Seafoam and stretches

Lise | She/Her | Utopia Half Warmblooded Mer | 28 | Athletic trainer [Nyo Denmark blog for Hetopia]

[mer--lovise-blog]

“I would like to claim plausible deniability.”

“You want to claim plausible what about what now???” Lovise looked confused at the half-mer, confused and clearly lost about what the other had said, and not really sure what she wanted to tell her with that. She started to play with her hair in distress. Did she do something wrong that the other was bothered by?

[halvhavfrue-blog]

“Plausible deniability,” Lise clarified, glancing around at the broken remains of some kind of wooden structure. “I don’t think I really want to know what happened here earlier and I suspect that you don’t either. So we should probably go elsewhere before others come and investigate.”

[justmorerpmemes]

Hmm... Starters

“Well that’s an interesting predicament…”

“How did you get yourself there?”

“Care to share how you wound up in this situation?”

“I don’t want to talk about how or why I’m here, just help.”

“You have a thoughtful look on your face.”

“You’re looking a little spacey.”

“I could elaborate, but I won’t.”

“Can you explain this to me one more time?”

“I have questions, and I doubt you have answers to them.”

“I don’t think any amount of explanation is going to save whatever headache this is giving me.”

“I don’t need to explain anything.”

“I could tell you what happened, but you will not believe me.”

“I would like to claim plausible deniability.”

“Nothing you say is going to make this any better.”

“I put a lot of thought into this.”

“I didn’t think this through.”

“I thought about this a lot and it still came out like this.”

“Sometimes I just need a quiet place to think.”

“You really thought this all out?”

“It’s difficult to have a spare moment to myself these days.”

“You look suspicious.”

“I have no idea what you’re referring to.”

“Do you just stare while you think?”

“You have a thoughtful look about you, something up?”

“Hmm… oh what? Sorry, it’s nothing. Don’t worry.”

[themightypebbles]

“so, you wanna be a hero, kid?”

@halvhavfrue

She shrugged, “I mean, not really. They usually die in stories, right? Like ‘die as a hero or live to see yourself become a villain’ that sort of thing?” She shrugged, “but I don’t really want to be a damsel in distress, either. What are the other options?”

[halvhavfrue-blog]

themightypebbles‌:

Pebbles considered this for much longer than she had the other replies, not quite understanding what she meant by ‘a small act,’ “you mean… heroes aren’t always doing big, important things? They help people in little ways, too? Isn’t that hard if they’re in the middle of the big helpful things?” 

Lise hummed and waved her hand in a so-so gesture. “Sort of? I do think that can be challenging if one is trying to balance so much at once... but I was more talking about how sometimes someone can be a hero by not doing anything big and dangerous at all and instead just do a lot of small acts that ultimately build up to something huge... am I making sense?”

[halvhavfrue-blog]

softbrilliance‌:

Once the dogs had found out who was on the other side of the door, they sniffed Lise intently then seemed satisfied, running off to do whatever it was that dogs did. Among the canine chaos, Erika found she was being given flowers, and her eyes widened, surprised and pleased all at once. “Oh, Lisichen! These are so lovely!” The wonder reached every point of her delicate features; and warmth flooded her heart and reached her extremities. Why, she almost wanted to hug the bouquet, it was such a welcome surprise!

Instead, she carefully set aside the flowers for a moment and was greeted into an even better hug, wrapping her short, slender arms around the older woman and embracing her tightly. The difference in their height–just an inch shy of an entire foot–meant that the fey was in a precarious spot, her face easily able to nestle into the curve of Lise’s chest. And maybe she wanted to–just a little bit? It seemed like it would be warm and comfortable. But the mere thought of this brought the heat of shame to the petite blonde’s face and ears; they hadn’t even so much as let their lips touch!

“I missed you too,” she responded as she stepped back once more, the corners of her eyes crinkling. “It has been a very long week; but it is much easier to get through the worst of days when I know I can soon see you and spend time with you.” She picked up the flowers and walked towards the kitchen, carrying the bundle of blooms carefully. “I told you that you did not need to bring me anything,” Erika said softly as she looked for a vase within the kitchen cabinets; she had noticed her girlfriend had brought something else along. “Just your company would have been enough for me…”

Seeing the wonder light up her love’s face, almost literally, at just the small gesture of giving her flowers made the small detour to pick them up more than worth it in the half mer’s opinion. She was glad when the dogs adjusted to her being there so she could focus on her girlfriend properly, grinning as her hug was returned and that the flowers were not being crushed.

