|| A Fishy Surprise- || 1x1 ||

[CorvusSchnee]

Legged freak? Was that what sirens called humans when they met face-to-face? Well, Ace supposed that to the creatures, his kind would be freakish with their legs rather than a tail, legs that would seem clumsy and oafish compared to something specifically designed for swimming. That didn't make the insult grate any less on his nerves.

The only thing that stopped him from just thrusting the blade in his hand forward was a realization he came to while watching the siren wriggle and struggle against the ropes binding her. In the end, no matter how little he trusted the creature, she seemed to possess very human traits. Or, at the very least, she was like an animal caught in a trap. So, instead of attacking her, he feinted with the knife, saying, "I'm going to cut you free. If you try anything, my hand might end up slipping."

Without waiting for a response, Ace begun slicing away at his net. It was a real shame; that net had been useful while he had it. Still, it would certainly get her out of the way sooner, and he really wanted this to be over as soon as possible. Today hadn't turned out being a good one after all. He had caught few fish(at least it was enough for a meal or two) and he'd been unfortunate enough to cross paths with a siren of all things.

[puppiiteef]

"If you hurt one of my scales, I swear I'll-" Adhara started but he was already cutting away. She was now boiling! Boiling like a hot spring on a hot day, in the hot sun!! Scaled arms flung up and crossed over her chest, followed by her lips pushed tightly together, tickling Adhara as she hummed, not even knowing, it was her luring song.

The Siren didn't trust this human. Yet, he was freeing her from his death net. It was like a switch flipped in the female. Her arms dropped, and plopped in her lap. Bleached blonde hair stuck to her pale freckled face, it shifted a little as Adhara turned her head to look at her "rescuer."

Enthralled, the luring song grew more intense, lips parting it let it out as a melody, instead of a hum. With that possible distraction, one webbed hand pinned down a gasping fish. But, her piercing blue eyes stuck on him.

[CorvusSchnee]

When the humming began, Ace gritted his teeth as he glanced up for only a moment. Contrary to what he had said, however, the young man returned to cutting his net to free her, his fingers moving swiftly and gently around to refrain from causing this creature any harm. It was not out of mercy on his part, nor any unconscious draw to her song, but rather a lack of desire to have more sirens coming after him for harming one of their own. Come to think, did sirens even gather in groups? He knew Greek mythology talked about such things, but those were bird women and this one was distinctly fish.

When that humming turned into a melody, however, it took Ace's strong will to focus on his goal of getting rid of her. Well, that and his disdain for her species. If the stories were true, they were responsible for taking family from him. The most recent would have been his uncle, a man who taught him the ways of the sea, who taught him the tricks of his trade and helped him find his calling. He would not let the same happen to him, would not let this siren's song lure him into a watery grave, never to be seen again.

"Sea witch," he spoke in a sharp tone, dealing with the next knot more roughly to emphasize the warning in his voice, "cease your singing at once. I warned you not to try anything. Don't mistake my actions as a sign of kindness and a lapse in judgment; I just want you off my boat and I don't want your kind coming after me for a perceived slight."

[puppiiteef]

Abruptly, the melody stopped, and there was a hard click of Adhara snapping her jaw together. "Fine, Legged freak," She mumbled through the bite of fish she had taken. The Siren was caught with it, she could eat it! Really, the luring song was no way intending to bring his near his grave. Just to eat this fish.

Faintly, the luring song rose up once again. Yet, it sounded a little different from the female in the net. Blue eyes snapped open once more, and the wriggling movement started again. "Get me out! Get me out!" Adhara started to frantically snap at the human. Pale webbed hands flashed forward, wrapping around part of her fins.

"Damn it, Legged freak." There was a loud wince as Adhara felt the knife graze her hand.

[CorvusSchnee]

Finally, Ace broke through the last of the net the siren had been tangled up in. If the song he heard, which was most certainly different from the sea witch's own in pitch and tone, it might have been just in time. More were coming, proving the creatures did travel together. Wonderful, just wonderful. It seemed he might have to be more careful when next he came out, lest they capsize him and drag him down without a song. Just pure wicked intent, undeserved cruelty againstone who had saved their own(though his reasons were purely selfish).

