Am I Truly... Ugly? (Me and Crimson)

[Raven's Abyss]

Am I truly ugly? Am I a beast? Hideous? Why must I hide my face, why must I hide period! Am I really that hideous? This isn't fair, not at all. It's not my fault I was attacked by a shark when I was a baby. These scars are not my fault so why? Why and I treated this way? Why does everyone hate me, why are they so disgusted? They don't look at the real me, all they see is the scars on my body... why?

***

Later on in the day, I saw something coming closer and closer up by the waters surface. I swam up, trying to figure it out, but suddenly I was caught in this... web like thing! I went above the surface and everything went black. When I awoke, I was on a ship, a pirate ship! Most of my kind are killed for money, but the captain spared me. Put me in a HUGE tank inside his room under the deck, and would watch me swim... Like I am the most beautiful thing in the world... And I love it.

 

 

Name~ Dimitri Faro

Age~ Unknown

Likes~ Shells, bright fish, playing in the sand, dancing, going to the shore and sunbathing, being alone.

Dislikes~ Other mermaids/men, crying, being talk to, the scars, himself.

Information~ A few sweet merman, young and beautiful inside, but not on the outside (To him anyway) when he's beautiful in and out. Generous and silent, usually never answers anyone, human or mermaid. Nor has he ever seen a human before, and very little mermaids. Even though he hates it, Dimitri cries a lot. The captain, that instead of killing him and selling his body parts and scales for millions of dollars each, he kept him as his private exhibit. But Dimitri loves it, the captain likes it when he dances and such, and he loved being watched. It made Dimitri feel beautiful. But he'd never speak to the captain, no matter what he asked. Maybe... He's falling for the captain? Or, maybe the captain fell in love at first sight?

 

We need the pirate ship captain. Between ages 24-35, no exceptions! I am narrator so don't take control of the ship, crew, weather, or anything, I hate it when people are like that. That's all. And the captain is HUMAN.

[StainedCrimson]

 

Name: Lyall (no last name)

Age: 27

Hair: Long silver with faint gold highlights

Eyes: light purple/amethyst

 

Information: Lyall loves watching his catch dance and seeing the joy it brings the other, however, he doesn't like that the merman never talks to him. He loves the freedom of sailing on the sea but while surrounded by his crew feels very alone and isolated which is what prompted him to keep the merman instead of selling him in pieces for money. He hopes that one day the merman will speak to him and hopefully lessen the slowly, but steadily, growing sense of overwhelming loneliness.

[Raven's Abyss]

(God he sexy~ Anyway, how to start...... Before or after the catch? If after, Dimitri shall wake up from his unconsiousness inside a tank in Lyall's room. Which one ya want ?)

[StainedCrimson]

(haha, glad you approve. Before the catch might be a good way to go)

[Raven's Abyss]

The waters were calm, crystal clear with the sun right above, heating up every pint of water. Fish seemed more active at this time of good weather, even the sharks stayed up by the surface for some sun-bathing. The whole ocean was buzzing with excitement! The coral reefs were swarmed with bright and beautiful fish of many different shapes and sizes. Miles and miles from the golden sanded shore was a darker colored reef, not many fish either. There, lived a lone creature, one of myths and legends. A "man-eater" or sometimes called "sirens" or "sea-cows". But mostly recalled as... "mermaids". Or in this case, a merMAN. Swimming along the dark colored coral, the tail on the exquisite creature was more like a serpents, than a fish's. Murky blue colored fur along the spine of the dark green tail, scales not "pretty" or "shiny", and a big fluffy furry tip. The darkly beautiful creature twirled, dancing in swirls and circles at random, nice and slow, no true pattern. The tail itself was at least sixteen to seventeen feet, plus add the three or four feet of male body. Adding up to around twenty feet of dark beauty. However, along the pale, male body of the enchanted merman, were long, jagged scars that made no pattern, just brutally ripped. Looking like the water waves.

 

Dirty, murky blue eyes trailed down his tail and he smiled, a group of baby sharks clung to the scales. Cleaning them up like any other cleaning shark would. "You guys don't think I'm ugly? Right?" One of the arm sized ones trailed up to lay on the creatures chest, snuggling his neck. He could hear whispers, fish could talk but humans couldn't hear them. They were faint, like a soft breeze in summer. The creature giggled and looked down at the stripped shark on his scared chest, "Aww, thank you, you adorable thing you." The others, two more arm sized and a dozen of palm sized cleaner sharks moved up and tickle the delicate, slick flesh of the half human, half fish/serpent creature.

