#Of Fin and Feathers au

[egrets-not-regrets]

From Of Fin and Feathers/ Living Waters au: MerJophiel hugging his Mama Lenora and Papa Erriox. In this au, Jophiel dyed his feathers and hair.

MerJophiel is @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan's boy. Below is what he looks like. Hope I did him justice. :)

[nightmarearian]

Done (heavy quotation marks) with monster Ody @evergreen292 ;)

tbh I couldn’t for the life of me pick a color palette I liked And Render it so I gave up on color. Enjoy the half assery.

Tbh I’ve just been call it Ithacan Naga, but it’s objectively it’s a mix of snake, owl/bird, and human. So 🤷.

Tbh the wings are supposed to be white/gray-brown, cause owls & Hermes, while his scales are supposed to be an oscillating scale from sea green-blue to purple-tinted gray. Uhm. Evidently that sorta didn’t happen but also did. So.

The purple/grayer scales are gonna be more around with the feathers and wings.

Those fin colors are. Too blue and too bright but I love the colors themselves so they’re staying for now.

Uhm. That’s it for now, ig. I’m sorta on a timer rn and I’m tired so <3

The writing bit with this is still in the works (😭)

[second-wife-playbook]

The Siren Call: Little Mermaid AU

@the-only-noonstar

The journey had been planned as a small getaway. A trip to visit her ailing grandfather in the nearby archipelago. Forneas was aging fast, and his wits had gone, so Coronis was sent to soothe him for a few months before she was to return home to Athens. Her grandfather lived in the Aegean Sea, on a island meant for leisure and health.

The trip was thwarted by a heavy storm that blew it far off course. Coronis had been made seasick and forced below deck with a swimming head and a nauseous stomach. She was mostly asleep when the ship sunk.

Though the captain was well seasoned and worth his salt, and the crew all able-bodied men with many voyages...something lured them off course. And the rocks that laid in wait under the surf cracked the ship open like a oyster, sending its inhabitants screaming to the depths.

When Coronis woke, her cabin was half submerged, her clothes soaked through. She barely managed to paddle to the open door, but the water poured in and she felt herself beginning to sink.

A dark sky hung above. She tried to hold her breath, but her fear seized her, made her limbs to lead. Am I going to die? She thought in a fit of terror, feeling the cold water pressing in hard, the salt trying to force its way in. Is...is this really the end for me?

She tried to swim. But her arms might as well have belonged to a lame duck. Coronis held her breath as long as she could, but a single gasp filled her mouth with seawater and she felt her vision grow spotty.

Poseidon, Hades, Artemis....She made a frantic prayer with her last conscious thought. I beg....forgiveness. Guide me to asphodel meadows...grant me peace-

It all turned dark.

[guppygiggles]

/////////////

[stardust948]

Quick sketch of an AU @waterfire1848 suggested.

[poltergeist-coffee]

I RETURN

when phil first starts properly courting forever it starts with silly flirting that doesn't really effect forever too much since that's normal to him, but then phil compliments forevers tail and fins saying something about how stunning they are and forever just goes bright red

because for mermaids their tails and fins are just so personal, they are so important that some spend hours cleaning them to keep them in pristine condition. and phil just gave him one of the most flattering compliments he could have given and forever just covers his face and asks if phil is trying to kill him or what

-🪶

[miostim]

cau!Saige Hickwood

x x x || x my art x || x x x

[tinydefector]

Marine centre 11- merformers AU

Warnings: post smut, fighting

Word count:1.8k

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_____________________

It's the sound of birds and the mosquitoes that wake them in the morning. The overly loud buzzing against their face as they unconsciously slap at the bug. Groggy as they move, wincing slightly when they twist their hips. A low rumbled chirp leaves right below them, they can feel it against their ear. A large webbed hand and arm is wrapped around their middle. Keeping them held snugly against the oceanides body.

Bluestreak stirs slowly as the morning calls, aware but content to hold his little human nestled close a while longer. Their stirring brings a soft chirr, concern and care woven through it. He's tender with his touches, gently, making sure they are alright, tracing delicate patterns.

Eyes shift to take in the waking of the small grotto. Joy flickering through them at the memories of the night wrapped around his soft one. Never had he dared dream a moment like this, yet here they were, slotted against his body cuddling against him as they tried to shoo away bugs.

Gently nuzzling their soft flesh, a longing croon escapes him. As he pulls them closer. They wiggle and squirm around as they turn over. Bleary eyes meet Bluestreak's as they yawn and stretch. Squealing softly. Bluestreak chirps eagerly at their stirring, nuzzling their face between soft croons.

"Good morning soft one, did you rest well, you don't hurt do you?" His words are quick and it takes him a moment to remember they don't understand. His fins flutter as a yelp leaves him as they slowly pull themself off his spike. Once the shock settles he nuzzles sweet and slow, peppering little lip touches around their skin.

They wiggle away, pushing against him until they are Lying beside Bluesteak on the grassy outcrop. One hand rested over their face while the other continued smacking at mosquitoes.

The reality of the situation finally starts to set in. They had just had intercourse with an Oceanide. "Fuck..." they mumbles before sitting up, eyes locking with Angelfish. The oceanides fins droop slightly as they pulled away. He looks at them with big sad eyes, little chuffs coming from him as he tries to move closer. A webbed hand reaches down to lightly caress their leg, his touch feather-light as he shifts closer, his eyes scanning their body making sure there are no injuries.

