# Aquata Cove - Chapter 67

Author: Mirron Tenshi
Tags: Gay, Mermaid, Narwhal, Otter, Romance, Squid, Story Progression, Turtle, fish, merman

Aquata
Cove
Chapter 67:
Homecoming
Arnaav quivers
as he holds onto the Capricorn, on his own. His little heart is going insane in
his chest, beating a mile a minute as they move through the ocean.
He shouldn't
be doing this. The mark on his left chest symbolizes his betrayal, why would
they insist that he leaves? What if something happens? What are they going to
do once they see him?
He eeps as he
signals ahead, hearing a collection of voices from the distance. His body is
heavy with fear and suspense. He wishes that he can just turn back, he
shouldn't have to endure the ranting he is about to receive.
Moments later,
Arnaav can hear the school of otter merfolk before him. He huffs and whimpers
as the Capricorn slows down, still shaking to the point of vibration as he
rises up. He huffs and whimpers as he sees a large white, furry mass at the
front of the pod, along with a female otter mermaid by his side.
His throat
clenches as he rises up, and gives a very timid call. He gasps a little as he sees
the pod slow down, if only slightly. He gives another faltering call out to
them, and turns the head of the large Triton at the front.
Triton Bertone
gaps as he sees the tiny boy floating there, alone, looking very terrified just
to be there. "My boy..." He mutters. Bertone immediately pushes his mighty arms
to launch forth towards Arnaav.
Arnaav squeaks
in fear as Bertone paddles swiftly to him, shaking with terror before those
huge arms grab him tightly. He grunts as he is forced into the polar bear
merman's big, fluffy body. Arnaav wriggles against him, and moves into a more
suitable position as he feels his father hold him tightly.
"F-Father,"
He grunts as he tries to talk, "I-I-"
"I am so happy
you are back..." Bertone whimpers. Arnaav's trembling starts to ease as puts his
small paws onto the bear's chest, "I have missed you so much..."
"Y-You
mean..." Arnaav looks up with emotional eyes, "You do not hate me?"
"Mnnhh!"
Bertone hugs tighter as he shook his head.
"We were never
angry, Arnaav," Noita Rayette says she comes around, and gently caresses the
boy, "You are back, if only for a little while... We have always loved you..."
Arnaav
sniffles as he reaches an arm out, and feels his mother's touch. Bertone huffs
with emotion as he opens one arm up, and allow the Noita to come in closer.
Adra Aricio swims around, and puts her arms in as well.
Arnaav purrs
lowly as he snuggles in the crowded embrace, moaning in contentment as the fear
melts away inside him.
-Almost 2
Years Later-
A large,
unsuspecting flounder hovers by along the reef. Its body casually hovers along
the sand as it moves peacefully, minding its own business.
Its body halts
as its wavering fins slow for a moment, sensing a slight disturbance in its
vicinity, like a wave of invisible prickling from all around.
In a flash of
a moment, a brown and cream blur hurls forth in a rapid wheel of motion! The flounder
opens its small fins JUST before a pair of blades sink into it! At the hands of
an otter merman as he grinned deviously at the kill, his tail moving to and fro
with suppressed excitement.
Arnaav removes
the ornate dagger from the flounder's carcass, while keeping the survival knife
impaled into it. He swims back to the ascending Piscien hiding under a large
stone.
"That was a
good kill," Merrick commented as his protégé presents his prey to him, "One-hit
strike, very decisive and precise." He observed that the flounder has not moved
at all since Arnaav killed it, "You are still sending one too many signals than
you need. At the last moment, it sensed that you were near."
"I am
beginning to understand what you say about knowing the prey's next movement,"
Arnaav told him, "The way it was moving its fins and tentacles, I was almost
sure of where it was going to go, as if I can see into the future!"
Merrick
chuckled as he scratched the otter's fuzzy head, "Not quite. Intuition is not
the same as psychic. You are coming into your talents nicely, now that your
Father has been able to instruct you when you see him."
"Yes, that is
because he did not yell at me at each lesson!" Arnaav stuck his tongue at
Merrick.
"Oh, lay off,
Arnaav," Merrick tapped the young one's nose, "I haven't yelled at you in
years, and I stopped soon enough. Besides, my own Father was the one who was
harsh on me. My first kill was that of a swordfish, and that was when I was
younger than you."
"Hanngh,"
Arnaav nipped at Merrick's hand with his mouth, before they chuckled and
turned.
"Come.
Let us return to the pod. I am wondering if it is time for me to return home
yet."
"Hrrmm..."
Arnaav's ears lowered as he murred sadly as they loomed forward towards the pod
while Arnaav nibbles on his lunch. Moments later, they meet with the band of
Coshitons, resting for a moment before continuing on to their travels.
Noita Vanora
has her hands upon Deilan's head, her eyes closed as she feels his energy and
stamina, reading into his body and analyzing his very being while her fingers
radiate with abundant power.
Finally, she
opens her eyes and addresses the squid merman before her, "You are not yet
ready, Deilan. I advise 2 more moons before returning to the land."
"Confound
it..." Deilan scowled.
"My turn!"
Syrinx says as she paddles up. Vanora places her hands upon Syrinx's temples,
and began to feel her soul's aura as well. In a few moments, the Noita removes
her hands gently from her.
"You are
ready, Syrinx." Vanora informed her.
"Wonderful!"
Syrinx rejoiced. Merrick's heart pounds as he swims up to Vanora.
"And me?"
"Come." Vanora
feels Merrick's head, like the others, and reads into his aura. She winces
slightly as she delves into his being - even after as much personal growth he's
had, the scars of his heart are still painstakingly obvious.
Vanora takes a
few more seconds, before opening her eyes, "You are barely ready. But I would
wager you would leave regardless if you were completely recovered or not."
"I need
to be with my mate," Merrick smiled, "What can I say?"
"This is only
your second occupation in the pod, Merrick," Samudra smirks, "So eager to live
on the land, you must truly yearn for your human."
"I am."
Merrick nods, "I almost cannot stop thinking about him the whole I am here."
Triton Samudra
chuckles before he sends a couple of signals, calling a Capricorn to drift
along to him, "It is convenient that the both of you live on the same isle of
land," He tells Syrinx and Merrick, indicating that they are to share a ride,
so to speak.
"Yes."
Syrinx nods, "I am ready-"
"Wait!" Arnaav
pipes up. Eyes turn to the young otter, as he floats there, now looking shy and
awkward.
"What is
the matter?" Merrick asked curiously.
"I... Um..."
He looks up with pleading eyes, "T-Take me with you... Please?"
The
members of the pod gapped at Arnaav from his request.
"You...
Want to come with us?" Merrick asked, "To the human world?"
"P-Please,
Merrick..." He begged softly, "I missed you so much when you left the first time...
I felt so lonely without you..." He whimpers as he looks up with those big,
orb-like eyes.
"Arnaav, an
average merfolk cannot last for more than 14 suns upon land, let alone as young
as you are." Merrick says, "I am going to be gone for a lot of moons."
"I do not
care!" He says, "Please do not leave me behind!" He begged.
"What do
you think?" Merrick asked the Triton.
