Fangs and Scales [PRIVATE]

[Maria]

Maria smiled and clapped her hands together spraying a little water in the process as he agreed. "Woo!" she cheered as she dipped herself down and up again watching as he set his things to the side. Waiting patiently...well, somewhat. "There ya go, that's the spirit."

She nodded again as he asked if she'd help him back to the shore, "Promise" she bobbed up and down as he said he was getting in and finished tossing what he needed to, then repeating himself on it. She chuckled and shook her head still smiling.

Finally he was ready to get in, again speaking more to himself than her it seemed. It was funny to her when people were afraid of the water. Yeah, they had good reason, but to her it was just as natural as the land. He stepped in, she swam down a little closer in case he slipped, laying on her back and letting the tail slowly propel her. She chuckled at his comment on the gross feeling, "Bit muddy eh?"

Waist deep and he finally stopped with a question. She paused, actually legitimately thinking about it as he reacted to something brushing his leg. "Or a frog. I saw one earlier. I don't think there's anything here that'd really try. You're a bit big. Probably in less danger in here than on the actual ground to be honest."

She swam around to the other side of him, doing a circle around him so that her tail went all the way around for a moment before she moved away again, "Wanna see something?" she didn't actually wait for an answer. Ducking deep underwater her tail going up as she went deep underwater. A second might pass and then the water would move as she pushed herself up from the bottom her tail propelling her up and well into the air arms coming out to the side before she slipped neatly back into the water almost exactly where she came out.

Maria returned to the surface, "Eh Voila!"

[Marty James]

" A frog? Of course the river has frogs…. And nothing that would try and eat me. That's reassuring." He laughed again and this time sounding more comfortable with the state of things. Not that he liked frogs of mystery river monsters. It was Marias high spirits that lightened his mood on the experience of being in the water. As she swam around him, his eyes would pull away from the water's surface. Watching as she disappeared, and for a second he wondered what she could be doing. Maybe she is bringing the head back up to throw at me? Marty simply laughed this off.

Surprise captured him, as she came out of the river and took to the air before returning to the water. Marty clapped, calling out praise. "Amazing!" He couldn't help but marvel over Marias talent and ease within the water. Part of him wondered why she wouldn't want people to know about her. Rational thinking reminded him of the cruelty of people. They would likely try and put her in an aquarium, to show her off for the amusement of humans. It made him feel sick. Thinking this could be the same fate of the vampires. Set up in zoos, going from a feared new spin on the human species, to a caged spectacle.

Marty felt lucky to be sharing in this experience with her. Not that he enjoyed the feel of mud between his toes. "Have you always been so talented?" The question asked, out of curiosity, but Marty knew good and well he was stalling. He didn't really want to move, but he would take a step. Confirmation of his justified hesitation, as his foot pressed down upon something that hurt. At first he wondered if something had bitten him. Reaching down, he pulled something free from his skin. Bringing the object to the surface he discovered it was a rusty fishing lure.

He would cast a comical glance towards Maria, as if to ask with a look, Can you believe my luck? Laughing, Marty tossed it to the shore, near where his clothing was. "This river has a serious problem. At least I don't have to worry about when my last tetanus shot was. Looking back to the water, he prepared to psych himself up to finally go under. "Alright, I got this.. With that said. He pinched his nose, clenched his eyes shut, pressed his mouth closed and just dove into the water. The current of the river taking him.

[Maria]

Maria smiled at his response. Didn't seem too fond of frogs either but at least it wasn't something that was actually dangerous. She twirled in the water and then bowed dramatically as he clapped for her. Made her happy to get that kind of response. This was...not what she expected this interaction to be like. She thought for sure if she were ever caught she'd be screwed. Killed or captured if they could prove what she was. And then what about everyone else like her? What lives would they live now that it were more open.

But no, this was far from any of that. It was enjoyable, friendly, pleasant. She laughed at his question of her talent, "Heh, no, same way as anyone I started out barely knowing what I was doing. I have fun now, but I'm sure there are loads a lot better at swimming than I am." she watched as he pulled out a rusty hook and grimaced. "Oof, that's not fun." she realized she really didn't walk in the water all that much. So that was something she didn't have a problem with most of the time. Should be fine though she hoped.

