Victor
Hello loll, I shall start now
James
As the early sun began to rise across the lands of man. A fisherman just so happened to be out in the water. 

He was clearly an 'early bird gets the worm' type man as he cast his kind into the water. He relaxed under the stars that remained and waited patiently for something to bite his line.

Unexpectedly, his hook caught something faster than usual. He hopped up in excitement seeing how tight and strong the creature seemed to be. No matter how hard he pulled he just couldn't seem to get it out the water. A cocky smile graced his face, thinking that he caught an ancient fish of some sorts. That was until the boat suddenly began speeding across the waters from how strong the creature was pulling. 

The man yelled in panic, holding onto his fishing pole for fear life until suddenly his boat broke as it hit the land. He landed in his face but turned around just in time to see a beautiful woman wearing what seemed to be pirate attire in all black. She removed the hook that was caught in her dress and stared the man down in curiosity. The man was entranced at first until he noticed her sharp claws and signature hat. She was The Dead Serpent. He scattered to his feet and ran away in fear, leaving Zali in a state of annoyance. She looked around once more. "Where in the world is the nearest port?" She said to no one in particular
Christopher
*Had been swimming along aimlessly when she caught a distinct scent in the water, one belonging to another seafolk. Judging by how it tasted, it was most likely a siren of some kind. They could be mean, with all their tricks and whatnot. However, Lo was always looking for new friends, and the chance to make friends was one she would never turn down.*

*She had been on her way to Miller Dale in order to mingle with the beach goers there. While they were undoubtedly still afraid of her, some were venturing closer to her every now and then, instead of running away screaming. Progress! Yay!*

*Lo followed the scent through the water until she found its source. A siren woman standing on the shore. She looked annoyed. Lo would make her feel better. Lo was nice. At least she thought so. She swam over to her excitedly, rising out of the water with their biggest, friendliest smile.*

*From the Siren's perspective, what she saw was far worse. She saw a bizarre humanoid creature rise out the water, right in front of her. It tall with seaweed green hair, pale turquoise scales along its body. A soaked and tattered white dress clung to its frame. It has long, sharp claws at its webbed hands and feet. It had wide glassy eyes, reminiscent of those of a dead fish. Worst of all was it's mouth. It was far too wide, literally ear to ear. It was full of far too many sharp teeth. Lo looked like a sea monster.*
James
The Dead Serpent stared up at the creature. Based on her scent she was clearly a mermaid, but she wasn't the usual preppy, fake, bitchy mermaids she was used to.

In all honesty, it was refreshing seeing a different type of mermaid, but her guard was still up slightly. A grin painted her face as she let out a chuckle at how bold the mermaid before her was.

"Given that you just swam up to me without a second thought behind those big eyes and NOT attack me. I'm gonna guess that you a friendly." She said her smooth voice holding a unique Caribbean accent to it. 

She held out her hand with a smile on her face. "Zali me name. Long as you don't pose a threat, we will be god friends"
Christopher
*Oh! This siren wasn't scared of her! That was a good start. Very rare. Most people are, so it's good that she isn't. Her name is Zali, Lo has never heard that name before, it was pretty.*

*Lo stared at her out stretched hand for a moment looking confused. She was sure that there was some kind of ritual she was supposed to perform... Oh yeah! A hand shake! Lo gripped Zali's hand and squeezed, shaking it enthusiastically. Her grip is just a bit too tight for comfort. When they let go, they finally spoke.*

"Hi! Hello Zali! I like your name. It is pretty. You are pretty. My name is Lo Tide. We are friends now. I would never attack someone for no reason. Unless they attacked first. Then I would probably eat them."

*Lo's voice was strange. It had a bizarre king of "Accent" That Zali was unable to place. Her voice also had a weird warbling quality to it, as if she's speaking from underwater.*
James
"Friends you sey? Well then Lo Tide, can you help a friend out. Do you know where the nearest port is? I need to... Negotiate with someone." Zali asked politely. She honestly liked how Lo Tide looked. Zali used to live in the deep sea, so she's seen much scarier creatures. But for some reason, Lo Tides interesting body structure put a strange sense of ease in Zali. Almost as if she could trust her.
Christopher
"Nearest port? That is the place with all the boats and people and wood yes? I often sit under the port to listen to people talk and move around. I like watching people."