"It is his
decision," Samudra says, "He knows the limits. Or else you can appeal to the
Forbidden Ancient, if she might know a way to allow him to remain on land
longer."
"Even with the
scales she makes for me, that doesn't make me any more resistant to the call of
the sea than I already am." Merrick said.
"Pleeeaase,
Merrick, pleeeaase," Arnaav begs. Merrick smiles as he chuckles.
"Alright,
yes. You may come."
"Yay!" Arnaav
races up to Merrick and hugs him tightly. He hugs him back before the three of
them take a hold of the Capricorn, and wave goodbye as they start to leave the
Kenovani.
"He truly is
pushing himself too far sometimes," Vanora said, "Deilan and Syrinx aren't
nearly as impatient as he is."
"From what he
tells me of humans and their opinion on same-gender love, I can hardly blame
him." Samudra says.
"How do
you mean?"
"Men who love
other men as mates, as Merrick tells me, are held as taboo amongst humans." He
explained, "Males who are attracted to females have little to fear when they
are together where all can see. But males who mate with males, and conversely..."
He glances to a pair of mermaids of the Kenovoni - one has the Forbidden Love
symbol on her stomach, and the other has the symbol on her left shoulder, mated
to each other, "Females who are mated with females as well. They cannot show
themselves so openly to other humans."
"It is true,"
Vanora says, "The more you hide something, the more it will want to come out."
She sighs as she watches the three young merfolk riding the Capricorn ride into
the ocean, "Given that, is it any wonder why Merrick feels so drawn away then."
The trio holds
tightly onto the aquatic goat as it slowly races across the sea - while it
seems and feels as if it is moving gradually, the three merfolk notice that
they are moving faster than it looks. They watch up above as a colossal whale
calls its haunting melody while they move through the open space of the ocean. 
The Capricorn
guides them through a roaming school of Hippocampi as their flippers gallop in
the water. Arnaav laughs in wonder as he reaches up to pet one of the
horse-like fish, feeling very excited as he feels along the very colorful flesh
- so smooth, yet so very scaled with a small mail of shiny specs.
After what
feels like an hour of no doubt probably half of a day from traveling through
the ocean, Merrick smiles with excitement, as he can taste the familiar waters
of Hawaii, as well as his own sense of balance and perception of time and
surroundings shifting in his head as he can feel the Capricorn coming to a
stop.
Syrinx turns
her head as something catches her peripheral vision, before her eyes widen with
a gasp.
"I think I
know the way from here," Merrick says, as he takes a moment to stretch his arms
- the altered perception of time is now messing with his body and mind. Arnaav
yawned as he started to float up, "Syrinx, you-"
"Merrick look
there," Syrinx nudged him. Merrick turns his face to look, and feel his insides
tighten up.
There,
floating a fair distance away, shimmering white from her veil-like fins that
drape and waft around her body. Long tendrils of thin membranes drift from her
head while her long tail billows gracefully down like a giant, angelic beta
fish. Her platinum eyes look upon the three merfolk as they gaze at her, alone
- no other merfolk are present.
'Why is she
here?' Merrick thinks as he trembles as a rush of emotion starts to surge in
his body.
"Do you know
her?" Syrinx whispered, "I cannot recall if I have seen her before." She looks
in fascination to this celestial being, as if she could be the Herald of the
Sea Mother Herself, coming to them like a heavenly messenger from the radiant
moon, "She is... Beautiful."
Merrick's
chest feels like a fragile rock, with his heart feeling like a blunt hammer
pounding inside of him. His body trembles terribly as he sees the wavering
aurora-like mermaid come slightly closer.
"Muh...
Mother..." Merrick whimpers. Syrinx blinks as her head quirked to him.
"THAT is your
Mother?!" She asked, completely astonished. She takes a moment to glance at
Merrick - in particular, the pearly sheen around his body, as well as the
elegant membranes along the sides of his tail, and then back at the gorgeous
mermaid all the way over there, "By the depths..." 'So that is an Arctic Veil
mermaid...' Syrinx thought, 'She just looks so glorious...'
"Why is she
alone?" Merrick mumbled, "I do not understand..." Honestly, he feels terrified.
He has not even seen her ever since he was banished. Sea Mother knows just how
she must feel about him by now, "Why is she here..." He mumbles.
"Merrick..."
Syrinx puts a hand on his shoulder from behind, "I think she wants to see you..."
"But I... I
cannot. I failed her," His eyes begin to tear up, "I could not succeed my pod.
I lied to her time and time again. I lied to the pod. I abandoned everything I
was supposed to be. I can never be the son she deserve-"
"Merrick..."
Arnaav paws at his arm. Merrick turns to look at him, and those big, innocent
eyes gaze back up at him, "Do not leave her..." Merrick's chest shuddered as a
white wisp started to come from his eyes, "Please go to her... Please..."
Merrick put
his hand onto Arnaav's paws, and gently moved them down, just as Arnaav took
his harpoon. Merrick turned to face the mermaid, and trembled as he undulated
his tail, while Syrinx and Arnaav stayed behind.
The banished
Triton waves his tail up and down, finding himself sobbing little by little the
closer he comes to his mother.
Umiato looks
sadly upon her son. His aura... It's so different. It's been altered so much
since that day when she last held him in her arms - the day she left that mark
on the back of his neck. Consumed in so much, with rays of light rolling and
roaming the darkness in attempts to heal itself, with more than half of it
restored, but with more energy that is still undone to be comfortable with -
especially a sudden spike of emotion just now, right when they saw each other.
"Come," Syrinx
nudged Arnaav, "Let them have a moment alone..." She brings Arnaav closer, and
bids the Capricorn to drift away.
Merrick huffs
as he swims to her, sniffling as he flaps his tail before he is right in front
of her, and he stops, "M-Mother, I-I-" He didn't even finish his sentence.
Umiato puts her hands around the merman, just before Merrick did the same. He
sobbed as he squeezed her tight, feeling so much heaviness in such a short
moment.
Noita Umiato
presses one hand upon Merrick's back, and the other on the back of his head as
he hugs her, whimpering and crying into her breast.
"Hush, my
Son..." She gently said, "I am here..." Her veil-like fins waver slowly as she
holds onto him, "I am here..." Lost, alone, or scared. That's always what she'd
say when Merrick needs her.
"Mother..."
"Be still, my
Son... I am here..." Merrick takes deep, harsh breaths as he struggles to cope with
his inner demons while clinging to the mermaid who gave him life. To see her
now, after all that he's done to her.
"It has been
so long..." She muttered, "I feel so much hurt and complexity inside of you..." She
softly pushes Merrick back a little, and presses her hand to his chin to bring
his face up, "Let me see you," Merrick moved his head away, casting his face
down and shaking his head.
"No, Mother,
do not..." He huffs and sobs as he can feel her aura try to see into him, "Do
not, please."
"Son, let
me see you, please," She insists, "It is alright, I am here."
"I
cannot, my soul... It is too torn. I am not, please,"
"Hush now,"
She gently says as she brings his face up to see her. Umiato gasps as flashes
of the past surface from just a glimpse of Merrick's sobbing eyes.
