Aquata Cove Ch. 76

"I must leave now." Merrick says as he drifts backward.

"Wha-Wh-What?" Savarna looked up pleadingly, "But you have just arrived! Y-You cannot leave so soon."

"I have to, Sister..." Merrick moves back, and rubbed her shoulder, "If I stay for too long, the Ningyo will come and tell me to leave. You know that." He said with a wry smile.

"Y-You still have time... B-Brother..." Savarna groaned with sadness as Merrick kisses her forehead.

"Please come and find me if you are ever in my waters, Sister." He said, giving her a soft hug, before moving back, "Goodbye."

As Merrick starts to swim away, Brishen sputters something under his breath, hesitating, before speeding forward. "Brishen??" Penina asks as she reaches for him, after just taking their child into her translucent hands.

"Wait!" Brishen called, halting him quickly. Merrick whips around to see his emerald green friend before the pod, equipped with a lot more tools and items since the last time he saw them.

"What?" Merrick blinked.

"Noita Umiato, Triton Kaiken," He turns to them, "Me and a few of the hunters have spotted a few Abyssal Turtles a ways from here. I request that I go herd them back to the depths, along with the company of the C... Coshiton."

"What??" Kaiken scowls again, "Their survival is none of our concern. And besides, he is not-"

"One merman with a rogue should also not attract much attention either." Umiato spoke up, "And besides, Abyssal Turtles are blind, and it would be cruel not to see to their safety. Surely not one of us would wish to be stranded in a foreign place, open and vulnerable without any help." She turns a glance to him, "Right, my love?"

Kaiken huffs impatiently as once again, his authority is unarmed by just a word and chance. "Do what you will, Theros Brishen.." He finally said.

"Theros?" Merrick quirks a brow as his old friends swims to him, "Not of hunting, I gather." He smirked, crossing his arms.

"Aheh..." Brishen chuckled as he draws his spear, "A lot has changed since you have been gone..." Merrick turns and glides as he takes his harpoon as the two of them go off.

"I see you too have a child." Merrick sneered, "She looks nothing like you."

"For that, I am thankful. A mermaid looking like me would be too grotesque with these scars of mine."

Adra Savarna's eyes glimmer with tears as she watched the two of them swim away. She has not seen her brother for so long... She has had so many doubts about him, about what happened, she's missed him so much... And now he has to leave as soon as he's got here... It's not fair...

"Daughter." Umiato said. Savarna turns up to her, "They will be working in very dark conditions." Kaiken looks to the side stubbornly; "It would be wise if you were to escort them safely though the depths. We are not nocturnal beings, after all." Savarna's chest flutters with hope from the suggestion, "You must go with them to be their light. Go on now."

"Y-Yes, Mother!" Having a legitimate excuse to somewhat defy her Father's strict code, Savarna races forward with her rod. Umiato smiles as she sees her two children reunite from afar, "Brother!"

"Huh?" Merrick turns around just in time, "Ohmf!" He grunts as his little sister hugs him tight. After pausing, he hugs her back tightly. Brishen adjusted his numerous belts as they part, and swim away, with Merrick holding Savarna's hand.

Kaiken snorts with agitation as he turns, and swims off. Umiato rolls her eyes before turning to the pod, "We shall rest her for the night. Hunters, go find us game," She instructed, "Scouts, look towards the areas. Alert us of any sort of danger."

