Realistic or Modern The Black Pearl Bay

[ApfelSeine]

Sunday Morning, 6:30 AM: Bayside Harbor Port

​

A light fog covered the town of Bayside Harbor in the early morning. For most of the residents, it was as peaceful as any other morning, but down at the local port, it was a hectic scramble. The road leading to the water was blocked off, and most fishing vessels that normally would be out at sea were still docked. Some of the locals stood around grumbling about this, but they knew well enough what had caused this delay. It had been some time since the last incident, but the warning flag was up near the harbormaster's office, signaling that someone had been lost at sea. As the fishermen who lingered at the scene discussed who it could be, the local officers redirected traffic and tried to keep the area clear. Among them was Niles, making an appearance to help keep things moving as smoothly as possible to allow those working with the harbormaster to do their jobs.

Inside the harbormaster's office, Renée prepared her equipment, firing off orders to the others who were getting ready to join the search and rescue team. One of the local officers worked hurriedly at the computer as Eva sat beside them, running calculations and updating the map as they worked out the most likely areas that the missing person could be found. The technology was fairly newly implemented, and this was their first time to use it in an official capacity. It was a stressful situation, yet aside from a notice posted for swimmers to stay out of the ocean for that day, there was no particular fanfare about the whole ordeal.

Despite it all, for everyone else, the day began the same as it often did. A quiet, peaceful morning.

 

[Flaming Raccoon]

IN WHICH ZERHI AND WEKA HAVE A NICE MORNING.
Featuring ⎯ Zerhi & co

---

Appearing from the darkness that was her cave, a tired merwoman’s face peered out at the ocean around her. She seemed to be looking for something[Which was odd, because up here she literally couldn’t see a thing.]. That was when it found her instead, a dark blue eel lunging at her. Rather than attacking, its open jaws twisted into an expression of panic as it made an attempt to stop, crashing into her face and floating limply for a moment. ``Good morning too, Weka.`` She’d scoff, rubbing the bridge of her nose before swimming out of the rocky opening. The eel eagerly swam to her side, then swam around her in a circle. It was like a dog. If dogs were aquatic, they had two jaws, fins, and no limbs. Yup. Just like a dog.

‘Weka,’ Zerhi affectionately called the creature, brushed against her arm and led her to less spiky, murder scene-y waters. It was about time they had some breakfast. The viperfish merperson usually did the hunting, but since it was so early Weka would have to lend a hand- er- fin too. Weka gladly sped forwards to find a meal. Maybe a minnow? A crab? Dunno. He was rather quick, much at the expense of Zerhi who still COULDN’T SEE and kind of needed a warning when he did that. Staying in place like a toddler who threatened to stay at a store if their parents didn’t buy them some candy, she crossed her arms. She hoped he'd come back soon. She didn't like being in the sunlight zone much.

 

[Vexumin]

Jules Finnegan

Another day of calming cool waves, how could Jules not go out on a morning such as this. Fins catching what little breeze there was while he stood knee deep within the ocean, absorbed in a meditative state. It was common for his people to pay respects to the ocean when the day is good and the sea has been kind. The mahgin's skin absorbs the moisture in the mist as it drifts across the surface of the waves. Not only that, but the mists served as a good cover to keep any unwelcome eyes from beholding his inhuman appearance. His true form. He was far more connected to the ocean this way, and he could feel all of his senses open to what lurked beneath its surface.

The mahgin takes a deep breath through his sharp toothed maw before he gently submerges the long whiskers that droop down his face into the water. The ends glow and vibrate the waters, sending sound far into the depths. It was nothing overwhelming, just a notice that for the most part all is well upon land. It could also serve as an invitation to those below. "It's a good day, may it continue to go well," the hum says in good hopes and spirits.

Once Jules was finally finished with this small ritual of his, he steps out of the waters, and his deep blue flesh changes back to its soft fleshy pink of human skin. His face narrows and his whiskers retreat into his face, hair sprouting from barren flesh before he has a full head of hair with his small beard to boot. His face becomes rough and he runs a five fingered hand along it, making sure the change went off without a hitch.

It was a short walk to his home, swimming trunks put on along with a t-shirt. He wears dressy attire when he's working, but usually he wears whatever is comfortable. Getting home, he begins his common routine. Shower, brushing his teeth, deodorant, cologne, undershirt, work uniform and finally a quick combing of his hair. It was a bit long now to do anything with that gel stuff he saw at the store recently, but he doesn't really like the feeling of the stuff. Better to just go naturally.