Drying
sickness raking every part of his being as an endless cloud of terror pulls at
his mind and heart from just looking upon the ocean, while falling into very
bad health, desperate to stay alive while ashamed to live at all. Wasting away
to nothing, yet feeling as if there is no right to grieve and seek aid; only to
hide the scorching drain inside until everything goes black again. All in fear
of a silent killer that will never leave him alone in the sea, to turn your
back on something so desperately needed and desired, to adopt an alien life
that is slowly extinguishing one's soul.
"Ghh..."
Merrick's chest clenches as he sees Umiato gasp silently.
Love and trust
shatter in the wake of personal failure. Purpose lost, fractured holes falling
like glass shards, punctured by deprivation from those he holds so close to his
heart, not cast away, forever out of his reach as he remembers who he was for
the sake of identity, like refusing to move from a tree that bares fruit that
is too tall for him to reach, just for the sake of knowing that it used to
supposed to belong to him, now alone in a place where he knows nothing,
surrounded by unfamiliar creatures that can never even begin to know what true
isolation and suffering is.
Horror and
sadness pours inside Umiato's chest as she absorbs Merrick's memories, "Mother...
Please stop..." She should not have come here. Though he does not see what she is
looking into, the expression of rapidly growing sorrow on her fair face tells
him far more than she has to say.
Evil. Sheer
evil. The sun turned into a weapon as a demon probes him with endless
questions, and robs him of life after he mocks and trap him in a never-ending
maze of deception and pain. A cackling guardian who laughs at each moment of
punishment and ridicule that his lashed onto a dying merman. A human with a
dead soul, mutilating, cutting, dissecting, unfeeling. Liars, liars everywhere,
all monsters that deserve as much mercy as was given. So desperate for escape,
refuge, yet at all costs, secrets must be kept and locked away of a life that
is no longer his to have, yet is determined to protect and preserve, even at
the cost of endless agony. The life of one so precious being forced out by
one's own hand, to soon snap back into the mind, and realize what kind of a
monster one has become. All to cling and preserve one's own self, on behalf of
their own kind.
"Oh Son..."
Umiato shakes her head with great sadness as the tapestry of anguish seems
endless, "What has happened to my Son..."
"I cannot,
please stop looking in me!" Merrick clenches his eyes shut as he shakes himself
out of Umiato's arms. "Do not look at me, I am nothing now. Just-" He starts to
turn to swim away, feeling deep despair for letting his own mother see the pit
of shadow and misery his aura has become.
"Merrick." He
froze, just as he feels a hand on his wrist. Merrick huffs as he keeps his eyes
cast down. He doesn't have the heart to push her away, even though she
shouldn't see what he is... He's not her son anymore...
"Son..." Umiato
pulls him gently. Her eyes wisp for tears as she catches a last a glimpse of
his eye.
Wave-crashing
guilt, spiraling constantly as a whirlpool of darkness. A shining future as a
Triton of the Navyn Tail merfolk, crumbling away into fragments within a single
hour. Contained deception, true love turned into a crushing secret, locked away
and sinking like a knife, deeper and deeper into one's stomach the longer it
continued. To let everyone believe there was so much hope, too much trust. To
hide and deceive...
The one he
truly identified with... The one who always trusted him, he promised her to be
the best example one can offer. Everything there was, everything that was said,
everything that was tried: Lies. Everything is a lie. Hopes and love shattered.
To betray someone who gave one life, led her on into thinking he was anything
more than distant prince, and then abandon everything and leave it all behind.
To never deserve to even look upon her again.
"Son, no..."
Umiato softly said as she brought him closer, "Come," Merrick wept as she holds
him close. The negative energy inside of Merrick is so turbulent, it's almost
too difficult to even hold him. He seemed almost fine and content when he was
riding the Capricorn a few minutes ago, but ever sense he noticed her presence,
there was a sudden rush of hurt in his aura.
He shakes his
head, trembling more as he inwardly insists that he shouldn't have her here. "I
am sorry, Mother," Merrick sobbed as more guilt spiraled up inside him,
thinking again and again the very point of how it all began - on that Red Moon,
"I tried, I tried... I could not help it... I am sorry, I have failed you... I have
failed them all... I do not know, I just, it-" Black and blue fire rages and
spirals inside of the banished prince as he feels the embrace of the Noita. He
doesn't even have the right to feel her, to hear her voice, to have her touch
him, not after everything... Not now. Not ever.
"I am sorry,
Mother..." Merrick continued, "I do not know what happened, I did not know what
to do when it happened, I just... I cannot..."
"Hush, Son,"
Umiato calmly repeated as she held him close, "It is not your fault." She hugs
him tenderly as Merrick sniffled and choked, "It was never your fault."
"But I
lied to you... I betrayed you, I betrayed the pod... I turned my back to the sea..."
"You did no
such thing..." She said, "I learned you were mated to a human man before you were
banished..." Umiato said, feeling a clench from her son's hands "I was... Shocked
when he informed me. But I can see that he was a good human... One who went so
far to protect you...His soul is a bright one." She looks down upon his head with
a soft smile, "I was happy. You have found the one true love of your life."
Merrick takes
deep breaths as he tries to cope with this very moment alone, "From then on, I
knew it was only a matter of time before you were made a Coshiton... I had hoped
to talk to you before that happened," Merrick whimpers as his tail twitches,
ready to whip around and swim away, "So that I may discover this new side of
you, Son." Merrick stops his tail immediately, "You... My Son... So unique and
different from any merman I have ever seen, it seemed, with a different mind
and perspective..."
Umiato
frowns slightly, "But your Father..."
"Mnnnhh..."
Merrick cringed.
"He knew... Before
I had discovered, he knew, and..." Umiato took a deep breath, and sighed, "I
begged your Father to not invoke your trial - to call out your violation of the
Sacred Laws. But you know him..." Merrick nodded against her chest, "Nothing
would do but to have you answer for your crime. I sensed that he did not
believe that you were mated a man. That invoking your trial would set you on a
proper state of being..."
"Please,
Mother..." Merrick whined, his feelings only growing darker, "Let me vanish,
Mother..."
"Oh, Son..."
Umiato's aura began to shift and waft around her, "You have been lost and gone
mad within the darkness..." Umiato whispers with tenderness, "I should have
taught you how to hold the light... A long time ago."
Merrick
tenses as Umiato's arms held him closer.
Laughter, and
welcoming sunshine. A human with warm brown hair, chocolate eyes, a smile that
brings the heartening breeze of a caring, beloved heart. He's such a beautiful
creature, constantly happy to give himself to anyone he knows and loves. He
holds his arms out, and brings the light out of someone just from the mere
touch. To give and sooth, and protect, to give momentary life in a whole
different world, away from everything else.
A healer. Fair
and calm, serene and caring, if not strictly prohibitive. Talks, so many talks,
about life and matters that seem to trivial but feels fulfilling at the same
time, while also in a place full of words and paper, with other such people
with similar interests and energies. A healer who, despite what she may have
thought after breaking the heart of her friend, stayed by one's side, and
helped him as the blood of the earth poisoned his veins, and held his hand as
it tore him apart. She never judged, never gave a harsh word.
