Beyond the Sea ((Keto))

[KETO AYSU VELLAMO]

TOO PRETTY FOR ME
and maybe baby you're playing hide and go seek

I'M HOPING FOR THE BEST

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As her fingers reached up toward his face, Keto raised his eyebrows awaiting her motives behind the movement. It wasn’t that Keto was really worried that whatever she was doing threatened to hurt him. Oh no, Keto was completely confident himself and completely sure that he would be able to deal with everything that she dished out at him. And, besides, a gesture such as this was no where near being threatening. It was just strangely intimate for only knowing one another for just a few moments. Even though technically Keto had known of her for many years but that hardly counted as anything if she didn’t even recall him. Besides, the two had never really met until this very day. But despite all of this, Keto allowed the strange closeness, deciding not to take that single moment of affection away from her. He did turn his head away slightly though to give her a smirk and a look that sort of looked as though he were questioning what she was doing as it was a rather alien touch to him. In any case, Keto lifted one of his hands lazily and moved his hair back more behind his shoulders. Well, he attempted to as it wasn’t just long enough to do so. He just shook his head, amused at her comment. But he didn’t answer or argue with it.

While she started to go on about her nothing virtually nothing about him aside from his name and his occupation, Keto slumped forward leisurely allowing his hands to stretch forward in the cool, moist sand and his whole body was now lying stretched out beside her. His cold blue eyes closed and his skin began to soak up the last few rays of the sun. Even though his eyes were now closed and his head was resting on his upper arms, Keto was still very much in tune with everything that was around him. His ears still listened intently to both the female’s voice and the crashing waves around the both of them. His muscles were still prepared to push him upward in an instance if a threat introduced itself. Keto was ready, he was always ready. Well, maybe not always completely prepared for a situation but he could sure as hell get himself out of just about anything. He had lived through enough had he not? He had lived through enough to almost always be perfectly prepared. Almost.

Keto smirked again but this time it was soft and mostly to himself. He found it amusing that one of his own would seek her out and invite her to join them. Though it was not as though he was completely surprised by it. The merfolk in his clan were rather sly for the most part. Many of them castaways and others just a person nobody wanted to have around so they had all learned to deal with their surroundings and get the best that they could. A banished princess probably sounded all too tempting for them to just let go. And they had tried, it seemed. Keto didn’t blame them completely but he also didn’t care much for anymore power than what he had to handle right now. It was just enough. He didn’t need anyone or anything to back him up. He’d still make it.

For a long moment Keto did not give her an answer to her question. Mostly because he hadn’t the slightest idea of how to put it just yet. Keto had been an outcast for his entire life. He had been born deep in the ocean of Morana and raised their completely alone with his mother. She had been banished but he never knew why since he had not dared question that mermaid. She always had a rather frightening aura about her that Keto really did not want to mess with. She had really been the only thing that he had feared most of his life. Who knew, she could have been someone very powerful or someone who was just very bitter. She could have left on her own or been banished. From where? He didn’t know. It didn’t much bother him though. He knew where he had come from. At least he knew where half of him had come from.

“I’m afraid I would not have a very good answer for you,” he finally replied to her, his eyes still closed. “I’ve always been on my own for most of my life. I hadn’t had a place to stay. Nowhere to be banished from.” He cracked open his eyes, looking up toward her, a grin appearing on his features. “Usually others would know that about me as I have been called quite an amount of very crude things.”

Keto closed his eyes once again, giving a gentle sigh that was hardly even loud enough to be heard over the waves.

“You are quite beautiful, definitely a princess.”

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tagged: nita isis larene
song: too pretty by state of shock
words: 823
notes: :3 keto likes what he sees

[NITA ISIS LARENE]

She wasn't trying to turn him on in any way, but she was a naturally flirtatious person, that couldn't be helped. He had to have known about her. Then again, what did she care? She hadn't been part of a clan in several years and answered to no one. She lived by her own rules and did as she pleased. If she wanted to randomly flirt with a dangerously handsome merman, she was going to do it and no one was going to stop her from doing it. It was as simple as that.

Every time she tried to move away from him, he came right back or visca versa. This was going to be a problem. Usually when it came to men, she always had the upper-hand and could control the situation. With Keto, a name that she was already enjoying, everything was different. She was starting to find that she liked when he didn't listen to her. He continued to call her "princess", and even though she wanted to throw a tantrum and be upset, she couldn't. There was something about his nature and personality that wouldn't allow her to behave like she normally would.

Nita nodded her head at him, eying him over yet again. How long they'd play this game, she wasn't really sure. "A loner, eh?" She said seriously. She tended to shy away from loners, even though she had become one herself. There was usually too much emotional baggage for her to handle. She hated sob stories, unless of course it dealt with her admittedly. "Well, how'd you go about forming your clan?" She asked. A thought struck her, but she was far too embarrassed by him to bring it up just yet. She'd wait until the situation called for it.

The truth was, Nita needed friends. She could only do so much alone for so long. She needed allies and people that had her back or could at least help her if she needed it. However, she wasn't too sure she could fit into any clan, unless it was of her own making. Most clans had too many rules, even when they claimed not to have any. She usually felt that she was better off having not joined on. It only took her a few occasions, however, to realize what kind of life she would continue to lead if she kept to herself.

She looked over at him again and frowned slightly. "Why would they call you...crude things? Have you been a bad boy?" She asked, not realizing how that might have sounded to him. She wasn't trying to be naughty or flirtatious in that moment. Nita moved closer so that she was now lying next to him and flipped her body sideways, her fins flipping childishly against the tide. She had grown accustomed to sand being in rather uncomfortable places, but she hated seeing it on otherwise striking figures, of which Keto was one.

Nita, being the physical person that she was, couldn't help but wipe some of the grains off his body. She would have done that to just about anyone, male or female. "First it's your hair, now it's the sand!" She complained, mostly to herself. She ignored his compliment for the time being, musing herself over his own body, as though he were a toy. She was certain he wouldn't like her messing with and touching him, but she also knew that he knew she wouldn't harm him. Even if she tried, she was no match for a much larger and more experienced male.