"Get gone with you, sea witch. I'll already have to return to port short-handed because of you. How am I supposed to survive on so few fish, huh? Just get going and let me be before you cause any more trouble for me." Ace was fully prepared to return home once the siren was off his boat, already turning the vessel around. She should be able to slip off on her own now that she was freed from her bindings. He would be quite satisfied once the ordeal was behind him, once he proved that there was no curse on his family by getting away from the sea with.

[puppiiteef]

The female's hand was held against her mouth to stop the bleeding, as she gently slipped back into the water. Another wince broke out as the salt water stung the cut. Beams of guilt embraced the Siren, like a blow to the stomach, and suddenly, her hand grabbed a hold of the boat. "Stay~" A soft lure melody broke out with the coo from Adhara. Then, with a blink, her resplendent pearl blue tail dashed underwater.

What the heck was Adhara doing?! Telling a human to stay, just to lure fish for him. The other lure song seemed to get closer, then cut short. It was a known thing between Sirens not to interrupt others luring. But, Adhara had to work fast. She knew this human didn't trust her. Pfft- She didn't trust him either.

Yet, she ate one of his fish. And, it was absurd to just leave him with so few.

.

[CorvusSchnee]

No matter how kindly she might have asked, there was no moment of hesitation in Ace's actions as he continued back to port. He simply didn't have reaso to remain out on the water any longer, not with his net in shambles as it was. He certainly wasn't catching any more fish until he repaired it, and such a process would take a good chunk of time. Too much time, more than he was willing to take with more sirens on their way. Besides, the fact that her own song had started up again and theirs had stopped likely meant she was aiming to stab him in the back, in a figurative sense if not a literal one. All the more reason for Ace to speed back to port while he still had the chance.

He didn't stick around long at all, and the entire trip back was silent, yet another reminder of his sad lot in life. Ace was thankful the ordeal would be over, that he had managed to break through the curse on his family. At least, he prayed to the Lord above that he had, that this would be his first and last encounter with a siren. Reaching port, he tied his boat to its moorings, gathering up his net and his pitiful catch. A catch that wouldn't be sellable at all, that would have to serve as his meal, and a net in need of repairing. All Ace wanted to do now was get back to his house and relax.

March 23rd

Everything seemed in place for a good catch today. The sun was high in the sky, the waters were calm and clear, and not a sign of approaching storm lay on the horizon. If I had but known what awaited me, I might have stayed. For what I saw was a creature straight out of myths passed down through the lineages of seamen.

Siren. Sea Witch. Bruja del Mar. What I once thought to be a figment of someone's imagination is real. They are real, and I now have reason to be wary of the seas that I once felt so comfortable in. I wonder if, somewhere out there as I write this entry, she is waiting for my return. She, with her scales that shine like pearly sapphires and hair that catches the sun. That witch who shall haunt me in sleep and in every waking hour.

I can only pray she will give up on trying to call me to an early grave as my uncle was.

Beltran Acone

[puppiiteef]

The vocal of her luring song grew stronger and stronger as Adhara made her way back to where the boat once was. She had a trail of kind fish following her. Yet, when her blue eyes caught sight of his missing boat- Well, what did the Siren expect?? But, she boiled inside!!

"Damn it!" Adhara snapped, stopping the song. Her body flicked around, and her long pearl blue tail smacked away the dazed fish. The female let out a screech, hands tugging on her bleached hair. "Stupid!!" Adhara's yells were shrill. The wind having such accuracy, carried her breathtaking screams with the ocean.

Huffing, the sight of a dark-as-night hair and dark ocean bottom tail slowly approached Adhara. The woman's hands were small, but spotted with scars. It seemed she was going to give Adhara a warm embrace. Yet, instead, her hand smacked the back of the girl's head. "Be quiet, Hara!"

((Sorry its not so great. I didn't know how to end my post. So, time-skip??))