bsumone | ❝ There is, one knows not what sweet mystery about this sea ❞

Coming out of the sea hadn’t been ideal. His transformed body felt strange and heavy. Breathing from the air felt alien. Clothes rubbed against his skin in odd and uncomfortable ways, but apparently were a necessity on land. In the intervening months, the strangeness began to fade to normalcy.

Months bled into years. Years of silence. Oh, there were the sounds of life outside his little apartment. Traffic, people down below. But for him? There was only silence. Silence, loneliness, and a growing urge to return to the sea.

Myca started going back. Edging closer and closer to the water with each visit. Yet ever fearful that if it even lapped at his toes, he would shed this human skin and dive back in. That he would swim back out to his lonely rock and sing along with the waves, watching everyone who tried to love him drown.

That’s where anyone could find him: pants rolled up to his knees, tiptoeing closer, then scampering back when the water reached out for him.

He wasn't supposed to come out here alone. He wasn't allowed to go anywhere without his guards because his father thought he was useless on his own. Maybe he was right. But Cian felt so overwhelmed at home that when everyone thought he was studying, he'd used the shadows to slip away and come to the beach instead, hiding in the shade of some large rocks.

It was lonely being here but at least there wasn't anyone telling him what a failure he was. Disappointed him for not being cruel the way they were. Meant to take over for a family built by the dead to haunt and terrorize the living to death.

He didn't want to be like that. He still remembered when he'd accidentally killed several people just by crying as a child. To think he could do so again...

Hugging his knees, he watched the ocean lap at the sand until he realized there was movement near him. Curious, he carefully poked his head around the rock to look at the person who looked like he was dancing with the water. Away from the water? He wasn't sure what was going on. And worried he might be interrupting something private too.

It was barely a moment before Myca sensed eyes on him. Stepping back far enough that his toes were in no danger of getting wet, he turned his head, casting his distinctly inhuman gaze around. Life in the sea, even life on the rocks, involved man predatory things and it was Myca’s instinct to flee if needed. Those eyes quickly latched on to the figure near the rocks. Was this figure a threat?

First instinct said no.

Well, if this stranger wasn’t dangerous (to him, here in this moment), Myca saw no need to go on the defensive. Or the offensive. He was, after all, a thing build for devouring.

Yes, this one was curious. He didn’t give off the same kind of energy as the human people Myca so often found himself with. It prompted him to take a very tentative step closer.

Gasping softly at being caught, he ducked behind the rock again. Biting his lip, Cian shyly let his head poke out again, only barely this time. Everything about him was dark save for his pale, pale skin. Really he almost seemed more like a ghost than anything else and it wasn't really that far from the truth. That essentially was what he was.

Big black eyes watched the figure again, keeping to the shadows he'd been in already. Shadows always made him feel safer. Made him feel less...exposed for being less than human.

But he didn't actually run. He wanted to know what the other was doing with the water still.

It wouldn’t be the first time Myca’s seen a ghost. He makes – made – a lot of them. They lingered around his rocks, clinging to them as if they were still afraid to drown after they already had. The siren’s only companions.

In the sea, Myca was something of a predator, too. There were bigger and badder things than a lone siren, but he wasn’t some docile little creature. However, being above the water dulled his senses. In his natural habitat, he might’ve smelled that this stranger figure was something other than human. He might’ve sensed death and danger around him. These things moved so differently through air.

Whoever – whatever – he was, he wasn’t attacking. Indeed, he shrunk back before peeking out again, piquing Myca’s curiosity even more. Holding his hands up in a very human gesture to signal he meant no harm, he drew closer still to the rock behind which the other hid.

Oh...he knew that gesture. It wasn't one he saw often but often enough to recognize it for what it was. The other wouldn't hurt him. He'd be okay. Licking his lips, he watched him another moment but this time didn't shy away again. He also didn't come out further but he at least didn't duck away or run. That was something.

As he got closer too he realized something. Those eyes... This wasn't a human. A little more curious, he poked his head out just a little more again, eyes so wide as he tried to figure out if this was really safe or not.

