Morality

Sora Roux. Mermaid with a moral compass.

[soraroux]

kainanxrowe:

@soraroux

Since going outside the party did little to explain things to Kainan, he decided to head back in and find someone who looked like they knew what was going on. For things abruptly going…off, the mood inside was still festive and calm, or maybe that was the illusion given by the mingling people and music still playing. Kainan worked his way through the crowds still milling, trying to find his tiny date in a sparkly sweater, but one lap of the place turned up no boyfriend. That was unfortunate. If anyone was talented at getting the truth out of people, it was Sorin, but realizing he’d stopped by the food table and wasn’t growing nauseous by the smell made him temporarily forget all about his boyfriend. What the fuck?

Following his nose, he moved to the table to see if blood was maybe offered up mixed in something - but the longer he stood there, the more divine it all smelled. It’d have to be going on nearly twenty years since Kainan had last had a cookie but it was the first thing his hand cautiously reached out to. Part of him expected to be shocked or yelled at for taking the small round treat but nothing happened. Curious, he brought it up to smell and nearly passed out in pure delight. It smelled like heaven. Forgetting himself entirely, he allowed another few moments of just breathing in the chocolate before gaining the courage to bring the cookie down and nibble the tiniest bit of it off - but it didn’t immediately turn to dust in his mouth. It was warm and chewy and so much fucking better than he remembered them being. Eagerly, he took another bite, eyes wide with glee as he swung around to find Sorin because he immediately needed a cookie in his mouth too, and found someone else vaguely familiar standing there and his cheeks immediately went bright red.

That was also new.

Slowly chewing his mouthful of cookie, he just gave a bashful shrug, and motioned to the tray. “These are incredible.” he got out before taking another gleeful bite and resisting the urge to moan outloud. “So Incredible.”

Sora was having a bit of a dilemma. She wanted to try the food and it all looked rather good... or it should but in honesty none of it seemed desirable. It all just seemed rather bland and dull. However, her hunger spiked around others. Well most others, she’d passed a few people that didn’t interest her much at all- in fact they smelled a bit like wet dog and that just wasn’t pleasant. Others had no pulse as she passed. There was nothing there to entertain her. And that thought terrified her. She’d had a bad run in with a particular vampire and she wondered if he’d some how managed to get her back... at the same time she knew that was impossible. She slept under the water’s surface and there was no way he could make his way down there and find her without someone else alerting her.

Plus all of this had only just started to happen. The changes had only just settled in. Only since she’d put on the mask. The mask! Suddenly realization hit her and her hands flew up to grab at the mask. Unable to pull it off. She huffed finally and turned to look around for a familiar face. Spotting Kainan- someone who would be perfect to talk to for a few reasons. Not only was he familiar but he was a vampire. However, Sora was suddenly questioning everything she knew when he turned around and she could see the blush on his cheeks. There was a color to his face that wasn’t there before.

Was she going insane? She wanted to find water... To dive in there and not come back out. However, instead she was in the middle of this party and she’d have to find Gunnar at some point. Maybe some of the others. However her attention was brought back to Kainan when he spoke. She smiled and nodded. “They usually are...” Her eyes darted down and she decided to try to taste one, stepping next to him so she could reach the cookies and taking a bite. Half because cookies were amazing and as a test to herself. When she tasted the cookie she immediate spat it out and looked up at him. “What is going on...” It was an almost terrified sort of panic in her voice as she looked up from the dust turned remains of her cookie. Panic in her eyes as she looked around for the little packets of blood that were usually at these events.

[soraroux]

✧ OPEN STARTER ✧ April Fool’s Event ✧

She was trying to be more out going. Trying to venture from the water and the water’s edge more... but who could really blame her after the maze anyway? She’d decided to go to this event (though she didn’t understand the point of it really. She didn’t think that on land they celebrated April 1st aside from playing jokes on one another). However, once there she’d begun to wonder if that was what this was.

Ever since walking in the door she’d felt off. She’d felt... strange. She felt good. Like she usually did in the water. The strength and speed she was used to there. But there was also a bit of a hunger that was seated deep within. Or thirst perhaps? It was a strange in between that Sora couldn’t quite put her finger on but it was mildly annoying at the moment. It wasn’t until she bit her tongue on accident that she realized two things. She had fangs, and the very small amount of blood that was caused by the bite tasted... good? 