They grab their clothes and slowly redress themself despite how uncomfortable it is. The clothing is still rather damp from when Angelfish had pulled them into the water. "Can we go back to the cave, I need to go clean up" they state softly to the mer, still avoiding his gaze out of embarrassment. Angelfish nods, gently scoops them up, cradling their frame close as he swims with them. His movements are slow and careful, mindful of their comfort.

They don't fight as he pulls them back into the water, resting their head on his chest as he continues to glide through the water on his back.

The swim back to the beach is rather peaceful, Angelfish singing a few choice little melodies as he continues to make sure they are alright. The other Oceanides' heads begin to pop out of the water, watching as Angelfish swims with them. A deathly silence seems to form over the pods none of them calling out or singing, it makes a shiver run down their spin. Babybee was the one to swim up. "Hi baby" they call out softly to the pup. He Coos softly only to scrunch his nose up.

"Ew, ew! Bubba stinky, gross Bluey" bumblebee huffs before swimming away from his human carrier who smells like Bluestreak instead of Optimus. Bluestreak's fins droop as the other Oceanides take notice, a heavy silence settling over the pod. He instinctively draws the human closer, protective and wary. "Oh, little one, I'm sorry..." Bluestreak murmurs, his guilt and worry begin to dig a pit in his stomach.

helps them out of the water and onto the dry ledge where they sit. "Take your time. I'll wait here, I don't want you hurting yourself." He settles beside them, ready to provide any assistance they may need. Bluestreak watches anxiously, hoping the pup would come back over, But the little one's reaction is all too telling, he was displeased by the unfamiliar scent.

Prowl swims up to Bluestreak, his fins flared wide in anger. "What have you done, you fool? I told you to stay away from them!" Bluestreak shrinks back. "Sire, I...I did not mean to disobey. The human accepted me, and I-”

"Accepted you?" Prowl hisses, cutting him off. The other Oceanides gather around, their trills and clicks growing louder as tension mounts. Bumblebee cowers behind a rock, confused and scared by the confrontation.

"Optimus has shown the Carer great kindness. How dare you take what is rightfully his?" Prowl jabs a clawed finger at Bluestreak, his eyes blazing with fury. Bluestreak tries to keep his voice level, desperation seeping through. "Sire, Optimus has been avoiding them!”

Prowl's lip peels back in a snarl. " The soft skin is Optimus' mate by our laws, they are being an active Carrier to his Pup!" Bluestreak hunches defensively, his spark racing. He hadn't expected things to escalate to this.

Prowl goes to snarl at the human for accepting Bluestreak but Megatron swims up, his massive frame blocking the human from Prowl's view. He lets out a thunderous snarl, fins flared wide in challenge.

"Stand down, Or ill make you." Megatron growls, large frame in front of the caretaker. Prowl recoils, but does not back down. "This has nothing to do with you, Megatron. Bluestreak has gone against my word!"

Optimus surges forward, calling out in a deep, authoritative tone. "Enough! This fighting serves no purpose." He fixes Prowl with a stern gaze. Bumblebee swims up to Optimus, clinging to his Sire. "Bubba stinky! Smells like Bluey." The little one scrunches his nose in displeasure.

Prowl's growl nearly echoes off the roof of the cave as he turns toward Optimus "But Optimus, our ways-" "Will adapt," Optimus interrupts. Megatron chuffs pulling himself up onto the cave floor, hands moving to check over the human.

The pod falls silent, over the conflict. Bumblebee continues to cling to Optimus, his chirps laced with confusion and unease.

They watch in fear as snarls and hisses are traded between the oceanides. Shaking slightly as The Meg holds them against his powerful frame in protection. Bumblebee swims towards them pushing himself up onto the floor as he crawls toward them, curling up as he begins to cry softly from the fighting as he clings to them.

"STOP THAT IS ENOUGH!" They shout as the cuddle bumblebee to their chest. Cooing softly at the pup. They stare Prowl down and let out their own snarl at him. Before looking at the other mers floating about who had been warbling over the fight. They look back down at bumblebee "shhh baby it's alright" Angelfish watches in awe. He trills softly.

Big blue approaches them, his movements slow and non-threatening. He warbles gently, his tone soothing as he gestures to the distressed Bumblebee. The pup doesn't let go but lets out a collection of unhappy noises. The Meg rumbles low, He eyes the others warily, fins flared in warning, but refrains from further aggression for now.

They scot themself towards the water with Babybee sliding into the water and swimming gently towards Dancer with a little motion that they wanted to leave, not wanting to deal with the snapping and snarling of the oceanides. She trills a soft greeting. As they swim, she casts a wary glance back at the other Oceanides.

Reaching a quieter, more secluded area of the beach, she slows her pace, allowing them to catch their breath. Babybee chirps nervously, his small form trembling against their chest. Dancer warbles softly, They chuckle softly as her webbed hands trace over their face, looking them over like a worried mother. "I'm alright Dancer, not dealing with them snarling and snapping at each other like jealous sharks" they hum.

She nods, her shoulders sagging with relief. "Glad you're safe, little one. Squabbling mechs can be such a handful." She gives a playful eye roll, earning a chirp of agreement from Bumblebee.

