ACTION / backdated to the event; nova city waterways

[gastronomics]

[ Look, if she's going to be a mermaid she's going to get the freshest sea food ever and enjoy not being cold while wearing a ruffled bikini top in the fall, the colors matching the vibrant blend of reds, oranges, and pink scales of her tail. It's a unique experience and she's not going to give it up.

It just turns out that when you are part fish, you can keep up with the other fish just fine. But when you're in Nova City, most of the waterways are man made and, while clean, it isn't exactly brimming with life. So much for locally sourced ingredients! But Alice isn't one to give up. Anyone with underwater capabilities can see Alice going around trying to catch fish under Fayren's waters, though from time to time she comes back to the surface and just lets herself float while staring up at the sky in frustration, visible from any of the sidewalk that goes along the Nova City waterways. ]

Comments

[sarcaskick]

[ When he first realized he could transform into this new form, it was something surreal. He hadn't felt anything at all below his knees in years, and while he technically didn't have knees in this shape it was still a bit offsetting. Besides, he didn't have much (any, really) experience with swimming, having lived in the mountains his whole life, only ever seeing the oceans with his own eyes well after he obtained his new legs which... weren't really designed to be aquadynamic. He could swim, sure, but it wasn't one of his finer skills.

Until now. Now, sharklike from the waist down, he was as much a predator in the water as he was on the land, just lacking any suitable prey... until he spots a familiar face a ways off in the water, just as she surfaces to float on her back. Naturally, he makes full use of the opportunity to zip towards her beneath the water, remaining out of her line of sight as he carefully pokes his head above the water just next to hers, and mutters: ]

Boo.

[gastronomics]

[ Alice is no fighter. She does not have amazing reflexes or the ability to know when someone's creeping on her. That's what Ryo's for and he's not water-bound right now (he's around in a boat somewhere, but mermaids are much faster than boats so she keeps accidentally losing him). Which means had a full shark decided she would make a good meal, she probably would not have fared so well.

As it stood, Mercury's just being a spook so she jumps out of her skin since she'd gotten used to there not being anything else in here! She lets out a loud yell, though only gets about halfway through it before she sees his face and seems to immediately calm down, stare at him for a brief second, then go full wobbly-eyed pouting. ]

You scared me!

[kyoken]

[He's not a merperson, so he's just following along with her in a boat. Because of course she brings him along. He has towels and a change of clothes for her in the little boat with him. He's always happy to let Miss enjoy herself.]

[gastronomics]

[ Hopefully it's a stable boat because Alice's upset at not being able to find fish involves her going to the side of the boat and rocking it back and forth. ]

Ryo why aren't there any fish!?

[sarcaskick]

It's almost like that was the point.

[ He drifts back just enough to begin circling her, as if he really is eyeing her up as prey. He's not, not really. Eyeing her, certainly, because there's still plenty to... Look at...

But he's harmless! For now. ]

Looks like you're having some sort of trouble.

[gastronomics]

[ She ducks down in the water slightly after he's eying her, blowing bubbles in it while she keeps her eyes on him, but once he brings the focus to what she was having issues with she pops up like nothing was happening. ]

Oh! I was looking for fish for the restaurant, but I don't think there are very many here. I saw a couple of little schools but they're not big enough to do anything with.

[kyoken]

[He grabs hold of the boat so that he doesn't go toppling over. It's still pretty stable, though. So there isn't too much risk of that.]

I don't know, Miss. Perhaps this place is over fished?

[sarcaskick]

Ooh, a hunter on the prowl?

[ The end of his tail peeks out of the water, sharp fins splashing a bit of water at her face. ]

You don't really look the part.

[gastronomics]

There aren't even robot fish!

[ Look, it's Nova City. She expects there to be cyborg versions of everything, including fish. ]

A cyborg fish probably wouldn't taste very good though, it'd probably have leeched whatever metal was used, even if the metal wasn't toxic it'd take a lot to make it edible...

[gastronomics]

[ She closes her eyes at the intrusion of the splash, spluttering a little then splashing him back with her hands. ]

Well what else would I wear in the water! I can't fit a one-piece or a scuba suit. [ She lifts her tail up to show off hers and emphasize her point. Definitely fish, not shark. Maybe closer to a red snapper or a red mullet. ]

[sarcaskick]

[ He doesn't even try to stop the splash from hitting him - he's already soaked, he doesn't care. He takes a moment to comb his fingers through his hair, pushing it back out of his face before responding. ]

Didn't even bring a harpoon or anything, is all I'm saying.

