#kylnt gohtawyn

[yzeltia]

Happiest Starlight Ever 2024 Day 4: Azure Eye

ft @driftward 's Nyx Blackmoon and @saesama 's Klynt Gothawyn

Typsetting by @just-a-geeky-therapist

[yzeltia]

Happiest Starlight Ever 2023 Day 8: Carol of the Bells

ft. @driftward 's Nyx Blackmoon @saesama 's Kylnt Gohtawyn and @erickgage 's Ryssthoa Sundstyrwyn

Venue: Midgardsormr - Lavender Beds - W25 P58

[yzeltia]

Year of the OTP - March 'I Want to Be Your Cannary'

March: Fairytale "AU"

Characters: U'rahn Nuhn, @driftward 's Nyx Blackmoon &Zoissette Vauban's @saesama 's Kylnt Gohtawyn, @erickgage 's Erick Gage's @autumnslance 's Dark Autumn, @scalefeathers , @scalefeathers Bylti Blomstrandi, @healerstail Meya Ganajai, U'odh Nuhn, U'tyhka Tia, U'khuba Tia, Y'shtola Rhul, Most of Gridania, Y'zel Tia

Notes: Thanks to everyone who let me borrow their characters! Everyone also helped with line edits!

Script of the Play is from FFIX 's Stage Play "I Want to Be Your Cannary"

U’rahn swallowed as he peaked around from backstage of Mih Khetto’s Ampitheatre. In the stands, Erick Gage sat, brow furrowed and arms crossed, Meya Ganajai and Dark Autumn at his sides, tapping his foot impatiently. Behind them, Y’shtola sat, one leg crossed over the other, watching with her lips pursed with amusement. Tail swaying, U’rahn looked back to his actors before jumping between his father and girlfriend before they could talk properly.

         “Ah! Son! Is that the lass that caught yourrr eye? I was just about to introduce myself,” U’odh laughed as U’rahn pushed him to the opposite wing.

         “There’s no time for that! Our audience is impatient! Just, go and wait until your que,” U’rahn huffed in a panic, feeling Nyx’s eyes on his back before hurrying out to center stage.

“Hey hey! So! This is the play  “I Want to be Your Canary” by Lord A’von Tia-“

“Lord Avonnioux ,” Zoissette called out from backstage.

“Er- Right. Sure. Anyway. This is the play…and, we hope you’ll consider funding it! I’m sure you’ll enjoy my take on it and if you green light it. We could bring in a lot of gil!”

         With that, U’rahn scampered off stage, U’odh rubbing his face with amusement then chuckling as he gave his son a thumbs up. Once the Miqo’te director ensured everyone was in place, he gave the nod to Blyti, Klynt, and Zoissette to take the stage. Giving a thumbs up, Bylti crossed out into the light, holding their arms out to the other two she cried, “Bereft of father! Bereft of mother! Nyxus! Thou hast lost even thy love!”

         Zoissette shook her head as she crossed her arms, voice unsteady as she dramatically flailed her foil, “Fortune hath escape’d thee! For what end shalt thou live?”

         Klynt stomped her foot while shaking her head, “For the sake of our friend…Let us bury our steel in the heart of the wretched L’eoh Nuhn!”

“Aye,” the other two said in union, holding out their swords before them as Nyx took stage, rushing in to cross swords with U’odh.

The two clashed away, U’odh seeming to earnestly defend himself as the other Miqo’te made several precise swings with her foil. As the trio hurried to their friend’s side Bylti stepped forward, “We shall back thee, Kinsman!”

“Pray, sheathe thy swords. This villain is mine alone,” Nyx responded mechanically.

Zoissette shook her head, stepping forward, sword out towards U’odh, “Nay, Kinsman! For I, too, have lost a brother to this fiend!”

U’odh shielded himself from Nyx’s attacks then let out a hearty laugh, “What ho? Out, vermin! Away! Though darest bare thy sworrrd before the Nuhn! All who stand in my way will be crushed!”

         “Treacherous L’eoh, my Kinsman’s sufferin’ shall not be in vain! For I shall instruct thee in his incomparable pain,” Kylnt shouted before looking back to U’rahn and hissing, “What’s with the swiven rhymin’.”

         All four soon brought their swords down on the Nuhn, who in turn parried them all, letting the quartet dramatically fall to the ground. Hopping back, he pointed his sword to Nyx as he backed off stage, “Arrr….Grrr….Thou hast not seen the last of me, Nyxus!”

         “Get your arse back here,” Klynt roared, starting to get up.

         Blyti stood up, getting in the way while whispering, “That’s not the line!”

         “I don’t care! Out of my swiven’ way!”

         “Consider this, Zidane! If Lady S'thola married L’rahn Tia, peace would reign over both their territories!”

         “That’s foolishness! If all were so easy, why, none would suffer in this world!”

         The two began to exchange blows with one another, taking their dueling off stage and up the center aisle, onlookers starting to filter in the back rows. Clashing sword to sword, they yelled at one another before Blyti hopped back towards the stage. “We shall finish this later!”

         “Oi! Get your arse back ‘ere!”

         With that, everyone moved to the back of the stage where U’rahn was banging his head against a post. “Please, stick to the script!”

         “I was just given it some flavour! I feel like my character would talk like that.”

         “I think everything was fine son. Though your sweetheart doesn’t hold back. I thought she might actually strike me.”

         “Rahn requested that I make our battle scene look realistic,” Nyx chimed in.

         “Well, you had me genuinely fearrring for myself. Already has you calling him Rahn, does he?”

         “Affirmative.”

         “Hey hey! N-No time for this! W-We’ve got to get on stage Nyx,” U’rahn half-yelled before hurrying towards his wing.

         “Acknowledged.”

         U’rahn let out a nervous sigh before watching Nyx come out the opposite side in a cloak. Hurrying out, he cleared his throat, side-eyeing the growing audience.

         “Nyxus? Sweet Nyxus,” he started before striding toward his girlfriend, “I fear I love thee more than I should.”

         “Rahn…Wilt thou be happy, married to lowly peasant such as I,” Nyx asked flatly, taking off her hood.

         “Prrrithee, call me ‘Rahn’ no more!”

         “Acknowledged.”

         “Er. Nyxus, wilt thou truly cherish me, the Nuhn’s only son? Or is such a desire too dear to wish for!? After our nup….nup…nup,” U’rahn started before turning bright red and covering his face for a moment, earning a snicker from Klynt backstage.

         “Nuptials,” Nyx offered.

         “Rrright. After those, I shall become no more than a puppet? A mindless puppet, never to laugh, never to cry? I wish to live my life under the sky. At times I shall laugh, at other times cry. For no life more insincere than that lived as a masquerade.”

