| m a y a |

nehalennian princess

[thedeepseaoceanly]

acarnificibusvenari‌:

Normally to such demands  — how dare anyone try to order her around — would earn themselves a snarl from the violate woman courtesy of her two parents and retaliation but Artemisia was a stickler for her role at playing human, deluding others into thinking her fragile; it was a perfect cover for her.

“ I-I didn’t see anything I swear. “ Eyes averted and head down as she emerged from the trees, hands up and camera flashing in her grip, docile in nature was what projected from the brunette while inwardly she freaked out like any other mortal would when faced with something otherworldly.  The situation called for an imitator, perfect for the role was she but the woman had no intentions of pursuing a career based upon it.    “ Just taking a walk is all, heard some noises. “ and like any other human, she investigated. 

“You didn’t see anything.“

She parrots the human’s words. Or at least Maya assumes the stranger is human. It would be safer to kill her. Maya’s been trained where to cut--the soft belly is dangerous to a human and syren, and to wolves too. And while Maya’s soft-hearted, she also has an appetite for survival, and the selfish part of her regards the clean efficiency of ridding herself of this problem rather than the effort of poking, prodding, and making certain this woman wasn’t lying. Their kind doesn’t live long anyway.

The human heart is slightly to the left.

“It’s late for a walk.“ Maya’s fingers slide from the handle of the dagger too smooth down the front of her dress. “I’ll walk you home.“

[thedeepseaoceanly]

lyle-than‌:

She’s surprised to see him, but the sentiment had been mutual. At least she doesn’t tell him to fuck off, and Lyle takes that as the sign to stick around. When she even laughs, Lyle has wonder if she’s had as much to drink as him. Seems dangerous for this kind of party, though Lyle doesn’t bother to extend the same standards to himself.

“You know I’ve lived in the area for like…shit, nearly a decade now. I know my way around,” he said, “what kind of friends are you meeting that they’re inviting you out to this kind of party?”

“Do you really?“

She licks the tip of her finger and circles it on the champagne flute, dragging out a pitched thrum of resonance as she points out, “Maybe if you taught me anything instead of bullying me.“ It’s petulant. Honest--and she wouldn’t have shared it without the liquor that makes her face hot and tongue slightly loose.

“Do you really care to learn about my friends, Lyle Than?“ It’s a genuine question. He’s mostly cold, so she’s uncertain how to handle this spark of interest. 

[thedeepseaoceanly]

winthrop-twins‌:

“Let’s talk to her,” Valentina pleaded with her sister, nodding towards a radiant woman sitting in a fountain.

“Fine. But you need to keep it in your skirt.” They approached the young woman, and hearing her words, Vivienne laughed. “I don’t know if it tastes like bottled stars-”

“Liquid gold, perhaps,” Valentina interjected.

“-But it’s my favorite. So thank you,” Vivienne purred, reaching out and taking the bottle. She lifted the neck of the bottle to her lips, smiling as the bubbly liquid ran down her throat. “No, not stars. Diamonds, maybe.”

“Even better.”

“I’m Vivienne.”

“And I’m Valentina.”

Maya startles at the sight of two. “Oh.“ Smooths down the tulle of her skirt with her now free palms and shares, “Your hair. It’s very pretty.“ That spill of reddish gold, like the setting sun painted was beautiful. Maya wanted to touch.

Manners.

“I’m Maya.“ She tips her chin down, suddenly shy. “You can have as much as you’d like.“

[thedeepseaoceanly]

billie.

“Stars are burning balls of gas.” She reminds the other with a shrug, taking another swig from the bottle, “the idea that they might burn if eaten is not entirely out there.” Billie thinks the girls clueless-ness has a charm- she wonders exactly what kind of supernatural she might be. She chuckles, “if you think champagne burns whiskey might tears your throat out.” Nevertheless Billie pulls a flash from a pocket of her pants, and hands it over.

It didn’t take much to convince the bartender just to pour some straight in there- open bar anyway, and carrying a glass around all the time was such a bother. “But sure, try some.”

“I know.“ She snips, voice tight because she’s not quite certain if this woman is just blunt, or treating her like an idiot. Maya has read books. Plenty of them. But that doesn’t jade her to the romanticism of-- “It’s just... the idea of stars.” The syren tucks her bottom lip into her mouth, teeth sinking in as she regards the metallic offering from the stranger’s hand.

“Alright.“ Why not? Maya takes a sip, holds it in her mouth-- before spitting it into the water.

Ugh.

It’s worse than the champagne. Burns her tongue and Maya thrusts the flask back into the stranger’s chest. "You have terrible taste.”

[elysenight]

Being the treasury chair was difficult, even when she wasn’t the one actually running the show. Elyse had little helping hands that knew it was better to be on her side than against her, her outbursts only a small tell of what she could do. She sat outside Kaffiene with a coffee that would surely be the death of her. The little mug made her feel important like she had things to do and people to see and she enjoyed it but the reality was that she probably wouldn’t sleep once she got home. The second misstep was sitting outside, her mind was always so easily distracted that a leaf dancing in the wind could pull her attention away entirely. Just like that she was adrift and had to reel herself back into to the sheets of notes she had stacked in front of her. There wasn’t any actual work to be done, just memorization. Though Elyse wasn’t the brightest spark she really couldn’t afford to draw a blank when asked about the financial situation of the sorority considering her position. 

