad as you used to be.

RISKY: I just...I suppose it DOES bother me that I'm going to be replaced by a mere machine. A little bit. Let alone that I've ALREADY been replaced by that smug, irritating, twin-tailed, HALF-BRAINED-!

RISKY: Ahem. But I can't make this about ME. It's my job, my DUTY to protect people. And can I really call myself a hero if I put my own hopes and dreams before the safety of the town I was entrusted with?

RISKY: ...even if it means I won't be the one protecting it?

RISKY: ...

RISKY: I'm sure this all sounds like dead air to you, hollow words from a poison-tipped tongue, but I truly am sorry. If there's anything I can do-

BLAST: MY COOOOOOOAAAAAT!

RISKY: ...I beg your pardon?

BLAST: My beautiful, BEAUTIFUL cooo-oa-oa-oat! She BURNED IT! She burned it right in front of my eye!

RISKY: What.

BLAST: I should have listened to whatever boring nonsense Rattle was saying earlier! That coat was the coolest thing I owned! My heroic signature! My BABY! And she BURNED IT!

BLAST: Who is Blast without his cool longcoat? That blue coat flapping in the wind as he flexes his arms heroically? All I am without it is a buff cyclops who makes explosion noises! DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY OF THOSE THERE ARE IN SEQUIN LAND!?

RISKY: Just you. It's literally just you.

BLAST: Oh no, it's even worse than I thought! I'm going to be a social pariah! A WEIRDO! They'll laugh at me in the streets! These woods...these woods will become my new home.

BLAST: No longer will my name be BLAST. Now...all will know me as...BOBO-

RISKY: Oh, will you STOP THAT!? You're draining my tolerance for incoherent rambling, and I need to save it for Huntress Baron. Here, give me a minute...

[RISKY stands in place for a moment as a series of blueprints form above her head. After a few moments, a blue coat is formed, which drops onto RISKY and causes her to briefly play the ITEM GET animation before tossing it to BLAST.]

BLAST: Wait, what's this?

RISKY: A new coat. Surprisingly, clothing isn't all that different from my golems...I think. There's a chance it may try to bite you. Other than that, it's practically identical.

RISKY: I also went ahead and did you a favor in making it fireproof. Honestly, I don't know why you didn't have it fireproofed already, what with the amount of explosions you surround yourself with-

BLAST: Ah, SWEET! Risky, you're a lifesaver! Thank you! That Dynamo may be able to protect our town, but it will NEVER replace that heart of yours!

RISKY: I...well, I never thought I would say this, but- thank you, Blast. I really needed to hear that.

RISKY: ...were you even crying about the coat to begin with?

BLAST: Oh, KABLAMMO, one hundred percent! This coat is my baby and I will personally deck anyone who insists otherwise! This adventure will emotionally scar me for life and Huntress Baron is a heartless monster who needs to be stopped.

RISKY: Ah. Well, I suppose it's good to know I DID genuinely help there.

RISKY: I don't suppose you managed to get any information other than the fact that Huntress Baron is a pyromaniac?

BLAST: There WAS one thing that was kinda weird. When she set my coat on fire, she kinda just...glared at it after a few seconds. Muttered something about "not big enough" and then kicked it into the water. SPLISH!

RISKY: "Splish?"

BLAST: Underwater torpedo.

RISKY: Got it. You're right, that IS unusual, but not particularly HELPFUL. What on earth does fire have to do with a hostage situation?

BLAST: I mean, who knows what goes on in that crazy mind of hers? Other than terrible thoughts of hurting everything you hold dear and making you watch.

RISKY: Of course. Other than that.

BLAST: Well, you go on ahead! Normally, this would be the part where I'd flex to break the ropes of the net and save the day with my renewed heroic gusto, but uh...

BLAST: ...you need this more than me, so I'll let you take this one. Savor the moment. Mark this day on the calendar, Risky, because this is the one and ONLY freebie I'm giving you!

RISKY: As should be expected, of course. The Brilliant and Bodacious Blast can't allow himself to fall behind for too long, now can he?

BLAST: WAPOW! Exactly! Glad we're on the same page, Risky! Now go out there and do some good work, soldier!

RISKY: It'll be my PLEASURE.

[Risky runs off, about to exit off-screen, but stops just before she does]

RISKY: And...I can't believe I'm about to say this...SKA-POOSH!

BLAST: "Ska-poosh?" That is a TERRIBLE explosion noise. Zero out of five stars.

RISKY: Oh, SHUT UP! You used "Splish" earlier! I can just leave you here, you know, don't think I won't!

