voicilasirene

[voicilasirene]

Anouk frowned, momentarily swapping out her morose attitude for curiosity. She tilted her head in thought, pondering. She hadn't bothered to press her informant for more details about how the delectable pirate had come to be dust. It was terribly unlike her, but she'd simply been too upset over the loss of a promised meal and the sad truth that she would now never know what it would have been like to embrace and consume him.

"I'm not sure if it's something that just happened or perhaps something done to the body? Who knows with them!" Human rituals were confounding to say the least.

Anouk reached out to give the other's forearm a gentle squeeze as an expression of her gratitude when her frustrations were rightfully vindicated. "It is! Thank you for saying as such. The island can be so cruel!"

"Oh of course," She sounded with a dignified air, "I never limit myself to only one pursuit at a time. I find it's easier to be patient when I know I've got several of them laying in wait to step right into one of my traps at any given moment. I'm in no danger of going hungry, but still — so much time toying with him for naught!"

continuing from this thread | @voicilasirene

Nin delighted in attending to Anouk. Such a beauty, with her prideful nature and her cold eyes. Nin would love to be more like her, so very ruthless.

She smiles softly at her. "You did seem a little distracted, piisaao." It's with fondness that she listens to her thoughts, brushing her hair softly with her fingers. "I didn't hear about that... I know little about the pirates. It seems I only encounter the lost boys," she hums thoughtfully at the realisation.

"But he was turned to dust?" She repeats, mouth hanging open for a moment. "Does that happen to the legged-folk? I had no idea," she's beyond fascinated, but beyond that, she hurts for Anouk. She pouts prettily.

"I'm so sorry," she says. "To have your plans ruined like that... It's no good, really. This island is so harsh to someone who plans things so carefully, like you."

As she does the finishing touches for Anouk's lovely hair, she smiles at her. "But do you have a new target in sight? I'm sure it'll go better next time. How could it not? You deserve a good meal!"

[voicilasirene]

❛ you’re not as bad as everyone says you are. ❜

Wendy seemed like the idealistic sort who should have made for simple prey; however, the girl was also fairly clever and that made things a bit more tricky. Laying it on too thickly with this one seemed like it would be a tactic that would not yield the results the mermaid was hoping for and would instead stir up distrust in the end.

"Thank you, chérie. You are too kind." Anouk politely replied.

Pure honey was not the bait to lay here and so her voice took on a conspiratorial tone as she whispered, eyes quickly darting about to be sure they were alone, "Just be sure you don't mistake my friendly nature as something all merfolk share. I'm sure you don't need any reminding, but the others aren't nearly as nice as me — I think it might have something to do with my heritage or perhaps my good upbringing..."

She'd laugh to herself about that one later, for now she remained the picture of sincerity, "I would detest for the niceties we've shared to land you in harm's way with one of the others. Do be sure to keep your guard up around them."

[voicilasirene]

❛ i thought you’d like some company. ❜ 

"So sweet of you," Anouk had her suspicions that it was actually Fletcher who was in need of company, having heard about Thorn's murder from Carrion, but the mermaid refrained from voicing the thought and smiled kindly instead.

"Oh, one of the lost ones showed me this game recently!" She held up a finger indicating that she'd be right back before diving down beneath the waves. She wasn't gone for long and when she returned to them Anouk laid out the three large scallop seashells in a line on the smooth rock before them. She held up a pearl and explained, "I'll place the pearl under one of the shells and then I'll shuffle the shells around as fast as I can. You try to keep track of which shell has the pearl underneath it and if you get it correct, you win. Would you like to try it?"

[voicilasirene]

❛ if i didn't know any better, i'd say you were jealous. ❜ — MARLOWE

Anouk rolled her eyes, waving off the comment with a swipe of her hand. Earlier she had sharpened her claws on bits of coral and the dust that lingered shimmered with the action as it hit a beam of sunlight that had pierced through the water. She really ought to have ignored him altogether. Marlowe wasn't worth a millisecond of her time and yet it was quite delightful to test the edge of her words against his frail ego to ensure they were as sharp as her claws.

"Of your standing with Ianthe? Oh, please!" She scoffed, "Anyone with any bit of sense at all would know better than to envy that. Not to speak ill of her, of course, I have nothing against Ianthe. But to be in a place of power? What a horrid burden! The constant stress of knowing that you have an unknowable amount of enemies just waiting to strike? Duress is so bad for the skin....I can hardly imagine an existence more wretched." She paused to look Marlowe over pointedly and frowned, "Well — perhaps I can imagine one actually."