*Love points a clawed finger along the coast.*

"Port is that way. Do you want me to take you there?"
James
Zali smiled up at her. "Of course. Race to see who gets there first?" Zali asked in a playful tone. She had a feeling that Lo Tide had been searching for a friend for a while now. Despite her harmful reputation, she was glad to meet someone who didn't ran away screaming at the sight of her.
Christopher
*Lo gave Zali one of her big, terrifying grins.*

"That sounds fun! Will we race on land or on water? If we race in the water I will win."

*She says that last part like it's a sure fact, not even a brag.*
James
"Is that so? Well then let's race in the water, I wanna see if someone is actually faster than ME in such terrifying waves"

Zali challenged with a friendly grin. Just by looking at how Lo's body was made, Zali was sure that she would have to use all her speed just to keep up. But Zali was far from slow.

She's trained her body day and night to withstand harsher waves than the ones they were about to swim through. So if anything, Zali would be quite the challenge for Lo
Christopher
"Okay! If you are insisting. We will race in the water. I want to see how fast you are. I still think I will win."

*Lo steps deeper into the water until she's completely submerged. Once she's fully in the water, she looks different. Not physically different, but more confident than she was on land. You could say she's in her element her.*

"You count down. We will go on one."
James
Zali stepped into the water as well. Her hair floating like expensive silk and her clothes only making her look more mystical.

She smiled, her scales reflecting in the light slightly. "Alright. In three, two, one... Go!"

The second she said go, the both of them took off so fast that the water behind them almost evaporated. They swam skillfully through the morning waves, the sun gracing their faces every now and then when they swam closer to the surface. For the first time in a long time, Zali was having fun.
Christopher
*Lo and Zali shot through the water like a pair of bullets. Lo was surprised that Zali was actually keeping up with her. She let out a watery giggle and put on another burst of speed, moving with unearthly grace.*

"You are fast, small hunter! I like you! Have you ever been to the Abyss?"
James
Seeing her go even faster, Zali's eyes widened with hilarity. Her nails grew sharp, letting her cut through the water easier and keep the same pace as Lo.

"I have been to the Abyss! I actually lived there for a few years and let me tell ya, I wouldn't be this fast without it!" Zali explained with a smile. It had been a long time since she could home a conversation about her last home.
Christopher
*Lo spun around in the water to look at Zali. There's a look of surprise on her face that quickly changes to one of ecstatic joy.*

"Truly? You have been to Mother Ocean's great depths? Oh we have so much in common! I have lived most of my life there. I was born there. It was where I spent most of my life until I decided to surface. I have so many questions for you! How did you survive the pressure with out being squished? Did you meet any Abyssal Merfolk like me? Did you ever see a leviathan? Did you ever hear the voice of Mother Ocean? Were you ever hunted by a predator?"
James
Zali couldn't help but chuckle at such exciting questions.
"You lived there too ya know! I may have lived a few levels deeper since I didn't always look like this, but I'll answer all ya questions once I'm finished at the port." Zali explained politely. 

"Are we almost to the port?" Zali asked sensing boats and the vibrations of people talking off of them. One thing about Sirens is that they will always know if there's a voice around or not
Christopher
*They were approaching the docks rather quickly. Lo began to slow down so as to not crash into them. They also remained in the water, not wanting to reveal themselves and scare off any people there.*

"I know I lived there! It is just very rare to meet another who has visited my home sea. Most who do visit are killed. I want to hear how it was for you."
James
Zali smiled "True about that. Give me one second. I need to go handle some business real quick. I shouldn't be long though. Did you want me to get you anything? Food? Jewelry? Magic Scrolls? You name it I buy it." Zali offered sweetly
Christopher
"Ah? You mean to offer me things? I cannot accept. It would not be fair! You would be giving to me, and I cannot give back. I have no money. It would be wiser if you bought only for yourself."

