We hit a breaking point just after setting sail. Svelte insisted I eat something from the ship to keep my stomach full. My stubbornness and odd love for Svel's food gave all the reason for me to refuse. While time passed, we sat at tables in on the main base of the ship. Svelte waited for my acceptance of dying hunger. Concerned, he let out a stressful sigh.
"Lix, please, you need food." Svelte insisted, pushing a small bowl of small shriveled up food over.
"Unless you cooked it, I'm not having anything." I pouted like a spoiled child. "You're at fault for this, Svel. I'm a picky eater now."
He gave up, initially taking away the bowl. "We need to eat in dry tastless rations so no one gets sick on the ship. If you don't eat, that is your choice to make."
"Well, are there any that you made yourself?" I asked, watching him take a small bite. "You don't make everyone else do the cooking do you?"
"I have made a few, they're just-" Svelte thought to himself and hesitated to speak. "Wait... What has you so obsessed with my cooking?"
Not even I knew why, I'd only tasted his cooking and knew that it was wonderful. "It the most delicious thing ever?"
"Right..." Svelte walked off to a room and came back out with a bag of chopped bread slices. "Here, but do not devour the entire thing. I want to save these for longer."
I quietly clapped my hands as I received the small bag. My wide obvious smile definitely caught the attention of crew members. "Thank you, Savior Svel!" I whispered happily, chewing on a piece. The amount of delight that cam with confirming this was definitely his food was astonishing. My legs and feet wiggled, I simply couldn't contain myself.
"How is it possible for you to taste anything in that?" Svelte's eyes traced the way I practically licked the crumbs off my fingers. "It should taste dry and yet..."
"It's delicious!" I smiled, giggling with my mouth closed. I placed the rest of the bag in front of him. "Thank you, Svel."
The day was still light, and the smell of the sea somehow didn't bother me. Sudden sounds of clapping and joyful laughter surrounded the ship. Although, it didn't sound like they were on board with us. Svelte glanced over the railing and stood, I watched him walk over and wave down to the water.
"Huh?" I was so confused. "Svel...?" I thought he was going insane but then it clicked in my head and I grabbed my staff. "What's over... there...?" My words trailed off as I could see the mermaids happily waving around to him.
"It's wonderful to see you all are doing well!" Svelte smiled a bit as he yelled to reach them. "Would you like to meet my new acquaintance?" He gestured to me and I looked back and forth as they cheered, asking me to go down.
I was a bit hesitant about it, but by the look Svelte gave off, I could tell this would be okay. "Oh…" I never admit it to myself, but when I looked at the water; somehow I felt scared to jump in. The height from the ship had me swallowing butterflies. The view was making me too nervous and I started shaking.
Svelte could tell something was wrong so he pat my back; snapping me put of it. "You okay?" His calming voice had my body give a slight jolt and released some tension. "Wait right here."
Just a few minutes later, we both happened to be decending from a wooden plank on the outside of the ship. "This is a tad bit better…." I let out a sigh of relief, glad that I didn't have to jump that high.
"Be careful once we get down to the water, I'm not sure if your body is well adjusted for your transformation." He waited for me to plop myself inside first.
I didn't really have much of a choice, I was kind of excited myself to meet nice people. It slowly kicked it once I allowed myself to go in the water, feeling like I was getting refreshed with more energy. My tail quickly formed as bubbles surrounded me, getting most of the air out of my body. The nside of my throat even felt like an extended gurgle. I heard the mermaids surrounding me squealing in awe, but I couldn't understand why.
"You look even prettier with your tail and scales out!" One of them swam closer, her eyes floating around.
A few others did the same, adorned by the shine and glimmer I had when the light reflected off me. It honestly made me a bit uncomfortable, despite being a woman myself I was getting stressed out by being near them. "Uh- I…"
Svelte finally came into the water a little after and saw what was going on. "Ladies, please, give her some space." His hands gently waved the curious mermaids off. "It's not nice to male a newcomer uncomfortable like that."
