it's between me, the sand, and the sea

princess queen priya 215 . mermaid . ruler .

[mermaidxpriya]

shcrkboi​:

He was very appreciative on her assistance. He meant a lot coming from her. He was not used to sharing his burdens with other people. With the years he had been on his own, he was still learning how to ask for help. “Thank you.” He paused. “That means a lot.” His voice close to a whisper as how close they were now. He noticed her stuttering word and a smile creeped on his lips. They had never been this close to each other. His eyes scanned her face. He didn’t care who was around now. It was only them on this beach as far as West knew. His brow furrowed in confused. He shook his head. “No. This past few months have been the best I’ve had in years. I’ve got to do things I’ve never thought I would have done. Like being able to have gotten to know you.” West’s hand slipped up to cup her cheek. This was a bold move but it just felt right. “You’re one of the best people I’ve gotten to know up here. You’ve made living up on land one of the best decisions ” His touch lingered as his thumb gently rubbed her cheek. “I’m sorry. I’ll promise to give you a heads up if I have I have to travel back.” He hoped he didn’t have to. 

.

“You...You don’t have to thank me. Not for doing something that I want to do. I-I want to be here for you, West....I don’t want you to feel lost or alone or anything like that here..” She trailed off as she realized how close they were and stayed quiet as he spoke again, assuring her that his time here had been alright...had been good.... Priya’s thoughts on it all sort of stalled out though when his hand moved up suddenly and cupped over her cheek, making her breath again catch in her throat, her heart skip a beat entirely. And all the while West was still talking..still complimenting her and it took everything in her to just...focus, to not think about her racing thoughts and her heart going into overdrive as his thumb stroked over her cheek. “Y-You better.” She managed to respond. “In fact..as your queen, I insist you tell me if you ever need to leave me--..leave this island again.” her voice a bit higher than normal, a bit breathier, and it was more unconscious than anything that her head tilted slightly, leaning into his touch. “You...you said things. Things you would have never done...Like...what else?”

[mermaidxpriya]

shcrkboi​:

He had almost seeing red. He didn’t want to walk away from Priya but it was best for both of them if he cooled down before they continued. He used his years of anger management; he closed his eyes, focused on  breathing and counted down. He wished he could explain himself better. His emotions were all over the place at the moment. It was hard for him to get the right words out around her. Once he counted down to one, West opened his eyes again to have Priya closed to him. He watched her expression. He was going to more careful with his words. “Yes. I was told it was bad and I dropped everything. She is the only one I’m still close to, so I didn’t give much thought about anything else.” His voice was low as his gaze slowly made it to her face. He saw her features sadden. “I didn’t want to bother you with that. It was something I wanted to deal with on my own. Hey. Hey don’t sorry.” West lowered himself to be eye level with her. “She’s doing fine. Stable.” For now. “Well enough that I came back. I wouldn’t think to ever just up and leave the island for no reason.” He stepped closer, closing the space between them. “Why would you think I’d leave?”

.

Priya again went quiet and listened to him, feeling guilt swirling through her at the man’s words. She knew how close he’d still been with his sister even if she was under the sea--it was the same closeness she had with her own sister. “I wouldn’t have considered it a bother, West... And I..I would have preferred to have known the truth for why you’d left.” him saying his sister was alright was at least one good thing and she nodded again, letting out a breath. “That’s good to hear. If...if I can do anything. If she needs any extra help that maybe I could provide..please let me know?” It was the least she could do, she thought. As Queen, if nothing else. 

When he stepped closer to her though Priya was suddenly acutely aware of how barren this patch of beach was this early in the morning--and aware of just how close he really was. “I...” she swallowed, biting her lip as she looked down for a moment, ashamed to meet his gaze as she lost herself in thought. For so long now she’d convinced herself it’d all to do with her. How selfish that thinking had been. “I thought it...it’d been about me. About us..” Tentatively, she looked up at him again. “I...I thought you’d..grown to regret how much time we’d started spending together. How much we’d confided in one another. I thought....I thought you’d regretted me.”