[RISKY resumes her run, now fully off-screen]

~~~~

[RISKY runs in on what appears to be a camping site, stopping a few feet away from a fire pit. GIGA MERMAID is visibly bound and gagged in the background, and HUNTRESS BARON is sharpening a hunting knife on a stick]

RISKY: URK! By the crusty barnacles at the bottom of the sea, she's HUGE! As nonsensical as that title first sounded, I'm starting to see Blast's point about size...

RISKY: ...

RISKY: Hmm. Blast made three meaningful and insightful comments today, and yet there's no pigs flying. I never thought I would see the day.

RISKY: But, putting that aside for now...

RISKY: Hold it, HUNTRESS BARON!

HUNTRESS BARON: Hmm? What was that noise? It sounded like...

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh. I know you.

RISKY: Glad to see the recognition.

HUNTRESS BARON: Yessssss...you were that little mouse, weren't you? That little RAT who cost me the BIGGEST PAYDAY OF MY CAREER.

RISKY: Uh-

HUNTRESS BARON: Do you know what that money could have gotten me? A king's head isn't cheap, you know. I would have been set for life. Free from a life of crime to do as I wish.

RISKY: I-

HUNTRESS BARON: I wouldn't have done that, of course, I could NEVER give up on my passion, but I could've gone overseas. I could've gone to the annual meeting of the Hunter's Guild.

RISKY: Hunter's Guild?

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh, they invite me every year. And every year, I can't go, because I don't believe in boats. No one ELSE realizes they're a scam made by the SEAGULLS to FEAST ON OUR FLESH, but I know better. I know better...

RISKY: ...

HUNTRESS BARON: But that much money could have been enough to afford the services of someone who can teleport. I could've gone there this time - for the first time in years, I could have seen their smiling faces, tears in their eyes as we finally reunite...

RISKY: Well, that's terribly unfortunate, but no matter how badly you want to see your-

HUNTRESS BARON: ...and THEN I could finally add them all to my trophy room, those insufferable little cretins! DRAKE's pelt could go over the fireplace, COLOMBUS' head would make for a lovely lamp, and Petunia, PETUNIA-!

RISKY: ENOUGH! Ignoring your...incredibly disturbing home decoration plans for the moment - what do you want with Giga Mermaid!?

HUNTRESS BARON: Huh?

RISKY: Your demands. For the hostage situation with her.

HUNTRESS BARON: Who?

RISKY: The mermaid queen.

HUNTRESS BARON: ...

RISKY: The giant mermaid you have tied up right behind you!?

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh, is that who she is? I hadn't noticed!

RISKY: ...

HUNTRESS BARON: ...

RISKY: ...are you going to say anything, or-

HUNTRESS BARON: Wait. Who said anything about a hostage? I never said anything about a hostage. WHO TOLD YOU THAT!?

RISKY: The locals. The mermaids. Literally everyone with eyes.

HUNTRESS BARON: Hmph! Well, I never told THEM I had a hostage. So rude of them to assume. Where'd they even get that ridiculous idea?

RISKY: I don't know, maybe it has to do with the fact that you have Giga Mermaid BOUND AND GAGGED?

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh, that's not because I'm holding her hostage.

RISKY: It isn't?

HUNTRESS BARON: Mhm. I have a completely justified reason for tying her up.

HUNTRESS BARON: It's very personal.

HUNTRESS BARON: And very private.

RISKY: ...

HUNTRESS BARON: ...

RISKY: And that reason would be...?

HUNTRESS BARON: I'm cooking her.

RISKY: You're WHAT!?

HUNTRESS BARON: I KNOW! This firewood is FAR too damp to get anything close to the proper size I'd need to cook her fully! I thought the pelt of that strange blue exploding creature would make a good firestarter, but it didn't have any nitroglycerine like I expected. Must have been faking the explosions somehow-

RISKY: That is a PERSON! She may be bigger than a house and an entirely different species, but that is still a PERSON, with her own thoughts, and dreams, and RIGHTS!

RISKY: What you're doing may not be cannibalism, but it's STILL morally and objectively wrong on every level!

HUNTRESS BARON: Well, of course it isn't cannibalism, I'm only eating the FISH half. I'm not a monster.

RISKY: THAT'S STILL! HALF! OF HER! ENTIRE! BODY! YOU! UTTER! NITWIT! You can't just pop off the fish tail and get human legs inside; that's not how mermaids work!

HUNTRESS BARON: Huh...you know, I never thought about it that way! In that case, I'll just eat all of her, then! No need to waste perfectly good food! You know, little mouse, you really aren't that bad after all!

RISKY: HUNTRESS BARON. By my authority as a (former) Genie Guardian, I AM PLACING YOU UNDER ARREST!

HUNTRESS BARON: WHAT!? I can't go back, I've made too many enemies! WHO WILL POLISH THEIR PLACES IN THE TROPHY ROOM IF I'M NOT THERE!? You'll never take me alive!

RISKY: ...haven't you never been caught in your entire career?

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh yeah, I forgot! You're still not taking me alive though. Or leaving here alive, for that matter.

[The screen shakes a few times immediately after HUNTRESS BARON says that]

RISKY: ...what was that?

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh, did you never meet Wobble Bell? How silly of me to forget! Here, let me introduce you two!

HUNTRESS BARON: Oh, WOBBLE BELL~!

[HUNTRESS BARON whistles, and a few moments later, the massive form of WOBBLE BELL leaps onto the screen with a loud bark]

RISKY: You call that THING Wobble Bell!?

HUNTRESS BARON: Wobble Bell is not a thing! Wobble Bell is the greatest and goodest boy in the whole wide world! Aren't you, boy? Yes you are, oh yes you are!

[WOBBLE BELL barks in affirmation]

HUNTRESS BARON: And look! Since you've been such a good boy, I even got you a new toy!

RISKY: "New toy?" Where...oh no.

[WOBBLE BELL starts barking in excitement]

RISKY: Not a toy, not a toy, NOT A TOY!

HUNTRESS BARON: Well, SOMEONE'S excited to play! And who am I to deny you? Now, Wobble Bell...

HUNTRESS BARON: GO FETCH.

[Cue the boss fight]

