Who: Nimue & Kenny What: The most unlikely run in When: Back during the cold-snap in April Where: On the street Warning: Nah Status: Complete
Kenny had a bit of time to kill before he had to go into work, but he didn't feel like spending it inside. It was a nice day out anyway, though his idea of a nice day involved the cold rather than sunny and warm. He never really cared for the summer, always preferring cooler temperatures. He guessed it probably had something to do with the fact that he grew up in a town that had snow all year round. Or maybe because he spent so much time around death a lot and that was usually cold as well.
Either way, he headed out, wandering around town until he ended up in the park. Despite the fact that it was a bit cold out, there were still quite a few people around. Some were jogging, some were children playing, and a few were walking their dogs. Kenny had been watching one dog playing fetch with its owner, not quite paying attention to where he was going and would've nearly bumped into someone if he hadn't looked and moved out the way at the last second.
"Oh, shit, sorry about that."
***
Nimue didn’t feel the cold. Not the way mortals did. To her, it was just another state of being. Water adapted to cold, and since that was her Element so did she. This allowed her to wear whatever she liked and still be comfortable. It felt good to feel the cool wind against her legs as it tugged on the skirt of her dress.
The sense of someone being too close to her drew her out of her reverie. Nimue blinked as her attention turned to the young man who had nearly mussed her. One brow lifted before a chill smile lifted her lips. “Quite alright,” she replied in a smooth, Welsh accent. “Where are you going in such a rush?”
***
"Okay, cool," Kenny shrugged. At least she wasn't upset or angry, and if she had been, well, he'd probably just shrug and leave. He didn't really care to waste energy on someone like that. Unless he was bored, then he'd probably rile them up more. But he wasn't at the moment. "Uh, I wasn't. I was just distracted by the dogs," he nodded towards one of the dogs that was playing fetch with its owner.
He shrugged and turned back at her, noting her choice of wardrobe in such cold weather. He may have also checked her out a bit too. What? He couldn't help it. She was an attractive woman and anyone who knew him knew he couldn't resist looking at attractive girls.
"Aren't you cold?" he asked. "I mean, you look nice, but isn't it a bit cold for that sort of dress?" He didn't mind the cold either, but he at least had a hoodie and jeans on.
***
Nimue’s eyes cast over to the canines he indicated. She didn’t understand this modern day obsession with coddling animals that used to serve a purpose. For centuries, dogs were used for hunting or protection. These days they seemed to be leaching from the mortals. Useless and ridiculous. All she did in response to the dogs was give a cold, indulgent smile.
The question amused her, however. Her smile became genuine. “It would take a lot worse than this for me to feel cold, dear child, but I thank you for your concern. It is very gallant of you.” Even if, judging by how he looked, he would make a very strange knight.
***
"I guess," he shrugged. He never heard anyone consider him gallant or anything along those lines. Yes, he did have a protective side that he showed once in a while. Mostly towards his younger sister and if he was honest with himself, he could be too overprotective of her. He also did the same to his friends and family when he had to. But actually being gallant, nah, that wasn't him.
"I'm guessing you're not a normal, mortal human then. That's cool. I know a few who don't feel the cold either like Death and Dream and I think it doesn't bother Merlin much either. Plus, some of the other non-humans that are here." There were a lot of people like that, basically, and he wasn't too surprised that she was fine.
***
“No,” she confirmed with that smile that matched the temperature. “I am not mortal. I-...”
Then this young man mentioned a name. Nimue stared at him with more interest now. She even turned more to face him. “Merlin, you say.” Her smile returned, but more reptilian than before. “You know him?”
***
Things definitely made sense now and Kenny wondered what she was exactly and where she was from and so on. But before he could ask, she spoke up.
"I do," he nodded. "Well, I'm more familiar with his female form if you know what I mean." He had been quite familiar with her and even if it had been awhile since they hooked up, he still remembered their time together. "She had some really nice boobs," he said, imagining them now that he was thinking about it.
***
After so many millennia there wasn’t much that surprised that caught Nimue off guard. This young man had managed it. Her lips parted as she blinked, and her brows lifted. “...boobs.” Oh, she was familiar with Merlin’s female persona. But she had never thought She-Merlin would sink to...this.
“Well,” she said as that cold smile returned to her face. “How quaint.”
***
"Yep." Sometimes Kenny missed spending time with female!Merlin, though he still liked his male persona as well and didn't mind hanging out with him once in a while. "But he has a girlfriend now for some reason, so I don't get to see her anymore." He didn't get why anyone would want a relationship. He thought they were pointless, but if Merlin wanted to waste his time, then whatever.
"So how do you know him?" he wondered since it was obvious she did.
***
Well. Won’t this be a fun reaction. Nimue looked at the young man through half lidded eyes, and a knowing smile curling her lips upward. With a proud lift of her chin she answered, “We loved each other once, he and I. I am Nimue. Lady of the Lake.” She gave a small huff. “And I am aware that he has taken another into his heart here. I have yet to meet her.” And she intended to change that. “Perhaps you could tell me of her.”
***
"Okay, cool," he shrugged. "Didn't you trap him in a cave or a tree or some shit?" That's if he remembered the story right. It had been a long time since he read any sort of mythology and even then, he only read them a few times. There was also which version she was, though he was used to that. He'd met Death and Lucifer back home, and those versions were way different than the ones here.
"Why? I don't know her." He liked Merlin, yes, and he was sure Phryne was cool too. But he wasn't really the type to ask about his friends' girlfriends or wives. He simply didn't care enough.
***
“A tree,” she admitted. “And perhaps if he hadn’t been unfaithful that wouldn’t have been necessary.” Nimue’s smile was more reptilian. She wasn’t the only woman in history to go a bit overboard when scorned, but she was probably in the top five.
Her smile disappeared, leaving behind an expression of disapproval and disappointment. “Surely you at least know her name.”
***
"Right. Remind me not to piss you off." Not that he was too worried about her trapping him in a tree or something. He could probably just get Death to free him or something. Sometimes it was good to be close friends with one of the Endless.
"Yeah, but why do you care?" If it was him, he would've just moved on. Especially if someone had been unfaithful to him. He wouldn't give a shit what they were doing or who they were dating or anything. He didn't quite get why she was so keen on meeting her ex's new girlfriend.
***
Nimue’s smile was chilly for his note to self. She was no different than other jealous women of legend and myth. It was a wise man who thought twice about crossing them, so she was proud of the fear she instilled.
“My reasons are my own,” she said. There was a note of warning in her voice. Nimue did not care to be judged, especially by a mortal. She had no intention of threatening or hurting Merlin’s new love, but she did want to know what manner of mortal was capable of capturing his interest.
***
Kenny had noted the smile, but just ignored it. There was only a couple things in the world he truly feared and jealous women, even if it was the infamous Lady of the Lake, wasn't one of them.
"Okay. Well, good luck with that," he shrugged. He wasn't protecting Phryne, or even Merlin for that matter. He didn't know Phryne, didn't really care if Nimue was going to harm her if that was what she was planning or not. He just didn't care enough to help Nimue out, especially with something she could figure out herself.
***
Nimue tired of this conversation, and the young mortal man ceased to amuse her. She sighed. “Yes, well. Thank you. I suppose.” A condescending smile that she thought was polite was given to the mortal.
“I tire of this conversation, but I thank you for the moment.” She reached out to brush her fingertips just barely over the mortal’s shoulder. “Luck be with you.” She turned to wander off then, without a backwards glance.