After several moments of silence, none of which she found awkward, Nita finally commented. "Thank you, hunter. You've the body of one." She said, finally showing him a playful grin. Her head was now rested in her hands, but she kept her attention on him. She was more curious about him and hoped he'd give her better answers to her many questions than he had been doing. "Don't you have a mate?" If he had one, she highly doubted he'd waste his time even talking to her, but she wanted to hear it from his own mouth.

"I suppose...it doesn't really matter if you do or not. What would you have done if that shark hurt me? Laugh at my failure?" Her smile faltered just a little bit, though she wasn't sure if she wanted the conversation to take a more somber tone. By now the sun had completely disappeared against the dark, velvet sky and small white orbs were forming above. "Humans call them 'stars'. Such a silly word! I like magical orbs better..." She said, looking over him rather affectionately, even though his eyes were closed and he was still a perfect stranger.

[KETO AYSU VELLAMO]

TOO PRETTY FOR ME
and maybe baby you're playing hide and go seek

I'M HOPING FOR THE BEST

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A loner? Only before. Now Keto wasn’t as alone as he had been. Obviously he still drifted off on his own. His clan wasn’t really very tight knit. They fed one another and fought for one another but it wasn’t as though he made them do anything. The only thing he asked of them was to remain loyal and help with the hunts when they needed to. Nothing more than that since that was all that he needed. If any of them wanted to be close with each other than so be it as long as he did not get tied down with any. He expected his freedom and his alone time. At heart he supposed that he was a loner because of his upbringing. Or there was also the possibility that being alone was built into him because he didn’t understand all of the drama that came along with being close to others and living alongside others constantly. Keto was not a very sensitive person and he was not the best at considering others all of the time. He grinned over at her, keeping his eyes shut to try and image what sort of faces she may have been making. “A loner.”

Keto took in another breath at her question. This one was much louder as he was really digging into his mind now to piece together the information she desired to hear from him. It was all very simple though. The clan had formed by accident. Keto had been going about his own business and before he knew it other outcasts and loners were following him around asking his help and before he knew it there was a whole slew of them following him about. Naturally he had become a leader since he had been the one finding all the hot spots and teaching a few the tricks that he had been taught when he was young. Many things were still kept to himself though or those he figured were worthy enough to hear. Some secrets were still buried inside of himself and lost with the memory of his mother. The Ekundayo had been nothing but an accident and the only ones who knew that were himself and a few other mermen who had first grouped up with him. She had asked though and Keto would give her nothing but the truth. There was really no need for lies anyways, right? What did she really care about how it was formed anyways? Accident or purposely they were there today and rather fierce in his own opinion.

“Accident,” he admitted lightheartedly with a smile. But a fake frown quickly formed on his face as he opened one eye to look up toward her. “Bad? Hah- I hardly could fit such a word! I’m as kind as they come, princess.”

Okay, so both of them probably knew that Keto wasn’t really all that nice. He’d sent her after a shark not too long ago and had grinned tauntingly at her cute threats. But, really, was Keto a completely bad guy? All he did was go around living peacefully beneath the water. He never started any kind of problems or fights between clans. If anything, he helped (with a price) and kept to his own business. But over the years he had gained a good number of enemies. Whether it was over a spot for hunting or attracting merfolk to his clan from another, Keto was usually caught up in something that he wasn’t completely aware of. Then his own mouth got him in plenty of trouble when he opened it. Keto wasn’t afraid to speak his mind and he wasn’t afraid to back up what he said. He could be as vicious as anything under these dark waves of ocean. His name meant sea monster and he would live up to that when the time called for it.

Keto’s brows furrowed and he lifted his head a moment to look back at what she was doing to him. He rolled his eyes and then plopped his head back down on his arms, closing his eyes. “Princess, stop fussing with me,” he demanded lightly. “I hate to tell you but sand is everywhere and my hair will not do what you want it to all of the time. It’s a pointless effort.” Keto’s back tensed under her touch a moment while the sand grains rolled over him, scratching the surface of his skin softly. “Princess,” he moaned irritably.

He was about to shift his position and perhaps throw some sand on her arm to keep her busy with brushing it off of herself but she stopped right in the nick of time to be saved from that. Even though his eyes were closed though, he was sure that she already had quite a bit of sand on her to brush away.

A mate? What a strange question to ask. But maybe he only thought that because nobody had ever asked him such a question. Not many females got tangled up with him because they knew of his dangerous nature and his rather courageous acts on behalf of the hunt and keeping himself in good condition. Like she mentioned, he was in good shape. He was a hunter and he would always think like one he supposed. He had no interest in finding someone and having offspring with them. He had never known the bond between child and parent and didn’t really think he was up for trying to understand it. Without a father figure he doubted he could deal with such a thing. Hunting and survival were great with him but offspring were a completely foreign idea.

“No mate. I really have no intentions to have one either,” he explained softly. But he then pushed up onto his arms quickly and placed one hand on the other side of her so that his upper body was over her own. He gave her a smirk and lowered his face close to hers, letting his hair fall back to his face. “Until now, of course.” He stared at her a moment but then laughed lightly. “I’m only playing,” he told her. It almost sounded bitter.

Again, Keto pushed away from her and rested his head on his arms but this time he opened up his eyes to watch her, giving her a peculiar look now. “Laugh at your failure? Hmph, I would have simply killed it and let you be on your way.” Then he shrugged, closing his eyes, burying his cheek in the cold sand of the shore.

“Stars… yeah, I’ve heard that before.”

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tagged: nita isis larene
song: too pretty by state of shock
words: 1102
notes: i sense a crush forming

[NITA ISIS LARENE]

Her green eyes had been focused on the heavens. Being a creature from the sea, she hadn't much opportunity growing up to appreciate the skies like she could now. Rainfall, snow, nature as a whole, it had been something of a shock for her when she first started venturing near the shore. She was in for even more of a shock when she began conversing with land dwellers. However, nothing had prepared her for what the world was like until she first transformed. Even now, several decades later, the memory was plenty fresh in her mind, and rather painful.

