Who: Poseidon and Ariel When: Saturday afternoon [Backdated] What: Poseidon goes to sink ships and finds a mermaid Where: Florida coast, Bermuda Triangle Warnings/rating: None
Poseidon had gone down to the Florida coast and play with the passing ships coming into port. What better way to spend an afternoon to work on his frustration than watching an ocean liner go down to the watery depths. In the days of his early reign no ship had stood a chance against his turbulent waters. On his best days he could let ships pass without a drop of rain or rock of the boat. On his worst days not even an ant stuck to the rotted wooden floorboards would make it past his watery grave.
Nowadays, he hardly saw the coast in warmer climate. Since moving up north into the dusky city environment Poseidon had changed. He may not reign down below in his oceans, but he still would shoot down ships for sport. It was a way to decompress all that was going on and a certain Greek demi-god he'd yet to find to strangle. He wasn't even pissed at Amphitrite as much as he'd misplaced his anger to go towards the other man who had dared touch her. Poseidon still held possession over the woman even if she thought to stay hidden.
Sunglasses set on the bridge of his nose he watched a small ocean liner tug it's way near port. It was overcast, with a breeze waving through his hair. The waters churned, the men scurrying out on their deck to keep the boat from getting too tossed about by these suddenly violent waves. In pirating days men told tales, stories that explained in their small minds what it was that went on beyond what the eye could see. It was no different in these times. Give the right push and men could fabricate the biggest of lies and make it feel true. Such was the birth of The Bermuda Triangle. Quite frankly he'd missed this joint. There was an almost giddy expression on his face at seeing them flail like fish out of water.
Florida was one of the better environments for her. Close to water, with plenty of heat and more then enough people to lure into the beach it made for perfect hunting grounds. She still sought those out who deserved being pulled under, because she never liked feeling guilty and then going to a church with regrets.
She hadn't always felt like that. With the new movie she wondered what it would do, and for how long, and always wished for simpler days. Those were less confusing, even though she couldn't say how much of those she'd actually seen, and how much were myths.
The ocean had been her home for so long, she could feel it when the waters turned violent. She'd watched the ship for a while, contemplating doing what she did, before she'd felt an odd sensation of power, mixed with something old.
Ignoring the men, for now, she swam towards the surface, noting the figure near the edge. She knew who he was without being told. Any good mermaid worth her song would. Figuring she didn't want to risk his anger she just smiled. "Nice day."
Poseidon stood knee deep at the waters edge, watching with a sick satisfaction at this old-time sport of his. The waters knew and understood him in a way others never would. Her gentle strokes lapped against his legs, luring him with her soothing voice while miles and miles away she chopped down the ship he commanded she pull to the bottom.
His eyes closed, feeling that sun start to part through the clouds, still slightly hidden. When those devilish blue eyes snapped open there emerging from the waves was a creature he'd not seen in decades.
The mast of the ship bobbed side to side finally going down with the rest of her. He chuckled deep in his throat. "Beautiful day." he was feeling better already.
She looked back to the drowning ship and decided not to chance it. To her knowledge she was the only one of her kind in this bay, but she wasn't about to take anyone from a God. As she remembered they could hurt her quite a bit. And this one was commander of her very home. Best to be polite.
She turned her eyes back to him, moving a bit closer. She could get out, but for now she was comfortable.
"Ariel. I call myself that now." She turned to watch the ship sink. Once upon a time she'd been strong enough to do it herself. Most mermaids worked alone. Now she was lucky to get the stray fisherman or surfer now and again. "The pun's intended. Seemed funny to me. And I know who you are." She watched him, wondering. "something is off."
The waters stilled once the ship was out of view, giving Poseidon some jolt of energy at being able to still let the waves fall at his command, though not nearly as strong as in days before. It was a gift he missed and in part to why he'd hardened so much.
He stepped out a little further, the water raising to his waist, enough that he let it caress some part of him. There was a longing in being so near the water that he missed. He let his hand slide out, touching the surface as if it were the curve of a woman's body. It was a much gentler touch than the rage filled water had been just moments ago.
"You're no redhead," he said with a laugh. Disney kid-proofed everything. It was amusing. "Do you walk easy on your sea legs or is that part of the myth? Where's your little sailor beau?" he teased.
His eyes migrated away again as if there was a longing he couldn't fulfill. The water slopped again against his hand as he clenched his hand. "What makes you think that?" he laughed but there was an ache in it.
