#Pearl Arowana

[i-give-you-a-fish]

hii can i have a fish pls

You get a Gulf Saratoga

Scleropages jardinii

[fishpixels]

Pearl arowana (Scleropages jardinii)

Source: me

[pearldrone]

I MISS MY GIRLS.

[xxdemonicheartxx]

Regarding last RB

FAT LESBIAN DRAGONS!!

Treka (bogsneak) and Esh (snapper)

Both use she/her

Treka (an alien!!) crash landed in the arcane territory when my clan was settled there years ago, Esh (a giant sea beast!!) rescued her from the sea and oversaw a lot of her care and recovery

They’re inseparable and honestly its almost uncanny to see one and not the other.

(Treka's skin is "Skin: Pearl Arowana" #22266 by oriba from 2017 Wavecrest Saturnalia)

[sundove88]

DBZ: Waves of Freedom Chapter 3: Making Waves

After work that very day, Vegeta made his way down to the water and immediately perched on the rocky outcrop where he and Goku often had their conversations. As soon as he set foot on the smooth stones that dotted this little part of the beach, a few other merpeople besides the citrus tailed merman where beside him. “Wha- Where did you come from?!”, Vegeta shouted, unable to contain his surprise. “Vegeta, I’d like you to meet some of my family and friends.”, replied Goku as he perched on the rock next to his best buddy. “Well, if you hadn’t noticed, by know, I’m Chi Chi, Goku’s wife, to be exact!”, replied the arowana tailed mermaid as Gohan and Goten surfaced alongside her. As the others came forward and perched on the rocks in their own ways, Vegeta saw how diverse the world of merpeople could be- from Krillin’s weedy seadragon traits to help him hide within the kelp, Yamcha’s octopus tentacles to help him reach into tight spaces, Tien’s koi fins to help him slice through the water, Android 17’s dolphin instincts to help him find lost sailors, Android 18’s lion fish spines to protect her family, and so on, so forth.

It was then that he noticed Bulma and blushed at the sight- her blue hair that matched the seawater to an uncanny extent, and her blue tang inspired tail that sparkled with a radiant pearly finish. But the most beautiful thing about her wasn’t her tail, or her shiny turquoise circuit inspired top, or her aquamarine colored eyes. It was her heart that refused to waver in the face of adversity, and to care for her young son Trunks, who she had brought home from an orphanage under her metaphorical wing. “I see you now realize you feel right at home with us, eh?”, Bulma said as she let her son flick his Siamese fighting fish tail playfully at Vegeta’s face, seawater splashing onto his skin. But that made Vegeta remember something very important- and it wasn’t good. “Now, I don’t want you all to be angry at me, but… I have to attend a work banquet tonight.”, he said as everyone’s jaws dropped in shock. “WHAT?!”, they said in unison.

“Yeah… and it’s apparently to raise funds for the company’s efforts into quote unquote ‘Protecting the Environment’, which Empire Drilling does anything BUT.”, Vegeta replied with a sigh. “But I promise to swim with Kakarot tonight, and even if it takes sneaking out of the work banquet, I’d do anything to get out of that blasted company.”, the young employee said, taking out something from his shirt pocket. In his hands was a lifelike water Lily hairpin, from the petals to the leaves, all elements of it were handcrafted to replicate the look of a beautiful blossom on the water. “Kakarot, this belonged to my mother- I want you to have this. That way you can always think of me even when I’m at work.”, Vegeta said as he placed the hairpin into the merman’s hands. “Aww, Vegeta! You shouldn’t have! And I’ve got something for you as well!”, Goku replied, nudging Chi Chi as she presented a bracelet made from part of an old fishing net, decorated with pearls, shells, and pieces of coral from beneath the waves. “A bracelet like this one is something that merpeople give to show their friendship, kinda like you land dwellers.”, Gohan said as Vegeta placed the bracelet on his wrist, feeling the rough texture of the net and the smoothness of the pearls and shells. He smiled, genuinely touched by the gesture. “Thanks, Kakarot. I’ve gotta get ready for the work banquet, but I promise that I’ll swim with you!”, Vegeta replied as he hurried back to his apartment, smiling.