Nita had been eying him off and on for the better part of five minutes. It was a habit of hers to watch silently things she deemed beautiful and he was surely a beautiful creature. She had always been chastised for such childish behavior and ridiculed all the same. Most males wouldn't have their female counterpart merely gaze at them awkwardly at random intervals of the day, but Nita wasn't like other females. That had been established some time ago. In fact, she had never had a female friend of her own. Enemies and rivals, naturally, but never a true friend.

"Females like myself crave on lone men..." She mumbled, no longer caring if he heard or not. The statement wasn't really true in regards to mermen, but she stated it all the same. He was alone and was giving up his time to talk idly with her for some apparent reason. She would eventually get to the bottom of it, but not yet. She wanted to revel in the fact that he stayed around when he had originally seemed so keen on taunting her. She hadn't really turned on the charm and really had no explanation for his sudden turn, but she wasn't going to complain either.

And yet, he kept calling her "princess". She wasn't sure how to react. She wanted to tell him off, but she liked it. Didn't he know her name? She was hardly living the life of a princess anymore. Had she been, perhaps she could have warranted being called a princess, but now? She was just like him, if not worse. At least he was in a clan of his own, making his own way. She was banished from how own family and hadn't spoken to them in years.

"Oh fine then!" She pouted, not satisfied with his look but smart enough to know when he was agitated. She learned fast and was well aware that he was one not to mess with. She could probably push him only so far before things turned violent. Although she liked a good fight, she was certain that should he become violent towards her, she'd have little strength to fight back. Her arm was still heavily bruised and her fin, though movable, was still causing her considerable pain and would continue to do so for several days. So was life.

She shrugged him off, content to gaze at the night sky. This was a bit of a ritual for her. After a long day, whether she caught anything or not, she liked to come here and ponder the events of her life. It was therapeutic one could say and it helped her seriously. When she first was exiled, she came to this very place and slashed about violently in an emotional rage. Luckily, no one was around. She hadn't told anyone about it, nor would she ever feel the need. It wasn't anyone's business how she felt and unless she felt like answering, they needn't know.

So he had no mate. Again, that wasn't a surprise but it made her feel better hearing it. If he had been anything like her father and mother, he wouldn't have even paid her any attention. They were sickening in their closeness. It was almost as though they were one person instead of two. She never wanted to be that bonded to another that she lost her own identity. Then Keto did something she hadn't quite expected and which caught her by surprise.

When he touched her, she gasped. His hands felt much rougher than she expected. She looked up at him and suddenly realized how different they were. He was much older, full of experience and stories, and she was nothing but a child. Of course, she was old enough to have her own family, but in the lifespan of her people, she was still relatively long. How old he really was, she didn't want to know. That was one question she wasn't going to ask him, regardless. It would ruin the fun for her. Instead, she bit her lip and hoped he'd remove his hand.

Temptation had never been her best friend and the longer he stayed in that position, the harder her heart beat. She hadn't taken his words seriously, though noticed the bitterness in his tone and couldn't help but smile. "Is the mighty warrior jealous?" She asked as he fell back down and resumed his position. She shook her head playfully and followed suit, her body still sideways, but her head now resting on her arms and her eyes no longer focused on the skies but once again on him.

"I don't think you'd want me for a mate even if you could have me. I know all my siblings have offspring of their own, but it's not for me, I don't believe. Then again, I haven't found the right male either..." She mused to herself, an indifferent tone in her voice. "It's nice to know you would have at least killed the beast for me I suppose..." She watched him and wondered what he was thinking. Nita remained silent for a few more minutes, content to listen to his breathing and her own. "If this is your way of flirting with me warrior, you've got to do better."

[KETO AYSU VELLAMO]

TOO PRETTY FOR ME
and maybe baby you're playing hide and go seek

I'M HOPING FOR THE BEST

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Jealous? He had to actually take a moment to pause and think about the word and the meaning of it. Was he envious of something? He supposed that it was a possibility but he honestly could not pinpoint it exactly for the time. What could he be jealous of anyways? He knew that there was something that had bothered him at least a little bit because he too had known the tone of his voice and had been the one to feel the stir of emotions in his chest that had caused it. He knew that the life he had now was all that he really needed and wanted to have. Whether he longed for something else or not wasn’t entirely clear to him now. Every so often he would wonder about things and the way that it could be different. Like if he had been raised the way Nita had been raised, for example. It wasn’t like he really wanted to be a prince or anything though. It wasn’t like he craved to have some kind of companion at his side either. All he did was simply wondering what things like that would be like so there was no need for bitterness was there? Perhaps the bitterness had come from the knowledge of knowing that he could never have that sort of thing and he was simply annoyed that he was confident that he could not achieve that goal. Everyone had their weak spots. You had to pick between things. He could not be what he was now and a mate to anyone. He couldn’t picture it working. Not with someone like him. And surely not with someone like her.

Keto didn’t give her any kind of reply to that. He didn’t act like he hadn’t heard her though. He simply gave a huff and pretended to have better things on his mind to say to her. Well, all he did was waiting until she had something else to say to him rather than giving her anything to work with. Thankfully she wasn’t a shy sort of girl so she had plenty of things to say to him. Like going on about how she would not make a suitable mate for him. Ah, perfect because he had not been trying to ignore that thought earlier or anything.

“I already told you I haven’t any interest in that sort of thing anyways,” he spoke lazily, drawling out every single word. Then he smirked; mostly to himself. “I do doubt that this world could handle any more like me, you know.”

The merman could not help but start to laugh into his arm when she told him he would need to try harder if this was him trying to flirt with her. He grinned wide, a few pointed teeth showing through while they grazed the flesh on his bicep as he turned his head a bit to look up at her. There was obvious mirth written over his face now as his blue eyes gleamed under the nighttime sky. They almost appeared to be tiny stars on their own.

“Oh should I?” he mused.

He lifted himself once again from the sand, using his upper arms to push himself up into something that was more of a sitting position. He had to use his hands to keep his balance better though, of course. His dark fin turned slightly, taking a blanket of sand with it which contrasted greatly against the dark scales. He placed his arms behind him, tilting his head back to look up toward the sky. He searched briefly for the moon and then closed his eyes once he had found it and could see its soft light from behind his eyelids.

“Princess, I had you at hello. I’ve got you wrapped around my finger.”