~~~~

[After the obligatory boss fight explosions]

HUNTRESS BARON: WOBBLE BELL! NOOOOOOOOO! You were too young for this world! How dare you, you MONSTER!

RISKY: Oh, quit being so dramatic! He's just knocked out.

HUNTRESS BARON: YOOOOOUUUUUUUU...you know, little mouse, I. Have had. Just about ENOUGH of YOU-

[At that moment, GIGA MERMAID manages to snap the ropes binding her, and tears off her gag to growl menacingly at HUNTRESS BARON]

HUNTRESS BARON: ...

HUNTRESS BARON: On second thought, I'm going to go home. Have a nice day!

[HUNTRESS BARON starts to walk away. RISKY loads an automated crossbolt launcher, aims, and fires, sending HUNTRESS BARON flying off-screen]

RISKY: Hmph! It'll take more than an overgrown mutt to handle me.

RISKY: I see you managed to free yourself, your highness. I'm sure you want to take time to reassure your subjects and catch up on the goings-on of Mermaid Falls while you were captured here. I'll be back in a few hours to-

[GIGA MERMAID makes a noise, and RISKY looks shocked]

RISKY: Oh. Meet up by the docks as soon as possible? That's...certainly doable. I won't be one to turn down a royal invitation.

[The screen fades out to black]

~~~~

[The screen fades back in to the docks. RISKY, BLAST, and RATTLE walk in, and GIGA MERMAID comes out of the water with a gentle smile along with several other mermaids]

BLAST: So what's this all about?

[GIGA MERMAID makes a noise and gestures]

RISKY: From my understanding, this is all to...personally thank me for my efforts?

RATTLE: Wow, really! That's impressive! You must have done a great job! Maybe I shouldn't have been so worried after all.

RISKY: ...er.

[GIGA MERMAID makes some more noises, then dips down into the waters]

RISKY: "For your passion for life and bravery in the face of death, I present to you one of the sacred marine royal treasures..."

[GIGA MERMAID comes back up and presents a massive ball made of white bubbles]

RISKY: It's- An ENTIRE BALL of Eternal Seafoam! More than enough for Mimic's Dynamo!

RISKY: I...I don't know what to say. I-

BLAST: Oh, just take it already! You really should get some self-confidence!

RISKY: You're right, I should. I can't let you have FOUR valid points in a row, then we might actually have problems.

RATTLE: ...What on earth happened while I was benched?

RISKY: Don't worry about it. Your highness, I humbly and gladly accept your gift. I'll make sure to put it to good use.

[GIGA MERMAID hands over the ball of eternal seafoam over, causing RISKY to briefly play the item get animation before the scene resumes]

BLAST: You know, I wouldn't mind a gift myself...

RISKY: Blast DID provide a surprising amount of moral support today, even if all he did physically was get caught in a net.

[GIGA MERMAID and the other mermaids dive down. After a few moments, they resurface, and GIGA MERMAID makes a noise]

BLAST: Well, come on! Don't wait for me to go TICK TICK, BOOM! What'd she say!?

RISKY: ...she said she'll allow you to slip on a fish as a mermaid tail and swim around for a few hours.

BLAST: SHABAM! HECK YEAH! I am DOWN for being a mermaid! Where are the nearest seashells, I need to get ready!

[BLAST runs off-screen, presumably in search of seashells, while RATTLE stares on after him]

RATTLE: Again. What on EARTH happened while I was benched?

RISKY: Actually, unless something happened to Blast while I was fighting the giant dog, I'm fairly certain this is all him. I guess he just really likes the idea of being a mermaid.

RATTLE: ...run that first part by me again?

RISKY: Later. Back in Scuttle Town, so I don't have to be embarrassed in public when you inevitably become insufferable.

RATTLE: Hmmm...sounds promising. I guess we all managed to get a gift here!

RISKY: Oh no, it's already starting...is it too late to switch rewards with Blast?

[STAGE CLEAR]

#shantae #not a quote #reversal au #long quote

5 notes · View notes

shibaraki · 1 year

Note

monty. oh my god. i just read the bkg mermay selkie fic

no words to describe how the entire thing made me feel. bakugou is a character thar is so special and precious and important to me and you're one of the writers that do him justice. i love the way his relationship w selkie reader progressed and despite my initial (read: JUST FUCKING TELL THEM) feelings toward when selkie reader drank the concoction to sever the bond, i think it is so on brand for him to remain quiet about it because he thinks it's what the reader wants + what would be best for them in the long run . going home

i think this fic is so special to me and im going to reread it for days to come. i cannot articulate how much i loved it and i love your writing and thank you for sharing your work with us i mean it :(( if the tides could speak is so lovely and bakugou, and the way you write him, is so very dear to me (he is a source of great comfort i would say but that doesn't do justice to how i feel about him) and i'm very thankful to be able to have read this <33

— mirmir anon !!

MIRMIR !!!! I’m happy to see you, I hope you’ve been doing well 🫶🏻 thank you so so much. knowing that he is special to you and you trust me with writing him is just huge!!!! I’m so honoured and pleased you loved it 😭 LOL I definitely understand your frustration. but unfortunately our boy would not have believed reader if they confessed. gotta sever to come back together again!!! and as you said, he thought it was best for us. I mean they literally jumped off a cliff the first time he met them because they wanted to go back lskskkddk bless his heart. I adore him and I had sooo much fun writing something longer for him.

