[It had been seventeen years since Poseidon had witnessed the bringing of a brand new mer into the world. A new life. His son. Today was his hatchday, a day he'd never forget...he'd begun hatching early in the morning, around 6 AM or so, surrounded by five other eggs of different colors. Destined to be the eldest, he broke his way free from the shell until Poseidon could gently lift him with a finger and move him to the soft bed of kelp he'd prepared for the rest of his siblings to lay in once they all hatched.
But sadly, as the new father looked over the eggs and baby all day and night, the rest never opened. And after a week had passed, he had to come to terms with the fact that the little hearts inside, at some point, had quieted. One never knew with these things, and there was no real explanation as to why it happened. He'd kept them safe and warm...perhaps they'd been sick in some way. It wasn't his fault, he kept telling himself as he tearfully buried the five in a grotto some ways away from what would be their home among the coral reef.
At 5, Poseidon slipped off to the grotto to lay presents at each site where he'd buried the eggs, small little things that wouldn't overtake the grotto with time. Shells, pretty rocks, gemstones...he left when the sun began to shine on them and make the roof of the grotto sparkle, heading back home to rouse the hatchday boy way too early for what was sane.
The massive merman swims down into the reef, poking his head into the room he'd carved out for his son years and years ago. It had become a den fit for a teenager, with lots of trinkets and things strewn everywhere from his various collections. He swims over to the half shell he slept in, deciding to wake him by pressing a kiss to the top of his head.]
Good morning, my sweet angelfish. It's time to wake up.
[ The young mer for his part had gone to bed dreading his hatchday like he did every year. While he enjoyed being spoiled his... father was rather overzealous with his affection.
When Poseidon tries to wake him he groans and pulls the kelp up further over him, trying to pretend he was still asleep in vain hope that dad would leave him be. ]
[If it helps, he lets Choromatsu keep the blanket? He scoops him up into his palm, really, taking both him and the blanket with him before he sweeps off through the reef, heading back to his own room where he's set up a little meal for them on one of the rock outcroppings near his utterly massive bed. There's all sorts of things to eat, like salted sea kelp and sweet seaweed, various types of clams and shellfish, shrimp...and basically anything else that might be Choromatsu's favorite. Far too much for him to eat on his own.]
Why of course it is! Don't you remember when you were only a few years old...you would rush into my room waking me up because you were so excited. Where did that little fish get off to, hm?
[He settles down on his bed, resting the back of his hand flat beside the spread of food so Choromatsu can go to it whenever he's ready.]
[He stares at his son for a moment, blinking. It seems to only just now be sinking in that...maybe he's not excited to be getting up early for his hatchday like he used to be...he's 17 now, after all.
The sea king's smile falters.]
Ah, well...would you like me to take you back to bed? I am sure I can set this aside until you wake...
[Poseidon is patient as he waits for Choromatsu to wake, and he thinks he dozes off a little himself for a bit...but the moment the mer stirs, Poseidon gently picks his hand up and draws it close to himself, Choromatsu and the blanket still nestled safely into his palm.
He covets moments like this with his son. It makes him wish he hadn't grown up so fast...]
[ He sits up finally and stretches, the blanket staying over his tail. He looks over at the food, feeling himself really hungry... but also not being eager to leave his blanket OR his dad’s hand.
... he can’t bring himself to admit that last one out loud though.
Eventually though he resigns himself to just swimming out of Poseidon’s hand but wrapping his blanket around his shoulders. He takes a seat next to the food and grabs a scallop. ]
[Poseidon gets up, stretching briefly before he moves over to one side of the room, reaching into a little chasm in the wall among many where he stores various things. He pulls out a rather large, closed clamshell from inside, one that's very small to him but the size of a shoe-box to Choromatsu.
He brings it back, gently handing it down to the mer.]
Happy hatchday, my little guppy.
[With Poseidon as his father, Choromatsu is probably used to receiving lavish presents. Everything he wears right now, from his flowing clothes to the shell covered headpiece, all had been a gift to him once upon a time. This time, as expected, is no different.