Once he was ready to leave, he gathers a brief case and starts walking. He runs a pub, so there is never any rush to get started on his work. Sure there might be some that would prefer him to keep the Sunken Trunk open twenty four seven, but like hell was he about to start any of that. He opens shop at twelve and closes at two in the morning, what more did the drunks in the harbor want from him? Nonetheless, he always makes it normal to visit a cafe in the mornings before he did anything. Coffee wasn't really necessary for him. He got all the sleep he could ever need for the most part, which is more than enough for a mahgin. However, the cafe he goes to in particular was one that was somewhat special to him.

His cafe preference is the Larimar Cove Cafe. Now this place was something else. In all of Black Pearl Bay, there was no other place more magnificently decorated with greenery than this one. There was a nice little spot in their outdoor seating area that he always tried to reserve before anyone else. It's nice to just get some time here before the day begins. Walking through the front door, his eyes immediately seeks a menu so that he can choose just how his day will truly get started.​

 

[AquaMarie]

Marianne​

Interactions: Open
Mentions: none

Spoiler: Lavender handmade Jumper

Spoiler: Flower hair clips

Spoiler: apron

Marianne had woken up around 4 am in the morning. This was quite normal for a woman with a bakery and cafe as her business. She was used to waking up at dawn to warm up the oven and get the morning baking and any orders that she might have for the day. After a quick breakfast and her morning tea, Marianne was ready to start out her day. It was a cold morning so she changed into her leggings and a light lavender knitted jumper that was gifted to her by a dear friend of hers. She pinned her hair back and out of her face with some lavender ribbon flower pins and placed on her yellow rimed glasses. Ready, she made her way down from her apartment, which was located just above her shop. Entering her bakery she turned on the light and placed on her flowery apron. Just one of the many aprons she sews up for herself to wear. Because as a baker one could never have enough aprons. Rolling up her sleeves she went to work in the kitchen of her shop, baking and decorating her morning away.

Marianne was pulling out the last batch of morning baked goods to cool off. As she took some of the muffins to the front of the shop into the display case. In doing so she noticed the time on the clock. Making her way to the front of the shop and opening her door, stepping out to the crisp morning sea air. She looked in a deep breath of the cold salty sea air before looking down at the street. It was a quiet morning as the other business next to her were still closed. She walked back into her shop flipping her sign from close to open. It was about 6:30 in the morning, she would normally have her usual morning customers. These were mainly sailors or early risers heading to work that would come in for coffee and a pastry or breakfast sandwich. But no one had been outside waiting for her door to open. She found this strange, had something happened? she wondered. She turned on the lights of the sitting and eating area as she turned on the television that hung in a corner of her shop. It was early so the local news was playing in the background as she finished getting ready. That is when the news report of what had happened that morning came on. Reporting that a person had been lost at sea, and there was a bit of stir happing in town due to the disappearance. Mari had gotten her answer as to why it was a slow start to her normal busy mornings.

 

[idalie]

Location: Docks - Larimar Cove Cafe
Interactions: AquaMarie
Mentions: N/A

Edward Reichbach​

“Probably some tourists out on a flimsy paddleboat, swept by the riptide. Like we need any of their ilk skulking around for a story. Fucking vultures the lot of ‘em.”
“You’ll swallow yer tongue if it’s local, talkin’ like that.”
“Damn right shame it is too for the start of the season. Bad omen, mark my words.”

The sailors and fishermen who gathered on the docks spoke in harsh, ruined voices and soft sailboat tones, all dressed for the day in their overalls and tight-knit jumpers. Mist lingered on the ocean surface, mimicking each lap with a wispy curl before it hung stagnant. Reichbach stood back from most, hands thrust deep in his pockets and bleary-eyed from an especially early start. Not that he’d expected to have woken up amidst a missing persons search.

People lost at sea were common for a seaside town, it ever remained testament to human error and inherent unpredictability. The ocean was a cruel mistress of great swelling waves and strong currents, a lashing lover who could afford to leave you dead. Horror stories of being swept overboard, never to be seen again amidst a great Atlantic storm shook every sailor to the bone. Even the most experienced captains had lost their ships to unexpected conditions, one could never trust their experience - only instinct and sense.

Edward swung backward on his heels, turning with a swift glance at a battered mobile in the great paw of his hand. Swiping at the caller ID, Ed held it to his ear.
“Dad? Yeah well, it’s been a slow mornin’. Lifeguard’s out, got the docks in a tizzy, I’m on my way to the marina now. Yeah, yeah. Just the sparkplugs? I’ll give the engine a look over and see whether the nets are in good condition while I’m at it. Might stop by Marianne’s seeing as it is … what? I don’t know if she still does walnut cake, yeah… yeah I’ll ask.”

Only half six and already his scheduled maintenance on one of his father’s trawlers had been made difficult. Stooping to hoist up the toolbox at his feet, the fisherman hung up before letting out a heavy sigh. Half relieved and half frustrated. Working for the family company had its ups and downs, one of which proved to be a crotchety old man who still believed he could haul single-handedly.

