{.never trust a mermaid...

[{ evolet]

The water. It surrounds me; it engulfs me; it guides me. It is my sanctuary. The one place that I am truly free to be myself.
Though I have not met any other of my kind, I am comfortable with continuing my existence as I have for my entire life; spending as much time as I can in the water and keeping away from the dangers of the outside world as much as I can. Though I enjoy the company of other equines, if I was forced to choose between spending an eternity in the depths of an ocean as opposed to being damned on land, I would happily choose my sanctuary. My safe place. However, there comes a time in every half-mer-horse's life that we must choose mind over water. And right now, if I don't talk to someone other than one of these mindless, shell-for-brain, slippery-n-slimey fish then I am going to explode. Honestly.

Which is what, I suppose, led me to swim my way to the banks of the lake I have been residing in for the past few weeks. With my head still a foot beneath the surface of the aquas, I shifted, feeling my tail shrink away and separate into two individual legs The liquids around me shimmered from the change, and my eyes fluttered shut as the shift caused my body to react to the water like a normal equine. I lifted my head above the surface, drinking in a deep breath, feeling the oxygen stretch my lungs. Kicking my front foreleg forth, I felt for the sands with my hoof, frustrated with how difficult swimming was when I wasn't in my comfortable skin. Finally I felt the frog of my hoof press against the cool sands, and I waded up to the shoreline.

Crystalline liquid drips shimmered upon my hide, giving me an otherworldly glow. Colorless grey eyes opened as I surveyed the land that was presented before me, a gentle snort escaping me as the rays from the bright circle above me stung at my retinas. Ebon mane curved inward slightly from the dampness, and I tossed my head in a frustrated manner, not liking how my mane and forelock clung to my hide. I gracefully glided forward towards the dry land, my petite physique moving smoothly in the shallows; when I am anywhere in or near water, I am in my element. I am never truly comfortable when not in contact with liquids, and always get a feeling of claustrophobia, like the world is closing in on me. I made it far enough so that the water was only a single hoof deep, and I didn't bother with shaking the liquid from my hide; I rather to keep it there. I drank in the scents around me, casting curious glances at the action going on before me. Birds soared above me high in the heavens, squirrels darted out across the sod. My gaze lowered to the rocky beach before me, and I tossed my head once more, twisting my body slightly to angle myself so that I could walk along the shoreline. This way, I am in the water, yet far enough onto land that maybe I will catch sight of another being. Because honestly, I need to have an actual intelligent conversation.

I stood, basking in the warmth of the horizon, when without warning my muzzle parted delicately, released a melodic tune that sounded completely otherworldly; the sound of a mermaid taunting her prey. The sound flitted past my lips with ease, the sound even catching me off guard.

[occ:] there we goes, alex :) i horse-speak proofed it xD

[a l e x ? !]

It was late afternoon. The sun was unseasonably warm and bright on this particular spring day, making the lake’s glassy surface dazzle so brightly that it appeared as if a thousand diamonds had been laid upon it. Like always, a perfect reflection of the sky was the image in Sklario Lake – today, there was a small wispy cloud. The rest was a gentle blue. Somewhere to the south, a flock of birds twittered and called to one another, deciding whether this tree or that tree was safe to settle in. They would dart across the sky, disappear into the congested branches of a pine and then fly back out a few seconds later, only to end up in a tree almost exactly alike. After a few minutes of this, it had become rather noisy, though Eden himself enjoyed the unique calls. He stood on the Lake’s rocky bank, simply observing the new life Mother Nature had finally decided to bring around. On a sunny day like today, he looked especially gorgeous. The vines of color that swirled up his legs seemed to pop more; his dark grey spots gleamed to a shimmering sable, his cream belly no longer cream but searing white. However, his wings were the most magnificent of all. There was a light breeze in the air, one just light enough that with every gust stirred the tip-top feathers and forelock, making him look especially regal. Now would be a great time for some mare to walk by; as long as she was pretty.

