Edit: This started out as sharing an idea for a potential Legacy, but this thread has become a place where I keep my rotational stories together. The challenge I created will be a significant part of ...
Early the next day, the twins swam to deeper water and dove into the depths to look for sunken treasure. They couldn't rely on their dolphin familiars for all their income. The dive was fairy repetitive with a lot of pulled fin muscles. When they needed to take a break, Zephyr called his Dolphin Familiar, Saphran.
Zephyr: "Do you think you can do a flip for me? I'm horrible at jumping out of the water. Me and my brother would love to see such an impressive trick."
The next day, Dylan was asked on a date by Cecelia. While there was a penalty for going on land, that didn't stop Dylan. Dylan spent so much time swimming, that he almost forgot how to walk. He spent most of the date sitting down. After spending days without shifting into his human form, every step felt like daggers in his feet. A small price to pay to spend time with the love of his life on land for a moment.
It took some effort to get down the stairs again, but Dylan did his best to stay by Cecelia's side. Cecelia took to living among humans quickly, and Dylan, a merman that was spending his days in the sea, just couldn't endure the pain of being on his feet. He knew old tales about the Little Mermaid and how she felt on land when she made a deal with a sea witch to be human. Experiencing the pain was something different, but he never felt discomfort on land when he spent more time in his human form. Maybe, it was just something humans were used to. Dylan didn't naturally have legs after all. Magic gave him a human form.
After the date, Dylan returned to the sea with his heart fluttering like flying fish.
He dove down into the depths in search of more treasures. It was his hope to build a home that his wife and sons could live in with him when the Darkfins were dealt with.
Eventually, Dylan and Zeph began taking turns with the dives, and they never dove alone. Occasionally, other merfolk met them in deeper water and dove with them.
Saphren: "I hear that once a merman or mermaid spends too much time in their natural form, the magic to take human form hurts for a while. I hope you were alright."
Dylan: "I'll always be more at home in the water, swimming with my family. By the way, what's it like swimming with your pod?"
Saphren: "The Azure Dolphins are like the other dolphins, we swim through the deep, play, and hunt schools of fish. But, we always respond to the calls from our merfolk partners."
Dylan: "Thank you for that. You guys always splash in when we need you."
Saphren: "It's an honor to be an Azure Dolphin. We are born the moment a mermaid or merman is born, and we are raised by our parents to help them when they grow into their fins."
That night, Cecelia went to the sea to meet with Dylan. Dylan was ecstatic to see her. To ensure she wouldn't drown and could spend time with him, he gave her his merman's kiss.
Dylan: "The power is dormant. I'm sure of it. One day, we'll have to tell them about their heritage."
Cecelia: "One day. I'm still worried about the Darkfins. For now, we should keep their mermadic heritage a secret. I know it's hard to not be there while they grow up."
Dylan: "It's okay. I understand. I do. I don't want a darkfin to know about them, to go anywhere near them."
Dylan received another call from Cecelia asking to go on a date. Dylan was happy to meet up with her. The Grim Reaper sent Dylan many messages about humans he knew dying. It was the price of immortality. He would live on while the humans he encountered grow old and die.
Cecelia was struggling with her emotions. She wasn't able to distract herself with the wonders of the sea. Dylan didn't think of himself as cold, but he really didn't feel sad about the loss. He was washed over with positive feelings the sea gave him.
Cecelia: "It's not fair. Why do humans have to die?"
Dylan trembled on his legs, but he focused on helping his wife. He sang an Inspiring Berceuse that overpowered Cecelia's sorrow and lifted her spirits.
But for Dylan, every moment was worth it. He could endure the pain of being in human form. Eventually, after some time spent in this unnatural form, it would go away.
The next day, the twins finally raised enough money and adjusted to their human forms again. It was just in time for the romance festival. Zephyr took Sefina to the festival to drink Sakura Tea. Zephyr never said anything, but he loved the festivals in different worlds. He always showed up to the Humor and Hijinks Festival, Island Festivals, and the other Celebrations humans had.
The Festival Music helped to set the mood, and Zephyr played the romantic. Zeph and Sefina were enamored. Even after spending some time on land, Zeph still needed time to adjust to his human form and chose to sit with Sefina.
Halfway through the festival, Dylan showed up. This time, he was much more comfortable using his legs. He called Cecelia to hang out. After spending hours with Cecelia and just before he left to go home, Dylan gave Cecelia a passionate kiss.
This actually caught me by surprise, and I feel like it's worth noting that Dylan was supposed to go home. However, he autonomously went to Cecelia as a detour before going home. I did not que this interaction.
"Did you hear about Erik winning the Starlight Accolades again! He got married to Kayleigh, got an A+ in college, and he pretty much handled all the appliance repairs in the dorm!"
