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

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?

[The mermaid bows her head apologetically.

"Part of it is without knowing what was used in the other potion, there's a risk of side effects if we use other magic carelessly. But the bubble is safe! It will be sturdy and won't get caught so easily in a current so you won't have to worry about floating away..."]

Hold on. If you already know solutions, doesn't that mean this happens often enough?

[There mermaid clears her throat at Eustace's sharp observation.

"I did say it happens sometimes... But it's also not unusual for someone to be directly cursed as a small animal."

At Eustace's sharp glare she frantically waves her hands.

"Because of the whales! You saw their maze. One common defense mechanism is to transform hostile threats into small creatures..."]

But we made it through the maze without any problems... It was only after that the magic backfired. Or worked as intended...

[Because there's a very real possibility that it was, given that they had gotten it from sirens above water.

To that, the mermaid nods. "That is possibly true. It's impossible to tell without getting the potion, but I assume you've already drank it all."

Tifa nods back.

"Well, regardless, the cure works for most transformations so at worst, you'll just have to go back out and get me some new ingredients for a different one if this one doesn't."]

[A small sigh, but...]

Can't be helped then. You said the bubble will be hard to pop... Can she still get out?

[The mermaid nods.

"It won't pop easily, but she can easily get in and out of it no problem! It will be attuned to her essence so it will be like slipping in and out of a dress. Here."

Light shimmers from her fingertips and with a wave of her hand a translucent bubble forms.

"Try pushing against the bubble to enter. Once you do that, it will be locked to you. I can also change the bubble's color to help make it more distinguishable, or even—"

With a playful smile, she waves her finger and the bubble now has bunny ears.]

Edited 2025-05-27 17:35 (UTC)

[Okay, well. That was pretty impressive, even Tifa has to admit! And it's a good thing that no one can see the way her eyes widen in awe when the bubble shifts to pop a pair of bunny ears atop it.

There's a stretch of silence, and then a high-pitched siiigh.]

I guess it's not so terrible...

[She looks up at Eustace to see what he thinks.]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject