Night Swimming (Open)

[asharpertongue]

It's been a trying day...week...month, if she's honest. The situation with Bach and the missing elders was getting on her last nerve.

She needed a swim.

Pulling her phone from her bag, she sent a text to a few of the more senior members of the siren community:

Night swimming tonight from sundown on the wrecking beach. All welcome. Food and drink provided. Please spread the word.

That should do it.

She send another note to her contacts at the police station so the unaware human element would be steered away. The wards would be up around the beach, discouraging vanilla humans from coming down there but it didn't hurt to have insurance in these matters.

Hopefully the sirens would come, maybe some of the witches. It would be nice to sprawl on the rocks for a few hours with friends.

Comments

[louise_abasi]

For a moment Lou doubted the bright all-shades-of-pink sari. It was very bright and not very professional. Don't think about work.
Besides that, it could be a bit windy on the beach. And she was only wearing a plain set of underwear, nothing fancy.

"Oh, stop." She looked around until she saw Lara and waved at her. "When Godzilla will rise from the waves, I'm sure she'll let me live because of how good I look."

[asharpertongue]

Lara laughed. "Of course she will." She smiled and patted the rock beside her. "Been shopping?"

[louise_abasi]

She twirled. "I'm inviting Summer to come over. Is it too much? Too young?"

[asharpertongue]

"Not at all. And we could use a few more sunny days here." Lara plucked at the edge of the pink cloth. "It suits you."

[louise_abasi]

She brayed and immediately clasped a hand over her mouth.

"Because it's so light and full of air?"

[asharpertongue]

"Because it's noisy and demands attention." Lara teased.

[louise_abasi]

"Oh. Oh." She gave her a shove. "I didn't know I was attending Sirens Bitching Anonymous.

Fuck, bad word. Fuck, again. Don't tell my mother."

[asharpertongue]

Lara pointed at her, laughing. "I own you now!"

[louise_abasi]

"Really now? Because I wasn't the one who used bad words while in the family home. Nor have I been absent for months. Are you sure you want to go this way, miss Quinn?"

[asharpertongue]

Lara narrowed her eyes playfully. "Fine. We're even. For now." She poured some drinks. "So you're well?"

[louise_abasi]

"And don't you forget it", she grinned. "I've rewarded myself with five points for not thinking about anything related to work while not working. And I spent money on things I didn't need as well. So in my quest to become a boring floozy, I've been incredibly successful. Is everything okay on your side?"

[asharpertongue]

Lara laughed. "You've done better than me. I've had a horrible couple of days. And today I managed to alienate a new siren in town due to a bad reaction to my teaching methods." She sighed. "Hence the night swim."

[louise_abasi]

She winched. "I'm sorry to hear that. Was he or she ungrateful? Should I even ask about siren business? "Do I need to make him or her disappear?"

[asharpertongue]

"He was stubborn and ignorant and rude." She growled, tossing a stone into the surf. "But I'm hoping he might come around in time."

[louise_abasi]

She frowned. "He didn't hurt you, did he? Physically? And .. I don't like to doubt you, but are you sure that he's playing on your team? In my experience they're all toi releived to finally understand."

[asharpertongue]

"He couldn't even if he wanted to. He was just...infuriating." Lara shook her head. "I don't know. He's half human. His motivations are probably very different from a full siren." She finishes her drink. "Or not. Who knows?"

[louise_abasi]

"Well, if he managed to anger you.. he's got some kind of talent. I'm sorry you had to experience that and I hope he sees the light that burns through you. In a non-lethal way." She grinned. "Amen."

[asharpertongue]

Lara laughed. "I wouldn't hold your breath for that."

[louise_abasi]

"Why? Won't you breath life back into me when I faint?"

She pushed her toes through the sand. "He's just one guy, let it go. For now."

[asharpertongue]

"You're right. I'm not going to spend my night worrying about a frustrating man." She grinned as a few of the younger sirens went hurtling towards the sea, their scales rippling into existence as the salt water washed over them. "It's a fun night, not a moping night."

[louise_abasi]

"It looks lovely. The water." She let a nervous giggle escape. "Maybe I should pick up swimming lessons again."

[asharpertongue]

"The offer to teach you still stands." She said, wading into the shallows up to her calfs.

[louise_abasi]

"I know, I know. And I know it's an irrational fear, especially in that town. You just don't know what resides in the deep, you know."

[asharpertongue]

"Well, yes actually. I do know." Lara grinned.

[louise_abasi]

"Oh come on", she stuck out her tongue. "Surely it's not just villages full of sirens underneath the surface. Nor huge octopuses. You know what I mean."