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 Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:24 pm
This thread is dedicated to the evolving relationship between two Mers, Merric and Fisk. The first few posts are an unedited (unfinished! ;.; ) archive of Arpee first written in the summer of 2005 when MoogerMint and I were left without internet for about six months. We needed something to do, our Anthros had yet to make much of an appearance In-Character, and the rest is history... :3 After the archived, Quoted posts will be current RP. Please do not post unless invited, or unless something is worked out via PM. Thanks a bunch. ^^ <3 early summer - October 2005 Fisk skimmed the bottom of the lake’s deep floor, studying the different and numerous plants that grew on the ground floor and rock surfaces. He had grown pretty accustomed to the surroundings of this particular lake’s main area and all the lesser life in it in the short time he was here, but no matter how hard he had tried he had never encountered another anthropomorph or human. He had studied them often enough to learn about most of their behaviors outside the main shop, but rarely did they venture out this far. He continuously found himself pondering whether or not to just swallow his fear of acceptance and venture inside, or at least where others came and went, but always found himself deciding not to at the last minute. He sighed to himself. Why did he never have the nerve to introduce himself to someone?
As he contemplated the matter he suddenly saw something out of the corner of his eye that changed his mood. “Hello, what are you doing down here?” It was a water lily, and in pretty good condition, considering how deep under they were. He picked it up out of the matting of weeds it was embedded in, peeling the petals off of one another to look at its full beauty. “Why is it,” Fisk said to the inanimate flower, “that I can always talk to all you plants, but never anyone else?” He smiled as he kicked his dorsal fin out and headed for the surface, to put the flower back where it should be.Little did Fisk know that not only were there anthropomorphs around, but there were many other mers just like himself. A young green one by the name of Merric loved to explore his new hometown, using his humanlike shape when he needed to, or reverting to the fishlike form when he came across bodies of water. Today his travels brought him to a local lake within sight of the shop. It was in fact along a trail that ran through a park frequented by many of the shop’s residents.
His present form had a dual nature to it. That is, most humans would see just another young man walking along the trail toward the lake. One with certain sensitivities like anthropomorphs and some of their caretakers would see something less “normal,” a young man with strange finlike ears and an abnormal lime-green hue to his skin. His hair, long and platinum-blonde fading to snow-white, partially obscured a pair of striking violet eyes that twinkled with an impish taste for fun and mischief. His pants were a green weave similar in hue to that of his own teal fins, visible had he been in his aquatic environment.
Merric yawned as he came upon a bench overlooking the shallows where some lilies and reeds drifted lazily along the surface of the water. He looked around, feeling the air chill as he passed inside the shadow of a tree and came to rest to look at the scene. It was lovely and peaceful … that is, until a human head and striped fins broke the surface! Blinking in surprise, it was a moment before he could find any words. “You startled me there. Good thing I’m not human…those fins gave you away,” he added with a slight smirk.Fisk came up in a small explosion of waves as he inhaled the air that occupied the upper world’s space. He was completely unaware of the figure beneath the shade of a tree as he carefully released the lily he carried, letting it drift slowly from his fingers. However, the flower’s delicate drifting was broken as Fisk jumped at the sound of Merric’s voice, finding himself struck speechless for a few seconds just as Merric had been moments before. He’s… not human? He’s an anthropomorph just like I am from the looks of it, but nobody I’ve seen before… Fisk found his thoughts jumping in his head like the insects that traveled across the water’s surface, not sure of what to expect from him. He didn’t seem mean in any way, though he had only heard a few words sprout from his mouth…
He snapped his head back to Merric as he realized the silence that he had let drag on. He grabbed his finned ear in embarrassment, noticing he really did give himself away without thought. “Sorry… I guess I really wasn’t thinking about it.” He remembered he really didn’t know who this was he was talking to, but before he could ask he figured he should introduce himself first. That’s what others did, right? “My name’s Fisk. Might I ask who you are? I haven’t seen you about before.”Merric found himself staring dumbly for a moment or two, though perhaps with such vivid and piercing eyes he briefly looked more predatory or judgmental than anything. However, that was not the case, and in fact closer to the opposite. Though a confident and even arrogant Mer, Merric had met few, and befriended even less in the way of anthropomorphs since his arrival in this locale. My brothers don’t count either, he thought to himself, after all, Mel would skin – or scale – anyone who refused to get along.