 

"Ah! No, I'm ticklish! Please! Go clean someone else now." The merman said, nudging the finger length shark on his cheek and watched them wiggle through the water, away from him. He smiled and swam on, moving away from the sharks and the coral reef itself. The creature's eyes trailed up to see a dark shadow over the water, curiosity over took the beauty's heart.

 

"What in the seas is that thing?" He looked back at the reef, seeing all the sharks had swam for shelter, away from the mysterious shadow that loomed now over the merman. He gasped sharply as a web scooped up the scared body of the creature, pulling the entrance/exit close.

 

"Help! Please help me!" Panic gripped his whole being when the net dragged the poor thing closer and closer to the surface, breaking through and he gasped nothing but air. wiggling inside the tight net. "No!" He gasped, fighting for water, tough it was nothing but air. The sun's rays hit his body more intensely, the merman pushed the net and pulled but it never broke. He felt fingers grab and move it and it released him. Dropping him on a solid surface of the deck. The beautiful, scared creature gasped for water a few more times, not used to the hot, dry air, and lost himself in the darkness of unconsciousness. Unable to see his captures.

 

 

*** (Crew)

 

"Captain! Captain! We caught a mermaid! An ugly one!" One of the many crew members shouted out, poking the tail of the unconscious creature with his boot, soon to softly kick. "I never thought mermaids could be ugly! Damn now I've seen everything!"

 

Another, the first-mate or private, who was female herself, looked at them. "Get away from it, it'll die soon anyway. Those scales may not be worth much, since there not very shiny, but a mermaids scales are worth money anyway. And mermaids have breasts you fools, thats a merman." The red-headed woman took a drink of her rum and went to her Captain, "What shall we do with IT?" She snarled slightly, hating the sight of the beautiful creature like everybody else.

 

 

 

The sharks:

Female Private:

[StainedCrimson]

Lyall saunters over and looks down at the creature. While not the conventional beauty of most mermaids and mermen they've caught, this one actually catches his interest. The dark coloring is unusual, rare even in normally such a bright and beautiful race. Scars are also abnormal and these make aimless patterns that his eyes can travel along and allow himself to get lost in thought. Finding himself drifting off he snaps himself out of the daze. "Put him in that tank I had installed in my room. I think I'll keep this one for myself since we won't get much money from him anyway. And I've been wanting a pet. What better pet than one of the rarest right?" He laughs while lightly nudging the unconscious merman. "Not too mention no other pirate ship I can think of can claim one as their own can they?"

 

Slowly he walks around the creature one full time before nodding at red-head. "See to it that he makes it safely into the tank. Since he's going to be my personal pet and entertainment I expect him to be treated as such. Meaning the lot of you will keep your hands to yourself and make sure no harm comes to him unless under direct orders from me. Is that clear?" He levels a cold glare on each member of the crew before smiling at them. "Now, once he's in there we'll get back to work to finding us a real mermaid or merman to sell and make ourselves some real money. That way we can head to port to get repairs and supplies before drowning ourselves in some rum and real food. Everyone with me?" He raises his voice looking around expecting a loud agreement from his crew. After all, if they make a good catch then everyone also gets a good pay day as well to spend on whatever they damn well please so long as they don't miss the ship when they set sail.

[Raven's Abyss]

"Put him in that tank I had installed in my room. I think I'll keep this one for myself since we won't get much money from him anyway. And I've been wanting a pet. What better pet than one of the rarest right?"... "Not too mention no other pirate ship I can think of can claim one as their own can they?"

 

The red-head nodded and faced the crew, swinging out her hand, pointing with long, painted fingernails. "Alright maggots! You heard our Captain! Get your asses in gear and carry that beast to his chamber! Be careful not to damage him or the tank!" The crew got themselves in gear as their scary Private barked her orders, loud like normal. Shouting a chorus of "Yes Ma'am!", lifting the twenty foot water creature up with issues. The thing was heavy.