The pod disperses accordingly.

~~~

Rajani moans lowly as her lips push and roll deeply with Chloe's mouth as she sits on her girlfriend's lap, inside of her bedroom. "Mmnnh..." Her delicate hands race over Chloe's shoulder, her thumb brushing over the hidden strap under her shirt, before roaming down.

Chloe breaks the kiss for a moment, "Why'd you stop?"

Rajani chuckles, "I want to make dis last, Chloe..." She kisses Chloe again on the pomegranate lipgloss, "We haven't have a moment to ourselves in a long while."

"Well, don't blame that on me, curry stuff." She said, "Ever since I broke the strap-on, Jerry's been riding my ass constantly. I think it's a jinx or something."

"Pfff! Hahaha," Rajani cackles, "Always the romantic, right sweetheart?"

"You know me, baby," Chloe kisses that cheek, "I got romance coming outta my ass."

"Well, you know..." Rajani rises up, and starts to shrug off her sweater, showing a glimpse of her orange and pink satin bra, "Sometimes I wish your romance would come outta somewhere odder dan your ass."

"You don't say..." Chloe's hand reaches behind her, towards the nightstand while Rajani's face is being slowly roamed by her shirt. Just as her hand reaches the drawer, her cellphone starts to ring out. "Agghhh..." Rajani takes off her shirt casually this time, while Chloe picks up her phone, and holds it to her ear.

"Talk to me... Jerry, wha- Jerry, calm down... Well where is he, and what does this have to do with me? ... Wait, what?? You can't close! I need to work!" Rajani looks curiously, "It's just Adam, just one performer, how much... What? Are you freaking kidding me?? Who's even left?? And where the hell is Carla in all this? ... Alright, alright, calm down, Jerry, I can run the Waltz tonight... Yes I can, just like last time... You know me, I'm the best damn procrastinator and bullshitter in Hawaii... Yes, fine, I'll be right there, just take your pills and don't die... Alright, bye."

Chloe ends the call and growls, "Fuckin blood-popping panic freak." She grumbles as she gets up to start preparing herself.

"What's wrong?"

"Adam was supposed to cover most of the shows tonight since everyone has fucked off for the day, Carla's at the doctor's for her next hormone treatment. And Jerry with his high-blood pressure is having a panic attack."

"What? What happened to Adam??"

"I don't know, he's not answering his phone, apparently, and he's an hour late." Chloe changes her shirt as she paces around, "And now I need to get down there to improvise so we don't lose a night of profit."

"Do you need me for anything, honey?" Rajani asked as she too gets up.

"If you want to pick up a volunteer shift at the Waltz, that'll help a little."

"Alright." Rajani puts back on her shirt, and goes to walk around the bed.

"And, Raj."

"Yes?"

Chloe sighs as she walks to her girlfriend, casting her eyes down, "I'm sorry... This was supposed to be our day together. I'm sorry I'm not as romantic as some fat faggots I know... I just wanna say that I'm trying, and-"

"It's ok, honey," Rajani kisses Chloe softly, "I understand. Come on." She pats her should, "We have a club to run."

"Ok..." Chloe said with a smile as they went, 'How do you put up with bitches, babe?'

~~~

Kaiken gazes over an enormous school of golden-green rays, migrating as a huge community, with the ones on top skimming and even jumping the surface, while the mass reached all the way down to a great height. He exhales as the sunset light illuminates everything around, making the light beams dance and shimmer through the rays and wavering surface.

"... How must you encourage and indulge in his depravity?" Kaiken asked to break the silence, sensing someone approaching from behind him.

"I would hardly give such a heavy burdening name to his life now." Umiato says as she looks at her husband, "He is still the same merman as he was when I put that mark on his skin."

"Hmph." Kaiken shook his head, "Did you not hear him speak to me? He is lucky I reign authority over him no more."

"Talk like that does not spawn from nothing, Kaiken." Umiato said, "After all of those years of raising him, teaching him, training him, loving him." She looks to him with a hurt face, "Did you truly have nothing else to say to him other than 'Be gone'?"

"You know the Laws as well as I do, Umiato," Kaiken turns around to face her, "Even if I showed him a more merciful face, he can not return to us. Ever. Do you think the Ningyo would be so lenient?"

"We are no where near any of the Kingdoms." She rebuttled, "The closest is Kundam, and it would have taken several suns to report to Son if he stayed as long."

"That is not the risk we can afford to take so easily. I was thinking of HIS safety."

"You were thinking of YOUR order."

"My love," Kaiken swims to her, "I will confess... I was surprised, and happy to seem him at least once, since it happened... Regardless. Even through all of this, he should not have come in the first place." He feels her cheek as she glares at with, "He was half of what we are, and returning to us only reminds everyone of a past forsaken by fate."

"Kaiken." Umiato shakes her head.

"Do you think I felt only anger when he returned? He was my Son. And now I cannot-"

"Enough." Umiato smacks his strong hand away as the water pushed them apart, "You say the pod was fractured when he was banished. Our family was wounded with his leave, is that so?"

"You know-"

"Then when are you going to understand more sides than one??" She asked with hurtful exasperation.

