He was of the opinion that the creature wasn't entirely in a position to be thrashing around, but he was forced to consider it a wild animal all the same. He had expected to have to replace the water in the tub once he had finished his task or it became too murky from the blood, but it was safe and warm enough with the heater he had in the tub.
His eyebrows drew together sharply at the fact this merman spoke to him. The words were formed if croaked, as if this creature wasn't used to speaking at all, which made sense. He stared at him for a long quiet moment.
"Do you know what attacked you?"
He slowly eased in again, continued to suture up the gash with deft motions. Four down, two more to go. He worked on the next long one and had a single shorter one left after that. He kept one eye on his work and one on the merman. "I'll change your water once I'm done here. Is this... enough?"
"No. I was blind-sided while out hunting." Didn't sound pleased by it at all, "Something from above where nothing should have been."
At least he had relaxed in the tub, making it easier to stitch him up rather than if he kept tensed up. His head was still spinning, ached deeply even and there'd no doubt be some dark bruising where he had been hit. Worry about that later, but a reason he let his eyes close. Even the slightest bit of light felt like it was making the ache worse, lance through his skull with a harsh throb.
Felt worse that actively being stitched back up, really-
"I can breathe air, but not letting me dry out will help me."
"Huh," was all he could say about that. People around here weren't happy with the military testing weaponry in the water. They were told to steer well clear of certain areas. Maybe it wasn't that which had beached this creature, but if he knew the inner workings of military operations... it just might well be too.
He put that thought to rest to investigate later. He had friends in the Navy that he could reach out to, as well as those in R&D. For now, it was better that he stitch up his new housemate. That was priority, and he did it well, sealing up the last of the lacerations. No point bandaging them.
The wounds on the tail he cleaned out of sand and debris, but most of those were shallow enough to be allowed to heal. His fingers stroked over scales, feeling the smooth richness of them as he worked. He tried to be careful and delicate about that part at least.
"Sorry I don't have a bigger tub, so this will have to do."
His head was tilted back, and almost looked like he had fallen asleep despite the pain that no doubt came still with the care being put in to his wounds. Even the cleaning. Let alone from the fact he was some beast from the ocean man he should have acted more wary.
In his own ways he was, no matter how injured it wouldn't take much for him to injure any human, but the fact he was cooperating was at least some silent acceptance of the help being given. Couldn't exactly say it was trust, but perhaps it was hard to tell given just how much of an unknown he was; could just be the way of them.
His nose wrinkled a bit. "Better than nothing, and it's warm."
It didn't take a brain surgeon to realize that this creature could simply tear his head off but wasn't going to bother about it. He doubted that a brain surgeon would even know if pain medication would work on this guy either, which was the only reason he hadn't offered. After all, some human medication were poisonous to others, so it was best not to worry much about it.
He didn't exactly have marine biologists on his call list, so they were going to make do with what they had. Rest, fresh sea water and probably some food would be about what might kick-start off this relationship in a glowing way. Who knew at this point.
"You're welcome," he murmured as he cleaned the last few gashes in that tail. That done, he gathered up his supplies and neatly stored them back in his medical kit pack. "Do you need to eat? I have some fish if you're hungry."
If anything there were clues that there had been some interaction with humanity somewhere in his life, even if it was just enough to know how to speak at least one language. There was still a tenseness that could be sensed, aware of the man's movements and exactly where he was.
"Fish would be good, yes." He was hungry and would definitely accept fish- "Raw or cooked, whichever you feel like giving to me."
Doubted it would be freshly caught by his tone, but always wasn't too terribly bothered by the thought. Not about to be picky with how he felt, shifting enough as eyes re-opened, looking over some of the stitching done. Not pulling or tugging, just brushing clawed fingers along the areas briefly.
He was certain to keep his motions obvious when he decided to make them, careful with how he moved away and approached. In his mind, this could still be considered a wild animal, even if a human side was obvious. Those sharp teeth and tail could still do damage, and he hadn't brought this fascinating, if odd, myth into his house to have it destroyed.
