She who wears the skin
Part 1/2 of Oneshot: researchers!141 are attempting to attach a camera on you to observe the life of seals, but you're a selkie
CW: MDNI, read the tags
a/n: I was watching 'Animals With Cameras', I think by BBC, and there was a segment where the researchers attach a camera to a fur seal. I love love LOVE selkies and was like- oh em gee!; I made the border myself :3
Part 2
2.7k words ദ്ദി •⩊• )
You resided with the thousands of fur seals on Kanowna Island (it's a real place), in peace. As a selkie, you originated from the rocky, unforgiving shores of the Scottish isles, but Australia was nice. You tried to figure out if there were other selkies among the community, but it seems you were yet alone again. It didn't really matter though. The hardest part for you was sleeping without shedding your coat.
You got into the habit of becoming too comfortable, too off guard once you've entered your slumber, sometimes waking up with feet and not fins. The other seals couldn't really tell from the way your coat engulfed your frame, appearing as a rather rugged seal.
You were also used to the occasional researchers that came to temporarily stay on this uninhabited island. Nature was the reigning monarch. You missed when the helicopter landed, too busy hunting underwater, but you heard the rustles of their tents upon the lush green land. You figured they were just checking up on the population, making sure there wasn't another case of rabies going around.
They took their time coming closer to the seals. You could hear them tinkering. You assumed their scientific equipment broke; maybe the experienced was teaching the fresh-out-of-school researchers.
It was a warm, sunny day against the cold, harsh winds. You were full from last week's catch and would rather sunbathe away. The researchers in the past never proven themselves to be a threat. They were always cautious, keeping their distance.
Some of the younger seals wanted to go up to the fields, play around in the sun. You decided to tag along, hoping to find a secluded area where you could stretch your legs. Your body starts to feel cramped once in a while if you took on your civil form for too long.
The grass was lush and soft, absorbing all the sun's rays. You and your herd rolled around, relaxing from the strain of hunting in the waters.
You didn't notice the researchers stealthily stalking up to your herd. The leader had prepared a rather large net, opting for a sneak attack approach. The other three followed, carrying an anesthesia tank, a camera, and their contingency plan.
It was sudden the way a large, bear-like man came running towards the younger seal. You were protective of your kind. You had rejected humanity long ago, and they proved your reasoning.
You rushed in front of the seal, snarling your teeth at the man as he trapped the net around you without hesitation or fear. You'd get out, is what you tell yourself. It was the only choice you had.
A man in a cap quickly put a breathing mask over your snout, and you tried to play sleep, but they weren't playing around. You could hear the other seals retreating back to the shores and rocks where the rest laid, and hoped they didn't come back to try and get you.
You were slipping under the anesthesia. A man with a weird haircut was stroking your head, obviously trying to soothe you. For some reason, you couldn't bring yourself to look them in the eyes. It was comforting to be treated so softly as you fell asleep.
The men got to work as your heart rate slowed and steadied. They removed the net and strapped you to a metal stretcher, five equipment straps securing you down. They started attaching the camera to your long back, which they had altered many times to ensure it wouldn't fall off. But their efforts were simply a waste.
As they were making sure the camera was secured, they noticed your fur becoming more limp, more flimsy. That's when they noticed your feet sticking out under from the fins of your coat, and human hair fluttering against the wind under the hood.
"Well fuck me, we got us a selkie." Soap muttered, lifting your hood to see your human face.
Gaz retreated the anesthesia, worried that the concentration for seals would be too much for a human. But did it matter? You were technically both.
"I thought they were just a myth." Ghost eyed Soap.
"I know just as much as you do." Soap shrugged.
But the three of them faced their leader.
Price stared down at your body, obviously very much covered by your large coat. Selkies were a myth for a reason. He noticed how your seal self threw itself to protect the others. He'd keep you a secret unless pushed otherwise.
"We'll bring her back to camp, make sure she's alright."
They undid your straps, and Soap was the first to try and carry you. But your coat wasn't on all the way, slipping and flashing him, which he slightly freaked out. He quickly pulled the coat back over, begging Gaz to help him. Gaz simply wrapped the strap like a belt around your waist to secure your coat. Ghost gingerly carried you, your head tucked to his chest as your legs hung over his thick arms.
Price observed the seals below the hill, but it seemed that they made no effort into coming back for you. Maybe they trusted researchers.
The men shared a single large tent, four sleeping bags laid about and only their rucksack for clothes and toiletries. Gaz put the sleeping bags together, attempting to create a cushioned surface for you to lay on. He also removed the strap around your waist, not wanting it to startle you once you woke up. No one brought a blanket, so Soap laid his hoodie over you.