That night, the work banquet was in full swing as the chatter of work patrons filled the air, and talk of work and the newest opportunities for the company’s newest employees stifled the stuffy atmosphere even more. Vegeta stood at the edge of the hall where the banquet was being held, his black and white suit feeling like a restriction from the freedom that was right in front of his face- the ocean. “What’s wrong, Vegeta? Cat got yer tongue?”, replied Jeice as he passed by the melancholy young man in his red tuxedo, staring bitterly at the water in front of him. “Nevermind what I want.”, replied Vegeta as he gazed out to sea. Guldo, Recoome, Burter, and Ginyu tried to get through to him and strike up a conversation, but there was no trying to sway him. He remembered his promise to Goku, and he was determined to keep it. I’d better sneak away now, while everyone else is busy chatting like there’s no tomorrow., he thought to himself. As soon as he got the chance he dashed away from the hall the party was being held and ran towards his apartment building. And immediately after changing into his much more comfortable swim trunks (Which he hadn’t worn in a while), he raced down to the ocean and saw Goku on the rocks, as if he were waiting for him.

“Ready to go, Best buddy?”, Goku replied, his tail flicking droplets of water into the evening air. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Kakarot.”, Vegeta replied as he waded into the cool ocean water, lapping up against his skin and sending shivers up his spine. “It’s ok. Just let the water embrace you, and you’ll be fine.”, Goku replied as he helped Vegeta into the water. Before he knew it, they both dove into the water, the cool waters enveloping them. Vegeta felt an immediate sense of freedom as he swam beside Goku. The water was alive with color, illuminated by the moonlight that filtered down from the surface. It took a while for Vegeta to catch up with his fishy companion, but when he finally did, he was treated to something he had never before experienced. With his own eyes, he experienced a sensory overload- the good kind, as he looked down at the corals that made up the reefs and the fish that dwelled within their crevices and the various species that called this part of the ocean home. “Look over there, Vegeta! That’s a school of convict tangs. And those are angelfish. Aren’t they beautiful?” Goku explained as he pointed out some of the species on the reef. Vegeta’s eyes widened in awe as a sea turtle gracefully swam by, its chocolate colored shell glinting in the light. He reached out, his fingers brushing against the turtle’s smooth surface. A flame angelfish tagged along, its vibrant red scales glimmering in the moonlit water as he gave kisses to the land dweller before swimming away, while a mandarin dragonet swam by and tickled one of his legs. Even a school of Pajama Cardinalfish thought he was a local merman, even going as far as to make themselves at home in his vicinity.

As they continued deeper into the reef, the marine life began to approach the young land dweller and sense the kindness within him. A clownfish swam through Vegeta’s spiky dark hair, mistaking it for an anemone of sorts. “Hehe! He just wants to say hi.”, Goku replied, allowing the small clownfish to swim towards his anemone home. As they continued their swim, Vegeta could see that the marine life were friendly towards him, even though he didn’t have a fishtail. A small seahorse drifted towards him and latched onto his finger for a bit, a normally timid octopus worked up the courage to emerge from its den and perch on his shoulder, and even a pod of dolphins swam around him, sensing his kind and caring nature. “They can sense your compassion.”, Goku explained as the baby bottlenose nudged Vegeta, making him smile even more. And alongside the colorful marine life and the beautiful coral reefs, the duo also came across ancient ruins with secrets untold, forests of kelp that seemed to reach the sky, and shipwrecks that held treasures from times of old. After quite a bit of swimming, the two boys headed back towards the land, exhausted yet happy after their journey through the coral reef. “You know, Kakarot? I’ve got something to say to you.”, Vegeta replied as they neared the shore. “What would that be?”, asked Goku, always open and thoughtful. “I wanna stay with you- I wanna be part of this world from now on.” Vegeta said as he climbed up onto the sand, the feeling of a natural sugar scrub beneath his feet. “I like that a lot, Vegeta.”, the orange tailed merman said as he perched next to his land bound companion. “And I have a… request for you.”, said Vegeta as he dried himself off. “What would that be? Just get it off your chest if you can.”, Goku replied. Vegeta took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the decision but also the excitement of a new beginning.

