"You'll have to show me some time if we ever go upriver together," he remarked. He figured he could have this one in the back of his truck, and he could take them somewhere private to strengthen that body after healing. Right now, it was all about rest. "Ah well... it's a human thing. We wear clothes after all, so we have to come up with phrases related to that. I'm sure you have scale or fin phrases native to you."
He nodded his head and moved to sit on the edge of the bed, looking around his sparse and clean bedroom. Like anyone could live here. "That's all we can do, right? Make up for the wrongs of the past."
He hummed, the sound low in his throat, "Sure. Sounds like it could be an interesting outing while bringing home some fresh food to share." Because he figured at that point he would still be staying with the man, judging by things now. Wanting to make sure he was fully recovered if he took him in at all. An assumption yes, but it was what he had to go on for the moment. "We do, yes."
"It is, in many ways, better than doing nothing at all. Things may not be undone, but it means it can be recovered from with time." Like anything else, even if it's just new growth over what was lost.
"Yeah, and if you don't catch anything, I'll show you how I hunt." Though, there was a chance that the merman was already familiar with human weaponry on some level. He figured their current state was settled until those wounds healed and then they would discuss getting the merman safely back to the sea. "Do you all sing?"
He nodded his head, in agreement. They had to do their part given how much they had messed things up as it was. "Time will tell how well we do. New technology is coming out every day that is based towards cleaning up our waterways and oceans."
"Gun, trap, or bow? I know of some methods, but I haven't seen any outside of trap hunting." He knew of guns because they certainly weren't quiet, and he'd been told stories of those who hunted with bows when he was a kid. Trap and bow hunting were rather old. His head tipped and he actually shifted himself closer, that second cooking gone.
Interesting question- "Yes, all of us sing. Only some have any power to it, while the rest use it as part of story telling, or just to try and keep entertained on longer trips."
Time would tell. "Finding out how important the waters are, and wanting to save them."
"Gun for me, though I have used snare for smaller animals. Not proficient with a bow, but I could learn," he replied with a shrug of his shoulders. He once picked up new skills very easily, eager to learn, eager to help. "Firearms are effective at a quick blow if you know where to hit. Don't want the animal to suffer." It made the meat taste bad anyway, too much fear.
"I figured as much. So at least those stories are correct," he reflected, noting how the merman had shuffled closer to where he sat. "I expect you have powers for your voice, yes? Going to lure me into my own bed?" He issued a soft laugh, though it was kind of stupid given he was already sitting on his bed. Oh well.
Water is important. We need it to survive. All of us."
Another soft little hum- "I've only heard gunshots, never seen the hunt with one." So it sounded like he was agreeable to a hunting trip with Jack whenever that time arose. Later, when he was more healed of course, but agreeable all the same.
His nose wrinkled, amusement clear in his eyes at the very least. "Perhaps a little correct, but not overly so. Tales do warp overtime, right?" But there was a second of thought, as if debating something as he leaned a little to where an arm brushed against Jack. "I clearly do not have to sing for that- but there is when I will it so. I do not sing much anymore." If at all.
"Well, when you're stronger and able to travel without aggravating your wounds, we'll go hunting and I'll show you what firearm hunting is all about." He might even consider letting this one shoot with some careful instruction and practice, assuming the merman was agreeable to it.
"Especially sailors. They are drunk an awful lot," he said with a deep sigh. He had been told all sorts of wild stories, and he hadn't found much basis for believing it. He turned his head to the physical contact, looking at the merman, corner of his lip twitching. "Why not?"
"Something else to look forward to I see." He wouldn't object to watching, or even holding the weapon himself. It would come down to the moment itself if he'd want to fire it himself or not- "And I can definitely show you how I hunt in turn." Even if not something Jack could replicate, it wasn't something any human would have ever gotten to watch before.
"They certainly are." Little else to do on the open sea when stuck on a moving ship and not much else to do when a coarse was set. Shoulders shrugged, enough to be felt where he was still close to the man. "I have no one to sing for, or with. Don't use it to hunt either," his singing voice with power in it.
