[viiolentdelights]

⧙  MADCHEN AMICK, CISFEMALE, SHE & HER︔ is that CLARISSA COOPER I see on Main Street? The 48+ year old MERMAID has been on the island for 30+ years, humming the song AVA by FAMY. They remind me of SUNDRESSES ALL YEAR ROUND, BALLERINA FLATS WITH AN ANKLE BRACELET, BRIGHT RED LIPS THAT DECIEVE. [ jessie, 27, est, she & her ]

meowdy you cool cats. i’m jessie and this is clarissa, the cooper mother-mermaid. a little about her goes as followed:

clarissa appeared to be around ten years old when she was spotted in bar harbor visiting her aunt, who was a local shopkeeper, eventually meeting the other cooper parent around the same physical age. she felt bad for them, becoming their friend while the cooper’s father chased, ahem, ghosts around the island. for the first few years of knowing them, she’d visit the island every few months, staying with her aunt as she did.

eventually she asked the same witch who created talismans for her and her aunt to speed her physical aging to match a humans, so that she could stay on the island as her aunt’s ward. thus, she grew up essentially with the other cooper parent.

they were friends but slowly fell for each other and clarissa, who promised to go back to the twilight layer one day, stayed in bar harbor, eventually marrying the other cooper parent.

it wasn’t her goal to lie to them but rather keep them from discovering the truth to keep them safe. in turn, they lived with the thought that their father was crazy for believing he had seen a mermaid all those years ago.

despite her aging matching a human, she still appears a bit younger than she’s supposed to be.

truth be told, she never thought about what she’d do once her partner aged, or what to do without them. they are her person and can’t imagine an existence without them.

when it comes to child number three, i’d have to plot with whoever takes them but, i imagine she was either tasked with taking care of them or did so if they were orphaned.  maybe she swam with them in secrecy, explained how the other cooper could never know the truth, etc. 

she wears an ankle bracelet while on land. tw: feet. you can see it here.

now that their parent knows the truth, having found her without her ankle bracelet after it broke, she’s spiraling and struggling with how to fix their relationship especially now that they know child number three is also a merfolk.

[pennyduckton]

location : the library

for : open

Penny had already used the few bags of liquor she'd managed to grab from the bar to set up behind the book checkout counter, pouring shots of whiskey for those who needed a bit of liquid courage. She took a quick shot of her own, moving infront of the counter. "Bar's closed for now guys, we don't need y'all getting all roudy and beatin' the shit out of eachother." She narrowed her eyes at some regulars who were known for stirring up trouble.

"I've never seen a storm like this - ever. If there are Gods, they're pissed about something."

[viiolentdelights]

SHE had found one of her favorite books tucked away on the shelves and taken to reading it, or trying to read it, to keep her mind off of everything. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea wasn't helping as much as she thought it would and even though booze wouldn't effect her in the same way, she had been holding her drink for dear life. Her family was still out there and she couldn't think right without them, even if her last words to Douglas hadn't been all that nice to beginning with. She hoped he and their children made it to the town hall alright. Clarissa gave a little, sharp laugh. "I'd imagine they are. This island's had enough good luck that the scales had to tip at some point."

[dialvgued]

RIVER: Are you doin' alright? RIVER: I'm stuck with the Acadians. They're not letting anyone leave any time soon. RIVER: I barely have a signal out here.

[viiolentdelights]

CLARISSA: What the hell are you doing in Acadia, River? CLARISSA: And to answer your question, I'm not but I am. Are you? CLARISSA: Are the werewolves going stir crazy?

[cursethefadingofthelightt]

At the light he winced, fuck was he really so out of it right now that he hadn't realised it was dark? Least with this he had good reason, it was hardly everyday you found out you'd married a mermaid, especially after years of having everyone think your father was insane for believing in mermaids. "I don't have an answer for that, not one you want" he wasn't sure he could yet stop avoiding, it was all a mess. At that, part of him wanted to point out they'd needed to talk twenty years ago. That just wasn't him though, and as angry and upset as he might be, being cruel had never really been in his nature. "Well... think we both know what I'd say, so you'd probably better do the talking" maybe there was something in this he wasn't seeing, though what it was he didn't think he'd ever understand.