“Can you… turn me into… a merman?”

[somelonelywordmonger]

Scry-A-Day #251

March 12, 2024 | Day 2 of Pastel Week

Meet Zalib!

Pearl Cinder | Pearl Arowana | Orca Stained | Pastel Shadow Eyes

[splatoon-headcanonz]

This is probably too late but can I request valentines day headcanons for Pearl/Marina/reader?

\✧\Pearl, Marina and Reader celebrating valentines/✧/

Expect a lot of surprise affection from Marina

I feel like usually she's more affectionate in private

But on valentine's she's more confident

as long as you are too of course

Pearl would definitely spoil you both

She probably won't be taking 'no' for an answer

She thinks you both deserve everything in the world

You'd probably have a nice long date

Going to places like The Shoal, Arowana Mall, maybe a nice restaurant

Pearl rented out Starfish Mainstage to scream her feelings for the both of you out

Marina nearly passed out because of the excitement

Later when you come back to your shared home Marina shows you guys the tune she made for you

You all dance and sing together to end the day off

Before all cuddling up to each other and falling asleep

[dj-hyperfreshh]

Okay... I think the weirdos are gone? Anyways, I need to figure out a good gift for Pearl for our anniversary.

I caught her eyeing a hoodie at Arowana Mall, I wonder if she'd like it?

[exoterrestrials]

YIPPEE doing this for the sillies

1. When did you get into the series?

I didn't start playing until end of 2017/ beginning of 2018, but back in 2015-16 I'd watch my cousin play S1. I never played it myself but I absolutely fell in love with the game, my favourite map was Flounder Heights :)

2. Do you play as an Inkling or Octoling?

Inkling ! I didn't even use Octoling very much in S2. Just didn't like the lack of hair options I guess.

3. Favorite hairstyle(s)?

In no specific order, these perhaps ?

4. Favorite/least favorite main weapon(s)?

Favourite, Aerospray. Least Favourite, Squeezer.

5. Favorite/least favorite sub(s)?

Favourite, Burst Bomb. Fizzies being a close second. Least Favourite, Toxic mist, Torpedo, Angle Shooter and maybe Kittydogs.

6. Favorite/least favorite special(s)?

Favorite, Booyah Bomb (only S2), maybe Splashdown, and maybe Reefslider. Least Favourite, Kittydog, Curling Bomb Launcher, Ink Vac, Sting Ray, and Tenta Missles.

7. Do you have a main?

Aerospray PG in S2, Aerospray MG in S3. I also used to main Splat Roller, Clapples, and Neo Splash in S2 as well and in that order :)

8. Drop your favorite fit!

This is what I've had since maybe first week ish of S3 ? I really like the shirt, it's very on brand lmao

And I believe this was my go-to S2 gear. Studio Headphones and Neo Octoling Armor + Boots

9. Show us your splashtag!

10. Show us your Locker!

Ermm

11. What's your sens?

-1 for both

12. Favorite/least favorite ranked mode?

Favourite, Zones. Least Favourite, Clam blitz.

13. Favorite/least favorite map(s)?

Favourite, S1 Flounder Heights, S3 Museum d'Alfonsino, maybe S2 Arowana Mall. Least Favourite, S1 Bluefin Depot, S2 New Albacore Hotel, S3 Mahi-Mahi Resort.

14. Favorite/least favorite SR map(s)?

Favourite, S2 Spawning Grounds or Marooner's Bay. Least Favourite, S2 Ruins of Ark Polaris, S3 Gone Fission Hydroplant.

15. Favorite/least favorite character(s)?

Favourite, Spyke, Marina, Agent 8, Jelfonzo, and Mr. Coco in that order. Least Favourite, Sheldon, Murch, Cuttlefish, Craymond, Pearl.

16. Favorite/least favorite splatband(s)?

Favourite, I loveee Dedf1sh but more as a character, so Sashimori is really the only one that comes to mind ? Entropical is a banger

Least Favourite, ω-3. The way the music is written is genius but it makes me feel like I'm going insane.

17. Favorite/least favorite boss salmonid(s)?

Favourite, Maws. They can be super satisfying to kill in one go and helped with my sub aim back in S2 when I heavily relied on burst bombs.

