thenearshore | [closed]

Entry tags:

[closed]

Who: Oona & Forrest
When: June...29th...?? (makes vague noises)
Where: Forrest's temple
What: Oona pops by for a visit to get some new shoes.

[It really wasn't like she was here for the shoes. Oona didn't particularly care if Forrest could or could not make shoes that could help lessen the pain of her walking-- the pain was there because of her botching of the spell to remove her tail and gain human legs to begin with, so in a way...

In a way maybe Oona saw it as a fitting sort of punishment to herself.

Besides that, Oona wasn't a fan of shoes or, well, any clothing, really. Being covered up was aggravating at best and made her skin feel weird, and really she just found it plain silly. Maybe because humans' bodies were just weaker and softer or something, but Oona rarely felt the need for it.

Whatever.

She's wearing a similar short chiton like the day they'd met and no shoes, popping over fairly unannounced. If anything, she was here to see the pretty boy and his pretty temple and lavish in the attention for a while-- she could pretend her scars weren't there or weren't so obvious and ugly, could soak up the attention like the vain thing she wanted to be and admire his temple.

That was good enough reason.

She cups her hands over her mouth as she arrives, after taking a few moments of silence to just soak up the initial sights, and shouts]

Forrest! Are home, yes?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Forrest hasn't had much time to be anywhere but home over the past couple of days. He's got a lot to do, between finishing Roxas' birthday present, preparing food for the party, and helping Niles out by making some snazzy suits for he and Zoro to wear. He may have taken on a little too much, but he likes to see his friends happy.

The sound of a sewing machine has been a near constant at the temple, and it can be faintly heard as Oona approaches. Once she calls out, however, the sound stops, and Forrest emerges from the temple about a minute later looking tired but pleased to see her.]

Oona! It's good to see you. How are you feeling today? Please, come inside.

[At the very least, his temple almost radiates a calming presence. For as large and fancy as it is, there's always the pleasant aroma of fresh blooming lotus flowers drifting through the air. She'll get to see more of that if they end up visiting the garden, but for now he ushers her inside.]

[The temple is sparkly and gold and pretty, so obviously Oona loves it. She raises a hand in a vague sort of greeting, head turning this way and that as she's distracted by trying to see everything at once.]

Am same as always, suppose. Your temple is nice. [Oona pouts] Mine is not so... shiny. It is boring looking! Want one big and pretty like this.

Well, you're certainly free to visit whenever you'd like.

[Forrest smiles, leading her to the inner audience chamber. There are still a lot of pillows set up to sit on - not as many as during the slumber party, but still plenty.]

Have a seat. I'll get out the measuring tape. I'll have to touch your feet to take the proper measurements, but I'll try to be as gentle as I can.

[He figures it's probably good to warn her ahead of time.]

[Oona flops herself onto one of the pillows as soon as she's given the go-ahead, resting back on her hands as she watches Forrest move around.]

Hmph... [She can't say she's pleased with the idea--but it's less about someone touching her legs or feet and more about the fact she doesn't like the reminder of having them to begin with. Her tail was much prettier, okay??]

It is fine. Do whatever you need.

[Moments later, Forrest comes back with the measuring tape, a small pad of paper, and a pencil.]

All right. I'll be quick, and then you can go out and soak in the bathing pools in the garden while I work if you like.

[He figures she'll like that. She's probably most comfortable in or around water. Sitting down at her feet, he gently takes one at a time in hand, running his hands along them as he takes the measurements.]

[She perks up at that, Forrest's instincts right on the money here] Bathing pools? And they are safe?

Have many pools and ponds at temple home thing, but most do strange things! [She lets her mind wander to the thought of soaking in them--heated or cold, it doesn't really matter to her, she's just always happy for a chance to swim.

Oona turns her gaze on Forrest as he works, twitching slightly once in a while as he touches her; it isn't out of pain, but once in a while there's a slightly ticklish spot that catches her by surprise.]

Why do you do these things? Make clothes and things. [An 'etc' hand motion.]

