musetime | When I let the water take me

When I let the water take me

[Keith ran a hand through his hair as he slipped his sandals off and stepped onto the sand. It's been awhile since he had really walked onto the beach. It wasn't that he didn't, but that it was usually only a quick trip to look out before returning. This time, he was walking near the shore and giving himself a breather. He pulled his hair out of the messy ponytail and put the hairtie onto his wrist before fetching himself a cigarette and his lighter.

Fall weather was already settling in, but he was shrugging his plain robe off his shoulders and enjoying the gentle breeze against his skin before lighting the cigarette.

He had been very busy.

Taken in by a couple who worked in kimono painting, he had grew up his entire life where he is. Honestly, he hadn't thought that he'd be doing what he did, but he found himself not particularly interested in many subjects and had dropped out of college very shortly. Instead, he had started learning how to make the gorgeous textiles his adopted parents did for a living and found enjoyment in there.

It wasn't that he didn't mind city life. He enjoyed it, and they lived close enough that he could go into the city by train. There was just something nice about living where he did. The quietness of it and the amount of freedom he had wandering. Keith had access to the ocean and the mountains and that also meant the forest too. It was nice.

Keith took a long drag before exhaling. It was rough. Being raised by them meant nothing when it came to apprenticing. They were strict and harsh and it was a lot of work, but apparently he had the skills and the passion. Enough that they were pleased with his work to be included in actually fulfilling orders. It's why he's taking a bit of a break now. They've been figuring out what colors they wanted to go with all day and he just needed a bit of some fresh air.

He also missed the ocean. The sailboat that they owned hadn't been used recently with the amount of work they had. Maybe after this order he'd have time to go out.

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[Keith continues to wade a bit into the water. Not too far in. It's too cold for that and he doesn't want to get his shorts wet. It's probably dangerous too, but that has never stopped him.]

Well, I don't know if you missed me or even cares, but I missed you. City is fun, but it's not my thing.

[He looks over his dwindling cigarette.]

I guess I felt drawn back here. It's nice here. Feels like you'll always listen to me.

[He pauses a bit. He thought he saw something glint out of the corner of his eye.]

[he will listen, always, always. add he talks, the water almost seems to curl around his legs, swirling and drawing closer to his skin.

[don't show yourself, he hears in the back of his mind. he's human, you can't reveal yourself.

[but he doesn't go deeper. he doesn't hide. he skims the surface and his back breaks it slightly, exposing where skin meets scales.]

[There's the bright laughter, like he can tell the ocean seems to enjoy his presence. That there's something special between him and the water.]

I should go sailing soon. Maybe after this big order.

[He's taking another drag, but the glimpse where the water breaks has him dropping his cigarette and coughing out smoke. Okay, he's not tired enough to be seeing things.] Wha-

[when he starts coughing, lance knows it's too late to go back. that laughter has drawn him in closer, and he's too far gone now. his stomach is practically grazing sand when the surf pushes in, water swelling enough to get the bottom couple of inches of keith's shorts wet, as lance circles around him in the water.

[there's not really any way he's hiding that. his scales and skin tone are far too different, and the water is far too clear.]

[Keith's body goes rigid and he's tense. There isn't fear though. For whatever reason he doesn't feel like he has to be scared. He definitely was on the defensive though. It's not very often one is suddenly being circles by a...merman? Yeah, he isn't sure what to feel or think.

He tries to take a few tentative steps back towards the shore.]

[he doesn't stop him, necessarily, though the water does seem to have a current that shouldn't be natural, lightly urging him to stay. lance stops in front of him, and even goes as far as to lift his head out of the water. his eyes practically glow, and the scales cover a good portion of his cheeks and forehead, leading to the long, finned ears.]

[There's a small yelp as he ends up stumbling backwards and he ends up falling back. The water is cold and he shudders a bit, but his mind isn't on the cold. It's on the person in front of him. If he could call them a person.

He just stares at the other.]

[oh, he does not look comfortable. lance stares at him, rising up to his shoulders and watching him for a moment.]

You're scared.

I don't know if scared is the right word.

[Well, yeah. The water is frickin' cold. Of course he's not particularly comfortable.] Surprised. Taken aback. Shocked because there's some mer...man right in front of me.

Not exactly something you expect everyday.

Do you want me to leave?

[he says it with the curiosity of a creature who's not at all expecting this kind of reaction out of him. he is, though.]

It's a public place. I'm not gonna tell you to leave.

[He lets out a bit of a huff.] I said I was surprised, is all. Besides, aren't you supposed to not show yourself to humans or whatever? Isn't that a creature thing?

.. You're handling this pretty well.

[he smiles, eyelids lowering.]

I thought you wanted to talk to me.

There's not much I can do now with you existing. Freaking out would be a waste of energy.

[And for whatever reason, Keith didn't feel panicked with the other being there.

He does flush a little.] Were you listening to me the entire time?

Maybe.

[yes.]

Do I feel familiar to you?

You do.

[A pause and a slight frown.]

But why?

That's a secret.

[the smile on his face says it doesn't have to be.]

I'm not gonna wrestle an actual answer out of you.

[He moves to get back to his feet, shivering a bit. It's chilly and his shorts are wet and that's really all he has on with his robes and sandals still on the shore.]

And I have work to do.

It's too cold for swimming.

[he sinks into the water a bit.]

I guess you don't have to spend time with me.

It is. I'm freezing.

[He tilts his head as he regards the other curiously.] If I don't finish my tasks today, I'll be behind to paint tomorrow.

I can't stay on the beach.

Well, when do you stop working?

[he tilts his head to the side.]

When I decide that I've done a suitable amount of work for the day. It's not like a normal job where I have set hours.

Why do you wanna know?

[He's not sure why the other seems to have so much interest in him.]

Because I want to see you again.

[he's direct at least.]

[It catches him completely off guard honestly. It takes him a moment to actually answer as he looks at the other in surprise.]

Why?

[He shakes his head a bit.]

If you really want my company, it's not like we don't allow guests. Although, I can't imagine getting around on land as you are would be easy. Nor would it be taken as gracefully by most others.

Mmm, I guess so...

[he doesn't answer why. but he sinks back into the water and just... disappears. immediately.]

[Keith watches him disappear before shrugging and getting out of the water. He should hurry back home so he can change and warm up. It'd be inconvenient if he got sick. He picks up his discarded robe and slips his sandals on, glancing back at the water for a moment.]

Huh...

[He shakes himself out of his thoughts and heads back home. He isn't sure who that was, but he wonders almost if it was all real. Humans shouldn't meet beings like that, right?]

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