Least Favourite, Stingers.

18. Favorite/least favorite SR event(s)?

Favourite, Low tide, Cohock Charge. Least Favourite, High tide, Fog.

19. Ugliest gear item, in your opinion

THOSE FISH HEADS. SORRY BUT THEY'RE SO WEIRD LMAO

Also erm both cycling shirts, the cycling cap, the moist ghillie suit, octoleet goggles, the power armor, and the climbing shoes..

20. Favorite/least favorite gear brands?

Don't have any intentional preference really

21. Do you play comp? FA or team member?

I could never play competitively, don't have nearly enough skill for it I think. Doesn't pique my interest too much anyways.

22. What's your favorite accomplishment?

I think just finishing Octo Expansion, lot of emotion in that.

23. Favorite content creators/pro players?

Yes

24. Post a favorite clip of yours!

[koreankitkat]

“I’ll Super Jump straight into your heart!

Nothing could ever keep us apart!”

“I’ve gotta make a beat for those lyrics!

We’ll call it ‘Blazing Love Meteor!’”

Pearlina Week Day 5 - June 28, 2019 - Blazing Love Meteor

[splatoon-odf]

The relationship of DJ Octavio and Cap'n Craig Cuttlefish (Part 1)

This is something not as many people know the details of. Most people who played Splatoon 1 know the Octavio and Craig have some sort of history, but not as many people know the details of it. Today is the day I put everything we have from the games and put them out on the table for people to see.

Firstly we have Sunken Scroll 16. Those of you who read my posts about the Great Turf War are familiar with this one, but I'll type it out again for those who are new.

"Before the Great Turf War, there were amicable relations between the Inklings and the Octarians. They couldn't have dreamed that rising sea levels would force them to battle fiercely over the remaining territory." Accompanied by this photo.

The photo shows an Inkling, seemingly some sort of high ranking military officer of sorts based on the uniform and medals, and an Octoling, likely of some higher status based on the ornate headdress, having a pleasant conversation. Based on Sunken Scroll 15, which I'll get into in just a bit, we know the Inkling on the right is Craig Cuttlefish, leaving us with the question of who the Octoling on the left is. As most of you likely already assumed, it appears to be the human form of DJ Octavio.

You can tell based on the headdress, similar tentacle shape, and Wasabi stalks (which you can see in the lap of the human form Octoling if you look closely on the scroll).

So Sunken Scroll 16 shows Craig and Octavio being friendly towards each other before the war.

Next we have Sunken Scroll 15

"This is the only existing photograph of the legendary Squidbeak Splatoon. The young man folding his arms appears to be the leader. When this picture was taken, the Great Turf War had been raging on for over a year."

This, along with a piece a dialog from Cuttlefish in Octo Valley, stating "Back in the day, I was the best battler Inkopolis had ever seen!", and a later chat log from Marina show that the inkling in Suken Scroll 16 is in fact Cuttlefish himself. This also tells us that Cap'n Cuttlefish was one of many on the front lines during the Great Turf Wars.

Now for Marina's Chat Room Session 5

DJ_Hyperfresh > Battery's almost dead. I'm gonna go grab my charger.

MC.Princess > Word

■Webmaster■ > DJ_Hyperfresh has left the chatroom.

MC.Princess > Man, there's nuthin to do when it's just me and you here cap...

CraigCuttlefish > what do you mean

MC.Princess > Uuuuugh i'm booored

MC.Princess > But maybe I'll do a lil research on u. See whhat kinda dirt I can dig up.

CraigCuttlefish > i have nothing to hide

MC.Princess > We'll see

MC.Princess >

MC.Princess > The heck is this?

MC.Princess > "The Squidbeak Splatoon, led by Second Lieutenant Cuttlefish, visited grievous losses upon the forces of the enemy during the bitter siege of Arowana Castle."

CraigCuttlefish > that takes me back

MC.Princess > Dang cap. Guess ur the real deal.

As you can clearly see here, Pearl flat out states that the "young man" in the photo is none other than Cap'n Craig Cuttlefish himself, fighting the same Octarian as before, who we established to be DJ Octavio, during the Great Turf War.

