#mer!janus

[thegoldenduckie]

Mer!Janus for Mermay! Hes a Goldentail/Banana eel

I have a lot more ideas for the other sides, cant wait to show them

Remus and virgil

[thegoldenduckie]

AAAA THIS IS SOOOO AMAZING!!! 🤩🤩

@thegoldenduckie's mer!Janus design! Bastard eels are such a funny pick for him, and I absolutely love this design.

[anxiouslyfred]

Cave Visits

For mine and @lostcephalopods dragonau

Summary: Remus and Roman continue visiting Janus's cave, Roman to try and keep an eye on Remus and Remus intent on befriending the water dragon.

Authors note: This has been a busy day so again I haven't written as much as I'd have liked, but I'm happy with having reread most of the posts I could find to remind myself of this au. I'll write something with more of the characters involved in it at some point I'm sure

My idea for today: dragonau - How does Remus get Virgil and Janus to be his friends? When do one of them tell Roman to stop apologising for Remus?

/\/\

Since Virgil had first spoken to Janus he’d formed a specific splash for coming into the cave, although yelled just as often. This time he barely did the splash, as if hoping to remain unnoticed as Janus was pretty sure he knew why: The avali brothers that had arrived the day before.

“So the two avali are still in town, refused to leave and you’re hiding with me; Someone Remus has declared he’ll befriend. Wonderful reasoning, Virgil. I’m sure you’ll definitely avoid them this way.” Janus drawled, settling beside him.

“They’ll disrupt the ecosystem, and I’m not avoiding them. I’m observing them, specifically why one if so set on befriending a dragon. Some dragons eat avali so it has to be mad, which is worse as then I can’t predict how it’ll act or what damage it’ll bring.” Virgil ranted, glare going unseen but evident in his voice.

They hummed lightly, “Oh Remus is definitely mad, but I doubt he’s so unpredictable. In fact, I predict he will come in via another ventilation tunnel, and try to find the kitchen rather than either of us.” They could feel the ripples in the water already so expected the second avali was also coming and probably going to reach them first. That was unexpected.

“Why would he look for the kitchen? You’re lying to me over knowing that birdbrain so well already.” He growled out, voice quiet as if he was trying to listen to the ambient noises while they spoke.

“Because I insisted on coming in the intended entrance you showed me.” Roman replied, surfacing from the water tunnel. “He wants to prank me at every opportunity and probably you both as well since we’re acquaintances now. Apologies for that in advance.”

Janus swung to look just left of Roman, “Why apologise? You are not your brothers keeper, are you?”

“Most people met when we happen to travel together assume I am.” Roman replied easily, “And I did enter your cave and return today in order to avoid him being harmed.”

“But you didn’t get out of the area as I said to. That would avoid it best.” Virgil near snarled. He must be more worried than Janus expected as they rarely saw the procyon-mer so ready to fight for their river.

The avali twittered for a moment, before Janus heard the dripping of his feathers speed, as if he’d bent over or perhaps bowed. “That I will admit was partly due to my own curiosity over how a blind dragon and some form of mer became friends. Would you tell me the story?”

“No.” Virgil huffed, “Leave the area before you damage it.”

“I see perfectly well, thank you. Enough to know foolish folk give honours to those they cannot know if they should be given them, such as bows.” Janus mused, feigning disinterest and wondering if the words would make Roman doubt their blindness.

Before Roman replied however a cackle came from behind them, “You’re blind and I’m your friend.” Remus called, moving fast as he spoke so Janus didn’t try to pretend they could see him.

Virgil let out a low growl, “Just move on with your exploring and leave me river be.”

Janus could only assume neither avali showed signs of following the demand as they settled into chatting, ignoring Virgil.

/\

“Please do apologise needlessly for Remus again. I’m riveted to your words every time.” Janus drawled out, hearing the splash of someone feathered climb out of the water in their cave. It had been 3 weeks since the avali had arrived and they’d both visited everyday.

In all honesty Janus found them amusing now, but the regular apologies Roman repeated were tedious.

“Actually I was wondering if you’d seen him today. His shelter moved.” The voice sounded chipper, as if it was mere curiosity that brought the question, not concern as Janus thought most people felt if their family went missing.

“Can’t you see him right beside me, Roman? It’s clear he’s been here all this time and not exploring whatever caught his interest of the moment.” They didn’t hold back their smug head tilt, or tail waving around the area when hearing the avali moving around them, likely trying to confirm their words.

Sure enough it was only a few moments before Roman spoke again, “Eurgh, maybe I should start jumping in and out. All this swimming will ruin my gorgeous feathers. Also you can simply say he isn’t here rather than lying.”

“Your reactions amuse me, and friends do tease each other, correct?” Janus tried to imitate the wonder Thomas spoke with on some of his visits. They did view these two avali as friends now, and was fairly sure that Virgil did too since the grumbling was less about trying to make them leave now, rather focusing on ensuring they didn’t impact the areas ecosystem too much.

Roman’s breath caught. “I’m humbled by your friendship and gratified to have it. Please also be warned that Remus will be cheering when you mention this to him, since you refuse to let me apologise on his behalf.”

“If he appears in my caves I will do so.” Janus nodded slowly.

[prince-rowan-of-the-forest]

Mer!Janus, because for some reason I can't stop redesigning these guys haha

I love him so much he's so pretty look at his flowy hair

I'm so happy with this you have no idea dndnjfjdkxkdx look at himmmm

[typically-untypical]

On the Outside

AU: Merpeople

CW: Blood and Injury, Janus Angst

WC: 3,753

Date: 12/10/2023

The ceremony was beautiful. It was everything Janus had come to expect from Roman, grand, extravagant, and beautiful. Logan, despite his attempts to remain stoic, was ever the blushing sacrifice, his life made into a promise to love and to cherish their king. Janus turned from the sight, and swam away unable to watch for another moment. First it had been Virgil, always Janus' antagonist, always so afraid of failure. Janus had fallen in love with the way he protected others, with the sarcastic wit he used to hide his insecurities. Janus had fallen in love with Virgil, and Virgil had fallen in love with the king. 