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tagged: nita isis larene
song: too pretty by state of shock
words: 636
notes: :3

[NITA ISIS LARENE]

As her sea-green fins flipped back and forth in apparent boredom, Nita stayed in her position, having no desire to move or go back into the waters just yet. Sure, she was tired, but she was also rather excited. He seemed to bring out something in her that she figured had long been gone and she wanted to explore it even more. Of course, she wasn't really sure if she could trust him just yet. He seemed a bit reckless, not unlike herself which wasn't always a good thing.

For her part, she remained dutifully silent. He hadn't said much, but that didn't really matter to her. She hadn't mind doing all the talking. In fact, she seemed to prefer it. Sure she would have liked to know more about him, but she was confident enough to know that if he wanted to tell her something he'd do it. There wasn't much point in hiding anything. Who was she to him? No one. She had no power or influence. Then again, even when she was a princess she had little influence. It was just her name that people seemed to gravitate to. Or perhaps it was just who she was related to.

She looked him over again and smirked but remained silent. She didn't believe him. Everyone wanted a companion of some sort. Maybe he had one once and it ended bitterly. It was plausible, she figured, but didn't see much use in bringing the topic up any further. She noticed that he hadn't answered her question regarding his jealousy, but again, she made no bone to mention it. What was the point? He'd only get irritated with her and she wasn't in the mood for a moody merman. She was still sore, after all.

"You'd be surprised to know what this world can and can't handle warrior." She turned over, lying on her back. It wasn't the most comfortable position, but she didn't think she could take staring at him anymore. He was deadly handsome, that much had been proven, yet untouchable. Even if she wanted to, she couldn't go after him. Something just wouldn't allow her to, not to mention, he'd probably bite her if she touched him anywhere again. No, she'd leave him be for now. He was safe.

When he sat up, she turned her head to face him. She, however, didn't initially follow suit. "Is that what you think?" She asked, mirroring him by sitting up as well. She looked over at him and noticed that his eyes were closed. "No, you've got it wrong warrior. I have you wrapped around my finger!" And after that, she pushed him and dove back into the cool waters. When she reemerged, she had a hard time making him out. "I'm a lover warrior, but you...you're not enough of a thrill for me I'm afraid. I want excitement!"

She laughed loudly and continued, "It's no wonder you're alone. No female would have you, an outcast." She teased. In truth, she wanted him for herself. She assumed he was smart enough to at least gather that much. "Perhaps you had me at hello...perhaps. But, I'm my own woman and I don't belong to anyone, least of all someone like you!" She splashed water onto him and went back underwater, feeling more rejuvenated and fresh, her fins already starting to feel better. She was only testing him. She wanted to see what kind of male he really was. If he entertained her, maybe she'd follow him around, otherwise, there were other fish to find.

[KETO AYSU VELLAMO]

TOO PRETTY FOR ME
and maybe baby you're playing hide and go seek

I'M HOPING FOR THE BEST

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His eyes remained closed, using the moon as their guide from behind the thin layer of flesh that was hiding away his blue irises. Another smug look was on his face when he heard the reply that he got back from his bold statement. He was pretty confident that she wasn’t the one who had him wrapped around her finger! No, that could not be the case at all and he was feeling pretty good with the idea that it was the opposite away around for sure. She simply didn’t want to admit that she was the one who was really longing for him. Or Keto was just getting caught up with this little game even in his head. That may or may not have been a very good idea. Not that he didn’t think he could get out of this; he just wasn’t completely sure where this would lead emotionally. For her, of course. Keto wasn’t really one to deal with those emotional things. He didn’t have problems with them since he didn’t bother with them most of the time. Not this silly love stuff, anyways. Or maybe he’d just never felt it to have to deal with it.

Not enough of a thrill? Perhaps not for a flirtatious ex-princess who had been banned because of her promiscuous affairs with creatures outside of their own race even. For any other female he was sure that he was plenty a thrill to have around. Not in the romantic sense obviously since she had no interest in him sitting up here relaxed. But he sure as hell could make himself look like a suitable mate when he was out on the hunt. Keto simply lacked some good personality traits that some females seemed to crave. They always wanted good guys, didn’t they? The heroes and such and such. Well, he was no hero but he knew that he could keep this girl on her toes (flipper?).

Keto was caught by surprise and fell over, catching himself as he hit the sand on his elbow. He shot his head around to somehow get her back or question what she was even trying to do but she had already disappeared through the waves of the ocean. Keto quickly lifted himself back up and watched the ocean carefully and quietly as he searched for the mermaid who had vanished. He had heard her calling but it was taking his eyes a few moments to adjust to the darkness and the glare of the moon against the sea. Soon though he managed to spot the female. When she had spoken again he had managed to track her down and frown at her words while he looked over toward her.

He didn’t plan on giving her any kind of answer. The merman stayed up halfway on the shore and continued looking down on her with his gloom look. Not that even this pathetic stare would keep her up above the water. Again she disappeared from his view and Keto was left alone on the shore. Well as alone as one could be… there were some crabs and such scuttling under the night sky but he did not find that they were the best of company to have around. For a little while he kept only that company too. He wanted to make her wait now or feel as though he really did have little interest in her now that she wanted to play. He tilted his head back and forth a few times, allowing the muscles on each side stretch carefully. He glanced down at the nasty cut on his side and then drew in a deep breath. His eyes planted themselves on the open ocean and then with a few powerful pushes, Keto had thrown himself back into the ocean as well.

He let himself fall through the water slowly, bubbles erupting around him and darting toward the surface where they would only burst. He didn’t bother with swimming around for a bit and only moved his eyes around in search of the girl that he was following after. Oh shit- she had him following her. Maybe she was right. But that was only for now- only for tonight would he amuse her.

Keto twisted around and started to swim when he caught sight of her. He had drifted quite far from her and swept up behind her, turning to face her in one tight movement very close to her own body. He lifted his chin, floating upward so he could glance down at her. “Someone like me? And just what do you mean by that, princess?” he questioned her airily. “Am I not intriguing enough for you? Or perhaps my skin is too rough and worn to keep you attracted to me? Or would I not be tender enough?” As he spoke he lifted a hand up to her chin and cupped the side of her face with his hand, he lowered himself to get eye level with her now. “Am I not worthy enough for an exiled princess?” Keto moved his face closer to hers, still looking careless and rather aloof. “I assure you I am much deeper than meets the eye, Nita.”