my heart is so full hearing that it’s special to you 🥺 I love you, thank you for reading and making my day!!

#asks #mirmir anon #🏝️ monty’s beach episode

3 notes · View notes

broken-clover · 2 years

Note

You asked for a prompt for Mermay. I don't think I'm the best at ideas, but I do remember you had a series called Illyria aquarium. With recent changes in the story, why not a prompt where delilah's introduced to the aquarium? Feels like the natural next step.

I cannot in good conscience say I had a good reason for this to be so late. Really don't. It's annoying me too. But thankfully it's done now!

Also since this is the first time in a bit I've written and posted something here, I'm going to start using my new proper tag for fics and only fics, filed under Frog Writes. I'll be going back and tagging old stuff soon with the new tag as I've promise earlier, so hopefully everything will be better organized.

Every new mer was a surprise at the aquarium, even if she knew they would be coming. Jack-O hadn’t believed Axl at first when he’d said as much to her, but even after a half-dozen or so newcomers, she was always excited about whatever new fish was being brought into their care. Each one was special and unique in its own way, and finding out about their own individual quirks and making them comfortable in the aquarium always made for a fulfilling challenge.

“Morning, Axl!” She strode into the building with even more excitement than usual. “Is our new guy here yet?”

“Oh, heya, Jackie. Yeah, got a call a few minutes back. Gonna head up to the lab, soon as I’m done with the floor.”

“The…the floor that I am…currently standing on.” Turning pink, she moved off of the spot to let Axl vacuum it.

“Much obliged.”

Still, she could tell that he was just as excited. They fell back into chatter as soon as they had the chance, hurrying up to where they knew their coworkers and the new guest would be.

“So, what do you think it’s gonna be?”

He shrugged, still smiling. “Dunno! Maybe another octopus? Hey, y’know, it’s probably not this, but I’ve always wondered what it’d be like if there was a kissing fish version of a mer. Y’know, the ones that fight with their faces?”

The mental image nearly made Jack-O trip over her feet. “Oh my god, that’s such a weird thought. Would they just go around, aggressively kissing everyone?”

“And you just know someone would take that the wrong way.”

“The other mer, or the visitors?”

“...Yeah.”

The lab tank had been set up as usual, full of rocks and plants to hide behind if the occupant was too nervous to let themselves be seen. Jack-O could almost make out something purplish-brown half-hidden in the thickets, but I-no’s voice pulled her away.

“Oh good, the kiddies have arrived.”

“And g’morning to you too,” Axl snarked back. “Ain’t you bright-eyed.”

It was hard to tell how literal that was supposed to be, but Jack-O could spot several of the woman’s coffee mugs scattered across the table. “You’ve been awful busy, huh?”

“Getting a new mer doesn’t mean I get a break, it just means I gotta keep track of one more thing than usual.” I-no took a sip from the mug currently in her hand, then scrutinized the bottom. “And if you guys didn’t show up soon, I was gonna have to start mixing the special shit into my coffee instead of my usual.”

The girl gave her an odd look. “...Isn’t your ‘usual’ already 110-proof whiskey?”

Another sip. “Yep.”

“Uh…” She decided to move the topic.“Still trying to see if those splotches on Faust are mucous?”

“Raven took a sample this morning, we’re pretty sure he’s fine. And he seems perfectly happy, as long as he just looks peculiar and doesn’t act peculiar, then we’re not all that worried.”

Jack-O nodded. “Makes sense. Just wanna make sure our favorite seahorse isn’t sick, y’know?”

“Jackie, I’m a marine biologist. That’s literally my job.” I-no still gave her hair a friendly ruffle. “Amazed you two haven’t talked my ear off about meeting the new girl yet. Guess that means I gotta reward you~”

Axl rolled his eyes, arms folded along his chest. “Never thought I’d say this, but can we be horny some other time?”

“Or what, you’ll fire me, temp?” Still, she seemed to get the point. She moved over to the large tank and looked it up and down. A finger pointed somewhere along the bottom. “Right about there, you see her? The shadows make it a little hard, but you can see her tail moving.”

Jack-O tried to hide her excitement as she and Axl pressed up against the glass. Sure enough, with I-no’s direction, she spotted the mer rather quickly. Quite a tiny thing compared to what she was used to. Short brown hair fanned around her head in the water, but it didn’t do much to make her look bigger. Jack-O surmised that she didn’t need to look bigger. The mer had her own way of being intimidating. Despite being curled up on the sand, she still glared back at the starers with a frightening intensity for her size.

“Still a kid, huh?” Jack-O said. She already knew the implications of this, and none of them were especially pleasant. “Was she found stuck in something?”