         “So much consideration thou has given it! But worry not,” Nyxus assured him, mechanically, before letting him embrace her as she continued, staring blankly into the audience, “Cast away thy trappings of royalty, and I shall swaddle thee in a blanket of pure love! Never again will I part from thee! Pray, my love, make me thy canary to keep forever in the cage of thy chest! Let us embark on the first ship tomorrow, before the dawn can tell of our elopement!”

         U’rahn flicked his tail as he turned, watching Erick shake his head while Meya giggled. Dark looked on stoically, while behind her Y’shtola seemed to be sharpening her nails. He grimaced a bit then parted, taking a knee, “All my fortunes at thy foot, I lay, and I shall follow thee throughout the world!”

         “No cloud nor squall shall hinder us,” Nyx answered flatly before turning sharply and walking off stage, U’rahn reaching out toward her.

         “Oh, love is the sweetest joy and the wildest woe. All I wish is to be by my sweet Nyxus’s side.”

         Blyti moved out to the front of the stage, shaking their head, “Fie! It shall be war again unless this marriage is stopped. Ne’er will I let their plan come to fruition.”

         Hopping up on stage, he presented U’rahn with a rose, “Good day to ye, L’rahn.”

         “Good day…”

         “Wist thee of Nyxus?”

         “Nyxus!? What news dost thou bring?”

         With a sharp punch to the gut, U’rahn doubled over into the Viera’s arms before being carted off stage, earning a light applause from the growing crowd. Dropped on the ground, U’rahn looked up, ears wiggling with joy.

         “Nyx you were amazing,” he praised before getting hit on the back of the head by Kylnt.

         ‘You were swiven complain’ about me altering the words!” What was that stutterin’ out there?”

         U’rahn turned red then poked his fingers together, “Ah, well. That word…was going to imply that Nyx and I would…”

         “Oh for Navigator’s sake. That doesn’t bloody mean they're gonna swive!”

         “That is true. It is just a term for a ceremony. Did you not look up that word when you came across it?” Zoissette asked.

         “Oi! What are you teachin’ these damned Tia old man,” Klynt shot back to U’odh as he chatted with U’khuba and U’thyka, earning a shrug as he moved out to the stage for his next scene.

         “Where is he!? Where has my only son gone!? Oh! Blank, good man! Has those seen L’rrrahn,” U’odh projected as Bylti returned to stage.

         “Worry not, Nuhn! I shall make sure L’rahn marries S'thola. Be thou at ease.”

         “At ease, sayest thou? How can I rrrest not knowing he is safe? Could it be…thou hast betrayed me!?”

         “By my truth, sir, I betrayed none other than poor Nyxus!”

         “Thou has the gall to betray thy dearrrest friend! Wouldst though not betray me as swiftly?”

         Bylti took a step back as U’odh pulled his sword, “Stay thy hand, I merely…”

         U’odh ran his sword through the other’s arm, letting the Viera fall to the floor to play dead. Weakly, the violet haired Viera looked up, arm outstretched to U’odh, “I merely sought a lasting peace between the two tribes…”

         U’khuba soon ran onto stage with U’thkya, pointing to Bylti. “The traitor is dead!”

         “Oh! Cruel fate! A rose wilted before his time. Seeking only to preserve the peace between the two tribes. Such a noble heart, extinguished in his prime! A-“

         “Ahem,” U’khuba interrupted, elbowing his brother.

         “You two…quickly! Find L’rrrahn and bring him beforrre me,” U’odh ordered, once sure the hammy theatrics of his nephew was done.

         “Yes Nuhn,” the two answered before running off stage.

         “Wretched son! How dare he disobey his fatherrr’s wishes!”

         With that, U’odh stormed off stage, beaming to the group as Kylnt held U’rahn back from pouncing on U’thyka in a rage. Nervously, Zoissette peaked out at Y’shtola as Nyx walked by and moved to center stage.

         “The time for departure is long past. Where is Rahn?”

         Zoissette moved on stage, beelining to Nyx. “Nyxus, the ship soon embarks! Board ye the boat alone, and peace could come to both kingdoms, as Blyti- uh, as Blank so said….Speak Nyxus!”

         “He told me that he could not live without me,” Nyx answered, looking up as Lavendar and Rose, Zoissette’s fairies, fluttered the best they could in heavy bird costumes behind her, the latter thumping to the ground loudly by the time she got to the end of it.

         “So, the sun is our enemy too. The eastern sky grows bright. Will we not spread ourwings, as yonder birds in joyous flight,” she continued, Rose scooting off stage in the deteriorating costume.

         A whistle sounded out, causing Zoissette to turn away, facing away from the audience, barely orating as she scuttled sideways off stage to collect her fallen fairies, “Hark Nyxus! They cannot wait any longer! The ship departs!”

         “Could he have betrayed me? Nay, ne’er would my love speak false. I must have faith! He shall appear if I only believe! As the sun lends me no ear, I pray instead to the moons! Mephina, Dalmund! I beseech thee, wondrous moonlight, grant me my only wish!”

         Nyx staring blankly into the audience, Klynt wandered out, crossing her arms. “Tribes be damned. This is more than a swive and sail! Wait, what villany is this!”

         As Nyx stood, U’khuba and U’thyka ran out with a net and pounced on her.

         “Gotcha,” U’khuba announced proudly.

         “No more shall you prevent the union of the darling S'thola and our cousin L’rahn,” U’thyka started, pulling a rose from his sleeve and holding it out toward the audience, “Then we too shall be allowed to find our own happiness, as our feuding tribes shall cease their squabbling over territory. If only I could be so lucky that this rose finds my waiting love.”

         With that, he tossed his rose toward Y’shtola, only to have it float right into Meya’s lap. U’khuba gave the other’s ear a pinch then pulled him off stage while Erick stomped down the center aisle and into the wing. As U’thyka’s scream sounded out, Kylnt moved to center stage, while Erick moved to return to his seat “Nyxus! Damned L���eoh and his minions! I shall find L’rahn before it is too late!”

         With that, she ran off stage, letting the now filled stands clap. Arriving backstage, Klynt tilted her head, finding U’thuka knocked out cold and U’rahn cracking his knuckles. “He’s got another scene! Why’d you flatten ‘em out!?”

         “Not sure about the boss man, but he keeps stealing the show!”

         U’odh sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose while U’khuba pushed up his glasses. Zoissette, freeing her faires, sent them to tend to the knocked out Tia and looked up at the group, “Is Zel ready? I wouldd very much like to finish this up.”

         “Right then, Lady Vauban,” U’odh said, nodding to her in thanks before sauntering out onto stage with a laugh.

         U’rahn sighed, watching U’khuba sit back up. Ears drooping, he hung his head and shook his head, “This is a disaster.”