"Alright, I have some catch from yesterday," he murmured. He hadn't gone out today yet, so it wouldn't be at peak freshness.
Rising from the chair he had, he walked to fridge that he had and pulled out a big salmon he had caught the day before. He had de-boned it, as he had been planning on finishing making filets today, but no matter. He brought it back on a plate and offered it to his new house guest. Raw but cold, he had no idea how much a merman actually ate.
"Here, it's yours. If you need more than this, tell me."
While the man was away, he shifted enough in the tub to get himself into a more comfortable position; sitting up more than he was, getting more of his tail in to the water even if it was tinted with blood still. The salt water was felt, but it was something very familiar that it was only a light stinging reminder of hos injured he was.
No matter, he would heal well enough. A hand lifting to his head, feeling and peeling hair away from his head, claws working enough to untangle the matting hair and get a clear touch of the injury there. Skin definitely split, but not deep; hadn't stopped it from bleeding badly, more irritated than not. Glancing up at the approach, hand lowering from the injury as he took the plate carefully.
The plate was rested down where flesh met scales at his waist, the fish lifted- "Thank you," was all said before those sharp teeth easily ripped in to the fish. Eating slowly all the same.
Once the fish was handed over, Jack eased over to return to his chair and leave the merman with room and opportunity to eat. For his part, he simply watched with his arms folded loosely over his chest and his feet planted on the floor. It didn't seem to him that his bathtub was big enough to handle this. He'd also have to replace the water soon.
Of course, there were old wive's tales about mermaids in these parts. He never paid much mind to them, though maybe he should have given he was currently housing a merman in his house. He doubted either of them would want to spectacle of that being revealed. No, he liked to think that they were both painfully private.
"If you want, I can arrange to take you back to the sea tonight if that would make you more comfortable," he murmured. "Otherwise, you're welcome to stay until you are fully healed again."
The entire fish was being downed despite the time being taken to devour it, likely due to a combination of injuries, how much energy had been used up and gone to waste during what had brought him to this state and, well. The fact he hadn't eaten because his hunt had been interrupted in the first place. Attention taken up well enough that he didn't mind being watched while he ate.
The last strip of meat was downed, head tilted to have an eye settled on the man, silent for a moment-
"That wouldn't be a good idea, given my condition and that I don't know if the waters have settled yet. Injured like this I would have to keep closer than I'd like to shore," very private. There was also the worry of more of his blood in the water no matter how well stitched injuries were, rather not attract attention that way either.
He was already trying to think about how he was going to explain this. He was probably going to have to resort to saying that his bathroom was leaking and that was reason enough never to have anyone come to visit him, not that many did these days. This wasn't exactly the kind of guest that he was expecting to have over.
Jack nodded his head, interlacing his fingers together in front of him and figuring that would be the answer. He was supposed to head out with the favourable seas, but that likely wasn't going to happen now that he was here and with a half-fish man in his tub. "Well, stay today and tomorrow at least."
He would head out later to have a look around for disturbances in the water and maybe a source for these injuries. There might be other sea creatures suffering because of it. "I'll head out in a few hours when the tide goes and see if there are any answers for you. Maybe a few catches as well, since I'll admit, I'm not used to feeding two these days."
"An open invitation for two days?" An eyebrow arched, licking what was left of that fish from fingertips and claws, sinking back in that tub and only then offering up the empty plate the fish had been brought to him on. "Alright," Had no reason not to accept, and he wasn't sure he wanted to risk getting back out to the ocean like this as it was. Uncomfortable as the size of the tub was it was something he could tolerate.
There was a bad storm coming, could sense it in his bones. Might come this close inland, but that was one of the reasons he'd been out hunting in the first place. Had planned to capture enough alive to bring back with him to his territory that he could wait it out.
His head tipped to one side. "I'll likely rest while you're out."
"At least," he reiterated because if this creature wasn't able to safely return to the water upon re-evaluation then he would insist on a few days. He just had no idea how fast a merman actually healed, and he expected that his new housemate might go stir-crazy in that tub for days and days on end. It wasn't exactly built for a creature with a tail after all, barely held his legs if he spread out.