"Regardless, to be a part of that inner circle, well, you've only traded one death sentence for another; albeit, a slightly lengthier and less predictable one. Hardly something to envy from my vantage."

@lowetyde

[voicilasirene]

❛ i’m trying to fix your hair, so hold still. ❜

Anouk had been lost inside her own world, deep in the throes of mournful thoughts so that when Nin had reached out to her, she had startled, completely unaware that someone else was there. She had no reason to be overly aware of the others in the lagoon and so she'd allowed herself the luxury of letting her guard down completely. Anouk fluttered her eyelashes as she took in their surroundings and gave a laboriously long sigh.

"My apologies," She offered and shifted her posture, holding perfectly still, but letting out another sigh, "Merci beaucoup, Nin. Where would I be without spectacular attention to detail?" Her tone was flat, but not unkind. She was simply distracted.

Anouk found her mind drifting again as the other mermaid worked and decided that sharing her woes might do her some good. "You know I heard talk that one of the pirates died recently. Turned to dust is what I've heard." All that flesh here one instant and then gone the next. It was completely horrid!

"He was such a tender one. What a terrible waste." Anouk pouted prettily. She'd had such hopes for that one too....

[voicilasirene]

&. 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬.

( this is basically just a very self indulgent list of various fluff, angst, and suggestive themed dialogue sentence starters. )

❛ i could keep you safe. they’re all afraid of me. ❜

❛ i’m trying to fix your hair, so hold still. ❜

❛ your heart is beating so fast right now. ❜

❛ promise me you’ll still be here when i wake up. ❜

❛ you’re not as bad as everyone says you are. ❜

❛ i thought you’d like some company. ❜ 

❛ clean yourself up. you're getting blood all over the place. ❜

❛ here, give this a try and tell me what you think. ❜

❛ you can kiss me, you know. ❜

❛ come back to bed. ❜

❛ you look good like this. ❜

❛ working together again, it’s just like old times. ❜

❛ how is it you always know what i need, huh? ❜

❛ you’re lucky you got away with only a scratch. ❜ 

❛ i can’t imagine losing someone like that. i’m sorry. ❜

❛ you know you can always talk to me. ❜

❛ the only one who gets to kill you, is me. ❜

❛ so, what do i owe this pleasure? ❜

❛ may i have this dance? ❜ 

❛ it’s okay, you can touch me. i won't break. ❜

❛ enemies make the best lovers, you know. ❜

❛ hold still. this might sting a little. ❜

❛ we can't keep doing this. ❜ 

❛ just relax and let me take care of you. ❜

❛ thought you’d be lighter without all that blood. ❜

❛ i had it under control. you didn’t need to do that. ❜

❛ everything looks so beautiful from up here. ❜

❛ you treat all your ladies like this? ❜

❛ well? how do i look? ❜

❛ can’t sleep? ❜

❛ i’m scared of ending up alone. ❜

❛ i don’t think i’ve ever seen you smile. ❜

❛ how long has it been since you've slept? ❜

❛ you are losing my interest, and that’s very dangerous. ❜

❛ i’d suffer hell if you’d tell me what you’d do to me tonight. ❜

❛ you look really pretty right now. ❜

❛ i’m not wearing any underwear. thought you’d like to know. ❜

❛ just a few more stitches and you’ll be as good as new. ❜

❛ i’d say we make a pretty good team. ❜

❛ i'm here for business — not pleasure. ❜

❛ if i didn't know any better, i'd say you were jealous. ❜

❛ you'd look better down on your knees. ❜

❛ fine, keep acting like you hate me. ❜

❛ kiss me again. ❜

❛ are you asking me out on a date? ❜

❛ just sit there and look pretty and let me handle this. ❜

❛ you okay? caught you staring off into space again. ❜

❛ well, i do feel better now that you're here. ❜

❛ i'm not drunk enough for this. ❜ 

❛ why is it whenever we see each other, you’re covered in blood? ❜

❛ i was wrong about you. ❜ 

❛ the first time i met you, i had no idea you'd mean this much. ❜

❛ you gonna be a good girl / boy for me? ❜

❛ i’m not afraid of you. ❜

❛ books mean more to me than people anyway. ❜

❛ i just wanted to say thank you for protecting me. ❜

❛ how about a kiss goodnight? ❜

❛ i don’t have time for distractions right now. ❜

❛ you shouldn’t be out here by yourself. ❜ 

❛ if i have to think about one more thing today, my head will explode. ❜

[voicilasirene]

“What on earth are you up to?”

