pretty and nasty.

Hecate saw a flash in her peripheral vision and looked up to see Ceridwen. Hecate smiled and signed ‘hello’ in return, when she met Ceridwen she taught herself to sign. It was always nice to speak to the sea witch, even when there were no words actually spoken. She did however speak and sign at the same time. “How are you?”

Originally posted by awitchpire

he still couldn’t help but feel bad. aside from the awkward first impression, they were getting along – heck, he was even getting along with the eels. “…yeah, midsummer ball,” he nodded, confirming. 

dignan stopped his walking, turning to face her, hands still in his pockets, awkward but sincere. “i’m sorry,” he continued, shaking his head, “…i mean, it already sucks just with the whole stigma of being an isle kid. and now, for you, it just kinda…extra sucks.” so much for serious thinking and saying the right things. “i dunno if this is gonna mean anything coming from me and the fact that i just stalked you because of your eels but…” he took a deep breath, “i know i don’t like labels. or, at least…labels being put on me when i’m not comfortable with it. but, if you ask me, as soon as people get to talk to you, they won’t mind the whole ‘ursula’ thing. it might put them off at the start but once they get to know you, they’ll just see you…and blu and zip,” he shrugged, “not ursula. i mean, it’s like – psh – ursula who, am i right?” he asked, trying for a smile.

he raised his eyebrows a little, giving her silent permission aside from his verbal one. when he was satisfied that she’d eaten enough, frank took back the souvlaki with a proud smile. as he prepared to take another bite, unwrapping the foil lower, he quickly signed: < me too. but she’ll make herself seen soon enough. > he watched ceri interact with her eels for a while as he ate, popping a small bubble that floated his way. < if they cause trouble, tell me. we with the bad parents have to stick together. > he winked at the end of that. < is your room nice? nicer than back home? >

❝ i love those moments. i like to wave at them as they pass by. ❞ - Ceridwen ( @ceridwcn )

Cole blinked as he looked down at her eels. “I’m still confused how your eels are able to speak, but you can’t.” He stated before shaking his head. “Anyway, it’s better to not have memories hold you back, I think.”

“…it wasn’t that unfortunate. i mean, i’m alive,” he joked. “and yeah i was, actually – one of them screamed when they saw me and the other was the one who shooed me out. they were both good sports about it, though.” 

he wished he never asked about her parents. both their reactions were inevitable, and dignan knew enough to realise it changed the tone of their conversation again. he pressed his lips together, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he walked. he kicked a pebble on the path. “…yeah,” he started, just to break the silence. “my dad’s, um…flounder. he was with queen ariel when…it all went down. and i was at the ball…when that went down,” he shrugged. “so…there’s that.” he paused, then spoke up in a stammer a second later. dignan wanted the chance to explain himself before she could decide anything against him. “but, it’s – i’m – i’m not my dad. and i know you’re not your mom. so…”

“very true, very true. that’s always a plus,” blu said, lightheartedly. ceridwen couldn’t help but laugh a bit ( a silent laugh was still a laugh, after all ). “at least they were good sports about it. there are some people i know who would have flipped out.”

thalia hummed softly. “ dishonestly honest. how poetic. i like that. ” she gave a small smile. she tilted her head as she looked at the other girl for a moment. “ i don’t think i would. i would say you kept your cards closer to your chest, but i don’t think that is inherently dishonest of you. ”

“all our mothers have caused trauma at some point in their lives, they’re gonna have to get over it soon enough. they have everything they could ever want, they’re just being brats if they keep whining about that.”

frank noticed how small the bite was. busy with the papers, he just spoke instead: “you can take a bigger bite than that, i don’t mind,” he said with a half-smile. < i’ve heard mak’s been a problem. or has the promise of a problem. > he signed, rolling his eyes after. < no, i don’t know my dorm number. that’s what i’m trying to get. but thank you. > he smiled at blu, chuckling a little at the eel’s attempt at a smile. < are you in a dorm with someone you know? >

“It’s nice to meet you, Ceridwen. So, do you talk with everyone through paper, or do you talk through some other method like sign language or something like that?” He asked curiously.

“definitely, yeah! i’ll make it the last leg of the tour, everything’s kind of in a circular…” he tried to point at all the buildings, “or…square…thing, or something.” dignan made a face, acknowledging the failure of his explanation. at the question, he gave an awkward laugh. “ah, funny story, it was my first practice with the baseball team and it started to rain. it was just a drizzle so the coach said we could still continue but i can’t stay out in the rain for very long. after about ten minutes i just ran into the nearest bathroom and turned into a fish there in the sink. girls’ bathroom,” he said with a wise nod. 

his humorous nature sobered up a bit at the mention of her being a sea witch. “oh, wow. is it like, uh, the dalmas? or ursula?” dignan looked at the eels again. something told him he already knew the answer.

“perfect. that will be great, thank you,” blu said, and ceridwen offered a small smile as she looked around at the buildings. she looked back to him when he began to explain the story, and she couldn’t help but allow a small smile to take place upon her lips. “that sounds very unfortunate,” zip said with a bit of a laugh. ceridwen’s expression had already returned to it’s usual void-of-emotion look. “did any of the girls catch you?” he added.

@ceridwcn said:  ❝ the world’s still the same. there’s just less in it. ❞

“i think you mean MORE. seriously, ceri, you gotta explore this place more, the shops are just divine and the people are soooo accommodating,” she grinned.

unable to understand the eels clearly, frank just gave a tight, apologetic smile. he immediately held out the souvlaki with an easier smile. once it was in ceridwen’s hands, he used the opportunity to fold his papers away nicely so he could have his hands completely free. < best souvlakis in the world, i swear. they’re getting better. i have one saved away for his daughter. > he knew mak would be thrilled. < yeah. unfortunately, her chips are still crap. > frank laughed. < what did blu say? something about dorms? >

he noticed someone walking up behind the student he’d asked, and blinked twice to make sure it was actually ceridwen, with zip and blu in tow. his eyes flickered towards them before acknowledging what the student said with a ‘what can you do’ lift of his hands. “yeah, sure, that must be it.” 

frank smiled his lopsided smile as a greeting for ceridwen and the eels, putting his hands on his hips. he tilted his head a little, so his better ear could catch more. the voices of the eels came a little muffled in his ears, but he caught that last word well enough. hours. “i’ve practically spent all day here. can’t even find a dorm yet, i might as well be sleeping in a kitchen again.” 

he looked from the souvlaki to ceridwen when he saw her looking at it. < you want a bite? still as good as always > he signed with his hands. < but i didn’t bring your mother’s food. chips are too soggy. > he gave her a teasing grin.

ceridwen crinkled her nose, and zip gave an annoyed, “honestly? it’s ridiculous. your best bet is to make them talk to you --- or come back later,” he grumbled. then, blu cut in with a, “do you know where your dorm is? we can help you find it!”