Fangs and Scales [PRIVATE]

[Maria]

Maria put on the upper part of a swimsuit, leaving her other clothes hanging in a tree in the words beside the river. He legs clenched together, merging and shifting into a single long tail, she took a breath and dived into the water in front of her as her body fully shifted to her natural form. Scaled body with that long finned mermaid like tail, darting through the floor of the river and turning on her back as she sped through glancing up to see the shine of the moon gleaming through the murk of the water as she reached the part where the river met the city.

A pleasant smile on her face as she slowed somewhat, moving to a more gentle swim. Course, gentle for her was still rather fast for a human. But they shouldn't be out this late. There was a reason she stayed up at night, there was less people out to see her if she needed to come up for a breath, not that it happened often.

Much as she might like being around humans, she was more at peace here. Amongst the waters and little creatures that moved in its flow and lights. It felt true. That was just how she'd have to describe it, truth. That's what nature was. It existed as it was and didn't seek to deceive or manipulate you in any way, only it's inhabitants had that urge.

Including her, keeping her kind secret was important. And in spite of her regular swims, she tried to keep that secret guarded properly. She didn't speak of the demi-fae much, and she avoided saying anything anyone else might not be able to learn. Sometimes even then she was careful. The less they knew, the better. Most people just weren't aware enough. And thankfull there was no chances that they could just be outed like vampires could. Still, there was fear sometimes.

[Marty James]

Light was a rarity, as Marty made his way down back alleys towards the river dividing the city of HR. Not his typical path of choice, but recently found it the best way to avoid the soldiers and cops that prowled the streets. Having yet to have a confrontation with a government official, he had no desire to press his luck but he had seen it. Vampires were being forcefully stopped in the streets, most just for simply existing. Never lingering too long to watch, it was his imagination that went to the worst of the worst of what could be happening. That could be me... A constant thought that lingered, each time he ventured out. He would simply take a drink, from the flask he always kept. That will likely be me one day… A certainty, that had him taking another drink as his steps carried on along the water's edge.

Marty was sure not to get too close to the water. He could not swim, and just the thought of being in the river gave him the chills. Having lived most of his life in New York, he knew how dirty a river could be. Considering the things lurking within the city, he could only imagine the depths of darkness held within the waters. He pictured mutated fish, changed by the flow of chemical waste that came from the sewers. Walking on, he dogged tree branches and ground clutter as he pulled his phone out to shoot his thrall, Cato, a text. The two were not meeting up tonight, but Marty wanted to be sure he was ok. If he went too long without reaching out, Marty always assumed the worst.

Nearly tripping, he steadied himself against a tree. Turning on his phone's flashlight, he took in the object before him. "What the…" Nudging it with his foot, Marty could see then that it was the severed head of a man. "Gross!" Muttered as he snapped a picture to send to Cato, along with the words Look what I found by the river. He knew it would creep Cato out. Phone in one hand, Marty would reach for the head, grabbing it by the hair. Giving it a fling, he tossed it back to the water, where it had likely washed up from.

[Maria]

Maria managed to find herself next to a frog, sitting with it, her blue tail only somewhat shimmering where she was, just hovering near the amphibious creature. The frog moved however, and she lifted herself from her position. She felt the water move and looked around, turning in a circle before making eye contact with a severed head.

Several bubbles would escape as she tried to let out a shout and with a single quick push of her tail threw herself back and up from the head until she breached the water, a blue and white scaled woman. And then hit her second moment of fear as she saw Marty. Her heart sunk as her body fell back into the water and she just floated stunned for a moment. Oh no! the scales pulled back as she came to a sort of midway point between her natural form and a human, so that her upper body was human and hesitated.

She held out a hand her voice escaping her for a moment as the fear could be caught on her eyes, she reached out again, not like she could reach him yet. Her mouth quivered for a moment before she finally managed out a few horrified words at the mistake she'd just made, "Please." her word came out like a child trying to avoid punishment, "Don't tell anyone."

She was an encantado. But she wasn't that old, and wasn't yet that powerful. She might be somewhat convincing to most, but she doubted that would save her here. If he gave her away, if he told people what she was, she didn't know what she was supposed to do. She didn't know how to truly deny something that was true. How to avoid detection if people really started looking to deep. And it filled her with fear.

