A Night On The Docks [Ariel]

[Kira Yamato]

Kira was out by the docks. He was still trying to sort out exactly what had happened the night before. The main missing issue was that girl herself. What was she and what was it that she was after. He couldn't figure it out. His bird landed on his shoulder as he put his hand up for it to hop on. Maybe he would see her again to actually ask about it. There was also the fact that both that demon and Ayen had seemed to fall under her control. Why hadn't he? It was something to think about that was for sure.

Maybe she would be back tonight. He was still finding it hard to believe she had tried to kill him. The song itself had seemed so pure. It was hard to imagine that the same person who sang it would want to hurt someone else. Maybe she didn't, but then why? What kind of mess would it be that she would be forced to tak another person's life? He sat thinking. The fog wasn't heavy today fortunatly. That might prove to be a good thing, but for now he just sat thinking trying to figure everything out.

______________________________________________________








Key: Person to post next
Song: Fields of Hope by Rie Tanaka
Key: Thoughts; Dialouge

[Ariel]

"You shouldn't have came back." Ariel's voice came from the side of the dock. Following it, Kira would see the woman from the night previously only this time in the water with her upper half covered by a violet seashell bra and her bottom half made up of a green tail with fins. She was in her mermaid form this time, a punishment by the Sea Witch for failing to bring her any souls from her last journey to the surface, thus changing the way in which she lured in and seduced her victims.

Ariel had hoped that she wouldn't find any tonight, that word of her would have spread like a wildfire and people would steer clear of the docks at night but no. Someone was here and it was one of the men who witnessed her last attack on shore no less. It was her own mistake for thinking she could ever grab a break from this hell. "It's dangerous out by the docks..."

[Kira Yamato]

Kira looked over to the sound of the voice. Inside he was a bit shocked to see she was a mermaid, but outisde he didn't show any sign of it. He supposed he shouldn't be that surprised by the fact that she was a mermaid however. This world had a lot in it that he hadn't even considered real in his own world. So what was one more thing? A small smile appeared on his face. ”It's peaceful out here.” he said honestly. That was why. It was perfect for tryng to clear a clouded mind. At least he thought so.

Something told him he shouldn't move closer to the water so he didn't. Instead he sat down on the ground where he was. A few steps away from the water, but well outside of reaching distance. He studied her. ”It's normally peaceful out here.” he said honestly. From what he knew and could tell it normally was. ”So what brings you back here?” he asked. He really wanted to ask why, but that was hardly a question to start a conversation with. No for now he would take it easy and then later he would bring it up.

______________________________________________________








Key: Person to post next
Song: Fields of Hope by Rie Tanaka
Key: Thoughts; Dialouge

[Ariel]

"It's peaceful out here." Peaceful. Ariel hasn't had a peaceful night in so long but she could still remember the first time she enjoyed a night like this. It was years ago; centuries. She was still a mermaid at the time having come to the surface only once before. Looking up to the stars wondering not only about the world around her but the world above. An explorer's work was never done. After exploring the surface she would have loved to explore the heavens but now she would never get to do either. Anything she could have enjoyed about the human world was taken from her the moment her soul became property of the Sea Witch.

"So what brings you back here?" "Are you sure you want to ask me that?" Ariel returned through the surface of the water and appeared to be gone for a moment before reemerging out the other side of the docks, behind Kira now. "You should be running."

[Kira Yamato]

Kira simple shrugged in response to her question. He had asked because he had honestly wanted to know. If nothing else it was better then asking why she had to kill people. As she remerged behind him he didn't seem alarmed or even surprised. He was a good distance away from that end of the dock as well. Not as far as he might like, but she would have to put some effort in to reach him even there. He did however turn around to face her not moving from his spot yet.

His gaze went back to her. ”If you run from everything then nothing will ever be accomplished.” he said simply that small smile still on his face. Then it faded. ”About before.” he said trailing off. The way she was speaking was starting to confirm his suspisions. ”Did you really try to kill Ayen?” he asked her. If she had the next question was then why. But he was starting to feel that she wouldn't lie about it. She had ran before she could even answer those questions, but again why. He couldn't figure it out and now she was back. Hopefully this time no one would need to be stabbed.

