I see now, clear and free

[serperior]

This is a post for Taku and Mini to do whatever shenanigans they desire

Comments

[octoblot]

[Floyd makes an immediate beeline for the scythe upon taking notice of it--thankfully, he doesn't make to try to touch it, just look--while Jade is the one who still has some semblance of professionalism here.]

"Thank you. I promise that this shouldn't take too long."

[When Jade sits, he reaches into his coat and holds up the flask containing the potion they discussed before, and explains how it works: it will allow her to breathe underwater for at least six hours if the whole thing is consumed, with smaller doses for smaller lengths of time. Once she consumes it, however, it will make breathing above water fairly taxing until it wears off since it means your lungs are working twice as normal from the effects of the potion, thus it is recommended to not drink it until you're literally about to go right into the water. She won't develop fins, but as long as she's taken at least one swim class in her life, she should be fine, even doggy paddling underwater is doable. (But Floyd will absolutely point and laugh in that regard) She won't have to worry about things like atmospheric pressure if attempting to dive down to the very bottom of the aquarium.]

"Do you have any questions before we discuss payment?"

[abnormalizes]

[Floyd is valid and correct.]

Hmmm... No, I think I'm good. So, cost?

[She's already reaching for her wallet.]

[octoblot]

"Oh, you won't be needing that."

"We're not interested in money for this particular transaction"

[Floyd speaks up as well, drifting to hover closer nearby with a sharp grin now...]

[abnormalizes]

O...kay. So what were you interested in, then.

[...is she gonna need that scythe]

[octoblot]

[There's a pause, and then...]

"Hey Jade, what time is it right now?

"I believe it's about nine right now."

"Oh! That means it would be a good time for that!"

"That?"

"That!"

"... There is a risk, but it would be worth it to check."

[And that gets Floyd bouncing over to Evangeline's side]

"Okay, you heard Jade! Let's get going, Anglerfishie, we gotta show you something first before we can go swimming."

[abnormalizes]

Oh? Okay. Should I bring my swimsuit?

[If they're going to the aquarium...]

[octoblot]

"You can, if that will help you swim easier."

"Or you can just wear your regular clothes, or go naked for all we care."

[Floyd no, do not encourage her to flash the whole dorm]

[abnormalizes]

...Naked is tempting, but I'll get in trouble if Crowley finds out. Give me a second to change.

[She'll kick them out of her office for a minute, and when she emerges it's in a black bikini. It's probably fine to walk across the campus like this?]

[octoblot]

[You might get a couple of heads turned in your direction from a couple students, but otherwise the fact that she's being accompanied by the Leech twins is enough to discourage any of them from staring too long, let alone approaching as they walk with her in the direction of where the aquarium and pool entrances are.

While they've got a minute or two before they reach their destination, Floyd suddenly says--]

"So, has Azul said anything to you about that wish of yours? There's only like, a day or two until you have enough points to get it cashed in, isn't there?"

[For the record, Azul has not said a word about it--in fact, he's been conveniently absent the last day or so whenever she did drop into the Lounge during the time the twins were getting the potion ready for Eva.]

[abnormalizes]

He hasn't, no. Honestly, I'm starting to wonder if maybe he can't find anyone? I haven't seen any other octomers swimming around in the aquarium...

[So maybe they're considerably rarer than she thought when making that wish.]

[octoblot]

"Really?"

[Jade makes a noncommittal hum in response to that. They're getting closer towards the part where Jade and Floyd like to hang out the most, so there isn't very many merfolk swimming in this part of the area as she'll see as they get there, until...]

"What about that one?"

[Floyd says suddenly, pointing at the glass. If Eva looks like in time, she'll see the briefest glance of a black and purple tentacle sliding by, disappearing somewhere around the next corner. Whoever it belongs to doesn't seem to have noticed anyone around yet, but if you turn the next corner up here quick enough, you might be able to catch sight of the face for who it belongs to...]

[abnormalizes]

[!!!!!

Well now Floyd doesn't get an answer, because Evangeline has to see who that tentacle belongs to and she may have forgotten that she was in a conversation at all. She picks up her pace to catch up with the retreating tendril, eyes wide and fixed on the glass.]

[octoblot]

[Floyd and Jade don't stop her from running off, so Evangeline will be free to chase the retreating tendril. There's no other students around either, for that matter, something that Eva might notice eventually, but for the time being when she turns the corner...

That is definitely an octomer crouched down at the bottom of the aquarium here. This area is kept dark, but they can still be seen having bent over, inspecting something shiny in the sand below. Their back is to the glass, bare save for what looks like some black spiraling shapes like tattoos on their skin, but it shouldn't take a genius to guess who they are from the back, given the color of their hair that they still have in this form.]

[abnormalizes]

[Oh, oh, oh. Evangeline covers her mouth with her hand to muffle what would probably have been a delighted squeak. Her face is bright pink, and she's bouncing a little on her feet.

If there wasn't that 'don't knock on the glass' sign, she might try to get Azul's attention. He still might overhear her, depending on how well her happy sigh carries:]

He's gorgeous.

[octoblot]

[It looks like he doesn't hear her at all, actually. Either the glass is thick enough to make whatever noise or words she says obsolete, or he's too distracted with whatever he's looking at here to notice.

Jade and Floyd for some reason are standing back rather than coming close, despite the fact that they should have caught up with her by now. But she might be too distracted to notice that just yet while she's busy watching Azul.

Eventually it becomes obvious what it is he's looking at as he holds something up in front of him, squinting at it. A coin, maybe? Did someone drop loose change in the aquarium or something?]

[abnormalizes]

[Jade and Floyd who? Sorry, guys, she'll remember you exist in a minute.

Is there a way to get into the aquarium from here, because if there is she's absolutely taking a drink of that potion and Going For It.

.....you really shouldn't litter in the aquarium, that's so rude. Even if it is money.]

[octoblot]

[There is! It's to the left right over here... which Jade and Floyd are standing in front of, blocking.]

"Hmm? Going somewhere, Anglerfishie?"

[abnormalizes]

[...Hmm.]

I would very much like to go in there and tell Azul to his face that he's absolutely beautiful. Is that an issue?

[octoblot]

"Well, you would need this potion here for you to be able to breathe in there..."

"... and we still haven't discussed payment for it yet."

[They glance in the direction of where Azul is, checking to see if he's still distracted, before they speak again.]

"You understand, right?"

"Nothing in life comes free, after all."

[abnormalizes]

...............





I'm assuming from the fact that Azul is right there that it's not sexual favors? So you're going to have to be a little more explicit.

[Is Azul into voyeurism. She wouldn't judge, but it would be surprising.]

[octoblot]

"Geez, what a bold thing to suggest, Anglerfishie! Do you really think we're the type to extort people like that?"

"However, since you brought it up..."

[Jade is no longer smiling, giving Eva a far more critical look than he has before.]

"... We would prefer that you don't allow Azul to hear that you even suggested that to begin with."

[abnormalizes]

[...do you want her answer to that question because it's less about you and more about her]

I wasn't going to tell him. So what are you after, if it's not that and not money?

[octoblot]

[There's a long pause, and then Floyd says--]

"Out of curiosity, what is your opinion of Azul anyway? I mean, aside from how delectably squishy his octopus form is."

[Can you maybe not describe your friend like that, Floyd??]

[abnormalizes]

[Evangeline had been getting a little tense, but at the question she relaxes and smiles.]

I really like him. He's brilliant, works hard at everything he does, and I look forward to talking to him every day at the Lounge. It seems like he doesn't realize how many people care about him, and I wish I could convince him... He's very, very cute, but even if he wasn't he'd still be my favorite person here. Even if this deal doesn't work out - I'm really glad I met him.

[There's no evasiveness, no hint of anything she might be hiding. This is her honest and unfiltered opinion.]

[octoblot]

"Aww! Well, isn't that nice to hear..."

[And then they both grin, sharp and feral as Jade says--]

"... but how can we be absolutely sure that you're not just saying that because you want to get down and dirty with him? Or that you'll move on to someone else more monstrous once you've grown bored of him?"