 

Soon, the private faced her captain and nodded her head, "Most of the fools not as great as our captain loose their lives to those damn man-eating sea-er-chants (Mermaids). But... what are we going to do with it? Do you know how to take care of a mermaid, Captain?" She said, her name was Angelica, but no one dared call her by her name. If anyone even DARES to call her anything but Private or Ma'am, called her Sela. The name of the Water Goddess of the Indian myths. Private was loyal and followed Lyall everywhere, they both save each others asses many times over. If anyone could disobey Captain Lyall and get away with it without even a yelling was Private Angelica Lynn Cortez herself. She worked from Cabin Boy to Private with sweat, blood and every energy fiber in her body.

 

"Now, once he's in there we'll get back to work to finding us a real mermaid or merman to sell and make ourselves some real money. That way we can head to port to get repairs and supplies before drowning ourselves in some rum and real food. Everyone with me?"

 

The whole crew smiled and shouted all together as one, "Yes Captain!" Private eyed them and snapped at them, "Get your asses in gear! That foul creature will die if it isn't in water! Ya must want me to tan your hides and throw you to those damned man-eaters!" She growled, narrowing her eyes. Teh crew jumped and raced to get the darkened beauty to the tank in Captain's bed-chamber.

[StainedCrimson]

"Most of the fools not as great as our captain loose their lives to those damn man-eating sea-er-chants (Mermaids). But... what are we going to do with it? Do you know how to take care of a mermaid' date=' Captain?" [/quote']

 

Lyall looks at his right hand man, his first mate and gives a slow smile. "Oh, I have an idea or two. If all else fails though this will be a way to learn how to keep a mermaid in captivity. Imagine how much we could make off of selling that information. A lot of humans have tried and I can't recall one successful case of catching and keeping a mermaid alive for long as a pet. Most die shortly after being caught if they haven't been cut up to be sold." He watches his crew struggle to move the heavy creature and chuckles at their efforts. "Perhaps I asked too much of them this time..." He muses wondering if saying that no harm was to come to the creature was too big of an order, maybe he should have said that anything larger than a small scratch or bump would be met with a punishment instead? Shrugging he dismisses the thought and lets the crew continue to struggle on.

 

Laughing as Angelica yells at the crew to get them back on task he turns to her. "So tell me, have we had any leads as to where we can find a more sellable mermaid? Even if we tried to sell that one, alive or dead in pieces, we wouldn't make enough to make it worth our while." Suddenly he gets a thoughtful look. "You know I just had a thought, do you think age might have an influence on how well they adjust to captivity or on their price?" He rubs his chin while looking over at the red head. "I'm thinking of our more 'fussy' clients in terms of age." He's talking to the ones they rarely deal with out of personal distaste for those that like children. While they avoid those there are those that like their pets or slaves to be younger but still legal age and those might be worth going to if they can find a particularly young mermaid or merman. "I can't think of a young one ever being caught though... Maybe they only go out into the open once fully grown..." He muses to himself but still loud enough to be heard.

[Raven's Abyss]

"Oh, I have an idea or two. If all else fails though this will be a way to learn how to keep a mermaid in captivity. Imagine how much we could make off of selling that information. A lot of humans have tried and I can't recall one successful case of catching and keeping a mermaid alive for long as a pet. Most die shortly after being caught if they haven't been cut up to be sold."

 

Private nodded her head, listening on. Standing straight with both arms behind her back.

 

"So tell me, have we had any leads as to where we can find a more sellable mermaid? Even if we tried to sell that one, alive or dead in pieces, we wouldn't make enough to make it worth our while." ... "I'm thinking of our more 'fussy' clients in terms of age." ... "I can't think of a young one ever being caught though... Maybe they only go out into the open once fully grown..."

 

"Captain!" the red-head shouted at her boss, finally etting his attention. Soon a grin spread don those lips, a snare. "I know where we came find some of those damned beasts. Shiny too. And easily caught. I found it sun tanning on an island not far from this coral reef. They sun bath on the beach of the small island, most people can't find or never bother with that place so they aren't easily scared." She smiled, tilting her head with a mischievous look, "I could pick out the best and prettiest beasts and gain us a fortune."

 

Peering at the crew that got the merman to Captain Lyall's bed-camber, finally, and looked back over to him. "And, due to parents protection, child mermaids are always hidden. Unless a stray, like the ugly beast we caught just now. But if its a young one you want, I can swim better then any of these bafoons." She chuckled.