*Lo returned Zali's sweet smile. At least, she tried. Her grin is still far too wide to be normal.*
James
Zali shook her head "Trust me Lo, I'm going to get you something anyways. Your the first friend in a long time that I've made. I don't want anything back from you so you might as well just tell me what you want!" Zali said happily

She wasn't lying. Anyone else who came in contact with her the last few centuries weren't as lucky as Lo Tide. Even other mermaids faces her wrath. But Lo was different, and Zali knew she deserved to be treated as such.
Christopher
"Well... If you are insisting, and not giving me the choice to refuse, then I suppose..."

*Lo looks down at her tattered white dress. Getting a new one after all this time would be nice.*

"Perhaps a new dress? I have had this one for years. It is in poor shape."
James
Zali stared at her tattered and worn dress, nodding in agreement. But then a sudden thought came to her, she didn't know Lo's kind of style.

"You wanna come up there with me? I know a spell that can make you look like a siren temporarily if you don't want to go up in your true form!" Zali proposed. If she wanted her friend to be happy, she going to make sure that she got everything that she needed with her OWN eyes.
Christopher
*Lo gives her a fascinated look. She could just... Do that? Just change the way Lo looked completely? Woah... She must be a really powerful mage.*

"I'd love to! I've never been able to walk on land without making people scared before. Thank you for offering to do this! That is very nice of you. You are very nice. Even if I wish I could be myself, I know that probably won't happen soon."
James
Zali smiled before closing her eyes and breathing in. Once she opened her eyes again, there was a slight glow in as she released her breath underwater. 

A small wave of water that glowed a jade color circled around Lo beautifully before engulfing her entirely for a few seconds.

Once the wave was done, it dispersed from around Lo's body. Zali's eyes widened at what she saw. Lo was gorgeous.

"Lo... We have to find you a mirror quickly!" She said, not wanting to spoil what she looked like quite yet. She grabbed Lo's hand and began dragging her out of the water excitedly. As the two women exited the water, eyes seemed to immediately dart to them. Men were staring in awe at the two beauty's that seemed to have emerged from out of nowhere. But they were truly focused on Lo...
Christopher
*Lo let's herself be pulled along by Zali, they feel weird. Different. Their eyes focus on their outstretched arm as Zali pulls her along. No turquoise scales and long claws. Actual human skin. Their face is feels different as well. Their mouth is... Restricted. She runs her tongue over her teeth and feels far too few. She has to blink far too much than normal, and her field of view feels limited. She feels like she's missing organs. Where are her venom sacks and poison filters?*

*As she's pulled along they pass a window belonging to a shop. It acts as a large mirror. Lo sees Zali pulling an unfamiliar woman in a tattered white dress behind her. Lo's tattered white dress. She blinks. That's her.*

*Lo pulls herself from Zali's grasp and stares into the window, mouth agape. She looks so... Different. She looks so... Pretty. But, at the same time, she feels so... Wrong. What she's looking at isn't her.*

"Is that... Me?"

*Lo is taken aback at her own voice as well. It's lost it's warbling quality.*
James
Zali stared at the window with her, a small smile on her face. 
"Yes Lo. The spell I cast turns anyone mermaid into what they would have looked like as a siren. This would've been you if YOU were a siren." Zali explained as she flipped some of Lo's shiny hair behind her shoulder. It was so long that it passed her knees. Zali herself was in awe at what a beauty Lo was. Deep down though, she couldn't help but feel as if Lo felt weird.

Not wanting to make Lo feel any more uncomfortable than she probably was, she politely guided her into the dress shop. They were immediately greeted by a smaller lady with bright blonde hair and disturbing blue eyes. Zali did all the talking before turning around to speak to Lo.

"Is there anything in here that catches ya eye Lo?" Zali asked.
Christopher
*Lo followed Zali into the shop, she still felt... Off. However, her mind is occupied by all the dresses in the shop. The variety them stuns her. Her eyes are big as dinner plates as she turns her head around, looking at all the pretty dresses. She looks like a kid in a candy shop as she gazes around, wandering from dress to dress.*

"Oh, so many options! So many different styles! I can not choose..."

*She turns around and around, looking at all the choices. Finally, her gaze settles on dress in particular. It's a bright sky blue, long and flowing, it had sleeves that go up to the wrists.*

"This one! I like this one."