He took the plate and tucked it under his arm casually. He knew he was going to have to change the water soon, bloodied as it was. Salt water would definitely help with wounds, but damn it might rot out his pipes if he kept sending it down there. Oh well, it was for a good cause, right?
"Before I head, I'll change the water. It can't be that comfortable sitting in it as it is," he said and rose to his feet again. Bustling and puttering were normal for him, kept his mind off of things so he didn't have to remember. He turned to take the plate away and stopped. "I'm Jack, by the way. Feel free to call on me when I'm in the house."
He could wait, for a while at least, though he might have to do something at the aspect of possibly being stuck in such a small thing of water for so long. Bring up an old trick not used for years, but that would have to take a lot of thought- or enough to weigh other options if he was going to be a 'guest' for as long as he may need to be. That was fine, could manage if it was truly going to be needed.
His nose wrinkled, lips pressed in to a thin line for only a moment. "You're not wrong, no." Not comfortable at all, but it had been necessary for the process- "Jack. Alright," no name given in turn, yet. If he even had one could even be the question.
Well that seemed settled enough for now. He had acquired a temporary roommate in his bathroom, and that was fine. He hadn't lived with anything in a long time, so this was something new. He couldn't say that he minded the idea as much as he thought he would be.
Maybe he was intrigued by the creature.
"I'm going to haul more fresh water for you now. It shouldn't take me long, and we'll change it up." He left without further word either.
For Jack, hauling water was just another part of physical routine. He was stronger than other men, so he had no trouble dragging large quantities up to his cabin, wind messing up his short silvered hair. He might look like a man in his forties, but he was all white and had been for a long while. It didn't matter. Physically, he could do more than anyone around these parts.
So it really didn't take him long to haul the ocean water, even if he received a few odd looks as he did so. He stepped in, hauling a massive thick plastic barrel on one shoulder to the bathroom.
"Right, you'll have to pull the plug which should be somewhere by your tail. Or I can. It will empty the tub and I'll refill it with this."
There were no words in turn, simply watching Jack leave, sunk back in that tub and left to his own devices- for a little while at least.
Gave him time to better look around the bathroom itself, pulling the blanket off of him and letting it hang over the side of the tub. Dripping on the floor yes, but he wasn't of a mind to much care about that. Hauling himself to sit on the edge of the tub a bit, more of his tail in the bloodied sea water; a better position to look, even if there wasn't that much to see.
And would be how he was found, albeit tying his hair back with something, long and curled since it had dripped dry just enough to get a spring back. Watching Jack from the corner of an eye-
Before he was leaning over and pulling the plug for the water to drain.
Maybe he should have put out a hair brush or something, but honestly, he used a comb or his fingers these days, so he wasn't certain that either would be up for coping with the sheer thickness of hair that the merman was sporting. The locks looked good tied back, and they were drying nicely as well. Sorry, no hair dryers here.
He stepped closer to watch the tub drain, expecting that being exposed to room air wouldn't actually be a problem since he had carried the other as far as he had without the benefit of water.
Once the tub was empty again, he gestured with a hand. "Alright, plug back in so I can fill it again. This water should be cleaner now that we've treated your wounds."
When the plug was replaced, Jack began to systematically refill the tub with buckets of hauled salt water. "Better?"
Clawed fingers seemed to have done the job well enough with the hair at least, and he was just glad to not have it plastered and bloodied against his skin anymore. Just a good reason he kept that thick string around his wrists, prepared enough even if he had lost a few to the currants and what caused him to wash up on the shore in the first place.
That tail of his sort of curled against the empty bottom of the tub, only moving to press the plug back in to place. Kept himself perched, only sinking back down bodily in to that tub once there was enough water in. All the better to not over-fill it with him in it.
Fingers moved through the seawater slowly, swirling it almost idly at his side. "Better. Having me here is going to cause you some inconveniences."