To be Continued in Part 2

[splatoonscreenshots]

[cheetahtrout]

in case you where wondering what this weird fishenthusiast has been doing:

1 Coelacanth 2 Lungfish 3 Tetrapod 4 Ropefish 5 Bichir 6 Sturgeon 7 Paddlefish 8 Bowfish 9 Gar (messed up Maxillary needs correction) 10 Ladyfish 11 Tarpon 12 Japanese gissu 13 bonefish 14 deep sea spiny eel 15 Halosaur 16 Protanguilla 17 cutthroat eel 18 Mud eel 19 thin eel 20 moray eel 21 false moray (u r a FRAUD!) 22 longneck eel 23 snake eel 24 pike conger 25 duckbill eel 26 conger 27 garden eel 28 Bathymyrinae 29 spaghetti eel 30 pelican eel 31 Saccopharynx 32 onejaw gulpers 33 bobtail snipe-eel 34 freshwater eel 35 snipe eel 36 sawtooth eel 37 Mooneye 38 freshwater butterflyfish 39 arowana 40 knifefish 41 aba 42 freshwater elephantfish 43 anchovi 44 denticle herring 45 Pellona 46 Pristigaster 47 wolf herring 48 round herring 49 herring 50 sardine 51 sprat 52 menhaden 53 sprat 54 Slickhead 55 milkfish 56 beaked salmon 57 shellear 58 hingemouth 59 bitterling 60 bleak 61 barbel 62 redfin 63 snowtrout 64 Golden-Line fish 65 sharpbelly 66 white amur bream 67 tinfoil barb 68 khramulyas 69 crucian carp 69A ryukin goldfish 70 common carp 71 carplet 72 rasbora 73 danio 74 flying barb 75 silver cyprinid 76 razorbelly minnow 77 false gudgeons 78 gudgeon 79 steed 80 mud carp 81 labeo 82 yellowfish 83 Leptobarbus 84 common bream 85 bleak 86 chiselmouth 87 longfin dace 88 mexican chub 89 spanish minnowcarp 90 aztec chub 91 bream 92 silver bream 93 stoneroller 94 nase 95 dace 96 redside dace 97 ornate shiner 98 lake chub 99 satinfin shiner 100 desert minnow 101 desert dace 102 longjaw minnow 103 slender chub 104 cutlips minnow 105 western chub 106 flame chub 107 california (roll ) roach 108 silvery minnow 109 bigeye chub 110 least chub 111 hitch 112 spinedace 113 moderlieschen 114 eurasian dace 115 highscale shiner 116 finescale shiner 117 blacktail chub 118 pearl dace 119 spikedace 120 moapa dace 121 peamouth 122 hardhead 123 hornhead chub 124 golden shiner 125 eastern shiner 126 pugnose minnow 127 oregon chub And I am NOWHERE NEAR finished!

[grandpa-cephalopods]

“So it’s just Tower Control and Turf War left huh.”

“Yes.”

“Here’s to hoping my brother can end this early, then.”

-

“You know that’s MY co-op brand with Pearl, right?”

“Yes.”

“So you’re gonna change off your main to THAT? Why??”

“You banned my Wasabi Dualies forever ago.”

“I didn’t BAN anything, that’s up to Squidforce CEO and Judd. They’ve banned so many old weapons I WANT to use-"

“So more of that top brass horseradish?”

“Yeah. Not that the Wasabis or those Enperrys are going to make a difference for you. But since you’re being cute about it-”

“..You’re real confident about losing, huh?”

“In under 5 minutes you’ll understand why, Arowana.”

[ribbondee]

Splatoon OC: Tentacillia The Octarian

Full name: Tentacillia (Cillie for short) Marcella Takowasa

Alias: DJ Sūsh1

Gender: Female

Age: 17

Sexuality: Asexual Biromantic

Residence: Arowana Castle: The Remix in Octo Valley (it's my headcanon residence for everyone's favorite Octarian DJ).

Occupation: Aside from being the Octarian princess, she also acts as a local idol (she too is a DJ), and does news broadcasts and hosts rave parties.