It did not escape her notice that the height difference between the two of them meant that Erika was more facing her chest than anything else, and that was something that Lise wouldn’t mind in the least... but... no. Don’t go too fast for what Erika is willing to do. They have not properly kissed yet and it wouldn’t be good to jump too far, too fast. She shushed the part of her brain that lamented when the younger woman pulled away a bit.

“Not going to lie, the thought of getting to spend time with you was what got me through this week... Knowing that I could be here with you was the light at the end of the tunnel,” she admitted as she followed Erika into the kitchen, holding the other gift in her hand as she watched the other try to find a vase for the floral part of her gift. “I know but... I wanted to give you something anyway. You are important to me and while I know you don’t need anything... I still felt like you deserve to be spoiled some today.”

[themightypebbles]

“so, you wanna be a hero, kid?”

@halvhavfrue

She shrugged, “I mean, not really. They usually die in stories, right? Like ‘die as a hero or live to see yourself become a villain’ that sort of thing?” She shrugged, “but I don’t really want to be a damsel in distress, either. What are the other options?”

[halvhavfrue-blog]

themightypebbles‌:

“Yeah, me neither. I want to help people, even if they’re not kind, but… I’d still want someone to appreciate that I helped. Even if it’s not the person I did it for.”

Pebbles gave a shrug, “I don’t really have anyone I want to stay in one piece for, but I don’t want to run recklessly into danger, either. I mean, I want to be brave, but… you already said just jumping in isn’t bravery, right?”

The reporter shook her head with a small smile. “You got it in one. Just jumping into danger without thinking is more recklessness than bravery. And sometimes people are heroes in a more unconventional sense. Helping get someone out of a bad situation or being there when someone needs a sympathetic ear... Sometimes a small act causes bigger ripples in another person’s life than you can’t fully grasp.”

[themightypebbles]

“so, you wanna be a hero, kid?”

@halvhavfrue

She shrugged, “I mean, not really. They usually die in stories, right? Like ‘die as a hero or live to see yourself become a villain’ that sort of thing?” She shrugged, “but I don’t really want to be a damsel in distress, either. What are the other options?”

[halvhavfrue-blog]

themightypebbles‌:

“Too much gratitude could go to their heads, but not enough gratitude could also be a problem. Not even like a reward or a gift, but if you saved the world every day and nobody even said thank you… you might start wondering why you saved such a rude bunch of people in the first place… that’s a lot to try and take in. Why I wouldn’t want to be a hero-hero, just a sidekick. Nobody expects to be thanked as a sidekick,” She shrugged.

“Facing fears is brave…” she repeated aloud, trying to make sense of the conversation they’d been having. All things considered, she’d learned a lot from this talk of heroes and villains. “Which would you want to be, miss…? Would you be a hero?”

Lise tapped a finger to her lips idly as she considered the point that Pepper had just made. “That is a good point, I know that if I was a hero in some way I would want to at least feel some appreciation. Maybe not gifts or an over the top ceremony but I wouldn’t want to feel like I am putting forth all this effort and danger just for them not to be thankful. It’s a tough balance and one I do not envy.”

She paused at the question, tilting her head a bit as she gave it some genuine thought. “I... am not sure, honestly. If I was younger I would say yes and jump in with feet first but... I still want to help people and would if the opportunity presented itself... but I would think twice about running into danger. I have someone who I want to stay in one piece for, you know?”

[halvhavfrue-blog]

softbrilliance‌:

Such was the nature of Erika’s life that she was too busy to remember her birthday was coming up until her parents called and asked about it. And really, the date of her birthday was only an estimation given by the very first doctor she had been to as a tiny baby on Utopia. She didn’t quite have the luxury of an arranged adoption or a clear entry into foster care, nor very much information period. They were only confident enough in her racial makeup because her biological mother was very clearly a sprite, but Erika was too big to be a sprite, but not quite human enough to be a pixie. In short: everything surrounding her birth was a huge question mark, and she didn’t focus much attention on celebrating it anymore as an adult.

But when Lise showed immense interest in celebrating it, well…the fey found it difficult to turn down an excuse to spend time with her girlfriend, as limited as their time together was sometimes. It was the end of the work week for Erika–and a very normal, very exhausting one too–and she wanted to stay in for the night if at all possible. Which, of course, meant racing home after work and straightening up the townhouse one last time and freshening herself up too. A touchup of makeup and more comfortable but still neat clothes later, and Erika was wondering if she should have started cooking or baking something; but logically she likely wouldn’t have had enough time. Regardless, she was taking stock of her supply when she heard the doorbell ring and three dogs run to the door to start barking in unison. She shushed them and tried to get them away from the door, which was a task considering her size; but opened the door beaming….quite literally, with her natural glow brightening slightly to match her wide, excited, perhaps crazed smile. “Come in–please–mind the dogs!”

Ringing the doorbell meant that Lise was going to be greeted by a chorus of barks no matter what, but she figured that having the dogs get their excitement out early as well as giving Erika fair warning that she was here was the best option. When her girlfriend opened the door and visibly brightened, the half mer felt her heart give a tug at the sight. Oh, the other woman was a very welcome sight for sore eyes. She carefully made her way inside and shut the door behind herself, removing her shoes and offering the flowers to Erika so they wouldn’t be crushed as she greeted the dogs.

“Happy birthday my dear! I-- yes, hello to you too-- I hope that the day has been good so far? I got these for you even though they cannot hope to compare to how radiant you are,” Lise began as she straightened and made her way over to the shorter woman. “I missed you,” she added softly as she gently gave her girlfriend a hug. “My day always gets better when I can talk to you and it improves even more when I can spend time with you like this.”

[themightypebbles]

“so, you wanna be a hero, kid?”

@halvhavfrue

She shrugged, “I mean, not really. They usually die in stories, right? Like ‘die as a hero or live to see yourself become a villain’ that sort of thing?” She shrugged, “but I don’t really want to be a damsel in distress, either. What are the other options?”

[halvhavfrue-blog]

themightypebbles‌:

“I guess… I don’t know many heroes like that, but they do sound like the best kind. Usually, it’s the villains who are doing things for some kind of reward, right? So if the hero is doing it for a reward instead of wanting to help people, too, then they’re not all good.” She bit her lip lightly, taking this conversation about heroics a little too seriously. “I try to be brave, but… good heroes. They face a lot of danger all the time, right? It’d be hard to be brave like that no matter what. Don’t they get scared sometimes?”

Lise nodded, looking thoughtful. An idle question had turned into quite the conversation with the young girl in front of her. “They do sound like the best kind, I agree. I wonder if the heroes who have been around for a very long time, the ones who had the adoration and gratitude from the public for years, they could possibly let it get to their heads? It is a tough line to walk.” Her eyes softened and she reached out to gently rest a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure they do... But I genuinely think real bravery is not the absence of fear, it’s facing it and overcoming it. But it’s not being reckless and charging headfirst into danger either.”

[halvhavfrue-blog]

"Miss! I'm sorry to interrupt you but I just need to tell you that you have such a lovely aura!"

Lise blinked and tilted her head a bit, curiously. “Um... Thank you? What do you mean by that exactly?”

[themightypebbles]

“so, you wanna be a hero, kid?”

@halvhavfrue

She shrugged, “I mean, not really. They usually die in stories, right? Like ‘die as a hero or live to see yourself become a villain’ that sort of thing?” She shrugged, “but I don’t really want to be a damsel in distress, either. What are the other options?”

[halvhavfrue-blog]

themightypebbles‌:

Pebbles appeared deep in thought for a moment before shrugging, “no, I don’t think it would bother me. If all I wanted was credit for saving the day, I’d be the hero. It’d be better knowing that people are safe, even if nobody knows I’m the one who helped them, right?”

A soft smile pulled at her lips before she nodded. “Yeah, that is a fair point. Arguably the best kinds of heroes are the ones who do the things they do because it is right, not for the fame that comes with it all. You get what I’m saying?”

[halvhavfrue-blog]

Lise hummed to herself quietly as she finished wrapping her girlfriend’s gift and set off for the fey woman’s home. It was Erika’s birthday and she wanted to spoil her a bit as the two of them spent the evening together. She had already texted earlier that she was going to be dropping in after they both were finished with their respective jobs for the day and wasn’t sure if Erika wanted to go out to eat or spend the evening in. Either way, it was her birthday and she would be the one who got to choose.

She just didn’t want to go too far and overwhelm the younger woman. The most important thing in her eyes was spending the day with the person she cared about. Lise knew that Erika got flustered sometimes when she made grandiose gestures so she was trying to reign in her excitement. Would stopping to get flowers on the way be too much? She wasn’t positive but that was something that she wanted to do.

The half mer took a deep breath and nodded, ducking into a flowershop that was on the way to her destination. She emerged a short while later with flowers that were beautiful but still didn’t compare to the loveliness that was her girlfriend. At least in her eyes. But they would do for what she wanted them for. Lise resumed her journey and was happy to see Erika’s home ahead of her. She rang the bell and as she waited for the fae to answer the door, she adjusted her hold on the flowers and the wrapped gift that she had brought with her, a tender expression on her face.

@softbrilliance

[themightypebbles]

“so, you wanna be a hero, kid?”

@halvhavfrue

She shrugged, “I mean, not really. They usually die in stories, right? Like ‘die as a hero or live to see yourself become a villain’ that sort of thing?” She shrugged, “but I don’t really want to be a damsel in distress, either. What are the other options?”

[halvhavfrue-blog]

themightypebbles‌:

“I don’t… really care about that many people, I guess. Not like in a bad way. I care about like people living and stuff, but more like… I don’t have anyone to protect at all.” She shrugged, “that sounds more like the hero’s mom or mentor anyway, taking care of the people that stay at home. While the hero goes off to save the day… I don’t want to be left behind like that…” 

She tapped her chin, “maybe I could be a sidekick! Then I can fight crime but I’ll have help and stuff.”

“That does sort of sound like a mentor, doesn’t it? Being a sidekick would work, I suppose. You would have the support and not face challenges alone while also being in on the action. The only downside is that I could see that you wouldn’t get much, if any of the credit. Would that bother you?”

[themightypebbles]

“so, you wanna be a hero, kid?”

@halvhavfrue

She shrugged, “I mean, not really. They usually die in stories, right? Like ‘die as a hero or live to see yourself become a villain’ that sort of thing?” She shrugged, “but I don’t really want to be a damsel in distress, either. What are the other options?”

[halvhavfrue-blog]

Lise tilted her head as she considered the young teen’s answer. She hadn’t expected that answer. “Well, I suppose that there are many kinds of hero one could become. Becoming the protagonist of their own story and taking care of themselves and the people they care about without actually going off and saving the day, you know?”

[splattermemes-deactivated202007]

small / tall starters

requested by anon. Feel free to change pronouns or anything else !

small

“Get down here!”

“Wow…I’d want to climb that tree, if you know what I mean.” / “Do birds ever sit on you and get confused?” / “Hey, Groot.”

“I’m not short. I’m fun-size.”

“Good, adorable, wonderful things come in small packages.”

“I don’t appreciate your height.”

“I CAN REACH FOR IT MYSELF.”

“I’m not short, you just have the height of a Transformer.”

“I KNOW you can see me.”

“Fear me!!!”

“Uh…you’re blocking me.”

“Can you lift me for a second?”

“Slow down! I have short legs.”

“I have a super power. It’s called, my head never hits the ceiling.”

“Have you seen him/her/them? He’s/she’s/they’re like a mountain.”

“I always win at hide and seek.”

“I’ve always looked up to you…literally. Actually, can you sit down?”

“Heels make me feel powerful.”

“Do tall people have…big..hands..?”

“I might be short, but my ego is huge.” / “I might be short, but I will drag you down to my level.”

“I can’t reach your face, but I can kick your junk.”

“You don’t know the struggle when all shirts/dresses/pants are too long on you.”

tall

“I’m afraid of you because short people are closer to hell.”

“”How is it ironic that I’m afraid of heights?”

“Does my height offend you?”

“Let me reach that for you.”

“You can’t slap me if you can’t even reach my face.”

“I’m not tall, you’re just the size of an Oompa Loompa.”

“Huh? Who said that? I can’t see anyone.”

“It’s impossible to hide from you.”

“No, I don’t play basketball.”

“I’m not slowing down because you’re short.”

“You’re like a cute little fairy.” / “You’re like a small, terrifying gremlin.”

“My legs are long and sexy.”

“I’m not looking down on you. Except literally.”

“Aw, you look like a kid. How cute.”

“Being small makes you optimal for carrying.”

“You know what comes in small packages? Grenades.”

“All the cool presents come in big boxes. Like bouncy castles.”

“Why are you standing on the counter?”

“I may be tall, but my temper is short.” / “I may be tall, but my feelings are small. And fragile.”

“You don’t know the struggle when all pants/skirts/dresses are too short on you.”

“Let me block the sun for you.”

“Hey, short stack.” / “What’s up, shorty?” 

[halvhavfrue-blog]

There has been quite a few changes to Lise over the hiatus so here is a TL;DR!

Lise is no longer an athletic trainer although she did work as one on Anuipuk and for a little while on Utopia. Instead, she took some of the opportunities presented to her and went to school to become a reporter. She still earned money (and built connections) as an athletic trainer while taking classes but once she got a foothold in her new job, she found alternate arrangements for most of her clients.

Lise also is now dating Erika! Their relationship is still pretty new but she’s incredibly happy about it.

[halvhavfrue-blog]

softbrilliance‌:

The smaller blonde felt her cheeks heat up again. “Well–objectively speaking, I mean, I am on the shorter side, while you are taller. Subjectively speaking, I think everyone is perfectly them sized, because there is only one of everyone.” She looked back down at her lap and played with a button on her cardigan, unable to face Lise for very long. Oh, she felt so tense–was something going to happen? Were the months of pining and hiding finally going to end for Erika and she would have her dreams come true?

Peering up again, it felt like her whole face was a deep pink. If there was anyone else in the library, she’d forgotten about them. It was just her and Lise in here now, in the whole world–in the universe. Erika felt like she couldn’t breathe, but in a much different way than what often happened with her lifelong health problems. “I…I…I think I may have figured it out as well…?”

Lise could feel a faint blush of her own start to cross her cheeks. This was really happening. Her crush seemed like it was very much returned and she felt like her heart might jump out of her chest and also that she could jump for joy. Erika looked like she may pass out though and that was something that she wanted to avoid if at all possible.

“I think that the red string of fate that my poem mentioned is leading to you. That I am your lady in white and black... that is, if you want me to be,” she offered quietly, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze once more. She really hoped that Erika wanted this too.

[halvhavfrue-blog]

softbrilliance‌:

“To your credit, I would say you are just tall in general, at least taller than many of the women I know,” Erika replied, a smile twitching at her lips. “Of course from where I stand, practically everyone is taller than I am; but from what I can notice down here, I can at least say that it seems you are among the taller part of the population.” Something funny was growing in the pit of her stomach, something that was making her increasingly nauseous and light-headed. Could all of this really mean what she wanted? Did someone else truly think they would be a good match together?

“Yes, that is what I mean from benefiting from effort,” she breathed weakly, something she could use her weak heart as an excuse for. “You have put in effort into a relationship and it is the best time to finally benefit from what you have gone through, making it fruitful. If…if that makes any sense.” She almost felt like she would faint.

That got an amused laugh to bubble up and she sent Erika a grin. “You may have a point. I am sure that there are women taller than me but I am definitely on the taller side of average. You are not that short though, Erika... You are perfectly you sized, if that makes sense at all,” Lise mused before she focused more on the two poems that they were looking at. Her heart jumped at the idea that maybe, just maybe, the two poems were connecting the two of them.

Her expression turned gentle as she gazed at her friend. They were both nervous, it seemed. “So from what we can figure out... My good match would be... someone I am already close to, who has a knack for sewing and I would be taller than them. I... think I may have an idea who they are talking about.”