Just as this thought sprang into Eden’s head, he saw a blob shift in the water. It was dark and ominous-looking. Fear curled in his stomach; every tendon in his body sprang into high alert. The stallion’s heavy, dark eyes were locked on the curling shape, which seemed to be morphing – growing two long sticks, while a third seemed to shrink away. ”Hope it’s not some sort of creature,” Thought Eden, for he was simply looking too pretty to fight on a day such as this one. Pebbles crunched as he took a few steps back, so that he was mostly hidden by a large boulder. His wings were pressed tight against his belly; his nostrils flared in anxiousness. The mysterious blob was nearing the shore. Closer… closer… closer… Eden lowered most of his face behind the rock so that the only thing one might be able to see was his ears and eyes. With a great torrent of water, the creature emerged from the depths. Eden watched as the great wing of water sparkled and winked at him, and finally fell back into the lake with a graceful shhhhhwooo. The fearful stallion froze every muscle stiff. He was watching and waiting. All he could see was a hoof, apparently searching for footing. When the hoof found purchase, more of the creature emerged. When it had it’s whole body out of the lake, he was surprised at what he saw – a mare! How peculiar!

Eden was a clever fellow, so he stayed behind his large rock and watched her with a curious eye. The first thing he noticed about her was her coat. Like him, she was a paint; and a pretty one, too. Her coat was a rich chocolate, probably something creamier when she was dry. Her eyes, he noticed, were an empty silver. This seemed to startle him a bit, but they were pretty. Eden liked every little bit of her, even if she seemed to be a gruesome monster from the sea. No matter! The paint stallion walked hesitantly up to her, crunch, grabble, crack went the pebbles as he moved. To be polite, Eden held his head low and kept his wings under control, no matter how much he longed to show them off. There was a small smirk on his face, but it was the kind that showed eagerness. ”Hello, miss.” Eden stated. The stallion’s voice was deep and rich, with a wise undertone to it. ”A horse of the sea? I can’t say I’ve seen one of your kind in a while.”

[{ evolet]

Once my tune had finished, I lowered my head slightly, feeling the gentle breeze tugging the moisture from my hide. Colorless eyes shuttered closed as I savored the unique feelings of air against my skin, and my senses heightened. I heard and noted every twitter that the little birds omitted as they talked amongst themselves in a tongue I don't and never will understand; every splash that a fish made as they broke through the lake's surface in search of a stray insect; the sound of a squirrel chattering nearby. I sensed the slight change of the waters currents, subconsciously using my elemental connection to the water to pull the tide closer to the shore so that I stayed in the deepest water possible. I caught every aroma that drifted through the oxygens, tasted the air against my tongue. Yet, with my senses to sharp, so acute, I cannot, for the life of me, fathom why on earth I didn't hear the stallion approaching.

I hadn't sensed the stallion until he caused the air currents to shift slightly; my strong connection to the waters currents effecting me even in the air, my skin hypersensitive to any shift in the atmosphere. But how had he altered the breeze so? My head raised slightly, forelock falling off to the side as the breeze tugged at it, my mane dancing in the gentle winds. Grey eyes opened to meet his, a curious gaze painted across my features. I was caught off guard, however, immediately when I caught sight of his colorful, unique markings. My gaze shifted to his hooves and trailed upwards, taking in the many swirls of several different colors that work their way up his legs and to his withers. Then, I was struck with the sight of wings. I took in the colors, the silken feathers. Even from a distance I could see that their texture was of the softest material known in our realm, and the colors painting the wings only amplified the interesting look that he had going. So he is an air creature, then? Fancy that. The one day that I journey on land, I meet up with an air creature. My gaze wondered down his legs momentarily, the colors reminding me of the tropical fish of the coast I had been born and raised on; the mere thought dug up both memories of glory and memories of pain and confusion, and I casted the thoughts aside, and my eyes came back up to meet his eyes. I caught sight of his smirk, and my head tilted ever so slightly, curiously amused.

