singing waves

There aren’t many others on the beach this late at night. This is when humans ( and many other organic beings ) choose to sleep, leaving Lapis alone with her thoughts on the ocean’s shore. Most nights, that is. This time, there’s something — or someone — in the water.

The mysterious figure thrashes about in the water, jumping, flipping, and spinning with wild abandon. For a moment, Lapis wonders if she ought to do something to help before realizing that such precise maneuvers can only be intentional. Taken in by curiosity, she waits for them to calm before trying to approach, only for them to approach her first.

“Um… hi.” She’s still not used to conversation save for with Peridot and Steven. “What were you doing out there?”

“Swimming! Mermaid!” 

She’s quick to flash her tail at the other, but definitely avoiding trying to splash or get her wet in any way.

Most of her time was spent at the beach, she almost didn’t want to ever leave it since first getting to be back in the calming feeling of saltwater waves. Lu did her occasional people watching, admiring some from under the sea and from the safe distance of the shade.

Watching one of the women that reminded her so much of a dear friend, Lu’s eyes sparkled in delight. She wanted to approach her, but she didn’t want to cause a scene either. Instead, she decided to lurk and watch for now, but she wanted to talk to that new friend! She’d occasionally make a splash or wave from the shady spots she relaxed in to try and get her attention, but nothing yet.

Though something equally as shiny dropped down not too far from the woman, getting washed away by the crashing waves. Lu was quick to retrieve it, eyeing the piece of jewelry. When she peeked her head out, the woman was already gone far from the shore with a disappointed look on her face.

She had to fix this somehow. Lu did her best to keep an eye out for her, and once it was dark enough she emerged from the water, watching the woman sitting by the shore and held up the piece of jewelry with a proud look on her face.

The first thing he heard was the rapid plap plap plap of… He couldn;t place it, so his whistle choked off mid note into something that sounded more like a kazoo. But as soon as he saw her fall over he immediately smoothed out his demeanor. It’s just a little girl.

Mostly…?

“Hey. Hey kiddo, here. Let’s get you up, huh. You uh.” He looks at the lake. Then to the almost human child. “You here visiting cousins?”

Lu sits herself up, watching Lupin assist her briefly before he exchanges looks with the lake and with her. She shakes her head at the question, but keeps a thoughtful look on her face.

“No visiting! No cousins, only Papa!” 

She manages to wiggle her tail enough to prop herself up and stand again. She holds onto Lupin’s side to maintain some balance, and smiles up at him.

[hair]: length, colour, texture, whether it grows quickly or slowly, how manageable it is, whether it requires lots of styling, do they leave stray hairs everywhere, is it present on their face, is it present on the rest of their body, etc.

[eyes]: not just the colour, but the shape, the length of their eyelashes, whether they're alert or usually half-closed, large or small, sunken into the face, ringed by bags, etc.

[mouth]: are their lips always drawn thin or are they plump and kissable, what's their "default expression"/resting face, do they have all their own teeth, do they use their teeth to smile, etc.

[face]: what is the shape of their face, do they have pronounced cheekbones or a strong jaw, what's the size and shape of their nose, what's the size and shape of their ears, do they stick out, are they pointed, etc.

[skin]: obviously colour, but also if they're inclined to run hot or cold, do they have any blemishes or unusual markings, are they inclined to blush, are they freckled, do they tan, what does their skin feel like, etc.

[build]: are they skinny and petite or do they resemble a body builder, are they tall or short or average height, are they lean and wiry, are they overweight, are all of their features proportionate, etc.

[chest]: (potentially nsfw) what size are their breasts if they have them, nipple colour and shape and size, do they have visible muscle definition/abs, etc.

[groin]: (potentially nsfw) any information pertaining to genitals - length, girth, shape, colour, "unusual features", also includes the rear and its general appearance, etc.

[hands]: are they large or small, do they have pianist's fingers or short stubby ones, do they tend to get sweaty or are they always dry, is the skin rough or delicate, are the nails painted or chewed or sharp, etc.

[legs]: are they solidly built, short and stubby, or long and graceful, do they have knobbly knees or rounded knees, what's their gait, etc.

[feet]: do they have a habit of going up on their tiptoes, what's their usualy stance, do they tend to shift their weight to a preferred side, etc.