Hm?

[Forrest blinks, confused at the notion that a bathing pool wouldn't be safe.]

Yes, they're perfectly safe, unless you have something against the scent of honey.

[That would be the amrita. Overall, it makes for a very pleasant experience, and the water is also capable of healing blight.

As for his work, he pauses each time he sees her foot twitch, but when it becomes apparent he's just tickling her, he relaxes and keeps going.]

Hmm... well, it's got a bit of sentimental value to me, I suppose. When I was very young, I was curious about a dress that was meant as a hand me down for the girl who was helping to raise me and tried it on, but when my father saw me running around the house in it he laughed and said I was cute. That's when my interest really began - I couldn't get enough of frilly, pretty clothes, and wanted to learn how to make my own.

[It's a memory he holds very dear, so he's never shy about sharing it with others.]

But if you mean in a more general sense, I also like to help people feel their best by looking their best. Humans don't have pretty shimmering scales like your people do, so we make pretty clothes to wear instead.

Hmm... [Oona hums in acknowledgement of the story. As origin stories go, she supposes it's typical.]

Suppose that makes sense. Is true, humans not so flashy as mermaids. Suppose have to do something to keep up. [She sounds a little smug about it too, like of course her species is the superior one here, duh.

But Oona watches him a moment again before speaking up] Tell me about your father.

We try our best.

[Forrest doesn't seem to mind Oona's smugness, and meets it with a smile and a slightly joking tone. She's not the first non-human he's known or befriended, after all. Part of him wonders how she'd get along with Selkie or Velouria.]

My father's name is Leo - the second prince of a kingdom known as Nohr. He's actually here too, serving as the god Odin. I didn't see much of him growing up because of the war that was going on in our homeland, but once I was old enough I joined him to fight at his side.

[Which makes the war sound like it lasted way longer than it did, but Forrest isn't going to get into weird dimensional time shenanigans unless she brings it up.]

When we were reunited, he didn't approve of the way I dressed or my hobby of making clothing at first. I don't think he entirely understood why I'd taken it up at first, and might have even been a little embarrassed of me.

[There's a momentary frown as he recalls that particular encounter and how much it stung, but it passes quickly enough.]

But he eventually apologized for the way he reacted, and accepted me for who I am. I don't hold any of it against him. He's actually very kind - he's just not that good at expressing his feelings sometimes.

[By this point, Forrest is done taking the measurements. But as long as they're talking, he'll find the spots where Oona was ticklish and go back to gently massage at them, paying mind to how much pressure he's using so he doesn't hurt her. He feels terrible knowing she's in constant pain, and reasons this may help a little.]

[She listens intently, watching him like a hawk. Family, you see, was important to her, and hearing him talk about his father makes her very nostalgic for her own.]

Most human men seem to have problem with that. [She muses quietly. Problems with expression emotions, she means.

She frowns a moment when he continues to touch her, but there's only a mild feeling of discomfort, not too unlike when your foot begins to 'wake up' after 'falling asleep' and the pins & needles feeling is still around. But that feeling begins to ebb away slowly as well, so she lets him do what he wants. It's not bad and she just leans back on her hands more to relax.

There is something bothering her, though, and she frowns for a moment before speaking up] You were allowed to fight? But, eh, you are... [Oona eyes him skeptically. It's not because of how he looks or anything like that (though her ague response probably made it seem that way) but... He's male, right? Humans letting their men fight and do dangerous shit like that always kind of weirded her out, though she'd been growing used to it from her time in the human world. It didn't shake the general, knee-jerk uncomfortable reaction though.]

Mm... I suppose so. Emotions can be difficult.

[He's certainly had his share of troubles with that lately, though it's mostly turning out for the best. He watches her reaction to the foot massage to make sure it's not hurting her, and when she appears to relax he continues on with it while they talk.]

Hm? Yes... I don't really look like much of a fighter, do I?

[Forrest blushes lightly, giving an embarrassed little smile.]