The youngling darts around, his earlier distress fading as he senses the calmer atmosphere. "Bubba safe! No more fighting," he chirps happily, nuzzling against the soft one's side.

She reaches out to gently ruffle Bumblebee's fins, earning a delighted squeal. "Come, let's get you both back to shore. I think we could all use a break from the drama for now."

Guiding the human and Bumblebee along, Windblade keeps a watchful eye, ready to intervene if any others try to follow. Her priority is ensuring their safety and comfort - the rest can be dealt with later, when tempers have cooled. "Just lean on me. I've got you," she murmurs, As they reach the sand they sit in the shallows, she continued to fuss over the human and keep a watchful eye on the pup who had made himself comfortable in their lap.

Quin spots the trio on the beach and her face lights up in a warm smile. "Well, look who it is! Fancy meeting you all out here." She approaches them leisurely, her gaze sweeping over the scene with an observant eye. "Seems like you've got babybee and babysitter today?" Quin teased towards them.

“Yea, also stay away from the cave think we might have a fight over there, well see how badly who comes out later” they call back, hoping that their words didn't give away anything, they can feel the anxiety crawling on their skin.

Dancer trills a greeting, her fins flicking in a friendly gesture. "Everything alright here?" Quin asks, her voice laced with gentle concern as she takes in her friend's expression. "You look like you've been tossed around."

"Yea I'm all good, just watch out the bulls and others are getting riled up." They reply. "But we are just enjoying ourselves at the moment, think Dancer here is trying to swindle some squid and clams out of me when feeding time comes around " they joke to Quin, hoping that it would make the night before disappear if they pretended it never happened.

Quin chuckles, amused by the human's playful jab at Windblade. "Ah, so Dancer here is trying to work the angles, hmm? Can't say I blame her. Well i'll catch you later, you still coming out to check nets, it's getting close to migration and i don't want to have any whales, sharks or Oceanides getting stuck in them"

“Yea I'll be there, Will probably get out of the water soon and have a shower, can feel the salt sticking to my skin and hair” they shiver, it wasn't they only thing sticking to their skin at that moment.

________________

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[pompadourpink]

Literal French expressions

À deux - at two

À la + n. - in the style of

À la carte - at the menu

À la mode - in fashion

Amateur - lover

Après-ski - after skying

À propos - about

Armoire - wardrobe

Art nouveau - new art

Au naturel - plain

Au pair - at the peer

Auteur - author

Avant-garde - before guard

Bête noire - black beast

Blasé - jaded

Bon appétit - good appetite

Bon voyage - good journey

Boutique - shop

Buffet - credenza

Bureau - office

Canapé - couch

Carte blanche - white card

C'est la vie - that's life

Chauffeur - warmer (n.)

Chef - leader

Cliché - picture

Clique - gang

Connaisseur - "knower"

Coup d'état - blow of state

Coup de grâce - blow of mercy

Coup de foudre - blow of lightning

Couture - sewing (n.)

Cul-de-sac - ass of the bag

Début - beginning

Débutante - beginner

Déjà-vu - already seen

Dénouement - untying

Dossier - file

Double entendre - double hear

... du jour - of the day

Eau de toilette - washing water

Eau de vie - life water

Encore - again

Ennui - boredom

En route - in road

Ensemble - together

Entourage - people surrounding you

Entrepreneur - starter (n.)

Essai - attempt

Esprit de l'escalier - spirit of the stairs

Étiquette - label

Exposé - exposed

Façade - frontage

Faux pas - fake step

Femme fatale - deadly woman

Film noir - black movie

Fin de siècle - end of century

Flâneur - "stroller"

Femme - woman

Folie à deux - madness at two

Foyer - fireplace, home

Gamine - female kid (casual)

Gauche - left

Gendarme - person of weapons

Je ne sais quoi - I don't know what

Laissez-faire - let (someone) do (imperative)

Laissez-passer - let (someone) pass

L'appel du vide - the call of the void

Lingerie - underwear

Maître d' - master o'

Mardi gras - fat Tuesday

Matinée - morning

Ménage à trois - household at three

Mon/ma chéri-e - my cherished

Montage - mounting

Motif - pattern

Mural - on the wall (adj.)

Né-e - born

Négligé - neglected

Nom de plume - feather name

Parole - word

Petite - small (adj.)

Pied-à-terre - foot on land

Poilu - hairy

Pot pourri - rotten pot

Pourboire - for drink

Première - first

Prêt-à-manger - ready to eat

Protégé - protected

Renaissance - rebirth

Rendez-vous - appointment

Répertoire - directory

Résumé - summary

Risqué - risked

Robe - dress

Rouge - red

RSVP - answer please

Sans-culottes - without pantaloons

Savant - "knower" (n.)

Savoir-faire - know how to do (v.)

Savoir-vivre - know how to live

Séance - session

Soirée - evening

Souvenir - memory

Suite - sequel, development

Surveillance - careful watching

Tête-à-tête - head to head

Touché - touched

Tour - circuit

Trompe-l'oeil - cheats the eye

Venue - came

Vignette - sticker, label

Vis-à-vis - face to face

Voyeur - "seer"

Ballet vocabulary:

Allongé - laid down

Balancé - swinged

Balançoire - swing (n.)