______________________________________________________








Key: Person to post next
Song: Fields of Hope by Rie Tanaka
Key: Thoughts; Dialouge

[Ariel]

"If you run from everything then nothing will ever be accomplished." Ariel smiled, finding comfort in those words as she looked away from the man and leaned up against the wood of the dock's side. "About before. Did you really try to kill Ayen?" So this was the reason he came back, he wanted to know why. Most wouldn't have been so willing to speak to a witness directly about their own crime, they would have tried something by now but not her. Ariel just remained where she was against the docks staring up at the sky as she spoke. "Yes."

[Kira Yamato]

Kira blinked. He honestly hadn't been expecting her to be that honest about it. He appreciated it though. That didn't however excuse it in his mind. His gaze turned up to the sky as hers was. ”I appriecate that, but why would you do something like that?” he asked. It was a simple question, but one that could have many possible answers. It was just a matter of which one she said.

Kira couldn't help, but wonder if there was ever a good reason to kill anyone. After all it was the same sky. Even if it was different realities he was hard pressed to find a good reason why people would have to be killed. He couldn't find of a very good reason. He himself had taken a life. That didn't mean he was proud of it or that he didn't regret it. But if she really wanted to kill people then why wasn't she trying to now. ”You....really don't want to be doing this do you?” he asked. It was an observation, but was it right. He turned his attention back to her to watch her reaction.

______________________________________________________








Key: Person to post next
Song: Fields of Hope by Rie Tanaka
Key: Thoughts; Dialouge

[Ariel]

There was an unnerving silence that sunk into the air after Kira spoke and Ariel only added to it by not moving a single muscle at her spot in the water. As clouds passed over the moon in the sky and began shielding the stars up above the beautiful and intoxicating voice of the previous night would return to these waters as Ariel broke the silence with song.

A long time ago there was a girl who had everything
A father, a mother, sisters and friends yes she had everything
Though there was an emptiness inside that she couldn't explain
Until she met him...

A tear ran down her cheek at the memory of the man she came to love only to lose to another woman so long ago. Yet she could remember it all as clearly as if it was yesterday her heart was shattered into a million pieces.

He was charming, and dashing
Strong and fearless
With eyes as blue as the sea
Hair black as night
A smile that lit up her world
There was just
One thing wrong

Ariel held up her flippers for Kira to see before readjusting herself in the water.

He had feet
She had flippers
He walked
She swam
One on dry land
The other at sea
It just wasn't meant to be
But she didn't give up
How I wish she did
Instead she found a way
Traded these fins for some legs
And met the handsome man

Ariel finally pulled herself up over the dock, her tail still in the water as she motioned for Kira to get close so she could whisper in his ear, if not she'd continue on like normal.

There was a catch you see
She had to surrender something dear
Her voice
Her singing
It was taken away so she could be with him

Ariel jumped back into the water with a splash before rising back up to the surface of it.

For a while it was heaven
You couldn't ask for any more
Her wish was granted
She could explore the world
That was so far above
And just when it seemed
He was within her grasp
The man fell in love...
With someone else
And so just like that
She saw everything fade
Her soul
Her essence
The things she gave for love
Now they all belonged...

To the Sea Witch below.

Splash!

[Kira Yamato]

Kira didn't try to rush her or push the subject. He simply watched her as she took her time in her explanitation of it. He had no where to get to anyway. He was out here just to think. The silence didn't perhaps bother him as much as it should. Kira watched her and couldn't help, but fell sorry for her as he saw the tear slide down her face. He wanted to somehow take away whatever pain the memory might bring, but he knew he couldn't do that. Shouldn't do that.

Kira watched as she held up her flipper. So her world had both people and mermaids. However that may have made things difficult between them. That still didn't explain why she was out here killing people. Something had happened. Without even knowing what that much was obvious. Kira hesitated a moment before moving a bit closer. He wasn't on the edge of the dock, but he was close enough to whisper, but he was anything but relaxed. Outwardly he was showing no sign of it however. It seemed she didn't have a knife this time so that was one less worry.

She had to give up her voice? Now Kira was convinced something had happened, but before she could get to what she jumped back into the water. He still wasn't close enough to grab from the water fortunately. So that was why. It was what someone else wanted. Then why did she obey? What would happen to her if she didn't? Before he could ask however she was gone again.

______________________________________________________








Key: Person to post next
Song: Fields of Hope by Rie Tanaka
Key: Thoughts; Dialouge

[Ariel]

"Oh. You're still here." Ariel's voice came from the opposite side of the dock, where she first emerged at the beginning of this conversation. She had thought that her song and dance would be the end of the discussion and that when she came back the boy would be gone and she could at least tell Ursula that she tried. But no. He was still here meaning he still had some questions that needed to be answered. "What else do you want to know?" she asked with both her arms now propped up on the side of the dock.