Someone fun to
be with, a virile, beastly companion who is so free with the body, to be one
who understands casual bareness. A soul who has had so much burning turmoil, to
feel more alone than anyone for so young, as well as being punished by the law
for a crime he never committed. Given means for a new home, he recovered so
long ago, and even has a different family that suits him for more than anyone
he's ever had.
"Hold the
light, Son..." Umiato mutters as her aura slowly but surely cleanses into
Merrick's body. His heart beats harshly as a semi-foreign feeling starts to
bathe into him, "The dark will always be there, but you left behind the light...
I will see you find it again." The Noita puts her hand over the mark she left
on Merrick's flesh, so long ago.
A lost boy,
abandoned by his own pod, so young he can barely swim on his own. Though the
Father scorns him with sheer, arrogant anger, one comes back to the fledgling,
and gives him means of survival. Compassion that eludes most, but shines
brightest in even the least good deed given.
One step at a
time, planting one foot over the other upon a blazing hot rock. Looking up into
the eyes of excitement and pride. A rush of butterflies and happiness surges in
the belly as one's limbs are used for the first time, to walk on his own to the
one he loves. Finally evolved to make the effort for him. To make him happy.
Treading a
world that is completely unfamiliar. Humans, countless faces, everywhere, yet
none show a single trace of malice or interest. Many places for them to be, for
him to be, everywhere he looks and everywhere he goes, new discoveries,
infinite wonders, passing fancies, endless possibilities, every single second
is a brand new adventure all on its own, with the hand holding of one's mate to
ensure safety that may not even be needed.
On every full
moon, every mermaid comes to the surface, and pays due respect to the Sea
Mother through beautiful song. Charm the moon, move the tides with harmony,
give thanks and earn needed forgiveness for one and all. Sister leads them all
into song; so young, so new, but so ready as she gives the first melody to the
moon. Swelling pride and happiness comes to one's chest as she performs one of
many duties of a Noita. She will one day surpass that of her mother, as the
winds themselves grace her very voice.
Merrick's
breathing calms down. The crackling shadows of his heart is weakening, waning
in the sight of Umiato's heart.
Waking from
grueling nightmare of black slime and crippling poison. The smell of trees and
old soil come into be as the eyes open, spotting the Ancient as she pours a
dark essence into a jar. Fatigued, she smiles as she helps him up. The bad
blood is gone; the body feels so much lighter now. Breathing is harder at the
time, even as he looks out to see sunlight beaming into a bright river, and
sees the love of his life there. He's there, as always, right then. Waiting for
him, always waiting. He's never left his side.
A new life. A
solved puzzle once set is now scattered in a new array, like a piece of glass
that can be pieced together. It's not an easy task, nor is it all that welcome.
But bravery and determination drives forward. Always must keep moving forward.
That is what the humans do, and thus begins a journey in its new form.
"Nnhh..."
Merrick squirms a little as the good memories try to bring the other ones back
into the surface.
"Let them
flow, Son..." Umiato says quietly, "Let the light balance the dark..."
A whole moon brought
nothing but anger and despair. In a lair of monsters, come emissaries of trust
and goodness. Familiar faces appear in the darkness, loving and helping. They
free him, they heal him, and they find his mate. Against all odds, he leaves
the lair of endless torture, hand in hand, escape into the open air.
Merrick's arms
soften quite a bit. His gills loosen as breathing becomes so much easier.
Umiato smiles softly as his grip becomes firm, but smoothed. He's finally
calming down. The tears have finally stopped. The shroud is finally mending
properly.
The creature
was never meant to end him. So much fear of the ocean, so much time trying to
evade the vast envoy of the world, all for naught. A mighty rogue comes to
gracefully bring so much perspective and knowledge. In only a single night,
everything becomes so clear, it's almost too much to bare, too much to believe.
A voice of
innocence, long believed to have disappeared into the depths of the sea. A boy,
left behind from his pod, survived after all of this time. A way back home, to
the other place where one belongs.
One will never
be alone. Others are there to share his pain. They are there while he fights
his sorrow. They understand him, they want him. They care for his life, they
are his kind. They understand the ravages of his life, as greatly large as it
is.
Merrick
breaths a quivering breath, feeling more lighter than he has ever felt, in a
long, long time.
"Are you still
ashamed to see me?" Umiato asked, "Because I was never ashamed of you..." Merrick
shakes his head 'No.'
"I also
sense that you have been touched by the Land Father..." She says, "Are you..."
"One could say
that..." Merrick smiled, "My Mother and my Father, as well as the Forbidden
Ancient, protected me."
Though
confused by the cryptic answer, Umiato holds him closer. Merrick's soul... It
truly is as good as new. Once again, it's the worthy tapestry of life that it
previously was.
"Mother...
Why are you here?" Merrick asked, "How have you found me?"
"We were
leaving, and I sensed your aura..." Umiato said as she moved back, "A Coshiton
may never come back to their pod. But a member of the pod may always seek out a
Coshiton," She brings up her hand, "I barrowed a treasure from Daughter so I
may see you again." Merrick smiles and chuckles as he sees a very little
scallop shell, scripted with the Chinese kanji for 'Light'. "I could scarcely
believe that... After all of this time, you are here... Alive." Umiato says with
utter happiness, "I had thought... I had hoped you had left the sea to escape the
Capricorn-"
"We were
wrong," Merrick said as he looked into her eyes, "The Capricorn - it was never
meant to guide anyone to their death."
"Then,
where did it deliver you, Son?"
"Other rogues.
Like me." He answered, "Coshitons who have been lost, and then found." He
smiles as his mother looks at him with surprise, "We are called the Kenovani.
We have alliances with a few other pods, those who still see us, even as
outcasts of the Laws." He smiles to her, "We live, we fight, and we traverse
like any other pod. The Capricorn protects us."
"Oh Son..."
Sparkling white wisps begin to waft from Umiato's eyes again as her heart
swells with joy and relief.
"I someday
hope that..." Merrick smirks as he shakes his head, "That you and Father may someday
align with us."
Umiato
chuckles weakly, "I doubt he will agree. But if he does not," She puts her hand
onto his shoulder, "I will align in his place." Merrick blinks from that.
"You...
Will align? You can do that?"
"Tritons and
Noitas are balance within a pod - equal in ruling. Not every alliance is made
by a Triton - I have made pacts with other pods when Kaiken has refused."
"Hah,"
Merrick smirks, "I pray I will see that sun come to pass."
"Hmhmhm," They
hug again, before the shell upon Umiato's headband begins to glow and vibrate,
"Oh, Denizyr, he calls."
"I see."
Merrick nods, "I wish to know how the pod fairs, but we will meet another sun,
Mother." He moves back to move away.
"Wait, Son"
She stops him, "Before you leave, I wish to give you one more ease of mind."
"Huh?" Merrick
quirks his head as Umiato adjusts a lovely tether made of silk from a
human-made gown.
"I sense that
you worry for the pod," Merrick's eyes beamed as he looks into the frilly pouch
as her hands tuck into them, "The Sea Mother has blessed us, my Son."
Merrick takes
a huff of disbelief as Umiato holds up what looks like a very large opal in her
arms. Light from the sea's surface dance the light of the opal beautifully in
an array of colors along smooth lines on its surface.