[viiolentdelights]

JUST what would she tell him? She doubted anything she'd tell him would really matter all that much but she had to try. Why? Clarissa might've not told him what she was but that didn't mean that she hadn't loved him any less. If anything, she loved him more. "I didn't tell you what I am because I wanted to keep you safe, Dougie. Your father was safe on this island," even if it meant being labeled crazy because of it, "he chose to stay here but if you knew? I couldn't protect you from my people if you decided to leave it, nor could I protect you from anything else because whether you believe it or not, I'm not the worst species out there. I was supposed to go back but I stayed. I stayed for you," When had the tears begun? She didn't know but now, her eyes burned in the way a human's would if it had salt water in them.

"I stayed for our family and yeah, Aria's a mermaid but maybe you should ask why she's with us and not out there, raised by people like us. You can hate me because I didn't tell you but please, please don't hate Aria for my desire to keep you safe." She might've been yelling, just a smidge, but that was the truth. "If this is it, fine, but she's still your daughter."

CALL her a coward but being so overcome with emotions, she tossed her hands up and growled with anger. Then there were puffs of breath that sounded more like low sobs. "I'll stay at my store and if you can ever find the words to speak you know where it is." Then, she turned to leave their shared home with a slamming door to follow her.

[cursethefadingofthelightt]

It was difficult to cope with. Everything he had known, everything he had believed had been destroyed in one night. All of it just gone... and then the church had exploded. Oh if he could have his way he'd be off this island in an instant. Not forever, his family was here and he'd never walk away from that. But a week... that might be too long, two nights, definitely two nights.

All of which he realised meant that right now he was being rude and not concentrating. "Sorry, what was that? I missed it" or rather he had been thinking too hard about something else, he really needed to get coffee.

[viiolentdelights]

THE worst thing you can do is lie to someone. In her case, she hadn't exactly lied but she hadn't told him the truth either. It was her fault and she knew it, and now she was ready to face him rather than hiding at the bakery for the rest of his life. "I asked you if we're ready to stop avoiding each other." Her voice is soft, trying to keep her tone steady but all she really, really wanted to do was cry and beg for forgiveness. It wasn't the woman he had come to love, to cry in such a way, but Clarissa couldn't help feel like somehow this was it. "We need to talk, Dougie." Clarissa pointed out, flicking the light on so she could actually see him in light rather than some aspect of the dark.

[viiolentdelights]

WHY yes, because only a gas explosion could stress someone out so much, right? Not the fact that her marriage was falling apart or that she didn't know if her home was gone once again. "Let's go with that, kind stranger. That is certainly the only thing that can stress anyone out right now." Clarissa's sarcasm was drier than usual but her annoyance was just the same. "I bake when I'm stressed and my oven doesn't hold up to an industrial oven, so yes, here I am. If you like something, order something. If you don't, I'm sure there's someone on Main Street you can bug sooner or later." @cursethefadingofthelight

[viiolentdelights]

sorry for being away this week! i had to run out of state for a small emergency but i'm back now. i'll be finishing replies tomorrow. i'm so tired and need to sleep. ⊹⋛⋋( ՞ਊ ՞)⋌⋚⊹

[merianthrone]

Namia sighed knowing she was right. Someone of her own standing would be wanted - there were probably still royal guards circling the seven seas in search of her, even all these years later. "I feel it - it's getting stronger the more years I spend on land...is that normal?" Her eyes were wide in the morning light and she raised a finger to her lips. "Should we head somewhere we can talk more freely, perhaps?" She gestured with her head out towards the water. Below the surface, even a nearby vampire wouldn't be able to overhear their conversation about their fears of what the island was facing.

[viiolentdelights]

CLARISSA couldn't tell her if it was normal or not because for Clarissa, being on land so long, she hadn't heard much over the years ⸻ or maybe Clarissa had spent so long tuning it out. It was hard to blend in when you were constantly in a day dream, being called back to the deep blue sea. "I'm not sure but just in the last month alone, I hear it in my sleep and it's getting louder." That was something at least, admitting such a thing and still feeling guilty that she wasn't admitting it to Douglas. "I shall meet you there," Clarissa decided, giving a glance over her shoulder before diving off the dock, allowing the water to consume her whole as she went under the water.

Just being the water itself MADE her feel as if she were lighter. No more pain in aching joints, no worries ⸻ though those would come back eventually. With a wiggle here and a shake there, her fingers unclasp the bracelet around her ankle and she felt the transformation back. It was needed after the last few days, relief filling her once she opened her eyes to see Namia having had joined her. Even if it were her idea, Clarissa felt unsure of herself now.