[Marty James]

While the head was still air bound, his phone would sound. Marty answered the call, putting it on speaker as he watched the splash of the head making contact with the water. Just because you find weird ****, doesn't mean I want to see it. Bad enough you have been dragging me out to the junkyard, to hunt for stuff to sell at the shop. Like just because the ****** buys used prophylactics, doesn't mean you pocket everyone you see on the ground!

As Cato rattled on, Marty would just laugh. His eyes lingering on the water, as bubbles emerged to the service. His imagination hardly had the chance to process what could be the cause, before something larger than a head surfaced. "Holy mother of God" Fumbling with his phone, he tried to take a picture of the blue and white scaled creature. It made eye contact with him, and he failed to take the picture. His phone falling to the ground, wedging into the soft wet Earth of the waters edge. Cato's muffled voice could still be heard; his voice frantic.

Marty? Everything ok?.... Marty!? Are you in trouble? Did you want me to call your sire? MARTY!!! Marty was unable to speak right away, his imagination now spinning thoughts of what he was seeing. Before his eyes, the creature became more human, and he could see the fear in her eyes. As she spoke, he understood, she was afraid of him. Afraid he would tell someone about her. Marty could understand that fear completely, it was one he dealt with himself. He had never seen anything like this before.

With slow movements, as not to spook her, Marty would reach for his phone. Whipping off the mud, he would turn it off speaker before letting Cato know he was alright. "Everything's fine, please don't call her. I'll catch up with you later." He didn't give his friend time to respond, before ending the call and pocketing the phone. As he spoke to the woman, Marty kept his voice calm. "It's ok, I promise not to tell anyone anything." He did his best to sound as non threatening and honest as he was. He didn't even know what he would tell people. That mermaids were real and living in the river? Was she a mermaid? Not that it was hard to believe, there was a time he didn't believe vampires were real.

[Maria]

Maria's breathing was short, fast, and shaking as she floated stunned. She swallowed and held her breath, sinking slightly as she saw him reach for the phone, her jaw clenching. What do I do! What do I do! Do I attack him? WHAT KIND OF THOUGHT IS THAT? It's not like I'd kill him, I don't even know if I could kill him. Shoot, heck, no, wait, what the ****. she thought as her muscles clenched on her. It was like being caught in a lie.

Her entire body seemed to seep with relief as she heard his response over the phone and then hung up the phone. She sunk nearly up to her neck as she breathed deeply and heard his calm, and calming, response. "Thank you." she managed quietly. She swallowed. Unsure what to do now.

She looked around, trying to see if there was anyone nearby. It didn't seem like it. Thank goodness. But...now what? Her uncertainty was incredibly obvious as she crossed her arms together as if trying to hold herself from falling apart. She took in a breath of courage and swam closer, though she avoided exiting the water.

Her eyes didn't meet, they stayed looking more at the ground when she spoke. "I'm...sorry. I didn't mean to do that." She didn't even know how else to respond, she'd just accidentally shown what she was and there was no amount of thinking on it that could prepare her for the fear that ran through her when caught, "I...um. I was startled. I saw...a head." she scrunched up her face at the thought again. One fear right into another.

"I um, my name is Maria." She held out a hand then pulled it back, clenched it, and crossed her arms again, "That was probably not a good idea. I should have just swam away. I should really just be swimming away right now..."

She didn't, but she wished she was. Yet if she did, she'd probably freak out about this moment for months.

[Marty James]

Marty watched, as the woman still seemed to be freaking out a little. He felt sympathetic, and then horrible as she made mention of the head. This had been his fault. She had thanked him, but perhaps would not be so greatful once she found out he threw the severed head. That was a sort of thing that could get you shot. The woman didn't look to have any sort of weapon, but Marty could only imagine the sort of powers she had. At times he still freaked himself out, with the things he was able to do.

If someone threw a severed head at him, he would not be too happy. So when the woman swam closer, Marty would take a step back. Pressed against a tree, sliding down the trunk, to have a seat on the ground. She introduced herself, only then to mention how she should be going. Marty could not let that happen, at least not before he explained himself and apologized. "Wait, Maria, don't go…" He took a small moment to debate in thought if he should tell the truth.