Anouk startled when Carrion's voice met her ears. She'd been so utterly focused on the task at hand, straining to pick out the words two pirates were muttering back and forth frustratingly out of clear earshot from the shoreline that the small folk had snuck up on the poor Mer.

She scowled and straightened her posture, before quickly smoothing over the lines of her face into feigned innocence, "Hmm? Oh, nothing. Nothing at all."

"But — If I were up to something, which I'm certainly not, and you wanted to kindly lend a hand out of the goodness of your heart...?" She nodded to the land-locked pair in the distance, "Or an ear rather...."

She didn't bother to elaborate further, sure that Carrion understood her meaning. She only hoped that the fae would be as curious about the conversation as she was so she wouldn't have to part with anything in exchange.

[voicilasirene]

“No, stalking isn’t ‘creepy’, it’s ‘research’.” — Tick-Tock

"D'accord!" Anouk relented, visibly frustrated with the small folk, "It is 'research'."

Anouk huffed out her disagreement before insisting that, "It is still creepy and I continue to hold the belief that you'd be able to learn a whole lot more if you weren't always so unnerving while 'researching', petite horloge."

@tycktock

[voicilasirene]

Sirène by Gaston Hoffmann (1926)

[voicilasirene]

"I love how humans get makeovers," Alana says, combing through her long red hair with her fingernails. "It's so cute that they just reinvent themselves--all the time! Without even getting used to the one before" She let's out a giggle, shielding her mouth with her hand out of habit. "Maybe we should get makeovers, huh, An? I mean, we're about 100 years overdue at least!"

"Oh, Alana," Anouk sighed through a soft peel of laughter, giving a shake of her head, bemused, "You silly thing, you!"

"Why would you and I need 'makeovers' when we are already perfect just as we are? What would we even change? The humans have all sorts of bizarre rituals, but I wouldn't call them 'cute', exactly — pointless, hysterical, and even a little sad at times seems much more appropriate personally."

While Anouk did so adore to wear elaborate ornamentation (like her beloved jewelry or the corset made of bone and webbing Carrion had crafted) and took great pride in her appearance, the human concept of reinvention seemed to her to be nothing more than their eternal struggle to be perfect even though perfection was forever out of reach to their kind. Très tragique!

@alanaanew

[voicilasirene]

Suspicious Sentence Starters

Send me one of the following sentences regarding suspicion, trust, and paranoia.

“I’m not sure you have the best intentions.” “When have I ever steered you wrong?” “What makes you think I can trust you?” “I don’t trust you. Not yet.” “It’s hard for me to believe anything you say.” “It hurts that you still can’t trust me after all this time.” “I made a mistake, okay? Are you going to distrust me forever?” “It takes me a long time to open up to people, I’m sorry.” “There’s someone outside watching the house.” “I have a weird feeling about him/her/them.” “Why do you always think people are up to something?” “I won’t give you my trust. You have to earn it.” “You can’t live your life being suspicious of everybody around you.” “I know we just met, but you have to trust me.” “What on earth are you up to?” “So, what were you whispering about?” “You’ve been keeping a secret from me.” “I’m not crazy, we’re being watched!” “Why do I get the feeling you’re not telling me the truth?” “I’d rather be safe than sorry when it comes to people I don’t know yet.” “I trusted you once and I’m never doing it again.” “You see that person? I think they’re following us.” “I just get this feeling that someone has been watching me.” “Who are you and why have you been following me?” “I used to be a very trusting person.” “Where were you?” “I’m sorry I didn’t trust you.” “You won’t call me ‘paranoid’ when you realize I’ve been right all along.” “You were right, okay? I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you.” “Give me one good reason to trust you.” “After last time, I’m not sure I should listen to you.” “Nope. Nuh-uh. I’m not trusting another one of your bad plans.” “How can we trust this person?” “How do I know you won’t just stab me in the back?” “I’m sorry, I just can’t bring myself to trust you again.” “You were right. I was a fool to trust them.” “I’m not suspicious. I’m just cautious.” “I told you that they were bad news.” “No, facebook stalking isn’t ‘creepy’, it’s called ‘being careful’.” “I get a bad feeling about them.”