Numbers were boring but she’d been given a position and as with everything, all she wanted to do was try her best and do right by the people around her. She took a sip from her vanilla and hazelnut laced coffee but it was still bitter. She thought to sulk for a moment but she was caught by a vision who seemed to need a seat. The focus instantly shifted, the reams of notes in front of her not seeming as important. “You can sit if you want. Chair’s free.” Her smile was bright and hopefully inviting, willing the woman to sit by her. Elyse was so much happier when surrounded. She wished to be engulfed by people because then and only then would she have purpose. Without an entourage or company, there was nothing to push herself towards. “This place is always super busy, the college is right over next door and I think most of the students live off coffee. I don’t know how they do it, next time I’m getting a tea.” Continuing and creating conversation was her unconscious way of enticing people closer, they could absolutely ignore her, but they tended not to. 

@thedeepseaoceanly

[thedeepseaoceanly]

“I don’t want to intrude.“ Maya cants her head to the right, hair spilling over her shoulder and she should refuse the invitation. Should know better than to be drawn to that sweet, sugary drip of personality this girl gives off but Maya can’t help herself. Her gaze catches on the 1s, 5s, 13s scattered across the paper, and they say there’s method to the human madness of numbers but Maya can’t quite follow it.

“I don’t like coffee.“ She takes the seat. Props her chin in the cup of both hands as she returns, “Tea is better. What are you doing?“ But, ah--manners first. And she wets her pink mouth with a swipe of her tongue (nervous) before introducing herself as-- “I’m Maya. I would like to go to that college, I think.“

[lalalalisa----m]

[thedeepseaoceanly]

caspiians‌:

     caspian doesn’t reply to that first statement, truth already hangs in the air, alongside his unspoken offer to bring the princess back home. at first, a part of him had thought this would be much more easier, that hearing how much the kingdom needs her would push her into action to return back to nehelennia, and echo would follow in pursuit. however, nothing is as easy as he wanted to be, and a part of himself wants to sulk. his mission description hasn’t quite prepared him for this turn of events, and he is lost when it comes to what to do.

     “i can drink. i don’t know if i want to. it’s hard to figure out which human drinks will get me drunk fast.” and it’s not like i can drink on the job. he thinks, but doesn’t add, not wanting to push that on her right then. when she turns towards him to utter that first sentence, it’s caspian who looks away this time, down at his shoes, a pair of feet that’s still too foreign to have for so long. “i don’t want to stay. i want to go back.” words are resolute, and he looks up at her afterwards, questioning, wondering, no malice behind his words. “don’t you miss home ?”

“I think--“ She lifts a hand and flicks her index finger up, an anchor to hold his attention to. “-- you should start with wine.“ She’s been taught to deliver her opinions as absolutes, and in that straight-backed, solid tone it comes off as a truth to be accepted without question.

“And you just arrived.“ This is where her voice wavers. Caspian brings with him the sea and an ebb and flow of memories. She’d allowed herself to dull them under the new and brighter and fantastic things on land, but now-- “Hardly.” She lies. “I haven’t been here long.“

Kicking at the water she sighs, “Do you think I’m ready?“ To rule--but that’s left unspoken. Her older brother would be better. Perhaps Caspian thinks so too.

[laalisas]

lisa :: making film ‘kill this love’

[basketcasemp3]

[thedeepseaoceanly]

@acarnificibusvenari

[thedeepseaoceanly]

caspiians‌:

    “does it not ? what a… shame.” his words are forced, a mimicry of being amicable. he sits on the stone sides of the fountain with his back to the water, not wanting to get his clothes wet with something so… artificial. it has been only a couple of days since he has set foot on deadwood, and it didn’t take long for him to realize persuading the princess was not going to be an easy deal. as such, he has retorted to exploring, and trying other methods of convincing her, far from giving up just yet. which brought him to this party. 

     “maybe we should go back to nehalennia and try to see if they have something similar over there ? i’m sure we can get you better liquor from other lands afar.” caspian is aware it’s not one of his best attempts, but it’s not a secret either. when the bottle is held out towards him, the knight gives it a long stare, tentatively grabbing it even though he doesn’t know if he will drink it just yet. “doesn’t this have alcohol in it ? human cocktails tend to burn… from what i have seen so far. you should try one of those sparkly drinks instead.”

“Oh. It’s you.“

It’s spoken to the water. She doesn’t bother to meet Caspian’s eye after passing the bottle, and she makes it a point to turn her head to look in the completely opposite direction at his thinly veiled attempt to urge her home into the ocean, back to the borders of Nehalennia where her parents bodies are now cold, and her mother’s crown wiped mirror-clean for Maya to wear.

She’s not ready.

But the topic shifts as quickly as Caspian brought it up. And now she turns back to face him. “Can you drink? I’ve heard you’ve found yourself a human job.” A tip of her head. “You can stay with us you know.”