" I threw that head into the water." The words came out in a rush. "I didn't kill the guy, I swear. I found it on the shore and just tossed it in. I'm sorry, truly. Never imagined someone would be in the water. You have nothing to apologise for." He felt better, just to get it all out. "My name is Marty. I'm a vampire actually, so understand a little about not wanting people to know certain things." He felt compelled to tell her what he was. It was always possible this could be a bad thing.

Marty knew the hate many of the city held for his kind and doubted that it would change anytime soon. He was lucky to have the advantages he did. Marty had people who cared about him, and resources many didn't have the pleasure of. He always felt a little sympathetic for the homeless vampires living in the sewers. Wondering where things had gone so wrong, that they now lived like wild animals in the dark underground. "Is this where you live?" The words escaped him, before he could think better of it. Marty knew the river had to be polluted, he himself had thrown a severed head into the river.

[Maria]

Maria paused as he told her not to leave and then took in another breath in understanding as he said he threw the head. She looked back into the water as if there would be any confirmation there and then at the ground anywhere nearby. But he clarified fast, didn't do the killing just found it.

Somewhat more comforting. She didn't even think of where she thought the head must of come from. She furrowed her brow looking at the waters ripples and thinking as her tail moved just enough to keep her in place. It felt slightly better knowing it wasn't entirely her fault. Slightly.

"My name is Marty. I'm a vampire actually, "

Her head snapped up as he told her that. A glint of curiosity in her eyes, and at the same time, a slightly different fear. She hadn't met any vampires in person, knowingly anyway, they tended to avoid that. She did know of course that not all were bad, but she also knew they were dangerous.

His next question brought out a quick laugh from her, "No no." She affirmed. She almost felt a bit more comfortable knowing he was a vampire. Most humans wouldn't understand the fear involved in being outed very well. "I live on land mostly, it's just..." she hesitated trying to think of a way to explain it, "I like to stretch my tail so to speak, well, not so to speak I mean that literally."

Less scared or not, she was still nervous, her hands clasped together pressing thumbs into each other sign enough. "I uh, I do have legs, I..." she hesitated again forcing herself to breath before speaking, "You vampires can shape-shift into animals right? It's kinda like that but just...in reverse, and not all the way. I don't like, turn into a full fish or snake or something. Just a fishy human. I'd come onto land but clothes don't exactly fit over a tail very well. So I just kind of hang them in a tree with a towel further in the forest."

She couldn't help being talkative, it's just how she was. And it wasn't like she could think of a good lie. What was she supposed to say? 'Yes I live here I just have somehow avoided being noticed all my life in spite of this failed incident.' That was hardly believable.

[Marty James]

The moment he heard her laugh, Marty would smile and feel more at ease. Grateful she didn't seem upset over his littering the river, but he made a mental note not to do it again. As she spoke on, he was glad to hear she lived on land. He didn't see how anything could thrive within those waters. Maria continued to explain about what she was, and he held onto every word. His mind swirling with questions, many he didn't dare to ask. It was amazing, what she was, when he thought about it. Taking him to wonder what else was undiscovered in the world, likely many more wonderful and frightening things. Taking out his flask once again, Marty would take a drink, before responding.

"I get what you're saying, makes sense. Not all vampires can shape-shift though. Wish I could, to be honest. Would definitely be safer to wander around the city as something like a pigeon. Flying would be cool. Not sure I would want to be a water creature. My luck, I would be the only shape shifting fish that didn't know how to swim." This had him laugh, imagining himself as a fish floating down the river. Marty found himself wondering if his sire could turn into an animal. If so it was likely something ferocious. He made a mental note to ask her sometime.

"Brave of you to hang up your clothing in the woods. Aren't you afraid someone could take them?" Marty knew things like this happened, but reminded himself not everyone had such rotten luck like he did. If Marty did such a thing, he would not be surprised if someone snatched his clothing. The thought amused him, as he imagined toming home naked and freaking people out. Pandemonium could use a little excitement, but that would be too much. His smile brightened a little.