[mermaidxpriya]

shcrkboi​:

West was trying so hard to understand what Priya was actually mad about. He winched at words thrown at him. “That’s not what I meant. I just -” His managed to keep his tone calm. The last thing he wanted was to build up anger. He had taken years for him to control his anger. So he took her sharp words as he fumbled to come up with an apology. “I don’t know now. Now I’m just fucking confused. I was going to say sorry I left. I had an emergency. I had to drop everything and go. That was a bit shitty of me. But-”  He cut himself off explaining himself. He now raised his voice.  “My house, here on the island. On this island.” He was insulted that she would think he would move away. He had found a new life here, why would he throw that away. West was being calm and understanding toward Priya until now. But the last few weeks had been rough on him and his family. This sudden trip had been hard on him. For one, he had to return to home that he had vowed not to return to and two, the stress of his sister being ill drained him. His jaw clenched, “Back? Back to the Atlantic? If my dying sister needed me. I’ll tell her you sent me personally.” He spat out. He didn’t want to burden her with his issues. His buttons had been pushed. “That would be the only reason for me leaving. Maybe that’s why I didn’t say anything the first time, your Majesty.” He was ready to walk away before he got any more heated. He had left his past for a reason. 

.

That’s not what I meant. Priya again went quiet, confusion still stark in her gaze as she looked over at him. And then West began speaking and...and apologizing? And it was kind of the last thing Priya expected. Actually--no. Now his voice was raising and his words were getting louder, his tone biting and that was the last thing Priya expected. (She was glad at least she’d dismissed her guards because she didn’t want to have to force them to stand down with how....well, angry, Westley was getting towards her). And it was when he mentioned his sister...his sister dying that Priya froze altogether. 

She realized she hadn’t said anything yet, but it wasn’t until West seemed like he was going to walk away that she finally shook her head and even stepped towards him, “W-Wait! Wait..” she swallowed, frowning still as she took another tentative couple steps towards him. “Y....Your sister? That’s..why you left?” She’d unconsciously moved until she was just a foot or so away from him, closer now that she could more clearly see the expression on his face (and he could see her own). “I-I thought....--” Priya bit her lip, letting out a heavy breath as she shook her head and looked down at the sand for a moment instead of finishing her sentence. “I’m sorry.”

[kafkasdiariies]

[mermaidxpriya]

shcrkboi​:

Her throwing out her title at him stung a little too hard. Out of everyone on the island, Priya was one of the few residents that West spent the most time with. They had gotten to a point of comfort with in each other that Priya was not just the Queen but a friend of his or perhaps more. West had not had any friends in such a long time that he forgot what that meant. “I guess you can do whatever you please.” He responded with a calm tone. The last thing was to anger her more. He tried to analysis her question she gave him. Because if he gave the wrong answer, he believed he might be getting more in hot water. “No. Well maybe now I might have.” Referring to the much needed apologize to her. “I was heading back to my place.” He pointed further down the shore. “Um, had a long trip -” He stopped himself there. “… back home.”

.

“Thank you for the permission.” Priya shot back-- again, more biting and upset than she meant for it to. But, again, she couldn’t help it. She was upset and she was hurt and......-- And she didn’t think she’d see him again. Yet here he was, standing right in front of her, looking almost...apologetic? Priya even blinked in surprise when he spoke. “And what is it you think you forgot, Mister Mock?” She asked, hating that she couldn’t keep the frown off her face (or the tinge of hurt still lacing her tone the longer the conversation went on). “Back to your place....back home?” Priya asked carefully, assuming he meant back to the ocean and not his home here on the island. “Have a good trip back. Say hello to your sisters for me if it’d mean anything to them. I have no illusions I’m everyone’s favorite person after all.” Or enough reason for someone to stay someplace.

[mrlondonboy]

mermaidxpriya​:

closed

Priya never wanted to be the overbearing type. She didn’t need to know what her people were doing day in and day out, but when it came to West he was more than just one of her subjects. Or at least…that’s what she’d thought, after they’d started spending so much time together on the island. But when the merman just up and left land one day without a word or anyone knowing where he’d gone, Priya needed to just stamp down her upset. She guessed he just..wasn’t happy on land–something she wouldn’t hold against him. She at least thought he’d say goodbye though.

But after weeks she just accepted that it’d never happen and she’d probably never see him again so she told herself to just get on with life, that she had important things to take care of on the island. 

So when she left her new home in The Coves that morning and saw a familiar figure up ahead she blinked in surprise, her eyes widening slightly as she paused on the spot for a moment. “W….West?”