[acarnificibusvenari-deactivated]

@thedeepseaoceanly There was no point in having the item, the camera, with her other than to use it like binoculars, it wasn’t as though the brunette didn’t know how to use it — definitely did not know how but acted as if she were while mumbling about its weight in her hands — when she uttered a quick promise to return it after her strange need for its use to the owner.  Observing others — watching them like a stalker  — became a minor divertissement when the witch needed a getaway from her memories that seemed to plague her like tv static and vague imagery.  A frown appeared across her features when the water normally so still and quiet moved like something was underneath; reminding her of things that could hide within the flesh and pop out without warning. The movie Alien coming to mind in that instance.  at the sight of scales, she knew what she had witnessed; made it her goal to move forward in this obvious precarious situation. “oh, what a beauty you are.”

[thedeepseaoceanly]

Maya eases out of the lake with the family of otters writhing slippery and slick around her ankles. From scales to soft skin, the pebbles sink into the tender arches of her feet and oh where did she leave it. She always forgets. After peering behind several stones she finds her sundress and glides it over her shoulders. Her hands are still damp, so her fingers slip on the buttons of the dress, thumbing the faux-pearls into the stitched holes, smoothing the yellow fabric down her belly, her hips--

The otters chirp. They have a much better sense of smell in and out of the water and Maya’s head swivels to where they warn--human, human, human.

She approaches the tree. Skirts her fingers along the handle of the dagger tucked into the pockets she’d sewn on her dress, and makes demands. 

“Step out of there. “ Then firmer. “What did you see?“

[thedeepseaoceanly]

fallenqod‌:

* ╱ 𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐉𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐆

HE GLADLY takes a hold of the bottle , a snort passing his lips at the female’s antic . ‘ not used to drinking are we ? ’ he questions , bottle to his lips and taking a languid drink .

the female had asked him to join her for a soak but he refused , wanting to stay nice and warm ( as warm as he can get ) for his date . ‘ it’s just an expression maya . i mean , how do you even know what stars taste like ? ’ he adds , giving her a glance before letting his gaze fall into the water . 

"Excuse me?” She shifts--spine straight and posturing, head tipping back to regard him with displeasure. “I’ve been to bars, Ambrose Jiang. And have drank many human adult beverages.” 

With a soft exhale Maya stands, scales shifting back to skin as she steps out of the water and links her arm in his. “I just want to drink something pretty tonight.” She rests her head on his shoulder. “Please?”

[whatroughbeast-blog1]

person: calm down

me:I was calm but now i'm going to throw this entire desk at you

[lyle-than]

Who: @thedeepseaoceanly What: Lotus Night

For his misgivings, it was a spectacular party. The drinks flowed, and Lyle might have indulged more than he’d intended, but it was hard to keep track when the empties vanished just as quickly. Someone was paying catering well. It was a crowded room, but he’d run into enough familiar faces to be wary, and try and keep to himself. Maybe it was time make an exit before things got messy, in any number of ways.

Except, for some reason Maya wasn’t the face he expected to see across the bar. Lyle didn’t think it was the place for her to be, though seeing her laugh and turn away from someone, she doesn’t look uneasy. Maybe just stepping away to get a drink. Lyle tracks her to the bar anyways, sliding into a spot beside her, laying a hand on her arm. “Maya, I didn’t expect to see you here,” he said, glancing quickly down at his own hand and then withdrawing. He’d maybe had more to drink than he thought. 

[thedeepseaoceanly]

Lyle Than. 

She remains quiet. Poised--if not slightly flushed (especially on her cheeks) from too much sangria. And it’s instinct to take the defensive with him. The other syren has a habit of  being a bit too sharp, his words cutting in his judgement of her capabilities of navigating land, it’s culture, and it’s creatures. But she’s tipsy, and Maya is a pleasant drunk. So she flips her hair, unfazed, and her laughter chimes into air. 

“I have many local friends. I’m invited to many things.“ She takes another sip of sangria. “I’m surprised you’re here.”

[thedeepseaoceanly]

lenxivy‌:

“selena,” she replies with a laugh, now joined with the beauty by her side. the other reminded her of the pledges that come through her door so often. full of desire, to explore, and to feed the body and soul. refreshing to be around and selena grows curious behind the ethereal looks she possess.

“hm, deal. i’m holding you to that, ” she chimes in as they climb down the steps, “are you a student at astoria?” she assumes the connection, prying for information.

“Selena.“ It suits the stranger.  Maya thinks the slide of S on the tongue is epicurean, and the final pitch of the A adds a burst of brightness. “I’m Maya.”

And it’s in her nature to provide. A queen must be generous and aware of the needs, wants, demands of others and Maya doesn’t resist the whim to yield to anything Selena might ask for. “Mmm. Astoria? The huma--” She catches herself. “The school! No. I want to. But you need money. I don’t understand why education isn’t free.”

[thedeepseaoceanly]

'what do you miss about the sea?'

“My brothers and friends. The animals too. Most of them don’t listen to me here.“

[thedeepseaoceanly]

is there anyone you can trust?

“Ying Yue! .... and Lyle Than. I guess.“