Back and forth he went from the barrels outside to bring enough water to fill the tub comfortably. That seemed like a job well done, even if it was very unexpected. His new house guest seemed to settle well enough, though that tail was going to be quite the challenge with how long it was. Definitely was never going to fully fit in the tub with the rest of the merman.
He set the bucket aside and shrugged his shoulders at the comment. Not a lot of people paid him that much mind, mostly because he had come here keeping to himself. He wasn't unfriendly, but he wasn't welcoming either.
"Ah well, I'm not big on baths anyway. A scrub down in a bucket isn't the worst thing I've had to do for hygiene." He ignored all the other complications for now. He figured he'd cross that bridge when he came to it.
"A bucket." Really? "Do you not have a shower?" How does he even know about showers in the first place? "There's also the smell this may cause, salt water isn't very kind after all. More so when brought in from the water itself." Someone didn't mind pointing out a few things.
Like how much trouble this was likely to bring on the man. Why point it out? Why not point it out.
Did sink in the water as best he could, tail curled over the end of it a bit as fins almost idly twitched while in the air there. Leaning back against the tub itself was enough to support his back, tied back hair hanging over it as well.
"Yeah, I do, but you're laying in it," he pointed out easily. He definitely wasn't going to be standing in the tub letting water cascade over him and fill the current water with soap and the like. No, he was perfectly fine washing up either outside or at the kitchen sink. "The cold doesn't bother me either, so I have a tap outside." He shrugged like it was normal even if it wasn't.
"The smell doesn't bother me. We'll change the water often enough that it shouldn't be a problem," he remarked. The salt water would help to heal wounds, and that's what took priority at this point.
He figured that the reason this one knew about showers and the like was from experience. Maybe stories? Probably experience. "Have you done all this before?"
His head cocked to one side- "You could always shower between re-filling the tub. The seawater has to be drained anyway, and it wouldn't hurt to clean the tub so you showering would do that well enough before I have to get back in." Just haul the water to the house first, didn't doubt he'd be fine being out of water for that long at least and it seemed reasonable to him. A bit of extra work, but still reasonable.
More so if they'd already be hanging the water often enough anyway- "I also use fresh water for things every now and then, so your tub wouldn't have to always be seawater each time it's re-filled for me."
An eyebrow arched for a moment before he was leaning forwards again, arms propping him up on the side of the tub, just that much closer to the man- "No. Have you, Jack?"
"And you're offering to lay about on the bathroom floor while I shower, are you? I don't think that's particularly good for your wounds." He appreciated the offer all the same. That was far more conscientious than he was expecting from his new house guest. It wasn't even that he had problems showering in front of another creature either; shame died a long time ago. Those wounds needed to be taken care of.
He tilted his head as he considered for a moment, not certain what sort of creature this was to be so adaptable. It was amazing. "Do you? And what would you like me to refer to you as? A merman? A selkie?"
He shook his head and gave a bit of a helpless shrug. "Can't say that I have. Usually the only people I bring home are drunks who need a dry place to sober up. You're a first."
"I have the ability to sit," spoken so dryly that it was a surprise he was from the sea. "Close the toilet seat and I can sit there if you'd prefer to keep me hidden away in your bathroom."
Funny, eyes did very visibly roll, "Do I look like a seal to you? Poor excuse for a fisherman or anyone that lives by the sea if so." Tone a little dramatic with some played up offense just to add to it, because really. "You don't have to refer to me as anything- besides, don't your kind often mistake merfolk for sirens and vice versa?" And that was more of a sort of teasing jab than any real information.
His nose wrinkled briefly, not in any offense, more an itch with how a hand passed over it. "Then we're on even ground, it's not like I come to land often."
"If that's the case, you can have free reign of the house. Probably can walk while you're at it, right?" He was issuing a bit of dry teasing humour, though he wasn't even certain where it came from. He wasn't one to joke around at all these days. "You are free to go wherever, just keep away from the windows so people around these parts are peering at you."
He tilted his head and squinted as if he actually had to think about the answer. "I've only been fishing for a eight months, so no, I'm not that good at it. I was born in a land-locked state and the only water was what came from a tap or the well." Look, he was trying here, and yeah, he was real bad at this fisherman thing.