@shcrkboi​

His disappearance from the island was with reason. It was a sudden decision but someone once told him to never forget family. He didn’t like that he left the island but with an emergency in his family as his sister had a medical scare and West left as soon as he could. It never crossed his mind that he would have been missed or that anyone would have noticed his absence. He was fairly new to the island so he assumed he would return back as nothing had happened.  He has just walked onto the shore of the Cove after a long swim back. Hearing Priya’s voice across the beach. He frozen for a second, locking eyes with her. His heart dropped that he might have made a huge mistake before leaving. “Priya. Hey.” Overwhelming guilt washed over him. Out of everyone he should have told, he should have at least let Priya know. “I didn’t think you would out and about.” His words rambled out nonsense because why won’t she be in the area where they both lived. 

[mermaidxpriya]

.

Priya stared out for a moment longer to confirm it was him even though she didn’t exactly need to. She knew it was him the moment she stepped out and saw him from a distance. Quietly, she dismissed her guard that stayed posted in front of her home before she walked out to the shoreline towards him. Over the time he’d been on the island Priya had spent more and more time with him, just talking...relaxing, letting her guard down. She didn’t have to be the queen around him... And then he left, vanishing from the island without a trace.

“Is the queen not allowed to walk around her land whenever she sees fit?” She shot back, a little more bite to her tone than she meant it to but she’d be lying if she said she hadn’t been hurt by his leaving. She thought they, at the very, very least had been friends... “Did you forget something?” She asked simply, figuring he was just here for a moment before he’d return to the sea.

[mermaidxpriya]

closed

Priya never wanted to be the overbearing type. She didn’t need to know what her people were doing day in and day out, but when it came to West he was more than just one of her subjects. Or at least...that’s what she’d thought, after they’d started spending so much time together on the island. But when the merman just up and left land one day without a word or anyone knowing where he’d gone, Priya needed to just stamp down her upset. She guessed he just..wasn’t happy on land--something she wouldn’t hold against him. She at least thought he’d say goodbye though.

But after weeks she just accepted that it’d never happen and she’d probably never see him again so she told herself to just get on with life, that she had important things to take care of on the island. 

So when she left her new home in The Coves that morning and saw a familiar figure up ahead she blinked in surprise, her eyes widening slightly as she paused on the spot for a moment. “W....West?”

@shcrkboi​

[longanis]

[mermaidxpriya]

harleyhua​:

Were you only supposed to bow to royalty in specific settings? Interesting. He tucked that new piece of information away for future reference. When she repeated ‘a flip’, Harley nodded. “Yeah, like….” He took his pointer finger (the classifier for ‘one person’ in ASL), and twisted his hand around so it mimicked a person doing a flip. As she asked if land-people bowed down to their feet, he laughed with her. “In Chinese culture, there’s a type of bow where you start from a kneel and then bow down all the way to the floor.” It wasn’t commonly used anymore, but his dad had learned it as a kid and passed it down to both him and his brother. “But I would just think that in the water, since gravity works differently, it’d be easy to accidentally do a flip instead of bowing.”

.

Priya watched curiously as the man spun his finger around slightly, wondering what it signified. She’d never really spent much time on land until now, so she wasn’t too familiar with many languages or customs- thankfully he explained more though and she hummed thoughtfully, nodding in understanding, “That does make more sense and clears up some confusion of your comment.” She teased lightly before shaking her head, “But no. My kind bows in the general way--from the waist up. But as I said before, no bowing required right now. In fact you don’t even have to do the whole...titles thing, or all that.” As she spoke she moved her arms behind herself, leaning back on her elbows as she closed her eyes, tilting her head towards the sun. “A few minutes of normalcy would be a lot better.”

[mermaidxpriya]

harleyhua​:

✿ ☀ ✿ ☀ ✿

“It’s nice to meet you.” Harley replied politely while he tried to remember where he knew the name Priya from. Then suddenly it clicked; she was their queen. “Wait…am I supposed to bow or anything? I’m from a country that doesn’t have royalty. And….I guess you wouldn’t really bow underwater anyways, would you? It’d just turn into a flip.” He realized that last part as he said it. 

.

Priya watched recognition dawning on his face and she smiled at him, even letting out a laugh as she waved him off, “No need to bow. Not like we’re in some sort of royal setting.” Even if technically the ocean was where she presided over. But right now she didn’t want to be seen as queen, just...a person on the island, enjoying the sunshine. “A flip?” She echoed, raising an eyebrow as she laughed again, “We do having bowing yes. Usually it’s just to the waist--do you land dwellers bow all the way down to your feet or something?” she teased, grinning at him.

