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

[Before the old whale can say anything more, Eustace releases a small exhale and gently put his hand beneath Tifa's bubble.]

We're here to buy some ingredients for a potion that would help change her back.

[However, that might not have helped, either, as the whale's small eyes narrow.

"Oh? Did ye get caught in the trap then? Tch, then serves you right! Already showing your true colors, trying to trick me, are ye!?"]

[Okay, maybe that was the wrong call on both of their parts, but she's tired of people accusing her boyfriend of keeping her as a pet!?

So, she takes a deep breath and gives the whale her most imploring, pleading look. Not that she can see any of it, but she tries to make herself look extra cute. Whether it's working or not, she'll have to find out.]

Sorry about that... I didn't know...

[No, you know what? She shouldn't have jumped to so many conclusions, but she's going to find her thread of patience, short and frayed now as it is, and try again.]

Anyway. Um. We made it through the maze, if that's what you're talking about, but I think I was sold a faulty potion by the sirens? Or... maybe I had a reaction to it? I don't know, but...

[Tifa's ears tap tap tap together.]

We came from Sandra's apothecary, if that helps at all.

[The whale taps her fin against the table, eyes still narrowed. "So ye made it through the maze, did ye? And still, ye got yerselves caught in this right mess? And what exactly do ye have Sandra doin'?"]

Edited 2025-06-02 20:39 (UTC)

[Eustace just maintains an even countenance.]

To help change her back. She was able to confirm that it was magic from the potion, nothing else.

[The whale still looks at them suspiciously.

"Fine, show me the list. And know it won't come cheap."

Well. It's progress? As he hands out the list and the whale looks at it all, she tuts again after noticing they got help from the other mermaid.

"Soft hearted lot they are, should learn from their cousins... You wait right there and don't THINK about touchin' any of my wares!"

With a grumble that whale looks to see what she has.

Meanwhile, Eustace will put some respectable distance back and hold Tifa close to him.]

...Worse than I expected.

[It's a good thing that she can't see Tifa's face, or the way she is shooting this whale a glare for her horrible customer service. She lowers her voice in turn as she's brought back closer to Eustace so that she can whisper to him.]

Don't know why, but I was expecting someone a lot nicer with a name like that.

[A glance over to make sure that she is out of earshot. She's willing to let a lot slide, but rude people trying to sell her things is not one of them.]

A wonder anyone is brave enough to come around and buy her stuff...

She did warn us that she was more hostile towards outsiders, and wasn't wrong about that.

[And as if to answer Tifa's question, the moment a whalefolk shows up to pick up an item, the old granny is all kind smiles and chatting them like old friends.]

[Tifa narrows her gaze.]

It's not as if we didn't make it through that maze, or we aren't trying to help... I get that they're wary to outsiders, but no need to be rude about it.

Would you feel friendly if most of your species was hunted down by people who lived on the surface?

[Honestly, he can't blame them, or that old whale at all. So as much as he'd like to side with Tifa...]

Considering her age, too... Wouldn't be surprised if she experienced something personal herself.

[She sighs, a little defeated.]

Well, no. But I still wouldn't be rude to anyone. It's not like we did anything, so making other people pay the price for someone else's misdeeds seems a little unfair, doesn't it?

[The brands that they were all given and had to suffer through for that first month are a perfect example of that, but...]

It's something that they can control.

[A low hum.]

Maybe so. But as they say, once bitten, twice shy.

[It might be because he can understand that sense of distrust. The hurt and pain that carries over, how it raises one's bars even against those who are wholly innocent. Is it right? No.]

Not that it's an excuse, but we're in their territory and they don't know who to trust. Even with the trial of the maze, there's enough prejudice to cloud their reasoning. At least she's helping and looking for the items.

[It's taking longer, in part because other whalefolk stop by for one reason or another. Some to give her some gifts, others for trade. Although it would be better if she focused on their tasks, she does immediately return to searching through her goods once the sudden business is over—even if it's with a scowl on her face and occasional glances at them.]

I get that, but two wrongs also don't make a right.

[Yes, they are in her territory, but some people might be less inclined to help the whalefolk if they were met with the same attitude.

She doesn't argue the point much further, though.]

I just don't see any point in being hostile from either side. Most of us are just here to help, and the people who are aren't the ones who did anything wrong. We should all at least be trying to make nice for Elah's sake...

She could also be just old and cranky.

[A light smile as he lifts her higher.]

Like a certain little bunny.

What?

[She bristles. Quite literally. Like a small hedgehog that is looking to defend itself against a big scary threat.]

I am neither old nor cranky!

[A pause.]

Alright, maybe a little cranky, but can you blame me!?

[He pets her little bubble.]

Not really, no.

[He's certain he'd be a bit sour and even more cold silent if he were stuck in some form against his will. It's also not often he sees her grumpy like this, so it's both a little surprising but also... Kind of cute. Especially because she's so small.]

But... I do think there might be something we can do to ease the tension... If you're up for it.

[She is small but mighty!!!

But there is the tiniest tip of her ears in curiosity.]

Oh? I'll be surprised if anything works, but what do you have in mind?

[He holds her up a little close and looks at the granny now talking with someone else again.]

They keep asking about her back... And someone said they would get some kind lotion made for her later... It sounds like she may have some sore muscles and barnacles bothering her.

[Invisible eyebrows raise.]

And you think that we can help her with that? Would she even want our help?

[A small shrug.]

Maybe not, but couldn't hurt to try.

[Well now for the real question—]

What exactly do you have in mind?

[A low hum.]

I think just the effort might be enough... But maybe if you crawled along her back without the bubble? Then we could look for the ingredients for the lotion along with what we still need and you could give her a proper massage once you turn back.

Me? Crawl on her back?

[Tifa laughs a little at the image of that.]

I'm so small, I doubt she'd even feel me...! [She casts a wary glance at the whale.] But I guess we could give it a try. Or at least make the offer.

Worth a try. Worst she'll do is refuse.

[A small shrug, and it looks like she's finally finished because she's glaring at them before waving a fin. Seeing this, Eustace will swim them over and the whale will set down the bag with a loud thud.

"Some of these are the last of my stock, so be grateful."]

We are. Truly. Thank you for finding them for us.

[She puts on her nicest voice despite this very short thread of her patience.]

["Yeah, well. Money's money."

Tifa glances at Eustace then.]

We couldn't help but overhear...

[The old whale is already looking annoyed at the though they were eavesdropping, so Eustace just continues.]

You have a sore back and an issue with barnacles.

[The whale just glares at them.

"And? What's it to you?"]

Well.

[Tifa starts out slowly, trying to be careful about her choice of words and tone.]

I think we have a few ways that we can help with that. Especially if you can help us change me back. But even before that, I've got some ridges on my body that could loosen some of them.

[She gives a wiggle of her ears.]

And turning me back, I'm really good at massages.

[The whale stares at them for a moment, eyes narrowing. "And why would I trust you to take care of it?"]

No one else seems to have been able. The materials you need are found in smaller crevices that most whalefolk can't get through, aren't they?

And I can already pay for everything, so there's no other real benefit in our offer other than just to prove that you can trust us.

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