"Apologies…" They all spoke in unison with sincere intentions spread across their body language.
"Now then," Svelte looked at me and I'd only just then realized; he was shirtless. "Would you like to introduce yourself?" My body couldn't move and I felt my cheeks heating up, it was my first time seeing a man with such toned mucles in person. "Lix?"
"Ah- I am Lixlore, it's a pleasure to meet the three of you." No matter how much I wanted to take the image out my mind, I couldn't help it. My eyes were looking downward into the deep blue of the sea, I seemed too distracted to even realize.
"She's… rather shy." Svelte didn't really know why I was acting like that, knowing how outgoing I was privately with him. "Meeting new people, especially merfolk, takes a toll on her."
As soon as Svelte recommended we probably head back up the ship aoon, we all noticed a good looking merman swimming towards us. "Lord Svelte, I'm glad I caught you before you had to leave again." His eyes glanced at me for a moment, registering my presence.
"This is Lixlore, a recent new acquaintance." Svelte gestured to me and faced the merman. "Is there something troubling you, Feltros?"
I heard them babbling about something connected to the ship, but my mind was wandering. I stared at the light of the sun peering through the water surface. The intricate shapes that consistently flowed made my staring worth the while. Although, it was not to knindly interrupted by Svelte dragging me up to said surface. He helped me get back onto the wooden plank and pulled himself up. I stared at his golden tail, fascinated by the way light bounced off every scale. My mind flashed to the first dream I had seen this tail. The purple in his scales were beautiful too, I couldn't stop staring.
"I'm about to switch back, Lix." Svelte waved his hand in my face. "So, be careful if you'd rather not see my other bare body."
I slightly flinched and looked up at his face. "Oh, sorry-" Immediately, I turned to look away. "So, uhm, I'm guessing you're able to change forms at will...?"
Svelte's clothes ruffled as he quickly dressed himself. "Royalty are trained to, in case of emergency. Such as; fighting off land species or simply when having to run in order to survive."
"That makes sense..." I felt a bit sad hearing that, it's mainly used as a defense mechanism and escaping. It was good to know about it though, one day I'd be doing the same thing.
"I'm all dressed by the way." He lightly tapped my shoulder and I could see him holding another set of clothes.
"Huh?" I was handed them, then realized I was soaked in mine from earlier. "Oh..."
"It wasn't very smart going in with dry clothing." He grinned while saying that, but it was slightly gentle. "If you'd like, I can help you find out how to transform on will. For now though, I'll force it so then you can get dressed faster." He tapped my forehead with two fingers and I could feel the wooden platform being raised.
Svelte picked me up and placed me down inside a private room, allowing me to change in peace. My tail slowly began shifting and separated into my legs. I wiggled my toes to see if they were still moving and I was relieved when they did. 'Hah... This room... It's so cold!' I thought to myself as I changed out my drenched outfit into a bright new one. It was a long blue dress that looked like it had waves all around. 'Cute!' I sat on a bed the entire time after changed, I spread the dress to see it better. I spotted a mirror and looked at it, giggling happily. Rythmic knocks traveled the room and I heard Svelte asking if I was done.
"Yes!" I kept staring into the tall mirror next to me, smiling wide. I turned to him as I heard the door open.
"So, do you..." Svelte's voice trailed off for a moment as his eyes were glued to me. "... like it...?" He got slightly quieter and I thought he'd suddenly become weirded out by the dress.
"Do I look bad in it?" I looked down as I gently pulled it up and scanned myself in the mirror. "
--- *still editing the rest* ---
Later during the afternoon, we were all eating some lunch Svel made from things in the food storage. Svel and I were sitting at a table with two others, I became familiar with their names, they were twins. One was Groishu, he's normally called Gro, and Hiltshu, he was called Hil. It was a little awkward, they had things to talk about, I was just sitting there, eating and listening. It came to a point where they tried including me in their conversation.