Battu - battered

Brisé - broken

Chassé - chased

Chaînés - chained

Ciseaux - scissors

Coupé - cut

Dégagé - cleared

Développé - developed

Échappé - escaped

En cloche - in bell

En croix - in cross

Entrechat - between braid

En pointe - in tip

Failli - almost did

Fouetté - whipped

Glissade - sliding

Plié - bent

Jeté - thrown

Manège - carousel

Pas de bourrée - drunk step

Pas de chat - cat step

Pas de cheval - horse step

Pas de deux - step of two

Pas de valse - waltz step

Penché - leaned

Piqué - pricked

Port de bras - carry of arms

Relevé - lifted back up

Renversé - titled, bent backwards

Retiré - removed

Rond de jambe - leg circle

Temps de flèche - arrow time Tendu - stretched

Temps lié - linked time

Tombé - fallen

Tour en l'air - turn in the air

Kitchen vocabulary:

Amuse-bouche - mouth entertainer

Bain-Marie - Mary bath

Café au lait - milky coffee

Casserole - pot

Cordon bleu - blue ribbon

Crème brûlée - burnt cream

Crème de la crème - cream of the cream

Crème fraîche - fresh cream

Croissant - crescent

Éclair - lightning

Entrée - entrance

Filet mignon - cute net

Flambé - blazed

Foie gras - fat liver

Fondant - melting

Fondue - melted

Gourmet - foodie

Hors d'oeuvre - out of the work

Légume - vegetable

Liqueur - liquid

Mille-feuille - thousand leaf

Mousse - foam

Pâté - pasted

Roux - redhead(ed)

Sauté - jumped

Sautoir - "jumper"

Soufflé - blown

Velouté - velvety

Fanmail - masterlist (2016-) - archives - hire me - reviews (2020-) - Drive

[blondeaxolotl]

you're so good at creature-ifying characters 'n I was wondering if you have any tips :0c

When it comes "creature-ifying" characters, the best way I can describe it is to draw like you're drawing a half human half anthro. Since that's most of what I do, I just draw half anthros

Some example doodles of what I mean. When I'm designing twst characters in my au, the things I usually keep without much change is their head (maybe adding some markings, sharper teeth and a more animalistic nose if they're like a feline or canine, etc), torso, and hips (same as the head in maybe adding some markings).

While for the rest of the body, I design them as if I'm just designing an anthro. Is the character I'm designing going to have cat features? Well don't stop at just adding some ears and a tail, give them paws, arms and legs of what you'd usually see on an anthro cat. (Ofc you don't have to exactly design them like I do lmao, you can exaggerate them more or less, it just depends on taste and what you like really.) and if it's needed, do look up anthro artists you like and study how they draw their anthro little guys.

It also depends on what kind of creature you're designing your character as, are they a goat? Give them hooves, horns, etc. A bird? Feathers, wings (on their back or as their arms either works), talons, etc. A bug? (Depending on the bug) Wings, more limbs, antennae, etc. Merfolks are their own thing really, on land they're just humans with fishy scales and fins and sometimes a tail even.

Most of my rambling is on how I design twst characters that I based off animals, since most of the cast ARE based off animals with a few that are more like mythological creatures.

I also like mixing fixations together, if I like a character and think hey I wonder what would they look like if I mix them with a creature from a whole separate series. An example of that would be Azul, Azul is an octoling in my au, like from the game Splatoon.

If like animals don't fit, you can also take inspo from other series that have a mostly non-human cast, like Monster High or Monster Prom. Since both series have characters based on either mythical creatures or just straight plants n such.

I kinda suck at giving tips or advice but honestly the best I can is if you want to turn a character into a creature, do it, you have free will and no one will stop you. You have the power to do whatever you want to in art and character designing aheheheheh

[hellinistical]

fem! reader x rafayel. royal! au. sea horror! au. heavy angst. minor and major character death. slow burn. romance. fluff. explicit smut. trauma. religious themes. gore; hinted torture, cannibalism, decapitation, self-cannibalism. violence. wc: 3073

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an: sorry for the wait <3

VI: THAR SHE BLOWS

The raven's piercing caw cut through the chaos, a sharp and chilling sound that silenced the men’s frantic movements for a moment. It perched on the ship's railing, its dark feathers gleaming in the dim light of the storm. Its beady eyes seemed to observe the scene with an almost unnatural intelligence, as though it were relaying everything to someone unseen.

The heavy, deliberate sound of boots against the deck followed. The men turned, parting like waves before the storm, as the captain emerged from the shadows. His presence was commanding, his face obscured by a wide-brimmed hat, dripping with rain. His long coat billowed with the wind, the silver accents on his cuffs glinting faintly in the dim light. The raven fluttered from its perch to land on his shoulder, its caws echoing ominously.

“Grab the nets,” the captain ordered, his voice a low, authoritative rumble. He didn’t shout; he didn’t need to. The weight of his words carried more than enough power to jolt the crew into action. “I want a siren.”

The men hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances. One of them, Ryder, finally found his voice. “A... a siren, Captain? You saw what it did! It’ll kill us all!”

The captain turned his gaze to Ryder, and the look in his eyes was enough to silence any further protests. Cold and calculating, they were the eyes of a man who feared nothing—not the sea, not the gods, not even the monsters that lurked in the depths.