And so, Fisk found himself under the weight of Merric’s unblinking gaze for longer than would seem polite. Only rapid blinking kept the green Mer’s eyes from drying out, and when it finally clicked in his mind that Fisk was not only being polite, but nice to him, the largest smile that could possibly grace his face seemed to split it in half.
He started forward toward the water’s edge with a spring in his step until he stopped and crouched over the water, the slightest of breezes teasing his long locks of platinum hair as it tumbled behind him. His confidence returned, he smiled with a mixture of pride and friendliness at the striped Mer before him. “I’m Merric, a Mer like yourself though I decided to use my ‘human’ form to travel through the park today. I’m not surprised that you haven’t seen me; I’m new to the area and haven’t made many friends yet. I’m very pleased to meet your acquaintance, Fisk,” he added, his smile radiant as if illuminated from within by the sun itself.Under the weight of Merric’s piercing gaze, Fisk found himself hiding his face in the water, only his moss green eyes and head exposed to the fresh air of the park. I hope I didn’t say anything wrong… Fisk thought, heart pounding in fear. Did I? Maybe I didn’t study other people’s conversation patterns long enough… But what was I suppose to say?
Noticing the smile that grew quite abruptly on Merric’s face, Fisk flicked his finned ears a little in surprise. He didn’t retract his nose from the water, for a sense of protection in case he was reading his reactions wrong, but a relieved sigh escaped his mouth in the form of bubbles that tickled his nose. He watched as Merric came towards the water’s edge, feeling a little nervous as he himself tread water, but relaxed a bit at his friendly expression. He listened to him and smiled, poking his head out of the water again and swimming a little closer to the edge. “And yours, Merric. I’m a bit new here myself and… haven’t made any friends here, either,” he added, embarrassed for a moment. “Guess we’re in the same boat here, huh?” For just a moment, he couldn’t believe it. He was actually getting along with another anthropomorph! “Beautiful day, isn’t it?” he asked, looking around at all the trees that swayed in the breeze.Merric nodded gleefully, the tip of his tongue peeking out from between his teeth. “Oh yes, absolutely gorgeous. I love this park, and you know if you hang around long enough you’ll eventually see other anthropomorphs from the shop, or so my brothers say.” He followed Fisk’s gaze away from the water and watched the trees from a whole new angle. I must come back here sometime just to swim, he decided.
“And I suppose it’s fortunate we found one another,” he said quietly after a few moments. “It’s a good idea for the new folks to stick together, don’t you think? If we make mistakes, no one will know,” he chuckled softly. “I’ve made about two acquaintances besides you, but about as many enemies I think,” he continued with a slight frown. “I guess that’s just the kind of person I am.” He paused, looking down at his hands, then shrugged, smiling again. No sense in worrying about it too much.
“So do you come here to the lake very often, Fisk?” He looked at the striped Mer quietly, genuinely curious.
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Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:41 pm
continued Fisk cocked his head as Merric turned to watch the trees. “Yes, they do come, but not very often. I’ve never actually met anyone before now, but I’ve seen them walk around,” he nodded. He watched a leaf land on the water’s surface and float past. He was easily distracted, but could come back into the conversation just as easily, turning back to Merric as he resumed speaking.
He was a bit surprised when Merric mentioned how many enemies he may have made, and shook his head. “Enemies? You have enemies? That’s rather unbelievable,” he said with a smile. “You’re really nice! I’m actually having fun being around you!” He swam closer to lessen the gap between the two of them, for Fisk thought maybe Merric thought that he was a bit nervous around him. It was true, but that nervousness was quickly dissipating while their conversation dragged on.
Fisk held up a finger to Merric and dunked his head under the water’s surface. Maybe he would cheer up if I showed him that water lily I found before… he thought to himself, hoping his guess was correct. Remembering that he let it go on the surface, he quickly came back up in a splash of water, looking around for it as Merric asked him his question. As he swam toward the found lily, he answered, “Oh, I come here all the time. I love it here, and I can watch others as they come by, too. Do you like lilies?” He came back with the lily scooped in his palms, offering it to Merric. “I found it earlier. How about I give it to you as a sign of friendship? To my first friend!” he said, a wide smile displayed on his face.Merric nodded, realizing that Fisk must have been around long enough to have seen plenty of anthro’s. It made sense. He does seem rather shy, he considered with a smile. “Don’t worry about me. By ‘enemies,’ I meant like ‘friends’ as opposed to ‘enemies.’ I doubt anyone would actually attack me. At least, I hope not,” he chuckled with a mixture of embarrassment and mild nervousness. “It’s just that I can be kind of abrupt with people and my reactions. Not everyone appreciates that.” He smiled and shrugged, realizing he definitely did not mind, nor care. Why would he want to be friends with people who got easily annoyed with him anyway? He was not about to change just to please them…
He grinned brightly, watching as Fisk approached. He himself moved closer, the soles of his shoes skimming the water as tiny waves lapped at them. “I’m having fun too, and I’m very glad you are, Fisk.” He frowned slightly then as Fisk disappeared underwater, looking around as he waited for him to return and wondering what the other Mer was up to. When he returned with the lily, Merric beamed. “It’s lovely! I have always enjoyed flowers of all kinds…” He watched the white petals still wet with lake water, then looked back up at Fisk, blushing faintly, a soft teal dusting his cheeks. “I have nothing to give you in return, but I am most honored to call you my friend.” He began to take the flower reverently from Fisk’s hands when it hit him. Well duh, he thought, a grin dancing across his face as he leaned closer and kissed Fisk gently on the cheek. “Thank you.”Fisk blushed deep pink suddenly, caught completely off-guard by Merric’s act. Nobody had ever gotten this close to him, physically and emotionally, and certainly never kissed him before! He didn’t know how he was supposed to act, so he just stayed put and smiled shyly up at Merric. “I-I’m glad you like the flower,” he added, still unsure of what to say. His heart was racing and he could feel his fingers shaking. He looked down and immediately hid his hands in the water, so as not to draw attention to them. He was not frightened, nor exactly shy of Merric. He didn’t know what to become of this new feeling, but all he did know was that he was overjoyed to become friends with the other mer.
Realizing that neither of them had spoken for a few moments, Fisk jolted himself out of his thoughts once more, afraid that Merric may leave. “So, what other things do you like?” he asked, oblivious to the fact that his face was still painted dark pink. His mind kept dancing around that one moment when Merric had leaned over and kissed him. What exactly did it mean? Was there even a meaning behind it? Maybe he was obsessing over it, but nothing had ever made him feel so lost before.“Other than wandering through the park on a sunny day? Or swimming? Of course I love to swim, though I used to live in the ocean, not a lake.” Just another adaptation he had had to make, that between swimming in salt and fresh water. Certainly other Mer’s ran into that? “Ahm…”
Merric began to weave the lily’s stem through his hair so that it rested comfortably over his ear. The action was mostly to give him a few moments to think of an answer, but he found himself fascinated by Fisk’s reaction to the kiss on the cheek. At the time it had merely been an impulse, but now he was beginning to think that maybe he should not have. Then again, if it had upset him, wouldn’t Fisk have complained, or even left? He began to fiddle with the earrings in his ear, unable to resist the deepening of the flush at his cheeks.
“Er, I really … haven’t thought about it much lately. I’ve been too busy getting used to my new home to get into any hobbies, I guess. Sounds kind of lame, doesn’t it? You probably have some great hobbies though.” His ears drooped slightly and he grimaced, chuckling slightly.“Me?” Fisk asked, pointing a finger at himself. He thought for a moment, but couldn’t think of many hobbies he himself had possessed. He looked away a little and stared at the shore off to the right of Merric. “No… I don’t really have many hobbies either. I usually just like to observe things, like plants and other anthropomorphs and people.” He suddenly jumped and peeked up at Merric carefully. I shouldn’t have said that… Fisk thought nervously. He might think I’m strange. More than anything, Fisk just wanted to feel accepted. He tried to be careful about what things came out of his mouth, but it always seemed to slip his mind when he thought it counted most.
Fisk looked down again toward his shaking hands that were still buried underwater and shook his head. What am I thinking? Merric is more open-minded than that. Even if he did think I was strange, it wouldn’t hinder our friendship. Fisk looked back up to Merric and grinned. “Other than that, not much more than swimming. So if you’re boring, I must be pretty boring myself!” he said, laughing.
He was laughing? He never laughed! Another thing to appreciate about Merric: it brought the best out in Fisk. He looked at where Merric had placed the lily and smiled. “That flower looks good on you. I’m glad I found it this morning,” he said, moving a stray strand of hair away from Merric’s face and behind his ear, to get a better view. He felt a little nervous of doing so, because he never touched another living being for as long as he could remember, but he felt it might settle some of his confused thoughts a bit. He never even remembered his parents, though he never thought they had shunned him. He just never thought about how much he was missing out on the comfort of touch. He also forgot that his hands were still shaking, and pulled his hand away immediately. “Sorry…” he said, holding his hand like he had done something wrong.“Oh, you watch other people?” Merric’s eyes widened with curiosity, for he never seemed to have the patience to just observe people. They always made him nervous, or rather, fill him with a nervous energy, unlike when he was out by himself in the park and felt so peaceful…and now, when he was here, talking with Fisk. “I can’t seem to do that. Maybe…maybe we can do that together sometime. I’d like to go swimming with you too.”
Fisk’s laugh was a beautiful sound, perhaps because it was so little-used, but of course Merric did not know that. That Fisk was being so open with himself would make it difficult for the green Mer to believe. How can such a beautiful person not have dozens of friends? He does seem shy, but I can’t believe no one spends time with him. And yet, something as simple as pushing someone’s hair out of their eyes became so gentle, intimate, and … embarrassing. I’m sorry?
Merric caught the ‘offending’ hand in his hand, getting his hand wet in the process. He lightly hooked his fingers with Fisk’s, hoping to give the other Mer plenty of opportunity to shrink back if he wanted to. “Don’t be sorry, Fisk. I don’t think you’re boring. You are fun and beautiful, and I love your laugh. I am happy that you found this flower, but more so that I happened by today and met you. Thank you for fixing my hair, but if you want to play with it or mess it up, you are welcome to any time. And I meant it when I said I want to share your hobby – but only if you want to – and I would love to go swimming with you too, and if you need me to prove it to you, I’ll change right here in the middle of this park and jump right in the pond.” Merric eyed Fisk with a wild glint in his eye and realized after a moment that he was gripping the other Mer’s fingers rather tightly. With a sheepish laugh, he let go and continued to chuckle and giggle, and finally cleared his throat. “Sorry, got a little carried away there…”
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Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:52 pm
final installment Fisk was slightly shocked, but more relieved than anything. Merric enjoyed his company that much? He looked up at him with slight wonder shining in his eyes. “Really?” he asked with a smile, already knowing the answer. He didn’t even really notice Merric’s tightening grip over his own hand until he pulled it away. Was holding another’s hand always so comforting? Or touching somebody at all? He suddenly felt all his nervousness and negative thoughts flood out of his body and, for the first time since he remembered, flashed a true grin. “Thank you so much. That really means a lot to me, for you to say that,” he said, slight pink creeping into his cheeks again, though this time it was not attributed from his shy nature.
“Can…” he started, looking at the hand Merric had pulled away from Fisk before, “Do you want to come in? There’s plenty of room for you. I can even show you around. Maybe that way you can get used to things easier, with me there to show you.” He realized with a start that he had grabbed Merric’s hand as he had done for Fisk moments before, but instead of releasing it in fear of Merric’s reaction as he would have normally done, he continued to hold it, squeezing it once to let him know that he knew what he was doing. It comforted him immensely, leaving him not wanting to let go. It was a step up from what he was used to, that’s for sure. “I mean, you don’t have to if you don’t want to, but it’s always nice to offer, right?” he said, grinning.“Right now? I’d be delighted to join you, Fisk! It was very kind of you to ask, in fact. I’d never want to trespass upon your pond, after all.” Assuming of course, that it had been claimed by the striped Mer, of which he was uncertain. But invited in and given a tour… “I’ve never been here to swim, so a tour would be wonderful.” Especially with Fisk as tour guide. The hand-holding and extra squeeze were not lost on Merric, all of which made him feel like grinning foolishly and squealing with fits of giggles. That would never do – he would never get offshore at that point. So, instead he smiled happily, with a teal-lavender blush across his cheeks, and lowered himself into the water. When he was about halfway, he transformed, green skin, platinum-locks, teal fins, and all. He chuckled softly, once face-to-face and eye-level with Fisk, and gave the other Mer’s hand a return squeeze. “Here I am, ready to go.”Fisk was astonished. He never imagined what Merric would look like in his full form, but now that he was face-to-face with it, it made him smile. The color of his skin, scales, and fins all blended together and reminded him of some of his favorite underwater plants, but different and elegant all himself. “You’re beautiful…” he said before he even realized it, blushing intensely afterward. He coughed into a balled up fist lightly and quickly changed the subject before his heart decided to pound itself out of his chest. “Just to warn you, this pond is a lot deeper than it looks. Well, here we go!” and with his hand still latched onto Merric’s own, he led him into a dive underwater.
Below the surface, the pond looked as though it were a tunnel leading to the center of the earth, the bottom so far down it was difficult to see. Fisk looked back at Merric, grinning as he said, <> As they headed for the bottom, Fisk pointed out some of the plants that grew along the rock surfaces, very knowledgeable of them, knowing where each one grew.
When they reached the bottom, covered in sand, Fisk stopped and released Merric’s hand for the first time while they were submerged. <> he laughed mentally. <>Merric blinked in surprise at Fisk’s comment. Certainly, under normal circumstances he would be more aware of his appearance - and that he took care to look his best, but today was different. Fisk had turned all of Merric’s attention upon himself. “Oh, well…” he stammered with his mind a-fluster, just in time to be yanked underwater, a welcome diversion.
He nearly missed the first part of the tour as he berated himself for falling apart like he was today. For a moment, that irritation was focused on the form of Fisk beside him, for wasn’t he the reason for this lost self-control? Gritting his teeth and narrowing his eyes slightly, he promised himself not to let it happen again.
Then Fisk turned with a smile, expressing how happy he was to have the green Mer’s company. Abruptly melting all the way to his flukes, Merric silently denounced himself a liar and sighed, a few bubbles tracing from his mouth to the surface of the pond now high above their heads. It’s no use…I am powerless, he realized, feeling almost deflated, like a worn-out air bladder. But, strangely, he did not mind all that much.
Merric shrugged inwardly, smiling at the striped Mer, who reminded him so much of the delicate yet deadly lionfish of the tropics. <> he added with a smile, knowing Fisk was not privy to the thought of lionfish.Fisk seemed a bit oblivious to the thoughts racing through Merric’s head, concentrating on the tour itself. If he had known how much his companion had been beating himself – and the situation – up, he may have blamed himself. But he had high hopes on the matter-at-hand, thinking that bringing Merric into his “home” may entice him to stay friends with Fisk, however he figured that might work.
Fisk turned to where Merric pointed, gathering up all the information he could about the place he had only heard about in stories with excitement. At Merric’s last comment, Fisk turned back to him. <> he asked, not knowing how he should feel about what he had just asked. He was eager to learn about it, but at the same time disappointed that he couldn’t experience it himself, or to learn about how much he was missing out on.
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Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:32 pm
Life around a certain Pocket of the world had been very dark and oppressive lately. Some people can deal with such atmospheres, ignore them, or even thrive within them... but others cannot. Merric was one of these. Depressed individuals began to rub off on him to the point where it made him jumpy and even a little paranoid. After a while and he had learned to break away, and as much as it pained him to leave others to wallow in whatever grief they suffered, and to feel the weight of their silent accusations of being flighty and unreliable. Bleeding hearts sometimes lose ... too much blood.
He felt especially bad for Ignatius - a kindred spirit in many ways - but had no way to comfort him beyond snagging the firecat off on the occasional jaunt through the park.
Merric had been doing a lot of walking and swimming lately. Parks attracted him and he had visited the ocean once or twice, finding the harsh brine almost refreshing, even though he had grown unaccustomed to it.
These activities often reminded the Mer of Fisk, whom he had not seen in quite some time. He often thought back to their first encounter over a year and a half before and remembered Fisk's curiosity about the ocean. He had seemed fascinated by what Merric had described...
Well, he had no idea if Fisk could ever swim in the ocean as a Mer is meant to swim. But he wanted to show him nonetheless. He wanted to show him an estuary... Maybe then, if he could stand the saline waters along the coast, maybe...
If not, there was always the option of SCUBA.
A pristine estuary or rocky reef is beautiful either way.
Smiling to himself as he reflected, Merric really did not worry or wonder where he was going. It was a park setting, he was on a trail; should someone bother him he was more than capable of taking care of the problem. But when he really paused in his musings to take note of his surroundings, he realized that he was in a very familiar place.
This is where Fisk and I first met, he realized with amusement. Perhaps his thoughts had propelled his legs this way subconsciously. He grinned as he gazed at the trees surrounding the half-forgotten pond and the bench that crouched beside it like a lounging cat looking for stray carp. The Mer's steps skipped a little higher as he made his way to the bench and sat down with a sigh. This place felt like... a second home.
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:04 am
The past few months had been rather rough on little Fisk's emotions as he found that he knew little about anyone, a fact that disheartened him. Had he lost his ability to make friends? Had he lost any shred of forwardness he had had from before? He seemed to be more shy than ever, somehow losing his confidence. It didn't help that whoever he had met he had only seen once, spinning the mer into a sort of depression. He wondered if he had been unbearable to be around, and this thought made him think his observations were for naught. Nonetheless, he continued to study the anthros that filed in and out of the shop, taking note of their patterns of conversation and found nothing wrong with the way he had spoken. Was it something else?
In an attempt to regain his confidence, he turned to trying to improve upon his humanoid appearance when out of the water, something he was never able to do quite well enough. He never really seemed to pull it off like he wanted, though, still getting the same results. His finned ears remained as well as the spines and fins on his back. He managed to take away the fins on his arms, but his legs always appeared to be badly scarred from the stripes that were suppose to be there. And to top it all off, he could never stay out of the water for as long a time as the other mers. At most, he could only stand up to three hours out of the water, compared to the six others seemed to be able to do.
"Why can't I be normal!?" he cried, burying his face in his hands as he tried once again to turn "human," coming out with the same results. He sat against a tree facing away from the pond he was usually found at, not wanting anyone to come across him when he was in this frame of depression. Little did he know that Merric was behind him, on the other side of the lake; Fisk was just too caught up in his emotions to notice. His toes dug into the grass as he whimpered, trying to stave off the tears that threatened to become exposed. Why...?
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:18 am
Shin Sawada lightly wagged his tail from side to side after getting familiar to the world again. Somehow his vanishing seemed to take a toll on his brothers and nephews, only by a short landslide. He hadn't seen any of his friends in a long time, but at the same time, he hoped they haven't forgotten him.
Merric had been on his mind throughout most of his life. And over time, he developed a secret crush on him. Why? he thought embarrassed. Maybe I should go and see him again.
He remembered the kindness Merric gave him when they first met at the shop. Not only that, he was also the first person Merric met period. "I wonder how he's doing right now," he said to himself.
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:56 am
A happy smile played across Merric's face as he sat on the bench, looking up at the trees and listening to the birds and breeze. He actually kicked his feet just a little, feeling his mood really begin to lift.
He jumped at the sound of a shout as it echoed out from across the pond. It had a familiar sound to it, but he was so unaccustomed to the state of raw anguish that he simply sat there and stared for a moment or two, hair feeling as if it ought to stand on end were it shorter. He thought he caught a glimpse of someone behind a tree, the shape indistinct and faintly strange, and he found himself torn between leaving to give the other some privacy, and finding his way around the water's edge to see if he could help.
But then he heard the footsteps of someone passing by along the path. They were still somewhat distant and unhurried, giving him and this mystery person some time. Now a new possibility came to mind: distract this new person so they too did not intrude.
That it was none of his business never entered his mind. That and that the person behind the tree might be Fisk, or that the one approaching might be an old friend that he had missed dearly.
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 1:19 am
In the silence that Fisk mulled in, he heard the shifting being in the area behind him and jumped, startled. Someone was there? How long had they been sitting there? His face flushed at the thoughts that raced through his mind, afraid of what they thought. He was always sensitive of the impression that he gave to others, and shivered slightly from fright. This was probably another friend he had just scared away, leaving him alone once more. He clenched his fist and grit his teeth, fighting back his anger and anguish over the matter and how he had handled it.
After a pause, Fisk finally managed to regain some lost confidence, though very few. Grabbing ahold of the shred he felt, he peeked over the side of the tree to inspect who it was. His heart lurched painfully as he saw the unmistakable features of a pale green-skinned mer in human form, realizing immediately who it was. "Merric!" he gasped, pulling quickly back behind the tree. He couldn't let Merric see him like this! What would he think of him? He had probably heard enough to keep him away from the area and Fisk altogether, and he felt the despair well up inside him once more. "Merric..." he whimpered again, digging his fingernails into his thigh as they rested. He wouldn't be able to stand me this way. He liked my smile, right? I'd just drive him away like this... he thought angrily to himself, wishing his fear would just evaporate. I can't even stand myself right now, what makes me think he could? He couldn't stand his depression and shyness, it was almost too much. Surrounded with so much emotion coming from himself he found that all he could do was bury his face in his arms and cry. God, I'm so pathetic. I can't even say 'hello' to my one true friend, the only one that called me a friend back.
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Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 1:31 am
As Shin walked a little further, he stopped for a moment while his sense of smell overtook him. One was very familiar, and the other was not. When his eyes glanced at the figure he smelled earlier, he knew for a fact that it had to be Merric! He grinned happily, having the urge to pounce his longtime friend that he missed talking to so much.
But the other Mer, he couldn't see him but he could definitely hear him. It wasn't too hard for him to tell that the shy one was nervous for some reason. He decided to greet him later whenever he was ready to come out of his hiding place.
"Merric!" he called out to the green Mer.
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Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:04 pm
In turmoil, Merric sat wondering what to do when he heard his name called out in surprise. He tilted his head to determine from which direction it had come and heard what may have been an echo from out over the water. Whomever was behind the tree either knew him, or someone else named Eric. Or perhaps there was another Merric.
Frowning slightly he turned at the approaching footsteps, looking over his shoulder and the bench back to gaze upon... Shin!
"Shin!" He stumbled to his feet, half entangling his legs as he rose. Unable to speak through a sudden fog of shock and delight, the Mer closed the rest of the distance between them, reaching out to the wolf. He rested his hands on Shin's shoulders taking a moment to just look him over, to really know for a fact that he was not dreaming. He had wondered and worried about his first friend in his absence.
"It's been so long..." Dimly, he remembered a certain shyness in the other and let go, fingers trailing along Shin's arms as they came to rest at Merric's side. "Ah... sit with me?" He said with a welcoming smile, hand sweeping over toward the bench.
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Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:54 pm
Fisk's ears twitched to the sounds on the wind as he choked to hold back his sobs. He could hear someone else calling for Merric... but who could it be? He knew it was nobody the striped mer knew, for he knew very little, but was he a friend or a foe? Merric did say he made quite a few enemies... was this one of them?
In complete disregard to how he was feeling previously, Fisk jolted upright to try to hear what was going on. His face was still stained with tears but his expression was intense. He wouldn't allow anyone harm his friend. Leaning over, he peeked his head over the side of the tree once more, his red-brown hair standing out to the greenery, just in time for Merric to reply. His voice held excitement, an obvious dear friend to the green mer. But where did that leave him at the moment? He couldn't just go out now, it would be too awkward. He felt like an eavesdropper on the two, and it ashamed him. Sure, there was nothing out-of-the-ordinary happening that they would be embarrassed if anyone found out about, but it still put him in this position.
He hooked his fingers on the upper part of his ears, folding his palms in to almost squeeze them. He began to sway slightly, holding his eyes tightly closed and pulling his knees up. What am I gonna do? What am I gonna do...? he thought to himself, on the verge of tears once more. He hated the fact that once he started crying it was hard for him to stop, and knew this shouldn't upset him so much. All this intensity coming from himself was making him dizzy... or was it? With a heavy sigh he released his grip on himself and opened his eyes, somehow feeling very warm despite the cool air. I've been out of the water too long... How am I gonna get back over there? he thought with slight despair. His arms were dry and his head was fuzzy, but he didn't want to intrude. What am I gonna do...?
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Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2007 11:44 pm
Shin wagged his fluffy tail in happiness once Merric came to him. He looked at him up and down, thinking it was his first time seeing him in human form in...probalby never. "Too long I believe," he smiled. "What have you been doing all this time?" Shin immediately sat with him while heading toward the bench.
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Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:05 am
Oblivious to Fisk's turmoil, Merric nevertheless saw a flash of reddish-brown before it disappeared again. Suspicions rising, Merric's worry grew. He must be hiding for a reason. Perhaps, if it was Fisk, he was hiding from him? He had no idea why, but... perhaps they should leave?
Smiling warmly to Shin, he nodded. "Yes, I agree. And in all that time... I still seem to have trouble making friends. Just other Mers...and you." Gazing at the wolf he added, "But until now I wasn't sure about you. I do want you to know that I remember you being my first friend since moving here, and that will always be very important to me."
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Posted: Sun Jan 21, 2007 1:08 am
Fisk's finned ears fell slightly as he sighed, realizing that if he was to be okay he would have to step out there. He knew of no other body of water close enough to him that he could walk to in time, but he still was nervous. It had been too long since he had seen Merric last and he felt like, somehow, it was his fault for that. And this Shin... he knew nothing about him, and his usual shyness was creeping in once more.
Clenching his fingers around a handful of grass at his side Fisk tried to steady his breathing, his heart pounding fiercely in his chest over his anxiety. He stood slowly, rising with his arms to the trunk of the tree he leaned against. He had to do this, it was no longer a matter of his feelings on the matter. Right now, this could turn quickly into a matter of life and death, regretfully. With one more large breath of air, he spun around and revealed himself from his hiding spot, pausing briefly. He cringed, hoping he wouldn't be drawing too much attention to himself, even though he was quite an eyesore out in the middle of the park. He wobbled as he walked with small steps, unaware that he was getting worse. His face was red from the tears and his heat exhaustion, and his eyes remained to the ground. "Sorry..." he squeaked to the two of them, letting them know it was okay to ignore him.
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 11:10 am
Shin smiled when he heard such kind words from his friend. But when he said he was still having trouble making friends, that was alarming. It was expected from some of his brothers, but a handsome guy like Merric? Come on! "That's quite surprising," he blinked in shock. "I thought you'd be one of the most popular Mers in the entire shop by now. And you'd probably forget about me." He laughed a bit, knowing that he was just joking about the part of forgetting the lovable wolf.
He could still smell the other Mer that was hiding from both of them. To ease the suspicious atmosphere, he sighed a little before speaking to the "invisible" person. "I know you're there," he said to Fisk with a gentle voice. "Come out. You don't have any reason to be afraid of us." He realized he spoke too soon when the other Mer did come out. He blinked a bit, glancing at Merric as if asking him if they should help him.
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