With those words said he placed a soft kiss against her lips, parting them a moment later.

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tagged: nita isis larene
song: too pretty by state of shock
words: 887
notes: pucker up -3-

[NITA ISIS LARENE]

There was no reason for her to play anymore with him. She swam around in circles, contemplating her next move. Off and on she looked back, wondering if he'd follow her but she became convinced that he would do no such thing. After all, didn't he just proclaim that he had her wrapped around his finger? Why would a solitary man like himself say such a thing and then go on and follow her? Nita hoped that he would, as she greatly enjoyed his company, but she wasn't convinced he enjoyed hers enough to warrant following her.

Perhaps she had been fooling herself. He was his own man and she was unlike many of her female contemporaries. She didn't care about things that they cared about. Maybe when she was younger and ignorant of the world, but not anymore. No, she wasn't that person anymore, even if everyone believed her to be. The only thing they had right about her was her promiscuous behavior, otherwise, she preferred to remain something of an enigma. She loved having others underestimate what she was capable of, and even more when she came out rather victorious. It always served to propel her ego.

Nita looked back a few times as she swam, but all she could see was more darkness. Finally, she stopped swimming. She turned her body around and drifted idly for several minutes, until a figure came into distance. Was it another shark? No, it was him. She was rather surprised, given how long it took him to follow her, yet she didn't bother to address him. Let him come to her, she much preferred it. And so he did, and she waited, not saying anything and rather confused as to why he'd even bother with someone as complicated as she could be.

When he did approach her, she stared at him strangely, wondering what he was thinking about. She had no endearing quality other than her supposed good looks, something he continued to remind her about. She, on instinct, swam back trying to separate herself from him, but he had other ideas. This was a battle she couldn't win and she conceded to him. One minute he was above her and the next in front of her. Her green eyes darted in several directions, readying for an attack that wouldn't happen. Then he spoke.

All she could do was scoff at him. Before she had time to say anything else, he had moved himself directly in front of her, cupped her chin into his own hand and planted a kiss on her lips. It had all caught her by surprise. And when they parted, she was left speechless. Nita blinked her eyes many times, licking her lips at the same time. He tasted like fish; she liked fish. Slowly she swam around him, as she had done earlier until coming to a halt at the same position, right in front of him, her head tilted slightly in confusion, but a smirk on her face that was easy to see.

"I would say so warrior." She looked up for no particular reason. She wouldn't bolt this time, instead choosing to savor this moment. "You followed me more than once and kissed me. Not the actions one would expect of an experienced warrior. I am impressed..." As if on cue she decided to take a page out of his book and pulled him closer to her and returned his kiss with one of her own. Of course hers was longer and probably more affectionate than it needed to be.

However, that was Nita. Even when she let go of him, she didn't appear flustered. "That's how you kiss a mermaid honey." He was better at it than she thought, playing this game of hers. How long he'd continue was anyones guess. She wasn't fooling herself with someone like him. Although he was a gem, she could never have him. She'd always come last, if she came at all. "Either we play this childish game all night, of chasing one another, or we get serious. And by serious, I mean a serious conversation. I can do a night or two without a man's body. I chased you, you chased me, you kissed me, I kissed you. What does it mean?" She asked him, her arms folded.

[KETO AYSU VELLAMO]

TOO PRETTY FOR ME
and maybe baby you're playing hide and go seek

I'M HOPING FOR THE BEST

-----------------------------------------------------------

Her reaction was just what he had been digging for. She hadn’t expected it. His words had been belittled and uncared for but the kiss was all that he had to bring forth to get her attention back on him and bring back that interest she had claimed to loose while the pair had been up on the shore. He gave her a proud smirk while she stayed in place only blinking and letting her tongue run across where his lips had touched hers. She sure was strange, but he was still quite amused with the reaction he had been given and pulled his hand away from her to show that he was done with that little surprise. His eyes stayed on hers until she had disappeared behind him. But she reappeared quickly and he returned his gaze to hers making sure that they stayed fastened together through staring. Finally she stopped her circles and Keto could look right back at her.

He thought over her words, deciding that they really made no sense to him but he brushed it off. He wasn’t really all that sure how she could be impressed but he could understand the part when she agreed that he wasn’t what you would first think that he was. It was hard to believe that there was some tenderness beneath those fins and that rough skin, huh? Well, maybe. Even for Keto it was a bit foreign considering he wasn’t exactly sweet and cuddly with anybody or anything. She just happened to be in the right place at the right time stirring up the right kind of conversation and what not. She was one of the few who had been able to get such softness out of him. Actually there was a very large chance that she had been the only one who had gotten such gentle behavior out of Keto Aysu Vellamo.

Well this female had managed to accomplish quite a bit of these surprises tonight. First the pushing, then bringing forth the soft feelings, and now she had caught him a bit off guard with the kiss. It wasn’t a completely sane thing to do to a hunter as his hands had darted for her wrists and clamped around them. But he had just as quickly loosened up his grip when his brain managed to take in that she was only mimicking what he had done with a bit more force, making the her own kiss last longer. They parted though and Keto just raised his brows at her with pursed lips. His face relaxed completely again when she explained to him that the kiss she had just given him was the appropriate way to kiss a mermaid. Hmm, he hadn’t the slightest idea earlier that there were regulations to this kissing thing. She was just a picky girl, he was sure.

Kissing was a strange sensation. For some reason it was over fantasized and made into something of large importance in some culture. It wasn’t like he had been swept away into some amazing world and suddenly fallen in love with the beautiful princess (well, ex-princess). Keto was still here and very aware of everything around him nor had he felt like he was suddenly in love. It had simply been a kiss; a touch of the lips. He was not doubting that he had felt something when she had kissed him. It was kind of like a switch had flipped up and turned on a bit more excitement and curiosity but it was not more than that. Maybe his heart hadn’t pounded like mad simply because he was Keto. His personality didn’t allow him to get worked up over such things or something. Keto couldn’t know for sure though. He didn’t go around kissing everyone after all.