Apparently, Roman was the adventurous type, always attempting to escape his duties as monarch of their fair city, always running from the coral spires that they called a palace. He and Virgil had met on one of those outings and had bonded. At first, Janus didn't think anything would come of it, the two were constantly arguing, constantly fighting, then the day came when he saw them. They were making out behind the jeweler's shop and when they separated for more than an inch, Virgil's eyes were filled with so much love. 

Janus had swallowed his feelings and moved on, refusing to pull himself into a situation where he would get hurt. Janus was smart enough to know he didn't have a chance against a king, and if he had made a move beforehand, it would have only made things strained between them. So he let go. He let go of his best childhood friend. He let go of the first mer he loved. He moved on.

Virgil became the king's first sacrifice, a title denoting the life Virgil would have to sacrifice to be by Roman's side, the people he would sacrifice. It also denoted Roman's sacrifice of safety. When a king announced he loved someone so publicly, it gave his enemies a target, a manipulative tool. There were many mer that would use any opportunity they could to take advantage of the king, and having a beloved, having a sacrifice, meant opening up one more avenue for manipulation and treason. The title of sacrifice was a reminder, and a promise.

Despite that, Virgil didn't leave them behind. He still visited whenever he got the chance. He made excuse after excuse to come see Janus and Logan, often times Roman would come along and Janus would play the part of a gracious host. He couldn't deny the king was good looking, but he was not a fan of the way he strutted about as if he owned the place. He did own the place, in a manner of speaking, but it still pissed Janus off. Though, that wasn't the full truth either, was it. Janus had been jealous, jealous of the way Roman would flirt with Logan, jealous of the way Logan looked at Roman and Virgil. It had been naïve to hope, but Janus had thought, with Virgil gone, he might finally make a move on Logan. It was the two of them, and they had been able to take solace in each other. 

That hadn't lasted long. Janus had watched quietly as Roman flustered Logan, spun him around in circles until he could only look forward. Janus had watched as Virgil pulled Logan out of his shell. He even answered Logan's questions when he asked about emotions. Janus had watched it all fall apart, sitting by and not saying a thing as Roman took one more person away from him. The ceremony had been the final straw. Janus hadn't been able to watch as Virgil and Roman kissed and spoiled Logan, not when he wanted to be in Logan's place, not when he wanted to be by Logan's side.

They didn't visit as often anymore, especially when Janus started making excuses, reasons why he couldn't see them, lies to hide his pain. Eventually, they stopped coming altogether, and it was easier that way. He moved from the coral spire he had shared with Logan and Virgil to something much smaller, something further from the palace. He left his job on the tribunal, no longer wanting to present cases in front of the three people he couldn't have. He focused on hunting, relying on old skills he had used as a guppy, as a survivor. He could still do it. He could still take care of himself. He hadn't grown soft in the light of Logan and Virgil's smiles.

They would hate to see him doing this again. This job was so dangerous. The hunter could easily become the hunted if one wasn't careful, and even if one was, a single misstep could throw everything off. Janus had barely made it back from the hunt with no prey to show for his efforts. His tail was missing patches to scales, scraped, broken and bleeding. It hurt to swim but what other choice did he have? He wasn't going to just lay down in the sand and die. That wasn't his style. If he was going to die it would at least be where it was comfortable. 

Somehow he made it home, leaving a trail of thick black blood in his wake. He hoped nothing else out there wanted to hunt him, because it would be far too easy to follow his trail, at least until the tide changed.

"Just swell," He muttered to himself and the empty house around him. He had been lonely without the others. He had thought the smaller house would help. It hadn't. The loneliness persisted despite the confined space. "What a warm home I've created." He rolled his eyes, swimming over to his bed of kelp and lowering himself slowly into it. He should probably tend to his wounds, but he also was too tired to move. He would take care of it later. He would take care of it when he woke up.

[Section Break]

Virgil couldn't help but swim laps across his room, trying to figure out exactly where things had gone wrong. He knew Logan was watching him but he didn't really care at this point. In fact, Logan could probably provide some perspective. "He hates us." Virgil said, knowing it wasn't true but also knowing Logan would help him out of his spiral.

"I highly doubt Janus hates us, though I also find him pushing us away a bit strange." 

That wasn't what Virgil was expecting. He didn't think Logan would actually agree that something was wrong. He figured he was just being overly anxious but he needed someone to talk him through it. Logan looked back at him and sighed, slowly swimming over to him, setting down his book. "Come here, angelfish," He whispered before pulling Virgil into a hug. "We've given him a bit of space, but how about we go check on him? Just the two of us? That might help considering his walls seem to come up when Roman is around."

"Yeah, cool, I could get behind that... but do you think it's safe? We haven't been out of the castle without guards since before we were with Ro."

"Safe or not, I feel like visiting Janus will help calm your nerves. Also, we won't be long, and we won't be far. Janus lives near the palace so we should still be in a protected area." 

It only took him a few seconds to agree. Virgil needed to see Janus again, to make sure he was okay. Something felt off and he was desperate to fix whatever it was. "Maybe we should take one guard, just to be safe?"

Logan nodded, "I think that's a wise decision. Let's go ask someone, assuming you're ready to go."

"Yeah, yeah I'm ready." He had been ready days ago but he couldn't tell Logan that. Now was good. 

It was a beautiful day for a swim around town, the temperature was nice and Virgil began to relax almost immediately after they were out of the palace. Maybe he had just been cooped up too long, being a King's sacrifice, especially Roman's they were always so well protected. It was sweet, but it was also increasingly stressful. Virgil liked to have more control of his surroundings and often he felt he didn't have that in the palace. It had been easier back when they went on regular visits, back when Logan and Janus still lived together. It had been so awkward trying to introduce Roman to Janus, he had seemed different, at arms length almost and after the ceremony with Logan it had gotten even worse. Virgil didn't know how to fix it. He didn't know how to just come out and let Janus know that he was in love, and he desperately wanted to let Janus know because things didn't feel complete without him.