"Looks like we are forming plenty of plans for us to do together when you're healed up," he remarked with a nod of his head. That was strange in a way; he thought the merman would heal up and be eager to get out of dodge again. Apparently not so far. "Let's hope there's more than one deer in that case, though I can show you with a rabbit or something smaller too." Maybe let the merman go first.
They were better these days, busying themselves with movies and other such on-board entertainment. They could tap into news and call their families too, if the weather was good enough for it. "Is that what you would want to do with your singing voice? For or with someone?"
"You're in no hurry to be rid of me, so I figure why not make a few plans until you're sick of me?" It was teasing, and he figured if the man was willing to not just rescue him off a beach, he owed him some of his time. It was also rather interesting to spend time with anyone after so long, even if they were human. "We'll just have to wait and see, until then."
Fins flexed a little, tail still curled as he sat in the bed. "It's what it's meant to be used for. Singing is... special, for the most part." Or even defensive if caught by anything that could be affected by the more powerful sort of singing.
"Not particularly in a hurry, no. Just want to make certain you're safe and comfortable here," he replied with a shrug. He knew how confining it might be stuck inside like this, but he hoped that the merman would find it an enjoyable change of pace. "Right now, let's get you healed up and ready to swim safely again." And he could admit that it was nice to have company with no expectations of him.
He noted the way those fins flexed, and he almost reached out to touch them, but he stopped himself. He figured it was rude. "I always found it an annoying part of school," he said with a sigh, though he could sing, just... didn't. Now was even less reason to.
His head tipped a little, he'd been watching Jack closely enough, and for the moment the talk of hunting and his healing was left behind. Instead? Well, he shifted himself on the bed and offered a hand out to take one of Jack's, because he'd noticed that hesitation- "Here, let me see your hand." An easy enough question, right?
"It's how we communicate over a distance at times- the singing. Of course it's at a different sort of pitch that carries through water better, and isn't exactly done with words." More sounds that carried pretty far.
He turned his head to regard the merman behind where he sat, making certain that all was well for the time being. He blinked when his hand was taken, a subtle flinch likely felt, but he also didn't pull away. He was a man who was not used to being touched anymore. "It's not webbed or anything," he joked as he settled his unease to touch and allowed the merman his hand.
"I figured as much. We have land animals that do the same, elephants they are called. It's not singing that we know of, but it's a low resonance that travels long distances." He had a feeling that water made it all the more complicated.
His hold was loose enough he could have pulled back, more his own hand had moved underneath Jack's as an offer to let him guide it. Their hands much the same size, the major difference no just color back the fact there was slight webbing along with claws. "So I noticed," and yet he was guiding Jack's hand, letting it move over black scales with bits of purples and reds near the fins, and stopped it just near a fin-
"You're fine to touch," given permission as well there.
Water did make it a bit more complicated. "We also sing with those we care about, for and with those we love." Not (just) to lure sailors to their deaths.
He allowed the guiding, eyes drawn to where their hands seemed to fit together nicely, and he was keen to see the differences. Webbing yes, but those claws and the fine scales that were a different contrasting colour to his own sun-kissed skin. His fingers flexed when they were brought back to a fin, and he glanced up at the merman's face to make certain it was alright.
Slowly, he dropped his hand to caress that fin, feeling the thin tissue between supporting cartilage. It was smooth and warm, like touching silk. The corner of his lip twitched at the novelty of it all, him touching such a beautiful creature of the sea. "Like silk."
He nodded his head. "So you must sing whenever your family comes back to your territory, yes?" It was interesting to think such an advanced creature of the sea could sing out of love. Sounded like a romance novel.
Those scales on his hands, fine and forming a pattern that went up along his forearm as well like little jewels on their own, a mix of black and those subtle reds and purples. Skin a darker color around them as well. His and left Jack's, letting him feel as he wished freely. Comfortably.
Fins shifted a little under touch, but never away, simply because it had been a while since anyone else had touched. "Strong as well," no matter the scars some of his fins carried, the fact there wasn't more proved that well enough.