         Feeling Nyx’s hand on his shoulder, he looked over and found her lifting up onto her tiptoes, kissing his nose. “This has been enriching.”

         His ears fluttered happily, “Yeah? You’re enjoying yourself?”

         “Yes, I do not think my acting ability is sufficient enough to be practically cast in a role like Nyxus. I am direct and lack certain inflection. I do not believe I’d have been cast as such by anyone else.”

         “What? I think you’ve been amazing,” U’rahn cooed, fluttering his ears.

         “You have bias due to your affections….I believe I am required on stage.”

         With that, she kissed his nose again then moved to stand between U’khuba and U’thyka, waiting for her moment on stage. Flushing, U’rahn touched his nose while Klynt made a gagging noise, then gave U’rahn a playful boot to the butt.

         “Tonight I shall finally see my son L’eoh betroth’d to S’thola! And then S’thola and her tribe will be mine! Gwahahaha,” U’odh roared out while her nephews escorted Nyx onto stage.

         “Your majesty,” U’khuba said as he bowed.

         “We’ve caught the worm,” U’thyka announced, black eye wincing.

         “Why, my poor Nyxus! Hark, m’lady. No matter how much thou dost treasrrrure U’rahn…er, L’rahn. No matter how deeply he might believe he doth love thee….Never shall I see him marry a peasant such as thee!”

         A bell rang across the stage, causing the Nuhn to point skyward, “When the bell strikes three, under the ax thou shall be.”

         As the bell rang again, the cousins put Nyx on her knees, and as the third sounded, U’khuba moved to pull an axe up high over his head.

         “Furthermore,” U’odh started before Klynt swept in with U’rahn, Y’zel following after, promptly tripping in a wedding dress, earning a hearty laugh from the audience.

         “Nyxus,” U’rahn cried out, Nyx soon breaking past U’khuba and U’thyka to embrace him.

         “L’rahn.”

         “Oh, Nyxus! I missed you so! I wish never to leave thy side. Prithee, lead me from this place,” the Nuhn let out, pointing off stage.

         “See L’eoh Nuhn!? Thou should give them your swiven blessin’,” Klynt roared.

         “Never! Never leave her side, thou sayest? Foolish banter! I’ll not allow it! L’rahn shall marry none other than this woman- S'thola Rhul! Is that not so, S'thola?”

         “A-Aye,” Y’zel answered, struggling to get himself up on his heels, wobbling as he tried to take steps toward the rest.

         “Aye! And this traitorous crew, I will put to death,” U’odh yelled out.

         Nyx and Klynt quickly punched into U’thyka and U’khuba’s stomachs, causing them to stagger back.

         “We are no match,” U’khuba grunted.

         “We cannot go on. Let’s away brother,” U’thyka echoed, fainting into the other’s arms to be drug off stage.

         “Pray, sweet son, come home to the castle with me!”

         “Nay, father! I shan’t return!”

         “L’rahn…trouble me no more. This wedding is for thine own welfare. Be mindful of that.”

         “Not if I can help it! Now is my moment of vengeance! For my parents, and for my love, L’rahn,” Nyx shouted loudly as she drew her foil, “I shall cut thee down.”

         The Miqo’te soon rushed in, attempting to stab into U’odh, only to have Nyx step out in front of his father while the cast screamed, “L’rahn!”

         “No…Rahn…” Nyx said flatly, looking down at U’rahn as he dropped to his knees.

         “Nyx…us…, forgive me. I still love my father…”

         “L’rahn,” Y’zel squeaked out, falling over in the dress again.

         Rolling over, U’rahn reached up, smiling weakly up at Nyx as he took her hand, holding it to his cheek.

         “Prithee, forgive my selfishness, Father,” he loudly whispered, kissing her palm as he spoke to his father, “Spare my sweet Nyxus…”

         “What have I done!? Am I never to hear his loving voice again,” Nyx let out, speaking softly, “Am I cursed never again to feel his soft touch!? O, cruel fate! Thou hast robbed me of all I treasure.”

         Nyx lifted their sword, staring at it a moment.

         “Wait! Don’t!” U’odh cried out before Nyx plunged it into herself, playing dead beside U’rahn as the Nuhn dropped to his knees and hugged both into his arms and feigned sobbing.

         The crowd soon erupted into cheers as they finished. Perking up, U’rahn jumped to his feet, lifting Nyx up along beside him to bow before waving the rest out to bask in the applause. Eyes sparkling with excitement, U’rahn bowed over and over before hurrying off stage with everyone else.

         “Where did all those people come from. It was enough that the Archon joined the audience, but all of Gridania,” Zoissette moaned, trying to help Y’zel out of his dress.

         “I do say, it seemed we gathered quite the crowd. I’m sure Mr. Gage will be throwing Gil at us,” U’khuba agreed, offering to unzip Y’zel out of the mess of tul.

         “Wait, we have to do this again?” Kylnt asked, “If we’re doin’ this again I want my script changes written in.”

         “Ah, we’ll see about that,” U’rahn laughed before turning white as his father started to engage in conversation with Nyx.

         “My son is rrrather taken by you. You’re all he talks about,” U’odh laughed.

         “Rahn is still experiencing the limerence phase of our relationship. It is quite enriching.”

         “Haha! If that’s not a 5000 gil word! My late wife was full of those. Seems the Drake men have a quite the flame for those with brrrains.”

         “Rahn has not said much about his mother. Though, he does enjoy telling me the storytales she’d read him.”

         “Does he now? He’s neverrr been good with words on paper, but he could recite every story L’lolamo would read to him. I think he memorized them so that he could convince her he was picking up the words on the page,” he mused.

         “Ah! Hey hey! C’mon dad! Let’s not talk about that,” U’rahn breathed out, cheeks red, “Look! It’s the bossman!”

         Erick sauntered in with Dark and the two Miqo’te in tow looked around then set upon U’rahn who eagerly wiggled his ears.

         “So! What did you think?” U’rahn asked.

         “I’d very much like to ask about your naming conventions,” Y’shtola quipped, eyes piercing into U”rahn from behind Erick and Meya, “If I recall, the story was about a Hyur-“

         “Ah…well, I just kinda went with what I knew! Seeing that we’re mostly a Miqo’te cast,” U’rahn answered, “Wh-What about you boss? Miss Autumn? Miss Ganajai?”

         “I rather liked it,” Meya answered, looking to the other two.

         “You had a few hiccups; however, I think with some practice and maybe another look at casting it would be a fine production,” Dark answered with a cautious smile.

         “It would be…In fact, I believe we could have made quite a mint,” Erick started, “IF YOU HADN'T SWIVING PERFORMED IT FOR ALL OF GRIDANIA FOR FREE.”