“I said,” the captain repeated, his tone sharp as a blade, “grab the nets.”

The crew moved reluctantly but swiftly, uncoiling the thick, reinforced nets from their hooks along the railing. These were no ordinary fishing nets; they were lined with steel threads and barbs, meant to catch and hold the most dangerous of sea creatures. The men worked in tense silence, casting wary glances at the churning water below.

The captain stepped closer to the railing, his raven cawing softly as if in approval. His eyes scanned the dark, roiling waves, his expression unreadable. “Tonight, gentlemen,” he said, his voice steady and cold, “we don’t just survive the sea. We conquer it.”

As the nets were prepared, the ship groaned again, the force beneath it relentless. The men’s hands trembled as they positioned the heavy nets, and the captain stood firm, staring into the abyss as though daring it to strike.

The sea was alive with movement, the dark shapes circling closer. Whatever lay beneath the surface was far from finished. And neither, it seemed, was the captain.

Under the water, the lady siren who had been dragged under was slammed into the hull of the ship by her companion. His nails- no, claws- broke through some of her skin, and scales, drawing inky blood that flew in the current. But just in time for them to avoid getting hit by harpoons- he pushed her out of the way just as one hit the end of his tail, pinning him to the sand beneath.  

The current swirled with inky tendrils of blood as the male siren twisted violently against the harpoon's restraint. His sharp claws scraped against the sand as he tried to free himself, his movements jerky and desperate. The torn fin at the end of his tail fluttered weakly in the water, sending waves of pain up his spine.

He craned his neck, searching for the female siren—Callisto. But the waters were empty save for the debris stirred by their struggle. She was gone, vanished into the depths, leaving him alone to face the threat above. 

A shadow passed overhead. He barely had a moment to react before the net descended, a web of steel-threaded rope piercing the water like a predator's jaws. He thrashed violently, his iridescent scales flashing in the dim light filtering from above, but the net's barbs caught on his flesh and held fast.

The pull was immediate and merciless. The siren’s claws latched onto the seafloor, dragging furrows into the sand as he fought against the force hauling him upward. His sharp teeth bared in a silent snarl, bubbles escaping his mouth as he let out a guttural, underwater roar. It was a sound filled with rage and defiance, but it did nothing to stop his ascent.

The surface loomed closer, the refracted light above shimmering like an unwelcome beacon. His tail lashed against the net, the torn fin sending fresh waves of pain with every movement. He could feel the barbs digging deeper into his skin, his strength waning with every futile thrash.

As he breached the surface, his vision blurred by the sudden exposure to air, the sounds of shouting and heavy boots on wood replaced the muffled chaos of the water. The men on the deck erupted into cheers, their voices a cacophony of triumph and greed.

“Got him!” one of them yelled, his tone laced with exhilaration.

The siren blinked rapidly, trying to adjust to the harsh, alien light. His gills fluttered uselessly, burning from the absence of water, and he gasped instinctively, his lungs struggling to adapt. His sharp, pink-and-blue eyes locked onto the captain standing stoically on the deck, the raven still perched on his shoulder.

The captain stepped forward, his boots echoing against the wood as he looked down at the magnificent creature now sprawled on the deck. The net clung to the siren’s body, its barbs glistening with the siren’s dark blood.

For the first time since being dragged from the depths, the siren stilled, his glare sharp and filled with a mixture of hatred and eerie calm. His chest heaved with labored breaths, and his claws twitched as though imagining the captain’s throat between them.

The captain tilted his head, a faint smirk ghosting across his face. “Beautiful,” he murmured, his voice just loud enough to be heard over the commotion. “And dangerous. Exactly as expected.”

The siren's gaze was as cold as the waters from which he had been ripped, his slit pupils narrowing in defiance. His sharp fangs gleamed in the harsh light as his lips curled back in a silent snarl. With deliberate, unyielding force, his clawed hands wrapped around the barbed netting. The metal tore into his palms, dark, inky blood dripping onto the deck, but he didn’t flinch. Instead, he pulled against it, testing its strength, his muscles coiling like a predator ready to strike.

The captain’s smirk deepened, his eyes glittering with amusement rather than fear. With an air of complete control, he raised a hand, a silent command for his crew to lower their weapons. The men hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances, their hands still gripping harpoons, swords, and spears.

“Do it,” the captain ordered smoothly, his voice steady and firm. “If he wanted to kill us, half of you would already be overboard.”

The crew reluctantly complied, the sound of steel scraping against scabbards as weapons were lowered. The tension in the air remained thick, but the captain seemed entirely unbothered. He stepped closer, his boots clunking against the wood of the deck. The raven on his shoulder tilted its head, its black eyes fixed on the siren, letting out a single sharp caw.

The siren’s claws tightened on the net, the metal creaking under the strain. His chest heaved, his gills still fluttering weakly, but his glare never wavered. Each breath he took was a fight against the foreign air, yet his defiance burned brightly, a silent promise of retribution.

The captain crouched slightly, just enough to meet the siren’s eyes more directly. “You’re quite the spectacle,” he said, his tone almost conversational. “The stories don’t do you justice. Dangerous, yes, but elegant. A king of the depths, perhaps?”

The siren hissed, his lips forming shapes that were not meant for human speech, a guttural sound that made the hairs on the crew’s necks stand on end. It was a noise filled with raw hatred and the promise of violence.

