mers oh my

[shikosuki]

Merchoro PSL

Comments

[matteimasu]

[ ...he's trying to think of things that might be easier to talk about. or at least not as hard on the poor god ] ...What kind of boy is Choromatsu like? You have... told me about his intrigue in the humans and that he looks like me but I... would like to learn more. If it doesn't hurt you to tell me at least. [ the fondness may make his heart ache but spekaing happier things may be better for a while ]

[karappo]

Oh...oh no, I do not mind talking about my sons. They all ended up with very individual personalities, surprising me given how they were when they first hatched.

[He turns his attention from the town in the distance for a moment, instead looking over Megami's island itself.]

He used to be a very mischievous boy. He and the eldest, Osomatsu, would get into trouble constantly...always trying to sneak off without me knowing. As he grew older, however, he became a lot more serious...but no less devoted to the things he is most passionate about. He is not at all a pushover...

[Which is why knowing that Totoko got her claws in him so easily hurts so much.]

He loved...to talk, and to sing. More and more lately he had been asking to sing with me, so long as I keep it from the rest of his siblings.

[matteimasu]

[ Okay that... explains a LOT about Poseidon's reaction earlier. ]

I wonder if she knew his voice was that important to him when she took it... Giving up what you love most is a common exchange for these sorts of wishes.

[ again, not a thing he ever did, but he'd heard about it before. ]

...Why did he want it kept from his brothers though?

[karappo]

They would tease him for it, as siblings tend to...but I believe he took it pretty seriously, unfortunately.

[matteimasu]

Oh, I see... that's rather unfortunate. I suppose he's a little bit of a self conscious child then...

[karappo]

Yes...he seems to care quite a bit about what others think, despite how opinionated he is.

[He sighs, his eyes falling closed.]

I keep trying to explain to him how special and important he really is.

[matteimasu]

It can be... a little hard for people to see that about themselves. Not just children. [ he pauses ] His singing... is it good? [ he has a feeling that he knows how Poseidon will answer but still ]

[karappo]

Eh? Of course it is! Like a little angel...

[matteimasu]

[ Heh... just as he expected ] I wish I could hear it sometime... I wonder which of us that came from~? [ He's gonna tell himself it's from him <(- v -)> ]

[karappo]

[He chuckles softly, curling his fingers in a little bit.]

It is hard to say...I am not sure I have ever heard you sing.

[matteimasu]

[ suddenly his face gets red again and he looks away ] O-Oh well, I-I haven't in a l-long time... E-Everyone used to... c-compliment me though...

[karappo]

...do not tell me. You are going to tell me something like that...and then be too sheepish to actually let me hear it for myself?

[matteimasu]

[ MISTAKES HAVE BEEN MADE AGAIN ] I... w-would not k-know... wh-what to... ...I-It's been t-too long...

[karappo]

I...I could teach you the lullaby I used to sing to my sons?

[Don't let him.]

[matteimasu]

A lullaby...? [ oh no ]

[karappo]

Mhm! Would you like to hear it?

[matteimasu]

Oh yes! I'm quite curious now...! [ oH NO ]

[karappo]

[Well, that's pretty much all it takes for Poseidon to launch into his old lullaby that he wrote twenty years ago in the hopes that it would calm his guppies when they would cry for him in the middle of the night. And as he sings it for Megami, the sun's final rays peek out at them over the horizon line of the ocean, bathing it in strange hues of orange and red. While he sings it, he thinks about when he sang it for Choromatsu, why he sang it for him. The singing was not only something he'd wanted to do, but was a distraction from...a lot of new pressure and responsibility that Poseidon had put on his son's shoulders, wasn't it? He remembers it in that instance, and seems to realize that that had at least some hand in Choromatsu's decision to leave the sea.

...so by the time he's near the last few lines, his singing slows and the rolling waves come to a near standstill once again as his eyes become a bit glassy. He manages to finish it without bursting into tears, at least.]

[matteimasu]

[ Oh this... well... it's definitely a lullaby for children... He notices that something is up with Poseidon though and grows concerned ] ...Poseidon? Are you all right?

[karappo]

[Poseidon shakes his head no, slowly, yet still manages a wry sort of half smile.]

No. But I will be. I just...realized something. Something that is best for me not to dwell on.

[matteimasu]

[ He stares at Poseidon for a moment, trying to think of some way to cheer him up, even if just a little bit. Eventually he shifts in the god's hand, placing both hands down on his palm, and casting his eyes downwards ] ...My little children... The time is coming... For all young babies, to take their rest... And in the moonlight, I will be singing... To let your dreams be at peace and their best... [ his voice is soft and quiet as he sings but it's smooth and sweet ]

[karappo]

[He goes very quiet, a little surprised by what Megami does in response. It isn't to say that he didn't expect it, but...it certainly is enough to push him over the edge to actually crying, though he keeps his head back far enough that his tears won't land on and soak the goddess.

He sucks in a shaky breath and laughs on it weakly, lifting his other hand to wipe at his face.]

I...I believe we know now where Choromatsu got his singing ability from...

[matteimasu]

[ ...oh no. Oh no this wasn't what he wanted. What he says doesn't even register to Megami at first. ] Oh no-- I-I'm sorry! [ He tries to stand though he's wobbly, struggling to find his footing for a moment ] P-Please don't cry...!

[karappo]

Oh no...non non...I am not upset.

[He says this quietly as he lifts his hand up closer to his face, carefully so Megami doesn't fall over.]

Your singing...it is beautiful.

[matteimasu]

[ His face is red again at that ] Ah... r-really? I'm g-glad you think so, I-I... [ And then he feels so flustered he just poofs back into a snake without meaning to ]