Merrick stares
in wonder as he puts a hand onto the large, smooth jewel. He feels a distinct
warmth and inner voice within the stone itself.
"Your
Father refuses to tell me." Umiato said, "May you-"
"Yes." Merrick
smiles as closes his eyes, and puts his forehead to the opal, and gives a
single signal.
Moments seem
to pass by as Merrick swims alone through the warm waters around him, his heart
fluttering like it never has in a long, long time.
'Tell Father
that I am sorry for what had happened, but what is done is done. What I did is
indeed my responsibility, but I do exist no matter what he wishes to think. I
am his Son, and I will have him always remember that.'
Merrick
smiles as he sees the Capricorn.
'Tell Sister
that I have missed her more than she could ever possibly imagine. If she ever
wishes to play with me again, like the old suns, I will, anytime, and anywhere.
I'll spare any moment she would have of me.'
Arnaav perks
up as he looks at him, smiling eagerly as he swims closer. Syrinx is already
gone.
'Tell Brishen
that the game and the wager is still on. He swore before the sea that he will
become the greatest hunter in the sea, but he cannot do that when the score has
been left unattended. If he would have me, I want to hunt with him again.'
Merrick rubs
Arnaav's fuzzy head as he takes back his harpoon, and dismisses the Capricorn.
They both swim forth into the shallow waters.
'I miss you
all; you are the place I was born, and are responsible with how I came to be,
and I could not be more happier with how the Waves of Fate have washed over my
existence. I often worried how the pod would go on once I was banished. So I
thank you, Mother, for absolving me of my darkness, and showing me the light that
I had forgotten.'
Merrick takes
a moment to take his scale necklace from his pouch, and ties it around his
neck, immediately transforming himself into human form.
'And I wish
you all the best of luck with my new Brother. May the Sea Mother shine upon
you, may the Guardian Leviathan protect you, and may the Waves of Fate guide
you.'
~~~
Upon the
shore, Merrick walks partially naked as normal as can be, while Arnaav barrows
his harpoon as a walking stick to tread the sand, still in his true form as an
otter merman - Triton Samudra regularly has the pod go on land to practice how
to walk in their human forms.
Arnaav looks,
and spots a strange-looking ship surrounded by logs of white-ish reef, "Is that
where we're going? Where the humans live?"
"Yes, that's
it." Merrick answered, "It's called a 'House'. That's where humans usually
live."
They move up
to the back porch of the house, where Merrick went to a wove-basket, and picked
out a couple of towels. He turned around and bent over to start running the
towel on and round Arnaav's body.
He dried off
his hair, face, torso around his sea gear and belt, and legs morphing his body
into a humanoid shape.
"What's that
for?" Arnaav asked.
"It's better
to be dry when you go inside a house." He said, before drying himself off, and
locating a hidden key to unlock the glass sliding door to open it.
"RAAAH RAAH
RAAH! ARROOROOOROO!" Comes a loud, golden flash of abrupt noise and force.
"AAEEEHHH!"
Arnaav screams as he clings behind Merrick as the loud barking continued.
"HEY!
Hey-ey-ey, get back! Get back!!" Merrick yelled. He shouted a few strange
hollers at the creature, doing little to calm it down.
"What is that
thing?!" Arnaav yelped, terrified, "Make it stop!"
"Easy! Down
girl! Down!" Merrick commanded, "It's ok, Arnaav, it's just the dog, she won't
hurt you."
"RAAHH! RAAHH!"
The golden retriever jumped about, her tail flopping left and right as she
barked. Merrick growled before he grabbed a nearby chew toy, and threw it
across the house. The dog then raced after it, barking still until she sank her
fangs into the squeaky plush.
"That is
Sally," Merrick said as he brought the shaking boy around, and held securely to
him as he quivers with fear, "She's Jamal's dog. Humans have a common habit of
keeping animals in their houses." The poor boy sniffled and moaned with
bewilderment, as Sally viciously shook her toy around in her maw, "Don't worry,
she won't hurt you. She's just loud and obnoxious."
"Thhrraawwr~?"
Comes a more welcome, mellow noise. Merrick looks down and smiles as the
semi-fluffy, orange cat trots up to him.
"Hi there,
Roxas~!" Merrick got down and pet the cat as it came purring to him, pushing
his face into Merrick's palm as he gently picks him up, "Aww hello, little buddy~.
How's da cutie little kitty~ Yesh he is, he's so soft and fluffy~" He coos to
the feline. 
Merrick turns
and holds the cat up for the boy to see, "Here, this is a cat. His name is
Roxas." Arnaav whimpers as he took a step back, "It's ok, go ahead and touch
his head, like this," Merrick pets Roxas, "He's a good boy, don't worry." 
Arnaav gulps,
before reaching a shaking hand over and softly touching the soft fur. Roxas
purrs as he watches Arnaav carefully, even as he cautiously strokes him.
"Yeah, that's
it, don't be afraid." Merrick encourages. Arnaav smiles weakly as he brushes
into Roxas's warm neck fur.
Merrick lets the
cat go, and stands back up, "Ok, follow me." Merrick says as he turns and walks
into Adam's room. Arnaav looks all around the house - it looks so different, so
unlike the sea. So many foreign objects for who knows how many different
unknown purposes, what do humans possibly do with so many different things? And
this is only where they live.
They enter
Adam's bedroom, and Merrick picks up his iPhone from his shelf. He immediately
dials Adam's number, and holds it to his ear. Seconds later, Arnaav jumps as a
sudden playful ringtone jingled out of nowhere. Merrick jerks around and
scoffed with displeasure, "Ah dammit, he forgot his damn phone."
Merrick ended
the call, and started to strip down from his equipment - removing his
shark-tooth headband and cross-belts. Not exactly sure what to do, Arnaav does
the same.
Once completely
naked, Merrick goes to the drawers, and fished out a pair of nice satin boxers.
Arnaav watches with estrangement as Merrick bent over, and pulled up the small
piece of shiny cloth up between his legs, and then putting on a long piece of
dark blue up to his waist, that covers his legs completely. Merrick pulls on a
shirt as well, before he looks to the kid, who is just standing there, wearing
absolutely nothing.
"Oh damn, that's
right..." Merrick winced, "We don't have any kid clothes here."
"Kid... Clothes?"
Arnaav said with an estranged look, "What does that mean?"
"Well... See what
I'm wearing right now?" Merrick asked while pulling on his shirt and pants,
"Humans are notorious about covering up their bodies with sails and nets -
they're called 'Clothes'. If you walk around like... How you are now," Arnaav
looks down upon his exposed body, "They would start to freak out."
"Why?" Arnaav
asked, "That seems a bit weird." 
"It is. Frankly
it's annoying half the time, but it's bearable. Here," Merrick pulled out some
extra small underwear, and went down to put it on the boy. Merrick then picked
up his wallet, and opened it, "Kay... 5, 10, 20... Got $24 in here... Lemme..." Merrick
then took his iPhone from his shelf, and dialed a number.
"Huh?" Arnaav
blinked curiously as Merrick held the strange, flat device up to his head, and
stood still. He took a moment to dial a few other numbers onto the phone, and
held it up to his ear again. After a short pause, he nodded once and hung up,
"Still have over a hundred dollars in there, we're good."