He nodded, expecting that to be true. "Can't say I've heard many rumours about you or your kin. Must stay pretty hidden."
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2019-10-25 08:22 pm (UTC)His eyebrows drew together sharply at the fact this merman spoke to him. The words were formed if croaked, as if this creature wasn't used to speaking at all, which made sense. He stared at him for a long quiet moment.
"Do you know what attacked you?"
He slowly eased in again, continued to suture up the gash with deft motions. Four down, two more to go. He worked on the next long one and had a single shorter one left after that. He kept one eye on his work and one on the merman. "I'll change your water once I'm done here. Is this... enough?"
no subject
Date: 2019-10-25 08:37 pm (UTC)At least he had relaxed in the tub, making it easier to stitch him up rather than if he kept tensed up. His head was still spinning, ached deeply even and there'd no doubt be some dark bruising where he had been hit. Worry about that later, but a reason he let his eyes close. Even the slightest bit of light felt like it was making the ache worse, lance through his skull with a harsh throb.
Felt worse that actively being stitched back up, really-
"I can breathe air, but not letting me dry out will help me."
no subject
Date: 2019-10-25 08:43 pm (UTC)He put that thought to rest to investigate later. He had friends in the Navy that he could reach out to, as well as those in R&D. For now, it was better that he stitch up his new housemate. That was priority, and he did it well, sealing up the last of the lacerations. No point bandaging them.
The wounds on the tail he cleaned out of sand and debris, but most of those were shallow enough to be allowed to heal. His fingers stroked over scales, feeling the smooth richness of them as he worked. He tried to be careful and delicate about that part at least.
"Sorry I don't have a bigger tub, so this will have to do."
no subject
Date: 2019-10-25 08:53 pm (UTC)In his own ways he was, no matter how injured it wouldn't take much for him to injure any human, but the fact he was cooperating was at least some silent acceptance of the help being given. Couldn't exactly say it was trust, but perhaps it was hard to tell given just how much of an unknown he was; could just be the way of them.
His nose wrinkled a bit. "Better than nothing, and it's warm."
no subject
Date: 2019-10-25 11:45 pm (UTC)He didn't exactly have marine biologists on his call list, so they were going to make do with what they had. Rest, fresh sea water and probably some food would be about what might kick-start off this relationship in a glowing way. Who knew at this point.
"You're welcome," he murmured as he cleaned the last few gashes in that tail. That done, he gathered up his supplies and neatly stored them back in his medical kit pack. "Do you need to eat? I have some fish if you're hungry."
no subject
Date: 2019-10-26 06:34 pm (UTC)"Fish would be good, yes." He was hungry and would definitely accept fish- "Raw or cooked, whichever you feel like giving to me."
Doubted it would be freshly caught by his tone, but always wasn't too terribly bothered by the thought. Not about to be picky with how he felt, shifting enough as eyes re-opened, looking over some of the stitching done. Not pulling or tugging, just brushing clawed fingers along the areas briefly.
no subject
Date: 2019-10-28 01:27 pm (UTC)"Alright, I have some catch from yesterday," he murmured. He hadn't gone out today yet, so it wouldn't be at peak freshness.
Rising from the chair he had, he walked to fridge that he had and pulled out a big salmon he had caught the day before. He had de-boned it, as he had been planning on finishing making filets today, but no matter. He brought it back on a plate and offered it to his new house guest. Raw but cold, he had no idea how much a merman actually ate.
"Here, it's yours. If you need more than this, tell me."
no subject
Date: 2019-10-28 09:49 pm (UTC)While the man was away, he shifted enough in the tub to get himself into a more comfortable position; sitting up more than he was, getting more of his tail in to the water even if it was tinted with blood still. The salt water was felt, but it was something very familiar that it was only a light stinging reminder of hos injured he was.
No matter, he would heal well enough. A hand lifting to his head, feeling and peeling hair away from his head, claws working enough to untangle the matting hair and get a clear touch of the injury there. Skin definitely split, but not deep; hadn't stopped it from bleeding badly, more irritated than not. Glancing up at the approach, hand lowering from the injury as he took the plate carefully.