[simoneashleydaily]

peterluxhair: Softest beachy texture with a slightly rubbed up crown and face framing tendrils for @simoneasshley

Hair by me @thewallgroup

Make-up by @valeriaferreiramakeup

Styling by @rebeccacorbinmurray #simoneashley

via Peter Lux’s Instagram (@peterluxhair), Saturday 28th May 2022

[mermaidxpriya]

thexblackstormmaree​:

Maree had been able to tell that it was her queen the moment she stepped onto the beach. Though she had found that her sense of smell was different on land the longer she stayed here. As someone who had never been to the surface, all the impressions of being here were entirely new to her. Smiling warmly back, she chuckled a little at the teasing remark. “Why indeed it is. My apologies your Majesty.” she said, teasing back yet adding a small bow of her head to signal the respect her regent deserved. She’d always really liked the royal family. Whenever they got together with her family they had the best of time. 

Noticing the spot in the sand Priya patted, Maree took a seat next to her, tentatively stretching her legs out. The moment the water touched her feet, her tail took their place, the scales shimmering in the sun. “That’s a great! We can finally consider making a permanent settlement on land. I’d love to stay.” she said with excitement in her tone. She really wanted to be able to make a life here, though she wasn’t entirely sure yet if the queen had stipulations for those willing to. “Fairly well! My brother came with me and we both got jobs in the same venue, The Dragon. He’s a little on edge being here but I think he’ll settle in in a little while.”  

.

When the other girl sat beside her Priya shifted on the spot a bit, moving her hands behind herself instead so she could lean back on them, sunbathing for a little longer as she leaned her head back as well, enjoying the warmth on her skin. “Funny you should say that.” Priya started, her head tipped back and eyes closed against the sun. “Your brother seems to feel the exact opposite.” She opened her eyes then, glancing over to Maree and raising a brow at her slightly when she heard the other’s comment, and how her brother was a little on edge.

“I’m not sure if being on land is what he wants. And I never want to be the type of queen that forces my people into places or situations they don’t want to be in....I hope he knows that. That you both do. I appreciate all the support I can get, but I don’t want him looking miserable while here either.”

[mermaidxpriya]

sebastian-blackstorm​:

Sebastian looked at the Queen and decided it was best to look at the floor, he might not blame Maree for making him come to the island, however he did blame someone, her, it was her decision to come and make their specie known to everyone, but he knew better than to let his frustration out on her, so even if she was asking for him to be truthfully, it would still be disrespectful. “Being away from home is a little overwhelming.” He said giving her part of his true.

.

Priya watched the man carefully, able to tell he was weighing his options (and his response) before he finally spoke--and with the way his eyes were downcast and he sounded almost dejected, she had the feeling he wasn’t here of his own free will. “No one who’s here is being forced, Sebastian. You’re more than welcome to return home.” She of course knew his sister was here since she knew every mer who was on the island, but just the same-- “Your sister isn’t a child anymore, if that’s what you’re hesitant about.”

[mermaidxpriya]

thexblackstormmaree​:

You’ll miss your home. You’ll miss your parents. You will miss the sea. All the admonishments of her friends, her parents, her brother, her neighbours even, insisting that even if she was going to join their queen on land there was no way she would stay there. Maree used it as fuel though, for her own will power and the knowledge that she was dying to prove them all wrong. No one wanted the existence of her people more known than her. Because if they could truly venture up on land, then she would be able to choose for herself. And she would choose freedom, every, single, time. 

She had barely been on land a few hours, walking about, trying to ignore Sebastian as he trailed her like a too tall and too sour shadow. It was not that she didn’t love her brother, but she knew the only reason he was here was to make sure she didn’t get hurt or mess things up. While she was here hoping to start a new life. Still, to placate him she had suggested they check out the beach. By no means had she thought their queen would be there. All but skipping over to Priyah, Maree smiled brightly at her. “Your highness!” she exclaimed, unable not to sound a bit teasing given how friendly their families always had been with one another. “So the pearl is out of the shell, huh? How did the vampire monarch take it?” 

.

Priya immediately caught the scent of one of her own- and then a moment later even realized she recognized said scent personally, which made her relax even more. She turned to look over at the girl, giving her a smile in greeting. “It’s Majesty now, remember?” She chided softly- even though she was still smiling and clearly just teasing her. Priya had never been one to be too formal when alone- but just the same, now up on land, she didn’t want people thinking less of merfolk or questioning her stature amongst her people. 

