swim without a sea

Kaliyah nodded. “It’s more of a cultural difference I assume. For me, snogging is not simple fun. I take courting and matters along those lines very seriously. It is why I am very particular when it comes to who I will even allow to take my on a date. I don’t try to be a prude. It is simply what my culture takes to be a very serious matter and one that provokes a lot of thought.”

Sid’s lips curled down and he nodded plucking off some more blue sugar. “Then I would be a gigolo. My dad tried to set me up once. But I opted for the Rusalka instead.” He looked through Kaliyah, reminiscing about his time spent with the Neva River Rusalka coven. “Water demons.” He chomped on the cotton candy. “Merfolk have a mating ritual. But it’s no where near as formal as most other species. At least my school’s ritual isn’t formal. We still believe the Viking faith.”

Osian sat back into the chair, blank expression held upon his face while Sidney went through his tantrum. This was nothing new to Osian nor did it really phase him all that much. He had seen much more intimidating creatures in his day and it wasn’t like the two always agreed. On the matters of family, which Osian mostly just studied, Sidney never wished to speak or acknowledge the existence of any that wasn’t Mira and Fen. However, even with Osian only really studying the complexity of family, knew that regardless of feelings some sort of closure needed to be done. “As far as I can see it, you do have a home. It may not have been the one you grew up in, but you do have one. Death, in your case, would have been a worse fate than what you have been given. If you don’t recall, I handle many of those special cases,” Osian stated cooly, keeping his tone equal and unbiased. 

He lit another cigarette and took a long drag, carefully watching the movements of his comrades. The air was thick around them with smoke and weighed heavily on each object, so Osian rose to crack a window, “You may do as you wish, just like any other time in your life mon amie. Closure is something I know little about.”

Sidney sat facing the bed in the second chair in Fen’s room. Christmas was still happening down the hall. He could hear Donica laughing about her Secret Santa exchange gift. Sid’s and Fen’s were still under the tree wrapped nicely with bows. He screwed his lips tight his flicked the last of his cigarette in the ask try on the coffee table between the two chairs. Without a word, Sidney got up and walked out out of the room. 

He knew anything that his said would rile up Fen. And Osian would have some calm reply. 200 years later, calm was an emotion that eluded the merdude. 

The warlock quietly made his way outside as well, his new purchases secured on him while his pack of cigarettes was clutched tightly in his hand. He hesitated before slowly pulling the wrapper off and tucking it into his pocket. “Would you mind if I…” He gestured to the other’s lighter.

He reached out his hand after he exhaled again. “I’m Sid.”

SF: A deep swim. So deep the sun rays don’t reach. Then I sit at my piano, smoke a cigarette or five... Play a bunch of  nonsense. 

SF: Paris, probably. I love their devotion to food. Plus you cannot beat Paris in the golden era, 1920′s.

SF: Humor. Maid’s gotta laugh. And someone that can hold my depravity in her hands. So she better have a big bucket.

If Sidney have to hear one more sobbing story of a dead loved one, he’d down himself. After the New Year’s Eve debacle, Fen bugged him until he agreed to go to one, one meeting. The Durmchapel’s Deceased Loved Ones Support Group.

He sat back in his metal folding chair with a cocaine headache, sipping on lukewarm coffee facing the group in the half-ass circle the chairs were set up in. The meeting was in the in the basement, and showered everyone on harsh florescent light, which made Sidney keep his sunglasses on.

“And what about you?” The high pitched voice of the moderator spoke to Sid. All the eyes fell on him as he blinked behind his glasses. He was half listening, but knew she wanted him to pour open a sob story about the death of his loved one. There where some happy memories from his early years. His dad wasn’t all bad. Just the last part towards the end was when Sidney because to curse his dear ol’ dad.

Just to humor the moderator (and so he wouldn’t be called on again), he sat up, cleared his throat, and put his fist to his mouth. Sid pursed his lips and squinted his eyes, as if he was about to cry out something deep and emotional, and ran his hair through his greasy red hair. Sidney mouthed “I can’t, I can’t” and sat back in his chair. 

He sat still until the meeting was over.

Sidney woke with splitting headache and a text message from Osian. It was short and to the point. I will give you 24 hours to get your shit together. However, you will have a job to do. 24 hours, Sidney.

He lit up a cigarette as he read the text for the 40th time. There was a few missed calls from Fen, but Sid couldn’t not bring himself to speak to his cousin. 

A quick bump and a shower was in order. Sidney washed his red mane in a long cold shower, his gills started to show. But Sid turned off the tap and lit up a cigarette just after he dried off. He finished his cigarette as he finished dressing for the day. A dark blue short sleeve button down with his grubby jeans, and Sidney was out the door.

He had a few stops to make before he left on his mission. And first was Mal de Ojo. And that meant seeing Victoria. Something he knew wouldn’t go well. 

Sidney pulled up to the shop midday, the sun was hidden behind clouds. Pending winter rain, again. He pushed the shop door open just as the rain broke from the sky.

Aoife nodded with a bright smile. She was rather nervous about this, but meeting people was always a ton of fun. “I’d appreciate it, actually.” This was going to be a fun night, she knew that. Getting to know people around the holidays was always rather interesting. Shrugging, she put her hands in her pockets. “Hey, I know your name and if you wind up taking me into a back alley to kill me, I’m a cop, so I like to think I know how to defend myself,” Aoife said, laughing lightly. 

Sidney smiled and pitched his cigarette as he walked up to his car. He put away his 1939 MG T and was driving his Volvo for the time being. He opened the passenger door for Aofie and quickly got into the driver seat. 

Sid turned over the engine. And in no time they were at Fen’s house. It was a quaint 23 bedroom ranch with a large bay window that overlooked the ocean onto a white sand beach. A merman’s paradise

Bei pocketed his own recently purchased merchandise then stepped aside so that the other could make his way to the counter. After all, he didn’t want to impede another customer even if he was searching for idle conversation. New towns could be lonely, and he wasn’t above admitting that the small interactions of every day life were some of the few he’d had as of late. “You will have no judgement from me.”

Sidney walked out of the convenient stop and quickly unwrapped the plastic from the cigarettes. He pulled one out and lit it up, inhaling deeply. “Smoke ‘em if you got’em.” He grinned exhaling smoke from his nose like a dragon.

“Nice to meet your acquaintance, Sidney.” The gold dragon said with a small smile. She remained where she was as he leaned in closer to her. “Oh? Well, I do believe that my species is noble in the sense that we like to protect others. I wouldn’t necessarily say the man was as crazy as a loon. He could have been a different kind of creature. Seeing as though I have favor pearls, as you can tell, but I can eat all kinds of sparkling gems. It might be different, but regular food does not satisfy me.”

“That I am sad to hear.” Sidney took the last sip of his coffee. “I’m a chef. Regular food is my job.” He chucked with a shy smile.