*Lo turned to Zali with a big grin. Well... Relatively big, considering the newfound limitations of her Sirenesque face.*
James
Zali looked at the bright sky blue dress and told the sales clerk that she wanted that one.

At first the sales clerk tried to refuse her, but Zali glared menacingly at her, making sure not to let Lo see that side of her.

The woman quickly grabbed the dress and gave it to Zali, not even bothering to make her pay. Zali smiled before turning around and handing the dress to Lo.
"Go ahead Lo. Go to the dressing room and put it on!" Zali persuaded excitedly.
Christopher
*Lo hadn't seen the exchange at all. She was far to busy examining herself in one of the mirrors strewn about the shop. She was trying different facial expressions, seeing how they looked on her new face. When Zali hands her the dress the smiles again and heads over to the changing room. She strips off the tattered white dress and looks at herself in the mirror. Her new body is pretty, but unfamiliar. It's quite literally seeing someone else in your reflection. Also, she was some... Additional anatomy located on her chest that she lacked earlier. Abyssal Merfolk lay eggs, and do not nurse their young. So they lacked... Pronounced chests. Ignoring that, Lo put on the dress. She loved how it looked and smiled at her reflection. She exited the changing room and found Zali. She did a little spin, causing the dress to fan out a bit.*

"How does it look? I like it!"
James
Zali gasped in awe. "You have gotta be the prettiest woman here! I bet you'll look even betta in the water!" Zali exclaimed excitedly.

"But first let's get something to eat. I'm starving~" She said playfully before opening the door for Lo so they could exit together. Before she left, Zali put two rare diamonds on the counter and continued on like nothing happened. The shop clerk quickly snatched the diamonds and hid them with the happiest face ever. You could practically see the dollar signs in her eyes.

As they walked into the populated town near the port, Zali and Lo began to explore different shops that they have never seen or heard of before.

"Soo, what do you wanna eat? Other than seafood." Zali joked lightly
Christopher
"Oh. I cannot eat anything other than seafood. It makes me very sick. I have tried. Unless you magic has changed that as well? It has already changed very much about me. It has both removed and added different organs. Does it change the way my stomach works as well?"

*Lo gives her a curious look. The extent of this transformation seems very large. It's like being a whole new different person.*
James
"Well... It worked on me didn't it?" Zali said with a grin and mischievous wink. "I never did tell you about the other half of my ancestry. I'm only HALF siren. The other half is a bit more... Monstrous." She said before nodding her head towards the chains of different foods next to them. 

"Trust me. You will be fine. And if you do feel weird eating certain foods, that's okay! Now choose whatever you like. My treat of course"
Christopher
"You are spoiling, Zali. Why are you being so nice? Is it just because we both come from Mother Ocean? I feel that is a little shallow. If you continue to insist, I have been curious about the baked good the surface offers. The... Sweet ones. I do not get much sweet food in the Abyss. Is that okay to you? I do not want you to spend to much money on me. From my understanding, it is not an infinite thing."
James
Zali stared for a second before chuckling. "Oh Lo. I do not struggle with money, trust me. And I WANT to spoil the first friend I have ever made in the last... Let's just say a long time. So don't feel bad!" Zali said reassuringly. Before leading her towards a baked goods shop not too far from where they were.
Christopher
*Lo gave her a smile, feeling reassured. Thinking about it again, Lo felt very rude for having assumed the worst of Zali like that. They lowered their head in apology.*

"Oh, please forgive me for being so rude. I do not mean to assume that you are a bad person like that. I just have had bad people be nice to be before, just so they could "Study" Me. Abyssal Merfolk like me on the surface is very rare. Also, I don't get why you don't have many friends. You are very pretty and nice. You should have lots of friends!"
James
Zali smiled at Lo before putting a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Lo, Sirens aren't known for companionship... Sadly neither are gorgons." She said, saying the other half of her ancestry. 

"You could say I had a hard time even talking to fellow sirens such as myself because I would accidentally turn them to stone. Also because I'm a pirate and I very much enjoy scarring the shit out of people!" She said light-heartedly near the end.