[soraroux]

noemansland:

❝You think I’m out here groveling for some companionship? Just… waiting one someone nice enough to come and try to save me?❞ He scoffed. Inside, a voice begged him to just stop for a moment, to listen rather than putting up more and more walls until everyone stopped trying, yet he couldn’t seem to stop. He was just caught in another current of anger that easily overpowered him. He liked to pretend that the anger gave him some semblance of control, but in truth… It was the rage that consumed Noe. ❝You can’t save those what don’t want to be saved.❞ With that, he took another long drink. ❝The sea has already spoken for my soul.❞ The line made her laugh in a way that was entirely devoid of humor. ❝Who is saving you?❞

Sora gave a bit of an exasperated look. Annoyed that the other immediately went and assumed she thought of him as some form of damsel in distress. “Obviously not. I find it hard to imagine you groveling for anything.” She pointed out with a pointed look. “However that doesn’t mean that you don’t need it. I’m sure you feel ... outcast after loosing someone like Adam. You two were close?” It was more of a question, though she could easily piece together the answer. You didn’t attempt murder for someone you just tolerated. “I beg to differ.” She said softly, not a level obviously hiding it from or obviously meant for Noe’s ears. “I have already been saved. This colony saved me from my old one. Gunnar let me stay. That’s all the saving I need.”

[soraroux]

noemansland:

❝I think many find comfort in that which feels… familiar to them. Might be shit, but we’d rather step in the same old shit than something new that could be worse.❞ Noe’s eyes remained on the other mer as if he could read something inside of her, but the expression upon her face required little decoding. ❝Civility.❞ He scoffed at the word. ❝Well here it is. Here’s your conversation. What is it that you would like to discuss?❞ Noe held little desire to engage in small talk, feeling very much like she would rather drown in ambergris, but if there were to be a purpose in their back and forth… perhaps that would be different.

"That makes sense...” She nodded, even if she’d done the opposite. Moved to a new place. A new colony. Without much pretense behind what t would become when the new leader took over. Then again- perhaps the comfort she was seeking had been from the familiarity of her friend. Rather than the colony. The greatness of the colony was just a bonus. “I- don’t have much to discuss right now... I guess I just thought maybe you could use a friend.” She got along with everyone else... it bothered her that she couldn’t seem to get on Noe’s good side. She also hoped maybe if Noe felt like she belonged... maybe she’d accept Gunnar as leader and stop trying to kill him. Or maybe she was just deluding herself that she could get through to Noe.

[soraroux]

kainanxrowe:

What did class matter now? It seemed she used it to keep herself down and held back but what did Kai know of such things? Perhaps it was best to keep his opinions in this matter to himself. “You said was.” he did point out carefully. “Has your status changed now?” Oh. A little amused now, Kainan had to just lift a shoulder. “Societies the world over sang praises, wrote poems, and lovingly crafted world renown paintings featuring bodies just like your own. Fads come and go. Your shapes’ time will come again. In the mean time, seek out older souls, when we get out of here, head to Europe, walk the famous art galleries and see your body celebrated with your own eyes.” He paused to smirk. “And then laugh to think about what will hang in its place a hundred years from now and how people will gawk and laugh and roll their eyes about how silly it was for a society of abundance to pride itself on deprivation.” Smiling not unkindly, he gave another little shrug. “For what it’s worth, I was human for a time and I do not find you unsightly to look at. I cannot be the voice for all humans, but I don’t think your fear is well-founded.”

Breaking into a grin, Kai just chuckled. “That is a Sorin word.” he corrected quickly. “I have words for very little, but he is enlightening me.” It still broke a little piece of his heart that any kind of seal was a dick but it was probably unfair to assume most of aquatic wildlife wasn’t…well, wild. Although, now he had more questions. “Are there mer that live in the arctic?” Granted, that might be his human side showing, because he could go to the arctic now if he wanted, couldn’t he and face no hardship from it besides a lack of fresh non-animal blood. He made a mental note to ask Erasmus if the arctic could be on their world-trip. “Turtles are very cute.” he agreed. “I am glad they look after other lake inhabitants. Lil guardians, they are. Who knew?” His gaze got a little mistrustful as she talked about octopi and squids before turning his gaze back to her. “But no jelly fish, right? I have to say, it has been an unexpected pleasure talking to you. I do hope to see you topside more often.”