"Yeahh at least there's that." She agreed on the matter of shots, she realized she didn't really have much issue with those problems either. Sure she could get sick, but it wasn't all that easy. And down he went! Into the water. She ducked underneath, watching him as she swam along side him. Keeping close so that if he reached out or looked like he was trying to go up and wasn't making it she could help.

She admittedly did end up going over him and under him a good bit just because she simply wanted to go a little faster, but she was having fun that there was anyone else in the water than just her. She didn't swim a lot with other Encantado. Unfortunately, a lot of them just didn't end up feeling like visiting much. She got it, they wanted humans. But still.

[Marty James]

With a few passing moments, Marty would loosen the tension in his body. Un pinching his nose, he spread out his arms. He drifted through the water and felt weightless. It was freeing, and the longer he drifted, the less he thought about the dangers of the water. No wonder people enjoyed swimming. Though Marty would admit, he could imagine a large swimming pool to be far more enjoyable. Clear, clean water, and no threat of creatures that could nibble on you. With the next passing moment, he dared to open his eyes. The water was already dark and the lateness of the night didn't help the matter.

He caught glimpses of Maria, she seemed to be enjoying herself. His imagination started to get the best of him. Catching sights of dark moving shadows under the water. Don't think about it. He told himself, as the thoughts came unwilling. As he drifted with the pull of the river, Marty wondered if zombies could be in the water. The city was full of such undead, could they litter the river also. He suddenly felt foolish for not bringing a weapon, but it's not like he had anything practical for underwater use.

Suddenly something would catch around his ankle, as the water pulled him along. Frantically reaching, his hands would grasp the plastic shopping bag that caused him to momentarily panic. Glancing around, he looked to find Maria. Smiling, he hoped she had not noticed his foolishness. Slowly, he began to move his arms, as he had watched swimmers do before. It propelled him a little faster, but his technique was lacking. After a time, he would point up to the surface. His feet, making contact with the mushy cluttered river bottom, would push him to the surface.

Making way, through the pull of the water, he headed for the shore. His head felt as if it were swirling. This was likely from drinking, but the sensation of being pulled along in the water was making it worse. He found himself needing a moment. Marty stayed in the water, up to his waist. Looking across the water, he watched for Maria to surface.

[Maria]

Maria was enjoying herself indeed, it was fun to have someone out here. And somehow him being new to this made it even better that she'd convinced him to join her. She saw him move and looked behind managing to glimpse something plastic and thin floating off. Least he hadn't caught in on his face, if she swum along the bottom it had a habit of picking things up and shoving them over her head. She chuckled, not that anyone could really hear that much underwater.

She kept herself nearby, having her fun watching someone catch onto swimming. And the difference between swimming with legs and a tail. It really was very different. Maria didn't use her arms when swimming, she moved her whole body, which was actually another method some human swimmers used. It was simply that it worked better when you actually had the tail.

Ah, he pointed up and pushed himself upwards from the bottom. She followed, watching him rise to the top and go to the ground without completely leaving. She rose up coming out nearby and leaned against the ground with her back. Pulling back her hair while smiling, since it inevitably made it's way in front of her face when she came out of the water. "It's not like an ocean or a good clean river. But it's not so bad right? I love swimming, shocker I know right?""

Maria cracked her neck as she looked at the ground, wet under her elbows that she used to hold her against it. Her tail stretched out and moving slightly, just enough to help keep her in place. "You're nice, I was kind of terrified for obvious reasons. But really I haven't had this much fun in awhile. Anyway, what did you think? Enjoy it? Or too icky maybe?"

[Marty James]

Marty regained his composure, as Maria surfaced. He watched how at home she appeared to be, within the muddy river. The thought of the many living things that lived in the water gave Marty the chills, and he was already dead cold all the time. He gave her words thought, while shaking the water from his hair. As she called him nice, Marty could not help but smile." I think you are nice too, Maria. It's a shame we live in a world where to some our differences make us a threat." Not that vampires were not dangerous. Marty knew first hand. He would never forget the serial killer, turned vampire that still haunted his nightmares.