When he opens the box he'll find a large conch shell inside, the tipped end opened and flared a bit like a horn. All around the outside rim the shell has been decorated with pieces of amber or shiny gemstones magically affixed to it inside so they won't come off, all in blues and greens.]
This, Choromatsu, is a very special gift. I have enchanted it so that if you blow into it, I will be able to hear you, no matter where in this world I might be. It has the capability to be used for playing music as well.
[ He’s used to lavish gifts but definitely hasn’t gotten tired of them. When Poseidon brings the box over he temporarily abandons his breakfast to see what’s inside.
Once he opens it though his eyes widen and he looks at the shell with awe. ]
Whoaaa...
[ He listens as his father explains what it does, gingerly reaching in to pull it out. ]
I am glad you think so. It may take a bit of practice getting the hang of, but I trust in your ability. You’ve always picked up things rather quickly, after all.
I have also put together a satchel that you can carry it in on your person. In the bottom of the box, there.
I am very glad you like it, son. I wanted this year to be something special...you are growing into a fine young merman, after all, and you're going to be venturing out into the wide open sea. I want you to be able to reach me if something happens, non?
[It is...very tiny, for him, but he gingerly picks it up between his thumb and forefinger anyway. He brings it to his lips and- through the power of mermaid magic or some shit- is able to show him what it can eventually sound like.]
I made this special for you. It is not just any ordinary shell, after all...it was designed for you to learn how to master. And once you have mastered it, I will be able to hear you no matter where I am.
Don’t let me keep you from the rest of your breakfast too long, now. I know you probably have much you would like to do today, and already some mers have come by to leave you gifts. You’ll have a lot to contend with in just a short while.
[It was a little saddening to Poseidon...he wished his son had more friends his age. He deserved to have more friends that were truly friends and not ones trying to get close to him just because he had status.
Poseidon watches Choromatsu as he eats, reaching down and picking up one of the scallops he didn't take yet after a while. It's so miniscule it's not even worth him trying to eat, but you know...he wants to share breakfast with his little guppy, alright.]
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[It had been seventeen years since Poseidon had witnessed the bringing of a brand new mer into the world. A new life. His son. Today was his hatchday, a day he'd never forget...he'd begun hatching early in the morning, around 6 AM or so, surrounded by five other eggs of different colors. Destined to be the eldest, he broke his way free from the shell until Poseidon could gently lift him with a finger and move him to the soft bed of kelp he'd prepared for the rest of his siblings to lay in once they all hatched.
But sadly, as the new father looked over the eggs and baby all day and night, the rest never opened. And after a week had passed, he had to come to terms with the fact that the little hearts inside, at some point, had quieted. One never knew with these things, and there was no real explanation as to why it happened. He'd kept them safe and warm...perhaps they'd been sick in some way. It wasn't his fault, he kept telling himself as he tearfully buried the five in a grotto some ways away from what would be their home among the coral reef.
At 5, Poseidon slipped off to the grotto to lay presents at each site where he'd buried the eggs, small little things that wouldn't overtake the grotto with time. Shells, pretty rocks, gemstones...he left when the sun began to shine on them and make the roof of the grotto sparkle, heading back home to rouse the hatchday boy way too early for what was sane.
The massive merman swims down into the reef, poking his head into the room he'd carved out for his son years and years ago. It had become a den fit for a teenager, with lots of trinkets and things strewn everywhere from his various collections. He swims over to the half shell he slept in, deciding to wake him by pressing a kiss to the top of his head.]
Good morning, my sweet angelfish. It's time to wake up.
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When Poseidon tries to wake him he groans and pulls the kelp up further over him, trying to pretend he was still asleep in vain hope that dad would leave him be. ]
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Choorooo~ It's your hatchday, remember? We have a big day planned for you!
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Daaaaad, go awaaaaay...
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Poseidon chuckles, moving his face a bit closer to Choromatsu so he can kiss him again.]
You don't want to sleep the day away, do you, my little guppy? Don't you want the nice breakfast I've made for you? And to see all your friends?
Oh, and you'll miss out on all your presents...
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Five more minutes.....
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Alright...five more minutes, then. But I'm not coming back to wake you up, okay? I'll have to eat all this food by myself if you let it get cold.
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He says nothing else though and just shuts his eyes. ].
