un: splash

[soundsfishy]

[Voice]

[The resident fishman sounds rather tired when he speaks.]

That... thing, with the chalice or whatever. It changed people, didn't it?

[There's a pause, and he sounds rather unsure how to continue.]

It made me... I have been rather horrible to someone I don't even know, and I'm not sure how to apologize. I wanted to drown him and I have never been that kind of mer. Ever.

...was this what we could have been?

[He sighs, water sloshing around him.]

Does this happen often?

Comments

[dothelokimotion]

[ A pause. ]

Yes.

[soundsfishy]

[He sighs at that.]

I love my family and the blood I have, but I can't let it turn me into someone that hurts other people.

Is there any way to protect yourself from things like this? I mean... like the chalice.

[dothelokimotion]

[ No, because the blood always win out. You cannot change what is intrinsic about yourself ]

The chalice was a unique event. Barring that, there are no protections for every eventuality.

[soundsfishy]

I thought so.

[It's not simple to have a the blood of something that is seen as a monster by others.]

You study magic at that research center, right? Is there anything that can unlock potential magics without the risk of changing yourself?

[dothelokimotion]

[ He frowns. ]

There might be. But there is no magic that does not possess risk.

[soundsfishy]

I figured so.

[There's a sound of scales over rock as he drags himself up from the water to sit on one.]

My grandmother was a siren. They're like the mer, only they feed on humans and have magic. They can grow legs, and I... I'm still pretty trapped in a place like this without such things.

...but to gain siren magic, I would have to accept my siren nature and that's... just not something I want. I almost killed that boy, I don't even want to think of what would happen if I was always like that.

[dothelokimotion]

I know the tales.

[ An interesting mix though. ]

Then do not. Why bother with a possibility that never came to pass?

[soundsfishy]

You do?

[That was pretty comforting, honestly.]

Normally I wouldn't worry about it, but this place isn't exactly like the sea or the fae Underground. I have a way to not be trapped in the river forever, but I deny myself this ability because I can't accept my blood.

It's a weird mix of morals, and if Riverview can mess those up, I'm not sure if to be afraid or grateful.

[Guilt and want at the same time.]

...so that's why I asked.

[dothelokimotion]

There may be solutions for providing you with legs. But I do not have the means for it.

[ His shape shifting only extends to himself after all. ]

[soundsfishy]

That's alright. I appreciate that you listened to me wordvomit out all my issues.

[My share when you can overshare.]

[dothelokimotion]

. . . They are not unfamiliar issues.

[soundsfishy]

Have you seen it before in your research?

[dothelokimotion]

I have seen many things. It comes with age.

[soundsfishy]

I don't doubt that.

Are there any magic books I can read at your institute?

[dothelokimotion]

Most likely. We have a decent collection of tomes to use.

[soundsfishy]

Are any of them water proof?

[dothelokimotion]

[ His nose scrunches up. ]

I'll put a spell on them so that they might survive your environment.