She scoffed, "and you're no white bearded man." How long had she spend with reddish hair and a tune under her breath? Too long, and if he jested she'd give it right back to him. He was Poseidon, but she had her own pride.
She rolled her eyes and with a smirk showed him her tail, "not legs, as you can tell. I can walk on land though, when I choose." She lost her smile then and just looked at him, "at the bottom, I imagine. I don't like talking about that."
She shrugged, "the water's odd with you in it. And you just gave me proof. I had a feeling before. There's many a tale of you amongst us. None of them match."
"Never was a white bearded old goat. That's Zeus' famous image." Mortals and their vague artistic minds. They never did get beyond the box. It was all the same to them. "I was always the handsomest."
Her tail glistened against the sun starting to poke through brighter. "Aww no purple seashells, I'm disappointed." he laughed again. He'd run in with her kind before, not always a pleasant influence. "Where's the rest of your little nest?"
"I'm fantastic. Drowning always puts me in a good mood."
She just smirked at him, knowing they made for an odd image for whoever watched them. "You should google yourself Water God. You'd be surprised what the mortals made you look like." She laughed to his comment, giving him a look, "opinions differ there."
She rolled her eyes then, "they were all out." She fell quiet then and watched the waves. "It's just me here I think. I haven't seen anyone else in a long while."
"If you like to think so."
"I've seen their images. Dumb fucks." He sneered at her remark but not feeling quite the need to hurt her for it. He could rip her fins right off that long and pretty tail. Even if he laughed jokingly there was something dark in his tone.
"How unfortunate." There was a snideness in the comment as he waded out of the water, his clothes sticking to him. It was almost like a weight keeping him tied to the ocean, he'd loathed the thought of leaving it. Water and he had a near orgasmic relationship.
He nodded for her to emerge. He didn't care if she wanted to or not.
Which made her realize that he wasn't really himself. She'd heard the stories. He should have lashed out at her for her mouth. She was toeing the line perhaps a bit too much. "You're bearded and I'm a redhead. Mortals are strange."
She glared at his back but when he nodded at her she just sighed and rolled her eyes, swimming closer to shore. Once there she let the tide wash her on the beach, looking up at him as the tail went to legs. Nudity had stopped bothering her a long time ago.
When she had her strength she rose. "well you can blame the mortals for that. Their oil and fishing has lowered our numbers quite a bit."
"Aren't all Greek men bearded?" he snorted, a slight huff of annoyance. He'd used up quite the energy for those waves and sinking ships. A lot rotating through his mind which kept his hands from ripping at her throat. The fact that he could was the underpaying threat if she so much as punched too far. He was on shaky ground these days.
"So she does walk," he chided. "When not dragging down your men for breakfast what do you do?" Hadnt glanced at her lustfully, but he offered her no covering either.
"Then maybe you're not Greek." She set her hands on her hips, but her instinct was warning her. She couldn't push herself too far. He was off balance and weaker, but if he wanted to hurt her she couldn't run very far.
She didn't comment on his words before giving him a look. "Got a towel, kind of chilly and I don't fancy being arrested for indecent exposure. Mortals are finicky about that." She shrugged then, "bit of everything. I worked at the local marina for a bit, then with spring coming in I taught a few mortals how to surf." Most of them hadn't been her prey. She had to pick and choose nowadays, or the guilt would come back. "But I was getting too much attention so I left and was spending my time in the ocean, near the Triangle. People expect to get lost there."
His eyes cut over in her direction enough to tell her with one glance she was riding a fine line. His smile faded to one with frightening amusement.
Back over to where he'd been seated earlier that day he drug the lawn chair foward tossing it in front of her along with the towel in her lap. The sun passed through the veil of clouds and back out into open sky. Soon it would lower to a vivid sunset and evening would set in.
Like a fisherman that caught his catch for the day Poseidon had found his and without a vicious snare. Though he'd be tempted if she scurried off back in the ocean. He wasn't the siren to his song, but he was tempted to drag her hack with him. He sat in the chair as she covered up.
"Start walking," he motioned, "you're coming with me."
When he gave her that look she lowered her eyes and didn't smile any more. She knew how to walk the razor's edge, and how to act when it looked like it would cut her. She had no desire to end up on a hook for his amusement.
She took the towel and dried off, tying it over her so she was covered up. She'd stay here until he lost interest in her.