Making his way down to the Marina, Edward boarded the trawler in question for repairs. Replacing the dodgy plugs for the engine and offering other minor fixes, inspecting all equipment, Reichbach signed off on the boat - as named in swirling white script, now long faded, “Red Herring”. One of his father’s ideas of a joke, though he had to admit it brought a wry smile to his face.

Finally making his way up the hill and into town, jumper thrown over his shoulder and toolbox in the opposing hand, every smell of the adjacent bakers and coppery scent of the butchers intermingled with fresh produce from the grocers' stalls. Florists laying out their bouquets of sweet pollen and artisanal jams lined community businesses, slowly waking up and coming to life in the early hours. Larimar Cove was a popular cafe on the square, run by an old school friend he’d been acquainted with in youth and no matter how one put it, they were still in the place they’d started. Perhaps one could call it comradery?

Spotting Mari inside and welcoming open sign, Edward shouldered through the door at the ring of a bell. Lifting his cap in greeting and offering a smile as he went, “Mornin’ Mari,” The back of his palm swiped across his forehead before Reichbach continued, smearing a light stripe of oil grease, “Hectic ain’t it? But that lavender on you, I almost recognise it. Looks good.” Then came the wry grin and jokingly quick-paced wink.

“Whaddya got today, sweetheart? My old man’s been yapping at me to ask whether you’re still doing that coffee an’ walnut cake, but he'd just about settle for anything sweet. You know the fella.”

 

[Flaming Raccoon]

IN WHICH ZERHI AND WEKA HAVE A NICE MORNING.
Featuring ⎯ Zerhi & co

---

As fast as she could, Zerhi swam after the eel, screeching profanities. You wanna know what he did? What that little punk eel did? Well, it started a bit earlier, when they were still looking for something to eat.

Flash back to some minutes ago. They weren’t keeping track of time.

Weka, leading Zerhi forwards, was snuffling around some rocks to try and find some crabs or fish hiding amongst the cracks of stone and coral. Zerhi was poker-faced, her hair waving slowly in the gentle current of the water. Their disagreement from earlier had come to a close, and now they were just looking around for aquatic flesh to feast upon. She finally decided to help, using her long claws to drag along the stones and startle any creature out of hiding. A crab was nestled nicely in between some rocks, feeding on algae clinging to it. Then the merfolk grabbed it by the claws, pausing to try and sense what it was. It felt like a crab claw. Yeah, it’s a crab.

BUT THEN. From beside her crept Weka, who swiftly crunched down the crab without much struggle, leaving only the claws wish he then tried to pry out of Zerhi’s hand. ``Oh you little-- How dare you.`` She grabbed the Moray’s face, scowling. He tried to escape by backpedaling, and when that didn’t work, by trying to move forwards. But she was holding him in place, hissing swears and angry threats towards him. That was HER food. He ALWAYS did this. If he wasn’t unable to swim properly then she’d just leave him out here. But, with that oddly twisted tail, he was a prime target for predators.

She had a soft sport for the eel, even if he was a brat. But just as she let him go, he nibbled her nose and swam away, prompting her to chase him.

And that’s where we are now, the two swimming around the waters. One out of mischief, and the other of anger. Zerhi was pretty tired though, so she had stopped swimming a while ago. Weka was just swimming in a circle, like it was a game.

 

[AquaMarie]

Marianne​

Location: Larimar Cove Cafe
Interactions: Vexumin idalie
Mentions: Jules and Edward

Spoiler: Lavender handmade Jumper

Spoiler: Flower hair clips

Spoiler: apron

It didn't take too long for customers to start making their way into and through Lumar Cove Cafe. Early in the morning, most were just seeking a coffee and a simple egg sandwich or pastry to go. While a few made their way to indoor and outdoor seating to read the newspaper and have their morning coffee.

One of her regulars stepped through the door, the bell at the door jingling as he went in. It was Jules Finnegan, an older, serious-looking man and the owner and barkeeper of Sunken Trunk Pub. A very popular place for many townspeople to head at night especially those that liked to drink. She had known this man for most of her life and there had always been something that intrigued her about him as if there was more to him than what was seen or known. That was something she felt for quite a few people that lived at Black Pearl Bay. However, he had always been a kind soul to her, filled with wisdom no matter how scary he looked. Mr. Finnegan had been coming to the cafe since her grandparents were the owners and she always enjoyed seeing her regulars. "Good morning Mr. Finnegan, hope you've been having a lovely morning so far" Marianne greeted him with a friendly smile as the man walked over to look at the menu. "Take your time sir, and there are still have plenty of sitting outside.." she let him know like always.