As the waves continued lapping along her tail Priya turned back towards the sea, patting the spot in the sand beside of her in an invitation for Maree to join her. “Quite well actually, given he so readily agreed to allowing us our own land on the island, a safe place for us to not only live but potentially new birthing grounds, safe from hunters.” Which had been the ultimate goal after all, given their dwindling numbers across the globe. “How’ve you been settling in?”

[mermaidxpriya]

sebastian-blackstorm​:

Sebastian liked to be near the water, at least he was thankful that this place was an island and not a big city, otherwise he would be even more miserable. As much as he wanted to go in the water and shift, he knew if he did, his desire to go home would just get bigger, so it was better to stay dry for now.

He was a little lost in his own thoughts when the woman spoke. "I wasn’t.” He answered before noticing who it was. “My queen.” He added it, not wanting to be disrespectful.

.

Priya looked over her shoulder properly and let out a breath of relief when she saw who it was- glad it was one of her people and not a total stranger. Just the same though, he seemed....upset? No. Not quite. But almost near sad that it made her perk up a bit, sitting up a bit straighter. “What’s wrong?” Something hadn’t happened to him on the island, did it? She wouldn’t take too kindly to one of these land dwellers upsetting one of her own. “And truthfully, please.”

[mermaidxpriya]

callme--quinn​:

closed for @mermaidxpriya

Whenever Quinn had any sort of free time he spent it in nature. He in so many ways was a feral being who in the last ten years had become domesticated but was still his happiest in the woods or just by himself. It was why he was working on building his own place in the more secluded area of the island. He loved his work and loved the Avery family, but he did need a place for himself even when he would risk everything in his life for the family he worked for. After having spent the day building, Quinn went for a run to clear his head. It was always that feeling that allowed the shifter and human sides of him to find a middle ground. As he was coming out of a group of trees he came to a stop once he reached the water, not realizing he wasn’t the only one there. “ Shit” He muttered before looking around to not seem as though he was following along. “ My apologies, I hadn’t expected to not be the only one out right now. “

.

At the end of most days, Priya found herself drawn to the water, even just the sounds of the waves calming her- which is where she was now, walking along the shoreline, letting the water lap at her feet until she finally sat down in the sand, the setting sun glinting along her skin the same way it glinted against the water. She was so caught up in the sounds of the sea--of her home, that she actually hadn’t realized anyone was nearby until she heard the voice and she looked over her shoulder, obviously a bit surprised.

“It’s alright.” She breathed, shaking her head. “This part of the island is public after all, not like I own it.”

[mermaidxpriya]

shcrkboi​:

West floated in the water seeing the true Priya. He waits for her to resurface with him. He was just grateful that she joined him in the water. “Yeah.” His voice had a playful tone. Being back in the water was such a relief for him. He was still learning how to stay on land but nothing compared after a long day in the sun, feeling the salt water on his skin. As he floated there, West called back to what Priya was asking him before he plunged down. “Um, with my sisters. We have always had different opinions on things. They are a lot like my parents.” He gave quick flick of his tail fin, holding back the resentment he had with his family. “Though maybe it might be good for them. To see how things are up here.”  West wouldn’t mind having his sisters with him. It would be nice to have someone he was familiar with on the island. “And if I told them you were here, they would hop in the fastest current over.” He had already did. Besides West, his whole family had a history of brown nosing the royal family of the Atlantic. He didn’t care for that lifestyle. Though since he had moved out here, his opinion might have changed. 

.

Priya rolled her eyes playfully at him but she smiled just the same, unable to deny that she herself did feel better (and happier) in the sea. It felt like relaxing and being herself after a whole day of wearing a mask and playing pretend (which she essentially did, living amongst the other land-dwellers). She allowed herself to go under for a while, letting the water wash over her face and her long, dark hair before she looked back at him, listening to him as he spoke of his sisters and his family, “I’m sure by now they might have heard. I have little doubt some of her mers who are here with us have gone back down and spread the gossip that I revealed what we are. I just hope that doesn’t bite me in the ass.” Priya wrinkled her nose a bit as she said it, but she tried not to let the worries linger for too long and instead she moved, her fin splashing water at him as she grinned, “Catch me if you can--unless you’re afraid to race your queen.” She didn’t even wait for a response before she was splashing him again and then diving under the water.