#merdyn

Aera was doing her best to keep her anxieties under control because despite the current situation, things could have been worse. She was almost spirited away successfully if it wasn’t for Ardyn. Being the oracle blessed with the power to rid the star of the scourge meant that she would be both loved and coveted; Aera considered this before officially embracing her duty. But to go as far as to change her size and kidnap her... That was going beyond “too far”.

“Have you heard word from Somnus, yet?” She asked sharply, biting her lip immediately as the words left her mouth. Aera didn’t mean to sound pettish, but given her current situation it was hard not to. She was so close to braking down in tears, it would only take one more string to snap before her façade crumbled.

Ardyn used his claws to remove the cork quickly. Those were used to create air tight seals, and he didn’t like the idea of shutting his Aera up. After that he angled the bottle carefully so she could crawl out if she wished.

“There are creatures who can can shrink it’s prey,” He said. “Somnus has gone to hunt a couple to get at their venom, so he might create a potion that will not harm you. He shall return in a few days, if you have not recovered by then.”

He pulled her close to him. He wished to give her affection, but was afraid to touch her as small as she was currently.

Ardyn hadn't seen the Javelyn aimed at his body as he chatted with his oracle. Fortunately she had, Trident deflecting the weapon into the water with ease. She looked filled with the fury of leviathan herself as she dealt with the fisherman and sent them in shackles with the guards. Ardyn was too impressed to be worried about his close call.

"You were amazing Aera," He said.

"They're real," he breathed. "Mom said, but; I thought it was the cancer talking..." He looked down at his feet which had become two large flippers.

"This is so weird."

((for fishy uncle ardyn))

Ardyn laughed at what Noctis said. Not without kindness. Though he enjoyed the wonder on the boy's face over his appendages.

"Much of the fantastic has been lost to the human world," He said. "I'm happy to show you how it is though. Some nice swimming lessons!"

"Gimme just a minute," he called out.

The man who'd just come in was likely his interviewee. He needed more help around the bakery, it had gotten to the point that he just couldn't do it by himself any longer. Which was good for his bottom line, but a bit of a hassle, too, if he was honest.

He scored the top of each loaf of bread before shoving the tray into the oven, snagging a timer and setting it. He grabbed a towel and wiped his hands off as he stepped out from the kitchen, his eyes scanning over the man still waiting there.

"Can I help you?"

Ardyn had to duck to fit himself through the tiny door of the human shop. He’d seen it recently be replaced with a new business, one he hadn’t seen before. Rather than cooking little meals and fish he’d smell odd scents he’d never experienced before. He’d finally decided on leaving his nearby layer to investigate. Putting a tight pair of pants on at the last minute when he remembered it was a preference of humans.

So now he stood, hair dripping and scales decorating his shoulders and face as he stared at the blonde human before him. 

“This painting of you looks just like me!”

“mmmph” 

-- --- --

It has been some time since they've last been Altissia - over a few thousand years to be sure, and in that time much has changed... Including Ardyn and her's origins.

Apparently, they've switched.

According to local legend, she married a merman (who is not her beloved apparently) and became a mermaid herself. Her usual depictions have her as some old crown with a long cloak with a hood eclipsing her face. It was easy to say that Aera was not pleased with this depiction. However, it was nothing compared to what they did to Ardyn.

It is said that he was born a simple human bard, with the sweetest of voices that could make fish leap into fishermen's baskets. Apparently, the tide mother enjoyed his voice so much, that she blessed him and turned him into one of her children so he can play in her underwater palace till his heart's content. Usually, he's depicted as a young man just on the cusp of manhood, sometimes he's younger than that, but sometimes... He's depicted as a sea cherub like today's unveiled painting.

"Hmm, at least he's cute."

forgottenoracle

Ardyn hunched his shoulders in the warm coat he wore and growled. At least a crone made sense, Aera was wise and knowledgeable and a great leader! Of course a short lived species would see her as old.

But him? Nothing remained of him in that saccharine face. No trace of the man who half drowned those that dared insult his lady love. As tame and tasteless as the pictures of leviathan as a beautiful woman.

"A drunken Buffon imagined he could capture a Mer and show it off to the people," Ardyn said. "He may have caught me unawares, but he didn't survive his mistake in the end. I used the Harpoon in my tail to drag him underwater, than impaled him with his own device."