mers oh my

[shikosuki]

Merchoro PSL

Comments

[matteimasu]

I'm just glad I was able to help some way... ah, but I've said that already, haven't I? We keep going in circles like this... [ not that he minds of course, he's even chuckling softly about it ] Hey, Poseidon... what's life in the ocean like? [ if they're going to be wed he should learn more about his future new home and his husband... and he's always been kinda curious ]

[karappo]

What is it like?

[Ah, what a question...the sea king's expression turns wistful, and he looks out to the sea in question.]

It is very vast. It has the power and capacity to make even I, a god, feel very small. No matter where you look, even if it is seemingly empty, the water teems with life. Big, small, microscopic...and for the most part, it is peaceful. There are networks of reefs where my people live, and our sons and I reside in the largest portion of it at the very center of it all.

[matteimasu]

A... reef? If... you do not mind me asking, what is that? I fear I am not familiar...

[karappo]

...oh. I suppose you have never seen one, have you?

[That's actually kindof cute...as well as sad.]

Reefs are like...underwater cities. They are comprised of living coral, algae, anemones, fish of thousands of different species. They are totally alive.

[matteimasu]

Oh! Oh my...! [ that sounds amazing??? ] I had no idea such a thing existed! And you all truly live in one? [ which means HE'LL get to live there too ]

[karappo]

We do. The one we live in overlooks the reef that stretches along the seabed where the other merfolk live, as well as a good portion of the open sea.

[It's a pretty nice place to be, if he does say so himself.]

Does that sort of thing interest you?

[matteimasu]

Oh yes, it does! Quite so honestly. My lake is... nice. Simple and nice, but it has nothing like that!

[karappo]

There is something to be said about simplicity. Sometimes I wish I could experience that...not that I do not enjoy the oftentimes hectic hustle and bustle of the ocean. I think it is something you would like, given the way you have lived all this time.

[He pauses, thinking.]

Does nothing else live with you in your lake?

[matteimasu]

Oh, there are a few things. Mostly frogs and turtles though... snails and the like too. ...No fish however. There is no river to the lake so there was never a way for them to reach it.

[karappo]

[He can definitely imagine Megami making friends with the various fauna that visit his lake...but it's a little sad that there are no fish, he thinks.]

Er...are these turtles different from sea turtles? And I do not believe I've seen a frog before...

[matteimasu]

Oh yes! The ones around my lake are a smaller breed, they're not quite as impressive as sea turtles, though they are quite cute. [ Poseidon has never seen a frog before though... oh no that won't do ] Frogs are my favorite though! They're so cute and always making noise! And before they grow their legs they look like little fish! You must see one! [ HOW MEGAMI....... ]

[karappo]

A-ah...?

[They...they what? They...grow legs? From- fish?

??????????]

I have never heard of such a thing...how can a fish grow legs?

[...without the help of a sea witch.]

[matteimasu]

Because they're not actually fish at all! They're amphibians, neither fish or reptile. But they lay their eggs in the water, so the babies need to be able to live there for a while. They even have gills at first! Not only do they grow legs they breathe through their skin! They're remarkable!

[karappo]

[...He's not sure if he'd call breathing through your skin remarkable. It's kindof weird...but no less weird than being a fish or snake person, he guesses.]

I do not quite understand why water born creatures would need legs, in that case...though I do suppose sea turtles have them, and are born on land...

Are they docile?

[matteimasu]

Oh yes, quite! Though they are uh... jumpy! Literally. But they're small enough to hold in your hands and mostly eat insects. ...Though I do have to be careful when in my smaller snake form. Some of the larger ones view snakes as snacks. I wish there were some way to show you them... and my entire lake. Hmm... [ He's trying to think of some way to do so without bringing Poseidon there directly... ]

[karappo]

Hm...I assume your lake is in the very center of your island? Too far for me to actually reach from the shore.

[If there were some way he could shrink himself down or change forms then this wouldn't be a problem...and he'd be able to get to see these strange frog things.]

[matteimasu]

Mmm... not QUITE the center, it's actually closer than you'd think. But even then, it is is still too far from the shore... [ thinking thinking ] Oh...! I could show you my memory of it, if you'd allow me.