"It did before I left my old colony. And then I joined the Faileas Colony. So my former class wasn’t even a memory here... it’s just hard to let go of a way you’ve been treated for a fair bit of your life. That’s all.” She shrugged a bit. It was why she fought so hard for things to be fair. For people to be treated fairly. And perhaps why she found it hard to let go of things done to wrong her. It was hard to let go of such things. It was hard to just let injustices go. And then she listened to him talk. About how there was a point in society that people admired a body type like hers. A time when the softness that she was accustomed to wouldn’t be look down on, but enjoyed. Viewed as beautiful. She couldn’t personally ever imagine a world where that was true- but she did recall seeing some older paintings one time that fit this description. One of the few times she’d been on land. A blush warmed her cheeks as all this talk of her insecurities happened but she smiled at the reassurance. “Thank you.” What more to say, she wasn’t sure. “I’ll be sure to visit the art galleries of Europe when we get out of here.” She nodded. And she would too- because she could use a reminder every now and again that not everyone found her unsightly.

“I like it. Hangry. It’s very fitting.” She laughed. She understood it very well. It certainly got the point across didn’t it? “There are. There are mer that live in almost any body of water. Mostly salt water but I’m sure there are some colonies in large freshwater lakes. Water is water. The mer that live in the arctic are actually much more suited for the colder weathers than those who live in warmer waters like my previous colony. They’re not bothered by it. I’m not bothered persay but I definitely prefer the warmer weather. “Turtles are amazing.” She actually looked out over the lake’s waters looking to see if she spotted any. None right now, but they liked to hide and were probably just out of view. “They are little guardians. Sora nodded in agreement. “There are actually a few jelly fish but they’re not as bad as the ocean ones... It’s a much smaller community in here. Everyone’s sort of friends. Most of the time.” It was like small human towns. Still a few judgey ones but none quite as bad as they could get in large cities. “I might have to come up here more often... it’s been quite nice talking to you as well.”

[soraroux]

What is your favorite thing to eat?

“Sweets of any sort... It’s more of a human thing because sweets don’t last underwater but mer have our own kind and bring some below the waters... Call it a guilty pleasure if you will. That and bread. On land. Not in the water. Then it’s just basically seawater flavored mush. But I will take cake or a lollipop over seaweed anyday.”

[soraroux]

are you easily brought down by others?

"More often than not, yes...”

[davidsfincher]

maybe one day

[soraroux]

noemansland:

Noe furrowed his brow slightly as if confused by the other mer’s choice to address him. Sora’s closeness to Gunnar was no secret. Which begged the question why did she have any interest at all in talking to Noe. If his head turned any slower, one might have wondered if he’d heard her at all. ❝I was here… It was more wondrous when it appeared as less than a cage.❞ It was in Lake Faileas that Adam taught Noe how to be a proper mer. The spot in he now sat was where Adam taught him to mold his song into something more than a mere shanty. A rock only a few feet away was where he’d quickly decided that modest lifestyle fit him more comfortably than one of accepted nakedness. ❝The water is just as beautiful.❞ The mer paused.  ❝You don’t have to pretend to enjoy my company, Sora. Deception doesn’t become you.❞

"That seems reasonable... I’ve been confused. It’s nice but everyone was so happy to be home...” She said softly... she hadn’t thought it too spectacular but perhaps because she’d only seen it in it’s current- cage like state. A state where it was dangerous to leave the waters. And because of Noe it was even dangerous for Gunnar to be in the waters as well. That was... frustrating to say the least. She looked up rather shocked at her conversational companions comment. “I- never pretended to enjoy your company. I was simply being civil since we were both here.” She pointed out. “We both know my issues with you. Even if I understand your loyalty to a particular leader. I want to be able to hold a conversation without fighting however. It’s a much more pleasant existence.”