"This is odd," Logan whispered looking at the name plates posted in front of the coral.

"What's odd?"

"I don't see our names, or Janus' for that matter." 

Virgil felt himself grow faint as the anxiety once again took hold of him, ice water running through his mid sea veins. "That can't be right. Why would Janus move out of the place we had together?" Virgil began to drag Logan toward the property managers office she would know what was going on.

"Luna, bitch, where's Janus? His name isn't listed anymore." 

The lion fish looked over at Virgil before giving him a wide smile, her spines flaring out. "Virgil! Big shot finally comes to visit me and only asks about his ex. How rude!"

"He's not my ex," Virgil blushed a bit, reaching out for Logan's hand, holding it tightly.

"Could have fooled me with the way you three were always flirting. It was a bit sad when he was left here alone. Anyway, told me the place was too big for just him so he moved out, probably about three months ago now." 

Three months, had it really been three months since they had last visited him? They both knew he wanted space but that was too much space. "Did the fucker tell you where he was moving to?" Virgil tried to smile, tried to keep his anxiety from showing, it was a trick he had learned from Janus, but he wasn't nearly as good at it as Janus had been. 

"Yeah, chill, I'll get you an address. And if you're gonna win him over might I suggest some nice sea glass? Showing up empty handed is a major no-no." She pulled out an oil pencil and wrote Janus' new address on Virgil's free hand. "He's near the outskirts of town so you have time to think of something nice before you get there.

"We appreciate the help, Luna," Logan said, far calmer than Virgil had been able to pretend he was. 

"The outskirts, there's nothing out there but danger. Fuck, do you think he went back to hunting? I swear if that idiot got himself hurt again I'm going to put him in the dungeon just to keep him safe."

"I'm sure he's fine," Logan whispered, pulling Virgil in closer. "Janus is intelligent. He isn't the kind to take unnecessary risks." They should have known something was up when Janus left his position on the tribunal. He had loved that job and wasn't that one of the first signs that something was wrong, abandoning the things you loved and cared about?

"Lo, I need to you talk me down, okay? I'm spiraling pretty bad. What if he's dead? What if he got eaten? What if we never see him again?"

Logan squeezed his hand and they continued to move forward, neither of them wanting to risk the possibility that Janus needed them and they weren't there. "As I said, Janus is very intelligent. I doubt he would get himself into a situation where he needed our help so dramatically that he couldn't ask for it."

"Right, right," Virgil whispered, still clinging to Logan.

"Also, between the three of us we have a very wide set of skills. In the past we have been able to handle many different challenges because of this. I don't believe there are many things in this ocean that we can't handle together. Also, we have the king's resources at our disposal now." He kept his voice gentle and Virgil was thankful. Logan had always been able to help him calm down, but still, right now, everything felt off.

As they got closer to the small hut Janus was supposedly staying in, the sea around them looked darker and Virgil shivered a bit. "Of course Janus would live somewhere creepy. He was all about that aesthetic and vibe." Virgil was sure he wasn't hiding how worried he was, but he was still trying. He was trying to give himself some kind of sense of normalcy.

"It does seem like his style," Logan responded, but he also squeezed Virgil's hand tightly. The darkness grew as they got closer and they both realized what was happening at the same time. Logan turned to the guard who had been following them. "Go back to the palace, get a physician here immediately, and inform king Roman of where we are and what we are doing." He then let go of Virgil's hand and swam toward the darkened water, entering the house without bothering for permission. He pushed the kelp away until he saw Janus' body, curled tightly around a slowly seeping wound. He took in a quick breath before immediately starting on first aid. Virgil wasn't sure what to do or how to handle this. It was like watching his worst nightmares come into reality.

"Virgil," Logan called, "Open up his nearest heat vent and get us some broth cooking. He's going to need something to eat or he will never regain his strength." 

"Right?" He could do with instructions. All he needed to do was focus on the instructions he was being given. He could do this.

Time passed by too slowly and too quickly at the same time. Virgil managed to get the broth together and Logan was able to get Janus conscious enough to drink a bit but he faded again shortly after that. It was all a blur and when Roman showed up with the physician, Virgil almost broke down. This wasn't supposed to happen. This wasn't supposed to be how it worked out.

[Section Break]

Janus woke up far more comfortably than he thought he would. The temperature was a little cool but less than he thought it would be considering where he lived. Even the kelp felt more comfortable than normal. He shifted and cracked his eyes open taking in his surroundings. It took him all of a second to realize he wasn't at home. Slowly twisting his head to get a better view, his eyes landed on a familiar red tail. The king was asleep, and Janus was most likely in a hospital. Shit, he hadn't expected to be found much less by the king. At least he was hoping he had been found by the king. Janus knew how bad it would be if it had been Logan or Virgil who had found him in that state and he was doing everything he could to deny that possibility. 

"Ah, you're awake," Roman said, shifting to be a bit closer. Apparently he wasn't sleeping as much as Janus thought he was. "You have worried my beloveds." Roman watched Janus before sighing and sitting back a bit. They were both silent, neither sure what to say to the other. Janus was just about to ask when he could leave, when Roman spoke, his deep voice reverberating in the waves. 

"I don't understand you," He said quietly. "You've quit a job you liked, moved to a place where you were alone, I am all for the drama and the adventure but this seems like a bit much. Were you intending on hurting the two of them? Was your grand plan to die alone only for them to hear news of your passing years later."

Janus wanted to answer no, but in a way, he was. He had wanted to push them away, because it hurt to be around them. It was better if they were allowed to focus on themselves and on their new happy life. "I was doing what needed to be done." Janus shrugged, wincing when he moved. Okay, maybe he was more injured than he originally thought he was and he didn't want to die. He just... wanted things he couldn't have.

"And what needed to be done?" Roman asked, "Getting yourself killed?"

"Getting away from you," Janus retorted before his brain could stop his mouth. He hated losing his cool but sometimes it was so hard to resist. "I didn't have any plans to stick around and watch you play house with the two men I'm in love with. That isn't my idea of a good time."