The captain chuckled softly, his smirk widening. “Oh, you’ll make quite the prize.” His fingers brushed the hilt of the ornate blade at his side, though he made no move to draw it. “But I’d rather not damage you too much. You’re worth more intact, I think.”

The siren’s claws dug deeper into the net, fresh blood seeping between his fingers. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes burning with a hatred so intense that it made even the bravest crew members step back. If his gaze could kill, the captain would’ve been reduced to ash where he stood. The captain brought a hand to one of the long strands of the sirens hair. "Beautiful, really," he repeated.

But the captain didn’t falter. Instead, he straightened, adjusting his coat with a casual flick of his wrist. “Bring him below deck,” he ordered, his voice carrying authority that left no room for argument. “Carefully. He’s worth more alive.”

The crew scrambled to obey, but as they approached, the siren let out another low, menacing growl, his muscles tensing as though preparing for one final, desperate attempt to break free.

"Boss, where are we to put it?" Luke asked, his voice uneasy as he gestured toward the thrashing siren. "We don't have a basin big enough to keep it in water." His gaze flicked nervously to the creature, its cold eyes glaring back at him through the torn net.

The captain clicked his tongue in irritation, brushing past Luke with an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. "Just put it in a cell for now," he said, his tone sharp but calm. "We'll watch it for a couple of minutes, see if it starts to thrash." He glanced back at the siren, an amused glint in his eyes. "I'd wager it's got lungs too. Sirens are adaptable, aren’t they?"

The crew exchanged wary glances, the unease among them palpable. Handling the siren felt like trying to cage a storm, unpredictable and deadly.

"Are you sure about that, Captain?" Kieran asked, his brow furrowed. "What if it doesn't? We could end up with a very expensive corpse."

The captain smirked, clearly relishing the challenge. "Then we’ll know for next time, won’t we?" He turned to the crew, his voice rising. "Get it below deck. Secure the net tightly. And mind yourselves—this isn’t some common fish."

The men hesitated for a moment before springing into action, their movements careful and deliberate. As they dragged the siren toward the ship's hold, it let out a guttural hiss, the sound reverberating through the wooden planks and sending chills down their spines.

"You better hope your wager's right," Luke muttered under his breath as he helped secure the creature.

The captain only chuckled, his eyes following the siren as it disappeared into the depths of the ship. "Oh, I’m always right," he said, almost to himself. "This one’s too proud to die so easily."

***

Below the deck, the air hung thick and damp, heavy with the mingling scents of stored fish, preserved meats, and the briny tang of the sea. It was a smell the crew had grown far too accustomed to, one that clung stubbornly to their clothes and hair no matter how hard they scrubbed. The dim light of oil lanterns flickered against the wood-paneled walls, casting dancing shadows that made the cramped space feel even more oppressive.

The siren was hauled in with rough hands, its inky blood leaving a trail across the splintered floorboards. The net dug cruelly into its flesh, but the creature’s cold gaze remained unwavering, its fangs bared in silent defiance. The men carrying it avoided its eyes, their movements hurried and stiff, as though they feared meeting its glare might invite some curse upon them.

"Over there," one of the crewmen barked, pointing to a cell reinforced with iron bars. It was a makeshift holding pen, typically used for unruly stowaways or troublesome cargo. The space was barely big enough to accommodate the siren’s length, and its sharp tail scraped against the floor as they shoved it inside.

"Careful," Kieran warned, his voice low but tense. "That thing’s not done fighting."

The siren let out a low, guttural growl as the net was removed, its claws flexing against the iron bars. Despite the wounds on its palms, it gripped the cold metal with a strength that made the hinges creak, its piercing eyes scanning every corner of its prison.

“Lungs, huh?” Luke muttered, stepping back as if the bars between him and the creature weren’t enough. “I don’t think it’ll matter much if it decides to make those bars into splinters.”

“Shut it,” another crewman hissed, his voice barely above a whisper as he adjusted the lock on the cell. “Captain’s orders. We’re to watch it.”

But the siren wasn’t thrashing. Not yet. Its movements were calculated, its breathing slow and deliberate, as if testing the air in its new environment. A single drop of its dark blood fell from its torn tail fin, splattering against the wooden floor with an audible pat. The sound was almost deafening in the uneasy silence that followed.

Luke shifted uncomfortably, his hands gripping the hilt of his sword. "What do you think it’s thinking?" he asked no one in particular.

“Escape,” Kieran answered grimly, never taking his eyes off the siren. “And it’s only a matter of time before it figures out how.”

***

The siren scanned the room, its cold gaze moving over the damp, shadowed corners and the faint glint of metal tools left haphazardly on a nearby table. The air was stale here, oppressive, and filled with the faint hum of the ship's movements against the waves. His tail tingled, the nerves alive with pain and exhaustion as blood still seeped from the torn fin where the harpoon had struck. Every movement sent faint vibrations through the waterlogged wood beneath him, reminders of his imprisonment.

It was quiet. Uncomfortably so. Quiet and cold. Yet, even in the biting chill, his body didn’t shiver. His kind didn’t respond to the cold in the way humans did; his scales were an armor, his blood colder still.

Still, the absence of warmth weighed on him. His tail curled slightly, the motion sluggish, as though instinct alone was pulling it closer to his body for some sense of protection. The iron bars seemed to loom closer in the dim light, their presence a silent threat.