" I don't mean to keep you from your swim time though. If you had to go. Promise I will tell none about this, but it has been a pleasure meeting you." He didn't want her to go though. It was fascinating to meet someone with such an ability. Marty was curious of other things, like what she was that granted her such an ability. Was this something that happened to her, or was she born this way. "Or if you're not busy, you could join me on my walk? I could grab your clothes, and turn away as you changed. I would offer to go for a swim, but I actually don't know how to swim."

[Maria]

Maria listened as he spoke about his kind. She'd assumed a lot of powers were universal. It did make sense though most couldn't, or else there'd probably be a lot more animals roaming around and a lot less checkpoints. Even though she wasn't a vampire, she suddenly realized just how useful being an animal really would be for some of them if it was something non-conspicuous. She chuckled at the thought of a full grown man turning into a pigeon, or a fish. Going from something more dangerous to something that couldn't even open a bottle.

She grimaced as he mentioned someone could take her clothes but waved it away, "Most people don't go that deep into the forest. I've never seen any humans that go all that deep. Seen some go to the caverns though, probably there for all the gems and stuff. Maybe...I should start hiding them a little higher in the tree or something though. I'm not exactly fond of the idea of losing clothes." she scrunched up her face. Yeah, don't like that at all. She didn't have or know of tomes much really. So using something like that wasn't even an option.

He was friendly, that was appreciated, in spite of the circumstances. She was feeling a lot more at ease as it went on. Wasn't fully willing to tell him everything naturally. But what he had already could be damaging. What little more she could add wouldn't hurt, right?

Marty said she could go and he wouldn't tell anyone but that it was nice to meet her, she smiled at that but wasn't sure what to do still. He did elaborate though. It was an option, and that made it considerably more appealing. She nodded her head smiling, "Alright, I mean, it's not like you couldn't screw me over with what you knew already anyway." she said laughing slightly nervously, still, he'd told her he was a vampire. That was some pretty big knowledge too in this city. Possibly more dire because it was more easily provable. "And yeah that's fair. Though, a little surprising. Couldn't you just like walk on the bottom? Vampires don't need to breath right? So like, you could basically just have at it and if it might work out."

She chuckled, "Or you could jump in now. And if things go awry I could push you back on shore." she offered jokingly. She doubted he felt like getting himself and his clothes all wet. Or trusted her enough right now to make that an option. She knew full well her people had a habit of...drowning lovers they weren't happy with.

That wasn't something she did though.

[Marty James]

With her observation, of not needing to breath, Marty contemplated the water. If not now, then when? Though he could not help but think of all the ways things could go wrong, if he went into the river. Maria looked so at ease within the waters and he didn't want to appear too afraid to even try. It's not like he could drown. He laughed a little, nervously with the thought. "Yeah, sure. You are right, it's not like I need air. Just walk across the bottom, maybe I could do that…. Sure…" Slowly he stood up, unwrapping the scarf from around his neck. He draped it over a hanging tree branch, along with his jacket. Taking out his flask, he drank the last of it for courage, before placing it back in his jacket.

"So you would help me back to shore, if something went wrong?" He asked, serious words, as he laughed a little once more. " This is crazy… but what the heck. I'm getting in the water." Perhaps it was the booze talking now, or his reckless nature in general but he was not backing down now. Lightly laughing a little more, he would pull off his ****, tossing it in the tree. Slipping out of his shoes, he could feel the cold wet earth and honestly didn't like it. " I'm getting in the water…" He repeated the words, as if trying to work himself up, to not chicken out.

Removing his pants, he threw them with the rest of his stuff. He wore a dark pair of boxers, much like a regular pair of shorts in his opinion. Slowly he approached the waters edge, just a few feet downstream from Maria. "I can do this." He told himself, as he stepped into the water, it was cold but that was not what bothered him. The bottom of the river felt mushy, with random rough spots. "This feels so gross." He laughed out the words, but didn't stop. Moving further into the cold depths, he could feel the pull of the current. Once the water was past his waist, only then did he stop.

Glancing over to Maria as he ran a hand through his hair, a nervous habit. " So be honest, is there anything in this river that could eat me alive? Maybe I should have asked that before getting in." His hands moved to the water, swirling it around a little. " It's not so bad… After he spoke the words, Marty would feel something brush against his leg. He jumped, and then laughed at himself. " Likely a fish or something…. Just a fish…" His eyes lingering over the water, as if expecting to see something in the darkness.