“Sorta.” I-no shrugged. “As far as we’re aware, she was originally from some exotic breeder, guy was cranking the things out like crazy to sell ‘em to rich folks. Makes for a conversation piece, y’know? Put ‘em in a big tank in your ~atrium~ or some rich bullshit and invite your rich friends over to look at it.”

Jack-O could tell that everyone else already hated this as much as she did. “They found her at the breeder mill?”

“Nah, she was sold off. Bought by a traveling circus so guests could gawk at her. ‘Course, when you don’t socialize a mer properly and don’t feed it enough, that’s how you get idiots with nipped fingers. And instead of trying to fix anything, they ended up just trying to cut their losses and dumping her in a nearby river.”

Axl was aghast. “Th- They dumped her in the river??”

“Aaaaand this is why I didn’t bring you for pickup.” I-no sighed. “I can’t blame you, though. It’s fucked. Remember, this is shit we’re good at. If we do what we’re paid for, then she should be fine.”

Jack-O put a hand on his shoulder. “All that matters is that she’s with us now, right? It’s all up from here.”

“Right. Right…” Axl looked convinced, but it did little for the disgust in his eyes.

“Does she have a name yet?”

“They didn't bother giving her one, she was just ‘the mermaid.’ Raven’s suggestion was ‘Delilah.’” Said I-no.

Jack-O thought about it for a moment. “It’s cute, I like it!”

Axl’s hands were still trembling at his sides in anger. Jack-O reached out and took one, giving it a squeeze. “It’s gonna be okay. We’re gonna take care of her.”

With his free hand, he reached out and brushed his fingers against the glass. “Hey there, kiddo. You’re gonna have a great time here. It’ll be real nice.” He looked over his shoulder at I-no. “What kinda fish is she? Tail looks sorta sharky, but I got no idea what kind.”

“Still haven’t quite figured it out. Hard to tell from a glance since there’s a human head instead of a snout, but the size and fin shape’s saying something in the Dalatiidae family- Raven doesn’t agree, he’s thinking Somniosidae. Hell, can’t say for sure she isn’t some kind of hybrid, who knows what that freak was breeding together. Either way, definitely some kinda shark.”

“Shark, huh?” It was hard to see that without the massive teeth and beady eyes, but Jack-O had read more than enough of her mom’s textbooks to know sharks came in all kinds of strange shapes and sizes. “Is she a biter?”

“Eh, got a temper, not like I can blame her. Make sure you wear the heavy-duty gloves.”

“We moving her now?” Asked Axl.

“Still figuring out where to put her. We’re gonna want to be careful with this. She’s pretty aggressive, but also pretty fragile since she’s young, so if another fish smacks her into the wall, it could do a lot of damage.”

“So, Potemkin, then?” Jack-O offered. “He’s usually our go-to.”

I-no shook her head. “The thought I’m having right now is putting her in with another adult female. Might help with the socialization. Pot’s fantastic, but even if he bonks into her on accident, he could break something. Besides, I think the big guy needs a break from playing peacemaker with the trouble cases, at some point it’s gonna stress him out, too.”

“Uh…Ram and El, then?”

“Too friendly. Delilah would probably see that as threatening and start a fight. Sharon might work, but then we’d have to worry about Slayer-”

Axl suddenly snapped his fingers. “Baiken. Put ‘er in with Baiken.”

Both Jack-O and I-no looked at him in horror. Moreso Jack-O, as ‘horror’ was currently second fiddle to ‘viciously homicidal’ in I-no’s eyes.

“Baiken, are you insa- ?!”

She cut herself off as quickly as she’d started. “...Actually,” I-no tore open a file cabinet and pulled out a few test papers. “All of our notes on Baiken show that she doesn’t tend to fight unless someone bothers her first. Maybe that’s crazy enough to work.”

“Maybe, maybe. Worth a shot.” Axl nodded. “I got something else, though. Any of ya familiar with cats?”

++++++

A sturdy mesh fence had been installed to partition the tank into halves. Sturdy, at least, for the subjects involved. For someone like Sol or Potemkin, it would be like tearing apart soggy paper. Baiken, thankfully, only watched with annoyance, and stayed on her rock.

Anji took to the new oddity with the same response he did for everything new and possibly harmful to him, curious wonder. The way I-no held her long stick, she almost looked inclined to swat at him with it. But as long as he stayed a good enough distance away, she held back.

Delilah, likewise, wasn’t especially thrilled with the situation she’d found herself in. She tried to chew on the net she was scooped out in, and when that didn’t work, she tried to grab onto and gnaw on the hands holding it. Hauling her out of the transport tank wasn’t a complicated task with her size, but Delilah’s restlessness had it take a lot longer than usual. Any attempts at placating words were merely met with an angry hiss.

The very moment she was free in the tank, she tore off and squeezed into the corner. That much was normal, at least. Being in a new tank could be stressful, especially for a mer who was completely new to the aquarium. No matter what they tried, it was only natural that it would take some time for their new guest to become comfortable. For the time in-between, all they could do was take care of them.

“Fingers crossed we don’t get too many weird questions about it.” Jack-O looked from her co-worker back to the tank. “But then again, I know the little kids tend to really like sharks, so she’ll be popular…which means a lot more people at the tank.”

Axl shrugged. “Eh, gonna try and hope for the best. Just say Delilah’s a little shy, don’t gotta explain everything to ‘em.”

“I guess that’s fair.”

After the fact, it didn’t take long for things to go back to normal. A new mer was serious business for a couple of days, but it quickly settled into being just another part of the daily routine. That was how it was for the staff, at least. Though they hadn’t gone out of their way to advertise, social media spread things around quite quickly, and many a visitor stopped by the following week with eagerness in their eyes to look at the new shark.

“If they don’t quiet down, I’ll never be able to get a good snapshot.” Another mechanical camera click bounced off of the glass, followed by yet another sigh. “Dear Miss Hale, are you certain you can’t shoo them away? Not even for ten minutes?”

Jack-O grimaced in sympathy. “Sorry, Tes. I’m gonna see if we can set you up with some time after-hours. It’ll be a lot quieter then, but it means we’ve gotta keep this part of the building turned on longer, and that means we’ll need more people staying overtime.”

They nodded. “Understood. I suppose I should have anticipated this crowd.”

Though if anyone could make the best of a wait, it was Testament. Every time she passed by on a tour or to restock the bathrooms, she spotted them on the bench across from the koi tank. They had their camera trained on it and kept peering into the lens, every once in a while sitting back and grabbing the sketchpad at their side to draw out a few lines. They almost made it look fun, which was impressive, given that basically nothing was happening. Baiken went in circles, and Delilah napped on the same rock she had spent most of her stay on. It was almost as though they refused to acknowledge each other's existence. Both stayed away from the grate altogether, and even Anji had lost interest.

“You’re not bored?”

“Mmm.” Testament made a noncommittal noise, sketching a bit more. “Delilah’s lack of movement makes it easier to draw her. It’s a good opportunity.”

“You couldn’t just snap a picture and draw from that?”

Another noise. “I suppose. This feels more organic.”

“I’ll take your word for it.” Jack-O shrugged. “I’m not an artist. Closing’s in half an hour by-the-by, if you can wait a little longer.”

“Duly noted, thank you.” They gave the tank a sly look. “I’ll get my perfect photo, dear mer. I am a very patient individual.”

The last of the visitors gradually straggled out. As soon as the pre-recorded closing messages played out over the speakers, Jack-O made her way around the walkways, picking up garbage and making sure nobody had tried sticking around after hours. Movement in the corner of her eye made her jolt, until she processed the fact that it was just Testament. The fact that they seemed significantly more spirited than usual didn’t help her brain decipher it.

“You look excited! Finally get a good shot?”

Testament turned to her with a genuine smile. “That and more! My goodness, it seems those two are making for good friends!”

“...Friends?”

They gestured to the tank. Delilah had left her sleeping rock to drift quite close to the fence, head tilted in curiosity. Baiken, likewise, was looking over with vague intrigue, though she stayed to the side.

“What the heck? Where’s this come from?” Jack-O asked as Testament took several eager photos behind her. “When’d this happen?”

“Ten, perhaps fifteen minutes ago?” They replied. “But I believe this was actually the blue one’s doing, he seemed quite interested in the fence. He’s swam off for now, though, I couldn’t tell you why.”

Anji? It didn’t feel too out of sorts for him, but it still left her feeling strange. Why would he swim off?

“Well, I guess it’s good they’re warming up to each other a bit? As long as they keep their distance, It should be fi-”

No sooner did the words leave her mouth for her to immediately regret them. Baiken’s long, spotted tail swept out from underneath her, and she began intently paddling towards the other side of the tank.

“No, oh no no nope, this isn’t happening.” Dropping her bag of garbage, Jack-O sprinted for the employee stairwell and threw all her weight into tearing open the doors. “This is not happening right at the end of my shift!”

It was harder to tell what was going on from above instead of through the glass as the water rippled, but it was clear enough that Baiken was still moving closer. A blurry silhouette of Testament waved its arms in the air, but any words were impossible to decipher.

Nobody else was around to assist, forcing her to unlatch and pull open the overhead grate with only her own two hands. It was always moments like this that had her bemoaning passing up the gym, but that didn’t do much good for her now. The metal slammed hard against the concrete as it was let go. On a better day, she’d have been more careful- well, on a better day, she’d have help. Whether or not there was a crack could be a problem for later.

After hauling the weight of the grate, the temporary fence in the tank looked positively flimsy in comparison. And in the one moment of desperate hope she allowed herself, Baiken promptly erased it. With utter ease, she tore at the metal with her one arm and yanked a chunk of it back, just as easily as Sol would have. Not large enough for any mer to pass through, but a glaringly clear example that Baiken was capable of it.

“And this is why I said we should’ve used Potemkin!” She snapped at nobody. “Shit, shit shit shit-” Jack-O scrambled for the supply station that housed the diving mask and I-no’s prodding stick. This was grim, but if she was fast (and incredibly lucky) she could still intervene before anyone could start mauling anyone else.

Baiken continued to tear apart the grate, at one point poking her head through before going back to pulling the hole open wider. Jack-O fumbled with the mask’s clunky straps and tried to see through its glass eyeholes to make sure the water wasn’t filling with blood.

It hadn’t. But Baiken was swimming through the wall.

The last of the straps clicked into place. The only reason that she didn’t immediately dive headfirst into the tank was a last-second realization that she still wore the work belt housing her supplies, and, most importantly, the radio. Which meant more buckles and straps to undo. It was an easy task…at least, it was in the morning, but now she was struggling in panic, and even moreso worsened by repeatedly glancing up from the belt to look at the tank. Baiken had bypassed the torn-apart barrier and swam straight to Delilah, and through the rippling water, she had a hand trying to wrap around the smaller mer before she could pull away.

Jack-O’s heart sank deeper into her body. No- she could still stop this. This wasn’t a lost cause, not yet. The last strap tore clean off from enough desperate tugging. She moved to throw it behind her and lunge forward, and-

Her belt started to vibrate.

“...Huh?”

More on autopilot than anything else, she fished for the vibration, and pulled out her phone from one of the pouches.

New Message!

From: Testament

Attachment: 1 Image

“Tes?” Were it anyone else, she would have thrown it aside. Instead, she clicked on the notification and let it fully pop up. Just like it had said, the message only contained a single image.

It was the mer.

Jack-O looked up from her phone, then back down. Baiken’s arm was nowhere near Delilah’s neck, or any other vulnerable spot to rip at. It was merely draped over the girl’s shoulder. And, curiously, Delilah was completely tranquil, curled up against the larger mer’s chest.

Her phone buzzed again

Testament: Lookit thm!! Cue!!!

Usually, Testament’s texting was just as flowery as their speaking voice. They must have been in such a rush that they skipped the formalities. And the spellcheck.

It was a hard sight to believe. She kept looking back and forth to be sure it wasn’t a mistake, and then, to make sure it wasn’t momentary. Baiken, who reacted to most problems by biting down on them hard, was snuggled up to the shark as though they had been friends all their lives.

Still cautious, Jack-O tucked the stick under her arm and fished through her belt.

“Hey, uh,” She fumbled into the radio, “are any of the docs still here?”

++++++

“What the- ?!”

“I see…”

If there was some consultation, it was that her employers were just as confused. Raven less obviously so, but his dark-ringed eyes had sparkled in the way they were only known to do when something interesting caught his attention.

“So you guys aren’t sure, either?” Asked Jack-O.

“This is quite unusual.” Replied Raven. He looked over to Testament. “You’re quite certain nothing of interest occurred?”

They shook their head. “I’m certainly no mer expert, but aside from Mr. Mito’s vanishing, they simply stared at each other for a while.”

“Hmm. Interesting.”

“If mer have their own language, we still don’t know it,” I-no said. “Maybe it was body language. Or something else. This is gonna be one heck of a study.”

“But it’s not something to worry about?”

“Eh, wouldn’t worry about it too much, kiddo.” Jack-O was given a friendly pat on the head. “Should probably pull out the ripped fence so nobody gets cut on it, but we can let them mingle. Never thought I’d see Baiken getting along with kids…sheesh, every time I think I’m starting to figure these things out, they throw me for a loop.”

The way Baiken had curled around Delilah and Delilah had curled into her, it was hard to see it as anything other than contentedness. Jack-O wondered what they must have said or communicated to one another to have them be so friendly like this. Maybe she’d never understand. But as long as they were happy, that’s what mattered, right?

#Frog Writes #ask #guilty gear #delilah #Baiken

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esperata · 1 year

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Rules: post the names of all the files in your WIP folder regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them and then post a little snippet of it or tell them something about it! And then tag as many people as you have WIPs.

(I have so many that a) I am splitting them into groups and b) I am not tagging that many people)

UNDERWAY

Every Breath You Take [hattercrow] Are We Friends? NML Secret Admirer You Only Live Twice Do Grow What Is Reality? Living Doll Suit [octogoblin] mermay [octogoblin]

IN EXISTENCE

The Phone Call The Hands On Approach [octogoblin] In The Air Tonight The Scarecrow Calls Bathing the Duke [RE Village] The King Is Dead Western AU [hattercrow] Gotham Gossip Columns

NEBULOUS