[soraroux]

kainanxrowe:

Oh, good. The last thing Kainan wanted to do was pry into uncomfortable/painful areas but it seemed despite the reassurance he wasn’t overstepping, those are the areas they went straight into. But if her colony was judgmental…why did she stay? Where there not options for the mer? Did they require a colony to survive? Or could she have struck out on her own as he did when he was human and faced with a judgmental colony, so to speak? It was rare Kai gave anyone that wasn’t one of his clan a passing bit of attention so to keep a conversation going and be actually enthralled by it was shocking to him. Though it was probably partially to do with how she kept him on his toes and he couldn’t tell where the next round of conversation was going - case in point - his brow furrowed as he looked over her again trying to figure out what part of her would reveal her class to humans. “I do not see any markers of low class on you.” He said confidently. “You should not worry.” The comfort of home seemed like an oxymoron to him so he let it go to happily discuss the latest sea creature gossip.

“….hangry orcas. That is incredible. Sorin will not believe.” He was the one who introduced Kai to the term, feeling it fit vampires particularly well, especially when they were young. Kai’d had to admit he had a point. His eyes stayed round as she talked about octopi being intelligent and pranksters and oh, no. Why was Sorin not here for this conversation? He was going to accuse Kai of making it all up because it was all way too perfect. “Judge-y jellyfish.” he echoed, the grin coming back to life on his face because how could it not. But his glee quickly morphed into shock because not seals. “But…but…are they not referred to as sea puppies?” Was he thinking of something else? Granted, some dogs were mean too, and oh! “Maybe they were getting bullied by sharks and eels and needed an outlet.” His eyes moved past the mer to look at the lake and consider what was below it. “What is your favorite creature in the lake then? Are there any that would surprise me to know about?”

Sora actually gave a grateful smile at his rather innocent response. “I doubt the humans would understand mer’s class anyway... I’m not even sure I do. I just know I was not high on the list.” She shrugged. She had grown up knowing her family was very low on the ranking scale of the Mako Colony. It’s why she had been so surprised when Olivia had become friends with her. She was quick to learn, that even back then Olivia was her own person. She was not going to let anyone tell her who she should or should not be friends with. No matter what social prejudices or taboos were involved. “And uh- I meant more... me. Not that the humans would get social standing in a mer colony anyway. I could fake it up here... but I’m not... I don’t fit any society’s version of beauty. Not any society I’ve come across at least. And I’ve heard rumors that humans are especially harsh when it comes to that...” She looked down, back at the water for a moment. Not quite used to talking about such things with a stranger.

“Hangry? You lot have a word for everything don’t you?” She laughed. She quite liked the word too actually. It was fun. And certainly got the point across. Sora enjoyed the wide eyed look on the man in front of her. Wondering if one day she could bring him down into the waters. Vampires could survive much longer down there than humans couldn’t they? Maybe if the cairn ever opened up again she’d show him what she was talking about. “Exactly. Surprising I know but they’re very snobbish for being spineless.” She said with a grin. “Well Leopard Seals are... not your standard seal. They’re much more aggressive than ones around here. But they live in the antarctic so they’re not a problem... and I’m not even sure how true that knowledge is. It’s just passed from a few travelling mer that stayed with my colony for a short time.” She pointed out. “Most seals are great. Just like puppies.” She nodded in agreement. Watching as he looked in the lake. “Honestly, I like the turtles here. They’re very laid back and they warn me if there are any people near the lakes edge... Did you know there are a few families of smaller octopuses and squid in here? They don’t really come up here often though so most don’t know they’re there.”

[soraroux]

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

“Honestly? I think that I’d just change my opinion of myself. I was looked down on for a fair bit of my life. I was never part of the greatest social standing in my former colony... It’s been a bit of a blow to learning to love myself.”

[soraroux]

Sora’s tail is really hard to portray at my current level of art. But I tried? The scales kind of change color from the green to the pink at certain angles. The pink is the edges but if she turns right it could be her whole tail. The pink of the fin is semi translucent but still plenty strong. And she usually makes a sort of top of blue and pink scales because she’s still learning to accept her body as it is.