It was awkward. They were just trying to provide research for a TV network, to let them know that their documentary in theory would be successful. They didn't expect to uncover a folklore.
"So what's the plan when she wakes up?" Gaz asked.
"Apologise." Soap quickly answered.
"I wasn't asking you." Gaz poked the side of his head for emphasis.
"We'll take it slow. Even in our tent, she'll feel trapped. We keep her freak out to a minimal. Try to ease the stress. She's human so that should be an advantage." Price ruled out, not leaving space for arguments.
"What if she turns back into a seal?" Ghost asked.
"Is she still human as a seal?" Gaz asked Soap.
"Fuck if I know."
"She still had conscience as a seal. She thought like a human. Stay alert and expect anything." Price ordered.
Soap and Ghost made a campfire outside the tent after the sun had set. Gaz stayed by your side to monitor your breathing, checking your eyes to make sure you were still responsive. Price went over his research, the plan, and all selkie tales.
There was a drop in the atmosphere when you turned, your face scrunching as Soap's hoodie dropped to your side, making a soft rustle.
Gaz held his breath, anticipating for you to wake up. Based off your reaction, you were in light sleep. He could wake you up. His eyes met Price, silently asking for permission. The final word was no. Price had to consider the possibility that you might be cranky if forced to wake up. He needed you as cooperative as possible.
But it didn't matter when Soap exclaimed about something and his booming voice carried over into the tent.
Your eyes darted open and Gaz noted how quickly your body became tense. Your eyes met with the side of the tent, and you knew you were human based on your vision. You jumped to your feet, facing the two men. But it wasn't like your coat had buttons and entirely concealed your body.
Your bare front side was facing them, and Gaz couldn't help but take a gander to see if your body had any semblance to a seal's, or if your body could switch entirely to human and to seal. Price locked his eyes onto your face, searching for ques of your next action.
"What've you done." you demanded, unaware but also not caring about the state of your display.
"We tranquilised you as part of our research. We didn't know you were a... selkie." it felt childish for Price to say the term out loud.
"So why'd you keep me here."
Price looked at Gaz for him to answer. You noticed the way his eyes were observing you, nearly dissecting every inch of you. You quickly hid yourself under your coat.
"We uh, wanted to make sure you were okay." Gaz nodded.
"Did you put any trackers in me?"
Price kinda wished he did do that. He was naturally curious.
"No, that'd be inhumane." Gaz slightly mused.
"You people track animals without second-thought."
"Well you aren't exactly an animal- right now." Gaz's brows raised.
You gave a dissatisfied look, nearly disgusted. You started heading towards the zipped flap of the tent, but Price caught your arm. You faced him, instinctively snarling at him. Your canines were sharp, teeth made for ripping.
"You're not going anywhere." he stated, sternly looking you down.
"I'm not some animal in captivity." you snapped, lips twitching to try and bite his hand.
"You're not. We need to check your vitals and we'll send you off." he lied. He didn't want to let his own superiors know of his catch. You were such a gem, such an oddity- and he was a selfish man at heart.
You understood his words and his reasoning, but you couldn't be fucked.
"I'm fine."
"It's not up for debate, love."
Your human movements were sluggish, muscles not even stretched in the last week. Price caught on with your action, and his large hand smacked your jaw away. He tackled your body to the ground, keeping your face upwards so you couldn't try to bite anywhere else.
You let out a high-pitched shriek which made Price go dizzy for a bit with how close your mouth was to his ears. You kicked and wrestled under him, but his body weight alone kept you in place.
"I'm gonna need you to behave and act civilised." he grit through his teeth.
"Let me go!" you screamed, teeth chomping the air.
Soap and Ghost unzipped the flap, seeing your out lash. Gaz was simply observing from his corner, taking notes. He knew Price got you handled.
"Shut 'er mouth." he told his boys, not caring who would do the job.
Ghost immediately came down, trying to get his hands on your jaw, but the way your teeth barred and tried to bite him, it became difficult.
"Should we tranquilise her?" Soap asked, eyes on the darts and gun.
"No." Gaz and Price answered at the same time.
"You need to start acting grateful that we haven't taken your coat yet." Price lowly said in your ear.
Your struggling lessened, your blood freezing in realisation of his words. You've heard the tales, knew a selkie who knew a selkie that was forced into marriage, forced to be a man's eye candy, to be their beauty.
Ghost managed to shut your mouth with his hand as your body came to a still.
"That wasn't so hard, was it?"