         U’rahn blinked a bit, ears swayed back from the screaming before perking up as the realization hit him, “Oh. I guess we did do that.”

         “For Thal’s sake,” Erick groaned, shaking his head, the rest of the company and his family laughing from behind.

         U’rahn laughed too, then leaned over, putting his cheek against Nyx’s as he fluttered his ears. “Well, then there’s Limsa and Ul’dah next, right? If you’re giving us a green light then it’s playwrrright time!”

         Erick looked up; brow furrowed. “No! Not it’s not,” he called out, earning more laughter from the company. Exasperated, he shook his head again then turned to leave with Meya on his arm. U’rahn beamed then gently tugged Nyx back toward his father, taking a deep breath before once more letting his father get to know his girlfriend.  

[yzeltia]

Year of the OTP - February

February: Mermaid "AU" Characters: U'rahn Nuhn, @driftward 's Nyx Blackmoon Zoissette Vauban's "likeness", @saesama 's Kylnt Gohtawyn, @erickgage 's Erick Gage's "likeness" Rating: T for fish Tails! Notes: All future entries are gonna follow the same format; however, will be parodies of existing media and I'm very excited. Thanks to Driftward and Saesama for their Blorbos and line editing .

The surf of the Rhotano Sea sparkled as The Gilsnapper cruised over its waves. At the helm, Klynt Gohtawyn saw the small gathering safely over the waters, occasionally smacking U'rahn's hand away from the helm, the Miqo'te attempting to "correct" their course. Below, Novv's clutch excitedly surrounded Nyx, gifting her with trinkets they'd picked up from the bottom of sea from pearls and jewels to interesting looking pieces of discarded junk. It was shaping up to be a nice outing with friends, at least to U'rahn.

"She's really something isn't she? My clutch brothers adore her, though I guess they too, saw her as kin," U'rahn mused, reaching out to rest his hand on one of the spokes of the helm.

"If you don't get your swiven hand off the wheel you'll be lookin' like somethin' your clutch brothers fished off the seafloor," Klynt snapped.

Ears perked, U'rahn stepped back, "Ah! C'mon! I just want to make sure we're goin the right-"

The Nuhn stopped, the Roegadyn woman shooting him a glance that caused him to back away with his hands up before tripping over his tail. After several thuds, he found himself sprawled at the bottom of the stairs, Nyx looking down at him with a bunch of worried Sahagin faces.

"Are you injured, Rahn," Nyx asked.

"Only my pride…"

"I cannot mend that. Perhaps instead of inundating Gohtawyn, we should perform a different activity."

"Pssh. Tell us another storytale brother! It has been some time," Fyuu requested.

U'rahn blinked then hopped up onto his feet, looking to all the eager faces, and Nyx's, "Well, I suppose I could. Captain! North East for mood lighting," he called up to Klynt.

"Sod off," came the answer.

"Right then…a story…hm…," U'rahn mused, scratching his head. "I got one! Ah, Nyx, it's gonna be a bit funny so if I say something weird could you tell me when I finish instead of in the middle. I'll lose my train of thought," he requested, recalling his previous orating experience.

"Understood."

He smiled, ear wiggling and leaning in to steal a kiss, stopping as he caught the prying eyes of his clutch brothers watching him lean in. "Ahem…right then…Upon an Era, long ago…"

Uriel sighed as he laid against a rock, eyes looking up at the sea of stars above as it was filled with spectacular fire flowers. Ahead, a ship was loud with merrymaking, a party being held it seemed. The young merman looked on longingly, wondering what wondrous things the land walkers had with them today. Curiosity over taking him, he started to swim toward the ship.

"Oh no you don't," Khubastian huffed, pulling at his charge's fin to prevent him from swimming forward.

Pushing up his glasses, the retainer shook his head, "What have your lord fathers have said of bothering the land walkers? You're only asking for trouble!"

"Trouble? Hah. I'm the bravest warrior of the sea! I'm not scared of the land walkers! Besides, they're having a bunch of fun! I'm only gonna take a peek."

"I'm not going to bail you out if you get into trouble! You'll be on your own," the retainer huffed as he pushed up his glasses before looking up to find Uriel already yalms ahead. 

Arriving at the ship, Uriel swam around it, peeking into the portholes below the waves, finding the strange rooms empty. Assuming everyone was above, he dove under water then gave himself a little launch, landing himself in a dingy hanging off the side. Curious, he peaked between the railings, watching the land walkers dance about gayly. As he scanned the crowd, his heart leapt. Sitting on a throne, the most beautiful girl in the world looked on, enjoying the sight of her crew making merry. 

"Princess Eryxa. Come, join the festivities," her Elezen shieldmaiden requested.

"I am content to observe,"  the princess responded, eyes continuing to look about.

"Hold up," Kylnt's voice called out.

"Something wrong," U'rahn called out.

"Ain't it supposed to be the other way around? It's a mermaid lusting after the prince? And so you think you're foolin' anyone with those names."

U'rahn swallowed. "It's just the version I was told when I was a lad!"

"Yeah, sure. That's convenient ain't it?"

"Kinda…just…just go with," U'rahn laughed nervously, face red before looking back to the others, "Right, so. Out of nowhere came this big squall, right?"

"Princess, please! To the cabin," the shieldmaiden cried before being knocked over by a rogue wave.

Though nimbly avoiding the wave, Princess Eryxa found herself flung off the dock and into the sea below. Wind knocked out of her, she closed her eyes and began to sink. Uriel acted quickly, flinging himself back into the ocean to take her into his arms. As the ship was tossed around above, he hurried on above, making sure the Princess could breathe before wiggling himself towards the shore near the landwalkers' castle and away from the incoming waves. He stayed with her on land until the stars were once more free to twinkle down upon them.

Uriel swallowed hard as he brushed her matted hair from her warm cheeks. He'd only observed her for a moment, but he knew he'd forever be in love with no one else after they parted.

A loud snort echoed out from above, causing U'rahn to fold his ears. "Did I say something funny," he asked.

"Ye're just a sap. Go on," Kylnt laughed, leaning over the hull as she looked on them with amusement.

"Psh. Continue brother," Houu echoed.

U'rahn nodded, looking to Nyx before turning bright red. "So yeah, he was head over feet for this gal…"

"Uriel! You get back here this instant! We're due back at the palace," Khubastian hissed from behind, waiting in the comfort of the sea.

Uriel frowned, "I can't just leave her," he called out. 

As he held her, a golden feathered sea eagle landed then hopped over. "You caught a landwalker Uriel," it asked, tilting its head as he pecked some kelp from her hair.

"Sort of Gagedt. You know a lot about landwalkers. Is she gonna be okay?"