"Good? I don't
understand."
"Oh, um, well
see," Merrick opened up his wallet, and showed Arnaav the slips of pale green
paper, "This is called Money. Humans use these to trade items and services."
"Don't they
trade item for item instead? That might make more sense."
"No, they don't.
They used to, centuries ago, but in this age, their whole sense of trade
revolves around money." Merrick pockets his wallet, and goes to put on a white
leather jacket, "And we need this to get you some clothes."
"If you say so."
Arnaav said, "H-Hey, Merrick? You know about... What we know about humans... Are
you sure they're not as powerful and colossal as we think."
"Oh yeah. All
exaggerated and made-up. Humans are no more powerful than we are - except they
can't conjure and cast like Noitas at all. Hang on..." Merrick looks, and picks
up a couple of small boxes on his shelf - parcels he ordered, "Sweeet," He
smiles as he cuts them opened, and pulls up his satchel. Arnaav watches as
Merrick puts the contents of his parcel into his pack, and equips it over his
shoulder.
"Ok, all set.
Lets go." He said as he escorted the boy outside, and straddled onto his black
and gold moped.
~~~
Merrick leans on
the wall next to a door of a changing room for Arnaav to finish. It's taking a
long while, but Arnaav insisted on figuring out how to put on the clothes by
himself. Merrick chuckles as he can hear the boy grunt in discomfort, shuffling
in there, before the door opened for him to walk out, wearing a yellow and blue
star shirt, blue shorts and nearly tripping in Velcro sandals.
"I don't like
this," Arnaav whines as he plucks at his shirt, and tugging at his shorts, "I
feel so trapped." He waddles and skids in his open-toed footware, "How do
humans even do this?"
"It takes some
getting used-to," Merrick said, "I felt the same way."
"Do I have to
wear this all the time?" Arnaav groaned as he squirms on the spot, "Can I take
these off when we are back in the house?"
"Uummm..." Merrick
pondered, "Yes, but you still have to at least wear that shiny cloth I gave
you. Even in the house, humans prefer to stay in their clothes, and one of the
humans who lives with me is pretty strict about wearing clothes."
"Aaawwwooo..."
Arnaav moaned as they walked to the cashier, and paid for the clothes.
Once they walked
out of the clothing shop, Merrick takes his iPhone out of his pocket, "Hang on,
I'm gonna make a call..."
"Call?" Arnaav
looked, "Call what?"
"Just one of the
humans who live with me."
"Huh?"
"Hang, just a
sec..." The phone rings a couple of times, before it's picked up on the other
line.
"Hello?"
"Hey Yuri! Guess
who!"
"Oh my God,
Merrick?! When did you get back??"
"About an hour
ago. Hey, do you know where Adam is? He left his phone at home." Arnaav looks
at Merrick with an expression of bewilderment and curiosity. He can distinctly
hear 
"He's probably
working at the Fish House, I don't know."
"Ah damn. Better
head over there then." He leaned on one leg, "Other than that how're things?"
"Well-" In the
background, there came to crash on Yuri's end, "Oh shit, gotta go. A patient
just wrecked some of the equipment."
"Ok, bye-"
Merrick winced as Yuri already hung up, "Ah crap," Merrick closed up the call.
"What was that
now?" Arnaav asked, "Why were you talking to nothing? And I think I heard a
hidden voice somewhere."
"Oh yeah,"
Merrick smiles as he then shows Arnaav his iPhone, "This is called a 'Cell
Phone', or 'Phone' for short. It's one of the method humans use to communicate
from almost anywhere in the world."
"Reeaallly??"
Arnaav gasped in amazement, "You can talk to anyone, no matter where they are,
even if they're on the other side of the world??"
"That's right."
Merrick nods.
"Could you even
contact the Kenovani pod?? Or could you let me use it to talk to my Mother and
Father??"
"Heh, actually,
no, it doesn't work like that," Merrick said, "In order to call someone using a
phone, they must also have a phone with them for the connection to work. And
phones can't function in the water at all."
"Oh, ok..." Arnaav
pouted. Merrick smiled as he took his hand.
"Come on. Lets
head for the pier."
~~~
Merrick locks up
his moped in the parking lot of the Kele-Kolika Pier. Arnaav trembles with
nerves as he looks around the countless cars, and even spotting a few humans
here and there. Merrick smiled softly as he kneels down, and gently rubs the
boy's shoulders.

"Everything's gonna be fine, ok?" He muttered, "Just stay close to me, and
don't talk to stangers." Arnaav nods, and walks forth, trying to keep his
balance in these confounding sandals. 
Merrick guides
Arnaav to the Pearly Seagull, where the jingle of the door's bell startles
Arnaav, just as it did to Merrick all those years ago.
Arnaav looks,
and his hazel, orb-like eyes widen as he slowly gasped while he looked at
everything in sight of the candy store.
Gems, jewels,
stones everywhere, held inside invisible barriers, infinity of colors dazzle
and shimmer in the light as he walks forward. He's never seen such a whimsical
sight, like someone somehow built a brand new treasure chest full of wondrous
riches on a giant scale, from the inside.
The clerk, old
Bertha, looks and smiles as she sees one of her favorite regulars walk in,
along with a youthful specimen, looking more amazed with every step he took.
While Merrick goes to the counter, Arnaav darts to the tall columns of jellybeans,
each glass cylinder holding a separate color, and making a rainbow in a total
of 10 colors/flavors. Arnaav gasped and plants his small hands onto the tops of
the containers of rock candy, beaming upon the array of sparkling crystals
within. He turns, and giggles as he sees the silly images of the gummies.
"Well howdy do,
Merrick!" Bertha greeted as the tall, blonde male came to her.
"Hey, Bertha.
How's biz?" He asked.
"Oh, business as
usual. Who's you're little buddy?"
"That's Arnaav,"
Merrick answered as he turns halfway around to glance at the boy, "He's my
little brother... Sort of."
"Oh, he just
looks about the sweetest little thing in here~" She says as Arnaav squeaks in
bewilderment as a popcorn machine starts to pop and crackle, before the hidden
pot within starts to overflow with white and yellow clumps.
"Heh, yeah, he
is. Although, fair warning, he's sorting out the same kind of social problems
that I used to have, and this is his very first time in a candy shop, so
please," Merrick puts his hands together, "PLEASE forgive him if he breaks
anything or makes a mess."
"Oh that's
alright, honey~!" Bertha merrily says as she waves her hand down dismissively,
"He looks just like MY boy when he was that tiny~" She giggles as Arnaav
instantly becomes mesmerized as he presses his face and hands against the glass
of the ever-working taffy puller, rolling and stretching a fat ribbon of green
apple taffy, "He's just about the most precious thing~!" She almost squealed.
"So do you know
where Adam is?" Merrick asked, "I've been looking for him, and he forgot to
take his phone with him."
"I saw him
driving his fish cart a while go," Bertha answered.
"Great," Merrick
smiles. He glances at the astounded otter boy darting about from location to
location, before taking a couple of plastic bags, "I better take a little bit
of everything, see what he likes."
"Take your
time~" Bertha said.