[StainedCrimson]

"Captain!" "I know where we came find some of those damned beasts. Shiny too. And easily caught. I found it sun tanning on an island not far from this coral reef. They sun bath on the beach of the small island' date=' most people can't find or never bother with that place so they aren't easily scared." She smiled, tilting her head with a mischievous look, "I could pick out the best and prettiest beasts and gain us a fortune."[/quote']

 

Lyall raises an eyebrow but smiles faintly as his first mate yells at him and it only grows with the information. "Excellent job. We'll grab two or three of them if we can."

 

"And' date=' due to parents protection, child mermaids are always hidden. Unless a stray, like the ugly beast we caught just now. But if its a young one you want, I can swim better then any of these bafoons." She chuckled.[/quote']

 

Lyall lets out a loud laugh and slaps Angelica's shoulder in an act of comraderee. "If anyone here can do such a feat it would be you. If you see the chance then take advantage of it as we would with any other opportunity. However, don't take unnecessary risks. I can't afford to lose the only person on this ship besides myself worth their weight in getting stuff done." Giving her shoulder another light tap he goes off towards his bed chambers seeing the crew is done. "Give the order to go about catching us some mermaids. I'm going to check on my own little prize."

[Raven's Abyss]

"If anyone here can do such a feat it would be you. If you see the chance then take advantage of it as we would with any other opportunity. However, don't take unnecessary risks. I can't afford to lose the only person on this ship besides myself worth their weight in getting stuff done."

 

Angelica laughed softly, she used to be "ladylike". But her father died on the sea and she vowed to follow his footsteps and become the greatest pirate. Though she's perfectly happy with Captain Lyall.

 

"Give the order to go about catching us some mermaids. I'm going to check on my own little prize."

 

Her boots clacked ogether as she gave a salute, "Yes Captain!" And the woman turned away, boots clicking on the hard wood of teh deck as she joined teh mists of the crew.

 

The crew had finished getting the heavy beauty in the tank and was gone by the time the Captain reached the bed-chamber. The merman was awake and beating on teh glass, panicking and crying. The tears mermaids shed were not clear, they were a beautiful silver/metalic color and could heal even teh greatest of wounds. The room was HUGE, and then the tank was huge as well. It was enough for 10 grown mermaids, and the one Lyall had captured was only a teen, not yet fully grown. The dark beauty slammed his small fists on the glass, screaming out for help with a voice like honey.

 

The tank had sand equally spread out on teh bottom, real coral and plants inside large enough to be able to hid behind/in. The merman only needed one flick of his tail to get to the top of the tank and pushed at it, but it was sealed with padlocks with holes large enough to stick an arm out/in. And thats just what he did, trying to reach one of the padlocks.

[StainedCrimson]

Lyall watches the mermaid for awhile before slowly going over it after closing and locking the door behind him. While his crew knew better than to come in without permission, it was best to be on the safe side while getting to know his new charge. "Hey now, no need to do that. Even if you got out you wouldn't make it to the ocean before passing out again." He says softly to the merman trying to calm him down. He approaches and looks the creature over with a sense of wonder of and appreciation. While the others may think this merman to be ugly and of no worth, Lyall finds him to be the exact opposite. He doesn't care for the brilliant and haughty nature of the regular mermaids, but this one of dark coloring and scars appeals to him in a way none other, human or otherwise, ever has. "You're spectacular. I don't care what the others say... Look at you, even your tears are lovely... And that voice, I wonder what it would sound like if you were happy or singing... Do you sing by chance?" He asks idly not really expecting a reply but hoping for one regardless.

 

He watches the other try to reach the padlocks. "Those were specially made to hold mermaids so even if you could reach them I don't think you could get them to unlock. And if you did, where would you go?" This honestly has Lyall curious as most mermaids seem to travel together. It's extremely rare that one is found alone. "I've never heard of a mermaid or merman being on their own before... Why were you? Even if you look different from the others that shouldn't be enough should it?" This is more of Lyall thinking aloud as he sits across from the tank to watch the merman to see if he responds at all.

[Raven's Abyss]

"Hey now, no need to do that. Even if you got out you wouldn't make it to the ocean before passing out again."

 

The poor young thing almost pealed out of his skin and scales when the sudden voice popped from no where. He pulled his hand back in the tank, staring at Captain Lyall, face in horror and shock. He gulped, staying still for a moment bfore sinking to teh bottom and shying into the huge, thick weeds. somewhat hiding himself while peering out to watch the captain as he moved.

