name: selki
gender: agender
relationship with the sea: [500/500]
the wooden walls of the alehouse defied the age they showed, holding firm against the battering winds of the storm raging outside. those huddled inside were few; a small group of fishermen, the owner, and some weary souls who simply sought shelter.
"nay, son. i wouldnae fish these waters. those who try tend not to come back, at least not completely. if the monster doesnae take a part of your body, it sure as hell'll take a part of your mind."
the angler's voice was the only thing loud enough to break through the roar of the storm. his eyes reflected the light of the candle on the table, revealing a soul that had seen all myriad of terrors on the seas. the younger men scoffed, unbelieving. they smirked and brushed off the concerns, and no sooner had the wind died down that they were all out the door, heading for the coast. standing slowly from their seat in the corner, selki followed. the fisherman caught their wrist as they passed.
"have mercy on them, spirit. they know not what they do."
"that is not your decision to make," selki replied flatly, and then they were gone.
getting land preserved and returned to nature was time consuming and expensive. for coastal areas, even more so. selki had begged and pleaded and saved as much coin as they could, but still those in high places refused.
"the coast has too much economic potential," they said, as selki's hands clenched into tight fists. "there is nothing we can do."
taking the issue into their own hands had been the easiest decision that selki had ever made.
the three younger men trotted eagerly down to where they had left their boat on the beach. selki veered off of the trail and found a place to hide themself in the seagrass. they entered the water with barely a ripple and followed the men as the boat was pushed out into the sea.
the men cast their lines into the water. selki cast their eye to the bottom of the boat. they submerged themself under the waves and started to run their claws along the bottom of the boat, watching it rock as the men inside scrambled to see what was going on. taking the chance, selki tipped the boat and plunged the men into the water. emerging from the water, selki's hair dragged across the surface as they approached the men with wide eyes and bared fangs. there was a frenzy as the men fled back to land. selki watched them go, then righted the boat and climbed into it.
a lighter in a waterproof pocket in selki's jacket took care of the boat and the fishing equipment. selki watched from the water as the flames rose into the sky. the deed was done, and once again their stretch of coast was safe. but was it worth it, striking fear into the hearts of all those who dared to fish?
selki certainly thought so.
1 extra: art by annie15970