I heard his deep voice speak, and I couldn't help it--the mermaid side of me wanted to act as if I were dazzled and to try to lure him into the depths of the water, but the mortal side of me wanted to roll my eyes and crack a sarcastic remark his way. I kept my gaze even and confident, showing that there was no way that I could be easily intimidated or wooed, yet that I am not cocky or full of myself; merely stubbornly innocent. The perfect, convincing facade. I nodded slightly, my colorless gaze meeting his. "Most of my kind live in seclusion on the coast." I confirmed his words, my melodic voice dancing through the sound waves gracefully, and for one, I thanked my mother for giving me the 'mermaid voice of seduction.' "What about you, dear sir? Most air creatures I have met in my time seem to keep to the mountains rather than the plains." I tilted my head curiously, an innocent facade dancing across my delicate features.

Okay, I have to admit that my favorite part of being part mermaid--I love to act.

[a l e x ? !]

Eden watched the mare with an intense curiosity. Now he took no notice to the landscape around him; eyes focused on every expression change, ears swiveled to catch every breath. To him, it seemed as though the world had stop. The only sounds were the soft breathing of the mare and his heart, which was pounding fiercely in his chest. In truth, the stallion was quite nervous; he had never met a mare with a beauty in comparison to his own. He was much more of aware of what he was to act, which was why there was a heavy, sticky silence between the two. It seemed to take a few seconds for the mare to even notice him approaching, and when she did, she did not seem surprised but amused, like she knew he’d been hiding the whole time. This single look threw Eden off. From then on, he was uncertain of how to act. However, he hid is true feeling well and slapped on a confident posture – his neck arched delicately, his wings folded out just a bit, and his tail lashing the warm air. Waiting. Silence. Was he supposed to say something more? Eden bit his lip and danced nervously on his hooves, feeling the pebbles change under his movement.

Finally, there was some sort of recognition on her face – a small tilt of the head, perhaps one of confusion. Eden’s ears perked up and he took a step towards her, glad he was getting some sort of welcome. The paint stared into her eyes; they were grey and dull. It reminded him of an empty winter sky, full of thick, heavy storm clouds that were impossible to get through. The expression he could see in them was hard and strong. This sent a bout of fear through him, and for a few seconds he showed it on his face. But Eden was quick, and it was gone before you wondered whether you actually saw it or were imagining things. And finally, what he’d been waiting for – she spoke. ” Most of my kind live in seclusion on the coast.” It wasn’t the words that he heard, but her voice. Now, Eden had only met one other Mer-horse in his lifetime, and that was when he was a yearling. He didn’t remember anything but the voices of the mysterious race; it left him longing to hear it again and again. As soon as the mare’s voice hit his ears, the stallion nearly melted. It was everything he’d remembered – light and sparkling, like that of a rolling wave crashing onto the most beautiful beach in all of Kodavlu. It danced on the wind and rode on the water, bobbing up and down and curling round and round through tree branches and under clouds and straight through the sun; glowing, rich and delicate.

Eden was so taken aback by his childhood memories that all he could manage to pipe out was, ”Oh.” The stallion swallowed a lump on his throat and settled his dancing hooves. There was a dazed look to his eyes as he stared at the mare. It took him a moment to finally shake him out of his trance, and when he did, he was rather embarrassed. ”Sorry,” He muttered, talking to the ground. ”I’ve always found Mer-horses to be quite mesmerizing creatures.” Eden continued, with a sheepish smile on his face. At this statement, his wings fluttered a little in a strong breeze. He was tempted to rise up in the air and fill his empty feathers, but held himself back. Eden’s tail twitched as he looked up at the sky with his dark, rich eyes. It was bluer than ever before; wispy, thin clouds dotted here or there, and the sun was absolutely radiant. A perfect day for flight. There was a sad smile on the paint’s face when he looked back at the mare to listen to her words. ”The Mountains?” He echoed it in a tone that implied it was a foolish idea. ”I suppose so. But I haven’t been up there in years; there’s absolutely nothing to eat. Anything good, that is.” In this statement, the true Eden was unintentionally revealed. His voice took on a grubbier, more selfish tone, but the polite smile remained. One of two faces, I suppose.