The truth was that he could defend himself. One cry and anything nearby would suffer. But he hated hurting others so much that he didn't even want to think of using his voice that way. Not even to save himself from danger.

Myca was just as curious, watching the stranger with a sort of hopeful look. He paused just a few feet away, a distance where someone might normally be able to converse. Alas…

Myca lifted his brows and tapped a hand against his throat, hoping to convey that he ‘can’t’ speak. Wouldn’t was the actuality. Next, he gestured to a space nearer, asking permission before coming closer to crouch down beside Cian. He didn’t want to make the fellow uncomfortable, after all. He had a feeling that there was something interesting about him.

...was something wrong with his throat? Cian watched him a moment then saw the gesture. Looking to the sand near him, he then looked back. The other didn't...seem bad? After a moment of hesitation, he gave a quick little nod then darted behind the rock again. This time to sit down in those shadows so he could watch while the stranger came to sit with him.

He could always just run if it was dangerous. Yeah. He could do that.

A soft smile touched his lips. He understood the wariness. Myca was a stranger after all and what does one know about strangers? When he came to the spot beside the rock, he sat in the sand so he could see Cian, but still allowing him to hide. He didn’t want the fellow to feel trapped or dragged out into the open if that’s not where he wanted to be.

Once he was settled, he leaned forward to drag his finger through the sand, spelling out his name – M-Y-C-A – then laying his hand on his own chest to indicate that the word belonged to him.

Leaning closer, he looked at the sand and saw a name there. Without speaking, he mouthed it. Myca. Though he could speak, even if he only ever used whispers, he decided to follow along with what had been done and he traced his finger through the sand carefully to spell out his own name.

C-I-A-N. Then he realized that maybe his name might be hard because it was Irish so he also wrote: Key an.

Looking up, he tilted his head hoping the point came across that he was trying to show how to pronounce his name.

Oh, that’s very helpful! Myca wasn’t terribly familiar with Irish phonetics, so he definitely would’ve been pronouncing it more like the color cyan in his head. He nodded in understanding, then followed suit, spelling out ‘mee ka.’ Then he looked up from the sand with a bright smile. It was easy to communicate like this!

His eyes widened a little when he saw the new words. Oh he did understand him. And even offered pronunciation in return. A shy little smile came to his lips and then he paused before pointing at his eyes then at Myca's before putting a question mark in the sand in the hopes that it would be understood.

Myca wasn't human. His eyes said so. So what was he?

He watched closely, nodding in understanding. He swiped his hand over the sand to smooth it out before writing out ‘siren.’ Which, hopefully, explained why he didn’t speak. Though, he was curious if there was a reason Cian wasn’t talking. Maybe it was just a kind of solidarity or maybe his voice was dangerous, too? How strange and wonderful would it be to meet another like that!

Those dark eyes grew so wide and he looked from the word to Myca then back to the word. Siren tended to be female though? Much like... Cian gently brushed the sand then carefully wrote out 'banshee' into the sand before pointing at himself. For a moment he forgot to be shy, so lost in the wonder of meeting someone who was... So much like him in a way.

Myca’s eyes went wide, too! Banshee, the keening spirits as he understood them to be, were typically female. The initial surprise faded quickly and a bright smile pulled at the siren’s lips. Not only were they similar creatures, they were similarly different from their typical kind.

He wiped the word away with a gently swipe of his hand and wrote ‘friends?’ in its place. They had much in common already, it seemed like a solid foundation for friendship.

Friends. He'd never had a friend before in his entire life because he wasn't allowed to have them. Even coming here alone was against the rules and he already feared the anger of his father when he returned. But in this moment he didn't want to think about that. Cian had the chance to have a friend for the very first time in his life. Someone who understood him in a way no one else ever had before.

Biting his lip, he looked up at the siren and then nodded. He really, really did want to be friends.

Being non-verbal made it difficult for Myca to make friends on the surface. He imagined Cian’s shyness and his voice made it hard for him. Myca’s smile grew even wider at Cian’s acceptance. He wanted to lunge forward and hug his new friend, but he held back to keep from scaring him off!