The golden eagle preened himself for a moment then waddled over, putting his ear hole to her chest. "Hmm…I know a lot about their treasures but I dunno. She could be a goner. Sounds like a fish got in there and is floppin around going "buh dum buh dum."

“I was too late…”

Uriel not knowing wiser, hung his head until hearing her let out a little cough. Terrified, he flipped back then rolled himself into the sea as she rose upright. Hiding behind a rock, he exhaled then found Gagedt perched upon his head. "What do you know? She seems to have coughed it up."

"Yeah," Uriel sighed, "She's beautiful isn't she."

"Whatever floats your fin," the bird shrugged before hopping onto a rock, "Their ship didn't seem to go under but a lot of stuff did go overboard. If you find any gold down there I'll trade yah what I can find deeper inland for your weird collection."

"Yeah? Think I could get one of those things they point at things and blow up stuff with," the young merman asked eagerly.

"A blast'em? Sure! Just make sure you bring me gold."

U'rahn nodded eagerly then peaked back to the Princess as she stood and looked out into the sea, her eyes locking onto him. Before he could react, he felt a painful pinch on his ear, Khubastian dragging him down under.

"We're late for the parade! Your fathers are going to be furious," he huffed, dragging him below.

"Parade!? Oh shoot," he bubbled out before shaking his ear from the others grip to high-fin it back to the sea palace deep on the ocean floor. The city was alive for a festival…his festival! Today was Uriel's coming out parade where he'd be presented by his brothers, all powerful Sahagin warriors. Already in motion they…swam in line, behind their fathers, Posidodhn and Tritovv were pulled on a float, both holding up the trident they forged together, the symbol of their mighty power.

"Wait, so he's half fish or half Sahagin? Or both," Klynt asked.

"He's a merman," U'rahn answered, confused.

"Yeah, I get that. But what's his situation below the waist?" 

U'rhan blushed, "It's not that kind of story!"

"Oh for swiven sake," Klynt groaned before letting U'rahn turn away to the others.

"Psh! Brother U'rahn, tell us more of the brothers," Seww cheered on.

Nodding, U'rahn rubbed the back of his head, looking to Nyx, watching her attention shift between everyone then back to him. He smiled then continued:

Uriel corkscrewed through the crowd and managed to land on the back of the float…just in time for it to reach the end of the line. Both fathers looked back at him, grumpy. Being taken aside, he was soon berated for his absence.

"You're too much like your motherrr! You can't keep wandering off. It's not safe," Posidodhn roared.

"Pshh? The landwalkers do not understand our kind. They would hurt you. Your strong fearless brothers know better not to tempt fate. Why must you," Tritovv echoed."

"You're grrrounded."

Uriel made no effort to argue, instead returning to his quarters to lay across his bed, Khubastian mouthing 'I told you so' on his way. Though he did his best to rest, he found his thoughts on the beautiful land princess.

'Well, dad said I was grounded…but he didn't say what that entailed," he thought to himself before looking out his window.

Grabbing his bag, he made a quick dash out the porthole and out to the kelp gardens before dashing out into the greater sea. Finding the wreckage, he began to collect the landwalkers' things, ensuring he picked up gold for Gagedt the sea eagle. As he went through the things, he happened upon an oil painting, the princess' beautiful likeness upon it. It captured her dutiful gaze well. 

Taking it, he hurried off to his secret cove that only his cool clutch brothers and retainer knew about. He'd filled it with things landwalkers had lost to the sea, fascinated by them. Sighing, he sat the painting high upon a pointed rock then looked to the princess he'd fallen for before starting to sing.

🎶

Look at this stuff

Isn't it neat?

Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?

Wouldn't you think I'm the guy

The guy who has everything-”

"Yeh sound like a damned drowned cat. Look at your brothers, they're terrified," Kylnt heckled. 

U'rahn blinked then looked around, watching the Sahgins holding their webbing over their ears.

"Pssh. Brother, why do you hurt us with your siren's song," Fyuu wailed.

"I…I thought I'd been improving. Haven't I Nyx?"

"You have requested I save my critique until the end of your story. I do not believe you have even reached the climax yet, Rahn."

"Get used to hearing that a lot, bud," Klynt called down.

“Wha? I've got great climaxes! It'll come if you just stop interrupting," he called back to a snickering Klynt.

"Sure, sure. Go on then."

"Right…I'll just skip to the last bit…"

🎶

When's it my turn?

Wouldn't I love, love to explore that shore up above?

Out of the sea

Wish I could be

Part of that world

🎶

Uriel sighed as he swam back down to stare longingly at the portrait of Princess Eryxa. Just as he got comfortable, a bolt shot by and the painting was set aflame.

"Aflame," Klynt echoed.

"Ope!"

The painting was vaporized. Uriel watched in horror as the destroyed frame crumbled. Soon the rest of his belongings were destroyed too. Floating in, his fathers looked around, with Khubastian looking on smug in the background.

"What did we tell you!? How could you do this," Posidodhn yelled.

"Pshh! These dangerous things! What if your brothers hurt themselves on whatever this is," Tritovv asked, waving his hand towards a hook shaped anchor.

"They were just things! You just don't understand me! You're the worst," Uriel cried out, dashing by. 

His fathers yelled after him as he swam away. He swam and swam, over sea hill and sea dale until finding a coral to hide in. While he wanted to cry, he held it in and instead punched the sand below.

"You poor creature," a sympathetic voice sounded out, "Your daddies went and swiven destroyed all your things did they? You can't help if you're a little curious!"

Uriel looked up as his cheek was caressed by a tentacle. Floating above him a woman beamed wickedly, her muscular arms crossed over her chest. She looked absolutely menacing, like she wouldn't even need her powerful tentacles to crush him, she could just squeeze him.

"I've been watchin' you. Yeh saved that poor Princess and now you fancy to walk on land with her. I can do that for ya'. Just need a little help."

Uriel sniffled then rubbed his eyes…cause sand got in them. "You can?"

"I jus’ need a little magical boost is all…and o’ course, another prize on yer end to fulfill the magic pact. A trade."

Uriel thought for a moment. "What do you need?"

The sea witch smirked, "That family trident of yours should be enough magic for me…as for the trade from you, I guess your voice will do in exchange."

"My beautiful voice? How will I serenade my love or speak poetry to her?"

"That'll be your problem, I can just get you up there. I’m sure a stud like you can use your more…natural features to win her over.

Uriel nodded, "I am pretty handsome…I’m sure she’ll see the good guy on the inside too! Deal. I'll do it!"

"Good….good…," the witch laughed.

"Ya better not be usin' me in that fantasy of yours," Klynt called down.

"Huh? I'd never…you don't got tentacles or nuthin’,"

Klynt let out an unconvinced grunt, letting U'rahn hunker down as he acted out sneaking.