[ A beat, as he leans just a bit closer, grinning toothily as if baring his fangs. ]

Or were you going to catch them in your mouth?

[gastronomics]

[ She's pretty sure that wouldn't be sanitary in the kitchen and she has no idea how to use a harpoon. ]

I was going to grab them. With my hands if they were big enough, or like this if it was a big fish! [ She hugs herself, which inevitably squeezes her breasts together, some of the water pooling in her cleavage but it doesn't seem to bother her at all. ]

[sarcaskick]

[ ... between this and her "vivid" imagery the last time she described cooking to him, he's not sure just what the hell is up with this girl. Either it's intentional and she's a masterful troll, or she's weird. Like, real weird.

He'd be impressed with the former. His money's on the latter.

But he's not the gawking type, so he just offers a quiet hum as he strokes his chin. ]

You really think you have the kind of reflexes it takes to pull that off?

[gastronomics]

[ It's the art of being from a perverted anime and also being really really confident. Though she's a little bit of a special case in her own right when it comes to being weird anyway. ]

I can swim really fast and I know how to identify which fish species they are, so I wouldn't grab anything that had poisonous spines or sharp fins.

[sarcaskick]

Sure, that's great and all, but...

[ His lips quirk a bit to the side before his hand snaps out of the water, quick enough that if he struck her with it there would definitely be one hell of a mark.

Thankfully, it stops just shy of doing so, one finger extended to prod between her eyes. ]

I still don't think you're fast enough.

[gastronomics]

[ She stiffens right up. He definitely loves screwing with her, and she definitely responds in kind each time. Though this time after her initial shock, she seems to think that he was actually being impressive. She swims over to his side like she's trying to see from his perspective as if that would explain something. ]

How did you move that fast? I meant I can swim quickly, not something like that! That was straight out of a kung-fu movie.

[sarcaskick]

[ Mercury isn't inherently fueled by narcissism - he only acts so smug and confident because he knows how good he is at what he does - but that doesn't mean he can't enjoy having his ego stroked now and then. He smirks a bit, waggling his fingers with a shrug. ]

You may have an impressive tongue [ innuendo probably intended ] but I have an impressive everything else [ innuendo probably intended ]. Let's just say I've had plenty of practice.

[gastronomics]

I've got impressive hands too, in other ways. [ She wiggles her fingers back at him. She has really steady hands and a firm grip, which is good for culinary sciencing of course. :D ]

Hm.. why don't we race? I'll prove I'm fast.

[ She has no actual idea how fast he is with swimming, but she's been out here swimming all day so she's pretty sure she's got a firm grasp on using her tail and he can't have had one longer than she has. Probably. ]

[sarcaskick]

[ Masterful troll or really weird chick?

He contemplates the challenge for a moment, drifting back just enough to give her another once-over. She doesn't have the build of an athlete or a fighter - by default, he'd call his odds more than favorable. But when it comes to their newfound tails he has no idea who has the advantage, and that has him curious.

Better to learn his limits here, in a safe and controlled environment, then in a situation where his life depends on it. Not that he's afraid of the danger, but he's not stupid. ]

What do I get when I beat you?

[gastronomics]

Hmm.. [ She puts her finger on her lips, just lightly pulling down on the bottom one. ]

Want me to cook for you again?

[ He did say she had a talented tongue. ]

Otherwise, you'll have to tell me.

[sarcaskick]

Hm! Maybe... I'm sure you've got all sorts of unique flavors I can try.

[ He's probably still talking about her cooking. ]

What about you? What craving of yours will I satisfy if you happen to win?

[ He's probably not talking about his cooking. ]

[gastronomics]

I don't know, I don't know anything about you except that you're really into horror movies... So, tell me what you're good at. I can't pick what I want if you don't.

[ It apparently flew right past her both times.. ]

[sarcaskick]

[ It takes him a second to figure out that she was definitely referring to the whole blood and popcorn thing, and he can't help the little smirk and shake of his head at the realization.

Definitely not a troll. Too dense. ]

Let's say... I'm an athlete, all-around. You need something physical, I'm your guy.

[gastronomics]

Oh, so you're a blockhead jock!

[ That's 100% useless to her. She sounds amazed but..

..Honestly she's about 40% dense, 40% screwing around, and the rest goes to kitchen talents and it's hard to tell at any point which one it is. ] Wow, you must really not have many skills if that's all you're listing!

[sarcaskick]

[ ...

Probably not a troll.

What the fuck. ]

What about you? What are you good for, other than cooking and an incredible lack of self-awareness?