Oceans and Merfolk

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Comments

[ignoranceisblight]

[And just as Kakavasha says that and the letter opener finds its new home, Veritas just whistles the last couple of lines of the song he was singing.

Once the bastard's dead, Veritas is more than happy to tear him apart.]

[takesitall]

[And Kakavasha watches, holding his pelt close.]

Do you want to set this place on fire?

[ignoranceisblight]

If that's what you want, I'll be more than happy to do so. We can take whatever's useful before we do, too.

[No sense in wasting anything, after all.]

[takesitall]

I'll let you decide what's useful, then. I want it all gone.

[ignoranceisblight]

[He nods.

He combs through the place, picking out whatever might be useful, whether to use, eat, or sell (he does need to do something to repay the guy who pointed him here), but after that, he makes a second pass to make sure all of this will be going up in flames.

The matches, at least, he'll hand to Kakavasha.]

You should be the one to do this, I think.

[It was his prison for four years, after all.]

[takesitall]

With pleasure.

[He hands Veritas his pelt just for a moment as he lights and throws the matches on various flammable spots. He's quick to take it back, though.]

Let's go. I miss the ocean.

[ignoranceisblight]

[He nods. Time to go!

He does stash the items to sell in a place where a certain someone will find them, with a note to specifically take them somewhere that won't ask questions.

Once they've gotten to the shore, Veritas relaxes a bit. He looks over to Vasha with a smile.]

[takesitall]

[Veritas is smiling, but Vasha is tearing up. Perhaps understandably so, given everything of the last four years.]

The ocean...

[ignoranceisblight]

[He reaches over to rub Vasha's back a little.

With his other hand, he pulls a vial out of his bag.]

... Let's go home, Vasha.

[takesitall]

Home...

[And yep, he is full on sobbing now, crouching down and holding his pelt close as it all just hits him. He'll be a minute.]

[ignoranceisblight]

[That's just fine with him. Veritas gets on his knees to hug Vasha close.]

[takesitall]

[Slowly, he starts to calm down. He's still emotional, but he's calmer.]

Okay. Okay, let's go. Goddess, my pelt is probably all hideous...and what's that vial?

[ignoranceisblight]

... It'll let me turn into a merman temporarily, so I can swim with you back to the pod.

[takesitall]

...birdmaid.

[It's a stupid joke, but it amuses him. Vasha nods and heads into the water, tugging his pelt on as he goes. Sure enough, his pelt looks messy and neglected.]

[ignoranceisblight]

[He just laughs a little as he downs the vial's contents and jumps into the water afterward.

He transforms as soon as he hits the water, legs turning into a tail covered with blue and gold scales. He pays no attention to that, though, immediately fussing a little over Vasha's pelt. He's not sure he can do much to help, but...]

[takesitall]

It's fine. Hopefully it'll get better as I do.

[ignoranceisblight]

Hopefully... okay. Let's go.

[takesitall]

How far do we have to swim? I might need to rest, since it's been a while.

[ignoranceisblight]

It's not too far. The pod's been staying as close as they safely can.

[takesitall]

Alright. Lead on, Veritas.

[ignoranceisblight]

[And so he does. It doesn't take long for them to get to where the pod's currently staying, though Veritas is very careful to monitor how Vasha's doing as they go along and calling for breaks as necessary.]

[takesitall]

[He's exhausted by the time they reach the pod, but it's worth it. His family comes out to meet him, dragging him up onto the shore of the island they're staying on for now to hug and cry and just be emotional all over him. His sister goes to Veritas, pulling him into a hug.]

Thank you.

[ignoranceisblight]

[Veritas hugs her back tightly.]

Of course. I promised I'd bring him back.

[takesitall]

We didn't think you'd manage it, not so quickly. So, thank you.

[ignoranceisblight]

You're welcome. I... have to admit, I didn't think I'd manage it this quickly either.

[Not quick enough, he feels, but... at least it was only four years.]