So Uriel slipped back into his palace in the dead of night, creeping into the throne room while everyone slept to retrieve the trident then made his way back to the sea witch. He presented her with the coveted trident.

“Well done,” she cackled, holding the weapon high above her head before presenting a scroll, “As for fulfilling my end. Here’s the deal, you lose the fins and tail, I get your voice.”

“Right. You said-”

“I’m talkin’ still. It’s rude to interrupt. “

“You’re right! It is rude to interrupt,” he agreed. 

“As I was sayin’. For the magick to stick, you gotta make sure she kisses you by sundown on your third day up on land or you’ll become half-fish anon. And, of course be bound to be my personal errand boy for the rest of eternity,” she explained, holding out a golden parchment and quill.

“Well, that sounds kind of evil…”

“It’s just how magick works. Do you doubt you’ll be charmin’?”

“Well, I am pretty charming…” Uriel mused before taking the magick underwater quill. 

Scrying his name, he swallowed then watched as they shined a brilliant gold. Soon he felt his voice go dry while his fins began to tingle. Uriel squirmed as he watched the witch laugh maniacally as he held his throat, pointing to his face.

“Up you fool! You need air,” the witch called out.

Uriel tried to swim away, but felt his hips wiggled about unable to move smoothly like before. Looking down, he saw all his new appendages, eyes widening in amazement. The panic setting in, he kicked and flailed his way to the surface, taking in air before having wave after wave bully him to the shore. 

Naked on the beach, he laid there for a moment before rolling onto his back and lifting his legs high then flopping them down. Uriel set up right, examining his lower half with bewilderment before feeling a familiar pair of talons land on his head.

“Look at you! You’ve got legs and a seabear! How’d you manage that,” Gagedt cawed before fluttering down into the sand.

Uriel tried to talk, but no words came out.

“Cat got your tongue? Spit it out,” the golden eagle demanded.

The former merman shook his head then tapped his throat before wobbling to stand, waving his arms around like tentacles before pointing down to his legs.

“...so you traded your voice to the sea witch for some legs did you?”

Uriel nodded eagerly then clasped his hands together and batted his eyes before puckering up a bit then held up three fingers and pointing down to his legs again.

“And you gotta kiss her in three days to keep your legs…”

“The brand new miqo’te nodded rapidly then visored around. Spotting the castle in the distance, he took a step forward then fell forward into the sand.

“Woah! Woah buddy! You gotta get used to your legs first! Not to mention the legwalkers will chase you back into the sea if you walk up to them with your sea-bear flopping around,” the eagle pointed out.

“There’s no swiven’ way the damned bird got anything out of all that,” Kylnt laughed, U’rahn dropping his arms as he finished pantomiming the scene. 

“You think you can do better,” U’rahn challenged.

“Fifty gil on charades after you wrap up your tale!”

‘You’re on!”

“Psh…What’s a sea-bear,” Seww asked, scratching at his gills curiously.

Nyx turned to the Sahagin and nodded, “Sea-bear is a term used by many seafaring people to describe-”

“Ah. Nyx, maybe we should let Novv handle that if they don’t know,” U’rhan breathed out, face crimson while Kylnt lost it above, “A-anyroad!”

“Listen close. If you want to impress your lady love, you’ll need a wingman…and since you’re after the ruler of legwalker ruler…I’ll take you under my wing and show you how to act and you can throw me their shinies every now and then.”

Uriel nodded eagerly then watched as Gagedt fluttered. “Wait here then, and practice walking. One foot in front of the other” he ordered before fluttering off. 

The sea prince sighed, doing as he was too, stumbling around in the sand until he was able to walk steadily in a circle. As he practiced, he his ears perked, hearing a familiar voice from the other side of some rocks.

“I believe you were mistaken, m'lady. Too much sea water perhaps,” sounded out the shieldmaiden he’d seen on the ship. 

“Negative. I was rescued by an unknown person who fled into the sea,” the princess responded sharply.

Uriel lit up as he looked on, climbing up on the rock a bit to get a better look at the two. Being spotted quickly, the shieldmaiden drew her sword, “Who goes there?”

Startled, the man fell backward, just in time for Gagedt to swoop down and drop a pair of trunks on his head. “Quick! Slip those over your legs,” he cawed.

Bouncing around, Uriel picked up the shorts and tried to jump into them, falling onto his back. Tail flailing, he managed to get them over his feet then hiked them up just as the two rounded the corner. Laying out on his back with his legs up in the air, he looked then offered a sheepish grin.

“Disengage Grimsette,” the princess requested, bending over to offer her hand, “Have you sustained an injury?”

“Princess…you shouldn’t just offer your hand to a strange man.”

Uriel blushed as he was lifted to his feet. He tried to say thank you, but found himself unable to articulate himself .

“You seem to have laryngitis. Are you able to write your name in the sand?”

Uriel nodded eagerly then wrote out his name, but his letters and the landwalkers' letters seemed to be different. 

“I am unfamiliar with your script…but you seem to have the same tongue. Where are you from?”, Grimsette asked.

Uriel thought for a moment then pointed out to the sea.

“From across the sea? Was your ship caught in the squall as well? Do you know your destination?” Princess Eryxa asked.

The man frowned then shook his head then pointed to her castle, nervously smiling, unsure exactly how well this was going to now.

“Understood. Then we shall receive you as a guest until someone comes looking for you. Grimsette, please see that he has a room and proper clothing.”

“Princess…this stranger. Do you believe him to be the young man who saved you?”

The princess turned, staring at Uriel, looking him up and down, “The one who saved me had a playful and kind voice. Our guest does not fit those parameters.”

Swallowing, Uriel looked on as the two moved toward the castle, unable to tell her the truth for now. Following along, he let out a silent sigh then was escorted to the castle where he was given a room by Grimmsette.

“I am uncertain what to call you, so for now, I suppose we’ll call you Squall given the assumed circumstances of our meeting. There are some gentlemen’s clothes in the wardrobe and an under-butler will be in shortly to help you dress for dinner.”

Urile blinked as the shieldmaiden exited, leaving him to look around. 

“Wow! Look at this place! You made out well,” Gagedt praised as he swooped in from a window, “Okay. This is what you got to do if you want to close the deal. First you gotta make her laugh-”

The bedroom door soon swung open, silencing the bird for now. Stumbling in, the footman came in and ushered Uriel into the baths. Confused, the man was put into fresh water with a bunch of oils that made his nose burn. The seasalt was combed from his hair and scrubbed off his body. Wobbling out of the tub, he looked at his shiny body then squirmed as he was tickled as the other started to rub him with a cloth. 