Instead, he smoothed the sand between them once more and began to write. ‘Want to stay here? Go somewhere else?’ Since Myca lived in town, he thought, maybe, if Cian wanted to, maybe they could go grab a bite to eat. But first, he wanted to make sure his new friend would be interested in leaving the beach.

Shyly scooting a little closer now, he looked at the questions and hesitated a moment. Staying here was nice. But maybe somewhere else would too? He knew so little of the world outside of the compound. The fact that he'd been able to get out at all without any of the guards noticing was a miracle really. He still didn't know how he'd done it.

Gently brushing the questions out, he decided to just admit his dilemma. 'I don't know places.'

Then he looked up at Myca in the hopes that maybe he could help.

Myca gave him a reassuring smile and pointed to himself. He knew places.

‘Hungry?’ he wrote in the sand. There were so many options. If Cian didn’t want to leave the beach, Myca could get them something and bring it back for them to eat there. But if Cian wanted that, he could also walk with Myca. They could continue their conversation with his phone.

Then he added, ‘can eat here if you prefer.’ There were plenty of little food stalls not far from the beach.

He thought about how his guards might be out looking for him. If they saw him they might not like his new friend. Chewing his lip, he pondered what to do and then he pointed to the second sentence. He wanted to eat here. Then he could keep him safe.

Then he wrote his own. 'Where?' If the food was close he could go with him and then they could come back.

Myca nodded in understanding. They could have a little beach picnic right here among these rocks. That idea was nice. Turning back, he gestured in the opposite direction of the water. Just a walk away, toward a busy little stretch, there was a walking path partway between the sea and the nearest road that boasted many little shops and vendors: including some restaurants and food stalls. And with two of them, they could get a main course and some sweet treats to carry back to their little hideaway.

Leaning forward, he looked past to where Myca gestured. It was a little distance but it wasn't bad. They'd be able to get there and get back quickly to eat here. Cian thought about it and then he got to his feet to gesture that he'd come with him. That way Myca wouldn't have to go alone. And also so he could spend time with his new friend. His first ever friend.

Oh, yes, it was very close. It would only take them five, maybe ten minutes if they had trouble deciding what to eat to get there and back. Myca beamed happily and reached out for Cian’s hand to lead him away. Of course, he’d have to take it back at some point so they could continue talking via his phone. He lacked that talent of typing with one hand.

They got a dozen steps or so before Myca fished his phone out of his pocket. Using the ‘notes’ app, he typed out, ‘what kind of food do you like?’ There was such a variety near here! Restaurants, cafes, food stands, food trucks! They could get several things and have it all family style if they wanted.

He'd...never been allowed to hold someone's hand before. Even as a child when he'd come into being his father had never once allowed him to have that affection. It was something he'd craved for years and so he hesitantly reached out to take the hand, find it so warm compared to his own cool flesh.

It felt...so good.

Cian actually smiled softly as he followed after Myca, letting him have his hand back to talk on the phone. Leaning over, he looked at the screen and pondered before reaching to type back to him...

'Everything'

That answer brought a warm smile to Myca’s lips. There’s a lot to choose from and they may have to meet up again at some future time to manage trying everything. He’ll be happy to see his new friend again. For today, they can hit up a few of the different vendors (stands and trucks) and get some takeaway items from the cafes and restaurants. Between the two of them, they could carry a few bags of food.

‘Let’s start with fish tacos!’ A favorite of his.

Fish tacos. That wasn't something he'd ever had before. He wasn't really allowed to partake in a lot of foods because he was supposed to be one of the dead. There was no need for food to survive unless it was to maintain appearances. But Cian adored food. Adored trying new things. Sometimes he even did so when his father wasn't looking just so that way there was no way he'd get upset over it.

Nodding fast, he went with Myca to the place with the tacos and gasped at the smell of it. It smelled...so good! Eyes wide, he tried to even imagine how they could have come up with so many amazing flavors to try like this menu suggested.