Species and origin: Basically she's an irregular, mutant Octarian that was genetically engineered in a lab. She is NOT an Octoling and thus cannot assume a cephalopod form. She can still participate in ink based warfare and stuff though. She also has an octopus shaped ghost when she gets splatted.

She was born from a certain limb of DJ Octavio's being severed (like the ones that power the Great Octoweapons), which is why she also bears the same scar on one of her hands. She is by all technicalities the DJ'S daughter and is treated as such and is thus the heir to the throne.

Her creation proved to be controversial, as questions flew around about whether or not the experimentation was ethical.

She never technically had a childhood, as by the time she was awakened and thus became conscious, she was already fully developed. She did have a 'baby' phase however; for example, she had to learn to speak and how to socialize.

Personality: Cillie is energetic and friendly, and tries to see the good in everything. This extends to the Inklings, believing that surely they're not ALL bad. She has a strong sense of compassion and empathy as a whole. Normally she is level headed, but can sometimes have outbursts of anger (one such occasion was when her father brainwashed Callie. She was VERY unhappy about it).

Hobbies: Making music, art, throwing rave parties, advocating for peace between Inklings and Octarians.

Main Weapon: An Octo Shot she made herself. It's sub is autobomb and its special is baller.

Relationships:

Her father: It's… complicated. There's no doubt that they love each other, but there is often conflict between them. One reason why is due to Octavio's tendency to smother her and treat her like a child, and another is due to Octavio's less than savory attitude towards Inklings which Cillie hates.

The Octo Samurai: He is a good friend of hers, and acts as a mentor figure for her. He was the one that taught her to fight and just overall defend herself if need be. They often hang out, be it training, making art (I headcanon that The Octo Samurai is great at traditional Japanese style art) or sitting around and talking about deep topics.

Trivia:

To get to places, she slithers around like a snake with her lower body tentacle.

She actually hates the taste of wasabi.

Due to her lower body being a tentacle, she has no genitalia and is thus sexless. However, she identifies as female.

Her ultimate goal is to make things better for her people WITHOUT causing conflict.

She is aware that her father might never change and forever hold on to the past (thus meaning things won't get better for the Octarians), so she has considered making an escape to the surface. However, she is also aware that doing so will essentially mean abandoning her people to their fate without help so she doesn't.

She is forbidden from leaving the domes by her father (of course she disobeys via visiting him lol)

She is a fan of Pearl, although she admires Marina for her brave yet risky decision to leave and start a better life.

She is on good terms with the New Squidbeak Splatoon, and likes to visit her father in his snow globe.

While she cannot assume a cephalopod form, she has a special power that lets her do something similar: she can manipulate her cellular structure so that it deconstructs into a blob of ink. In this form she can submerge and swim in ink of her color.

She was originally supposed to be a bioweapon of sorts, but she proved to be far too sapient to be used as one. So instead, Octavio took her in and raised her

She is more than aware of her status as an experiment, and is insecure about it. However she does NOT know about her originally going to be a weapon.

She was on Team Chaos for the final Splatfest, but holds no ill will against Order.

[thiswasinevitableid]

10 tattoos/piercing, Danbrey, sfw, please!

Here you go! I based Dani's design on an arowana because I liked the color.

“Remember, non-scented soap, nice to meet you, byeee!” Aubrey waves to her client as they head down the boardwalk. She has thirty minutes until her next appointment, so it’s time to stretch her legs and check the little ‘doggy cam” she set up on Dr. Harris Bonkers cage to make sure the giant rabbit hasn’t finally managed to chew his way through the bars.

“Hi doctor” She coos into the phone. One white ear pivots towards the camera, but the bunny remains otherwise unmoved.

She leans on the railing, Pacfic sparkling like a postcard before her.

“Excuse me?”

“YEEEEP!” She jumps back, not expecting a woman to pop out of the water, let alone pop out and talk to her.

“Oops, sorry.” The other woman smiles, golden hair fanning out around her. There are two types of blondes in Long Beach; the ones hoping to be the next influencer sensation and the kind who are excited to tell you about GOOP and crystals.

Whichever kind this woman is, she’s the most gorgeous girl Aubrey’s ever seen.

“Um, can I help you?”