Soon after he was dressed into the finest threads he’d ever seen on a legwalker then ushered out of the room given to him and into an even larger one with a large flat slab filled with food and surrounded by places to sit. Placed by the princess, he gave her a smile and in return he received a nod. Dinner passed mostly in silence, Uriel being thrown the occasional guess as to where he was from. 

Starving, he helped himself to the food, piling onto his plate before eagerly eating things down with his fingers, much to Grimmsette’s horror. Princess Eryxa just observed, taking in the experience quietly. Noticing he was on the spot, he wiped his mouth then sat back rigidly, watching the other two return to their meals before starting to mimic them the best he could. Once dinner had finished, the tables were clear, and he was left to stare at his beloved, unable to say what was in his heart until remembering the hastened advice from his golden wingman.

Hopping up, he wandered over to a set of instruments and picked up a lute, strumming a little song before looking to the others as he played a tune from home before using his weird new snakelike tail to whack the drum after establishing a melody. Grimsette smiled, tapping to the melody while the princess calmly observed.  After, he played the melody then began to suddenly pause, then beat the drum after the strangely long pause. Doing this a few times, his eyes widened, looking between the two expectantly.

The shieldmaiden chuckled a little then clapped lightly while the princess stared, gave a small nod, then clapped slowly with an “Amusing.”

Uriel was overcome with joy, strumming the lute in triumph before putting it back down. Grimsette taking note of the day stood then called for the footman to take him away. Back in his room, he was undressed for the evening and left on his own. Sighing, he flopped onto the large bed and crossed his arms until Gagedt fluttered in.

“Okay. Not exactly what I would have done, but you at least made an impression. Now, next you’ve got to impress her. Show her something you're good at.”

Uriel mimed strumming the lute again.

“No, you already did that. Something else. You’ve got another day to woo her. Just don’t try too hard or you’ll come off as a doof.”

Uriel nodded eargerly then let the bird start to pick around through the room for whatever prize he might fancy. Going to the balcony, he looked out to the sea then down at the shore. There, Princess Eryxa stared out into the darkened horizon before turning to look up at him, offering a small humble greeting which he returned before watching her return inside.

Sighing, he wandered back to bed then curled up and fell asleep quickly. The next morning, he was greeted by the under-butler and redressed before being reunited the with princess and her attendant. The day went through quickly, princess Eryxa introducing Uriel to thing’s he’d never seen before to watch him react, him being fascinated by all of the things the landwalkers had as a part of their daily lives. His favorite was the chocobo cart, the Princess letting him have the reins only for both to be scolded by the shieldmaiden after he pushed the limits of its speed. 

The day winding down, they found themselves at a secluded grotto for a light picnic dinner. Feeling as if time was slipping by, Uriel started to panic. As they wrapped up their meal, he gestured to a small rowboat on the shore.

“Do you wish to venture out,” the princess asked.

Uriel nodded then hurried over to the boat, patting the stern as he waited for her to join him. Once settled, he gave a little push then hopped in across from her. Rowing he smiled, while she looked him over.

“Perhaps I should guess at your name. Miller? Dylan? Roger?”

Uriel shook his head rapidly before perking his ears as he looked into the water, spotting his clutch brothers watching curiously underneath. Khubastian too seemed to be there, looking rather cross beneath the water. Paddling harder, he tried to outrun them, only to hear improvised music surround them.

“Don’t start yer caterwauling dammit,” Kylnt ordered.

“I’m not. Hey Hey! Brrrothers, you know that song I taught you right,” U’rahn asked to 

The Sahagin looked to one another then gave a nod before disjointedly speaking the words rather than singing: “Psha-la-la-la, float along and lishhhen to the song. The shhhong says kishhh the boy,” the brothers hissed out.

“Ah. Nope. Shut it down,” U’rhan sighed, “Still, music really would have made the scene cute. Well, the music was doing its job and…”

Uriel blushed as his clutch brothers did their best to help him out. Above, Gadget fluttered about, scaring fireflies out of an overhanging tree to light the area around them. The two soon leaned in, the ambiance set by his brothers and wingman doing the work. Uriel’s eyes lidded, tilted his head while the princess too leaned in, eyes wide. Just as they were about to seal the magick with a kiss, the boat violently heaved, then toppled them over into the lagoon.

Popping out of the water, Uriel shook out his head then frowned as Princess Eryxa had already started toward the shore. They returned to the palace shortly after, but the moment was gone. Fretting, Uriel paced in his room while Gagedt preened himself.

“Don’t worry. You were close buddy! There’s one more day to win her over. Just think, with one kiss you’ll rule this place and have all the shinies in the world to hand over…I mean, share,” his golden wingman chirped. 

Uriel shook his head then hugged himself, while giving Gagedt a meaningful look.

“Yeah yeah, you’re only interested in love. Anyroad, tomorrow, you gotta-”

Gagedt was cut short as a familiar laugh sounded from below. Uriel ran to the balcony, recognizing the voice as his own. Looking down, he spotted a suave looking sailor walking across the beach toward the Princess, the latter’s focus firmly upon them rather than the starry horizon. The sailor let out another laugh in his voice before leaning in to whisper into the young woman’s ear. Panicking, he looked to Gagedt, tail flailing around.

“What? I don’t know who that is more than you do?”

Uriel frowned then flung himself into bed, pulling a pillow close by before passing out for the night. The morning was greeted by bells and the footman rushing in to tell Uriel news of the wedding. Shocked, Uriel quickly roused from his bed and dressed then set off to find the Princess. Tried as he might, he couldn’t seem to find his way to her. All but given up, he wandered into the basement of the castle.

“Hello! Is someone there,” the shieldmaiden’s voice called out. 

Uriel blinked then went to a door, finding Grimmsette looking out at him.

“Something is amiss. A stranger appeared last night with the Princess announcing their swift marriage. I objected, and found myself rushed down here! Please sir, I must be let go.”

The merman nodded then unlatched the door, letting her free. He gestured to his throat then pointed back up to the castle, but the shieldmaiden did not seem to parse what he meant.

“I do mean to object to this union too, but I fear we might be too late. I’m sure by now they’ve boarded a vessel to have the ceremony out at sea, as is tradition.”

Uriel frowned then perked up, grabbing Grimmsette’s hand then leading her up and outside. Seeing a ship indeed floating off, he looked to a dinghy then hopped in, grabbing at the oars.

“Not giving up then? Fine. Let’s away,” Grimmsette said before joining him. Together, the two began to row as hard as they could, gaining slowly on the ship, but not as fast as he liked. By the time they drew close, the sun was hanging low, threatening to kiss the horizon. Uriel pointed urgently to the sun then up to the dock above.

“No, you should stay here just in case I must flee. I’ll save the princess,” Grimmsette assured him before boarding through a porthole.