I don't really enjoy fighting, but I didn't have much of a choice. I'm better with healing magic than anything, though, so I was rarely on the front lines.

Hmm... [She eyes him.] Healer? Ah, yes, suppose, suited for that better. [She nods as if in agreement with herself and tilts her head thoughtfully. Not that she dind't know he was a healer--obviously he was--but knowing he was on the battlefield for healing made more sense.]

Is just strange. My kind do not let men fight, not if can be helped. Is sign of weak clan, if mermaids cannot protect their mates and sons and brothers. If they have short hair, too, means their mermaids can not protect them well. Have to cut it short so is not grabbed.

But humans are different, yes? It is strange world.

I can use fire magic too, but I'd much rather act as support if I have to fight at all. To tell you the truth, I actually can't stand the sight of blood.

[He frowns as he continues working, shaking his head. He'll do it if he has to, but it's certainly not his first choice of activities.]

I suppose if I were a mermaid - oh, or is it merman? But I'd have to have a strong mate to protect hair as long as mine, wouldn't I?

[His smile is back as he considers that out loud. He's enjoying talking with her, getting to understand her and her world.]

[She looks amused at that. It's just blood, sheesh!] Suppose it is, eh... messy. But, get used to seeing blood, suppose, when in the wild. [And the ocean is wiillldd.] But also suppose it is different, animal and other people...

[She looks pensive a moment; she'd never given much thought to the bodies she'd left in the wake of her escape, and she didn't care much to do so now. Forcefully pushing the thought aside before it can creep in any further, Oona leans over unceremoniously to touch his hair and grin]

Yes, yes, very strong! It is pretty hair, and you are very pretty boy. My sisters would fight over you, for sure!

Yes... it's not as common an occurrence for people to have to deal with blood unless they're a soldier or a doctor.

[He frowns for a moment as he catches the change in her expression, but decides not to pursue it. Especially since she goes for his hair next. Usually he doesn't let people touch it, but he's already been rubbing her feet, so he figures it's okay.]

Ah... thank you. I do try.

[Compliments are always nice, and Forrest blushes as he finishes up with the massage. Standing, he offers her a hand up, tucking his notes under his arm.]

I'll get started on the shoes right away for you. They shouldn't take long, as I've already bought all the materials I'll need. You can relax in the garden while I'm working - feel free to use any of the bathing pools.

[He'll lead her back there as he talks.]

[She a little interested to see just how the shoes would be made, and so fast. She'd always assumed it was a terribly time-consuming thing, but maybe he used magic of some kind??

But the allure of the bathing pools calls to her and she gives a pleased little hum.] Yes, yes, alright. Will do that!

[And she definitely will spend the whole time in one of the bathing pools, alternating between dozing and swimming around. Whenever Forrest returns, Oona perks up a little and swims to the edge. By the pile of clothes by said edge, it's clear Oona is... completely naked in the water. If that wasn't enough of a clue, the fact that she's already pulling herself up out of the water should make it clearer too. Sorry Forrest.]

Done?

All right. Please, relax and make yourself at home.

[Forrest smiles, heading back into the temple to get to work, emerging a few hours later. There's no magic at work here except the magic of years of experience, hard work, eagerness to please, and the mun not wanting to wait three weeks of real time for him to be done making a pair of sandals. Eventually, he emerges from the back door of the temple carrying the shoes with him.]

Oona! I'm fin-

[He cuts off there, though, as he catches sight of the pile of clothing and the fact that she's clearly naked.]

...Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt!

[Being a gentleman, Forrest quickly averts his eyes, looking down at the ground and pulling his hat down to partially cover his face.]

[Oona stares a moment, not comprehending before she gives a quiet 'ehhh?' noise, kneeling on the ledge.]

Interrupt? Did not. Am getting out. Want to see shoes. [What even is this. She raises an eyebrow slowly]

Is just body. Do you not see them, working with clothes and such?

Not like this.

[He's still watching the ground quite intently. Even after the risque dream at the sleepover, he's still never seen a girl fully nude.]

Would... you mind covering up?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[closed]

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