"Namia, I think you should go home." Truth, whether she liked it or not. "It isn't safe for you here."

[princeofsomewhere]

“It’s just Justin - from the florist down the street,” he called out into the bakery. Thankfully, the florist had been just outside the explosion’s reach. Most of the windows in the street had been blown out, he’d been lucky enough to get a slight crack in one pane and nothing more- thankfully, because he wasn’t exactly rolling in money right now, even with tourism up…holidaymakers didn’t tend to buy flowers.

“I’m just checking if you need any help with anything!”

[viiolentdelights]

OH it was Justin! Now she found herself biting her tongue, scolding herself mentally for being so wrapped up in her own world and thoughts that she couldn't see what was truly going on around her. "I'm sorry, Justin. I didn't realize it was you." He was always sweet and kind to everyone, and Clarissa admired that about him. "Let me get you a cup of coffee," becaause maybe that would help some? Or not at all, but she's already fluttering around behind the counter to pour him a cup. "I'm okay, I promise. I had to have the windows boarded up but it'll be a few days until someone can fix them. Are you and your shop alright? I didn't get a chance to look on my way in."

[cursethefadingofthelightt]

All of this was a little ridiculous if he was honest. People died all the time, it didn’t usually shut everything down, even if it was unusual circumstances. Apparently that might be seen as a little heartless to say, though really he didn’t care too much about that. Life and death went hand and hand after all, and when they didn’t… well he knew too well what that was like. It wasn’t actually something he’d want anyone to go through. Still, if nothing else the whole thing was entertaining, especially when he saw someone still working. “Mmm, but then that is really rather the point isn’t it. Everything has closed down… yet here you are”.

[viiolentdelights]

BEING nice wasn't on her agenda today but that's why she was baking rather than out on the streets or going home to what Clarissa knew would be an empty house at the moment. "I bake when I'm stressed," she admitted ⸻ or depressed, sad or any negative emotion to be frank. It was her way of coping and unwinding as she never felt like she was tired enough to sleep at the end of the day without working. "This is my shop so what's your point? If you even have one."

[viiolentdelights]

[merianthrone]

Clarissa seemed to carry a wave of comfort with her at all times in Namia's eyes. She's been a mentor since the mermaid had set first feet on the island all those years ago, and now she considered her family.

"Well- I suppose I could ask you the same thing?" Mia's voice was different when speaking with Clarissa. She knew her true identity, which meant she needn't try to blend in. Though her voice was still as sweet as other's knew it to be - it held a power to it that other's didn't get to see, a power she hid in order to blend in.

"I can't stop thinking about poor Nancy Elsher...I thought this town was supposed to be a haven - but something bad is coming...I can feel it in the wind."

[viiolentdelights]

HER lips curl into something of a knowing smile before giving a shrug in response, "I'm a hypocrite, you know. Besides, I'm far less important than you." Namia had told her how they had outlawed going above water much less walking on land now, but even if it were a crime, they would want and Namia back. If Clarissa ever went back, she'd be a traitor, and still be shunned from two areas of her being now. "It was but I agree. Have you heard the calling yet?" Some nights when she couldn't sleep, she'd look out the window at the ocean to hear the mermaids siren call ⸻ but it wasn't that of happiness or pleasant emotion. It almost seemed like crying. "There are rumors that this wasn't an accident. Nancy was human as far as I knew but what they're saying about her, not in the paper, that's ... that's why you shouldn't be out here alone, Sweetie."

[dialvgued]

❝ 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐈𝐓❜𝐒 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍 𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐔𝐒𝐓❟

This whole damn island was a never ending episode of Jerry some times. River's eyes roll as he set the now empty cup of coffee down on the table. He hated that, hated that he knew what love could be at a flip of a coin. One minute someone loves you, the next you're running for your life and settling down on an island with a woman who knew what that was like... but River wondered Memphis saw in him some days. "You should've been honest, Ris. Love or not, it was never going to go the way you hoped it would." But she knew that, and he knew that. Her aging might as well of been plastic surgery or some sense of mask she could eventually take off. "Get on the damn boat and keep your voice down. I've got whiskey I've been saving for a rainy day but you seem to need it more than I do." While she might not actually get drunk in the way he would, he knew it was the action rather than desired effect that would be helpful.

