All that he wants...is another donut

[butterflyhime]

At first nothing happened Alara was still standing there after her declaration of wanting to live when the first seal broke away. She'd been so young since she had been taken away from her family and sealed that the memories were hazy. She  wrinkled her nose and reached up to rub her forehead trying to figure out these new memories. She could recall a man she'd never met before but she knew that was her father. She remembered swimming....was that a tail? with him in the deep waters, her home. 

That couldn't be right...that couldn't be real. Was she drunk? The other seals fell away one by one including the one that locked up all her powers, the ones used to keep her away from her home. She had a vague memory of someone standing over her stealing her, but she'd been so young and she had no clue who it was that did that. As the seals fell away outside the ocean started to respond, the tide moving in further then it normally did and the heavens opened up in a downpour. The water was calling her back and after everything she seen she wanted to go. She wanted to swim as far away as she could.

The desire to be in the water again was so strong, with her powers unleashed and no way to control them she let out a startled cry as she started falling, her legs were changing, scales began to cover to cover over her skin, the change knocked her out of her shoes and tore her shorts and bikini bottoms she had been wearing that day, by the end of the change Alara no longer had legs but a mermaid tail.

Attachments:

[Carlos Banderas]

At Alara's declaration at wanting to live, Carlos would nod half tug, half drag her behind him. But they only made it a few steps before she pulled back, holding her head like something was wrong. Carlos would bend his tall form down to her his hands moving to her shoulders as he tried to talk to her. But she was unresponsive, and the way she was reacting, he knew something mythical was happening to her. He felt her falling backwards from his hands, as her body changed and her shorts ripped away. His eyes would go wide, and too much white was showing as he scrambled to catch her falling body, before it hit the ground and be left like a helpless flip-flopping fish, left to die on the concrete.

'What the fuck?' He'd say as he easily hoisted the mermaid up in his arms like she weighed nothing but paper. Before he'd turn and carry her heading out towards the exit with intentions of following Mia's exit.

'Please tell me you can breathe on land lady, because we don't have a fishtank in my jeep.' His long legs making good stride through the distance. 'Jesus fuck, please don't bite me.' he half grumbled. He didn't know the difference between a siren and a mermaid. But he was pretty sure one had razor sharp teeth and the both drowned men for pleasure.

[Mia §]

Everything seemed fine so far, Zella would note as she walked back down towards Carlos and Alara. She'd see Alara move her hand up to her head to rub at it and she'd quicken her steps, glancing around to see if Mia had come back inside.

Mia sniffed, standing to her feet and dusting herself off, running fingers through wavy nearly white locks of hair. Then the atmosphere changed. It was so sudden, she'd look up to the night sky as the stars were suddenly blotted out by clouds and the air began to smell heavily of moisture. First a large drop, landing heavily upon the tip of her nose and then a straight downpour. Mia blinked but would otherwise remain in place as others who were also hanging around outside shrieked. Most would seek shelter while others would find the respite from the heat enjoyable.

"Tha' hell..." Mia held her hand out to her side as if to catch the rain before looking back up into the black sky with a squint. Her vision shifted and the tell tale signs of magic permiated every drop. The same magical energy poured out of the club. Mia grumbled, thinking that if Zella were in trouble she might be held responsible.

Zella's eyes would grow wide as she'd watch Alara begin to fall. She'd dash over to them. She was certain Carlos wouldn't let her fall but the instinct to reach out and help moved her quickly to the girl's side. She'd find herself watching her step however as Alara's legs unfurled into a long and large fish tail with pink and purple scales.

The music kept playing, but already any creature that had a water sensitivity was looking. A couple of them seemed to be making their way towards them. It didn't seem to matter seeing as Carlos was already making his way out the door. She would glance back to the Djinn for but a moment before following.

Mia had started to walk back into the make shift club, only to stop as she noted two figures running her way with the source of the magic. Carlos had Alara cradled in his arms, muttering something about being bitten under his breath. Then she'd actually take note of Alara and not just the magic surrounding her.

"For fucks sake! What happened to fish bait? You know that name was meant ironically, right?"

[butterflyhime]

Alara's arms went around Carlo's neck. She struggled for a moment to breath, it wasn't because of her being out of water it was the shock of what happened. She had a tail. She had a fucking mermaid tail! Alara started at her tail with wide eyes. She finally caught her breath and  looked up at Carlos with wide eyes. "I'm not into biting....it's not a kink of mine you know..." Her voice only changed a bit with the unlocking of the seals, becoming more alluring.  She gave him a little smile showing off normal teeth to him before looking towards her tail again.

"Why do i have a tail? I didn't...i don't know what happened! One minute i was talking to you...the next i have this weird memory of me swimming with someone who i'm pretty sure is my dad. I remembered someone taking my from my bed...and then the next thing i have a tail!"

