"...and that's how I ended up puking out my boyfriend. Who knew that a simple kiss on a date could turn into such a disaster? Fortunately, he has a curse that gives him resistance to strong acids, so he was relaxing briefly inside my belly. In fact, he said that he found it hot–can you believe that? And that was just the second time that happened–"
"Sis, since when did you get this new guy? I thought you swore off romance since your third man died a century ago."
"I did…but ever since my youngest daughter moved out to live on her own, I've been lonely and free, you know? I fully intended on eating this man as usual, and I did. But the way he climbed up my throat from the depths of my stomach to tell me that I was just as beautiful on the inside…how could I not make him mine?! Then after that, he said–"
"You will not continue this story any further, Milokari. None of us want to hear the details of you and your 'boyfriend's' fetishes. Let's keep the conversation orderly–wait until a more appropriate time to go into such grave details."
"...yes, mother."
Within the naos of the underwater palace, two water nymphs stand side-by-side while conversing. That is until the one who sits before them interjects using a voice that carries a sense of seriousness, but with a tinge of warmth–their mother. Her jellyfish-like throne chair places her elevation slightly above her daughters who she is looking down upon with her exposed eye. Shaking her head as she turns away from Milokari, their mother locks her eye with the eyes of her other daughter. A very quiet gulping sound escapes from her throat.
"With that being said, tell me about your outing from earlier today–you and Perlina's. I would have much rather been there to witness it myself, but due to my personal errands, I have to rely solely on your reporting. Consider this in your response, Ashirena."
"Yes, mother. I successfully lured a hare demi-human. It's been a few decades since I had one of those kinds of men, and his taste did not disappoint in the slightest. My charms that I have learned from you worked magnificently."
"As one would expect. It would seem as though you have not lost your touch, which is great…now tell me about the rest."
In an instant, the relieved smile that was steadily growing on Ashirena's face vanished.
"Mother, I–!"
"I can see it all over your face. Furthermore, the odds of a male coming here by himself is low. Surely there was more than that one demi-human, right?"
"Well…umm…"
"Did my eldest daughter fail to capture a man and let him escape?"
"No, mother, not at all! There were two men, but I allowed the other one to run away in vain so that Perlina could catch him in a weakened state. It was all intentional with Perlina's development in mind, mother. As her elder sister, I wanted to prioritize her success over my personal gratification."
"So you are saying that Perlina captured her first man?"
"With my assistance."
"Then Perlina should testify the same. How about we invite her to our chat?"
"! Wait, mother–"
"Mother, Ashirena, Milokari! You won't believe what I just found out!"
The women look at Nerissa in confusion, not exactly hiding their displeasure of having their conversation interrupted–all except for Ashirena, who covertly breathes a sigh of relief. The mother looks at her hand.
"My daughter, why are you entering this room so inelegantly? You should have a reasonable explanation for this–I'm sure the item in your hand is the topic of focus, no?"
"That's right mother, look look!"
Nerissa opens her cuffed hands, revealing Vex within. Though tiny, his face expresses the large magnitude of his grave annoyance.
"Jeez, you finally let me out. I really don't appreciate you suddenly kidnapping me and suffocating me in your…"
There are now three additional pairs of giant eyeballs mugging me. Dang it, now I have to deal with more of these nymphs? Maybe if I just look slightly away…
"Tch."
"I recognize that man! Sniff sniff…yeah, it's definitely him!"
The coral-haired nymph sniffs the air, her nose twitches. Taking notice of this detail, her yellow-headed sister mischievously smirks for a split second.
"Eeeh? Ashirena, you are familiar with this man?"
"!"
Realizing its betrayal, Ashirena quickly covers her mouth with part of her hair. Though with all attention on her, she is forced to concede.
"...Of course I do, Milokari. I could never forget my prey who I let my precious little sister capture!"
"Then why is he in our presence, still alive and breathing?"
"Mother, I am just as shocked as you–honestly. Perlina must have failed somehow despite my helpful assistance. N-Nerissa! Since the man is currently within your possession…"
"Well, I did find him in Perlina's room…so it seems like she successfully captured him. Maybe she's savoring him or something, I don't know."