Also her colors are based off of a Parrot Fish. :D

[soraroux]

kainanxrowe:

At least she wasn’t easily offended by his ridiculous questions. He listened, fascinated as she gave a little bit of her history, and wondered why she avoided humans. They couldn’t visibly mark a difference like they could with the fae or vampires so what would the danger or dislike be? “Would it be overstepping to inquire why you don’t spend much time around humans? Are there any races your kind is friendly with?” Pausing, he gave a little smirk. “I mean that with no judgement of course, my own has fraught ties with everyone, but it makes me curious what it is that makes it so hard to form cross-species connections.” 

But all of that was immediately forgotten as his whole face went slack in surprise before lighting up in a rare show of glee. “…you’re not fucking with me, right?” It was like every boyhood dream was coming true. “Orca’s…you ‘talk’ to orcas. Oh, they’re glorious too. I will correct anyone I hear using that term, I swear. Who are the meanest? I’m guessing octopuses or eels…or jelly fish. I mean, they have to be a lil bitter nature did them so, right? How do you ever leave? I’m far from a chatty person - which I know - is hard to believe, but that seems endlessly fascinating…all those stories and personalities.” 

"Not over stepping... no...” She said though she took her time in trying to put the answer into words. “I guess it was largely just... comfort. I preferred being with my own people... they were safe... they were judgmental, but they were safe enough. You know?” She sighed a bit and ran her hand through her hair. “I guess that’s the other part of it, aside from slight concern someone might discover me... my old colony- the Mako Colony... they were judgmental and well not very kind to some of us. I was of a lower class and well- I never really had the confidence of most. So I didn’t think humans would take kindly to ... all of this.” She motioned to herself. She’d never been confident in herself. She probably would always struggle with the issues. But how could you when for most of your life you were treated like crap and judged and when your best friend was as pretty as Olivia was. It was just- her reality. And she wasn’t going to argue with that. “It doesn’t seem as bad as I thought- here at least. But I guess i just didn’t want to leave the comfort of home.”

She chuckled lightly at his response and shook her head. “Not fucking with you, no. It works the same with other beings underwater. We can communicate with telepathy. So, it works with the creatures that live there as well.” She hadn’t realized how unusual this would all be to the other beings. She was actually quite enjoying Kainan’s reaction. “They’re amazing. Quite kind unless they’re hungry. Then they get grumpy... but who doesn’t?” She laughed again, taking a moment to ponder his question. “The Octopuses I’ve met... they’re quite intelligent. They’re kind of pranksters. Eels and Jellyfish are both definitely the meanest word wise... Very rude and judgey. A few types of sharks, not all. Bull sharks should be called bully sharks because they’re rude and physical if they want to be. Not with mer so much though. Thankfully. The meanest, I’ve heard but I lived in warmer waters so this isn’t from personal experience that Leopard Seals are quite cruel. Aggressive and angry always. They’re quite varied really. And there are a lot of creatures with us...even in this little lake.” Not so little lake. Until you compared it with the ocean at least.

[soraroux]

✧ CLOSED STARTER ✧ @noemansland ✧

Sora was... admittedly less than pleased by Noe’s opinion of Gunnar, and honestly her continued presence in the colony. She would however respect their leader’s choice to allow her to stay. Sora had grown to admire Gunnar since he’d taken over. Grown protective of him. At first because he was what kept her friend from being in cage for even longer. Then because he was a good leader. A really good leader. Better than the terrible tyrant this other mer seemed to prefer. However she would play nice with Noe. She played nice with almost everyone. Even if she was extremely cautious. Knowing Gunnar didn’t trust her either and would hopefully proceed with caution. “So- what do you think of the forest? You were here the first time this colony lived here, weren’t you?” She asked with actual proper curiosity. Wondering if they all adored it as much as they had seemed to or if it was just because it was home.

[soraroux]

[soraroux]

erasmusrowe:

“I told you that wasn’t personal.” He replied as the barrier fell away from his hand and allowed him to move once more. “I can’t help it sometimes. The need to feed outweighs actual thought when an opportunity rises. It’s something I’m working on, but until I figure it out I can’t promise anyone anything.” He looks to the clouds, making sure they were remaining thick and concealing despite the wind, and then tries to focus his scent of smell on anything that might give him a clue as to where he was. 