 

"You're spectacular. I don't care what the others say... Look at you, even your tears are lovely... And that voice, I wonder what it would sound like if you were happy or singing... Do you sing by chance?"

 

The merman's darkly tintedskin was because the lack of the sunlight. Mermaids/men sunbathed to keep their skin bright and lovely, but this one was usually hiding, so it was darker. However, his cheeks lit up in a cute pink when he was called "lovely", and he never answered the captain. Hiding deeper in the sea grass, a few dragon sea horses and normal sea horses inside the tank as well. A few cleaner sharks too, playing around together in the sand at the bottom. Those murky colored eyes flicked to the tusling sharks, then back at the captain.

 

"Those were specially made to hold mermaids so even if you could reach them I don't think you could get them to unlock. And if you did, where would you go?" ... "I've never heard of a mermaid or merman being on their own before... Why were you? Even if you look different from the others that shouldn't be enough should it?"

 

The merman heard "look different" and looked down, looking rather sad. Maybe it was enough for the other mer-people to outcaste the darker beauty, they too, like the crew and even the merman himself, saw him as ugly. The only ones that didn't were the sharks and other fish, along with the captain so far. He continued to stay silent, but made a small, surprized noise when something touched him. Then started to giggle when the cleaner sharks tickled his neck and back as they "cleaned".

[StainedCrimson]

Lyall's face lights up with understanding. "Aahhh, that is the reason isn't it? Such a shame yet I'm not surprised. For all humans seem to adore those brilliant mermaids I always suspected they were rotten underneath." He smiles watching the other calm down, even blush and giggle. "I'm glad to see you're adjusting in there. I'm not entirely sure what you eat so we'll have to figure out what by trial and error if you don't tell me. Still, even if you don't talk to me I think we'll get along just fine." With a sigh he stands up having glanced outside.

 

"Unfortunately I must leave for now. My crew can't be left on their own for too long, at least not until we get to port. We'll get to know each other more in a little while my dark beauty." With a smile and a wave Lyall leave the room, but the smile fades as he leaves with the door closing behind him. Marching right back up to Angelica he looks over the crew and their location. "How goes our little hunting trip? Any bites so far?" He's hoping this wraps up quickly so they can finish up with these annoying mermaids and head to shore. Some good rum and fresh food is in order and he needs to figure out a few things about his own merman as well. "Ah, and I'm sure this goes without saying but make sure none of the crew mentions our new 'mascot'. Not in the near future at least. Not until we're sure it's going to survive." His tone is firm in a way that signifies he means business and even Angelica won't escape a good thrashing should he find his orders not obeyed. His gaze slides over to her as a more easy and trademark smile appears. "Once that's settled though by all means let the men gossip if they choose. We'll just cut down anyone foolish enough to try and steal him away from us, won't we?"

[Raven's Abyss]

"Aahhh, that is the reason isn't it? Such a shame yet I'm not surprised. For all humans seem to adore those brilliant mermaids I always suspected they were rotten underneath." ... "I'm glad to see you're adjusting in there. I'm not entirely sure what you eat so we'll have to figure out what by trial and error if you don't tell me. Still, even if you don't talk to me I think we'll get along just fine." ... "Unfortunately I must leave for now. My crew can't be left on their own for too long, at least not until we get to port. We'll get to know each other more in a little while my dark beauty."

 

His tail flicked slightly as he sat down in the sand, tail curled around him lososely. One of the sharks rested on his chest, the others on his shoulders and scattered about on the green, dark tail. The merman sort of listened, and sort of ignored at the same time, the way thisman looked at him, it made him feel... well, the merman didn't know. But he heard "dark beauty" and looked up at Captain Lyall, eyes wide and cheeks bright red. Watching the man leave through the corner of those merky eyes instead of looking looking at Lyall.

 

"How goes our little hunting trip? Any bites so far?"

 

Angelica looked at her captain and smiled, "We are coming up to the island now, I'll be going with a few others but its mostly a one man... well, one WOMAN mission. The fools will just follow to cary the heavy devils back." She waved her hand slioghtly.

 

"Ah, and I'm sure this goes without saying but make sure none of the crew mentions our new 'mascot'. Not in the near future at least. Not until we're sure it's going to survive." ... "Once that's settled though by all means let the men gossip if they choose. We'll just cut down anyone foolish enough to try and steal him away from us, won't we?"