Seeing Cian's eyes go round as saucers prompted Myca to lift a hand and cover his own mouth as if he was giggling. It was wonderful to see his excitement. While his new friend pondered the menu, Myca was wondering what else they could get. Chili cheese dogs were close. The cafe across the street had good antipasto they could share. Oh, and they'd need something sweet. The gelato restaurant!

All this rolled through his mind before he focused on the fish taco menu. He typed what he wanted onto his phone and handed it to Cian if he wanted to do the same rather than vocalize it.

Taking the phone, and wishing more and more that he had his own, he typed in his order and offered it back to Myca to order for them. He'd seen an option on there to let him try a few flavors at the same time. It seemed a fun way for them to share too. More variety.

While they waited for the food he looked around. Even without him saying so it was clear he just did not get this kind of freedom normally.

Myca smiled as he showed the phone to the one taking the orders. He also, chose a variety for them to share! It's going to be such a lovely picnic for them. Exactly how it should be with a friend, Myca thought. Taking the phone back, he stepped to the side so others could order while they waited.

As they did, he eagerly patted Cian's upper arm to get his attention. Once Myca had it, he pointed just across the street to the place with the gelato. They definitely needed that. Cian seemed so... cloistered. Like he didn't get out in the world very often. Whether by his choice or someone else's didn't matter. What did matter was that Myca showed him a fun time right here and now.

The siren took a second to type on his phone, listing out all the foods they should get: gelato, some antipasto, the chili cheese dogs. Anything else that looks good!

Looking over, he searched until he saw the sign. Gelato. He'd heard of it before but he'd never had it. Someone who his father went to scare to death had been having it. His father had told him to stay away from it. That it wasn't something he needed since he was a banshee. But he'd always wondered...

He nodded to say he wanted it. Then he looked back to look at the phone. Such a wonder of foods he'd never explored before.

Cian nodded again. Please. He wanted so badly to try all of this while he had his freedom for it!

Excellent! Myca was so happy to share these foods with his new friend.

We'll get the gelato last so it doesn't melt on our way back, okay?

After a moment, the vendor handed them a bag with other fish tacos carefully packed inside it. Myca grinned and paid before taking Cian by the arm to lead him down the street to the chili cheese dog vendor. Stop after stop until they had a little of everything he suggested and bowls of gelato in their hands. Thank goodness they were given a couple of bags to carry everything so they could make their way back to the beach to eat.

Myca took them back to where they met so Cian could hide among the rocks if it made him feel more comfortable. He took a break in eating and passed his phone to the banshee.

Let me know which is your favorite!

Following after him, he watched with wonder as they got all of this food and went back to his hiding spot to eat. Food all around them and the wonder of having a friend for the first time in his life. Though he didn't need to eat to survive, he still tried everything. In the end he pointed to the antipasto. All the flavors and they all changed when different bites were had. It was a world of new in his mouth every time.

Then he thought about it and gently typed onto the phone.

And the gelato too!

Myca was so glad they had such a wide selection of foods to try. But gelato was definitely among Myca's favorites, too. He loved the smooth, creamy texture on top of the varieties of flavors one could get. A wide grin spread over his lips and he nodded in agreement. Antipasto and gelato were both so good for so many different reasons!

Taking the phone, Myca's expression shifted a little to eager curiosity. Can we do this again sometime? He didn't have a lot of friends and Cian seems to be in a similar situation.

Looking over at the phone, he gasped softly. He really wanted to do this again with him? Cian's eyes were so wide as he smiled at him. This was a huge mistake and he should say no to him. He should run far, far away to protect him. Yet he couldn't stop himself from nodding.

Please he wanted to do this again so much! So very much!

That smile brightens beyond measure! Beaming, blinding with happiness at that nod. Funny how such a little thing could make someone so happy. Yet, here he is, so very happy just to have someone want to meet him again.

Do you have a phone? I'll give you my number.

There. That makes the plans a little more fluid, a little less concrete. In case it was hard for Cian to get away.

❝ There is, one knows not what sweet mystery about this sea ❞

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject