mers oh my

[shikosuki]

Merchoro PSL

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[shikosuki]

[ His face gets red again ]

R-Really? You think so?

[karappo]

Of course I do! Do you not think so as well?

[Take some pride in yourself, boy.]

[shikosuki]

I do but-- [ he looks down, still blushing ] It's nice to hear someone... acknowledge it. [ dad's always praising them but sometimes it just goes in and out as typical dad being dad ]

[karappo]

Heh. You are welcome.

[He's glad that his acknowledgement has been acknowledged, apparently.]

So! Now what should we do?

[shikosuki]

Um, well...!

Do you know any songs to teach, dad? Maybe I could teach my friends a song for once!

[karappo]

[HE THOUGHT YOU'D NEVER ASK.]

Do you think they might like to hear one of the lullabies I would sing to you and your brothers when you were no larger than half my thumb?

[shikosuki]

...If it's not embarrassing, maybe.

[ he actually forgets how a lot of those went but well. it's Poseidon. ]

[karappo]

[Uh.

He looks up above, tapping his fingertips together.]

I would not say...embarrassing, exactly...just very thoughtful, and full of love...

[And embarrassing.]

[shikosuki]

[ he sighs ]

Welllll, I'll hear it anyway.

For old time's sakes.

[karappo]

[The words scarcely leave Choromatsu's mouth before Poseidon is suddenly scooping him up off his shoulder, holding him at eye level as he begins to hum...and he starts singing with no other prompting (to the tune of you are my sunshine).]

My little children, the time is coming,
For all young guppies, to take their rest.
And in the moonlight, I will be singing,
To let your dreams be at peace and their best.

And as the days pass, I'm always wishing,
For you to be safe, not at harm.
I will protect you, and I will guide you,
So my heart you will continue to charm.

Sleep soundly my dears, don't fear the unknown,
And let your heads be soothed by the sea.
As you sleep please, always remember,
By my side you will always be.

[shikosuki]

[ OH GOD

HE KNEW IT WAS GONNA BE EMBARRASSING BUT GOOD GOD DAD ]

Oh my god.

[ young man you know you're not supposed to say that ]

[karappo]

[And just like that, his soft smile turns stern.]

Choromatsu!

[shikosuki]

[ IGNORING ]

DID YOU SERIOUSLY SING THAT TO US?

[karappo]

O-of course I did! Why wouldn't I?

[shikosuki]

THAT'S SO EMBARRASSING IT'S PAINFUL! SERIOUSLY PAINFUL...!

[karappo]

I-it...it is not! I wrote it myself! You were babies!

[YOU CRIED BLOODY MURDER IF HE DIDN'T SING IT EVERY NIGHT UNTIL YOU SLEPT...]

[shikosuki]

...I guess... for a baby... it's fine...

[karappo]

See?

[Poseidon sighs, looking off to the side. He seems a little flustered by Choromatsu's response.]

I did not realize you would have forgotten it...but...I suppose you were too young to remember...

[shikosuki]

Probably too young to really understand too.

...I remembered the tune though. And your voice.

[ just not. the lyrics. ]

[karappo]

[...okay, that makes him feel a little better.]

I am glad. You all seemed very fond of music even from such a young age. But it is not surprising...all merfolk are predispositioned to be musically inclined.

[That doesn't mean he didn't brag about you guys constantly when you were small, though.]

1/2

[shikosuki]

Right... that's why humans came up with the ship sinking myth, yeah? [ he laughs ]

[shikosuki]

[ pause ]

...That is just a myth, right.

[karappo]

Eh?

[Oh. Uh.]

Of course, of course it is a myth! Why...would we have the ability to do such things...

[shikosuki]

Oh... okay. That's what I thought!

I wondered sometimes if that was part of why we weren't allowed on the surface...

[ because sinking ships is a problem.... right......... ]

[karappo]

[RIGHT...]

Well, er...you must understand, Choromatsu, that human ships are very dangerous for us. Not only are they vantage points to be seen by them...it is easy to be caught up with them when they pass by. Or are fishing.

[He doesn't elaborate on that. He thinks Choromatsu knows that well enough.

Then, he clears his throat.]

And besides...there are many other myths that humans believe about us that make nearing the surface very dangerous. I think you would recall a few.