"How would you have changed it?" Kaiken asked, "Our Son was confused and committed multiple sins, and he did them knowingly. If not for the order of our Laws, what then??"

"I would not have brought his crimes to the light so soon." Umiato retorted, "Laws or no, he did not deserve what he was dealt."

"Umiato..." Kaiken huffed with annoyance, "You know full well that if we did not punish him, the Ningyo will."

"His crimes were committed upon the land. They would not have suspected anything."

"So what would you have him do?!" Kaiken demanded, "Abandon his pod while still retain the rights as an Adra?? Shirk his role of existence for the sake of humans?? Refuse to have him answer for his sins as if he is more privileged than any other Adra in the ocean?! The very suggestion of such an arrangement is-"

"Do not say it." Umiato pointed a finger at him, her eyes rimming with thin glitter, "No more. Do not dare anymore. Our Son has a far good a nature than you will ever say. He did NOT deserve to be exiled when he was."

"No matter what you say or feel," Kaiken turns sideways, "It is better this way... At least for him... He has his man. He has his health. He may never hide himself again..."

"Kaiken... I love you..." Umiato quivered with anger and sadness, "But you are truly selfish."

Kaiken staggered for a moment, and turned his gaze over to her, "Selfish??"

"Even in those previous words in this moment, you gain an air that plainly shows your regret over what was robbed of YOU." She stated, holding her arms open, "When are you going to learn that you did not just lose an heir on that sun? Our Son lost EVERYTHING on that night."

"Hhhh..." Kaiken watches the school of flapping rays swim their way.

"Not that you may ever suspect, but there was a I were I resented you after Son was banished."

"Resented?"

"He could have stayed in our pod for longer." Umiato's eyes slowly release a shimmering mist, "I discover something new and unique of our Son – his love a love I have never seen before. And you did not allow me to know his pain and joy."

"That does not matter."

"Does it not?!" Umiato rose her voice as she swims up, "Were you have eyes like mine!"

Kaiken feels a sudden chill.

"Our Son hid himself for so long for something beyond his control. He lied to us to stay with us. Do you not see the fearful innocence in that?!"

The Triton's body begins to feel colder, as he also notices slivers of icy strips brushing around.

"I wanted to talk to him when I discovered his mate. I wanted to know how long he has had to wound himself with secrecy, and I wanted him to confide in me so he would not have to endure so much hurt."

"Umiato-" Kaiken turned around, the water turning very cold by now.

"That is why I resented you. I knew it was only a matter of time before the Ningyo would arrive and demand for his exile, but it was you who did not even give him a chance!" Sparkling ice crystals are beginning to form as they spiraled around them.

"Be calm, Umiato, please." Kaiken swims to her.

"I could not stop hating you for almost an entire year after it happened!" She ranted as crystals continued to form, sink, and float around her, "I knew it was not the truth, but that is what I felt in my heart."

"Umiato-"

"You were the one who robbed me of my Son, Kaiken!"

SHEENNK!

With her hand layered in ice and planted upon Kaiken's chest, and her other hand placed over her egg pouch, with a protective sphere of frost around, her eyes issued the mist of tears. Kaiken watches with hurt and shocked eyes as the ice creeps a little wider upon his scarred chest as she pants and sobs with anger.

"You took him from me..." She cried, "Years apart, his soul was ripped apart several times over because you chose to exile him... Were you have eyes like mine, you would seen how much suffering your austerity has brought him..." She wept as the ice crackled around more, covering Kaiken's front with a thin layer of cold, "He died more than once because of you... I HATED you... The one whom I am destined to love... Do you know how much that hurts, Kaiken... To burn my Son's flesh and to scorn my love for you... As a Triton how can you turn your back..."

"Umiato..." Kaiken puts his hand onto her wrist, and began to push it down. The ice immediately shattered softly as her hand released her power, as well as the small barrier around her egg drifting into icy dust and drifting down. He pulls her in as the water around them gradually warms up, very little by little.