“Just know the sooner we get out of here, the better it will be for you. Eventually I’ll have to feed again, and bad luck would stick you with me.” Erasmus wasn’t trying to scare her, but better she have a sense of reality about the situation. He was dangerous, to himself and her, and being trapped with no blood or one of the few that knew how to handle him could spell a bad day for them both. 

“I can’t smell anything properly over this wind.” He sighed in annoyance. Which counted out locating the lake’s direction, especially with the sun’s direction being hidden from him. There was literally no way to get his bearings, and trying to wing it in this situation felt foolish, but what other option did they have? “Have any ideas?” He asked as he started following the ice covered wall to his right.

"You still attacked me, personal or not.” She huffed. Stubbornly walking along close enough to him they could both walk at a relatively normal pace. “Have you ever thought of asking before you need to? Before you attack random people? Or go... eat a deer or a bear or something. There must be options.” She shrugged. She didn’t get it. They didn’t have vampire merfolk. That wasn’t something she’d ever needed to worry about really. It was just a thing that she’d only really discovered since she’d gotten here, in Arain.

She bit her lip to actually stop herself from something akin to a growl. She stayed silent for a minute. Trying her hardest not to actually respond with her first instincts. Tell him off. Refuse to move... all of the above. But they were stuck together. So she stayed quiet until she could respond. “We’ll try to find something else for you. If that’s possible. At least until we’re out of this.” If it absolutely came down to it she’d probably let him if he asked... if only to spare her own life. Out of no real courtesy to him. Then again, she’d also just as happily scream at him until his ears actually bled. Maybe he could drink that.

"I have no idea where we are either... but... I might be able to... hold on.” She paused in her walking for a half a second to let out a single note of a song. Nothing imbued with the power that could lead men to their deaths. But a single, beautiful note. And then she waited. “That ways a dead end...” She motioned to the direction he was about to go. ”but this way goes on for a while at least...” She motioned to the turn off of the current pathway. “I can’t map the whole thing but I can save us time perhaps...? Or we can just follow one side or the other all the way. We’ll have to find the proper exist sometime...”

[soraroux]

kainanxrowe:

Kainan was confused by her laughter. It was a legitimate question! Though, when she started asking questions of her own, he could begin to see the folly and humor in it and gave a little apologetic shrug. “Apologies. That makes perfect sense once explained like that.” Magick. Evolution. And the mix of both to make them all into what they were and the apex predators of their designated landscapes. Though, the whole mer thing was still confusing as fuck. Did they have whole houses and community centers and that underwear? And if they did – why did they ever leave? Life had to be infinitely more exciting down there. 

Given that he seemed to have lost his filter and she was beyond patient, he decided to push his luck and ask another. “Are dolphins are friendly as they seem?” His eyes got wide as another thought struck him. “Can you talk to them?! Dolphins and turtles and fishes?” Kai had no idea what he’d do if they could but he figured Sorin’s mind would be equally as blown and then he’d immediately hatch a plan to try and befriend the lake’s aquatic life and for their own sake, he kinda hoped it was possible.

She waved her hand as if to say she wasn’t offended. “It’s quite alright, I just- I guess I haven’t had anyone ask questions like that in quite some time. I don’t usually meet people who can know I’m not just a human. Even then I don’t spend a lot of time around humans.” Her old colony hadn’t been in such places like the lake. They were in the sea, and though land wasn’t terribly far Sora had never been one to leave the sea much. Preferring the ocean. Even with their judgement and her family’s lower standing in her early life. She found humans to be even more judgmental. And admittedly she saw the risk of being around humans because if she was, she would want to talk to them. And talking to them could lead to them finding out who she was eventually. Something sh wouldn’t risk. So she became comfortable with the idea of avoiding them and let it be as that.

She smiled as he asked another question and nodded quite eagerly. “Dolphins are great, they’re some of the friendlies creatures I’ve met. Though, personally a favorite of mine is the Orca Whale- which is actually a member of the Dolphin family. They’re great, really sweet- and they don’t like being called killer whales. It’s quite rude.” She pointed out with a little not. “Yes, we can. I can’t like read their minds but I can ‘talk’ to them.”