The plate was rested down where flesh met scales at his waist, the fish lifted- "Thank you," was all said before those sharp teeth easily ripped in to the fish. Eating slowly all the same.
no subject
Date: 2019-10-30 04:44 am (UTC)Of course, there were old wive's tales about mermaids in these parts. He never paid much mind to them, though maybe he should have given he was currently housing a merman in his house. He doubted either of them would want to spectacle of that being revealed. No, he liked to think that they were both painfully private.
"If you want, I can arrange to take you back to the sea tonight if that would make you more comfortable," he murmured. "Otherwise, you're welcome to stay until you are fully healed again."
no subject
Date: 2019-10-30 05:00 am (UTC)The last strip of meat was downed, head tilted to have an eye settled on the man, silent for a moment-
"That wouldn't be a good idea, given my condition and that I don't know if the waters have settled yet. Injured like this I would have to keep closer than I'd like to shore," very private. There was also the worry of more of his blood in the water no matter how well stitched injuries were, rather not attract attention that way either.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-01 09:26 pm (UTC)Jack nodded his head, interlacing his fingers together in front of him and figuring that would be the answer. He was supposed to head out with the favourable seas, but that likely wasn't going to happen now that he was here and with a half-fish man in his tub. "Well, stay today and tomorrow at least."
He would head out later to have a look around for disturbances in the water and maybe a source for these injuries. There might be other sea creatures suffering because of it. "I'll head out in a few hours when the tide goes and see if there are any answers for you. Maybe a few catches as well, since I'll admit, I'm not used to feeding two these days."
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 12:50 am (UTC)There was a bad storm coming, could sense it in his bones. Might come this close inland, but that was one of the reasons he'd been out hunting in the first place. Had planned to capture enough alive to bring back with him to his territory that he could wait it out.
His head tipped to one side. "I'll likely rest while you're out."
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 04:34 pm (UTC)He took the plate and tucked it under his arm casually. He knew he was going to have to change the water soon, bloodied as it was. Salt water would definitely help with wounds, but damn it might rot out his pipes if he kept sending it down there. Oh well, it was for a good cause, right?
"Before I head, I'll change the water. It can't be that comfortable sitting in it as it is," he said and rose to his feet again. Bustling and puttering were normal for him, kept his mind off of things so he didn't have to remember. He turned to take the plate away and stopped. "I'm Jack, by the way. Feel free to call on me when I'm in the house."
no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 09:47 pm (UTC)He could wait, for a while at least, though he might have to do something at the aspect of possibly being stuck in such a small thing of water for so long. Bring up an old trick not used for years, but that would have to take a lot of thought- or enough to weigh other options if he was going to be a 'guest' for as long as he may need to be. That was fine, could manage if it was truly going to be needed.
His nose wrinkled, lips pressed in to a thin line for only a moment. "You're not wrong, no." Not comfortable at all, but it had been necessary for the process- "Jack. Alright," no name given in turn, yet. If he even had one could even be the question.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-03 05:14 pm (UTC)Maybe he was intrigued by the creature.
"I'm going to haul more fresh water for you now. It shouldn't take me long, and we'll change it up." He left without further word either.
For Jack, hauling water was just another part of physical routine. He was stronger than other men, so he had no trouble dragging large quantities up to his cabin, wind messing up his short silvered hair. He might look like a man in his forties, but he was all white and had been for a long while. It didn't matter. Physically, he could do more than anyone around these parts.
So it really didn't take him long to haul the ocean water, even if he received a few odd looks as he did so. He stepped in, hauling a massive thick plastic barrel on one shoulder to the bathroom.
"Right, you'll have to pull the plug which should be somewhere by your tail. Or I can. It will empty the tub and I'll refill it with this."
no subject
Date: 2019-11-03 10:51 pm (UTC)Gave him time to better look around the bathroom itself, pulling the blanket off of him and letting it hang over the side of the tub. Dripping on the floor yes, but he wasn't of a mind to much care about that. Hauling himself to sit on the edge of the tub a bit, more of his tail in the bloodied sea water; a better position to look, even if there wasn't that much to see.