Uriel frowned then looked up towards the deck. Determined to stop the wedding, he clawed into the boat then began to climb upward toward the dock. As he went, Gagedt perched on his shoulder.

“It’s the seawitch! She’s got some magic crystal that’s giving her your voice!”

Uriel flattened his ears, giving the bird some side eye as he climbed away.

“What? You figured that out already? Well then climb! Climb faster,” the bird ordered, talons gripping his shirt to help him move faster.

Once on the deck, Uriel looked out, watching as the princess walked down the aisle. Gagedt soon swept in, pecking at the seawitch, trying to steal the crystal off from around their neck. 

“Away you beast,” the seawitch cried out in Uriel’s voice. 

Running past Eryxa, Uriel headbutted the villain then took hold of the crystal before hopping back. Looking to his love, he frowned then looked to the crystal. For a moment, he thought he might go steal a kiss, but knew that would be wrong. Instead, he dropped it then gave it a hard stomp with his foot.

His joyful laughter sounded out as the magicks swept upward and back to his throat.  Whatever hold the sea witch had on the Princess also faltered, Eryxa looking to Uriel as he gave her a weaksmile, “I’m sorry…” he apologized before falling over, flopping a bit as his tail returned.

Grimmsette soon stormed the dock, finding people running  away as Eryxa kneeled down to check on Uriel. Ahead, the seawitch sat up, tentacles throwing things out of her way before slowly rising up, summoning the stolen trident. Even the shieldmaiden was taken aback, the witch’s rippling muscles looking like they could tear through a ship with strength alone and green seaweed coloured hair looking rather menacing. Soon, the great seawitch Ursalynt began to grow to enormous proportions, looking down-”

“You’re done,” Kylnt roared.

U’rahn turned, finding the woman standing behind him, reaching down to yank at the back of his collar and down to his belt. With little effort, she lifted him and gave a single heave, tossing him overboard and into the sea with a little dust of her hands to follow. The Sahagin hurried to the edge of the boat, looking down to the bubbling water below.

“Psh! Brother U’rahn,” Rovv called out, Nyx approaching from behind. 

Pulling out a fishing rod, she gave it a little cast, and after a bit, reeled in her waterlogged boyfriend, letting him wheeze as he flopped over onto his back. “M-Maybe I got that bit of the story wrong.”

“Ye swiven did,” Klynt echoed, crossing her arms as she looked down at him.

The witch soon calmed down, though kept her trident at the ready “You passed my test. Instead of using magick to woo her, you chose to do the right thing and appear to her as you are.”

Uriel frowned, flapping his tail on the ground before looking to the unphased Princess, “Ah…So…I guess you see me for what I am then? I’m from the sea below.”

“Understood,” the princess echoed with a nod, lifting him up a bit to help him sit in a chair.

Uriel thought for a moment then looked to the sea…sorceress. “Hey, hey! If you weren’t trying to fully sabotage us, then why did you tip our boat over yesterday? That was all us…I mean I guess without telling her that I was a merman.”

“I didn’t tip your swiven boat,” Ursalynt answered confused before letting out a grunt as Khubastian flew into her from the sea. Taking the trident, he began to laugh maniacally. 

“It was I! And now, the land and sea will be under my domain,” he laughed before flipping backward off the ship. 

Soon Khubastian grew, rising stories over them before raising up the trident to summon a storm. “Grimmsette, my gun,” Princess Eryxa requested, her attendant quickly producing the arm.

“A blast’em! That’s so cool! Can I fire it,” Uriel asked eagerly.

With a simple side eye, the Princess simply said, “No,” then began to fire at the enchanted merman to distract him. Uriel watched with amazement before flopping himself to the edge of the ship and diving in. Whistling, he summoned his clutch brothers, careful to avoid the strikes of lightning from above.

“Brothers! Khubastian must be stopped! He’ll destroy the legwalkers first then come for our home.”

The brothers let out a war cry, handing Uriel an extra trident before they began to leap out of the water and attack. A joint effort between land and sea saw Khubastian fall. The Princess with her blast’em, Grimmsette with her sword, Ursalynt with her sea magicks, and the brothers with their tridents. Though humongous, they all bravely took him down, Khubastian crying out in agony as he sank below. The magick trident freed, Uriel retrieved it, then gave it to Ursalynt to calm the storm.

The seas calmed, the brothers went back home to tell of their victory and Khubastian’s misdeeds. With a skilled jump, Uriel flung himself back to the Princess's ship deck then smiled up at her. “This wouldn’t be a bad time to ask for a date would it?”

“It is agreeable,” she responded before leaning down to give him a small kiss on the cheek.

And so they properly courted, Uriel visiting the shore on mutual ground until the Princess formally proposed that they marry and live happily era after. His clutch father and dad, seeing how happy their son was, granted him legs to walk upon land beside her, and ruled jointly with Ursaklynt after. The brothers all too found their own clutch queens soon after, and everyone lived as a big happily family between the two kingdoms of land and sea. The end.

U’rahn sat up, smiling to his clutch brothers and Nyx, the former all clapping eagerly.

“Nice save,” Klynt muttered, giving him a rough pat on the back, “Though it’d have been better if the sea sorceress shacked up Grimmsette’s brother or Posiodhn too.”

U’rahn thought for a moment, before finding Nyx sitting down in front of him, “You’ve now ended your story and I am able to provide feedback. The Ruby Sea has a kingdom underwater of legwalkers as you called them. You provided no reason for them to fear one another aside from the parental characters saying so. I enjoyed the straightforward characterization of the Princess. It was not explained what the character Gagedt would use gold for as a golden eagle. I do not believe golden eagles are native to the coa-”

Klynt left out a hearty laugh as U’rahn was given a full rundown of his narrative by his girlfriend. Everyone leaving them be, he impulsively leaned in to kiss her, pulling away rather flustered. “I’ll work on a better story for next time.”

“Acknowledged. I will continue to provide feedback to help your craft.”

“That would be nice Nyx…but for now, let’s just watch the sunset,” he mused, getting up off the ground before holding out a hand, offering to help her up. Together, they moved to the bow of the deck. Smiling, U’rahn took her hand in his, then looked out to the horizon as he attempted to coil their tails.

“Say…maybe once we get back we can see my brothers off then grab some nice food and set sail again. Just the two of us.”

“I’d like that, Rahn.”

U’rahn beamed then wiggled his ears. “Then it’s a date. Guess we just need to figure out how to get rid of the sea witch.”

“Rahn, there are no sea witches among us.”

U’rahn chuckled a bit to himself then gave her hand a little squeeze. As he got comfortable, he felt himself lifted once more by Kylnt’s grasp and his body being flung through the air once more. As he fell, he looked to his girlfriend as she blankly watched him fall back into the sea below.