 

She slowly grinned, chuckling darkly, resting her pretty, manicured hands on the handle of her sword at her side, "Well of course, your majesty." Private teased softly.

[StainedCrimson]

Angelica looked at her captain and smiled' date=' "We are coming up to the island now, I'll be going with a few others but its mostly a one man... well, one WOMAN mission. The fools will just follow to cary the heavy devils back." She waved her hand slightly.[/quote']

 

Lyall tosses his head back as he laughs. "Excellent. And remember to silence the damned things first. We don't need to lose more idiots to their voices." He snorts in disgust. "Blasted fools can't seem to understand they just do that to make them easier to kill. Still, no use for idiots on this ship and those that fall prey serve as a lesson to the others." Sighing he shakes his head and grins at her. "Ready to wrestle a few of those devils then?"

 

She slowly grinned' date=' chuckling darkly, resting her pretty, manicured hands on the handle of her sword at her side, "Well of course, your [i']majesty[/i]." Private teased softly.

 

"Hey!" Lyall fakes indignation before posing in an exaggerated manner. "Don't deny the fact that I'd make an excellent royal. I could totally pass for one and you know it." He sniffs while flicking some stray hair over his shoulder before laughing. "Go on. Get your ass in gear." He jerks his chin before sauntering away to his station to bark orders at the crew not going along with the hunting trip and instead keep the ship waiting and ready for their return.

[Raven's Abyss]

"Ready to wrestle a few of those devils then?"

 

Private cracked her neck 3 times each ide and rolled her shoulders, "Hell yeah, always am. Guys don't think girls can wrestle!" She ran her fingers through her hair, getting up up and out of her face, into a ponytail.

 

"Don't deny the fact that I'd make an excellent royal. I could totally pass for one and you know it."

 

"Yeah yeah, you're highness!" She bowed down and everything, making sure it was completely over-dramatic in the process, then turned away, taking her gun with her as she slid down the ladder on shore, a few men following her. While the rest of teh crew instantly did what their captain barked them to do.

 

The merman inside the captain's bed-chamber looked around, petting the smooth, slimy-to-him-soft shark's head, thinking. "There HAS to be a way out... has to be... Oh, what's that?" His eyes were attracted to something that glowed and shimmered, hanging from a hook on the ceiling. Shaking off the sharks, he flicked his tail and looked through one of the holes. "Gems? Hmmm...." Reaching through, the enchanted creature grabbed a thin metal stick like thing and strained to curl the tip, reaching through with it, trying to get the gem necklace.

 

"Come on... a little more~" He whined, mermaids/men had a big weak spot for things that shined. He reached as far as his arm would allow before snagging and bringing back the expensive gems from the Island Hidden In The Mist. That necklace made Lyall loose four men, plus the other jewels gathered from it, but it was extremely dangerous and valuable. The merman brought it through the hole and smiled, looking with big eyes and the glittering, bright bright blue gems. "Jackpot~ Oh baby look at that shine~"

[StainedCrimson]

Once everything is in order he decides to go check on his prize. "I'll be in my chambers. When they're returning with our prizes let me know if I'm not out to keelhaul you all for the noise you'll be making." He barks out in a dry tone before heading into his chambers where he sees the merman pulling the necklace into the tank. "No! What are you doing?!" He yells rushing over, the door slamming shut behind him. "Do you know what that is and what it can do?! Not too mention what I lost to get that? Give it back!" His fists slam on the tank glass actually rattling it a little from the force. He'd paid dearly for that necklace and those gems. He keeps it as a reminder of that which can be gained, but also the cost that can come with it. His eyes glaze over slightly as shadows from the memories creep over them.

 

"Give that back and I'll give you a different one. Just give. That. BACK!!" His fists slam against the tank again causing it to shake a little again but it's far to steady and tough to do anything more than that. And it's only noticeable by a faint shaking of the top of the water in the tank. Lyall breathes heavily as he tries to calm himself down while staring at the merman without really seeing it, his gaze instead focused more on the necklace.

[Raven's Abyss]

"No! What are you doing?!" ... "Do you know what that is and what it can do?! Not too mention what I lost to get that? Give it back!"

 

Again like the first time, the merman nearly pealed out of his skin, nearly dropping the necklace in the sand. He looked up at the captain right as he slammed his fists on the glass, he screamed and drew back with the necklace, covering his pointed ears. The vibrations and noises stung and hut, causing pain to rattle through his skull. And the captain did it over and over to the point where the merman started to cry from the pain, an intense, extremely high pitch wail coming from him. The fish scattered, some hid under the sand, others in the coral reef.

