[[Dusk is female.  And yes: the 21 from grapple check (17 CMD and +4 for grapple), +5 for already having the mermaid grappled, +4 (i'm assuming) from predatory instincts, and +3 from dextrous maw.  Is it too high?  Don't want to force higher npc cmds than the others can hit (not sure what their bonuses are)]]<br/><br/>Dusk expected struggles, but is a bit surprised to feel the mass of water surrounding her prey begin to move even faster as it presses against her jaws in an effort to help its ward.  Not only is she determined, though, but she'd got an amazing grip on her prey and refused to release the mermaid again.  In the end, the water only helps smooth out the half-fish's descent down her esophagus.  Dusk happily gulps down the shawled mermaid's shoulders, chest, and abdomen, almost purring as her neck bulges out with the form inside.  Then she tilts her head back, partially geting the mermaid tail above her, and leisurely begins slurping down the fish tail.  She doesn't even need to swallow the fin at the end with the water surrounding it allowing it to easily just follow down her powerful throat.  Soon enough she's left to lick her lips appreciatively - managing to get some of her prey's flavor past the water - as her underbelly grows beneath her; the mermaid is greeting by the welcoming, churning flesh of her stomach as it prepares an acid bath for its guest.  Satisfied for the moment, she heads back towards the ship to digest her meal, water shield and all.<br/><br/>Synys watches the last of the visible mermaids vanish down Dusk's gullet and relaxes a little.  She had been a bit worried the shawled mermaid would call for reinforcements.  However, now she once again focuses on the bard and rogue's absence.  Alizome had been knocked overboard, but she isn't sure what happened to Xarces; the last she saw of him he was attacking mermaids.  "Anyone seen the elf?" she asks, trying to project her voice to all of her scattered teammates and any sailor's who might actually know any of the group's names.