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...then Choromatsu will feel something gently lifting him up out of his bed.]
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He groans as he’s lifted, holding on desperately to his kelp blanket but still refusing to “wake up” ]
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Dad, is waking up this early really necessary...?
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[He settles down on his bed, resting the back of his hand flat beside the spread of food so Choromatsu can go to it whenever he's ready.]
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[ He stays lying down on his father’s hand, still wrapped in kelp. Man that food looks good though... but so does sleep. ]
Just once for my hatchday I’d really like to sleep in.
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The sea king's smile falters.]
Ah, well...would you like me to take you back to bed? I am sure I can set this aside until you wake...
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No, it’s okay. Here is fine.
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...are you going back to sleep? Right there...?
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For a little bit...
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[He sighs, another smile softening his expression as he reaches out and pets the top of his hair with a fingertip.]
Sweet dreams then, sweetheart.
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He can’t really get back to true sleep though, just dozing for another hour or so. Eventually he starts to stir again. ]
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He covets moments like this with his son. It makes him wish he hadn't grown up so fast...]
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...Good morning dad.
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Good morning, little one. Did you sleep well?
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Mm. I slept okay.
...you didn’t eat my breakfast yet, did you?
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... he can’t bring himself to admit that last one out loud though.
Eventually though he resigns himself to just swimming out of Poseidon’s hand but wrapping his blanket around his shoulders. He takes a seat next to the food and grabs a scallop. ]
Thanks dad. [ homf ]
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[He smiles wider as he watches him begin to eat, still half laying down himself now that they're both awake.]
If there is anything else you would like, let me know. I made sure to prepare all of your favorites, just like last year.
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...Well. Presents would be nice.
[ Boy... ]
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You will have plenty, I can assure you.
Unless you can't wait, and would like your present from me early...?
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Pleeeeeeeeaaaase...?
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[Poseidon gets up, stretching briefly before he moves over to one side of the room, reaching into a little chasm in the wall among many where he stores various things. He pulls out a rather large, closed clamshell from inside, one that's very small to him but the size of a shoe-box to Choromatsu.
He brings it back, gently handing it down to the mer.]
Happy hatchday, my little guppy.
[With Poseidon as his father, Choromatsu is probably used to receiving lavish presents. Everything he wears right now, from his flowing clothes to the shell covered headpiece, all had been a gift to him once upon a time. This time, as expected, is no different.
When he opens the box he'll find a large conch shell inside, the tipped end opened and flared a bit like a horn. All around the outside rim the shell has been decorated with pieces of amber or shiny gemstones magically affixed to it inside so they won't come off, all in blues and greens.]
This, Choromatsu, is a very special gift. I have enchanted it so that if you blow into it, I will be able to hear you, no matter where in this world I might be. It has the capability to be used for playing music as well.
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Once he opens it though his eyes widen and he looks at the shell with awe. ]
Whoaaa...
[ He listens as his father explains what it does, gingerly reaching in to pull it out. ]
It’s so pretty...
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I have also put together a satchel that you can carry it in on your person. In the bottom of the box, there.
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Th... Thank you dad! I love it!
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...
...
...
It’s kind of a pathetic little wheeze. ]
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Ah...don't worry! You will get the hang of it soon, I am sure of it.
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G-Guess I just have to practice.
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Mind if I see it for a moment?
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Can... can I really make it sound like that...?
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[He hands it back down to him.]
I made this special for you. It is not just any ordinary shell, after all...it was designed for you to learn how to master. And once you have mastered it, I will be able to hear you no matter where I am.
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O-Okay...! I’ll work really hard then!!
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Don’t let me keep you from the rest of your breakfast too long, now. I know you probably have much you would like to do today, and already some mers have come by to leave you gifts. You’ll have a lot to contend with in just a short while.
[The perks of being royalty.]
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Okay!
[ He turns back to his food, picking at more scallops and sea urchin and other undersea delights. ]
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Poseidon watches Choromatsu as he eats, reaching down and picking up one of the scallops he didn't take yet after a while. It's so miniscule it's not even worth him trying to eat, but you know...he wants to share breakfast with his little guppy, alright.]