"There's no need to apologize. Our kind have been captured, experimented on, and worse things. I was friends with a depths mermaid that lives in the Abyss until she suddenly went missing. Only to find out that a giant human ship dropped on her and killed her. So trust me, your caution has respect to it." Zali reassured Lo once again. She knew it would take some time for them to understand her, it she was willing to wait.
Christopher
"Oh. That is sad. I understand what you are saying. I do not get many friends. Abyssal Merfolk like me are seen as monsters. We rarely ever leave the deep abyss, and when we do, it makes us look ever scarier. Under the water, in the Abyss, the pressure is very very big. So when we go to the surface, our spine stretches and makes us taller. I am a few inches taller up here than I am down there."

"I do not think anyone should judge you just because you are siren and gorgon. Even though I do not know what a gorgon is, I don't think being part gorgon makes you evil."

"Also. You are very nice for a pirate. Most pirate I meet are mean. They try to kill me. I do not want to be killed."

*Lo grabs Zali's hand. Handholding is something surface friends do right? They were friends, so they could hold hands. Lo was pretty sure that's how it worked.*
James
Zali's head tilted in confusion as Lo held her hand, but she wasn't disturbed by it. Instead, she continued down the road with a soft smile gracing her face.

The rest of the day seemed to fly by as they explored the small port. Eating, shopping, and gossiping to their hearts content. Some people even thought that they were two beautiful sisters having a heartfelt reunion.
Christopher
*Lo was enjoying her time with Zali. For once, there was someone who actually understood her plight. She could actually talk about her struggles both on land and in sea with her. However, over the course of the their time, Lo was growing more and more uncomfortable.*

"I do not want to sound rude, but how long will this transformation last? It is nice, do not get confused. Very pretty. But it is also... Wrong. It is not *Me*."
James
Zali saw how uncomfortable she was and nodded her head in agreement. "You're right. Let's not stay too long. The transformation has a few minutes left on it. But! I can teach to you if you ever want to use it later. Once the spell is cast by the persons own hands it can last forever!" Zali said excitedly before softly grabbing Lo's arm and walking back towards the port.

Everything was going smoothly until a couple of guards with their hands on their weapons crossed Zali's sight. These weren't regular guards, they were mermaid hunters.

Zali swiftly pulled Lo into an alley with her, quickly walking away from prying eyes. She didn't tell Lo why she suddenly changed direction. All she knew was that she had to get her friend away from those murderers so she could handle them later.
Christopher
"I do not think I want to learn the spell. It makes me feel weird. I prefer to be myself. Even if it makes things harder. I do not want to change just so people will not be mean."

*Lo yelps as she's pulled down the alley way, she looks at Zali in confusion and frowns. She pulls out of Zali's grasp and narrows her eyes.*

"Why did you pull me into here? What are you doing? Was it something about the guards?"
James
Zali's more pirated accent came to light "Keep ya' voice down and head low. Those aren't guards. Rose are mermaid hunters. They can be identified by their scaled belts from dead mermaids. I need to get you back to the water."

Zali explained hurriedly before leasing the way to the other end of the alley. "If we're gonna have any chance fighting them, you need to get in the water so the spell can wear off." 

Zali poked her head out to see if the coast was clear before motioning with her head for Lo to follow her.
Christopher
*Lo does not follow her. Instead she just looks at her confused. She tilts her head.*

"...If they are mermaid hunters, then why do we not just kill them? Zali. I am an Abyssal Merfolk. I have paralytic venom. My claws and teeth are made for tearing flesh. I could kill both of them in a moment. Why are we hiding?"
James
Zali sighed. "Because there are different variations of mermaids they've killed in their arsenal. Ones with venom, smoke, poison. We know their easy to kill, but in order to kill them YOUR spell has to wear off." 

Zali pointed from her head to toe. "You still look like a nice town girl who bakes cakes! No teeth, no claws, they aren't running from you when you look this good. No offense." She informed before holding her hand out.

"Please trust me on this. We gotta get to the water."
Christopher
*Lo grumbles and mutters under her breath in her home language. At least, she tries to. This new body is not accustomed to speaking Abyssal. It's likely that it's physically impossible for them, or if not, very very difficult. Nevertheless, Lo takes Zali's hand and follows her.*