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

voice | @the.young

[leadintheyoung]

The issue of the chalice is the first of its kind since my arrival. I can speak as to that and I arrived some months ago.

[ If it sounds like she's shifting in the backgruond, that's because she is, but her accent stands as what is recognizable to those familiar as Irish tinged older. She tends to find herself a good perch before taking to the network, usually with some treat or readily available entertainment beyond the device. Today is no different despite the seriousness of the questions posed and the weight of the answers she offers freely, easily. ]

Does it truly matter? Whoever you are, whatever you may be, you cannot, do not live in 'what could have been'. All that you have, all that you are is now. Is it not so?

[ voice | un: trickster ]

[dothelokimotion]

Often, no.

But these doubts are normal. What was, what could be, what is now. They pervade our consciousness regularly.

voice

[soundsfishy]

[He listens to her for a moment, the sound of an Irish accent quite soothing to someone from the Celtic Sea. There's a noise of softly running water in the background.]

It is not as much 'what could have been' as it is what could be if I make a choice to accept that part of myself.

voice

[soundsfishy]

Is it normal to know that it is what you are supposed to be, if you accept your heritage?

[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.

voice

[leadintheyoung]

[ That sound of softly running water in the background earns a tilt of the head unseen given the voice function. It sounds peaceful, serene and calls to mind the gentle flow of certain familiar waters. ]

Is that you want? It does not sound as though it is if you believe you have wronged someone and intend to apologize to that person for that wrongdoing.

[soundsfishy]

No, that's not what I want, that's the whole point. I am very aware that I wronged someone, and I'm scared it might happen again.

[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.

voice| UN: Ozymandias

[dendera]

[As a relatively recent arrival, he missed the boat on this, but Oz pinged by a single word here.]

You mention a chalice. What exactly are you speaking of? I demand you tell me everything you know of it.
[He's not interested in YOUR PROBLEMS mostly because he's very rude, but also he's had to deal with magic cups before.]