"Whoa whoa whoa, slow down. That is a lot to wrap my head around. First off, you love them, and I knew it. No one get that upset so suddenly unless there are some major feelings involved. It's so romantic, the three of you living under the same ocean only to miss each other, but what I'm not understanding is why you had such a problem with me. Or why you didn't just ask me not to come by so you could confess without me being in the way?"

Janus rubbed his face gently fighting the urge to groan. "Well I certainly wasn't going to tell the king what to do, but on top of that, they made their position fairly clear. They were yours." He turned to look at Roman and he watched a look of surprise cross the king's face, eyes wide and gills flared. "I have no intention of getting in the way of their future and their happiness."

"You..." Roman started, voice choked as he gained his composure, brushing the sides of his cheek which had gained a bit of color. "You're an idiot." 

Janus stopped, surprise crossing his own face. He focused on the king, attempting to understand what Roman had intended with that response. He was at a loss. Thankfully the king had more to say, apparently.

"They love you, have you not noticed that? And I don't mean in the sense of friendship. Virgil's tail does the same thing when he talks with me, or with Logan as it does with you, the little curl of nervous excitement, and Logan is constantly adjusting his glasses attempting to be perfect in your eyes because if he's perfect, maybe you'll notice him."

Janus sputtered, "N-no. That's not, Virgil does that when he's comfortable with people and he is obviously comfortable with me we've been friends for more then two decades, and Logan, he does that when he's excited. It has nothing to do with how they feel about me. Obviously they are both comfortable around me, we're friends."

"Yep, you're an idiot." Roman began to rise. "The question is do you love them?" He watched Janus with an intensity that he didn't like, that he didn't know how to deal with. Janus had already admitted to loving them. What more did the king want? "I think that's the answer I was looking for." Roman stretched, giving Janus a smile that he didn't understand. "I doubt even if I were to prove it you would understand, but this will at least be entertaining for me." 

He started to swim off, leaving Janus alone in the room as he felt the exhaustion creeping up on him. He wasn't sure if it was from his healing injuries, the lack of food, or his conversation with the king. Either way, he wanted to rest. He could go back home after that, rethink his plan about how he wanted to proceed. Whatever he was doing wasn't working.

"Jay!" Virgil's voice echoed in the otherwise empty room interrupting Janus' plan for sleep. Immediately afterward, he felt the pressure of someone laying on top of him, obviously avoiding his injures with the careful precision that only Virgil was capable of.

"It's alright, Shadow. I can't be killed that easily. You know this," Janus whispered, gently running a hand through Virgil's hair, floating in the current they had created. Logan was by their side shortly after, looking down at the two of them.

"You had us worried." His voice was flat, but the way his hands were folded behind his back, no doubt hiding the way they shook, was exceedingly telling. There was a part of Janus that wanted to push them all away, to put up the walls he had meticulously built when they both became Roman's, but he was tired. Instead, he reached out an arm, inviting Logan in and the other man curled up by his side, wrapping his tail protectively over both Janus and Virgil. "I'm not letting you go again," Logan whispered it like a fact, like a truth that not even the gods could change.

"Sleep first, then we can discuss." Janus was trying to leave room for things to change. He didn't want to continue being an outsider looking in. It hurt too much to be near them and to not be theirs.

"No, no discussion." Logan's voice continued to hold that completely assured quality. "I have held my tongue long enough. I love you, and I believe you love me too." A slight waver, barely perceptible but still there. "And I'm not going to let you go. I won't lose you."

What could Janus say to that? When Logan made up his mind there wasn't much argument that could be had. It was strange, and he hadn't fully wrapped his head around the words Logan had said. When he woke up again, more rested and more lucid, he might have something interesting to say about Logan's confession. However, for now, he just closed his eyes.

"Alright, you won't lose me, but we still have things we need to discuss." He wrapped his arm around Logan's back, hand splayed against the other man's flesh. He was too tired for this discussion now, but they would have it soon.

"A worthy compromise," Logan whispered. "Good night Janus."

"Good Night," Virgil echoed and Janus didn't blush, of course he didn't, but his lips did curl into a soft smile as he listed to the two of them breathing.

"Good night."

Tag List: @simplestoryteller @fantasticfangirl21 @joylessnightsky @glacierruler @tsspromptmonth

[treenissanderssidesstuff]

Those scales!

Amazing Op

“Come in, Roman… The water’s fine~”

Roceit but but hear me out…. They’re lesbians

I love pirate x siren AUs and I couldn’t resist drawing it

[muppenthings]

The final part of the Sanders Sides "Giant merman" au story. It is the end of the au.

First -- Previous

CWs: while everything is kept very brief the story does mention abandonment, injury, person being called monster, mentions of self-neglect, kidnapping, being tied up, and death.

Part 4

On the local morning news, a cargo ship was reported to have had an unfortunate run in with a supposed whale; the hull dented, propeller and rudder smashed. The ship drifted at sea before it was successfully towed back to safety by the coast guard.

Logan chokes on his morning coffee. No way a whale could manage that. And with the state of mind that Virgil left the beach in… Logan worries Virgil’s gotten hurt.

He calls Janus. There’s a long pause. “You don’t have to worry about him anymore. We’ve got him.” And he hangs up. Leaving Logan even more jarred. He tries calling him again, but he’s been blocked.

Roman calls him next, having seen the news too (Patton is still sleeping cause he’s not a morning person). They both rush to Patton’s place, calling in to get the day off their respective work.

The trio then tries to figure out what to do. Janus had straight up told them that the company had Virgil. So, he was at a mainland harbor or something similar. Did he go willingly? Only one way to make sure. They find a map and start plotting, locating all possible harbors. They’re not abandoning their friend! Meanwhile Logan feels responsible and quite guilty.

Scene changes to a mainland harbor, where the company is keeping Virgil.

Janus is staring up at his sleeping form, his gaze travels to the side of his tail, a large gash adorning it. An injury likely from smashing the cargo ship’s propeller. He’d call for someone to look at it. 

One of his team members walks up to him. Janus asks if the sedatives shouldn’t have worn off by now.