Moments later,
the two boys walk out of the shop, Merrick licking his strawberry ice cream,
and Arnaav crunching on some purple rock candy, still hardly believing that this
is one kind of jewel one is supposed to eat. 
"Haannngghh,
kkkklllgggg, Nnnaanngghh so this is what humans eat??" He asked.
"Sort of. Humans
get hungry a lot, so they make morsels like this to nibble on when they're just
a little hungry. Heh, and don't get me started on just what they can do with
food, or even what they'd eat!"
They walk to the Fish House,
and Arnaav tucks his bag of treats into Merrick's pack, just as he smells a LOT
of fish somewhere nearby. Merrick smiles as they push through the glass doors of
the front area of the Fish House, and entered into the nicely kept lounge - a
few years back, the Captain a business deal for some major renovations; the
Fish House now has its own tiny fish market, as well as large tanks full of
exotic fish in a reef. 
Arnaav quirks and turns his
head everywhere, gasping and beaming as he sees dozens upon dozens of fish,
octopi and squid, and crustatians, adorned with green vegetation upon beds of
ice! Arnaav growls with hunger as he quivers with anxious yearning as he looks
upon everything in sight! They're calling him. They mock him.
Merrick
kneels down, grinning, "Crazy, isn't it?" He asked.
"Yeeeaaahhh."
Arnaav half-squeaked as he nods.
"Though don't touch anything
though. Humans react every badly when you just take things without permission
or trade."
"Can we come here every
sun???" Arnaav whimpered, his little nostrils completely filled with the aromas
of so many different prey, just LYING there, almost begging him to sink a
weapon in them for an instant hunt!
"Heheheh," Merrick pats his
shoulder, "We'll see." He stood up, and peered about until he spotted the fat,
old, pirate-like boss of this establishment, looking as ornery and crusty as
ever. "Hey, Captain, excuse me?"
The grumpy looking man turns
his attention the blonde trick striding up to him, "So what the hell do YOU
want??" He growled.
"I- um, sorry, Captain, it's
me," Merrick said, a little taken aback by Captain's demeanor, as always,
"Mer-"
"What
are ya talkin about? I've got shit to do."
"I-I know, I-I'm just looking
for Adam, remember?" He said, earning a narrow, sinister squint from the older
sea dog, "Merrick? I'm his boyfriend, I'm looking for him."
"Merrick, oh Merrick! Yes,
goddammit, I git it," Captains also suffers from acute Alzheimer's; it's not as
bad as it can be, but it's caused a few problems here and again. Times like these
show that he hasn't taken his pills today, "You're my fuckin good-luck charm."
He chuckles with his cigar-scraped voice as he roughly pats Merrick's
shoulders, almost knocking him off balance.
"Heh,
yeah, I'm looking for Adam, I just got back into town."
"Adam
who?" Captain snarled.
"Adam,
Adam Bryant." Merrick reminded him, "He has brown hair and uh-"
"Ah yes! Yes! I'm sorry,
blondie, I can't even remember 5 minutes ago today." He growled, "I think he's
off work now, I'm sorry."
"Ah dammit." Merrick took a
look around and gasped, as Arnaav is now dangerously near a small spread of
shrimp. "ARNAAV!" 
The boy whips around, looking
startled as his mouth gnaws on the upper part of the shrimp. He looks nervously
as Merrick strides to him, "Arnaav, I told you, don't take things without
permission!" 
"I-I'm sorry, Merrick," The
boy stammered, while Captain comes laughing over, "I just- I dunno, I can't,
I'm sorry!" 
"I'm very sorry, Captain,"
Merrick apologized as he turned around, "He has a hard time listening
sometimes, I told him not to. I can pay for it."
"Oh fuck off, it's fine!"
Captain laughed, "It's just one damn little shrimp it ain't gonna hurt nobody."
Merrick rolled his eyes as Arnaav was encouraged to eat up the shrimp - he's
trying to restrain himself from going on a tangent like his own Father would,
but if Merrick ever pulled a stunt like that in front of Kaiken, he would not
stop hearing about it for hours.
"Now quit yur bitchin and
come fishin with me," Captain said, "I got a fuckin bet to settle before the
end of the week, and I need your fishin mojo to git me a huge-ass fish."
"Language, Captain?" Merrick
said, "My brother here is only 11 years old," He estimated on the spot, though
Arnaav is rather short for such an age, "And do you know where I can find Adam?"
"Ah,
find him later, c'mon!" He insisted, "Bet's over in 3 days. Lets get a move
on!"
"I can fish with you later,"
Merrick said, "It's getting late out, and my brother's not used to being out at
night."
"Ah you fuckin priss."
Captain growled, "Fine, but Bryant's already off the clock. He still has that
second job, doesn't he? Over at that gay bar."
"It's
not a gay bar, it's a nightclub." 
"Whatever,"
Captain grumbled, "That's where ya probably find him."
"Right. Thanks." Merrick
nodded. He looked to Arnaav, who still looks remorseful up at him, groaning
with minor sorrow for another misdemeanor. Then again, he hasn't exactly had
much to since that flounder. He goes to the counter for this particular stand,
and rings the bell for service.
~~~
"Hanngh hannnghh, nnhnnhnn,"
Arnaav crunches into an orange crab as the two of them walk down the side walk
of a more city-oriented area, finishing the last of the sea meat as they
approached a long line of people waiting outside of a bustling nightclub.
Merrick brings out his
membership card as he and Arnaav approaches the beefy bouncer at the front of
the line, next to the door, "Hey, Steve," Merrick says as he shows him his
card.
"Whoa whoa whoa, hang on,"
Steve stopped him, "Who's the kid?" He asked.
"Oh don't worry, he's with
me."
"You know we don't allow
minors in the Waltz, Merrick." 
"Only on Exotic nights,
Steve." Merrick crossed his arms while giving a quizzical look, "Is it Exotic
night tonight, Steve?"
"... No." He pouts before
letting them in. Merrick holds onto Arnaav's hand as they entered into the
club. Arnaav beamed about as he looks upon the décor all around, big, soft
looking sponges placed upon large soft reefs around one area, while there are
humans dancing in a large, flat scape.
They moved over to the bar,
where Merrick picks up the boy, and places him on one of the tall stools.
"Oh, Merrick!" Comes a
semi-thick, feminine voice. Merrick turns and smiles as he sees Rajani right
next to them.
"Raja, hi!" Merrick greets as
they hug tightly.
"Oh my Gohd, when did you
come back into town?"
"Just today. I've been
looking for Adam all day, but I keep missing him."
"Oh I see, he checked in
about an hourr ago. No doubt He and Chloe are having anodder on of there
fights."
"Hahaha. Ohh! Raj, Raj! Lemme
show you what I got for Adam!" Merrick whips out his iPhone.
"MMMM!" Rajani flaps her hand
about just while in the middle of drinking her margarita, and putting a sudden
rush to it. "MmOhh, show me, show me!" She sets down her glass while Merrick
swipes his fingertip on the screen, and then shows her his phone.
"OOOOEEEEEHH!" She squeals as Merrick also acts in the same giddy fashion, "Oh
my gohd, you are so bad, Merrick!" She holds his phone as she laughs.