[voicilasirene]

Marlowe’s verbal barbs missed their mark, leaving her unaffected and clearly unimpressed. Or perhaps they had landed a blow, as the bite in his tone lured in her in by making Anouk feel more invested in continuing her critical observations of the wounded mer instead of leaving him to bleed in desolation. 

“Well, feigning innocence is my calling card,” She countered and smiled prettily, accompanied by the shrug of one shoulder and a flick of her tail cutting through the water.

“Oh, how cute! We both know you should be grateful that I deigned to acknowledge you at all. But to pretend it’s irritating — malin!” Anouk drifted a bit closer, casting a considering look Marlowe’s way before asking, “Or have you actually convinced yourself that you really do prefer the solitude — barring Ianthe, of course; as if it’s a personal choice and not merely your lot in life?” She gave a shake of her head and let out a soft laugh, “No, of course not. Your defense mechanisms would never be capable of such a thing. My mistake.”

@lowetyde​​ | cont’d from here.

[voicilasirene]

(Almost) Every Costume Per Episode + Princess Claude’s embellished pink corset and white skirt with flower print in 2x08

[voicilasirene]

’ you are so creative! i could never be that original. ’ - charlie

The mermaid practically glowed in response to the compliment, an easy smile played upon her lips and her dark eyes gleamed brightly. She was always delighted by compliments, be them genuine or not — although the genuine ones did shine a bit brighter. She was quite prideful that way.

"You give yourself too little credit, cher cœur!" Anouk admonished in a voice that was all but a purr, "I've seen those woven bracelets you make for the other marins. Si beau! You should take pride in your creativity!"

Of course, those bracelets were nothing compared to her own necklace. It was rather lovely, having been crafted from her most prized treasures. It was made up of repurposed jewelry and other such shiny baubles from her previous conquests. None that Charlie would recognize, of course. Anouk was never so careless as to display the spoils from her kills performed here on Neverland's shores. Her necklace was crafted exclusively from pieces of her past life, before the island's magic took hold of her.

[voicilasirene]

A light laugh escapes him. “Say it like that and you can get me to do anything.” ((he's joking, but what he doesn't know is that anouk probably could--and with hardly any effort on her part))

"Flatterer." Anouk accused through a gentle peel of laughter, "As if I could get you to do anything you didn't want to do."

She likely could have, but what was the fun in that? Better still when they wanted it themselves right up until the moment they realized they were going to die. And it didn't have to be a seduction or love, it could be like this: a friendship. Or perhaps a more familial connection. Or any other number of bonds. It didn't much matter to Anouk what role she played, so long as the human in question believed the lie and thus gave over their emotions and their trust willingly, truly. Delicious.

"But do come back to tell me about the next Battle! I want to hear all about your victory once it's done!"

[voicilasirene]

’ has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are? ’ - nin

"Of course they have!" Anouk giggled in a good-natured sort of way. She wasn't teasing the other mermaid, but rather was amused by the question itself, "What a thing to ask, charmant Nin!"

"Where you came from, before you found us here, did the mortals not fall all over themselves just for a chance to sing praises about your beauty?" Anouk combed her fingers through the waves of her tresses, feeling the compelling need to preen and flaunt while discussing the topic, "I find that extraordinarily hard to believe. I've had people beg for me to allow them to paint my portrait; great poems written about my mystique." She sighed wistfully. What blissful memories! Here in Neverland she didn't get the same quality of fanfare, but such was the sacrifice she'd made for the sake of sanctuary and safety.

@littlenin

[voicilasirene]

(not to be like "you're not like other girls" but essentially...) "you're not like the others, are you?" impressed. approving. thinks they're on the same level (lmao lmao lmao)

"So clever of you to notice." Anouk commended with a self-satisfied smile. The Lost Boys were always terribly fun to toy with. Figuring out exactly which tactics to employ against them in order to get each one to lower their guard and abandon their good sense was a favorite pastime of hers, indeed. With this one, she need only play into his conceit. "You must be quite perceptive."

"But, of course, you are. Silly me!" She shook her head and gave a soft laugh, "You'd have to be a keen observer in order to be such a fine archer, isn't that right?" She arched an eyebrow in question, "I wouldn't know personally, but it looks like it would take a great deal of focus!"