"Nerissa, did you really interrupt our conversation with mother for jokes? It's apparent that this man remaining alive is evidence of Perlina's failure as a water nymph. I'll do my part to work more diligently to ensure that she doesn't make this blunder again!"
"Apparently you couldn't catch him either, sis. So you are as big of a failure as Perlina, if not more so since you are the eldest."
Speaking in a casual tone, Nerissa shuts-down her older sister's desperate attempt to pivot. Such a calm rebuttal ignited flames within Ashirena's eyes.
"What?! How dare you speak to me like that!"
"Like what? I simply stated a fact. Isn't that right, Milo?"
"Don't get her involved in this–"
"I mean, Nerissa does have a point–a quite substantial one at that. You and Perlina are the most alike after all, huh?"
"S-shut up! Need I remind both of you of my great accomplishments? The ones neither one of you have ever compared to?"
"Say Milo, do you want to hear her rant for the millionth time about the same overrated feats big sis has?"
"Yawn."
The banter among the sisters continues to escalate. As Ashirena's frustration intensifies, Milokari and Nerissa's attitudes remain at the same level, further amplifying Ashirena's anger even more in a vicious cycle. With tension building and seemingly no end in sight, an unaccounted for irritation brews to its boiling point.
"Daughters, enough–all of you, enough! Ashirena, this man was originally your prey, correct?"
"Yes mother, I swear upon it!"
"So why is he still alive?"
"I've told you, it's because of Perlina that–"
"Enough with shifting the blame and fabrications! Do you think that over the past 4 centuries of your existence that any of us would believe such a blatant lie? As if you would ever share your prey with anyone! Tell the truth this instant!"
"..."
A moment of silence. A moment of silence, though only brief, was the right amount of time Ashirena needed to swallow the remainder of her hesitation.
"Well…he…got away from me…"
"What did I tell you? You are supposed to finish your food! How could you allow any man to escape your grasps? That should be impossible!"
"Mother, I don't know! I swear my curse worked on him, but just before I could lure him, he managed to pull himself away from me. I was waiting until he fully succumbed to the heat, but I didn't expect him to end up encountering Perlina who was further along the lake. Still, he should have died, so he's only alive because of Perlina's interference!"
"Sigh, my eldest daughter is making excuses for her inadequacy; how disappointing."
"Mother…"
With a scowl on her face, their mother arises from her throne at last, holding one hand outward.
"Nerissa, hand him over to me; I will finish him myself. Don't let this embarrassment fade from your memory. Not a single one of you should dare to let this happen again, understood?"
"Yes ma'am."
Nerissa begrudgingly walks up to her mother–it is understandable that she was not ready to give up her new toy. Vex, finally finding a quiet space for his small voice to reach out, lifts his face directly to his soon-to-be executor.
"Pardon my interruption, but do I get a say in this? You'll regret putting me in your mouth. The last beast that did that learned the hard way–ack!!!"
In one fell swoop, she snatches Vex's tiny body out of her daughter's hands. Only his head peeks out from her tightly clenched fist that is only getting tighter.
"Silence, you man! Food cannot speak back to me, so know your place!"
"!"
As Vex spends the remainder of his energy desperately gasping for air, he is brought closer and closer to the black lips of certain death.
"WAIT! DON'T EAT HIM, MOTHER!"
"????"
Entering the naos at a fashionably late timing, a new water nymph forces the world to revolve around her, for even just this moment. As she catches her breath, her mother seals her lips right before a single drop of saliva could touch Vex.
"Perlina, what's the meaning of your disgraceful disruption? When did you become foolish enough to order me?!"
"I-I'm s-sorry mother, but p-please listen to me. That man there is Vex. I found him nearly dead so I brought him here with me. He…h-he is…he is mine!"
"!!!!"
Under the power of such a bold declaration, everyone from her older sisters to her mother had their mouths open agape. Everyone except for Nerissa, who crosses her arms with a vindicated smirk.
"Perlina, my youngest daughter…you really captured this man yourself?"
"...y-yes ma'am. I…I saw him dying near the lake so I wanted to save him. Capturing him wasn't really my primary intent, but I had to take him in to nurse him back to health. I'm sorry for coming short of your expectations once again, mother, as well as the trouble I have caused for my sisters. But I will take responsibility for him so..so…h-he's…HE IS MINE!"