He nodded, "It is how they announce their return, and how they know I am still there for them to return to. That all is still well, and safe." Or else he wouldn't be there- a sure sign for them to turn back if he was gone.
He was gentle with his exploration, taking his time since this was likely a once in a lifetime experience. He expected that the spines were hard and maybe had a toxin depending on the part of the body. Right now, everything was just warm and silky, and he could honestly say it was nice to touch this strange exotic creature.
His fingers then played over scars, torn but healed fin edges. He could understand scars, liked to think of the stories that they told. These were battles for survival, maybe a mate or fighting prey. He was positively enchanted. "And beautiful."
He nodded his head, wondering what it was like to be sung to from underwater. It had to have sounded different than air. "Are they set to swing back and check on you soon?"
Couldn't help how he stretched and even leaned a little in to those gentle touches, freely offering himself for that exploration. Relaxed as he could be while sitting there for it- and the scars did tell a story, especially those that crossed in to skin. The fact he was a great deal of muscle under skin and scales as well, meant it did take a lot to put him in to the state he'd been found in-
"Beautiful, huh?" Opening for him to elaborate if he so wished.
Maybe one day he'd know. Shaking his head, "No, it's still far too cold and will be for a while. They've got a good life for themselves elsewhere as well." It took a good long time for them to swing around this way. They likely shouldn't with whatever was going on out there anyway.
He noticed how the merman accepted and even seemed to enjoy his touch, not something he could say happened to him much these days. That reaction allowed him to relax in turn, just letting his fingers play over the fins and then allowing himself to touch the scales along the merman's tail. They felt cool under his touch, smooth but hard.
"Yeah, I meant what I said," he murmured, seeing no reason to clarify further or withdraw the comment either. He supposed he was committed now.
Too cold, huh? Well, he supposed if they were used to migrating, they were doing what they could to avoid the winter cold waters. "How often do they come this way? Once a season or whenever they can?" Which might mean years, he realized.
"Don't think any part of me has been called that for a long, long time." Tone soft, and maybe he was leaning a bit more heavily against Jack while still allowing him to touch, never stopping him from playing fingers over fin or scales. Nothing but encouragement to get his fill of touch if he so wanted. Just made it very clear he was relaxing in to it.
While letting him leave 'beautiful' at just that.
His eyes closed. "Whenever they can. I don't believe I'll be seeing them anytime soon, they left while the waters were still warm this last visit." Just how it was when he chose to stay here.
"Sounds like you need to socialize more then," he replied, corner of his lip twitching in a smile. Maybe they both needed to socialize at this point, but this was an oddly quiet moment between them. They had only met hours ago and yet here they were leaning on each other as his fingers continued to stroke over the scales of the merman's tail, letting his nails glide occasionally over them.
He nodded his head, finding some agreement in the idea of seeing family in future. Nothing set. He should go home, but he still hadn't for a good while. "Well, I'm sure you'll enjoy them when they do make their rounds up here again. Until then, we have to get you healthy again for the next future visit of unknown time."
He snorted a bit, "Maybe. You're good enough of a start, I think." His head had tipped just enough to easily rest slightly against Jack's shoulder as well with that lean, relaxed and allow for all of that touch. Long hair falling a bit, but not in the way of anything, and it seemed like he could stay like that as long as he was allowed. If he was allowed.
"Hopefully it isn't until after whatever it is out there has passed." Gone. He'd hate to find out what could happen otherwise, more so if he'd barely made it out alive.
"Yeah, I know that feeling. I tend to keep to myself," he murmured, tipping his head a little even if his fingers continued to move along the hard smooth scales. It was a nice feeling to touch someone else, to have it welcomed on both sides. His other hand rose to gently card his fingers through that long hair, moving it back to tuck behind the merman's ear.
He nodded his head, already planning on pulling a few contacts to give him an inside scoop on what might be out there. "We'll have to wait and see. Right now, you just need to concentrate on healing up."