"Say, how'd you get near Svelte? Not very common, such a beauty is rarely seen around those parts. Where we're headed has plenty of gorgeous women." Gro asks me. "Might as well be wedded, you have the blessings of the gods and goddesses!"
"Oh- I, um…" I was a little flustered by the thought.
Svel noticed my shyness. "Please, stop it you two-"
"Brother, you know our little Svelte swore to wait until he'd finally taken time for his own personal matters." Hil included. "Sorry for that, miss Lixlore, excuse my brother's rude intrusive comments." Hil nudges him in the arm.
"Well… boys, how much longer would you say it is going to take?" Svel asks.
"2 days in the least." Gro says. "Sailing across the waters between the Artirias and Soltica are hectic."
"That's right, in few cases there will appear a sea monster in parts of our journey." Hil says. "But there's no need to worry too much about it. As the ones who travel alongside our leader and brother from afar, we serve and protect."
"I appreciate it, Hil, but I feel I may need to protect you all before that." Svel stands. "I'll be up on the beakhead, call on me if you need anything."
"Oh…" I mumble.
For a moment I noticed Svel glancing back at me before he went off. I kept my silence as I stayed seated at the table with Gro and Hil. It was a little awkward as the two went on and on with a random conversation. They once more included me, but more personal.
"Hey, miss Lixlore." Gro asks. "Would you be willing to fall for our little Svelte?"
"Brother!" Hil hits Gro. "Svelte is going to wait until he finishes his duties as an important lord; you and I both know this already…"
"In all honesty…" I say. "I don't really understand what you mean by that."
They look at me, dumbfounded, asking over and over about falling for Svel. I'm only 19 years old but I don't think I've every truly understood how love worked. I wondered if that's why he brought it up the day before. I explained to them about my past life and how I was shut out.
"You are really one of a kind, miss Lixlore…" Gro scratched his head. "If only you were more educated…"
"Quit it already, Gro…" Hil finished his food. "Hurry up, we need to be organizing the storage barrels down below."
"Alright fine, I get it, Hil." Gro quickly scarfed down his food. "See you later, miss Lixlore!"
"I hope we can speak more another time." Hil smiled and waved as he dragged Gro.
I sat there as I watched them leave and looked up at the calm sky. It was beautiful, small number of clouds and the light blue beaming as ever. Looking at where Svel was, he seemed to be sitting there staring out into the distance. 'He looks so… sad.' I thought to myself as I got up. Holding my staff with me, I walked back the room from before. Looking around the room, there wasn't that much inside. I did notice a few things though; one was a sewing kit on a table. 'That's probably Svel's.'
"Actually, now that I think of it, almost everything inside is most likely Svel's." I say. "He's so cool…"
I subconsciously smile and stare at all the little creations of Svel. What popped out to me were some stuffed animals, they looked a little worn out. Picking up one, I feel the roughness and look at how sad it seemed.
"That was something my mother gave me, before she had passed on." Svel popped out of nowhere behind me.
I slightly jump, I didn't even notice he was there. 'When did he get in here?! I almost had a heart attack…' I sigh and look back to Svel, which was not a very good idea. The instant I turned; his face was about an inch away. My brain had to process what was happening and I started to blush so much I looked away. 'Why did I do that, why the heck did I do that?!'
"I-I will be with Gro and Hil setting up dinner preparations…" Svel turned away and stutters. "Would you like to come out and choose what is served?"
"You would let me
choose?" I quickly looked back at Svel.
"Yes." He smiles and nods.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw his beaming face. 'He so good looking… Wait stop. You can't fall for him!' I felt my cheeks start to warm up and quickly grabbed my staff. Hiding my face, I turned away.
"Should we start going…?" Svel asks.
"Y-yea, we should." I start walking away to the door.