“Yeah! Can you tattoo me? A piercing would be okay too, but I really like how pretty the tattoos are.”

“Thanks. Um, you’re gonna need an appointment.” She pulls out her phone again, since it’s synced to the calendar Joseph makes them all keep, “lemme see....I have a big slot of time on Friday afternoon.”

The girl cocks her head, “That’s two days from now, right?”

“Yep.We can start at one if that works for you?”

“Sure, see you then!” She waves and then disappears under the water. A few moments later, a shimmering golden tail breaks the swell, seeming to wave once before submerging. Aubrey blinks, switches back to the bun cam.

“How do I tell Joseph I have to move my stuff outside to tattoo a mermaid?”

Dr. Harris Bonkers snuffles, but offers no further commentary.

------------------------------------------------------------

“Joseph, for the last time, you are not gonna hang around just to ask my client questions while I’m trying to work.”

“I don’t plan to, but we need to make sure everything, and I mean everything, is as sterile as we can manage. Doing this outside gives me hives as it is.” Joseph finishes setting up the pop-tent, the kind sun-phobic families take to the beach.

“C’mon, people gave each other traditional tattoos out in the open for centuries. It should be fine.”

Joseph makes an unsure noise, but leaves her in peace all the same. Before long a golden tail flashes out of the water as the mermaid swims towards the beach, the closest spot to the pier where they could actually set the tent and generator up. It’s right on the tide line, Duck having used his almanac to tell them whether Aubrey would be chasing the tide or fleeing from it if the appointment turns out to be long.

“Um, hi again.” She waves.

“Hello!” The mermaid slides up into the surf. When she sits up, Aubrey turns pink.

“Uh, do you, uh, want a swimsuit or something?” Her voice is embarrassingly high.

The mermaid looks down, then at Aubrey studiously looking elsewhere, and laughs, “Oh, right, I forgot humans don’t like it when we’re bare-chested.”

“I mean it’s not that we don’t like it-” Aubrey mumbles.

“Be right back.” She pushes back into the sea, returning a minute later wearing a bright green bikini top, “is that better?”

“Yep!” She replies too quickly, “Sorry, I, um, I’ve never worked on a mermaid before, kinda figured you guys wore seashells or sea stars or something?”

“You...you realize where that would put the seastar mouths, right?” The mermaid scoots up onto the beach, tail in the water and back on the inflatable recliner they borrowed from Kirbys apartment.

“Ooohouch, you’re right, fuck, sorry.” She grabs her flash binder, brought in case the mermaid didn’t have a design in mind.

The mermaid glances over her shoulder, smiling, “You’re cute when you blush.”

She maintains her professionalism, but only just, as the mermaid chooses her preferred design; a brightly colored swirl of planets and stars. For a newbie, she barely seems to register the needle, focused instead on studying Aubrey’s face and hands as she works. She learns that her name is Dani, that she’s one of several merfolk living near the pier, and that she’s observed Aubrey and her handiwork courtesy of a rock and a pair of salvaged binoculars.

“Oooh” Dani wiggles her tail happily when she sees the finished product, “it’s perfect, thank you so much Aubrey.”

“Glad you like it-oh, okay.” She stiffens as Dani rubs their cheeks together twice before pulling back.

“I’m supposed to keep it clean right?”

“Yeah, but I’m not sure how well saran wrap will hold up to sea water.”

A formerly empty Rose bottle thunks onto the sand. Dani grabs it, popping the make-shift cork off with her teeth.

“Ooh, Indrid sent me a special covering to keep it safe. And these must be for you.” She holds out two pearls.”

“Thanks” She’s more interested in watching the kissable lips covering razor sharp than the gems the mermaid gives her.

“Can I see you again?” Dani is halfway back in the water.

“Whenever you want. You’re a great client; you, um, you’re really nice to touch. Wait, um, I mean you take it really welllARGH, um, yes please come back.” Aubrey replies, tucking the second most valuable thing on the beach into her pocket and continuing to blush well after Dani has returned to the waves.

--------------------------------------------------------

“AHFUCK!”

“Sorry!” Dani gives a sheepish wave to Duck before turning to Aubrey, who got used to her popping out of the water five times ago, “are you free tomorrow?”