"Easier at times," a lower hum. He didn't move away when he felt fingers move in to his hair, just cracked an eye open for a moment as the corner of his mouth twitched briefly. Tucking hair behind his ear revealed that even it was a little finned, sharing that red color from pointed tip to where it blended in to tanned skin.
That eye closed again, remaining relaxed there as he was. "You're right, yeah." Wait and see, and hope that they were far away from here. They might not be as lucky as he was and that, well....
"Most times, really. Everything is less complicated in isolation," he said with another small shrug of his shoulders. It was only bad because they were social creatures, and there were definitely times he needed some interaction to drag him out of his own head. Maybe that's why it was nice to have a guest who seemed to be in the same kind of social predicament as he was. Both chosen.
He nodded his head, fingers playing over the fin carefully. He didn't stay long stroking that ear, finding it a touch too on the intimate side. "I'll look into the matter, see if some buddies of mine have heard anything. I don't want you going back out there if it means you'll be attacked and hurt again."
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2020-03-13 04:47 pm (UTC)He nodded his head and moved to sit on the edge of the bed, looking around his sparse and clean bedroom. Like anyone could live here. "That's all we can do, right? Make up for the wrongs of the past."
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Date: 2020-03-13 11:21 pm (UTC)"It is, in many ways, better than doing nothing at all. Things may not be undone, but it means it can be recovered from with time." Like anything else, even if it's just new growth over what was lost.
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Date: 2020-03-14 03:27 am (UTC)He nodded his head, in agreement. They had to do their part given how much they had messed things up as it was. "Time will tell how well we do. New technology is coming out every day that is based towards cleaning up our waterways and oceans."
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Date: 2020-03-14 07:56 pm (UTC)Interesting question- "Yes, all of us sing. Only some have any power to it, while the rest use it as part of story telling, or just to try and keep entertained on longer trips."
Time would tell. "Finding out how important the waters are, and wanting to save them."
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Date: 2020-03-14 08:09 pm (UTC)"I figured as much. So at least those stories are correct," he reflected, noting how the merman had shuffled closer to where he sat. "I expect you have powers for your voice, yes? Going to lure me into my own bed?" He issued a soft laugh, though it was kind of stupid given he was already sitting on his bed. Oh well.
Water is important. We need it to survive. All of us."
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Date: 2020-03-14 08:59 pm (UTC)His nose wrinkled, amusement clear in his eyes at the very least. "Perhaps a little correct, but not overly so. Tales do warp overtime, right?" But there was a second of thought, as if debating something as he leaned a little to where an arm brushed against Jack. "I clearly do not have to sing for that- but there is when I will it so. I do not sing much anymore." If at all.
That was very true.
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Date: 2020-03-14 09:10 pm (UTC)"Especially sailors. They are drunk an awful lot," he said with a deep sigh. He had been told all sorts of wild stories, and he hadn't found much basis for believing it. He turned his head to the physical contact, looking at the merman, corner of his lip twitching. "Why not?"
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Date: 2020-03-14 10:12 pm (UTC)"They certainly are." Little else to do on the open sea when stuck on a moving ship and not much else to do when a coarse was set. Shoulders shrugged, enough to be felt where he was still close to the man. "I have no one to sing for, or with. Don't use it to hunt either," his singing voice with power in it.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-14 10:31 pm (UTC)They were better these days, busying themselves with movies and other such on-board entertainment. They could tap into news and call their families too, if the weather was good enough for it. "Is that what you would want to do with your singing voice? For or with someone?"
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Date: 2020-03-14 10:58 pm (UTC)Fins flexed a little, tail still curled as he sat in the bed. "It's what it's meant to be used for. Singing is... special, for the most part." Or even defensive if caught by anything that could be affected by the more powerful sort of singing.
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Date: 2020-03-14 11:30 pm (UTC)He noted the way those fins flexed, and he almost reached out to touch them, but he stopped himself. He figured it was rude. "I always found it an annoying part of school," he said with a sigh, though he could sing, just... didn't. Now was even less reason to.
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Date: 2020-03-14 11:44 pm (UTC)"It's how we communicate over a distance at times- the singing. Of course it's at a different sort of pitch that carries through water better, and isn't exactly done with words." More sounds that carried pretty far.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-14 11:57 pm (UTC)"I figured as much. We have land animals that do the same, elephants they are called. It's not singing that we know of, but it's a low resonance that travels long distances." He had a feeling that water made it all the more complicated.
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Date: 2020-03-15 12:14 am (UTC)"You're fine to touch," given permission as well there.
Water did make it a bit more complicated. "We also sing with those we care about, for and with those we love." Not (just) to lure sailors to their deaths.
no subject
Date: 2020-03-15 05:09 pm (UTC)Slowly, he dropped his hand to caress that fin, feeling the thin tissue between supporting cartilage. It was smooth and warm, like touching silk. The corner of his lip twitched at the novelty of it all, him touching such a beautiful creature of the sea. "Like silk."
He nodded his head. "So you must sing whenever your family comes back to your territory, yes?" It was interesting to think such an advanced creature of the sea could sing out of love. Sounded like a romance novel.
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Date: 2020-03-15 10:38 pm (UTC)Fins shifted a little under touch, but never away, simply because it had been a while since anyone else had touched. "Strong as well," no matter the scars some of his fins carried, the fact there wasn't more proved that well enough.
He nodded, "It is how they announce their return, and how they know I am still there for them to return to. That all is still well, and safe." Or else he wouldn't be there- a sure sign for them to turn back if he was gone.
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Date: 2020-03-17 02:11 pm (UTC)His fingers then played over scars, torn but healed fin edges. He could understand scars, liked to think of the stories that they told. These were battles for survival, maybe a mate or fighting prey. He was positively enchanted. "And beautiful."
He nodded his head, wondering what it was like to be sung to from underwater. It had to have sounded different than air. "Are they set to swing back and check on you soon?"
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Date: 2020-03-17 10:30 pm (UTC)"Beautiful, huh?" Opening for him to elaborate if he so wished.
Maybe one day he'd know. Shaking his head, "No, it's still far too cold and will be for a while. They've got a good life for themselves elsewhere as well." It took a good long time for them to swing around this way. They likely shouldn't with whatever was going on out there anyway.
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Date: 2020-03-18 02:02 am (UTC)"Yeah, I meant what I said," he murmured, seeing no reason to clarify further or withdraw the comment either. He supposed he was committed now.
Too cold, huh? Well, he supposed if they were used to migrating, they were doing what they could to avoid the winter cold waters. "How often do they come this way? Once a season or whenever they can?" Which might mean years, he realized.
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Date: 2020-03-18 07:01 am (UTC)While letting him leave 'beautiful' at just that.
His eyes closed. "Whenever they can. I don't believe I'll be seeing them anytime soon, they left while the waters were still warm this last visit." Just how it was when he chose to stay here.
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Date: 2020-03-18 02:04 pm (UTC)He nodded his head, finding some agreement in the idea of seeing family in future. Nothing set. He should go home, but he still hadn't for a good while. "Well, I'm sure you'll enjoy them when they do make their rounds up here again. Until then, we have to get you healthy again for the next future visit of unknown time."
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Date: 2020-03-18 11:12 pm (UTC)"Hopefully it isn't until after whatever it is out there has passed." Gone. He'd hate to find out what could happen otherwise, more so if he'd barely made it out alive.
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Date: 2020-03-25 03:47 am (UTC)He nodded his head, already planning on pulling a few contacts to give him an inside scoop on what might be out there. "We'll have to wait and see. Right now, you just need to concentrate on healing up."
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Date: 2020-03-25 06:59 am (UTC)That eye closed again, remaining relaxed there as he was. "You're right, yeah." Wait and see, and hope that they were far away from here. They might not be as lucky as he was and that, well....
no subject
Date: 2020-03-25 01:38 pm (UTC)He nodded his head, fingers playing over the fin carefully. He didn't stay long stroking that ear, finding it a touch too on the intimate side. "I'll look into the matter, see if some buddies of mine have heard anything. I don't want you going back out there if it means you'll be attacked and hurt again."
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