Keto looked slightly perplexed by her questioning. He wasn’t sure if it really had any deeper meaning than what she had said. She had followed him, he had followed her, he had kissed her, and she had kissed him. There was nothing more to think about it, was there? Females always needed some kind of emotion put behind it didn’t they? Keto just perked up a brow at her now as he thought this over. “I suppose it means we’re both good at playing follow the leader, princess,” he explained to her matter-of-factly. “There isn’t much more behind it, is there?”

-----------------------------------------------------------

tagged: nita isis larene
song: too pretty by state of shock
words: 735
notes: O:

[NITA ISIS LARENE]

Was she the cat or the mouse? As she remained there, motionless, the only though that really seemed to prevail in her thinking was that. Sure, she followed him several times and gave off a feeling of wanting and needing but at the same time she had set several traps of her own. Now she was wondering what it all came down to and where she should go from there. He was an interesting man, she'd give him that much. Yet, he remained mysterious. She didn't think she had enough strength to break down that wall of his and wasn't sure if she'd like what she'd find if she succeeded.

Nita frowned, mumbled a few incoherent things to herself and shook her head, slightly frustrated. He had been rather fun to play with, yet she didn't feel as if she had gotten anywhere with him in their time together. It was as if she was still out on that rock and he was looking up at her for the sake of looking. No progress had been made. Though she knew his name and what clan he hailed from. He already seemed to know everything about her, which was a little unsettling truth be told.

She finally replied to his simple statement with one of her own, a look of confusion now etched onto her face. "Whoever said there was anything beyond it? I was just wondering where we went from here. Do we go our separate ways and pretend like nothing happened? You may fool everyone else with your indifferent attitude, but I'm not as convinced. Everyone needs someone." She said those last words with conviction, hoping he wouldn't think she meant "as a mate". He seemed to be under some impression that's all she cared about.

She studied him over again and even though not necessary, ran a finger through her hair. Eh, maybe she had expected too much from him. She couldn't change anyone overnight, or in their case, a few hours. He was a challenge and quite frankly, she wasn't sure the reward was worth the trouble if she invested anymore of her time in him. "But you're right, I suppose. There isn't anything behind randomly kissing a stranger. Even I wouldn't do something like that unless there was a...reason." She shrugged at him visibly.

She swam closer to him again and smiled. "Or maybe, you're just too old to care." Nita swam up slightly, her original intention to go back to the shore. However, she decided that she had done enough running around and instead swam back down, though kept her distance from him, hovering slightly above where he was. She didn't want him to think she needed him. After all, she had survived this long without him. He didn't have her wrapped around his finger. No, not by a long shot.

She was a torn woman. Two sides were playing a cruel joke on her. There was that part of her that wanted to be done with him and continue on her way. That part of her almost always won out, yet another side was emerging. It was the one of a more passive Nita. Keto was experienced and clearly knowledgeable and hadn't done anything to make her feel unworthy to stand among him. That part of her was telling her to go with him and take a backseat to his endeavors. She was unsure of what to do and looked up at something she couldn't see. That was besides the point.

Nita then looked down at Keto and after several awkward movements, she finally decided to listen to that part of her that rarely had a say in any of her decisions. She slowly swam back down to him and repeated, "Everyone needs someone, myself included." She paused for a moment and continued, "I don't think I can survive much longer alone, without any real help. I'm lucky to have lasted as long as I did, but luck will only go so far. There's nothing waiting for me up shore." It was true. She had no home. She would much rather stay down here with him. At least she could talk to him. Of course, that was assuming he still wanted her around.

[KETO AYSU VELLAMO]

TOO PRETTY FOR ME
and maybe baby you're playing hide and go seek

I'M HOPING FOR THE BEST

-----------------------------------------------------------

Everyone needs someone; that was a statement that really did not faze Keto in the least bit. He had been told plenty of times that everyone needed to have someone to have by their side or to depend on. He was told he needed a companion, whether that companion be a friend or mate it didn’t matter. Just someone who would be there constantly. But Keto didn’t believe in such things. His clan was there for the moment and he didn’t want someone being at his side all of the time. It would become tiring and he doubted that he would be a very good constant for someone anyways. That simply wasn’t built into him, it was not written into his blood or soul or anything. Being alone was his comfort and depending on himself for the most part was what he had always done. He could have stayed far below the surface today and waited and hoped for his clan to bring him something to eat but he hadn’t. He simply counted more on himself than anyone else so he had come up to get something to eat. Nobody else had done it and nobody else had been around to help or encourage it. Keto counted on himself. He didn’t expect anyone to help him either. If they wanted to then that was fine but you should not expect something back in return unless requested beforehand. That was how he worked.

Keto did not show any obvious signs of disagreeing with her though. He pondered it a moment and then lightly shook his head. “Disagreed. Not everyone needs someone,” he said quite simply while swimming idly in her direction. Then he chuckled halfheartedly. “I haven’t needed anyone and I was alone for many, many years before the Ekundayo.”

He found it interesting that she had said she would not have kissed a random stranger. After all, hadn’t she just kissed a random stranger moments after that random stranger had planted a kiss on her? He was sure that she had but he decided not to question it and only gave her a grin in return. He supposed he had kissed a random stranger himself but he really only had the intentions of proving a point to her. That point was proven too. Keto was not a bore and he was far more than what he looked like he was. He was much more than the icon of the Ekundayo; he was a merman with a soul and spirit. It may not have been as bubbly and innocent or easy to see as others but it was in there somewhere deep if you were willing to dig for it. Sometimes he wasn’t even patient enough to search for it since he was always in survival mode. But most were these days, so he couldn’t have possibly been alone in this. Or maybe he really was old. And she seemed to agree with that, stating quiet firmly that he was possibly too old to care if he went around locking lips with anyone he saw that was beautiful. Again, Keto didn’t bother with answering her. Maybe he was just old. He didn’t really much care.

