bakerstreet | ❝mermaids & and land dwellers❞

mermaids & land dwellers
a possibly (au) mermaid ❝shipping❞ meme

Few fantastical creatures have captured the imaginations of those of us stuck in the mundane quite like mermaids. It's understandable: the ocean provides an endless canvas for us. Who knows what may live in those deep, seemingly endless depths? There's something intriguing about the mermaid, too, as a being that exists between two worlds. Beautiful human up top, dangerously alien down below, a mix between the comforting and the unknown. Such a combination is all very alluring, speaking perfectly of both the sense of freedom and adventure and and the impending doom offered by the high seas.

Because of the mystery and excitement provided by mermaids, people have been considering what the relationships between those who live on land and those who dwell in the sea would be like. For as long as there have been mer-tales, there have been stories of lucky or unlucky seafarers who earn the attention of mermaids. In some cautionary tales, merfolk are said to be little more than sirens who relish in driving sailors to their doom, luring them to the waters with gorgeous songs so that ships may be crashed, blood spilt, and flesh rend to fill the bellies of sea-demons. In other, more optimistic tales, there are lonely mermaids who fall in love with sailors, fishermen, and princes and will do anything to be with their objects of affections, even if it means turning to sea foam. Of course, earning a mermaid's love may not be better than becoming their prey; after all, in their ignorance of the children of earth, they may pull a person under the water and forget that air is a necessity for some.

Perhaps you are a human or other offspring of the land who has grown up with the tales of mermaids. You know that caution must be taken should you go on the ocean, lest you become nothing more than a meal. If you were in that situation, you would never fall for the merfolk's charms. However, that's so much easier said than done.

On the other hand, you could be a mermaid. Whether you are "good" or "bad" depends entirely on upbringing, just like with anyone else. Finally, you've come upon a land dweller. Will you be infatuated with them, look at them as a sweet morsel, or be more scared of them than they are of you?

how to play;

- Comment with your character and preferences. This meme allows for characters to be the one who lives on land or the mermaid. Feel free to do a mermaid AU for your character!
- Reply to others. Use the RNG to get your prompt.

prompts;

1.Good: Everything said about merfolks is wrong. They are reclusive, but not evil. Especially not this one. Maybe they even saved you. No matter what, they love you, absolutely. And, were you to be honest, it was love at first sight on your end, too. But that doesn't mean you can be together...at least, not easily.
2. Bad: Come, jolly sailor bold. Come into the arms of a mermaid, and you will not regret it. They will hold you, and you cannot resist, even as you're dashed against the rock.
3. Wild: Good and evil cannot be applied to mermaids here, for they are like any other wild creature, more beast than man. Yet the more they're exposed to the kindness of humans or others who live on land, the more fond they grow towards it - and those who show them that kindness.
4. Ignorant: The mermaid's intentions are good, yet he or she doesn't realize what they could do to hurt their land dweller lover.
5. The Mermaid Dilemma: What can be done if someone wants to do more with a mermaid than give them kisses or sweet words? Not much, it seems. At first glance, that is, though who knows what can happen if one puts their mind to it.
6. Not What Was Expected: Beauty is always expected of a mermaid, but what if such a creature looked more like this? Who could care for such a beast? Well, there's still charm there, and with enough personality, appearances can be looked past.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[the seas begin to shake, and an island starts to sprout forth from it, but lo, it's not a island, but a man. the ocean parts for him, waves crashing onto the shore in his wake, but milly does not move. mountains are immovable; an empress does not show weakness. in her eyes is surprise, but her expression remains calm, no fear, a cliff prepared to weather his storm (and perhaps the one henry will bring).

he is enormous, as a god should be, but the paintings did not portray him well. storm coloured beard and eyes of lightning was what she expected. yet a young face-- strangely handsome --is before her. he was a god. perhaps this was his choice. (why? what significance did this face have?)

as he opens his eyes, she remains still, but in his silence, she gives a half-curtsy, waiting for him to speak to her. commoners had to be granted permission by her, and in this case, an empress is nothing compared to one who commands the oceans, the earthquakes, beasts of sea and land.]

_{[ His breastplate and crown glisten in the light that is peeking through thunderous clouds, fingers delicately sliding against the handle of his trident. The water reaches along his mid-thighs as he is standing more shallow water. His face looks serious for a moment, bu then his lips cock sideways in a half-smirk. ]}

... Ah, and which goddess are you? I'm certain we haven't met yet. Heh.
_{[ w...hy.. is he flirting first thing... and during a time like this..
what kind of god was this... ]}

[he could crush her in a moment, but instead, he... what is he doing? she blinks once. he's still there. twice. still... there... three times. so she didn't imagine him? and he said that? he sure did. his voice rumbles through her, but god. she didn't sign up for this kind of deal...]

My apologies, but I am not a goddess, merely an empress among mortals. [there's a small debate in her mind; should she match his informality? or would continued deference win him over? both is not an option, is it?] Though. [she curtsies deeply, head bowed for a moment before looking up at him with a spark in her eyes, a glimmer of her former life.] I've been told my beauty is more radiant than Aphrodite's. Would you agree? [if he doesn't smite her, someone else will.]

_{[ that's ok, they both can get smitten. He doesn't give her an answer, and instead, sinks back into the water. There's a faint glow under the water's surface as he vanishes, but when he reappears, he's a much smaller size, pulling the waves back to supply him a dry pathway across the sea to walk to her. He's about her size, now, maybe a little shorter but he's still a god with all of his godly powers.

He stands before her and allows the parted sea to crash back together behind him, unarmed with his trident now, and he actually gives her a good look up and down. Were they actually doing this? ]}

Hmph. Your nose is slightly crooked, but the size of your breasts make up for it.
_{[ REALLY... ]}

Miss Aphrodite has some competition, definitely.

[she'd like to leave this meeting with him without being smitten, either way. but the gods were fickle, weren't they?

she waits for an answer, but isn't supplied with one. but she is given a show, something she watches intently, but keeps her expression neutral. he is absolutely the real deal, powerful in ways she can't imagine. yet, her imagination just can't reconcile with his actual appearance. he's. short? well dressed, yes, but so young, and less regal than expected. but she says nothing, holding her tongue until he's done speaking, unable to suppress her smile well.]

I suppose perfection is unattainable. I put forth a good effort, regardless. and more of that smile, the old milly, breaks through. she shuts it down, though, and bows her head to him, remembering the task at hand.] Thank you for the kind compliment, as well as permitting me an audience with you.

_{[ Poseidon doesn't like humans, believe it or not. They're noisy— they pollute and trash his beautiful seas. He's never been quite the fan and got some sadistic enjoyment out of causing tsunamis and earthquakes when he lost his temper or was instructed to do so. Humans are usually a waste of his time, so he couldn't explain why he has such an interest in this one. Maybe it was the passion in her voice, or how radiant she was.

Either way, he cocks an eyebrow upward. ]}

Surely you've summoned me here for a certain purpose— or did you just want to flirt with me instead?
_{[ sooo conceited. ]}

[mortal men with an attitude like his were manageable. a strike to their egos let them know she was not to be trifled with, and they could either stand down and have her, or continue their behaviour and not. but this is not a mortal man, and she needs his help. to assert herself so sharply would make lelouch a widower in a moment.]

I can't say I asked to see you just so we could flirt, but I'm not opposed to it. Though... [after a wink to him, she has to focus on business again, the protection of her people.] I summoned you to make a deal with you, Your Grace, in hopes that you would accept to help Britannia. The empire stands at the brink of war again, and I... The emperor has so few options left. I cannot let him make a choice in desperation. [like she's doing now? perhaps because she knows his fear-backed choices would destroy everyone. hers may only destroy herself.]

Heh. Of course you wouldn't be opposed to something such as that. I am a god, after all.

_{[ DID I MENTION HOW CONCEITED HE WAS.
okay, he's not exactly sure what she's talking about, because despite these people worshiping him and paying him sacrifice, he doesn't exactly care about whatever mortal discourse they have with one another. However, Milly's company is strangely pleasant— he'll see what he can do. ]}

Oh? And am I supposed to do something about that?
_{[ THIS SHITTY ATTITUDE... ]}

[she doesn't roll her eyes only through sheer willpower demanding her diplomacy skills are at an 11. men and their vanity... even mortals weren't immune to the sins, it seems. she smiles for him, even though more and more concern is finding its way to her face.]

Your Grace, I would hope so. The enemy is arriving by ship very soon, and wants to destroy everything the emperor has built... I am willing to do whatever it takes to win you over to our cause. [ours, she says. it's lelouch's, and suzaku's. not exactly hers. but they are hers to protect, and so their burdens become hers.] Please, Your Grace.

❝mermaids & and land dwellers❞

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