You glared up at Ghost with such hatred even though he hadn't said that. How dare they all take part in such a horrendous act?
"We're just g'nna monitor your vitals, make sure you're alright, then let you go." Price stated, slowly taking his weight off of you.
Price nodded to Ghost to release your mouth, and you continued to lay on your stomach, still prepared to fight for your coat at all costs.
"You should sit." Gaz came over with his pouch, taking out a stethoscope.
You sat hugging your knees to your chest after he listened to your heart beat and breathing. It felt dehumanising to be in such a situation, and to be forced to be docile from a single threat.
"Wouldn't you want to monitor me as a seal?" you asked. It was your main form.
"Well you transformed into a human in the middle of anesthesia so... I dunno, you don't learn about Selkie biology in zoology." Gaz muttered, looking at Soap and Price for help.
"Think it'd be easier for us all to be human." Price answered.
"You men have a habit of keeping selkies as human out of selfishness." you snapped.
"Really? I've never really heard anything like that, just tales from long ago that are like folklore." Gaz responded, completely missing your tone.
"Maybe long ago, love, but not now." Price assured you, his words full of air.
"My granny would flip- like do a licheral back flip had she'd seen you." Soap said in awe, hand reaching to pet the back of your coat.
"Don't touch me." you snarled, feeling his hand but unable to see him.
"Sorry" he meekly apologised.
Ghost came up to Price, head nodding to the opening. Ghost's hand was on the zipper. A quiet transaction of sorts. You needed to know everything.
"Where are you going."
"Just having a conversation." Ghost replied.
"Have it here."
A long silence filled as you stared Ghost down yet again, neither of you prepared to back off.
"Well I want to know too." Soap chimed in.
Price looked at Ghost, but Ghost couldn't think of a way to lie his way out. He turned to talk to him.
"I was just wonderin about sleeping arrangements. She basically slept through the day while we stayed up."
Price listened, not even bothering to look at you.
"We'll take turns watching her."
"I'm right here. And I don't need to be watched because I'm not in captivity according to you." you shot at Price.
"Well you've proven you can't be trusted-"
"Because men can't be trusted!" you burst, your hands deathly gripping onto your coat. Gaz slightly distanced himself from you. He couldn't fight for shit. Price was the only person with any sort of military training. Ghost used to work at a zoo handling the dangerous creatures. Soap was an engineering major they picked up right after Gaz's graduation from receiving his masters in zoology.
"We've given you every reason to be trusted. This whole situation is just a misunderstanding. Have we hurt you?" Price's voice thundered with authority.
But authority was as intimidating as the weather to you, "No, but you refuse to let me go!"
He shook his head, practically laughing. Ghost side eyed him, unsure where this was going.
"A fucking animal that doesn't listen."
You know it'd take more than a second for you to take on your seal form, so you lunged for him in your human form. You bit into his neck, canines digging deep, growling as you do. Price yelped, basically holding you in the air as your teeth cleanly chomped through his skin.
Ghost tried to pry you off, but you were stubborn. Price was hollering all sorts of profanities while Soap watched the scene unfold. He had to memorise every detail to tell his great-grandchildren one day. But Gaz went straight for the darts. He pushed Ghost away and let the needle pierce a vein in your very own neck.
You let out a whimper, wincing, your bite diminishing with force. Price tossed you to the ground, but he didn't bother to hold his own neck to stop the bleeding first. Furiously, he grabbed your coat, shaking it vigorously to get you out, the motion further pushed the needle of the dart in. You were slow and uncoordinated, grabbing at the air trying to grab your coat. You tried to speak but your tongue was too soft, too fuzzy, too foreign.
Then he left the tent with your coat.
You dragged yourself to the tent's opening. Gaz prepared another dart but he figured one was enough. Ghost didn't bother to restrain you with how bad you were moving. He'd seen alligators move like that while still trying to go after him. You'd be out soon.
Your blurry eyes followed Price to something bright, something flickering.
Then he tossed your coat into the light.
An awful stench was carried by the winds, and you grimaced, trying to remember what that smelt meant.
Your mind was too far away.
And you gave up.
I honestly had no direction with this blurb but while I was watching the documentary, I couldn't get the idea out of my head :/ I now have an idea for the second part of this oneshot thanks to the five minute brain constipation I had in order to fart out a title. I hope it was okay; I know this is a bit rougher and mean :( But I can feel my future self cringing when rereading this in the far (most likely near) future lol
To my sweet, darling, sunshine readers, I love you ₍ᐢ. .ᐢ₎ ₊˚⊹♡ take care of yourself ! ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