The former shrugs. Probably. The mer was exhausted before so he’s probably just catching up on some Z’s.

Janus frowns. This wasn’t how he wanted things to go.

Part 5

Flashback to before the capture:

Janus had explained to the company board about the three friends and his own plan of the giant coming willingly. They had agreed to it.

Since they already had placed a tracker on the giant, they were confident that the giant wouldn’t escape even if he declined the offer. ((Virgil must drink freshwater, there’s a stream that he frequents on the mainland. The “tracking team” could easily figure it out and wait for him to visit it, thus plant a tracker from afar on him.))

But the board had completely lost their cool after hearing that the mer had attacked a ship; Seeing the tracker’s location along with the location of the cargo ship… They put two and two together. (The company has their own ship at sea, keeping an ear on the marine radio channels. Just in case) 

The board gives the instruction to just go ahead with plan B; which is to sedate the mer and tow him into their harbor. The mer was growing too unpredictable for their liking, it’d be safer for everyone to just bring him in. What they’d do with the mer was still being discussed.

Janus opposes but the plan is already set in motion during the early morning.

While he waits for his team to bring the sleeping mer in, he receives a phone call from Logan; talking about the cargo ship on the news, worrying about Virgil. Janus tells him not to worry about Virgil anymore; they’ve got him. He then blocked his number; the three didn’t need to be weighed by company business anymore. Janus may also be a bit salty because the trio didn’t keep him updated on Virgil’s status; they didn’t hold their part of their deal so he’s not keeping his.

End flashback.

Part 6

When Virgil wakes up, he’s not very cooperative. He’s tied up, confused, scared and angry all rolled up in one. He refuses to let anyone approach or tend to his injured tail. So Janus does a “villain speech” and basically shoulders the full responsibility for Virgil’s capture (he’d rather have the mer angry with him only so that his team could tend to his injuries and hopefully feed him). This allows his team to work better with the mer, but Janus isn’t having a good time.

A week passes

Somewhere during this, Virgil learns about the fate of the researcher that created him. The person he viewed as a parent, that he still views as a parent. Learning that she unfortunately died in an accident shocks him, but there’s also relief in knowing that she never abandoned him. That he was never an unwanted creature; she was going to come back to him. He starts bawling; for the loss of a parent, for the years of solitude, for being stuck in a place with unknown people, for attacking the ship. And above all, missing his humans. 

Virgil is so miserable. Janus considers contacting the trio again as it’s just not working. What Janus doesn’t know is that Logan, Roman and Patton have been scouting all possible harbors where Virgil might be kept. 

The trio ends up finding the harbor just as Janus gets the green light to get the trio involved again. He calls Logan, the ringtone echoing loudly in the back area, effectively getting them “caught”.

Virgil initially doesn’t want to greet them, recalling his actions towards Logan on the beach prior. But the two have a heart to heart and reconcile. Logan also addresses his guilt from not noticing the bad state Virgil was in.

Everyone has a talk. It’s eventually decided that Virgil can swim freely in the ocean again and spend time with Logan, Patton and Roman like they used to. But he has to return to the harbor for health checkups and to eat; so he doesn’t impact the area's ecosystem as much by staying in it.

In the end, Virgil is free and can spend his time with the people that he loves. He mends things with Janus too. Getting another human friend. And they lived happily ever after. :)

[starshard17]

Mer Janus for the lovely @darksides-dutchess

There he is 💛

[aurevoirmonty]

"Alors le saint Janus, étonnant dans sa double apparition, présenta soudainement ses deux visages à mes yeux. … Il tenait un bâton dans sa main droite et une clé dans sa main gauche, et il me prononça ces paroles de sa bouche avant : 'Écarte ta peur, poète laborieux des jours. Apprends ce que tu cherches et imprègne-toi de mes paroles avec ton esprit. Les anciens - car je suis un phénomène primitif - avaient l'habitude de m'appeler Chaos. Vois de quelle époque lointaine je chante l'histoire ! L'air brillant ici et les trois éléments qui demeurent, le feu, l'eau, la terre, formaient autrefois un seul amas. Lorsque cette masse se sépara une fois, en raison de la discorde entre ses parties, et se brisa pour partir vers de nouveaux foyers, la flamme chercha les hauteurs, un lieu plus proche captura l'air, et la terre et la mer s'installèrent dans la région intermédiaire. À ce moment-là, moi qui avais été une masse ronde et un amas sans forme, j'adoptai une forme et des membres appropriés à un dieu. Même maintenant, petit indice de ma forme chaotique passée, ce qui est devant et derrière en moi semble identique. Écoute la deuxième raison de la forme que tu as demandée, pour que tu puisses comprendre cela et ma fonction ensemble. Tout ce que tu vois tout autour, le ciel, la mer, les nuages, les terres, tout est fermé et ouvert par ma main. La protection de l'immense univers repose uniquement en moi, et le droit de faire pivoter la charnière m'appartient entièrement.'"

Ovide, Fasti 1.95-120

[tss-storytime-summaries]

23

Expected Rating: Mature

Warnings: Main Character Death, Kidnapping, Violence, on screen death, body mutilation

Characters: Patton, Virgil, Roman, Remus, Janus, OC Child

Romantic Relationships: Prinxiety, Demus, Logicality (past)

Summary: The day Logan died, Patton did too. Not in a physical sense, but in every way that mattered.

Five years down the line, Virgil thought he was over the loss of his two best friends but he's still seeing Patton in the shadows. What's worse is that his husband, the mer king, has also gone missing. Virgil can't lose any more people, he refuses to lose any more.

Patton will be morally grey ish in this and I know that's a deal breaker for some people.

[thegoldenduckie]

More Mermaid sides for Mermay!

