escordvi | closed 🌠⚡ it's far too easy to miss the beauty in the simple things

[The whale looks down at her, and Tifa feels herself shiver under his scrutinizing gaze...

...

And for a moment, she thinks that he is about to deny them, so she quickly speaks up.]

Think there might have been something wrong with the potion, so we just need a healer or a potion-maker's help... if you know where we could find one.

[The whale narrows his eyes, then looks at Eustace. "Not often we hear about that happening around here..." Another suspicious look between them. "But there is a potion shop down the way, turn left at the fork by those blue corals over there and you'll find them."]

[He can sense the guard's suspicion but remains steadfast.]

Understood, thank you.

[He will also not wait and just swim right past, surprising the guard as it shouts for them to wait, but Eustace just keeps going. They're not being chased, so they must have passed somewhat.]

It's going to be like this everywhere...

Even in the shop, you think?

[Of course it will be. She'd be a fool to think that it wouldn't, and her little squeak at least says that much.]

... They have every reason to be upset, though.

They do.

[There's a heaviness in his voice at that and he sighs.]

You've probably heard from Cloud all the things we've seen...

Only a little...

[She didn't really ask, but she didn't need to.]

The stories spread pretty quickly too, though.

[A small nod.]

So you're right, can't really blame them for how they are after everything. Not sure how we can prove on their side, though.

Just gotta show them how cute and pitiful I am like this... Maybe they'll feel sorry enough that they'll come around.

[And as they come up to the blue corals, Tifa sticks her head out.]

Think he said this was the way, yeah?

Edited 2025-05-26 01:48 (UTC)

Left at the fork.

[And when he turns down it they will be able to see a store not too far down with telltale "potions" signage.]

Think you could pull cute and pitiful?

[She scoots up again, sliding with little squeaks bit by bit until she comes into clear view.]

What, you don't think I could pull it off? Look at me!

[And she'll let her ears wiggle and then droop, and her body flattens like a pancake against the inside of the shell. She's giving him cute puppy eyes as well, but they are so small that he can't see them.]

[Even though he can't see them, the rest of her is portrayed well and he can't help but laugh a little as he holds her up closer.]

Hmmm, it's very pitiful and cute, true. So much so I'm afraid someone might steal you if they see it...

Now why would anyone steal a little rabbit-shaped slug like me?

[She may be cute, but she feels totally useless right now... Of course she doesn't say anything about that, but it is quite the bummer...]

What are they going to do?

You already had one try to take you as their wife.

[A small tap to where her nose would be.]

[She gives a small squeak back at him.]

That was different.

[Was it? Not really, but whatever!!!

Anyway—there's a small door carved into one of the very large corals with a painted sign, although a touch faded, on top with what looks to be a potion bottle.]

Ah, look. That might be the shop up there?

[Just eying her... She's his little bunny slug, no one else's!!!

But he will nod as they approach the shop, and dismounting the seahorse where it will wait for them, he walks up to the door.]

Judging from the size, this may be a merfolk...

[Given that all other doors are huge to accommodate whalefolk.]

Might have a better chance if so.

[Could technically be a small whale person, but... They won't know until they try. So he'll hold Tifa close as he opens the door and swims in...]

[At that thought, Tifa's stomach drops just slightly. Merfolk or a siren, she thinks to herself, and remembers what had happened the last time they had to deal with one. While the potion did help in the end, yes, everything else leading up to that was unhelpful, and she would like to avoid making deals with another if she can help it...

The problem is that most of them look like regular folk, mer- or not.

When they enter the shop, they are greeted by a dim room filled with bits and bobs and bottles that float in the water over the "shelves" of corals. Not that they do much when nothing stays on them. In the back is a young mermaid sorting through bottles behind the counter, humming to herself and not noticing that anyone has even come in.]

... Just stay alert.

[Just a low hum as he only glances at the items in the shop before going straight to the counter.]

Are you the owner of this store?

[Startled, the mermaid almost drops the bottle she was holding before she looks over at them.

"Y-Yes? How can I help you?"

She seems friendlier at least... Although still wary, Eustace moves closer to the counter.]

Is it common for someone to turn into an actual sea creature when taking a potion meant for merfolk transformation?

[Well. At least she doesn't seem like the siren is also Tifa's first impression, but she huddles into the shell anyway when the mermaid looks at her.

"Not common, no... but it has been known to happen." She raises her brows. "What happened, exactly?"

And when Tifa peeks her head out, the shopkeeper is startled and almost drops her potion again. "Oh my! It's so tiny!"]

Edited 2025-05-27 00:51 (UTC)

[Not wanting to give too much information just yet, Eustace will keep Tifa close to him.]

She started as a mermaid, but then suddenly turned into... This. Anything you can do to change her back into a mermaid?

[Not back to normal because that would be. Very bad.]

[She isn't sure why, but that protective aura about him is... kind of a relief. One that is short-lived as the mermaid stares at them, humming in thought.

"Well... changing her back would require another potion, unless you want to wait it out, but it could take hours or could take days to wear off."]

We don't have days!

[No way she's staying down here longer than this!! And in this form!?]

What do you need for the potion and how long would it take?

[The mermaid hums for a bit, her tail idly swaying in the water.

"Not too much, the ingredients are easy to get either in the market or just outside of town. But it would take me an hour or two—I have other orders I need to fill first."

...Well, he can't really argue about that. As much as he'd like Tifa to be treated right away, at least knowing it can be is enough to ease his mind.]

We'll get them.

[Of course it had to go that way. She really shouldn't be surprised, and yet, she is a touch disappointed. Then again, it would have been too easy if they just had a potion readily available, wouldn't it? It's not every day that people drinking potions to give them fins...

Still, she huffs out a little sigh.]

Well, I guess it's better than nothing.

[The mermaid gives them a sheepish look. "At least you can do some sight-seeing while you're down here waiting... Visit the whales if you're so inclined."]

[...Hm. At least she seems honest and isn't trying to pry or tease them for anything. So he'll relax a little and nod.]

We might just do that.

[The mermaid sets down the bottles and pulls out some waterproof parchment to start writing with special squid ink.

"I can also give you something to help your, um, friend. Something to help protect so she's not so easily lost while you're out."]

... It's not a bubble with a string attached to it, is it?

[Like a balloon.

The mermaid laughs apologetically at them. "Well... There are a few ways, but that's the most common, and safest."]

What other options are there?

[The mermaid hums.

"Some have used shells like you have, jars, other containers..."

There's another apologetic look as... Well, none of them are much better.]

... Wow.

[She doesn't even try to hide her shock.]

All of these sound terrible. Worse than the bubble.

... But I guess if we don't have much of a choice?

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