 

"Give that back and I'll give you a different one. Just give. That. BACK!!"

 

He ignored him, sort of unable to hear him since he covered his ringing ears, whining and still screaming that enchanting tune mermaids used to either harm or scare away humans. His was a bit different, sweet and higher pitch, not an ear-sore, but enough to make someone's ears ring. And the merman wouldn't stop until the captain stopped hitting the glass, even the he didn't come out because teh vibrations still sipped through the water. He himself was hidden to teh captain behind the tall, thick grass, whining and whimpering from the assault.

 

(G2g Stained)

[StainedCrimson]

"Agh! Enough!" Lyall pulls back wincing but still glaring at the merman. "Give the necklace back. I don't know how you managed to get it but it doesn't belong to you and unless you're willing to spill the blood and gain the nightmares I have then you will never have the right to have it." He growls out pinning the merman with a cold look that even gives Angelica reason to fear him. "I don't want to hurt you, but I will if you push me. I lost a very good man and friend to get that necklace and I won't hand it over to some creature just because it fancies it." He growls out, eyes flashing.

 

A part of him feels bad for having caused the creature such obvious pain but his new found attachment and fascination pales to the past that has a hold over him in connection with the necklace. Forcing himself away from the tank he paces in a highly agitated manner. "Of course this had to happen right before a job completion." He growls out to himself as he shoves a hand through his hair dislodging some of the hair so it falls around his face. Going over to a crystal decanter he pours himself a drink into a small gold chalice that has gems along its surface. It was a piece of a treasure he'd gotten in another adventure in the past. His room is actually littered with what tales would associate with a dragon's hoard though bits are scattered everywhere around the room and not just in jewels or random artifacts, but also in clothes and a few paintings as well. Even some of the furniture are old antiques.

 

(same)

[Raven's Abyss]

"Give the necklace back. I don't know how you managed to get it but it doesn't belong to you and unless you're willing to spill the blood and gain the nightmares I have then you will never have the right to have it." ... "I don't want to hurt you, but I will if you push me. I lost a very good man and friend to get that necklace and I won't hand it over to some creature just because it fancies it."

 

Every time the captain spoke even one word, the dark beauty opened his mouth and gave off that high pitch wail. It was strong enough to shake some of the jewels and artifacts the Captain had inside his cluttered, dragon's den of a bed-chamber. Nor would he looked up to him when the merman felt Captain Lyall's burning gaze scorch his darker skin. {No, I need it! Just for a few moments! But I can't do it when he's awake... I'll have to survive til he falls asleep... then I'll do it. But I refuse to give it back until then! Last time I saw the sun... it was sinking a bit, so its a bit past noon. So only a few hours or about that until it gets darker.}

 

The merman thought to himself, afraid to look past the large, thick grass to see what the Captain was doing. However, the dark beauty turned and buried the necklace under the sand, deep, and sat on top of it, hugging his long tail-fin. The Captain scared him, his first human experience and he already wanted to just die, but there was nothing in the tank that he could end it all with. The coral? No, how could be break a piece off to use it? He wanted to go home, but to what? To spend the rest of his life alone and being hurt, laughed at? Or to stay here... and be at the mercy of this crazy, loud Captain?

[StainedCrimson]

"Enough!" Lyall turns and settles a cold look on the merman. "If you're going to make that racket every time then I'll lose what fascination I have for you as it turns to annoyance and aggravation. If I get get fed up with you completely then I'll let my crew just end you like they wanted to to start with." He paces back and forth frowning. "To be honest, I'm not even sure why I felt the need to save you from them killing you so we could sell your parts. Even if you wouldn't fetch as much as those annoying shining mermaids, you'd have got us enough to take care of the maintenance and supplies we need." His frown deepens as he continues to think aloud. "I'm not even one prone to acts of mercy or leniency, even with my own crew. So why you? You, a creature of a race that I hold nothing even resembling warmth or fondness. Yet for you, a creature whose color and looks pale to those annoy and aggravating mermaids, I spare and even feel some affection for. Why is that you suppose?" He muses turning to face the merman once again.