And would be how he was found, albeit tying his hair back with something, long and curled since it had dripped dry just enough to get a spring back. Watching Jack from the corner of an eye-
Before he was leaning over and pulling the plug for the water to drain.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-05 05:39 am (UTC)He stepped closer to watch the tub drain, expecting that being exposed to room air wouldn't actually be a problem since he had carried the other as far as he had without the benefit of water.
Once the tub was empty again, he gestured with a hand. "Alright, plug back in so I can fill it again. This water should be cleaner now that we've treated your wounds."
When the plug was replaced, Jack began to systematically refill the tub with buckets of hauled salt water. "Better?"
no subject
Date: 2019-11-05 05:49 am (UTC)That tail of his sort of curled against the empty bottom of the tub, only moving to press the plug back in to place. Kept himself perched, only sinking back down bodily in to that tub once there was enough water in. All the better to not over-fill it with him in it.
Fingers moved through the seawater slowly, swirling it almost idly at his side. "Better. Having me here is going to cause you some inconveniences."
no subject
Date: 2019-11-05 05:54 am (UTC)He set the bucket aside and shrugged his shoulders at the comment. Not a lot of people paid him that much mind, mostly because he had come here keeping to himself. He wasn't unfriendly, but he wasn't welcoming either.
"Ah well, I'm not big on baths anyway. A scrub down in a bucket isn't the worst thing I've had to do for hygiene." He ignored all the other complications for now. He figured he'd cross that bridge when he came to it.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-05 06:02 am (UTC)Like how much trouble this was likely to bring on the man. Why point it out? Why not point it out.
Did sink in the water as best he could, tail curled over the end of it a bit as fins almost idly twitched while in the air there. Leaning back against the tub itself was enough to support his back, tied back hair hanging over it as well.
no subject
Date: 2019-11-05 02:33 pm (UTC)"The smell doesn't bother me. We'll change the water often enough that it shouldn't be a problem," he remarked. The salt water would help to heal wounds, and that's what took priority at this point.
He figured that the reason this one knew about showers and the like was from experience. Maybe stories? Probably experience. "Have you done all this before?"
no subject
Date: 2019-11-05 11:23 pm (UTC)More so if they'd already be hanging the water often enough anyway- "I also use fresh water for things every now and then, so your tub wouldn't have to always be seawater each time it's re-filled for me."
An eyebrow arched for a moment before he was leaning forwards again, arms propping him up on the side of the tub, just that much closer to the man- "No. Have you, Jack?"
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Date: 2019-11-07 03:31 am (UTC)He tilted his head as he considered for a moment, not certain what sort of creature this was to be so adaptable. It was amazing. "Do you? And what would you like me to refer to you as? A merman? A selkie?"
He shook his head and gave a bit of a helpless shrug. "Can't say that I have. Usually the only people I bring home are drunks who need a dry place to sober up. You're a first."
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Date: 2019-11-07 03:39 am (UTC)Funny, eyes did very visibly roll, "Do I look like a seal to you? Poor excuse for a fisherman or anyone that lives by the sea if so." Tone a little dramatic with some played up offense just to add to it, because really. "You don't have to refer to me as anything- besides, don't your kind often mistake merfolk for sirens and vice versa?" And that was more of a sort of teasing jab than any real information.
His nose wrinkled briefly, not in any offense, more an itch with how a hand passed over it. "Then we're on even ground, it's not like I come to land often."
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Date: 2019-11-07 04:20 am (UTC)He tilted his head and squinted as if he actually had to think about the answer. "I've only been fishing for a eight months, so no, I'm not that good at it. I was born in a land-locked state and the only water was what came from a tap or the well." Look, he was trying here, and yeah, he was real bad at this fisherman thing.
He nodded, expecting that to be true. "Can't say I've heard many rumours about you or your kin. Must stay pretty hidden."
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