Svel walks in front and holds the door open for me. It took me a while, but I finally noticed the change in his attitude towards me. He seemed to be a lot nicer than the first time we met. Though by default he helped me out, he looks like more of a savior than just a helper. I remembered the merfolk that are guarding the ship and calmly sigh. 'He's just being nice…' I smiled and went through the door. He brought me down to the storage area where Gro and Hil were bringing out things to make. Then others on the side were helping with laying out different cooking options.
—*still editing the rest*—
We stopped at the bay to get on our ship and started to load things up. Svel brought me with him to sit on the top over the sails. He called it the "top castle" and put his bag down against the short wall. There was a nice breeze and a beautiful view of the landscape. Just before we started taking off to sail, Svel asked me something out of the blue.
"Lix, have you ever loved someone?" Svel asks.
"Love?" I think for a moment. "Not really, I can barely remember much of my past life, and I doubt I loved anyone if you mean it in an intimate way."
"Oh." Svel looks up.
"I don't really know how it feels to fall in love at all, why ask though?" I look at him. "That was kind of random for you."
"No need to worry." Svel gives off a slight smile.
"If you say so…" I sigh.
I was surprised I didn't feel sick after sitting so high up on the ship, but after a while I rested my head on the wood. There, I sat with Svel right beside me, the silence was a little awkward. Though the calming sounds of the wind, water, and birds eased all my stress. My eyes suddenly close and I start to see Svel swimming around with a tail. It ended up being another dream, Svel was a merman this time. I couldn't move, seemed as if I was only able to watch from a distance as I floated in the water. It felt like I was only going to have dreams of Svel, regardless of what may be going on. I woke up though, again, to his handsome face, eyes closed, he fell asleep too.
The sky was dark, behind him I noticed how the stars shined brightly. If only it would have been possible to touch them, feeling their generous warmth. I was quite warm, in Svel's lap, covered by his coat. The moment was still, just the two of us, alone. My heart was beating softly, and my mind was at ease. Though I noticed Svel's eyes beginning to open, lashes fluttering, and directing his attention to me. My face felt a little warmer, and my heart skipped a beat, while Svel gave off a sweet smile. It was obvious, we were both tired, so not much of a reaction came out of us as we stayed still over each other.
"Lix," Svel's voice was soft. "I feel as though my heart was stolen by you."
My eyes and his looked into each other, I was tired, so it wasn't very clear to me, but it felt like he said something important. I smiled back to him as he did to me and let my eyes close, as my head continued to rest on Svel. I still dreamt of him, swimming, but that was all. The next morning, I woke up again, but this time, I was on Svel's side, lying next to him. It took me a hot second to be fully awake, but I shot up once I was. I couldn't clearly remember what happened the night before, but I stood up, looking around. We were still at the top of the sails, surprisingly. I then notice all the water surrounding us, recalling that we were headed somewhere. Faintly, I hear a noise from behind and I look back, Svel had woken up, stretching and yawning. He looked towards me and gave off a little smile. Instantly, I remembered what happened and I look away, feeling my hot cheeks. Then, I noticed that there was movement in the water below, so I paid closer attention, seeing tails with upper bodies of male and female human like proportions. I felt my eyes widen in amazement and hear Svel next to me.
"If you'd like, you can join them for a bit while I help prepare our morning feast." He says.
I look at him, widely smiling, "Really?!"
"Of course." He smiles to me.
In an instant, I quickly go down from the top to the rigging and safely got to the deck. Then, I ran, jumping into the water as I feel a quick coolness rush over me. My tail formed instantly, and I was greeted by the few merfolk swimming by.
"Why, hello there, fair maiden!" The joyful voice of a male says. "Have you come to visit our greet?"
"I have." I smile. "But this is a greet, are you greeting the men on the ship?"
"Yes, in fact we are most importantly greeting our lord and savior, Svelte Difoue!" A female swims in excitement. "I assume he helped you as well?"
"Well… I escaped a cave, and he saved me from staying out in the sun alone." I nervously say.