"I am sorry, my love..." Kaiken muttered as he holds her close, "I am sorry..." Umiato sobbed as she holds her egg pouch, while his strong, hard arms embrace her firmly, "I am sorry..."

~~~

It's been a very, very nice few suns. Merrick can't stop smiling as he holds onto the Capricorn's mount. He cannot begin to describe how scared and nervous he was to return to his pod in the first place – he knows his Mother would be happy to see him, but he was not so sure about Savarna – the last time they even saw each other was when she tried to take out Adam so he could possibly come back... But seeing her bright face again, so full of joy and play, it warms his heart to see she still loves him...

Brishen... A Theros Hunter... Someone worthy of teaching... Merrick can't fathom just how and when he would get such recognition, to be able to teach others to hunt. When they were still hunting together, Brishen could hardly throw his spear in straight line, and he was so wild with his attacks and approach... Merrick laughs as he remembers Brishen's words...

'After you left... Hunting was not a game anymore. The fun disappeared with you.'

Herding the Abyssal Turtles was easy enough, but then a few Strike Squids appeared. Savarna's art of defense is nothing Merrick has seen before – she was able to ward them off while Brishen skillfully dispatched one of the squids with such precision. Honestly, Merrick feels out of practice compared to him.

And then, Kaiken... "Father... Does he even care for me anymore?" Kaiken was just as stonefaced and formal as always, except he was effectively stating that he should not be here. Thankfully, they were nowhere near Atlantis, so the Ningyo shouldn't have gotten to them as quickly as Kaiken was implying.

Merrick's train of thought stopped as he can sense the Capricorn slowing down. He smiles as he can feel the waters suddenly warm all around him, his chest bounding with excitement. He rises, and dismisses the Capricorn before swimming quickly around the rock reefs, and digging in his bag for a scale.

The door clicks open, and Merrick walks into the house, "I'm hoooome!" Merrick announced, to dead silence, "... Guys? Huh..." He hears a distant clinking, and sees Sally push through the doggie door. "Oh, Sally." He pets her as she whines and barks about, excited about the intrusion of a familiar face. Merrick glances out the window, and sees Roxas prowling along the driftwood fence.

"Guess no one's home..." He enters the bedroom, and sees Skyler curled up in Adam's spot, "Awwww." He coos as he comes in. With a few soft strokes, the kitten tightened as he stretched in his sleep, before settling down.

Merrick picks up his phone, and dials for Adam's number, before holding it up to his ear.

["Hi, this is Adam. Sorry I missed your call, but leave your name and number, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Thank you, bye."]

"Straight to voicemail?" Merrick asked. He dialed for Yuri's number, and listened.

... ["Moshi moshi. Yuri here, sorry I-]

"Her too?" Merrick said, "That's weird, where is everybody?" He dialed Jamal's phone, and listened closely.

... *Riiiiing* "Finally..." Merrick mumbled. *Riiiiing* ...

"Hullo?" Jamal said, sounding tired.

"Hey, Jamal, it's Merrick." He said, "I just got home, and-" He stops as he hears the door open, and he walked out, still naked and equipped with his sea gear, "Oh, there you are." He ended the call, and came up to him, "I just got home, but Adam's phone is off..." Merrick blinked as he looks at Jamal's face.

"Merrick... I... Shit..." He mumbled, avoiding eye-contact.

"... Jamal? Everything ok?" Merrick peered closer, "... Your eyes look... Are you exhausted or something." He also notices Jamal's clothing – the side of his left leg is filthy with a crusty pink substance, as well as a few smudges on his arms... And a few dark red/brown spot here and there.

"Merrick, I uh... I don't know how to say this..." Jamal sniffed as he rubbed his eyes with his thick hands. Something else is off too... His smell. Jamal doesn't smell clean, he smells like dirt and sweat that's been aged.

"Jamal, what's wrong?" Merrick said, "Why do you look upset?"

"Something happened, Merrick..." Jamal's voice is shaking, as if he's trying to fight off the urge to cry, "We went out a few nights ago, a-and..."

"What happened, Jamal? Stop stalling." Merrick said firmly, "What is wrong? Adam's phone is off, and so is Yuri's. And I can tell you haven't showered recently. What is happening, and why are you covered in filth and pink??"

"Fuck..." Jamal holds his eyes as he tries to compose himself. He walks away and goes to the kitchen table. "I can't... I can't right now, man..."

"Jamal." Merrick spoke aloud as he pulled down that thick, strong arm turned him back around, and looked directly into those tired, brown and pink eyes, "Where is Adam?"

Jamal shook as he groans with pained exhaustion.

"Answer me!!" Merrick exclaimed, "Where is my husband?!"