"As for the water, it is less frightening when you don't have to worry about drowning. To be honest, the natural aspect of the river is a bit of a turn off. I can imagine swimming in a man made structure to be far more enjoyable." This said he would not yet exit the water. His hands played along the river's surface, pushing against the flowing water. "I would never swim in the ocean. There are actual things that could eat you. As for a clean river, perhaps one with a riverbed of sand. The mud is just too much." He laughed at the thought. Looking up river Marty wondered how far they had gone. It could not have been that far but he could not see his clothing.

Unknown to him his thrall Cato had tracked his phone. With finding Marty's things in such a way, he knew the vampire was likely ok. It was for fun on his part, that he had taken the clothing. Leaving Marty only his tome and a note of who had taken his belongings. " Do you swim in the river often? Have you ever been to the ocean?" He was curious about what it was like in the ocean. Marty could imagine himself getting lost. He already did that on land. Perhaps those who frequented water more often, held a better sense of location.

[Maria]

Maria nodded making a bit of a humming noise in agreement at the state of things. And how differences were enough to put people at odds. "Yeah. You know, for me, it's weird. Cause you were once human, but I...never was, technically. It makes a lot of sense that people would fear me if they found out. But...vampires are just...human. I know there's all the stories about lost humanity, or monsters underneath, or whatever. But from my view, you're still human you're just...more powerful in some ways. I was born to be what I am, and I'm quite happy with that. But it also means that there's a larger gap for people to fill if they find out." it was a bit longer than she'd talked so far in one go. She had a belief on things, she still felt a part of humanity, but she also knew that she was separated from it in a less bridgeable gap than with vampires. Because especially know, having gotten to talk to one face to face, they still felt human.

She chuckled at the reminder about not having to drown. Though cocked her head as she heard he'd prefer a pool. It was an odd thing to think, though she did fully realize that the river was not the cleanest place to be. But, she was used to that. More than he was anyway. And in spite of that, he wouldn't go to the ocean even though it was clearer, because there were more deadly creatures there. She humed in thought, "I guess that makes sense. Though, I can't quite agree myself. But-" she slapped her tail against the water, "I figure I'd have good chances of escaping if the need arose."

He asked about the water and the ocean for her and she let out a sigh, "Yeah, pretty often. It may not be perfect, but it's enough to make me happy. And...sadly no, I wish I had. It's so big and open. I plan to though, eventually. It's just, there's the money of getting there, and then there's how do i do it without getting seen, and all that. I feel like I'd need a boat or something, go out deeper into the ocean and go for a good long swim before coming back. But...I don't have a boat. And boats cost money. I sometimes think about running a business on the water or something, then I could always feel the sea and get to go nearly whenever I want. But those are mostly dreams. Maybe, someday. But not today." she clearly did like the idea of the ocean. But, circumstances as they were, she wasn't going to be able to do that for awhile she figured.

She turned her head and smiled, "What about you, you got any plans of some kind? Dreams to explore that you just haven't managed to do yet? Or maybe already got to live out?"

[Marty James]

" I wish more held your view on vampires. Instead of being seen as an advancement to the human race, we are often seen as an abomination. Don't get me wrong, some vampires are monsters, but they were likely monsters before being turned. It's the power humans fear, especially the human government. I imagine if vampires wanted to be in charge, they would simply enthrall those who run things." Marty didn't know how strong a vampire would have to be to do such a thing. Many of his kind filled the city, it was likely a strong few existed capable of such a thing.


As she spoke on the ocean, he did his best to stay in one place. Finding if he didn't move his feet, the river muck didn't feel as bad. She spoke of her aspirations, he was reminded of what it was like to hope and dream. "I have had enough experiences, for several lifetimes. Before being turned, I worked for a travel magazine. Got paid to see the world, take pictures and write a few words." At the time, life had seemed a dream, but with all his big plans, Marty had missed out in so much.