[{ evolet]

[occ:] this first paragraph is set before she spoke for the first time x]

I sensed his gaze boring into my psyche as silence overtook us before I had spoken for the first time, my colorless gaze raising once more to meet his. I had gazed at him somewhat uneasily, for it seemed as if he were judging me; studying me; examining me. Whether it was positive or negative, I had been unsure. He seemed fairly confident and at ease, however, so I had then brushed my thoughts aside. I had to advert my gazed, however, for I had once more began studying his intricate, colorful markings. They truly were otherworldly, and beautiful in a unique way I could have never imagined. In an instant, though I was surrounded by my safe liquid haven, I felt vulnerable and naked before him. Whether it was because of his intense gaze or how intimidated by the beautiful markings upon his hide, I wasn't sure, but I hated the feeling, and resented it for everything I was worth. I kept a steady posture, but subconsciously, my power over the water elements began to reveal my emotions; the currents from the center of the lake rolled harsher towards the shore in what could only be classified in an anxious and jumpy manner, but I tried my best to ignore them, and pass off the shift in the atmosphere to merely be the weather.

Once my melody had been released after I had spoken to him, my gaze became interlocked with his, taking in his demeanor. I witnessed his reaction to my voice, more than used to the effect that my inherited charm had on others, yet for whatever reason, I was somewhat caught off guard. His reaction to me should have been nothing new--same old, same old. Part of how I live my lifestyle: dazzling. Yet when a dazed facade flashed across his features, I couldn't help myself. It just seemed so out of place to me--he seemed so regal, so chivalrous, and it seemed odd that he would appear so... Vulnerable and uneasy around someone like me--to me, he is my polar opposite: a regal creature of the sky compared to a deceiving creature of the water. It was in that instant that I resented my heritage: because I am half mer-horse, my personality reflects mostly that of a mermaid--tricking and deceiving, dazzling to lure her prey into the depths of the waters. Because to be honest, I kind of liked this certain equine. He had an air about him that he truly was regal and polite, yet like he had a second identity that he only shed around those he trusted. Two-faced, if you will. I'm probably just making false assumptions, or perhaps I am merely a mare with wistful thoughts. Either way, I felt as if I could relate to him. The mortal half of me that is kind and affectionate is constantly sparring with my mermaid half, wanting to be deceiving and to spin as many lies as possible. The inner conflict exhausts me, but finally, for whatever reason, I feel as if I have something in common with another being. About time.

I heard his unintelligent reply, a small smile tugging at the corners of my maw, and I discovered that I felt somewhat.. Bashful? I shook the thought off, and regained my confident posture. It was when I heard his apology and explanation that I was caught off guard. A sheepish smile graced my facade, my confident, deceiving act slowly crumbling away as my true colors began to shine through. My head dipped slightly as I attempted to keep my eyes out of view, suddenly feeling even more naked in front of him, and I still resented the feeling. Sure, I had been unabashedly stared at by many stallions, all surely with improper thoughts planted in their minds--but to be called out on something like my appearance and mermaid charm just seemed so new to me. "Thank you, but I should be the one apologizing. It's not exactly... Something I can control." My colorless gray eyes came up to meet his, my head still held slightly lower in a show of respect--probably the closest thing to showing I actually respected someone I've ever gotten, given my stubborn personality. My gaze shifted to his wings as they shifted, the feathers fluttering slightly in the warm breeze, uneasiness painting itself across my features. Of course, his wings could easily win out to be one of the most beautiful and mesmerizing things I have ever seen in my lifetime, but my instincts and dedication to staying below the surface of the water made me feel uneasy and jumpy around something as powerful as a device of air. I subconsciously took a single step backwards, not breaking my gaze with the beautiful wings presented before me. Realizing how ridiculous I must look, I shook out of my reverie, taking several more determined steps forth towards the stallion, mentally cursing my instincts.