But when he wanted her to come with him, she wanted to curse. This would not be fun. But saying no wouldn't help here. Her shoulders lowered and she looked at him, "as you say, but I'll need some clothes."
"Time you spread out north." He cracked his knuckles and stretched placing his hands behind his head. He started making his way off the coast and further up the entrance of the beach.
"Aww, but I prefer nude mermaids," he gave her a faint smirk. Pausing in his step he looked her over, turning her face from cheek to cheek as if to inspect his catch. "How are you with heels?" he asked dropping his hand and leading the way back toward the hotel.
She raised an eyebrow to that, wondering what could possibly be up north. "Those waters are cold. And freshwater." Not that she couldn't adjust to those, but it was the principle of the matter. She liked her current sea.
Sighing she had no choice but to follow him. He'd toss her right back on the shore if she escaped into the water. "No you don't. You wouldn't have given me the towel otherwise." She let him take her cheek and study her. She blinked at the question and followed him, "I do alright. I prefer gym shoes for the comfort."
"They are cold, but it is home. For now." He'd been in the cold New York climate for ten years now, it was no wonder he'd changed in the way he had. When living near the North Carolina coast, Poseidon and Amphitrite were a team. They got on better than they did now. Once he was sucked into New York, her harsh weather and big city life altered the sea king in a way that made him unbearable for his wife. It was then that things started to turn cold. Now, here he was on the Florida coast in a brighter world he often missed but without the one woman that he kept tucked away in his own bubble.
He chuckled low. "Well, get used to heels. They make your legs look long." He paused for a moment with a devious smile. "You amuse me." He needed that right now. What he may not say his eyes gave away. He was running on empty and into a dark place, trying not to lose his wits about him.
Once at the hotel he opened the door. What one would expect in him to ravish with such a beautiful creature, he did not.
She frowned at him, "I don't belong up there. For that fact you don't belong up there. Neither of us are meant for city life." She didn't really want to go up North. City's smelled, and she was a creature of ocean and empty lands. She'd get claustrophobic in a city. But she could tell she wouldn't be having any choice in the matter, despite her own feelings.
She frowned and looked to her legs. What did it matter if they looked long or not. But there was something behind all this. He had obviously not taken her to have his way with her, he'd have done that on the beach and send her off, but he needed her for something. She just couldn't figure out what.
"I'll need a place to stay, and a way to move my things."
"Don't patronize me," he pointed a wary finger in her direction throwing some clothes from his duffle and onto the bed. It was where he'd chosen to be and he wouldn't have this creature cast a stone into his decisions. He'd heard enough griping over the years to know Amphitrite had been unhappy. If he'd been honest with himself, he'd been as well. New York had tainted him.
His attraction to her was non-existent, perhaps for the state he'd been in for the last few weeks. Without Amphitrite he'd turned into someone else.
"That can be arranged." He was wealthy (for as long as he could hold his command over his company, there was some indiscretion on his ability these days---most men feeling he'd lost his edge and was going through a mid-life crisis). "Gather what you want, I'll handle it."
She gave him an even look and sighed, "trust me. I'm not. I'm pointing out a pretty big mistake logic wise. Get too far from the sea and you forget what you are." She shifted the towel around her, more relaxed now she knew he didn't want anything from her. A girl liked being asked for those things.
She raised an eyebrow to his offer, "near water. I need the water." She let out a deep sigh. "Nice to know I have a choice. Fine. When do you leave? I'll be ready."
Poseidon gave her a clear look of dissatisfaction, his voice edgy. "I've not forgotten myself." Yet, he wasn't himself at this time, but he would not dare show it as a weakness.
He threw her a shirt and track pants before changing out of his shirt into a fresh one. "I said I'd take care of it." His mind was distracted.
"I leave tomorrow afternoon."
She simply raised an eyebrow to his comment, but didn't say anything. If he liked being delusional, he was free to do so. When he threw her the shirt and pants she changed into it, uncaring about the nudity. "As you say."
"To where exactly?" She needed to know where he was taking her. She didn't like planes, but she doubted she had a choice in the matter.
"New York," he said undoing his belt and changing his own pants into dry ones. He buckled it again turning to face her now. He seemed to stare forever as if his mind was drifting off to other places.
He picked up his phone checking it, expecting to have a call, a message from his wife, but as it had been for weeks nothing. He cursed it throwing it down and sitting on the bed.