Marianne went back to filling out the orders. The little bell on the door of her shop jingled once again, as she turned over to greet her new customer. She smiled seeing her oldest friend walk through the door. "Good morning Eddie dear" she greeted him. "A bit...oh.." she lightly giggled as a light blush appeared on her cheeks as he did his wry grin and jokingly quick-paced wink. "Oh you like it?...it's one of my personal favorites...the color and pattern is lovely….a dear friend of mine gift it to me…" she said.

Mari smiled "...well I have some fresh croissants and muffins that came out of the oven a few minutes ago." She spoke softly. "Oh of course I have his favorite….I know your dad would settle for anything sweet, but I always try to have some walnut cake." She answered truthfully, besides Edward's dad loving the cake a lot of the older sailors adore that cake and would request it often.

Her eyes kept focusing on the stain on Edward's forehead. "Eddie here...bend a tad bit," she asked the tall burly to bend much closer to her so she could reach him. She reached up and with a damp cloth and wiped his forehead removing the light stain of grease on his forehead. "There,...all better, ….now dear why don't you go wash your hands so we make sure you don't eat grease with your breakfast this morning.." she said motioning him with her head towards the small restroom she had for her customers.

 

[ApfelSeine]

Sunday Morning, 6:45am: Shallow Hunting Grounds

Ryan swam along the ocean floor, his silver tail glittering as the sparse sunlight reflected off the scales. Although he typically preferred to spend his time closer to the coast, Ryan had opted to swim a bit deeper. The mornings were typically when fishermen made their way out to sea after all. Oddly enough however, he had not seen a single boat on his way from the coastline to the deeper waters where most merfolk resided when in the sea. It struck him as rather strange, and it was generally a good idea to report to others on deviations from usual human activity, so Ryan had sent Gary and some of the others along the coastal region as he traveled to the deeper settlements.

As he was on his way, Ryan spotted Zerhi and Weka nearby. With a flick of his tail he changed direction, swimming towards them. Knowing that only the peculiar little eel would be able to spot him coming, Ryan called out to announce his arrival.

"Good morning Zerhi! Are you two playing a game of tag?" he asked, slowing down a bit as he drew closer. "You're both surprisingly energetic for how early it is. I haven't even gotten a chance to stop for breakfast yet."

Mentions: Flaming Raccoon (Zerhi/Weka)

 

[Flaming Raccoon]

IN WHICH ZERHI AND WEKA HAVE A NICE MORNING.
Featuring ⎯ Zerhi & co, Ryan( ApfelSeine )

---

Weka paused at the noise, allowing Zerhi to lunge and subdue him, putting the eel into a headlock and look over at the fellow merfolk. ``Uhuh, just a second.`` She bonked his nose, albeit gently, and let the eel go. He seemed rather offended. ``The little jerk stole the thing I was going to eat. Mind you, he eats more than I do on a bad day.`` She shook her fist at what she thought was the sky, but was a rock. Hm. ``It is rather early for a- er- group-y merfolk to be out here. Or have we found our way onto your lands again, hm?``

Usually, since she wasn’t part of a.. Coven? Group? She didn’t know the word. She didn’t like to stray too close to them. Of course, since Weka was her guide, she had become a familiar sight to a few of the merfolk around here. Zerhi crossed her arms and drew her ‘pet’s’ attention with a flash of her scales.

 

[Vexumin]

Jules Finnegan

Jules acknowledges Marianne with a nod and a brief smile. He never really smiled much. Just a sensation he had a hard time getting used to on land. Feels better to just keep a neutral expression on his face. "Morning, Marianne," he says before his eyes glance to a somewhat familiar rugged face. That of Edward Reichbach, the fisherman. "Morning to you as well, Edward," he offered, before he looks to the menu again. He was always picky about trying something new or different every day. No same combination of sweets or drinks, and never the same thing twice too frequently. Not even he can really say why he makes a habit of it, but he always follows the same routine.

He rubs at his chin as he looks at everything available before he makes his choice. "I'll take a cup of tea and a slice of apple pie, please." Jules grumbles idly a little as he turns to look out towards the outdoor area. It was kind of empty just as he was told. He was always happy to rely on Marianne and her family for good mornings. If you don't start the day on a good note, then what's the point of going through the rest of it? After making his order, he takes a seat a short distance away, taking a load off from all the standing around he has done thus far.

Kicking one leg over the other, he turns his head to look out at the ocean. through the windowed doors of the café. He had always remembered praising Marianne's parents for their choice of location. No other place offers a better view of the sea. The wait was going to be a short while, so he really leans into the chair and gets comfortable. A soft tune escapes him as he begins to hum a song from his childhood. One that always used to calm him. A song known only to his own people or those that have met Jules in his true form.

Interacting with AquaMarie idalie ​