Angler fish Virgil and Octopus Remus! I honestly looovve virgils design, he might be my favourite but i gotta see how the other sides turn out

Mer!Janus here

[sanders-sides-uncorrect-quotes]

some things, in no particular order: (will definitely add on more)

His whole demeanor in Taking On Anxiety, you can't convince me the other dark sides weren't giving him tips on how to look cool and evil and hyping him up for that episode because even in the next one he's in (A New Year of Lying to Myself... In Song!!) he's already chilled out a bit

He calls Patton, Logan and Roman "clueless morons" in the QnA, I am almost certain he got that from Janus (I can see so clearly in my head Janus and Virgil looking at the light sides from a distance and Janus casually inspecting the scales on one of his left hands a line Virgil says in an end card makes me think he got the gloves recently and saying "look at those totally not clueless morons" and Virgil just thinks to himself "yeah I'm definitely using that")

"low stakes platonic love where people don't expect as much from you" in the Valentine's Day video, whilst I love seeing the dark sides as a family I think it would also make sense if they acted more like a friend group

Another thing in the Valentine's video, in the end card he starts to explain how he'd ask Valerie out and he says "first you take her by the hand-", I feel like the other darks (especially Janus) could've been the ones to teach him whatever he was about to say

The whole Lies song, it makes me think when did Virgil start hating Janus? It's obvious to me they were on good terms at some point in the past, and his whole thing against lying in that song and in other parts of season 1 makes me wonder if they fell about before or after the beginning of the series

The "mer-lawyer" thing in the Dark Side Of Disney video sounds like a Janus thing to me, I like to imagine they (Jan, Ree, Verge, orange) were watching The Little Mermaid together (they knew Virgil liked Disney) and got to the scene with the contract and Janus did the whole "parents turning jokes into life lessons" thing

Tempted to make a list of Virgil lines from season 1 that make me think about the dark sides

[anxiouslyfred]

Riverside Cave

For mine and @lostcephalopods dragonau

Summary: The avali siblings explore a riverbank and Remus ends up jumping into a cave that happens to be a dragons home.

/\/\

“It's a cave!” Remus declared from the bank opposite Roman. He was halfway up a rocky outcrop, looking down at something out of view to Roman.

The river was a fair depth and width but easy enough for either of them to cross if they so desired. Roman didn't desire. Joining up with Remus was always a matter of coincidence more than deliberation and they'd doubtless be separating directions soon enough.

Still, he supposed, brothers can be good entertainment occasionally. “Dare you to explore it.” He goaded, carrying on further along the river.

With Remus readily jumping down into the cave, any reply given was too muffled and distorted by echoes for Roman to understand. He wasn't bothered or about to cross the river just to jump down a hole. It would mess up his feathers to enter a cave like that. Perhaps if he saw an area further along that could be a cave entrance he'd explore and see if it joined the one Remus was now doubtless deep within.

/\/\

If avali are skilled at anything, it's falling. Well, it's not, but Remus had worked hard to turn the slow flights they could achieve into an ability to end up every jump and fall stood firm upon whichever surface he reached.

That's why he so cheerfully exploring the cave by jumping feet first into it.

He could see the ledge, perhaps a boulder, not to far down and aimed for that, even while looking around curiously. It was already obviously more than just a cave and the ledge definitely wasn't just that.

This was a series of caves, deliberately extended and arranged into rooms and Remus was thrilled.

There had to be someone new to meet, who might just have the impressive anger at an unexpected intrusion he could argue with.

/\/\

“Why are you staring at the other riverbank?”

Roman startled at the words, looking around in confusion before spotting the white and black face peering up at him from the water. “Who are you?”

“Procyon guard of the river. Why are you staring at the other bank? What are you doing in my forest?” The procyon identified easily, but glared as he repeated the question.

“Another avali decided to explore a hole he declared is a cave. I'm trying to see where he'll come out again since he never leaves by the same entrance he goes in through.” Roman didn't hesitate to explain, stepping back when the procyon moved as if to reach for a weapon.

Instead he pushed himself out of the water, revealing a mer tail, and dagger tied to it that was being gripped but not drawn now as the tail was fully pulled from the water. “An avali tribe is moving into the forest?”

“Nope. We're on our own. Just exploring.” Roman quickly explained, noticing but not understanding when the procyon glanced back over the river.

After a few more suspicious looks over Roman, the procyon nodded. “The branch hanging low to the water just along there; that's where the other avali will come out opposite. Wait for him then leave our forest.” There was a threat in the words, but mostly it was concern of the dangers avali might bring to the area.

“He's not going to be rushing through there.” Roman stated, ruffling his feathers up in preparation for flight. “If you want us to leave, I better go find him.”

“If he has any brain, he'll be out here before -” The procyon's speech was cut off by a loud yell reverberating through the caves that Roman could hear was a lot larger than anything he'd been imagining. “Well, before that.”

Roman had taken off, almost in instinct. He might not hold any true care for his brother, no avali generally did for their family, but he did pride himself on rescuing people under attack “Who is that?” He demanded, yelling back to the procyon, before realising he was keeping pace with his flight, swimming below him.

“Local dragon. Is this other avali loud? I'd have thought he'd have had longer before getting discovered in there.” The procyon asked, seemingly unconcerned there was an annoyed dragon, in contrast to his preparation to fight at the thought of an avali tribe entering the forest.

/\/\

Now when talking about the many people of the world, Remus had been told not to disturb a large number of them. Avali are relatively small in comparison to most of them, and similar enough to some prey animals that they'd had conflicts with, and stolen technology from almost all the others.

Dragons particularly came with the warning, not to disturb them, to avoid entering their homes where possible and definitely never ever enter the room a dragon stores their hoard.

In jumping into this cave, he seemed to have managed to do all of those things. Granted he disturbed the dragon deliberately, recognising what was curled on a pile of blankets opposite and deciding to introduce himself.

What was odd however was that the dragon didn't immediately turn to face him.

“Sooo, should I just wait for you to wake up properly, or can you really not see?” He decided to ask a few moments after the roar that came from waking them up.

“What are you? Who let you into my caves?” The hiss came back, now directed just to the right of Remus. He wanted to reach out and make them face in the right direction, but was sure that would end up in his death and didn't feel like that right now.