[karappo]

Your memory? You can do that?

[Color him very surprised.]

[matteimasu]

I should be able to! It would be similar to a magic I used to perform for people who wished to see certain things, like how family was doing or places they'd never been. I... can't quite do that anymore, as it's too extensive for my current abilities [ hence why he hadn't offered it to Poseidon before to check on Choromatsu ] but if I am using my own memories... then that should take substantially less power. It's more like letting you into my head than showing something very far away. If you'll allow me that is.

[karappo]

O-oh, of course I would allow it! I have no reason not to.

[He smiles a little, lifting Megami somewhat in his hand.]

I would love to see your lake, even if I cannot visit.

[matteimasu]

All right... just one moment then! [ He sits up finally, having regained enough strength after exhausting it earlier to do so. He puts both hands on one of Poseidon's fingers. ] You'll need to close your eyes and try to clear your thoughts... all right?

[karappo]

Clear my thoughts...

[The god echoes quietly as he lets his eyes slip closed, keeping his hand still to make it easier for Megami to do his thing. He tries to focus on nothing in particular, letting his mind empty as best he can.]

Alright.

[matteimasu]

[ Megami smiles, then closes his own eyes, concentrating and keeping his hands on Poseidon's finger. It may take a bit of time but if Poseidon's mind is truly empty then eventually an image will come to mind. The image will show a clearing in the middle of a forest. A lake is indeed there, though considering its size, it may be more accurate to call it a pond. It can't be any larger around than their children's room back at the reef; walking around it would take mere minutes, crossing it even faster. The water is a bright, brilliant turquoise blue and completely clear: pure and untouched. Despite the clearness of the water and the size though, it seems impossible to gauge the deepness of the center, where the blue becomes much darker. Around all the edges of the lake, large clusters of some plant Poseidon probably won't recognize grow, their green leaves and pink and white flowers sitting just on the surface. Past those, various kinds of seaweed can be seen along the lake floor, along with swimming creatures: small turtles and strange spotted four legged creatures. Some of those same creatures can be seen sitting on the plant leaves as well. The area around the lake itself is immaculate. The grass is short, there's no debris, and the trees have stayed well away from the shore, letting in a perfect amount of sunlight that adds to the divine feeling of the place. Towards the back of the lake on one side is some kind of human built structure. It's small and judging by the state of the gold paint it's also well taken care of. It doesn't seem to serve any immediately obvious purpose, at least not if the ways of humans are unfamiliar, but there is a section of it that someone has set up a vase of fresh flowers and left a plate of sliced fish. A few well treaded pathways can be seen coming from the area into the woods. There's no sound at all, except a constant chorus of some kind of chirping that doesn't sound like birds. The area is serene and peaceful otherwise. After some time, Megami clears his throat. ] ...W-Well? Can you see it...?

[karappo]

[Poseidon is silent for a while, unable to help but stiffening when a sudden image appears in his mind that he didn't initially think of. It's....gorgeous. Stunning, really, and despite how small it is (it's way too small, if you ask him) it's an area befitting a god. The structure isn't something he fully understands, and he can guess that the little spotted creatures are the frogs that Megami was gushing about. The lake itself draws him like a moth to a flame. Instinctively, he wants to dive into it to see just how deep the water goes.

As a whole, it's an impressively well kept area despite the tragedy that struck so long ago. It makes Poseidon wonder what things must have been like before that happened...probably a lot busier with humans visiting constantly, yet still serene assuming all of the humans were respectful of the place.]

I do...it is incredible, Megami.

[matteimasu]

[ Poseidon doesn't have to wonder that for long, because after a moment of silence Megami speaks again ] Thank you... it doesn't... quite look like this anymore but... [ For a moment the image changes. The grass is a bit longer, reeds have started to creep in among the lotus flowers, the forest isn't as dense and the human structure... well it's clearly aged. The gold paint has worn almost completely away, moss has overtaken most of the wood, and the vase from before lays on the ground in shattered pieces. The sunlight is covered in overcast making everything look dreary, but worse of all the blue hue of the water has dimmed, tainted by ash... It's still beautiful but sadder. Then Megami shakes his head and the previous image, one of fonder times is back. ] I'm... still fond.