[darkheart]

Faruq would rise slowly, then motion with a wave to Zaid that he was leaving. The young man could wrap up before sunup and the rest of the staff could close the Reverie down without him. For now, there were matters to attend. He would crack his neck slowly, then walk with an impossibly smooth stride towards his office. His legs moved like mist in the morning, as if gravity and gait were for the ease of others rather than functionality. Moving into what looked like a back office, he took a deep breath and centered his mind. The world would turn dark around him, and with a slight 'pop' of the groups ears they would find themselves on the beach of a small pacific island. The warm breeze blew against their skin as the early sun crept over the horizon. Immediately from a nearby mansion servants would emerge and filter down to the beach, bringing fresh fruit, warm breakfast delicacies and several carafes of juices, coffees, tea and the like. His suit was gone and he was dressed in a loose fitting crimson robe, sheer in nature to allow the breeze to pass through but opaque enough not to allow sight of his skin save for below the wrist and above the collar bone. He would pick up a coconut, pressing his finger through it as if it were saran wrap, then slowly sip the milk from inside as his skin turned bright blue with silver runes, the glamor he employed falling. With a wave of his hand beach chairs would appear and they would all find themselves sitting in them, with the exception of the merfolk, who was up to her waist in seawater in what looked like an overgrown goldfish bowl on legs, though her torso was above the rim which was padded for her arms to rest against comfortable. His tone was welcoming enough, though dry.

"There now...work it out, children. We needn't have any city passersby fall to delirium at the sight of our moist friend over there. When you're prepared I'll send you anywhere and anywhen you like. You have only to ask. I'll just be over here...you know...keeping the world from knowing how 'special' you all are. I don't think their tiny minds can handle it."

He would glide over to a nearby hammock, sitting in it to lounge. He hated doing anything for free, but if the world saw them it would draw entirely too much attention to his operation in this day and age and he simply didn't have the patience to avoid the surveilance.

[Carlos Banderas]

What. In. The. Actual. Fuck. Those words each one specifically annunciated in his head on repeat. He'd glance down at his hands that were still in a cradled position from holding Alara moments before, but he would look and see that she'd somehow ended up in a gold fish bowl. Glancing down at his hands confusedly and back to her, he'd slowly lower them. His face would grow unreadable as he watched Faruq and listened to what the Djinn had to say. He'd glance over at Mia and Zella. They seemed to know a lot more than they were saying. And there was a clear connection between the three he didn't understand. And that was perhaps for the best. After all sometimes ignorance was bliss. He'd glance over at Alara again. Before taking a slow spin, taking in the landscape of the beach the pleasantness of the air and the smell of the water. Again his eyes would be drawn to the mermaid, the instinctive protectiveness was there. It was then that he realized that perhaps why that instinct was so strong, was she reminded him of Atraya, only she didn't have to violet almost purple eyes, but they were both young and had no idea about parts of who they were. The Djinn had offered to let them go, like they were not his prisoners so much as some pests that needed to be delicately dealt with.

Anywhere? Anywhen? Had he jumped some kind of timeline since they'd entered the reverie? would he even be able to go back to when he had been, and how much would change? would he gain the knowledge of what he'd missed during his 'time' away, like he'd maintained the memories of every previous carnation he'd become at Zanders disgression even if Atraya had not. Knowing that Faruq was in business of some kind with Zander, Carlos almost questioned if this was the Djinn that Zander had had on retainer for a hefty price of course. Or perhaps it was another. Zander's associates were often less than desierable company. But he knew, that Zander had taken Atraya to see a Djinn more than once. And every time she had, they found themselves in a new timeline or demension. And it would start over once more. Atraya would have no memories past a certain point, while Carlos had the misfortune to remember everything but was spell bound from telling her anything. 

In case the Djinn was listening in on their thoughts, carlos was very careful to push the thoughts away as soon as they came to him. Last thing he needed was to get tangled up in his bosses business partner. Of all the timelines, they'd been sent to. This one was by the far the most difficult to keep a low profile.

Finally Carlos would speak breaking the silence that had fallen on the small group graciously taking a drink and some of the offered food. Doing the big 'no no' in any random realm. But at this point, he felt like he had nothing left to loose. If faruq or Mia decided to slice and dice him....well....it would be an even more painful return. Zander would make sure he'd relieve every slice and dice as he was brought back and repaired like some kind of clone or robot.

Glancing at the twins before looking at Alara.

'Now what?' 

He'd ask. It was clear faruq had dismissed them from his interest for the time being leaving the little group to figure out their next move. Was this were they parted ways, hopefully to maybe never see each other again? or if so perhaps on a less exciting journey. His dark eyes would look at the mermaid in the fishbowl. Some reason it bothered him that she was put on display like she was some creature to marvel and gawk at. Instead of wild and free. 

Carlos wondered what exactly Faruq's plan for Alara was. But it didn't settle right with him to just 'leave' her there in the fish bowl unprotected and alone, potentially a cold blooded snack for the Djinn.

'we're not leaving fishbait here are we?' he'd asked quietly, finally picking up on the nickname, as he NOW understood why Mia had been spitting it out from the start with the weird girl. 

he'd glance between the twins. Expecting an answer from one or both of them. At this point did Alara really get a say in what happened now? He wasn't sure. Because he wasn't sure what the bord Djinn had up his sleeve for them all. 

it felt like a do or die kind of moment. Take the offer and live, or ignore it and tempt fate on whether or life would be extinguished before it began. 

[Mia §]

In near mirrored motion both Mia and Zella would sit up straight in their lounge chairs, looking around curiously and suspiciously before both turning their gaze to Faruq as he spoke.

Mia would pause, narrow her gaze as if almost to stare him down before shrugging. Now wasn't the time. She'd smile blithely, leaning back into the lounge chair as her hand reached down to brush through the sand. Sand which would collect in her hand and form into a pair of sunglasses which she would put over her eyes. She'd lace her fingers together behind her head and just enjoy the sunshine with it's energizing rays.

"Always did want to visit Tahiti. I hear it's a magical place."

Zella was beginning to feel as if the look of disappointment which crossed her face once more would grow permanent the longer she remained in her Sister's company. It would be Carlos though that would ask the first question.

Zella's brows would raise and she'd look from him to Alara, no doubt floating in confusion within the bowl.

"Mia and I have somewhere to return to. I would say less exciting than the events witnessed tonight but it would be a lie."

Mia would only chuckle to herself as Zella spoke, but otherwise kept her mouth shut.

"But for you, I would assume it to be entirely your choice. I doubt Fishbait wishes to remain here any more than you do and even if she did, I would advise against it."

She'd sigh then, watching as the pink and purple fins moved almost hypnotically within the water of the fish bowl before looking back up to the girl which rested upon the rim.

"I am sorry. I know knowledge can be a burden but it can also bring clarity. It was not right what had been done to you which is why... as our debt to be repaid I asked for your memories to be unlocked. I hope in time you will forgive me and I wish you nothing but peace with your new found knowledge. What is it you wish to do from here?"

[butterflyhime]

She felt comfortable. Yeah she was still freaking out but for the moment it wasn't showing. Alara was finally in water and feeling it calmed her down just a bit. She held to the edge of the fish bowl listening to everyone trying to take things in. It was a lot to take in. At someone point, it had to be when she was younger someone had messed with her mind that much she could tell. Alara didn't respond to anyone right away, there was so much information to go through but it was hard to think when there was two people staring at her. It felt weird enough being in a fishbowl, and at the moment she felt like she was on display at circus.  She sighed softly. "I don't know what to think at the moment." She tapped the fishbowl a few times and let out another sigh.

"I don't understand how this happened or why, i know that whatever you had him do released things but everything that i remember was from when i was still a child...like a toddler you know....and i have no idea how to make this tail go away...it has to right? I started the night with two feet so this tail has to be able to go away..." She moved the tail around shocked to find out it moved easily enough for her, like some long forgotten muscle memory. "I don't have anywhere to go but home, back to my every day life before this happened." But that was going to be hard. She'd seen so much, learned so much. Was going back to normal life an option for her? She doubted it very much.

[Carlos Banderas]

Carlos would smooth his hand over his smoothly shaven head and glance between Alara and the twins. A frustrated look crossing his face. The twins were leaving them? with the freak in the hammock and the whatever the hell Alara actually was, mermaid, siren...god only knew. Was this goodbye forever, or was this a tempory departure. He wasn't sure how he felt about either option. But he was frustated that if they left, that meant he was lone with hammock boy and fish bait. With no clue how to get home where and when he belonged. Not having powers of time and space continum control of any kind. 

He'd listen as Zella would basically apologize to Alara for the current circumtances she found herself in. And he'd listen to what Alara said. He frowned. Wasn't it common lore that whenever their legs were dry they had no tail? Every cartoon and movie he'd ever watched had that...well unless of course a sea witch was involved. And up until this point he never once considered that THEY might be real too.

He'd sigh. Damnit. He didn't want to be here. He didn't want to be responsible for someone else too. But he couldn't just leave her stranded. The other two could clearly take care of themselves but Alara, was defenseless at least in a fishbowl.  He'd glance around for a couple of towels spying some he'd approach them before calling over his shoulder. 'Well only way we're going to know for sure how to get your legs back is try drying you off....and see what happens..' He'd pick up the towels approaching the fishbowl. 'Do you want to me to pull you out and try it?'

[Mia §]

Mia looked up from her chair, dropping her glasses down the bridge of her nose as she watched Carlos stand. Thoughts of Julio crossed through her mind and she contemplated making a midnight run for some chilaquiles after all of this was over. She wouldn't bring Zella on that trip.

She'd nod as he mentioned drying Alara off and she'd nod with a shrug, putting the glasses back upon her face and lounging herself back against the chair again.

"I mean. It worked in Splash. May work here."


Zella would give Mia an odd look. She had figured out her sister liked to reference things, but it frustrated her to no end that she had no knowledge of the things she referenced.

"I suppose it is common in folklore. It could work. But it may also be muscle memory?"

She'd look up to Carlos, those feline slitted eyes of blue and green looking up at him as if he of all people would understand what she was talking about.

"After all. People who are able to take on other shapes.... not by magic or curse... but natural shapeshifters... they all exhibit control over when and how they change their form. So perhaps... think about it? Meditate? But if it is more under your control I would think it would be easier when dry. No doubt dry scales under the sun are not comfortable. It could aid in your transition."

[butterflyhime]

She gave them a look. "I was dry in the club and this happened. I don't think me being dry or wet makes a difference right now." Alara shook her head. She just needed a moment or two to try and figure things out. "Let me stay in the water right now, it's helping me calm down and relax. I suppose this explains why i've always liked swimming and felt more at home in the water." She laugh at little at that. "I'm a freaking mermaid." 

[Carlos Banderas]

'Yeah...ya kinda are' He'd agree with her, just watching her now as she seemed content where she was. He'd lift his hands in defeat. 'ya'll women are fucking crazy. That much I will say.' He'd go and sit down numbly back on t he chair he'd found himself on before pondering things he didn't really want to ponder.

But hey if fishbait wanted to stay in her bowl, then let her. He wasn't going to argue with her. 

[Mia §]

Mia would just remain sunning herself, perhaps a small smirk crossing over her lips as Carlos stated that all women were crazy. Maybe he wasn't wrong. All she knew, real or not, was that this sun felt amazing and for once since the club she felt as calm as a Hindu cow. She'd take off her shirt and keep her sunglasses over her eyes, leaving on her bra. Every now and then her skin would shimmer a light bronze as if flecks of the metal were embedded in her skin.

Zella would glance in her sister's direction curiously for a moment, noting the general ease in her demeanor.

"I suppose fishbait has a point." Zella still wasn't sure if the nickname was appropriate at this point but, Alara had yet to complain. At this point it seemed habit.

"So I am guessing we are all stuck here until we have a plan. I am not rushing anything. Just an observation."

Zella would lean down and let the sand slip through her fingers idly. It reminded her of Africa. She could not help but wonder after her new found family. But that was irrelevant at this point.

After a long pause the quiet would be too much for her and Zella would look up at Carlos and Alara curiously.

"You mentioned going back to your every day life. What is it you did? If I may ask of both of you? Did you have a purpose? A calling? A position of responsibility?"

She had witnessed every day life here and there since coming to Terra, she wondered what it meant for her new comrades.

[butterflyhime]

She fiddled with her hair moving it over her shoulder before settling against the rim of the fishbowl letting her tail move lazily. It all seemed so natural that she still wasn't sure what to do about it. Alara gave a tiny shake of her head. "I didn't really have a calling or responsibilities. I was a normal college student. I studied and was on the swim team. That was my life before this. I was just going to carb load and go for a night swim when i ran into you three and my whole world got turned upside down."

She laid her head on her arms watching them quietly. She'd kept her distance from people because sometimes they acted strange around her, but maybe that had been apart of her mermaid powers seeping out? It made sense now, the things that had happened in her life and with her past boyfriend. She had never been normal, there had always been something that just didn't fit.

[Carlos Banderas]

Carlos would look down at his hands at Zellas question, his mind twirling around how much he should or even could tell her, especially with hammock boy undoubtedly having bionic hearing to go with that weird blue skin.

He'd shrug and just go with the cover story or rather the narrative, that they were under back in their time.  Did you have a purpose? A calling? A position of responsibility?" Zellas words would ring in carlos' head as he sat there. Finally he'd sigh listening to alara describe how she used to be a normal college kid. Now look at her.

He'd run a hand over his scalp again, then down his face as he sighed again.

'I'm former mercenary turned personal body guard to a mobsters daughter.' He'd say. 'I can't say anything more than that. My employer has ears everywhere.' his eyes would roll suggestively towards faruq, who had business dealings with Zander (Carlos's employer). 

'She's a good kid, we were kids together. Its how I got the gig. She's a good girl. Just...locked in a cage made of glass' he mused softly. Not that, it would make sense to any of them but him.