“Sure” even if she isn’t, she’ll happily reschedule another client for Dani’s sake, “do want to pick something from my flash?”

“Nope, this time Indrid designed something. It’s about the same size as this” she holds up the watercolor hermit crab on her right arm, “see you then?”

“Of course.” Aubrey waves goodbye, blows a kiss when Dani is out of sight.

She forgot Duck was still here.

“You got it bad, Lady Flame.”

“Shush, I saw you chatting to Indrid by the coffee shop yesterday.”

“....you can’t prove anythin.”

She holds up her phone, smirking, “Oh yes I can.”

--------------------------------------------

“Aubrey!”

She looks up, wondering who’s calling her name on the deserted beach. She brings Dr. Harris Bonkers down here on a leash late at night for enrichment for him and a break from the summer heat for her.

“Aubrey, over here!” Dani leaps through the surf until she;s only able to slide, “I thought it was you. Ohhhhhh” she squeals, “this must be Dr. Harris Bonkers. Hello cutie pie, aren’t you just so lovelyOH, oh he feels like an otter.” She rubs the rabbits head, causing him to creep towards the water, “you’re the second cutest thing on this beach, doctor.” She winks at Aubrey, then sits up, “can I introduce him to Ferdinand?”

Aubrey nods, excited to finally meet Dani’s pet; she only his name, but she’s expecting a seal, or maybe a crab.

What she gets is an octopus. The cephalopod winds a tentacle around her arm, investigating her.

“Aww, he likes you.” Dani sets the octopus down in shallow water, where it proceeds to stretch multiple limbs out to poke Dr. Harris Bonkers.

“Guess they’re having a playdate?” Dani scoots closer, resting her head on Aubrey’s shoulder.

Aubrey sets a hand on her tail, running her fingers up and down the scales as the mermaid sighs happily.

“As long as he doesn’t carry Dr. Harris Bonkers into the tidepools, they can hang out as long as you like.”

----------------------------------------------------------

“Dani? How many tattoos are you planning to get?” Aubrey looks up from where she’s outlining an octopus on Dani’s side.

“I haven’t decided yet. It’s really common for mers to have lots of piercings and tattoos. That’s why Indrid can leave Duck so many expensive tokens; he’s the most in-demand tattoo artist on the coast.”

“Neat! Wait-” she sits up, shutting off the gun, “your friend is a tattoo artist, but you kept coming here?”

“Yes.” Dani is still, save for the end of her tail, which vibrates nervously.

“Why?”

“Um, well, I, I really liked your style. Then I really liked you, and I wanted to keep seeing you…”

“Holy crap, do you keep getting tattoos because you think that’s the only way you’re able to see me?”

“Uhhuh.” Dani is bright pink from her cheeks to her waist as Aubrey scrambles to sit in front of her, “I mean, when you want to date someone, you’re only allowed to see them at their work until they say they want to date you too. Even us meeting on the beach a few weeks ago was pushing it, and I didn’t want you thinking I was pushy.”

“....Huh?”

“Do humans not have that rule?” Dani’s honey-colored eyes widen.

“Nope. It’s actually kinda rude to ask people out at work, because they can’t get away BUT” she hurriedly sets the gun aside, “but I make exceptions for super cute wonderful mermaids.”

“Oh. In that case-” Dani knocks her backwards with her tail and climbs atop her, kissing her so hard she wonders if you can die from a really good make-out session. When the salty kiss ends the mermaid continues peppering her face with kisses and flicking her tongue along her neck.

“Dani I, I’m loving all of this but if you mess up my ink I’m gonna be as annoyed as I can possibly be with a gorgeous mermaid feeling me up.”

“Crap, you’re right.” Dani sits back up, glancing at the half-done tattoo, "I really don't want to ruin your work. Desperate need to see you aside, I do love your style." She folds her hands back into her lap and readjusts onto the inflatable chair.

Aubrey crawls forward, kissing her sweetly, "Once we're done and you're all wrapped up, wanna join me on the beach for a little, um, late night picnic."

A teasing kiss, first to her nose and then to her lips, "I'd love to."