Instead he folded his legs under himself to sit down. “I'm Remus, an avali. Roman's probably looking for your normal way in now, but we were just exploring and I saw a hole that looked like it could be a cave. Didn't realise it was what, a ventilation hole? For your home.”

“I suppose I can introduce myself too. I'm Janus, a river dragon.” They introduced, scenting the air again. “At least you're the only one in here currently. Don't avali have feathers?”

“Yes, I'm very good at controlling any time I fall or jump.” Remus happily replied. It wasn't the provoked yelling he'd been hoping for but befriending a dragon sounded marvellous too.

Janus shook their head. “I mean that you coming through a ventilation gap Thomas decided was needed is all well and good but if Roman tries to find the main entrance he'll get soaked on the way in.”

“Got any flour or other powders I can throw at him then? He'll look a mess for weeks if I manage it right.” The idea was simple but that made it all the more sweet to try.

“Then you'll leave?” Janus was clearly aiming to demand that but Remus decided it was an unwilling request.

He jumped up, patting the dragon's side as he wandered in the direction of a room that seemed similarly sparsely decorated, hoping if he could avoid finding their hoard, then he could remain longer. “Doesn't sound like you want that and I don't want to sooo, only far enough to get like a shelter in the woods made. Then I can come visit again tomorrow.”

“Sorry for intruding Janus.” The call came from a room a few away from the one Remus was walking through now, and had the dragon soon catching him up.

“If you've brought the other avali this one is speaking about, then it's a welcome intrusion. Perhaps both of them will be on their way now.” Janus called back, herding Remus to move faster with his tail.

Remus crossed his arms, pouting when he couldn't get over the tail to reach any of the flour he spotted in the kitchen. “No fair. I want to make friends with you, not get pushed out.”

“Do so outside of my cave then.” Janus nodded.

/\/\

Roman was only listening to the conversation echoing through the caves absently, more focused on the space he'd had to swim a short way to enter and on ensuring his feathers would dry smoothly as quickly as possible.

It was more comfortable than he'd expected a dragon's cave to be, and had furniture that he wouldn't have expected. Dragons never usually took on bipedal forms, so why were there tables and chairs clearly intended for bipedal people?

“Excuse me, please can my brother be forgiven for the intrusion. I know I was the one to dare him to explore the cave but we had no idea that this was your marvellous home.” He called out when he could see the dragon's snout.

Remus cackled in response. “I don't think Janus is too upset about it. They're just herding me out of here not yelling or even grumbling currently.”

“Then you should be counting yourself lucky that that's the case.” Roman scolded. He didn't waste time in grabbing Remus's arm with the intent to pull him out of there, but he couldn't prevent the yell Remus let out.

“I'll be seeing you tomorrow Jan-jan and Racoon-fish.”

Suddenly Roman didn't want his path with Remus to diverge, if only in order to stop the other from insulting someone who would kill him.

[alexopinions]

Recension av The Recruit

Recension av The Recruit

Genre: spion thriller, äventyr, komedi.

Skapare: Alexi Hawley

Skådespelare:

Noah Centineo – Owen Hendricks, nystartad jurist på Amerikanska CIA som advokat

Laura Haddock – Max Meladze, Owens klient och före detta lönnmördare för CIA som nu sitter i fängelse

Aarti Mann – Violet, Owens medarbetare på CIA

Colton Dunn – Lester, Owens medarbetare på CIA

Fivel Stewart- Hannah – Owens förre detta flickvän och rumskamrat (hemsk ide att bo med sitt ex)

Daniel Quincy Annoh – Terence, Owens bästa vän och rumskamrat

Kristian Bruun – Janus Ferber, Owens medarbetare på CIA

Vondie Curtis Hall – Walter Nyland, Owens chef på CIA

Anger Parker – Dawn, CIA anställd som utför mord och andra spion uppgifter runt om i världen

Victor Trelles Turgeon – Talco

Byron Mann – Xander, en hög uppsatt CIA anställd, ansvarig för CIA’s kontor i Wien, Österrike

Kaylah Zander – Amelia, en medarbetare till Owen som startar ett förhållande med Owen

Handling

The Recruit följer en nyanställd advokat på Amerikanska CIA(Central Inteligence Agency), Owen Hendricks som blev rekryterad till CIA efter sin Advokat utbildning. På sin första dag på jobbet för han uppdraget att gå igenom vad som kallas ”The Grey Mail” vilket är brev från människor som skriver till CIA om suspekta individer eller incidenter men som 99% består av galna konspirations teorier. Av en ren slump sin första dag på jobbet öppnar Owen ett brev från en kvinna som sitter i fängelse i delstaten Arizona vid namn Max Meladze. En före detta Vitryss frilans lönnmördare åt CIA. I brevet hotar hon CIA att släppa klassificerade hemligheter som CIA verkligen inte vill att allmänheten ska känna till, och vilket som med största sannolikhet skulle resultera i stora konsekvenser för väldigt viktiga och mäktiga Amerikanska politiker. I brevet skriver hon också att om dem hjälper henne komma ut ur fängelset så kommer hon inte bara släppa sitt hot om att släppa alla hemligheter hon känner till men även att identifiera andra kriminella runt om i världen och korrupta människor inom CIA och andra liknande organisationer runt om i världen.

Detta leder så klart till att Owen tar brevet direkt till sin chef och förklarar situationen och bestämmer att göra Owen ansvarig för ärendet, och så är äventyret igång.

Genom seriens gång (8 avsnitt) får man följa Owen resa runt hela världen i sitt uppdrag att hjälpa Max Meladze.

Serien handlar även mycket om Owens privatliv med sin ex-flickvän Hannah som han fortfarande bor med trots att dem inte längre är tillsammans. Owens och Max relationer ligger också mycket i fokus, dock mer hur deras vänskap utvecklas trots Max många försökt att förföra Owen vilket han finner mycket obekvämt eftersom han fortfarande har känslor för sitt ex Hannah.