With that she seemed to be done with him. Fine, then he was done with her. He stayed where he was, lifting his chin, watching her quietly. She didn’t make it to the surface though. She just stayed where she was looking as though she was deciding on what she really wanted to do with herself now. Keto just continued to watch her, lazy amusement hanging off of his features as he did so. It didn’t last all that long though. Soon Nita was coming back over toward him, but she didn’t bring herself to close. His eyes immediately narrowed up at her as she began to explain herself to him. A serious expression overtook him now, an expression that you may see on the face of a fierce leader in a painting, preparing to go after his enemy. Yes, his face had become very somber now as he listened to her.

“Then what is it that you want from me, Nita.”

His words were an obvious statement since he already assumed that he knew what she wanted from him. She wanted his help in someway or another. Either she wanted to join his band of outcasts or she wanted them to scratch her back and they would scratch hers kind of deal. Keto wasn’t really sure what one it was to be completely honest. He wasn’t sure what she wanted from him at all… just some kind of help.

-----------------------------------------------------------

tagged: nita isis larene
song: too pretty by state of shock
words: 774
notes: ;o

[NITA ISIS LARENE]

What did she want? More importantly, what did she think he could do for her once she figured it out? Those two questions posed more of a problem for her than anything else she had done today, which was incredibly strange given the sudden turn of events. Yet, here she was, one on one with another merman, laying it all out in the open. Was it a cry for attention? Hardly. Nita knew how to go about taking care of something like that. Trying to appeal to his better nature wasn't one of those ways.

And although he disagreed with her previous statement, she didn't believe him when he said it. However, it really wasn't worth making a big issue out of and she opted to just let it go for now. Considering what else had transpired, she assumed that was the wiser thing to do in this case. "If you say so..." She replied indifferently, still not convinced. She had lived alone and she had lived among others and she knew which lifestyle she preferred. Living alone only got her so far, but when she was around others, she fed off of their energy and in turn, felt more protected.

That wasn't to say that she wanted to immerse herself into merfolk society again. On the contrary, she just wanted somewhere to fit in, or a place where she could go when she needed it. Would he provide her with such a place? She wasn't too sure. She wasn't even thrilled about the prospect of being around him more than she had already. For one, she'd more than likely get herself into trouble and secondly, she didn't trust herself. She had never been good at following orders, and he would expect her to behave a certain way for obvious reasons: he had to protect his own interests, his clan.

She'd probably only end up getting the in way and then there were those that he ran with, the ones who had given her a rather hard time. She wasn't in the mood nor felt strong enough to fight with them. She trusted very few, and doubted that she could trust other outcasts with her life. She loved being alone, but she hated feeling lonely. It was a weird position for her and she wasn't really comfortable in that role. She hated not having the answers for herself. She liked being able to do her own thing.

And then his words reverberated back into her psyche and she answered truthfully, "I don't think you can give me what I really want without chastising and making light of me. I've been alone for a long time now, and quite frankly, it's about run its course for me. Maybe not for you, but for me, this lifestyle, it's really not fun anymore. Sure, I answer to no one, but being able to sleep with whomever I want means little to me emotionally."

She wasn't sure why she was telling him all this. Perhaps, it was just time for her to tell someone and since he was the only one around who seemed to take her slightly seriously, she spoke to him. Years had spent with her keeping most of her emotions bottled inside. She seemed perfectly fine with it and even when she was talking to him, kept her calm. When she did cry, which was rare, no one was ever around to witness it. She would not start now, not in front of someone like him.

Nita hadn't realized she paused and blinked a few times before continuing, "I guess, what I'm trying to say is that although I've enjoyed myself for...almost twenty years, at some point, it stopped being fun. The single life. And when I say single, I mean loner. I've learned that I don't really need a mate in the traditional sense. No man could handle me. I've accepted that much. I think what I mean is that I'd rather be part of something than not be part of anything. There's a lot going on among our own people and well, should anything become of it, I want to know that I'm among people who would...have my back to put it loosely."

She shook her head gently. "I shouldn't have told you this. It doesn't matter much. I've burned most of my bridges a long time ago. I'm sure you've heard things about me, some of which are true, but I haven't been among my family in decades, I'm not a princess anymore and I can take care of myself. If I couldn't, I wouldn't be here talking to you. I can spend the rest of my life alone, doing what I've been doing, but I'd rather spend it with others quite frankly." She didn't want to end up like him, so cold and uncaring. She wanted him to see the rewards of company, but he was already set in his ways and it seemed a lost cause.

[KETO AYSU VELLAMO]

TOO PRETTY FOR ME
and maybe baby you're playing hide and go seek

I'M HOPING FOR THE BEST

-----------------------------------------------------------

All of her words were rather surprising. It wasn’t everyday that someone drifted your way and than poured out their problems to you. Well, that wasn’t completely true for Keto. He was the leader of the Ekundayo, the bridge to acceptance into a clan. Anyone who wanted to join came to him first and usually joining was a last resort. Nobody ever grew up aspiring to be in his clan. It was their last chance and last opportunity so they came to him and told him their story. He had heard many too. Many that were similar to Nita’s. It was lonely and dangerous to be on your own. That was what many banished merfolk struggled with too so Nita’s story was not extremely uncommon to hear. So why the reason for him to be surprised by her admitting this to him? Because Nita had not made her intentions clear earlier and because she seemed to play her cards so well, showing hardly the slightest bit of remorse at being alone for so long. She had held in all of that and probably had no intentions of telling anyone that today since it was only another day for her. But here she was now, confessing it to him. Was it because he was the leader of the Ekundayo? Or was there any other meaning behind it? Keto wasn’t sure but he doubted the second one as she continued.

Did she truly understand the Ekundayo? It was true that they were rather rough and tough but it wasn’t really all that hard for anyone to fit in with them. If you could swim and you could contribute to keeping everyone alive then you were pretty much in. Ah, but you also had to be sure to never turn your back on the clan or else you would be out of there as quick as you could get into it. Keto would always be sure to take care of the traitors. Sometimes they didn’t get away without a few marks to show where they had been. But, of course, that all depended on what you did.

Keto did not speak for a long moment. He simply stared up at her, taking in the information that he had received. But, finally, he tilted his head downward and gave a smirk. It was fake but any watching may not have been able to tell a real one from a fake. Keto was rather good at convincing others that he was feeling one thing rather than the other. Right now, he was sort of faking amusement, even if now as not the time for it. And he knew that. Even so, he kept on the small half grin and looked back up toward Nita, giving her a halfhearted sort of shrug. “I never did ask for your life story, princess. All I wanted to know was what you wanted from me,” he told her while furrowing his brow to pretend to hide the fake amusement. “Perhaps you would rather be… oh, on friendly terms with the Ekundayo? I think it is quite clear you have no intentions of coming with me to join them.”