When I heard his second comment, his tone indicating that he thought the idea foolish, a tinkling laugh emitted past my lips. "Yes, I suppose so. I doubt anyone could survive off of shrubs and dead grass." A smile still graced my features, and I began to gain more confidence in the situation. "So, then. Do you have a name, stranger?" My skull tilted slightly once more, one of my habits I doubt I will successfully break myself of. "I'm Evolet, by the way."

[a l e x ? !]

Eden felt his stomach twist when the mare spoke again. That voice… he would never, ever forget that voice. Once again, his hooves danced on the gravel. He was getting antsy to have a good stroll around the sky. It was certainly the perfect day for one, and he was strongly longing to do so. There was a heavy breeze in the air, but nothing too strong, and the temperature was positively lovely. Barely any clouds sat in the deep blue sky, meaning he would have free roam. Thinking this made Eden’s wings twitch and flutter in delight, but he pushed the desire back down his throat and reminded himself to say something, for this mysterious mare probably thought him a nutcase because he was taking so long. The stallion cleared the nerves out of his tight throat and finally said, ”Well, that’s okay. I wasn’t implying it was a… a bad thing.” There was a sheepish tone to his voice, the kind one would use after an awkward silence. He spoke half to the ground, half to the mare.

Another bout of wind blew by, and Eden found himself tossing his head in anxiousness. He just had to fly! It was simply too perfect a day to be ignored. Somewhere behind him, a bird chirped to a friend. Then, another bird chirped, and another, and another. It was like dominoes. Suddenly, with a great gust of mud-brown wings, a blob of birds took to the empty sky. Their sharp calls filled the air, loud but very melodic. Eden looked up at all of them with his neck craned, a light breeze pulling at his black and white mane. You couldn’t hear it over all the twittering, but he let out a soft, low-pitched nicker. There was a nostalgic, throaty tone to it – he ached to be up there with them. In fact, Eden could bare it no longer. His eyes fell upon the mare, who seemed to be watching him just as he had done. This made him feel a bit uneasy, but he managed a mischievous grin and the words, ”I’ll be right back!” Most of his voice was lost in the wind, however. Eden had opened his wings to their full wingspan and in about five heavy strokes he was five yards off the ground. And with another gust of wind he was off, riding on its back.

Eden kicked the tension out of his legs and whinnied happily. The sound radiated through the air; it was tremendously loud and high-pitched. But, it could still make you smile because you could hear the happiness in it, and you knew somewhere out there someone was having a time of their life. The stallion beat his wings faster and he gained altitude. By now, he was well passed the flock of birds. The mare (and the lake) had become mere specks on the ground, looking awfully like little bugs. How nice it felt to be in the air again, with the wind filling the cracks between his soft feathers and whipping through his mane and tail. This was where he felt at home – there were no boundaries for him to cross over, no obstacles to get past or bad things to trudge through. Eden closed his eyes for a moment and hovered, embracing the happy, light feeling of his heart. It was a feeling he could only feel when alone in the air, and it was such a joyous feeling; something beyond joy itself, something more. Something the stallion couldn’t describe.

He did this for a few moments, then decided it was time to descend. After all, he’d left that beautiful mare waiting. Grinning to himself, Eden’s altitude quickly lowered and he was soon back on the earth. His landing was in fact very graceful; his hooves barely grazed over the pebbles of the lake before he finally stopped his slow, careful flapping and allowed his whole body to land. Then, he grinned at the mare, shook out his mane and said, (or nearly yelled) “My name?! Woo! It’s, its Eden. Pleased to meet you. Sorry about that... I just... I can't resist, you know?” He sounded very much out of breath, but very exuberant and goofy.