His eyes grew heavy. The rush of adrenaline that had carried him through the chase, the capture, and the fight was fading, leaving behind the ache of torn flesh and bruised pride. His breath slowed, each exhale a soft hiss through clenched teeth. He blinked once, then again, his lashes brushing against the salt-streaked skin of his cheeks.

The exhaustion wasn’t just physical. It was deeper than that. A gnawing weight pressed at the edges of his consciousness, an animalistic sense of frustration and vulnerability that made his claws twitch restlessly against the wood. But even that faded as his body demanded rest, his instincts betraying his defiance.

For now, he let his eyes close, though not completely. Just enough to feign a sense of surrender.

***

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the Kingdom of Chronosia. The gentle waves of the Dark Sea lapped against the shore, their rhythmic dance almost in tune with the soft whispers of the summer breeze. The beach was a stretch of pale, powdery sand that glimmered under the sunlight, dotted with seashells in all shapes and sizes.

A little boy, no older than five, walked hand in hand with his mother. His wide, curious eyes scanned the shoreline, searching eagerly for the perfect treasures hidden among the sand. His mother, a woman with kind eyes and a soft smile, guided him with patience, her own gaze occasionally drifting to the horizon, where the sea met the sky.

“Only perfect ones, my love,” she reminded him gently, her voice as soothing as the waves.

The boy nodded, his small fingers sifting through the sand. He found a shell, delicate and spiraled, its surface a soft pink with hints of iridescent blue. He held it up to the sunlight, examining it closely. The shell was flawless, not a crack or blemish to be seen.

“Look, Mother!” he exclaimed, his voice full of pride and wonder as he handed her the shell.

She took it from him, turning it over in her hands. “It’s beautiful, Rafayel,” she said, tucking the shell into the small woven basket she carried. “You have a good eye.”

Rafayel beamed, his heart swelling with the joy of his mother’s praise. The two continued their walk, the warm sand beneath their feet and the cool sea breeze ruffling their hair. The boy was so absorbed in their search that he paid no mind to the whispers of the sea, nor to the shadows that danced just beyond the water's edge. 

The waves lapped at their feet gently, kissing their skin with the cool touch of the sea. Rafayel giggled as the water swirled around his toes, the sensation tickling him. The boy’s curiosity got the better of him, and he took a few steps closer to the water, drawn by the shimmering depths just beyond his reach.

But before he could venture too far, his mother’s hand tightened around his, pulling him back to safety. “Careful, my love,” she cautioned, her voice firm but tender. “The ocean is dangerous.”

Rafayel looked up at her, a hint of confusion in his wide eyes. To him, the sea was beautiful and full of wonder—a place of discovery and delight. The idea that something so lovely could be dangerous was hard for him to grasp.

“Why, Mother?” he asked, his small voice barely louder than the whispers of the waves.

She knelt down beside him, her expression softening as she tucked a stray lock of his hair behind his ear. “The sea is full of secrets, Rafayel,” she explained, her tone gentle yet serious. “It can be kind, like it is now, but it can also be fierce and unforgiving. There are currents that can pull you under, and creatures that lurk in the depths. The ocean isn’t like the land. It follows its own rules.”

“Mother?”

The waves lapped at his feet- he looked back, and no one was there.

A hand grabbed at his foot and-

The siren woke up with a jolt, his chest heaving. 

“Mother…”

copyright © 2024 Hellinistical all rights reserved. no part of this story may be reposted, edited, or reproduced without the author’s permission.

[egrets-not-regrets]

Of Fin and Feathers AU (MerErriox/HarpyLenora)

Mermay: Stay

Erriox: Bloody Scales of My Brother

Not For Hunting

Adopt-A-Jophiel (1), (2), (3) (Co-written with the awesome @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan)

Negotiations

After Stormbreaker: Little Bird, Problem Children

After Stormbreaker: Fluffy Charm

After Stormbreaker: One Good Thing

Sneaking into the Nest

Sharing is (not) Caring (Co-written with the awesome @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan)

After Stormbreaker: Catching Shadows and Propositions

Stargazing (Co-written with the awesome @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan)

Chef’s Kisses (Co-written with the awesome @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan)

Catius: In Memory of My Brother (Co-written with the awesome @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan)

Claude: A Difference of Identity (Co-written with the awesome @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan)

Cedric: From One Healer to Another

Ramiel and Cedric: Atonement & Final Blessings (Co-written with the awesome @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan and @sleepyfan-blog)

Hagfish Slime Shenanigans (Co-written with the awesome @gallifreyianrosearkytiorsusan)

[neonlazycat]

Pirate au eclipse >:D . Finally he's finished, he was a pain to draw/design but I'm quite happy with how he turned out .

I love him so much y'all have no idea 🤲also those on his hat are feathers not his actual fins , he just uses the feathers to.... replace his missing ones

[second-wife-playbook]

@the-only-noonstar

[kiame-sama]

hiii!!

can I get a description for Cater, Sebek, Rollo, Neige and Che’nya for the HAE au? kinda wanna draw them!

thank you! I love your writing so much!!