The merfolk looked at me in shock and surprised. Quick, sharp gasps, and concerned faces all towards me. I don't know what I could've said that would make them react so odd like that. Though, I see another swim around from the other side, bulked, handsome, he wondered what all the commotion was. Then followed their attention to me, now the center of the conversation.
"She was rescued by the lord, Captain Feltros…" The female states. "She must be the chosen one…"
"Wait, no, you have to be talking about someone else-" I start but stop as the merman quickly came closer to my face, inspecting it.
"What is your name, mermaid?" He asks calmly, his face showed no danger.
"Lixlore…" I say quietly.
"No given name, hm." He backs away sighing. "She may be the chosen one but not by our lord."
"Are you saying that it may have been our lord's cousin…?" The female says. "Ufret?!"
They all look at me again, with the same shocked expressions before, whispering to each other. I hear a voice calling my name and look around. It was coming from above the water, so I swam up to see Svel. He was sitting on a plank of wood with rope to bring back up the boat. I looked to the merfolk and swam back to say goodbye, but I heard a splash and looked back. It was Svel, in his merman form. Short haired merman, a little rare, but it really suited him. He slowly swam to me and gave me a quick pat on the head.
"My Lord." The captain bows along with the rest of them.
"Now, now, no need for that title at this time." Svel says. "Please, rise."
"But you are our lord, you have helped us greatly!" A female says.
"Silence, if he wishes us to, we will refrain from doing so." Captain Feltros speaks. "We are blessed by your presence, but who is this?"
They all look back at me again, the amount of attention I was getting started to make me nervous. I look away and slightly fidget with my fingers, but then I feel a hand around my shoulder. It was gentle and firm, he pulls me closer to his chest. I looked at Svel as he started taking me away back to the surface.
"This is Lixlore, but we must be going now, I will chat with you all another time." Svel says. "Farewell."
"Understandable, everyone, return to your posts." Captain Feltros says. "Keep watch and guard the ship."
I hear them all separate as we swim away. Svel helps me get up on the plank and helps himself after. His tail was shining and sparkling in the bright sun and turned back into legs. I quickly looked away as he dressed himself. I hear little giggling coming from him and look back.
"You can't be laughing, it's not funny!" I pout, flustered. "Should've warned me…"
"Quite understandable for you to react that way. You are new to this world, but you should practice." Svel says. "For merfolk, changing forms is much easier said than done."
"You can change on will?" I was surprised.
"For royal blood, it is a necessity." Svel sighs. "Not many are able to do it, but I feel that you can."
"Why is it so important though, for you?" I ask.
"As you may have noticed, I don't swim very often." Svel says. "I am a Lord of the land in most of my doing."
"Oh yeah, I guess you're right about that." I say.
"Here, close your eyes, I will unlock it for you." Svel says.
"Oh, okay." I close my eyes.
There was a slow change of weight on my lower body, and I felt something soft on my skin. I opened my eyes to see a blanket covering me. 'I guess he already had that prepared…' I thought to myself as we were pulled back up on deck. Svel helped me get up, making sure the blanket stayed on me, he held me tight, as we went slowly. We walked across the deck and gone into a room. Svel places some clothes for me on a countertop and leaves. I put the blanket somewhere else and started getting dressed. There was a mirror next to me, and I looked at it, seeing what beautiful patterns where on the dress he gave me. It had almost reminded me of waves, blue strides all over, and a few little flowers lined up near the collar. They were all handmade, I could tell by the feeling of the string, it was by Svel…
There was knocking at the door, and I hear Svel's voice. "May I come in?"
"Yes." I respond.
Svel looked at me and smiled, he seemed so proud of his work. It was sweet of him to make me a dress, it really felt like my own. From the waves of the ocean to the petals of the flowers. My body felt all warm and fuzzy, I was so happy that I smiled back without realizing. I even shed a tear of joy, the fact that someone cared enough to make me a gift like this was very new, I treasured this moment.
"Thank you." I keep smiling. "I love it so much."
"I'm glad." He keeps smiling too.