If Lu is caught off guard then Goemon is completely and utterly unprepared for the small girl to tip over onto her back like a turtle and start flapping a little pink tail about.  The samurai sits, wide eyed and shocked to the point of almost letting go of his bamboo flute.  When he comes to himself again he flounders further.

“Ningyo?!”  He crouches down in the grass next to her, his hands hovering like he wants to right her into a sitting position but unsure of if he should touch her.  Mermaids could be dangerous.  They could also cause so much trouble.  So much trouble. He finally, politely, puts his hands on her shoulders and helps her to sit up.  “Do.  Do you need water?”  Was she sure she wasn’t lost!?

@oceansinger​

Lu blinked at his reaction, smiling still as she wiggled herself and with Goemon’s help, sat upright for a moment. She shook her head at his question, pushing herself up to stand on the end of her tail, hopping a bit in place to read over to Goemon and pull him into a hug, nuzzling her face against his.

“Water’s okay! Mermaid, I can walk!” Was her answer, and she spun around in place to show she was able to keep herself up even with no legs. A little bit of music would do the trick!

“I’m Lu!” She points to herself. “And you...?”

Goemon continues to play, allowing the small child to hum along with him as she skips and twirls.  When the song ends he lowers the flute from his mouth and can’t help but give a small smile to the girl. “Are you lost?”

@oceansinger​

Lu is caught off guard by the sudden halt in music, her tail reverting back to normal as she falls down onto the grass with a tiny gasp. She rolls over to look at Goemon, smiling regardless and shaking her head.

“Not lost! Make friends!”

Finally, all her exploring had actually gotten her what she was looking for. Even if it was far from her new home, the shoreline of the beach made her eyes sparkle in happiness. Everything about it was much more enjoyable already, and reminded her of home and her family. She was quick to set aside her umbrella now that it was night time, jumping straight into the water with little care for much else.

Jumping back and forth, flipping and swimming around, she was overjoyed by the feeling of saltwater. She missed it for sure, but now it was something she could easily come back to and enjoy at any time! Her attention and focus was now instead given to the figure not too far from the water. Lu waved at them and flashed her usual smile, swimming up closer to the shore.

The music helped.

After the pain medications had finally flushed through his system he deposited the remaining two pills the Doctor had left with him into the trash.  They made him act foolish and feel foul when he woke up the next morning.  Gyro’s words echoing through his mind he resigned himself to rest and healing in the best way he could think to do so.  Meditation. But that, too, hadn’t been very restful.  His mind was too busy, clouded by his failure and helplessness, to fall into a state of calm.  When sitting and trying to clear his mind didn’t work he went with his last resort and something that quite frequently worked.

The bamboo flute’s music was slow, notes drawn out and clear as the sky after a rain.  He had been playing for a while when he realized there was someone approaching, clumsy steps that made too much sound and noisy breathing.  Whoever it was would not pose a threat, he could tell, and so he ignored them as he continued to play.

@oceansinger

The music was a peaceful contrast compared to some of her latest melodies. She knew to be as quiet as she possibly could, watching and swinging her feet every now and then. Even if it was a much slower tune, she couldn’t help but feel like dancing along to it. Part of her figured she could try to get his attention that way. 

Paz’s first reaction, upon feeling the impact, was to look around and apologize to the person she somehow hit. However, seeing what looked to be a young girl, clearly distraught, trying to grab at her umbrella – that made her very much concerned.

“Are – are you okay? Here…”

She picked up the girl’s umbrella and held it to her, handle out, hoping it would help calm her distress.

“Sorry, I must have made you dropped your umbrella. Please tell me you are okay…”

While Lu would’ve been cowering away more, she peeked with one eye at the kind voice, only to see the girl holding out the umbrella. Lu was quick to take hold of it, rushing to hug Paz closely and not wanting to let go. She was definitely grateful, and tightened her grip on her umbrella to avoid dropping or losing it a second time.

The area surrounding the lake in the ward was quite peaceful, if one didn’t count for the creatures that would lurk beneath. Lu did her best to make herself at home, but something was still missing. The faint sound of a flute is quick to catch her attention, however, and she turns to give her attention to the man who sat not too far from the lake’s edge playing his instrument in peace.

The flashing bright lights of the city streets at night intimidated Lu, despite how from afar they managed to intrigue and fascinate her. She was quick to duck her head under her umbrella and try her best to walk her way through the crowded area, bumping into a stranger and dropping the umbrella. 

“Aaah!!”