Cater is a Lake Water Nymph;

- Cater has bright red hair closer in color to a red Ludwigia than the orange of cannon. Cater's eyes are bright green and his skin is pearl white, slightly clammy, and semi-translucent due to him being a literal creature that is akin to living water that grew flesh. In the water Cater gets fins more adapted to swimming in calm water, his semi-translucent skin taking a faintly striped green and red tone like his eyes and hair.

Che'nya is a Bakeneko;

- He is similar to his canon appearance, but the purple and pink of his hair is also visible on the skin of his forehead, cheeks, neck, arms, legs, and back. He also now has a two pronged fluffy tail with similar stripes that is often seen waving mischievously behind him. His forearms are furred and more like paws from the elbow down and his back legs are similar to that of Leona- furred cat legs with raised heels.

Neige is a Mourning Dove Harpy;

- Neige has the same dark black hair and big brown doe eyes he does in cannon but he also has grey-brown feathers throughout his black hair. His cheeks, neck, shoulders, and upper back have the same gray-brown feathers with speckles of dark brown, white, black, and gray feathers throughout giving a light speckling pattern. His wings are that same gray brown color and are 6.5ft (200cm) in length. The ends of his flight feathers are often trailing over the ground beneath him when he is relaxed and he rarely opens his wings fully. His legs from his knees down are large bird-feet that are a pinkish-burnt sienna with white talons he often paints various colors.

Sebek is a Raiju Fae;

- His hair is a bit more wild and fur-like compared to his canon appearance with yellows mixed in to the sage green color. His teeth are much sharper and he actually has more dog-like qualities similar to Jack's canon appearance with the beastman ears and spiky furred tail that has a rougher texture compared to most fur. Along his back, at the edge of his hairline, and throughout the ridge of his tail fur, he has crocodilian scutes that harken back to his non-Fae Raiju half. He has the lower legs of a dog and longer than usual claws on his paws.

Rollo is an Inferno Fire Nymph;

- Rollo's eyes are a deep ashen gray as is his skin and hair when he is not in his active inferno flame form. His skin is paler than his hair but still a gray tint of white. Much like a burned log, his flesh will bare the same ashen and faded look to it. Around his eye sockets is dark, almost black, like the charring of burnt wood. When in his active inferno fire form, his ashen hair will ignite into flames, his gray eyes turning a bright fire red. Similarly, his skin will take a redder tone and embers will float off of his hair. Along his dark eyes and skin will be lines of what look like fire burning within like veins.

[chic-a-gigot]

L'Art et la mode, no. 4, vol. 22, 26 janvier 1901, Paris. Madame Polichinelle, Le Paon, Papillon, La Vague. Dessin de F. Fournery. Bibliothèque nationale de France

"Madame Polichinelle"

Robe de satin ivoire criblée de paillettes d'or; manches et bas de jupe en mousseline de soie rose ornée de roses. Le haut du corsage en guipure dont les pointes se rattachent sur un velours noir. Beaucoup de diamants au décolleté.

Ivory satin dress riddled with gold sequins; sleeves and bottom of skirt in pink silk chiffon decorated with roses. The upper bodice in guipure, the tips of which are attached to black velvet. Lots of diamonds on the neckline.

—

"Le Paon"

Tunique de velours fin vert émeraude, chaud de ton; plumes de paon rebrodées en or; le long de la tunique, motifs appliques et brodés or et vert clair. La jupe, qu'on aperçoit sur le côté, est en soie souple vert plus clair, éteint également, et très ondulée dans le bas. Bracelets "art nouveau" avec le paon, et paon sur le perruque rousse.

Tunic of fine emerald green velvet, warm in tone; peacock feathers embroidered in gold; along the tunic, applique and embroidered motifs in gold and light green. The skirt, which can be seen on the side, is in supple silk in a lighter green, also faded, and very wavy at the bottom. "Art nouveau" bracelets with the peacock, and peacock on the red wig.

—

"Papillon"

Robe de tulle noir sur transparent ciel. Tout le devant de la robe est appliqué de papillons de satin jaune ourlés de tulle noir sur transparent bleu. Les plis du tulle formant châle épousent la forme du dos du papillon, se rapprochent et font très noir; ils se separent petit à petit pour se terminer en jupe plissée, et arrivent, dans la bas, à voiler à peine le transparent ciel.

Black tulle dress on transparent sky. The entire front of the dress is decorated with yellow satin butterflies hemmed with black tulle on transparent blue. The folds of the tulle forming a shawl follow the shape of the butterfly's back, come together and are very black; they gradually separate to end in a pleated skirt, and arrive, at the bottom, to barely veil the transparent sky.

—

"La Vague"

Corsage fait en forme de coquillage; les revers sont de velours rose et la conque de velours frappé ivoire. Jupe ivoire, peinte de vagues écumantes dans des tons vert glauque et bleu très éteint, rebrodée d'argent et voilée de tulle vert de mer; algues rouges et sombres sur le côté; dessous de mousseline de soie rose. Corail rose dans la perruque noire, et goèmons d'or de tous les tons mêlés aux cheveux.

Bodice made in the shape of a shell; the lapels are of pink velvet and the conch of ivory struck velvet. Ivory skirt, painted with foaming waves in shades of glaucous green and very dull blue, embroidered with silver and veiled with sea green tulle; red and dark algae on the side; underside of pink silk muslin. Pink coral in the black wig, and gold seaweed of all shades mixed with the hair.