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

I could go back on your head, if you want. Was pretty comfortable up there.

[A quiet laugh.]

If that's what you want.

[He'll go ahead and raise his hand up there so she can swim down onto it.]

Glad you're not a bird or you might have tried to make a nest...

[She darts from his hand into his hair, right to the spot between his ears where she can get nice and snug, and he'll feel her burrowing a little, getting herself tucked away so that she doesn't move quite as much.]

Who's to say that I haven't already tried? Good thing you can't see your hair right now.

[Annnd she flattens against the top of his head, allowing his hair to drape over her body.]

But I'm good now. Let's finish this job and get me back to normal... please.

[He glances up and just shakes his head a bit. Not enough to jostle her free, but enough to shake her around a bit.]

You'll have to fix it later.

[And then a chuckle as he swims towards the reef where they will have to hunt around for the right kind of coral described on the paper. It will take a bit, but with their combined efforts they finally spot it and Eustace is able to carefully take a piece off without damaging the rest too much. After double checking they've collected everything, he quickly swims back to the seahorse where they make their way in town to the mermaid's shop to get both the lotion and the potion made.

"Oh wow, you managed to convince Ol' Maura!? With this you'll definitely be remembered as a favorite for sure~ Just give me a little bit and I'll be able to make both of these."]

Somehow.

[Tifa lowers her voice at the mermaid.]

Helped get some barnacles off her back, so she did us a favour in return.

[The mermaid chuckles softly. "Ah yep, the whales do have that. They've been especially bad lately, and with them being so stressed out, they start to build up, you know? I'm more surprised she trusted you to do that than anything." She holds up the ingredients. "Now, wait right here while I go and prep these."

And as she swims away, Tifa shuffles forward on Eustace's head.]

Now let's hope it actually works... After this, it's back to Maura's shop with the lotion, yeah?

Mm.

[He floats over to a place where they can rest for a bit. It's strange to think that one would sit underwater, but there are chairs and tables so he goes to one of those. If Tifa wants down he'll gladly offer his hand to do so.]

Hopefully she won't be upset seeing you no longer a little slug.

[She does, but she will do so by wiggling out of his hair and starting to slide down his forehead....]

The whale? I did promise her an actual massage when I was my normal self again for those back problems, didn't I? I plan on keeping that promise.

[Catch her, she's about to fall.]

Though, she might benefit from some proper stretches too. If she isn't too stubborn to take my advice.

[Might have an easier time with the barnacles too.]

[...Tifa. Tifa what are you doing...

He's going to stare at her a little cross-eyed because what.]

Hard to imagine a whale doing stretches.

[But he will catch her, silly bunny.]

[She is being cute and independent!!! Look at her go!]

Why's that? They would just move their fins around like arms the same way we do.

[A thoughtful pause.]

Honestly, with their size, it makes me wonder if that's something that would be beneficial to them. Especially the ones that were hurt...

[Look at her about to fall off—]

Hmmm... They likely aren't exercising as much and growing more stiff that way.

[He smiles at her.]

I think it's a good idea to try.

Maybe if I can convince one of the more stubborn ones to do it, then I can convince the others. Teach them a few things before we head back up.

[It's a long shot considering they're whales, but it's something she's willing to try.]

Bet most of them don't even know that they should be if they wanna get better...

Probably.

[He gently pets the top of her head.]

But I think they'll be able to see your sincerity. You did manage to win over that old one.

Which is apparently a feat in itself.

[Tifa laughs, stretching up to nuzzle his hand.

And as she's about to say something more, she hears the mermaid's voice call out to them.

"Oye! All finished with the ingredients! Didn't take as long as I thought it would—these is some high quality stuff."]

[He's smiling down at her when he hears the mermaid's call, and he looks up to see her waving. Glancing at Tifa, he carefully holds her in his hand as he swims over to the counter.]

And there won't be any other side effects...will there?

[She holds out to small bottles that look almost exactly the same, except one is white and the other a blueish green. "There shouldn't be, but with the one for her, it could turn her back right away, and it could not. I'd suggest finding someplace to rest after anyway, I've heard that some people have experienced dizziness after transformation magic."]

That much we can do. It's been quite a day.

[With a smile at Tifa, she then holds out the blue one. "This one is for Maira."]

[Eustace will take the blue one to tuck it away, making sure it won't get confused before he takes the white one that is clearly for Tifa.]

Anything we need to tell her about the lotion?

[The mermaid thinks before shaking her head.

"Just to apply it once a day and you don't need a lot of it. A few dabs on the barnacles and it'll loosen them right up. If they don't fall off on their own, she can just rub them off. The ones that are stuck on harder may need another day or two. But once they're clear, she should spread a little on the spot so they don't come back."

Seems simple enough... So he nods and looks at Tifa.]

Should we go ahead and try the potion here?

[A glance at the mermaid who shrugs, not finding any issue with it. It would make sense in case something goes wrong or there's some unintended side effect.]

Uhh...

[Why is she suddenly nervous about this? The mermaid had said that there was no side-effect to the potion, so what is there to be worried about?]

Yeah, we can try it here. Just in case?

[Sensing her nervousness, the mermaid gives a reassuring smile. "Just a few drops on her back will do."]

[Oh that actually helps because he had started to wonder how Tifa would be able to...drink this like they did the other one. So he'll nod before looking at Tifa.]

...I'll put you on the chair.

[Since on the table is probably...not great and floor is too dangerous.]

O-okay...

[The mermaid gestures to them to go ahead, but she keeps a close watch on the two of them. "I know it's a little scary, but I promise. I've made this potion hundreds of times for situations just like this."]

I'm right here.

[He adds his own words of reassurance before he takes a breath and sets her down on the chair. And once Tifa is ready, he'll carefully pour out a couple of drops onto her.]

[It's a little strange to feel liquid pouring onto her body, but the substance is more like an oil than anything so it slides easily through the water and across her back. She shrivels at the sensation, and it's somehow cold against the bristles, and a little squeak escapes her.

And then they all wait with bated breath...

...

....

Tifa blinks her eyes open.]

Did it work?

[Nope, still a slug.]

[Waiting...waiting... And then a frown as he glares at the mermaid. She quickly raises her hands and waves them.

"It'll work, I promise! Sometimes it takes a while depending on the magic, but no more than half an hour. Hopefully."]

[Tifa sees that look that Eustace gives the mermaid, and she shoots herself up a few inches to try and alleviate some of that tension.]

It's okay. We believe you. I guess we were just hoping that it would work right away.

["Magic is always unpredictable..." She gives them both a sheepish smile.]

[He's still glaring a bit... But he'll relent and look back at Tifa, his hand cupping beneath her before she floats back down.]

What do you want to do?

Well, I guess we could keep looking around some more... Or go find somewhere to rest for a while. I'd like to at least be normal again when we drop the cream off with the whale.

[A sigh as she lands in his hand.]

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