"My plans changed, obviously. I don't really mind it, being stuck in one area. It is forcing me to settle down more. I look forward to putting down more roots. Already I have met some interesting people, many of whom are still around. My past keeps trying to catch up with me though. I still have family back in the States, but they have not been in contact with them. They don't know about me being a vampire but with vampires of our city being public knowledge, surely they have assumptions." Talking about himself, always brought back memories of his failures but he didn't want to talk about those.

" You could totally do it, get a boat. Just save up over time. Until then, you could get a job working on a boat. Or make a friend who owns a boat. I don't own a boat, was always that guy who would get sick on anything smaller than a yacht. I definitely could never afford a yacht. Would be nice though." With that he smiled, thinking of some old memory from the past. Most days it felt like another life, especially on nights like tonight.

[Maria]

Maria sighed nodding her head as he mentioned wishing that more thought on vampires the way she did. And how dangerous vampires really might be, were they to try. "I can't speak much for the power of vampires. But, I feel like...there's a reason, that hasn't happened. Maybe it's that some humans have power great enough, maybe it's other vampires. Or...it could be fae. I don't really know much about fae honestly, never met or seen one myself but...I do hear they hate vampires. Maybe that's why?"

There was another thing she wasn't saying...mainly that, though she hadn't yet, she knew it was possible for her own kind to take a human under their control. And, if it was a matter of enthralling, it became who could take the leaders first. And sirens did have the advantage at the moment when it came to getting to such leaders without getting themselves caught. She would love to tell him but...even in the current circumstances, she was afraid on how much information she could give.

But there were better topics to move onto, he apparently had done quite a bit of traveling in his time. It did sound like being turned halted such ventures. To her, that sounded quite sad, even if he said that he didn't mind. He also talked about family. She never really considered how family might take place into vampirism. He said they didn't know, even if they now had assumptions. It was another thing that made her feel some bit of sadness for him. Personally, she didn't do too much with family. Encantado just weren't...made that way. But she'd learned to see how humans responded to it, and the loss of it.

Thankfully, the talk took a more light tone and she smiled again as he suggested getting a boat was very much a possibility. His talk about a yacht was interesting too, yeah, those were costly. Though she'd forgotten what they often were bought for. She had looked it up, just didn't remember. "Yeah! I'll definitely have to work on it. Take plenty of time, but I may get there some day!" she was definitely a little invigorated by the idea. "I know some yacht are sold around Harper Rock actually...can't remember the price, but they're out there. Wonder if I could just...live on the water like that. Then I wouldn't have to deal with a house or apartment."

She waved her hand aside, "This has been...interesting to say the least. You found a head, threw it in the river, I got scared and jumped into the air, you saw me, I....freaked, you told me you were a vampire, we talked, and then I convinced you to go swimming in the river. Weird day. Totally worth it though."

[Marty James]

" The fae! I had forgotten all about them. Not sure how I could forget the fae. Losing a limb should be something one remembers." He cringed just thinking about the experience he had in the past. The fae definitely hated vampires. For what reason, he had no clue. Marty had been a vampire the past five years, but had learned very little on the history of the creatures of the city. They couldn't all be bad, the fae, this was a possibility. Marty wasn't sure he would be willing to test that theory just yet though.

As she spoke of living on a boat, Marty would nod, as if he thought it would be a great idea. He had been in several boats before, and it always amazed him how homey and spacious some were. " You should totally do it…" Spoken, as his eyes lingered over the water's surface. He had felt something brush against his leg. The water was too dark, and he could not see anything. This only pressed his overactive imagination to think of all sorts of things.

As she recapped the way they met, he could not help but laugh lightly. " Not the most conventional way to meet someone, but it worked out. Definitely never would have expected to be going for a swim. I feel I should find a way to repay the favor, but have no idea what that would involve. Do you know how to ride a bike? Or what about dancing, skating? Have you ever played laser tag? What's something you have never done, but always wanted to try?" Marty rambled off things, trying to figure out a way they could hang out again sometime. He found Maria to be like a breath of fresh air. Someone bright in the dark world he lived in.