 

Setting the cup down he approaches the merman and shifts so he's eye level and seems to be looking for the answer in the other's face or eyes. "Yes... Why you? Perhaps it is because you're a dark beauty that shines despite your obvious pain and loneliness... Or perhaps it's merely a whim of mine to seek the comfort of company in something so alien to me since I can't find it amongst my own kind." His eyes trail along the snake-like tail of the other before straightening up and goes over to a large stretch of curtains. "I'm not sure how you feel about sunlight, I myself find it fairly aggravating in the morning but even I can't deny the view." He comments offhandedly pulling a cord to reveal a large picture window that goes almost the entire length of the wall to reveal the great expanse of the ocean.

[Raven's Abyss]

"Yes... Why you? Perhaps it is because you're a dark beauty that shines despite your obvious pain and loneliness... Or perhaps it's merely a whim of mine to seek the comfort of company in something so alien to me since I can't find it amongst my own kind."

 

The merman gulped softly, hugging is tail-fin tighter. He started to shake, afraid of what was going to happen, but never gave in, mermaids/men were extremely bull-headed and stubborn, bold. They don't give up to pressure easily. It was normal for every mermaid/man to be the same. However, this merman had more... feelings than the others, not was bold, more shy, but his stubbornness and bullheadedness was greater than normal mermaids/men. It was very easy to tell that this merman was more stubborn, the way he kept his jaw out, tight, a show of bullheadedness. The dark beauty bit his lip and slowly looked up at the Captain, for the first time, in the eyes. The stubborn feature of his face faded away to... well, it was hard to say, but the merman looked adorable, perked lips, mouth slightly gaped open, eyes soft and looking right at Lyall.

 

"I'm not sure how you feel about sunlight, I myself find it fairly aggravating in the morning but even I can't deny the view."

 

His eyes widened and gasped, closing his eyes and covering them when the sunlight slightly blinded him. Waiting a few moments before opening his eyes and slwoly turning, gasping and getting up and touching the glass closest to the large window. The awe on the merman's face was cute, looking out and seeing the beautiful home he's lived in for years in a whole new point of view... and he even said a word. Sort of...

 

"Wow..."

[StainedCrimson]

Lyall gives the merman a glance and a faint smile. "I'm sure it's a much different view from what you're used to, but I find it to be a most excellent one. It's clear you do as well." Turning he faces out the window, one arm up above his head as he leans against the window. For a few moments he quiet before getting a slight twisted smile. "I love being on the sea and exploring it, but it's a dangerous occupation. That's the thrill and beauty of it though. Still, it's not a place you can keep those you love safe and with you. It's the price we humans pay for living on the sea. Well, some of us." Pushing off the window he looks at the merman. "That necklace is very important to me and I will get it back, though I hope you'll give it back of your own accord. If it's just something of that nature you want I can give you another but that particular one is not just dangerous or something I paid for with blood. Not just my own either."

 

Lyall goes back up to the tank. "I have to go back and check on my crew. I'll be back to see if you've changed your mind. If you wish to see what I have to trade you for it then we can do that as well." Turning on his heel he walks out of the room, the door closing behind him. Pausing he looks over his crew before barking at them. "Well? Any news on how our hunting trip is faring?" He's walking further onto the deck as he barks his questions at them.

[Raven's Abyss]

He listened, but what intreged him was that the human had said I love being on the sea. The merman stopped and looked at Captain Lyall, eyes wide and surprised, possibly a bit of shock in those murky eyes. When the Captain looked at him instead of out teh window, the merman gasped and blushed, looking down from Captain Lyall.

 

"That necklace is very important to me and I will get it back, though I hope you'll give it back of your own accord. If it's just something of that nature you want I can give you another but that particular one is not just dangerous or something I paid for with blood. Not just my own either."

 

His cheeks turned a bit reder, and he didn't watch the man leave, but whispered, just barely enough for the captain to hear before he walked out the door. "Later.... tonight... I will... I just need it until them... after Moonrise." And the dark beauty vanished inside the long, thick grass.

 

"Well? Any news on how our hunting trip is faring?"

 

Private heard her captain and turned, whole body wet, top off leaving her in her white t-shirt, that soaking wet too. "We caught ourselves a beast, Captain. And red hair and scales are in high demand right now, and we scored ourselves one." She grinned, jerked her head to the mermaid, dead, in a cage. Her hair was bright red, scales glittered and shimmered such a glorious and beautiful red.