-----------------------------------------------------------

tagged: nita isis larene
song: too pretty by state of shock
words: 529
notes: i think.. he's trying to piss her off now.

[NITA ISIS LARENE]

Her whole body just sunk lower as he spoke. Had he not really listened to anything she said or was he just that daft? She rolled her eyes, but didn't bother say anything. What was the point? It was exactly like she said. He criticized her. Then again, what had she expected? Did she really think he was going to have something constructive to say to her after what she just told him? Did she really think he was going to remotely care at all what she wanted even after asking her? She should have known better.

She looked at him plainly, wanting so desperately to bite his head off. Instead, she refrained, showing that restraint that had kept her alive this long. She folded her arms, her eyes more intense and her smile long faded. She wasn't playing games with him anymore and from the tone of his voice, he wasn't playing games with her either. She found out the answer to her question, though. This is what it all meant. Testing each other out. That's what all of this was about.

She licked her lips as she had done previously, her arms still folded and a slight look of contempt on her face. Now he was patronizing her. Maybe he wanted to get some sort of rise out of her? Or maybe he just didn't get the memo. People had been trying to do that to her for years and it never worked. If she lashed out on someone every time they made fun of her, she wouldn't have lasted all this time alone. Perhaps he meant everything he said and really had no heart and was cold as a stone. She wouldn't be the least bit surprised judging from his behavior displayed today.

She snorted. "Why would I ever want to...join you?" She finally said after much mental deliberation. "Maybe you're a good leader to unintelligent outcasts. There's not much skill required clearly..." She said trailing off. He wasn't like the others, she'd give him that much, but it didn't matter how handsome he was. He simply wasn't worth the time and effort. "You know, it doesn't even matter what I say anymore. I don't think you've really listened to a word I've said all day." She swam further away from him and looked up into darkness once again.

She knew that the once she left him, it was finished. He would not follow her this time and she surely wouldn't follow him. He hadn't given her a reason to and with his skepticism about her, she hadn't given him much of a reason either. "We can't all be Keto, master of the sea! But then, look who I'm talking to, the mighty warrior himself, the merman with no problems and no heart. But you are right about one thing: I don't have any intention on going anywhere with you. Why should I? I've done well for myself without you this long, there will be someone else who will appreciate me."

Nita didn't go too far, but she considered this conversation over, unless he had something else to say to her. She wasn't expecting too much, however, but hovered in the water, her arms still folded and a generally annoyed and irritated look on her face that could be read from a mile away. She wasn't going to make her irritation hard to read. And his patronizing only further annoyed her. What a disappointment he was.

[KETO AYSU VELLAMO]

TOO PRETTY FOR ME
and maybe baby you're playing hide and go seek

I'M HOPING FOR THE BEST

-----------------------------------------------------------

The grin on his fade didn’t fade despite the fact that the words did sting. It was a nice little jab at his pride, something that he held quite dearly. It was second to his life, after all. He knew that she was only trying to get at him with that comment though. He knew that she only wanted to stir up some anger in him as well and leave him feeling bitter about this meeting the two had. She probably only wanted him to feel as annoyed as he had made her feel. Oh he could deal with that but he was not going to let her get away with it without him having another stab at her. Obviously the two of them could play more than follow the leader. If she really did think that the Ekundayo was made up of a bunch of fools than she really needed to be introduced to the bunch of them. Outcasts weren’t fools. Outcasts were clever and sometimes ruthless. Because of their differences and because of society shunning them all they had learned to become cunning in everything that they did, they had to be, didn’t they? If they didn’t learn than they would die. A whole band of outcasts was dangerous. It was like a bunch of outlaws all bunched together; only the Ekundayo wasn’t really known for starting up too much trouble. They kept to themselves usually and often got called upon rather than them asking of any help. Yes, surely she hadn’t meant her words. Only a fool would think such a thing of his clan. Then again, maybe she was a fool.

He watched her drift off, allowing her some space to perhaps give her some false comfort in thinking that he would not bother her any further. His eyes narrowed as he watched her, his brain already hard at work deciding what he was going to do with her exactly. A plot had already formulated in his head though, he simply had to wait for the right moment. And the right moment was not while she was foolishly speaking about him. He would have to remind this one of just who she was dealing with. And he was going to take care of that right about now.

As soon as she had stopped her babbling, Keto darted after her, turning sharply in front of her almost exactly like he had done earlier. The only difference was that he didn’t get close to her just to prove he wasn’t spontaneous. Now he had gotten close to her to grab her throat in his hand and glare at her all the while keeping his smirk on his face. His forehead was lowered so that he peered up at her from underneath a few straying strands of dark hair. “I’m sorry, princess, but the master of the sea really thinks that you should become more acquainted with his clan so that you may have a proper outlook on them,” he explained to her sweetly through his smile. He curled his fingers lightly toward her flesh. “Do not test me, princess. If I have no heart as you have claimed than you should really learn to watch that mouth of yours unless you want your tongue eaten. We’re savage idiots, you know.” He spoke the last words sarcastically and with a bit more anger rising in them.

He wouldn’t really harm her. All he wanted to do was scare the confidence straight out of her. Unfortunately, Keto was sure that would be far more of a challenge than what he had dealt with in the past. And he had dealt with some real assholes throughout the years. He was sure Nita would put up a fight, he was sure that she had much more stubbornness running through her veins than the rest of those spineless bastards she had come from.

“Hmm, you may be rather charming without that tongue, girl,” he mused, bringing his face closer to hers. He bared his teeth, showing off the sharper ones near the sides of his mouth with an open grin. “Then you wouldn’t have any trouble finding a companion. You’d just be a pretty thing to have around. Shall we try that? I'm sure you'd be good at it.”

-----------------------------------------------------------

tagged: nita isis larene
song: too pretty by state of shock
words: 716
notes: time to be mean >3