[Kira Yamato]

Kira turned back around at the sound of her voice. She liked to move about. That much he could say for sure. He gave her a small nod. ”Yeah.” he said honestly. Even had she left he probably would’ve still remained. This was a good place to think if nothing else. And without or without this conversation he had a lot to think on.

Why was she being so up front with all this information? It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate it, but at the same time. It was almost odd to hear her talk about everything as if it were nothing. ”Why do you do it? What happens to you if you don’t?” he asked trying to figure out why she would keep doing this. There had to be a better way. He was sure of it, but he didn’t have all the facts so it was hard to say for sure what that might be.

______________________________________________________








Key: Person to post next
Song: Fields of Hope by Rie Tanaka
Key: Thoughts; Dialouge

[Ariel]

Ariel grew quiet, she was hoping that her song from before would be all the hint Kira needed to put the pieces together but it seemed he needed a little bit more. A little bit more that could cost Ariel severely if she wasn't careful. Maybe it was better for both their sakes if she continued with the lies. If he couldn't put it together from what info she has given him then it just wasn't meant to be. "Because I'm a monster who enjoys what I do." As soon as she said it you could tell she was trying too hard to convince you that what she were saying was true. Turning away from Kira she buried her face in her hands and started to cry. "No. That's not true. The truth is--"

Suddenly an intense rush of pain hit Ariel like a brick and caused her to clench her chest as her face squinted in agony, trying her best not to scream. Kira would see an invisible force moving in the water, threatening to pull Ariel back down underneath it as she desperately held onto the docks, bringing up a hand for him to grab. "Help me! Please!"

[Kira Yamato]

Kira could sense her hesitation, but it was an important part of the puzzle. If he knew that it would be easier to figure out a way out for her. A real chance at freedom, but that was something she would have to want to answer. As she gave her answer he just gave her a blank stare as a response. They both knew that was a complete and total lie on her part. So he just waited to see if she would give a different answer or try to stick with that one. Then she started cyring. He reached out a hand.

”Hey. I-” he started to say, but whatever he was gonna say would be would be lost as he suddenly saw something underneath the water. Some might see that as a sort of trap, but Kira didn't think twice before reacting, but that explained why. No matter where she went she would be found. ”Hold on!” he yelled as he was on his feet in an instant and began running towards the water. Given her current state it wouldn't do to take her out. That only left one explantion even if it was risky.

He took a deep breath then jumped off the dock into the water as he finally was what was attacking her. Even underwater he still knew how to fight and delivered a swift kick to the creature. He couldn't say under forever, but thankfully he could stay under a bit longer then others. He came back up to grab another breath hoping that would be enough.

______________________________________________________








Key: Person to post next
Song: Fields of Hope by Rie Tanaka
Key: Thoughts; Dialouge

[Ariel]

Kira would find a black tendril moving through the water, simply one of many different tendrils that followed Ariel up to the surface. After the kick the tendril was sent back and the others quickly scattered away. When Kira went up for a breather he would feel the small arms of Ariel wrap behind him from behind in an embrace as she whispered in his ear. "Thank you." Planting a kiss on his cheek to show her gratitude before he would feel her arms wrap around him more tightly. "I'm sorry." And she pulled him underneath the water along with her.

[Kira Yamato]

As Kira came up he was a bit surprised to find that Ariel wasn't where he expected instead she was behind him. He would've turned around to face her and even get out of the water, but before he could do either she had her arms wrapped around him. ”It was nothing.” he said as she lightly kisses his check, but something about all this was wrong. He needed to get back on the dock before anything else occurred, but before he could her grip tightened. Before he could ask what she meant by her words it became obvious.

He had just enough time to get a breath in before being dragged under. His mind raced faster which for him meant he was processing everything. Knowing what he knew now he didn't want to hurt Areil, but at the same time he couldn't let himself die here. His arm reached back to hit her square in the stomach, not enough to cause any injuries, but merely leave her winded losening her grip as a result as he moved to put some distance between them as he swam back towards the dock. If she got a good hold on him it wouldn't end well, but he did have one advantage here. She didn't want to kill him. At least Kira thought so.

______________________________________________________








Key: Person to post next
Song: Fields of Hope by Rie Tanaka
Key: Thoughts; Dialouge