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

[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.]

[As the mermaid continues to say that it should work soon, Eustace just glances at her before looking back at Tifa.]

We can at least start looking for a place.

Edited 2025-06-10 04:19 (UTC)

Yeah, let's do that. I thought I saw a few quieter spots around... where we likely won't get passed over by anymore giant whales.

[The mermaid calls out trying to help, "There are some quiet gardens if you turn left and go down the avenue..."

Eustace will only look at her before releasing a breath.]

We'll take a look.

[And with that, he holds Tifa close to him as they leave the store and return to the seahorse waiting for them.]

Thank you—!

[Tifa calls out to the mermaid as they swim away, and then proceeds to nuzzle into Eustace's hand again.]

And thank you. You've made all of this so much easier.

[She wishes that she could kiss him right now.]

Not sure what I would've done without you, to be honest.

Be taken as some weird slug's wife...

[There's a weariness in his voice before he holds her closer against him and mounts the seahorse so they can start finding a better place for them to try and rest and unwind with the hope that the potion works soon.]

I'm glad I was around, too. But it's further proof I can't leave you alone.

So protective...

[As much as she teases him for it, she really does appreciate it.

Already, the gardens are coming into view, and Tifa huffs out with a high-pitched sigh.]

Let's just hope that this is the last thing we have to deal with. I just wanted to go shopping...

I know.

[He'll let the seahorse guide them as it finds a trail of sorts to follow, leading them deeper into a quieter and empty part of the gardens. Although calling it "gardens" is strange when instead of flowers it's filled with coral, sponges, anemones, and other aquatic "plant" life instead, with the long strands of kelp and strange structures providing ample cover and privacy for them.

Finding a place where the seahorse can roam and they can sit on what looks to be some kind of arch covered bench, Eustace lets the seahorse loose and swims them over to the bench.]

But this place should be good for us.

Yeah, seems perfect.

[Really, anywhere with some peace and quiet is ideal, and it's honestly really pretty? Certainly not like any of the gardens that they have been able to visit before!

And once Eustace has settled in, she shimmies across his hand.]

Think you can lift me a little closer for a sec?

[He'll do as requested, gently lifting her up until she's right in front of his face.]

[As he does, she stretches out, her face moving as close to his as she possibly can, aiming for his nose.

If he just moves a little closer, she'll be able to tap the end of it with her face. A little boop, like a kiss...

And then she'll wait, holding her breath.]

Dang it. I thought that might work.

[He feels the boop...but it's like a light brush, a small tickle, and it makes him blink in some surprise.]

Thought what would work?

Well, you know how the story goes with the frog who kisses the princess and he turns into a prince?

[It's a good thing he can't tell she's blushing right now.]

Thought what if the sea bunny slug kissed the prince and turned back into a human, you know?

[She shakes her head.]

It was a silly idea.

Edited 2025-06-10 21:14 (UTC)

[There's a small, quiet huff of laughter as he finally understands before he looks at her.]

Well there's the other way, too, isn't there? The prince kissing the cursed princess?

[With a playful smile he leans in and lightly presses his lips on the top of her head.]

[That little peck on top of her head makes her body sink into his hand, melting like putty into a flat pancake with ears. She might even feel a little warmer in his palm.]

Ah, is that the twist here?

[She waits, and when nothing happens immediately, her ears droop.]

Think you might need to try—

[POOF!

In a burst of magic and bubbles, one moment Tifa is sitting in Eustace's hand, their faces inches away from each other and the next?

...

Her tail is coiled around him as she appears on his lap, the tips of their noses touching, just a hairsbreadth between them.]

[He was ready to give her another little kiss when he's caught by surprise by the sudden change from a little sea bunny slug to a human face. For a moment he can only stare wide-eyed before a smile slowly forms.]

So... Guess it really did work.

[His lips brush against hers as he speaks in a low voice, his eyes never leaving their focus on hers. As if he's committing to memory how her face looks again after not seeing it for too long.]

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