[{ evolet]

My colorless gaze met his once his words had been spoken, and my mouth opened momentarily to respond, but I quickly closed it, sensing I no longer held the brute's attention. I tilted my head slightly, a look of confusion painting itself across my features as I tried to figure out what he was looking at. It seemed like he was looking at something behind me... Or rather, something above me. I followed his gaze, and what I saw made me cringe. The sky. Clouds. Birds. Air. The things my entire instinct goes against and attempts to keep me away from at all costs, and right now, my instinct was reigning full control. I began to grow claustrophobic as I gazed up into the endless depth of the heavens, and I had to look away so that I could properly regulate my breathing. The sky never ends. At least when I am in my own deep sea haven, there are crooks and crevices to explore and discover; hiding places to play in; unique plants and colorful tropical fish, as long as you swim in the right spot. In the sky, it is just a seamless expanse of... Emptiness. When I returned my gaze to the stallion, that was when a sigh escaped me, and I rolled my eyes at my own ignorance. Of course. He is a creature of air just as I am a creature of water -- he yearns for the freedom the sky gives him the freedom that water gives me. Still, I can't imagine finding freedom in such an empty, endless space. There's nothing to do up there, besides float around aimlessly and hope against hope that some little bird will come your way so you can talk to someone. I would go crazy up there. No fun. No entertainment. Nothing.

When I casted a glance at him once more, I caught sight of him staring up at the twittering birds -- oh my god how I want to kill those things -- with a longing gaze. The kind some lovestruck fool would stare at a forbidden beauty. I crinkled my nose as if a foul stench stung at my nasal passages, trying to figure this guy out. When he returned his gaze to me with a giddy expression, I suppose I shouldn't have been very surprised when he called out 'I'll be right back' over his shoulder when he was practically already soaring off the ground. Ugh. I guess a few annoying-as-seaweed-getting-caught-in-your-tail birds are more amusing than me. I was caught off guard -- don't know why, seeing as I'm staring at him dumbstruck trying to figure out why the hell those birds are more amusing than me -- when he began to flap those godawful wings. Immediately, my instincts broke through and a look of pure terror flashed across my facade quick enough for it to be one of those moments where you think that you saw it, but your not sure. I reeled backwards, going to a point where the water was up to my barrel, my ears pinning flat against my neck as the breeze he casted directed towards me. Once I had calmed, I have to admit even then I was a little ticked off just because he was able to freak my out like that, using my weakness against me to a point that I can not control. Yet, that was when I realized what I should have realized before. To him, the sky is a beautiful, enticing place full of mystery and adventure. An endless expanse that he wishes to conquer, to soar through every inch of it. The sky is his sanctuary, just like the water is my own. Suddenly, I felt a new level of understanding for him. Another thing I suddenly understood was--where did he go?!

I turned my gaze upwards to the heavens, colorless eyes scanning the scene before me while I tried to find him in the blue, cloudless expanse. Is that him? No, it's just a bird.. Wait, it is him. Good god, how can he handle being that high? A snort escaped me, and I looked down again, shaking my head irritatedly. No longer did I care to figure out why he wanted to fly in the air more than he wanted to talk to me (I've figured it out by now, thank you), but rather why he would go so high. I suppose it's kind of like me swimming in really deep water, though. Merely the exhilaration of the moment. The adrenalin that pumps through your veins. For the second time that day, I had an epiphany--I discovered that the water is not the only source of joy in the world. Maybe it is for me,but for others, that one great thing that really completes them is different for everyone. Man, am I on a roll.

When Buzz Lightyear over there decided to come down from Cloud 9, I couldn't help but playfully smirk at his facial expression, and I rolled my eyes at his colt-like exuberance. Is that what I look like when I've gone for a really good swim..? Jeez. I have to make sure to practice some more graceful facial expressions. I heard his words, but really, who wouldn't? I should have pointed out that I'm not Grandma, and I don't need a hearing aid. Still, I couldn't help but laugh at his excited behavior. It was amusing, after all. "Actually, I think I do understand." Another bell-like laugh escaped my lips. "I bet you feel the same after you've flown that I feel after I've gone for a really good swim." I glanced up at the heavens, where the disgruntled birds seemed to be gazing down at the stallion--Oh, so he does have a name? Hmm. Eden. I like that.--in perplexity. "It just seems like it'd be so.. Empty up there." My gaze met his one again, and I crinkled my nose again, trying to imagine feeling free in such an empty, boring space.