On the screen of his phone,
shows a set of skimpy lingerie - thin, borderline transparent pink fabric laced
with small jewels along the line of the waist, with a single larger jewel tied
at the rear area of the panty. A matching bra is shown above the bottom piece.
"It arrived before I came. I can't
wait to try it on!"
"Good lord, Merrick, dis is
girly even for you!" Rajani laughs, "What in Gohd's name are you gonna do with
the bra?"
"What, I can't wear it?"
Merrick jested with a smirk. Rajani laughs out as her face turns a little red.
"Oh my gohd! Hahaha!" She
then gives the phone back, almost forcefully, "Send me deh link. Send it to me
now!" She urged, "I need an orange set of these!" 
"Haha, you got it," Merrick
laughed as he copied the link of the website, and then pasted it to a text
message, and sent it to Rajani's number. Rajani grins as she sees a new message
on her phone.
"You have amaezing taste,
Merrick!" She says, "Honestly, I neva know where to look for the kind of things
you get."
"Yeah, you don't find fancy
stuff like that at Lovers. Ooh! Lemme show you a toy I bought too! It's a neat
jockstr-" Merrick takes a minute to realize that he's still around a kid right
now, "Ah, maybe later." He chuckles as he puts his phone away.
Arnaav tilts his head as he
looks at this brown-skinned woman. She sounds a lot different from all the
other humans he's heard today.
"Ahnd who is this?" Rajani
asked as she turns her gaze to the younger male.
"This is Arnaav, he's my
little brother."
"Ohh, I didn't know you had a
brother." She said with surprise.
"He's my adoptive brother."
"I'm surprised they let him
in, hello~" She says with a welcoming smile. 
"Why do you talk
differently?" Arnaav innocently asked, causing a wave of awkwardness to stun
Merrick's face, "I don't understand."
Rajani laughs at such a
question, "Escuse me little man!" She smirks, "Aren't you a bold little cutie,
huh?"
"Damn, I'm very sorry, Raja,"
Merrick said quickly as he put his hands firmly onto Arnaav's shoulders, "He's
never met any other ethnicity. This is his first time talking to someone from
India."
"Oh that is fine, no harm
done," She dismisses, "He's just so damn cute~!" Rajani says as she feels at
Arnaav's cheeks.
"Whassup, sunSHHIIINE??"
Comes a fun, playful voice. Merrick turns and grins to see Jamal on the other
side of the bar.
"Hey, Jamal, you horny
bastard!" Merrick grabbed Jamal's approaching arm, and pull each other in for a
slapping hug over that bar.
"And whassup wit you, lil
man??" Jamal says as he ruffles Arnaav's hair.
"This is my brother, Arnaav,
Jamal." 
"Wait, what?" Jamal quirks a
brow with a look of disbelief.
"He's from the Kenovani, and
he's gonna be visiting us for a couple of weeks."
"Oh! Aight, I get ya." He
nodded. He smiles as he looks to the small boy, "What can I getcha, lil man?"
"U-Um, whaa?" Arnaav meeped,
having no idea what's going on here, let alone why Merrick's talking about the
pod.
"He's shy, don't worry
about," Merrick says, "Just get him a glass of water, Jamal. I'm gonna have a
Sky Mix."
"Heh, sure thing!" Jamal
shuffled about the glasses.
"Kenovani, huh? What does
that mean?" Rajani asked, "Is dat a club or something?"
"It's just where Arnaav is
from; it's kind of a boarding school. It's where I go every few months as an
intern to get some experience. Though Arnaav can only stay for about 2 weeks
before he needs to go back."
"Ahh, I see."
'Merrick...' Arnaav thought as
he looked up at him, 'Why is he lying? What is he even saying? Surely humans
already know about merfolk, right?' He pondered this while the big, dark human
places a tiny tank onto the bar - similar to the tanks from this Fish House
place Merrick took him, but it's a lot smaller than those, and it doesn't have
any fish in it.
"It's ok, Arnaav," Merrick
says as he takes his own drink, "You just drink it like this." He demonstrates.
'So it's already traded?'
Arnaav thought before he takes the glass as prompted, soon becoming mildly
surprised as he can smell the very fresh water inside the clear object.
"So when's Adam coming on?"
Merrick asked, "Do you know?" 
Just then, the lights dimmed
all over, and the stage gained the attention all around.
"He's coming on now." Jamal
answered. Merrick whipped right around, and pats Arnaav's shoulder.
"Here, Arnaav, look! Look
look look look!" He spoke rapidly
"Hm?"
"My mate's up right over
there!" Merrick said eagerly.
A warm tone rings of the mix
between guitars to the steady beat. In the complimenting light of mostly dark
with white spotlights and many dots of white star lights all around, Adam walks
to the front of the stage, mic in hand, and dressed in sparkling apparel as the
crowd cheers.
The music plays on, and Adam
brings the mic to his mouth.
"~Oh you shine briiiight~" The
crowd gives a generous round of cheers as Adam began to sing, holding his arm
up and out beside him, "~Brighter than all the staaarrrs~" He smiles as he
takes in the praise and calls, "~Brighter than firewooorrrrks ~So I give you
all my loooo... OOooove~"
"Hoohhh..." Merrick is
literally left breathless just from the first few verses. 
Arnaav stars as his jaw
drops, seeing a MALE, of all things, singing! How can males even sing? Only
females can ever sing!
"~And you're perfection, even
in your mistakes~" Adam walks to the side of the stage, along the ridge, "~Give
a~ffection, even when your heart aches ~When I'm away,
you're who I'm thinking of,
becaaauuse~"
"~You are my home, home, home~!"
The audience cheers as he holds his hand out and up, "~Where ever I may rooaam~!
~You are the place where I can rest my weary bones~" He puts a gentle fist to
this chest, "~You are my home, home, home ~You are my home, home, home~"
The music plays in a powerful
and pounding rhythm as he dances to the beat, before continuing to the next
lyrics
"~You're a diiiamond ~Brightening
my cloudy skyyyy ~Sparkling all through the niiighhht ~Light me up like firefliiiiii~iiies~"
The few star lights circulate around him as he walks along to the other side of
the stage, "~I see you, shining even in the darkness ~Stand be~side me, when I
don't deserve it~" He points his index finger up as he gestures, "~That's why I
say ~I give you all my love, because~"
"~You are my home, home, home~!
~Wherever I may roooaaam ~You are the place where I can belong ~You are my
home, home, home ~You are my home, home, home~"
The beat speeds up as he
sings/talks in a steady tone while pacing here and there, and gesturing with
his hands accordingly to the words, "~You're my number 1, there's no doubt ~And
we stick together throughout ~Like boy scouts we are 'bout ~All for one till
life out ~So babe, where you at? ~Wave your hands, front to back ~Everybody
take a look around ~At my babe, up in the crowd~!
The music gets more dramatic
as the conclusion of the song comes about, "I love you, babe~!" Adam calls out
to the club, unknowingly causing a surge of ecstasy to a certain someone at the
bar.
The music calms for one more
instant, "~You are my home, home, home~"
Adam lets the mic down, and
holds his arm up to have to the crowd, smiling as humbly acknowledges his
performance.

Source: https://sofurry.com/view/972452

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