pre criminal meeting [hattercrow] Gotta Shape Up Siren's Call 3 Hand Kink [RE Village] Idea Boss Arkham sitcom Streamer Ed PI Riddler 60s Batman vs Dracula Santa Clause 4 Late Night Fast Food Olga My Queen TSSM dynamic [octogoblin] limo prompt Trans Ed Batwoman Gamer Penguin Gotham Fate Or Something Like It [octogoblin] Skyscraper [octogoblin] kids museum meeting

I think I got them all. Thanks @kira-7 for the tag. If anyone wants to share their wip titles consider yourself tagged

#wip titles #riddlebird #hattercrow #octogoblin #writing

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crystalninjaphoenix · 2 years

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MerMay 2022 Day Thirty-One Bioluminescence

It was late when Jack returned to the lagoon, almost late enough to be early. The group had spent a long time listening to Stacy, Ollie, and the kids explain what happened at the TridentCorp complex, which they now knew was called the C-SAHL. Then afterwards Ollie had insisted they all have a celebration, or that he should at the very least be allowed to buy them food. A couple hours later, the kids had fallen asleep, the merms had tried various kinds of human foods that could be bought at the boardwalk, and Stacy announced it was time to wrap things up. They had all gone their separate ways after that.

Jack swam into the small side pool he called his home. Looking into his bag, he saw Sam asleep as well. Smiling to himself, he put the bag on a rocky shelf and let her sleep. But he himself wasn’t feeling tired at the moment. He swam back out into the lagoon proper.

Glowing phytoplankton lit up the water. Jack laid down on the sand, covered in a ridged pattern due to the frequent waves. He stared at the glowing dots for a while, admiring how they clustered together into a solid mass of blue-green light towards the edges of the waves.

But something was different tonight. As he watched the water, he noticed two small specks that were much more green than blue. No, they weren’t small. They were far away. He turned his attention to the green glows, and saw a figure crouched against a dark spot in the sand. He gasped. “Anti!”

The green glows widened and the figure turned and swam away. “No wait!” Jack hurried after Anti. “I’m not going to hurt you! O-or ask for you to do something! Or whatever you think! Please!”

A moment later, Anti slowed and stopped, letting Jack catch up to him. His dark tail flicked nervously, and Jack noticed the way his eyes darted towards Jack’s hands, as if expecting a weapon of some sort. “What do you want?” Anti growled.

“Just...what are you doing here?” Jack asked.

“I told you, I—I watch you guys. All of you...you foolish, foolish merms.” Anti laughed. “You’re going to get yourselves killed one day, and I want to see it.”

“Right.” Jack nodded. “Of course. Hey, uh, I heard that electric eels are freshwater.”

Anti tensed. “And? So what?”

“Well, the water in this lagoon is a bit less salty than the rest of the ocean,” Jack said casually. “I’ve never been sure why, maybe because of the plankton or something. So, if...like, a freshie merm was out in the ocean, a place like this might be...good. It’s also quite nice to look at, if I do say so myself.” He grinned.

Anti stayed silent. He glanced upwards towards the glowing waves, and around at the glowing specks surrounding them. “I could kill you now, you know,” he blurted out. “Or hypnotize you again.”

“No, you can’t hypnotize me again, not without that siren stone,” Jack said, folding his arms. “And I don’t know where Marvin is keeping that now.”

“...could still kill you,” Anti muttered.

“So could a giant squid. So could a dolphin. So could a very dedicated sea bass.” Jack laughed. “You’re not special, you know. Danger is always around. But...I feel like you know that already.” He spread his arms wide. “So...are you going to kill me?”

Anti didn’t move. “...no,” he admitted.

Jack nodded. He settled back down on the sandy floor. “Do you want to lay down or something? Must’ve been a very long day for you.”

Slowly, Anti lowered himself down to the ground as well. He looked up at the glowing waves, and relaxed. It was barely noticeable, but it was there.

“Do you...” Jack cleared his throat. “Do you want to talk about—”

“No.”

“Oh. Okay.” Jack nodded. “But, like, if you ever do want to...you can come back. You clearly know how to get here.”

Anti glanced at Jack and narrowed his eyes. “What if I come back and decide to—”

“Kill me? Gods, you gotta get a better line than that,” Jack laughed. “But...I don’t know, I just can’t picture you doing that. And I’m not going to let that possibility ruin my day. You could also decide to...talk. That’s also a possibility.”

“...hmm.” Anti looked back at the waves. “I don’t...understand you.”

“Maybe you will one day,” Jack said quietly, also looking upwards. “I’ll be glad to show you how to get there.”

Anti didn’t respond. Jack turned, and saw that he’d fallen asleep, lying on his stomach with his head drooping forward. He laughed a little. “Good night, then,” he whispered.

And he turned around and swam back to his rock pool, falling asleep himself.

#jacksepticeye #jacksepticeye fanfiction #jacksepticegos #septic egos #jacksepticeye au #septic egos au #okay i think this officially qualifies for this tag:#soft!anti #antisepticeye #brigid writes fanfiction #mermay snippets

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