[viiolentdelights]

TIT for tat, or however the saying went. It wasn't as if she planned on falling in love with Douglas when they'd become friends but it hadn't really mattered. Clarissa was one of the lucky ones who could get away for a little while, exploring land and visiting her aunt. Her crime would be staying longer than she was allowed to. "I hate you," she mumbled under her breath but that wasn't all that true. Maybe she admired him in some aspect but it wasn't hate. More annoyance for being right. "Thank you." Clarissa did as she was told, adjusting to being ON THE WATER rather than in it, before walking and sitting down on one of the chairs, eyes glancing around before at River. "How are you, uh, doing? With all of this ... you and the kids?"

[dolusdiu]

LAPIS HADN’T BEEN TORN UP BY THE DEATH OF nancy, but she was shaken by the church’s razing. not that they were religious, but there was something deeply unsettling about an old building being just gone the next day. ❝ hi, sorry, ❞ she called back, ❝ i was just hoping to sit in here for a minute. ❞ she slowly crept toward the back, where the voice was coming from. ❝ hi, mrs cooper, ❞ she greeted once close enough. ❝ although everywhere else seems to be closed, the bookstore is opening today but not for another half-hour. mind if i hang around for a little before i head over? ❞

[viiolentdelights]

IT was concerning to her, as it should be for the supernatural she knew were in town. There had always been a welcoming sort of aura of Bar Harbor, even all those days before when she first made her way onto it, but now? It seemed plagued with a sense of urgency. The last thing she wanted was for another accident to happen to someone, including the husband who now couldn't seem to look at her ⸻ but also the families also on the island and the tourists who couldn't seem to stay away. Maybe her anxiety was unwarranted but Nancy's death couldn't of come at a worse time. Clarissa looked up at the voice and stilled when she realized who it was. Their families weren't entirely close but Clarissa had something of a shaky friendship with River, which meant that she cared for his children in the same sort of way. "Oh, Lapis, I didn't realize it was you. Sit down and I'll bring you something to drink, okay?" Clarissa replied in a more relaxed kind of manner now, "Of course. How are you doing, with all of this?"

[viiolentdelights]

i'm having an issue with my tumblr because of course i am ⊹⋛⋋( ՞ਊ ՞)⋌⋚⊹

[viiolentdelights]

HER expression was tense even though she cared for river, maybe not in the same way but she considered him a friend at least. maybe she was stressed and laying it on a little thick but she was going out of her damn mind with worry, and the explosion did nothing to ease those worries. "do you really think couples counseling will help them forgive me? and what am i supposed to say, sorry i didn't tell you i was a mermaid because it never ends well for a human who decides yeah, i'll love you despite it all?" not just that, but the fact that their father was the laughing stock for believing in mermaids? sure, more residents knew more than they wanted to admit but that didn't mean they'd go chanting that around main street. "need i remind you that i'm the one that got you out of FOUR parking tickets? which by the way shouldn't happen when we only have about seven actual streets you could probably get one on but SEVEN?" clarissa ranted before letting out a breath finally, trying to calm herself down. "do you have any tequila? i think i need tequila."

[viiolentdelights]

THE woman wasn't sure of anything anymore. as much as nancy was a meddling nuisance to her half the time, that didn't mean she deserved to die ⸻ in such a horrific way at that. her head tilts, moving to look at the presence now before sighing and straightening her back so she stood a little taller. clarissa liked to present herself in a specific way as to not expose herself as anything other than human. "i'm sorry," she spoke, motioning her to the counter. "we only lost the one window but i gave everyone the day off so it's just me. we don't have much but we have chocolate chip cookies, muffins and i think some day old bagels. if you want anything, it's on the house today."

[viiolentdelights]

THE woman wasn't sure of anything anymore. as much as nancy was a meddling nuisance to her half the time, that didn't mean she deserved to die ⸻ in such a horrific way at that. her head tilts, moving to look at the presence now before sighing and straightening her back so she stood a little taller. clarissa liked to present herself in a specific way as to not expose herself as anything other than human. "i'm sorry," she spoke, motioning her to the counter. "we only lost the one window but i gave everyone the day off so it's just me. we don't have much but we have chocolate chip cookies, muffins and i think some day old bagels. if you want anything, it's on the house today."