En annan mindre handling i serien handlar om hur två av Owens medarbetare, Violet och Lester subtilt men ändå inte försöker förstöra hans karriär hos CIA eftersom han redan fått mer ansvar och arbete på sin första dag än vad dem lyckats åstadkomma på flera på samma jobb som Owen. Handlingen med Violet och Lester är dock mer komisk än alvarlig då dem bara försöker jävlas och förstöra hans karriär vilket oftast inte går som planerat.

Recension

The Recruit är en extremt bra skriven, producerad och filmad serie. Trots att många olika länder och städer förekommer i serien, tex Wien, Beirut, Schweiz med flera så spelades hela serien in i Quebec, Kanada och Los Angeles i Kalifornien vilket verkligen imponerade mig då dem verkligen får scenerna som utspelar sig i alla olika länder verkligen ser ut som dem spelats in i platserna scenerna tar plats i.

Manuset är välskrivet och påminner starkt om Aaron Sorkins snabba konversationer och innovativa utryck. Mitt största problem med manuset och mycket av serien generellt är att man får veta väldigt lite om Owens bakgrund och sin barndom och sina tonår medans Max Meladzes bakgrund får väldigt mycket screentime jämfört med Owen.

Handlingen, som jag förstår kan låta lite komplicerad är väldigt lätt att hänga med i då det inte förekommer alldeles för många karaktärer. Problemet med handlingen ligger ock i att den känns lite för rusad. Jag hade föredragit om dem dragit ut serien lite och lagt till lite mer bakgrund till karaktärerna. Serien innehåller också måna scener som känns väldigt onödiga men som bara är där för att ge oss som publik mer insikt om vad som faktiskt händer istället för att låta oss lista ut vad som faktiskt hänt och händer själva, något som mer och mer framkommer i nya tv serier och filmer. Serien som jag nämnde tidigare består endast av 8 avsnitt som är runt 1 timme långa vilket är bra men också dåligt. Jag hade definitivt föredragit om serien innehållet minst 10 avsnitt så man har mer tid att utveckla karaktärerna och deras relation till varandra.

Jag satt även och undrade varför dem skickar en advokat att ta hand om ett så pass alvarligt och stort uppdrag i princip helt själv, han har inga som helst kunskaper i hur man slås, skjuter vapen eller utför annat våld som behövs i ett uppdrag av denna storlek, han borde definitivt ha fler medarbetare med mer erfarenhet och faktiska fältagenter som vet hur man slås, skjuter och kan ta sig ur farliga situationer istället för att skicka en helt nyrekryterad advokat till Colosseum i Rom bland redan vältränade gladiatorer och vilda djur. Detta är något jag verkligen inte tror den riktiga CIA hade gjort vilket jag satt och undrade över under hela seriens gång,

Nu till alla våldsfantaster som mig själv. Hur våldsam är serien? Den handlar ju om en advokat och inte en Agent. Hah….jadu…tro mig. Ni som gillar action kommer inte ha något att oroa er för. Karaktären Max Meladze är extremt badass och skicklig på att slås, skjuta och allt annat våldsamt ni kan tänka på. Tyvärr förekommer det dock inte speciellt mycket actionfyllda ögonblick utan Max, Owen har några incidenter där han behöver försvara sig mot död och kidnappning vilket är mer komiskt att se än spännande då serien har en relativ komisk ton trots sin action, thrilelr och spion genre.

Nu till vad jag gillar bäst om serien. Hur den eskalerar. Den börjar väldigt tamt utan några större eller dramatiska händelser. Men under seriens gång utvecklas det hela till en rullande snöboll i en nerförsbacke. Situationen bara eskalerar mer och mer hela tiden och spårar tillslut helt ut vilket är otroligt komiskt att se hur ett ärende man tror ska va relativt simpelt blir totalt galet och helt utom kontroll för alla inblandade. När man tror att Owen nåt botten och det inte kan bli mer galet eller situationen värre, så blir den bara galnare och galnare. För ser som sett serien Rick & Morty kan jag bara beskriva serien som Rick & Morty avsnittet Pickle Rick där en någorlunda ”normal” situation bara totalt spårar ut och blir helt kaotiskt mot slutet vilket jag absolut älskar med The Recruit. Precis när man tror man nåt max nivån av galenskap blir den bara galnare och galnare.

Jag rekommenderar starkt att ni ser The Recruit.

Betyg: 9/10.

Hade serien varit lite längre och karaktärerna fått mer bakgrundshistoria och mer karaktärs utveckling hade den definitivt fått 10/10 av mig.

The Recruit går att se på Netflix.com

[prince-rowan-of-the-forest]

Mer!Virgil !!

I love redoing their mer designs idk why - Virgil's changed quite a bit haha.

I still love him - I don't think I'm as happy with this one as I was with Janus but I still love him. <3

[pattxnsanders]

At that, Patton seems to look nervous, but the other workers leave, and Patton forces himself to settle a bit. Logan's nearby, he's gotta be! He'd never leave Patton alone. And the other fish is here too!

He looks at the other mer, clicking gently while scooting back further. He fiddles with the scales on his tail, cleaning underneath them with the quiet free time while waiting for the other fish to be okay. He hopes Janus is okay. Logan pulled him out pretty fast while the golden mer was asleep.

@onthevirge

Virgil was a purple betta fish mermaid that was currently being transported to the Sanders Aquatic Rehabilitation Center after he had been rescued from a ring of smugglers that had had him for almost a year. The rescuers had to leave him in his too small tank while they transported him because he refused to let anyone near him without trying to bite or claw them. He was curled up as tight as possible in the corner of his tank, glaring at all of the rescuers in the transport van as he picked at one of the many cuts on his body subconsciously.

Patton is a blue discus mermaid with a brilliant turquoise blue tail that faded to sliver on the underside. He had been rescued a few years ago from an illegal breeding center, and since had been used as a helper to acclimate new fish due to his relatively friendly and gentle nature.

Of course, this wasn't always successful, and the scars down his back prove it, but he's generally good at giving space. He is a little worried that not only are they in the big tank, but the rest of his school is being kept away from him which is a bit distressing. But he tries to remain calm and happy for the new fish, and makes sure to stay in one of the corners away from the greenery.